Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Music 2009

Every year the day after Thanksgiving, it's a tradition in our home to decorate for Christmas. It's so good for me to watch how excited my kids get with each passing year and the tradition gets rooted deeper. This year had to be the most anticipated and exciting one yet. The kids started counting down the days months earlier. They loved it! One of the elements that always makes the day so special, for my family, is the wonderful Christmas music. But, there's always so much to choose from. Of course, as in years past, you know you have access to the best mix of Christmas music on your Family Friendly radio station. You also can speak into that process by joing our Muisc Advisory Panel. Your opinion is very important to me!
(www.newlifemedianetwork.org - Just click on your favorite station and then click on Music Advisory Panel. if you have questions or need assistance, please feel free to email me;joeb@newlifemedia.org)

If you're looking to buy some new Christmas CDs this year, but find yourself a little apprehensive with all the choices, here are a few I truly believe you will love. Again, please feel free to email me if you have any questions or need assistance -joeb@newlifemedia.org

1.
DOWNHERE - "How Many Kings" - My wife and I own every CD Downhere has ever released and from the moment I received this one, (Sometime this last summer) it's been playing in my house. From start to finish there isn't a bad moment on the entire CD. Their version of Good King Wenceslas has to be, by far, the best version I've ever heard of that song. "Five Golden Rings" is only elven seconds long. You'll find two versions of "How Many Kings" The original is the opening track and the project closes out with the "re-imagined" version. This would be a great soundtrack for your Christmas memories this year.
Songs from this CD you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "How Many Kings", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen","Christmas In Our Hearts" & "Angels From the Realms Of Glory"



2.
CHRIS TOMLIN - "Glory In The Highest" - Well, this CD has a very special place in my heart. I had the very rare privilege to participate in the recording process of this one. This past June, Chris invited some friends to come out and sing in the choir as he recorded the tracks to this project. The CD was recorded at Ocean Way, a legendary studio, in Nashville, TN. It was an amazing experience! We all gathered and just worshipped God together. As I listen through the CD now, I'm blown away by how well it reflects those special moments I'll never forget. And now, you can also be apart of it as this CD will transform your car, living room, etc., to a wonderful worship experience. Although the whole CD is great, one song that really stands out for me is "Winter Snow" featuring Audrey Assad. You may actually recognize her voice, as she was the female vocalist on "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz. If you're looking for a great time of Christmas worship, this CD was made for you.
Songs from this CD you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)","Emmanuel" & "Winter Snow (Featuring Audrey Assad)"

3. 33MILES - "Believe" - From the first moment I heard my first 33Miles song, I was a fan. And, after their beautiful Christmas Medley was a huge hit last year, I was excited to learn of their new full length Christmas CD. After one listen through, I just knew you were also going to love it! Complementing the beautiful arrangements of Christmas classics are some great originals delivered in true 33Miles fashion. And each song has that distinctive and unmistakable 33Miles fingerprint all over it! "I Could Not Come To You", "I Believe In Christmas" and "Finally Christmas" are fantastic original contributions that are sure to become tomorrow's favorites. "Believe" by 33Miles would be a great addition to any Christmas collection.
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "O Come All Ye Faithful / Sing To the King","Hark The Herald Angels Sing","Joy To The World" & "I Believe In Christmas"

4. BIG DADDY WEAVE - "Christ Is Come" - Another great Christmas CD! This one also rises to the top of the list. Great moments from start to finish. One of my personal favorites is "I'll Be Brave This Christmas" It's a track that made me stop what I was doing and really hear what was being said. After the track finished, I found myself so grateful for so much that God had done for me. And, for those who have so sacrificially put their lives on the line for each of us so we could even celebrate Christmas. I also absolutely love their version of "Joy To The World"
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Joy To the World","O Come O Come Emmanuel" & "I'll Be Brave This Christmas"

5. WHEN LOVE WAS BORN - "Various Artists" - If you're looking for one CD that delivers great Christmas songs from your favorite artists, you may have to look no further. This compilation carries both, great classics and incredible originals. With depth from beginning to the very last note, this CD will not only bring back wonderful memories from years past, but also help build new ones for years to come.
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: Mark Schultz, Meredith Andrews, Francesca Battestelli, Point Of Grace, Big Daddy Weave, Natalie Grant, Aaron Shust, Selah, Barlowgril & Chris Sligh



6. BETHLEHEM SKYLINE - Featuring Various Artists (Downhere, Jason Grey, JaimeJamgochian and others) - Ok, it's no secret that I love Downhere! In fact, their latest studio CD "Ending Is Beginning" is one of my top 5 CDs of 2008! So when I saw they had a couple of Christmas songs on a compilation CD, I just had to have it! Yes, the Downhere songs are great, but the rest of the CD lives up to those songs, too. In fact, this CD is so good, that it gave us an opportunity to introduce you to Circleslide and Daniel Kirkley through a couple of their Christmas songs found on this CD. And, even though the CD is incredible from start to finish, the Downhere song "How Many Kings" litterally knocked me over. Like the others on this list, this CD is great!
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio:
"How Many Kings " - Downhere, "Joy To the World" - Circleslide, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - Daniel Kirkley, "O Come O Come Emmanuel" - Jaime Jamgocian, "Glory To God In The Highest" - Downhere & "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Downhere and friends.

7. MercyMe - " The Christmas Sessions" - MercyMe through the years has become one of your all time favorite groups. They've released great CD after great CD, with chart topping hits like "I Can Only Imagine", "God With Us", "Homesick", "Word of God Speak" and many, many others. And, this CD is no exception. Not abandoning their sound, they incorporate it wonderfully into this amazing Christmas project. From the very first track through the last song you will not be disappointed. You've already began to fall in love with "Gloria", "What Child Is This", "O Holy Night" and your favorite, an original contribution; "Joseph's Lullaby" "The Christmas Sessions" would have to be one my top 5 Christmas CDs ever.
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Joseph's Lullaby", "Gloria", "What Child Is This", "O Holy Night", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" & "Silent Night"

Merry Christmas...

Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)
We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI

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