Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Steven James, author of "The Knight"

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and Steven James, author of ‘The Pawn,’ ‘The Rook,’ and ‘The Knight.’ In our interview Steven talks about his book series, how he made the jump from non-fiction to fiction, researching for his novel, and whether he thinks he could get away with murder.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Steven James is one of the nation’s most innovative storytellers.



Since developing his skill as a performer at East Tennessee State University (MA in Storytelling), he has spoken more than 1,500 times throughout North America and has taught creative storytelling and writing in South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, Kazakhstan and India.



Best known for his hilarious and heartwarming stories and masterful use of audience involvement, listeners around the world have been inspired by his poignant and powerful performances.



But Steven doesn’t just tell stories. He creates them.

As one of the most versatile authors in the country, Steven has penned more than 25 books of both award-winning fiction and nonfiction including fantasy, inspiration, poetry, short stories, scripts, a nine-book storytelling library of resources for educators, and the bestselling psychological thrillers The Pawn and The Rook.



Sharing his unique blend of comedy, drama, and inspirational storytelling, Steven James is in constant demand as a family entertainer, keynote speaker, and inspirational seminar leader.

To find out more about Steven James check out www.stevenjames.net

To find out more about ‘The Bowers Files’ books check out www.patrickbowers.com

We’d like to thank Steven James for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Claudia Marsh of Revell Publishing for setting up the interview for us.

Posted by Profess Podcast at 10:10 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Avalon

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and Sparrow recording artists Jeremi and Amy Richardson of Avalon. In our interview, Jeremi and Amy talk about the new project “Reborn,” the story behind several of the album’s tracks, working with Ian Eskelin, and dealing with celebrity.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Avalon formed in 1996, setting a high standard in contemporary Christian music. Reviewing its 2006 project Faith: A Hymns Collection, All Music Guide noted “the vocal efficiency and personalized stylings that place Avalon among the elite singing groups in contemporary Christian circles.” To date, the quartet has sold more than three million albums, charted 20 No. 1 singles, and won an American Music Award plus numerous Dove Awards such as the 1999 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for “Testify to Love.” That song, a listener favorite, has also been specially re-recorded for Another Time, Another Place. And when the next generation of Christian performers look back at the artists who influenced their path, perhaps even paying tribute to them on record, look for the name Avalon.

To find out more about Avalon check out www.avalonlive.com

To follow Avalon on Twitter: @AvalonTheGroup

We’d like to thank Jeremi and Amy for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Staci Vining of Vining Media Relations for setting up the interview for us.

Posted by Profess Podcast at 3:14 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Everyday Process

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and Cross Movement recording artists Iz-Real and Mac the Doulos of Everyday Process. In our interview, Iz and Mac talk about their new project “Outtadisworld,” quoting C.S. Lewis, being “in” the world but not “of” the world, and why they decided not to include guests artists on the new project.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Everyday Process (Mac the doulos and Iz-real) is on a mission. That mission is to use hip-hop as a means to an end, and that end being impacting people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Especially those that normally wouldn’t set foot in a spiritual setting like church. "Music is just a vehicle for us. It's simple; hip-hop is a genre of music with mass appeal. It's another way to move a vital message to the masses. We see it as an extremely effective method. This music draws so much attention and reaches so many ears. Agendas and propaganda can be pushed through it. So we use it as a platform to say what we need to say because it's definitely what people need to hear. This is bigger than music. We want to put people on to the truth. And not just general truth, but rather the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Through the influence of this music medium, they strive to enlighten the Christian and non-Christian alike, particularly those that can relate and are sometimes deeply engulfed in the hip-hop culture; showing others that they don't have to retreat from their own culture, but rather that Christ is relevant in their culture as well, and God desires us to reach those that we can really relate to. Yes, even in hip hop culture.

Everyday Process considers themselves God's ambassadors and His representatives to these people (II Cor. 5:20). Everyday Process understands their generation and culture. Having been themselves immersed in the culture, they understand that for many that are into hip-hop, it is often a way of life. They feel a sense of urgency to get this vital message out. A no-compromise message using hip-hop's own magnetism to spread the truth everywhere. In churches, in the streets and on corners, or where ever it needs to go.

To find out more about Everyday Process check out www.everydayprocess.com

To follow Everyday Process on Twitter: @everydayprocess

We’d like to thank Iz-Real and Mac the Doulos for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Melody Foat of the Melissa Foat Agency for setting up the interview for us.

Posted by Profess Podcast at 1:32 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Trevor McNevan, lead singer of Thousand Foot Krutch

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and Trevor McNevan, lead singer of Thousand Foot Krutch. In our interview, Trevor talks about his love for G.I. Joe and He-Man, the band’s new project “Welcome to the Masquerade,” working within the Christian and mainstream markets, and dealing with criticism as an artist.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Trevor McNevan is the lead singer/songwriter of Thousand Foot Krutch. He also performs in pop punk side project FM Static with Steve Augustine (the third Thousand Foot Krutch drummer), and he used the FM Static song "Moment Of Truth", to propose to his wife.

His first band, Oddball, included former Thousand Foot Krutch members Dave Smith (guitar) and Tim Baxter (bass), as well as Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson. Oddball released the 27-song record Shutterbug, in 1995, featuring half hip-hop and half rock songs.

To find out more about Thousand Foot Krutch check out www.thousandfootkrutch.com

To follow Thousand Foot Krutch on Twitter: @OfficialTFK

We’d like to thank Trevor McNevan for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Lori Isaacs of Overture Media for setting up the interview for us.

Song Clips:
"Fire It Up"
"Watching Over Me"
"Scream"

Posted by Profess Podcast at 9:15 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Sparrow recording artist Bethany Dillon

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and Sparrow recording artist Bethany Dillon. In our interview, Bethany talks about her new album “Stop & Listen,” being a celebrity while also being an introvert, her recent trip to Africa, and Twittering about food.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: From her recording debut at age 14, Bethany Dillon was one of those rare young singer/songwriters who did not fit the status quo. Her songs possessed a lyrical depth that belied her age. Her carriage, sense of composure and way of looking at the world revealed a certain maturity, disarming for one so young.

So it almost seems a given, seven years later, that 21-year-old Bethany Dillon—now married and living in Dallas with her husband, Shane Barnard (Shane & Shane)—would be officially grown up.

That she has something even more complete and compelling to say is a given, too. Major life moments have a way of doing that to anyone.

“The last year has been the sweetest year of my 21...” Bethany says, “There are so many layers to it, and I don’t always feel like a grown up, but it’s been a really sweet time of learning. I can see the grace of God in it. So much has come to the surface.”

Stop & Listen, Bethany’s fourth release on Sparrow Records, reveals a young woman coming to terms with God’s grace in a new season of becoming.

To find out more about Bethany Dillon check out http://bethanydillon.sparrowrecords.com/

To follow Bethany Dillon on Twitter: @Bethany Dillon

We’d like to thank Bethany Dillon for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Brook Elder of The M Collective for setting up the interview for us.

Song Clips:
"Get Up & Walk"
"Stop & Listen"
"Everyone to Know (Acoustic)"

Posted by Profess Podcast at 9:38 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Sparrow recording artist Britt Nicole

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and pop artist Britt Nicole. In our interview, Britt talks about the theme of her new album “The Lost Get Found,” some of the new songs she’s happy with, dealing with pressure to create a great sophomore project, and meeting a fan who she’ll never forget.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: CCM singer Britt Nicole grew up in the church, her grandfather's church, actually, along with his TV ministry, which aired weekly on the Charlotte, NC, station WAXN. It was there that Nicole made her first public appearances, singing gospel songs in a trio with her brother and cousin. A scholarship offer from Belmont University to study commercial music was turned down so Nicole could focus on perusing a recording contract. She landed it in 2006 when the Sparrow label came calling. A year later they released her debut album, Say It, featuring the singles "Set the World on Fire" and "You." Another track from the album, "Sunshine Girl," landed on MTV's teen reality show Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County. Britt recently released her sophomore project “The Lost Get Found.”

To find out more about Britt Nicole check out www.brittnicole.com

To follow Britt Nicole on Twitter: @ItsBrittNicole

We’d like to thank Britt Nicole for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Brooke Elder of Savvy Media Solutions for setting up the interview for us.

Music Clips:
“How We Roll”
“Have Your Way”
“Headphones”

Posted by Profess Podcast at 12:03 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2009

Profess Interview Series: INO Recording Artist Derek Webb

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and recording artist Derek Webb. In our interview, Derek talks about his new album “Stockholm Syndrome,” the difference between “safe” and “profitable” art, the difficulty in thinking about his own work, and the controversy surrounding two four-letter words in his song “What Matters More.”

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Although he works out of the thematically conservative contemporary Christian pop genre, singer/songwriter and guitarist Derek Webb has an agitator's soul and a flair for the controversial, approaches he uses in his music to force careful thought on vitally important issues. Born on May 27, 1974, in Memphis, TN, Webb attended high school in Texas, and was one of the founding members of the Houston-based Christian pop group Caedmon's Call when they formed in 1993, and he remained with the group through several albums before leaving to go solo in 2003. His first solo project, She Must and Shall Go Free, released that same year, demonstrated Webb's refreshingly maverick and uncompromising approach to Christian music, and the album drew a lot of critical attention, both pro and con. A sophomore effort, I See Things Upside Down, followed in 2004, along with a live album, The House Show. The impressive Mockingbird surfaced in 2005, along with the concert DVD =How to Kill and Be Killed. In 2007 Webb released matching collections of some of his early songs, One Zero (Acoustic) and One Zero (Remix), along with a highly anticipated fourth studio project called The Ringing Bell. September 1, 2009 sees the release of Webb’s Stockholm Syndrome album. Married to fellow singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken, Webb currently makes his home in Nashville.

To find out more about Derek Webb check out www.derekwebb.com

To follow Derek Webb on Twitter: @DerekWebb

We’d like to thank Derek Webb for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Courtney Hyder of The M Collective for setting up the interview for us.

Music Clips:
“Black Eye”
“Heaven”
“What Matters More”

Posted by Profess Podcast at 12:02 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2009

Profess Interview Series: Church Boy Entertainment recording artist Lil' Dre

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This edition of the Profess Interview Series brings to you an exclusive conversation between C.E. Moore and rap artist Lil’ Dre. In our interview, Dre talks about how he got his start in music, his new album “Strapped Up,” his musical influences, sampling “Transformers,” and the way he feels equipped for ministry.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Andre “Lil’ Dre” McCoy is the definition of a “true artist with true character.” Not only is Lil’ Dre an extremely well-rounded performer, but he is a great individual with a personality that exemplifies what being a Church Boy is all about. Literally since day one, Church Boy Entertainment has been sold on his versatility and sees him as an essential weapon in their arsenal of artists. Furthermore, Lil’ Dre is an excellent punch-line rapper that also has the natural ability to sing. Again, Lil’ Dre is truly a “versatile weapon.” He has already begun to impact multiple people’s lives through his music.

To find out more about Lil Dre’ check out www.myspace.com/lildre22

We’d like to thank Lil’ Dre for answering some of our burning questions. A very special thank you to Ced Enough for setting up the interview for us.

Music Clips:
“Strapped Up”
“Romans 12:2”
“A.O.”
“Fill Me Up”

Posted by Profess Podcast at 12:01 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT