Ode to Joy
By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
Christian music fans from all over the world flocked to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando Sept. 11-12 for Night of Joy, Walt Disney World’s annual Christian music festival. Newsboys, Flyleaf, Mandisa, Skillet, Jars of Clay, Revive, NEEDTOBREATHE, Family Force 5, P.O.D., Kutless, Leeland, MercyMe and Chris Tomlin were among the performers at this year’s event.
“This is a real treat for us,” Leeland’s Jack Mooring told GospelMusicChannel.com. “Usually we’re in an arena or convention center, so this is special. We’re all kids at heart so we love it. Playing the Magic Kingdom a couple years ago was classic and now being here at Hollywood Studios is fun. We love the rides.”
“It’s great being at Disney and seeing all your buddies in different bands,” adds Leeland’s Mike Smith. “It’s an amazing event. Everybody at Disney is awesome. They really take care of us.”
The band’s namesake, Leeland Mooring, says he appreciates Disney giving Christian bands a chance to reach a diverse audience.
“Someone that wouldn’t necessarily come to church might come to Disney World for an event like this, so it’s a cool opportunity to minister to people who might not come to church,” says Leeland.
Avid Christian music fans flew in from all over the country to catch their favorite bands. “Some fans of ours from Southern California flew here for this,” says Kutless lead vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall. “People are coming from all over. I think that other companies certainly should take a look at what Disney’s doing here.”
Over the years, Jars of Clay has made multiple appearances at Night of Joy. “We’ve been around 15 years and started doing it a few years into our career,” Jars’ Stephen Mason told GospelMusicChannel.com. “Disney knows how to put on a production really, really well.”
Michael Tait had previously played Night of Joy as a member of dcTalk, but this marked his first Night of Joy performance since joining the newsboys. Earlier that afternoon, Tait had been enjoying the rides in the park. “We rode the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster. I love the Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster, but wish it was longer,” Tait said shortly before the first of two newsboys performances Friday night.
“I like it a lot,” Tait says of playing at the event. “People come that wouldn’t go to a church. It’s just cool. They always pack it out.”
Later that evening on Mickey Mouse’s Sorcerer’s Hat stage, newsboys fans screamed in delight when the emcee announced they’d see two lead singers that night. Longtime frontman Peter Furler retired from the road earlier this year, paving the way for Tait to step up to the microphone.
newsboys fans have welcomed Tait into the band and the Night of Joy performances were a testament to his ability to hold a crowd in the palm of his hand as he led fellow bandmates Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis and Duncan Phillips in two dynamic sets. Furler emerged on stage to take the lead on longtime fan favorite “Breakfast” and the crowd went wild. Sadly the Night of Joy performance marked Furler’s last guest appearance with the band.
During MercyMe’s first Saturday night show, they announced that in 2010 Night of Joy would return to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Though the last two years have been held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the first two decades of the festival had been held at Magic Kingdom. “Next year we’re back in front of Cinderella’s Castle,” MercyMe’s Bart Millard announced. “We’ve already been asked back and are looking forward to next year.”
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About the Writer
Deborah Evans Price has covered Christian/Gospel music for Billboard magazine since 1994. She also contributes regularly to Country Weekly, CMA Close Up, Devo’Zine, Christian Single, HomeLife, BMI Music World, and other publications.
A Nashville resident since 1983, Deborah has held editorial posts at Radio & Records, Country News, American Songwriter and Billboard. Amy Grant, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels, 3 Doors Down, Third Day, Don Henley, Bon Jovi, Chris Rice, Sandra Bullock, Mercy Me, Alan Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Steven Curtis Chapman are among her many interviews. Additionally, she's a sought-after music industry analyst who has been interviewed on CNN, MSNBC, TNN, The Today Show, and ABC PrimeTime Live, among other outlets.
Deborah is a member of the Gospel Music Association's board of directors and a graduate of Leadership Music. She resides south of Nashville with her husband, Gary, and 19-year-old son Trey.
