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Religion Rocks: Booking Acts Almost A Holy War
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Published: August 30, 2008
Back in the day, looking for talent to book for Universal Orlando's Rock the Universe was easy for Jim Timon.
"It used to be just a small pond of people," said Timon, senior vice president of entertainment.
Now it has turned into a virtual Great Lake.
Christian rock is hot, hot, hot. More solo artists and groups are proclaiming their faith in edgy, hip music that rivals their secular counterparts in every way. It comes in all styles: hip-hop, punk, hard rock, ska, alternative, pop, soft and contemporary.
The challenge Timon faces these days is picking the best of the bunch. And he's got competition: Rock the Universe, scheduled for Friday and Sept. 6, goes head-to-head with Walt Disney World's Night of Joy on the same two days.
Why two mega Christian rock festivals on the same days, just down the street from each other?
"It's something to do with how youth pastors schedule their weekends," Timon said. "It's a friendly competition. We may have the edge on keeping it purely rock, and we bring in speakers as well."
Universal sets up two stages for live performances, giving guests a chance to go back and forth to hear different groups. Friday's lineup includes Switchfoot, Relient K, Newsboys, Skillet, Grits, Group 1 Crew and New Method. Sept. 6 groups are Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Stellar Kart, Leeland, This Beautiful Republic and Special D. Brian "Head" Welch, the former lead guitarist of Korn, will be the celebrity guest speaker Sept. 6.
With such a diverse offering, Timon says no Christian rock fan is left out. "We've broadened the appeal over the years," he said. "As that pond of talent keeps growing, it gets easier."
He only has one rule of thumb: Find the best in the business. With Disney down the road trying to do the same thing, "it's an interesting challenge."
For an inside glimpse into a rock star's life, we asked some of the featured artists to get up close and personal.
John Cooper of Skillet
Secular artist/group that most influenced you: Bon Jovi, Bush
Scripture to live by: Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will be added to you."
Passionate cause: World Vision
Guilty pleasure: Dr Pepper, doughnuts, Celine Dion
How do you chill out? Movies, driving, TV series like "24"
Family matters: Married with two children, 6-year-old daughter Alex and 3-year-old son Xavier.
Legacy you want to leave: To influence others to live a passionate, radical life for Jesus. Encourage believers to wake up out of our slumber and reach out to hurting people and show love and kindness. Be a voice for our generation to help change the world's perception of Jesus, so they may see how gracious, accepting and loving he truly is.
Jeremy Camp
Secular artist/group that most influenced you: R.E.M.
Scripture to live by: John 3:16. This is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
Passionate cause: ONE Campaign, HIV/AIDS in Africa
Guilty pleasure: I buy way more books than I'll ever read.
How do you chill out? Spending time with my family, hiking, canoeing and being outside.
Family matters: Married with two daughters, 4-year-old Abbie and 1-month-old Katherine.
Legacy you want to leave: I hope to meet a college kid at one of our shows, one day down the road in about 20 years, who was sponsored by World Vision, or see a Habitat for Humanity house we helped build still there.
Brian "Head" Welch
Secular artist/group that most influenced you: Faith No More
Scripture to live by: 2 Cor 12:10. "That is why for Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong." This scripture makes hard days easier for me.
Passionate cause: Giving up cheese and sugar.
Guilty pleasure: I sometimes TV binge on "The First 48," "Intervention," "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "I Survived," "Snapped" and anything else on Discovery Channel.
How do you chill out? I used to drink beer and take drugs. Now I pray and read spiritual books or the Bible, and listen to instrumental music.
Family matters: Divorced, single dad to a 10-year-old daughter.
Legacy you want to leave: Bold, courageous and fearless, loved by God and lover of God and people.
Mark Lee of Third Day
Secular artist/group that most influenced you: U2
Scripture to live by: Prov. 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don't depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will make your paths straight."
Passionate cause: Get excited for causes outside your own self, to be the best husband and father I can be and to share my faith in my music, onstage and in everyday life.
Guilty pleasure: Ice cream (Moose Tracks is my favorite) and watching old Westerns.
How do you chill out? Exercise, tennis and playing Wii.
Family matters: Married and two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 2-year-old Ari
Legacy you want to leave: A spiritual inheritance of faith, trust, and devotion to God for my daughters and anyone else who knows me.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO'S ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2008
WHEN: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Sept. 6; Sept. 7 worship services at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
WHERE: Universal Studios, Orlando
ADMISSION: $45 in advance, $50 day of show; a "Rock Your Whole Weekend" ticket for full daytime access to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, along with both concert nights, is $74 until Friday, then $96. Admission to one Sunday service is free with proof of Rock the Universe admission; sign up at rocktheuniverse.com.
INFORMATION: rocktheuniverse.com or 1-866-788-4636
WALT DISNEY WORLD'S NIGHT OF JOY
WHAT: Two nights of Christian music by Dove and Grammy Award-winning performers including MercyMe and Rebecca St. James on Friday, and Casting Crowns and TobyMac on Sept. 6
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday and Sept. 6
WHERE: Disney's Hollywood Studios (former Disney-MGM Studios), Orlando
ADMISSION: $44.95 in advance, $49.95 day of; $75.95 for both nights
INFORMATION: Disneyworld.disney.go.com or (407) W-DISNEY
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