Frontline Records Rewind

In Frontline Records Rewind Special Immortal Episodes, host Les Carlsen and executive producer, Adel Meisenheimer, reach out to epic Frontline artists performing in a rare concert opportunity. Fans can now hear these special episodes, and all 80 previously produced, on Spotify Podcast, Apple Podcast, as well as Frontline Records YouTube channel. In Part 2, Les calls Rey Parra, frontman for Sacred Warrior. Rey reminisces about band beginnings with his close teenage friends who got saved, broke up, then re-formed with a mission to reach youth for Jesus. The band is back together in top form to close out the festival at the BMI Event Center in Versailles, Ohio September 3rd! Adel interviews Bloodgood frontman, Les Carlsen, about his exciting solo appearance. In the first Annual Immortal Christian Rock Festival in February, 2022. Bloodgood was in their prime, with visions of reigniting the Musicianaries internationally. But sadly two days later, Michael Bloodgood suffered a massive stroke, then moved to his heavenly address few months later.  Les was already impassioned by the Holy Spirit to write new songs, which he delivers with fire in his solo album, “He’s Coming”.  A moving 4-song medley combines new and old songs, heard in the episode, as Les will perform at the festival on September 3rd.

In Frontline Records Rewind Special Immortal Episode, host Les Carlsen and executive producer, Adel Meisenheimer, reach out to epic Frontline artists performing in a rare concert opportunity. Fans can now hear this special episode, and all 80 previously produced, on Spotify Podcast, Apple Podcast, as well as Frontline Records YouTube channel. Les calls Jimmy P Brown II, founder of Deliverance who just returned from performing at Part 1 of the 2nd annual Immortal Christian Rock Festival. Jimmy’s laughter and animation ring out as he shares event highlights and reasons for songs selected from their vast catalog. Adel takes the opportunity to ask Les about Bloodgood and the festival. In typical transparency, he shares about how the band was chosen to perform at BMI Event Center in 2021 to test interest in a metal festival.  The first Immortal Christian Rock Festival became a reality in February, 2022. Bloodgood was in their prime, with visions of reigniting the Musicianaries internationally. But sadly two days later, Michael Bloodgood suffered a massive stroke, then moved to his heavenly address few months later.  The episode closes with “Never Be The Same”. The festival is in two parts (July 22-23 & September 2-3, 2023). These Frontline family artists share the stage with other iconic rock and metal bands who still proclaim an eternal message, delivered over 40 years.

Rewind Recap Finale hi-lights 12 guests performing live renditions of songs from the '80s and ‘90s Christian music scene. Line up includes Michael Knott, Freedom of Soul, Deliverance, Jon Gibson, Bloodgood, Altar Boys, Recon, EDL, 12th Tribe, SFC, Preac – In Frontline Rewind episode 80, the crew wraps up 6 years of radio/podcast entertainment and closes a chapter on a program featuring music and memories from a variety of recording artists. Rewind Recap Finale hi-lights 12 guests on the show performing live renditions of songs they recorded in the ‘80s and ‘90s Christian music scene. It is difficult to choose material from 79 episodes and over 40 artists in a 1-hour recap episode, but here is the line-up: Michael Knott, Freedom of Soul, Deliverance, Jon Gibson, Bloodgood, Altar Boys, Recon, EDL, 12th Tribe, SFC, Preachas In Disguise and Lanny Cordola. Original host, Brian Healy (founder of Dead Artist Syndrome), proposed the show to Adel Meisenheimer (whose company owns and manages Frontline Records catalog and others) and deemed her “Executive Producer”. His radio voice and DJ experience created a fun, some-what professional, experience as he presented playlists introducing or reminding listeners about music of artists in mixed genres. Due to health issues, Healy could not continue. But in Episode 32, Les Carlsen (lead singer of Bloodgood) was a guest host and then agreed to full-time, launching his “reality TV” style, getting together with artists in an interview/music format. Friendships were made and bonds created between Rewind crew and artists. Listeners were treated to stories from musical and spiritual journeys, live performances, commentary for musical works and updates on current activity from the Frontline family. It is bittersweet to announce the Finale of Frontline Records Rewind and our hope is that many benefited. Episodes can be enjoyed for generations on FrontlineRecords, YouTube and iTunes. Thanks for your support! Scotty… call the limo. We’re outta here!

Featuring songs from their second album, Heartsong, and fourth album, Saints In The Light. – In Frontline Rewind episode 79, Executive Producer Adel Meisenheimer continues her conversation with Scott Frankfurt, of Street Called Straight. Listeners will recognize many names of musical heroes, friends and clients he has worked with since the 1980’s. The show features tracks from “Heartsong”, recorded on Frontline Records by this pop husband-wife artist duo, with guest appearances from some very accomplished musicians. “Pick Up The Pieces” is a duet with Jody Moreing-Frankfurt and Philip Bailey, of Earth Wind and Fire, a group Scott still works with. Listeners hear a humorous story about the time Howard McCrary came to work on their track, “To Save You”, which happened to use a song in the intro that he wrote for Gospel great, Shirley Caesar. Jody, who passed away in 2006, truly looked forward to heaven and many of her songs reflect it, including those on two albums released after Frontline Records: Well In The Wilderness and Saints In The Light. Scott Frankfurt Studio in Los Angeles provides an exquisite recording environment. Scott’s experience, skill and humility has attracted many notable, famous musicians and artists, too numerous to name here. Sergio Mendes was there the day before Scott opened his door and heart to the Rewind crew. The Studio is no longer private and he will work with those who are “doing it for the right reasons”. Listeners will learn more about the reasons that motivated the music of this artist couple.

Featuring songs from their Self-Titled debut album, Street Called Straight. – In Frontline Rewind episode 78, Executive Producer Adel Meisenheimer subs in for host Les Carlsen and interviews Scott Frankfurt, half of high-tech husband and wife pop duo, Street Called Straight. The other half, Jody Moreing Frankfurt, passed away in 2006, but Scott does a wonderful job of taking listeners through this dynamic couple’s spiritual, musical and relational journey. Listeners get to hear the progression from secular success, to salvation, to Sunday church, to CCM recordings on Frontline Records. Before marrying Scott, Jody had a record deal and secular success, including the writing of a song called “Danny” recorded on pop singer Tiffany’s debut album that sold over 11 million copies in 1987. Listeners will hear about her relationship with Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. Stevie Nicks almost wasn’t! Scott, a drummer, keyboardist and sound designer, started writing songs with Jody in the late ‘80s. Their first Contemporary Christian Music album, “Street Called Straight”, was one of the first in that market to be programmed digitally in 1991, thanks to Scott’s extraordinary tech talent. This episode includes songs with Jody’s unmistakable voice from the first album, complete with intros, recited lyrics and tech secrets straight from the artist.

Featuring songs from Moment of Clarity, Disgruntled, produced by Lanny Cordola, and American Standard, Produced by Mike Knott, Engineered by Gene Eugene. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 77, host Les Carlsen continues his conversation with rapcore group, Every Day Life (EDL), during a reunion rehearsal, 15 years after their last album. Listeners are treated to a couple live performances from that gathering and more of the juicy details behind some of their most controversial songs. Members Tedd Cookerly, Carl Weaver, Eric Wilkins and Jim Rupe share insights, but lead singer, Cookerly, is particularly transparent. He calls himself “a kid on welfare”, claims “everybody tolerates Tedd” and explains how EDL used their music as a voice for people who were searching for a commonality. Songs they wrote expressed empathy for victims of church vanity, rape, those who were belittled and youth who suffered from depression. Songs discussed in the episode were recorded on “American Standard” (Frontline) and “Moment of Clarity” (KMG). Tedd’s colorful narration includes a story of how Allan Aguirre (Scatered Few) prevented him from punching the lead singer of a Christian band during a concert. Another time he threatened to punch the nose of a Focus On The Family article writer. (Tedd often went looking for fights with those he believed disrespected friends and other Christian music pioneers.) Listeners will want to hear all the tales. Tedd even explains where babies come from!

Featuring songs from Moment of Clarity, Disgruntled, produced by Lanny Cordola, and American Standard, Produced by Mike Knott, Engineered by Gene Eugene. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 76, host Les Carlsen walked into a SoCal studio to sounds of rapcore by the pioneering group, Every Day Life (EDL), and talked with them about their unique combination of rap and metal, formulated in 1992. The show opens with a live 2016 rehearsal performance that will convince listeners EDL still has their chops! Tedd Cookerly, Carl Weaver, Eric Wilkins and Jim Rupe explain the thrill and fright of creating something new and the challenges of recording their improvisational, impromptu style. Lanny Cordola, producer of first Frontline album, “Disgruntled”, made it “shinier” than the group envisioned. Mike Knott produced, and Gene Eugene engineered, second release, “American Standard”, named for the toilet manufacturer, which continued their raw social criticism. Cookerly admits some lyrics included swear words, which didn’t seem to bother the record label, but many Christian bookstores were ruffled by lyric and controversial content, pulling CDs from the shelves. Ironically, EDL’s song, “Salt Circles,” was nominated for a “Hard Music” Dove Award in 1999. This conversation and reunion performance is rare and exclusive, something you don’t hear every day.

Featuring music by Les Carlsen, Oz Fox of Stryper, Scott Blackwell, Street Called Straight, Paul and Faith Jackson, and the Ray Conniff Singers. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 75, host Les Carlsen will get everyone in a jolly holiday spirit with his Christmas Special Extravaganza! Calls are made to Bloodgood members and friends who chat and choose one of their favorite songs, and Les kicks off the show with a song he wrote for the occasion. Listeners will be surprised by Michael Bloodgood's selection. Guitarist, Paul Jackson, and wife, share a duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside" from their indie release. Conversation with Oz Fox covers a variety of topics, including a popcorn maker, new Stryper album in the works, Hookers For Jesus and the miracle of love and humility of the Christmas story, which leads into "Feliz Navidad", recorded by Oz himself. Long-time friend, Don Cromwell, chose "Little Drummer Boy", so Les chose a Frontline recording by Scott Blackwell, featuring Sandra Stephens, from "A Myx'd Christmas". Les calls Executive Producer, Adel Meisenheimer, who has a favorite collection called "Frontline Presents: Christmas", of course. Many of the artists included have been guests on the Rewind show. Though they are all her favorites, "What A Wonderful Night" by Street Called Straight, closes the hour. The conversations and eclectic song selection are sure to make you smile. Merry Christmas from the Frontline Rewind crew!

Part 2 features music from Tame The Volcano, and Escape From The Fallen Planet. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 74, host Les Carlsen continues his musical interrogation of Crumbacher members Stephen Crumbacher, Dawn Wisner Johnson and Jimmy Wisner. Stephen talks about the beginning days of Frontline, including the surreal experience of driving around his musical idol, Terry Taylor, looking for potential studios. In the show, listeners are wowed by acapella intro to “Glowing In The Dark”, off INCANDESCENT, the song that gave the group their signature sound. Acapella intro also kicks off “Speechless” from TAME THE VOLCANO, which Jimmy admitted was a favorite. These intros were from memory -no cheat sheets, folks- in amazing harmony! Stephen provides the inside scoop for his concept album, ESCAPE FROM THE FALLEN PLANET. It was the ‘80s! Broken down van or bus, causing them to nearly miss their sets, Stephen’s mom making outfits, Jimmy wearing girl’s clothes and hair styles that reflected the times, were the norm for this keyboard-heavy pop group from Southern California. The episode closes with an emotional solo piano version of “Once More (For The Band)” off TAME THE VOLCANO, which was Stephen’s farewell song, a gift to the group, even before the decision to stop performing was final. Listeners may tear up a bit.

Part 1 features music from Incandescent, Escape From The Fallen Planet, and Thunder Beach. – In Frontline Records Rewind Episode 73, host Les Carlsen gets together with Crumbacher members Stephen Crumbacher, Dawn Wisner Johnson and Jimmy Wisner, and into their "party in a box" pop-dance style. Stephen talks about breaks he got in the early 1980's when he submitted a demo tape to Maranatha! Music, which lead to a track on MRC and Broken Records compilations, which lead to their 3 albums released on Frontline Records: Escape From The Fallen Planet, Thunder Beach and Tame The Volcano. The group's multi-keyboard style was attractive to Ojo Taylor of Undercover, who produced the first tracks. They also surprised Ojo when all three members gathered around a studio microphone and belted out their epic harmonies. In this episode, listeners are treated to an acappella intro of "Interstellar Satellite". Stephen wrote Crumbacher's deep lyrics, with Biblical foundation. In fact, he provided scripture references supporting each song, which is why their music is timeless. The three original members are kind of timeless too, attending the same High School in Southern California and their families are still close today. Listeners get to experience the harmony of their relationship and vocals in this rare interview.