Delirious Officially Bids Farewell

Last year Delirious announced Kingdom of Comfort would be its final studio CD, though the breakup announcement also came with the promise of a farewell tour. This week marks the group’s official finale in America, October 23-24 at the Dallas Convention Center as part of the Fire Storm Conference, followed by an international trek. Besides the final concerts, the group also gears up for the November 17 CD History Makers: Greatest Hits, spanning worship classics like “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” “Rain Down,” “My Glorious,” and “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?”

Band members have said the band had simply run its course, and are gearing up for some relaxation after 16 years on the road and 14 albums. “The Delirious story was only ever about responding to whatever it was God was doing through music that abandoned itself to him,” the group said in a combined statement, though members will move onto other artistic projects, including frontman Martin Smith continuing his role in CompassionArt.

New Knapp tunes coming

After ending a five-year hiatus with a recent concert in California, Jennifer Knapp has scheduled another show—October 28 at The Living Room in New York—and plans to return to the studio in November to record a new album. Though no official release date is set, she anticipates a “first quarter of 2010” release, according to her MySpace blog.

AMA nods for Camp, Heath, Mary Mary

Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath and Mary Mary have received nominations in the “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist” category for the American Music Awards, slated for November 22 at LA’s Nokia Theatre. Mary Mary was also nominated in the “Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group” alongside Black Eyed Peas and Day 26. Taylor Swift leads the pack with six nominations, followed by Michael Jackson’s five. Fans can cast their votes here.

Perry goes unplugged

MTV: Unplugged, which in its heyday featured classic rockers like Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart performing acoustic sets, is back with a Nov. 16 performance from Katy Perry; the CD and DVD will be available in stores the next day. The set list will feature top hits like “Thinking of You” and “Lost,” plus the brand new tune “Brick by Brick” and a cover of Fountains of Wayne’s “Hackensack.”

Switchfoot scores
Rolling Stone
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Check out the October 29 edition of Rolling Stone for a short interview with Switchfoot talking about its November 10 release Hello Hurricane. The group chats about finding inspiration from the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, working with Habitat For Humanity, and having complete freedom to record in its own San Diego studio.

Newsboys team with Converse

What do Black Sabbath, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, The Who, Ozzy Osbourne and now Newsboys have in common? Each act’s logo is the subject of Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoe line, which in the case of Aussie veterans, marks the company’s first ever partnership with an explicitly Christian band. The band is wearing the shoes on their current tour, which runs through November 15.

Kevin Max hosts “Monster Mash”

Kevin Max hosts his first “Monster Mash” the day before Halloween at The Rutledge in downtown Nashville. He’ll be in costume (and fans in costume will receive a discount) while performing a set of creepy covers. The ’80s-themed event promises versions of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon,” Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night,” Men at Work’s “Overkill,” and Echo and the Bunnymen’s “The Killing Moon.”

Country goes worship

Several familiar faces in country music recently set up shop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the concert and recording of Songs 4 Worship Country Live. The new Time Life title bows October 27, including Alison Krauss & Union Station (“There Is A Reason”), Alabama (“Amazing Grace”), Randy Travis “Open the Eyes of My Heart”), Collin Raye (“Indescribable”), and Susan Ashton (“Revelation Song”).