RECOMMENDATIONS.

Although I came back from GMA with a bag full of pre-release and sampler CD's I have to admit that these days, Third Day excepted, I don't listen to much new Christian music. My CCM supply is stuck firmly in the late 1990's and early 2000's, plus I don't tend to listen to many of the plethora of worship albums around! However, I do want to strongly recommend 3 albums that I have been listening to recently. One is from an American band, and the other two are from the UK.
Firstly, an album called Rescued Nation by a band from Holyfire ministries in Hamden, CT. called Out of Hiding. These guys are managed by a friend of mine called Jeremiah LaCoille who interned at Ignite in Cardiff with me for a while. I caught up with Jeremiah and Out of Hiding on Third Day's recent tour at a concert in Albany,NY. They have the same passion that I have for seeing a rising generation ignited with a passion to worship God and serve Him.
Secondly, a CD/DVD project called The Universal Broadcast from a great bunch of guys called YFriday who come from Newcastle in the North East of England. They are a top-notch rock band who lead their audience into a place of worship. Lead singer Ken Riley co-wrote the now well acclaimed worship song Everlasting God (strength will rise when we wait upon the Lord)with Brenton Brown.
Thirdly, the first studio album from The Gathering Band, who are a band coming out of the Elim UK's youth department Serious4God.. The album is called Redeemed from Emptiness and the executive producer of the project is Serious4God's national director and friend of mine, Mark Pugh. It's an album of original worship songs, with a bonus DVD too.
I'm currently on a couple of weeks of study for my Master's degree- this week "Pauline Pneumatology' and next week 'The Spirit in the Old Testament' - I'm enjoying the seminars greatly and looking forward to writing 2 research papers over the coming months.

Comments

[tdpsycho]

Nigel,
I congratulate you for working towards a Masters degree. I just graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching this past Sunday, here in the Midwest. Which school are you going through, if I may ask?

[Murthen]

Yfriday are awesome! When Third Day first came to London one the Gomers gave Tai a copy of "Revolution" as a birthday present. I wonder if he listened to it. I also want to get my hands on the Serious4God album. I hear that bonus DVD is from the Gathering Max held last year. That was an amazing event - over 1000 young people making a commitment for Christ that day!
Bless you Nige!

[Tim]

Absolutely love the sound from the guys new Album.

Off topic: you need to be aware of Google searches for those whom you associate/work with. Some of the Youtube video's with your new producer is not exactly what I think you want to convey unless this is a new leaf the band is turning over. Nothing wrong with that at all, but just something to consider. Also, using your video player embedded within your website going through YouTube is also potentially dangerous. I got some video links playing on your new website and it could be construed as your implied endorsement of those bands, individuals or artists that you may or may not want to associate with your message. Play with it and you'll see what other video's CAN be played within the player in your website.

This album could very well be the finest.

[Joe Rose]

Nigel,

I dont know if it is possible but I am trying to get the message below to the band. I know there schedule is quite busy but I wanted to see if they could take a few minutes and send some encouraging words to the family mentioned in my message. Please let me know if you can pass this along or if you have any suggestions for me. Thank you so much for your time.

Members of Thrid Day,

I am not sure if you remember me or not, but I am the person that came up to you guys when you were at Busch Gardens and told you that I saw you all in Myrtle Beach and you were great then, not to mention spectacular at Busch. I don't know if you and the guys read this or not, but I wanted to share with you that our associate pastor and music minister (Paul Tucker) was at the Busch concert with us as well. Well I wanted to share with you that Paul passed away suddenly from an unknown condition at the age of 45, leaving behind a wife Beth and two boys (Kevin 7th and Brian 11th grade). This tragedy has really struck a blow to our church as you could imagine, but the impact on his family and those that loved him will obviously be felt for quite a while. Paul ate, slept and breathed music and he, in addition to being an incredible person and one of the most devoted Christians you will ever meet, was an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with. If
you get a chance, please feel free to visit http://cre8ed.net/ which is a site that was set up in his honor and which provides access to much of the music that he has written and sang over the years. His two sons are also heavily involved with music and are following right along in the father's foot steps.

Paul could not stop talking about the experience and pleasure it was to hear you guys, Revive and Matthew West at Busch Gardens and he shared with our church (of which there were quite a few members in attendance) how amazing it was to see the place packed and overflowing with people and to truly send a message to the world that Christianity is still very much alive and well.

I know you have extremely busy schedules and I hope you are enjoying your short break with your family, but I wanted to see if you and the guys could send a note of encouragement to Paul's wife and boys? I know how much time and effort they, and Paul, put into their music and talents and they follow and love you guys like none other. I know it would be such an uplifting experience for them to know that you were thinking of them in their current time of grief. Please feel free to email any of your thoughts and encouragements to me at josephtrose@yahoo.com and I will surely pass them along or you may leave notes of encouragement on the website. I cannot express in words how much I appreciate your time and have had the most amazing experience seeing you in concert in Myrtle Beach and at Busch Gardens. Thank you again and keep doing what you are doing. You are truly touching the hearts and lives of so many people througout the world with your
remarkable talents.

Very respectfully,

Joe Rose

[Debbie]

I met Mac backstage at a concert in Montgomery a few years ago and mentioned how much I loved "Mountain of God" what a blessing to hear it on the radio a short while later! It's been about 10 since we first became fans and now I am loving the new songs too. God has really breathed His words in your work! Keep it up... and I hope to see you back in AL again soon! Enjoy your summer :-) Blessings!