Casting Crowns: On Why It’s NOT Just Another Birthday

 

The new Casting Crowns single, “Just Another Birthday,” is very much in line with their previous hit, “Courageous.” A call to men on the importance of being there for their children, the song depicts the emotional struggle that a young girl faces as she grows up without a father. It is so important for young girls to have a father figure who will be a positive influence on their lives and remind them that they deserve to be treated like a princess. For those who have felt like orphans, the song is also a reminder  that our  true Father is in Heaven. Regardless of what we have been through in the past, Jesus loves us and wants us to have a relationship with Him. Not only does he forgive our sins when we repent and ask Him to, but He can also hold us, heal us, and comfort us more than any person on this earth can. It is also nice to remember that women who have this relationship with Christ are already  princesses because they are daughters of a King. 🙂

Visit the official YouTube page for Casting Crowns and check out the new music video for “Just Another Birthday.” Their page also features another video where Mark Hall discusses the thoughts behind the song. Not only did Mark Hall pen the new single, but he also has a nine year old daughter.

http://www.youtube.com/user/castingcrowns?ob=4&feature=results_main

Jaci Velasquez’s New Album-Truly a Diamond

Fans are excited over Jaci Velasquez’s recently released Diamond. Released on February 3, 2012, Diamond is Velasquez’s 17th studio album, and her first album in four years since starting a family.

Those who have been looking forward to this highly anticipated recording have been far from disappointed. Diamond features a diverse collection of tracks that range from the upbeat and socially sensitive “Give Them Jesus,” to the soulful and romantic “Stay,” and the funky rock track, “Guilt.” One favorite is “Tell Me Again,” a reflection of a broken heart’s yearning to be reminded that God really loves them. Also inspiring is the album’s title track, which is a testament to God’s majesty. Other favorites include the beautiful Spanish track “Con El Viento a Mi Favor” and the powerful “Girl” (a positive track that reflects Velasquez’s early work).

Multifaceted and impassioned, it is without a doubt that this long-awaited album is a strong comeback from a powerful and gifted artist. Not to be overlooked, Jaci Velasquez’s Diamond is truly a gem.

Rejuvenating Tours Coming to City Near You!

For those of you who have been feeling like the Spring season just can’t come fast enough, have I got some good news for you!

Now just might be the perfect time to beat those Winter Blues and be renewed and refreshed at a live concert with some of your favorite Christian music artists. Here is a list of some of the uplifting tours that are happening now. Fans who live in the NY/Tri-State area should take particular notice of the March tour date in Newark for Casting Crowns 😉

THE SONGS & STORIES TOUR
Steven Curtis Chapman, Andrew Peterson, Josh Wilson
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com

ROCK & WORSHIP ROADSHOW
MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North, Lecrae, Disciple, Hawk Nelson, Sidewalk Prophets, Rend Collective
http://www.mercyme.org

WINTER JAM 2012
Skillet, Sanctus Real, Peter Furler, Kari Jobe, NewSong, Building 429, Group 1 Crew, Brock Gill, Dara Maclean, We As Human, For King & Country, Speaker Nick Hall
http://www.jamtour.com

COME TO THE WELL TOUR
Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Royal Tailor, Lindsay McCaul
http://www.castingcrowns.com

GOD’S NOT DEAD TOUR

Newsboys, The City Harmonic, Anthem Lights, Abandon, Bob Lenz
http://www.newsboys.com

WEST COAST TOUR
The Hoppers
http://www.thehoppers.com

THE REVOLVE TOUR: DREAM ON
Hawk Nelson, Stellar Kart, Jamie Grace, Jenna Lucado Bishop, Chad Eastham
http://www.revolvetour.com

A NIGHT OF SONG AND LAUGHTER
Chonda Pierce, Natalie Grant – March 2012
http://www.chonda.org

Frank Rendo’s “Don’t Laugh at Me” Addresses Bullying

Have you ever teased another person because they were different from you? Or judged the homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk because you believed that his destitute situation was his own fault? Have severe judgments from others left you feeling like an outcast? Bullying hurts. When we refuse to look another individual in the eye because we feel that person is beneath us or believe that it is okay to make fun of someone because he or she is “weird” what we are doing is actually a form of abuse. It is never okay to invalidate another human being, and our negative words and actions could linger in the mind and soul of that person for the rest of his or her life.
Issues like these are addressed in Frank Rendo’s “Don’t Laugh at Me.” The song was originally recorded by Country artist Mark Wills, and was introduced to Rendo by his friend Samantha Tetro. The Long Island born musician admits that taking on the project was an emotional endeavor.
“I can identity with it in a very great way,” says Rendo. “We all can.”
The song is featured on Frank Rendo’s 2009 Deliver Me album. It has had significant airplay on some local radio stations, including WHLI. This year Rendo’s friend and publicist Timothy San Paolo created two music videos for the recording. The first project, which was released in April, mostly features images of Rendo. Its purpose was to give the song more publicity. The newest video was released three weeks ago and includes a compilation of poignant images that are appropriately fitting to the content in the track. The images in combination with the lyrics and Rendo’s emotional interpretation of the song are sure to bring any person to tears.
“Frank puts so much feeling into his read of this song,” adds San Paolo. “He feels the story deeply.”
Rendo recognizes how easy it is for any person to be able to relate to the song.
“Seeing how we’ve all been laughed at, mocked, and treated cruelly by our friends, peers and society, I can’t help but think that everyone can be touched by the message of this song,” says Rendo. “Let’s face it, we’ve all been on both sides of this message: the laugher and the laughee!”
In an age where individuals are being bombarded with negative messages from our social media and young people are taking their lives due to the recent phenomenon known as “cyber-bullying” the present could not be a better time for the message heard in Frank Rendo’s “Don’t Laugh at Me.”

For more info on Frank Rendo’s music, check out the following websites:
http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo
http://RamblingsRegardingRendo.blogspot.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/frankrendo

Originally written for examiner.com in 2010.