Check out Miami Vineyard Live and Maybe Even Get a Complimentary Copy!

The good folks at propeller have sent me a complimentary Miami Vineyard Live CD so I could check it out and let you know my thoughts.  Before I do, check out the info below to see what the company has to say.  Then keep on reading because propeller has an extra complimentary copy that they will send one of my lucky readers.  Or should I say blessed readers.  :)

About Miami Vineyard LIVE:

What happens when a group of 20+ musicians and 10+ songwriters steeped deep in their own musical traditions of Black Gospel, Latin, Caribbean, and Anglo come together to create a new tradition and sound? What happens when the fusion of Black, Anglo, Latino, Caribbean, and Cuban voices unite together to worship in one voice? Among the 2000 people that attend the Miami Vineyard Community Church, there are over a hundred singers, instrumentalists and songwriters that make up its eclectic worship ministry. For one night, these musicians joined together in worship and invited the church to document the sound that is uniquely MIAMI VINEYARD LIVE.

This distinctive bi-lingual liturgy is filled with many flavors, from Latino claves to gospel two-step to funk and soul to delay-laden rock guitars of modern worship, yet they all work together seamlessly to create a new sound and voice that is authentic and refreshing. From anthems of praise and proclamation to songs of intimacy and adoration, there is a common thread running deep throughout this recording and that is true worship of the Living God as an expression of His Kingdom breaking in on the streets and beaches of Miami, FL.

My thoughts:

Okay, time to play "True Confessions."  I didn't really think much of this CD the first time I played it.  While I love all kinds of music, there is pretty much one style of worship music I tend to listen too.  Call me old and stuck in my ways, but that's the truth.  I did enjoy "How Great is Our God," because it is a song I'm familiar with. and the Vineyard version isn't all that different than the versions I am used to.  However, my kids are not at all old and stuck in their ways, and they started playing the CD over and over.

A funny thing happened!  Suddenly, as I heard the songs played repeatedly, I got to know them.  I found myself singing along.  (My apologies to my family.)  Then, the other day, when the kids put in on to make cleaning a bit more fun, they started to dance around the living room.  I found myself dancing too!  Now the CD has totally grown on me, and I find it a wonderful way to worship God and even have some fun at the same time!  I recommend that you check it out!

Website: http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/miami-live

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/miamivineyardLIVE

Purchase: http://www.vineyardresources.com/equip/content/miami-vineyard-live-cd

Video: http://vimeo.com/28995392

Now for the giveaway rules.   Please read them CAREFULLY as I don't seem to be explaining them well enough.  LOL  

Leave a comment.  Tell me who your favorite worship artist is to get one entry.  

Want more entries?  Here are five more ways you can enter, for a total of six ways to enter! :)

Take my poll in the sidebar, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST letting me know you did. (If you've already taken the poll, just let me know in a comment, and I will still count it as an additional entry.)

Follow me on facebook, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (If you already follow, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

Follow me on Twitter, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (If you already follow, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

Follow me with Google Friend Connect or Linky Followers, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (If you already follow, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (See sidebar. If you already subscribe, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

You must be 13 years old or older to enter and not live in The Crazy House. :) Please leave your e-mail address or some other way I can contact you if you win, or I'll have to draw another winner. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY for up to six entries per person. More than one person may enter per household if they are at least 13 years old. That's about it. :)

The contest will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, April 1, 2012. The winner will be chosen on Monday, April 2, 2012 or sometime soon after.

Good luck!

 “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy worshipping!!!  

New Review and Giveaway! FFH's One Silent Night Christmas CD

Contest Closed!

A couple of weeks ago, as part of the propeller blogger program,  I was able to download FFH's latest Album, One Silent Night, free of charge so that I could check it out and let you know my thoughts.  Before we get to those, however, I'd like you to check out the press release.

Press Release for FFH:

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Sept. 30, 2011– Best-selling pop group FFH will usher in the holiday season with its first Christmas album. One Silent Night, available Oct. 18, is a mix of original songs and Christmas classics.

Produced by FFH founding member Jeromy Deibler, One Silent Night has been four years in the making. Giving in to the persistent appeals of loyal fans, FFH has crafted a project worthy of your holiday music collection.

Listeners will recognize favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” among others, while being introduced to new tracks including “The Birthday of a King,” “Glorious Impossible,” and “One Silent Night.”

Deibler comments, “We just feel blessed to be able to make this record and wanted to do the kind of Christmas music we like to listen to, something that’s not trendy but more of a classic style. For us Christmas is about remembering… slowing down to see what is important. And being reminded of the glorious impossible that was the birth of Christ. We hope this album reflects that desire and inspires others to do the same.”

FFH plans to support the album with singles “One Silent Night” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to radio Oct. 1 as well as select tour dates in November and December.

About FFH:

Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM.

My thoughts:

You know, I'm sure that since FFH has had so much success I've heard some of their music, but to be honest, I am not familiar with their work.  I really had no idea what to expect from this album.  However, it's Christmas music!  How can it not be good!  LOL  I don't know why, but even though I have some very specific ideas as to what kinds of music I like, I am simply just not all that picky when it comes to Christmas music.  Perhaps the holidays make me more open-minded, perhaps it's just the spirit of the season, but I pretty much like any style of Christmas music.  Period.  As the years go by, I find myself beginning to dread the hectic, materialistic side of Christmas, so I have to crank up the music to get in the mood.  Somehow it works!

So I checked out the album, and sure enough, I started to feel "Christmasy!"  Would I like FFH's other albums?  I'm not sure.  However, I do feel that I can recommend this album for anyone who likes Christmas music.  I mean, it's Christmas music, how can it not be good!  LOL

For more info, please check out the following websites:

Website: http://ffh.net/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FFHmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/FFHMusic

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-silent-night/id474548207


The contest:

Now for the giveaway! Would you like to get a free download of One Silent Night? If so, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite Christmas song. ;) You can leave a comment either here or on my facebook page. For additional entries:


Follow me on facebook.  (If you already follow just leave a separate comment to let me know.)

Follow me on Twitter.  (If you already follow, just leave a separate comment to let me know.)

Follow me with Google Friend Connect. (See sidebar. If you already follow, just leave a separate comment to let me know.)

Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner. (See sidebar.If you already subscribe, just leave a separate comment to let me know.)

The rules: You must be 13 years old or older to enter and not live in my house. :) Please leave your e-mail address or some other way I can contact you if you win. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY for up to five entries per person. More than one person may enter per household if they are at least 13 years old. That's about it. :)

The contest will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, December 11, 2011. The winner will be chosen on Monday, December 12, 2011 or sometime soon after.


"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

New Review and Giveaway! Furious CD from Jeremy Riddle

Contest Closed.

Jeremy Riddle
"Furious"
(9/20/2011 release date)

Hey everybody!  Guess what?  I've got a great new review and contest for you!  (And there's still time to enter to win the Ginny Owens CD if it's not after September 26, 2011 when you read this.)  Anyway, I was blessed to receive the brand spankin' new Jeremy Riddle CD, Furious, from the good folks at Propeller.  Now, I love worship music, and the name was very familiar to me, but I honestly couldn't tell you a single Jeremy Riddle song.  I popped in the CD not really knowing what to expect. Well, I loved it!  I used to be a big U2 fan, back in the day, and I could be crazy, as I'm really not a professional music critic, (oh, you'd already figured that out?), but to me he totally has that U2 sound.  That's the way I hear it, anyway.  :)  It's all worship, very well done, and in my humble opinion, worth a listen!

Want to check it our for yourself?  Click on the links below:


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vineyard-Music/18257532074

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/vineyardmusic

Website: http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/

And here's the press release: 

Vineyard Worship artist and worship leader Jeremy Riddle has announced the release of his new studio album entitled, Furious. The album is set for release on September 20 via NewDay Distribution.

Riddle began production on the album nearly a year ago with Dove Award winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, David Crowder Band) at the helm. Cash’s contribution forms the backbone of the album which also features production from Bobby Hartry, a long time Riddle collaborator. The project follows Prepare The Way: Live, an album recorded in front of a live audience in Corpus Christi, Tex., earlier this year from Vineyard.

Riddle describes Furious saying, “It’s hard to come up with words that depict the magnitude of Christ’s love – the depth and width of it. Furious doesn’t work outside of the context of love; we tend to translate the word as angry, but I see it as a super-powerful force; stronger, deeper, broader than our vocabulary can fully describe."

Four years on the road as a touring worship leader eventually took its toll on Jeremy, so in January 2011, the former jr. high youth pastor came on staff as worship community pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, Calif. Working under pastors Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy facilitates a worship community of over 200 people within the church.

“My wife (Katie) and I have always had a heart to serve the local church and never wanted to do the full-time travel thing for very long, so it felt like a good time to transition into something different,” Jeremy says. “I’ve developed such an appreciation for the fruit that has been sowed from my life – personally and artistically – by being part of a local community.”

Consequently, several of the tracks on Furious are also featured on Be Lifted High, the most recent album from Bethel Church.

“These songs are a reflection of being part of something bigger than just me,” Jeremy says. “Through some significant growth in understanding and living out humility from a very independent place, I’ve shifted into a place where I can’t even claim this record is completely inspired by me. There are so many elements of the album that could never have flowed from me had I not been connected to people walking out life with me.”

Now for the contest!

Had you heard of Jeremy Riddle before reading this post?  Answer that question in a comment for one entry.  This is a mandatory entry, and no other entry will be valid if you don't answer this question. 

Want more entries?  It's easy.  Just do any/all of the following:

Like me on facebook.

Follow me on Twitter.

Follow me with Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to my blog by e-mail.

Please leave a comment for everything you do, for up to five entries per person. There is no purchase necessary, you must be 18 years old or older to enter, U.S. residents only. Sorry, my immediate family cannot enter. You can share my CD. :)

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 Sunday, October 2, 2011. I will draw the winner on Monday, October 3. Once a winner is contacted, he or she will have 48 hours to respond or I will chose another winner. For this reason, please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
I think that is all except for the "fine print" below. :)

“Disclosure of Material Connection:

I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

New Review and Giveaway! Ginny Owens: Get In I'm Driving

Contest Closed.

Recently I was given the oportunity to check out the new Ginny Owens CD, Get in I'm Driving. I've heard Ginny Owens on the radio before and knew I liked her music, so I was in. Now, I am quite picky when it comes to female singers. I normally don't care for them. However, Ginny has the kind of voice I like, and I was thrilled to actually own a CD of her music. I wasn't disappointed. The CD releases today, so you can get your own copy, OR, if you enter my giveaway below, you just might win a free copy!

But first, a little more about Ginny.

Ginny was playing around on the piano before she could complete a sentence. And while she was left completely blind by the age of three from a degenerative eye condition, it seemed as though as her vision decreased, the songs inside increased. Eventually she decided to pursue music as a career. Music has served to provide a window into a world Ginny can't see and serves as an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams.

In 2005 Ginny Owens launched The Fingerprint Initiative, a hands-on, non-profit organization designed to “bring hope to the world, one project and one touch at a time.” The organization has partnered with and raised money for groups such as Compassion International, International Justice Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

To learn more about Ginny Owens, her music, and her mission, please check out the links below:

Ginny's website: http://ginnyowensmusic.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GinnyOwens

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-you-fly-single/id442050145

And now for the giveaway! To enter simply let me know in the comments if you are already a Ginny Owens fan, or is she is new to you. For additional entries you may do the following:

Like me on facebook.

Follow me on Twitter.

Follow me with Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to my blog by e-mail.

Please leave a comment for everything you do, for up to five entries per person. There is no purchase necessary, you must be 18 years old or older to enter, U.S. residents only. Sorry, my immediate family cannot enter. You can share my CD. :)

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 Sunday, September 25, 2011. I will draw the winner on Monday, September 26. Once a winner is contacted, he or she will have 48 hours to respond or I will chose another winner. For this reason, please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

I think that is all except for the "fine print" below. :)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."