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The 2005 GMA Week Journal --
Day 2
By Jennifer E. Jones
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It's day two of GMA Week, and what
better way to kick things off than with Krispy Kreme doughnuts
and an early morning interview with Out of Eden. Lisa, Andrea,
and Danielle, better known as the Kimmey sisters, recently released
Hymns that pays tribute to the worship songs of old.
In spite of uncanny timing of hymn releases by Jars of Clay,
Ashley Cleveland, and Amy Grant this year, this Out of Eden project
was four years in the making.
"It's natural because our industry has gone to worship music
and people are looking for a deeper level," says Andrea,
"And what better than to go to the original worship songs.
We just wanted to introduce our fans to songs they may never hear."
Some of those songs include "Be Still My Soul" and "Praise
to the Lord Almighty."
Shortly after speaking with Out of Eden, I was off to the Hilton
to interview Shawn McDonald. His first single "Gravity"
was a top ten hit last year while his latest "All I Need"
is burning up the charts. Shawn is humble in the face of such
success as a debut artist.
"It's crazy to hear that God is at work and using me because
I'm just this kid that somehow God decided to instill some songs
in," he says. Shawn is not resting on his hit record. He's
about to head back into the studio to his next album. In the mean
time, fans can enjoy his live album, recorded in Seattle.
On the way to Jack's BBQ to see Gotee Records' fusion band, 4th
Avenue Jones, I weaved my way through a sea of cowboy hats as
CMT's Music Awards pre-show blocked off part of 7th street. Little
did I know at the time that later that night the simultaneous
performances of the CMT Music Awards, GMA showcases, and a nearby
Ashlee Simpson concert would bring together the strangest cross-section
of people downtown Nashvile has possibly ever seen.
4th Avenue Jones rocked their brand of hip-hop/soul at Jack's
BBQ, giving the audience a sampling of their latest release Stereo:
The Evolution of hiprocksoul.
In support of their labelmate, several other Gotee artists were
there such as Lisa Kimmey, the GRITS, and Mars Ill.
In the course of the afternoon and evening I also chatted with
George Rowe, who's in the studio working on a follow-up to the
successful Think About That, as well as an impromptu
chat with Overflow who just came off the WinterJam tour with Rachel
Lampa, Mattew West, Tait, and tobyMac.
The evening showcases brought a clash of the titans and a serious
dilemma for registrants who wanted to be in three places at once.
At the downtown Presbyterian church, GMA'ers could listen to old
hymns in new ways with Jars of Clay and Ashley Cleveland with
Rambler Records newcomer Jon Davis. The Hilton ballroom featured
the hardest bands on the Tooth and Nail label such as the no.
1 bands Seventh Day Slumber and Hawk Nelson. And then, a shuttle
ride away Gotee artists House of Heroes and 4th Ave. Jones were
playing the Exit/In. This writer opted for a half rock, half hymn
concert hopping combo and called it an early night to get ready
for another day jam-packed with interviews and more amazing music.
Check out tomorrow's GMA Journal entry where I'll talk to Paul
Coleman, KJ-52, and other exciting artists as we are just two
days away from the Dove Awards.
2005 GMA Week
-- Day 1
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