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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

TOBYMAC "ROCK AND ROLLS" INTO CAMP ELECTRIC!



(Nashville, Tennessee) –March 17, 2009 – Move over Jack Black! Take a seat School of Rock junkies! Summer ’09 in Nashville will roll-out the real life 'reality' second edition of the ultimate rock 'n roll fantasy camp for students aged 13-18--Camp Electric!

In a thumbnail: It’s a unique experience “all access” music pass for young musicians, ages 13-18 to ‘come rock’ with top Christian artists & musicians, and it’s happening June and July in Nashville.

On the smokin’ heels of a sold-out debut last summer, Camp Electric is back center stage this June-July with an expanded two session registration plan. Back too this summer is one of Christian music’s most consistently relevant multi-Grammy winning, multiple-platinum artists—tobyMac—fresh from his most recent solo Grammy win in February (Best Rock or Rap Album of the year—for Alive and Transported) and the genre crossing diversity of having his music featured at this year’s Superbowl ‘09— toby is stepping up his involvement in the camp to take a lead role in promoting the creative virtues of the all-star event.

Performing on the Camp Electric concert stage last year, the man described as a “creative force, artistic maverick, and prophetic voice for radical social justice,” quite simply fell in love with the event’s creative concept of reaching youth with a message that matters.

toby noted in a recent interview: “For me, my entire career has been focused on youth culture and encouraging young people to impact the world through music and beyond.

That’s why I started dcTalk and Gotee Records—that’s why I continue touring. And that’s also why I’m totally blown away with Camp Electric. They’re passionately focused on youth and awakening teens to God’s love through music and their excellence in musicianship.”

In response to registration demands with last year’s sell-out single 5 day session, Camp Electric will this year offer two five day camp sessions—June 28th-July 2nd and July 5th-9th—both staging as a full “onsite experience” at the campus of Trevecca University in Nashville . Each session will bring a unique mix of nightly concerts by the top names in Christian music—a roll-out this year that includes such names as tobyMac, Kutless, BarlowGirl, Red, and Pillar as highlights.

Additionally, a “Mystery Artist” concert will again be a major event highlight—following on the ’08 surprise unveiling of mystery artist, Jeremy Camp. Daily sessions with top Christian musicians will offer ‘hands-on’ instructional sessions, personalized tips and tune-ups, opportunities to perform for industry professionals, and overall encouragement towards spiritual and performance excellence. Vocals, keyboards, drums, bass, and guitar will all have individualized instructors ranging from session and major league road players with bands such as Kutless, Sanctus Real, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, and tobyMac’s Diverse City.

Camp Electric is being promoted by the nation’s leading promoter of Christian themed concerts and events, The Premier Group, Major sponsors again this year include K-LOVE and Air 1 Radio, leading voice of Christian radio under the EMF Broadcasting banner. Also onboard as sponsors for Camp Electric’s ’09 staging are Hearitfirst.com and famecast.com, the latter a major promotional support site for national contest facilitations for major entities such as John Mayer and Guitar Center.

John Sanders, President of the Camp Electric experience notes: “With American Idol and all the music reality series so hot, our event provides a real-life ‘reality opportunity’ within a totally positive atmosphere. Kids can interact and hang with their friends, jam with their music, have a front row at major concerts each night, and have a full ‘all access’ to top Christian musicians and instructors through an event with one ultimate goal at its’ center: To spiritually enrich the lives of teens through the medium of music.”

Sanders noted that an expanded future of national contest promotions, ‘making of the band’ reality productions, and retail tie-ins are in development for add-on value to the Camp Electric experience.

tobyMac himself is top of the list on those promoting kids to attend this year’s event. He sends a personal shout-out to those coming:

“To all my CE people packin’ bags for ’09—I say ‘Welcome,' and get ready to bring the noise!' Bring your instrument of choice and plan to rock! This will be a week to learn about life, music, the road, and everything positive in between. Come away with a fire to play where God has you—whether it’s in front of 10 or 10,000--do it with passion!”

Registration is limited—and those wishing to attend can receive bonus camp savings through May 1st. For sign-up information and a complete resource of Camp Electric’s summer ’09 concert and curriculum, resource online: http://www.campelectric.com/

Christian Music News Source

Thursday, March 19, 2009

SINGING FOR CHANGE

Christian recording artist TOBYMAC sees his role differently than do his peers in pop and rock music. He considers his prestigious career as a chance to connect with everyday people from all walks of life, so others can become aware of the injustices in this world and the causes. His commitment to breaking down racial barriers has become a passion with him.

The ERACE Foundation (Eliminating Racism and Creating Equality) was the product of nearly four years of heart-felt brainstorming by dc talk members tobyMac, Michael Tait and Kevin Max. In 1997, after dc Talk participated in the Racial Reconciliation Rally celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Integration of Little Rock High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, they hit the road in 1998 on the ERACE Tour, which was the national kickoff for their non-profit organization.

Years later, while embarking on his solo career, rapper-singer tobyMac met gospel artist Kirk Franklin at a Billy Graham Crusade. They found that they shared the vision of encouraging communities across the country toward racial harmony. They also agreed that they were both very uncomfortable with the color barrier that exists between Christians. They longed for the "Beautiful Community" that Martin Luther King, Jr. had once envisioned.

With the words of MLK's speech "I Have a Dream" resonating in their hearts, Franklin and tobyMac teamed up to break down the walls of discrimination and racism. The two artists, hoping to educate young people in the principles of King's dream during concerts, embarked on "I Have a Dream—the Tour," which visited 15 cities in 2002.

"It has been an awesome experience for me to travel around the country on a tour bus rich in diversity," tobyMac says. "We have rich, poor, black, white, Republican and Democrat on the bus, and we have learned so much from each other. We have come to realize that we have so much more in common than we do differences. It takes getting out of our comfort zones and getting into relationships with people who are different than us to achieve King"s dream of a "Beloved Community.'"

Since the tour, tobyMac has been involved in the Board of ERACE and actively involved in many ERACE events like the MLK Unity Breakfast, MLK March, and ERACE All-Star Night. Recent and upcoming events with ERACE include diversity seminars at colleges and at high schools during Black History Month, a Community Workshop on Diversity in the Franklin, Tennessee, and the Fourth Annual Cinco De Mayo Festival: "A Celebration of Cultures," which was a combined effort of ERACE, the City of Franklin, and La Casa De Mi Padre Church.

"In the 1960s, legal segregation was ended but the separation between the races did not end," tobyMac points out. "Sociologists are saying by the year 2020 there will no longer be a white majority among those 18 and younger — but there are not many places today where we can dialogue about race in a diverse setting. Nearly all churches are made up of the same race. 90% of us live in neighborhoods made up of people just like us. It is also very rare to have someone of a different race over to our house for dinner."

This is one of the reasons why the ERACE Foundation was formed. "There's plenty of monologue going on," tobyMac explains, "but an ERACE event helps to create a dialogue. People are finding that we have a great need for each other and we can learn so much from each other. Rather than dividing over our differences, we should be learning from them and celebrating them."

ERACE has three primary objectives: to increase awareness of racial issues, to find solutions, and to call people to action. "Knowledge without action is empty," says tobyMac. "We must take action to truly bring about unity. Social issues will not begin to take care of themselves. Christians must act affirmatively."

Christian Music News Source

Winter Jam tour delivers Grammy winner tobyMac to Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena on Thursday

GRAND RAPIDS -- Singer-songwriter tobyMac says he's enjoying his reduced responsibility on the Winter Jam tour of Christian music artists.

"People assume when you're closing (the show), you're in control," the Grammy-winning artist said in a phone interview before a show in Columbia, S.C. "But on this tour, I've got nothing to do with it except being asked to be on it."

The veteran artist (Toby McKeehan) heads a multi-artist bill hosted by the vocal band NewSong, originators of the "Jam" concept 14 years ago.

A key feature of the approach is no advance ticket sales. Organizers ask for a $10 donation at the door, but even that isn't necessary for the general-admission seats. A pass-the-bucket offering during the event also helps pay the bills.

"The Winter Jam people have been very accommodating, and it's more laid back for a headline artist because you're not sweating (attendance) numbers," TobyMac, 44, said.

The tour, playing in some of the nation's larger arenas, is averaging more than 9,000 per night, and even drew 20,000 at a recent show in Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.

NewSong member Billy Goodwin has watched the Jam concerts grow through the years.

"It started just as an idea to get more people out to hear the message," Goodwin, 57, said from his home near Atlanta, Ga. "You don't need to buy a ticket to get in."

TobyMac is the best known of this year's Winter Jam artists, but modern pop-rockers Hawk Nelson and The Afters also are along.

Popular newcomer Francesca Battistelli was a timely addition for Winter Jam. She just received five nominations for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including for the industry's top female vocalist and new artist. (Award ceremonies are April 23 in Nashville).

Different dates on the tour have a slightly different mix of artists.

Goodwin and NewSong usually bring along an evangelist (this year, author/speaker Tony Nolan) who offers a brief address.

But the music load is heavy, and there are "lights up" performances (as patrons are entering the arena), from tween trio Pure NRG and singer-songwriter Stephanie Smith.

With the wealth of artists, there are light and sound setups with a full crew typical of expenses of large-scale tours.

Winter Jam has partnered with Premier Productions, a major Christian concert promoter, to "share the risk with us," Goodwin said.

"From the outside, when you look at the demographics, it doesn't make sense to do it this way," he said of their donations-only policy.

Each night offers more than three hours of music. TobyMac and his Diverse City band perform a 45- to 50-minute set, including songs such as "Made To Love" and "Lose My Soul."

"We love on the other bands and crew backstage, and at the end of the day it works for everybody."

Christian Music News Source

Thursday, March 12, 2009

tobyMac continues to push the envelope in Christian pop

Outsider has been a familiar role for tobyMac.

As a student at Liberty University, he would get into trouble for his appearance, sporting hip-hop fashion at the conservative school. In dc talk, he was the rap guy, introducing sounds unfamiliar to many Christian music fans unless they were associated with urban violence and misogyny.

Bucking the system was fairly routine as he entered his solo career, bringing hip-hop to the forefront of Christian pop — a white artist championing a distinctly African- American genre.

But now, tobyMac is the reigning artist of the year in the Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards, and he's nominated for the honor again. And last month, he picked up his first Grammy award as a solo artist: best rock or rap gospel album for his live set, Alive and Transported.

So, is tobyMac the establishment in Christian pop?

"I don't feel like the establishment," says the artist, who is headlining the Winter Jam concert Saturday night at Rupp Arena. "If anything, I feel like I push the establishment, not in a rebellious sense, but in that I believe we're diverse, and I believe that diversity should be flexed, and the edge of the music we make and the fashion that we put on can be exhibited, but you can still be passionate about your faith.

"I know it can look like, 'Hey, he's the artist of the year. How can he say he's pushing the limits?' I think if you just look over the artist of the year, thank God and thank gospel music that they've stretched toward us."

After all, while tobyMac's sound might reflect what is on Top 40 radio around the nation, hip-hop is still something of a novelty in contemporary Christian music. In reader polls at CCM Magazine, tobyMac was routinely named favorite rap artist, even in years he didn't release new albums. Other hip-hop artists such as KJ-52 and Grits have made a little noise over the years. But none of them has had the success of tobyMac.

It's something he's recognized and attributes to a number of things, including the question of whether there's a real need for Christian hip-hop when mainstream artists such as Kanye West record songs such as Jesus Walks.

"African-American artists in the mainstream are not scared to talk about their faith," tobyMac says. "So they may not feel like they need a gospel record or a Christian record to talk about their faith. If I researched for two minutes, I could probably find you 20 hip-hop songs where they talk about their faith in God within the song.

"So maybe people in hip-hop say, we don't need that over there because we've got it right here."

As a hip-hop artist, tobyMac draws inspiration from mainstream acts such as Gnarls Barkley, Kanye West and Outkast.

"These people are amazing artists," he says. "I don't agree with everything they say, but they are massively creative artists and the talent there is undeniable."

He notes — almost brags — that he buys the clean versions of hip-hop CDs.

All that said, tobyMac would still like to see Christian rock become more open to hip-hop.

Part of the hang-up, he says, is that "the foundation of what we call Christian music is very guitar- oriented. And although there have been some bubbling-under artists ... it's not something that's widely accepted by the gatekeepers, it's not something the ... Christian labels are signing very often, therefore it's not something that's being marketed in stores because it's not being signed, and we're not developing an audience for it.

"So, they're going in the mall and buying a Third Day album or a Casting Crowns album and then walking across and buying T-Pain or someone else."

TobyMac is a gatekeeper himself, running Gotee Records, which has hip-hop and hip-hop influenced artists such as Flynn Adam and John Reuben as well as Relient K and Winter Jam artist Stephanie Smith.

Right now, tobyMac is focused on working on a new album to be released late this year and headlining the Winter Jam tour.

"It's pretty hot to be on a tour that goes to arenas and they're full every night," he says. "I'm getting to do what I love, which is play my music in a full house."

Christian Music News Source

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

A good influence



Christian artist tobyMac (AKA Toby McKeehan) has had a very good start to the year. He won his first solo Grammy in January for the Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album, something that he narrowly missed after being nominated multiple times.

But winning the statue isn't the only thing that has the singer smiling. The man who Christianity Today called "one of the 50 most influential evangelical leaders in America" is headlining Christian music's largest annual musical tour, The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular, which makes a stop in Council Bluffs Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Mid-America Center. His band, Diverse City Band, will join him on stage.

The tour, his third with the festival, has been a great learning experience for the singer.

"For me, the backstage is as important as the on-stage (part of the tour)," said tobyMac. "I want to love them (the bands and crew) well and the audience well."

tobyMac performs with special guests Hawk Nelson, 2008 "Gospel Music Association's New Artist Of The Year"; Brandon Heath, "GMA New Artist Of The Year" 2006; The Afters; Stephanie Smith and Francesca Battistelli. The youthful pureNRG will headline the Precious Girls Club Pre-Jam Party. Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, NewSong will host the high-energy event for the 14th consecutive year, which will feature special guest speaker Tony Nolan.

The singer said the night isn't just worship songs - there are thought-provoking songs that go a little deeper than the standard ones, as well as some fun songs.

The evening is "really festive," said tobyMac. "It feels like a big party a lot of the time."

He said the performances include a variety of music styles. He's impressed with Heath, whom he calls a "great songwriter," and Battistelli.

"There's some amazing talent out there," said tobyMac. "They inspire me to go back and write a song."

tobyMac has written a lot of songs in his tenure as an artist. Before going solo, he performed in dc Talk, a band that has won its fair share of Grammy awards (four). His solo career took off quickly with two Gold albums, six No. 1 singles, two Grammy nominations and widespread critical acclaim. After being nominated but never winning, tobyMac had almost written off the Grammys, since winning one had never really been in the forefront of his mind.

But at the 51st annual Grammy Awards, his name was called.

"It was a little more emotional than I thought it'd be," said tobyMac. "It felt almost full circle."

tobyMac has a recognizable style featuring rock/funk/hip-hop that hint at his musical background, growing up listening to a variety of artists such as Bob Marley, U2, Run DMC and Hall & Oates.

His latest album, the Grammy-winning "Portable Sounds," is true to his eclectic style and his spiritual intentions. As a songwriter, he aims for his music to be about life, about the struggles and failures everybody experiences.

"We're going through things together as human beings," after all, said tobyMac.

He promises an exciting show for all who attend Sunday.

"I always say I want to drop the joy bomb on an audience," said tobyMac.

Tickets to the festival have been $10 at the doors since its inception. The festival organizers, said tobyMac, are committed to the people in the communities they visit. It's his hope that people who wouldn't normally come out to concerts will come to this one because of its great value and artistry it promises.

"I believe in (the festival)," said tobyMac. "I believe in the economic part of it."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular is at the Mid-America Center Sunday at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show is expected to last no later than 9:45 p.m. Its no "ticket policy" allows consumers to simply pay $10 at the door for admission. The tour accepts cash or check only at the door for admission.

"Hopefully, it all makes for a great show," said tobyMac. "It has the possibility of being a life changing event."

Christian Music News Source

Singer TobyMac to perform at Christian music's Winter Jam



Former dc Talk singer Toby McKeehan -- TobyMac for short -- received a Grammy nomination for his latest solo release, the live CD/DVD "Alive and Transported." Now he's on tour with the Christian-music roadshow Winter Jam. TobyMac, 44, gave us a ring before a show in Tallahassee, Fla.

Q: Does the tour have anything to offer to concertgoers of different faiths or those who aren't religious?

A: My portion of Winter Jam definitely has something for them. I'm definitely not proselytizing. I'm not shoving anything down anybody's throat.

Former dc Talk singer Toby McKeehan -- TobyMac for short -- received a Grammy nomination for his latest solo release, the live CD/DVD "Alive and Transported." Now he's on tour with the Christian-music roadshow Winter Jam. TobyMac, 44, gave us a ring before a show in Tallahassee, Fla.

Q: Does the tour have anything to offer to concertgoers of different faiths or those who aren't religious?

A: My portion of Winter Jam definitely has something for them. I'm definitely not proselytizing. I'm not shoving anything down anybody's throat.

A: It should come out October-November.

I love spending about six to eight weeks on every song, just layering and layering and finding the right sounds, the right vocal arrangements. But I listen to the radio now and I can hear this simplicity. . . . The simplicity of rock radio and pop radio and even hip-hop radio is inspiring to me right now. I would love to go and do that.

Q: Is there any momentum toward a dc Talk reunion?

A: When we're in the same city or at a festival, we usually jump on each other's stage. The thing about dc Talk is, the first thing I want people to know is that the relationships are there, solid. It wasn't like it was a weird sort of parting. We're friends.

The second thing is that we're all enjoying what we're doing. We're all passionate and driven by what we're doing. If we get back together, it'll feel like a reunion, not like a revamping of the career.

I would say a reunion . . . is inevitable. I think we want to do it. It's just a matter of when.

Christian Music News Source

Christian singer TobyMac reaches out to people of all faiths on Winter Jam tour


Former dc Talk singer Toby McKeehan -- TobyMac for short -- received a Grammy nomination for his latest solo release, the live CD/DVD "Alive and Transported." Now he's on tour with the Christian-music roadshow Winter Jam. TobyMac, 44, gave us a ring before a show in Tallahassee, Fla.


Q: How is Winter Jam going?

A: It's been going really, really great. For all intents and purposes, my label wishes I was in the studio making a record right now. But I chose to come on the road because I really love Winter Jam.

I love hanging out with the other artists backstage. Today, after this interview, we're going to go play some five-on-five basketball.

Myself and the Diverse City Band, my band, we play against NewSong.

We played our first game the other night. I'm not going to say who won. But I am smiling.


Q: Does the tour have anything to offer to concertgoers of different faiths or those who aren't religious?

A: My portion of Winter Jam definitely has something for them. I'm definitely not proselytizing. I'm not shoving anything down anybody's throat.

My show is about diversity and people coming out from all walks of life and celebrating who we are as people and our differences.

There are plenty of songs on any of our records that just would invite anyone to listen. It's not just for the God Ghetto.


Q: Which is more fulfilling for you: being on tour or being in the studio? Or are they both fulfilling in different ways?

A: You nailed it: They're fulfilling in different ways.

I love making songs that connect with peoples' lives. . . . I've always counted on the fact that if I write songs about my own struggles and the struggles I'm sitting back and watching in society, people will relate to my music and my music will encourage them, make them more aware of something, cause them to think. That's always my goal. In the studio, that's my mindset.

When I go out live and you actually walk onstage and you see that that music has connected with people, you see people singing back a lyric that you feel like God breathed through you, you're like, "Yes, man, this is it. It all comes together right here."


Q: What's the plan for your next album?

A: I worked pretty hard toward a new studio record, from about late August through November. I got four or five things together that I like.

I will try to get in the studio as much as I can on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays -- that's when we're home from Winter Jam. But typically I'm a little bit vocally worn out, and it's really hard to write without your instrument. I can hear it in my head. But to communicate it to other people is difficult when you have no voice a lot of times, and you're just waiting to be recharged. Also, I have my family and I want to spend as much time as I can with them when I'm home.

The goal is just tour into the middle of March. March, April and May, I'm just going to bust it, try to get it done by about July, mixed and everything, and hand it in. It should come out October-November.

I love spending about six to eight weeks on every song, just layering and layering and finding the right sounds, the right vocal arrangements. But I listen to the radio now and I can hear this simplicity. . . . The simplicity of rock radio and pop radio and even hip-hop radio is inspiring to me right now. I would love to go and do that.


Q: Is there any momentum toward a dc Talk reunion?

A: When we're in the same city or at a festival, we usually jump on each other's stage. The thing about dc Talk is, the first thing I want people to know is that the relationships are there, solid. It wasn't like it was a weird sort of parting. We're friends.

The second thing is that we're all enjoying what we're doing. We're all passionate and driven by what we're doing. If we get back together, it'll feel like a reunion, not like a revamping of the career.

I would say a reunion . . . is inevitable. I think we want to do it. It's just a matter of when.

Christian Music News Source