The roots of this episode harken back to UTR's former parent organization, ReFrame Media.  I had the privilege of hosting Judah & The Lion for a private lunch-time concert and interview back in May 2014.  Things started to explode for the band that summer, and only a few months after playing a lunch concert for 3 dozen people, they were playing on Latenight with David Letterman!  Part of the interview we did that day was to put them …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Judah & the Lion, John Mark McMillan, Josh Garrels, Andrew Ripp, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Kurt Carr & Kurt Carr Singers, Kings Kaleidoscope, Judah Lee, Ellie Holcomb, NEEDTOBREATHE, Brady Toops

Getting the annual pulse of the UTR Critics is a fun experience for me personally.  Not only does each member have great taste in music, but songs connect with them for a variety of reasons.  One critic picked a Ginny Owens song because it was emotional.  One picked a Chris Taylor song because of the unique style. And one picked a track by The Choir because of the poignant lyrical content.  Whenever we pool top …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Kings Kaleidoscope, Andrew Peterson, Steffany Gretzinger, Carolyn Arends, Chris Taylor, The Choir, Jason Gray, Colony House, Ginny Owens, Christopher Williams

There may not be a better example of "gourmet music" than the hymns.  They are spiritually significant, transcend generational and denominational lines, and have stood the test of time.  I love hearing remakes of these classic songs, and often times it breaths new life into these vintage choruses.  One track that really blew me away was Steven Curtis Chapman's rootsy, down-home remake of "Blessed Assurance," which is one of my all-time favorite hymns.  We also love …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Wen Reagan, Randall Goodgame, Cindy Morgan, David Potter, Steven Curtis Chapman, Andrew Greer, Tara Leigh Cobble, Aaron Ivey, Phil Keaggy, Page CXVI, Kings Kaleidoscope

Episode Artists:
Josh Wilson, Bebo Norman, Matt Wertz, Attwater, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sleeping At Last, Sufjan Stevens, Jill Phillips & Andy Gullahorn, Bruce Cockburn, Joy Williams, Seabird, Terry Scott Taylor, Kings Kaleidoscope