Hip-Hop Worship artist Rawsrvnt rejoins THE STORY Tour with Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, Pastor Randy Frazee and others

For the second year in a row Eddy “Rawsrvnt” Puyol will bring his unique Hip-Hop Worship style to THE STORY Tour.

Presented by World Vision, the event is billed as a Christmas celebration with carols and a musical journey from Genesis to Revelation. It features a full choir and orchestra led by musical director Bernie Herms and songs from Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, Matthew West, Nichole Nordeman, and Selah.

Renowned author and pastor Randy Frazee co-wrote THE STORY project’s book component with Max Lucado and will be on the tour each night to bring its message to life.

“My world collided with Eddy’s (Rawsrvnt) world at THE STORY Tour 2011. He introduced me to the wonderful space of hip-hop as each evening he brought the house down with his performance,” Frazee said. “But, what blew me away the most is the man I got to know off stage. Eddy Puyol is the real deal with a heart of heavenly gold.”

In addition to traveling with the group for last year’s event, Rawsrvnt also performed THE STORY medley on the 43rd Dove Awards national telecast.

“Last year I heard Natalie Grant say that I raised the ‘cool factor’ of the tour,” Rawsrvnt said with a smile.

“She’s super cool and I’m looking forward to celebrating this joyous season with the audience and some of our faith’s most talented musicians.”


To learn more about Rawsrvnt visit: rawsrvnt.com

To learn more about THE STORY Tour visit: thestorycd.com/tour/

2012 Tour Dates

11/23 Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY
11/24 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
11/25 Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA
11/26 USF Sun Dome, Tampa, FL
11/27 Colonial Center, Columbia, SC
11/29 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI
11/30 University of Illinois Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL
12/1 Independence Event Center, Independence, MO
12/2 Xcel Center, St. Paul, MN
12/3 Sioux Falls Arena, Sioux Falls, SD
12/4 Sears Centre Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL
12/6 Berry Center, Cypress, TX
12/7 American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
12/8 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX

Kenny Rogers digs Lecrae's Dove Awards performance

Or at least that's what this clip from the Gospel Music Channel leads me to believe. (Check for the country music legend's reaction around the 2:35 mark.)

What did you think of the entrance? Using Natalie Grant for the hooks instead of the original artists? The b-boy paparazzi? (My fave.)



And yes, there's a certain irony to be found in a guy rapping about shunning the attention and spotlight in a televised performance at an industry award show. But since the "Background" song at least addresses those pressures, I'm cool with it all here.

There's another part I didn't catch upon my first viewing, but when Natalie Grant first comes out, the "crowd" from the opening car scene appears to hit the stage and push for autographs and photos from Lecrae only to be removed by "security" afterward. That was a nice touch to further the theme of the segment.

Anyway, aside from having Natalie Grant do the singing (I would have preferred original vocalist Jai on "God Is Enough" or both songs), it was a decent performance that actually added a little showmanship a broadcast that seemed to lack it.