It's a Small World, Big Opportunity
tobyMac was among this year's talented performers at Disney's Night of Joy
By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
What could be more fun than a weekend filled with great Christian music and all the rides, fun and magic of Walt Disney World? For Christian music fans, Night of Joy is like the best of all possible worlds. This year tobyMac, Casting Crowns, Matthew West, PureNRG, Rush of Fools, Aaron Shust, Rebecca St. James, Mandisa and BarlowGirl were among the artists performing at the two-night festival held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
“Disney embracing Christian music is big,” tobyMac told GospelMusicChannel.com backstage before the first of his two Saturday night shows. “It tells people that it’s a genre that’s here to stay and is making noise, and Disney is choosing to invest in it. It also tells you there’s enough fans out there to put a night like this on.”
It was PureNRG’s first time performing at Night of Joy and prior to their Saturday evening performance, they had fun at the park, enjoying rides like the Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Toy Story Mania and the Tower of Terror. “We went three times on the Rockin’ Rollercoaster and three times on Tower of Terror,” says the group’s Jordan Yates.
“Just knowing that we’re here in Disney World performing, it’s like a dream come true,” says Carolyne Meyers. PureNRG’s third member Caroline Williams enthusiastically agrees: “Carolyne and I have always loved Disney, and we were really excited when we found out we were going to be here. We’ve been having such a great time already, and we can’t wait to hit the stage for our show.”
Matthew West was making his third appearance at Night of Joy, and it was “standing-room-only” during both of his performances at the Premiere Theatre. “Any time a company or corporation as huge as Disney gets behind Christian music and shows support it really lends validity to what we do, what we’re about and what we stand for,” Matthew told GospelMusicChannel.com backstage. “We want to put our best foot forward and give the best performance we can.”
West’s daughter LuLu always enjoys Dad performing at Disney. “She met Cinderella and talked with her and got her picture taken,” says West, beaming with fatherly pride. “Obviously just being at Disney has its own special flare to it. I think one of the things that’s unique is you are able to bring your family and sort of make a vacation of it too. They are very kind to us in allowing me to bring my daughter and wife and escorting us around the park. That always adds a special element to it.”
Save the Date
The 14th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards will be held October 16 at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tenn. The event will be hosted by Collin Raye and will feature performances by the Isaacs, Point of Grace, Tammy Cochran, Del Way and others. The awards are the focal point of Inspirational Country Music Week convention, which will be held Oct. 12–16 in Nashville, featuring showcases, exhibit booths, workshops, a talent contest and other events.
Click here for a list of award nominees.
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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 18-year-old son Trey.
