Contemporary Christian Music has had a huge impact in my life and my family. I created the Funky Jesus Music Podcast as a way to introduce you to some of the great artists who are creating music to glorify our Lord and transform people’s lives.
Our Latest Episode
Countdown To Connectfest – Juniper
This is the first in our new series called Countdown To Connectfest. This is your chance to meet some of the great bands and artists that will be taking the stage at Marciano Stadium in Brockton, Masschusetts on October 3.
Juniper is an exciting Christian singer songwriter duo based in Southern Maine. Jodelis Matos and Patrick Ranalla came together shortly after Patrick’s wife told Jodelis “You must sing with my husband!” Since that time they have made quite an impact with their soulful music.
Connectfest is a wonderful Christian Music Festival in Southeastern Massachusetts. This will be the fourth year of the festival. It is a one day event that is great for the family. Affordable, compact, there are no mountains to climb, you don’t have to walk a mile and a half to get back to your car. And the music, the music is incredible. In addition to Juniper this year’s line up includes Sanctus Real, Peter Furler, Michael Sweet, the voice of Stryper, Fireflight, Seventh Day Slumber and so many more. There will be moon bounces, a rock wall, and, oh yeah, rumor has it that there will be an awesome, totally interactive faith based illusion show.
It all happens October 3.
Click here to visit Juniper Music
Click here to check out Juniper’s iTunes page
Moriah Peters
It must have been three and a half, maybe four years ago. My family and I decided to travel a few hours North to Portland, Maine to see Mercy Me in concert. It was a tough time for us. My mom had recently passed away, and my father in law was in the middle of a years long battle for his life. This trip was a chance for the four of us to get away from the hospitals and the sadness.
The arena was packed. My daughter and I were a bit disappointed to learn that Chris August would not be appearing because he had suffered a severe brain injury skateboarding. The lights dimmed, and out walked a tall, pretty girl with a guitar and a long dress. To be honest my first thought was “I hope she is not on too long.”
And then Moriah Peters opened her mouth and sang a singe, powerful, beautiful note and k=just like that she had captivated our attention. By the time her too short set was down I was a fan.
Since that time my daughter, my constant Christian concert companion and I have had a chance to watch her grow as a performer. She is now touring with a fearsome, rocking all female band.
If you are not already a fan you will be once you meet Moriah Peters
I do want to caution you. While I am sure you will love meeting Moriah in this podcast you will not love the sound quality in some spots. Moriah’s cell connection warbled occasionally. I apologize for not being a better sound engineer. I do promise that you will be very happy if you show a have patience through the rough patches.
Click here to purchase Moriah’s music on Amazon
Leroy Hamp – War of Ages
The Funky Jesus Music podcast takes a bit of a detour away from our typical singer song writer guests…
Who am I trying to kid, a bit of a detour. We have driven through the guard rail and are barreling down the road to metal core madness. And it is beautiful.
In this episode we have a great conversation with Leroy Hamp, lead singer of the Christian Metal Core band War of Ages. Metal Core is a loud and aggressive style of music that appeals to many angry teens. War of Ages creates music to meet those teens where they are living and shares a beautiful Christian message through screaming guitars riffs and a relentless, pounding beat.
Share For Shannon
On July 11, 2013 Brian Heil experienced what every parent dreads. He was called to the scene of a horrific head on car accident. As he stood on the highway, peering down at the twisted metal, he knew that his life was about to take a dramatic change, either his beloved daughter Shannon would need a great deal of medical care, or she was gone.
Shannon was med flighted to the local hospital. On his ride to the hospital Brian prayed. He knew that if he didn’t put his entire trust in God at that moment “everything that I had done up until that moment would have been a lie.” Brian made the choice to trust God with everything, the good, the bad and the unthinkable.
Shannon was called home to Jesus that night.
Brian choose to give it all up to God. he choose the path that he thought Shannon would want him to take, the path of Joy.
Brian decided to remember Shannon and the joy she brought to the World by motivating people to pay it forward, to show kindness and love to someone else in Shannon’s memory. On Saturday, July 11 we will celebrate the second Share for Shannon event.
Click here to visit the Fierce For Shannon website
Click here to be a part of the Share For Shannon Facebook page and download great resources
Dean Richardson
Dean Richardson is a singer/singwriter/guitarist from Gorham, Maine. Married, and a father of 3, He has been a musician all of his life, playing throughout New England and eastern Canada. During this time he has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some pretty great artists! (The Wrecking, Unspoken, Sidewalk Prophets, The Letter Black, Trevor Morgan, Jonas Woods, Downhere, Decemberadio, and Paul Colman, to name a few ) In 2012 , after a weekend concert together, Dean was offered the opportunity to go to Nashville to record a project with Paul at the helm producing! So in October, he headed down to record his debut solo cd! “Far From Finished” talks about the fact that no matter where we are on life’s journey, there is still a long way to go. Perfect for this lifelong musician who is just getting started! Singing songs about Joy, struggle, faith and life in general, he brings a perspective that is easily relatable, no matter where the listener may be in their own life’s journey.
The Neverclaim
I never expected the Funky Jesus Music podcast to be the breaker of new music, but this week in a way we kind of are. Our guest this week is Jeremiah Carlson, lead singer of the band The Neverclaim. Based in the Pacific Northwest, the band is set to release their second album which they are calling “The Joy”.
Jeremiah tells us fans will discover a new Neverclaim sound in “The Joy”. We love the sound, and we love the fact that we get to share our talk with Jeremiah, and some sneak peeks of the new album, before it is officially released on July 17!
Click here to visit The Neverclaim web site
Joe Sneider
Joe Sneider is a name you most likely have never heard of, but you will be hearing a lot from him in the future. He is an incredibly talented musician, singer and songwriter. He toured with past Funky Jesus Music guests Jonas Woods and Joe Frey. He is currently engaged in a crowd funding campaign to record his very first worship album he plans to call “He Is”. In this interview Joe tells us about his goals, the challenges facing an independent artist and how he feels God calling him to record this music at this time.
Recent Episodes
The Jo Petty Band
Jo Petty Band is a Christian rock band with a universal vision and energizing sound of positive lyrical inspiration. Combining the influences of rock, funk and blues, they take the listener to a whole new level while still ministering to the heart.
Having their start in 2009 under the name SkyWatch, the band has solidified their sound with a talented and versatile mix of musicians. Jo Petty Band shares a combination of gifts that can light up the stage with a high-octane rock song or touch the heart deeply through a raw, profound ballad.
Click here to visit the Jo Petty Band website
Applejaxx
Ernest Owens is a Christian hip-hop artist who performs under the name “Applejaxx.” One year after graduating from Campbell University with a degree in computer information systems, he released in 2005 his first EP, “805 P.O.P.” His first full album, “Back 2 The Future,” followed in 2009 and a second album, “Organic,” in 2012. Billboard Magazine took notice, calling “Applejaxx” “one of hip-hop’s up and comers.”
Click here to visit Applejaxx web site
Amanda Vernon
In this episode of the Funky Jesus Music Podcast we meet singer songwriter Amanda Vernon. Amanda describes her style as soulful pop, seeking to speak to authentic beauty through music. Her most recent release “Interior Gaze” features the song “Cleaning and Scrubbing” which won first place at the international “Art Prize” competition. She is currently working on a new project with her friend Rosario Rodreguez called “Justice For All”.
Click here to visit Amanda Vernon’s Website
Click Here To Hear All Our Past Episodes
Our past guests include Jonny Diaz, Fireflight, Don Moen, Joe Frey, Trevor Hager, Jonas Woods and many others