Welcome to the newest e-news update by The Choir. We thank you for taking the time to read up on our band news and our newest CD, O How The Mighty Have Fallen. 1. What's going on now? 2. Our show in Southern California 3. What's new in the store 4. What others say about O How The Mighty Have Fallen Playing in a cornfield. The weather broke for us...that was nice. It was 99 degrees with a heat index of 104 on Wednesday and Thursday before our Friday night show at Cornerstone 2005. Friday provided us clear skies, slight breeze and a temp in the 70s. We played at midnight right afters The Lost Dogs and The Violet Burning at the Gallery Stage. It was the first time we played in a couple years, but we DID practice a few times...glad we did. The crowd was great, gracious and it was a terrible amount of fun to play our older material for the umpteenth time and try out 4 songs from our newest. Derri never sounded better with his singing, Marc Byrd took the overall sound to a new great level, Matt Slocum (standing in for Tim Chandler) not only played bass, but added his trademark elegant and melodic cello playing to a 3 song acoustic set that ended our show. Me? I was just glad my equipment worked through the whole set. The next day, Steve called me on the cell while Lisa (my wife) and I were driving home to Nashville and we had enough fun to discuss playing more shows later on besides the one we are playing in California. Kids love the Internet. Besides our own website at TheChoir.net, we are on Purevolume.com and MySpace.com. At http://www.purevolume.com/thechoir we are streaming the music from O How The Mighty Have Fallen and have some free downloads. I'm still trying to figure out our MySpace.com site. It's at http://www.myspace.com/youthchoir but I can use some help or tips on how to make it better. I would like to put up photos that you all might have out there from old Choir concerts, add a media player so that we can play our music there and start a blog. Any tips, offer to help or those old concert photos would be welcome at dan@thechoir.net. Those dirty dogs. While I headed home to Nashville after Cornerstone, Derri and Steve climbed back into a tour van with Terry Taylor and Mike Roe to continue on with their 3 week Lost Dogs tour to support there newest release, Island Dreams. Steve and Derri have reported back from the road with news of good shows, fun times and wonderful audiences across the US and even some shows in Canada. Hello IRVINE! We are looking forward to our 2nd show of the year on August 19th 2005 Southern California. We are turning the "way back machine" onto the early '80s to join with Undercover, Altar Boys, Crumbacher and 441 for a reunion concert of friends that spent time together on a label called Broken Records. Details, info and tickets can be found at http://www.taketwoproductions.net - Steve Hindalong comments on the upcoming show: Reunion Show It was a scene like no other. There were 10 bands or so, playing a circle of venues, mostly churches. Undercover was the main attraction. Those guys were originals – Gym’s awesome hair style and guitar tone – Ojo’s intense charisma. I was amazed how he could bring a crowd of frenzied kids to a hush. They really listened to Joe, and I know the Holy Spirit stirred at their concerts. Audiences were captivated by Undercover. The Altar Boys absolutely rocked. The Choir shared the stage with them on several occasions, and they were an intimidating force. Our moody, atmospheric, lyrically metaphoric style contrasted sharply with their “in your face” approach. Mike Stand’s love for the Lord was obvious, and those guys knew what they were about – sharing Jesus. And like a said, The Altar Boys rocked! It was an exciting time, and The Choir was fortunate to be part of what could be called a “family” of bands. Back then, I suppose we were somewhat insecure about our identity in the context of that “scene.” We were passionate about the music we offered. Our ministry was subtler, though, and sometimes promoters (typically youth pastors) had a different expectation of us than we were inclined to deliver. Even so, we went on to play seven hundred gigs, give or take a few. The Choir recently released another album – our eleventh! We’re still close friends – and it’s been good. Faith and hope are not lost. No, we can’t go back in time…well…maybe for one night. Crumbacher and 441?! Are you kidding me?! It promises to be quite a scene! - Steve Hindalong What's new in The Store http://www.thechoir.net/store - O How The Mighty Have Fallen - our newest CD is on sale for a limited time at $12.99. - Lost Dogs - besides Mutt, we just got Island Dreams, the acclaimed newest by Terry Taylor, Mike Roe and Derri Daugherty. - Mega 3 - a three cd set that includes Speckled Bird by The Choir, The Light Years by Resurrection Band and Dogfish Jones by LSU. $9.99 for the set. Quantities limited. - Posters, Stickers and buttons based on the artwork from O How The Mighty Have Fallen. - We've put up O How The Mighty Have Fallen on our digital download store at http://www.thechoirdownloads.com That's about it for this update. We'll catch up more soon. Thanks for supporting and encouraging us to continue The Choir. Please pass the word around that we're around and have a new record out - word of mouth from YOU is how we continue to connect with our choir pals out there. Below are some kind words on our newest and key links. Thanks for listening. The Choir http://www.thechoir.net http://www.thechoir.net/store http://www.purevolume.com/thechoir http://www.myspace.com/youthchoir http://www.taketwoproductions.net (Southern Cal show) So, what do you think? http://decapolis.com/music_/pages/TheChoir-OHowtheMightyHave.shtml http://www.tollbooth.org/2005/reviews/choir.html The Choir's recordings have always made my stereo speakers seem farther apart than they really were. Swirling layers of atmosphere, ethereal guitar work, poetic, honest lyrics and soaring, unforgettable melodies... every element of The Choir's recognizable sound gathers and builds like a storm from the first track. Rarely has a band carved out and maintained such signature, spacious sonic territory. Spread out your speakers, sit between them and turn up O How The Mighty Have Fallen. You'll understand why they call this the "sweet spot." Steve Broderson Versailles, Kentucky "The Choir continues to defy "flavor of the week" musical trends with O HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN. The CD rocks, moves you to tears, and refuses to blend into the background both musically and lyrically. The band stretches out of "popular music" comfort zones, pours their collective hearts out, and refuses to play it safe even after all these years." "Terrible Mystery" may well be one of the most cathartic broken relationship songs ever written. Broken hearts will find solace, mercy and hope here." Doug Couch High Point Single Adult Minister, Lexington, KY "O How the Mighty Have Fallen" matches Steve Hindalong's lyrical concerns about faith, family and friendship (along with an occasional rendering of self-doubt) with infectious guitar progressions and sultry sax. This potent combination creates a sonically satisfying treat that promises to penetrate the marrow of the heart and soul. With each album the band lets us in on the latest joys, heartaches, concerns, and dreams that fill their hearts and homes. Sometimes tender, sometimes playful, this disc will remind you what it means to be alive. Kurt Sacramento, CA O How The Mighty Have Fallen is The Choir's most accessible album yet, pleasing old fans with their unique sound, but also sure to win new fans amongst those who enjoyed the City On A Hill albums they produced. Truly the first "must have" album of 2005! Craig E. Bacon Chesapeake, VA I just wanted to let you know that I really like the new cd. There is not a bad song in the bunch. Highlights for me include: “O How the Mighty Have Fallen”, “Terrible Mystery”, & “Mercy Will Prevail”. Actually, I could list practically every song as a highlight. I have really enjoyed listening to it. Michael Lytle Nashville TN As one who is able to find little to like amongst the dross of the “Christian music scene” the Choir stands as a blaring sentinel of excellence and realness. O How the Mighty have Fallen does not disappoint. It’s a serene and hauntingly beautiful collection of songs that can move one from tears one minute to a joyous celebration of the beauty of life in the Kingdom the next. Thanks for a wonderful and worthy addition to the greatest catalogue of music available on this planet. Andrew Grant Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia