Gatlinburg 1 : December 27-29
Pete Hixson, MC • Unhindered, Worship
TobyMac
TobyMac has always been a man driven and committed in every area of his life, whether it's as a husband, father, performer, song-writer and producer, businessman or President of Gotee Records. And while he's "arrived" by anyone's standards, the Grammy nominations, gold records and number one singles haven't slowed him down one bit. He's as committed today as a "success" as he was as a new face in Christian music.
Growing up in the VA suburbs adjacent to DC, he remembers falling in love with the beats, rhymes and production of early rap. "I remember hearing a Kurtis Blow/Trouble Funk song on the radio and going to a local record store, and they didn't have it. Since I couldn't drive yet, I took the Metrorail into downtown DC and found a store that had that song; I bought the Sugarhill Gang's Rappers Delight that day as well. From there, it just caught fire. I fell in love with hip-hop music."
David Crowder Band
Singer/guitarist David Crowder first stepped into the music industry when he realized that over half of the students at Baylor University, a Christian school that he attended in Waco, TX, were not going to church. He began to actively recruit students for worship services and started writing songs to draw more young people in. He eventually started releasing the songs, leading to his debut album, 2002's Can_You_Hear_Us? The album was released under the name the David Crowder Band, as Crowder was joined by guitarists Jack_Parker and Jason_Solley, drummer Jeremy_Bush, bassist Mike_Dodson, and electric violinist Mike_Hogan. Their sophomore effort, Illuminate, appeared in the fall of 2003 and was followed a year later by The Lime CD, which was comprised of two earlier live releases (The Green CD and The Yellow CD) that had been given out to fans who had either pre-ordered prior albums or attended various CD release parties. Sunsets & Sushi appeared in early 2005 before the band's next studio album, the bluegrass-tinged A_Collision, was issued that fall. A spinoff of the latter album, entitled B_Collision, came out a year later and focused even more on the group's delvings into bluegrass. Remedy was released in 2007, followed by Church_Music in 2009. A four-song EP, Summer_Happiness, featuring acoustic versions of songs from Church_Music, appeared as an exclusive from iTunes in 2010.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, CA, that was formed in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and their surfing buddy, Chad Butler. Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and were good enough to earn product endorsements from equipment companies, their real passion was music. The guys formed a band (originally known as Chin Up) and they released three albums before making their major label debut in 2003. In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Drew Shirley started touring with the band as a guitarist in 2003. He officially joined Switchfoot in 2005.
Red
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message. These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the most buzzed about bands to crash through the Christian rock world in recent memory. "We're passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited," says bassist Randy Armstrong. It's more than just good theater, though. There's conviction fueling the onstage bonfire, an inferno that burns brightly. As contemporary Christian rock continues to push boundaries of what a band can say with its music, bands like Red are
Newsong
Newsong started out 30 years ago as a 9 member church band for Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, never imagining that they would still be together in 2010. Founding member, Billy Goodwin, explains the group's faith attitude, "The commitment that we made was, 'God, we'll do this as long as Your hand is on it, as long as we see You working.' One of the joys in my walk has been learning that God is faithful even when things look impossible." Throughout the years, and changes in the group, they have had 17 #1 singles, six Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations, numerous songwriting awards, and five of the Top 100 Christian radio singles of the past decade. They are known for their songs, "Arise, My Love," "Miracles," "Jesus To The World (Roaring Lambs), and "The Christmas Shoes," which is also the title of their first Christmas Album.
Jamie Grace
Jamie Grace, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter who is appearing as part of Women of Faith’s popular “Revolve Tour,” has been signed by Gotee Records, helmed by Joey Elwood and multiple GRAMMY ® winner TobyMac. Gotee Records’ will also launch Jamie Grace’s debut Hold Me e.p. digitally on February 22, with plans for a full project release in fall 2011.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie is a college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking.
Anthem Lights
For Anthem Lights—an innovative, high-energy pop foursome with soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry—“Stranger” is more than another song. It’s an identity, a way of life they’ve embraced. It’s a powerful truth that impacts every decision they make, underscores every lyric they write, and every note they sing. “As followers of Christ, we were not made for this world,” explains Anthem Lights member Alan Powell. “We don’t belong here. And all the self-doubt and insecurity and struggling to fit in, it’s all part of believing the lie that we’re supposed to be ‘at home’ here. God created us in His image—there’s nothing to doubt about that! We’re here to love others and be Christ in the world. The closer we get to Christ, to being what we were created to be in this world, our value of what this world values begins to fade.” With four extremely gifted vocalists and a wealth of songwriting talent, Anthem Lights is a force to be reckoned with. But from the beginning, notes Powell, “We were intentional on being more than just another pop group. We understood our calling, that we were meant to be more than ‘music business.’ We were called to share the Light we’ve been given. To build people up. To lead the way.”
Worship Band : Unhindered
Every once in a while, you come across a group of people who refuse to let things stay the way they are. Fueled by a passion for what they believe, they cannot sit by and watch culture consistently walk down the wrong path — they are mobilized to action. Without these people, society would never change. Enter Unhindered, a Christian worship band cased out of Atlanta, GA. More than just a group of musicians playing together, Unhindered is a community that is dedicated to tirelessly laboring to lead people to God. A band that has been forming since some of its' members were in high school, Unhindered released their first CD (City Streets. independent) in Fall of 2005 and have since sold over 10,000 copies. With a passionate heart for engaging students in worship, the band now travels across the United States declaring that not only does God want to be involved in students' lives while they are at church, but He also desires to play play a huge part in their every day activities and decisions. "The same God that you sing to now, in church," says Patrick (Pat), "wants to play a part in every decision you make tomorrow at school, with your friends, at your job, wherever you are, in everything that you do.
Branson : December 27-29
Rick Young, MC • Chasen, Worship
TobyMac
TobyMac has always been a man driven and committed in every area of his life, whether it's as a husband, father, performer, song-writer and producer, businessman or President of Gotee Records. And while he's "arrived" by anyone's standards, the Grammy nominations, gold records and number one singles haven't slowed him down one bit. He's as committed today as a "success" as he was as a new face in Christian music.
Growing up in the VA suburbs adjacent to DC, he remembers falling in love with the beats, rhymes and production of early rap. "I remember hearing a Kurtis Blow/Trouble Funk song on the radio and going to a local record store, and they didn't have it. Since I couldn't drive yet, I took the Metrorail into downtown DC and found a store that had that song; I bought the Sugarhill Gang's Rappers Delight that day as well. From there, it just caught fire. I fell in love with hip-hop music."
David Crowder Band
Singer/guitarist David Crowder first stepped into the music industry when he realized that over half of the students at Baylor University, a Christian school that he attended in Waco, TX, were not going to church. He began to actively recruit students for worship services and started writing songs to draw more young people in. He eventually started releasing the songs, leading to his debut album, 2002's Can_You_Hear_Us? The album was released under the name the David Crowder Band, as Crowder was joined by guitarists Jack_Parker and Jason_Solley, drummer Jeremy_Bush, bassist Mike_Dodson, and electric violinist Mike_Hogan. Their sophomore effort, Illuminate, appeared in the fall of 2003 and was followed a year later by The Lime CD, which was comprised of two earlier live releases (The Green CD and The Yellow CD) that had been given out to fans who had either pre-ordered prior albums or attended various CD release parties. Sunsets & Sushi appeared in early 2005 before the band's next studio album, the bluegrass-tinged A_Collision, was issued that fall. A spinoff of the latter album, entitled B_Collision, came out a year later and focused even more on the group's delvings into bluegrass. Remedy was released in 2007, followed by Church_Music in 2009. A four-song EP, Summer_Happiness, featuring acoustic versions of songs from Church_Music, appeared as an exclusive from iTunes in 2010.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, CA, that was formed in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and their surfing buddy, Chad Butler. Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and were good enough to earn product endorsements from equipment companies, their real passion was music. The guys formed a band (originally known as Chin Up) and they released three albums before making their major label debut in 2003. In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Drew Shirley started touring with the band as a guitarist in 2003. He officially joined Switchfoot in 2005.
Red
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message. These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the most buzzed about bands to crash through the Christian rock world in recent memory. "We're passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited," says bassist Randy Armstrong. It's more than just good theater, though. There's conviction fueling the onstage bonfire, an inferno that burns brightly. As contemporary Christian rock continues to push boundaries of what a band can say with its music, bands like Red are
Newsong
Newsong started out 30 years ago as a 9 member church band for Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, never imagining that they would still be together in 2010. Founding member, Billy Goodwin, explains the group's faith attitude, "The commitment that we made was, 'God, we'll do this as long as Your hand is on it, as long as we see You working.' One of the joys in my walk has been learning that God is faithful even when things look impossible." Throughout the years, and changes in the group, they have had 17 #1 singles, six Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations, numerous songwriting awards, and five of the Top 100 Christian radio singles of the past decade. They are known for their songs, "Arise, My Love," "Miracles," "Jesus To The World (Roaring Lambs), and "The Christmas Shoes," which is also the title of their first Christmas Album.
Jamie Grace
Jamie Grace, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter who is appearing as part of Women of Faith’s popular “Revolve Tour,” has been signed by Gotee Records, helmed by Joey Elwood and multiple GRAMMY ® winner TobyMac. Gotee Records’ will also launch Jamie Grace’s debut Hold Me e.p. digitally on February 22, with plans for a full project release in fall 2011.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie is a college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking.
Anthem Lights
For Anthem Lights—an innovative, high-energy pop foursome with soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry—“Stranger” is more than another song. It’s an identity, a way of life they’ve embraced. It’s a powerful truth that impacts every decision they make, underscores every lyric they write, and every note they sing. “As followers of Christ, we were not made for this world,” explains Anthem Lights member Alan Powell. “We don’t belong here. And all the self-doubt and insecurity and struggling to fit in, it’s all part of believing the lie that we’re supposed to be ‘at home’ here. God created us in His image—there’s nothing to doubt about that! We’re here to love others and be Christ in the world. The closer we get to Christ, to being what we were created to be in this world, our value of what this world values begins to fade.” With four extremely gifted vocalists and a wealth of songwriting talent, Anthem Lights is a force to be reckoned with. But from the beginning, notes Powell, “We were intentional on being more than just another pop group. We understood our calling, that we were meant to be more than ‘music business.’ We were called to share the Light we’ve been given. To build people up. To lead the way.”
Worship Band : Chasen
Ever try to talk about God at a bar? Faith and clubs may seem unlikely companions, but powerhouse pop/rock trio Chasen sees no need to divide the two. Whether playing for crowds on Sunday at their hometown church, or on weekdays at clubs like House of Blues and Asheville's own Orange Peel, this new band's refreshingly unaffected honesty and hook-heavy rock sound right at home. The group began when lead singer/songwriter and namesake Chasen Callahan pulled together fellow band mates — guitarist "Silver" and drummer Aaron Lord — to help him compile an independent CD of songs Callahan had played at summer youth camps. The music was so good, the disc soon found its way into the hands of upstart label OMG, a small new entertainment enterprise in the historic West End of Greenville, South Carolina. It didn't take long for the decision to prove to be the right one.
Gatlinburg 2 : December 29-31
Pete Hixson, MC • Unhindered, Worship
TobyMac
TobyMac has always been a man driven and committed in every area of his life, whether it's as a husband, father, performer, song-writer and producer, businessman or President of Gotee Records. And while he's "arrived" by anyone's standards, the Grammy nominations, gold records and number one singles haven't slowed him down one bit. He's as committed today as a "success" as he was as a new face in Christian music.
Growing up in the VA suburbs adjacent to DC, he remembers falling in love with the beats, rhymes and production of early rap. "I remember hearing a Kurtis Blow/Trouble Funk song on the radio and going to a local record store, and they didn't have it. Since I couldn't drive yet, I took the Metrorail into downtown DC and found a store that had that song; I bought the Sugarhill Gang's Rappers Delight that day as well. From there, it just caught fire. I fell in love with hip-hop music."
David Crowder Band
Singer/guitarist David Crowder first stepped into the music industry when he realized that over half of the students at Baylor University, a Christian school that he attended in Waco, TX, were not going to church. He began to actively recruit students for worship services and started writing songs to draw more young people in. He eventually started releasing the songs, leading to his debut album, 2002's Can_You_Hear_Us? The album was released under the name the David Crowder Band, as Crowder was joined by guitarists Jack_Parker and Jason_Solley, drummer Jeremy_Bush, bassist Mike_Dodson, and electric violinist Mike_Hogan. Their sophomore effort, Illuminate, appeared in the fall of 2003 and was followed a year later by The Lime CD, which was comprised of two earlier live releases (The Green CD and The Yellow CD) that had been given out to fans who had either pre-ordered prior albums or attended various CD release parties. Sunsets & Sushi appeared in early 2005 before the band's next studio album, the bluegrass-tinged A_Collision, was issued that fall. A spinoff of the latter album, entitled B_Collision, came out a year later and focused even more on the group's delvings into bluegrass. Remedy was released in 2007, followed by Church_Music in 2009. A four-song EP, Summer_Happiness, featuring acoustic versions of songs from Church_Music, appeared as an exclusive from iTunes in 2010.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, CA, that was formed in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and their surfing buddy, Chad Butler. Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and were good enough to earn product endorsements from equipment companies, their real passion was music. The guys formed a band (originally known as Chin Up) and they released three albums before making their major label debut in 2003. In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Drew Shirley started touring with the band as a guitarist in 2003. He officially joined Switchfoot in 2005.
Red
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message. These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the most buzzed about bands to crash through the Christian rock world in recent memory. "We're passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited," says bassist Randy Armstrong. It's more than just good theater, though. There's conviction fueling the onstage bonfire, an inferno that burns brightly. As contemporary Christian rock continues to push boundaries of what a band can say with its music, bands like Red are
Newsong
Newsong started out 30 years ago as a 9 member church band for Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, never imagining that they would still be together in 2010. Founding member, Billy Goodwin, explains the group's faith attitude, "The commitment that we made was, 'God, we'll do this as long as Your hand is on it, as long as we see You working.' One of the joys in my walk has been learning that God is faithful even when things look impossible." Throughout the years, and changes in the group, they have had 17 #1 singles, six Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations, numerous songwriting awards, and five of the Top 100 Christian radio singles of the past decade. They are known for their songs, "Arise, My Love," "Miracles," "Jesus To The World (Roaring Lambs), and "The Christmas Shoes," which is also the title of their first Christmas Album.
Jamie Grace
Jamie Grace, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter who is appearing as part of Women of Faith’s popular “Revolve Tour,” has been signed by Gotee Records, helmed by Joey Elwood and multiple GRAMMY ® winner TobyMac. Gotee Records’ will also launch Jamie Grace’s debut Hold Me e.p. digitally on February 22, with plans for a full project release in fall 2011.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie is a college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking.
Anthem Lights
For Anthem Lights—an innovative, high-energy pop foursome with soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry—“Stranger” is more than another song. It’s an identity, a way of life they’ve embraced. It’s a powerful truth that impacts every decision they make, underscores every lyric they write, and every note they sing. “As followers of Christ, we were not made for this world,” explains Anthem Lights member Alan Powell. “We don’t belong here. And all the self-doubt and insecurity and struggling to fit in, it’s all part of believing the lie that we’re supposed to be ‘at home’ here. God created us in His image—there’s nothing to doubt about that! We’re here to love others and be Christ in the world. The closer we get to Christ, to being what we were created to be in this world, our value of what this world values begins to fade.” With four extremely gifted vocalists and a wealth of songwriting talent, Anthem Lights is a force to be reckoned with. But from the beginning, notes Powell, “We were intentional on being more than just another pop group. We understood our calling, that we were meant to be more than ‘music business.’ We were called to share the Light we’ve been given. To build people up. To lead the way.”
Worship Band : Unhindered
Every once in a while, you come across a group of people who refuse to let things stay the way they are. Fueled by a passion for what they believe, they cannot sit by and watch culture consistently walk down the wrong path — they are mobilized to action. Without these people, society would never change. Enter Unhindered, a Christian worship band cased out of Atlanta, GA. More than just a group of musicians playing together, Unhindered is a community that is dedicated to tirelessly laboring to lead people to God. A band that has been forming since some of its' members were in high school, Unhindered released their first CD (City Streets. independent) in Fall of 2005 and have since sold over 10,000 copies. With a passionate heart for engaging students in worship, the band now travels across the United States declaring that not only does God want to be involved in students' lives while they are at church, but He also desires to play play a huge part in their every day activities and decisions. "The same God that you sing to now, in church," says Patrick (Pat), "wants to play a part in every decision you make tomorrow at school, with your friends, at your job, wherever you are, in everything that you do.
Pigeon Forge : December 29-31
Rick Young, MC • The Museum, Worship
TobyMac
TobyMac has always been a man driven and committed in every area of his life, whether it's as a husband, father, performer, song-writer and producer, businessman or President of Gotee Records. And while he's "arrived" by anyone's standards, the Grammy nominations, gold records and number one singles haven't slowed him down one bit. He's as committed today as a "success" as he was as a new face in Christian music.
Growing up in the VA suburbs adjacent to DC, he remembers falling in love with the beats, rhymes and production of early rap. "I remember hearing a Kurtis Blow/Trouble Funk song on the radio and going to a local record store, and they didn't have it. Since I couldn't drive yet, I took the Metrorail into downtown DC and found a store that had that song; I bought the Sugarhill Gang's Rappers Delight that day as well. From there, it just caught fire. I fell in love with hip-hop music."
David Crowder Band
Singer/guitarist David Crowder first stepped into the music industry when he realized that over half of the students at Baylor University, a Christian school that he attended in Waco, TX, were not going to church. He began to actively recruit students for worship services and started writing songs to draw more young people in. He eventually started releasing the songs, leading to his debut album, 2002's Can_You_Hear_Us? The album was released under the name the David Crowder Band, as Crowder was joined by guitarists Jack_Parker and Jason_Solley, drummer Jeremy_Bush, bassist Mike_Dodson, and electric violinist Mike_Hogan. Their sophomore effort, Illuminate, appeared in the fall of 2003 and was followed a year later by The Lime CD, which was comprised of two earlier live releases (The Green CD and The Yellow CD) that had been given out to fans who had either pre-ordered prior albums or attended various CD release parties. Sunsets & Sushi appeared in early 2005 before the band's next studio album, the bluegrass-tinged A_Collision, was issued that fall. A spinoff of the latter album, entitled B_Collision, came out a year later and focused even more on the group's delvings into bluegrass. Remedy was released in 2007, followed by Church_Music in 2009. A four-song EP, Summer_Happiness, featuring acoustic versions of songs from Church_Music, appeared as an exclusive from iTunes in 2010.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, CA, that was formed in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and their surfing buddy, Chad Butler. Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and were good enough to earn product endorsements from equipment companies, their real passion was music. The guys formed a band (originally known as Chin Up) and they released three albums before making their major label debut in 2003. In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Drew Shirley started touring with the band as a guitarist in 2003. He officially joined Switchfoot in 2005.
Red
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message. These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the most buzzed about bands to crash through the Christian rock world in recent memory. "We're passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited," says bassist Randy Armstrong. It's more than just good theater, though. There's conviction fueling the onstage bonfire, an inferno that burns brightly. As contemporary Christian rock continues to push boundaries of what a band can say with its music, bands like Red are
Newsong
Newsong started out 30 years ago as a 9 member church band for Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, never imagining that they would still be together in 2010. Founding member, Billy Goodwin, explains the group's faith attitude, "The commitment that we made was, 'God, we'll do this as long as Your hand is on it, as long as we see You working.' One of the joys in my walk has been learning that God is faithful even when things look impossible." Throughout the years, and changes in the group, they have had 17 #1 singles, six Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations, numerous songwriting awards, and five of the Top 100 Christian radio singles of the past decade. They are known for their songs, "Arise, My Love," "Miracles," "Jesus To The World (Roaring Lambs), and "The Christmas Shoes," which is also the title of their first Christmas Album.
Jamie Grace
Jamie Grace, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter who is appearing as part of Women of Faith’s popular “Revolve Tour,” has been signed by Gotee Records, helmed by Joey Elwood and multiple GRAMMY ® winner TobyMac. Gotee Records’ will also launch Jamie Grace’s debut Hold Me e.p. digitally on February 22, with plans for a full project release in fall 2011.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie is a college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking.
Anthem Lights
For Anthem Lights—an innovative, high-energy pop foursome with soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry—“Stranger” is more than another song. It’s an identity, a way of life they’ve embraced. It’s a powerful truth that impacts every decision they make, underscores every lyric they write, and every note they sing. “As followers of Christ, we were not made for this world,” explains Anthem Lights member Alan Powell. “We don’t belong here. And all the self-doubt and insecurity and struggling to fit in, it’s all part of believing the lie that we’re supposed to be ‘at home’ here. God created us in His image—there’s nothing to doubt about that! We’re here to love others and be Christ in the world. The closer we get to Christ, to being what we were created to be in this world, our value of what this world values begins to fade.” With four extremely gifted vocalists and a wealth of songwriting talent, Anthem Lights is a force to be reckoned with. But from the beginning, notes Powell, “We were intentional on being more than just another pop group. We understood our calling, that we were meant to be more than ‘music business.’ We were called to share the Light we’ve been given. To build people up. To lead the way.”
Worship Band : The Museum
American bands don’t usually name themselves after events surrounding the twentieth century Romanian revolution, but how BEC Recordings’ newest signing would come to be known as The Museum is indicative of what’s on display in this compelling foursome. The group took shape when singer Ben Richter and guitarist Geoffrey Ashcraft moved from Texas to Georgia and plugged into a church where drummer/programmer Josh Kirk was the janitor. Soon they were leading local worship services together and then traveling on musical mission trips overseas. In Romania, Josh was deeply moved to be part of a large Christian gathering in the same town square where communism had been overthrown in 1989. A nearby museum containing humble evidence of that revolution also left an indelible impression. “We decided the band would be called The Museum,” Josh says, “because we hope our music and those we share it with can be the evidence that Christ has done a revolution in our hearts.”
Gatlinburg 3 : December 31 - January 2
Pete Hixson, MC • Unhindered, Worship
TobyMac
TobyMac has always been a man driven and committed in every area of his life, whether it's as a husband, father, performer, song-writer and producer, businessman or President of Gotee Records. And while he's "arrived" by anyone's standards, the Grammy nominations, gold records and number one singles haven't slowed him down one bit. He's as committed today as a "success" as he was as a new face in Christian music.
Growing up in the VA suburbs adjacent to DC, he remembers falling in love with the beats, rhymes and production of early rap. "I remember hearing a Kurtis Blow/Trouble Funk song on the radio and going to a local record store, and they didn't have it. Since I couldn't drive yet, I took the Metrorail into downtown DC and found a store that had that song; I bought the Sugarhill Gang's Rappers Delight that day as well. From there, it just caught fire. I fell in love with hip-hop music."
David Crowder Band
Singer/guitarist David Crowder first stepped into the music industry when he realized that over half of the students at Baylor University, a Christian school that he attended in Waco, TX, were not going to church. He began to actively recruit students for worship services and started writing songs to draw more young people in. He eventually started releasing the songs, leading to his debut album, 2002's Can_You_Hear_Us? The album was released under the name the David Crowder Band, as Crowder was joined by guitarists Jack_Parker and Jason_Solley, drummer Jeremy_Bush, bassist Mike_Dodson, and electric violinist Mike_Hogan. Their sophomore effort, Illuminate, appeared in the fall of 2003 and was followed a year later by The Lime CD, which was comprised of two earlier live releases (The Green CD and The Yellow CD) that had been given out to fans who had either pre-ordered prior albums or attended various CD release parties. Sunsets & Sushi appeared in early 2005 before the band's next studio album, the bluegrass-tinged A_Collision, was issued that fall. A spinoff of the latter album, entitled B_Collision, came out a year later and focused even more on the group's delvings into bluegrass. Remedy was released in 2007, followed by Church_Music in 2009. A four-song EP, Summer_Happiness, featuring acoustic versions of songs from Church_Music, appeared as an exclusive from iTunes in 2010.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, CA, that was formed in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and their surfing buddy, Chad Butler. Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and were good enough to earn product endorsements from equipment companies, their real passion was music. The guys formed a band (originally known as Chin Up) and they released three albums before making their major label debut in 2003. In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Drew Shirley started touring with the band as a guitarist in 2003. He officially joined Switchfoot in 2005.
Red
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message. These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the most buzzed about bands to crash through the Christian rock world in recent memory. "We're passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited," says bassist Randy Armstrong. It's more than just good theater, though. There's conviction fueling the onstage bonfire, an inferno that burns brightly. As contemporary Christian rock continues to push boundaries of what a band can say with its music, bands like Red are
Newsong
Newsong started out 30 years ago as a 9 member church band for Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, GA, never imagining that they would still be together in 2010. Founding member, Billy Goodwin, explains the group's faith attitude, "The commitment that we made was, 'God, we'll do this as long as Your hand is on it, as long as we see You working.' One of the joys in my walk has been learning that God is faithful even when things look impossible." Throughout the years, and changes in the group, they have had 17 #1 singles, six Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations, numerous songwriting awards, and five of the Top 100 Christian radio singles of the past decade. They are known for their songs, "Arise, My Love," "Miracles," "Jesus To The World (Roaring Lambs), and "The Christmas Shoes," which is also the title of their first Christmas Album.
Jamie Grace
Jamie Grace, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter who is appearing as part of Women of Faith’s popular “Revolve Tour,” has been signed by Gotee Records, helmed by Joey Elwood and multiple GRAMMY ® winner TobyMac. Gotee Records’ will also launch Jamie Grace’s debut Hold Me e.p. digitally on February 22, with plans for a full project release in fall 2011.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie is a college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking.
Anthem Lights
For Anthem Lights—an innovative, high-energy pop foursome with soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry—“Stranger” is more than another song. It’s an identity, a way of life they’ve embraced. It’s a powerful truth that impacts every decision they make, underscores every lyric they write, and every note they sing. “As followers of Christ, we were not made for this world,” explains Anthem Lights member Alan Powell. “We don’t belong here. And all the self-doubt and insecurity and struggling to fit in, it’s all part of believing the lie that we’re supposed to be ‘at home’ here. God created us in His image—there’s nothing to doubt about that! We’re here to love others and be Christ in the world. The closer we get to Christ, to being what we were created to be in this world, our value of what this world values begins to fade.” With four extremely gifted vocalists and a wealth of songwriting talent, Anthem Lights is a force to be reckoned with. But from the beginning, notes Powell, “We were intentional on being more than just another pop group. We understood our calling, that we were meant to be more than ‘music business.’ We were called to share the Light we’ve been given. To build people up. To lead the way.”
Worship Band : Unhindered
Every once in a while, you come across a group of people who refuse to let things stay the way they are. Fueled by a passion for what they believe, they cannot sit by and watch culture consistently walk down the wrong path — they are mobilized to action. Without these people, society would never change. Enter Unhindered, a Christian worship band cased out of Atlanta, GA. More than just a group of musicians playing together, Unhindered is a community that is dedicated to tirelessly laboring to lead people to God. A band that has been forming since some of its' members were in high school, Unhindered released their first CD (City Streets. independent) in Fall of 2005 and have since sold over 10,000 copies. With a passionate heart for engaging students in worship, the band now travels across the United States declaring that not only does God want to be involved in students' lives while they are at church, but He also desires to play play a huge part in their every day activities and decisions. "The same God that you sing to now, in church," says Patrick (Pat), "wants to play a part in every decision you make tomorrow at school, with your friends, at your job, wherever you are, in everything that you do.
