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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

tobyMac, Santa on their way

There are very few Christmas memories not connected to music, and the return to Huntsville of tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam Tour is just such a tradition.

Whether it's putting up the tree, shopping the malls, seeing Santa or traveling to see family, special music can propel all of us a quantum leap to a special memory.

I know for me personally, even though I'm still stuffed from Thanksgiving, I am looking forward to my wife, daughters and myself heading to Waffle House on Christmas morn - usually with Harry Connick Jr. playing in the car.

That's decidedly more sedate than a new Christmas tradition barreling toward North Alabama.

A Rocket City favorite, tobyMac is bringing Winter Wonder Slam this Christmas for the fifth time. If you have yet to experience it, you haven't seen Christmas at full throttle. The high energy of tobyMac's mix of hip-hop, rock and funk is worth sitting on Santa's knee, hoping you've been good enough to go.

No holiday feels right without the time spent with family and friends so Toby brings some of his to share. Relient K comes back showing that they never take themselves too seriously. Their brand of rock inspires the Guitar Hero in us all with their big hits, "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" and "Getting into You." However, their live shows are legend for a breakout of covers you couldn't dare dream of. They've covered the gamut from the Backstreet Boys and Shania Twain to TV theme songs from "Full House" and movies like "That Thing You Do" and "Top Gun."

Family Force 5 is back, this time with new music. "Dance or Die" doesn't sound very festive for this time of the year, but their live show will blow the ornaments right off your tree.

tobyMac never comes to town without introducing us to someone new in his goatee family, and you'll get pumped about this year's selection. Newcomer B. Reith brings his shared passion with Toby for hip-hop and rap that will have you adding his debut CD to your stocking-stuffer list.

tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam tour is happening Saturday, 7 p.m., at the Von Braun Center downtown. Tickets are $16-$35.

Christian Music News Source

Concert announcement: Winter Jam at Family Arena with tobyMac

Christian rock artist tobyMac headlines Winter Jam 2009, coming to Family Arena Jan. 25.

Hawk Nelson, Brandon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, and Stephanie Smith are also on the bill.

The tour also features speaker Tony Nolan and pureNRG and the Precious Girls Club Pre-Jam Party. NewSong hosts.

The Afters, Family Force 5 and BarlowGirl are scheduled to play select dates.

The tour has a “no tickets policy.” Fans pay $10 at the door for admission.

Check www.jamtour.com or www.premierproductions.com for more information.

Christian Music News Source

TobyMac’s new rap

TobyMac has released three solo albums, all certified gold for sales of more than 500,000 copies. His mix of rap, rock and pop has made him a Christian-radio heavyweight, and 2007’s Made to Love was one of the year’s most played singles. He sold millions of records as part of Christian band dc talk and also has collaborated with genre giants Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and Kirk Franklin.

But this early Tuesday morning in Franklin, a “small sort of town” just outside of Nashville, TobyMac is just dad.

“I had to drop the kids off at school this morning,” he says, referring to two of his five children. “I’m still on tour hours. I’m not used to popping up this early.”

TobyMac, whose real name is Kevin McKeehan, returns to Houston on Friday as part of his Winter Wonder-Slam. He recorded a live DVD in 2007 at the Berry Center.

After completing his dad-ly duties, he took time talk with the Chronicle’s Joey Guerra about new music, Christmas memories and Kanye West:

Q: How did Portable Sounds, your last studio disc, change your outlook on music?

A: I think Portable Sounds was definitely a labor of love. It took me a little over a year to make the record. In Jamaica they call it a one pot. Here they’d probably call it a big ol’ pot of gumbo. My music really derives from hip-hop meets guitars. I think I grew artistically. I sang more on this record than I did in the past. I definitely have spread my wings in that area. These songs come from life. They come from my experience, my failures, my struggles, my success stories. My resolve is in my faith in God.

Q: Was rapping always part of the musical picture?

A: That’s where I entered. I guess I sang in some choral groups in school. But I would take 12-inch vinyl, turn it over to the instrumental and rap to it. I would make tapes for my friends. I would rap about us, the boys in the D.C. area, rolling down to Georgetown and hanging out. I began to see it as an outlet and a way to express something I was more passionate about. It was always this sense of rhyming verses with a melodic hook in the chorus.

Q: Have you been thinking yet about a new record?

A: I’ve been hard at work the last couple months in the studio. I have about four or five tracks finished. I’ll probably put out a record late fall next year. I’m going to try to work in between shows. I’m definitely a writer that writes and just runs to the studio. I was going through something last night, where my wife and I were sitting up with a friend, trying to speak truth into their lives — even out of that, I would hope to get something. Just a morsel of truth I can share with people. Hopefully, they can glean from that.

Q: What’s the balance like of making quality music and family life?

A: I have the Rock of Gibraltar as a wife. My wife (Amanda) is an incredibly strong, loving woman. That’s the beginning of all the great people around me. It makes things a lot easier. I have amazingly talented people around me that make me better and bigger than who I am. Half of life is balancing our lives. Not indulging in one area. It’s putting little things in place. And it’s hard sometimes.

Q: Everyone is revving up their ‘best of ’08’ lists. What are some of your favorite musical moments of the past year?

A: I got to go a Coldplay show, which I thought was amazing and totally inspiring. There was a lot of production, and there were a lot of tricks, but they were used in a way that supported the song. It didn’t take away from the music. I’ve definitely been sniffing around what Kanye’s doing with (808s & Heartbreaks). I don’t always agree with his philosophies, but I’m interested in the kind of songs and the music he makes. He’s almost stepping a little bit away from beats and rhymes. I can appreciate somebody moving in a new direction. He could’ve rested on his laurels.

One song that just feels good to me, whenever I hear that Pocketful of Sunshine song, that ‘Take me away …,’ it just makes me feel good.

Q: What about movies?

A: I love film. I don’t get to go as much as I want, but we definitely catch up on the bus. I went out and saw The Duchess with my wife. I thought that was great, even though it’s not the most action, thrilling type movie. She loves those period pieces. My wife’s from Jamaica, so she’s got a lot of love for England. It was pretty intense drama.

I took my kids to see Bolt. It was great, man; I enjoyed it. If I didn’t look at my watch or my phone for two hours, then the film was good enough to take me on a trip.

Q: What are your memories of Houston?

A: We shot our live DVD (Alive & Transported) there. That, obviously, and the intensity of that and the vulnerability of that all comes to mind. Houston really embraced us early. It’s become my favorite touring city right now. It feels very welcoming to what I’m doing. Of course, I hit the Galleria and bought things for the DVD shoot. Houston’s gone from one of the toughest touring markets to one of the best, and KSBJ (89.3 FM) has a lot to do with that.

Q: Your songs have popped up in lots of commercials and films. Where’s the strangest place one has ended up?

A: Probably Transporter 2. I definitely didn’t expect that. I didn’t even know it was happening. I got crazy calls from my friends. I definitely was super-dad when it showed up in that film with the Rock, where he played football (The Game Plan). My kids were tripping on that. They were like, ‘Daaad!’

Q: What were the best and worst Christmas gifts you received as a kid?

A: The best gift was definitely when I was about 10. I got a Mono Shock bicycle, and it was canary yellow. My parents didn’t wrap stuff. They would put things under the tree, as if Santa had come during the night and left them there. I woke up, walked out, and there it was. It was, like, the greatest moment of my life.

I remember my neighbor’s father, who was also my little-league football coach, was always the prankster. I was so excited to open this gift he got me. It was in a tin, like a pie tin, this big brown thing. He was like, ‘It’s a cow pie.’ I didn’t know what it was. Cow dookie, man. I remember being utterly confused. I didn’t even understand it.

Christian Music News Source

tobyMac, Slam again a big hit

One thought keeps running through my head after returning from tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam three-hour concert Saturday night at the Von Braun Center Arena: Why can't all concerts be this positive and fun?

That's not reality, right? But hey, at least it happens every now and then.

Mac brought his Diverse City band into the VBC along with newcomer B. Reith, Family Force 5 and Relient K for a wonderful evening of upbeat, fun, Christian contemporary music in front of 5,000 or so fans.


Reith played a short set and was okay, but then came the wild and crazy Family Force 5. "Listening to Family Force 5 is like lighting a cluster of firecrackers in your mouth," according to guitarist Derek Mount (known to fans as Chap Stique).

Yep, there's definitely fireworks of some sort going on. Family Force 5 was widen open and performing at 100 mph once it hit the stage. The group even brought its Family Force 5000, a massive drum machine they invented, on stage. As Family Force performed, one of the members kept pushing the buttons that looked like a giant phone keyboard. That itself was strange.

The group performed many songs, including "D-I-E 4 Y-O-U," "Radiator" and put an interesting twist on "Love Addict." During the second chorus, the band changed the words to
"Grandma, she got run over, she got run over by a reindeer, y'all," a Christmas single they put out a couple of years ago. It was a fun and energetic performance.

Relient K took the stage after Family Force 5 and also put on a good show, albeit very much toned down from what the Force brought. The group actually brought some Christmas spirit to the concert by placing some snowmen, Santa Claus and a blowup Christmas tree on stage. They played hits like "High of 75, " "Chapstick, Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry" and "Mood Rings."

Relient K didn't just bring out some Christmas props, they played "O Holy Night," followed by a Relient K original, "I Celebrate The Day." The group had been using an animation of a snow-covered field and log cabin in the background, but then used it to play a fun, humorous song about a group of bunnies that closely resembled Relient K called "Sleigh Ride."

Continuing in the humor vein, the group did a triubte to Family Force 5 by spoofing the Subway Commercial "5, $5 footlog" and replacing the words with "5, Family Force, Family Force 5's done."

Of course, the group couldn't end the show without its mega-hit that sounds a little like Good Charlotte, "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been."

Then came Mac, and as well as the other bands performed, Toby took it up another two notches.

His high-energy, hip hop/rap/R&B show opened with "Burn For You" and followed with "Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisy)," "The Slam," "Gone" and "Boomin'". Not only is Mac's music hip, positive and catchy, but he and his dancers add a whole another element to the stage. They're dancing on the stage in well choreographed moves and act like they're having the times of their lives.

The show was fun, but there was also some inspirational moments, one when Mac shared a story about seeing a Bible verse on a Realtor's card a youngster. The verse was Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" He said that verse inspired him two years ago to write "Lose My Soul," which also led into a short, moving rendition of "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him."

That was pretty much the last time Mac slowed things down. He and the band kicked into the rockin' "Diverse City" and followed with an old school medley that included "Rollercoaster (of Love)," "That's The Way I Like It" and "We Are Family."

The encore was also fun. He started with "Made To Love," and followed with the huge hit with dc Talk, "Jesus Freak." Relient K and Family Force 5 joined him onstage for the Christmas classic "Winter Wonderland," which also kick-started a giant confetti machine that blew snow all over the arena floor. The singers also doused the crowd with water from countless bottles of water and were acting like kids, sliding on the wet stage.

It looked like the show was over, but Mac tried to console disappointed Alabama football fans (after the 31-20 loss to Florida) by playing a few lyrics from "Sweet Home Alabama." He probably didn't have to, most fans were already feeling better after the fun show.

Christian Music News Source

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

TobyMac brings party atmosphere

TobyMac brings his Winter Wonderslam Tour to the Denver Coliseum tonight. Joining the hip-hop artist are Relient K, Family Force 5 and B.Reith.

Mac, 44, answered some questions about his performances and his music.

Q: You bring a lot of energy to a show. How do you keep it up?

A: The music we play is energetic, and we feed off of that. My concerts are a big-party atmosphere. I love an intense concert, and if I don't soak two T-shirts I don't feel like it was a good show.

Q: You were just in Denver this past spring. What are you bringing that's different for your fans?

A: We have different acts this time, and we will be a little more focused on the holidays. We'll play songs that we are known for and mix in some Christmas songs. Reliant K just put out a Christmas album, so they will be doing touches of that.

Q: Your music has been picked up by ESPN, the telecast for the 2006 Olympic Games, trailers for movies ("Underdog," "Hancock" to name a few). How does that make you feel?

A: It's different. Obviously, Hollywood is buying into it. The music is relevant. It's happening more and more. . . . I went to the (Tennessee) Titans' Monday-night football game. And I'm sitting way up in the cheap seats with 70,000 people and my song "Boomin' " comes on and the cheerleaders are dancing to it. They played a full chorus. I was like "This is crazy." My face was all red and no one knows.

Q: You co-founded the E.R.A.C.E. Foundation (Eliminating Racism and Creating Equality). How does that work?

A: Our goal is to get people to dialogue about race relations. To come together as one people even though we are all different. We do fundraising for organizations that help foster that ideal. We run into a lot of people who don't see it (discrimination) but if we can begin to communicate we can correct that . . . to come together.

Q: You're a father of five, a husband, own a recording studio. How do you find time to write music?

A: I go to bed early, wake up to take the little guy to school. It's well worth it to me being involved with my family. . . . I'll write some music when we're on tour. . . . I write about my relationships, and my struggles and success with those relationships. And people can relate to them.

Q: Some of your favorite songs?

A: "Made to Love." I'm completely passionate about it. It's really special to me. And "Lose My Soul" seems to resonate with a lot of people.

Q: What bands do you listen to and are influenced by?

A: I love so much music. The Police. Reggae. Bob Marley. I love hip-hop, Black Eyed Peas. I don't agree with some of their philosophies sometimes. I have to go to Wal-Mart and buy the family versions (chuckles). But I love that stuff.

Q: Is it frustrating to be classified as a "Christian" artist?

A: Absolutely, it's frustrating. Sometimes the Christian audience questions your faith when you branch out. But that is so far from the truth. My faith means so much to me. And then some people are turned off by the label. I want my music to fall on open ears. Like U2. U2 just can't be classified because Bono has universal appeal. He is such a great lyricist. I love lyrics.


Christian Music News Source

Concert Review: tobyMac’s Winter Wonder Slam at Cox Convention Center

Crowd: Estimated 6,000

Top highlight: After tobyMac’s Diverse City band played, "I’m for You,” their last song of the night, the energized audience was surprised to witness the show’s other two bands, Relient K and Family Force 5, join the DiverseCity band to perform "Winter Wonderland” to end the evening. The three bands joined forces as the singers, and even drummers, shared the stage. To top this off, fake snow drifted down on the Winter Wonder Slam crowd.

Reviewer’s take: tobyMac and the DiverseCity band emphasized the importance of unity in the body of Christ through the songs they played, pleasing their audience of all ages. tobyMac gave his personal testimony before the song, "Lose My Soul," which helped the audience relate to his lyrics.

Your take: Submit your review — NewsOK.com/music

Jordan Bracht, special correspondent

Christian Music News Source