613 Media — Telling the Story

She was a petite blonde haired young woman in a knee length sequined dress. Her arms were bare and it was a good thing so she could wield her violin. Surrounding her on the stage were her brother on the viola, another brother on the cello, her sister on another violin, another sister on the harp, her mother singing harmony, her father on the keyboard and two friends on percussion and bass guitar.

“Hi, my name is Annie and this is the Annie Moses Band.” Her eyes sparkled as she leaned into the microphone and began one of the most amazing musical experiences I have ever heard. The band was named after their grandmother and every one of the children on the stage (they were mostly grown except for the eleven year old brother who sat and watched) had attended Julliard music school. But the three songs they shared with the audience at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando last night blew us away! The show was designed to introduce the audience to a wide range of music. But, this group defied any genre.

Cross Manneheim Steamroller with a jazz pianist with a celtic close harmony women’s ensemble with dueling violins in a classy, upbeat, high energy presentation of three classic Christmas carols and you might begin to imagine. But, you have to hear it to believe it! I cannot express enough how incredible this group was! Their first album will be out in October named, “This Glorious Christmas” and I predict this group will become as popular, if not more so than that famous steamroller mentioned above. Just to watch Annie “dueling” her violin with her brother’s viola while she jumper and danced in high heel shoes was amazing and would make any “River” dancer look like they were tiptoeing! The audience jumped to their feet in a standing ovation at the end of the song and, frankly, I could have listened to them all night.

Okay, Sherry and I have just arrived here in Orlando on Sunday evening for what was once known as the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) show. Monday, we will be attending the main events in what promises to be the Christian retail book store equivalent of Book Expo America. We missed hearing Anne Graham Lotz as our plane didn’t arrive until after 6 P.M. But, the concert made up for it.

In addition to this new group we heard, Nicole C. Mullens wowed us with three songs one of which is my favorite, “My Redeemer Lives”. She was followed by Brian Free and Assurance singing old fashioned gospel quartet music that blew us all away. Jeremy Camp brought the evening to a close and the nightcap was the entire group of singers inviting the audience to join in on “Shout to the Lord”.

What a way to start the week! I’ll try to give a daily report. I hope to begin networking and making connections to get “The 12th Demon” into some book stores. Oh, and along the way, Sherry and I hope to have some fun at that certain theme park down the street from the Convention Center!