A Few of My Favorite Songs of 2022

Kurt Neuswanger • December 31, 2022

Choosing “best” songs is always a subjective thing. And since I’m the one doing the choosing, these are “a few of my favorite songs”! Enjoy!

 

Sunday Sermons

Anne Wilson

20 year old Anne Wilson brought us the hugely touching and popular song “My Jesus” in 2021 (the one about the loss of her brother in a car accident). “Sunday Sermons” continues Anne’s trademark southern style with a tribute to her Christian heritage. (By the way, check out her song video for a cool picture of man who goes out of his way to help others as he is driving down a country road.)

 

Seven years old, third row pew John 3:16, something changed in me Red letters coming off the page Flooding my heart with amazing grace I knew then I believed And those roots run deep Oh I been through some faith shaking hard times Yeah But nothing’s gonna make me forget

 

  Every one of those Sunday sermons
  Every time that choir would sing
  I could hear my Savior calling,

  telling me how much He loves me
 

  Devil gon' try and take me out of that church
  But you can't take the church out of me
  Devil gon' try and take me out of that church
  But you can't take the church out of me

 

Crazy People

Casting Crowns

You have to love a song that calls Christians “crazy people”—and means it as a compliment!

 

  Who builds a boat with no clouds in sight?
  Who walks up to a giant and picks the fight?
  Who turns a lion's den into a petting zoo?
  Who can have a church in the fire of furnace?

  Well, I'll tell you

 

  Crazy people trust in Jesus
  Following Him wherever He leads us
  Kingdom seekers, walk by faith believers
  Here's the church, here's the steeple,

  here's to all God's crazy people

 

Jesus Is Coming Back

Jordan Feliz

Jordan Feliz has a knack for catchy tunes, as I well remember, listening to him at the Chris Tomlin concert at the Las Colonias Amphitheatre last summer. At least, I remember his songs in fits and starts, as thunderstorms and lightning caused multiple delays. (Thankfully, the entire concert was eventually able to finish for all the hearty fans who persevered!)

 

  Have you ever thought that the world has kinda lost its way?

  Crazy as it seems, yeah, I know it's gonna be okay
  It doesn't scare me, it's temporary
  There's something better, we got forever
  And it won't be long, 'cause we know our help is on the way
 

  So, keep your head up
  Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
  No, don't you give up (hey)
  Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

 

I’m Not Lucky, Just Blessed

Love & the Outcome

Speaking of catchy tunes, there’s few catchier than this, from the husband-wife duo who brought us “If I Don’t Have You” and “You Got This.”

 

  Some would call it good fortune
  Some would call it good luck
  Some would say that the stars align
  But in my mind, it doesn't add up, no
  Some would call it good timing
  But I know more than anything
  I live in victory 'cause I'm a child of the king

 

  You know I gotta give credit where credit is due
  Every good thing that I got, I only got because of You
  No four-leaf clover and no good-luck charm
  The only thing I'm counting on is Your everlasting love

 

  I'm not lucky, I'm blessed
  I can't deny it
  I'm not lucky, I'm blessed
  Why try to fight it?
  I'm not lucky, I'm blessed

 

(God Is In A) Good Mood

Richlin

You might notice a trend here: catchy! And at first glance, some people no doubt were thinking “God doesn’t have moods!” And you’d be correct, but that’s the point of the song. Richlin (Brandon Richardson) is addressing people who really do think God has “bad moods” when He is going to “get you” for messing up. In fact, when you have Jesus in your heart, that’s who God sees in you!

 

  There's been some miscommunication, misinterpretation

  Some say God is love but full of aggravation

  Some say He don't talk to you Unless you're perfect too

  But if you know Him you can laugh, Cause you know that ain't true

 

  Cause it's Jesus that He sees you through

  Even on your worst day, after a mistake

  He don't change, the way the weather do

  Here's some hope that you can hold onto, God is in a good mood

 

I’m So Blessed

CAIN

We wrote about this song last year when it came out, because it has one of the more creative music videos! The band (siblings Taylor, Madison and Logan Cain from Alabama) made a video in the style of a 70s TV show, where they all fall in the swimming pool with their instruments but continuing singing “I’m so blessed!”

 

  Trouble knocking at my door today

  I ain't gonna let it in

  And worry wanna steal my joy away

  But I ain't gonna let it win

 

  'Cause on my best day, I'm a child of God

  On my worst day, I'm a child of God

  Oh, everyday is a good day

  And You're the reason why

 

  I'm so blessed, I'm so blessed

  Got this heartbeat in my chest

  No, it doesn't matter about the rest

  If I got You Lord, I'm so blessed

Michael Tait leaves the Newsboys

By Kurt Neuswanger • January 23, 2025
Michael Tait , the lead singer for the Newsboys , has left the group . His announcement came January 16, two days before the band was to start its world tour. Tait said his decision came after prayer and fasting, saying it came as a shock even to him. He added “although I am nervous about the future, I am excited about what it holds for both myself and the Newsboys, as we all seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” Adam Agee is the new lead singer . He had previously been the lead singer for the band Stellar Kart, and then became lead singer for Audio Adrenaline for two years, until they disbanded. In 2023, Agee joined the Newsboys on vocals and bass. Newsboys released a statement after Tait’s announcement, saying “As he walks into the next season of life, we are stepping into the next season of Newsboys. We want you to know that Newsboys isn’t going anywhere, we’re going everywhere!” Tait led a revival of the Newsboys when he joined 15 years ago, with chart topping albums such as Born Again and God’s Not Dead. The first release featuring Tait, in 2010, was “ One Shot ” from the “Born Again” album. After the Newsboys performed their first concert on the new tour, Agee posted on Instagram , “Had to step up to the microphone last night. [a reference to a Newsboys song ] When we found out a week ago that our leader singer Michael Tait was leaving the band, we asked ourselves a lot of questions about the future. We got together and worked hard to put on the best show we could last night. I’m excited about the future and everything God has in store for Newsboys.”

New Christmas Albums for 2024

By Kurt Neuswanger • December 5, 2024
CeCe Winans has released a new Christmas album for 2024 called Joyful Joyful: A Christmas Album . It contains two brand new songs, Joy To The World and Angels We Have Heard On High. The rest of the album is new recordings of her 2018 Christmas album “Something’s Happening.” For King & Country has released A Drummer Boy Christmas: Live . You can also see the concert this week only, through December 11, at the Regal Cinema in Grand Junction. Phil Wickham’s new album, Hallelujah! It’s Christmas , includes duets with Anne Wilson and his brother Evan, plus “Winter Wonderland” featuring “The Wickham Sisters” which I am pretty sure refers to his three beautiful daughters! Thrive Worship , from Bayside Church in Sacramento, has released Christmas Volume Two . It contains seven more songs to go along with last year’s release, predictably titled Christmas Volume One. Elevation Worship has released Echo the Angels featuring “reimagined classics.” And the Gaither Vocal Band has released New Star Shining containing original songs and nostalgic favorites.

It's Christmas Time! Welcome The King!

By Dave Andrews • December 3, 2024
Merry Christmas friend…I am sure you have noticed we are now in our Christmas season of programming here…we have some fantastic Christmas music underway, and our Christmas specials are a go as of Monday the 9th. Something else is a go...

Forrest Frank: New Artist of the Year

By Kurt Neuswanger • November 15, 2024
Two young musicians are creating a stir in contemporary Christian music this year. We told you previously about Josiah Queen , the 21 year old TikTok sensation whose album Progidal debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts in June. Another TikTok sensation, Forrest Frank , has now burst onto the Christian music scene. After gaining a following as part of a pop music duo called Surfaces, Frank said he “knew the Lord was asking him to lay it all down.” He began producing Christian music in 2023, becoming Billboard’s favorite Christian artist for the year. Frank was raised in a Christian home in Texas, but drifted away from the Lord until his sophomore year at Baylor University, when he went to an evangelical church and had a “ life changing encounter with Christ. ” In 2024, he released the song “ Good Day ” which has now had at least 150 million views on TikTok and more than 80 million views on Instagram . He was named New Artist of the Year by the Dove Awards a few weeks ago, and “Good Day” was named Contemporary Song of the Year. In July 2024, he released his album Child of God (containing "Good Day") which immediately debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, and has remained #1 ever since. Last week it was nominated for a Grammy as Best Contemporary Christian Album. His song “ Good Day ” talks of why he knows it is a good day, because “the God of the universe knows my name.” Turning old things new Grey skies blue Hear the church saying, "Won't He do it?" I know He's got my back That's why I'm singing that I'm 'bout to have a good day (good day) No matter what they say (what they say) Sun is shining down on me Birds are singing praise I'm 'bout to have a good day (good day) In every single way The God who made the universe Knows me by my name So it's a good day

Three new Christian artists

By Kurt Neuswanger • November 5, 2024
KJOL continually receives music from new artists, including some who are not on major record labels. Here are three artists and their current songs. Josiah Queen Josiah Queen is a 21 year old independent artist, the son of Calvary Chapel pastors in Florida. His musical style is described as a acoustic-based, Americana-leaning sound. Queen began releasing songs on TikTok when he was 16, and he has since garnered 1.7 million posts from fans, plus 2 million followers on Spotify, anand 5.5 million Youtube views. His album "Prodigal" debuted at #1 on Billboard in June, which was noteworthy because he does not have a record label promoting his music. His song “Prodigal” is inspired by the Prodigal Son, and Mark 8:36: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" Prodigal I don't want to lose my soul Chasing after things that don't lead me straight to You I'm lost in the feeling That I ain't from this world Going back to Eden ain't gonna be easy But it leads me straight to You Now I'm running home, Like the Prodigal Terrian (rhymes with "clarion") Terrian (Woods) is a singer/songwriter from Memphis. She is also a member of TobyMac's band Diverse City (and records on his Gotee record label). And in her spare time, she serves on AngelStreet Staff in Memphis as a mentor to young girls. Honestly, We Just Need Jesus Honestly, we just need Jesus Have we all gone mad? Have we lost our minds? What used to be wrong, we say that it's right Honestly, I think we just need Jesus Nathan Sheridan Nathan Sheridan is a Louisiana native. He has faced a number of challenges on his road to success: addicted parents, the death of his sister, and enlistment in the U.S. Army. During his time serving in Kuwait, he led worship for the troops. He performed his first single “ Something Worth Singing About ” at the Grammys show last February. He Is The Way He is the hand who parts the water, He is the voice that calms the waves The compass for my wandering heart, If ever I should stray He is the lamp unto my feet that lights, the path that I should take With every step I’m trusting in my Jesus Cause He is, He is the way (And the Truth, and the Life - hey)

Dove Award Winners 2024

By Kurt Neuswanger • October 7, 2024
The 55 th annual Dove Awards were presented last week in Nashville. We've seen a lot of great songs in the last year ... and some of them got nominated. (But if it was up to me, I would have chosen a much different list!) Here’s a look at some of the winners. ARTIST OF YEAR: CeCe Winans --It’s hard to argue with CeCe Winans. Her new album is outstanding. Also nominated: Anne Wilson , for King + Country , and Lauren Daigle NEW ARTIST: Forrest Frank -Frank is an online artist who has also had considerable secular online success on TikTok. My choice would have been Seph Schlueter (“shleeter”), whose songs contains much stronger Christian content, including “Counting My Blessings” and “Running Back To You”. SONG OF THE YEAR: Holy Forever , Chris Tomlin & others --another good choice would have been “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” by Cody Carnes POP SONG: Good Day , Forrest Frank --This song talks about birds and sunshine and “baby in my arms, walking through the neighborhood.” But it also declares “The God who made the universe knows me by name, so it’s a good day.” Amen! --My choice would have been Any More by CAIN or Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter WORSHIP SONG: Praise , Elevation Worship -- Elevation Worship is pretty much the nation’s de facto worship leader. ROCK SONG: Grave Robber , Crowder --You can hear this song on Saturday nights at 6:00 pm during the Contemporary Music program on KJOL INSPIRATIONAL SONG: My Tribute , Natalie Grant with CeCe Winans --The Andraé Crouch classic! FILM OF YEAR: Unsung Hero , Joel & Luke Smallbone --(Yes, they actually have this category!) This was kind of a “no brainer.” It’s the true story of Rebecca St. James and her family, including her two younger brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone (of For King & Country ).
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