`Young Messiah Tour' Is Dazzling Christmas Show
---------------------------------------------------------- Concert preview
"The Young Messiah Tour," with Avalon, Carman, NewSong, Crystal Lewis, Russ Taff, Greg Long, Margaret Becker, Donnie McClurkin, Bob & Larry of "Veggie Tales" and an orchestra and 200-voice choir conducted by Dick Tuney, 8 p.m. Sunday, Tacoma Dome; $12.50-$22.50, 206-628-0888. ----------------------------------------------------------
The annual Young Messiah Tour is one of the highlights of the year in Contemporary Christian music, a prestigious gathering of top names in a spectacular Christmas production.
The lineup this year may be not as stellar as in the past - when such names as Sandi Patty, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman headlined - but it includes one veteran of the original tour seven years ago, singer-songwriter Russ Taff, and some of the major hitmakers of the genre.
The smooth pop vocal group Avalon tops the bill this year, along with Contemporary Christian music's most dynamic and eclectic artist, Carman, who has been performing for more than two decades. His newest album is "I Surrender All - 30 Classic Hymns."
NewSong started 15 years ago as a gospel quartet but has evolved into a high-energy, power pop group whose latest album is "Love Revolution." Crystal Lewis is still young, just 26 years old, but has been singing most of her life and has released 14 albums. Greg Long has also had a long career as a Christian singer, starting at age 5.
Margaret Becker is a New York singer-songwriter whose "This I Know" was one of the top adult contemporary singles of 1993. Donnie McClurkin is a soulful singer who was once a protege of Andrae Crouch. Recently added to the show for young fans are Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, costumed stars from the popular Christian audio and video series, "Veggie Tales."
The show allows each performer a solo segment, and all the stars participate in several group numbers. The full orchestra and 200-voice choir is featured in Handel's "Messiah." Added this year is a segment of popular Christmas carols.