Local
artists to appear at Spirit West Coast - Del Mar
The
much anticipated Spirit West Coast Christian Music Festival makes its Southern
California debut at Del Mar Fairgrounds on May 28-30. Originally established in
Monterey in 1997, Spirit West Coast uses the ministry of Christian music to
reach out to thousands of people.
“The
Lord has blessed our calling for seven years now, and we feel the time is right
to expand the vision to Southern California,” said festival founder and producer Jon Robberson.
The event features an unrivaled lineup of Christian musical
talent that San Diego County has yet to experience. Performances on eight
stages by over 50 artists will be featured during the three-day period. The Del
Mar festival will be tailored to the Southern California region with a broad
variety of musical styles ranging from rock to alternative, hip-hop-rap and
Latin-influenced music.
Kicking
off the festival as the very first act on the first day is best-selling
Christian rock group Casting Crowns. Touted as the breakout new artist of
2003, Casting Crowns has climbed
Billboard’s Top Heartseekers chart with their hit song “If We Are
The Body.” Front man Mark
Hall was recently nominated for a Dove Award by the Gospel Music Association as
Songwriter of the Year for the hit song. Casting Crowns has also been nominated
in the categories of New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the
Year. This will be their first appearance in California.
Many other headliners will be appearing on the Grandstand
Stage over the three-day event. The Newsboys, who just ended their highly
successful Adoration Tour, sold out 25 of their 35 shows. Jars Of Clay won
their first Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel album in 1997. They also
received nominations in 2001 and 2002. Jeremy Camp, who has ties to San Diego,
will perform on Saturday. Jeremy was nominated this year for four Dove Awards.
Audio Adrenaline, Relient K and the Latin Group, Salvador also promise to give
outstanding performances.
Other new artists featured in the schedule include Bldg.
42, who have enjoyed No. 1 success with their hit song, “Glory
Defined.” Todd Agnew, Amberlin and Sarah Kelly are also new artists
thrilled to be appearing at Spirit West Coast.
Perhaps the artist who will be traveling the farthest to
take part in the festival is Matt Redman. Matt founded Heart Of Worship, a
training resource for lead worshippers. Matt hails from Sussex, England.
An
impressive lineup of local talent will also be on hand over the three-day
period. An Oceanside-raised group, The Katinas, will be performing their brand
of rock and island soul. Jason Brown, San Diego sax artist will belt out some
cool jazz on one of the eight stages. Young artist Jesse Beason, who has sung
the National Anthem at Padres’ games and also appeared at the Billy
Graham Crusade here last year, will be performing. The San Diego Mass Choir,
Ominous and Scott Wesley Brown, who is the music pastor in a North County
Presbyterian Church, are also scheduled.
Other
groups with San Diego connections include Souljahz, Something Like Silas,
Adrian Ewings & The Steps of Praise, Pound Foolish and Sackcloth Fashion.
Many of the artists will also be appearing at the Monterey event in July.
Spirit West Coast promises to be an experience not to be missed.