Recently in Christian music news Category

Bema Media has announced the signings of Canadian rockers Manic Drive, whose upcoming album will be released through a partnership with Whiplash Records. Bema Media is expanding beyond their current teen/tween roster, which includes such popular acts as Mission Six, Jasmine, The Rubyz and the iShine Tour.

Manic Drive's latest release Blue will hit stores on August 18th and will be distributed through Provident-Integrity Distribution, a unit of SONY Music Entertainment.

There's no question that while fellow Canadian acts Hawk Nelson and Thousand Foot Krutch have become household names, Manic Drive has never been able to score that major label gig. They've had some line up changes over the years, but the band still has a huge, huge following of dedicated fans and have put out some great music over the years.

And they've earned their share of industry accolades. Just this year they earned a record seven GMA Canada Covenant Award nominations, taking home two awards for Rock Album of the Year and Video of the Year. Not their first nominations, and certainly not their last. The video for "Blue," the first single from the upcoming album, climbed to #2 on Gospel Music Channel's rock video chart.

Manic Drive will be touring throughout the summer, including main stage performances at Ichthus Festival, SoulFest, Uprise Festival, Unity Christian Music Festival, Rock the Desert and JoshuaFest. For more about Manic Drive, visit their website.

In May, pop rock band Superchick helped make a wish come true for young fan Stephanie Vorm, who wanted to spend a day with her favorite band. Eight-year-old Stephanie, who suffers from aplastic anemia, said the band's music played a significant role in getting her through the initial diagnosis and treatment of her illness.

Stephanie, her family and the band spent the day at the Nashville zoo, courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation of Middle Tennesee, where the band also gave her the good news that her big "Make A Wish" request - to go to Hawaii to swim with the dolphins - was coming true.

The Make A Wish Foundation helps grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. You learn more at the Make A Wish website.

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Tooth and Nail teams up with Make A Wish foundation to help aspiring musician's dream come true

Stryper guitarist Oz Fox and founder of Hookers for Jesus Annie Lobért are set to be married this evening, June 5. Fox and Lobért met in February 2008. The wedding will be broadcast live on The Church of Las Vegas website.

Christian music fans will recognize Oz Fox from his years with the iconic rock band Stryper.

Annie Lobért's founded the ministry Hookers for Jesus in 2005 as an "an international, faith-based organization that addresses the realities of human sex trafficking, sexual violence, and exploitation linked to pornography and the sex industry." The website says that while Hookers for Jesus is "committed to abolishing human sex trafficking on a global scale, our urban ministry outreach, community awareness, and transitional programs are based out of Las Vegas, Nevada." She knows of what she speaks; her bio on the website reads:

"She is recognized worldwide for her expertise and knowledge of domestic human sex trafficking. She survived over 11 years working as a prostitute and high-class escort in Hawaii, Minneapolis, and Las Vegas, which included catering exclusively to award winning actors, famous musicians and rock stars, national and local politicians, and professional athletes. And yet, Annie knows first hand the harmful affects that a life in the adult entertainment industry can have on a person. She speaks effectively with both secular and religious communities on these issues."

I've never heard of Hookers for Jesus, but I LOVE the idea. That Lobért is willing to be open about her past is incredible; I'd encourage you to pray for her ministry, and for the Fox's new marriage.

You're invited to the wedding via webcast, which begins at 7 PM Pacific time, at The Church of Las Vegas website.

According to some reports, Derek Webb is in hot water with his record label about his new album, Stockholm Syndrome. The controversy is apparently over one of the songs on the album that includes the word "sh*t."

Knowing what little I know about Webb, my guess is that the use of a curse word isn't for shock value. (Although some of you reading this will faint, even though I didn't actually use the whole word.)

Webb is notorious for speaking his mind, regardless of who he offends, and he often tries to challenge the church with his lyrics. While I'm not exactly certain what the fuss is this time, it apparently has something to do with that song.

Then again ... is there really a problem with the new album?

Syracuse.com reports that Basilio "Buz" Cua died Tuesday at the age of 90. Cua is the father of Christian music artist and industry professional, Rick Cua.

Rick Cua will not be able to go home for the funeral; he's having surgery for prostate cancer on Thursday and his family wants him to go through with the scheduled surgery.

Buz Cua was a well-knwon guitar teacher in Syracuse. In 2006, Buz and his sons, Rick and music manager Nick, were inducted as a family into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame.

You can read the whole story at Syracuse.com

Check out my Dogvotional Gallery at Beliefnet, 10 Lessons I Learned From My Dog. (What's a dogvotional?)

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