Life Perspective: Reviews & More

I have found Danny's story interesting ever since he appeared on American Idol. I was glad to get thei piece of news about what he has been up to recently. American Idol’s Danny Gokey honored at L.A. Dream Center Friday, October 30th, 2009 Danny Gokey honored at L.A. Dream Center American Idol ’s Danny Gokey has garnered another honor, but this time it was for his late wife, Sophia. This week Gokey performed at the L.A. Dream Center event and joined Dream Center founder, Matthew Barnett, in naming the Youth Outreach Center for his late wife, Sophia..... Keep Reading »

Some ideas on what to do in Nashville for Halloween! What to do on Halloween in Nashville: Monster Mash, Rocketown, movies, music and more Friday, October 30th, 2009 Do you need some last-minute ideas on what to do for Halloween this year? Following are some suggestions for activities on the town or at home for Halloween in Nashville.... Keep Reading »

The little "doll" with the big ears is Miss Katy. I was taking a photo for my Halloween Dolls article and put her in the middle! Halloween doll display - a variety of Halloween dolls for fall display Monday, October 26th, 2009 As seen in the Barbie Halloween slideshow at Trick or treat? Halloween Barbie dolls from 1963 to present , one of the things many doll collectors enjoy is creating seasonal displays of holiday dolls.... Keep Reading »

Yesterday I wrote that I had heard there was a video of Susan Boyle playing with a band. Turns out that was probably the time she played at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe festival. The more I learn about her, the more inspiring her story becomes. Who is Susan Boyle? Britain's Got Talent success story Susan Boyle Friday, October 30th, 2009 Who Is Susan Boyle? Born in 1961 in the small village of Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland, Susan Boyle was the youngest of four brothers and six sisters. Her mother was 47 when she gave birth to her daughter, and Boyle was briefly deprived of oxygen during the difficult birth. Keep Reading » More on Susan Boyle: Susan Boyle dreamed a dream: from church volunteer to global recording artist (with video) Thursday, October 29th, 2009 · 4 comments Susan Boyle's Dream Aft...

See the tiny, shy little Indian maiden on the left? My father brought her back to me from Alaska when I was a little girl. Although the moths got to her skirt, and time got to her arms, I still treasure her. My military father always brought me back some little doll from his many travels, instilling in me a deep and abiding love for little travel dolls. Duchess Dolls and other small hard plastic travel dolls of the 1940s - present day Thursday, October 29th, 2009 Small Hard Plastic Travel Dolls Small hard plastic travel dolls and other similar plastic dolls have been popular collectibles since the 1940s and can... Keep Reading »

Susan Boyle's story is definitely an interesting one. She seems to have come from nowhere although I have beard there is at least one video of her performing live with a band in the 1980s. I have not been able to find it on YouTube, so who knows? If the story we keep reading about her is even half true, she is a remarkable woman who deserves to find success with this CD. Susan Boyle dreamed a dream: from church volunteer to global recording artist Thursday, October 29th, 2009 · 1 comment Susan Boyle's Dream After a life of obscurity in a small Scottish village, the world met Susan Boyle in April of 2009 when she appeared as a contestant on “Britain’s Got Talent,” singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from my favorite Broadway show, Les Misérables. Her plain appearance, her awkwardness on stage and her claim that she wanted to be a professional singer elicited snickers from the crowd as well as the “Britain’s Got Talent” judges.... Keep Reading »

I got to see "Little House on the Prairie - the Musical" tonight at TPAC with my friend, Lauree. The musical was delightful, and to add to the charm, there was several young ladies in pioneer costumes in the audience. But the highlight was seeing Melissa Gilbert as Ma Ingalls. "Little House on the Prairie - the Musical" brings Melissa Gilbert and Little House books to TPAC (with slideshow) Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 · 1 comment Little House on the Prairie - the Musical with Melissa Gilbert at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center The musical version of "Little House on the Prairie," based on the beloved books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, debuted at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center on October 27, bringing the books to life in a most evocative and entertaining manner.... Keep Reading »

More news about the Gospel Music Association - debunking some GMA rumors Gospel Music Association headed for insolvency? Today's rumor mill has GMA closing its doors Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 · 1 comment This morning I got a tip via email from an industry insider who said in part, "Today's big news is that the GMA board is voting to shut down GMA."... Keep Reading »

Here's the latest gospel music news from Christian alternative rockers Switchfoot! Switchfoot releases new album with headlining fall tour, appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 · 1 comment Switchfoot, from MySpace to Jimmy Kimmel Switchfoot , the uber-popular Christian alternative rock band named after a surfing move, has a busy schedule in November with a fall tour launch, a new record, and numerous media appearances including the Jimmy Kimmel show.... Keep Reading » More Switchfoot: Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane to release November 10, tour dates with Dave Matthews Band 1 comment Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane On November 10, multi-platinum selling alternative rock band Switchfoot will release Hello Hurricane, the gospel... Keep Reading » ...

I've already mentioned how much I enjoyed the Amy Grant and Friends Yard Sale. One of my finds was a naked Barbie doll which was on the "Gill" table. This is her story@ What's so special about this Barbie doll? The 'Amy Grant' Barbie doll Sunday, October 25th, 2009 No, Mattel is not making an Amy Grant Barbie doll, but maybe they should! Read on to see what I mean. Amy Grant hosted her Second Annual Amy Grant Yard Sale October 24 at David Lipscomb University in Nashville. It had all the usual paraphernalia you would expect at a yard sale - just more of it as there were about 14 tents and maybe 80 tables of merchandise altogether. However, among the piles of plates, glassware and linens, lay a blond Barbie... More Any Grant Yard Sale articles Second annual A...

I had such a good time today at the Second Annual Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale . Not only is Amy Grant one of my very favorite artists and personalities, but I attended David Lipscomb University as well as Junior High, so it was a trip down memory lane in more ways than one for me! Second annual Amy Grant Yard Sale - Amy Grant sells everything but the kitchen sink (with slideshow) Saturday, October 24th, 2009 · 1 comment Second Annual Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale The Second Annual Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale took place today at David Lipscomb University, and even overcast skies accompanied by a chilly fall breeze didn't keep people from coming and shopping for bargains. The yard sale was held from 7AM to 2 PM at the Lipscomb campus' University Park... Keep Reading »

This is a nice story. It's always a pleasure to write about celebrities helping others, and Amy Grant is holding a charity yard sale tomorrow! Second annual Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale at David Lipscomb University October 24 Friday, October 23rd, 2009 Second Annual Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale What famous gospel music celebrity is having a yard sale in Nashville Saturday? Christian pop star Amy Grant is holding her second annual Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale on the lawn at University Park at LIpscomb University Saturday, October 24. The University Park lawn is on the Belmont Blvd. side of the campus... Keep Reading »

I found this story very disturbing. While I appreciate the reasons Michael W. Smith founded Rocketown, and I laud their ministry, I think whoever is making these decisions to incorporate satanic music at a Christian teen ministry venue needs to be held accountable for a lapse in judgment. I understand using popular, secular, non-gospel music to appeal to a wide variety of teens, but using satanic, anti-Christian music at a Christian teen ministry venue is using very questionable logic. Rocketown Halloween controversy: hardcore satanic metal at Christian teen venue Rocketown Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 Michael W. Smith photo from Wikipedia Tonight Channel 2 WKRN reported on a story concerning Nashville's Christian teen hangout, Rocketown . Keith Mohr, the founder and president of gospel music's Indieheaven.com , was briefly interviewed regarding his recent experience with the teen ministry founded by Michael W. Smith. I contacted Keith Mohr, and he graciously agreed to ...

Carrie Prejean is in the news again. After she announced her lawsuit against the Miss California organization, the gay-rights connected organization turned around and announced they were bringing a lawsuit against her. Then in the "go-to" move of people who attack Christians, they tried to use scripture against her in their legal claim! You just have to roll your eyes and go on when you read stuff like this - you couldn't make it up if you tried! Former Miss California Carrie Prejean goes to court: Miss California lawsuits and counter suits Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Carrie Prejean Files Lawsuit Against Miss California Organization; Pageant Retaliates Keith Lewis and the Miss California organization have grabbed another 15 minutes of fame by announcing they are filing a claim against Carrie Prejean. A...

Can it be the holidays are almost here? Tis the season for Christmas releases! Sandi Patty Christmas LIVE - Sandi Patty's first live album in a decade celebrates Christmas Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Sandi Patty Releases Sandi Patty Christmas LIVE A voice that is often associated with the holidays due to her popular Christmas carols and her legendary annual Christmas spectacular, gospel music diva Sandi Patty is releasing Sandi Patty Christmas LIVE, her first live project in almost 10 years. Available nationwide this week... Keep Reading »

More coverage of the gospel music nominees at the 2009 American Music Awards, this time focusing on Christian artist Brandon Heath Who is Brandon Heath? 2009 American Music Awards Contemporary Inspirational nominee Brandon Heath Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 Brandon Heath Nominated for American Music Award Acclaimed singer/songwriter Brandon Heath was recently nominated for a 2009 American Music Award in the Contemporary Inspirational category along with Mary Mary and Jeremy Camp ... Keep Reading » More American Music Awards Who is Mary Mary? 2009 American Music Awards Inspirational and Soul/Rhythm nominee Mary Mary Friday, October 16th, 2009 · 1 ...

I am not big into Halloween, but sometimes it is fun to watch a scary movie or fantasy adventure at Halloween, and I have a few recommendations: Halloween movie recommendation: Christian horror movie 'House' (with trailer) Sunday, October 18th, 2009 Christian horror movie House Christians often feel like they should avoid horror movies, but if you would like to see a faith-based scary movie for Halloween, House is the one to see. Based upon the best-selling 2006 Christian fiction horror novel co-authored by Christian authors Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti, House released to DVD in April 2009.... Keep Reading » The Lost Colony: The Legend of Roanoke (Wraiths of Roanoke) on DVD Starring Highlander's Adrian Paul, this 2007 Sci-Fi original movie about the lost colony of Roanoke provides enough scares to be rated R. While the effects are a little cheesy, it offers a creepy theory on what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke.Based loosely on actual events with... Rea...

Today eBay/Paypal and MillerCoors are donating a cent per #beatcancer hashtag (via tweet, Facebook update, or blog post). I lost my mother to cancer in May of 1991, so this is in her memory: #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer #beatcancer

More coverage of the American Music Awards, this time focusing on gospel duo Mary Mary Who is Mary Mary? 2009 American Music Awards Inspirational and Soul/Rhythm nominee Mary Mary Friday, October 16th, 2009 Mary Mary Nominated for American Music Awards As announced in Nominees for 2009 American Music Awards: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary gospel nods , award-winning gospel duo, Mary Mary was nominated for two 2009 American Music Awards (AAM) for Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Soul/Rhythm & Blues Music and Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational... Keep Reading » More About the American Music Awards Nominees for 2009 American Music Awards: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary gospel nods Tuesday, October 13th, ...

"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience' sake. For the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains. (1 Corinthians 10:23-26; NIV) I vacillate on Halloween and Christianity, but I do think there are ways for Christians to enjoy October 31 without being in league with the devil, and this event sounds like fun! Halloween with Kevin Max; Kevin Max brings Monster Mash to Nashville October 30 Friday, October 16th, 2009 Halloween with Kevin Max, Knapsackheroes! and Collier If you live in Nashville and do not have plans for October 30 yet, and want to try something different, I have just the Halloween eve event! Kevin Max is bringing his Monster Mash to The Rutledge in downtown Nashville on Friday, October 30th. The event is for the...

This sounds like it would have been SUCH a fun event at the Grand Ole Opry! Diamond Rio makes Beautiful Mess at the Opry with Delilah and David Archuleta Thursday, October 15th, 2009 Diamond Rio: Beautiful Mess & The Reason Diamond Rio has been busy making media appearances to support their new Thomas Nelson book Beautiful Mess as well as their eleventh album and first full length gospel record, The Reason , which released September 22 on Word Records. (See Diamond Rio to release first gospel album 'The Reason' in September .) Keep Reading »

My 36th annual American Music Awards coverage continues: Who is Jeremy Camp? 2009 American Music Awards Contemporary… 36th Annual American Music Awards When nominations for the 2009 36th Annual American Music Awards were announced October 13 in Beverly Hills, CA, one of the nominees was gospel artist Jeremy Camp . Camp was nominated for his second American Music Award in the Contemporary Inspirational category along with Mary Mary and Brandon Heath.... Keep Reading » More on the 2009 American Music Awards Nominees for 2009 American Music Awards: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary gospel nods Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 · 1 comment 2009 American Music Awards Nominees Include Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary, Miley Cyrus, Daughtry, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson and Twilight... Keep Reading » ...

I have always thought these vintage Barbie Masquerade and Skipper Masquerade outfits from the 1960s were so cute! I like some of the modern Halloween Barbies, too, but most are too witchy for me! Trick or treat? Halloween Barbie dolls from 1963 to present (with Barbie Halloween slideshow) Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 Halloween Barbie Dolls Most people have seen Halloween Barbie dolls peering down at them from the shelves of grocery stores and Target. The first modern Barbie Halloween set was the Barbie & Kelly Halloween gift set Target put out in 1997, but did you know the first time Barbie donned a Halloween costume was in 1963?... Keep Reading »

More music awards to cover! Is there an awards show EVERY month??? Nominees for 2009 American Music Awards: Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary gospel nods Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 2009 American Music Awards Nominees Include Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary, Miley Cyrus, Daughtry, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson and Twilight The nominations for the 2009 American Music Awards have been announced and gospel artists Jeremy Camp , Brandon Heath , and Mary Mary received nominations for Contemporary Inspirational while Mary Mary also picked up a nomination for Soul/R&B. This was Camp's second American Music Award in the Contemporary Inspirational category. Keep Reading »

I have to admit, I was really disappointed in the "Concert of the Decade" online streaming tonight. I couldn't get logged in, then when I did, I couldn't get connected to the feed. After an hour, when the stream was finally up, I checked in but the sound wasn't good. Neither was the picture, and by then I had lost my enthusiasm. Here are the details: Concert of the Decade online stream with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, MercyMe unavailable to many Monday, October 12th, 2009 After heavy promotion via press releases, Facebook and Twitter, the excitement had built about the opportunity to see the Concert of the Decade online, and viewers flocked to the Concert of the Decade website at 7:30 to watch the concert to save the Gospel Music Association only to find the connection was unavailable for the first hour. ... Keep Reading » More on the "Concert of the Decade at: Concert of the Decade to be broadcast worldwide Oct. 12 with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith,...

More Miley news! I just haven't had a chance to get this posted until now! Miley Cyrus turns Twitter off but gets her good on; Miley Cyrus 'Get UR Good On' video Sunday, October 11th, 2009 · 1 comment Miley Cyrus "Get UR Good On" Nashville's Miley Cyrus made big news by leaving Twitter last week, but about the same time the teen diva was turning off Titter, she was getting her good on! Christian singer and actress Miley Cyrus is teaming up with Youth Service America to promote her new youth campaign "Get UR Good On." As part of the campaign, Miley Cyrus has a new video up on YouTube announcing "Get UR Good On" is a community she started to share stories, photos, ideas and info on service projects for kids in their local communities.... Keep Reading »

Steve Martin's back in town! That means more bluegrass coverage! Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers at Ryman Auditorium tonight, from IBMA Awards to the Ryman Sunday, October 11th, 2009 Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers from International Bluegrass Music Awards to the Ryman Recently, I wrote a series of articles on Mayberry's Darling boys, the Dillards , appearing at the International Bluegrass Music Awards and their induction into the hall of fame. That was the highlight of the IBMA Awards for me, but the secondary highlight was seeing comedian Steve Martin perform with the Steep Canyon Rangers. If you have not yet had the opportunity to see Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, they are appearing in concert tonight at the Ryman Auditorium. Keep Reading » More Coverage of the IBMA Awards In case you missed my other posts on the IBMA Awards, here they are! 2009 IBMA Awards Show memorable moments Part II: Dillards inducted into Bluegrass Music Hall of Fam...