But after this weekend, people living along the Mississippi will be able to add rock and hip hop – packed with a powerful Gospel message – to the list.
The Rock the River Tour, an all-new event from the BGEA, is featuring high-voltage music from groups like Flyleaf, Hawk Nelson and Red, interspersed with challenging messages from Franklin Graham. The first stop is Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 18. Following will be stops in St. Louis, the Quad Cities, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Dr. Bruce McCoy, pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in St. Louis, says, “Look, we have a timeless message to help these kids get set free and have eternal life, but we have got to get their attention. Jesus said to be fishers of men. The bands are a great way we can win people to Christ.”
If some of the names seems unfamiliar to you, here’s a quick primer on the talented musicians appearing in Baton Rouge:
FLYLEAF
Heavy music and pained lyrics go together like cake and ice cream, and Texas quintet, Flyleaf, aren’t about to break with tradition. But while many loud rockers reopen old wounds by singing about their broken homes and broken hearts, Flyleaf confront past traumas to heal old scars and prove in the process that hope shines brighter than despair. The band’s debut album, which was released in 2005, went platinum after selling more than a million copies. They were named MTV’s artist of the week on December 24, 2007.
Read an interview with Lacey Mosley »
RED
Formed in Nashville, Tennessee more than four years ago, Red made an immediate impact with its 2006 debut, End of Silence. The Grammy-nominated disc, featuring the radio hits “Breathe Into Me” (Top 10, Active Rock) and “Already Over” (Top 15, Active Rock), introduced the sonic layering, rich orchestration and visceral dynamics that became Red’s signature sound. Not surprisingly, the album became a hit with other bands as well, leading to tours and shows with Papa Roach, Sevendust, Three Days Grace, Flyleaf, Buckcherry and Seether, among others.
Watch RED talk about RTR:
HAWK NELSON
Since 2004, music lovers have enjoyed a real camaraderie with rising pop-rock band Hawk Nelson, helping the quartet sell nearly half a million albums, land personal appearances on major television and motion picture projects, and gain high-profile song placement (“Bring ‘Em Out”) with NBC’s NFL Sunday Night Football campaign. Refreshingly, Hawk Nelson doesn’t rest on its youthful success and had no problem reaching past the pop-punk core to create something uniquely enjoyable for its audience.
Read a past interview with Jason Dunn »
SUPERCHICK
Superchick is living up to its name. Its first four albums have combined for 700,000 copies sold, more than 70 film, television and video game song placements, and five No. 1 singles. Their music incorporates various styles such as pop, punk, rock, rap, and R&B and their sound has been compared to mainstream artists No Doubt and Avril Lavigne. Superchick songs have been featured in several movies and television shows, including “Legally Blonde” and the made-for-TV Disney movie “Cadet Kelly.”
Listen to a radio interview »
Da’ T.R.U.T.H.
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is a Grammy-nominated rapper whose real name is Emanuel Lee Lambert. Born in Philadelphia, he got his start as a drummer. “I had no interest in rap music. As a matter of fact, I was disenchanted with the whole idea of rap.” However, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. soon discovered his gift of free-styling, co-founded the group NIV, and gained his new nickname at the age of 19 to minister “da truth” to the urban culture. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University and the Institute of Jewish Studies.
Check out Da’ T.R.U.T.H:
CANTON JONES
Part singer, songwriter, producer, and vocal arranger, Canton “CJ” Jones, a Deerfield Beach, Florida native, has entertained more than 500,000 people in the past year few years. He has sold nearly 100,000 units independently. Canton’s unlimited repertoire, massive crowd appeal, and global fan base have set him on a course destined to shake the very core of hip hop, urban gospel, and R&B.
Read our interview with Canton Jones »
MARY MARY
When it comes to urban gospel superstars Mary Mary, everything is done on a big scale. All of their pursuits – musical, spiritual, or otherwise – are larger-than-life. Absolutely everything must be handled with an utmost sense of excellence. This commitment to greatness isn’t novel for them. As far back as their breakout, career-defining first single, “Shackles (Praise You)” in 2000, Mary Mary have time and again gone for broke. Their landmark fifth album for Columbia Records, The Sound, is no different.
Listen to a radio interview with Mary Mary »
ANTHONY EVANS
On his latest release, The Bridge, Anthony Evans says he took “worship songs that are known in more of a contemporary environment and played them with a little more flavor.” The concept that “there is never a bad time or place for worship,” is one that Anthony no doubt learned growing up in the home of his father Dr. Tony Evans; renowned pastor, author, and speaker. Anthony has performed before everyone from Soul Train to President Bush. His sound has been compared to Israel & New Breed, R. Kelly, or Anointed.
Visit Anthony’s website »
Learn about the NEW Rock the River TV Special
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