THIS WEEK'S NEWS: George Huff, Michael W. Smith & More
- Laura MacCorkle Senior Entertainment Editor
- Updated Nov 05, 2004
![THIS WEEK'S NEWS: George Huff, Michael W. Smith & More](https://i.swncdn.com/media/800w/crosswalk/entertainment/music/ent_mychristmasep.150.tn.jpg)
Well, kids. It's time to 'fess up.
You KNOW you can't wait 'til "American Idol" resumes this coming January. It's the fourth edition of the reality series where regular old Joes can sing their hearts out and break into the music biz IF America chooses them.
Yes, it's a guilty pleasure. And yes, I'll probably be watching.
One of my favorites from last season, "regular old Joe" and former New Orleans short-order cook George Huff, was the last man standing (literally) during that competition. And you know what? Doing his "American Idol" time garnered him a deal with Word Records.
The raspy-voiced, soulful singer who cites Gospel music as his favorite music genre and is also an evangelist (who knew?) will see his first project, "George Huff: My Christmas EP," released on Tuesday, November 9. While not the most original title for a disc, hopefully the music won't disappoint with a track listing including: "Angels We Have Heard on High/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Silent Night," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Oh Holy Night" and "Go, Tell It on the Mountain."
Anyhow, be on the lookout for George's upcoming television appearances on "The 700 Club" (November 30), "Fox Morning News" (December 1), "Fox and Friends" (December 3) and as a special guest on the "7th Annual Soul Train Christmas Star Fest" airing in syndication from December 4-20. George's full-length debut disc drops sometime in 2005, but until then, be sure to visit him on the Web at www.georgehuffworld.com.
Since it doesn't seem like a recording career is keeping him busy enough, Pace is also the director and CEO of the Colorado Mass Choir and just completed his first book, "From Performance to Praise – Moving Music Ministry to the Next Level" (Serenity Publishing Company).
Besides moving some product, Smith also knows a thing a or two about moving people's hearts through his music. Already, the title cut has risen to the No. 1 position on the R&R Inspirational chart and is currently at No. 2 on the R&R AC Indicator chart and No. 3 on the R&R AC Monitored chart (does anyone know what these things mean … anyway?).
A "Healing Rain" seminar was also held at the end of last month and simulcast to movie theaters in 30 major markets across the country. Christian communicators, experts and authors including Max Lucado, Henry Cloud, John Townsend, Stephen Arterburn and Dr. Emerson Eggerichs were on hand to lead the three-hour session. And in conjunction with that, a book based on the worship anthem of the same name, "Healing Rain," has also been released by Integrity Publishers. Plans for "Healing Rain" water gauges are also in the works (okay, I made that up).
If all of that is not enough, there's early word that Smith is also working on his first motion picture, "The Second Chance," an independent film written by industry vets Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson and directed by Taylor. More details on that as they come down the pike.
The Texas twosome produced, along with Will Hunt, and wrote seven new songs for the disc. Also included is a remake of the timeless classic, "He Is Exalted," a new take on "There Is None Like You" and a revamped version of the fan-favorite "Yearn." Shane and Shane are currently on tour with label mate Matt Kearney whose debut CD, "Bullet," released last week. Follow the rest of the "Clean" 31-city fall tour at www.shaneandshane.com.
That's it for this edition. And what a gamut we've run … from "American Idol" to Gospel to worship to supermodel. Stranger things have happened, I guess. Hope your weekend is better than stranger!