By Andy Argyrakis

SO MUCH SWITCHFOOT

By now, most have probably caught wind that Switchfoot is releasing a greatest hits collection called The Best Yet (Columbia/Legacy in the mainstream and Credential in the Christian market), but perhaps not everyone is aware that the group’s front man is also dropping another solo album. Limbs and Branches (lowercase people/Credential) hits streets October 28, compiling several fan favorites from his four EPs, plus the new tunes “Broken From the Start” and “Over the River.” Even with the plethora of projects, Switchfoot is currently in the studio finalizing its highly anticipated follow-up to 2006’s Oh! Gravity., which is slated to release in 2009.

HILL’S HOLIDAY SPECIAL

To coincide with her spiritually-grounded Christmas collection, Joy To the World (Warner Bros.), modern country queen Faith Hill just taped a television special for PBS' famed “Soundstage” series. The event is slated to run through the national network’s holiday programming series and will feature the singer performing with a full orchestra and choir. Though “Soundstage” is a secular program, Amy Grant also appeared alongside former Chicago front man Peter Cetera on a previous special.

A LIVE GOSPEL LEGEND

Legendary Staple Singers front woman Mavis Staples recently recorded a concert collection at Chicago’s intimate Hideout club, though her spirituality was certainly in the house that night. Live: Hope at the Hideout (Anti-) hits streets November 4, featuring the gospel diva’s triumphant versions of group classics (“I’ll Take You There”), soulful spirituals (“Will the Circle Be Unbroken”) and several solo collections cherry picked from her 40-year career.

DOLLY EXTENDS TOUR

She may not be the first artist that comes to mind when trying to define “Christian music,” but Dolly Parton’s never been ashamed of her faith on record or from the stage. Her recent single, “Jesus and Gravity,” showcases someone relying on the Lord to make it through the day’s trials, which not only found fame in gospel circles but lit “American Idol” on fire. Given that track’s popularity and the overall success of her 2008 release, Backwoods Barbie (Dolly Records), the southern singer/songwriter returns to the road October 17 in Florida, on a trek stretching through November 18 in Green Bay.

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