web exclusive
The 2005 GMA Week Journal --
Day 3
By Jennifer E. Jones
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It's the last day before the big night
in Christian music, and the excitement in downtown Nashville is
palpable. With the Gospel Music Awards ceremony looming, everyone
is wondering who will take home the most coveted Dove awards on
Wednesday night. As the culmination of GMA Week draws closer,
more artists are arriving including Jonathan Foreman of Switchfoot,
who is up for Songwriter of the Year for "Dare You to Move".
It was also another day of chatting it up with today's hottest
Christian music stars.
Things kicked off with the talkactive and friendly Aussie, Paul
Colman. Since the disbanding of his Trio, Paul has not been lacking
things to do. His solo project Let It Go released in
early March with a chart-topping single "Gloria (All God's
Children)". We talked about how his new musical freedom has
allowed him to focus more on ministry. "I see ministry as
relationships -- one with God and one with people," he says.
"I'm ministering no matter what I'm doing whether I'm on
a plane or doing a show or talking to you. Our hearts are ministering
to God."
I caught up with one of the buzz bands for this week, 4th Avenue
Jones. Their undefinable, genre-defying music has finally brought
them to the limelight after surviving years of setbacks and juggling
record labels. "We had faith that whatever happened, it would
work out for our good. We understood God was on our side,"
says frontman Ahmad Jones. "It turned into a blessing because
we found our voice in that struggle."
I got behind the scenes with KJ-52. The rapper describes his latest
album and the vulnerability of putting his personal life, including
the divorce of his parents, on display. "I wouldn't have
done it if I didn't feel that being transparent was worth it,"
KJ-52 says. "I knew there was a purpose behind it. You can
say, 'God heals divorce' and you can say 'I've been through it
and God healed my divorce.' People will always be able to relate
to the second statement more than the first."
It wouldn't be GMA Week without all the inside industry info.
-- Newsboys are set to release a double disc album of 10 rock
songs and 10 worship songs later this year.
-- Rocketown veteran Shaun Groves is ditching the sweet, piano
days of Welcome Home for a more rock'n'roll sound on
his next album. White Flag hits stores in July.
-- Another long-awaited summer release belongs to the hip-hopper
in flip flops, Paul Wright. From Sunrise to Sunset brings
listeners closer to the 20-something with everything from songs
about fully giving up his life to God to his light-hearted ode
to mexican food.
-- Nicole Nordeman is back with a brand new perspective on life
since becoming a mommy last year. Her new album entitled Brave
shows the way in which motherhood has made her stronger than she
thought she was.
Tomorrow at this time, many artists will have brand new Dove
Awards on their mantels. Look for a list of the winners here on
CBN.com. Also, check back with the Music channel on CBN.com for
full-length interviews from George Rowe, Out of Eden, KJ-52 and
more, plus an exclusive devotional from Paul Colman.
2005 GMA Week
-- Day 1
2005 GMA Week
-- Day 2
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