Ear 2 Ear: Newcomer Audrey Assad joins Lilith Fair

FT. WAYNE, IN -- "Her melodic sensibilities are infectious," says Jars of Clay's Charlie Lowell of rising new singer/songwriter Audrey Assad.

Assad's new CD, "The House You're Building," combines soothing sounds, whispering tones and hopeful lyrics. The recording raises Assad to the top of this summer's most compelling artists.

The revival of the Lilith Fair tour this summer magnifies the talents of female artists across the country. This year the tour includes Audrey Assad, who brings passion and amazing tone to the music of faith. Lilith Fair collects the best in female artists. Assad meets the standard of music set by the tour, but has a message that reveals her faith to the world.

She's already been working with some of worship music's elite. She collaborated with Chris Tomlin on "Winter Snow" and on her first hit, "For the Love of You."

Assad's music speaks to the little child in all of us, but her music specifically speaks of one little child that touched her heart. According to her website, Assad found out about a little girl in Phoenix named Katie McRae. Katie found out last year that the tremors in her right hand, which landed her in the ICU, stemmed from a massive brain tumor. It is Katie's story that inspired Assad's achingly beautiful "Little Light."

No matter the tumors emotionally or physically we all face, this song gives a "little light" into the darkness we are running from. She sings, "And Jesus bends to hear you breathe; His tender hands are holding you tonight. His heart is ravished when you look at Him, and oh, the endless mercy in His eyes; God is here, little light."

Assad's music will be quick to fill up on mp3 players of people looking for great songs with a lasting heart and head value. It takes a complex heart to find a way to convey the simplest of messages in music. Assad will be among those lasting artists because no matter where you are in hurting or healing, these songs can powerfully penetrate each layer in our lives.

Audrey Assad's debut CD, "The House You're Building," comes out Tuesday. Find out more at herMySpace page.

Ace McKay is morning show co-host at FM 88.3 in Ft. Wayne, Ind., the GMA/CMB 2009 Radio Station of the Year. E-mail at AceMckay@gmail.com. His and his wife's ministry is The Marriage Playbook.
Starting a faith-based band? Tell us about it -- kay.campbell@htimes.com.

Source

Audrey Assad Explores Faith Walk in New Album

A new worship album from the up-and-coming Christian recording artist Audrey Assad is set to hit stores across the U.S. in July.

Assad says her new album, entitled The House You're Building, is about faith.

"It's about the cross and fear and pain and how God is carrying me even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it,' Assad told Breathe Cast, an online Christian music source.

'Marshall (the album's producer) pulled things out of me emotionally that I don't think I'd ever accessed, making me realize that every time I sing these songs, I have to channel my pain and walk through it...That's been my journey the last few years, learning to believe that and walk in that acceptance of God choosing me," she said.

The new album has already won endorsements from fellow musicians like Chris Tomlin and Jars of Clay's Charlie Tomlin.

According to Christian's Music Review, "Her vocals are Female Vocalist of the Year quality...I think she could be the next big thing."

In a recent interview with CBN News Reporter Wendy Griffith, Assad shared where she gets her musical inspiration. Click play to watch the interview.

Source

Rock and religion come together… Terre Haute band opens for Grammy award-winning Jars of Clay

MARTINSVILLE, IL — A speckling of fans stood in the hot grass as bands warmed up Monday afternoon, making sure they’d have a place when the concert started.

“I think it’s amazing they’d come to a town this small,” Angela Short said of contemporary Christian artists Jars of Clay. The Merom resident brought her 13-year-old son Ben out to the Martinsville Ag Fair in Illinois’ Clark County, where the band with three Grammy Awards, nine GMA Dove Awards and five BMI awards was ready to rock out inside the fairgrounds track for about 2,000 people. “We couldn’t pass up coming,” she said.

Jars of Clay performed at 9 p.m. Monday, and sound checks were ongoing from 4:30 p.m. onward. Opening up for the national act was NEEDTOBREATHE, as well as Scot Longyear and Justin Hoeppner, both of Terre Haute’s Maryland Community Church.

“I think it’s a unique opportunity,” said Hoeppner, whose Justin Hoeppner Band opened up the night at 6 p.m. An Orange County, Calif., native, the lifelong surfer came to Terre Haute “a year ago today” to serve as pastor of worship arts at Maryland. “I’ve been in bands my whole life,” he said, explaining that his brother is a record producer in Los Angeles. But the ministry’s call led him and his family east, a move Hoeppner said he’s glad he made. “There’ll be tons of people here from Terre Haute,” he said before the night’s performance.

Longyear, teaching pastor at Maryland Community Church, ministered during Hoeppner’s songs, and throughout the concert it was clearly a Christian event, with a prayer tent available toward the back of the crowd.

Nick Sanders, a Terre Haute resident and parishioner of Maryland Community Church, made the drive to Martinsville to watch his ministers jam with Jars of Clay. “I love their stuff,” he said of the headliner, noting as did others throughout the event that a band like that doesn’t often show up in places like Martinsville. “I think it’s great they go to the smaller towns.”



Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.

Source

2010 Three Rivers Festival: July 9-17

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - Friday, the 42nd annual Three Rivers Festival will kick off, with a few changes.

Among the changes, the festival's closing fireworks have been moved to Saturday night, July 17th.

• Digital Daily – subscribe to our daily newsletter

9-area bands will be in Saturday’s parade, which should attract the biggest crowd of the festival.

Despite all the management changes over the past year, the list of events is very similar to years past and the new team is excited about a possible new direction.

Christian band Jars of Clay highlights a diverse list of entertainment options.

While most festival events are free, organizers say they've tried to keep prices down to attract more families.

Source

Jars of Clay nears goal for building wells in Africa

Earlier this month, the band teamed up with Christian radio stations K-LOVE and Air 1 for a full-day radio fundraiser, with hopes of raising money to get closer to that goal. With some $860,000 in donations raised on June 8, Jars and friends have the funds to build 95 more wells, which will leave them just 15 short of the project's goal.

"This was one of the most amazing displays of generosity I have experienced," Jars singer Dan Haseltine said in a statement. "It is hard to imagine that a single day of radio can turn into clean water for thousands of Africans. This will save so many lives!"

The long-standing band's charitable work focused closer to home last month. The band members were among the many Middle Tennesseans who lost possessions in the May flood, with their studio suffering significant damage, but they were also among the many who pitched in to help with relief efforts. The band pulled together the Flood(ed) Benefit EP— stocked with five versions of their hit single "Flood" — and offered it as a $1 download, with proceeds going toward MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief's efforts.

Source

Jars Of Clay, K-Love And Air 1 Partner For Blood:Water Mission Radio-Thon

Band Took To The Airwaves For Day-Long Fundraising Effort June 8; Raised over $860,000 in effort to complete 1,000 Wells Project

Multi-Platinum and three-time Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay, long ambitious in their plans for their charitable organization Blood:Water Mission, teamed up with K-LOVE and Air 1 radio stations to raise the necessary funds and awareness to complete Blood:Water Mission’s 1000 Wells Project, which was launched in 2005.

The band joined forces with K-LOVE and Air 1 for a day-long Well Done Campaign radio-thon Tuesday, June 8, and raised over $860,000 for Blood:Water Mission. These donations will fund the construction of 95 water projects, leaving the organization only 15 shy of their 1000-well goal. In 2005, Jars of Clay and K-LOVE conducted a similar event to launch B:WM’s 1000 Wells Project to help provide access to clean water to communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and with the completion of that campaign in sight, the groups convened again to help get that project to the finish line and set up Blood:Water’s next phase of operations.

Jars of Clay front man Dan Haseltine reflects, "This was one of the most amazing displays of generosity I have experienced. It is hard to imagine that a single day of radio can turn into clean water for thousands of Africans. This will save so many lives!"

Throughout the day, Jars of Clay shared the stories of individuals they have met through the years in sub-Saharan Africa: stories of dignity, hope, and truth, stories of communities impacted because of the generous support of donors around the world.

About Blood:Water Mission
Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. Founded by the band, Jars of Clay, Blood:Water Mission began as a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The members of the band were committed to share the often-untold stories: those of creative, compassionate, hard-working Africans bringing health, hope and healing into their respective communities.

About Jars of Clay:
Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars), and Matt Odmark (guitars), has sold more than six million albums, won three GRAMMYS, headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals, and successfully launched the Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band’s debut single, “Flood,” astonishingly topped both the mainstream and CCM charts, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, worldview, and humanitarianism.

Source

Jars Of Clay, K-Love And Air 1 Partner For Blood:Water Mission Radio-Thon

Multi-Platinum and three-time Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay, long ambitious in their plans for their charitable organization Blood:Water Mission, teamed up with K-LOVE and Air 1 radio stations to raise the necessary funds and awareness to complete Blood:Water Mission’s 1000 Wells Project, which was launched in 2005.

The band joined forces with K-LOVE and Air 1 for a day-long Well Done Campaign radio-thon Tuesday, June 8, and raised over $860,000 for Blood:Water Mission. These donations will fund the construction of 95 water projects, leaving the organization only 15 shy of their 1000-well goal. In 2005, Jars of Clay and K-LOVE conducted a similar event to launch B:WM’s 1000 Wells Project to help provide access to clean water to communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and with the completion of that campaign in sight, the groups convened again to help get that project to the finish line and set up Blood:Water’s next phase of operations.

Jars of Clay front man Dan Haseltine reflects, "This was one of the most amazing displays of generosity I have experienced. It is hard to imagine that a single day of radio can turn into clean water for thousands of Africans. This will save so many lives!"

Throughout the day, Jars of Clay shared the stories of individuals they have met through the years in sub-Saharan Africa: stories of dignity, hope, and truth, stories of communities impacted because of the generous support of donors around the world.

About Blood:Water Mission
Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. Founded by the band, Jars of Clay, Blood:Water Mission began as a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The members of the band were committed to share the often-untold stories: those of creative, compassionate, hard-working Africans bringing health, hope and healing into their respective communities.

About Jars of Clay:
Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars), and Matt Odmark (guitars), has sold more than six million albums, won three GRAMMYS, headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals, and successfully launched the Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band’s debut single, “Flood,” astonishingly topped both the mainstream and CCM charts, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, worldview, and humanitarianism.

Source

Jars of Clay helps raise $860,000 for Blood:Water Mission at radio fundraiser

In 2005, Christian rock band Jars of Clay and their non-profit organization Blood:Water Mission launched 1000 Wells Project, with an aim of building 1000 clean water wells for needy communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Earlier this month, the band teamed up with Christian radio stations K-LOVE and Air 1 for a full-day radio fundraiser, with hopes of raising money to get closer to that goal. With some $860,000 in donations raised on June 8, Jars and friends have the funds to build 95 more wells, which will leave them just 15 short of the project's goal.

"This was one of the most amazing displays of generosity I have experienced," Jars singer Dan Haseltine said in a statement. "It is hard to imagine that a single day of radio can turn into clean water for thousands of Africans. This will save so many lives!"

The longstanding band's charitable work focused closer to home last month, too. The bandmembers were among the many Middle Tennesseans who lost possessions in the May flood, with their studio suffering significant damage, but they were also among the many who pitched in to help with relief efforts. The band pulled together the Flood(ed) Benefit EP — stocked with five different versions of their hit single "Flood" — and offered it as a $1 download, with proceeds going toward MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief's efforts.

Source

Del Mar DEL MAR: Spirit West Coast festival

Christian rock musician Matthew West performs Saturday at the Spirit West Coast music festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Saturday. Other headliners included Skillet, Jars of Clay, Stephen Curtis Chapman, the Afters, Kutless, Family Force 5, BarlowGirl and the reunited O.C. Supertones. Dozens of other bands, solo acts, speakers, comedians and worship music were performed on several stages. The entertainment continues from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday. One-day tickets are $40 to $62, and children 5 and younger are admitted free.

Source

Jars Of Clay, Michael McDermott, thebandwithnoname for Cheltenham fest

THE GREENBELT Festival, to be held at Cheltenham Race Course from 27th to 30th August, have announced their first batch of artists appearing at the event. Set to play are Jars Of Clay, Lou Rhodes, The Dodge Brothers, The King Blues, Ugly Duckling, Michael McDermott, Silent Disco, Thomas Truax, Belleville, Benjamin Stead Trio, Blake, De'Borah, Ellie Williams, Erin Matthews, Extra Curricular, Hannah And The Boy, Harry Bird & The Rubber Wellies, Jon Gomm, judyshouse, Justin Grounds, Loz Bridge, Luke Leighfield, Sleepy Vole, Stagger Rats, Stephen Langstaff, The Cut Ups, The Floe, The Momeraths, The Standards, thebandwithnoname and Vandeville Falls. For more information visit www.greenbelt.org.uk.

Source

What is your Tough Job?

Acclaim Abounds For Audrey Assad

BRENTWOOD, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Sparrow Records) - Already endorsed by fellow musicians Chris Tomlin (who recorded her 'Winter Snow') and Jars of Clay's Charlie Lowell ('her melodic sensibilities are infectious'), newcomer Audrey Assad is now gaining high marks from the general public as well thanks to her pop meets worship hit single, 'For Love of You.'

Christian's Music Review says, 'Her vocals are Female Vocalist of the Year quality...
I think she could be the next big thing.' GannsDeen.com states, 'While Assad's voice is unarguably beautiful, the song's moving melody and heartfelt lyrics are what will help it stand out.'

Learn more about Audrey's debut album, THE HOUSE YOU'RE BUILDING, available everywhere July 13.

Source

Jars of Clay lending a hand in Nashville recovery

Some of my favorite places to hang out in Nashville are the intimate, unique venues where I've watched bands such as Third Day, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay.

Flooding earlier this month left several feet of water in these places, damaging many buildings in the city and killing more than 30 people. The water has receded; now cleanup and rebuilding begin.

Jars of Clay will join efforts to aid fellow residents of Nashville. The band has released a digital EP featuring five versions of the songFlood for just $1 in hope of raising $100,000 to benefit relief efforts. (It will be administered by MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief.)

Jars of Clay debuted with the multiformat hit Flood in 1995 on an album that sold more than 2 million copies. Since then, it's amassed more than 6 million units in career sales, three Grammys, 17 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous honors for songwriting and performing.

Though Jars of Clay is easily one of the most decorated artists in Christian music, the foundation of who its members are is seen in their work in Africa. Band members founded the Blood:Water Mission in 2002 with its 1,000 Wells Project with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This year Jars of Clay expects to mark its 1,000th well, providing clean water to more than 150,000 people.

In response to the Nashville flooding, KSBJ is working with Hands On Nashville to help get the word out about how you can help. For information about how you can help, go to www.hon.org.

Source

The Forgotten Psalms Make A Musical Comeback

Plainfield, IL (Top40 Charts/ Relevant Reverence Official Website) - Chicago-based indie rock band, Relevant Reverence, hopes to bring back the full spectrum of Psalms to the modern-day worship experience with their sophomore album, 'The Fallen Cry.' 'Most of the songs we sing at Church gatherings aren't realistic to the struggles people face. We're asking people to sing along to lyrics that don't reflect the reality of their hearts. And it's all because we have softened the original Psalmist,' contends lead singer, Eric Olsen.

Olsen refers to the famous King David, whose musical Psalms are still the backbone lyrics for most contemporary Christian music.

But, unlike today's wholly positive anthems, David's Psalms were very personal and relevant to his life circumstances - ranging the full spectrum of emotions from frailty, weakness and doubt, to celebrating spiritual victories and the grandeur and goodness of God.

'And it's only the latter that we're singing. The only ones that seem appropriate coming from inside the walls of stained glass,' says lead guitarist, Matt Johnson. 'We're hoping to help change that.'

The record's title, 'The Fallen Cry', comes from the perspective of each song, sung from the voice of the fallen, a voice the band believes has quite literally fallen silent in the Americanized Church.

Band members Eric Olsen and Matt Johnson met at Bradley University in Peoria, IL and bring indie-rock instrumentalism, erratic guitars and innovative melodies to this sophomore album. Fans have likened the band's style to artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Wilco and Jars of Clay.

Streaming audio from selected songs as well as album purchase is available at www.relevantreverence.com or on iTunes. 10% of all proceeds from the album will be invested in third-world entrepreneurship through Kiva.org.

About Relevant Reverence

relevant reverence is an ambition. leaving behind that which has been engulfed in a guise of holiness. and bringing back true outcry.
For more information, please contact Eric Olsen at Relevant Reverence, 6306 Meadow Ridge Drive, Plainfield, IL 60586; phone (815) 556-9236; mail@relevantreverence.com

About The Fallen Cry

The Fallen Cry is an attempt to bring back the full spectrum of Psalms to the modern-day worship experience. That people would be able to sing along to songs with words that more accurately reflect the reality of their hearts. The album title comes from the perspective of each song, song from the voice of the fallen, a voice we believe has quite literally fallen silent in the Americanized Church.

Source

Jars of Clay lending a hand in Nashville recovery

Some of my favorite places to hang out in Nashville are the intimate, unique venues where I've watched bands such as Third Day, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay.

Flooding earlier this month left several feet of water in these places, damaging many buildings in the city and killing more than 30 people. The water has receded; now cleanup and rebuilding begin.

Jars of Clay will join efforts to aid fellow residents of Nashville. The band has released a digital EP featuring five versions of the songFlood for just $1 in hope of raising $100,000 to benefit relief efforts. (It will be administered by MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief.)

Jars of Clay debuted with the multiformat hit Flood in 1995 on an album that sold more than 2 million copies. Since then, it's amassed more than 6 million units in career sales, three Grammys, 17 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous honors for songwriting and performing.

Though Jars of Clay is easily one of the most decorated artists in Christian music, the foundation of who its members are is seen in their work in Africa. Band members founded the Blood:Water Mission in 2002 with its 1,000 Wells Project with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This year Jars of Clay expects to mark its 1,000th well, providing clean water to more than 150,000 people.

In response to the Nashville flooding, KSBJ is working with Hands On Nashville to help get the word out about how you can help. For information about how you can help, go to www.hon.org.

Kent Matthews hosts Light Force on 89.3 KSBJ-FM on Saturdays, 9 p.m.-midnight. Contact, kmatthews@ksbj.org .

Source

Upcoming: Crystal Castles, The Happen-Ins, Jars Of Clay, Pixies, Etc.

Asking Alexandria, Born Of Osiris, Kittie, Stick To Your Guns, Impending Doom, Evergreen Terrace: Tue., Aug. 3. House of Blues. Baker Hotel: Sat., June 26. Last Concert Cafe. Boyz Noize: Sat., July 3. Stereo Live. Clay Walker: Fri., Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Crystal Castles: Mon., Sept. 13, House of Blues. The Dan Band: Fri., Sept. 17. House of Blues. Demon Hunter, Sleeping Giant, Inhale Exhale, A Bullet For Pretty Boy: Sat., Aug. 7. House of Blues. DJ Earworm: Thu., July 1. House of Blues. The Happen-Ins, The Motts: Fri., July 30. Rudyard's. Ian McLagan: Sat., June 26. ListeningRoom @ NiaMoves. Jars Of Clay: Sat., July 31. Minute Maid Park.

Justin Bieber: Sat., Nov. 6. Toyota Center. Kris Allen: Sat., July 3. Moody Gardens Outdoor Amphitheater. Perpetual Groove: Fri., July 30. The Bronze Peacock Room @ House Of Blues. Pixies: Mon., Sept. 20. Verizon Wireless Theater. Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, The Small Ponds, Roy Jay: Wed., Sept. 22. The Bronze Peacock Room @ House Of Blues. Steve Wariner: Fri., Oct. 8. Mo's Place. The National, Owen Pallett: Fri., Oct. 8. House of Blues. Wade Bowen: Fri., July 16. Mo's Place.

Source

Jars of Clay lending a hand in Nashville recovery

Some of my favorite places to hang out in Nashville are the intimate, unique venues where I've watched bands such as Third Day, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay.

Flooding earlier this month left several feet of water in these places, damaging many buildings in the city and killing more than 30 people. The water has receded; now cleanup and rebuilding begin.

Jars of Clay will join efforts to aid fellow residents of Nashville. The band has released a digital EP featuring five versions of the song Flood for just $1 in hope of raising $100,000 to benefit relief efforts. (It will be administered by MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief.)

Jars of Clay debuted with the multiformat hit Flood in 1995 on an album that sold more than 2 million copies. Since then, it's amassed more than 6 million units in career sales, three Grammys, 17 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous honors for songwriting and performing.

Though Jars of Clay is easily one of the most decorated artists in Christian music, the foundation of who its members are is seen in their work in Africa. Band members founded the Blood:Water Mission in 2002 with its 1,000 Wells Project with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This year Jars of Clay expects to mark its 1,000th well, providing clean water to more than 150,000 people.

In response to the Nashville flooding, KSBJ is working with Hands On Nashville to help get the word out about how you can help. For information about how you can help, go to www.hon.org.

Kent Matthews hosts Light Force on 89.3 KSBJ-FM on Saturdays, 9 p.m.-midnight. Contact, kmatthews@ksbj.org .

Source

Rochester Music Hall of Fame

Rochester, New York is known as the “flower city”, a city along the Genesee River, the home of Kodak and the George Eastman House, and the site of the world renowned Eastman School of Music. But Rochester is known for something more – the music.

On April 30 Rochester launched the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. A list of 23 potential Hall of Fame members has been released and from that list eight to 10 will be the initial class inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Rochester natives and residents who have been nominated for the Rochester Music Hall of Fame are:

David Hochstein who was a violin virtuoso. The Hochstein School of Music and Dance has been named after David Hochstein

Emily Sibley Watson was a big arts and music supporter in the area and was a driving force behind the creation of the Hochstein School of Music

George Eastman was the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company and the Eastman House Museum is named after him and was a music aficionado.

Howard Hanson was the director of the Eastman School of Music for 40 years from 1924 to 1964.

Cab Calloway was a Rochester native who went on to be the first jazz artist to sell one million records. The former bandleader is a member of the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. Calloway died of a stroke at the age of 83.

Mitch Miller was not only born in Rochester, he graduated from the Eastman School of Music. Miller was known for his “Sing Along with Mitch” collections.

Alexander Courage was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. A founding member of the Composers and Lyricists Guild of America, Courage composed music for television and movies including the theme for the original “star Trek” series.

William Warfield who was a concert and Broadway performer who attended the Eastman School of Music. Warfield is best known for his role in the 1951 production of “Show Boat” performing “Old Man River”. Warfield’s nephew Thomas Warfield is a talented performer in his own right who lives and teaches in Rochester.

Doriot Anthony Dwyer was a flute virtuoso who graduated from the Eastman School of Music and was the first woman to be named principal chair for a major orchestra.

Charles Strouse is a Grammy and Tony Award winning composer and songwriter who attended the Eastman School of Music. Strouse is also a member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

Paul Hoeffler is a photograher who graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is known for photographing jazz musicians.

Ron Carter graduated from the Eastman School of Music who is a jazz bass player and cellist. Carter is also a member of the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.

Chuck Mangione is a multi platinum Grammy Award winning flugelhorn player who was born in Rochester and still has a home in the area.

Gene Cornish is the founding member of “The Young Rascals”.

Steve Gadd is a Rochester native who also attended the Eastman School of Music. The contemporary drummer is also amember of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.

Joe English is a Rochester native who as a musician has appeared on four albums by Paul McCartney and Wings.

Lou Gramm was born Louis Andrew Grammatico in Rochester; he is a multi platinum selling artist and the founder of the rock band Foreigner.

Jeff Tyzik attended the Eastman School of Music and for the past 16 years has been the principal Pops conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Renee Fleming is a member of the Metropolitan Opera and Grammy Award winning artist who was raised in Rochester and earned her graduate degree from the Eastman School of Music

Charlie Lowell is a keyboard player and one of the founding members of the Grammy Award winning Christian rock group Jars of Clay.

Matt Odmark is a childhood friend of Charlie Lowell and a guitarist for the Christian rock group Jars of Clay.

Although no longer there, Corinthian Hall was built in 1849. It was located at Corinthian and State Street.

The performances in 1851 of “The Swedish Nightingale” by Jenny Lind.

Source

Dove Award-winners emphasize desire to make a difference

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Songs of praise and testimonies about the message behind the music highlighted the 41st annual Dove Awards, sponsored by the Gospel Music Association.
Singer/songwriter Brandon Heath garnered the Male Vocalist of the Year honor for the second year in a row. He also received a Dove for his participation on the album, Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship, which won Special Event Album of the Year.

“I don’t think that being Male Vocalist of the Year necessarily means being the best singer, but I think it means knowing what you want to say and being given the ability to share that with people,” Heath said. “I’m constantly trying to find a unique way of putting the message of the gospel into songs.

“The goal is for people who wouldn’t normally listen to Christian music to hear a message about the love and grace of God and his life-changing power. That’s what I want to keep writing songs about. I still get e-mails about the lives that are being changed by these songs, and it’s such a driving force to create music that will help lead people into a relationship with Christ.”

At the Dove Awards ceremony, Heath performed with Jars of Clay on the song “Two Hands.” Jars of Clay’s album, The Long Fall Back To Earth, garnered Recorded Music Packaging and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year honors.

“We are humbled to receive these awards, because it is a sign that these songs are connecting with people,” Jars of Clay’s lead singer Dan Haseltine said. “We write songs about things that are hard, true and beautiful. When we’re writing songs, if we feel like something is really connecting and moving us, then there’s a hope that it will move other people. We really want our lyrics to focus on making a difference in the lives of people by reaching out and being the hands and feet of Christ.”

Jars of Clay founded a non-profit organization, Blood:Water Mission, to build clean water wells, support medical facilities and tangibly reduce the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa while addressing the underlying issues of poverty, injustice and oppression.

The band’s first relief effort was the “1,000 Wells Project” with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This year, Jars of Clay will celebrate achieving their goal and bringing clean water to more than 150,000 people.

“It gives weight to the things we talk about in our songs,” Haseltine said. “The songs on this album share about getting our hands dirty, reaching into the lives of people, being engaged and making a difference for eternity. The songs also share messages about suffering and talk about the way that God provides.

“Through the years, we’ve had the privilege to sit down, laugh and cry with people who actually live that out in more tangible ways than we ever have, and they’ve shared amazing stories of what God is doing around the world.”

At the Dove Awards presentation, Artist of the Year recipients Casting Crowns performed their hit song “Until the Whole World Hears” with a 200-voice children’s choir.

Despite a busy touring schedule, Casting Crowns remains committed to serving in local churches and continues to be one of the nation’s top-selling artists across all genres, with their recent album debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.

“Whatever we do in word or deed, we do it for the glory of the Lord,” Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall said.

“Believers have to understand that we’re not the audience of Christ; we’re the body of Christ. That makes all of us artists. God will use people in different areas to point people to him—whether it’s teaching, accounting or building houses. We share the gospel every night during our concerts, and we talk about how to be a believer means to lay your past at Christ’s feet and walk away from your old life. You have to lay each day at his feet, follow him and live in his strength.”

For a complete list of Dove Award winners, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.

Source

'Flood' comes roaring back for Jars of Clay "

Earlier this month, the lyrics to "Flood," a Top 40 hit single for Jars of Clay in 1996, became an unexpected reality for the Nashville-based pop/rock band and area inhabitants after torrential rainfall caused the Cumberland River to crest.

The natural disaster resulted in at least a billion dollars in damage, much of it falling on the Christian and country music industry nerve center. Now Jars of Clay is assisting flood relief efforts headed by The Grammys' MusiCares foundation through the digital release of "Flood(ed) ---- A Benefit" EP (five versions of the song for $1) via the group's website. All proceeds go to the charity.

"We wanted to figure out a way to engage our audience ---- especially those not in Nashville ---- with a way they could help," explained guitarist Steve Mason, during a phone interview at the group's studio/rehearsal space Gray Matters in Nashville.

While the Jars of Clay complex wasn't totally saturated, "it really could've been a lot worse for us. We found structural damage to the building ... but we weren't harmed much."

Fortunately, Mason said, they managed to get most valuables like "vintage guitars, amps and things we can't replace" to a safer location. "The cleanup is ongoing."

Still, with "some elderly folks, friends and neighbors dealing with entire floors of their houses destroyed ---- and those that lost their lives, for Pete's sake ---- we're feeling really thankful."

No stranger to helping people in need, Jars of Clay launched the nonprofit Blood: Water Mission organization in 2005, providing those living with HIV/AIDS in Africa with clean water and sanitation. Band members try to travel to the continent on a semiannual basis to gauge the progress being made.

"It has been extraordinary to experience the work there because it's so much larger in scope than what we had ever dreamed," noted Mason. "One of the things we've learned is the difficulty in trying to do a good thing. It's one thing to be compelled and another to put wheels on it."

Their most recent trip to Kenya "allowed a deeper engagement of the songwriting process and what we're doing in Jars of Clay. That makes it all the more (worthwhile) ... over 800 communities have been impacted by the 1000 Wells project. We're reaching the end of that goal."

Jars of Clay returns to Spirit West Coast this weekend, having played the inaugural event in 2004 and in 2008. One of the largest Christian music festivals in America, Spirit West Coast features 50 entertainers on eight stages, late-night comedy shows, film screenings, speakers, seminars, a skate park, sports center and children's area. The festival anticipates a three-day attendance of 30,000.

Among the scheduled acts are Skillet, Tenth Avenue North, the Afters (Friday), Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West, Stellar Kart, Family Force 5 (Saturday), newsboys, Seventh Day Slumber, BarlowGirl, Kutless and Hawk Nelson (Sunday).

Last year, Jars of Clay released "The Long Fall Back to Earth," a synth- and keyboards-heavy album that recalls British alt-pop bands such as James and Tears for Fears. The alluring songs ("Two Hands," "Closer," "There Might Be a Light") illustrate how far the platinum-selling, multi-Dove and Grammy-winning foursome has evolved since unveiling a smash self-titled debut in 1995.

"We're not saying 'no' to anything in terms of what we're interested in and what moves us. We really have the freedom in our muse to try stuff we haven't yet."

Mason believes singer Dan Haseltine "has gotten even better at what he does" lyrically over that period of time.

"That gives me hope, because as a guitar player, I always want to be improving as a musician."

Recent months have seen Jars unveil the first in a seasonal series of EPs ("Live at Gray Matters"), which could be their preferred future format.

"The world is whatever we dream it. If people want to maintain an album cycle, they certainly can. The exciting thing now is there's a choice where artists can put

out music as it's finished."

Once the group's studio is back at full capacity, work will continue work on "The Shelter," a collaborative project due in the fall featuring vocalists from Dave Crowder Band, Switchfoot, Tenth Avenue North, Burlap to Cashmere and more. Jars serves as a house band of sorts.

"For me, it brings home the idea of embodying things that we sometimes speak and pray abstractly to God. We are God's manifestation of forgiveness to one another."

More than anything, Jars of Clay is grateful to have maintained a steady career path and accolades (they just picked up two more Doves in April) this far down the line. "We're still doing something that we really love ... and is generating a conversation that is inviting to those listening to the music for the last 15 years."

Jars of Clay at Spirit West Coast

When: 6:30 p.m. May 29 (festival hours: 2 p.m. to midnight May 28, 10:30 a.m. to midnight May 29 and 10 a.m. to midnight May 30)

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

Tickets: Three-day wristband: $132, general; $70, children ages 6 to 12; single-day wristbands: $40-$62; evening tickets (after 4 p.m.): $15-$39; free for children under 6

Info: 831-443-5399

delmar.spiritwestcoast.org

Web: jarsofclay.com

Source