Posts Tagged ‘God’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Children are abused, murdered, and sold for sexual desires every day. Often, it goes on because no one takes the plunge to make a stand. Take this verdict as a reminder to never remain silent if there is any doubt or suspicion of abuse. Whether we acknowledge it, it’s happening, and sometimes right in front of our eyes. To every child who is being or has been abused, I hold you in my prayers.

To Caylee, this one’s for you.

[KEEP A CHILD ALIVE.]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Download the entire album for free by clicking here.]

Words cannot explain how much Bryce Avary’s music has affected my life. During every high and low I’ve faced over the past couple years since discovering his music, the sound of his voice has been there, creating a beautiful backdrop to the bittersweet bliss that has been my 20s.

I usually like every single record The Rocket Summer releases and play it on a loop for months on end. It’s incredibly honest and filled with a substance that makes ordinary pop seem lackluster: heart.

God bless you, Bryce! I freakin’ love your music!

Please never stop. Puhlease.

Watch a video from Bryce explaining the new free acoustic album + two of my favorite tracks from his previous discs — the stunningly heartfelt Walls + the music video for Do You Feel following.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

People laugh when I say I like Christian Rock. They get this image about idealized Sunday school teachings crushed into awkward, archaic pop. Well, screw that! First of all, I think it’s brave when a person is keen to rock out about their values, no matter what those values may be. (Unless, of course, their values involve kitten bashing or other uncool things.) Second of all, anyone who thinks Christian Rock sucks hasn’t heard Hawk Nelson.

They will do whatever it takes to make you stand up and jump. They don’t care if they get called geeks, and if anything, they’d use such a mantra to their advantage. Also, I’ve met them, and on a scale of sweetness from 1 to 10, they’re a 12.

I guess I’m a little late on this, but their latest album (released in February) totally blows my mind. Crazy Love, the lead single off the album, gravitates to a new sound that I didn’t anticipate from them, which made it all the more fun. It’s much more dance rock than pop punk, but still had me headbanging by the time it was over. The chorus will grab you hard and refuse to let go until you start singing along. This is the best kind of song to dance crazy to in public, because who gives a damn what people think? Plus, they’re going to be at YC this summer, a youth conference that is the source of many nostalgic memories of mine.

Get a load of the cuteness in their video and then top off the cute factor with a potentially stoned Jason (their lead singer) philosophising on e-mail and butterflies.
　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I’ve known of this band/song for forever but realized I’ve never introduced the group to BTB-Land, so I thought I’d give a little shout out. Seabird’s an indie pop/rock Christian band, who launched from the Cincinnati music scene with their second release, Rocks Into Rivers (released in early of 2010).

When I first heard the band, I immediately fell head over heels. Besides the fact that the lead singer is hella cute, there remains something incredibly deep beneath the aesthetic. Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful is an ode to the natural cosmetics of the heart.

I love this song/video so much.

Thanks, boys.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

3AM, crossing the Manhattan Bridge this past Saturday in a cab, I listened to this song on my iPod. And it brought tears to my eyes. I think the world is so hungry for something real & moving. And Brandon’s music always brings me back to that space.

[Related Post: On Heavy Rotation: Brandon Heath]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Felt appropriate.

To those celebrating:

HAPPY EASTER!!!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This woman’s my hero!

With the just-announced news that Dolly would be touring this summer I found myself listening to old records and watching clips of her online. And I stumbled upon this gem of a photograph, as well as some touching points made when Dolly was interviewed last year by Larry King. Can’t wait to see you on the road this summer, Dolly!

When asked about her loyal gay fans:

“I have a lot of gay fans, female and male. A lot of people feel like they’ve grown up with me. As you know I’ve always been outspoken, I’ve always been pretty outrageous. I’ve always believed that a person should be who they are and you should be comfortable being who you are and people should leave you alone to be who you are and how you are. So I think I’ve always been accepted in the gay community because I accept them. I have so many fans who’ve always loved to come to the shows and they know that I’m not judging them. I think people are who they are. We’re supposed to love each other for what and who we are.”

When asked about anti-gay bullying:

“I don’t know the reasons why people act the way they do about other people. I just think we need to dig down a little deeper and try and be a little kinder to one another and accept each other for who we are. You can’t tell me that people are any way other than how they’re supposed to be. I don’t think gay people are trying to be different just to make other people miserable. I think people are being who they are. I think we should be a little more tolerant and a little more accepting and understanding.”

[Dolly, in an interview w/ Larry King]

Check out a recent interview below + Dolly’s version of Shine following. (The lyrics felt appropriately matched to the message of this post.)

PS: I’ve gotta get back to Dollywood! That place rules my face!

[Related Post: Dolly Returning To The Big Screen w/ Queen Latifah]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Dude! I really didn’t set out to be preachy today, but with the Courtney Love post below mentioning God and this one mentioning church, it’s become a straight up revival up in hurr.

No, but in all seriousness…

I find it really impressive that Jennifer Hudson uses the word “church” in her new single slash just-released video. The fact is that most pop stars on Hudson’s caliber of success would never use the word “church”, let alone even hint at the idea of seeking a man who is on a spiritual path. (Granted, this hot thug in the video lies about going to church, but still! Pretty cool.)

Hudson braved the blustering cold winter in Chicago to film the video which premiered last week. This is the first Hudson video to premiere since the 2009’s smash If This Isn’t Love.

Hudson’s sophomore album, I Remember Me, is due in stores on March 22.

Watch the Anthony Mandle-directed video below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Just sayin’!

And on a serious note, the video you’re about to watch is poetry in motion. The raw truth that it encompasses is painfully alluring. The video was clearly taken when the rocker was still battling her well-known addictions. Even if you cannot stand Love, you cannot deny the guts she pours out when she tackles a stage.

This video found its way in front of my eyes a few days ago (I had seen it previously), and I felt moved by it all over again. And it left me with the desire to share it with you. Auto-Tune and buckets of money can buy you a hit, but it takes someone who’s been through the ringer to create something as honest as this.

Watch the pre-sober performance of Letter to God I’ve been speaking of + a more current, clean Love performing Pacific Coast Highline, following.

[Related Post: Crazy/Beautiful Courtney Love]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

A student named Anna recently performed Cee Lo’s breakup smash F**k You in sign language as a final project for her college course on the same subject. The result? An A+ kick ass, feel good slap to the face. Via Anna’s Youtube page: “I am not deaf and still learning sign language and encourage others to learn sign language as well!”

Sweet!

And speaking of sweet. While listening and working on a write-up on Brandon Heath’s Your Love a little while back, I stumbled upon Keefer’s version in sign language and immediately felt moved. Growing up with a deaf father made it that much sweeter. For the record — unlike Anna — I do believe Keefer is deaf.

Please subscribe to their Youtube channels and show these two some love!

Check out Anna’s awesome performance of F**k You (NSFW), followed by Keefer’s sweet performances of Brandon Heath’s Your Love and Dave Barne’s God Gave Me You below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Let’s have a Brandon day, shall we?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t play Brandon Heath’s Your Love on a giant spool of a loop today. The minute I turned on my iPod and got on the subway, Brandon came pouring through the speakers. I noticed that the minute I stepped off the train at the end of the day, the same song was playing.

Known for his genuinely positive and often gut-wrenching anthems which expose the heart of humanity, Heath’s music has certainly left its mark on the world. To get personal for a minute, I remember how I played his beautiful I’m Not Who I Was on repeat after I came to the realization that alcohol was damaging my life (quitting shortly after).

I think I speak for countless others when I say that his music has been a beam of light, especially when blinded by life’s dark spots.

Your Love is a testament to the fact that God’s love is much larger than the messes we create in our own lives — that love is the only thing that can fill the holes in our hearts.

Check out a sneak peek at the making of Brandon’s new record (Leaving Eden, due out 01.18)/listen to Your Love + rewind to watch two of his biggest hits: I’m Not Who I Was & Give Me Your Eyes following.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“Why did God give me this life? Sometimes it’s overwhelming. Why did God give me my talent, my gift, my family? I know you’re not supposed to question God, so I’m grateful for the life he’s given me. I’m so grateful. I’m alive and I’m living a dream. I’m living my dreams. Wow.”
-BK
[Taken from the I Am World Tour DVD Documentary]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sending love.

Bryce took to The Rocket Summer’s Facebook fan page and sent the following message to fans: “My grandfather suddenly passed away this morning… He was a Godly, loving man who enriched people’s lives and will be greatly missed. I was blessed to be off tour and with him when he went to be with the Lord. Take a moment to tell the people in your family that you love them today…”

Our condolences go out to Bryce and his family during this difficult time.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This weekend, for one reason or another, I found myself in an old skool Britney Spears kick. Specifically, I landed on Lucky and played it on repeat. Yes, I’m serious.

The single was released in 2000 and ten years later, I can’t help but to feel a sense of realistic truth and eeriness to the song, especially with all that Britney has endured since its release.

I genuinely think that Britney stomps pop in a way that no one else can. Aside from her music, I appreciate her realness when she isn’t on stage. Yep, every time I see Britney drinking Starbucks or orange soda in sweats with her tracks hanging out, I smile. I think her down-to-earth attitude about herself is non-pretentious and cool. There’s nothing more annoying than a pretentious musician or celebrity. Can I get an Amen?!

On a more exciting note, Britney Spears’ manager, Adam Leber, took to Spears’ twitter to check in with followers yesterday, and mentioned that Britney was heading to the studio with Max Martin and Dr. Luke. He wrote:

“Brit is recording a big big BIG new song on Friday with #MaxMartin & @TheDrLuke. I’m pretty sure its a smash! -Adam, Manager”

Can’t wait to hear the new material!

In the meantime take a trip down memory lane and listen/watch Lucky + listen to the heartfelt track entitled Britney from Contemporary Christian singer Bebo Norman. Strikes a chord, huh?

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Yo Erin, I want that headdress! Seriously.

Stetson has teamed up with Erin McCarley to showcase the newly revamped Fall/Winter 2010 line. And now, Erin is teaming up exclusively with BTB to deliver some signature goodies to you, our kick ass readers (see contest rules below)!

Erin recorded a video for her Hank Williams’ cover of I Saw The Light to spotlight some of the new merchandise from Stetson. Check out the new video and download a free mp3 of I Saw The Light at Stetson Looks – you can also enter to win Stetson merch featured in the video!

Erin was kind enough to offer a limited edition tote bag, autographed by Ms. McCarley herself.

To enter to win, please do the following:

You must click here to become a fan of BTB via Facebook.
Once you click “like” then submit your name/age to robbrayl@robbrayl.com.
Winners will be notified by 11/01/10.

Good luck!