The people voting “have watched us grow up, have played alongside us, and have mentored us,” Tim Neufeld of the band Starfield said of players and leaders in Canada’s Christian-music scene.
“We’re very proud to be a small part of what God is doing through music in our home country,” he added.
And Canada is proud of them, too, naming Starfield as the top winner at Canada’s most recent “Covenant Awards” ceremony late last month.
Taking home six trophies, Starfield won in every category for which it was nominated.
It won for group of the year, artist of the yeat, album of the year and modern worship album of the year (”I Will Go”), praise and worship song of the year (“Reign In Us”), and recorded song of the year (“Hosanna”)
It was the third consecutive group of the year award, and a repeat win in the recorded song and album of the year categories.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to be recognized in Canada for what we’re doing as a band,” Neufeld added.
For more information and a complete list of winners, visit www.gmacanada.ca.
Starfield is now headlining its first U.S. tour, the “I Will Go” tour, visiting more than 20 cities through mid-November.
“I Will Go” is the band’s third effort, on the heels of debut “Starfield” (2004) and “Beauty in the Broken” (2006).
For more information on this growingly-popular band, visit www.starfieldonline.com.

One of the nicer additions to the list of current top Christian songs is a ballad about someone who’s hard to miss when you pick up a newspaper or watch TV.
It’s called “Britney,” is written to, yep, Britney Spears, and is a sympathetic look at what the celebrity machine can do and has done to her.
And it’s by that nice singer-songwriter with an easy-to-take voice, Bebo Norman.
Now 35 (and, in his single days habitually named one of Christian music’s most eligible bachelors), Norman has a song that’s heading toward the top 10 in CCM song lists.
And it’s the best popular-reference look at a celebrity who has had a public trauma since Dana Key’s “Dear Mr. Clapton,” dedicated to Eric Clapton when the legendary guitarist lost his small son in a tragic fall.
Now, Norman offers us a new ballad that’s a sympathetic look at a celebrity whose ups and downs have long been tabloid fodder:

“Britney im sorry for the lies we told
we took you into our arms and then left you cold
Britney im sorry for this cruel cruel world
we sell the beauty but destroy the girl
Britney im sorry for your broken heart
we stood aside and watched you fall apart.”

But he ends with a hopeful message of where Britney Spears can truly find peace:

“Britney i do believe that love has come
here for the broken
here for the ones like us.”

This is just the lastest hit song for Bebo (his given Christian name is Jeffrey Stephen Norman).
I’ll always remember his excellent show back in October 2004 at Lancaster Bible College (opening was an early-teen Bethany Dillon, who also was impressive).
Columbus, Ga. native Norman has one of Christian music’s most underrated albums, “Myself When I Am Real,” which included his light, sometimes-soaring voice on hit songs “Great Light of the World” and “Falling Down.”
Other songs of his you may know include “I Will Lift My Eyes” and “Borrow Mine.”
He also has a sense of humor, and can be self-deprecating.
He “won” an award from CCM magazine once as the performer who most needs to talk less and sing more in concerts. He agreed to pose for a picture with duct tape (hey, a bachelor’s best friend … I used to know it well!) over his mouth.
But no one should hush him  on “Britney,” a compassionate look at someone damaged, but maybe not broken, by the relentless glare of the spotlight.

There’s been a lot of attention given to the Casting Crowns Christmas tour, which includes a Dec. 13 stop in Reading, and rightly so.
Along with Casting Crowns, maybe Christian music’s top band these days, it includes a host of other top names, like Natalie Grant.
There’s also the Christmas tour by Point of Grace, stopping by New Holland’s Petra Christian Fellowship on Dec. 4.
But there’s a third pre-Christmas tour that also looks promising, with a full slate of top-name acts.
As in, Jars Of Clay, a newly-reunited Sixpence None the Richer, the band Leeland and solo, always-thoughtful singer/songwriter Sara Groves.
They are all coming to Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center for the Science and Arts for a per-Christmas show on Sunday, Dec. 21.
It’s called “Love Came Down: A Christmas Pageant,” a 13-city jaunt filled with holiday songs and stories in celebration of the Christmas season.
Harrisburg will be the last stop on the tour, set to begin Dec. 4 in Montgomery, Ala.
Most of the acts we mentioned above need no introduction, especially Jars of Clay, who I’ve liked since seeing them open, yes, open, for PFR (remember that great three-man trio?) at Lancaster Mennonite High back in early 1995.
Jars of Clay has reached, and stayed at, the upper echelons of Christian music in the years since, from “Flood” at the start to “There Is A River” these days, and lots of non-water songs to boot.
They’re also enjoyed a large degree of crossover success with popular music fans.
And now comes a great chance ot hear them, plus rising stars Leeland and the others, performing Christmas music.
And, just four days before Christmas.
(A personal note … “CrossRock” started six months ago today, and I want to thank first and foremost our Lord, but also each of you who has visited, or visits regularly for making it such a success. I also want to thank my editors at the paper for giving me the go-ahead! Look for more postings, and we hope lots more videos …dave o’c)

There’s some big music news this week about a Christian music cornerstone and one of its most promising new acts.
Michael W. Smith on Tuesday released his 21st career album (most of us don’t own that many pairs of shoes!), called “A New Hallelujah.”
The album was recorded live in Houston before 12,000 people (a good-sized crowd for any artist, Christian or secular), and the title-track first single is in the top 15 in Christian adult-contemporary music, and sure to climb.
“Smitty” also is co-headlining on a new tour with another of the biggest names in Christian music, Steven Curtis Chapman, and the duo are selling out nearly all their shows.
Meanwhile, new harder-rock Christian band Decyfer Down has announced the addition of a new lead singer, T.J. Harris, and the departure of former singer Caleb Oliver.
Harris “brings a unique vocal edge to the band with his dynamic style, and is an exciting and engaging live performer,” band drummer Josh Oliver said.
Caleb Oliver “is dealing with some personal things” and was not able to continue as a part of the band, added Josh, Caleb’s brother.
Decyfer Down’s new digital EP was released on Sept. 30, and its new single, “Crash,” recently peaked at No. 1 on Christian Rock radio.
The EP is a preview of four selected tracks from their upcoming sophomore record, “Crash,” due next April.
Visit www.DecyferDown.com for details on the band, which many of us will remember from their appearance at Lancaster Mennonite High School last May as an opening act for Skillet.

Just like plenty of great ballplayers never make the World Series, a lot of Christian music performers never get to have a Gold record.
But Casting Crowns is marking its sixth consecutive record with at least the gold status, thanks to its third live CD/DVD, “The Altar and The Door Live.”
A gold record is usually considered one that has sold at least a half-million copies, while platinum is even better … at least one million sold.
Of course, because of its smaller playing field, or number of listeners and potential buyers Christian music has far fewer gold or platinum artists than popular music.
It takes someone on the order of Casting Crowns to blow that out the window.
The new live project has only been out since mid-August, and captures the band’s monumental 2007-2008 headlining tour, one of Christian music’s top-attended series of concerts of all time … nearly 500,000 fans in more than 80 cities.
Not bad for a part-time gig.
The band’s lead singer Mark Hall is the youth pastor for an Atlanta church, and all seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area, and tour part-time around their local church duties.
The gold record announcement is just the latest news about Casting Crowns.
This week came the band’s fourth American Music Awards nomination (for favorite artist, along with Third Day) and the release of the band’s first Christmas album, “Peace On Earth.”
The new Christmas album initially reached No. 1 on Christian albums charts and now sits at a still-healthy No. 3.
It’s also ahead of new seasonal releases from Faith Hill and (ever hear of him?) Elvis Presley.
Casting Crowns also is headlining a 14-city Christmas concert tour with Natalie Grant, Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, Avalon, Michael English and pureNRG.
The tour comes to Reading on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Both of the previous live  efforts for Casting Crowns, “Live From Atlanta” and “Lifesong Live,” have reached platinum, as did two of its studio albums.
For more information on Casting Crowns, visit www.castingcrowns.com.

Forgive us here at CrossRock — OK, “us” should really be “me” — for gushing just a little.
Having only heard the new song “Shadowfeet” a handful of times, including this week, by somebody (Brooke Fraser) I hadn’t heard of ’till recently, I’m still trembling a bit over what a great song it is.
Fraser is a native New Zealander who’s a worship and song leader with the Hillsong United people, and what a heartfelt, jump-out-of-the-speakers song she gives us with “Shadowfeet.”
From a nice, understated, lower-pitched, mostly piano-based beginning, she launches into a soaring chorus that will be one of the highlights of Christian music in 2008:
“When the world has fallen out
from under me
I’ll be found in you
still standing …
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall
on their knees
When time and space are through
I’ll be found in you.”
FYI: The “you” is actually more of a ‘you-ew,” if that helps you to remember whether you’ve heard the song or not.
If you haven’t, it would be a great ringtone or song or get into your iPod.
The last time I was as excited about a song, it was probably when hearing “Edge Of My Seat” by another exciting new group, the Sonflowerz sisters, or when hearing the new “Revelation” CD by those musical veterans, Third Day.
It all shows that Christian music is in good hands when you hear newcomerz (OK, a “Sonflowerz” joke) like Bethany Dillon or Fraser, who won’t be 25 until next month.
I read that she started taking piano lessons at age 7, started writing songs at 12 and began on acoustic guitar at 15.
And she has never taken a singing lesson … I defy you to be able to tell.

It’s time to go … Wow.
As in, another “WOW” compilation is out, featuring 30 of the year’s top Christian artists, and it’s topping the charts in Christian music in its very first week out of the chute, according to Billboard.
No wonder … take a look at the songs, and the artists, both a virtual who’s-who of current Christian music:
Disc 1:
1. Every Man (Casting Crowns) 
2. God With Us (MercyMe) 
3. Call My Name (Third Day)
4. Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin) 
5. Let It Fade (Jeremy Camp)
6. You Are Everything (Matthew West) 
7. Cinderella (Steven Curtis Chapman) 
8. How You Live Turn Up The Music (Point Of Grace) 
9. Mighty To Save (Live) (Michael W. Smith) 
10. All Because Of Jesus (Fee) 
11. Set The World On Fire (Britt Nicole) 
12. Your Grace Is Enough (Matt Maher) 
13. Song Of Hope Heaven Come Down (Robbie Seay Band) 
14. In Better Hands (Natalie Grant) 
15. Sound Of Your Name (Above The Golden State) 
Disc 2:
1. Everything Glorious (David Crowder Band) 
2. This Is Home (Switchfoot) 
3. Friend Like That (Hawk Nelson) 
4. The Best Thing (Relient K) 
5. Love Is Here (Tenth Avenue North) 
6. Washed By The Water (Needtobreathe) 
7. Give Me Your Eyes (Brandon Heath) 
8. I m Letting Go (Francesca Battistelli) 
9. Lose My Soul (TobyMac) 
10. Jesus Loves You (Stellar Kart) 
11. Count Me In (Leeland) 
12. Unbreakable (Fireflight) 
13. Already Over (Red) 
14. All Along (Remedy Drive) 
15. Sleeping In (Nevertheless)

While most of these may sound pretty familiar to Christian music fans, many people also like to have their favorite hits in one place in their CD player.
And, not owning any record-store stock, I can also say … the “WOW!” yearly works are a nice compilation to offer as a gift for a new Christian-music fan or overall music fan. I can speak from experience, recalling the collections where I first heard about everyone from Kutless to Third Day, and even Newsong (going back a few years, there).
There’s another new compilation that will be getting less attention, most likely, but it also offers another nice assortment of performers, mostly Christian but also some secular acts.
It’s the soundtrack to “Billy: The Early Years,” a 12-song collection from the new film about the early life and ministry of the Rev. Billy Graham.
With music from the worlds of country, gospel, contemporary Christian and more, the album features such multi-million-selling recording artists and combinations you won’t hear every day … try country stars Brooks & Dunn with Mac Powell of Christian supergroup Third Day.
Its tracks are:
“Over the Next Hill” – Brooks & Dunn and Mac Powell of Third Day
“Low” – Sara Evans
“Look at Me” – Alan Jackson
“Shelter Me” – China Edelman
“Ruth’s Prayer” – Patty Griffin
“Heavenly Day” – Brandon Heath
“The Great Wild Beyond” – Gregory Page
“Amazing Love” – Michael W. Smith and Melinda Doolittle
“In Dreams” – Roy Orbison
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” – Brad Paisley
“Almost Persuaded” – Josh Turner
“Just as I Am” – Sierra Hull with a choir featuring John Cowan, Harry Stinson, Ronnie Bowman, Ronnie McCoury, and John Wesley Ryles.

He set out for Nashville from his native West Virginia 30 years ago, at age 20, convinced he could make it in Christian music.
After a few years of doing the seemingly-required waiting-on-tables thing, Michael W. Smith released his first record (they were still actually “records” and not CDs back then) a few years later.
And this month, the man known for everything from “Friends” and “Rocketown” to “Secret Ambition” and the newer “Healing Rain” had his own special tribute.
The Nashville Choir’s third annual “A Light for the City” event celebrated the 25-year-career of the Grammy-Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling artist.
He has brought his show through these here parts many times over the years, both because this area is so rich in Christian-music interest … and because Lititz is here, and Smith loves the pretzel-and-chocolate town, he has said on stage a few times.
The tribute to Smith, a star-studded  event, took place last week in Nashville’s Schermerhorn (talk about a good Lancaster County name) Symphony Center.
The show included special appearances by the Rev. Franklin Graham and author Max Lucado, and performances by Smith’s friend Amy Grant, music veterans Bill Gaither, Wynonna, Ricky Skaggs, Phil Stacey and Michael Tait, new artists Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle and others.
All proceeds from the show benefitted the Nashville Choir, a nonprofit organization.
Smith, of course, is right up there with Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, the late Rich Mullins and a small number of others as the most popular and influential Christian musician/singer of our time.
Just like Amy Grant, Smith is not exactly resting on his awards these days.
His new live-worship record, “A New Hallelujah,” has a hit song of the same name, and features The African Children’s Choir and also an appearance by 2008 Grammy Award-winner Israel Houghton (look for Houghton with Chris Tomlin in Hershey on Jan. 22).
Last week’s tribute for Michael W. Smith is a well-deserved honor.
For more information on the singer/songwriter, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

(This ran in the Friday, Oct. 17 Lancaster New Era … all kinds of good rock, and God rock, to be heard …I wish there was more room to mention Article One. Several people said they hadn’t heard much about them, but were impressed. Maybe CrossRock can spotlight them sometime …

Not sure why the concert wasn’t sold out. Economy? School night? Still, a lot of us in church worship teams have only rarely played to 500 people, so that’s still not all that bad …)

As youth pastor at a Mount Joy church, Erik Ewing thought about bringing a pack of his young people to the concert he went to Thursday night.
Instead, he was sitting in one of the back rows of another church’s auditorium with his soccer-jersey-wearing, 8-year-old daughter Addison.
Ewing said that for he and his wife Christy, it’s important their daughter “can listen to music that’s actually uplifting for girls … has a positive message, and is as good, if not better, than half the stuff that’s out there,” he said.
Which was why he and Addison, who was seeing her first concert, were there for the Christian-rock band Superchick.
Superchick, with help from opening bands Stellar Kart and Article One, rocked the farmland of Manor Township in a show at Manor Church Thursday night.
The band, led by sisters Tricia and Melissa Brock and featuring hits like “Stand in the Rain” and “We Live,” gave a rousing show for 500 or so people.
Ewing, director of student ministries at Mount Joy’s Chiques United Methodist Church, likes how “Superchick has a very specific message for girls … and it’s powerful.”
Superchick, now on the road with its “Rock What You Got” tour, offers a message and a sound “that really connects with a lot of people … I know it connects with me,” noted 16-year-old fan David Maughan, of Washington Boro.
Heather Haverstick, 20, who grew up here but is home on fall break from New York State’s Houghton College, was there because she “used to be a big fan” of Superchick and didn’t want to miss a chance to see them.
Led by the blond-haired Tricia and her jet-black-haired Brock sister, Melissa, Superchick offered a sound that’s an array of hard-edged rock, techno and other sounds.
The intense Tricia Brock, her head titled to one side, spoke softly when she introduced songs like “Anthem” or “Hold,” but then, singing, offered a good rock scream or two.
“Anthem” comes across as just that, an anthem, with these lyrics:
“Here’s to the girls on their boards with bruises and scars,
Here’s to the girls whose fingers bleed from playing guitar,
Here’s to anyone who never quit when things got hard …”
Even though Thursday’s audience was barely half-capacity, it was clear that none of the bands, which also included opening act Starlit Platoon doing a quick set, left their game at home.
Stellar Kart also showed why it’s one of the emerging bands in Christian rock, making the most of its half-hour-plus time allotment, which was about twice as much as Article One, but only half of headlining Superchick’s.
“Rock What You Got,” released in June, is Superchick’s fifth release, and the band has sold close to a million albums.

They’re the Beatles and the Stones (if you’re younger, how about the Coldplay and Dave Matthews?) of current contemporary Christian music.
And Third Day and Casting Crowns this week added to what’s been a quickly-growing list of awards and nominations.
The two bands received American Music Award nominations for favorite artist in what they call the “Contemporary Inspirational” category.
It’s the fourth straight AMA nomination for Casting Crowns (they won the category at last year’s show), and the third for Third Day (only fitting, isn’t it?).
The nominations are just part of what’s been a great 2008 for both bands, both out of Atlanta and both led by powerful lead singers, a guitar-fueled sound and emotion- and spirit-packed vocals.
Casting Crowns and its lead singer Mark Hall was named group of the year and also got song of the year (”East to West”) at last spring’s Dove Awards.
And the somewhat more established Third Day and its frontman Mac Powell have been no slouch this year, either, getting on the cover of Billboard and releasing its long-awaited new album, “Revelation.”
Both also are among the top-rated touring bands in (hey, let’s keep the riff going) “inspirational” music.
It’s hard to imagine more deserving groups … and hard to imagine picking one as winner.
If you’re a fan of both or either, it’ll give you a good reason to watch or VCR the 36th annual music awards, to be aired Sunday evening, Nov. 23, from 8 to 11 Eastern on ABC-TV.