Out & About – March 1, 2016

1: Even the cancellation of a red eye flight wouldn’t stop Stars Go Dim drummer Josh Roach from missing his son’s birth. The band simply left their Winter Jam show in Grand Rapids, rented a car and drove 850 miles (12.5 hours!) to Tulsa, arriving just in the nick of time (as evidenced in this overjoyed shot from the hospital parking lot).

2: Following that epic adventure, Josh looks surprisingly alert and understandably excited to be holding the happy and healthy Zedekiah Aric James Roach. A huge congrats to the beat keeper, his wife Audrey, big sisters Allie and Kylee (plus whoever put the pedal to the metal!)

3: Singer/songwriter Audrey Assad takes in the scene at the Nashville-based Trophy Room recording studio during the making of Inheritance, a new collection of hymns and original songs that pay homage to her childhood heritage, Catholic faith and charismatic spirituality.

4: Worship leader Don Moen serves as special guest performer at famed boxer Manny Pacquiao’s birthday party. Yes, Pacquiao is indeed a Christian, as well as a friend of Moen’s ever since seeing/meeting the singer during his tour of the Philippines a few years ago.

5: The world is still reeling from the loss of Natalie Cole, who besides her own blockbuster career spanning soul, R&B, pop, jazz and gospel was also the daughter of classic crooner Nat King Cole. Here Natalie’s pictured on her Still Unforgettable Tour, plus fans can find more memories in her inspirational autobiography Love Brought Me Back: A Journey of Loss and Gain, which chronicles her unwavering Christian faith on the road to a miraculous kidney transplant. (Photo by Andy Argyrakis)

6: Speaking of recently departed legends, the gospel, R&B and blues communities also bid farewell to Otis Clay. Though he was 73-years-old at the time of his passing, the belter was still performing just as regularly as ever, such as this shot from Chicago’s landmark Ravinia Festival. (Photo by Andy Argyrakis)