I meant to post this sooner... our thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Sweet and family for their recent loss.  My prayer has been that he feels our Lord's comfort and knows that he has not been abandoned.  I hope you will join me and lift up the Sweet family in prayer during this difficult time.
Ray

Hello Friends,

I just wanted to touch base with you guys and fill you in on a new latest things from the North Coast Agency & Barren Cross camps. I just received my latest Heaven's Metal Fan Magazine for Feb/March 2009 (#79). I was quite happy to see Believer make the front cover, and a handful of great CD reviews. As I flipped through, I found the Heaven's Metal Reader's Poll 2008 Awards.

I first want to thank all the Barren Cross fans out there that took the time and voted as we had asked when the Polls for these Awards were happening.

Barren Cross, a name noticeably from the 80's, came in as the fifth favorite band of 2008! They were only preceded by inPop Records's Disciple, Tooth and Nail Records's Demon Hunter and Becoming the Archetype, and the band Theocracy. This is a great achievement and witness to the impact of the music of Barren Cross and the of my time spent on promotional tools to bring back a timeless band and sound for a new generation. It is humbling to think of the many modern metal acts Barren Cross rose above in these awards.

However, the award didn't stop there. Barren Cross also came in, in second place for the "Favorite Interview of 2008"; only tailing behind Rock Rock and beating out Cage, Virgin Black, Synnove and countless others.

In some ways to some people the small circulation of HM/Heaven's Metal may seem like a small thing - it isn't Rolling Stone (But it Sure is the Christian Rolling Stone) but any time a artist can redefine themselves fourteen years after the end of their highlighted days and gain part of the circulated stage again is surely a testimony to the band's music and mission, and the partnership of a band and agency to successfully reinvent themselves in a new generation, without even releasing any NEW music AT ALL for over 14 years.

So again, for all of you who took the time to vote and participate in the reunion and welcoming back of Barren Cross - Thank You.
There will be more music added to the myspace this week! You gotta love Myspace's latest music player in flash.

Barren Cross & the North Coast Agency are sponsored by Curt Mangan custom Guitar Strings (Will Not Sell in Chain Stores!) Support Them! http://www.curtmangan.com
Check out Heaven's Metal Magazine; http://www.hmmag.com/heavensmetal
Check out Hard Music Magazine; http://www.hmmag.com
Check out BC on Myspace! http://www.myspace.com/barrencorss

This surely is a testament to the partnership we have with the band and the promotional smarts behind it all. Let's keep rolling this bowling ball, till all the pins are down.

Blessings,
Jeff McLain
North Coast Agency
133 College Ave 3F Suite 4 // Lancaster, PA 17603 // 1.866.606.4221
www.northcoastagency.com // www.myspace.com/northcoastagency
.. northcoastagency // info@northcoastagency.com

Hi Everyone,

Ray here... just to let you know, I am still a little new to MySpace.

I have tried to respond to some email and receive a message that states we have to become friends first in order to reply.  I then try to add as a friend, but the settings prohibit me.  Some do not allow bands to become friends or a special email address must be known in order to add.  This even happened with a friend I was already emailing back and forth with - their profile changed and I can't respond now.

I just wanted to let you know that the band answers all email, if we are able to do so.  Some have asked really good questions or asked for an opinion and I can't reply.  If you have emailed us without response, it may be because we are unable to (even though we would like to).

Any suggestions for this novice, please let me know.

Your friend,

Ray

We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and may God bless you during the season of Christ's birth.

Your friends,

Ray, Jim and Steve

Barren Cross

If your a "Barren Cross" fan; then make sure that you know there is an Official Page for Barren Cross on Facebook! Make sure you become a fan today! There are some exclusive uploads there, and almost the band's whole discography on the music player!



http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barren-Cross/19396384903

One upon a time along long time ago, I had a job at a fast food restaurant, Taco Bell.

I was working with several other employees on a slow evening. I had gone up to my register when someone came in and shoved a shotgun in my face and said, give me your wallet, he then took my wallet and all the other workers wallets and a few customers wallets that were eating in the dinning room. He also cleaned out the register.

I guess the guy who robbed us did not realize that we all were minimum wage employees and really did not get away with much. (By the way minimum wage back then was $3.10 per hour.) When he left I was mad. He took money that he did not earn.

I have in my day run into people that will take all that they can from others. As long as you have something that they need they will keep you around. If you are reading this you have to ask yourself, am I like this? Do I take more than I give?

The most unhappy people I have ever met are the takers. There is a body of water in Israel called the Dead Sea, a place nothing can live in, because of the dead sea's salt content. While visiting there, I asked our guide why is the Dead Sea, like this and he told me that the dead sea receives but does not give. Unlike the sea of Galilee which is teaming with life. It receives and gives.

On the other hand the most happy people are those who continually give. They are usually upbeat and positive. There are Christians out there that will beat you up with the bible. Point out all of your sins and that's all that they are good for. These people are takers as well. You usually will not see them feeding the hungry, giving of themselves or there resources to others. They have never taken 5 minutes to disciple a young believer.

So what are a giver or a taker?
If you are of the later, do something today to change your ways.

Remember John 3 16 for God so loved the world that he GAVE!!!!!
So should we.

Jim Laverde

Earlier this Year, Doug Van Pelt relaunched his prized 'zine' ('Heaven's Metal')which was the foundational roots for his now popular selling magazine, HM Magazine. A few months later the return of Barren Cross made front cover of the Heaven's Metal zine and made the main feature (and interview) of that newsletter.

Barren Cross has made it to the finals of HM Awards over the years (awhile back) and at one time the band was featured quite regularly in the magazine and on several of the covers of the years.

HM is doing their Annual choice awards again, and one of the options is for your favorite HEAVEN'S METAL features; as well as the traditional favorite vocalists, lyricist, etc.

Besides the Advertisments that the North Coast Agency has purchased for Barren Cross; BC has not been featured or in HM Magazine in far too long....this could be your chance to help BC get back into the full swing of the rock and roll culture with their uncompromising message - by giving them a few votes over at the HM awards survey.

Vote for your favorite bands at the link below, and if you think the Barren Cross band or guys fit any of the options ... make sure you let HM Magazine know!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sIJPWnuXI3UaYqxNdVvXSA_3d_3d

- - - - - - - -

Note: In case you need the guys names and positions, you can just copy and paste below!

Ray Parris (Lead Guitars) Barren Cross
Michael Lee (Vocals/ Rhythm Guitars) Barren Cross
Steve Whitaker (Drums) Barren Cross
Jim Laverde (Bass) Barren Cross

- - - - - - - -

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sIJPWnuXI3UaYqxNdVvXSA_3d_3d

One of the latest things to come out of the Barren Cross camp is their creation of a Pure Volume account.

Everyone knows most people have been using myspace and facebook as a main souce of social networking with their bands and friends, but we at the BC camp didn't want to leave those of you out of the loop that have "purevolume. com" accounts because you are in "bands" or are into being 'fans' of 'bands' on purevolume. com! It makes a nice source for a e-press kit.

So if you have a "purevolume" account as a fan or as a artist we want to let you know that you can find out our news, pictures and music there as well, as we bring that account up to date.

Please feel free to "add us" as a friend or become a fan online at http://www. purevolume. com/barrencross .

If you don't have a purevolume account, feel free to create one and add the band there - there are some real good pluses to purevolume.

Or if you just want to hop over and listen to the music they have uploaded currently, you will be enjoying the tunes of Barren Cross' first indepedent release the "BELEIVE EP".

PUREVOLUME: http://www. purevolume. com/barrencross