CASTING CROWNS LAUNCHES MULTI-ARTIST CHRISTMAS TOURSpeaking of
Casting Crowns, the worshipful poppers closed out the year with one of its most ambitious tours to date, if not the most expansive concert outing of the entire Christmas season! The Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration's stacked cast combined the diversity of
Natalie Grant,
Denver & The Mile High Orchestra,
Avalon,
Michael English and
pureNRG.
FAITH HILL’S CHRISTIAN MARKET CHRISTMAS ALBUMAs wife of Tim McGraw and a country/pop superstar in her own right,
Faith Hill is among the mainstream’s most familiar faces. But she’s never been shy about her Christian faith through interviews and appearances at award shows, making her Christian market debut not all that surprising (though long overdue nonetheless).
Joy To the World hit streets on Word/Warner, known for several seasonal standards, plus the emotional single “A Baby Changes Everything.” And yes, the title’s implication is indeed the crux of this booming ballad, which equates the birth of Christ as history’s ultimate event.
AN AMY CHRISTMAS TIMES TWOIn support of her fourth yuletide release,
The Christmas Collection (EMI), Amy Grant kicked off the celebration with an appearance on NBC over Thanksgiving weekend. “Holiday Celebration On Ice” featured her performing classic holiday hits with longtime collaborator
Michael W. Smith as star skaters like Nancy Kerrigan showcased additional grace and style. As December rolled around, she packed up the tour buses alongside country giant (and husband) Vince Gill with shows continuing through the weekend before Christmas.
Be sure to check out “! 2008, Part 1” and look for “! 2008: Top Trends” next week.
