Audio Adrenaline, a Grammy-winning rock band that played a key role in popularizing contemporary Christian music in the 1990s, is saying "Adios" after 15 years and 18 No. 1 hits.
The group, whose most recent Toledo concert was at the Stranahan Theater in October, got its start at Kentucky Christian College in 1991 and has sold 3 million albums, won a Grammy Award in 2004 for "Worldwide," and charted one Gold Record, 1997's "Bloom," which sold more than 500,000 copies.
The 1994 hit, "Big House," not only served as a commercial breakthrough for Audio A but remains a radio staple for its cheerful melody, guitar-powered sound, and a hip look at Scripture. And who couldn't help but smile at a Christian band that records a song titled "Some Kind of Zombie" - which won a Dove Award in 1998?
Audio A came along during a transitional time in Christian rock. The old guard was fading out and a new breed of innovative artists, led by dc Talk, was taking the music to a new level. From that point on, the top Christian rock artists were able to match their mainstream counterparts in every aspect - from songwriting and musicianship to showmanship and marketing.
The steady touring and recording schedule has been rough, however, especially for lead singer Mark Stuart. He's been battling voice-related health problems and was forced to rest his voice as much as possible, turning over an increasing share of the lead vocal duties to guitarist Tyler Burkum.
"Fifteen years of rock and roll takes a toll on the vocal cords, but I wouldn't trade a day of it for anything," Mr. Stuart said in a press release.
The band, which also features Will McGinnis on bass and Ben Cissell on drums, is working on its 10th album, which appropriately will be called "Adios." It will include Audio A's greatest hits and two new songs.
Despite the retirement, the musicians plan to continue their humanitarian efforts, including the Hands and Feet Project, a nonprofit organization whose ministries include a home for Haitian orphans.
A yearlong "Adios" tour is under way, including a show on Friday at the Avenue in Tipp City, Ohio
(937-667-1069 or online at www.theavenue.org). The band will play the Alive Festival in Canal Fulton, Ohio, on June 24. A concert closer to Toledo, where the band has been a favorite for years, is not yet scheduled but would seem likely.
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LIFE IN MUSIC: Toledo's Christian rockers Sanctus Real are finishing up their third studio release for Sparrow Records, the largest Christian music label, with "The Face of Love" due for release April 4.
The songs reflect the highs and lows that the musicians experienced over the last year or so, according to their publicist, Rick Hoganson, of Hoganson Media Relations in Nashville.
It was a difficult year in many ways for singer Matt Hammitt, drummer Mark Graalman, and guitarist Chris Rohman. Bassist Steve Goodrum left the band to pursue other opportunities and was replaced by Dan Gartley, who had toured with Relient K.
In February, 2005, Mr. Graalman's first son, Benjamin, was born and that same day his father went into the hospital and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died two months later. Mr. Hammitt's grandmother also passed away and was in the same hospice simultaneously as Mr. Graalman's father.
Mr. Hammitt and his wife, Sarah, are expecting their first child in a few weeks. With all that going on, "The Face of Love" should be an emotional and spiritual powerhouse. We'll check back with Sanctus Real closer to the album's release date.
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A HEAVY TESTIMONY: When people talk about Christian rockers who have experienced mainstream success, there are two names that first come to mind: Switchfoot and P.O.D.
P.O.D., which formed in San Diego in 1992, features four musicians who each go by one name: Sonny on vocals, Wuv on drums, Traa on bass, and Truby on guitars.
The group, whose name stands for "Payable on Death," has a musically aggressive style that combines shuddering guitars, thunderous drums, and rock and rap vocals.
The adventurous band's fourth release for Atlantic Records, "Testify," pushes the envelope even farther.
Produced by notable hitmaker Glenn Ballard - whose clients include Alanis Morissette, Aerosmith, Shakira, and the Dave Matthews Band - "Testify" includes guest appearances by Hasidic artist Matisyahu on the album's rock-and-reggae opening track, "Roots in Stereo," and the song "Strength of My Life," and with hip-hoppers Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. and Sick Jacken on "On the Grind."
The album's title, "Testify," a term commonly used in the church, represents P.O.D.'s spiritual commitment.
"To us, that word speaks for itself. It's powerful," Sonny said. "In our 14 years together, that's what we've been doing. We've been testifying to the things that we believe in and that we've come to know.
"What we've been saying from the beginning and the faith that we have stands on its own, with or without music. But music is our voice."
It's a voice that people pay attention to, as P.O.D. has sold more than 5 million albums since its 1999 major-label debut, "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown."
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HONORING BONHOEFFER: The Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, not just a great thinker and theologian but a courageous individual, was born 100 years ago Friday in Breslau, Germany.
He stood up to the Nazi regime and paid for it with his life. He was hanged on April 9, 1945, at the Flossenburg concentration camp, for helping the Jews escape Germany and for his leadership in the anti-Nazi Confessing Church movement .
In honor of the centenary of his birth, Public Broadcasting Stations around the country will be showing Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Pacifist, Nazi Resistor. Locally, the program will air at 10 p.m. Feb. 6 on WGTE-TV (Channel 30) and WBGU-TV (Channel 27).
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BYE, BYE DANIEL: A lot of people are taking credit for the cancellation of NBC's controversial series, The Book of Daniel. The show was canned after only three episodes had aired. It starred Aiden Quinn as an Episcopal priest drowning in a sea of dysfunction, with Jesus appearing every once in a while to offer some friendly words of advice.
Almost every conservative segment of society was offended in one way or other by the show, and NBC - and its advertisers - took note of the outcry.
But the main reason The Book of Daniel was closed so abruptly? It simply was bad television. Bad script, bad acting, bad plot. Last week it ranked 74th in the Nielsen ratings, down from 66 the week before. As Jay Leno quipped: "Even Jesus couldn't save this show."
David Yonke is The Blade's religion editor. Contact him at dyonke@theblade.com. 419-724-6154.
First Published January 28, 2006, 11:19 a.m.