Sonic Awakening: 3rd Qtr Nominees - AC/Inspirational

Continuing our revelation of the nominees to the initial pool of Platinum Vinyl Award contenders for the Third Quarter of 2012. Yes that was torturous, but it's the truth. All this does is admit you to contention. You still have to survive initial voting to get to the Seven Final Nominees (the only exception to the rule is if you get a Perfect 5 rating. Those go straight through to the final seven).

This time we go with a new and growing category. Adult Contemporary/Inspirational started last year as simply Inspirational, and it seems a nice home for those albums that aren't pop or rock enough, as well as those that aren't exactly worship either. This category did very well this quarter.

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• Fike -The Moment We've Been Waiting For
• Amy Grant - Rock of Ages: Hymns of Faith
• Lara Landon - Overcome
• Natalie LaRue - Even Now
• Dan Macaulay - From You For You
• Moriah Peters - I Choose Jesus
• BeBe Winans - America America

There are a few caveats to this list that may prevent them from going on. Amy Grant is a reissue of an album, not a current album. There are a bunch of them this year and I'm not sure how to treat them yet. BeBe Winans is definitely inspiring, but it is also a special 4th of July Music album, and since I don't award Christmas Music, I'm wondering how to treat this one. Feel free to chime in by commenting. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Night Beat Summer Music Preview

It's Summer, at least in popular thinking. It being only in the 50's and 60's for most of this week here in the Northeast you have to forgive us if we think it's still Winter. Still, we have passed Memorial Day.

While you are out enjoying the warm weather (hopefully), you're going to need some fresh tunes to enjoy on your iPod. Though they aren't as fresh as the ones I will mention in the post, may I heartily recommend any of the Winners of the 2nd Platinum Vinyl Awards (look at 2011). If you want something a bit more Current, these albums will be released throughout the Summer months.

During the Rebecca St. James Transform tour, one of the opening acts was brother/sister duo LaRue (Consisting of Natalie and Phillip LaRue). While Phillip has had a career as a solo artist, we haven't heard from Natalie since the band broke up in 2002. That changes this month with an EP entitled Even Now. It's currently scheduled for release on the 19th of this month.

July brings a bunch of new releases, but none more anticipated by The Night Beat than a pair of re-releases for a new generation. Petra is one of the most well known and loved Christian Bands of all time, and to many could even be called the fathers of Christian Rock. Two of Petra's most loved releases (I don't know of one that is hated, though the first couple were definitely works in progress), More Power To Ya (1982) and This Means War (1987) are being released among milestone anniversaries. You read that right 30 and 25 years respectively. Clicking on the title links will bring you to the mp3 page on Amazon, where you can get some of the best Christian Rock ever made right now on your iPod or computer. The special anniversary Cd's will be released on July 3, right in time for your 4th of July cookout. I will say I got these albums when they originally came out. I know that makes me sound old.

Project 86 follows up their Platinum Vinyl Award Winning Live Album 15.Live, itself an anniversary release, with a new studio release to be titled Wait for the Siren. You'll have to wait for August for that one.

Finally, we will close out the Summer releases with a Plum of a release. Actually that's Plumb (aka Tiffany Arbuckle Lee) and the album will be called Faster Than a Speeding Bullet. Actually, the title itself is somewhat ironic since it has been anticipated for about a year now and is setting vaporware records. When it does come out (and the latest date is around Labor Day) it should be awesome. Nobody can do dance like Plumb.

While that is not the entire list, it is all I will go into detail on. Summer is also the time we will get releases from Toby Mac, P.O.D., The Museum, and Kerrie Roberts. Most of the artists will be on tour at the many Music Festivals throughout the country this Summer. Of course, that's another post. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.