Earlier this year, Delirious? frontman Martin Smith gathered 12 of his singer/songwriter friends to pen a dozen or so songs for Compassionart, a charity that seeks to use music to generate income for the world's poorest citizens. Altogether, 22 songs were written, the first just released April 8 on Wow Hits 1. Some notable artists involved on the project included Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman as well as fellow Delirious? band member Stu Garrard.

It’s hard to believe that a quarter century has passed since Geoff Moore first decided to leave the secure confines of a steady-paying job at the family-owned foundry (Moore Iron Works in Michigan, for the curious), pack up his worldly belongings and head south to Tennessee to carve out a niche in the then still nascent Christian rock music scene. Difficult though it may be, it was indeed 1983 when a newly-married, 22-year-old Moore stepped into a Nashville studio to put together his first demo recording under the watchful eye of Whiteheart guitarist and songwriter, Billy Smiley. And the rest – sixteen albums, nine Number 1 singles, thousands of concert appearances and a house full of kids – is, as they say, history.

RadioU reports that The Rocket Summer is among those appearing on the cover of Alternative Press magazine's April issue. TRS is included in AP's annual "100 Bands You Need to Know..." feature, along with fellow cover boys The Matches, Sonny and pop/punk outfit All Time Low.

The magazine's official website offers little insight into its profile of sole TRS member Bryce Avary, save for this teaser: "... Avary has no problem helping your grandma cross the interstate, but he'd rather steer clear of anything that keeps him away from music - whether it's his or anyone else's."

Not exactly Cloverfield-esque, we admit, but Avary is definitely an interesting cat. Chances are at least one iR staffer will be reading the article.

CCM magazine, perhaps the longest-standing authority on contemporary Christian music, will be moving exclusively to the Web following the release of its April issue. Salem Communications, owner of the magazine and a host of other print, online and broadcast media outlets, made the announcement last week.

In a press release posted on CMSpin.com, Salem President of non-print media Jim Cumbee said CCM readers have told the company they "want more information and want it faster than can be delivered in a monthly printed magazine.

"Accordingly, we will discontinue the printed version of CCM Magazine to put increased energies toward the continued growth and enhancement of our comprehensive Christian music and entertainment online network," he said.

On the eve of the 38th annual Dove Awards ceremony, to be held in Nashville on April 25th, we thought it was about time to give you the answers to our little quiz from last year. We are not attending the festivities this year, yet we are already planning a big bang for next year.

After you check out the answers to the quiz, please look here for more information on this years awards.

RadioU reports that The Rocket Summer (a.k.a. Bryce Avary) is finishing up its first album for Island Records. Titled Do You Feel and set to be released this June, the album has been recorded in a number of different studios-a departure from the last TRS record, which Avary says was recorded entirely in a producer's kitchen.

Submitted by April Hefner of Rocketown Records

1. Watermark - A Grateful People

Watermark's Christy Nockels could sing the phone book, and I'd still pay money for admission. Combine her talented vocals with her husband Nathan's crisp production and harmonies, and it's the perfect combination. With A Grateful People, the duo gathered friends and family for a night of worship music in their home church, inviting folks like Chris Tomlin Charlie Hall, Point of Grace, Shane & Shane, and others to join them on stage. The result is breathtaking music that directs the listener's attention to the source of our praise.

It is a very happy new year for the Gospel Music Association. According to their latest press release, album sales rose in 2006, albeit slightly. John W. Styll, President and CEO of GMA, has a theory for the increase in sales: "There may be many reasons why this is true, but I think chief among them is that people seem to be drawn to the inspiring and compassionate message of Gospel music amid uncertain times."

In 2005, Gospel Music sold 43.5 million units (CDs, cassettes, etc). 44.9 units sold in 2006, an increase of 3.4%. Overall music sales were up 1.5% in 2006.

Phil Keaggy
Nashville, TN
GMA Week April 2006

In the world of guitar players, there are mortals and there are gods. Many would tell you Keaggy is closer to being the latter than the former, especially among Christian guitarists. He serves a higher power, of course, but few would deny his greatness. Needless to say, our interview with him was easily our most anticipated at Gospel Music Week, 2006.

When we sat down with him for the first time in inReview's history, we wanted to talk about his music, but at first Keaggy had something else on his mind. Sitting near him was an iPod with a small microphone hooked attached to the top of it. We wanted to use it to capture the greatness that is Phil Keaggy, and it turned out that Keaggy had done the same thing himself.

"I put a lot of my music ideas on an iPod with a mic," he said. "It works great."

This year marked inReview/cMusicWeb's third appearance at the GMA awards ceremony, held once again at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on April 5. Dan Ficker, our webmaster, had never before made the trip, but had his debut at the GMAs in 2006.

Dan sat behind me in the backstage pressroom clicking away on his computer. Later, I found out that he was not only blogging for Infuze Magazine, but also working to get InReview up and running due to the fact that we launched the new site during GMA week. As for me, I spent my five hours taking pictures as the GMA award winners and presenters flowed in and out of the room.