Group Publishing: Group Magazine: Article Library

From: March 1992 GROUP Magazine
Keywords: Music Christian Ideas Programming
INSIDE MUSIC
Dig into these contemporary Christian music programming ideas, a profile of the Christian group 2 Hearts and hot music news
By Stephen Parolini

Songs You Can Use
Play the following mainstream and contemporary Christian songs in your group, and then talk about the issues they raise. Or, use them with the Ready-to-Go meetings beginning on page XX.
On Caring Enough to Confront
"Come Back Home"
D-Boy Rodriguez
The Lyrical Strength of One Street Poet (Frontline)
On Caring Enough to Confront
"Out in the Open"
Rob Frazier
Heartland (Urgent)
ON TAKING UP YOUR CROSS
"Embrace the Cross"
Steve Green
The Mission (Sparrow)
ON TAKING UP YOUR CROSS
"Kingdom Upside Down"
Morgan Cryar
Kingdom Upside Down (Reunion)
On Chasing Your Dreams
"Pray for Me"
Michael W. Smith
i 2 (Eye) (Reunion)
On Chasing Your Dreams
"Love That Will Not Let Me Go"
Steve Camp
Justice (Sparrow)
ON SAYING YES TO ABSTINENCE
"Young Boy Young Girl"
Rick Cua
Midnight Sun (Reunion)
ON SAYING YES TO ABSTINENCE
"The Voice of Experience"
Morgan Cryar
Like a River (Reunion)
Notes From the Music World...
Say What?
Look for Nuclear Fishin', another release by the anonymous rap group Say What? on the Star Song label. This is the same rap group that introduced us to the hilarious song "I Can Sing Higher Than Sandi," about a girl's claim that she can sing higher than Sandi Patti. Can't wait to see what these guys (girls?) do next.
Rap's Bad Boys Return
2 Live Crew is back again with the release Sports Weekend (As Nasty As They Wanna Be Part II). Once again, they challenge the First Amendment's boundaries with raps based on vulgar acts and violence. And trust me, you don't want to know what the titles are.
Flavor of the Month
As the interest in heavy metal and hard rock bands such as Guns N' Roses dies down, a new musical style is waiting in the wings.
The style? It's difficult to describe. It has the loudness of heavy metal, the political awareness of rap and the intensity of punk. But it's none of these. Bands such as Jane's Addiction, Nirvana, Meat Puppets and Sonic Youth define this "genre without a name." And teenagers who want to be different are quickly becoming fans of this intense music.
ARTIST PROFILE: 2 Hearts
Though you may not yet have heard of the contemporary Christian group 2 Hearts, you will. We interviewed this talented husband-and-wife duo, Michael and Carrie Hodge, as they finished their debut release for Star Song. Here's what they said:
On their musical style: (Michael) "The album is a mix of pop and rhythm and blues-kind of a blue-eyed soul flavor." (Fans of Steve Winwood, Darryl Hall and John Oates will love this release.)
On their ministry goals: (Michael) "Both Carrie and I come from broken homes. And there is such a need for kids to have a role model of a healthy marriage. We want to be that kind of role model."
On their message to kids: (Carrie) "This is a Christian album and our messages are strong Christian messages. Kids like Ôin-your-face' lyrics and music. So that's what we give them."
On their new release's theme: (Michael) "This album reflects what's going on in our lives. It's all about celebrating new life."
2 Hearts' words of wisdom to youth ministers: (Carrie) "Enable kids to open up and talk about their problems. There are lots of hurting kids out there and they need someone to talk to."
(Michael) "It's easy to get into games and social interaction-and that's important. But go for commitment, teach kids how to pray and help kids open up and be vulnerable."
Copyright© 1992 Group Publishing, Inc. / GROUP Magazine