The Dove Awards are currently happening, and I’m going to be updating this as the awards are given to Narnia related music artists.
The score for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian wins the award for Instrumental Project of the Year! Congratulations, Harry Gregson-Williams, Lisbeth Scott & Company!
Wow! As I was reading through the list of Dove Award Nominations, I couldn’t help but notice the number of artists that have been inspired by C.S. Lewis and/or The Chronicles of Narnia! Starting with Switchfoot’s Prince Caspian Soundtrack entry This is Home being nominated for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, as well as the Prince Caspian soundtrack being nominated for Instrumental Album.
I’m going to list all of the categories that a related artist has been nominated in below. Brace yourself!
The 37th Annual GMA Awards were presented last night, and Narnia took home an award. Not to mention a number of the artists on the Soundtrack took home other awards themselves.
Special Event Album of the Year: Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Delirious?, Bethany Dillon, Jars of Clay, Kutless, Nichole Nordeman, Rebecca St. James, tobyMac, Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder, Andy Dodd, Sam Gibson, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark, Jay Joyce, Shaun Shenkel, Aaron Sprinkle, Toby McKeehan, Adam Watts, Christopher Stevens, Mitch Dane; Sparrow Records
Chris Tomlin took home Song of the Year for “How Great is Our God,” Male Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Worship Song of the Year for “How Great is Our God.”
TobyMac took home Rock Recorded Song of the Year for “Slam” from his album “Welcome to Diverse City.”
David Crowder Band won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Here is Our King” from their album “A Collision,” and Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for that album.
Jars of Clay won Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for their album “Redemption Songs.”
These awards are all in addition to the shared award for “Special Event Album of the Year,” which all involved artists received.
In related news, JfH met with Jars of Clay yesterday to discuss their brand new record Good Monsters. The self-produced record will contain thirteen brand new songs with a tentative release date of September 18th from Essential Records. The guys told Jesusfreakhideout.com that the album will be their most aggressive record to date, and features a guest appearance by Leigh Nash. Expect to see the JfH interview with the guys about the album to hit the site very soon…
Jeremy Camp has been actively working on his newest record Beyond Measure which is expecting to release on Halloween this Fall. The October 31st release will feature a little more experimentation from the favorite male vocalist. Camp has also been busy co-producing his wife Adrienne Liesching’s (formerly of The Benjamin Gate) debut solo record Don’t Wait, which is scheduled to release on September 28. Under the moniker Adie, listeners can expect an alt pop record in the same vein of Jeremy’s sound with plenty of Adrienne’s personal touches. Look for the two on tour together this Fall!(from Jesusfreakhideout.com NEWS)
Nominations were announced today for the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards (www.gmamusicawards.com) by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) with several new faces leading a field that features a strong showing by praise & worship and pop/rock artists. Nominations for the Dove Awards were announced at the Hilton Nashville Downtown in Music City by Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba recording artist Kirk Franklin and ForeFront Records’ Rebecca St. James, both of whom earned Dove nominations today and will host the GMA Music Awards show on April 5, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The 37th Annual GMA Music Awards will be produced by Steve Gilreath for SGTV, Inc. The awards show will then be televised in national syndication April 15 to May 21, 2006.
Here are the categories and nominations where artists on the Inspired Soundtrack were also nominated;
Song of the Year
* “Cry Out to Jesus”; Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, Brad Avery, David Carr, Mark Lee; Consuming Fire Music (ASCAP)
* “Friend of God”; Israel Houghton, Michael Gungor; Vertical Worship Songs (ASCAP), Champions for Christ Publishing (BMI), Integrity’s Praise! Music (BMI), Sound of the New Breed (BMI)
* “Held”; Christa Wells; Weimarhymes Publishing (ASCAP)
* “Hide”; Joy Williams, Jason Houser, Matthew West; New Spring, Songs of Extreme, Cedar Sides, Word Music, Westies Music Publishing (ASCAP)
* “Holy is the Lord”; Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio; Worshiptogether.com Songs, sixsteps Music (ASCAP)
* “How Great is Our God”; Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash; Worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP), sixsteps Music (ASCAP), Alletrope Music (BMI)
* “Indescribable”; Laura Story, Jesse Reeves; Worshiptogether.com Songs, sixsteps Music, Gleaning Publishing (ASCAP)
* “Lifesong”; Mark Hall; Club Zoo Music, SWECS Music (BMI)
* “Only Grace”; Matthew West, Kenny Greenberg; Word Music, Westies Music Publishing (ASCAP), Greenberg Music (BMI)
* “Voice of Truth”; Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman; Club Zoo Music, SWECS Music, Sparrow Song, Peach Hill Songs (BMI)
Male Vocalist of the Year
* Chris Tomlin
* David Phelps
* Jason Crabb
* Jeremy Camp
* Mark Hall
Female Vocalist of the Year
* Amy Grant
* Bethany Dillon
* Joy Williams
* Natalie Grant
* Nichole Nordeman
Group of the Year
* BarlowGirl
* Casting Crowns
* David Crowder Band
* Kutless
* MercyMe
Artist of the Year
* Casting Crowns
* Chris Tomlin
* Jeremy Camp
* Natalie Grant
* Switchfoot
Rock Recorded Song of the Year
* “Lay Down My Pride”; Restored; Jeremy Camp; Jeremy Camp, Jean-Luc Lajoie; BEC Recordings
* “Let Go”; Another Journal Entry; BarlowGirl; Alyssa Barlow, Lauren Barlow, Rebecca Barlow, Vince Barlow, Mary Ann Barlow; Fervent Records
* “The Wait Is Over”; Disciple; Disciple; Kevin Young, Brad Noah, Joey Fife, Tim Barrett, Travis Wyrick; S/R/E
* “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been”; Mmhmm; Relient K; Matthew Theissen; Gotee Records/Capitol Records
* “The Slam”; Welcome to Diverse City; tobyMac featuring T-Bone; Toby McKeehan, Christopher Stevens, Joe Weber, T-Bone; Forefront Records
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
* “Beautiful Love”; I Wish We All Could Win; The Afters; Marc Dodd, Brad Wigg, Joshua Havens, Matthew Fuqua; Simple Records/INO Records
* “Here is Our King”; A Collision; David Crowder Band; David Crowder; sixsteps Records/Sparrow Records
* “I Can’t Do This”; Chaotic Resolve; Plumb; Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Matt Bronleewe; Curb Records
* “Mirror”; BarlowGirl; BarlowGirl; Alyssa Barlow, Lauren Barlow, Rebecca Barlow, Vince Barlow, Mary Ann Barlow; Fervent Records
* “Stars”; Nothing is Sound; Switchfoot; Jon Foreman; Sparrow Records/Columbia Records
Worship Song of the Year
* “Be Thou My Vision”; Traditional; Curb Songs, Littleberace Music, Okapi One Music
* “Blessed Be Your Name”; Matt Redman, Beth Redman; Thankyou Music, Worshiptogether.com Songs
* “Holy is the Lord”; Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio; Worshiptogether.com Songs, sixsteps Music
* “How Great Is Our God”; Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash; Worshiptogether.com Songs, sixsteps Music, Alletrope Music
* “Indescribable”; Laura Story, Jesse Reeves; Worshiptogether.com Songs, sixsteps Music, Gleaning Publishing
* “Strong Tower”; Marc Byrd, Mark Lee, Aaron Sprinkle, Jon Micah Sumrall; Meaux Mercy, Blue Raft Music, Spinning Audio Vortex, Flush On The Flop Music, Consuming Fire Music, Thirsty Moon River Publishing, Indecisive Music Publishing
Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
* A Collision; David Crowder Band; David Crowder, Jason Solley, Mike Hogan, Jack Parker, Mike Dodson, Jeremy Bush; sixsteps Records/Sparrow Records
* Another Journal Entry; BarlowGirl; Otto Price; Fervent Records
* I Wish We All Could Win; The Afters; Brown Bannister, Dan Muckala; Simple Records/INO Records
* Nothing is Sound; Switchfoot; John Fields, Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, Jerome Fontamillas, Andrew Shirley; Sparrow Records/ Columbia Records
* Wherever You Are; Third Day; Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, Brad Avery, David Carr, Mark Lee, Brown Bannister; Essential Records
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
* Awaken; Natalie Grant; Bernie Herms, Shawn Shenkel, Phil Symonds, Rob Graves; Curb Records
* Genesis; Joy Williams; Matt Bronleewe; Reunion Records
* Lifesong; Casting Crowns; Mark A. Miller; Beachstreet Records/ Reunion Records
* Redemption Songs; Jars of Clay; Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark; Essential Records
* Restored; Jeremy Camp; Aaron Sprinkle, Adam Watts, Andy Dodd; BEC Recordings
Praise & Worship Album of the Year
* Alive in South Africa; Israel & New Breed; Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, Integrity Gospel
* Blessed Be Your Name The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1; Matt Redman, Nathan Nockels; Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords
* He Is Exalted (Live Worship); Twila Paris; David Hamilton; Integrity Music
* Rescue (Live Worship); NewSong; Paul Mills, Scotty Wilbank; Integrity Music
* Strong Tower; Kutless; Aaron Sprinkle; BEC Recordings
Special Event Album of the Year
* Come Let Us Adore Him; Ana Laura, Bebo Norman, Danielle Young, Joy Williams, Cliff Young, Andrew Osenga, Cindy Morgan, Krystal Meyers, Josh Brown, Jars of Clay, Third Day, Christine Byrd; Steve Hindalong, Marc Byrd, Brown Bannister, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark, Derri Daughtery; Essential Records
* Happy Christmas Volume Four; Switchfoot, Relient K, Hawk Nelson, Eisley, Emery, Anberlin, Starflyer 59, Aaron Gillespie, Kenny Vasoli, Mae, Copeland, Spoken, The Fold, Number One Gun, John Davis; Samuel Ashworth, Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, Jerome Fontamillas, Andrew Shirley, Aaron Sprinkle, Matt Goldman, Chauntelle DuPree, Sherri DuPree, Weston DuPree, Stacy DuPree, Jonathan Wilson, Jason Martin, Jeff Cloud, Frank Lenz, Dave Elkins, Zach Gering, Mark Padgett, Jacob Marshall, Rob Sweitzer, Bryan Laurenson, Aaron Marsh, Mark Lee Townsend, Matt Thiessen, Nathan Walters, Travis Wyrick, Daniel Castady, Aaron Green, Keith Mochel, Mark Rhoades, Anthony Vero, John Davis; Tooth & Nail Records
* Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe; Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Delirious?, Bethany Dillon, Jars of Clay, Kutless, Nichole Nordeman, Rebecca St. James, tobyMac, Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder, Andy Dodd, Sam Gibson, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark, Jay Joyce, Shaun Shenkel, Aaron Sprinkle, Toby McKeehan, Adam Watts, Christopher Stevens, Mitch Dane; Sparrow Records
* Passion: How Great is Our God; David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Watermark, Charlie Hall, Shane & Shane; Nathan Nockels; sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records
* WoW Christmas Green; Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Rebecca St. James, Steven Curtis Chapman, tobyMac, ZOEgirl, NewSong, Jaci Velasquez, Chris Tomlin, Jars of Clay, Casting Crowns, Third Day, BarlowGirl, Avalon, CeCe Winans, Joy Williams, Bethany Dillon, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West, Clay Aiken, Point of Grace, Building 429, Kutless, Relient K, Big Daddy Weave, Selah, David Crowder Band, Mark Schultz, FFH, Jump 5; Michael Omartian, Bernie Herms, Matt Bronleewe, Brown Bannister, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby McKeehan, Jeff Savage, Leonard Ahlstrom, Chris Harris, Ed Cash, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason, Matt Odmark, Robert Beeson, Mark A. Miller, Dale Oliver, Scotty Wilbanks, Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, Brad Avery, David Carr, Mark Lee, Steve Harvey, Matthew West, Walter Afansieff, Monroe James, Aaron Sprinkle, Mark Lee Townsend, Mike Weaver, Jeremy Redmon, Jason Kyle, Todd Smith, Allan Hall, Nicol Sponberg, David Crowder, Jeromy Deibler, Mark Hammond, Word Records
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
* Add to the Beauty (Sara Groves); Dana Salsedo; Wayne Brezinka; Kristin Barlowe; INO Records
* Life (Andy Hunter); Jan Cook, Tim Frank; Joshua Sage Newman; Thomas Petillo; Sparrow Records
* Mmhmm (Relient K); Eddy Boer, Greg Leppert; Gotee Records/Capitol Records
* O God, The Aftermath (Norma Jean); Asterik Studios, Ryan Clark, Jeff Gros; Solid State Records
* Redemption Songs (Jars of Clay); Stephanie McBrayer, Tim Parker; Jimmy Abegg; Essential Records
* The Boy vs. The Cynic (John Reuben); Greg Leppert, Eddy Boer; David Johnson; Gotee Records
* The Everglow (Mae); Asterik Studio, Dave Elkins, Zach Gehring, Mark Padgett, Jacob Marshall, Rob Sweitzer; Ryan Clark; Jeff Gros; Tooth & Nail Records
* The Question (Emery); Asterik Studio, Toby Morrell, Devin Shelton, Matt Carter, Chopper, Dave Powell, Josh Head; Ryan Clark; Jerad Knudson; Tooth & Nail Records
* You Can’t Trust a Ladder (The Myriad); Sarah Sung; Jerad Knudson; Floodgate Records
The rest of the press release follows:
Artist of the Year nominee Chris Tomlin and Group of the Year nominee David Crowder Band (both sixstepsrecords) lead the field of nominees with nine nods and six nominations respectively, proving modern praise & worship music is still going strong. Coincidently, both artists were pictured on the recent cover of the January issue of CCM Magazine, featured for their music’s influence in the “Passion” collegiate worship movement. Female Vocalists of the Year nominees Natalie Grant (Curb Records) and Joy Williams (Reunion Records) helped to bring women back to the top of the Dove nominees with six a piece, while rock band Relient K (Gotee Records) also earned six nods thanks in part to its cross-over success in the last year. Several of 2005’s biggest Dove Award winners returned with five nominations, including Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Crabb Family and Israel Houghton. BarlowGirl and Third Day rounded out the field of artists with five nods a piece.
“Each of these artists reflects the multi-dimensional impact that gospel music has in our culture and they deserve the recognition these Dove nominations will bring. Chris Tomlin and David Crowder Band make music that not only resonates with one person listening on the radio or on their iPod, but also connects with hundreds or thousands gathered in a worship setting,” said John W. Styll, president of the GMA and executive producer of the GMA Music Awards. “It is also great to see Natalie Grant, Joy Williams and BarlowGirl bringing the female voice back to the forefront, alongside recent years’ Dove favorites like Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, Relient K and Jeremy Camp.”
Tomlin’s nine nominations include Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year. “Holy is the Lord” and “How Great is Our God,” two songs he wrote from his RIAA Gold-certified CD Arriving, were nominated in both the Song of the Year and Worship Song categories, awards that go to the songwriter(s) and publisher(s). In addition, another song off of Arriving, “Indescribable,” has earned its writer, Laura Story, nods in both Song of the Year and Worship Song categories. Tomlin’s three other nominations came from his participation on collaborations on three Special Event Album of the Year nominees Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, WoW Christmas Green and Passion: How Great Is Our God.
Fellow Passion worship leader David Crowder Band earned its nominations for the rock-influenced CD A Collision, which got a nod in the Rock/Contemporary Album category and landed its lead single, “Here is Our King,” a nomination for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song. David Crowder Band shares Tomlin’s nominations in the Special Event Album category for their participation on the same CDs. Also of note, band leader David Crowder picked up four individual nominations for production and songwriting efforts.
Joining Chris Tomlin in being nominated for Artist of the Year are Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant and Switchfoot. Tomlin is also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year alongside Camp, Jason Crabb (of the Crabb Family), Mark Hall (of Casting Crowns) and David Phelps. Natalie Grant and Joy Williams are joined by Bethany Dillon, Nichole Nordeman and Amy Grant in the Female Vocalist of the Year category. The three-sister girl band BarlowGirl will vie for Group of the Year honors with Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band, Kutless and MercyMe. The five nominees for New Artist of the Year are The Afters, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Shawn McDonald, Krystal Meyers and Stellar Kart.
Other notable nominees for the 37th GMA Music Awards are gospel music’s prolific producer Brown Bannister, who is up for seven nominations, including Producer of the Year along with six album nominations. He’s joined in the Producer of the Year category by country music legend Vince Gill with whom Brown co-produced Amy Grant’s nominated Rock of Ages…Hymns & Faith in the Inspirational Album of the Year category. Steven Curtis Chapman, who has collected 49 Dove Awards, more than any other artist in gospel music history, has a chance to pass the 50-trophy mark this year if one of his three nominations results in a Dove Award.
“American Idol” finalists continue to make their mark on the GMA Music Award nominations; this year’s winner Carrie Underwood makes her Dove nominations debut with a nod for Country Recorded Song for her hit, “Jesus Take the Wheel,” while former finalists George Huff and Clay Aiken grab their own nominations. Underwood’s fellow country artists Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss and Union Station also have a chance to take home Dove Awards this year. And, former Backstreet Boy and now Essential Records’ artist Brian Littrell earned his first Dove nod in the Inspirational Recorded Song category with his contribution to WoW #1s: “In Christ Alone,” a song which won the Dove Award Song of the Year in 1994.
Awards will be handed out in 42 categories. The Songwriter of the Year nominees are not included in today’s announcement, but will be revealed, along with the winner, at the GMA Music Awards. Dove Awards nominations go to recordings released during the eligibility year November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005 and voted on by the members of the GMA. In a new change to the nominations and award counting, in categories where nominations go to the artist and songwriter and/or producer, an artist will only receive one nomination even if they are both artist and songwriter or producer.
Founded in 1964, the 4,000-member Gospel Music Association (http://www.gospelmusic.org) is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children’s gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music AwardsTM, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.
Two months prior to the release of the film, the album, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, already debuted at #57 on the Top 100 Sales chart at iTunes.com for the week ending October 1.
The project features eleven original new recordings by Steven Curtis Chapman, Jars of Clay, David Crowder*Band, Nichole Nordeman, Jeremy Camp, Bethany Dillon, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, tobyMac, delirious?, and Rebecca St. James.
In addition to its #57 ranking on the all-genre Top 100, the Narnia inspirational project also debuted all the way up at #7 on the iTunes soundtrack sales chart. The album will be steadily promoted leading up to release of the film. Chapman’s contribution, “Remembering You,” will be the first radio single and video.
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, now in stores, is a very unique collection of songs. I have been listening to this album for about a month now, and haven’t heard a compilation like this in a very long time. Not only does each song fit together to bring the stories of Aslan and the Children to light in the many songs, but it also solidifies C.S. Lewis’ intentions for the story.
Jars of Clay – Waiting for the World to Fall
The kickoff to the album is a strong, melodic piece that longtime fans of the band will feel right at home with. Not only is it one of the strongest songs on the album, it would fit nicely on their debut album from 1995; an album that is still considered among the best Christian albums yet recorded. The song brings you into Narnia in the middle of a cold winter, as we await the day that the world changes and the new spring comes to refresh the world.
Steven Curtis Chapman – Remembering You
This song has a very Celtic flair throughout, and could be from the point of view of many, including ourselves and in many times. It is a very heartfelt message of remembering the change that came when the sacrifice was accomplished. This song, being the first single from the album, is a powerful one. They’ve filmed a music video for the song, which we should be seeing sometime in the near future.
Jeremy Camp – Open Up Your Eyes
From Jeremy Camp comes a song that is typical of his style, which means it’s very good. It’s a great song about listening to God, and learning His will for your life, the reason that God created you.
Bethany Dillon – Hero
Hero is a song by 16 year old Bethany Dillon. This talented young artist excels well beyond her age with a great and unique voice and poignant lyrics. It’s a song about the world being torn apart from it’s Creator, and the way that the bridge back was created.
Delirious? – Stronger
This is a song about each day, growing closer to God.. for each day that passes is a day that we’re closer to the day of our death, and therefore, each day should have some time spent growing stronger in our relationship with Him, as this song proclaims.
Rebecca St. James – Lion
Lion is a song that harkens back to her album “Pray” in style, but also serves to show how much she’s improved as an artist since that album. She sings about walking with God and learning to fly with Him by your side. This is classic Rebecca St. James.
TobyMac – New World
The first song that shakes things up a bit is this rocking track from TobyMac, formerly of dcTalk. Here is a song from Lucy’s point of view, after she returns for the first time from Narnia, and tries to explain to her brothers and sister exactly what she has witnessed. This song, regardless of what you think of the genre, does grow on you with every listen.
Nichole Nordeman – I Will Believe
This is a song that takes you by the hand and shows you that with strength and faith, there is a power there. A freedom there. It evokes feelings with a message of having the faith of a child. Being dependent on God and choosing to follow Him.
David Crowder Band – Turkish Delight
Here’s a song about Edmund and the White Witch.. it’s the second song that shakes things up a bit, as the style is quite a bit different from every other song on the album. It’s a song that grows on you, and is definitely one that I could see being a blast when performed live. It’s about selfish temptations and the power that those temptations can have over us.
Kutless – More Than It Seems
Here’s a standard rock song from Kutless. This song, I feel, could fit on their self-titled debut album easily. It’s about entering a new world and coming away changed for the better, and being capable of far more than you think you are capable of.
Chris Tomlin – You’re The One
I think Chris says it best here: This is the most relevant story of the world – it’s the story of all of us, of all mankind. That there is a place, a home that we all belong to, and all of us were created for it, and somewhere along the way we have taken off our own roads, and made decisions that have led us away, and believed lies and it has led us away from this place that we belong. There is someone that will make a way back for us, a hero that will save the day.
Grade: A
A fantastic compilation, I highly recommend it to anyone. Speaking of which, I’ve got quite a few copies of the album, and will be starting a contest very soon to give those away, along with other Narnia prizes.
Listen to previews, watch videos and read lyrics from this album on our Soundtrack page
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A who’s who in CCM lineup pays tribute to the long beloved childrens stories penned by C.S. Lewis on the Christian music version of Music Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Featuring a diverse roster that delivers what is mostly a unified and fluid tracklist, this collection of songs makes up one of the best original soundtracks — or even compilations — to come around in awhile.
The collection gets off on the right foot with Jars of Clay’s “Waiting For The World To Fall,” a classic Jars song that brings back the melodies and alternative pop that was missing from their most recent hymns project, Redemption Songs. “Open Your Eyes” is standard fare from this year’s GMA Awards “Male Vocalist Of The Year” Jeremy Camp, but Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Remembering You” bears a folk, almost celtic sound that most would probably expect from a band like Jars of Clay ten years ago. Chapman’s effort is among the highlights, followed by Bethany Dillon’s catchy pop/rock “Hero,” and Delirious?’ worshipful “Stronger.” Rebecca St. James makes her return to her signature pop/rock sound with her offering “Lion.” One of the most powerful songs on the project, “Lion” showcases evident growth in St. James as a singer. Probably the ugly duckling on the album, tobyMac’s rap-flavored rocker “New World” may not fit among the other songs on the album, but is easily one of the best in the list. Nichole Nordeman continues to be a force to be reckoned with with her beautiful “I Will Believe,” while David Crowder*Band’s quirky “Turkish Delight” sounds remarkably reminiscent of Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat” (which is most recognizable for being featured in the film Napoleon Dynamite). Kutless and Chris Tomlin offer fair pop worship songs to round out the impressive cast of artists for this project.
To read the rest of this four star review, visit JesusFreakHideout.com
For more information, including lyrics and behind the scenes, visit our Narnia Soundtracks page
Normally at WDW’s “Night of Joy” Christian music events, it’s the performers who are on stage at WDW’s who are doing all the promoting. Who spend their time between songs talking up their new CDs and/or upcoming tour schedule.
But — starting next month — it’ll be the Mouse who’ll be preaching to the faithful. As tens of thousands of church-goers descend on the Magic Kingdom on September 9th & 10th to listen to the best in Christian Pop, Rock and Gospel, the Walt Disney Company plans to use this golden opportunity to do some serious promoting of the studio’s upcoming holiday release, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
And Mickey will really be beating the “Narnia” promotional drum during this year’s “Night of Joy” weekend. How so? Well, some of the top Christian Music artists who scheduled to be appearing at NOJ will be performing songs from a soon-to-be-released album that features music that was inspired by this Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media production. Chief among these will be Five-time Grammy Award Winner Steven Curtis Chapman (who will be singing “Remembering You”), TobyMac and Kutless.
Then there will be “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” info stations set up around the Magic Kingdom. Where “Night of Joy” attendees can watch the film’s trailer as well as learn about the production of this motion picture.
Then — at 12:30 a.m. — as NOJ comes to a close, each attendee will be handed a goodie bag as they exit the theme park. And inside each bag will be a souvenir CD which features songs by selected “Night of Joy” performers … along with a bonus track: “The Chronicles of Narnia Audio Magazine.”
Add to this that each of the chaperones that attend this year’s “Night of Joy” event will be gifted a special “Chronicles of Narnia” DVD. Which they’ll then be encouraged to show to the children at their churches once they get home … And you can see that the Walt Disney Company is planning on mounting a full court press in its effort to get the faithful to come out & see this film.
A who’s who in CCM lineup pays tribute to the long beloved childrens stories penned by C.S. Lewis on the Christian music version of Music Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
A diverse roster that delivers what is mostly a unified and fluid tracklist, this collection of songs makes up one of the best original soundtracks — or even compilations — to come around in awhile. The artists’ passion and appreciation for Lewis’ tale is evident and helps make this one stand out. Highlights include new originals from Jars Of Clay, TobyMac, and Rebecca St. James…
Over the past week, I’ve been doing some pretty heavy promoting of the Chronicles of Narnia. I worked at the Narnia booth at UnityFest 2005 in Muskegon, Michigan, handing out Narnia Passports and showing the trailer and behind the scenes material. I also had the opportunity to meet some bands, one of whom is involved in the Narnia Inspired Soundtrack, and another artist that is also involved. I’ve also heard the songs that they have contributed to the album, which hits stores on September 27th.
Thursday August 11, 2005
This was the first day at the Narnia booth. I arrived on the site at Heritage Landing in Muskegon around 1:00pm. Security sent me to park my car in a place reserved for volunteer parking. I made my way back up to the main gate and was taken around to pick up my stuff for the Narnia booth. The stuff came in four boxes, three of which were huge wooden crates, and one cardboard box.
They sent for some crew team to pick up the boxes and brought me over to my booth. It was right next to a merchandise tent, so I knew I was in a good location. However, there were no instructions for setting the booth up. I just decided to go with my instincts on how things fit together and what to do with different things, taking one thing at a time. Soon enough I had put together a metal Lamp-post, and put up a few long banners and some Narnia Shield table cloths.
There were many many boxes of Narnia Passports and a nice LCD flatscreen TV and a DVD player included, with a bunch of speakers and a subwoofer as well. Three others showed up that were to help that afternoon with the booth, and together we got the booth ready in time for the opening of the festival. It’s a good thing that at least two of us were technologically oriented, because it helped us make sure things were working and everything was running.
The day was rainy though, and we didn’t have a whole lot of people come by the booth. That and it was the first day of the Festival and the big days were Friday and Saturday. In the evening, it was time for us to change shifts… I was supposed to go home to speak to a special friend of mine, and the other three were heading back to Grand Rapids. However, the two that were supposed to show up and be relief for us, never showed up or even made contact. I was forced to break off my commitments with no way of letter them know the reasons why. So I stayed and at 10 o’clock, I packed up the valuables and left.
Friday August 12, 2005
Day 2. The whole day was being manned by the crew that I worked with Thursday afternoon. I had other things to do that day, so I didn’t go to the festival until the evening. I got there at the beginning of Jeremy Camp’s show. I got something to eat and watched him perform. Then I went over to the Narnia booth and stood around for a while, helping them out. I heard that afternoon there were seven of them in the booth and they had a great time handing out things and talking about Narnia.
I stuck around and met some people there. Everyone I met was awesome, and if you’re reading this, thanks for stopping by and chatting up Narnia with us!
After that, I went and saw tobyMac perform. Neither he, nor Jeremy Camp played their single from the Narnia inspired soundtrack, however. But it was still a great show.
Saturday August 13, 2005
Day 3. This day, I showed up early, as the first volunteer of the day hadn’t been there the previous two days, and I figured she’d need help setting up. So when I got there, I went straight over and sure enough, set the DVD player up and got the teaser DVD running. I stuck around for a while and a few more people showed up that I hadn’t met yet. I helped them out for a while and then walked around the festival, meeting people, running into friends, and seeing shows.
After I spoke at length with a new friend that I met at the Narnia booth, I went back over and was telling a kid a bit about the movie when I looked over, and spotted a couple of friends that I did not expect to see walking by: Rachel and Val. I shouted “NO WAY!” and ran over and gave them hugs. Mary, who was working the Narnia Booth with me just laughed and laughed and she finished answering the questions. I appreciate that! Thanks Mary!
The three of us went over to see Jars of Clay perform. They didn’t bring a drummer with them so it was just two guitars, a keyboard, and the lead singer. They performed their new song from the Narnia Inspired album, “Waiting for the World to Fall.” And what a terrific song it is! I have always been a fan of Jars of Clay, since their first album back in 1995 (which I still highly recommend), and this song is definitely traditional Jars of Clay.
After their show, I said goodbye to the girls and went back to the booth. A girl from Mona Shores High School named Meghan joined us at the booth and helped out for the rest of the evening. Mary went in search of chocolate shakes, as her voice was going, and I stuck around. When she got back, I went over to try and meet Jars of Clay. They cut the line off, but that didn’t discourage me. I went into the tent and met the lead singer of a band called Mourning September, that was pretty awesome. Then I waited until the line ended, and went around the back of the tent and spoke with Dan Haseltine, the lead singer of the band for a while. I went back to the Narnia booth and told of my adventure and Meghan wanted to meet them, so I took her over, and Dan and Charlie both said hello, and we talked for a bit about Narnia, which was awesome. I remembered I had their CD in my hand and got those two at least to sign it.
Steven Curtis Chapman was on the main stage next, but I stuck by the Narnia booth and helped out there, until all the other tents started to take down their stuff. We started to do the same, and it took a while. In the end, everything fit perfectly, and we said our goodbyes. It was a great time had by all.
Monday August 15, 2005
I discovered late Sunday night that Bethany Dillon was going to be in town on Monday, doing a little show and signing her new album, due to come out on Tuesday. I figured that this was as good a time as any to meet her and see her perform live. There were a little under 100 people there, total, at Kregel Bookstore, where it was to be held. She played five or six songs on a little stage. One question she was asked, was “If you could be any candy bar, what would you be?” She answered “A king-size Hershey Bar.” After the show, she went over and signed autographs. I spoke to her, telling her that I run a Narnia fan site, and she said that she’s so excited for Narnia. She can’t wait for December 9th, so she can finally see it. She said “You’re gonna flip-out when you hear the soundtrack!”
Well, I can’t wait already, and as she is a self-proclaimed Lord of the Rings and Narnia geek (CCM Magazine, August 2005, pg 24), that makes me trust her opinion all the more. I hope she enjoys the movie!
This was the first of what will hopefully be many Narnia-inspired adventures to come in the months ahead. Be on the lookout for more tales of concerts, bands, books, and more as we head toward the release of the film on December 9th. E-mail us your stories as well! We’re putting together a new section of this site that may include them!
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