An unsuccessful attempt to promote a large-scale contemporary Christian concert has put a distribution company and its contemporary-Christian-label affiliate in dire financial straits. As a result, Juke Box Media Association, as well as Heaven's Eyes Records, are making a last-ditch effort to save themselves.

First, they request prayers for their future. Second, they are running a "survival" sale on the CDs and tapes, for which they are exclusive distributors: Godfear, The Empty (CD), just released Nov. 9 Ordained Fate, Glimmer of Hope (CD) Mr. Crazy, Our Cry (CD) Eric Turner, Eastgate -- Comin' Through (only tape now) Broken Silence, Shout It Out Loud (tape and CD) R&R, Only Time Will Tell (tape and CD)

All CDs are now $10 and tapes $8, plus $1.50 shipping and handling. Minnesota residents must add sales tax. Also available is an 18-artist/group comp called Juke Box Volume 1:1 released in Nashville last April, specially priced at $4. Call 1-800-894-6622.

The financial crisis centers around booking several recognizable groups in a 4,700-seat "union" theater in Minneapolis this fall to benefit a "needy" group. After four weeks of radio advertising, printing posters and fliers, and investing nearly $9,000, the label/distributor ran into a horrible chain of events that brought the whole thing crashing down at the last minute. Juke Box management says they learned the hard way that concert promotion is not for the inexperienced.

-- Deb Rieselman