Knapp on Her Comeback

The internet’s been buzzing over the past few weeks as acclaimed singer/songwriter Jennifer Knapp updated her previously stagnant website and launched a MySpace page, signaling a possible comeback. Knapp herself confirmed the rumors on Friday when she posted a notice to her site indeed she was coming back. Christianity Today blogged the news on Friday.

“After a well needed hiatus, Jennifer has started writing/recording again and playing select shows,” her manager, Dave Hopper, told CT. On her website, Knapp wrote, “Yes, it’s true. I am the REAL Jennifer Knapp and I’ve been doing a little music lately. We’ve been flooded with e-mails and phone calls simply by putting up a humble little homepage. So much for my little holiday. It’s looking very much like it may be over.”

Knapp goes on to explain feeling burnt out after non-stop recording and touring, thus needing to completely unplug from both mediums. But after taking the last five years to recharge her batteries, she’s ready to return to the scene that instantly embraced her ingenuity. “Without writing a novel at this point, I’ll just say that I’m starting to think that I might actually be a songwriter, musician, or artist of some kind,” she continued. “So, maybe I should do something about it?”

Aide enders studio

Before she married Jeremy Camp, Adrienne Liesching was the frontwoman of The Benjamin Gate. But after tying the knot and shortening her name to just Adie, she went solo and scored a deal with BEC Recordings three years ago. She’s now back in the studio, recording a sophomore CD with producers Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd (of City on a Hill fame). Expect a release sometime in early 2010.

Newsboys launch new tour

After debuting in the spring, new Newsboys concert frontman Michael Tait is leading the band through this fall’s “The Way We Roll” Tour. Similar to the initial outing, expect a set list split between old hits and fresh cuts from In the Hands of God, plus a handful of dc Talk classics (the group in which Tait first rose to recognition). Seventh Day Slumber, Bread of Stone and Me In Motion round out the bill as opening acts, with a full list of cities here.

High Valley’s Canadian Country conquest

Not only did High Valley meet Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and “The Bachelorette” star Jillian Harris at the 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards in Vancouver, British Columbia, but the trio also performed in front of those very stars. The new Christian group of teen and 20something brothers sang “When You Call My Name” with producer/fellow country artist Paul Brandt, giving the mainstream industry a glance into their spring 2010 Christian album.

Indies come alive

Unsigned artists looking to get a leg up on the competition can turn to the Sessions Conference, coming to Nappanee Missionary Church in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday, September 26. The one-day seminar is hosted by Andrew Patton (Patton House Entertainment) and will also feature chats led by Grammy Award-winning producer Bubba Smith and business manager Brian Smith (also a founding member of FFH), plus Heather Payne (formerly of Point of Grace).

Grant’s awards blitz

She may have won for Dove Awards for “Female Vocalist of the Year,” but Natalie Grant can now “million seller” to her resume. Grant recently sold her 1 millionth CD in her career, while also earning over 500,000 radio airplay spins. The vocal diva is currently on tour alongside Jeremy Camp, with a full list of dates available here.

Write me a song

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the next faith-based songwriter? Check out the [cm] songwriter competition split between genres of pop, praise, rock, contemporary and gospel. Fan voting begins in October and the winner scores a professional session with studio musicians, plus a national release of their tune.