By Andy Argyrakis

FORMER NEWSONG MEMBER CALLS FOR PRAYER

Earlier this week, former NewSong member turned songwriter and worship leader Leonard Ahlstrom and his family lost their daughter, Meagan E. Ahlstrom, in a car accident. The 24-year-old college student was on her way home from Tennessee and died upon impact, while her mother Rebecca (who was also in the vehicle) was taken to a nearby hospital (with no additional information available due to privacy laws). The family and Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Ill., (where Leonard is a worship pastor) has called for prayer over the entire situation with additional information at the following link: www.ccclife.org/story.asp?storyid=774.

PURENRG’S PRE-SALE PROMOTION

With pureNRG fans getting excited for the group’s fourth studio CD, The Real Thing (out July 14 on Fervent Records), the group has unveiled a series of pre-sale promotions. Anyone who places an advance order for the project at www.pureNRGonline.com scores an autographed copy, while there’s also an option to buy a special The Real Thing bundle, featuring an autographed album, poster and T-shirt. Yet the ultra-appreciator can score all of the above, plus a multi-colored pureNRG beach ball, beach towel and purple sunglasses with the “Summer Fun Pack.” 

JUPITER WIND OFFERS FREE DOWNLOAD

Though pop/rockers Jupiter Wind are just getting their feet wet on the national spectrum, the South Carolina-bred band is earning some extra attention from Dale Oliver (Casting Crowns, Josh Bates), the band's producer on its self-titled project. In order to help spread the word, the group has also partnered with popular Christian ticketing website iTickets to offer a free download of its current single, “Everyday,” available at www.itickets.com/freemusicdownload/.

RAP TURNAROUND

Whoever said there’s no place for hardcore rap in Christian music must not have heard the testimony of Mr. Del. The one time member of multi-platinum mainstream sensation Three 6 Mafia was living the high life in that hardcore rap act, but after reconnecting with Christ, realized the faith-based scene needed a spiritually-centered alternative. The innovator drops his third disc, Thrilla, on June 30 via Holy South/Universal Music Christian Group, which includes collaborations with Mali Music, IroCc and Canton Jones.