A Christian music website/blog by Bunni Pounds - a Christian music fan, an event planner by trade, and a worship leader in DFW. Together as the Body of Christ (that means we need YOU!), we are planning FOUR Christian music events in Garland, Texas in 2013. All money made at each event benefits the ARTISTS alone. CHRISTIANMUSICDFW and Bunni serve along with her trusted volunteers to awaken people to the love of JESUS and the power of MUSIC and ART created in His name.
On June 28th, we are hosting our 2nd event in 2013 - a house concert/worship night with Chris Martin and Andrew Meek from CFN Music. I am so extremely excited about this Night of Worship with these two great vocalists, musicians, and songwriters. This event is only $12 to help these great men of God, but it is limited to the first 60 people - so we encourage you to get your tickets quickly.
Chris Martin is a phenomenal songwriter, musician and artist whose desire is to inspire, equip and be a vessel used by the Lord to surge a generation into heartfelt abandon before God. Chris grew up in LaHarpe, IL and moved to Nashville, TN at age 15. His family grew up in the ministry and he quickly recognized the call that was placed on his life to write songs and lead people closer to God through anointed music.
Chris Martin's songs have been featured on the last three Christ For The Nations' albums- Responding, "37", and the latest album Uncreated One. He also has a solo album project of his contemporary Christian songs and select worship tunes called One More Second Try.
Andrew Meek
Opening us up in worship and then partnering with Chris during part of the night will be Andrew Meek. Andrew was the main writer on the title track of the 2012 Christ for the Nations album- Uncreated One. He is an amazing vocalist, songwriter, and worship leader who has such passion for the Son of God.
All the Details
This is an intimate and inspiring night of worship with Chris and Andrew in the Pounds' living room. We will be removing all the furniture for maximum capacity and will have comfortable folding chairs for the times that you will actually want to sit. Experiencing worship in a home setting is an incredible experience and we know that you will love the intimacy of this night in the presence of God.
Coffee and desserts will be served for FREE before, after, and during the break.
Only 60 tickets available. Once it is sold out, it is sold out.
$12.00 Advance Tickets
$20.00 At the Door (If available)
There will not be childcare this night, so please arrange for babysitters at your home and enjoy a date night.
Sponsored and organized by Bunni Pounds
There is no profit made on these events as all the money is given to the artists.
Thank you for supporting great independent Christian artists who are using their gifts for the glory of God.
Why is NEEDTOBREATHE one of my favorite bands? I am still asking myself that question. For a person who spends most of their time with worship music and singer-songwriters, why do I love this band so much? Why does The Reckoning affect me at such a deep emotional level?
To be honest, I have been asking myself that question since this album came out sometime in the beginning of 2011. Is it the lyrics? Bear Reinhart's voice? The way they weave the instruments together so flawlessly? I really don't know. After two years of pondering why I love this Christian band turned mainstream band so much, I still don't have a definitive answer. All I know is this - in my humble musical opinion, The Reckoning is a brilliant album that truly stirs my soul. I loved The Outsiders from 2009, but I have been stuck on The Reckoning for 2 years now and it will forever be one of my feel good favorites.
So when I found out Needtobreathe was going to be in Dallas again (I missed them during The Reckoning Tour), I had to be there.
I took one of my 16 year old youth from our Fort Worth church and we had a blast. What a night!
Here are a few of my favorite highlights:
#5 Stones Under Rushing Waters
The opening band for this concert was great - Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. They are an independent country (singer-songwriter) band - with inspirational songs. Their set was moving with spirited songwriting, incredible vocals, and catchy stage energy by both Drew and his wife, Ellie. My favorite songs were Live Forever, Tennessee, Fire and Dynamite, and The Wine We Drink of their opening set.
But when Ellie Holcomb came out and sang one of my favorite Needtobreathe songs with Bear, it was beyond awesome. She put everything she had into it and Bear Reinhart of NeedtoBreathe took it over the top. This duet was worth the price of admission. Period!
#4 The Subtle Way The Band Weaves Their Message Into Their Songs
For years I wasn't a fan of what we now call crossover music - Christian artists going mainstream for the purpose of putting a message out there more subtly. But now after living in the "mainstream" world in politics - I am the point where I understand it. If God calls artists to go into dark places for the purposes of shining some light - why shouldn't they? Needtobreathe had the door open for them to open for Taylor Swift all over the nation - Wow! Open Doors! Needtobreathe weaves some incredible deep messages into their songs - like in A Place Only You Can Go. I loved every moment of the truth shining out in a Southside club in Dallas.
There is a place only love can go. There is a place where only YOU can go. #needtobreathe
— Bunni Pounds (@bunnipounds) April 28, 2013
#3 How the Christians in the audience responded to Something Beautiful
In a club where half the audience were drinking and other half were not - when the band announced that they were going to do some "oldies", the crowd went wild. And when Needtobreathe finally broke into Something Beautiful - Yes, hands went up and people reached out for "something beautiful to touch them". It was beautiful and I was one of them!
When we pulled into the parking lot at the club, I saw two bumper stickers that described a good snapshot of the Needtobreathe audience. One bumper sticker said "Ron Paul for President" and the other one said "DBU Patriots". Ron Paul lovers and Dallas Baptist University students were just part of the people that feel the rebellion in the cross culture of people who can shout out the song The Outsiders, so fully with such passion. To these people (I am included in the DBU alumni) - Needtobreathe sings an anthem of godly rebellion against a culture that has forsaken the reality of truth.
Their real encores were The Outsiders and Keep Your Eyes Open and then they shut everything down and came out with a song just acoustically that Bear described as a song that "means alot to us as a band and will be one of the highlights of our new album".
The Difference Maker is a song about the best man who ever lived, wandered up a hill, looked back at his nail scarred hands and made the biggest difference in the world. It describes HIM and then describes the quest of these young men - NEEDTOBREATHE- to be difference makers. You can hear the song here from a Disney performance in 2012.
This song and this concert ending made the night for me. My biggest respect and appreciation goes out to NEEDTOBREATHE.
Stay true to who you are, guys, and keep being amazing musicians, songwriters, and rebellious Christians who want to make a difference in the REAL world. Keep being Difference Makers - God will give you wisdom of how to communicate the TRUTH in a relevant way.
On April 14th Phil Wickham was at First Baptist Church Dallas as part of their opening celebrations for their new sanctuary. Phil led worship in the Day One services at 9 am and 11 am- which are now held in their "old" sanctuary redone with a cool and updated look.
We took a small group to see one of our favorite worship leaders and musicians and we were not disappointed.
His worship set list included:
Heaven Come Down (from Response)
True Love (from Desire)
You're Beautiful (from Desire)
At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh) (from Response)
The Victory - A completely rocked out version (from Response)
How Great Thou Art (Singalong 1)
if I remember correctly....It has been over a week...Not in order...
Combined with Jim Cymbala's message, it was an incredible Sunday. Phil's vocals, his heart, and his songs bring people straight into the presence of God. Our family loves this songwriter and we are so thankful for him. It was great to finally see him LIVE.
To download Phil's latest album Response, click here.
It has been over a month since our fabulous event at the Plaza Theatre with Bethany, Shane, Barry, Michelle, Crystal, and Will. I cannot thank these artists enough for giving up their time and talents to come share Jesus with us that night - March 23, 2013.
As I like to do, I am posting my top 10 moments of the night, some of my tweets, and a few of our favorite pictures.
#10 Barry and Michelle's funny stories that made everyone crack up.
#9 Bethany doing all the songs on To Those Who Wait. I LOVE this EP and you should download it as well here on ITUNES.
#4 Crystal Yates singing I Believe and When Love was Slain. Were those two songs not breathtaking and who else on the planet can sing that I Believe song?
#3 Shane Barnard singing my new favorite song The One You'll Find from the new Shane & Shane album - Bring Your Nothing.You can pre-order it on www.shaneandshane.com now.
#2 Bringing Bethany Dillon Barnard out of MOMMY HIDING and letting her share her songs with a great crowd.
#1 Getting to share the simple gospel with people and asking them to be a part of God's story. I am so thankful!
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13
Thank you Holy Spirit for showing up last night and touching people's lives forever and thank you all the artists for letting Him use you.
— Bunni Pounds (@bunnipounds) March 24, 2013
To see all the pictures from the night taken by Erin Bouma (Abica Photography), you can see them on my facebook page here.
To get tickets for our next two events with Chris Martin/Andrew Meek and Crystal and Will Yates, check out my eventbrite page here. Go ahead and grab tickets for only $12 each to either or both nights.
Thank you all for your support for our concert tonight. The venue seats 350 and we still have 140 tickets at the Door. We would love to see you - so COME!! You can bring $20 CASH or you can go online today before 3 pm and purchase them with a card.
I am so excited about bringing Bethany out of hiding, introducing more people to my amazing friends and musicians, Barry and Michelle Patterson and Crystal and Will Yates, and seeing people touched by the truth of the Word and the presence of God.
Being a person addicted to Christian music - somehow I
have stumbled into becoming a Christian music promoter. Not for profit, but a
promoter of God centered music that stirs people to know Him more. This was
something I wasn't planning on, but what can I say - I am addicted to Jesus and
music. Those loves naturally give me a love for Christian music and one that I
like to share with others.
Over the last four years, we have hosted four
events - promoting independent Christian music. Two with Barry and Michelle
Patterson, one with worship leader Darrell Evans, and one with Jenny & Tyler
from Nashville.
A week from Friday, March 23, 2013, Tim and I are taking a big
step of faith. We have booked the Plaza Theatre in downtown Garland and are
having a night of independent Christian music for the City of Garland and East
Dallas area.
Our headliner is Christian recording artist - Bethany
Dillon.
I have been in love
with Bethany Dillon's music since she came out in Christian music at the age of
15. She recorded five national projects before getting married to Shane Barnard
(of Shane & Shane) and settling down with now her second baby.
When
Bethany released a new EP in 2012 called "To Those Who Wait" - I fell in love
with her music all over again. This woman is an amazing
songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. I had definately missed her music!
You do not want to miss this night of
Christian music on March 23, 2013 also featuring Crystal Yates of McKinney and
Barry & Michelle Patterson.
#1 To allow my husband to sleep at night knowing that we are going to make all the bills. LOL!
#2 So we show these artists some great LOVE
#3 If we sell out, we will have money to bless both of the opening acts.
Here is my Bethany Dillon playlist. I encourage you to download these songs (or all of her albums for that
matter) and fall in love with her music now, if you aren't already a fan.
Waking Up (Waking Up) -Bethany Dillon
To Those Who Wait (To Those Who
Wait (Live) EP) - Bethany Dillon
You Are On Our Side (Waking Up) - Bethany
Dillon
Dreamer (Imagination) - Bethany Dillon
Get Up and Walk (Stop &
Listen) - Bethany Dillon
Beautiful (Bethany Dillon) - Bethany
Dillon
You're the Best Song (To Those Who Wait (Live) EP) - Bethany
Dillon
The Kingdom (Waking Up) - Bethany Dillon
Stop & Listen (Stop
& Listen) - Bethany Dillon
All I Need (Bethany Dillon) - Bethany
Dillon
Hallelujah (Imagination) - Bethany Dillon
Satisfy (To Those Who
Wait (Live) EP) - Bethany Dillon
Exodus (Bethany Dillon) - Bethany
Dillon
Be Near Me (Imagination) - Bethany Dillon
A Voice Calling Out
(Bethany Dillon)- Bethany Dillon
Last Friday night (March 8th), my husband Tim and I attended the Burning Lights Tour at Verizon Theatre to worship with Chris Tomlin and Kari Jobe for our 17th wedding anniversary. We had a blast!
Since they took my big camera away, we will have to settle for photos I took with my phone and uploaded via twitter.
Here are my top 5 inspirational moments at the Burning Lights tour.
#1 Revelation Song by Kari Jobe (written by Jennie Lee Riddle)
Chris Tomlin had Kari come out and sing his version of Crown Him With Many Crowns with him near the end of the worship night-concert. It is a great arrangement to that song with a new majestic chorus, but surprisingly he then left her on the stage alone with her band to sing Revelation Song. After having sung this song myself about 50-60 times and having heard it countless times, it never gets old, but Kari's new version of it where she lingers on the lyrics "Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of Your name..." and goes into a huge crescendo with an instrumental was so fresh, new, and over the top that it took my breath away. They then started flashing the attributes of God (Healer, Deliver, Provider...etc) on the screen as Kari dropped to her knees in worship. It was awesome and it was the highlight of the night for me. Sorry, I was so lost in worship, I did not get any pictures for #1.
If you just want to get the new version of Revelation Song off the new Passion record, here is the link on Itunes.
#2 Hearing everyone sing I Will Rise all together and putting their faith in Jesus and in the truth that there is a resurrection from the dead
During a great moment of inspiration and unity, the audience all sang the chorus of I Will Rise as Chris Tomlin backed away from the mic. One of the highlights of Christian concerts for me is when we realize that we are singing with the whole Body of Christ from the surrounding area and that we are experiencing a taste of heaven. Priceless!
This should be #1 because it is the most important, but let me put it at #3, just for this list. Louie Giglio preached a great 25 minute message on the Prodigal Son and many people raised their hands to come back to the arms of the Father. Always real and awesome when anyone turns their heart back to Jesus or steps toward Him for the first time.
#5 Two great songwriters and worship leaders together
People who are Christian artists and songwriters can talk all day about how worship music is generic, the same, not creative enough etc. and I agree to a certain point, but as songwriters we also have to acknowledge that it takes an incredible artist/writer who can write simple songs that people will sing over, over, and over again. Someone who can write simple enough songs without trying to trick it up and complicate it has talent. Songs that beginning worship leaders or young people all over this nation can play and sing are rare. Chris Tomlin has that talent and he has fashioned his craft well and that is what makes him one of the most widely played and sang artists in the world.
Kari Jobe will forever be one of my favorite artists, singers, and songwriters and here is the reason why. I love this girl - not just for her gift, but the core of who God has created her to be.
