Jason Spears

Website: www.jasonspears.org www.providencepraise.com

Jason Spears is recognized internationally for his presence driven approach to ministry. With a voice that connects to the heart across generational and cultural boundaries, Jason has a passion for seeing the world awaked to the power and presence of a living and active Christ. God has anointed him with a prophetic and healing ministry that has let the blind see and the deaf hear, both physically and spiritually. Jason Spears Ministries is based out of Locust Grove, Georgia where Jason and His wife Lisa are raising their two daughters.

 

 

Ben Cantelon

Website: www.soulsurvivor.com www.myspace.com/benjamin159

Ben Cantelon was born and raised in Langley, British Columbia. Three years ago God called him to the UK to work with an ministry called Soul Survivor. He is the current worship director at Soul Survivor church in Watford, England and also leads worship at the Soul Survivor festivals held in Shepton Mallet, England. This summer Soul Survivor had 28,000 young people attend and saw 2400 young people become Christians for the first time. Ben has recently released his debut album entitled "Daylight Breaks Though" and co-wrote the song "Happy Day" with Tim Hughes.

Phil Wickham

Website: http://www.philwickham.com/

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture."

No one knows who actually said it. This witty proclamation has been attributed to actors, authors, comedians, jazz musicians and yes, an architect. Regardless of who deserves credit, it makes sense and with that sentiment in mind I apologize for what you are about to read and ask you to skip to the part where you actually listen to the record. If you are like me, you will feel more like dancing than writing.

Mesmerizing. Atmospheric. Captivating. Stunning. Soaring. Lavish. Poetic.

Phil Wickham's music has been called every flowery adjective in the thesaurus and some that may have even been made up. And while they are often accurate descriptors they are at the same time distracting. When hearing these buzz words it's too easy to lump an artist into a meaningless equation consisting of two musical references, a vague genre title and a classic predecessor. Welcome to missing the point.

The point is that Wickham is at his core a humble and sincere artist who writes songs and worships God using the medium of music. It is with that brush that he paints images of a loving and creative God across the canvases of listeners' hearts and minds. Although the evidence of this gift was apparent on Wickham's previous release as well as his self released independent record, it has never been clearer and more developed than on the twelve tracks off his sophomore Simple Records album Cannons.

"If people just took the time to look at the trees outside, the rain that's falling, these bodies that are walking around... life is not just evidence that God exists, but more like the world acting as worship leader, inspiring us, but much louder than any concert you could ever imagine," Wickham states. "Ultimately, I hope that by listening to these songs people will find the same inspiration to look outside of themselves and their circumstance to the world around them and truly worship God."

For Wickham the desire he has for his albums and live show is always to lead people into worship. On Cannons he accomplishes this with a marked sonic shift and an added sense of urgency. Album opener "Must I Wait," is a clear example of both with its driving tempo and use of layered synthesizers in place of the lush string arrangements of his self-titled debut.

Phil Wickham's songs connect. He asks the right questions and he gives voice and words to our response. The songs speak to the heart of our experience, our relationship with God - and with that said, I'm finished dancing about architecture.

Deas Vail

Website: http://www.myspace.com/deasvail

Despite the overwhelming mass of musical outlets from which one can acquire the sounds of new music, it's frequently a daunting task to find a band with an unmarked sound. Luckily amidst the dreary monotonous noise of overplayed chords and overused lyrics, stands the fresh resonance of Deas Vail. Forget for a second about the melodic vocal lines, lullaby guitars, the I'm-telling-you-a-ghost-story pianos, and the fact there's a chick in the band. What you're left with is earnest indie rock, full of life and trickery, that's anything but simple.

The talent of Deas Vail is showcased through their diverse songs ranging from guitar-driven pop tunes to outright soul bending piano ballads. Adding to this is the classically trained voice of frontman Wes Blaylock, which contributes to eliminating that all-too-familiar tug of musical boredom.

In March, they released their first full-length album, "All The Houses Look The Same", which has garnered praise from fans and industry folk alike. They continue to play in front of crowd after crowd, each time with the same child-like enthusiasm they felt during those first fledgling practices.

Blaylock says they hope to create art that will outlast their career while inspiring other people in positive ways. Deas Vail is well on their way to doing just that.

Amanda Falk

Website: www.amandafalk.com www.myspace.com/amandafalkmusic

Juno Award winner Amanda Falk has been focusing her attention on the next generation of young women in this country. Through the Beautiful Unique Girl (BUgirl) movement, Amanda has been bringing a message of beauty and freedom, encouraging and challenging teenage girls to look beyond the magazine covers and media frenzy to measure their value. The all girl "pajama parties," create an environment of intimacy and intrigue. Set with shag rugs, pillows, lava lamps, and of course chocolate fondue, the night brings home a message that each girl is intentionally created and valued by God (Psalm 139). With a team of 4, Amanda shares her story and performs a concert ending the night with a time of group worship and often a lot of tears. Thousands of girls have already been touched and this movement has just begun. Surrounded by a strong and diverse team at Avante Records, Amanda is perfectly positioned to succeed as an artist and minister. Currently working on her follow up album, Amanda is prepping for another season of intense touring and will be part of a major tour this fall called the BUgirl MEGAPARTY.