Music

We are eternally indebted to the following musicians, whose fabulous, amazing, totally awesome music is what makes The Faithful Traveler ROCK! We're sure that, like us, you will want to hear more of their music, so here is a little info about each musician, and where you can find their music. Tell them we sent you!

SARAH BAUER

Sarah's song, "All Access" is The Faithful Traveler's theme song. We also included her song, "Nothing I Want More" in The Faithful Traveler's episode on Philadelphia's Miraculous Medal Shrine.

Sarah began singing at a young age in her hometown of Carmel, Indiana. Her school years were filled with participation in choirs, youth ministry, and musical theater. By the time she graduated from Purdue University with a degree in English, she had decided to pursue a career in music and had released her first CD, Delighting in Dreams.

Sarah discovered in prayer that her specific calling in ministry is to challenge young people to dream big and to recognize the great plans that God has for their lives. She spent the next year developing this theme in her songwriting and collaborated with long-time friend Christopher Sansone for her follow-up album, Lead Me Home. The album received instant attention and praise, displaying the growth of this dynamic songwriter and vocalist. Sarah spent the following year promoting the new album on the road, including a performance at World Youth Day 2005 in Germany.

In early 2006, after writing and recording "All Access", the theme to the Franciscan Youth Conferences and now the theme for The Faithful Traveler, Sarah teamed up once again with Christopher to begin writing her third album, Radiance. As a precursor to the writing and production of Radiance, she immersed herself in another creative endeavor: the launch of a video magazine, www.sarahbauer.tv. In an introduction to the magazine, Sarah calls the project a "reality show" of sorts -- an insider's peek into her music ministry. Among the videos is a four-part series examining the four different vocations, with the end goal of writing a song. In each of the videos, Sarah spends the day with someone living out his or her unique walk in life. This experience led to the writing of the title track, "Radiance". The album was completed in 2007 and has been hailed as her finest work to date.

Having traveled worldwide and performed to audiences of all ages, Sarah's energy, passion for her calling, and drive to inspire others are all hallmarks of her ministry.

To find out more about Sarah and her music, and to buy her CDs, go to www.sarahbauer.com.

RISE

To find out more about Rise and their music, and to buy their CDs, go to www.risefan.com.

CHRISTINE WITTMAN

Christine is a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and musician who loves the beauty of music and how it can express our love for the Lord and the Lord's love for us. She hopes the music on the wonderful program, The Faithful Traveler, will lead others to search more deeply for the Lord in their daily lives. To buy Christine's CD, "Safe harbor," email us.

POPPLE

Popple is Kyle Heimann and Dan Harms — two Catholic guys who love music, laughing and talking about their faith. The two met at Purdue University in 2002 where Kyle was a youth minister and Dan was a student volunteer with the youth. The two created Popple so they could perform what became a unique blend of acoustic-humor-rock at coffee shops and open mic's around their college campus. One thing led to another and after three and a half years Popple grew into a ministry, traveling around the country giving talks, performing concerts and putting on retreats for Catholic youth.

At times it is a ministry of joy, at other times it is a ministry of prayer and faith sharing. Either way, Popple's ministry is always fun. The two quickly realized that being in ministry and playing music as a career was is not only fun, but it was one of the greatest gifts God could give them. Popple still struggles over the pirates vs. ninjas debate, but they are OK with that because they are confident God knows the answer.

To find out more about Popple and their music go to www.popple.us, and to buy their CDs, go to www.aftermassrecords.com/store.

JOHN GRASSADONIA

John Grassadonia is a four-time Unity Award-Winning Catholic Singer/Songwriting Artist, with two international music awards from Spain and Guatemala to his credit. When he is not performing in the US, he can be found traveling on tour with the Music Missionary Team of Franciscan and Friends. He is the US representative for the team founded by Denis Grady of Canada. If that does not keep him busy enough, he is also the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Josephs Catholic church in Elk Grove, CA, in the Diocese of Sacramento, which serves over 5,200 families. He is the Music Teacher and coordinator of music events at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic school for grades K-8 as well.

Despite his busy schedule, John has on-going recording and writing projects. He will be releasing his first book titled Beyond Coincidence in 2008, covering his remarkable encounter on his journey to Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005. His latest of four CD's is titled Live Like Saints, which was produced in Nashville by the well-known Joe Hand. He is currently recording a fifth CD of songs most requested by parishioners and friends for Mass and sacred liturgical celebrations of the Church.

For more information on his testimony and ministry, schedule and availability to speak and give concerts, visit his website at www.johngrassadonia.com.

 

ISABEL RIVERA

Born in NYC, Isabel started singing at age 6. A lover of words and music, she took to the piano in her teens. Eventually, she joined New York's music scene as a back-up singer for a veteran rock band, The Defenders. Deeply inspired, Isabel started penning songs for her own band, Isabel and The Whispers. After touring New York City venues for three years, Isabel and The Whispers recently just finished work on their first album. They have performed at venues including Don Hill's, The Brooklyn Lyceum, and Kenny's Castaways. A believer in music and healing, Isabel is also a performer for Musicians on Call and Lifebeat's Hearts and Voices, which bring music to persons at health centers.

To find out more about Isabel and her music, and to buy her CD, go to www.isabelrivera.com.