Hi Rich Fans,
Let me first apologize for the delay since the last post - especially to those of you who have joined the mailing list since 1/26 and wondered if there was *ever* going to be any posts. My job as a computer consultant has kept me more than busy, and any few spare seconds I've had have been spent with my family, etc. (imagine that!). There are many things to cover, and many email messages I've received to respond to, so let's get busy.
Easily most of the email I've received lately is asking about the status of RELEASE Magazine's special collector's edition book called "Rich Mullins: Home". (see [RichMailList 186]) Many of you may have noticed that they are still advertising the book in the current issue of the magazine.
The official word is there were some unexpected delays, but the outcome of those delays have resulted in the addition of some things that would otherwise have not been included - like some exclusive photos of Rich. I was informed they plan on printing and shipping by the end of the month, and it's the end of the month so we can hope to see them hitting our mailboxes anytime.
The Better Book Room has ordered 2,000 copies of the memorial book. It should arrive sometime next week, and will be sold online (of course, at http://www.betterbookroom.com). Also, they'll be adding new shipments of the 2 Rich videos next week as well.
A quick note from Bob Thornton, BBR and Light 99 webmaster - if you have the Rich Mullins product page at the Better Book Room bookmarked, you'll need to return to the main page at http://www.betterbookroom.com, as the old Rich page moved to a new url when the store site was redesigned...
...which brings me to another item of note. Light 99's new web page is online, and it is quite good. Great job, Bob!
I also received the following update from the Bob...
Michael W. Smith's new album has been pushed back to an April 28th release. Titled LIVE THE LIFE, the album will include an instrumental Irish piece called "Song For Rich". Smitty has also been closing his live shows with "I See You" and "Step by Step". Rocketown Records, also under Smitty's direction, will release a modern praise & worship record May 19th, called EXODUS, with guest artists like DC Talk, Jars Of Clay and others. Michael will cover a Rich song on the album, likely the aforementioned "I See You".Speaking of recording, I was informed of the following link on Rhythms Of Redemption page by Steve Stockman. There you will find a very good article that describes Steve's visit to the Abbey Road Studios and consequently finds the Ragamuffins there doing work on the new recording.
The article is called Rich Mullins and Abbey Road, and is at http://members.aol.com/rhythmred/articles/richandabbeyrd.htm
The Dove Nominations are out and Rich has been honored with five nominations. I include below the complete listing of the four categories in which Rich was nominated. Four? Five? Which is it? Since "Song of the Year" goes to the writer and the performer, he'd actually get two for "Elijah" if he wins that category.
We are all painfully aware that it is all too late, however I will not refrain from expressing my surprise that he is conspiciously missing from the "Songwriter of the Year" award nominations. But Hey! Rich would probably find this all annoying anyway. Though these are earthly glories, and it is his earthly work that we honor and remember - we know full well that they are reduced to ashes when compared to his heavenly rewards.
Category 1: Song of the Year 0101 "A Baby's Prayer"; Kathy Troccoli, Scott Brasher; Sony/ATV Songs LLC dba Tree Publishing Co. (BMI), Sony/ATV Tunes LLC dba Cross Keys Publishing Co./Molto Bravo! Music, Inc (ASCAP) 0102 "Free"; Steven Curtis Chapman; Sparrow Song/Peach Hill Songs (BMI) 0103 "He Walked AMile"; Dan Muckala; McSpadden-Smith Music LLC (SESAC) 0104 "Hope To Carry On"; Rich Mullins; BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP) 0105 "Let Us Pray"; Steven Curtis Chapman; Sparrow Song/Peach Hill Songs (BMI) 0106 "LiveThe Life"; Michael W. Smith, Brent Bourgeois; Milene Music, Inc./Deer Valley Music (ASCAP), W.B.M. Music Corp/ADC Music/Edinburg Songs (SESAC) 0107 "On My Knees"; David Mullen, Nicole Coleman-Mullen, Michael Ochs; Seat of the Pants Music/Word Music (ASCAP), Ochsongs Music (BMI) 0108 "People Get Ready...Jesus Is Comin'"; Brian Ray; Metro One (ASCAP) 0109 "Shout To The Lord"; Darlene Zschech; Hillsongs Australia (ASCAP) 0110 "Stomp "; Kirk Franklin, George Clinton, Jr., Garry M. Shider, Walter Morrison; Lilly Mack Music/Copywright Control (BMI) Category 3: Male Vocalist of the Year 0301 Bob Carlisle 0302 Steven Curtis Chapman 0303 Rich Mullins 0304 Jonathan Pierce 0305 Chris Rice Category 6: Artist of the Year 0601 Bob Carlisle 0602 Steven Curtis Chapman 0603 Jars of Clay 0604 Rich Mullins 0605 Point of Grace Category 13: Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year 1301 "Beauty For Ashes"; Beauty For Ashes; Crystal Lewis, Ron Kenoly; Crystal Lewis, Myrrh 1302 "Circle Of Friends"; Life, Love & Other Mysteries; Point of Grace; Douglas McKelvey, Steve Silar;Word 1303 "Crazy Times"; Much Afraid; Jars of Clay; Dan Haseltine, Steve Mason, Mark Hudson, Greg Wells; Essential 1304 "Elijah"; Songs; Rich Mullins; Rich Mullins; Reunion 1305 "Let Us Pray"; Signs of Life; Steven Curtis Chapman; Steven Curtis Chapman; Sparrow
The Doves will contain a special tribute segment on Rich, although final details have not yet been determined.
The Gospel Music Association 29th Annual Dove Awards air Thursday, April 23rd, 1998, at 8pm to 11pm EST on TNN.
Other related links are as follows...
CCM Update 2/23/98
http://www.ccmcom.com/ccmupdate/98_02_23/news.html
Gospel Music Association
http://www.gospelmusic.org/index.html
CCM Online complete list of nominations
http://www.ccmcom.com/doves/
Brian William's Rich Mullin's Page, Calling Out Your Name now hosts a chat room. You can find the link on the main page, under "The Webpage" (right under the "Mailing List Archive" link), or go to: http://134.121.153.76:8000/.
One other bit of news concerning the cyber efforts of Brian and myself. It is likely in the future (with the help of Kid Brothers) that the two efforts will be merged "officially". We will keep you posted.