Artist Spotlight - Salvador

For Nashville-based jam band, Salvador, great music was incubated in the blistering Texas sun, birthed on the road for umpteen days a year, and nurtured by an unwavering commitment to the collective creative process. The eleven songs on their sixth studio album, Aware, amply demonstrate the virtue of the American work ethic in producing fresh expressions of worship that are at once culturally relevant, original, and actually sound effortless, seamless, spontaneous.

He points to the album’s title cut, “Aware,” as an example of the band’s new mindset. “Our fast-paced lifestyle often causes us to blow past the basics,” Nic Gonzales muses. “I think most Christian songs express thanksgiving for the things God gives us. But we wanted to take a different approach to thankfulness. Our heart’s cry is that we would be aware of what is going on around us, that God would create a fundamental change in me so that I would realize that everything that I am is not just about me.”

While the band’s approach to crafting songs continues to evolve, one that thing has remained steadfast is the marriage of their personal devotion to God with their dedication to the craft of live performance. Their inspired improvisational skills have translated into an enthusiastic word-of-mouth reputation for emotionally-charged live shows, but it is their heart for worship, their insistence on promoting God rather than themselves, that infuses Salvador and continues to electrify crowds whenever they perform.

“Salvador is an ever evolving jam band,” Nic explains. “Every show is different. There is no set list. The guys don’t even know what is coming next. They just hear the chord that sets up the next song, and then off we go. When you can do that it’s magic.”

Salvador is an amalgam of talent from across the Western Hemisphere. Drummer Ben Cordonero hails from Nicaragua by way of Miami. Keyboardist Chris Bevins, who also handles some of the co-writing chores calls Nashville home. Josh Gonzales on the Bass still resides in Austin, and Nic relocated to Music City after his marriage to superstar, Jaci Velasquez last year.

Whether rattling the rafters with thundering, anthemic rock ‘n’ roll or soothing the soul with a gently meandering ballad, Salvador creates music that scratches an indelible groove in your grey matter. Aware nails that rare synthesis of spontaneity and expertise with an inspired collection of uptempo, pop-rock worship songs. Many in the industry have declared Aware to be the best that Salvador has ever recorded. Nic says simply, “This is what I have to offer. It is the accumulation of the best that I am right now.”

Discography

• Live in Austin - Release Date: 1999, Label: (independent)
• Salvador - Release Date: 2000, Label: [Myrrh/Sony]
• Into Motion - Release Date: 2002, Label: [Word]
• Worship Live - Release Date: 2003, Label: [Word]
• Con Poder - Release Date: 2003, Label: [Word]
• So Natural - Release Date: 2004, Label: [Word]
• Que Tan Lejos Esta El Cielo - Release Date: 2005, Label: [Word]
• Dismiss the Mystery - Release Date: 2006, Label: [Word]
• Aware - Release Date: 2008, Label: [Word]
• How Far is Heaven: The Best of Salvador - Release Date: 2009, Label: [Word]

Check out Salvador at Amazon.com

Info taken from http://salvadorlive.com/about/

Artist Spotlight - Kierra "KiKi" Sheard

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the strong influences of her family, their faith, and their music. At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Superintendent J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts.

Sheard made her stage debut at the age of 10 duetting with her mother on the Twinkie Clark-penned "The Will Of God", the standout closing track from her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed her skills as a performer accompanying her mother on stage. By 2003, EMI Gospel sign[ed] Kierra to her first recording contract.

Kierra is currently a freshman at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she is studying entertainment law. Though originally a criminal justice major, the decision to switch to entertainment law was definitely influenced by her growing career in the gospel music industry.[5] Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006.

In addition to performing at the 2007 Stellar Awards, ("Why Me?"), Sheard appeared on BET's Celebration of Gospel standing in for Faith Evans in "Endow Me" (as popularized by Sheard's aunts) along with Coko, Lil' Mo, and Fantasia. Sheard also sang with her mother for A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.


Discography

•  I Owe You - Release Date: 8/10/2004, Tracks: 10, Label: EMI Gospel
• Just Until... - Release Date: 8/2/2005, Tracks: 9, Label: EMI Gospel
• This Is Me - Release Date: 6/27/2006, Tracks: 13, Label: EMI Gospel
• Bold Right Life - Release Date: 10/28/2008, Tracks: 10, Label: EMI Distribution

Check Kierra out on Amazon.com.

Info from http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=579

Artist Spotlight - Lecrae

Lecrae Moore grew up on the southside of Houston, TX. He has been led by God in the urban reform movement and has become a leader in showing nonbelievers the way, truth, and the life God has put in his own life.


Lecrae was raised by his mother and has moved to several places throughout his upbringing; San Diego, Denver, and Dallas. This has given him exposure to various types of cultures and backgrounds he is able to utilize this in delivering Gods message to a greater mixture of people. But he did not start off with the intention to show people God’s truth through his lyrics. He, like many inner city kids, took to rap music as a way to communicate what was on his mind and idolizing the street life.

Encouraged to attend a Christian conference led by James White, Lecrae received a revelation through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He realized his sinful ways and the Holy Spirit gave him the means to a desperately needed Savior in Jesus Christ. God’s word in Mark 16:15 states “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” Lecrae began to share his testimony at his University of North Texas campus, which gave him many struggles as well as triumphs. Lecrae’s God given gift of speaking and rapping God’s message helped him while he volunteered at a juvenile detention center.

By age 25, Lecrae joined Reach Records and released his debut album entitled “Real Talk” on May 20, 2004. “Pouring out a genuine discussion of life issues and passionate, unashamed pursuit of Jesus Christ, Real Talk was released to the world where he quickly became noted as an emcee that would meet listeners where they were by delivering transparent, relatable, and impacting messages.”(Reach Records)

Lecrae’s debut album impacted the music industry as well as many lives, but he knew he needed to do more to help the urban culture that has been significantly neglecting God. Lecrae Cofounded ReachLife Ministies in 2005 which established a culturally relevant and biblically solid resource center to help train the next generation. This non-profit organization is equipped with local leaders who can use culturally relevant tools to strengthen communities through the word of God.

Lecrae’s next album was entitled “After the Music Stops” and songs such as Praying For You, Send Me, and Jesus Musik slowly hit mainstream markets. Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B carts had After the Music Stops on its charts for two years! Lecrae followed that album with “Rebel”, which became the first Christian rap CD to sit at the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Gospel Charts. Rebel also claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap charts.

Discography

• Real Talk - Release Date: 2004. Label: [Reach]
• 116 Clique: The Compilation Album - Release Date: 2005, Label: [Reach]
    .... "Fanataics," "Love Song," "Breathe In Breathe Out," "Stand Up"
• After The Music Stops - Release Date: 2006, Label: [Reach]
• Rebel  - Release Date: 2008, Label: [Reach]
• Far//Away (Digital Single/EP) - Release Date: 2010, Label: [Reach] 

Check out Lecrae on Amazon.com

Info obtained from http://www.lecrae.net/artists/lecrae 

Artist Spotlight – Anthony Evans

Born and raised in Dallas as the third of four children, 30-year-old Anthony grew up in a family of great achievers. His father, Dr. Tony Evans, is the founder and president of the internationally syndicated radio and television program "The Alternative" and senior pastor of the more than 8,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. His mother, Lois, is the executive vice president of The Urban Alternative. He has three siblings – his sister Chrystal is a worship leader and mother of five, while Priscilla, a mother of three, is a writer with Moody Press and Lifeway, traveling the country speaking at events with the likes of Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. Younger brother Jonathan, father of 1, plays NFL football and is a speaker and mentor.

Growing up singing, Anthony's musical career took a more serious turn after college when he began a two-year stint as a vocalist with TRUTH. Next he toured for four years as a vocalist for good friend and gospel music sensation Kirk Franklin. His performances with Kirk, including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Soul Train," and appearances on the Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award telecasts have become invaluable learning experiences. Anthony's other musical influences vary from Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith to Commissioned, Andre' Crouch and The Winans.

For the past six years Anthony has been a solo artist; writing, arranging, and singing around the globe. He has recorded 4 albums: "Even More", "Letting Go", "The Bridge," his debut Christmas album "What Christmas Means" and most recently "Undisguised" released in January 2010.

Anthony has teamed with varying organizations including the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Lifeway, Women of Faith, Promise Keepers, and many more, as his heart and their messages have crossed.

Anthony currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee. He spends most of his free time with his close friends or on a local farm with his horses.

Discography

• Even More - Release Date: 6/8/2004, Tracks: 13, Label: Ino/EPIC
• Letting Go - Release Date: 3/7/2006, Tracks: 10, Label: Ino/Columbia
• The Bridge - Release Date: 9/4/2007, Tracks: 11, Label: EMI Gospel
• What Christmas Means - Release Date: 10/6/2009, Tracks: 10, Label: Ino/Columbia
• Undisguised - Release Date: January 26, 2010, Tracks: 10, Label: Ino/Columbia

Check Anthony Evans out on Amazon.com

Info obtained from http://anthony-evans.com/about/