They've sold over a million units of they're
14 records to date but has always been more of a
community itself than a band. This group is
known for it’s multi-talented members; Cliff and
Danielle Young (two of Christian music’s
best-loved voices), Derek Webb and Andy Osenga
(both respected singer-songwriters), Todd Bragg,
Garett Buell, Jeff Miller and Josh Moore (all
top-notch musicians).
The ever-evolving collective helped bring a
renaissance of acoustic music in the Christian
pop scene and earned the band a large and loyal
fan following, known as The Guild. Caedmon’s
also helped launch or boosted the careers of
artists like Bebo Norman, Jill Phillips,
Waterdeep, and Andrew Peterson.
The band is also a longtime promoter of
missional living, through their longtime
partnership with Compassion International, and
more recently with the Dalit Freedom Network, an
organization fighting caste discrimination in
India, and the band’s own Share The Well
Foundation. The idea of the foundation is
central to the band’s message, “to change the
perspective, change the church culture, and what
it means to be a believer,” says Young, from
sitting in the safety of a pew to impacting a
hurting world.
The
desire to escape mediocrity and embrace the very best
that life has to offer suddenly hits you. It comes like
a wonderfully dramatic epiphany. It is clear the time
has come and a decision must be made. You know the
status quo simply will not do. It is this powerful
transformation that lies at the core of The Afters'
sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia
Records).
The
Texas-based band was propelled into the national
spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut
I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the
swirling, melodic hit "Beautiful Love," earning the band
an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as
the theme track for MTV's "8th and Ocean". "Beautiful
Love" was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the
iTunes Inspirational charts.
"On the last record there was a common thread of hope
that came out in all the songs," vocalist/guitarist Brad
Wigg. Never Going Back To OK seems to reflect
transformation. I think a lot of the songs are talking
about moving forward, of becoming who we are meant to
be."
"It's been an eventful three years, that's for sure,"
says drummer Marc Dodd of the musical odyssey that has
become the band's busy life. They've poured their life
experiences into the new music and Dodd is excited about
sharing the songs on Never Going Back To OK "The
title track encourages people not to just go through the
motions, but to try to make an impact on the world and
help someone change their perspective on how life can
really be."
Beyond serving with organizations like
WorshipTogether.com, SpiritandSong.com, Passion, Youth
Specialties, and Adore Ministries, Matt Maher is also a
contributing artist for Life Teen, a high school youth
movement that helped lead him to Jesus; his songs are
being sung by the Church around the world. A number of
Matt Maher-written songs have been recorded by other
artists, including: “Your Grace is Enough,” Maher’s
first radio single and a song for the church that was
originally recorded by Maher’s good friend, Chris
Tomlin; “Unwavering,” a reflection on the Beatitudes
(recorded prior by Bethany Dillon); “For Your Glory,” a
new testament response to the book of Ecclesiastes
(recorded by Phillips, Craig and Dean).
With
an incredible love for Christ, and a heart to reach
people with the Gospel, Maher seeks to meet people where
they are, not where he wishes they would be. Often
referring to himself as a “musical missionary,” Maher,
who also serves as part of the worship team at his home
church in Mesa, Arizona, St. Timothy Catholic Community,
shares, “It’s so important to stay in community when you
want to write for the Church. That is where your songs
come from; from your relationship with Christ, with your
immediate family, and the family of believers.”
Born
and raised in Newfoundland, Canada, Maher grew up in a
strong culture comprised of two elements: music and
tradition. Maher continues, “Music is part of the fabric
of the culture there, similar to places like Louisiana
or the Appalachian mountains; and over the years, not
just Celtic music, but music of every kind. I grew up
listening to American Top 40 with Casey Kasem every
Saturday, rain or shine. My dad would cook while
listening to Willie Nelson or Frank Sinatra. My cousins,
who lived next door, listened to everything from
Broadway to British Rock, like the Beatles and The Who.”
Early in his life, Maher’s parents realized his talent
for music and started him in piano lessons. He quickly
absorbed as many musical styles as possible, playing in
concert and jazz ensembles, singing in choir, and even
playing in a high school garage rock band. During his
college years, Matt received a scholarship from the Jazz
Department at Arizona State University, where he studied
Jazz Piano.
Matthew Paul Turner grew up in rural Maryland with his
parents, three sisters, a beagle, and 107 laying hens.
Matthew's early years were defined by his family's
involvement in a conservative church where beauty and
redemption were overshadowed by rules and judgment. He
eventually landed in Nashville, at Belmont University.
At
Belmont, he received a BBA in Music Business, but almost
immediately after college moved back to Maryland to live
with his parents for 18 months [and had a job stuffing
various items into envelopes, and realized his love of
stamping]. Matthew worked for CCM Magazine for
two-and-a-half years before leaving to pursue writing as
a fulltime career.
His first book, The Christian Culture Survival Guide,
received a good amount of media attention, including USA
Today and The Washington Times. In all, Matthew has
written or contributed to more than fifteen books in the
short span of four years. His thoughts, ideas, and humor
about life, Christianity, and other topics such as
politics, sex, and even money have opened up many
opportunities for him to speak at colleges and other
venues.
In
2008 he will release his first hardback "Churched."
Check
out our website at
ShaeLaurel.com!
ShaeLaurel is a nationally touring show band of folk,
bluegrass and Celtic music. They have thrilled audiences
across the United States for over five years appearing
at theaters, festivals, fairs and theme parks. They also
headlined a show on Norwegian Cruise Lines and at Busch
Gardens and Hershey Park. Their high energy performance
integrates traditional, contemporary and original music
with a dynamic stage show featuring their own blend of
traditional clogging and Irish Step dancing and
show-stopping musicianship. Perhaps the most
breathtaking aspect of their show is what they call the
Fiddle Chain: youll have to see it to believe it! During
their touring ShaeLaurel has performed throughout the
country from the Atlantic to the Pacific and many places
in between. They have released five CDs in the past five
years and continue to enjoy enthusiastic audience
responses everywhere they play. With a core group of
fans growing nationwide, the band continues its journey.
A community of musicians
and songwriters from Play Chase Music (playchasemusic.com)
who make 12stone church in Lawrenceville, Ga. their
home. This group is marked by long term friendships and
a belief in the power of song. They are artists and
writers; committed to a life of laughter, redemption,
compassion and worship.
Born
in Buffalo, NY, but resided in Arizona, Florida, and
Kansas City, Kevin has made Atlanta his home for over 20
years. A pro player since 16 years old, Kevin's name
accompanies a large list of national and regional
artists as a hired musician from tours to studios.
Kevin's CD's are recognized internationally from radio
play to distribution sales. Consistenly involved with
music ministry since in 1995, Kevin has been leading
praise & worship music at church in Marietta, GA and
performing his original music around the southeast. With
a huge love for all music, Kevin hosts a radio show with
friend Rick Cupoli called DeltaWav. The show spotlights
independent Christian arists from around the U.S. and
beyond. This internationally recognized radio show is
the only indie Christian music radio show on FM
broadcast in the U.S. For more info check out
www.deltawav.com. Kevin continues to free-lance as a
musician/singer for live and studio work. But on top of
the radio show and musician efforts, Kevin owns and
operates an audio/visual company. Working as a sound
engineer is another large part of Kevin's daily work.
With a background of over 20 years in the music
business, Kevin tries to find ministry in everything he
does. Serving God by serving others.
Hailing from
Atlanta, Ga., The Breakdown is
not just a rock band of
brothers, cousins, and friends.
The Breakdown is a group of
musicians and songwriters that
bring with them distinctive
musical styles to give this band
a versatile and powerful sound.
This versatility is showcased in
their latest EP, Thoughts
Lost in Yellow Lines. The
Breakdown recorded Thoughts
Lost in Yellow Lines in
their hometown at Tree Sound
Studios. The project was
produced and engineered by Zack
Odom (brother/cousin to the
band) who produced, among many
others, Epic recording artist
Cartel’s last 2 projects (Self
Titled-2007/Chroma-2006). For
these guys, creating music is in
their blood. Three of the four
band members are cousins from a
rich musical heritage of several
generations including their
grandfather, James Odom (Georgia
Jim), who was inducted into the
Atlanta Country Music Hall of
Fame in 1991. They are also
related to Todd & Christie Bragg
from Caedmon’s Call. To the
Breakdown the word that best
describes them and their music
is passionate. These four guys
are passionate about creating
music that engages and impacts
the culture in which they live.
