Christian Retailing

News Beat-April 09 Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Tuesday, 31 March 2009 08:51 AM America/New_York

The Duggars plus Kirk. Stars of the hit reality TLC show 18 Children and Counting, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar as well as their multiple kids, recently met their favorite movie star—Kirk Cameron. After traveling in January to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival in San Antonio for an episode of their show, the Duggars gave a copy of their book The Duggars: 20 and Counting!: Raising One of America’s Largest FamiliesHow They Do It (Howard Books) to Cameron, star of the surprise pro-marriage hit Fireproof. The movie “has quickly become (a) family favorite,” Jim Bob Duggar said. “Kirk is a down-to-earth, genuinely nice guy and a great role model for young people.”

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Kirk Franklin; Casting Crowns; Jill Austin; Jennifer Rothschild Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 04:03 PM America/New_York

fight of my life cdComing out on top. Kirk Franklin won two trophies Feb. 8 during the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Franklin was honored in the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album category for The Fight of My Life (Gospocentric/Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Provident-Integrity Distribution) and “Help Me Believe” in the Best Gospel Song category. TobyMac garnered a trophy for the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Alive and Transported (Forefront Records/EMI CMG Distribution). The sister duo Mary Mary won the Best Gospel Performance for “Get Up,” while CeCe Winans was honored in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for Thy Kingdom Come (PureSprings Gospel/EMI Gospel).

 casting crowns PRGRAMMY-winning band Casting Crowns performed Feb. 5 during the National Prayer Breakfast—which featured President Barack Obama and dignitaries from more than 180 nations, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Casting Crowns sang “Voice of Truth” and “Who Am I” during the 57th annual event, held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Jill Austin, a veteran prophetic minister and founder of Master Potter Ministries, died Jan. 9 after complications involving two emergency surgeries. A leader in the prophetic movement for nearly three decades, Austin authored books such as Dancing With Destiny (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group) and Master Potter & the Mountain of Fire (Destiny Image Publishers). She was also an award-winning potter. A funeral service was held Jan. 12 in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Harvest House Publishers author and conference speaker Jennifer Rothschild was chosen to receive the annual Hope and Spirit Award by the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB). Rothschild, whose books include Fresh Grounded Faith and Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, was presented with the award during an FFB celebration and fundraiser in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11.

 
CRI News Beat: Starfield; Soraya Moraes; Caribbean Challenge; Acoustic Gospel Vol. 2 Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Monday, 09 February 2009 01:37 PM America/New_York

Starfield took home six trophies during the 30th Annual Covenant Awards in Canada, winning every category that garnered a nomination for the Sparrow Records (EMI CMG Distribution) band. Held Oct. 24 at First  Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta, the awards were the pinnacle event of the Gospel Music Association Canada Week, which featured a conference, artist showcases, talent search competition and an awards banquet. Starfield—which has 13 Covenant Awards in the band’s career—won Group of the Year, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for I Will Go, Praise & Worship Song of the Year for “Reign in Us,” Modern Worship Album of the Year for I Will Go and Recorded Song of the Year for “Hosanna.” Starfield won its third consecutive Group of the Year award as well as second consecutive wins in the categories of Recorded Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

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Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sherwood Eliot Wirt, 'Billy, The Early Years' Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 15 January 2009 04:15 PM America/New_York

Music fans had their day. Third Day won the Contemporary Inspirational Favorite Artist category of the American Music Awards, held Nov. 23 in Los Angeles. Third Day—which was unable to attend due to the band’s touring schedule—was recognized over MercyMe and Casting Crowns, who won the category in 2007. Pop sensations Jonas Brothers, all committed Christians, won the Breakthrough Artist Award category. The group’s name comes from the three sons of Kevin Jonas, a former Assemblies of God pastor who is one of their managers. Winners were determined by online voting.

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Casting Crowns, Max Lucado, Mark Schultz, Joel Osteen Print Email
Written by Staff   
Thursday, 11 December 2008 03:27 PM America/New_York

Casting Crowns comes up six for six.  The GRAMMY-winning band recently received its sixth consecutive Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) milestone with the Gold certification of the group’s third live DVD/CD release, The Altar and the Door Live (Beach Street Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution). The RIAA Gold recognition represents more than 500,000 units sold. Both of the band’s previous live DVDs—Live From Atlanta in 2004 and Lifesong Live in 2006—received Platinum certification, which signifies U.S. album shipments exceeding 1 million units. Casting Crowns—the group’s debut album in 2003—and Lifesong in 2005 also reached Platinum status, while The Altar and the Door in 2007 received Gold certification.

Speaking of top-sellers, more than 4 million units of products tied to 3:16: The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson)—including a million copies of the book—have been sold since the title was released in September 2007. Nelson and a group of licensed partners distributed a variety of 3:16 products, including greeting cards and wearable items.

Dove Award-winning artist Mark Schultz performed on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show, Oct. 26.  The episode of the popular reality series featured Schultz performing his song “He’s My Son” from his 2005 album Mark Schultz Live ... A Night of Stories & Songs (Word Records/Word Distribution).

Featuring the text of the New Living Translation, the Hope for Today Bible—with notes and encouragement from pastor and author Joel Osteen and his wife, Victoria—is to be released in March by Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Osteen—author of the best-sellers Your Best Life Now (FaithWords) and Become a Better You (Free Press)—pastors Lakewood Church in Houston with Victoria, author of Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy & Whole (Free Press).