By Andy Argyrakis

DECEMBERADIO GOES DIGITAL

In what’s proving to be a banner year for DecembeRadio, the band seeks to give back to fans with an early Christmas gift. Comfort & Joy (Slanted) marks the group’s first ever holiday EP, which can be found at digital retailers or heard on the radio. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” was recently sent to Christian AC and CHR radio, while “Run Run Rudolph” (first cut by Chuck Berry) is making the rounds at CHR and rock formats.

NEW MURRAY MEMORIES

Four time GRAMMY Award winning vocalist Anne Murray returns to recording with a holiday release that combines five new songs with favorites from 2001’s double disc What a Wonderful Christmas. Anne Murray’s Christmas Album (EMI) boasts all-star duets with Michael Bublé on “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and Diana Krall on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” plus her solo renderings of  “O Holy Night,” “Away In a Manager,” “Blue Christmas” and “Let It Snow.”

WATERDEEP ENCOURAGES ADULTS TO COLOR

The cover of Waterdeep’s upcoming double disc, Pink and Blue (out December 9), may include two cartoon characters and a crayon, but that doesn’t mean it’s a children’s CD by any means. In fact, the project boasts the tag line “an activity book for grown-ups” and is meant to inspire listeners of all ages to reclaim their childlike faith amidst life’s mount of stresses. Husband/wife pair Don and Lori Chaffer are each featured at great length during this endeavor with a special blue CD featuring the former and a pink CD dedicated to the latter.

INDUSTRY VETERAN SHARES LIFE STORY

Artist manager Caleb Morgan works with everyone from Blessed Union of Souls and Hawthorne Heights to Ginny Owens and Anthony Evans as operator of NewLine Management. But what a lot of music fans might not realize is the gripping testimony behind this industry veteran, which is chronicled in the brand-new self-released book I Killed Myself (available at calebsmorgan.com). Expect to hear a shocking story of being raped by a family friend at age 7, ensuing depressing and drug addiction, followed by a remarkable recovery thanks to complete surrender of those situations to Christ.

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