2008 Woodie Awards
Bi-Lo Center Jammed Full for winter
By: Evan J. Hampton
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: Entertainment & Features
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Guest Writer
The 2007 "Winter Jam Tour Spectacular" rolled into the Bi-Lo Center on Friday, Feb. 16, featuring Andre the Hollywood Cowboy, President Bush impersonator John Morgan, newcomer Britt Nicole, Sanctus Real, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, and Steven Curtis Chapman and hosted by Newsong, all performing to a sold out crowd of over 15,000 Christian music fans. Over 250,000 people are expected on this 33-city tour.
"Our plan is to keep doing this as long as we can," said Eddie Carswell, member of Newsong. "Greenville is special to me because it is where this all began. The birthplace of Winter Jam."
The tour began 15 years ago. It was known as "January Jam" back then and was performed in Greenville's Memorial Auditorium, which was later torn down to make room for the bigger auditorium, the Bi-Lo Center.
Newsong itself has been around now as a group for 25 years, garnering 19 No. 1 hits. Two of the founding members, Eddie Carswell and Billy Goodwin, are the only two still in the group since the beginning. The group got their start in Valdosta, Ga., where the tour will finish out this year's run.
"This year we tried to do two separate tours, one on the East coast and the other on the West coast," said Carswell. "Each would have different performers and speakers, but it didn't quite work out, but maybe next year."
Newsong does feature two new additions to the group, musicians Drew Cline and Nate Sallie. Sallie isn't entirely new to the Christian music industry, after his first solo appearance in 2003 with the album Inside Out which featured a straight pop sound. Now, Sallie has had time to grow and truly discover himself. He will still commit to his solo career with a different "debut" on Tuesday, March 20, with his new piano-progressive rock album, Ruined For Ordinary.
"The first project was completely not who I am now. This new project is based upon John 10:10. Once we surrender ourselves to His will, He ruins us for an ordinary life and divine orchestration," said Sallie.
Sallie was 26 when his solo career began with his debut album. He had his mind set on his own personal aspirations of what he wanted his life to be like.
"There was nothing wrong with who I was then. I wasn't caught in drugs or anything severe. Everything was just all about me and performing for the audience and self-glorification," said Sallie. "Now it's about being contrite, humble and having a longing to thrive in Him. Breakthrough is the first single off my new album and it's about God breaking through my heart in ways I never thought possible. He becomes the light in our souls."
Sallie is in the process of becoming a permanent member of Newsong, while still being able to keep his solo career on God's path.
"God really put us together at the right place and time, which is how God is when we're faithful," said Sallie.
Steven Curtis Chapman isn't a new name to the world of Christian music. Chapman has had more than ten million records sold in his 20-year career, and 44 No. 1 hits. Chapman has also received five Grammy awards and 50 Dove awards, more than any other artist to date. This is his first year on the Winter Jam tour.
"It is truly an awesome experience," said Chapman. "Getting to glorify God in front of a community of believers, and seeing that body work together is extraordinary."
The Winter Jam tour for Chapman is unlike any other affair. It's a family affair. Two of his children, Caleb on guitar and Will Franklin on drums, are performing live with him.
"Having my children perform with me has been a long time dream for me," said Chapman. "I think I began dreaming about it when they got their very first instruments. This is like the ultimate experience for any dad."
The main purpose for every Winter Jam tour is to reach out to unbelievers with the message of Christ's sacrifice for us, done so through speaker Tony Nolan. There were 1,671 decisions made at this year's Greenville concert.
If you missed this year's "Tour Spectacular" at the Bi-Lo Center, the tour will be in Columbia this Friday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. No ticket required and just $10.00 at the door.
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