Living All In

A number of books by Christian musicians are popping up in 2007 catalogs.

Thomas Nelson Publishers is publishing "On The Move" by Bono, a small book by U2’s lead singer which includes the full text of a speech the activist gave at the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. In the speech Bono reflected on his own faith, discussed justice and equality and encouraged Americans to work together on behalf of those Jesus called "the least of these." Combine "small book" with the full text of his speech, and who knows how much of this content will be new. Still, a savvy, easy project nonetheless.

TNP is also publishing the life story of Michael English, the one time CCM star who returned multiple Dove Awards after the revelation in 1994 that he was having an illicit affair with First Call’s Marabeth Jordan. Now back on the music scene and often appearing on Gaither’s Homecoming Friends videos, Michael English tells his story in "The Prodigal Comes Home". Since Hungry Planet’s books are all pretty brutally honest, I hope this is the same kind of honest take on his public fall from grace. Not to put Michael through the ringer, but so others can avoid/learn from his mistakes.

Speaking of public martial controversy, in Fall of 2007 Random House will be publishing the book "The River Runs Wide", a collection of reflections on the life and faith of CCM star Amy Grant. I give Michael English’s coming release a better chance of helping people, while Grant’s book sounds more like a inspirational celebrity gift book (not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

 On November 1st, B&H Publishing Group will be publishing the autobiographical and highly pictorial book "Pat Boone’s America: 50 Years".  I think I’m out of the target market for this one. In fact, I think anyone under 45 will pass on Pat. The most famous Pat of the under 45 set? Spokane, Washington’s own Julia Sweeney from SNL (see inset.) Simultaneously sad (to me) and funny, Julia’s act/book "Letting Go of God" describes her journey away from Christianity (specifically Catholicism.)

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out for our Christian music loving friends out there that one of Hungry Planet’s most highly ‘praised’ books is by Rich Wagner entitled, "The Gospel Unplugged". If you haven’t read it, it’s a deep devotional based on two dozen CCM song lyrics from artists like Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, Third Day, and others.

h/t: Crossrhythms

After The Wicks Group acquired Standard Publishing from it’s parent Standex last July, Standard did some acquisition of its own over the holiday break snapping up Rainbow Studies International, publisher of the Rainbow Studies Bible.

If you click the Rainbow link, be prepared for a booming voice and triumphant music.  I don’t think I could get away with that here.  I’m afraid my theme song might be more inline with the track below…

[audio:WhippedCream.mp3]

Speaking of The Wicks Group, it’s strange that the same company that publishes the Standard Lesson Commentary (every year the KJV version is a bestseller) also acquired VIBE magazine one day prior to buying Standard.  For those who don’t know the 411 on VIBE, it’s one of the bestselling magazines covering rap and hiphop culture in the U.S.  Recent covers included a topless Janet Jackson at the beach (wardrobe malfunction) and rappers 50-Cent and Eminen looking rather ominous.  Not what the good folks in Standard’s Cinncinati offices were expecting I would imagine. 

Here’s the buzzphrase of the day for private equity firms and NY-based publishing houses buying up Christian publishers: autonomous control.  I would liken it to becoming a Christian in a non-Christian family.  You have to compartmentalize and maintain profit margin conversations with your extended/blended family members while sitting on mission/purpose talk until you get back to your immediate (believing) family.

Or maybe you just don’t see/acknowledge your extended family at all.  Lord knows we all have that crazy Uncle.