CCM Magazine, which ceased print publication last year, has announced that it's relaunching the magazine in digital format. According to a press release, each issue of CCM will focus on new Christian music set to release during the quarter of publication.
CCM recently released the summer new release guide, featuring Leeland, Thousand
Foot Krutch, BarlowGirl and Hawk Nelson, as well as two special sections--a Worship Guide and an Indie Guide. CCM is also partnering with Premier Christian Cruises to present The Music Boat 2010 contest. One winning CCM reader and a friend will get a free trip on The Music Boat 2010.
You can receive a free issue of the summer new release guide, complete with video and other bells and whistles, by visiting the website.
Personally, I'm not sure how a digital magazine is different from a website, other than the fact that the print is miniscule. Then again, I'm not a fan of ebooks or anything I have to read digitally so I'm probably not a good guide of whether or not a digital magazine is a good idea.
The nomination is an annual recognition by Beliefnet readers and editors of noteworthy humanitarian actions that inspire and encourage us all to live better lives. The Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award is bestowed upon someone who has risen above expectations. He or she may have countered stereotypes and demonstrated courage, forgiveness, self-sacrifice or love under difficult and challenging circumstances.
Chapman and his family suffered a tragic loss this past May when their youngest adopted daughter, Maria, was accidentally run over in the family's driveway by their oldest son, Will.
Michael W. Smith's latest project, A New Hallelujah, debuted recently at No.1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Christian Albums Chart, and No. 19 on Billboard's Top 200. On March 17, 2009, Smith will unveil an accompanying DVD of the moving worship event that became the CD, and was recorded live in Houston on June 20 before an audience of more than 12,000.
At the end of November, Smith hits the road with American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle for the "It's A Wonderful Christmas" tour. The two toured together last Christmas, when Smith's album, It's A Wonderful Christmas, was first released. Doolittle herself has a new album, Coming Back To You, scheduled to release February 3.
The new expansion pack includes songs from artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, Avalon, ZoeGirl, Nicole Nordeman, tobyMac, Newsboys, Stacie Orrico and Shawn McDonald.
(Question: I'm pretty sure ZoeGirl isn't even a group any more and it's been a while since Stacie Orrico or Nicole Nordeman released new music. And does anyone else think it's odd to include Jeremy Camp or tobyMac on a CCM pack? Sure, we can rock out to Jeremy Camp and then go play ... Amy Grant?)
CCM artist Nate Huss's song, "Your Own," is being used in national media campaigns, including one by Focus on the Family, to highlight adoption during National Adoption Month in November.
Nate Huss knows a thing or two about adoption. At only three weeks old, he became the youngest of the eight lively "global kids" adopted from around the world by Dave & Sylvia Huss.
The 23-year-old Huss noted in a recent interview:
"I'm thankful to God and to a biological mother that I never knew who chose the option of life for me. I am a planned mistake, a blessed gift. Growing up with wonderful adopted parents and seven amazing brothers and sisters of different nationalities--I have been blessed to get to appreciate life at its' fullest."
Because of his own personal experience with adoption, Nate has chosen to be an outspoken voice of support for the adoption agenda on a national level, as well as doing one-on-one personal level of counseling with young people. He supports the national work of Mercy Ministries, donating to them a portion of royalties from his critically acclaimed debut album Here With Me, which released in 2007 on Slanted Records.
On Thursday, country music artist Collin Raye will host the Inspirational Country Music Awards. The event marks a new path for the accomplished mainstream artist, as he begins a much anticipated move into the Christian music market. I had a...
Award-winning freelance writer and columnist Joanne Brokaw covers entertainment for The Christian Examiner newspapers, The Minnesota Christian Chronicle, and The Ozarks Christian News.
Her other writing credits include Breakaway and Brio Magazines, OnCourse Magazine, ChristianMusicPlanet.com, BuddyHollywood.com and AGreaterFreedom.com. Her humor column, A Big Slice of Life, appears monthly in the Christian Voice Magazine and she pens a regular humor column on The Writing Life for ByLine Magazine.
Joanne lives in Western New York with her darling husband David, their Border collie Scout and their cat Murphy. Their almost adult daughter Cassie drops by often. Find out more about Joanne at JoanneBrokaw.com.