[1]FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–Bebo Norman, Sarah Sadler and the Paul Colman Trio (pc3) will make guest appearances on FamilyNet’s new Christian reality series TruthQuest: California. The artists are represented by the Nashville-based Essential Records label.
TruthQuest: California is FamilyNet Television’s twist on reality TV, differing from previous reality fare as 12 Christian teenagers take a journey to California to apply their faith in the real world. For 18 days in July, the TruthQuesters will write stories about and participate in cutting-edge ministry in the state.
Their stories will appear on Baptist Press and their adventures will be chronicled in 13 half-hour episodes by FamilyNet Television to air weekly beginning Oct. 3. The TruthQuest: California team will learn to surf with Christian surfers in San Diego, attend a church on the beach, meet Christian celebrities, rappel with missionaries in Yosemite National Park and interact with locals in the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco. As a study guide, participants will use the TruthQuest Inductive Student Bible provided by Broadman & Holman Publishers.
“This program is about what’s right with young people today,” said Martin Coleman, FamilyNet vice president of programming, “It’s Christian teenagers who desire a deeper relationship with Christ and who want to make a positive impact on their world.” Coleman said the musical artists who will join in TruthQuest “have that same kind of passion, which is evident in their work. Their personalities and music are a wonderful fit.”
The TruthQuesters will begin their adventure with “boot camp” training in Tennessee where Bebo Norman will join them as they raft on the Ocoee River July 6. The TruthQuest team also will participate in journalism training in preparation for their departure for San Diego on July 11. pc3 is scheduled to participate in activities on July 17 at Jenness Park, Calif. On July 20, Sarah Sadler will participate with the TruthQuest team in San Francisco as they host a picnic for locals, sponsored by Page Street Ministries.
Essential Records singer/songwriter Bebo Norman established a consistent following nationwide through several years of touring as an independent artist before releasing his first label project, “Ten Thousand Days,” in 1999.
[2]Following his critically acclaimed debut, Norman’s sophomore release, “Big Blue Sky” was ranked No. 1 on Amazon.com’s list of the 10 Best Christian & Gospel CDs of 2001. After working with Third Day’s “Come Together” tour this past spring, Norman readies for the release of his latest album, “Myself When I Am Real” Sept. 10. In support of Myself When I Am Real, Norman will headline a 40-city national tour this fall. In addition, Norman will be on the August cover of CCM Magazine.
Not completely unknown to Christian music listeners, Sarah Sadler most recently contributed her voice to three popular compilation projects: the Dove Award-winning “The Prayer of Jabez: Music… A Worship Experience”; “Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green” and Essential Records’ April 23 release “Our God of Wonders.” Sadler wrote her first song, “I Will Pray,” at age 9 and two years later it was chosen to be included on an Integrity Music children’s record. Her self-titled Essential Records debut will be released Sept. 10 as well. Sadler will showcase the music from her upcoming release as guest artist on Norman’s tour this fall.
Formed in 1998 in Melbourne, Australia, the Paul Colman Trio, or pc3, consists of Paul Colman (lead singer/songwriter/guitarist), Grant Norsworthy (bass/vocals) and Phil Gaudion (drums/percussion/vocals). Having released four independent albums titled “Serious Fun,” “Turn,” “pc3 Live Electric” and “pc3 Live Acoustic,” the group is known for its live shows and has been selling out venues for the past four years. They have toured extensively in Australia and the United States, performing alongside such well-known contemporary Christian artists as Third Day, P.O.D., Jennifer Knapp and the Newsboys. In promotion of the May 28 release of their first Essential Records project, “New Map of the World,” the trio joined label mates Bebo Norman and Third Day on the 53-city “Come Together” tour, which they will resume again this fall.
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