Suzy Bogguss found early success in her career winning the Country Music Association's Horizon Award in 1992 and the Album of the Year Award in 1994. Since that time she has earned a reputation as an artist who is willing to push the boundaries of the expected. With her 2003 release Swing she maneuvered her musical journey in the direction of a sultry swing sound with charming results. This same daring spirit is again represented by her new release that delves into the world of New York-styled lounge jazz. Aided by producer Jason Miles, who has produced jazz oriented greats like Miles Davis, Luther Vandross and Sting, Bogguss shows that she can muster the chops for yet another genre. Sweet Danger is an album that stretches her naturally gifted abilities as a vocalist and collaborative songwriter to new heights and the outcome is well worth the effort.

After a tumultuous couple of years that have found Grammy winning artist Sheryl Crow battling breast cancer and ending a much publicized relationship with famed cyclist Lance Armstrong, the artist is set to release her sixth album, Detours, on February 5th.  Reportedly, the album is Crow's most personal and politically charged release yet.  Speaking to this, Crow shares, "This is the most honest record I’ve ever made.  It’s about being forced to wake up."  If you just can't wait, the video for the first single, "Shine Over Babylon" is playing over at YouTube.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

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For all the negative that can be leveled at the television icon known as American Idol, every now and then it points us to someone worth listening to.  Such is the case with Mandisa.  After a scathing comment from Simon Cowell, Mandisa responded with something more shocking: forgiveness.  That stunning character and a booming talent have helped propel the artist from backup singer to the front of the stage.  Recently, Infuze's Andrew Greenhalgh sat down with Mandisa to discuss the artist's Idol experience, her new Christmas album, and her thoughts on race relations within the contemporary Christian industry.

Don't let words like "metal" and "hard rock" scare off any of you who enjoyed the last couple of releases.  This 5-piece hasn't turned into Slayer, at least not yet.  Spoken just hits a little harder and really, in a time where much music is guilty of layering and over production in the studio, gives you a better idea of what you will hear if and when you go to a live show.  "We didn't intentionally go for a heavier sound," says guitarist Jef Cunningham.  "We just wrote what came to mind and I think it turned into some of our best material."

Happy holidays?  Not according to family-friendly artists, Go Fish.  With the Christmas season hitting full-swing, a fan-produced video featuring pics of the group and music and lyrics from the band's song, "Christmas With a Capitol 'C'" from the album, Snow, has garnered over 1.4 million hits on YouTube.  The song also features snippets of comedian Brad Stine's act and has incited a plethora of responses, both for and against the group's pro-"Merry Christmas" stand.

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For those who don't like their turkey and stuffing mixed with a healthy helping of Green Bay versus Detroit (and let's be honest, the Packers have it this year!), the Gospel Music Channel is serving up a visual feast fit for a king.  The Faith and Fame Marathon will begin at 7AM EST and will run through the day, offering up seventeen insightful profiles of artists as diverse as Natalie Grant, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Michael W. Smith, and Third Day.  Now that's something to be thankful for!

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Longtime ccm veterans NewSong and free spirit Todd Agnew are set to team up again this holiday season for the 2007 Christmas Promise Tour.  Featuring yuletide favorites and originals as well (yes, I'm sure they'll sing "The Christmas Shoes") the tour will also showcase music from special guest Matthew West, as well as Nate Sallie and Britt Nicole.  The tour dates are as follows:

Nov. 27         Bolivar, MO (Springfield)
    Nov. 28         Prattville, AL (Montgomery)
Nov. 29         Kinston, NC (Greenville)
 Dec. 1             Whiteville, NC (Greenville)
Dec. 2            Concord, NC (Charlotte)
Dec. 3            Concord, NC (Charlotte)
 Dec. 5             Pascogoula, MS (Gulfport)
  Dec. 6            Anniston, AL (Birmingham)
        Dec. 7             Brookhaven, MS (Jackson)
Dec. 8              Amite, LA (Baton Rouge)
Dec. 9             Pearland, TX (Houston)
     Dec. 10          Brenham, TX (College Station)
Dec. 14           Moultry, GA (Tallahassee)
Dec. 15           Mars Hill, NC (Asheville)
Dec. 16           Columbia, SC (Columbia)
        Dec. 18           Oconomowoc, WI (Milwaukee)
Dec. 19           Norfolk, NE (Norfolk)
Dec. 20         Champaign, IL (Champaign)

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