Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of Phil Keaggy's 1978 acclaimed instrumental album, The Master and The Musician, he has been on the road on a tour that will cover 17 cities in all. Joining Keaggy on the tour will be drummer John Sferra, guitarist Ric Hordinski, multi-instrumentalist Tom Shinness, flutist Melissa Lautenbach, pianist Bryan J. Lautenbach and bassist Joel Jimenez.

Phil Keaggy has also added some solo acoustic stops to his tour calendar.

• June 5 - Birmingham, AL
• June 6 - Nashville, TN
• June 13 - Winfield, AL
• July 18 - Anchorage, AK
• August 2 - Cumberland, MD
• August 9 - Muskegon, MI
• August 30 - Frenchtown, NJ
• September 22 - Lowellville, OH
• October 18 - Frederick, MD

_{Image courtesy of: Street Level Artists Agency. Used by permission.}

The voting for the 2008 Top Ten Ballot for the Diamond Awards will end on May 17, 2008. To let your voices and choices be heard, go to the Diamond Awards site and pick your faves in categories like Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

_{Image courtesy of Southern Spin Entertainment. Used by permission.}

Matthew West and Jeremy Camp took the top spots this week in the Weekly Top 10 with Jeremy also sitting at number 9 with a second song.

_{Album cover courtesy of: Sparrow. Used with permission.}

Southern Gospel legend Dottie Rambo died on yesterday, on Mother's Day, when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment in Missouri. Dottie was on her way to North Richland Hills, Texas to perform a Mother's Day show with Lulu Roman & Naomi Sego.

_{Image courtesy of: Springhill Records. Used by permission.}

Steven Curtis Chapman was inducted into the fourth class of the Music City Walk of Fame and received his commemorative sidewalk marker in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville last month. (see photo)

Merle Kilgore, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Wariner, Kirk Whalum and Hank Williams Sr. were also honored in this class. The plaques for this class of inductees were inlaid in Hall of Fame Park on Demonbruen, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.

_{Image by Andy Argyrakis. Used by permission.}

The Tyler's Ride Scene and Heard songwriting contest, sponsored by Paulist Productions, Yamaha and Indieheaven.com, is now taking submissions and is free to enter! The grand prize winner might have their song featured on a possible future Tyler's Ride episode and 3 winners will receive recording gear from Yamaha.

Go to the Tyler's Ride site, watch episodes of the show, then submit a song you think will inspire Tyler to go for his dream by visiting Indie Heaven.

GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning artist Michael W. Smith was honored with the Apostelos Christou Award for Distinguished Christian Leadership, April 19 in Los Angeles. King’s College and Seminary, founded and headed by Pastor Jack Hayford, presents the award annually to “an individual who, (a) by a life which characterizes the passion and values of timeless Christian faith, and (b) by leadership that has notably penetrated contemporary culture, has made a far-reaching impact for God, His Word and the ultimate glory of His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Previous recipients of the award include Attorney General John Ashcroft; Faithful Central Pastor, Kenneth Ulmer; Saddleback Church Pastor, Rick Warren and Touched By An Angel producer, Martha Williamson.

“I’m humbled and honored by this award. I know there are many other people more deserving and I appreciate even being considered,” Smith said in a press release. “Kings College has done a tremendous job preparing and equipping Christian leaders. I’m glad for the opportunity to be with Dr. Hayford and join the past recipients of this honor.”

_{Image courtesy of: Reunion Records. Used by permission.}

Moms don't get weekends off, sick time or vacation days and they work 24/7, 365 days a week. However, moms do get bonuses and one such bonus is Mother's Day. Mother's Day may be celebrated on different days in different countries, but in all countries it does one thing ... honor mom or the memory of mom.

During GMA Week, Christian Music pioneers Tim Archer and his brother Steve , both founding members of The Archers, shared their memories of their mom. Legends Don Francisco, Dallas Holm and David Meece all talked about their moms and the impact they made. Christian Pianist Barry D. spoke of the lessons his mom taught him and is 8 siblings and newcomer Stephanie Newton, a mom herself, shared her own understanding of Motherly Love. Autumn Records artist Erin Schneider's description of her mom shows a lady who is very reminiscent of the mom described in Proverbs 31:28-31. The Wisconsin native said, "There are many things I appreciate about my mother. She has always been a hard worker and the type of person that taught her children to do so as well. She taught us to do things on our own and to not always have to depend on other people. She also taught me to say my prayers at night and that God was in control. She has been a wonderful support and encouragement to me in my life. Someone I will always be grateful to."

_{Image courtesy of Steve Archer. Used by permision.}

In our culture there are plenty of young stars saturating the airwaves. Some of them do a great job of setting a good example for kids. Others behave like train wrecks and their antics and mistakes are prominently featured everywhere.

Kids, being young and impressionable, want to be popular like their favorite entertainers. They want to dress like them, act like them and are frequently in awe of them.

When those they admire are bands like Jump5 or BarlowGirl or artists like Robert Pierre or Krystal Meyers, we, as parents can feel safe. When they look up to pregnant teens or rehab repeaters, safe isn't the word.

_{Image courtesy of: Provident. Used by permission.}

Matthew West and Casting Crowns have the two most popular Christian songs in the land this first week of May with Steven Curtis Chapman and MercyMe close on their heels.

_{Album cover courtesy of: Sparrow. Used with permission.}