I just got an email from editor Jackie Chapman...Seven Ball, a Christian rock magazine which was a boon to me (and I assume at least a few other people) as a teenager in the 90's, has gone down (for at least the second time in its short history) due to lack of funds.

I used to absolutely love this magazine, especially when it was edited by Chris Well, and I have to admit that although I was writing for it for a minute there, it was a shell of its former relevance and "edginess".

Where will Christian teenagers turn now? Is HM any good? More importantly, will they pay me as much per word as Seven Ball did?

Joel, you're the man to start the next vital publication of that nature, aren't you?

Frankly, I just think Paste should come up with a marketing campaign to reach Christian youngsters, since most of the best gospel-oriented music is covered there.

I didn't realize that the second round lasted this long. I thought it failed long ago. Hadn't seen any issues in any stores for years. But once Well was gone, so was I (as a writer). But then I probably did crappy stories and that's why they didn't keep using me after Chris was gone.

There was a second round of 7Ball? I never saw a copy at the stores I visited. That was one of my favs in high school.

Sorry to hear that it folded. I would have never discovered 2/3's of the bands I listened to in high school without it.

Aw shucks guys. As much as those teenagers need a God-ified SPIN, I don't think I could devote so much time to Christian music without eventually resorting to physical violence...and besides, I don't know anything about the kids' favorites these days: "The Kutlasses" or "The Reliable K's" or "Tony Mac" or whoever ....

wow, you guys wrote for 7 ball magazine??................ I've got googly, star-struck eyes.

Actually I just wish I had thought of trying to write for them. Man, I miss that magazine.

And how on earth did you dig up this thread? Talk about an archelogical dig.