Catholic Musician Will Discuss Music and His Return to Catholicism on Live CatholicTV Talk Show

On August 13th, Catholic musician Mark DiMarzo will appear on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”.

Mark is a praise and worship leader who released a CD in 2007 entitled “Reach the Sky”.

This is the Day airs at 10:30AM ET at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV. The show is rebroadcast at 7:30PM.

For many years, Mark had been searching the scriptures, in and out of different denominations, only to return back to Catholicism. Mark is very excited about his return home to the Catholic Church. He often says, “Everything is working for good for those who love the Lord.”

It was two weeks before Mark’s father passed away that he finally made the long awaited decision to return to his roots not having any idea what was to follow. He’s been heard to say, “I’m going to play for the Lord until my fingers won’t move anymore”. Mark’s next CD will be entitled “Rome Sweet Home”.

CatholicTV Announces Date of Annual Live Telethon

On October 1st, 2010, CatholicTV will broadcast its annual telethon. The CatholicTV telethon is one of the most unique live television broadcasts in the nation because it typically involves an almost unheard-of 12 hours of live television.

CatholicTV is a nationally-broadcasted television network headquartered near Boston. CatholicTV streams its broadcast simultaneously, 24 hours a day at www.CatholicTV.com in addition to its other broadcast outlets

Last year’s telethon included musical performances from artists from across the U.S. including musicians from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and many others. The performers included Vince Ambrosetti, Kitty Cleveland, and others.

CatholicTV began as the world’s first diocesan television station and has been broadcasting for over 50 years. The telethon has been part of the CatholicTV tradition for nearly 2 decades.

Because the live broadcast is so labor intensive, many CatholicTV viewers volunteer at the telethon by answering phones, and performing other duties.

CatholicTV’s viewers have been called the “parish of the airwaves”. CatholicTV employees (especially Director Fr. Robert Reed) consider the viewers “parishioners”. Connie Murphy (one of CatholicTV’s “parishioners” from Medford, Massachusetts) along with his wife Cathleen have volunteered at the annual telethon for over 15 years. In a phone interview with Connie Murphy, he said, “It’s a lot of fun and we have met a lot of people while volunteering. Sometimes, viewers will call in and ask me to wave at them on live television.”

Traditionally, the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston makes an appearance on the telethon. Last year, Cardinal Seán O’Malley visited the telethon and briefly asked viewers to consider making a donation to CatholicTV.

The telethon will air on CatholicTV on Friday, October 1st from 9AM until 10PM (Eastern). The telethon will be viewable at CatholicTV.com and will air simultaneously on CatholicTV. The show is produced by Kevin Nelson and is hosted by CatholicTV General Manager Jay Fadden and Director Father Robert Reed.

Two Dedicated Catholic Youth Ministers/Musicians Featured on CatholicTV

Jackie Francois was born in a “Von Trapp”-like family, full of musical talent. While participating in high school peer ministry, Josh Blakesley “vowed to be "sold out" for Christ and to use his gift of writing music to glorify God.” At the present, both Jackie and Josh write and perform Catholic music.

During the week starting July 26th, “The Commons”, a Catholic music show from spiritandsong.com which airs on the CatholicTV network, will feature Jackie Francois and Josh Blakesley. Josh will sing and discuss the song “Sing Hosanna”. Jackie will sing and discuss the song “your Kingdom is Glorious”.

“The Commons” airs each week at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at the following times (Eastern): Monday 6AM and 9:30PM, Thursday 2AM, Saturday, 11:30AM and 9:30PM.

Jackie Francois is a singer/songwriter/guitarist, speaker, and youth minister from Placentia, CA (the less well known part of “The OC”).

In July 2007, Jackie moved back to Placentia, CA to begin full time music ministry, serving the wider Catholic Church. Jackie is currently a host for SpiritandSong.com's webcast, "The Commons," and for spiritandsong.com's Perfect Playlist Podcasts.

More information about Jackie can be found at http://www.jackiefrancois.com/index.html

Josh Blakesley

In addition to composing and recording music, Josh Blakesley serves as young adult coordinator and assistant music director at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. He travels many weekends to other parishes throughout the U.S. doing concerts, conducting workshops for musicians, speaking at youth rallies and conferences, and leading praise and worship.

More information about Josh can be found at http://www.joshblakesley.com/

“The Commons”, is a coffee house-styled music show which includes performances by Catholic musicians such as Jesse Manibusan, Matt Maher, Sarah Hart, and others. “The Commons” also includes interviews of the musicians in which viewers can get a glimpse into the lives and spirituality of the musicians.

“The Commons” is produced by spiritandsong.com (a division of ocp). “The Commons” is a video showcase giving viewers an opportunity to experience candid conversations with intimate and unplugged performances by your favorite spiritandsong.com artists. Learn more about the artists, and Spirit and Song at http://www.spiritandsong.com/commons

Tim Smith Will Sing on CatholicTV Broadcast of The Commons

During the week starting April 12^th, “The Commons”, a Catholic music show which airs on the CatholicTV network, will feature musicians Tim Smith, Tom Booth, and Trevor Thomson. Tim Smith will sing and discuss the song “Give Me Ears to Listen”. Tom Booth and Trevor Thomson will sing a duet of “Solitude Song”.

“The Commons” airs each week at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV at the following times (Eastern): Monday 6AM and 9:30PM, Thursday 2AM and 5PM, Saturday, 11:30AM and 9:30PM.

Timothy R. Smith has over 100 musical compositions published by spiritandsong.com and OCP. His songs combine traditional and contemporary musical styles that are easily accessible to both listeners and worshiping assemblies. Some of Tim's well-known liturgical compositions include: "Voice Of Christ," "Give Me Ears To Listen," "O Mother Of Jesus," and "In Every Age."

More information about Tim is available at http://www.spiritandsong.com/artists/2651

Trevor Thomson gained national recognition with the release of In This Place, an album of original music. He then began performing at events all over the United States. His sophomore album, Before You, followed in 2000. The release of Trevor’s third album, Eyes to You, marks a significant advance in a career that began over 12 years ago in Southern California. A Los Angeles native, Trevor has a special partiality for the L.A. music sound.

More information about Trevor is available at : http://www.spiritandsong.com/artists/3095

Tom Booth is a music composer. His work has focused primarily on youth ministry and liturgy, Tom has spent years helping young people and families discover God's love though music and worship. He has traveled extensively, sharing this same powerful love through song, story and prayer.

Tom has written songs that are known throughout the country. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music: Kathy Troccoli, Rich Mullins, Amy Grant and others.

More information about Tom is available at: http://www.spiritandsong.com/artists/2653

Texas and Oregon Musicians Featured on CatholicTV

On Tuesday, July 28th, CatholicTV will feature 2 Catholic musicians on the talk show “This is the Day”. One of the guests is Gabe Rivera, a 29-year-old Catholic actor, and musician, who is on a promotional tour for the film “Red Mesa” which he stars in. Also on the show will be Ken Canedo, a Catholic composer and author, who despite losing most of his hearing, writes music and works as Managing Editor of spiritandsong.com, a Catholic music website.


Gabriel Rivera will be an in-studio guest on ”This is The Day”. Gabriel is a native of El Paso, Texas and has been writing, recording, and performing music since 1994. In 2007, Gabriel made his feature film debut in a film by Ethan Hawke. Currently, Gabriel stars in “Red Mesa”, a 35mm film in which he plays the lead role of “Octavio”. “Advocating for justice for immigrants is an important part of my ministry, and this film allows me to show the plight of the immigrant in this great country.”



In addition to promoting the movie this summer, Gabriel will be touring in support of his debut full-length recording, “Songs From a Brown Boy’s Heart” The album is a collection of bilingual songs, and speaks of Gabriel’s spiritual journey. Gabriel is a graduate of Rice University, class of 2002. To view Gabe’s tour schedule visit http://www.gabrielriveramusic.com



Also, on the show will be composer, author, and bass guitar player, Ken Canedo. Ken currently serves as a Youth Ministry Advisor at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverton, Oregon, where he also leads a dynamic youth choir. He finds time to help lead youth retreats and liturgy events, as well as give concerts and workshops around the country. He occasionally performs with local musicians in the Northwest. Ken recently assumed the responsibilities of Managing Editor for spiritandsong.com.



Unlike most contemporary Catholic artists, Ken does not sing. Although he was a cantor in high school, he lost most of his hearing and his voice as he got older. “This used to depress me a lot, until I realized I could write songs for others to sing,” said Ken. He also makes himself available for any of his spiritandsong friends who might need him as a bass player for their concerts and appearances.



Ken will be discussing his newly released book, "Keep the Fire Burning: The Folk Mass Revolution" The book is more than just about folk music. It's about the Second Vatican Council, the transition in the liturgy from Latin to English, and the experiences of the Catholic Church in America during the 1960s. To learn more about the book visit www.KenCanedo.com. Keep the Fire Burning was recently reviewed by Susan Bailey of Grapevine Music , The review may be read at the following website: http://gvcatholicmusicreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-review-keep-fire-burning.html

These guests can be seen on Tuesday, July 28th live at 10:30AM (EST) on CatholicTV where available (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed simultaneously at www.CatholicTV.com and will be available on the site’s archives starting Tuesday night. All videos at the website are viewable in full-screen. Paste this URL into your browser in order to access the “This is the Day” video archives. http://www.CatholicTV.org/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72