August 2008 Archives

As I sat at my computer this morning, sifting through dozens (and dozens) of press releases looking for a story to post, and looking at the pile of CDs that need to be reviewed (40 actual CDs released in a 30 day period, plus numerous digital downloads) trying to decide what to review, when I came to a conclusion.

I'm sick of it.

At least for this week, anyway.

I gave you a transcript today of 7 minutes of Michael Guglielmucci from the Hillsong DVD. This video clip offers a good, overall summary of the story, along with Guglielmucci talking in an exclusive interview. The clips of him with the oxygen tubes in his nose, as well as him talking about getting his cancer diagnosis, are from the Hillsong video.

RELATED POSTS
Michael Guglielmucci talks about worshipping God and dealing with "cancer" on Hillsong DVD
Planetshakers Michael Guglielmucci admits porn addiction, faking cancer
The commerce of church - where do we draw the line?
A musing, a confession, and the last word (this week) on Christian music
My interview with Paul Baloche busts the myth of the millionaire musician

You heard right. In August 5th, Hillsong released their 17th album "Hillsong Live: This Is Our God" and included on the DVD is a documentary that includes a fairly lengthy segment of Michael Guglielmucci talking about his cancer and worship music.

Of course, we know now that he never had cancer and was faking it to cover an addiction to porn that he's been dealing with for 16 years.

I'm a little behind on the stack of review material, and honestly, I'm so sick of these corporate worship event CDs that I toss them all into a pile and forget about them. But I found the DVD last night and watched the documentary "In Every Season" this morning.

I tried to find a video clip of Guglielmucci's segment on YouTube, and I'm still searching, but in the meantime I wanted you to hear his "story," in his own words. I transcribed 7 minutes of him speaking, at which time the story kind of moves to another artist; there maybe more later on the 20 minute video but honestly, I was so ready to barf I couldn't do any more.

I rarely get angry and I try hard to be fair, but as I listened to the blasphemy that spewed from his mouth during this video clip I was literally nauseated and could feel my blood boiling. I also had a million questions, starting with "What happens to all of those people in the audience, tears streaming down their faces and their hands held high? Was God there? Could God be there in the midst of such a lie? Could God anoint a bold-faced liar and manipulator?"

I'm sorry - forgive me for ranting like that. But when you read his words, knowing it was all a big lie, you may understand why it makes me so ... disgusted.

And just so you know, I have contacted the label to see if anyone wants to comment on the story. My heart just breaks for all of those people who were taken in by this fraud. And seeing him tell the story on video, I can understand how at least friends and music colleagues might have fallen for it. He's so convincing I think he believes it himself. (And again, where does someone who doesn't need it get an oxygen machine ...)

So here it is - about 7 mins of Michael Guglielmucci's own words:

We've been talking a lot about the new Digital Praise guitar game, and a lot of you have been wistfully wishing that Guitar Hero would come out with a Christian music expansion pack. (Is that the right term? You know I don't know the video game terminology very well, although I actually did see Guitar Hero for the first time this weekend! But I digress ...)

If you could design your own dream Christian music expansion pack for Guitar Hero, what would music would you have on it? You can pick specific songs or just music from specific artists.

Let's show the game manufacturers that, indeed, Christian music fans are ready to buy it if they make it. It would give you your favorite music for your favorite game system, and get some good, clean, music out there in the world.

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A few months ago, while doing a cover story for the Christian Voice Magazine on the Compassionart project headed by Delirious frontman Martin Smith, I had a chance to chat with worship leader Paul Baloche, who took part in the retreat in Scotland where a dozen artists gathered to write songs to benefit the needy.

The discussion this week about worship and commerce and the church reminded me that Paul had some great insight into the topic. He's perhaps one of the most humble artists I've ever talked to, and yet you sing some of his songs every week in your church.

Here are some excerpts from my interview; the words in italics and brackets are my summary of the questions I asked or clarifications of his answers (since this is just an excerpt of a very long interview). The rest are his words.