myCCM.ORG’S — MISSY OLIVER • KRISTIN DEL ROSSI • SHERRAL • STEVEN S. BILLINGS BarlowGirl REFUSES THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT THE NEW SIDE OF DAVID CROWDER PROJECT 86 BAND LIVE! MANDISA & OUT OF SECLUSION: the Christian Invasion BRIAN “HEAD” WELCH of “AMERICAN IDOL” IN THE STUDIO WITH THINGS BEBO THOUSAND 6NORMAN LOVES FOOT KRUTCH [07.07] CONTENTS 26—COVER STORY With some Christians hoping for a tone-downed message, BarlowGirl goes another round without pulling punches. features 30—Mandisa Mandisa Hundley had no problem staying in the background—that is, until the fall of 2005 when “American Idol” came calling. 32—Project 86 Last year fans named Project 86 a runner-up in the “Favorite Hard Music Artist” category of CCM’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Just imagine if the voting had taken place after the band’s most melodic album had been heard. 36—Katie Herzig Sure she’s been opening tour dates for The Fray and hearing her songs played on shows like “Smallville” and “ER,” but that’s not what sets independent artist Katie Herzig apart. departments 05—Editor’s Notes 06—yourCCM 09—What Now! The 411 on new band Wavorly, Chris Tomlin, Red, Thousand Foot Krutch and more 18—Hit Lists This month’s radio & retail charts 21—Trend Watch The gospel according to mainstream radio 22—New Noise with Andrew Schwab Play Radio Play, The Becoming, The Devil Wears Prada and more… 24—Loose Ends Nichole Nordeman unlocks some truth. 39—In Review The major label debut from The Rocket Summer, plus new tunes from Waking Ashland, Willie Will, MxPx and more 55—Tour Scrapbook David Crowder Band 56—Roots Robbie Seay joined his brother in a bold church planting effort. To say that Houston’s Ecclesia fellowship has become a neighborhood church in the years since would be a major understatement. 58—The Final Word Louie Giglio encourages you to do 34—Brian “Head” Welch “whatever.” 8 When founding Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch went public with his newfound faith two years ago, a media feeding frenzy immediately ensued. Eventually, the rock star went into seclusion—and for good reason… CCM MAGAZINE ARTISTS AND THE NOTES EDITOR’S Christ • Community • Music volume 30 issue 1 U PRIVILEGE OF GOD Exploring redemptive music and the When was the last time you were given a dosage of truth that you culture it influences. couldn’t shake or ignore? You know the kind I mean—truth that CCM Magazine is a publication of Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. threatens not only the way you approach life, but your very identity. Something my pastor conveyed back in February has been doing just that…haunting me for months. And, frankly, now Publisher Jim Cumbee more than ever. Associate Publisher Rick Edwards As part of a Sunday morning sermon, he read this remarkable Editor Jay Swartzendruber Managing Editor Lindsay Williams quote from William Wilberforce’s book Real Christianity: Senior Art Director Mary Sergent Associate Art Director Martina Ahlbrandt “It is undeniably clear that, in the judgement of the Word of God, the love of worldly Associate Art Director Andrew Scates Contributing Editors Andy Argyrakis, Christa A. admiration and applause is basically corrupt. For it tends to exalt and aggrandize ourselves; Banister, Beau Black, Louie Giglio, Caroline Lusk, to pride ourselves on our natural or acquired endowments; or to assume credit and merit for Douglas Kaine McKelvey, Nichole Nordeman, Andrew Schwab, Chris Well our own qualities. It chooses this self-esteem instead of ascribing all honor and glory where Contributors Adrienne, Margaret Becker, Steven S. Billings, Chad Bonham, Margret Boyd, Grace S. Cartwright, they are due. It is false, therefore because it exalts that which we should demean. It is also Jackie A. Chapman, Chuck, Kristin Del Rossi, Brenten criminal because it intrudes on the privilege of God.”* Gilbert, Christy Gordon, Brandon Haan, Lulu Hickey, Kate McDonald, Katie McNeil, Chris Molnar, Ken Mueller, Brian Quincy Newcomb, Missy Oliver, Justin Pot, Jasen Rauch, Gregory Rumburg, Andrew Scates, Sherral, Dr. Tony If you feel the need to read that several times to really let it sink in, go ahead. I know I Shore, John J. Thompson, Mark Weber Production & Operations Director Ross E. Cluver did. In fact, I keep revisiting it. Web Projects Director Joan Dyer Wilberforce’s words are not only a profound menace to my true—and very private—nature, Media Editor Kristi Henson they also call into question the way I approach my vocation, specifically, this magazine. Fulfillment Manager Jamie Kunzmann Let me put it this way: What are we, the editors, literally doing with CCM? As we Customer Service Representatives Angela Banks, Amy Cassell, Natalie Delph, Emeka Nnadi champion redemptive music, are we going about it in such a way that we are nurturing Executive Director of Advertising Jerry Charles 615/312-4244 “the love of worldly admiration and applause” among artists of faith? Are we encouraging Senior Director of Advertising DeDe Donatelli-Tarrant artists to “exalt and aggrandize” themselves; “to pride” themselves on their “natural or 805/987-5072 acquired endowments; or to assume credit and merit for” their “own qualities”? Account Executive Pat McAbee 770/237-5400 Account Executive Gary Miller 970/203-0417 And, if so, are we urging you to treat artists that way? Advertising Marketing Manager Brian Lawing Or, rather, do we prompt artists (and you) to ascribe “all honor and glory to where Advertising Traffic Manager Carol Jones they are due”? Administrative Sales Assistant Melissa Smart Those are hard questions. They make me feel uncomfortable. That, no doubt, means Main Office 104 Woodmont Blvd., Suite 300, Nashville, TN I need to keep asking them. And not just asking, but being more intentional in fostering 37205 615/386-3011 (ph) • 615/386-3380 (business fax) 615/385-4112 (editorial fax) • 615/386-3380 a spirit of humility and gratefulness within our magazine’s pages. (advertising fax) Since my early teen years I’ve had the reputation of being a “super fan.” From my Subscriptions/Customer Service CCM, 104 Woodmont vocal enthusiasm for countless artists of faith to my championing of sports stars Steve Blvd., Ste 300, Nashville, TN 37205, 800/527-5226 or [email protected]. Annual subscription McNair, Vince Young and Ichiro Suzuki to my awe at the creativity of Hollywood types rates: United States, $21.95/one year; Canada, (U.S. funds) $29.95 per year; all other countries, (U.S. funds) $35.95 M. Night Shyamalan, Joss Whedon and Chris Carter. When I love someone’s work or (surface). For address changes or other inquiries, please include both old and new addresses and mailing label. performance, I love it…often becoming enamored with who that influencer is. Yes, a Allow four to six weeks for new subscriptions super fan. When I’m at my best, I’m celebrating God’s creativity and gifts as expressed to begin. through those whom He’s created. When I’m at my worst, well…let’s call a spade a Cover photo: Jeremy Cowart spade, I’m committing idolatry. And if I’m doing that in the presence of an artist and Cover design: Mary Sergent directing it at them, it’s safe to say I’m not urging them toward humility. All that to say, there’s a way to affirm people in their gifts, speaking life into their vocations and passions, without encouraging them to “exalt or aggrandize” themselves. We at CCM want to become fluent in that skill, while encouraging you, dear reader, to do the same. Simply put, if we truly love our favorite artists, we won’t idolize them. Love well, Jay Swartzendruber [email protected] myCCM.org/Jay NASDAQ SYMBOL: SALM *William Wilberforce, from Real Christianity: Discerning True Faith from False Beliefs, Victor Books, 2005 [ccmmagazine.com] 5 CCM I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR TOBYMAC COVER STORY [“DIVERSE CITY OR BUST,” MAY]. I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT HOW your MUCH DIVERSITY THERE IS. THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT, THE MORE IT BOTHERS ME. AS CHRISTIANS YOU WOULD THINK WE WOULD BE THE LEAST JUDGING OF OTHER CULTURES, BUT WE ARE PROBABLY THE WORST. ” Kelly Owen, Reedsburg, WI GO “T” guys are doing that with this month’s I don’t think the magazine’s new name I’ll come right out and say it: I’m I really enjoyed your tobyMac cover new issue. I love it! makes as much sense. Everyone who disturbed at the direction my favorite story [“Diverse City or Bust,” May]. I Michael Tackett, via email I’ve mentioned the new name to so far magazine has taken starting with the never really thought about how much has said something like, “Huh? What’s May 2007 issue. By including “artists diversity there is. The more I think I just had to write a quick note of ‘Christ. Community. Music.’ supposed of faith” who make music that doesn’t about it, the more it bothers me. As appreciation on your diversity of to mean? It just sounds like a random necessarily reflect their beliefs, the Christians you would think we would album picks to review. I just picked up combination of words.” However, I first thing that comes to mind is, how be the least judging of other cultures, the May issue of CCM and was blown love that you’re giving myCCM are you going to define an artist who but we are probably the worst. Our away to see reviews of Between The members involvement in the is a “Christian”? Do you require a churches are all split; there’s black Trees, Rosie Thomas and The magazine content, and it’s awesome written or spoken confession of faith? that you’re actually reviewing some churches and white churches.