Without question, the most impressive thing about the 2008 Reader's Choice Awards was not the winners themselves as the voter turnout. Close to 6,000 participated in this year's online survey, which is nearly twice as many as last year. And yet, despite the leap in numbers, the results are still more or less the same—a reminder of which fan clubs remain far and away the largest in all of Christian music.
We may as well start with Skillet and face the facts. They've been the favorite band in many a music survey before Christian Music Today started, they've been the favorite for as long as we've run this survey, and they're bound to be the winner for years to come. Third Day and Casting Crowns may be the runners-up, but believe me, it wasn't even close as far as the votes go. In fact, I may as well give an unofficial award to Skillet fans ("Panheads") as the most fervent fan base in all of Christian music—they've earned it, time and again. They may run away with the voting year after year, and thus render the survey uninteresting, but honor is due.
That said, Panheads better hope that Skillet releases their next album by October 2009. Otherwise, they won't have an eligible Skillet album to vote for! But as far as 2008, the band released their concert album Comatose Comes Alive just under the wire to top the competition. Sorry, Family Force 5 fans—Dance or Die placed second, and it didn't garner nearly as many votes. (For those of you wondering, our review of Comatose Comes Alive appears with our December 15, 2008 DVD round-up.)
Fans at least refrained from voting for Skillet as Best New Band this year. And though lead singers John and Korey Cooper were among the finalists for Best Male and Female Artists, they actually didn't come close to winning, suggesting that at least a few Panheads were objective enough to spread their votes.
For Best Male Artist, it's now been five years straight for Jeremy Camp, who just released Speaking Louder than Before, his follow-up to 2006's Beyond Measure. Fans made this another landslide victory, awarding Camp twice as many votes as the runner-up, tobyMac. With the new album in stores as of November 2008, it wouldn't be surprising if Camp remained the favorite for 2009. (It's also interesting that longtime favorites Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman didn't place in the Top 5 for the first time in years.)
However, for the first time since this survey began in 2003, voters have crowned a new favorite Female Artist, reflecting the decrease in Rebecca St. James' musical output, visibility, and radio airplay. In fact, she's now dropped to third place behind the runner-up, Krystal Meyers. Meanwhile, longtime fourth place winner Natalie Grant finally makes the leap to the top. For years, she's been the favorite among Dove Award voters—now she's the favorite among our readers.
Which leaves us with the single most interesting category from year to year, since it's impossible for artists to win Best New Artist more than once. Of course, given their level of promotion and radio popularity, it comes as little surprise that readers went with Tenth Avenue North, easily the most visible of the new artists in 2008. Nevertheless, this was the closest contest in this year's voting, with Addison Road and Children 18:3 closely following in second and third, respectively.
Lastly, we'd like to acknowledge the winners of our contest, randomly chosen among the participants to receive free music. Jackie McDonald of Pineville, Missouri was selected as our grand prize winner, receiving 10 free CDs of her choice from our friends at Christianbook.com. Additionally, Justin Eiginga from Grimsby, Ontario in Canada and Robert Ordway of Weslaco, Texas each won 2 CDs of their choice through Christianbook.com.
Some other lucky winners were selected to win our special bonus prize, thanks to the good people at Nettwerk Music Group. They provided copies of Christmas albums from Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer for Tina Ulery of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Sam Whitaker of Centerville, Iowa, and Tiffany Robbins of Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Congratulations to all our winners, both artists and participants. We appreciate everyone who took the time to let us know who your favorite Christian artists are!
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
PROVIDENT�S FRIDAY BUZZ - FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 14, 2008
MICHAEL W. SMITH WRAPS "THE UNITED TOUR"
WHILE A NEW HALLELUJAH JUMPS TO TOP 10 ON AC CHARTS
TENTH AVENUE NORTH CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM AT RADIO
WITH HIT SINGLE "BY YOUR SIDE"
KRYSTAL MEYERS HOSTS "KIWI RADIO" SHOW ON
TOP 40 STATION KVUU THIS WEEKEND
Michael W. Smith�s A New Hallelujah Jumps to Top 10 on AC Charts: Michael W. Smith�s 21st album A New Hallelujah (10/28) produced a top 10 radio single this week with �A New Hallelujah.� The single jumped significantly on the CRW AC chart this week from No. 13 to No. 8 with weekly impressions growing by 36.9% to 13,913,700 million. On top of his radio success, Smitty also wrapped up �The United Tour� with Steven Curtis Chapman. Smith and Chapman performed together in 20 major markets with 14 completely sold out shows and a cumulative audience of more than 50,000. Smith�s upcoming �It�s A Wonderful Christmas� Tour, featuring Melinda Doolittle, will launch on November 29 in Youngstown, Ohio and will play 16 shows in 13 markets before wrapping up in Phoenix, Ariz. on December 19. Tickets for this tour are already on sale. For more information on Michael please visit: www.michaelwsmith.com.
Tenth Avenue North's "By Your Side" Continues to Gain Momentum at Radio: Tenth Avenue North broke into the Top 5 at R&R AC Monitored this week with seven new radio adds. Highlighting that list was K-Love network, WPOZ/Orlando and WFSH/Atlanta. �By Your Side� is the second single off the band�s debut album Over and Underneath. Jeff Cruz, Assistant Program Director for WPOZ said, �There are several big songs on the record, but the one that just blew me away was "By Your Side". The passion expressed on that song is evidence of the true hearts of these amazingly talented young men.� For more information about Tenth Avenue North please visit: www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
Krystal Meyers Hosts "Kiwi Radio" Show on Top 40 Station: Krystal Meyers will host a three hour block on Top 40 station KVUU out of Denver, CO this Sunday. KVUU's "Kiwi Radio" is a speciality show that airs Sunday nights. Krystal will introduce artists and singles including her own song, �Make Some Noise� from her 9/9/08 album Make Some Noise. Previous "Kiwi Radio" hosts include GRAMMY-nominated Jason Mraz and Hannah Montana star Emily Osment. The show will stream this Sunday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Mountain Time. To listen to Krystal on "Kiwi Radio" please visit: http://kiwiradio.my999radio.com/.
Chrisian Music News Source
WHILE A NEW HALLELUJAH JUMPS TO TOP 10 ON AC CHARTS
TENTH AVENUE NORTH CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM AT RADIO
WITH HIT SINGLE "BY YOUR SIDE"
KRYSTAL MEYERS HOSTS "KIWI RADIO" SHOW ON
TOP 40 STATION KVUU THIS WEEKEND
Michael W. Smith�s A New Hallelujah Jumps to Top 10 on AC Charts: Michael W. Smith�s 21st album A New Hallelujah (10/28) produced a top 10 radio single this week with �A New Hallelujah.� The single jumped significantly on the CRW AC chart this week from No. 13 to No. 8 with weekly impressions growing by 36.9% to 13,913,700 million. On top of his radio success, Smitty also wrapped up �The United Tour� with Steven Curtis Chapman. Smith and Chapman performed together in 20 major markets with 14 completely sold out shows and a cumulative audience of more than 50,000. Smith�s upcoming �It�s A Wonderful Christmas� Tour, featuring Melinda Doolittle, will launch on November 29 in Youngstown, Ohio and will play 16 shows in 13 markets before wrapping up in Phoenix, Ariz. on December 19. Tickets for this tour are already on sale. For more information on Michael please visit: www.michaelwsmith.com.
Tenth Avenue North's "By Your Side" Continues to Gain Momentum at Radio: Tenth Avenue North broke into the Top 5 at R&R AC Monitored this week with seven new radio adds. Highlighting that list was K-Love network, WPOZ/Orlando and WFSH/Atlanta. �By Your Side� is the second single off the band�s debut album Over and Underneath. Jeff Cruz, Assistant Program Director for WPOZ said, �There are several big songs on the record, but the one that just blew me away was "By Your Side". The passion expressed on that song is evidence of the true hearts of these amazingly talented young men.� For more information about Tenth Avenue North please visit: www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
Krystal Meyers Hosts "Kiwi Radio" Show on Top 40 Station: Krystal Meyers will host a three hour block on Top 40 station KVUU out of Denver, CO this Sunday. KVUU's "Kiwi Radio" is a speciality show that airs Sunday nights. Krystal will introduce artists and singles including her own song, �Make Some Noise� from her 9/9/08 album Make Some Noise. Previous "Kiwi Radio" hosts include GRAMMY-nominated Jason Mraz and Hannah Montana star Emily Osment. The show will stream this Sunday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Mountain Time. To listen to Krystal on "Kiwi Radio" please visit: http://kiwiradio.my999radio.com/.
Chrisian Music News Source
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Christian reality TV shows burst on to the scene
Many say Christian entertainment is a good couple of years behind mainstream entertainment, with some placing Christian radio behind by about five years and others even claiming that Christian media in general is more than a decade behind.
“I've always been frustrated by Christian media, which at best has lagged 10 years behind the mainstream and is often 30-40 years behind,” says Christian author and musician Jay L. Young of San Antonio, Texas. “Even the good media tends to be just ‘on par’ with mainstream media and true trailblazing is either excessively rare or (more likely) never gets a fair shake in the Christian marketing establishment.”
The latest example of this is the emergence of several Christian reality TV programs that have hit the Web and the airwaves in recent weeks.
Though reality television has been around as early as the 1940s and exploded in popularity globally starting in the early 2000s, a wellspring of Christian reality programs including “THEDRIVEtv,” “The Uprising,” and “Revolve: Rockin’ The Road” is just now entering the picture.
Debuts for the above-mentioned programs were in July, last Thursday, and last Friday, respectively.
All three programs target Christian youth and look to impact them with a positive message through exciting adventures and live, unrehearsed ministry.
"With the success of unscripted drama reality shows like The Hills and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, it's clear that television viewers connect with real life dramatic-in-nature programming,” commented Brad Siegel, vice chairman of Gospel Music Channel, which created “Revolve.”
“We wanted to create a show that was unique and aligned with our network's vision of inspiring, uplifting and entertaining through music,” he added in a public announcement.
Meanwhile, pro-skateboarder Jay Haizlip said it’s clear that there is a desperate need for a series like “The Uprising,” which follows him and two other pro-skaters as they spread the Gospel.
“People are struggling with real issues like alcohol and drug addiction, stints in jail, abuse, and problems with parents,” he said after ministering to people across the world. “We’re going to offer them hope through this show and let them know that God is on their side.”
In “The Uprising,” Haizlip and fellow skateboarders Christian Hosoi and Brian Sumner comb skate parks, backyard pools, and other hangouts in an effort to spread the Gospel. The series was birthed out of Haizlip’s The Sanctuary Church in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he serves as senior pastor, and his “The Uprising is Here” events, which bring pro skateboarders, live music, and the faith message to young people across the country. The events feature Hosoi and Sumner, as well as other pro-skateboarders.
According to Haizlip, every episode of “The Uprising” will be filled with light, energy, excitement, and most of all, purpose.
“This isn’t your grandmother’s Christian TV,” said Hosoi. “This is in-your-face modern day evangelism that gets down in the dirt with people to help them wrestle through their issues.”
In addition to a faith message, “The Uprising” also will showcase skate tricks and events and feature appearances by other pro-skaters like Paul Rodriguez, Chad Tim Tim, Ray Barbee, Jereme Rogers, Josh Harmony, and more.
“Revolve,” meanwhile, also has its share of Christian professionals – but mostly from the Christian music industry.
The series, which premiered Friday, follows the cast and crew of The Revolve Tour as they travel the country, hitting cities with weekend events geared toward teen girls and talking to teens along the way about tough topics like dating, tattoos and everyday challenges.
As four friends – two guys and two gals – trek across America, hitting nine different Christian music festivals, “Revolve” captures their collective quest to maintain spiritual peace and discipline amid logistical challenges, self goals, and inevitable relationship struggles.
In the first episode of the five-episode series, the two male members engaged in a conversation about tattoos and piercings with Christian rocker Krystal Meyers, who joined the group for the series premiere.
Also hopping on the foursome’s tour bus for the first episode were Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew and Ayiesha Woods. The group also met up with Natalie Grant at a Revolve “All Access” event.
“Revolve … gives our young viewers a cast they can relate to and music they love,” said Gospel Music Channel’s Siegel.
Then, there is THEDRIVEtv, which is presenting “fundamental issues” in a motivational and easy to understand manner both on screen and off.
The new reality show, which is airing in over 170 countries, captures the adventures of four young men – Chris, Kyle, Steve, and Aaron – as they take a “reality” road trip across the United States.
During each episode, the hosts meet unique people and discover the local “flavor” of the location, focusing on relevant issues for today’s generation, including love, self esteem, community, and social justice.
“It’s what ‘reality TV’ should be – relevant, reflective, real,” said Troy Miller, COO of the NRB Network, in an endorsement.
Miller described the four hosts as “media missionaries who bring the message of Christ to young viewers in a language they understand.”
“In a time when immorality and irreverence dominate the airwaves, The Drive TV takes a higher road,” he added.
What’s unique about the show is that the hosts have made themselves available to speak at churches and special events.
“Even though THEDRIVEtv is a reality tv show, the heart of it does not begin and end on a TV screen,” say the producers of the show. “The guys from THEDRIVEtv are available for speaking engagements. They love to share the message of THEDRIVEtv and the powerful experiences they had on the road."
“Young people are impacted by their message delivered through stories of their exciting adventure, original music, and personal ministry,” they add.
Only time will tell whether Christian reality shows will draw large followings as have their mainstream counterparts, such as “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “Dancing With The Stars,” and "Fear Factor."
But with Christian music closing the gap on mainstream music and Christian movies such as “Fireproof” ranking among the weekend box office’s top ten for three consecutive weeks, producers of the latest series are optimistic about the potential of Christian reality TV.
"Unlike the majority of reality television, 'The Uprising' isn’t based on a contest or produced in any kind of artificial environment," says producer Nathaniel Calnin of Steelroots, which partnered with Haizlip and his team to launch "The Uprising."
"It’s truly reality in the sense that we’re capturing scenarios that would happen regardless of a camera being there to tape it," he told The Christian Post. "These guys are out there praying for people and talking about Jesus in places that would make most of us feel uncomfortable. Whether Christian or not, I think viewers will find that compelling."
Christian author Young, meanwhile, is hoping for Christian media not only to mimic the success of their mainstream counterparts and close in the years-long gap, but to make radical changes.
"So yeah, nothing would make me happier than to see a full revolution in Christian media in my lifetime," he says. "Lord knows it's not that there's a lack of talent."
Christian Music News Source
“I've always been frustrated by Christian media, which at best has lagged 10 years behind the mainstream and is often 30-40 years behind,” says Christian author and musician Jay L. Young of San Antonio, Texas. “Even the good media tends to be just ‘on par’ with mainstream media and true trailblazing is either excessively rare or (more likely) never gets a fair shake in the Christian marketing establishment.”
The latest example of this is the emergence of several Christian reality TV programs that have hit the Web and the airwaves in recent weeks.
Though reality television has been around as early as the 1940s and exploded in popularity globally starting in the early 2000s, a wellspring of Christian reality programs including “THEDRIVEtv,” “The Uprising,” and “Revolve: Rockin’ The Road” is just now entering the picture.
Debuts for the above-mentioned programs were in July, last Thursday, and last Friday, respectively.
All three programs target Christian youth and look to impact them with a positive message through exciting adventures and live, unrehearsed ministry.
"With the success of unscripted drama reality shows like The Hills and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, it's clear that television viewers connect with real life dramatic-in-nature programming,” commented Brad Siegel, vice chairman of Gospel Music Channel, which created “Revolve.”
“We wanted to create a show that was unique and aligned with our network's vision of inspiring, uplifting and entertaining through music,” he added in a public announcement.
Meanwhile, pro-skateboarder Jay Haizlip said it’s clear that there is a desperate need for a series like “The Uprising,” which follows him and two other pro-skaters as they spread the Gospel.
“People are struggling with real issues like alcohol and drug addiction, stints in jail, abuse, and problems with parents,” he said after ministering to people across the world. “We’re going to offer them hope through this show and let them know that God is on their side.”
In “The Uprising,” Haizlip and fellow skateboarders Christian Hosoi and Brian Sumner comb skate parks, backyard pools, and other hangouts in an effort to spread the Gospel. The series was birthed out of Haizlip’s The Sanctuary Church in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he serves as senior pastor, and his “The Uprising is Here” events, which bring pro skateboarders, live music, and the faith message to young people across the country. The events feature Hosoi and Sumner, as well as other pro-skateboarders.
According to Haizlip, every episode of “The Uprising” will be filled with light, energy, excitement, and most of all, purpose.
“This isn’t your grandmother’s Christian TV,” said Hosoi. “This is in-your-face modern day evangelism that gets down in the dirt with people to help them wrestle through their issues.”
In addition to a faith message, “The Uprising” also will showcase skate tricks and events and feature appearances by other pro-skaters like Paul Rodriguez, Chad Tim Tim, Ray Barbee, Jereme Rogers, Josh Harmony, and more.
“Revolve,” meanwhile, also has its share of Christian professionals – but mostly from the Christian music industry.
The series, which premiered Friday, follows the cast and crew of The Revolve Tour as they travel the country, hitting cities with weekend events geared toward teen girls and talking to teens along the way about tough topics like dating, tattoos and everyday challenges.
As four friends – two guys and two gals – trek across America, hitting nine different Christian music festivals, “Revolve” captures their collective quest to maintain spiritual peace and discipline amid logistical challenges, self goals, and inevitable relationship struggles.
In the first episode of the five-episode series, the two male members engaged in a conversation about tattoos and piercings with Christian rocker Krystal Meyers, who joined the group for the series premiere.
Also hopping on the foursome’s tour bus for the first episode were Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew and Ayiesha Woods. The group also met up with Natalie Grant at a Revolve “All Access” event.
“Revolve … gives our young viewers a cast they can relate to and music they love,” said Gospel Music Channel’s Siegel.
Then, there is THEDRIVEtv, which is presenting “fundamental issues” in a motivational and easy to understand manner both on screen and off.
The new reality show, which is airing in over 170 countries, captures the adventures of four young men – Chris, Kyle, Steve, and Aaron – as they take a “reality” road trip across the United States.
During each episode, the hosts meet unique people and discover the local “flavor” of the location, focusing on relevant issues for today’s generation, including love, self esteem, community, and social justice.
“It’s what ‘reality TV’ should be – relevant, reflective, real,” said Troy Miller, COO of the NRB Network, in an endorsement.
Miller described the four hosts as “media missionaries who bring the message of Christ to young viewers in a language they understand.”
“In a time when immorality and irreverence dominate the airwaves, The Drive TV takes a higher road,” he added.
What’s unique about the show is that the hosts have made themselves available to speak at churches and special events.
“Even though THEDRIVEtv is a reality tv show, the heart of it does not begin and end on a TV screen,” say the producers of the show. “The guys from THEDRIVEtv are available for speaking engagements. They love to share the message of THEDRIVEtv and the powerful experiences they had on the road."
“Young people are impacted by their message delivered through stories of their exciting adventure, original music, and personal ministry,” they add.
Only time will tell whether Christian reality shows will draw large followings as have their mainstream counterparts, such as “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “Dancing With The Stars,” and "Fear Factor."
But with Christian music closing the gap on mainstream music and Christian movies such as “Fireproof” ranking among the weekend box office’s top ten for three consecutive weeks, producers of the latest series are optimistic about the potential of Christian reality TV.
"Unlike the majority of reality television, 'The Uprising' isn’t based on a contest or produced in any kind of artificial environment," says producer Nathaniel Calnin of Steelroots, which partnered with Haizlip and his team to launch "The Uprising."
"It’s truly reality in the sense that we’re capturing scenarios that would happen regardless of a camera being there to tape it," he told The Christian Post. "These guys are out there praying for people and talking about Jesus in places that would make most of us feel uncomfortable. Whether Christian or not, I think viewers will find that compelling."
Christian author Young, meanwhile, is hoping for Christian media not only to mimic the success of their mainstream counterparts and close in the years-long gap, but to make radical changes.
"So yeah, nothing would make me happier than to see a full revolution in Christian media in my lifetime," he says. "Lord knows it's not that there's a lack of talent."
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Top Christian Artists Hop on for Youth Reality Show
A reality show that features some of the nation’s top Christian artists, including Krystal Meyers and Hawk Nelson, will make its series premiere Friday.
“Revolve: Rockin’ The Road” follows the cast and crew of The Revolve Tour as they travel the country, hitting cities with weekend events geared toward teen girls and talking to teens along the way about tough topics like dating, tattoos and everyday challenges.
"With the success of unscripted drama reality shows like The Hills and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, it's clear that television viewers connect with real life dramatic-in-nature programming,” commented Brad Siegel, vice chairman of Gospel Music Channel.
“We wanted to create a show that was unique and aligned with our network's vision of inspiring, uplifting and entertaining through music,” he added in a public announcement. “Revolve: Rockin' The Road does all those things and more and gives our young viewers a cast they can relate to and music they love.”
“Revolve” will be Gospel Music Channel’s first-ever unscripted reality drama series and takes viewers on a unique, behind-the-scenes journey with four team members of The Revolve Tour, the popular traveling tour for teen girls produced by North America's largest women's conference, Women of Faith.
For four weeks, the four friends – two guys and two gals – trek across America with an agenda to connect with teen girls and spark interest in “The Revolve Tour: All Access” that kicked off Sept. 12.
As the foursome travel to nine different Christian music festivals across the country, “Revolve” captures their collective quest to maintain spiritual peace and discipline amid logistical challenges, self goals, and inevitable relationship struggles.
In the first episode of the five-episode series, the two members engage in an interesting conversation about tattoos and piercings with Christian rocker Krystal Meyers, who joins the group for the series premiere.
Also hopping on the bus for the first episode will be Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew and Ayiesha Woods. The foursome also meets up with Natalie Grant at a Revolve “All Access” event.
The series premiere will air Friday at 11 p.m. ET and again on Saturday at 11 p.m. Each episode after the first will also be aired in the weeks to follow at the same dates and times.
Christian Music News Source
“Revolve: Rockin’ The Road” follows the cast and crew of The Revolve Tour as they travel the country, hitting cities with weekend events geared toward teen girls and talking to teens along the way about tough topics like dating, tattoos and everyday challenges.
"With the success of unscripted drama reality shows like The Hills and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, it's clear that television viewers connect with real life dramatic-in-nature programming,” commented Brad Siegel, vice chairman of Gospel Music Channel.
“We wanted to create a show that was unique and aligned with our network's vision of inspiring, uplifting and entertaining through music,” he added in a public announcement. “Revolve: Rockin' The Road does all those things and more and gives our young viewers a cast they can relate to and music they love.”
“Revolve” will be Gospel Music Channel’s first-ever unscripted reality drama series and takes viewers on a unique, behind-the-scenes journey with four team members of The Revolve Tour, the popular traveling tour for teen girls produced by North America's largest women's conference, Women of Faith.
For four weeks, the four friends – two guys and two gals – trek across America with an agenda to connect with teen girls and spark interest in “The Revolve Tour: All Access” that kicked off Sept. 12.
As the foursome travel to nine different Christian music festivals across the country, “Revolve” captures their collective quest to maintain spiritual peace and discipline amid logistical challenges, self goals, and inevitable relationship struggles.
In the first episode of the five-episode series, the two members engage in an interesting conversation about tattoos and piercings with Christian rocker Krystal Meyers, who joins the group for the series premiere.
Also hopping on the bus for the first episode will be Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew and Ayiesha Woods. The foursome also meets up with Natalie Grant at a Revolve “All Access” event.
The series premiere will air Friday at 11 p.m. ET and again on Saturday at 11 p.m. Each episode after the first will also be aired in the weeks to follow at the same dates and times.
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Krystal Meyers Answers YOUR Questions
Krystal Meyers’ has a rockin’ new album headed to stores this fall. She was one of 11 artists that chatted with YOU during GMA Week. Here’s the full transcript…
MyGodIsEnough: What is your songwriting process?
Krystal Meyers: For this record that we've pretty much just finished up, it starts out with the music, and then I come up with the melody and then the lyric. But it doesn't always have to be that formula.
MyGodIsEnough: When did you first feel called to pursue a career as a singer?
Krystal Meyers: Ever since I could talk is when I felt that calling. That's all I felt.
Christian_Hope: What advice would you give to bands that want to make it the Christian industry?
Krystal Meyers: Get out there and play as much as possible. Do songwriter nights. Get yourself out there, and do as much as possible. Be in constant prayer. Make sure that it's the Lord's will.
Christian_Hope: What is your pre-show ritual?
Krystal Meyers: My pre-show ritual is I drink tea nonstop. I do my vocal warm-ups. I try to talk as little as possible and just kind of hang out with the guys. We pray and then go up on stage and do our thing.
wootfan: Do you have any future tour plans other than the “Revolve Tour”?
Krystal Meyers: We're supposed to be in Asia for four months.
singersmartguy17: I know you are finishing up a new album. Do you have any word on what time we should anticipate its release?
Krystal Meyers: For the United States, I think it's September 16. In Asia, it's July 1. In Japan, it's July 9.
singersmartguy17: What is your favorite of the new songs and why?
Krystal Meyers: There's a song called "Shine" that I like a lot. There's a song called "Love It Away" that I really like. I love the whole record though. This is the first time that I love everything about the new record. I'm really excited about it.
singersmartguy17: What is the "deepest" of the new songs (lyrically speaking)?
Krystal Meyers: "S.O.S." and "My Freedom" are really deep.
Kames: Is it hard for you to pray out loud in public?
Krystal Meyers: It's not hard for me to pray out loud in public. I'm always the one who leads our band in prayer and stuff. Honestly, I think that prayer is a heart thing. Prayer is an intimacy with you and the Lord.
Kames: In a world of skimpy clothes and sexy everything, how do you keep an outfit modest?
Krystal Meyers: I keep an outfit modest by pretty much being a modest person, so I don't have to think about it very much. Throwing tights underneath things. I do layering. It adds dimension. Modesty is not an issue with me.
LJ17: Have you ever considered singing a song with another Christian artist? If so, then who?
Krystal Meyers: I like The Almost and Underoath. It'd be fun to do something with them. I think Aaron is a cool songwriter.
LJ17: Who are your favorite Christian artists?
Krystal Meyers: My favorite Christian artists...The Almost would be one of them. Fireflight and Leeland are great. Leeland's really great.
wootfan: Krystal, you said you wanted to get into modeling, have you? And if so, has it changed you at all?
Krystal Meyers: Modeling hasn't changed me. Doing photo shoots is one of my favorite things to do besides music. I think it's just another side of me. I have done it. I've done stuff for Vans [and] Journey shoes. I did the cover of Nylon in Japan. Doing that cover was the coolest thing ever. I've done stuff for Nashville Lifestyles.
HNismyfriend: What's your favorite resturaunt?
Krystal Meyers: My favorite restaurant is Carrabba's.
HNismyfriend: Do you like ladybugs? Rock on!
Krystal Meyers: I like lady bugs as long as they're not biting me.
wootfan: What's the last thing God spoke to your heart?
Krystal Meyers: The last thing He spoke to my heart is from something from when I read the Bible in the morning and before I go to bed. There are a couple different things. But one thing would sum it up. There's a book called The Way of Agape, and I've been reading that. I think that book has really spoken a lot to me. It is a very good book. It's a very life-changing book.
Kames: What happens offstage?
Krystal Meyers: A lot of chilling. A lot of nothing happens offstage. Just hanging out. I'm barefoot because I go on stage wearing high heels, and I get tired of wearing high heels.
Kames: Do you think you'll ever do a Christmas album? [especially after the success of "King of Angels"]
Krystal Meyers: I probably won't do a Christmas album, but I have done a Christmas song before. I think it was from Come, Let Us Adore Him. I think, through the span of my career, I'll probably do more Christmas songs.
wootfan: How often do you work out, and how long do you work out for? What’s your fave kind of work-out?
Krystal Meyers: I never work out. But the couple times that I've gone with a friend to a class, we did pilates and that was pretty cool. I'm going to start working one-on-one with a hip-hop trainer, and that's gonna be pretty cool.
LJ17: Hey Krystal, are you excited about getting to be a part of “Revolve Tour 2008-2009”? It is a blast!
Krystal Meyers: I am very, very, very excited. I can't wait. We've got some good stuff up our sleeves for that, so it will be good.
wootfan: Who are your role models?
Krystal Meyers: I would say my mom for sure. Besides Christ, of course, it's definitely my mom.
Anticonformist23: What's your favorite song to perform live?
Krystal Meyers: My favorite songs to perform live are new songs right now. Something fresh and new is fun. "Stand and Scream" is one that I love to perform.
Anticonformist23: What is your favorite clothing store?
Krystal Meyers: Urban Outfitters is my favorite clothing store.
Christian Music News Source
MyGodIsEnough: What is your songwriting process?
Krystal Meyers: For this record that we've pretty much just finished up, it starts out with the music, and then I come up with the melody and then the lyric. But it doesn't always have to be that formula.
MyGodIsEnough: When did you first feel called to pursue a career as a singer?
Krystal Meyers: Ever since I could talk is when I felt that calling. That's all I felt.
Christian_Hope: What advice would you give to bands that want to make it the Christian industry?
Krystal Meyers: Get out there and play as much as possible. Do songwriter nights. Get yourself out there, and do as much as possible. Be in constant prayer. Make sure that it's the Lord's will.
Christian_Hope: What is your pre-show ritual?
Krystal Meyers: My pre-show ritual is I drink tea nonstop. I do my vocal warm-ups. I try to talk as little as possible and just kind of hang out with the guys. We pray and then go up on stage and do our thing.
wootfan: Do you have any future tour plans other than the “Revolve Tour”?
Krystal Meyers: We're supposed to be in Asia for four months.
singersmartguy17: I know you are finishing up a new album. Do you have any word on what time we should anticipate its release?
Krystal Meyers: For the United States, I think it's September 16. In Asia, it's July 1. In Japan, it's July 9.
singersmartguy17: What is your favorite of the new songs and why?
Krystal Meyers: There's a song called "Shine" that I like a lot. There's a song called "Love It Away" that I really like. I love the whole record though. This is the first time that I love everything about the new record. I'm really excited about it.
singersmartguy17: What is the "deepest" of the new songs (lyrically speaking)?
Krystal Meyers: "S.O.S." and "My Freedom" are really deep.
Kames: Is it hard for you to pray out loud in public?
Krystal Meyers: It's not hard for me to pray out loud in public. I'm always the one who leads our band in prayer and stuff. Honestly, I think that prayer is a heart thing. Prayer is an intimacy with you and the Lord.
Kames: In a world of skimpy clothes and sexy everything, how do you keep an outfit modest?
Krystal Meyers: I keep an outfit modest by pretty much being a modest person, so I don't have to think about it very much. Throwing tights underneath things. I do layering. It adds dimension. Modesty is not an issue with me.
LJ17: Have you ever considered singing a song with another Christian artist? If so, then who?
Krystal Meyers: I like The Almost and Underoath. It'd be fun to do something with them. I think Aaron is a cool songwriter.
LJ17: Who are your favorite Christian artists?
Krystal Meyers: My favorite Christian artists...The Almost would be one of them. Fireflight and Leeland are great. Leeland's really great.
wootfan: Krystal, you said you wanted to get into modeling, have you? And if so, has it changed you at all?
Krystal Meyers: Modeling hasn't changed me. Doing photo shoots is one of my favorite things to do besides music. I think it's just another side of me. I have done it. I've done stuff for Vans [and] Journey shoes. I did the cover of Nylon in Japan. Doing that cover was the coolest thing ever. I've done stuff for Nashville Lifestyles.
HNismyfriend: What's your favorite resturaunt?
Krystal Meyers: My favorite restaurant is Carrabba's.
HNismyfriend: Do you like ladybugs? Rock on!
Krystal Meyers: I like lady bugs as long as they're not biting me.
wootfan: What's the last thing God spoke to your heart?
Krystal Meyers: The last thing He spoke to my heart is from something from when I read the Bible in the morning and before I go to bed. There are a couple different things. But one thing would sum it up. There's a book called The Way of Agape, and I've been reading that. I think that book has really spoken a lot to me. It is a very good book. It's a very life-changing book.
Kames: What happens offstage?
Krystal Meyers: A lot of chilling. A lot of nothing happens offstage. Just hanging out. I'm barefoot because I go on stage wearing high heels, and I get tired of wearing high heels.
Kames: Do you think you'll ever do a Christmas album? [especially after the success of "King of Angels"]
Krystal Meyers: I probably won't do a Christmas album, but I have done a Christmas song before. I think it was from Come, Let Us Adore Him. I think, through the span of my career, I'll probably do more Christmas songs.
wootfan: How often do you work out, and how long do you work out for? What’s your fave kind of work-out?
Krystal Meyers: I never work out. But the couple times that I've gone with a friend to a class, we did pilates and that was pretty cool. I'm going to start working one-on-one with a hip-hop trainer, and that's gonna be pretty cool.
LJ17: Hey Krystal, are you excited about getting to be a part of “Revolve Tour 2008-2009”? It is a blast!
Krystal Meyers: I am very, very, very excited. I can't wait. We've got some good stuff up our sleeves for that, so it will be good.
wootfan: Who are your role models?
Krystal Meyers: I would say my mom for sure. Besides Christ, of course, it's definitely my mom.
Anticonformist23: What's your favorite song to perform live?
Krystal Meyers: My favorite songs to perform live are new songs right now. Something fresh and new is fun. "Stand and Scream" is one that I love to perform.
Anticonformist23: What is your favorite clothing store?
Krystal Meyers: Urban Outfitters is my favorite clothing store.
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Krystal Meyers goes really pop on new CD
With the release of her third album, "Make Some Noise," Krystal Meyers does a complete turnaround. The girl who once sounded close to Avril Lavigne now sounds like Hannah Montana or a younger Hilary Duff. Punk rock guitar riffs are now replaced with electronic synths and bouncy beats.
I bought Meyers' CD expecting this change, but fans who haven't been keeping up with her are in for a big surprise. The CD is worth the listen though, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable.
The first song and title track, "Make Some Noise," does a good job of letting you know this album isn't her usual style. The song is very bouncy and sets the pace for the rest of the album. And a lot like the first track, "Shine" is an upbeat song that has a club-like feel. Both songs can get you dancing if you're not careful.
Still popish but on the more serious side lyrically are "Love it Away" and "You'll Never Know." Both songs offer a message of hope and love while still having a fun atmosphere.
The songs "S.O.S." and "My Freedom" give listeners a break from the total pop that envelops this CD and borders more on her older style. "My Freedom" is especially emotional and gives Meyers a chance to show fans that she can still sing deep, passionate vocals.
Though it may seem like just another love song, "Feels So Right" has one of the best backbeats on the album. And what's a love song without a breakup song to go along with it?
"Up To You" surprised me when I first heard it because it sounds like a slow pop song straight out of the '90s.
"Beautiful Tonight" is a song that could have many meanings. Filled with somewhat angsty lyrics, Meyers sings a wonderful song, emotion showing through each word.
"In Your Hands" is a bit of a slower song about trust without understanding. Meyers shines vocally in this song and leaves the listener with a warm feeling.
So while it may not be the typical Krystal Meyers sound fans have come to love, "Make Some Noise" is worth buying if you can appreciate creative beats and a good pop sound.
Christian Music News Source
I bought Meyers' CD expecting this change, but fans who haven't been keeping up with her are in for a big surprise. The CD is worth the listen though, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable.
The first song and title track, "Make Some Noise," does a good job of letting you know this album isn't her usual style. The song is very bouncy and sets the pace for the rest of the album. And a lot like the first track, "Shine" is an upbeat song that has a club-like feel. Both songs can get you dancing if you're not careful.
Still popish but on the more serious side lyrically are "Love it Away" and "You'll Never Know." Both songs offer a message of hope and love while still having a fun atmosphere.
The songs "S.O.S." and "My Freedom" give listeners a break from the total pop that envelops this CD and borders more on her older style. "My Freedom" is especially emotional and gives Meyers a chance to show fans that she can still sing deep, passionate vocals.
Though it may seem like just another love song, "Feels So Right" has one of the best backbeats on the album. And what's a love song without a breakup song to go along with it?
"Up To You" surprised me when I first heard it because it sounds like a slow pop song straight out of the '90s.
"Beautiful Tonight" is a song that could have many meanings. Filled with somewhat angsty lyrics, Meyers sings a wonderful song, emotion showing through each word.
"In Your Hands" is a bit of a slower song about trust without understanding. Meyers shines vocally in this song and leaves the listener with a warm feeling.
So while it may not be the typical Krystal Meyers sound fans have come to love, "Make Some Noise" is worth buying if you can appreciate creative beats and a good pop sound.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Christian singer Krystal Meyers juices latest CD, performances with fun dance-pop
Krystal Meyers is 20 years old. She's too young to remember the exhilarating dance-pop sound that joyfully engulfed much of mainstream radio in the '80s.
But you'd never know that from listening to her third album, Make Some Noise, an addictive merger of percolating synthesizer lines, hooky propulsive choruses and inspirational lyrics.
The contemporary Christian singer-songwriter did a musical about-face after recording two discs, 2005's Krystal Meyers and 2006's Dying for a Heart, marked by a penchant for the Avril Lavigne style of pop-rock.
Ms. Meyers, sounding exuberantly idealistic and youthful, sees her artistic switch as a boon for her stage performances.
"You want to write something that's fun onstage," she says by phone from Columbus, Ohio. "That's one thing that is exciting with this new record. That fun, dance, '80s feel to it brings a new element to the stage. There isn't a lot of this in the Christian music industry. I've been listening to this a lot and I want to bring the fun, pop feel to the ministry. I wanted to make a record that I would have fun performing, too. That's always a key element in making a record."
Ms. Meyers realizes she may have picked up a few new fans thanks to the style of Make Some Noise.
"It's been cool 'cause it's been appealing to young adults as well 'cause it takes you back to listening to Cyndi Lauper, high school prom and all that other stuff," she says. "It really does appeal to the teenage audience, but it can also appeal to adults."
The teenage audience, specifically teenage girls, will be her focus Friday night and Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Center. Ms. Meyers is part of the Revolve Tour: All Access, an event aimed at sixth- through 12th-grade girls that addresses issues such as friends, body image, self-esteem, relationships and faith in God. Music, dramatic re-enactments, videos and personal stories are used to get the messages across.
Ms. Meyers, Natalie Grant, Group 1 Crew, Hawk Nelson and Danielle Kimmey, formerly of Out of Eden, are the Revolve Tour's musical lineup.
"It's a coming-of-age experience for girls," she says. "The audience is from 13 to 17, all teenage girls. It's a big deal. The great thing is that the tour doesn't come and tell you how to solve your problems. 'OK, you're dealing with peer pressure, relationship problems, parents – here's how to fix it.' That's not it. Everyone talks from their personal experiences, the good and the bad, what they've learned from their relationship with Christ. The audience can pull from that. Be honest and real, not sugarcoating anything."
Ms. Meyers probably will perform "Shine" from Make Some Noise. The song, which she co-wrote, features the uplifting line, "You can't get in the way of my shine." That's an example of her ability to craft tunes that balance the spiritual and the universal.
"I am a Christian," she affirms. "My relationship with Christ really does dictate what I do. As an artist you write about what you know. So that is the core of what I sing. But I like to put it in a way that isn't immediately going to drive someone away. Ultimately I want them to hear what I have to say, who Christ is. At the same time you want to write songs that are fun and that don't have to have some deep spiritual meaning. I'm a Christian. But we can have fun music, too." Plan your life
The Revolve Tour: All Access with Krystal Meyers, Natalie Grant, Hawk Nelson and others is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at American Airlines Center, 2500
Victory. $54 to $74. www.revolvetour.com or www.americanairlines center.com.
Christian Music News Source
But you'd never know that from listening to her third album, Make Some Noise, an addictive merger of percolating synthesizer lines, hooky propulsive choruses and inspirational lyrics.
The contemporary Christian singer-songwriter did a musical about-face after recording two discs, 2005's Krystal Meyers and 2006's Dying for a Heart, marked by a penchant for the Avril Lavigne style of pop-rock.
Ms. Meyers, sounding exuberantly idealistic and youthful, sees her artistic switch as a boon for her stage performances.
"You want to write something that's fun onstage," she says by phone from Columbus, Ohio. "That's one thing that is exciting with this new record. That fun, dance, '80s feel to it brings a new element to the stage. There isn't a lot of this in the Christian music industry. I've been listening to this a lot and I want to bring the fun, pop feel to the ministry. I wanted to make a record that I would have fun performing, too. That's always a key element in making a record."
Ms. Meyers realizes she may have picked up a few new fans thanks to the style of Make Some Noise.
"It's been cool 'cause it's been appealing to young adults as well 'cause it takes you back to listening to Cyndi Lauper, high school prom and all that other stuff," she says. "It really does appeal to the teenage audience, but it can also appeal to adults."
The teenage audience, specifically teenage girls, will be her focus Friday night and Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Center. Ms. Meyers is part of the Revolve Tour: All Access, an event aimed at sixth- through 12th-grade girls that addresses issues such as friends, body image, self-esteem, relationships and faith in God. Music, dramatic re-enactments, videos and personal stories are used to get the messages across.
Ms. Meyers, Natalie Grant, Group 1 Crew, Hawk Nelson and Danielle Kimmey, formerly of Out of Eden, are the Revolve Tour's musical lineup.
"It's a coming-of-age experience for girls," she says. "The audience is from 13 to 17, all teenage girls. It's a big deal. The great thing is that the tour doesn't come and tell you how to solve your problems. 'OK, you're dealing with peer pressure, relationship problems, parents – here's how to fix it.' That's not it. Everyone talks from their personal experiences, the good and the bad, what they've learned from their relationship with Christ. The audience can pull from that. Be honest and real, not sugarcoating anything."
Ms. Meyers probably will perform "Shine" from Make Some Noise. The song, which she co-wrote, features the uplifting line, "You can't get in the way of my shine." That's an example of her ability to craft tunes that balance the spiritual and the universal.
"I am a Christian," she affirms. "My relationship with Christ really does dictate what I do. As an artist you write about what you know. So that is the core of what I sing. But I like to put it in a way that isn't immediately going to drive someone away. Ultimately I want them to hear what I have to say, who Christ is. At the same time you want to write songs that are fun and that don't have to have some deep spiritual meaning. I'm a Christian. But we can have fun music, too." Plan your life
The Revolve Tour: All Access with Krystal Meyers, Natalie Grant, Hawk Nelson and others is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at American Airlines Center, 2500
Victory. $54 to $74. www.revolvetour.com or www.americanairlines center.com.
Christian Music News Source
Friday, September 19, 2008
Krystal Meyers - Make Some Noise (Essential Records)
Sounds like … programmed pop with a strong '80s influence, resembling Katy Perry, Superchick, Miley Cyrus, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, and even Madonna.
At a glance … with Make Some Noise, Krystal Meyers further establishes herself as one of the brightest new talents in Christian music, again transforming her sound without compromising spiritually or stylistically.
Though Krystal Meyers is still a relatively new artist, she's become readily embraced and one of the biggest pop stars in Christian music. Impressive since it seems like only yesterday when she released her 2005 debut and everyone pegged her as Christian music's answer to Avril Lavinge and Ashlee Simpson. But that following year, she released her follow-up Dying for a Heart, which successfully took her sound into a harder-rocking direction.
In just a few years time, she's reinvented her sound, enjoyed several radio hits, toured internationally, become a pop sensation in Japan, and been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Doves for two years straight. Even the title track of her third album, Make Some Noise, has been used to promote the television line-ups for both ABC and NBC, not to mention the 2008 summer Olympics. Not a bad way to start, eh? And it looks like she'll be making an impact for a while yet.
First, Meyers deserves praise for doing her part to become more than a pop product or fad. The 20-year-old has co-written 29 of the 30 songs on her three albums. Moreover, she's managed to reinvent herself stylistically with each album, keeping her sound fresh. Just as Dying for a Heart was a departure from the first album, Make Some Noise embraces programmed electronic pop strongly influenced by the '80s, produced by DoubleDutch (Mat Kearney, tobyMac). It's very well done and different, yet it somehow all seems to work together as different aspects of Meyers' sound—she's both rock chick and pop star, kind of like Miley Cyrus or Katy Perry.
For that matter, I hope it's not just me, but "Make Some Noise" has a similar '80s synth-rock shuffle to Perry's infamous single about kissing. She takes on the style just as well, but without the objectionable lyrics—how cool-but-weird to hear a Christian artist in step with a popular mainstream artist who used to be a Christian artist. Still, the song is little more than a catchy call to action—for faith, or social action, or a new generation to be heard, it's never really clear. The same is true of "Shine," which resembles the electronic pop of Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, and even early Madonna. It could be about living out our calling, but the song never specifies what it means for something to "get in the way of my shine." And the similar sounding "You'll Never Know" is almost surely about God's ever-present comfort, but again, it's open to broad interpretation. They seem to just scratch the surface of something more meaningful.
The Radio Disney crowd will certainly find plenty to like on this album, with generic responses to romantic infatuation ("Feels So Right") and heartache (the break-up ballad "Up to You"). Songs like these are fine, revealing Meyers' desire to sing about the totality of life as a young Christian woman. But they also show a tendency toward template songwriting, as neither offers much personality or insight as far as dating goes. The same could be said of "Beautiful Tonight," a driving electronic pop song about self-esteem struggles that sounds like virtually every other Christian pop/rock song about self-esteem struggles. Obviously it's a topical anthem for Meyers to use on the Revolve Tour for teen girls with Natalie Grant, Group 1 Crew, and Hawk Nelson, but though the song may be relatable, it's also rather generic and impersonal....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Krystal Meyers - Dying for a Heart (Essential)
Sounds like … a harder-edged version of Avril Lavigne, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessie Daniels, BarlowGirl, and other teen pop/chick rock
At a glance … Krystal Meyers doesn't change what worked so well on her label debut, but simply upgrades it to meet the standards of today's girlie pop/rock
There's something about teen Christian singers and Japanese audiences. Teen pop/rock damsel Krystal Meyers is the latest adolescent sensation to strike a chord in the Asian country—R&B starlets Stacie Orrico and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard both made a mark of their own there not too long ago—scoring a hit album and single which have rivaled even those of seasoned veterans.
Whatever the reasons, people overseas love Meyers, as does her own stateside fan base, which has been waiting dutifully for Dying for a Heart, her sophomore album for Essential Records. Released only a year and a couple of months after her self-titled 2005 debut, Dying for a Heart is for all intents and purposes a continuation of Meyers' first outing, except with a sound that's more aggressive and harder-hitting than the slick, yet generally derivative feel of her debut....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … Krystal Meyers doesn't change what worked so well on her label debut, but simply upgrades it to meet the standards of today's girlie pop/rock
There's something about teen Christian singers and Japanese audiences. Teen pop/rock damsel Krystal Meyers is the latest adolescent sensation to strike a chord in the Asian country—R&B starlets Stacie Orrico and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard both made a mark of their own there not too long ago—scoring a hit album and single which have rivaled even those of seasoned veterans.
Whatever the reasons, people overseas love Meyers, as does her own stateside fan base, which has been waiting dutifully for Dying for a Heart, her sophomore album for Essential Records. Released only a year and a couple of months after her self-titled 2005 debut, Dying for a Heart is for all intents and purposes a continuation of Meyers' first outing, except with a sound that's more aggressive and harder-hitting than the slick, yet generally derivative feel of her debut....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Krystal Meyers - Krystal Meyers (Essential)
Sounds like … the punk rock influenced modern pop of Avril Lavigne, with other similarities to Superchick, BarlowGirl, Everlife, and ZOEgirl.
At a glance … strong production and catchy rock hooks rescue an album that lacks lyrical depth and sounds too derivative of another young female rocker.
Sixteen-year-old Krystal Meyers, who lives with her family in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, started songwriting at 10 and soon caught the attention of Essential with her peer-oriented music. Having already scored a No. 1 radio hit before the release of her self-titled debut with the catchy surrender anthem "The Way to Begin," it's fair to say that she's off to a strong start.
Ian Eskelin and Wizardz of Oz (Avril Lavigne, Eskelin) produced the album, and though Meyers has writing credit on every track, many of them benefit from Eskelin's additional mastery of melodic hooks. This candy-coated, punk-tinged rock album is a bit like All Star United (Eskelin's old band) with a female vocalist, but there's a more obvious comparison. Meyers and her team have said that they intentionally tried not to emulate Lavigne, but considering Meyers' look, style, and strong rock chick vocal, the comparison is unavoidable and more than apt. Even the central "Anticonformity" message echoes Lavigne, both musically and thematically, though here it's about rebelling against the status quo by finding identity in God....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … strong production and catchy rock hooks rescue an album that lacks lyrical depth and sounds too derivative of another young female rocker.
Sixteen-year-old Krystal Meyers, who lives with her family in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, started songwriting at 10 and soon caught the attention of Essential with her peer-oriented music. Having already scored a No. 1 radio hit before the release of her self-titled debut with the catchy surrender anthem "The Way to Begin," it's fair to say that she's off to a strong start.
Ian Eskelin and Wizardz of Oz (Avril Lavigne, Eskelin) produced the album, and though Meyers has writing credit on every track, many of them benefit from Eskelin's additional mastery of melodic hooks. This candy-coated, punk-tinged rock album is a bit like All Star United (Eskelin's old band) with a female vocalist, but there's a more obvious comparison. Meyers and her team have said that they intentionally tried not to emulate Lavigne, but considering Meyers' look, style, and strong rock chick vocal, the comparison is unavoidable and more than apt. Even the central "Anticonformity" message echoes Lavigne, both musically and thematically, though here it's about rebelling against the status quo by finding identity in God....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Discography
Studio albums
Singles
Music videos
* "Anticonformity" (2005)
* "The Beauty Of Grace" (2006)
* "Hallelujah" (2007)
* "Make Some Noise" (2008)
* "Shine" (TBA)
* "My Freedom" (TBA)
Non-album contributions
* "King of Angels (Feat. Josh Brown)" - from Come Let Us Adore Him
Dance Praise
Krystal Meyers currently has 4 songs featured in the Dance Praise series.
Christian Music Links!
| Year | Title | Chart positions Billboard Top 200 |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Krystal Meyers | #48 |
| 2006 | Dying For A Heart | #19 |
| 2008 | Make Some Noise | TBA |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions[1] | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Christian | U.S. Christian AC | U.S. Christian CHR | U.S. Christian Rock | JAP | |||
| 2005 | "The Way To Begin" | | | | | | |
| "Anticonformity" | | | | | | ||
| 2006 | "Collide" | | | | | | |
| "Beauty of Grace" | | | | | | ||
| 2007 | "Together" | | | | | | |
| "Hallelujah" | | | | | | ||
| 2008 | "Make Some Noise" | | | | | | |
| "Shine" | | | | | | ||
| "My Freedom" | | | | | | ||
Music videos
* "Anticonformity" (2005)
* "The Beauty Of Grace" (2006)
* "Hallelujah" (2007)
* "Make Some Noise" (2008)
* "Shine" (TBA)
* "My Freedom" (TBA)
Non-album contributions
* "King of Angels (Feat. Josh Brown)" - from Come Let Us Adore Him
Dance Praise
Krystal Meyers currently has 4 songs featured in the Dance Praise series.
| Song Title | Song Album | Game/Expansion Pack |
|---|---|---|
| The Way to Begin | Krystal Meyers | Pop & Rock Hits |
| My Savior | ||
| Fire | Dance Praise 2: The ReMix | |
| The Beauty of Grace | Dying for a Heart | Contemporary Hits |
Christian Music Links!
History
Krystal Meyers
Krystal's first album was a Pop/Rock album in the vein of Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne. It was released on June 7th 2005 in the US and on May 30 2006 worldwide. The album's lead single "The Way to Begin" charted at #1 on the Christian CHR Charts. Other singles "My Savior" and "Anticonformity" only peaked at #8 while "Fire" peaked at #9. The album peaked at #48 on Heatseekers and went Gold in Japan.
Dying for a Heart
Krystal Meyers' second album was released on September 19, 2006 in the US and on October 24, 2006 worldwide. The album was more edgy than her first album in musical style and in lyrics. This is most clearly seen in the song "The Situation" which openly opposes premarital sex. The album peaked at #19 on Top Heatseekers. Its first single "Collide" hit #6 on the Christian Rock Charts. The second single "The Beauty of Grace" hit #4 on the Christian CHR Charts and #2 in Japan. The third single did not do as well peaking only at #28 on the Christian Rock Charts.
Make Some Noise
Meyers' third studio album is set to release on September 9, 2008 in the US and July 9, 2008 in Japan. The album is very different from her first two albums as she moves more into a pop dance realm with her songs. Krystal's lead single is called "Shine" and it so far has been charting well in the Christian CHR charts, as well as charting at #13 on the iTunes top Christian/Gospel songs chart. Other songs to be released in the album are "Make Some Noise," "Love It Away," and "My Freedom."
Singles "Make Some Noise" and "Shine" can now be purchased for 0.99₵ at the iTunes Store.
Christian Music Links!
Krystal's first album was a Pop/Rock album in the vein of Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne. It was released on June 7th 2005 in the US and on May 30 2006 worldwide. The album's lead single "The Way to Begin" charted at #1 on the Christian CHR Charts. Other singles "My Savior" and "Anticonformity" only peaked at #8 while "Fire" peaked at #9. The album peaked at #48 on Heatseekers and went Gold in Japan.
Dying for a Heart
Krystal Meyers' second album was released on September 19, 2006 in the US and on October 24, 2006 worldwide. The album was more edgy than her first album in musical style and in lyrics. This is most clearly seen in the song "The Situation" which openly opposes premarital sex. The album peaked at #19 on Top Heatseekers. Its first single "Collide" hit #6 on the Christian Rock Charts. The second single "The Beauty of Grace" hit #4 on the Christian CHR Charts and #2 in Japan. The third single did not do as well peaking only at #28 on the Christian Rock Charts.
Make Some Noise
Meyers' third studio album is set to release on September 9, 2008 in the US and July 9, 2008 in Japan. The album is very different from her first two albums as she moves more into a pop dance realm with her songs. Krystal's lead single is called "Shine" and it so far has been charting well in the Christian CHR charts, as well as charting at #13 on the iTunes top Christian/Gospel songs chart. Other songs to be released in the album are "Make Some Noise," "Love It Away," and "My Freedom."
Singles "Make Some Noise" and "Shine" can now be purchased for 0.99₵ at the iTunes Store.
Christian Music Links!
Krystal Meyers
Krystal Meyers (born July 31, 1988) is an American Christian rock musician. She is the daughter of Rick Meyers, creator of the popular Bible study software e-Sword. She started writing songs by age 10 and was playing the acoustic guitar by 13, later releasing her self titled first album at age 16 in 2005. Her second album, Dying for a Heart, was released on September 19th, 2006. Her music combines hard-edged rock with smooth acoustic melodies. Krystal has gathered acclaim for her ability to move from quiet soft-rock songs to fast-paced rock and roll anthems without a hitch.
Aside from positive Christian messages, her songs mainly focus on problems facing teens, such as peer pressure and pre-marital sex. She wrote 'Anticonformity' with the help of a friend while at a Christian summer camp before entering high school[1], and later published it on her self-titled album.
In early June 2008, the music video for "Make Some Noise", the first single from her third album, hit the internet. It shows a different direction in music, incorporating dance into her music. Her third album, also called Make Some Noise is expected to be released on September 9, 2008.[2] The song was later used by NBC in for promoting its fall 2008 line-up.
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Aside from positive Christian messages, her songs mainly focus on problems facing teens, such as peer pressure and pre-marital sex. She wrote 'Anticonformity' with the help of a friend while at a Christian summer camp before entering high school[1], and later published it on her self-titled album.
In early June 2008, the music video for "Make Some Noise", the first single from her third album, hit the internet. It shows a different direction in music, incorporating dance into her music. Her third album, also called Make Some Noise is expected to be released on September 9, 2008.[2] The song was later used by NBC in for promoting its fall 2008 line-up.
Christian Music Links!
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