The first Microsoft, Scarface, and McNuggets...

1983 the first year of Microsoft Word and author Tennessee Williams dies. The first year we legally celebrate MLK Day and Al Pacino is Tony Montana in Scarface. A year where Karen Carpenter dies of annorexia at age 32 while 19 year old Nick Cage stars in Valley Girl. It is the same year we introduce the thinnest time peice Swatch and the Chicken McNugget. In 1983 Metallica debuts their first album, Kill'em All, Slayer debuts their first album, Show No Mercy, and Disney World debuts Chrisitan Music's Night of Joy. Fast forward ~2011 the year I run into Worship Artist, Israel Houghton at a Grammy's Gift Suite but no one else at the suite knows who he is. I help with PR on the Oscar Gift bag that is featured on The Today Show, but cost $22,000 to participate in. I attend an Oscar Gift Suite with 87 celebrities who are there to get gifts including Drew Cary, Gary Busey, & Joey Fatone who will all give their celbrity to promote the products and vedors in the suite. 2011 the first year we take the Gifting Model to the Christian Music Industry in hopes of generating more artist, vendors, events, and media.

For 27 years Disney World has invited Christian Music Artist to the Park to share and sing. In two weeks I go to Orlando with Disciple Shades, Deirdre & Company, Rags to Riches, & Dayspring with the RTMC Night of Joy 2011 Gift Bag!

Francesca Battistelli's Love Language...

I caught up with Francesca Battistelli’s husband and drummer, Matthew Goodwin. The new father is adorable as he describes the families Love Languages, according to Gary Chapman’s book by the same name. Like many mom’s Francesca’s primary Love Language is Acts of Service, but he admits her eyes do light up with the mention of jewelry. Deirdre & Co is just the thing to fill up her love tank, with creative original pieces set in silver with Christian inspiration.

Perhaps Deirdre & Co can be the 6th Love Language!

Deirdre & Co is giving a costume piece of jewelry to Francesca and the artist at Disney Worlds, Night of Joy September 9th, in the RTMC Night of Joy 2011 Gift Bag!!

Visit http://www.rtmcgiftings.com/ for more on the RTMC Night of Joy 2011 Gift Bag!!

Reba Toney on America's Got Talent?

What is it like to sit beside Howie Mandel on the number one show this Summer??
It is just like watching from home but, you have to wear more make up, you can't wear your jammies, and when Piers Morgan and Howie get in a water gun fight, well, duck. A couple of years ago I was asked to host a New Years Eve TV Show with special guest Nick Cannon and that is why I am estatic to go to the NBC lot near the Le Brea Tar Pits to see Nick host, America's Got Talent. I know the media gives the young San Diegian a hard time about his fast flight to fame and Mariah connection, but tonight I am proud of you Nick Cannon. The new papa is sauve and collected as he keeps this very seasoned group of judges in line.
As for the show, I could live the rest of my life without seeing another male pole dancer or a girl with her chest taped down pretending to be Justin Bieber. However, the motor cross is thrilling, the kid from Texas playing the piano is amazing, and being two seats away when Sharon Osbourne needs female moral support is priceless.

From Joyce

It's not quite American Idol but it sure is getting a ton of press. And now The Voice, vocalist Steve Bertrand is putting the final touches on his latest project, From Joyce. I have known the lead singer Jeremiah James, since he first moved to LA years ago. You might even remember him hosting a couple of shows on Top 3 with us. I call him JJ and he's emailing me the newly finished mp3 from his smart phone because he's on his giant tractor on the farm.
Dividing his time between crop season and award season his fiery charm plays well on both the red carpet in Hollywood and while planting crops in Minnesota. If you like Needtobreath or One Republic you will love this new band. From Joyce, offers perfectly pro polished tracks from producer Steve Bertrand, that screams Mumford and Sons, while bringing a raw intensity that is uniquely Jeremiah James.

Check out my favorite cut, See the Sun, on iTunes now.

Are you apart of the Tribe?

Some strange things happen in this city. If you drive slow down main street just east of Downtown you'll see a mess of old warehouses behind a silver fence. It is the former beer brewery converted in hundreds of work/live lofts. Twice a year they open to the public for an art walk that is a spectacle to behold, including the best silver work, creative painting, chefs, and any other art form you can imagine. So, when I get a call this weekend about dinner and a worship circle in the heart of the Brewery District I know it is a must experience event. Inside the giant gutted warehouse long tables are set up with an eclectic mix of people eating and chatting. I saw some familiar faces and bowls of delectable treats. I take a seat, meet some new peeps, and enjoy homemade ribs, some sort of savory barley stew, and chocolate cake. We are summoned up a set of stairs in the corner that lead to a loft filled with comfy couches, open windows, music, and drums, a lot drums. God centered song lyrics are projected on the wall as we sing and drum, while a couple sits at a table painting behind us. During what was called a prayer concert an iron bowl is presented with the possibility of writing a sin or issue down and then using a candle to light it and through it in the bowl, as a visual to the actual that happens within us daily.

Some strange things do happen in this city however this was not one of them, no this Tribe as it is called, is as unpretentious and real as it gets. An experience that reminds me of our simple connections to each other and to God.

Why do people love Israel?

I got the chance to see at the 63rd Israel Independence Day Celebration. I knew the night was like no other when I got a call from a stern women with a thick accent who simply said "Who do you know at the Israel Consulate?" After a strict vetting and checking the car for bombs I was in the Skirball Center surrounded by plain clothed cops, suited Israel Security (who win the Hot Cop award), the head of the LA Sheriffs Department, and men in suits that could only be explained with 3 initials.
The first introduction of the night was to our former "Govenator" Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had warm wishes for his newly split wife Maria. The press had a frenzy with his first public speaking. But it is what he said next that got me, he talked about how his love for Israel developed at a young age, right after his movie "Pumping Iron" circa 1977. Arnold traveled to Tel A Eve with a Teen Magazine and recalled visiting the historical sights of the Bible on one day and seeing the most technology advanced city the next.
The rest of the night was peppered with Spanish Dignitaries, Movie Producers, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Jason Bateman all sharing about moments with Israel that changed their lives. I have always known that Israel was part of my Christian past and future, but I am now realizing how important Israel is to my present.

Did you see what happened in Atlanta?

Sherri Shepard is hilarious on the “Community” and we tolerate her on “The View” but we were stoked to see her host this years Dove Awards. Don’t know what the Doves are?? Here’s the skinny, it’s the one time every year when all the inspirational, and faith based artist get awards for their hard work. Usually the show’s in Nashville, home of all things Chrish, but this year’s show was in Tyler Perry country. I’m talking Atlanta and the reason Kim Fields is in the Dirty South, where I had gravy on my fries and gravy with my pot roast, hmmm. Kim presented an award and had us all singing, “You take the good you take the bad, the facts of life.” that’ll be stuck in your head for a while…you’re welcome. I was backstage with the JCTV crew were TBone was interviewing winners, Larrissa was tweeting, and I was lining up press with CCM, HEAR IT FIRST, and Crossroads Magazine…. In all I gotta say I did not like the show on Easter which is already a busy weekend, I was disappointed that Needtobreath didn’t leave Taylor Swift for their nod, but I did appreciated the show being more diverse in Atlanta than Nash. In the words of Randy Jackson, it was a little pitchy at first but they worked it out dog and kept it hot.

The Big News!

It's official. In May of 2012 the biggest event to hit the Holy Land since Jim Caviezel filmed the Passion of the Christ. In association with The Municipality of Jerusalem, TBN Russia, International Tours & Congresses and Travel with Spirit Television, JERUSALEM ALIVE!!!
For you Coldwar kids this is going to warm your hearts. It's an event that will bring Russia & The U.S. together in Jerusalem. No it's not Karate Kid 6 featuring Ralf Macchio in a sequin dance suit, it will feature the biggest musical artist from each country together for one spectacular event.
And guess who has just been named the official Host...Me! Which of course means us, cause I'm gonna put it on blast ya'll.

Men in Shorts @The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival

The big houses, Bentley’s, and Bouche that you see on the one of a thousand Kardashian shows actually means dealing with Producers, Directors, Talent, and egos, egos, egos!! Sometimes I just want to hold their hands and look into their perfectly primped faces and say, “You’re making TV shows, not putting in Pace Makers.” This weekend I was relieved to be invited to a room full of suits (some of them swim suits) and hear veteran Actress Aisha Tyler confess she was trying to make it out of the bathroom without having to pay the bathroom attendant, adding, “do you have to leave a tip for her to listen to you pee??” The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival was a heaping dose of humble pie and smiles. It reminded me that living near the Hollywood Sign can be pretentious but if I can learn to find the comedy in ordinary situations it becomes a circus of delights for my enjoyment.

Chrish Changes at The Grammy's

Katy Perry, Johnny Cash, & Whitney Houston all have this in common, and I'm not talking about picking their spouses from the cover of the tabloids. What they share is a musical start in Christian Music. For reals' yo! Katy was at the first Chrish concert we had at The Fish in 2002. So It makes since that the Grammy Award's would FINALLY revamp it's outdated catagory list from 109 to 78. Even less would be better, but for now say "Good bye" to a Gospel heavy line up and "Hello" to Contemporary Christian Categories.

Side by Side Changes for Grammy's

GOSPEL FIELD GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FIELD Best Gospel Performance Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance Best Gospel Song Best Gospel Song Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album Best Contemporary Christian Music Song Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Best Gospel Album Best Southern, Country Or Bluegrass Gospel Album Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Best Traditional Gospel Album Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album - The Hollywood Reporter

NASCAR with David Archuleta and Richard Marx.

The Presidents Suite was stocked over the weekend as special guest checked out the pit crew from the best seats at the Speedway. Traci Szymanski had me on her plus one and we enjoyed the view, both out of the window and in the room. Traci’s favorite moment was running into her long time friend Richard Marx. My favorite moment was watching Richard’s young son Lucas Marx get nervous around “hot women.” (His words!) Next race, Toyota Grand Prix…

Reba, The Rabbi, & The Slave Hunter

It sounds like the start of a joke that would make decent people blush. Sensational, yes, but even decent people have sensations, right?

Let me break it down. Last week we had a special guest on our TV show Top 3. His name is a strange mix of Jewish Orthodox and what we called 3 out of 5 guys where I grew up in Texas. A good friend has been telling me about, Rabbi Jason for months. So last week when we taped I made sure to say Hi, and the Jersey-Jewish-Chrish-Hipster-Rabbi was everything and more...including just chillin' yo.

When I heard this seriously cool Rabbi was throwing a party, I was all in. My friend Joy, who first told me about Rabbi Jason (and is his right hand events coordinator) put me on the list and mentioned me possible interviewing the Special Guest. A special guest who happens to be known as, The Slave Hunter for his work in abolishing human trafficking, which is no joking matter.

Though the special guest was deep, the event was jumpin', with dancing, costumes, and Reba, The Rabbi, & The Slave Hunter.