So, um..
Prepping for a morning speaking event and spending the rest of the day packing for the Relevant Blog Conference kinda got the best of me Tuesday and I never got a chance to post my entry. Then, yesterday, I had a Murphy’s Law flying day (left at 5:30am and didn’t arrive until midnight!!!) so I didn’t get a chance to post then either!
How classy is it that I said I was going to give stuff away all week and then I went AWOL?! My sincerest apologies!
Sheesh. So here’s the crazy JJ Heller story I promised on Monday. Be sure to read to the end to find out what today’s giveaway is!
The Bloggable Music Network
Before I had this blog, I started a blog called the Bloggable Music Network. The idea was to join bloggers and musicians together to help promote great music. There is SO much incredible Christian music that isn’t on the radio and I’m pretty passionate about getting the word out.
The first artist I contacted was a girl named JJ Heller. I’d watched her studio journals on YouTube and was fascinated by the process of creating an album and amazed at her voice. I emailed her and promptly heard back from her husband Dave who said they’d love to participate and they made this little video for the site:
I got some music from JJ and Dave and passed it on to my absolutely wonderful sister-in-law Diana. We love to tell each other about great new music. She’s actually the one who first introduced me to Christy Nockels song Invade!)
So You Think You Can Dance
Fast forward a few months and Diana, who is also an incredible dancer and all around loveable girl, tried out for So You Think You Can Dance. Here’s what happened:
Diana from TheSecretLifeOfKat.com on Vimeo.
(Just a sidenote. Don’t you just want to hug Diana? I could really just write a whole blog post about her. She’s the little sister I never had. )
When this aired, a DJ from KSBJ (where I worked for many years) saw Diana’s dance and loved JJ’s song. He played it on air as a one time deal, but got such a HUGE response that they added it to their rotation. (FYI – that does not happen for indie (non label) artists on major stations like KSBJ.) Well, once KSBJ added it, so did KLOVE and most other stations.
JJ’s song Your Hands was at the top of iTunes charts as was her album Painted Red.
As a thank you for the itty bitty part I played, she and Dave came and did a concert at my house.
Imagine the coolest, most incredible thing ever happening to you. That’s how I excited I was. I told my husband it was like the Texans calling and saying they’d like to play a pick up game of football – in our backyard.
To have such excellent music in my own house. Wow. It was a life highlight for sure. Here she is singing Your Hands…in my living room!
So that’s our crazy JJ Heller story. And for the record, JJ and Dave are absolutely wonderful people. They are precious parents and have the sweetest relationship with one another.
Giveaway!
JJ and Dave are currently on tour with 33 Miles and today I’m giving away two autographed copies of 33 Miles new cd Today. AND it also comes with their Christmas CD so you can get a jump start on your holiday cheer!!
To enter, just tell me in the comments an artist you’d love to have sing in your living room!
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What a neat story! That stinks that the original blog you worked on didn’t work out, it sounds like a great idea! (Of course, I love what you’re doing with this one!) I’ve actually thought about starting a series on my blog of highlighting great christian artists. Music has always had such a huge impact on me, and I love being able to find great family-friendly good music.
Oh, and for the giveaway, I guess if I could have anyone come and sing in my living room, at this time I would pick NeedtoBreathe. I really love their style.
I have to choose just one?!?! Off the top of my head I thought of: Christy Nockels (Invade being one of my favorite songs) and Kendall Payne if she promises to sing her song “Pray”. But…hands down…if I had to choose just one person…I would choose Kari Jobe!! Her self-titled album has become one of my all time favorites. Worshipful and peaceful are just two of the adjectives I would use to describe it! And, even my 7 & 4-year-old boys start singing along. Yep, I’d have to choose Kari Jobe.
Well, my current music obsession is the newest Hillsongs United album. My dear hubby gave it to me for my b-day and it is my go-to worship CD for my mornings (and the rest of the day!). So they would definitely be my pick… to have a worship session in my living room with one of the Hillsongs United bands would be amazing.
Steven Curtis Chapman …. not only an incredibly talented man but a wonderful husband and father. He truly lives up to his testimony and I would love to have him sit in my living room and play guitar and piano for us. Of course, since I play piano it would be nice to do a little “duet” with him.
I would love to hear Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. She was just in our area and the power went off while she was singing a gospel song. It didn’t stop her. She moved into the crowd and kept singing. It was incredible!
I would LOVE to have Toby Mac in my living room!
When we are having a stressful day my one year old even knows how to go over and press play on the Ipod player and we rock out to TobyMac. It always lifts our spirits and has us giggling in no time!
Oh, I love 33 miles music
I’d love to hear Chris Tomlin live too!
how to pick?? Christy Nockels, JJ Heller, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Shane and Shane, ummm… but i think i have to go with darlene zschech
The News Boys
Oh, and Toby Mac….we want a dance party for Jesus!!!!
Definitely Need to Breathe… I think i heard this band for the first time two years ago and they just keep getting better… I like their acoustic style, I like their lyrics… Or Britt Niclole… The girls LOVE her music… they dance all the time in the kitchen… they sing along with her… IT’s so sweet…
JJ Heller…HANDS DOWN!! I first found out about her through this blog. LOVE her. I wouldn’t turn down Sara Groves either!
How in the world could I pick? Always been a U2 fan…but that’d be weird to have them in my house….wouldn’t know what to say to them…”So, how’s your back doin’ Bono?”.
I think though that having Phil Wickham would totally be more my style and better to have in my home. Yep, Phil.
Thank you for this post – As someone fairly new to Christian music, I am always looking for something great to listen to. Since I don’t know names of Christian artisits, it makes it tricky to find. I am off to YouTube the artists mentioned in this posts and comments.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for introducing me to JJ Heller and this gorgeous song. Her voice is effortless and I love it! Right now, I would have to say that having Laura Story perform in my living room would be the biggest honor and blessing. God has truly gifted her as a writer and I saw her a few weeks ago at a small conference and she was so genuine and sweet, making her music just as great. She completely points me to the Lord in her music and I’m so thankful for that!
I would have to go with Jeremy Camp. I love his voice and the message he brings. We played 2 of his songs at my sons funeral.
Thanks!!
I’m a big fan of the News Boys…their songs are pretty much guaranteed to make me smile. I also really like Jonny Diaz. He performed at our church in NC and he always seemed like the kind of person I’d totally be friends with.
I would love to have
Andrew Peterson-has beautiful lyrics and musicality…sort of folkie/acoustic sounding.
or
Josh Garrels-thought provoking lyrics on a wide range of topics and a huge spectrum of musical style.
in my living room!
I have to only pick one?!? Hmmm…how about any of the following! Third Day, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Natalie Grant, or David Crowder Band! Yup, no way I could choose between them!
What an amazing story! My kids loved it, too. Love seeing how God’s hand moves through intertwined lives.
I’ve been really pondering the song: Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath lately, so maybe him? Or Sanctus Real or… hehe
And I’m so glad I’ve now been introduced to JJ’s music. On my wish list now.
I’m new to your blog, and loving it! 
Rich Mullins, or perhaps John Michael Talbot.
Thanks for introducing us to the song “Invade”. I downloaded the album that it’s on and listen to Invade and Captivate every morning as part of my quiet time routine now.
~K
How to choose. I love Casting Crowns, Third Day, Britt Nicole, Francesca Battistelli – and I’m sure so many more
Stephen Curtis Chapman or Tobi Mac. SC2 for me TM for my hubby and kids. What a terrific story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hi Britiney!
Congrats! Random.org selected comment #23 as a winner of one of the 33Miles CDs. If you’ll send me your address via the contact form page (http://inspiredtoaction.com/contact/) or via this notification email, I’ll send the CD out to you asap.
Kat
YAY! Thanks, Kat! I can’t wait to get it, and just in time to get the Christmas tunes out!
Very difficult to choose one! Love your story about JJ Heller! Incredible! I love Leeland’s lyrics and their sound, but I’m not sure I want to have them perform in my living room. We’re talkin’ about a pretty small space here!
Maybe some acapella fun from Point of Grace? My sisters and I sang one of their more recent acapella numbers called “Before the Throne of Grace”–stunning song. My husband and I love Aaron Shust’s stuff–particularly Anything Worth Saying album. A little Monk& Neagle could be a very romantic concert–love their “Beautiful You”, “Stars Would Fall” and “Wonderful Angel”. In the secular category–how about a little Natalie Cole and Diana Krall–two women whom I’ve always wished I could imitate vocally–like butta!
wow, it’s hard to choose! I like SO many Christian artists! But, I would want someone with kids to come over, so we would have something else in common!
Probably Stephen Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith or Natalie Grant! LOVE this JJ Heller song… SO true!
not a Christian artist, but I would love Harry Connick Jr to play at my house. His concerts are always fabulous – and I could see him doing so well for an intimate setting, too!
It would be hard to choose. I love the raw music that Phil Wickham writes…as well as Misty Edwards….and (recently!) JJ Heller. Anything that is just honest and real strikes the chord in me.
What a fun story!! Like other people, I’m finding it hard to choose. I think my short list would include: Christa Wells, Andrew Peterson, JJ Heller, Nathan Clark George, and Sojourn.
Sara Groves, no doubt about it!
Barlow Girl! I would love to hear the stories behind so many of their songs.
Lisa,
Congratulations!
Random.org selected comment #30 as the winner of the 33Miles CD. If you’ll send me your address via the contact form page (http://inspiredtoaction.com/contact/) or via this notification email, I’ll send the CD out to you asap.
Kat
I think I would have to pick Addison Road. Their new album Stories just speaks to my heart because I am fairly new at the stay at home mom thing and I need to listen to “Change in the Making” almost daily. If they couldn’t come, I’d want tobymac to come because my 4 year old LOVES tobymac and every time he hears one of his songs, Josiah sighs and says, “Mom, I love tobymac. Can he come to my house and play?” No joke:)
I would love for Third Day to play at my house. We live on 2.5 acres so it would be an outdoor concert!! I imagine a small Woodstock event right in the heart of our community. Rocking out and praising God!!
JJ Heller. David Crowder Band. Third Day. Matt Maher. Casting Crowns. Kari Jobe. I LOVE MUSIC! : )
I have just recently become aware of JJ Heller and LOVE her music. The little videos of her on her website are cool, too. I love her “down to earth” style. They seem like such casual, fun, easy-going people that would be fun to have over to your house to hang out.
Ironically, Christy Nockels would be my pick!
It’s hard to choose just one but I would have to say Brandon Heath. He is just awesome at singing acoustically and it would be a truly awesome experience!
What a wonderful story!! I would love to have Chris Tomlin come. What an awesome time it would be to worship with an awesome worship song writer.
I have to agree with Leigh… Harry Connick Jr. Especially if he agreed to sing the Old Rugged Cross like he did at a concert. Or maybe Toby Mac.
Argh–tough choices here! But I think Christa Wells would be my pick.
Phil. Definately Phil (Wickham, that is).
Jimmy Needham is my new favorite!
thanks so much for this post – I didn’t know JJ Heller, she has a beautiful voice! I would love to have Jill Phillips in my living room….she moves me…
Michael Card – no matter how many new musicians I like I often go back to his album. I love the storytelling through music and the biblical themes.
rich mullins or keith green. i know, i know – I’m talking about my living room in heaven.
living room on earth: paul simon
Beckah Shae – she is my new favorite! I do love Christy Nockels. I saw her many times as Watermark and will see her in November at a conference. Great Story.
Ed Cash for sure!
Definitely Michael O’Brien, former lead singer of New Song, and now has his own love song CDs that are amazing! I first found out about him at a christian counseling conference a few years ago. He did a one man show w/ his keyboard – somehow the conference had the time wrong in the program…meaning that it was a very small intimate setting where we really got to see his personality shine through. It was incredible!
Caedmon’s Call was one of the first Christian groups I listened to when I became a Christian. Their music made a huge impact on my life.
What a neat story! As for an artist I would love to have sing in my living room…hmmmmm…that’s tough! There’s soooo many that I would love! Third Day maybe or Fernando Ortega or Jeremy Camp……
Love hearing your story!
I would love to have Chris Tomlin singing in my living room!
I would love to have Bebo Norman come play in my living room!
OK, so I heard this story on KSBJ when they did an interview with the Hellers. And now, I’m learn that I’mfollowing the blog of the girl who kicked off their career! Totally crazy. I loved hearing the story on the radio and I love hearing it from your perspective. So cool!
I’d have to choose Mercy Me or Toby Mac. Probably Toby Mac because my son is becoming a huge fan of his. (Crazy, isn’t it, that I was a fan of his when I was in high school and he was with DC Talk, and now my son is a fan!)
I’d have to say Caedmon’s Call. I love their eclectic style. I saw them in concert and I would LOVE to jam with them. My husband and I are musicians also and we really enjoy all of their music!
Definitely Casting Crowns, but they probably wouldn’t fit in my living room. Um, also, Melinda Watts
That is SUCH a neat story! I would love to have David Crowder in my living room! Can you imagine?
Hi,
I think I would love to have Nichole Nordeman. She sings beautifully and writes her own music. Misty Edwards is also pretty amazing to me!
Oh, what a special story. I’m so glad I read it!!
And thank you so much for sharing JJ Heller with us. I’ve listened to her “Your Hands” now about a 1000x. I love the way her husband looks at her in the two videos you posted. There is something so sweet and real between them.
I’m pretty crazy about a lot of music, so this is really tough for me. I’d really enjoy having Julie Miller sing “Broken Things” in our house.
I’d like to have stephen curtis chapman, singing “cinderella” to my children to show them how special they are to me and my husband…that song gets me crying everytime, because I lost my Daddy right after my oldest daughter was born…
For the giveaway- If I could have anyone come and sing in my living room I would have to say I would choose Selah when they had Nicole Sponberg. I love the hymns they sing – so powerful!
My aunt was never famous, but she did have 1 CD made. I would love to hear her singing in my living room again.
Such a great story!
I’ve loved her music for so long. Although I haven’t heard from her in awhile, I’d love to hear Nichole Nordeman and/or Tenth Ave. North.
Thanks again!
Stephen Curtis Chapman – I would love to hear his songs as well as talk to him and compare adoption experiences in China
Wow, what a story!
Ugh, pick one?
If I was picking for hubby, it’d be Third Day.
For me? I think I’d go with Kari Jobe.
Or Kathleen Carnali.
Or Judi Crocker.
Teehee.
I would definitely have to go with Tobymac. He is all about diversity and so is my family. He and his wife have also adopted transracially from the US and it would be cool to share stories. Also, I just absolutely love the bold message in his music. Have a blessed week!!
Is it too late to enter? I would pick Andrew Peterson for sure!!!
There are so many artists! I would pick Taylor Swift, I think!
I loved the video of Diana. So lovely.
I would love to have JJ Heller or Britt Nicole sing in my living room. You have introduced me to both of those artists and I feel greatly encouraged when I hear them sing!
I would have to say Kari Jobe!
What a hard question!!!! I’d have to say Steven Curtis Chapman (with his whole family)
I always enjoy My hubby and two sons singing and playing guitars in our living room.God has blessed me so…
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