He is joining a group that includes celebrities like Jackie Chan, LL Cool J, Miley Cyrus, Heidi Klum and Peyton Manning.

On the Red Cross website, Michael W. Smith said, “I’m so honored to serve a role with the American Red Cross.  It is an organization I have supported, recommended and trusted for so many years.  I’m proud to lend my name and support and look forward to being actively involved in the incredible work they do for those in such great need,”

I think it is great when an artist makes contributions outside the world of music. The American Red Cross is a quality organization that helps millions of people each year. I’m sure Michael W. Smith’s involvement with them will allow the love of God to be spread in many different facets of life.

The double CD features anthems by such acclaimed songwriters as Brenton Brown, Joel Houston, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Chris McClarney, Reuben Morgan, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Stuart Townend, Miriam Webster, Darlene Zschech and more.

The tracks on Worship’s Biggest Anthems will include:

So, what do you think? Is this a project that you are looking forward to buying it?

When you begin to listen to this album, you will be plugged in to a powerful worship experience. I found the style of music to be a nice blend of rock and praise and worship. Other people may see it differently.

This 11 track album is packed with a number of quality songs. Alive talks being bold and letting the world know about what God has done in your life. My other favorite songs on this album are Come As You Are, Ever Close To You and Jesus Died to Save My Soul. In different ways, these songs talk about how we can get connected and remain connected to God.

The familiar song Let it Rain makes can also be found on this album. You may have heard it on Michael W. Smith’s Worship album. Bishop Paul S. Morton also did a similar version. I don’t care who sings the song, Let it Rain is absolutely great for ushering in the presence of the Lord.

In my opinion More Than Rocks is an album that is full of some really good music. Go grab this music on iTunes or Amazon.com.

The album features a couple of songs you have probably heard before like, The Power of One by Israel Houghton, I Worship You by Mary Mary, and Mighty to Save by Tommy Coomes Band. Healing for Haiti also features other artists like Michael W. Smith, Carlos Whittaker, Lecrae, Canton Jones, Flyleaf, The Afters, Kari Jobe, Hawk Nelson and Lincoln Brewster.

When you listen to this album, you will find a couple of new/exclusive songs. Come Together Now is a We Are the World/Are You Listening type song. It features a number of different artists. Another exclusive song is Carry Me by Jared Anderson.

After listening to the entire album, I found it to be extremely encouraging and uplifting. In all seriousness, I was in a fine mood when I started listening to it. However, by the end of the album my spirit felt different. Encouraged and uplifted are understatements. Basically, you’re going to feel really good after listening to these songs.

The people in Haiti still need our help. You can continue to support the efforts by grabbing some or all of the songs from Healing for Haiti.

The entire album will be available on March 2, 2010.

(You can take this following post seriously or just for fun. The choice is yours)

I was watching Let’s Talk Church on BETJ the other day and the topic of discussion revolved around gospel artists and their ability to make money and earn a decent living. Apparently there are a number of gospel artists who are struggling financially for any number of reasons.

As I watched the show, a number of ideas for posts immediately came in my head. I want to start of by talking about gospel artists and the challenges they face with generating money. Album sales have declined in all genres. In addition, Gospel and Christian artists do not sell as many albums as artists from other genres of music. Given the nature of the economy, it is pretty safe to assume that concert sales will also be on the decline.

So, what is a Christian artist to do? Sure, TV and radio are obvious choices, but that won’t work for everyone. A little bit of out the box thinking is required.

Here are some suggestions that can be adopted by music artists, preachers, evangelists and anyone else who ministers the gospel:

Corporate Sponsorships
I know what you’re thinking. Christian artists already receive corporate sponsorships for tours and concerts. I’m talking about something a little different.

Have you ever seen a professional sporting event from another country or an Arena Football Game? If you have, I’m sure you noticed one common thing that you don’t see in the NFL or NBA. Logos (advertisements) on uniforms. Basically, those teams are paid to stick a logo of a national or local company on their uniforms.

Why can’t Christian artists do that? Would it be terrible if Marvin Sapp had a Church’s Chicken logo on his shirt? Would it really mess up your praise if there was an Old Navy logo on Paula White’s dress? OK, maybe you would be distracted at first, but you would get over it in after a few minutes.

Product Placement
Companies pay large amounts of money to have their products casually displayed in movies and TV shows. The same principles can be applied with music artists and other ministers.

Imagine your pastor preaching next Sunday. Instead of a glass of water covered by a napkin, imagine a bottle of Vitamin Water on the podium. If you go to a mega church and/or go to a church that broadcasts on TV or online, I’m sure Vitamin Water or any other company would love to pay for that type of exposure.

Artists and ministers can use use social media to make money too. John P. Kee (keetwit) and Michael W. Smith (michaelwsmith) each have thousands of people following them on Twitter. They could easily use Twitter to promote products like this:

keetwit It was a long night in the studio. Thank God for 5 Hour Energy! It really helped me make it through.

michaelwsmith On my way to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach with my family. I can’t believe were able to get all of our beach stuff in the trunk of my 2009 Honda Accord.

Signage
This one is probably primarily for pastors or church executives. Companies place advertisements on billboards, taxi cabs and on the sides of buses. Why not have ads on inside of churches? I’m sure McDonald’s, Best Buy and Starbucks would love a piece of that action. Before you knock this idea and say “advertisements don’t belong in the church.” Take a look at the church fans next time you’re in church. That’s right, funeral home advertisements.

We don’t want our musicians and ministers to starve and struggle. As you can see, there are plenty of ways they can continue their ministry and live very comfortably.

Can you think of any other ways that Christain artists and other ministers can generate some extra income?