Miley Cyrus: From bubbly tween star to video vamp?
Writing about Disney star Miley Cyrus (pictured at right) is a bit surreal for me.
My daughter grew up watching Cyrus as “Hannah Montana” and she still hasn’t quite forgiven me for never taking her to see the singer when she appeared in concert several times here in Oklahoma.
So when I got an e-mail news release about Dannah Gresh (pictured below) and her concern about Cyrus’ latest music video, I was immediately intrigued. I had written a story about Gresh and her “Secret Keeper Girl” ministry tour for young girls and their moms when the tour stopped in Tulsa last fall.
Here’s the thing: Gresh said she has tried to stay positive about Cyrus for many years and even wrote that she was a good role model in her new book that is set for a September release. But in our recent interview, Gresh told me that she stopped the presses in order to include her updated opinion of the megastar after watching the “Can’t Be Tamed” video.
Gresh said she’s concerned about the “violently sexual” nature of the music video. It shows a provacatively dressed Cyrus dancing and interacting suggestively with male and female dancers.
Rock and Worship Roadshow Revealed
As promised, I thought I would share more information about the Rock and Worship Roadshow headed to Oklahoma. The concert featuring several contemporary Christian recording artists is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday at downtown Oklahoma City’s Ford Center, and then move on to Tulsa’s BOK Center on Saturday. Cost is $10 at the door.
Here are some facts you should know:
1. This is the second annual roadshow. Last year, more than 170,000 fans attended the Rock and Worship Roadshow at cities across the country.
2. The roadshow was created by MercyMe (pictured). “We are so excited to be back for this tour with such an incredible group of artists. We’re going to have a great time,” MercyMe’s Bart Millard said in a news release.
3. The tour is dedicated to a charitable purpose. The tour hopes to help children with juvenile diabetes through “Imagine a Cure,” a nonprofit organization that raises awareness. Also the concert hopes to raise awareness about Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry.
4. Sidewalk Prophets and Remedy Drive will perform 40 minutes before the show’s scheduled start in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. That’s incentive to get there early.
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And just in case you forgot, here’s the lineup for the roadshow: MercyMe, the David Crowder Band, Family Force Five, Fee, Francesca Battistelli, Remedy Drive and Sidewalk Prophets.
For more information, visit www.rockandworshiproadshow.com.
Concert alert: Natalie Grant and Jeremy Camp
Here’s the latest in concert news:
Contemporary Christian recording artists Natalie Grant (at bottom left), Jeremy Camp (below right) and Bebo Norman are to perform in concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church of Moore, 301 NE 27 in Moore.
The Speaking Louder Than Before” tour will feature Grant opening for Camp.
Grant has won four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist for her signature song “Held.” She’s released four albums since 2001, including “Stronger,” “Deeper,” “Awaken,” and “Relentless.”
After finishing the “Make it Matter” tour in July 2009 with Chris Sligh and Meredith Andrews, Grant was invited to open for Camp’s fall tour.
For ticket information, go online to iTickets.com or purchase tickets at the Moore church, Lifeway Christian Store or Mardel. For more information, call 793-2600 .
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Hillsong United coming to big screen
Hillsong United is to make its big screen debut on Nov. 4 with “Hillsong United: We’re All in This Together,” a special hosted live from Australia.
The special will include the contemporary worship group’s live performance from their home church in Sydney and conclude with the debut of their documentary “The I Heart Revolution: We’re All in This Together.”
Filmed over two years, the documentary follows the band as they learn about the stories of people facing injustice and hardships around the world.
“It’s a story made up of many stories, told by many voices, no individual voice any more or any less important than any other, yet every voice working together to ultimately tell the ONE story — a story that involves everyone,” Joel Houston, Hillsong United member, said in a news release.
He called the special “part documentary, part apologetic, part call to action.”
The one-night-only special will be shown in 440 movie theaters nationwide, including Cinemark Tinseltown, 6601 Martin Luther King, and AMC Quail Springs Mall 24, 2501 W Memorial Road, in Oklahoma City. The show at both theaters starts at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Concert alert: Avalon and Selah
Just got word that contemporary Christian groups Avalon (pictured below) and Selah are to perform in concert Oct. 9 at Victory Church, 4300 N MacArthur.
There’s incentive to get your tickets in advance: Tickets are $20 in advance and $40 the day of the show.
Avalon’s release “Reborn” is in stores now. Selah has a new release marking their 10th anniversary, “You Deliver Me.”
The concert is in conjunction with Victory’s Beautiful Women Conference.
More information about the concert will be featured soon in The Oklahoman.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Battle against stroke
Many churches across the nation participated in Power Sunday, part of the Power to End Stroke awareness campaign.
On that Sunday, church leaders were encouraged to preach a lifesaving message to their congregations about preventing stroke and the services were dedicated to those who have survived or died of stroke.
Power Sunday is held any Sunday in May, which is American Stroke Month.
Urban gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin kicked off this year’s Power Sunday at his church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
According to the Power to Edn Stroke blog, Franklin talked to the congregation about the risk factors and warning signs of stroke. Then, he led the congregation in the Power To End Stroke pledge. More than 1,200 church members took the pledge. During the service, Oakcliff’s Pastor Tony Evans reinforced the message, and church member and stroke survivor, Bertha Banks, gave a personal testimony, according to the blog. After the service, the Health and Wellness ministry conducted health screenings and distributed educational brochures.
Oklahomans can look forward to a visit from Franklin as part of the Power to End Stroke “Fight of Our Life” Health tour. He will be appearing along with local performers — church choirs, singers, mime groups and others — at two separate events, one in Tulsa and one in Oklahoma City, sometime in July.
I’ll keep you updated as more details are shared by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
She’s playing our song: “Stand Together”
Oklahoma native and contemporary Christian recording artist Jami Smith (pictured below) is offering her new song “Stand Together” to churches, hoping congregations will help spread her message of love conquering hat through faith.
Smith is to sing “Stand Together” at today’s 14th Annual Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Musuem, 620 N Harvey. The ceremony is set for 8:55 a.m.
Smith, known widely as a worship leader, wrote the song after being inspired by the symbols of faith that help so many to heal after tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing.
“This is an act that affected an entire community, and together in faith, we have shown that there is far more good in this world than evil,” Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum executive director, said in a news release.
“Stand Together really does encapsulate the hope and the resilience this community has shown a nation in the face of terrorism. It celebrates love and unity and the power of standing together — united.”
“Stand Together” is available for download at www.jamismith.com for 99 cents per download. Churches can also request lyrics to the song. Sheet music is also being created for worship leaders to play for their congregations. Half of the proceeds for each download of the song on www.jamismith.com will benefit the memorial.
“It was really important for me to capture the faith and prayer and loving thoughts of the thousands of lives that are changed by their visit to the Memorial,” Smith said in a news release.
“You can see it in the things that are left at the fence and in the notes and comments from visitors that our community, in its faith, has shown the world God’s grace through the lessons of the memorial.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
On TV: The 700 Club to feature Big Daddy Weave
Big Daddy Weave’s Mike Weaver and his “90 in ’09″ weight loss challenge will be featured Wednesday on CBN’s nationally syndicated program “The 700 Club.”
Weaver, the frontman for contemporary Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave, resolved to lose 90 pounds this year and he is recording his weight loss journey on a special Web site, www.90in09.com. He has challenged others to join in the challenge and he’s had plenty of people sign up to do just that.
Since its launch two months ago, nearly 10,000 people from across the nation have joined the campaign to start a health lifestyle, Weaver maintained in a news release.
The Web site features updates on Weaver’s progress as well as healthy food recipes, exercise techniques and other wellness information.
Interested in catching the segment on Weaver? The show is scheduled to broadcast at 2 p.m. Wednesday on Cox Channel 14.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Billy Graham’s musical friend turns 100
George Beverly Shea, the Gospel soloist who has become a legend appearing with his longtime friend evangelist Billy Graham at Graham’s ministry crusades, recently turned 100.
Friends, family and loved ones of the popular singer helped him celebrate his birthday at a private event, hosted at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C.
Shea’s longtime friends Graham, music director Cliff Barrows and gospel music legends Bill and Gloria Gaither attended the event.
Testimonies during the program accented the humility and grace of the man often called “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer,” as well as his vital contribution to the work of evangelism for the Billy Graham Crusade team for more than 60 years.
“I’m deeply grateful to him,” said Mr. Graham during remarks at the event, publicized by Christian Newswire. “I count him as one of my 
closest friends and confidantes.”
The centenarian greeted well-wishers with a few words, and took the opportunity to recite one of his favorite hymns, “The Shadow of a Cross,” in his familiar bass-baritone voice.
In a gesture perfect for a musician, Shea was presented with a Rodgers organ, eventually to be used at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Angola’s warden, Burl Cain, was in attendance at the celebration. Following a Franklin Graham Prison Festival at Angola in 2006, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association donated funds to build a chapel there that was dedicated in April 2008.
“I was overwhelmed that so many people were here tonight,” said Mr. Shea after the event. “And I never dreamed I would get a gift like this.”
“All these years, Daddy always said that a Crusade really began when Uncle Bev walked up to the mic and began to sing,” Franklin Graham said, according to Christian Newswire.
Shea was born in Winchester, Ontario, Feb 1, 1909, the son of a minister. He first sang for Billy Graham on the Chicago radio hymn program, “Songs in the Night,” in 1943 and since then has carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the country.
Shea is the recipient of 10 Grammy nominations with one Grammy Award (1965) and is a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame (1978). For his significant contributions to Gospel music, he was inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame (NRB) in February 1996.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Israel Houghton at inauguration
Contemporary Christian recording artist Israel Houghton is set to perform at the 2009 Heroes Red, White and Blue Inaugural Ball at the Warner Theatre on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
I recently interviewed Houghton, who will be performing in concert 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the SpiritBank Event Center in Tulsa on the “Hello Love” tour with Chris Tomlin.
Houghton was excited about performing at the inaugural ball and said he planned to sing his song “The Power of One” from his upcoming album of the same name. The compilation is set for release on March 24.
Houghton is best known for his songs like “Friend of God” and “Say So.” He is the worship leader at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston.
Others performing at the Heroes Ball include Gospel recording artists Donnie McClurkin and Bebe and CeCe Winans.
Look for my story on Houghton in a future edition of The Oklahoman. And for ticket information to the Tulsa concert, click here: Hello Love.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
