AMERICAN producer/deejay Scott Blackwell, dubbed by critics as "the pioneer of Christian dance music" is the latest artist to join the bill for Cross Rhythms '94. The event, due to be held in Okehampton, Devon on 8th, 9th and 10th July under the title 'Touching Glory', has already announced the inclusion of American Bible teacher and author Tony Campolo, Europe's most popular CCM musician Adrian Snell; singer songwriter Caroline Bonnett, radical worship leader Kevin Prosch (subject to contract) and Australian preacher and teacher Tony Fitzgerald. Newly announced participants at Cross Rhythms '94 are, as we go to press, R&B gospel team the Wades, metal/grunge unit the Tinglies, Leeds rappers HOG, indie rock band Pity The Small Thumbs, singer/songwriter Sal Solo, Midlands favourites The Paul Poulton Band, folk roots band Nuffsed, alternative worship team Last Daze, pop gospel singer Sarah Prothero, Scottish folk rock band Shelter, and dance funk unit Insight.

Among the seminar speakers now confirmed are Liverpudlian lecturer George Russell, Ian Traynar of the CMA Trust and the Rev Charles Buckman. A fresh innovation at this, the 4th Cross Rhythms festival, will be featuring all the acts under cover, doing away with a mainstage area. The previous three years had suffered from poor weather but organiser Chris Cole said this was not the reason to reorganise the setting of the festival. He said, "We're on a learning curve with the event and we really felt that now is the time to discard the stereotyped formula of festivals, the Greenbelt pattern if you like, and see whether we could pioneer something fresh. For instance we're very keen to integrate the ministry and teaching into the very heart of the event. There is no dichotomy between art and ministry and we're keen for the festival to reflect this."