ABC's 'The View' Welcomes TobyMac Again

It is beginning to look as if ABC and singer TobyMac are becoming pretty chummy. Last summer, he made a visit on “The View,” in August he made an appearance on “Good Morning America” with Mandisa promoting her album, “What if We Were Real” and on Christmas morning, he was featured on the holiday special  “The Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade.” This week it was announced that Toby has been welcomed back to “The View” for tomorrow’s, May 24th broadcast. The show will also feature Julianne Moore, Dr. Kelly Starrett and Chris O’Donnell will serve as co-host.

The six-time Grammy® winner will be performing his #1 hit, “Me Without You” from his “Eye On It” album which has been a Billboard Top 200 #1 album as well thank you very much. (Oh, and did I mention that he won two Billboard Music Awards last weekend as well including Top Christian Artist?)

"It's been a seriously encouraging year already,” says Toby in a recent press release. “It’s hard to believe “Eye On It” only came out eight months ago. It's my honor to write songs that turn people's eyes toward a God who loves them.”

"Steal My Show" is the follow-up single from “Eye On It” and is No. 1 on this week's charts. On June 1, TobyMac will join his friends for the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The multi-award winner has three nominations in the categories of “Song of the Year,” “Male Artist of the Year” and “Artist of the Year.” He is the most nominated solo artist and only one of two artists overall to receive three nods. For more information on voting and the event, visit www.KLoveFanAwards.com. (Originally posted on Examiner.com)

Related:TobyMac Doesn't Disappoint with Latest

Related: Mandisa Makes Appearance on Good Morning America

     

Amy Grant is #1

For those who have been waiting to hear if Amy Grant’s first album in 10 years is any good – take heart. “How Mercy Looks From Here” has made the #1 spot on Christian soundScan. That is good news, but somewhat to be expected coming from a Christian music source. But how about this? Her debut made it to the #12 spot on the Billboard 200. Now that’s impressive.

“Amy Grant has delivered a beautiful record of compelling songs that document her life experiences over the past decade since her last studio record," remarked Peter York, President, Capitol CMG Label Group.  "It’s an authentic album of songs she’s written that allow the listener to peer deeply into her heart and connect emotionally with her journey.  It must be heard to be appreciated and I would encourage all to taste and see.”

Grant has been receiving some great press to including this quote from the Associated Press: “Few singers probe issues of the spirit and of the heart with the warmth and intimacy of Amy Grant.….With a voice as organic and comforting as a wool sweater, Grant shows maturity by relying on her voice's amber tones and subtle phrasing without showing off or pushing any edges…..however we look at time, we should make the best of this moment — which is what Grant does on ‘How Mercy Looks From Here.’"

This news is on the heels of an extensive press and radio tour (including Seattle’s own SPIRIT 105.3 FM). In the next couple of weeks, you can expect to see her on Lifetime TV shows “The Balancing Act” on May 28 and “Hollywood Watch” on May 31. Additionally, Grant is also scheduled to appear on the ABC daytime shows “The View” on June 20 and “The Chew” on July 19.

Those in the Seattle area can look forward to seeing Grant in person as she stops for a concert at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, WA. She will be appearing with Brandon Heath on Saturday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets range from $30 general seating to $110 VIP seating which includes a pre-show event with Grant and Heath and tour exclusive autographed poster. You can order tickets here. (Originally posted on Examiner.com)

Related: Amy Grant is Back in the Spotlight

'Star Trek' Ventures into Cliche Territory

Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine as Mr. Spoke and Captain Kirk
(Photo: paramount)

What I enjoyed about the first J.J. Abrams version of “Star Trek” was how the movie stayed true to the old TV series but still had its own personality for the new franchise. That is until halfway through when Leonard Nimoy reprised his role as the Spock of the future giving advice to his younger self. It cheapened the story a bit and leaned on Nimoy’s performance as a crutch.

Four years later, “Star Trek into Darkness” is a better film with a better story, but Abrams still slips into that behavior once again. While the main story is new, there is some recycled material. 

To not give out any spoilers, I won’t be specific, but one scene in particular is almost identical to a previous film. The only difference is that he switched out the characters.

While the stories in the TV show were fairly simple, “Into Darkness” is more complex. Not overly complicated, but it is confusing in places. Still, you needn’t be a long time fan to enjoy the movie. It plays well on its own. This story begins with Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and the crew (Spock: Zachary Quinto, Bones: Karl Urban, Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty: Simon Pegg, Sulu: John Cho, Checkov: Anton Yelchin) trying to save another planet from destruction of a raging volcano. This is met with some difficulty. When the Enterprise arrives home, Captain Kirk is not celebrated, but demoted. He is however, brought right back to work to fight off an evil terrorist who is linked with someone inside the federation. That someone is Noonien Singh, PBS’ Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch. Singh has a score to settle and Kirk stands in his way.

Fans of the 1966-69 series will appreciate just how much this new movie resembles the original crew. All of your favorite heroes are back and they all get some screen time as well. There is even a tribble. Uhura gets to do a bunch more in this movie then she ever did on the series, but still wears dangly earrings. Sometimes the creators took too much care to make these characters match their former selves. Dr. Bones is over the top annoying with his one-liners, and the accents of both Scotty and Checkov are too strong. The film gets a little silly in places too. Still, it’s a great popcorn action flick with cartoon-like violence. There is little blood and one particularly violent scene is carried offscreen.

There is a recurring message with this film that might make for some good conversation with an older teen watching the movie with you. Captain Kirk and Spock are adults, and yet, they are both still growing into manhood. Kirk in particular starts out with little respect for others, but shines in the end. They are faced with difficult decisions and need to rely on themselves to make the right ones.The two have their weaknesses and strengths. They learn from each other and risk their lives for the other. Integrity is key if you want to be a leader and Kirk learns that…the hard way. (Originally posted on Facebook)