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Betcha didn't know: Michelle Tumes almost became a dentist! Michelle, who recently collaborated with Rebecca St. James, Jennifer Knapp, Nichole Nordeman and Margaret Becker on Heaven and Earth, an album of worship songs, was scraping plaque not so long ago. Yep, she was toolin' around in dentistry school. That's when her 11-year-old sister came up with $40 from her paper route, and asked Michelle to put the hard earned cash toward a demo. Michelle obliged, sent the demo to several record companies and landed a songwriting contract. After cutting her teeth writing for artists like Jaci Velasquez, Michelle eventually recorded her own CD, Listen (Sparrow). Who says dreams can't gum, er, come true?

Watch for Center of My Universe (Sparrow), Michelle's sophomore effort.

LaRue (pg 20) isn't the only band with family ties. Check out these sibling-stocked groups.

Switchfoot: San Diego surfers and siblings Jon and Tim Foreman make up two-thirds of this team (pal Chad Butler joins on drums). Switchfoot's most recent album: New Way to Be Human (re:think).

Chevelle: This hard-hitting midwestern trio got the attention of Christian and mainstream audiences with Point #1 (Squint). Brothers Pete, Joe and Sam Loeffler took the name Chevelle because of their dad's love for classic cars.

The Waiting
Brothers Brad and Todd Olsen (with buds Clark Leake and Brandon Thompson) found a following with Blue Belly Sky (Sparrow). Then they got a hit with Unfazed (Sparrow). Now what? You'll have to wait and see.

Chasing Furies
Joshua Meeker and sisters Sarah and Rachel make up this energetic group. If you liked With Abandon (Sparrow), check out the Furies' contribution on Listen Louder (Sparrow), a compilation of kickin' worship songs.

The Darins
Their self-titled debut features the Darin sisters—Stacy, Rachelle, Krista and Heather—belting spicy four-part harmonies over R&B influenced pop.

The Katinas
"If there had to be a theme of this album, it would be family," says Joe Katina of the group's self-titled debut. No wonder. These five Samoan brothers have seven other siblings!

Winans Phase2
Brothers Carvin and Juan, with cousins Michael and Marvin, are all sons of the Winans, a legendary gospel music family. They're stepping out on their own with We Got Next (Myrrh).

Out of Eden
No Turning Back (Gotee) is the latest from Lisa Kimmey Bragg, Andrea Kimmey Baca and Danielle Kimmey—three soulful sisters with a so-hip sound.

Jars of Clay released its third album, If I Left the Zoo (Essential), in November, but the record's name has left some folks guessing. According to the band, just what's behind the cryptic title?

a. Jars of Clay recorded the album in a real zoo, trying to find a free, untamed sound. The guys wondered how fans would react if the band left the zoo and tried to sell the wild tunes.

b. The zoo is planet Earth. While writing and recording, Jars had a running joke about becoming astronauts and leaving the zoo—and the album—behind.

c.The zoo represents the normal, comfortable life most of us lead. Jars is considering what our lives could be like if we broke loose and tried living outside the routine.

d. The album is the first in a trilogy of records. If I Left the Zoo will be followed with How I Learned to Speak and When I Become President.

answer: c

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. Click here for reprint information on Campus Life.

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