ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COLUMN
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All Star United: A Unique Vision of Christian Art By Midy Aponte
Finding a group that is both full of excitement about Jesus Christ and fairly in tune with the needs and likes of people everywhere is a difficult job to accomplish. However, in the beginning of fall, in a small church room at First Presbyterian Church of Miami Springs, All Star United passed by and gave us a visit. They came and dazzled us all with their catchy melodic tunes and 3-minute pop songs whose influence seemed to be intertwined by The Beatles, Green Day, Oasis and No Doubt. They’ve been noted as "The most accomplished example of Christian Brit pop…delivered by an American band." And their self-named Album has sky rocketed to number one in the Christian sales chart in the U.K. Yet, the group offers more than mere entertainment and a good time. Aside from the crashing guitars and purposely silly, geeky-like attitude on stage, they don’t emphasize religion as much as the importance of a relationship with Christ. "People need to know what Christ is all about and they need to have a personal relationship with Him," says Ian Eskelin 26, leader and founder of the band. "I think that one of the biggest problems people face today is apathy. Apathy in the world, apathy at home and apathy in the church" said Eskelin. Clearly the group is fairly in tune with what is going on in the world and the struggles that Christians and non-Christians alike face. And their songs exemplify those struggles. "Drive" is an account of two friends whose lives are going in different paths; La La Land and Smash Hit boldly states the commercialization the Christian music business is following. As for Eskelin, when asked how they want to continue to influence people, he simply replied, "If somehow we can let people know that God is a living God, other than trying to shine ourselves, then we have accomplished what He has sent us here for." Sidebar: Editors Note: For Call FM Concert Information, call (305) 662-7736 or visit their website at www.elink.net/callfm.
Anointed in Concert, November 22 Steve Crawford, Da’dra Crawford Greathouse, and Denise "Nee–C" Walls are three bothers and sisters in the Lord’s family which raise their voices to glorify him. What better name than Anointed is there to describe the source and purpose of these musicians’ talents? Anointed uses their God-given ability to write songs and sing to tell the world about Jesus Christ. Their music is a combination of R&B, pop, and gospel The trio is originally from Columbus, Ohio where they formed in 1992. Since then they have won numerous awards and recognition including Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations, a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and a Nashville Music Award nomination for Best Rhythm and Blues Album. The group’s soul purpose is to share the love of Christ with the world. Anointed will be performing at the Coral Springs City Centre located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, Florida. Tickets available for $12.00. For more information call (954) 344-5999.
Truth in Concert, December 18 If you want to hear the real, pure and only truth about God’s love, attend the Truth concert at Wayside Baptist Church on December 18, 1997. This group, comprised of eleven talented, young men and women, is dedicated to just that, proclaiming the love of the Lord using the gifts of music He has bestowed on them. Formed by Roger Breland in 1971, Truth has had nearly three hundred members, both musicians and technicians, who have served for the group for some time. Missionaries, church staff members, and people with other ministries have all shared their talents with Truth in order to serve God’s mission. The group harmonizes with a variety of instruments including brass, woodwind, percussion and vocal instruments, and combines this music with powerful lyrics to create spiritual melodies through which the Lord spreads his love. Truth has performed in all the fifty American states and 20 foreign nations, covering about 85,000 miles of road in 260 days of the year. Current Truth musicians are: Vocalist Jason Breland, Drummer Richard Ball, Vocalist Matt Butler, Vocalist Tiffany Coburn, Woodwind Specialist Lanny Cox, Keyboardist Alex Cruz, Vocalist Angela Harrelson, Vocalist Shawn Johnson, Trumpeter Phil Lassiter, Electric Bassist Mike Majett, Trombonist Tim Pitchford, and Vocalist Terry White. Tickets are available for $6.00. To purchase tickets, and for more information on the Midy Apnte is a freelance writer for The Trumpeter
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