The Cornerstone Music Festival has a reputation all its own.  It started in 1984 by Jesus People USA as a place for fellowship, entertainment, education, edification.... and music.... lots and lots of music!  Having lived my whole life in Illinois, I was quite aware of Cornerstone's existence, but for one reason or another was never able to attend.  That all changed earlier this month.Cornerstone is one of the largest (and THE most eclectic) Christian rock/music festivals in the world.  Thousands of people from all age groups, ethnicities, & backgrounds descend each year to a 500 acre patch of land in Bushnell, IL.  I had fair warning to expect some sensory overload.  …

Next week, one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters Andrew Peterson releases his 7th studio album, Counting Stars.  I must admit, upon first listen, I was under-whelmed.  I’m happy to report that my perspective has changed after letting the music “soak in” a bit.  I had an almost identical experience with Sara Groves’ latest CD Fireflies and Songs, which didn’t wow me at first, but eventually became one of my favorite albums of 2009.  After my first couple of listens to Counting Stars, I watched an interview where the album’s co-producer Ben Shive shared, “Before we started the record, we wanted it to feel like a familiar room painted a different color.”  …

Our Critics Panel is at it again! They've each picked out a diverse selection of the top gourmet individual songs released in first half of 2010 (between 12/1/09 and 6/1/10). Here are some of their choices (songs appear in no particular order): Dave Trout “Control” – JJ Heller “The Reckoning (How Long)” – Andrew Peterson “Not Alone” – Hark the Herons “Ordinary Day” Melanie Penn “Miracle” – Robbie Seay Band   John J. Thompson "Conscience Killer" - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "Beautiful Things" - Gungor "The Call Me Blood” - Eastern Block   Kevin Davis “Miracle” - Robbie Seay Band "Lead Me" - Sanctus Real “Grace Amazing” - Jimmy Needham   …

We’re putting our Critics Panel back to work! This time we had them pick out a few of the top gourmet albums from the first half of 2010 (released between 12/1/09 and 6/1/10).  Here are some of their choices (albums appear in no particular order): Dave Trout Andy Gullahorn – The Law of Gravity Gungor – Beautiful Things Melanie Penn – Wake Up Love Tyler James – It Took The Fire Sandra McCracken – In Feast or Fallow   John J. Thompson Gungor – Beautiful Things Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat the Devil’s Tattoo The Farewell Drifters – Yellow Tag Mondays Eastern Block – Past Palace Fair – Disappearing World …

In January 2010, I was able to do a 2-week promotional tour with singer-songwriter Eric Peters.  About a week prior, he finished writing a new song that he debuted during our tour.  I asked Eric to give us the story behind “Old Year of Denial”: Yes, it’s been good to be able to try and write a little this year. 2009 for me and for so many other people in America - in the world - was just a very frustrating, disheartening, sort of a hopeless, despairing year. It just felt like there was a dark cloud over the entire year and for me professionally ‘09 was just the worst I’ve …

With Father’s Day barely in the rear view mirror, I’ll admit that it’s nice to get that proverbial pat on the back from the family.  But as a wise radio station manager once told me, “You can never outgive your kids.”  Yes, so true!  Even though parents give up time, energy, money, and freedom to care for children, it can’t compare to the love, fun, joy, and newfound purpose a parent receives in return. As a dad of 3 children, I know first-hand the weight of responsibility a father carries.  My kids learn a lot more through my everyday actions than I care to admit to.  And not just the times …

The most-played female artist on Under The Radar is also one of my personal all-time favorites, Sara Groves.  Even with a sore throat, she was willing to sit down with me for an interview, which was one my 2010 highlights.    DT:  Besides UTR naming Fireflies and Songs the #1 Gourmet Album of 2009, you’ve had a lot of praise from critics and fans alike.  How does all the positive attention feel? Sara:  Anytime I finish a record, the most I can do is feel that I did the best that I could. That sounds very cliché, but that’s it. After that, whatever happens, I have to kind of let that go. …

A few months ago, I received an email from an Under The Radar listener that said, “[One] genre of Christian music that is COMPLETELY under the radar is Holy Hip Hop, or as I prefer, Lyrical Theology… I understand that this genre might not fit within the show, but take it from me, it's worth checking out. Now I'm a total Andrew Peterson, Andy Osenga, low-key, acoustic, indie kind of guy, but the messages in these songs are awesome.”  After floating the idea (and getting a positive response) on Facebook, we decided to produce a podcast-only all hip hop episode of UTR.  To help give us an inside scoop on this …

I'm not sure I have fully grasped the news that Delirious? decided to retire in late 2009, after 17 years of making music and leading a worship movement.  If you think back to what praise music was in 1992 (think "Shine Jesus Shine" or "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise"), you can begin to understand the impact this rock band from England had on the worldwide church -- almost from the get go.  This week is the release of the DVD/CD Farewell Show: Live in London, celebrating the two things that make Delirious? most special, their magnetic live performance and their top-notch catalogue of songs.In just the first 4 years of …

Imagine yourself a director of the NBC show Saturday Night Live.  The skit you need to prepare for is called “Christian Conversation” – and it involves 3 Christian couples going out to eat at Cracker Barrel after their church service.  Now, my one big question for you (the director) is… what clothes will you have your cast wear to represent these Christian couples. I began to wonder why – almost without fail – the SNL cast would likely be wearing outdated sport coats, outdated hairdos, and other attire that would look straight out of the 1970’s… or even the 1870’s. Yes, we’re talking about parody, but that’s still an exaggerated expression …

We've all seen pictures of the devistating flood that has ravaged Nashville.  We've also seen in the past how difficulty and hardship seem to birth some outstanding art.  I'm sure we'll hear a lot of songs that were inspired by trials of this last week.  Little did I know that the first song (to my knowledge) to emerge comes from a UTR friend.I met songwriter Erika Chambers at an event we were hosting in Nashville in early March.  She has a bubbly - almost infectious - personality, and was a true encouragement to our staff.  She even made a cameo in one of our video blogs!In early 2010, Erika was inspired …

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I regard no man as poor who has had a godly mother.”  Consider me a very wealthy man.  My mom, Linda Jean Trout, has been called “an angel” – and I completely agree.  More than anyone else in my life, she has been the best model I’ve had of someone walking with Jesus.  She also is a family –first person, and has raised 5 children who are all now married and serving the Lord in various ways.  Speaking of marriage, my Mom & Dad have been a great example of perseverance and faithfulness, and this summer will be celebrating their 43nd wedding anniversary. Like most of our …

One of my favorite songwriters today is one of the rarely-recognized, under-appreciated singer-songwriters of our time.  Andrew Osenga is the founding member of The Normals and was a 6-year member of Caedmon’s Call.  He recently released his 6th solo album, Choosing Sides, and is doing a long string of solo concerts for the first time in his career.  I sat down last month to catch up with Andy. DT:  Where did the inspiration for your new album Choosing Sides come from? Andy:  Choosing Sides is pretty much just a culmination of the songs I wrote over the last year and a half. I stopped touring in the year 2009, and was …

Earlier this year, we welcomed an indie artist over to our house for dinner after a concert at a local church.  We got into a spirited conversation about the fine line between opening up about one’s family back home and disconnecting with an audience because home is where you’d rather be.  I promised this artist that I would write an article and put my thoughts down (probably a tactic to shut me up that night).  So here is my open letter to artists who often travel away from home. Dear artist friends… There is some freedom and flexibility that comes with the vocation you chose.  I, for one, have been close …

I hate death. We all taste it every day. We’re reminded of death in every newscast. We too often witness the death of a marriage. We’ve been to one too many funerals. On even smaller scales, we see death when we flush a goldfish, discard a dried out Christmas tree, or visit a “Going Out Of Business” sale. Even when a good deal is had… I still hate death. We can’t escape death, though we try. It reminds me of the old fable of the man who made a deal with Death. He told the Grim Reaper that he would willingly surrender when it came time to die, but on one …

NEEDTOBREATHE is having a monumental year. Their music has always had mass appeal - based in the bands faith but accessible by the general public - similar Switchfoot in that way. Yet while Jon Foreman's band was playing "Dare You to Move" in arenas, festivals, and large auditoriums, Needtobreathe has been paying their dues playing in small clubs. Yet upon the August 2009 release of "The Outsiders," the band has seen exponential growth in their fanbase. I recently saw them bring their "Won't Turn Back Tour" to a sold out House of Blues Chicago, which lead singer Bear Rinehart confessed was the largest headlining concert in the band's 10 year history. …

I’ve had the chance to meet and interview a number of artists over the last year or so. One of the more personable and down-to-Earth artists was Laura Story. She’s likely best known as the songwriter of the huge worship anthem “Indescribable.” Here’s some of my conversation with this under-appreciated worship leader: DT: How was the transition from being a songwriter to becoming a recording artist? Laura: I have done three solo CD’s. The first two are independent, and this last one is with INO Records, called Great God Who Saves. I was thinking that my first independent CD that it was going to be a songwriting demo. I remember someone …

The year was 2007.  I was on a steady diet of fast-food Christian music – not that it was all bad – but the kind of non-stop radio friendly happy-go-lucky tunes that gives that greasy post-Quarter Pounder feeling.  Being involved in the radio biz, I could tell you who won the Dove Awards, which albums were certified gold, and what songs had hit #1.  I was a card carrying member of “The Industry.” That year was a difficult one for my family.  We welcomed our 3rd beautiful child into our family, but it was a difficult road getting there, with several pregnancy complications that tried us spiritually and emotionally.  To make …

On Episode #70 of UTR, we play "What Love Can Do" by the talented Mindy Smith.  Here's a video of another of Mindy's fabulous songs, "Highs and Lows". Mindy Smith "Highs And Lows" from Jon Grimson on Vimeo.    

One of the great joys of my job is learning about terrific Christian artists that are mostly undiscovered.  One up-and- coming songwriter is Andrew Greer.  I had the chance to talk with him recently, and here’s some of our conversation: DT:  When did you realize that you wanted to do music as a full-time career? Andrew:  I loved music my entire life. My mother is a music educator and has been educated in music, so she infused my brothers and I with music of all sorts from an early age. And then, into high school - actually when I began going to live concerts and I began seeing the interaction between …