"Dr." Mark Lee at the Music Builds tour launch partyI am a Third Day fan.  I am Gomer number 1920.  (I would be a lower number if it were not for the fact that I am not a joiner.)  I have traveled on a plane on more than one occasion to see the Atlanta rockers in concert, including a Great Gomer Gathering.  I have purchased each CD on the day of release since Conspiracy No. 5.

Yes, I fell in love with the band from the first time I saw them live not long after their debut release.  I used to call my local radio station begging them to play the latest single, hoping for others to experience the great music.  Until one day, the radio singles were overplayed and, to be honest, slow and boring.

Oh wait, did I mention that I am an old school Third Day fan?  Those in the Gomer camp know that there are those fans that came along when Offerings suddenly put Third Day on the map.  On the opposite end of the proverbial room, you would find a small gathering of old school fans that like the rougher, rockier, earlier style of Third Day.  I fit in that corner.

In a genre that tends to be slow to change, Jars of Clay has once again stretched, not only the sound of “Christian” music but themselves with their new song CLOSER available on iTunes.

I don’t understand why we cant get close enough/ I miss the shivers in my spine every time that we touch.

If you are a “die-hard” Jars of Clay fan you might find the first listen to this song a surprise. Jars of Clay has found a way to reinvent themselves and bring their music to a new and exciting level. Music that’s simply good. Music that rocks. I’m looking forward to the rest of the EP and the future of music-as-we-know-it from Jars of Clay. See you on the Music Builds Tour with Robert Randolph, Switchfoot and Third Day!

Your Resident Rocker
JanetRN

Monday, June 30, 2008

Dan HaseltineSunday, June 29, 2008

So yeah, I was there, and I'm pretty sure I was supposed to blog once or twice (as Kim and Brandon both did) but there just didn't seem to be enough hours in the day!  I was wearing two hats for the week...one of youth group leader and one of festival photographer.  I was thankful Kim and Brandon were there to cover the press tent.  I know they sat in on some outstanding press conferences, and for the most part I was intensely jealous of the time they got to spend in there, hanging out with the likes of Leeland, David Crowder, and Switchfoot (um...I actually made it to switchfoot's conference...surprised?) At any rate, the festival was amazing. I was overwhelmed by the music, the people, the great merchandise, and my all time favorite festival food...frozen cheesecake.

So…I definitely just walked out of the same room as Amy Grant.  She was a special guest this year at Creations 30th anniversary.   Being that I am only 20, I am not very familiar with her, but have heard much about her, and I know the status she holds in the music industry. I am really thankful to have the opportunity to sit and listen in on that press conference.  Hawk Nelson was also a part of that particular press conference.  Amy and Hawk Nelson recently collaborated a song together, which I am curious to hear.

Worth Dying ForBack to this morning, haha.  I began the day at the fringe stage watching a band called Worth Dying For.  I think they are absolutely amazing, and you should definitely check them out.  

So, it’s Thursday night as I sit here listening to David Crowder in the background (his worship is amazing) in Kim’s car… which she has dubbed our makeshift reporting studio.

I arrived with two of my friends Tuesday night at about 11pm. Let me tell you… constructing a seven-man tent with a mere flashlight is quite the task. Luckily, my friend Tanya whom I was with has had many years’ experience in Girl Scouts, so she did most of the grunt work. But we now have a stable tent to sleep in, and hopefully it will hold up to the heavy rain they are calling for.

This is my third year working press at Creation Fest, but it is my first working with inReview.net. This also seems to be my busiest year thus far. I have been running around like a mad man trying to get everything done that I want to, but it is so worth it.

David VS. DavidYes... I am one of those people. The 'Idol' addict who watches their contestant of choice recieve words of wisdom from Simon Cowell on Tuesdays, and who bites their nails praying that the same contestant does not get the axe on the Wednesdays follow up episode. 

This has been my routine for the past 7 years, since Kelly Clarkson first took the title in the shows first season, and this year was no exception. But I must admit, this was one of my favorite seasons thus far.  Of course I had my share of contestants who I did not favor, but who didn't?