To Book Bebo Norman
25 Artist Agency
David Breen
615-777-2227
david@25ent.com

For frontman, co-founder and primary songwriter Martin, a 20-something kid at the start and now a husband and father of six children, Delirious? was a big door to close. Martin and Anna, his wife of 18 years, packed up their family and moved to Brighton, a coastal town south of London, submerging themselves once again in worship ministry alongside Matt Redman and others at St. Peter’s, a Holy Trinity Brompton church plant. Getting back to a normal life after decades spent on stages around the world took some getting used to.

“When you enter a transition period, there’s a lot of uncertainty. You’re letting go of a lot of things, bit by bit—the microphone, your finances, even some sense of your identity—but as you find yourself more dependent on God, you begin to really experience his kindness. You see him show up in incredible ways, you see his provision, discover new opportunities and favor. Things you thought were lost start to reappear. Three years on, God has given me some new things to say, and I’m so incredibly grateful...”

With many of the songs written in collaboration with young worship leaders and novice musicians at St. Peter’s, God’s Great Dance Floor, Step 01 is a joyful labor of love for this seasoned songwriter/worship leader. “I see my role as different now,” he says, “I want to invest in the next generation coming through, reminding everyone of what it really is to worship with our lives, serving, keeping your hands clean—I feel the responsibility of those things more and more.”

“Back to the Start,” co-written by Martin and 2013 GRAMMY winner Jonas Myrin (“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”), sets the tone for the record, building from a hard reality to a full-on pop dance celebration, complete with brass horns. “It’s a prodigal song about finding my way back to everything that matters most; finding God in it all again,” Martin says. His very personal story is beautifully portrayed in the song’s new concept video to release soon and featuring Martin’s teenage daughter, Elle, in the lead role.  Every nuance of the video is intentional as it unfolds Martin’s story.

The album also features the modern rock anthem “Fire Never Sleeps,” which opens the recent, critically acclaimed Jesus Culture With Martin Smith:  Live From New York album, the contemplative ballad “Catch Every Teardrop,” which was inspired by Psalm 52 and the near fatal car crash that almost claimed Martin’s life -- a pivotal event that led to the formation of Delirious? back in 1997, and “You Carry Me,” a song of comfort for a friend whose husband recently died.  Martin also co-wrote four songs with Chris Tomlin, including “Waiting Here For You” with its message of the fragility of our humanity and how waiting is perhaps the most difficult act of worship.

When Martin Smith and his band Delirious? emerged in the U.S. back in 1997, having already impacted a generation of UK youth with its passionate call for revival, most agree that the modern worship movement officially began. The hope of that movement and the music that came out of it—“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” “Deeper,” “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?,” “Shout To The North” and a string of other modern worship standards—has irrevocably changed the landscape of Christian music in the U.S. and around the world. Long before 2009’s farewell concert, RIAA certified Gold-selling and GRAMMY nominated band Delirious? had become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Like their song “History Maker” that landed on 1998’s King of Fools, the band became ‘history makers’ themselves.

“I don’t think God is worried about the platform he’s given me in the past,” Martin says of this new season of personal revival feeding into ministry. “He’s worried most about my heart. If that’s in a good place, he’ll use it... at church, in stadiums, wherever he will. All you want to do is be someone of influence, but it doesn’t have to be on a global stage. It never did. Having said that, it’s part of my life, to have that voice. And my prayer is that God will use this new music to remind people of his grace, to remind them of his heart for the poor and broken and of his Kingdom coming on Earth.” 

Still making relevant music, Martin’s God’s Great Dance Floor, Step 01 springs from a man refreshed, revived and reconnected with Jesus and with his Church.  Excited to play a lead role in the ongoing call to worship, he is a passionate model for young worship leaders of today.

http://martinsmith.tv   @MartinSmithTV  www.facebook.com/martinsmithtv

from CMSpin

David Crowder has been embraced for his lyrically powerful and musically elaborate and unpredictable songs that have found themselves being sung everywhere from churches to clubs all across the country. In November 2012, Crowder released his first solo project, Crowder: iTunes® Session which delivered nine stripped down organic tracks to many of Crowder’s most loved originals. As part of the David Crowder*Band, they were named one of the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by The New York Times, garnering nine Dove Awards, 22 Dove nominations and two GRAMMY nominations. The band released their final collection of new music with the GRAMMY nominated project, Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]). The record entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at No. 2 and gave the band their highest debut in their 12-year career. Continuing to perform as part of the Passion movement, participating in university student gatherings in the US and around the world, Crowder has also penned two books including his acclaimed release, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die.”

from CMSpin

For its first week out, Run is already at  No. 5 on the Top Christian/Gospel Digital Albums Chart, No. 7 on Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Album Chart and No. 10 on the Overall Billboard Christian/Gospel Album chart. The project was produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac), Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath), and Seth Mosley (Newsboys), and is the follow-up to their 2010 GRAMMY® nominated Pieces of A Real Heart, which featured their career-breaking hit "Lead Me."
 
Announcing their headlining nationwide tour, “The Promises Tour,” earlier this year, Sanctus Real kicked it off last night in Alabama. Running through May 19, the tour offers a VIP Experience with Sanctus Real, which includes a VIP pre-show entrance and priority check in, an exclusive autograph and Q&A with the band, as well as collector's edition merchandise.
 
Tour dates for “The Promises Tour” are listed below. Be sure to visit www.SanctusReal.com for the most updated tour information, and to view their music video for "Promises".

 
Connect with Sanctus Real:
www.SanctusReal.com | www.Twitter.com/sanctusreal | www.Facebook.com/sanctusrealmusic

from CMSpin

 

Fair Trade Services announces the signing of Hawk Nelson to their acclaimed roster. Hawk Nelson is set to release their sixth studio album titled Made on April 2. In support of their new single “Words,” which will be going for adds at radio December 26, the band is featuring their lyric video on GodTube today.  Click here to hear the brand new Hawk Nelson song.
 
Earlier this year, Hawk Nelson underwent a line-up change as former front man Jason Dunn left the band to pursue his solo career.  Longtime Hawk Nelson guitarist Jonathan Steingard transitioned into the front man position and now the band is a trio with bassist Daniel Biro and drummer Justin Benner.
 
Daniel Biro, who co-founded the band ten years ago, has grown with Hawk Nelson this last decade and believes all of the change has resulted in an honest and God-breathed product. “This time around,” says Biro, “we’re going through all of this emotional change, physical change, and God breathed some new songs that channeled all those feelings and doubts and emotions into these lyrics.”
 
As much change as Hawk Nelson has undergone in the last year, new lead singer Jonathan Steingard explains the DNA of the band is still the same. "We're still that high energy band that a church or youth group would book if they want to have a fun youth night," says Steingard. We want to take what we've been and not leave it behind, but grow it a little bit and hopefully be a lot more intentional about what we're saying.
 
"This intentionality shines through the two central songs on the album: “Words” and “Made.” Steingard wrote “Words” with Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real) and Seth Mosley, the producer on the album. The song, and first single, is product of a conversation Steingard had with Hamitt and Mosley. “We were talking about how easy it is to forget how impacting we can be in the lives of the people around us just with our words,” says Steingard. As the lyrics explain, Words can build you up; words can break you down. / Start a fire in your heart or put it out.
 
“Words,” which features vocals by Bart Millard (MercyMe), is a response to “Made”—a building song, layered with fast-tempo strings, that speaks boldly to the listener during the chorus: You’re beautiful, wonderful, perfectly made. “The idea behind that song,” says Steingard, “is that when something is made instead of just happening, everything about it is on purpose and intentional. If we didn’t just happen, if we were created by someone who loves us and cares about us and has a purpose for our lives, then when we look in the mirror, we should be satisfied with what we see.”
 
So “Made” tells us we are on purpose, and “Words” encourages us to live life purposefully.
 
Fan involvement is Hawk Nelson’s specialty. Further proof of this is in how they raised funds for Made. It was a Kickstarter project—an online fundraising tool now often used for producing new records. Biro believes the Kickstarter success proves the power of the relationships this band has built with the industry and with fans over the years. And despite the new chapter of Hawk Nelson, he says, “Real relationships span the test of time, and those relationships have stayed in tact and those people have showed their support.”
 
Hawk Nelson has spent the last few weeks on the road on a radio promotional run sharing their new song and lineup with more than 30 stations across the nation.  Some of the markets and stations the trio visited included Nashville (WAY-FM, Salem Music Network, WFFH), Atlanta (WFSH), Charlotte (WRCM), Chicago (WONU), Grand Rapids (WAYG, WCSG, WJQK) and Minneapolis (KTIS).
 
The band will be announcing a spring tour soon in support of the new album.  Stay tuned for more details.

 

Five-time GRAMMY® winner TobyMac is capping off his whirlwind year with a performance on ABC’s 29th annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. The newly GRAMMY® nominated artist will perform his Christmas song “Christmas This Year” while being featured along with performers including GRAMMY® Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum, international superstars Backstreet Boys, soulful pop songstress Colbie Caillat, CMA Award winner Brad Paisley and American Idol Season 11 champion Phillip Phillips. Hosts Nick Cannon and Mario Lopez, along with co-host Maria Menounos, will lead the two-hour telecast, which is scheduled to air on ABC on Christmas Day beginning at 9:00 AM CST (check local listings).

TobyMac has had quite the year with his latest album, EYE ON IT, debuting at the top of both the Billboard Top 200 charts and iTunes® overall album charts, in addition to garnering his first career American Music Award. He recently celebrated the news of his eighth solo-career GRAMMY® nomination for the 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. TobyMac was hailed by Amazon as the “Christian Artist of 2012” and his album EYE ON IT was recently named by iTunes® as the "Best Christian Gospel Album of the Year" and "Top Christian Album of 2012" by Rhapsody.

This year alone TobyMac has garnered features and praises from media with Billboard, Los Angeles Times, People Magazine and Time.com, among others. Additionally, he has made multiple national television appearances in 2012, which include Fox & Friends, Good Morning America and The View. He has headlined sold-out shows this fall on his EYE ON IT and HITS DEEP tours. Beginning in January 2013, TobyMac will headline the Winter Jam East Coast Tour. For more information on his upcoming schedule, visit http://www.tobymac.com/tour/.

Viewers can visit disney.go.com/christmasparade for updates on the parade and join the social media conversation before and during the telecast with the hashtag #DisneyParade.

About TobyMac:
With over 11 million units in career sales, TobyMac's career continues on the fast track, with his most recent project, EYE ON IT, garnering him the highest chart debut of his solo career landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. The album also topped iTunes® Overall and Christian sales charts. TobyMac's previous four solo projects have received RIAA Gold certification and his live DVD, Alive & Transported, is certified platinum by the RIAA and received a GRAMMY® award. In 2012, the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist celebrated his eighth career GRAMMY® nomination. TobyMac has been nominated twice for an American Music Award, winning his first AMA award in the “Favorite Artist in the Contemporary/Inspirational” category this year. His 2009 album, Tonight received GRAMMY® nods for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" and "Best Contemporary Christian Song."
 
Website // http://www.tobymac.com
Twitter // https://twitter.com/therealtobymac
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/tobymac
YouTube // http://www.youtube.com/tobymacmusic
iTunes // http://toby.cta.gs/02r

The church, one of the first in the country to start distributing sermons online free of charge, is no stranger to the DIY internet approach, but this album launch has reached a new milestone for the newly formed Mars Hill Music label, which was just founded in the last year. The albums are all sold on Bandcamp and the iTunes store, independently uploaded. Physical copies are also sold in local church bookstores, however those sales aren’t tracked, and are not reflected in the chart position.

With a crowded marketplace in both the indie and Christian music scene, why are people picking up this EP in particular? Because few people are making music that hits at the intersection of those two audiences, says Network Music Manager Jonathan Dunn. “I think there is a market for gospel- and Jesus-centered music done in a modern sound that is largely untapped,” says Dunn, who formerly was the A&R director at Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records before coming to Mars Hill last year.

The theology is inextricable to the music, says band leader Dustin Kensrue, a deacon and elder candidate at the Downtown Bellevue church, where he started leading worship this summer. “There’s a lot of worship music that just focuses on being ‘uplifing’ —but that ignores whole parts of the Bible, especially the laments in books like Psalms. Our goal with this EP, which is based out of Ephesians, is to reflect all of the gospel. The gospel is always uplifing, but there are human experiences and truths that are not, and so the bad news is important to have context for the good news.”

The current trend is encouraging for the young label. Dunn reports they recently finished a full-lenth recording for Citizens (a band out of the U-District church), off the heels of their EP Already/Not Yet, which came out earlier this year. Currently, five more projects are slated for the 2013 release schedule.

All nine of Mars Hill Music’s current releases can be found on Bandcamp and at MarsHill.com/music. For more on the vision for the Mars Hill Music label, you can watch this interview with Pastor Mark and Jon Dunn. For more from Dustin talking about what the EP title “Grace Alone” means, check out this video.
 
www.marshill.com/music

A collaborative effort with friend and producer Brent Milligan, this is Chapman’s third career
Christmas record following The Music of Christmas (1995, RIAA certified Gold), Christmas is All in the Heart (2003, a Hallmark limited, sold-out run of 400,000) and All I Really Want for Christmas (2005, RIAA certified Gold). 

This Christmas CD, however, is particularly meaningful to Chapman: “Many know that the last few years have been a difficult journey for my family and me following the loss of our daughter Maria,” says Chapman.  “So many have prayed for us and encouraged us, and having the opportunity to write, record and share this new music really feels like the beginning of a new season...a season of joy.”

“Even as hard as things have been, it’s like the sweet is starting to outweigh the bitter for us
more and more,” Chapman explains.  “Christmas is becoming a less hard thing for us each year.  It’s not that it’s easier to get through because we are forgetting.  It’s like we can remember now without it just being so painful and the memories can be sweet.”

Among the album’s 13 tracks are six new songs including first single “Christmas Time Again,” “Christmas in Kentucky,” inspired by Chapman’s home state, and “Christmas Kiss,” written for his wife Mary Beth.  Recording Joy also gave Chapman a chance to record some of his longtime favorites like “Joy to the World,” “We Three Kings,” “What Child Is This?” and “Christmas Time Is Here,” from the animated classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”  A complete track listing is as follows:

1.  Joy To The World
2.  Christmas Time Again
3.  Christmas In Kentucky
4.  Do You Hear What I Hear?
5.  Christmas Kiss
6.  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
7.  Christmas Time Is Here
8.  What Child Is This?
9.  In The Bleak Midwinter
10.  Christmas Card
11.  We Three Kings
12.  I Am Joseph (God Is With Us)
13.  Happy New Year

*sequence subject to change
 
In recording Joy, Chapman, Milligan and some of Nashville’s finest musicians traveled to a studio in Lexington, Ky. to allow for total focus on creating the right Christmas vibe.  “We found this great studio in Lexington, Ky. (my birth state!) and gathered together some of my favorite players, slept over in the rooms there, set up a Christmas tree (I wore my favorite Charlie Brown Christmas t-shirts everyday) and went at it.”

Audiences will have the opportunity to hear Chapman perform selections from Joy live on the “12 Gifts of Christmas” tour this November and December.  He joins Laura Story, and speakers including New York Times bestselling author Mary Beth Chapman (his wife), Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg, comedienne Anita Renfroe and illusionist Harris III.  For full tour information, visit www.12gifts.com.

For more information on Steven, please visit: www.stevencurtischapman.com or www.providentpress.com

For the members of Third Day, it meant joining forces with a new creative partner: veteran producer Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Train, The Killers). Third Day, known for its riveting rock sound, looked toward a new voice to help drive band members to their best offering yet.

The band set up shop in its Atlanta-based recording studio, The Quarry, for sessions that spanned several months.  Together, the band and producer began the focused creative process toward an evolution of sound.  According to bassist Tai Anderson, “Brendan O’Brien brought an incredible element of quality control, and really challenged each member of the band to bring his “A game” to the studio each day.”

What was birthed was Miracle, a 12-track simmering brew of potent rock anthems infused with the substantive, life-affirming lyrics that have always been the bedrock of the Third Day’s music; it’s a place where faith, passion and good old fashioned rock ‘n roll swagger coalesce.

“To have something new to say and to say it in a different way is really exciting,” says lead vocalist Mac Powell.  “It’s reinvigorated us as a band.”  Indeed, Miracle finds the band exploring new sonic and lyrical territory.

In addition to the impactful songwriting listeners have come to expect from Third Day, they will encounter new sonic splashes -- layered guitars and harmonies, sing-along gang vocals, and so on – not heard from the band previously.  The signature rock foundations remain; they’ve just been infused with a modern-day flair.

“We wanted [this record] to have a brightness, a grandness to it, and Mac can certainly do that,”
O’Brien says, “but we wanted to have a little different sound from the lead voice.  I’m a huge fan of ’70s music that has great big background vocals.  I thought this music lent itself to that, so Mac and I did most of that and it was fun.”

Miracle also features plenty of musical bombast, as the album’s opening track “Hit Me Like A Bomb” attests.  Guitars that both growl and jangle, snares that blast in your ears and Powell’s signature from-the-gut vocal style highlight a song about impactful love destined to be a new live show favorite.  “Kicking And Screaming” showcases the band’s versatility, underpinning the track with an up-tempo acoustic pop feel we’ve not heard from them often, but fits perfectly today.
 
The album’s title track was inspired by a conversation the band had with a couple in New Jersey after a concert.  “Their son was in a really depressed place in life.  He drove way into the woods and was going to commit suicide,” Powell recounts.  “He was going to kill himself, but he turned on the radio and he heard ‘Cry Out To Jesus’ (from the band’s 2005 record Wherever You Are). It literally changed his heart and gave him encouragement to keep going.  When you hear a story like that, it just blows you away.”

Powell took the essence of that story and penned the song, “I Need a Miracle,” the new project’s first single, out at radio now.  “This is one of my top five favorite songs that I’ve ever written.  There’s just something powerful about it.  I’m really excited about this song getting out and encouraging people,” Powell says.  “It’s about the power of music and how God can use it to speak to people’s hearts, minds and spirits.  That’s why it’s so important.”

The songs on Miracle cover a rich musical and emotional landscape.  “Your Love is Like a River” is a stirring worship anthem that is one of the band’s favorite new songs, while “You Are My Everything” is a gorgeous mid tempo love song that spotlights the warmth in Powell’s vocals.  And on the opposite end of the vocal range spectrum, check out Powell’s use of falsetto on the choruses on “For The Rest Of My Life.” Yes, we said falsetto.

“As someone who is a natural baritone, I don’t sing falsetto very often.  But sometimes as I’m writing these songs I hear in my head that is what the part should be.  I talked to Brendan and he gave me the confidence to try it.  This is just one example of how Brendan pushed me out of my comfort zone,” shares Powell.

“The Victory,” a bluesy Southern anthem featuring a fantastic “song-within-a-song” breakdown, also features a potent lyric carrying a theme at the heart of the album overall.  “That song is about making a commitment,” says guitarist Mark Lee.  “It’s about saying you’re going to see it through ‘til the end and I think that’s a big theme on this record.”

Miracle wraps up with a reinvention of “Morning Has Broken,” a vintage Methodist hymn that was a pop hit in the ’70s for Cat Stevens.  The song gets a stunning new treatment here, anchored in Mark Lee, Tai Anderson and David Carr’s skilled musicianship and Powell’s earthy vocals.  Scotty Wilbanks, a longtime member of Third Day’s road band, provides the eloquent keyboard intro.

The members of Third Day have been given a platform and it’s a responsibility they take seriously.  Of course, they love to rock out and entertain, but most importantly they want to offer hope and encouragement.  “If there is any overarching theme on the record, it’s about pressing on and holding on to faith in the midst of doubt,” says David Carr.  “We have this unique opportunity once again to speak into people’s lives.  We’re not here to give you all the answers.  We’re here to say ‘Just hang on a little longer.”

“We have toured for so many years and feel like we owe any success we have to the fans that built Third Day.  These songs are engaging musically and lyrically; we worked hard to stretch ourselves for the people who come to our shows and buy our music; we poured so much into this record because we wanted to bring our fans our very best.  We are proud of Miracle and can’t wait for people to hear it.”

Third Day will be back on the road in support of Miracle with a headlining tour starting in spring 2013, followed by appearances at major festivals that summer.
 
Miracle
1. Hit Me Like A Bomb
2. Kicking and Screaming
3. Your Love Is Like A River
4. I Need A Miracle
5. You Are My Everything
6. For The Rest Of My Life
7. I Want To Believe In You
8. The Victory
9. Take Me Back
10. Forever Yours
11. Time's Running Out On Me
12. Morning Has Broken

About Third Day:
During the last decade, Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (comprising members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than seven million albums, including two RIAA Platinum as well as eight Gold certifications.  A Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, four GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with four American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors, including its coveted Vanguard Award, for songwriting.  Long known
as Christian music’s premier live band, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions all around the world.  Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.”
 
Third Day will release its 12th Studio album titled Miracle on Nov. 6, 2012.  For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com, www.facebook.com/ThirdDay or www.providentpress.com.

Deluxe Edition Only:
 17. Love Come To Life - Big Daddy Weave
 18. Carry Me To The Cross - Kutless
 19. Free - Dara Maclean
 
 
Disc 2
 1. God's Not Dead (Like A Lion) - Newsboys
 2. Me Without You - TobyMac
 3. Where I Belong - Building 429
 4. All This Time - Britt Nicole
 5. Lift Me Up - The Afters
 6. Busted Heart (Hold On To Me) - for KING & COUNTRY
 7. Hold Me - Jamie Grace (feat. TobyMac)
 8. Strong Enough To Save - Tenth Avenue North
 9. He Said - Group 1 Crew (feat. Chris August)
 10. Center Of It - Chris August
 11. Good Morning - Mandisa (feat. TobyMac)
 12. One Day Too Late - Skillet
 13. The Redeemer - Sanctus Real
 14. The Light In Me - Brandon Heath
 15. Make A Move - Royal Tailor
 16. BONUS: Banner of Love - Luminate
 17. BONUS: When Mercy Found Me - Rhett Walker Band

Deluxe Edition Only:
 18. Let Me Feel You Shine - David Crowder*Band
 19. Down - Mat Kearney
 20. Feel It In Your Heart - Abandon
 

About WOW:
Established in 1995 with collaboration between EMI Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group, and Word Entertainment, the three largest Christian music and entertainment companies; WOW releases multiple compilation albums each year, including WOW Hits, WOW Gospel and WOW Worship.  The marketing and distribution of WOW is shared among the three companies.  The entire WOW branded series (Hits, Worship, Gospel, and specialty releases) tops 28 MILLION units in sales. Visit WOWilovechristianmusic.com for a full product line up.
 
WOW Hits 2013 is marketed and distributed by EMI Christian Music Group.

 

Debut Single From The Struggle, “Losing,” Receives 73 Adds Its Debut Week

Acclaimed band Tenth Avenue North announces “The Struggle” fall tour, its biggest headlining tour to date, visiting more than 35 cities from mid-September though late November.  The tour, featuring guest artists Audrey Assad and Rend Collective Experiment, will support Tenth Avenue North’s Aug. 21 studio release, The Struggle, whose lead single “Losing” debuted with an incredible 73 adds out-of-the-box that included the KLove, WAY-FM and Air1 networks.

Kicking off Sept. 13 in Sewell, New Jersey (Philadelphia area), “The Struggle” fall tour will hit major markets including New York, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Houston, among others.  Singer-songwriter Audrey Assad and Kingsway artist Rend Collective Experiment will join Tenth Avenue North, who will perform new music from its latest project as well as fan favorites.

The tour is named for Tenth Avenue North’s third label project, The Struggle, available for
pre-order now, with a street date of Aug. 21.  Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward for the band, reflecting influences ranging from fan insight to the addition of two band members to a new recording process.

Travis Culver, music director and afternoon personality at KTSY-FM in Caldwell, Idaho, an early supporter of the single, comments, “From the very first listen to ‘Losing’ I remember thinking to myself ‘who is this? What a cool song!’  But it’s more than just a great song, it’s a great song with a deep and important message – to be shown grace means we must also show others grace, even if it means we feel like we’re losing.”

Keith Stevens, program director at KTIS-FM in St. Paul, Minn., agrees, “‘Losing’ is a winner with KTIS!  A terrific summer vibe for the Twin Cities with a refreshing message about forgiveness that we all need to hear.”

The band has always done something special for its fans during each tour and this run isn’t any different.  Tenth Avenue North fans were given the opportunity to buy a limited number of “Fan Presale Tickets” the week prior to the national on-sale date through a special first-come-first-served, online offer.  In a majority of the markets, those tickets sold out within the first
few days, creating a wave of excitement for the tour.

A complete tour itinerary follows this release.  For more information on “The Struggle” fall tour and CD, visit: www.TenthAvenueNorth.com / www.thestruggletour.com / http://is.gd/gWeGRt
 
“The Struggle” 2012 Fall Tour Dates
*Dates and cities subject to change without notice
 
9/13 – Sewell, N.J.
9/14 – Middletown, N.J.
9/15 – Marriottsville, Md.
9/16 – Woodbridge, Va.
9/21 – Burlington, N.C.
9/22 – Gaffney, S.C.
9/23 – Cordele, Ga.
9/27 – Beaver Falls, PA
9/28 – Middleburg Heights, Ohio
9/29 – Whitestown, Ind.
9/30 – Cincinnati, Ohio
10/4 – Plymouth, Mich.
10/5 – Holland, Mich.
10/6 – Palos Height, Ill.
10/7 – Maple Grove, Minn.
10/17 – Wheat Ridge, Colo.
10/18 – Layton, Utah
10/19 – Nampa, Idaho
10/20 – Redmond, Wash.
10/21 – Tualatin, Oreg.
10/23 – Santa Rosa, Calif.
10/24 – Sacramento, Calif.
10/25 – Santa Ana, Calif.
10/26 – Redlands, Calif.
10/27 – Phoenix, Ariz.
10/28 – Albuquerque, N.M.
11/1 – San Antonio, Texas
11/2 – Houston, Texas
11/4 – Abilene, Texas
11/8 – Lenexa, Kan.
11/9 – Bellevue, Neb.
11/10 – Davenport, Iowa
11/15 – Jacksonville, Fla.
11/16 – Boca Raton, Fla.
11/18 – Pace, Fla.

 

Underscoring their long-standing popularity and appeal, the seventh studio album from multi-platinum and award-winning band MercyMe, The Hurt & The Healer, has hit the Billboard 200 top albums chart in a big way, landing at No. 7. The album charted at just below Lionel Richie’s newest release and above Sara Bareilles and Norah Jones’ latest. The Hurt & The Healer entered at No. 1 on the Christian SoundScan chart. During its debut week, the album reached No. 10 on iTunes’® Overall Albums Chart and has crowned the iTunes® Christian Albums chart at No. 1 since its release on May 22.
 
In addition to their success at retail and stellar critical acclaim (Christianity Today, New Release Tuesday, Crosswalk /TheFish.com), MercyMe is also currently dominating at radio. The album’s title-track lead single is sitting high at No. 1 this week on two charts: Billboard Christian AC Indicator and Soft AC/Inspo, and rose to No. 2 at AC Monitored. “The Hurt & The Healer” also continues to climb quickly upward at CHR, spending this week at No. 11.
 
As the Grammy-nominated band celebrates their new album, MercyMe will visit markets across the country throughout the summer. More information about tour dates can be found on MercyMe’s official site.
 
For more information on MercyMe and The Hurt & The Healer, please go to www.mercyme.org.

Peter Furler releases his “I’m Alive” video (http://t.co/DYotPltm) from footage taken during the 2012 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular that wrapped up earlier this month after hitting 47 cities and playing to nearly 535,000 people - the #1 tour in the world (first quarter) for the second consecutive year (Pollstar). “I’m Alive” is the opening track on Furler’s acclaimed solo debut album, On Fire, which also sparked the radio hits “Matter of Faith” and “Reach.”

The idea for “I’m Alive” practically assaulted Peter. “I just felt this overwhelming sense of freedom,” he says of the song. “When we’re born again, our spirit is free to join with God’s Spirit. Then, when we begin reading and doing what Jesus said, and following the promptings of the spirit of God, this leads us to live without being bound or led by anxiety, emotions or the material, to be ‘On Fire’ with the full life of Christ.” 

With Peter’s quintessential pop vocal breaking through, this contagious anthem does just that, building from a place of doubt and imprisonment to an all-out release of gratitude for forgiveness and freedom.

You shed Your tears for me,
and then You took my hand
and raised me high

I’m alive
I’m on fire
and my spirit burns with desire

Peter Furler’s Winter Jam band pictured (l-r):  Jeff Irizarry, Furler, Phil Joel and Dave Ghazarian.
Joining Furler’s band during the Winter Jam tour and featured on the video is fellow artist and former newsboy bassist/vocalist, Phil Joel, as well as guitarist Dave Ghazarian (Superchick) and drummer Jeff Irizarry.

With multiple GRAMMY nominations and Dove awards, “Songwriter of the Year” nods and musical talent that has driven the sales of five RIAA Certified Gold records, over seven million albums sold and 25 No. 1 songs, Peter Furler made his return to music after amicably ending his long tenure in 2009 as the lead singer of newsboys, the band he founded in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.  Refreshed and reawakened to the joy of music, Furler’s first solo album, on fire, released amidst wide critical acclaim on Sparrow Records.

As one of the most successful, award-winning artists today continues his musical journey, Peter Furler is one of Australia’s biggest exports of any musical genre.

Source CMSpin

Christian music breakout band Tenth Avenue North announces the unveiling of its third studio project, The Struggle (Reunion Records), on Aug. 21.  The 12-track album reflects influences ranging from fan insight from the headlining artists’ past two years on the road, to the addition of two new band members and a new recording process. Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward.
 
The Struggle acknowledges life-challenges while pointing to the grace that ultimately delivers us from those challenges.  Front man Mike Donehey shares, “The record’s theme implies permission to struggle with life’s challenges but encourages us not to remain in that place of struggle.  Things are going to be hard but we have something greater to look forward to.  We are free to struggle, but because of what Christ did on the cross, we don't need to struggle to be free.”
 
The album’s debut single “Losing” will impact Christian radio, May 25.  The song was inspired by a moving letter sent in to a WAY-FM radio station by a woman struggling with forgiveness; it sums up the idea that we actually lose more than we win when we choose not to extend  forgiveness to someone.  “Withholding our love doesn’t give us an upper hand in any conflict.  ‘Losing’ suggests that we actually end up losing when we don’t offer forgiveness or love,” adds Donehey. 
 
The band has always valued a direct relationship with its fans, and had the idea to bring them into the recording process.  Guitarist, Jeff Owen, shares, “On several dates during our last tour we posted invitations on our facebook and twitter pages inviting our fans to show up and lend their voices to some of our songs. The result? We have songs on The Struggle featuring rich choruses made up of our fans.  It’s pretty special that we got to do this.”
 
New members, Ruben Juarez (bass) and Brendon Shirley (keys) were instrumental in the progression of the band’s sound.  “Ruben and Brendon are more technically knowledgeable than Jason, Jeff and I are,” says Donehey.  “They really added to the musical structure of these songs. Plus, we all get along so well creatively.  I couldn’t see doing this record without them.” 

 
Fresh off the “Rock & Worship Roadshow” tour, which saw attendance exceeding 230,000, Tenth Avenue North made a featured appearance at the GRAMMY block party in Nashville earlier this week.  Known as the event that launches the summer music season, the Block Party gives industry folks a chance to mingle while enjoying a great variety of live music.  Other artists scheduled to appear include Luke Bryan, Wynonna, Elenowen, Keb’ Mo’ and The Mavericks.

Source: CMSpin

If you missed it here it is:

 

PASSION: White Flag has debuted to widespread praise and popularity with the highest street week to date for a Passion recording, selling more than 48,000 units, a 61% increase above 2011's PASSION: HERE FOR YOU, while landing at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Christian SoundScan. In addition, this marks sixstepsrecords' second album this year to debut in the top 5 of the Billboard Top 200, following David Crowder* Band's No. 2 entry this past January.
 
Some of the most celebrated and respected worship leaders of today, including Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and Charlie Hall, led the generation of tomorrow in collective praise, as captured on PASSION: White Flag, recorded at Passion 2012 earlier this year. This 14-track worship celebration (deluxe edition contains 3 additional tracks, plus extras), live from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, features the aforementioned sixstepsrecords artists along with the voices of more than 42,000 college students. PASSION: White Flag skyrocketed to No. 4 on iTunes® Top Albums Overall Chart upon its release, with the deluxe version of the project currently No. 1 on the Christian iTunes® chart and the regular version holding the No. 2 position. PASSION: White Flag can be downloaded  here or purchased at retailers and digital outlets nationwide.

PASSION: White Flag is lead by the rallying title-track single, “White Flag,” featuring GRAMMY® winner Chris Tomlin. The song was the most added track at Christian AC radio in its debut week and is currently at No. 17 on the National Audience chart, while being the most added at both AC Monitored and Indicator this week. The album features some familiar songs while also highlighting brand-new music spurred from Passion 2012.
 
Passion 2012 was a four-day gathering, attended by over 42,000 college students, led by Passion founder and pastor, Louie Giglio along with renowned speakers John Piper, Beth Moore and Francis Chan, as well as artists and worship leaders Chris Tomlin, David Crowder* Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Hillsong United and Lecrae. Passion 2012 helped students representing 31 countries and more than 1,700 campuses learn about the horrific realities faced by the 27 million people worldwide who are enslaved as forced laborers, child laborers or trapped within the all- too prevalent sex trade. In total, $3.3 million was given to support more than 20 projects around the world by organizations that are focusing on prevention, rescue, and restoration for the millions of men, women, and children entrapped in modern day slavery.
 
Media are also taking notice of PASSION:White Flag, saying…
 
“White Flag rises up and delivers a powerful set… Assisted by stellar vocalists like Kristian Stanfill and Chris Tomlin, tracks like “Not Ashamed” and “No Turning Back” ring out with an epic rock swagger that draws heavily from the sound of artists like U2 and Coldplay. David Crowder*Band steps in…adding anthemic fuel to a fire that’s already burning pretty hot.” – iTunes
 
“Featuring modern worship’s usual suspects, sixstepsrecords fills the musical component of its annual Passion conference with bigger anthems, bigger production and all-star roster…the 2012 CD showcases Passion’s best yet tracks... producer Nathan Nockels does a stellar job of sonically placing the listener in the middle of the action. White Flag plainly positions Passion as the leader in new corporate worship.” – CCM
 
"Passion's heart to craft reverent and relevant praise remains the same....this is a tightly performed blend of electronic rock, Brit pop, and booming ballads that work well with a congregation, though the calmer cuts could just as comfortably accompany personal prayer time." – Christianity Today
 
“If you have a time or place to sit alone and spend some time singing praises to a loving Creator, this album is amazing. To close your eyes and sing along with some of these remarkably powerful lyrics, with no other thoughts or distractions, will take you to a true place of worship. Passion has always excelled in this area and they continue to do so, even after 14 years.” – Jesus Freak Hideout
 
“Like previous offerings, this project delivers a set of songs that bring the listener to a fresh sense of gratefulness for God and what He has done for those who belong to Him. It’s no exaggeration to say there is not a single track on this recording not worth downloading and carrying with you.” – Worship.com
 
Alongside the release of Passion: White Flag, Passion founder and recent GRAMMY ® nominee Louie Giglio debuted the latest in the 900,000+ selling Passion Talk Series,   SYMPHONY, I LIFT MY HANDS, last week. As seen by over 200,000 people on Tomlin’s 50-city “And If Our God Is For Us...Tour," SYMPHONY is one of Giglio’s most compelling talks and one that left audiences spellbound. To experience a preview of SYMPHONY, click here.
 
The Passion World Tour will stop in Vancouver this Friday, March 23, and features Giglio, along with Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Kristian Stanfill with future 2012 dates soon to be announced in Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.

Source: CMSpin

Jimmy Needham’s  new album, Clear The Stage,  is being hailed as his strongest release to date with stellar reviews from media and strong support overall from the Christian music industry.  The project is the first-time collaboration between producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Dave Barnes, Aaron Shust) and Needham, with the first single, If I Ever Needed Grace going for adds at radio.  The Fish/LA is one of the stations who is on board with an early add.

Needham’s two-week promo trip covered several cities in six states (Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Texas and Michigan) for media appearances and radio interviews/visits.  The music has attracted several mainstream outlets such as the national WGN Midday News, nationally syndicated morning show Daytime, and Great Day Houston.  Other national press outlets include, Moody’s Chris Fabry Live!, watchgmctv.com, Campus Crusade For Christ-Lighthouse and Women Today radio programs, and local outlet, Atlanta Live.   Radio visits included KLTY/Dallas, TX; TheJoyFM/Sarasota, FL; WHPZ/South Bend, IN; The Fish/Atlanta, GA; WJQK, Grand Rapids, MI, and  Shine.FM in Chicago, IL hosted a live acoustic concert by Needham at Olivet Nazarene University.
Early media reviews are raving about Clear The Stage, and the growth of Needham as an artist and songwriter.

Phantom Tollbooth - This may be Needham’s best and most mature recording to date, and the way he sings “Clear The Stage” is worth hearing.

JesusFreakHideout.com - The theme of "Clear The Stage" cannot be missed as it is weaved throughout the entire album. Needham is focused on eternity and drawing closer to God.

Hollywood Jesus - With Clear The Stage, the influences are diverse, but the ten-song disc is cohesive and solid.

Christian Manifesto - He has paved for himself a unique path with his distinctive voice,
brilliant  songwriting, and mixture of various music styles.  And it works.

Also upcoming for Needham will be an interview about Clear The Stage with Rhapsody.com’s, “On The Record” and “The Box,” that will be online in May, along with a busy touring schedule this spring and summer.  For more information about Needham please visit online at www.jimmyneedham.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

After receiving five GRAMMY® awards, countless other accolades, and with album sales in excess of 10 million, it’s no surprise that critics and fans alike bravoed superstar TobyMac upon the release of Dubbed & Freq’d: A Remix Project, his first remix album in seven years. Fusing his signature rock-pop, hip-hop and urban styles with a treatment of today’s electronic music uprising, the album offers an outstanding new interpretation of 12 of Toby’s classics to an incredibly wide audience. Immediately upon release, the album made its debut at No. 2 on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Albums chart.
 
To give fans a chance to build their own remixes, Toby has launched an interactive app on his Facebook page where visitors can create their own remix of his hit song “Showstopper”. After creating it, fans can share their unique remix via Facebook and Twitter. To check it out, please click here.

“For remix records, an artist can be very involved or back off, and for me it’s the latter,” Toby explains. “For all of my remix records, I choose the producers and remixers and let them do their thing. Then I either say ‘yes’ or push back with ‘what if you did this or that?’ The way I see it, I’ve already taken my shot at the songs and put the recipe together.”
 
Media have been eager to praise TobyMac for his adventurous new project, and here is just a sampling of what people are saying about Dubbed & Freq’d:
 
"...if you’re familiar with [TobyMac's] music and are interested in hearing it in a fresh new way, look no further… and prepare to be freaked." - New Release Tuesday
 
“Such a crisp creative project could only come from one of the industry’s best. TobyMac puts together another great release… no surprise there.” – CMAddict.com
 
"‘Lose My Soul’ and ‘Ignition’ are both simply amazing, with the former carrying hot piano (yes piano) keys while the latter has dramatic production throughout. McKeehan takes two already great songs and re-mixes them into pure creative awesomeness... this will be spinning in my player for a while." – Jesus Freak Hideout
 
“TobyMac not only makes great music with amazing production value, he makes essential music, and getting Dubbed & Freq’d is just a natural choice for any fan.” – Christian Music Zine
 
In addition to the release of Dubbed & Freq’d, TobyMac has concert plans as well, having announced the expansion of his unplugged “A Night of Stories and Songs” tour through April 21. He has also confirmed appearances at high-profile festivals including Spirit West Coast, Creation East and AtlantaFest, in additional to many more. See the cities and dates here.
 
About TobyMac: 
With over 10 million in career sales, TobyMac’s first three solo projects received RIAA Gold status and GRAMMY® nominations, his live CD/DVD took home a GRAMMY® award in 2009, and this year the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist celebrated his eighth consecutive GRAMMY® nomination, this time for his songwriting contribution to rising star (and recording artist on his label, Gotee Records) Jamie Grace’s No. 1 hit “Hold Me.” His latest album TONIGHT that received a nod for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.”  The GRAMMY ® nominated single from the hit record “City On Our Knees” track topped the sales and radio charts faster than any of his previous singles, spending 8 weeks at #1 on the Christian Audience Chart.  TONIGHT also garnered him the highest sales debut of his solo career with over 78,000 units and a No. 6 Billboard Top 200 debut. The album was also named as iTunes® Best Christian Album of 2010 and recently took home the Dove Award for “Best Rock Contemporary Album of the Year.”
 
Along with sold out tour dates, back-to-back radio hits and being named the GMA Dove Award’s 2008 “Artist of the Year,” he was also nominated for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist” at the 2010 American Music Awards and was up for three Billboard Music Awards this year including “Top Christian Artist.” The hit song “Tonight” was also chosen as the theme song for MLB’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days Spring Training Series and featured on the Golf Channel.  Additionally, his music has been heard in major motion pictures such as “Hancock,” “TRANSPORTER 2,” while also being featured on Fox sports, The NFL network, being selected as the theme song for Fox College Football and WWE’s Fatal 4-Way Pay-Per-View. “Showstopper,” from the chart-topping album TONIGHT, was featured in ESPN’s ESPY Award Show and used to launch the last season of CBS hit television show CSI: NY. His latest album, Dubbed & Freq'd: A Remix Project, released on March 26, 2012. For more information on TobyMac, go to:  www.tobymac.com

Source: CMSpin

Aaron Shust Voted By Fans Best Inspirational Artist On About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards

The accolades continue to grow for Aaron Shust and his incredible career, as he was just fan-voted as Best Inspirational Artist on the About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards.  Voting began on the popular website February 22 with fans nominating twenty artists, and the top five artists who garnered the most votes became the finalists.  Voting ended March 21 with Shust winning the category.

“I am so honored by this award and the support of my wonderful fans,” says Shust.  “It means so much to me that people took the time to vote and I want to thank each and every one of you.  And thank you to About.com for providing this opportunity for the fans’ voices to be heard.”

Shust just ended an incredible fourteen-week run on five Christian music charts at #1 with his last single, My Hope Is In You.  His second single, RisenToday, is currently going for adds at radio.  Both songs are from Shust’s current CD, This Is What We Believe on Centricity Music. 

For more information on Shust and his touring schedule, which includes dates for the Called To Love Tour, please visit online at www.aaronshust.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

NewReleaseTuesday.com (NRT), the largest Christian music site online, continues to push forward in mobile app development with the announcement of the site's third application, “NRT Weekly,” designed for Apple’s industry leading mobile iOS platform. The app is available now as a free download through Apple’s iTunes Store and is optimized for the iPad as well as available for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The app was developed in partnership with Word Entertainment—an entertainment company that represents some of the top names and brands in Christian music—and will feature exclusive ads throughout NRT Weekly, highlighting the latest projects and messages from Word Entertainment, as well as various national awareness campaigns throughout the year.
 
“NRT Weekly is the culmination of the hard work our entire team has done over the past five years as we've sought to build the best Christian music site online,” states NRT founder, Kevin McNeese. “Our previous app, NRT Mobile, is more informative and static, connecting to our massive Christian artist and album databases, whereas NRT Weekly is a content rich app, updating every Tuesday with new content to explore. It is a natural progression of what we do and a great way for the casual, or even hardcore, Christian music fan to quickly digest the latest that NRT and the world of Christian music has to offer each week."
 
Adam Zinke, Director of Online Marketing at Word Entertainment, said, “As an entertainment company, we are always looking for ways to expand our reach through new and innovative technologies. NewReleaseTuesday.com has once again delivered a well-designed mobile experience for the Christian music fan. We are honored to be a part of this vision and help drive it forward."
 
Released almost three years to the date since NRT Mobile’s launch—which has since been downloaded more than 85,000 times—NRT Weekly seeks to dynamically share with fans what's new in Christian music each week. Through exclusive content, special features and rich media, Christian music fans will be able to explore new releases, watch the latest music videos, connect with their favorite artists and read interviews and other exclusive content found nowhere else.
 
In addition to the latest information on new releases, NRT Weekly will give users mobile access to the site’s popular new release schedule promoting what's releasing in future weeks as well as connecting fans to NRT Radio, a 24/7 Christian Music radio station that plays over 8 hours of new music with zero repeats.
 
“It's been my experience that God will bring together the right team in His timing,” says McNeese. “We feel that NRT Weekly aligns perfectly with Word Entertainment's mission to reach music fans in a dynamic and innovative way. One of NRT’s main objectives is to introduce people to music that changes lives and NRT Weekly will be a true extension of that vision for both companies. With over 25 billion applications downloaded through iTunes, and the recent release of the third generation iPad, there is huge potential to bring positive music to this platform, and I can’t think of a better partner than Word Entertainment to help us bring this application to market.”
 
"We are truly approaching this as an evolution of the digital magazine," continues McNeese. "NRT Weekly is designed for quick consumption and updated for free every single Tuesday with content you can't get anywhere else. We can't wait to connect with Christian Music fans in this way.”
 
More information about NRT Weekly, along with the long-awaited launch of NRT Mobile for the Android platform, can be found at http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/nrtmobile.
 
About NewReleaseTuesday.com
NewReleaseTuesday.com (http://www.NewReleaseTuesday.com) was launched in August of 2002 and offers the most complete and up-to-date listing of upcoming releases online, exclusive artist interviews, commentary from a variety of columnists, New Christian Music PodCasts and the latest in Christian music news. It is also the home to the NRTeam, an online music community that maintains one of the largest online databases of Christian artist profiles, album reviews and song lyrics. NewReleaseTuesday.com is part of the FrontGate Media group.

About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for more than 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in Christian music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, For King and Country, Group 1 Crew, Dara Maclean, Point Of Grace and Sidewalk Prophets, and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records and Fervent Records.

Source: CMSpin

"Switchfoot will be at Track 29 (in Chattanooga) on May 11th! Tickets are $20 advance and will go on sale this Friday." You can get more information on Track 29's facebook page.

GRAMMY-winning rock band SWITCHFOOT will launch a North American headlining tour on March 22 in Kahului, HI. (See below for itinerary.) A ticket pre-sale for members of the band’s fan club, Friends of the Foot, is underway at www.switchfoot.com.

Next week SWITCHFOOT heads to Australia and New Zealand, where they will headline the traveling Soundwave Festival. They’ll also be capturing footage for Fading West, the San Diego-based band’s upcoming surf film, which will feature numerous other incredible surfing locations SWITCHFOOT has visited on its world tour.

On March 20, NBC SounDiego + Living Social present “An Evening with Switchfoot at La Jolla Playhouse.”  SWITCHFOOT and producer Neal Avron (Sara Bareilles, Weezer) will discuss the making of their latest album, Vice Verses (Credential Recordings/lowercase people and Atlantic Records). The evening will also feature a Q&A and meet-and-greet session. Tickets will be available on February 22 exclusively through www.livingsocial.com.

On Record Store Day, April 21, SWITCHFOOT will release a limited edition CD entitled Vice Re-Verses. The EP will feature remixes of songs from Vice Verses by Paper Route, Owl City’s Adam Young, Photek and Darren King. A digital version of Vice Re-Verses will be released on May 1 and will include a remix of the band’s new single, “Afterlife,” by the winner of the Switchfoot Remix Contest, which is underway now at http://www.talenthouse.com/remix-for-switchfoot and sponsored by Ultimate Ears.

“Afterlife” is the follow-up to SWITCHFOOT’s Top 5 Modern Rock hit “Dark Horses,” which was the first single from Vice Verses. Billboard praised the record’s “powerful, anthemic rockers” and Relevant Magazine called it SWITCHFOOT’S “most unique” album yet. “[The] gorgeous, swelling ‘Restless’ sounds plucked from U2’s Achtung Baby,” said Alternative Press.

SWITCHFOOT – comprising Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) – has begun making plans for the eight annual Switchfoot Bro-Am will be held on Saturday, June 16, at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. The event will feature surfing contests, a live art mural created by local artists and a live concert. It will benefit San Diego area chapters of StandUp for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk and homeless youth (www.standupforkids.org). Further details will be announced shortly. The event has raised more than $500,000 to date for San Diego-based children’s charities, including StandUp for Kids.

SWITCHFOOT - UPCOMING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
WITH SPECIAL GUEST THE ROCKET SUMMER

3/22 Kahului, HI  MACC Castle Theater
3/24 Kahuku, HI  Turtle Bay Hilton
4/12 Norfolk, VA  The Norva
4/13 Buies Creek, NC Campbell University
4/15 Muncie, IN  Ball State
4/18 Madison, WI  Majestic Theatre
4/20 Spring Arbor, MI Spring Arbor University
4/22 Frisco, TX  FC Dallas Stadium
4/25 Fayetteville, AR George’s Majestic Lounge
4/26 Columbia, MO  The Blue Note
4/27 Des Moines, IA Wooly’s
5/3 Birmingham, AL Samford University
5/4 Springfield, MO Gillioz Theatre
5/5 Greenville, IL  Greenville College
5/7 Asheville, NC  The Orange Peel
5/8 Athens, GA  Georgia Theatre
5/10 York, PA  Pullo Family Performing Arts Center
5/18 Gulf Shores, AL Hangout Music Fest
5/20 Naperville, IL  North Central College
5/22 Winnipeg, MB  Garrick Centre
5/24 Saskatoon, SK  Louis’ Pub
5/26 Calgary, AB  MacEwan Ballroom
5/27 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
6/28 King’s Island, OH King’s Island
7/11 Oshkosh, WI  Sunnyview Fairgrounds
7/20 Enumclaw, WA Enumclaw Expo Center
8/2 Gilford, NH  Gunstock Mountain Resort
8/18 Great Falls, MT Centene Stadium

Source: CMSpin

Source: CMSpin

Earlier this week, Fair Trade Services' critically acclaimed artist Sara Groves released her 10th album Invisible Empires. Produced by Steve Hindalong (Sixpence None The Richer, Leeland, The Choir, City On A Hill) the landmark album is following in the acclaimed footsteps of her nine previous recordings, receiving stunning reviews from Christianity Today, Rhapsody.com, NewReleaseTuesday and more:
 
“Groves gives voice to both the struggle of living as a Christian and the unshakeable peace that comes from surrender and trust. In Sara Groves' capable hands, they expand and fill to take in all our lives, and Invisible Empires is another musical triumph.”
-Christianity Today
 
“On her 10th album, Invisible Empires, Sara Groves continues her habit of laying bare her most intimate feelings and fears in hopes that her warts-and-all truth will inspire the rest of us to live more examined, thoughtful lives…this underrated singer/songwriter sifts through the layers of life that pile up on us all to get to what’s really important.” –Rhapsody.com
 
“A collection of songs this deep and resonant are rare in any genre, and are truly ‘art’ in the truest sense of the word. Invisible Empires attempts to speak to that place in the heart that so rarely gets spoken to. Sara Groves has opened up yet another great conversation with the world." -JesusFreakhideout.com
 
“Sara’s excellent songwriting and captivating piano-based singer-songwriter style have made her my favorite female artist in any genre of music. Sara has now once again released her ‘best’ album topping all of her previous excellent work.  Invisible Empires by Sara Groves is the top album of 2011.” -NewReleaseTuesday.com
 
 "Each track on Invisible Empires has a quiet power and conviction.  Sara Groves’ amazing ministry is packed within her exceptional songwriting.  With her smooth folksy voice and warm piano, she proceeds to sweetly convict and convert listeners with each song." -The Fish
  
Featured on what-already-appears to be another hit project for the gifted artist is the first single “Eyes on the Prize,” which was originally adapted during the Civil Rights Movement and also features the young voices of a youth choir based in Jersey City, NJ: the New City Kids. While the message is universal, Groves had International Justice Mission (IJM) specifically in mind when recording this song, knowing that this social-justice organization, like many do, has reached its point of the “long haul.” IJM is currently featuring a unique video of Groves sharing her message behind the song on their website.  Please click here to view. The powerful anthem is being played on major radio networks such as WBSN/New Orleans, WCIE/Tampa, Family Life Network, American Family Radio, and KNLB/Phoenix among others.
 
Additionally, in-depth interviews with Groves can be found on Beliefnet.com  and the November issue of CCM as well as upcoming interviews with USA Radio, American Family Radio, Campus Crusade for Christ Radio and more. Always eloquent and honest, Groves recently took time to film a video where she shares what the album means to her and more here.
 
Groves is currently on the “Reason to Gather” Tour with this year’s GMA Dove Award “Female Vocalist” and “Best New Artist” nominee Audrey Assad and indie singer/songwriter duo Jenny & Tyler.
 
For more information on Sara Groves and Invisible Empires, please visit www.saragroves.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Legendary Christian recording artist and world-renowned guitar maestro Phil Keaggy is set to release Live From Kegworth Studio through Strobie Records on October 18. The new CD features his most popular live arrangements, including "Salvation Army Band," "The True Believers" and "Here Comes the Sun."

The latest project from the Gospel Music Hall of Famer is in response to fan requests through the years following Keaggy's concerts.

"When I finish a show, people are always asking me if I have a CD with all the songs I played live at the concert. Regrettably, I didn't have one CD with many of the songs I played on a given night. So I took it upon myself to record live in my home studio many of the songs I do in concert," says Keaggy.

"With an audience of one," Keaggy says, "I played and sang my heart out and chose the best takes of each song presented in the collection."

In true Keaggy fashion, the new project features the musician's amazing vocals coupled with his brilliant guitar playing and looping magic, using no overdubs.
Live From Kegworth Studio includes elements of all the musical stylings for which Keaggy is famous. He cuts loose with a wailing rendition of the classic "Salvation Army Band," allows the mood and tempo to take center stage on the Keith Green-penned "Your Love Broke Through," pays homage to George Harrison with a spot-on rendition of the Beatles' hit "Here Comes the Sun," and settles into some intricate and reflective acoustic guitar strumming on the contemplative instrumental "Chalice."

Live From Kegworth Studio is available to pre-order through October 15 at philkeaggy.com. On October 18, the CD will be available to purchase at Keaggy's website, with digital downloads at iTunes and Amazon coming later in October.

About Phil Keaggy:
One of the world's most beloved musicians, Keaggy's solo career has spanned 40+ years and has included more than 50 solo albums, both vocal and instrumental, as well as eight releases with his band, Glass Harp.
Widely recognized for his phenomenal guitar playing as well as his vocal and songwriting prowess, he has received numerous accolades and awards for his music, including seven Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination. Keaggy was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and was named one of the Top 10 best rock singers in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com in 2009. He has been named one of the "25 Most Underrated Guitarists" by Rolling Stone Magazine alongside Prince, The Beatles' George Harrison, Kurt Cobain, Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham.
An accomplished record producer and one of the most sought-after studio guitarists on the planet, Keaggy also continues to sell out concerts all over the United States with his ever-changing style, ranging from rock & roll to fully-orchestrated instrumental compositions.

The Phil Keaggy Trio's current release, Inter-Dimensional Traveler, is available from Strobie Records. Also available is Numen, Keaggy's new CD with Kyle Jones, a creative collaboration of exotic guitars and percussion. For more information on Keaggy, Inter-Dimensional Traveler, Numen and Live From Kegworth Studio, visit philkeaggy.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Also Features Building 429 And Levi McGrath

Centricity Music’s high energy pop-rock band, Me In Motion, will be heading to Canada in December to join Peter Furler’s 2011 Christmas Tour.  The 10-day tour launches December 1st and features Building 429 and Levi McGrath along with Me In Motion. 

“I'm really honored for the opportunity to join Peter on the road this December,” says Me In Motion’s frontman, Seth Mosley.  “It’s been a big blessing to get to know him, as the band worked on Peter’s debut solo record.  And now to get the opportunity to share the stage with such an iconic figure in Christian music, who had a big impact on me growing up, is a dream come true.  Peter is 100% genuine and lives what he sings. It's gonna be a good one."

Me In Motion just released their new single to radio, Yes We Can, and already the upbeat, catchy song has received eight radio adds out of the box.  The song’s lyrics are based on the message from Phillipians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  As Mosley describes the single, “It’s difficult to live our faith in this world but when the world says we can’t make it we shout back….yes we can!”

Source: CMSpin

 

Known for such worldwide worship anthems as “Mighty To Save,” “From the Inside Out,” “My Hope,” “Shout To The Lord,” “Hosanna,” “The Stand” and many more, Hillsong returns to the US to launch its “God Is Able” tour November 18 in Minneapolis, MN.  The tour travels to 13 cities for worship nights in churches, theaters and arenas before wrapping up December 6 in San Diego, CA (full tour schedule is listed below).

In addition to its worship favorites, Hillsong will debut songs from God Is Able that were birthed out of a year that has received its fair share of turmoil, both in Australia and around the world, with tsunamis, earthquakes, nuclear disasters, tornadoes and war. The songs are about seeing people connect in a real and personal way with the Living God in control of the universe, encouraging hope, even in the midst of our present circumstances.

“We are continually reminded just how true those words are: God is able - able to save, able to heal, able to rescue from the fiercest storms and highest floods,” says Hillsong’s Reuben Morgan, co-writer of the song “Mighty To Save,” sung by an estimated 40 million people in church each week.  “There are so many times when we are in situations beyond our control, and there’s something revolutionary about being able to say or sing, our God is able, In His name we overcome, for the Lord our God is able.”

Recorded with thousands of worshippers gathered together at Sydney Entertainment Centre in Australia, God Is Able is a global expression of praise and worship from Hillsong Church.  The acclaimed album, which released in July, shares the simple, yet profound message that God’s ability is infinite in capacity and yet entirely intimate in focus.

While on tour in the US, Hillsong will also share new music from its Christmas EP, Born Is The King, releasing November 8.  This studio recording includes two new songs, “Born Is The King (It’s Christmas),” written by Matt Crocker and Scott Ligertwood, and “Emmanuel,” written by Reuben Morgan.  The full track listing follows:
 
1.  The Westward Procession
2. Joy To The World
3. Born Is The King (It’s Christmas)
4.  Emmanuel
5.  We Three Kings
6.  Come Let Us Adore Him
7.  Holy Night
8.  Silent Night

About Hillsong Church:
Based in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong Church is one of the world’s fastest-growing ministries, with a 25,000-plus strong congregation in Australia, as well as one of the largest evangelical churches in London, Cape Town and Kiev. Hillsong also has churches in Stockholm and Paris, and is establishing a new church in New York City.

Hillsong 2011 “God Is Able” US Tour:

NOVEMBER   
 18 Minneapolis, MN
Grace Church
 19 Chicago, IL
Rosemont Theatre
 20 Springfield, MO
James River Assembly
 21 Louisville, KY
Southeast Christian Church
 22 Little Rock, AR
Church at Rock Creek
  26 Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida Arena
 28 Jackson, MS
Pinelake Church - Reservoir Campus
 29 Houston, TX
Berry Center
DECEMBER   
 1 Dallas, TX
Verizon Theatre
 2 El Paso, TX
Abundant Living Faith Center
 3 Tucson, AZ
Casas Church
 5 Los Angeles, CA
Nokia Theatre
 6 San Diego, CA
The Rock
* Dates subject to change

For all the latest information on the tour, and Hillsong, please visit: http://live.hillsong.com/, http://www.facebook.com/HillsongLive, http://twitter.com/hillsonglive.

Source: CMSpin

 

Vice Verses (Credential Recordings/lowercase people and Atlantic Records), the new album from GRAMMY-winning rock band SWITCHFOOT, debuts at No.8 on The Billboard 200.  It also debuted at No.5 at iTunes Album chart and No.3 on iTunes Alternative chart. The band will perform “Dark Horses,” their new Top 15 Modern Rock hit, on “Conan” on October 25th. The track was just added by Clear Channel Alternative Premium Choice, WTCL (Denver), WRFF (Philadelphia), KNDD (Seattle), WRXL (Richmond) and 98.7 (Los Angeles).

SWITCHFOOT’s co-headlining tour with ANBERLIN is currently underway. (See below for itinerary.) After performing for a packed house at New York City’s Best Buy Theatre last week, lead singer/guitarist Jon Foreman took the show outside, performing atop a newspaper stand for thousands of people in Times Square. Along the tour route, local chapters of StandUp for Kids (www.standupforkids.org), a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids, will be collecting new and used backpacks at the concerts. The backpacks will be used to distribute food and essentials to kids served by the organization.

“The War Inside,” another track from Vice Verses, can be heard in the trailer for In Time, an upcoming 20th Century Fox film starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. SWITCHFOOT has contributed an exclusive new song, “Out of Control,” to the just-released Hawaii Five-0 soundtrack. The track was heard in this week’s episode of the hit CBS show. You can also check out SWITCHFOOT’S recent performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” at:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/280337/jimmy-kimmel-live-switchfoot-dark-horses

SWITCHFOOT waged a Game Day takeover of ABC, with Vice Verses tapped as the exclusive music for the Oklahoma vs. Florida State football game. ESPN hosted an exclusive stream of Vice Verses and partnered with the band to give away a trip for two to the 2012 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Hurley selected SWITCHFOOT as the exclusive music for the Hurley Pro, held last month in Trestles, CA and the band performed at a recent San Diego Padres game.
 
Vice Verses, the eighth studio record from the multi-platinum rock band, explores the polarity of what it means to be human. “Between the dialectic of life and death we are pulled tight, stretched out like the strings of my guitar,” Jon Foreman explains in his latest Huffington Post piece, which you can read at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/vice-verses-making-art-ou_b_974302.html. “We are the notes dancing from the strings of time, held firm between life and death. This is the polarity of our existence, pulled tight between despair and hope, belief and doubt. We are strung tight between our birth and the grave. Humanity is dancing on the fretboard in-between. Death will one day cut the string. Until then, we live in the tension.”

It’s an adventurous collection that builds on the harder-edged sound of 2009’s Hello Hurricane and puts the rhythm section upfront, with hip-hop influenced tracks like  “Selling the News,” “The Original” and “Blinding Light.”

“[The] gorgeous, swelling ‘Restless’ sounds plucked from U2’s Achtung Baby,” said Alternative Press. “But the real standout is ‘Souvenirs,’ a stunning ballad that, if there’s any justice, will go down as one of the band’s biggest hits to date.” Billboard praised Vice Verses’ “powerful, anthemic rockers” and Relevant Magazine called it SWITCHFOOT’S “most unique” album yet.

SWITCHFOOT – comprising Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) – recorded most of Vice Verses in the band’s San Diego, CA home studio, working with producer Neal Avron (Sara Bareilles, Weezer). Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Dr. Dre, Pink) who produced 2009’s Hello Hurricane, served as executive producer. Hello Hurricane entered The Billboard 200 at No. 13 and contained the Modern Rock hits “The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)” and “Mess of Me.”

The band took home “Artist of the Year” honors at the San Diego Music Awards earlier this year and remains very connected to their hometown. Each year they host the Switchfoot Bro-Am Presented By Hurley (http://www.switchfoot.com/c/bro-am), an annual concert/surf contest/silent auction. The event has raised more than $500,000 to date for San Diego-based children’s charities, including StandUp for Kids.

SWITCHFOOT/ANBERLIN FALL 2011 U.S. TOUR

10/5 Bowling Green, OH Bowling Green State University - Stroh Center
10/7 Boulder, CO  Boulder Theatre
10/8 Salt Lake City, UT Gallivan Center – X96 concert
10/10 San Francisco, CA The Warfield Theatre
10/11 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
10/13 Amarillo, TX  Azteca Music Hall
10/14 Siloam Springs, AR John Brown University – Bill George Arena
10/15 Longview, TX  Le Tourneau University – Belcher Center
10/17 Dallas, TX  House of Blues
10/18 Austin, TX  Stubbs Waller Creek
10/20 Albuquerque, NM Kiva Auditorium
10/21 Phoenix, AZ  Grand Canyon University Arena     (SWITCHFOOT ONLY)

More Switchfoot information can be found at www.switchfoot.com, www.facebook.com/switchfoot and  www.twitter.com/switchfoot.

Source: CMSpin

 

Casting Crowns has been nominated for a 2011 American Music Award®, as announced today at the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. The nod sets up a busy season for the best-selling group, who will release its latest studio project, Come to Well, next week, and whose current radio single, “Courageous” is on its way to topping the Christian AC radio charts.
 
Casting Crowns’ sixth career AMA nomination, winning in 2007, the band receives recognition as “Favorite Artist” in the Contemporary Inspirational category. Winners will be determined by online voting from now through Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. Fans can vote at the Coca-Cola AMA voting website, amavote.com, as well as http://is.gd/U2P4uY.  The live broadcast of the 39th annual AMAs will take place at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on Sunday, Nov. 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC.
 
Also forthcoming for Casting Crowns is the release of its first new studio album in two years.  Come to the Well, available Oct. 18, draws inspiration from the band’s ministry efforts at its home church, Eagles Landing Baptist Church outside of Atlanta, where frontman Mark Hall
serves as youth pastor.  The band is currently touring new music from Come to the Well on a fall tour visiting 40 cities through early December. Visit www.castingcrowns.com for a list of tour dates.
 
Adding to Casting Crowns’ momentum moving toward street week, the debut single from Come to the Well, “Courageous,” climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart and No. 2 on the AC Indicator chart this week. Featured in the current Sherwood Pictures film Courageous, the song has seen close to 40,000,000 audience impressions to date.
 
For more information on Casting Crowns and Come to the Well, visit: www.castingcrowns.com
or follow Mark Hall’s Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.
 
About Casting Crowns:
All of Atlanta-based Casting Crowns’ projects are RIAA certified, with a tally of three RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, two RIAA Gold Albums, two Gold DVDs and two Gold singles, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. Despite an unprecedented eight-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K.
 
For more information on Casting Crowns and Come to the Well, visit: www.castingcrowns.com
or follow Mark Hall’s  Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.

Source: CMSpin

 

Rush Of Fools released their highly anticipated record, We Once Were on September 27th and the project has been embraced by radio, media and retail.  The album debuted at #6 on iTunes Christian/Gospel Chart and #24 on the Christian AC Sales Chart.  The first single from the record, Grace Found Me, is New & Active on the Single Charts.  The project, produced by Dennis Herring (Mute Math, Modest Mouse, Jars of Clay) has delivered what everyone has known all along: that Rush Of Fools is an extremely gifted group whose talent keeps growing and expanding. 

“We’re very excited for Rush Of Fools, as the band has put their heart and soul into this record and it’s a tremendous step for their career,” says Bob Morrison, Vice President, eOne Christian Music.  “This album will become a landmark project for them.”

"We’re so happy that our friends and the music industry are connecting with the self-penned songs that have helped to sustain us over the last three years,” explains Rush Of Fools.  “A lot of energy and effort have gone into the making of this project, and our goal was to present music that delivers God’s truth with lyrics that inspire and move people.  We remain humble and thankful for this wonderful opportunity for our music ministry and look forward to all of the upcoming opportunities to perform the new music live for our fans.”

This long-awaited third studio project reflects the rocky three-year sojourn of the Alabama based band that included their label closing and a resulting lawsuit that Rush Of Fools won in 2010.  During this period, all of the band members continually wrote new songs about God’s grace, staying faithful in their Christian walk no matter what the circumstances, and a message of hope with a restoring of faith.

The songs have resonated with fans and media has hailed We Once Were as Rush Of Fools strongest release to date.  Outstanding reviews have been placed with such outlets as; CCM, On Course Magazine, Cross Point Magazine, and features in Billboard Magazine, Essential Connection and All Access. 

NewReleaseTuesday.com - This is the best overall album by Rush of Fools and is one of my top albums of the year.

JesusFreakHideout.com  - A new sound, new label, good production, and solid lyrical content all spell out a solid third release for this group from Alabama.

CMAddict.com - Their third album is a hit from the get go with driving rhythms and heavy guitars.

Christian Music Review - How can you possibly pick a favorite from a rocking heart-felt album that hits home, addressing the topic of trusting in God and having faith in Him despite feeling like you’re in your lowest valley?

The band is launching We Once Were with an aggressive touring schedule including the recently completed college FreeFall Tour, sold out street week concerts with Christian radio, and upcoming select tour dates on the Rock & Worship Roadshow 2011 and will share the stage with such high-profile artists as MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Hawk Nelson and Matt Maher. 

For updates on Rush Of Fools please visit www.rushoffools.com. 

Source: CMSpin

 

Her Powerful Debut Album, You Got My Attention is Available Everywhere Now

Fervent Records’ soulful new artist Dara Maclean is gearing up for her first ever tour run with Newsong on their “One True God Tour” beginning this Friday, September 30. Dara will join the group along with Kutless and Anthem Lights on the entire tour which runs until the end of October. The new breakout artist will showcase her powerful new music, which includes her Top 20 hit debut “Suitcases,” an up-beat tune written by Dara and producer Ian Eskelin about the daily “baggage” that can easily weigh you down.

Dara grew up outside Fort Worth, Texas, in a family that encouraged her love for music and ministry from her earliest days. She began singing at age 8, then went on to lead worship and actively pursue youth ministry. Dara continues to serve with her family in their local church. Heavily influenced by Lauryn Hill and everything from the Motown era as well by contemporaries like Adele, Natasha Bedingfield, Marc Broussard and Ray LaMontagne, she incorporates the funk and soul she grew up loving into her music, bringing forth a uniquely fresh and pure new sound.

Dara’s Tour Dates on “One True God Tour”:
9/30  Adrian, MI
10/1  Clarks Summit, PA
10/6  McMurray, PA
10/7  Wabash, IN
10/9  Rainsville, AL
10/15  Decaturville, TN
10/16  Branson, MO
10/22  Tabor City, NC
10/23  Gaffney, SC
10/29  Whitesburg, KY
10/30  Port Huron, MI

For additional information on Dara Maclean, please visit DaraMaclean.com.

Facebook: Facebook.com/DaraMaclean
Twitter: Twitter.com/DaraMaclean
YouTube: YouTube.com/DaraMaclean

Source: CMSpin

 

ONE Campaign Announced as Partners of Band’s Final Tour

Highly anticipated, “The 7 Tour” will begin this evening in David Crowder*Band’s home state of Texas in front of a sold out crowd. Nearly half of the shows sold out months before the tour began. Spanning September through November, “The 7 Tour” will hit over 30 clubs and theaters across the U.S. including key markets such as: Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y., Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla.  Joined by Gungor, Chris August and John Mark McMillan, “The 7 Tour” will mark the final nationwide tour for David Crowder*Band. Visit http://www.davidcrowderband.com for the most up to date information.
 
ONE, the anti-poverty advocacy group co-founded by U2’s Bono, will also be on the road with the David Crowder*Band to recruit fans to use their voices in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. Volunteers will be signing up ONE members and educating concert-goers about America’s vital work that has saved more than 15 million kids lives and put more than 46 million kids in school over the last decade.
 
David Crowder*Band has announced that they will release their first ever Christmas record on Oct. 4, just months before the GRAMMY ® nominated band will debut their final album. Oh For Joy will include eight Christmas classics such as “Joy To The World,” “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and more, presented with the band’s distinct sound and a unique, nutcracker-themed album cover.

www.davidcrowderband.com
www.myspace.com/davidcrowderband
www.twitter.com/crowderband

Source: CMSpin

 

Full Length Debut Sparks Critical Support as “Hold Me” Continues its Reign at No. 1 on the iTunes ®
Christian & Gospel Song Chart
 
Jamie Grace to Tour with Multiple GRAMMY ® Winner tobyMac this Fall
 
The newest signee to Gotee Records, Jamie Grace, is releasing her first, full-length debut today titled One Song At A Time. Critics are praising the unique sound found on the new record.
 
“The production is cutting edge and the songwriting sunny. Overall, Grace has the stuff of stardom, and a compelling back story adds to her appeal.”
– Christianity Today
 
"One of 'Fall's Best & Brightest New Music' releases"
– gmc  
 
"Her musical and lyrical combination is a pleasing one, and one in which many listeners will have little problem engaging.” – Jesus Freak Hideout
 
“One Song At a Time is one of the strongest debut albums of the year and one to which men and women alike will be able to listen and relate. Jamie Grace has a VERY bright career ahead of her in this industry, and it will not only be a treat to watch her grow as a musician and songwriter, but also as someone who has made herself a confidant to her listeners. There is no doubt about it: this album is beautiful start to a very beautiful future. “
– New Release Tuesday
 
“Jamie-Grace’s debut full-length on Gotee Records is certainly a good one! She isn’t afraid to use her creativity on average acoustic pop to turn it into a catchy track with a positive message, all the while making for tracks that will be hard to get out of your head!”
– Christian Music Review
 
 
“Hold Me” has garnered Jamie Grace her first radio and digital mega-hit as the track reached No. 1 across three radio formats, and continues its No. 1 reign on the iTunes ® Christian & Gospel Song chart. Upon its release, One Song At A Time was already ranked in the top 5 on the iTunes ® Christian and Gospel Albums chart.
 
In support of One Song At A Time, Jamie Grace will hit the road this fall with tobyMac in October while he tours Canada, and in November as a special guest on the “tobyMac Unplugged: A Night of Stories & Songs” tour hitting the U.S. Jamie Grace will also take part in “Newsong's Very Merry Christmas Tour” featuring NewSong, Kutless and Chris August. Dates for the tour will be announced soon and available here. Additionally, Jamie Grace has been announced as a performer on the Revolve 2012 tour.
 
About Jamie Grace:
Hailing from outside of Atlanta in Lithonia, Georgia, Jamie Grace is a 19-year-old-college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking. Upon signing Jamie Grace, multiple GRAMMY ® winner tobyMac remarked “I have not been this excited to work with an artist in a long, long time.” Though just releasing her first, full length record, Jamie Grace has been a part of the well-known Revolve tour, had a No. 1 radio hit and a highly successful EP.
 
http://www.jamiegrace.com/          
http://www.twitter.com/jamiegraceh/
http://www.gotee.com

Source: CMSpin

Multiple GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award winning Sanctus Real lead vocalist Matt Hammitt released his first solo album, Every Falling Tear, this week amidst wide acclaim.  This week only, the lead track from the album, “All of Me,” is offered as a free download from iTunes® at http://bit.ly/kkqQrG.  The song was initially heard on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer – see the story at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoeGKOXeO-s. 

This week also coincidentally marked the year anniversary of Matt Hammitt’s son Bowen’s first open heart surgery.  Bowen, “small victorious one,” was born with a severe congenital heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and has now gone through two heart surgeries, an infection and other complications since being born.

Bowen, who turned one last Friday, first heard his dad sing “All of Me” in concert at a sold out Sanctus Real event last month at Bowling Green State University’s new Stroh Center.  Matt will continue to sing the song with Sanctus Real on the major market tour with Casting Crowns that begins next week.

Organically sparked by the rich joy and pain of life over the last year that strengthened Hammitt’s faith and solidified his resolve to lead his family well, these new songs on Every Falling Tear are his most deeply personal to date.  Born out of the heart of a father, Hammitt's main impetus for writing the songs on Every Falling Tear was to play them at Bowen’s bedside in the hospital, with the hope that they would be a source of comfort for his family, as well as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in the midst of their uncertainty.  A link to a video of Hammitt reflecting on the journey to Every Falling Tear can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCl9DSgw-JI. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Every Falling Tear benefits a new non-profit Matt and Sarah Hammitt set up to help families going through similar challenges as themselves; providing assistance for families of children affected by congenital heart defects. The album can be purchased through iTunes (http://bit.ly/pdjJ8u), Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/pd1X6z) and other digital and physical retail stores.

For all the latest information on Bowen and Every Falling Tear, go to www.bowensheart.com.  For the latest Sanctus Real news and tour dates, go to www.sanctusreal.com, www.myspace.com/sanctusreal, and www.emicmg.com.

Source: CMSpin

Eight-time GMA Dove Award nominee Matt Maher heads out on a coast-to-coast fall headlining tour, visiting more than 25 cities through late October. “The Love In Between” tour is named after Maher’s forthcoming Sept. 20 studio release, whose debut single, “Turn Around,” is currently impacting Christian radio.

Kicking off Sept. 15 in Longview, Texas, the first half of Maher’s tour will be sponsored by his own non-profit, Comm+Unity, and feature guest artists Essential Worship’s One Sonic Society as well as recent Integrity Music signing All Sons & Daughters.  Compassion International will present the remaining tour dates, joined by award-winning singer/songwriter Laura Story and new Essential Records artist, labelmate Andy Cherry.  Information about the tour can be found at http://mattmahermusic.com/tour/.

Among the tour’s key dates are a The Love In Between CD release show in Phoenix on Sept. 20 and a concert at The City National Grove of Anaheim (Anaheim, Calif.), host to several sell-out concerts including Ray Charles, Morrissey, Jill Scott, Cyndi Lauper, George Lopez, Merle Haggard, Jamie Foxx, Dropkick Murphys and Seal, among others, on Sept. 22.

Maher comments, “My hope for this tour is to bring together believers of all ages and denominations and provide a night where we can reconnect with God and each other; that we’d leave with a greater desire to see, in concrete ways, how connected we are meant to be.”

Interconnectedness is also a theme on Maher’s new album, along with the ideas of suffering, grace, redemption and hope.  These concepts are neatly swaddled in a new folk-Americana “blue collar gospel’ sound, fusing rootsy, hook-laden tracks with compelling stories and undeniable truths.  The project’s debut radio single “Turn Around,” is already connecting with listeners nationwide, climbing its way to No. 11 this week on the National Billboard Christian Audience chart and No. 10 on the Billboard AC Indicator chart.  WONU-FM radio listener Jen comments, “The song is awesome.  I think it has potential to reach non-Christians because it is realistic in its lyrics. Definitely play this one on the air.”

Greg Cassidy, JOY-FM music director and morning show host, also comments, “St. Louis is lovin’ the new Matt Maher tune!  It’s hitting real people where they really are.  From the 51-year-old woman in her seventh day of sobriety to the couple that have been pondering divorce...that simple reminder to 'turn around" has made its point! Home run for Matt!”

To sample an audio stream of “Turn Around” and for an up-to-date tour itinerary visit www.mattmahermusic.com.  Also follow Matt on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mattmahermusic.

ESPN and multiplatinum rock band Switchfoot have teamed up to celebrate with millions of college football fans for the debut of five songs from Switchfoot’s new album, Vice Verses.  ESPN will debut the songs from new album during this Saturday’s Oklahoma at Florida State game on ABC’s Saturday Night Football at 8 p.m. ET.  The telecast will also feature Switchfoot’s new video of the first single “Dark Horses.”

In conjunction with the premiere, ESPN will host an exclusive stream for fans to be the first to hear the entire Vice Verses album on ESPN.com, which includes a link to a contest for winners to attend the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena to watch the game with Switchfoot on January 2, 2012. Check out the stream at the link below:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/music/news/story?id=6944961

“To have our new album debuted during college football is something we never thought possible.  There’s no greater thrill than to watch a college football game with one of our songs supporting the action.  We’re all honored to partner with the great people at ESPN sharing our combined passion for sports and music,” says Jon Foreman, Switchfoot.

Billboard Magazine Heralds Williams As A “Best Bet of 2011”

Fair Trade Services’ songstress Heather Williams will debut her first, full-length studio album on September 27 titled This Time Around. Early acclaim has followed Williams since the release of her debut EP last fall. In addition to the radio success of "Hallelujah," Williams was named amongst the "Best Bets of 2011" by Billboard Magazine, one of only two Christian artists to receive this title.  

Her songs and her character speak of the strength of a woman well beyond her years. Williams grew up in extreme poverty with her mom and stepfather. Throughout her early childhood, she suffered intense abuse. Her mother gave her away at age 11, and Williams went to live with her grandfather in Michigan and later with her aunt and uncle who eventually adopted her and are now her legal parents. Living with little guidance and the pain of past abuse and rejection, Williams turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the realities of life. As things began to spiral out of control, the young teenager began to have thoughts of suicide and was even homeless at one point. At age 18, however, the dangerous road Williams was on took a U-turn when she gave her life to Christ.

“When I was 18, I was going through a whole series of events where I was really rejecting God and blaming Him for everything that had taken place in my childhood,” says Williams. “I came to this place where it was either, OK, I’m going to give my life to God, or I just don’t know if I’m going to live. So, I walked up that aisle at that church, and I gave my life to God.” Having grown up with a love of music, after becoming a Christian, Williams says she began to write songs from a “perspective of radical change.”Another wave of tragedy struck the budding singer/songwriter when her first child passed away shortly after he was born. This tragedy led to William’s Top 10 AC  and Top 5 INSPO  debut, “Hallelujah.” To hear more of Williams’ story visit, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7cnMDwdm3k.

“God Is Still God” is the second song from Williams to hit radio. “It’s a song that speaks so clearly into an insecurity that we can get when life just comes at us  at full speed,” admits Williams. To hear more about “God Is Still God” from Williams, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLgjuMxV4qk&feature=related. 

For Williams, she describes her songs as “conversations,” sometimes joyful, sometimes angry, sometimes a mix of both. “This album is you getting to peek in on me sometimes having it out with God, sometimes crying to God, sometimes laughing,” she says. “But it’s always going to be a transparent look at what’s going on in my heart, because that’s who I want to be before Him. If I want Him to use me, then I have to be willing to share everything.” 

http://heatherwilliamsmusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/heatherwilliamsmusic    
http://twitter.com/#!/HWmusictweets

Newsboys' Michael Tait Teams Up With Music Executives Wes Campbell and Bernard Porter for New Venture

Music industry veterans Michael Tait, Wes Campbell and Bernard Porter have formed Contemporary Christian Music Development Institute (CCMDi), an innovative program dedicated to assisting Christian music artists in achieving success in their careers.

"It is no secret that the music industry is a highly competitive market laced with tremendous highs and cavernous lows. The only guarantee that can be made is that it will take hard work and unwavering passion to obtain success in this industry," says Tait, a multi-Grammy winner and lead singer for Newsboys. "However, with the establishment of CCMDi, today's Christian artist will now have a tremendous advantage."

CCMDi's mission is to customize comprehensive plans and a competitive marketing strategy for creative and personal growth in both seasoned performers and beginning artists alike. The program is based on an education curriculum that includes A&R, performance coaching, personal style and media training, as well as a writing mentorship program.

CCMDi was created to provide experienced guidance to today's Christian artists with the goal of helping them become the best they can be at their craft while avoiding common pitfalls, both personally and professionally.

Tait, Campbell and Porter, collectively, have succeeded in every facet of the music industry, including entertainer, manager, producer, A&R executive and booking agent. Musicians who aspire to a career in the Christian music field are encouraged to schedule a consultation to determine if they qualify for CCMDi by contacting the office at 615-815-1414 or via the website at ccmdi.com.

For more information on CCMDi, visit ccmdi.com.

Source: CMspin

 

Matthew West's hit song "More" was played as part of a wake up call for the Atlantis space shuttle crew on the 5th day of their mission. The song was played for Mission Specialist Rex Walheim from NASA’s Mission Control Center who said “(‘More’) is a great description of the beauty of this earth, and a wonderful reminder of God’s love for us." To view the wake up call, visit http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=100925731. Atlantis marks the final mission of America’s 30-year shuttle program.

"I was honored to hear that 'More' was played on space shuttle Atlantis," comments West. "Of all the places my music has traveled in my career, this is both the farthest, AND the coolest!"

West's latest single "Strong Enough" is continuing to do well at radio placing in the top 10 on both the AC-Indicator and National Christian Audience charts as well No. 15 on AC-Monitored.

Up next for West will be a headlining jaunt on "The Story of Your Life" tour this fall along with the release of The Story of Your Life, Inspiring Stories of God at Work in People Just Like You book with Angela Thomas and Harvest House Publishers this September. He is also in the studio working on his first, full length Christmas project due out later this year with Sparrow.

www.matthewwest.com
www.myspace.com/matthewwest
www.facebook.com/matthewwest
www.twitter.com/matthew_west

Source: Cmspin

 

Award-winning singer/songwriter Jeremy Camp’s story has inspired thousands since his debut in 2002. He has now penned this story along with co-writer Phil Newman and will release the book to retail in September 2011. Camp’s book, I Still Believe: Discovering Hope and Healing in the Midst of Life’s Deepest Valleys, is a personal reflection on his story of the passing of his first wife, Melissa, to cancer just months after marrying, and how he has grown in his relationship with God through the past ten years. This touching book portrays a full-circle account of Camp’s story that has impacted his music.

“I’ve wanted to put this story in book form for many years, but it just hasn't been the right time until now,” states Jeremy Camp about the timing of the book. “God was and is still working in my life, but this book is a result of the last ten years of pain, healing, restoration and new beginnings.”

Within each page of I Still Believe, Camp opens his heart and soul as he shares with the reader about responding to life’s most difficult hardships. He tackles how to turn earthly sorrow straight to God when faced with the passing of a loved one.

“As clear as things are now compared to the way I felt during Melissa’s illness and after her passing, I still see only partially, imperfectly, and incompletely,” shares Camp in the book. “I have tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord in the form of one life after another life changed because of the testimony of God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of pain and sadness. There will be a day, however, when everything truly becomes crystal clear.”

Fans have heard Jeremy share his story on stage and in interviews.  Many do not know and will no doubt be touched by the complete story and details of his testimony and his heartbreaking story about his first wife, Melissa.  Readers will also learn more about Jeremy’s modest life growing up in Indiana, his struggles growing into adolescence and how the start of his music ministry began to open more doors than he ever thought possible. The book also shares of his unexpected friendship with Adrienne Liesching, which eventually brought about healing and restoration as well as a new life together.

Camp’s deep heart for ministry and his desire to see the next generation become truly alive is so vivid within the pages of I Still Believe. Here are what others are saying about I Still Believe:

“We have choices when life hits us with tragedy or despair, crisis or loss. That’s the message of Jeremy Camp’s books, and it’s the reason you will find hope and healing by journeying through the pages of his story.”
- Karen Kingsbury, Bestselling author

“Jeremy Camp is an extremely talented artist. But what many do not know is that he has suffered greatly in life.  Out of this suffering many of the songs we have come to love have been born and have brought encouragement and comfort to untold thousands around the world.  Now, for the first time, Jeremy Camp tells his whole story.  I heartily endorse it.” 
- Greg Laurie, Senior Pastor, Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California

“Jeremy’s music has always had a powerful impact on me, and now I know why.  Behind his voice is a heart that’s uniquely connected with God.  Through his pain, grief, sorrow, and loss, his life has become a crucible where the Lord’s love and mercy are real revelations.  Reading Jeremy’s story has reinforced my faith in He who is able and alive!”
– Bob Coy, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel in Ft. Lauderdale

JEREMY CAMP: GRAMMY® and two-time American Music Award nominated artist Jeremy Camp marks his inspirational return to worship with the release of his sixth studio project on BEC Recordings, We Cry Out: The Worship Project.  Over his stellar 9 year career, Camp has established himself with these landmark accolades: Four RIAA Gold-selling studio albums including his debut album; One RIAA Multi-Platinum long-form video; 22 No. 1 Radio Hits across all formats; GRAMMY® nominated project for his last studio album Speaking Louder Than Before; Billboard’s No. 3 Christian Artist of the Decade including five songs in the Top 50 Billboard Christian Songs of the Decade; Four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards; ASCAP Song of the Year award; Five Dove awards including two-time Male Vocalist of the Year. Jeremy is a Compassion International artist. Jeremy and his wife Adie reside in Franklin, TN with their two daughters and a soon-to-be-born son.  Additional information available at http://www.jeremycamp.com

Source: Cmpin

It’s not unusual for the lead singer in a successful rock band to step outside the group and record a solo album, usually as a way to satisfy a creative impulse not possible within the confines of a band.  For Sanctus Real frontman Matt Hammitt, writing and recording his solo debut, Every Falling Tear, wasn’t an exercise in artistic freedom, it was a process that helped the young father deal with every parent’s worst nightmare.

Encouraged by his Sanctus Real band mates to release these songs and to share his story through the songs that are meant to provide hope for people that are in crisis, Hammitt’s journey to the new album started with the prophetic glimpse offered by the current, best-selling Sanctus Real album, Pieces of a Real Heart.  “The bridge lyric in ‘The Redeemer’ says, I don’t have every answer in life / But I’m trusting You one day at a time / ‘Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive forever,” reflects Hammitt regarding the hit radio single from Pieces of a Real Heart.  “Those lyrics, along with songs like ‘Keep My Heart Alive,’ ‘Dear Heart,’ and then the album with a broken heart on the cover, came out on March 9 of 2010.”

One month later, on April 12, 2010, Matt and his wife, Sarah, took their four-year-old daughter with them to a doctor’s appointment where they were looking forward to an ultrasound that would reveal if she would be getting a baby brother or sister. “We found out it was a boy and we were all celebrating,” Matt recalls, “but the ultrasound tech isn’t allowed to tell you if something is wrong, so the doctor came in and told our family that things weren’t right, that half of his heart wasn’t developed. It was pretty grim news.  They didn’t even think he would survive.”

Diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Little Bowen, whose name means “Small Victorious One,” defied the odds and survived, but it hasn’t been an easy road for Matt and his family. “When we found out that Bowen was going to be born with half a heart, it started stirring up a lot of questions in me,” Matt admits. “I know there are some mysteries and questions that aren’t even meant for our minds to comprehend, but I just really started praying more, reading more and honestly seeking God for comfort in that time - and for as many answers as I could get.  I started expressing all my questions, emotions and feelings through song almost right away.” 

Those songs became the poignant, compelling collection heard on Every Falling Tear, set to release on September 13, exactly one year after Bowen had his first heart surgery.  Matt poured everything into his music--all the questions, fear and frustration along with a greater understanding of God’s comfort, grace and love.  Though he originally recorded the songs as a cathartic experience and a tool to encourage himself and his family, Matt soon began to feel they had a broader purpose. “From April on through September when Bowen was born, I had been pouring myself into communicating and releasing all these feelings and emotions through song,” Matt says. “The more I began writing, the more I began realizing that these weren’t songs just for us or Bowen. I really started to feel like I was supposed to make an album and share them with other people.”

The songs reflect the heartbreaking challenges the Hammitt family has faced as Bowen endured two surgeries and prepares for a third. Yet though the songs were written in response to his circumstance, they are universal in their ability to uplift, heal and encourage all those who hear them. “Let it Bring You Praise” is a beautiful worship song.  “Let Go” and “Holding You” are songs about surrender. The latter tune reminds the listener “It’s not in what you hold on to. It’s in the One who’s holding you tonight.”

Matt says “All of Me” was probably the hardest to write. “At that point I didn’t know what was going to happen. Bowen wasn’t born yet,” he says of writing the tune with Bernie Herms. “It’s about recklessly loving in spite of our fears, even if it means we’re going to bleed or we’re going to be broken.”

“Trust” is a song that captures this whirlwind of emotion. “I was struggling to believe that any good could come from that painful moment when I handed my son over for that first surgery,” he says.  Matt remembers thinking: “ ‘If things don’t work out the way that I pray they are going to work out, no matter what we go through, I still know and trust that God is faithful.’ That was really the cry of my heart--to be so invested in the truth that my emotions don’t steal me away from standing on the truth that He’s faithful. ‘I will trust you Lord with all my heart and I won’t forget how good you are.’ I just think that was pretty much the guttural cry of my heart throughout that whole time on September 13th.”

Matt co-wrote “Trust,” along with “You are My Treasure,” “This is Grace” and “Let it Bring You Praise,” with friend and frequent collaborator Jason Ingram. He and Joy Williams of the Civil Wars co-wrote “Let Go,” and he co-wrote “Without You” with Audrey Assad. “I just wanted them to be everything they could be,” he says of the songs, giving props to his co-writers.

Matt has already been sharing this new music with others going through difficult circumstances, including Russell, who has been awaiting a heart transplant.  “He told me that those songs had meant a lot to him and that they were comforting to him,” says Matt, who understands first hand the power music can have to soothe and encourage. Matt and his family felt it that terrible day they left the doctor’s office after first hearing news of Bowen’s condition. “We tried to turn a CD on and--this actually never happened to us before--our CD player wouldn’t work. The CD kept spinning and skipping, so we turned off the CD player and turned on the radio.  Right as we turned it on, the first song that we heard on the KLOVE Christian radio network was ‘Hold My Heart’ by Tenth Avenue North. That was a huge comfort to us. If you listen to that song, you’d be blown away by the lyrics of that song and how it pertained to us that day.”

Hearing that song at that moment not only provided comfort, but also somewhat of an epiphany.  “We’ve always heard the stories about how our songs affect people, and that day, I was on the other side at the moment that I needed it,” says Matt.  “This is what inspired me to begin writing more music out of this circumstance.”

In addition to providing spiritual and emotional support, the music on Every Falling Tear will have further impact on families as Matt and his wife have started the Whole Hearts Foundation, a non profit organization dedicated to helping families of children dealing with illness. “In addition to retail sales, we are selling the album at our [Sanctus Real] concerts and 100% of everything we make off that album is going to go directly to help families with children with life-threatening heart defects and disease,” Matt says. “We have this huge vision for the foundation.”

Though Bowen is doing well now, and Matt has met young people in their 20s who have had surgeries, survived and are leading normal lives, he is still fragile and anything could happen. That knowledge, and the experiences of the past year, has paradoxically strengthened Matt’s faith and given him a zeal for all of life.  “The biggest change in my life is just my ability now to be grateful for every day that God has given us,” he says. “All of those experiences kind of burnt away my reliance on anything but Christ.  I no longer put my faith in what I see here, but in what’s to come.  If things don’t go well for us in this life, if we lose Bowen. . .if we don’t have Christ or the hope of what’s to come, then it’s a sad story. If we have that hope of what’s to come, it’s not so sad at all, it’s actually really incredible.” 

Source: Cmspin

The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards Garnered Unprecedented Viewers On gmc television network And Quickly Sold Out The Fabulous Fox Theatre As Atlanta Welcomed This Year’s Honors To The City

THE GMA Dove Awards offer recognition in a variety of genres making it the most comprehensive awards show celebrating Christian music will again air on gmc 

THE GMA Board of Directors and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today that the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards will again take place in Atlanta, Georgia in 2012 and will be aired on gmc.  The awards, slated to take place in April 2012 offer the most comprehensive platform of music celebrating Christian and Gospel music. 

The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards quickly sold out this past April at Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre garnered its highest ratings on gmc.  With over 1.5 million viewers turning in to catch host Sherri Shepherd and such artists as Female Vocalist of the Year Francesca Battistelli, Male Vocalist of the Year Chris August and other superstars Third Day,  Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant , Chris Tomlin, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Kenny Rogers and many others perform unique collaborations and take home honors at the annual awards show.

“We’re excited for the Dove Awards to return to Atlanta,” says William Pete, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO.  “There was a buzz throughout the city surrounding the show and the excitement was contagious.  We look forward to making the 43rd Annual Dove Awards another success.” 

This year’s awards marked many firsts for the iconic awards.  With its move to the culturally diverse city of Atlanta, the gmc airing, numerous promotions with radio, TV and area churches, coupled with the location being home to so many of the genres artists and the international TV star and comedian Sherri Shepherd bringing her uniquely apropos hosting duties to the show made for a complete facelift for “Gospel Music’s Biggest Night.”

Mitchell Solarek, chairman of the GMA board states, “Our experience this past year in Atlanta exceeded our expectations. How exciting to have the Governor of Georgia personally there to welcome our artists, and guests of the show. The City of Atlanta made us feel so welcomed from the city and state leaders to the multitude of local and international media that covered the awards.  We are thrilled with the results of the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards and are looking forward to another amazing outcome in 2012.”

Charley Humbard, gmc CEO adds, “The GMA Dove Awards is one of the preeminent events in the world of Christian, Gospel and Inspirational music.  Our relationship with the GMA and the Dove Awards is an important part of our strategy.  We are pleased with the increasing numbers we are garnering with awards show.  And, having the awards in Atlanta, the home of gmc, makes it doubly sweet.”

About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community consists of membe


rs including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Dove Week and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376.

About gmc:
gmc ( www.watchgmctv.com) is America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. In 2010, The Parents Television Council™ awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to gmc for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” gmc was the only television network to receive the highly coveted honor last year.

gmc can be seen in nearly 48 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.

Source: Cmspin

After releasing his acclaimed worship album, We Cry Out: The Worship Project, GRAMMY®-nominated artist Jeremy Camp announces his fall headlining “We Cry Out Tour” beginning September 29th in Georgia and concluding on November 20th in Texas.  The 29-city tour will feature reigning GMA Artist of the Year Francesca Battistelli as well as special guest Adam Cappa.  Tour dates are below and ticket information can be found online at http://jeremycamp.com/tour.

“The past year has been an incredible journey sharing the worship project as well as the international tour dates we’ve been blessed to do recently," shares Jeremy Camp. "I’m so excited to bring this tour to our fans and share the stage with the amazing artists Francesca Battistelli and newcomer and my friend Adam Cappa. It is going to be a great night of music and worship.”

The “We Cry Out Tour” will also feature a limited number of VIP tickets at select dates. The VIP package includes a Q&A with the artists, a signed tour poster and early entry into the show. Information on all tickets is available at JeremyCamp.com

This tour announcement follows the exciting news of Jeremy Camp’s latest radio single, “The Way,” hitting No. 1 at AC Indicator for the second week in a row.  This marks his 22nd No. 1 radio single across all formats, currently climbing at AC Monitored and CHR in the Top 5 and Top 20 respectively. The official music video for “The Way” can be viewed here.

JEREMY CAMP: GRAMMY® and two-time American Music Award nominated artist Jeremy Camp marks his inspirational return to worship with the release of his sixth studio project on BEC Recordings, We Cry Out: The Worship Project.  Over his stellar 9 year career, Camp has established himself with these landmark accolades: Four RIAA Gold-selling studio albums including his debut album; One RIAA Multi-Platinum long-form video; 22 No. 1 Radio Hits across all formats; GRAMMY® nominated project for his last studio album Speaking Louder Than Before; Billboard’s No. 3 Christian Artist of the Decade including five songs in the Top 50 Billboard Christian Songs of the Decade; Four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards; ASCAP Song of the Year award; Five Dove awards including two-time Male Vocalist of the Year. Jeremy is a Compassion International artist. Additional information available at http://www.jeremycamp.com.

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI: Fervent Records’ Francesca Battistelli is the Dove Award reigning “Artist Of The Year” and “Female Vocalist Of The Year.” These accolades come on the heels of the successful release of Battistelli’s sophomore album Hundred More Years, which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Album Chart and No. 16 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. Hundred More Years released to rave reviews and is the follow-up to her debut My Paper Heart, which delivered the smash No. 1 single “Free To Be Me” and hit singles “It’s Your Life,” “I’m Letting Go” and “Beautiful, Beautiful.” With over 430,000 albums sold to date, Battistelli has become the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past eight years. To date Battist


elli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination ("Best Gospel Song Performance"), five Dove Awards and 15 Dove Award nominations. For additional information on Francesca Battistelli, please visit http://www.FrancescaMusic.com.

ADAM CAPPA: A vocalist, guitarist, performer, young songwriter and communicator through and through, Adam Cappa - a 25-year-old young man who has just finished his third album along with mentor and labelmate Jeremy Camp - is ready to share his story. It all started when Adam, reared Catholic with no knowledge of Christian music, got involved with Young Life after accepting Christ as a sophomore in high school. Fast-forward a few years and two independent records, Cappa has now teamed up with BEC Recordings to release his label debut. His fall release is a full-on Christian pop album with  a "Top 40" feel complete with loops and back tracking, which was produced by Camp and Andy Dodd. For more information, please visit http://www.facebook.com/Adamcappa.

“WE CRY OUT TOUR” Dates (all dates subject to change)

09/29/11 Dalton, GA
09/30/11 Nashville, TN
10/01/11 Meridian, MS
10/02/11 Niceville, FL
10/06/11 Morgantown, WV
10/07/11 Lynchburg, VA
10/08/11 Greensburg, PA
10/09/11 Reading, PA
10/13/11 Lansing, MI
10/14/11 Ft. Wayne, IN
10/15/11 Elida, OH
10/16/11 Grove City, OH
10/27/11 Salina, KS
10/28/11 Rapid City, SD
10/29/11 Billings, MT
10/30/11 Idaho Falls, ID
11/03/11 Tri Cities (Kennewick), WA
11/04/11 Tualatin (Portland), OR
11/05/11 Redmond, WA
11/06/11 Abbotsford, BC
11/08/11 Spokane, WA
11/10/11 Salt Lake City, UT
11/11/11 Albuquerque, NM
11/12/11 Roswell, NM
11/16/11 Abilene, TX
11/17/11 McAllen, TX
11/18/11 Austin, TX
11/19/11 Houston, TX
11/20/11 Lufkin, TX

Source: Cmspin

 

GRAMMY ® nominee Matthew West along with best selling author Angela Thomas (Do You Think I’m Beautiful, My Single Mom Life and more) are uniting to release The Story of Your Life, Inspiring Stories of God at Work in People Just Like You with Harvest House Publishers this September.

The book from West comes as a follow-up to his best-selling, latest CD The Story of Your Life where he received 10,000 personal stories from individuals in every state in the U.S. and 20 countries. Upon its release, The Story of Your Life garnered attention from CNN, Fox News, Billboard Magazine, Country Weekly, AOL’s TheBoot.com and more.

West received such an overwhelming response that he could not include all of the stories in the album, and the idea of a book was born to create an opportunity to expose even more meaningful stories. The letters covering topics such as bullying, divorce and adoption have now been turned into redemptive and hopeful devotions in this latest book. This devotional journey inspires readers to discover God as the author of their unique lives and to share the power of their story.

“As stories began to pour in by the thousands, I quickly sensed that not only was something special taking place, but that my life was about to change,” explains West. “During those months, my eyes were opened to see the world outside my door like I had never witnessed before.”

Also following in January 2012 will be What’s Your Story? book and companion DVD.  The book, and interactive standalone guide, allows readers to personalize and explore more deeply the messages of God’s hope and redemption in their stories.

West will headline “The Story of Your Life” tour with Jonny Diaz this fall, and release his first, full-length Christmas album, The Heart of Christmas, this October with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG.

Full information on The Story of Your Life, including pricing and ISBN visit http://harvesthousepublishers.com/book/the-story-of-your-life-2011/.

Source: CMSpin

 

Sparrow Records’ critically acclaimed artist Josh Wilson has a history of penning riveting songs that tug at the heartstrings of listeners. As with his captivating chart topper “Before the Morning” (Life is Not a Snapshot, 2009) and now his latest single “Fall Apart” (See You, 2011) testimonials from fans are pouring in explaining how the song has touched their lives and how God has pulled them through when they too had “fallen apart.”  Due to the influx of responses, Wilson has launched http://www.whenifallapart.com/, where listeners can watch a touching video from Wilson and hear personal accounts of how their faith pulled them through tough times. Wilson’s hope is that the website can serve as an outlet and resource for those who want to share their story or be encouraged.

Wilson was moved to write “Fall Apart” after he witnessed a friend endure a difficult divorce. 

 “Right in the middle of it, we had this really amazing conversation, and he said that even though everything was falling apart, he felt God’s presence more than he ever had,” says Wilson.  “He saw how much he needed God. Hard times are a magnifying glass on how much we need him. That’s when we feel God’s presence the most.”

After just being release to radio “Fall Apart” is off to a strong start as it was the most added song at AC out of the gate and made its debut to the National Audience Chart just two weeks after its launch.  “Fall Apart” is also the follow-up to two consecutive Top 5 AC singles including his debut hit from See You, “I Refuse.” The song continues to hold its place on the charts, currently placing in the Top 3 at AC and the National Audience Chart.

This fall, Wilson will continue to perform the single in addition to other songs from See You, as he shares the stage with GRAMMY ® award winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman and Andrew Peterson. For a full list of tour dates please visit www.joshwilsonmusic.com.

Source: CMSpin

GRAMMY®, AMA and 2010 Dove Award-winning Artist of the Year Casting Crowns is announcing plans for a massive 40-city fall concert tour, titled the “Come To The Well” Tour, taking its name from the bands highly-anticipated new studio project, Come To The Well, releasing Oct. 18. The tour kicks off Sept. 22, in El Paso, Texas, featuring premier modern rock bands Sanctus Real and The Afters, and introducing Christian music newcomer Lindsay McCaul.

The tour will coincide with the release of Come To The Well (the band’s first new studio album in two years), featuring the hit single “Courageous,” which will also be showcased in the upcoming Sherwood Pictures film by the same title, in theaters on Sept. 30. The “Come To The Well” Tour also follows the band’s recent Dove Award win in the Long Form Music Video category for the hugely successful Until The Whole World Hears Live DVD/CD release, which captured the unforgettable 2009/2010 “Until The Whole World Hears” national concert tour, which saw more than 350,000 fans in 82 cities.

The “Come To The Well” Tour is partnering with Christian humanitarian organization World Vision ( www.worldvision.org). World Vision provides assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Casting Crowns has helped to generate a total of 52,000 child sponsorships for World Vision to date.

About Casting Crowns
All of Atlanta-based Casting Crowns’ projects are RIAA certified, with a tally of three RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, two RIAA Gold Albums and a Gold DVD, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. Despite an unprecedented six-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K.

For more information, visit www.castingcrowns.com or follow the band on Mark Hall’s Twitter at http://twitter.com/markhallCC. 

About Sanctus Real
Sanctus Real’s fastest-selling GRAMMY and Dove-nominated, fifth studio album Pieces Of A Real Heart continues to sell over 130% ahead of the band’s last GRAMMY-nominated album.  The album has also sparked two No. 1 songs, “Forgiven” and “Lead Me,” the latter having been heard by well over 100,000,000 people at radio and receiving the first-ever song endorsements from Focus on the Family and FamilyLife, as well as gathering two “Song of the Year” Dove nominations.  The success of the singles helped pave the way for the band to become Billboard’s No. 4 most played Christian band of 2010 at radio. In all, Sanctus Real has gathered 14 No. 1 and


Top 5 radio hits so far. For more information, visitwww.sanctusreal.com.

About The Afters
Texas-based band The Afters were propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean.”  “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. The Afters’ sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia Records) debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200, and proved to be sensation on the silver screen with “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray.” The band’s third record Light Up the Sky bolstered the No. 1 hit “Light Up the Sky.” A slew of media including Rolling Stone, Seventeen.com, E! News Live, TV Guide, Premiere Radio and more also picked up on covering The Afters. For more information, visit www.theafters.com.

CASTING CROWNS “COME TO THE WELL” FALL TOUR 2011
*Dates, markets and venues subject to change without notice

SEPTEMBER
9/22 (Thursday) - El Paso, TX - Abundant Living Faith Center
9/23 (Friday) - Phoenix, AZ - Grand Canyon University
9/24 (Saturday) - Corona, CA - Crossroads Christian Church
9/25 (Sunday) - Henderson, NV - Henderson Pavilion
9/27 (Tuesday) - Universal City, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre
9/29 (Thursday) - Roseville, CA - Adventure Christian Church
9/30 (Friday) - Salem, OR - OSF Pavilion

OCTOBER
10/1 (Saturday) - Redmond, WA - Overlake Christian Church
10/2 (Sunday) - Langley, BC - Langley Events Centre
10/4 (Tuesday) - Kennewick, WA - Toyota Center
10/6 (Thursday) - Salt Lake City, UT - Abravanel Hall
10/7 (Friday) - Rio Rancho, NM - Santa Ana Star Center
10/8 (Saturday) - Amarillo, TX - Amarillo Civic Center
10/13 (Thursday) - Cordova, TN - Bellevue Baptist Church
10/14 (Friday) - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
10/15 (Saturday) - Savannah, GA - Savannah Civic Center Arena
10/20 (Thursday) - Auburn, AL - Auburn University Arena
10/21 (Friday) - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
10/22 (Saturday) - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
10/23 (Sunday) - Macon, GA - Macon Coliseum
10/27 (Thursday) - Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
10/28 (Friday) - Hoffman Estates, IL - Life Changers International Church
10/29 (Saturday) - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center

NOVEMBER
11/3 (Thursday) - Grove City, OH - Grove City Church of the Nazarene
11/4 (Friday) - Akron, OH - Akron Baptist Temple
11/5 (Saturday) - Highland Heights, KY - Bank of Kentucky Center
11/10 (Thursday) - Murray, KY - CFSB @ Murray State University
11/11 (Friday) - Tupelo, MS - BancorpSouth Arena
11/12 (Saturday) - Dothan, AL - Dothan Civic Center
11/15 (Tuesday) - Asheville, NC - Kimmel Center
11/17 (Thursday) - Jacksonville, FL - First Baptist Church
11/18 (Friday) - TBA - TBA
11/19 (Saturday) - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre
11/20 (Sunday) - Estero, FL - Germain Arena
11/25 (Friday) - Aiken, SC - USC Aiken Convocation Center
11/26 (Saturday) - Knoxville, TN - Knoxville Coliseum

DECEMBER
12/1 (Thursday) - San Antonio, TX - Freeman Coliseum
12/2 (Friday) - Belton, TX - Bell County Expo
12/3 (Saturday) - Bossier City, LA - CenturyTel Center Arena
12/4 (Sunday) - Jackson, MS - Mississippi Coliseum

 

Fervent Records’ contemporary pop group, Sidewalk Prophets, will release a deluxe edition of their breakthrough debut album, These Simple Truths, on July 12. Originally released on August 25, 2009, These Simple Truths, features their current hit single “You Love Me Anyway” which landed in the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s AC/Indicator Chart this week. The deluxe edition features one new song, “Know That You Are Loved” and two acoustic versions of fan favorites, “You Love Me Anyway” and “The Words I Would Say.”

Written by Sidewalk Prophets’ Dave Frey and Ben McDonald with Mark DeLavergne, “You Love Me Anyway” is a song that embodies what the band is all about, loving God despite our fears and questions, and loving him because He first loved us. 

“We wrote this song in the basement of Ben’s house in the middle of a thunderstorm,” shares Sidewalk Prophets’ Dave Frey.  “I remember thinking how incredibly safe I felt. The storm raged all around and shook the walls, but safe inside we sat. That’s just like our God, a shelter in the storm. I then started to remember all the things I had done not to deserve such a shelter, such a loving God.” 

Sidewalk Prophets have made an impressive debut on the CCM scene, winning “New Artist of the Year” in 2010 and garnering four Dove Nominations to date, including “Pop Contemporary Song of the Year” and “Group of the Year.” Produced by Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli), These Simple Truths has sold more than 100,000 units and 322,000 digital tracks making Sidewalk Prophets one of the top-selling new artists. The album delivered the smash No. 1 single “The Words I Would Say,” which topped Billboard’s AC/Indicator Chart for five consecutive weeks as well as the hit “You Can Have Me.” 

Sidewalk Prophets has toured with artists such as Francesca Battistelli, David Crowder Band, Fireflight, Kutless, Mercy Me, Newsboys, Red, Tenth Avenue North and Third Day and will be hitting the road this summer to play shows all across the country.

TRACK LISTING for These Simple Truths (Deluxe Edition):
1. Just Might Change Your Life
2. Show Me How To Love
3. You Can Have Me
4. The Words I Would Say
5. Moving All The While
6. For What It’s Worth
7. You Love Me Anyway
8. All Things New
9. You Will Never Leave Me
10. Give It All Away
11. Lay Down My Life
12. Know That You Are Loved (NEW Song)
13. You Love Me Anyway (Lealand House Sessions)
14. The Words I Would Say (Lealand House Sessions)

For more information about Sidewalk Prophets and upcoming tour dates, visit www.sidewalkprohets.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Pop/rock band Royal Tailor (Essential Records) has been hard charging toward last week’s release of its national debut project, Black & White (5/31).  The band continues to promote the album by launching a music video for “Make A Move,” while the record itself is making an impact on multiple sales charts.

The “Make A Move” video, which debuted on www.RoyalTailor.com last week, was directed by Ry Cox along with director of photography Joseph Anthony Baker.  The video showcases Royal Tailor’s potent mix of music and message, featuring choreography by Nick Bass, whose credits include work with Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Madonna.

Adding to the album’s momentum are early sales numbers, with Black & White debuting at No. 1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums chart.  The record also reached No. 21 on iTunes Top Albums chart, which includes projects of all genres.  Black & White landed at No. 6 on SoundScan’s Current Contemporary Christian Overall Chart as well.

The disc’s title track, “Black & White,” was selected as iTunes “Discovery Download” from May 31 to June 7, a coveted spot that highlights new music from up-and-coming artists by offering a free single to listeners.

Produced by Aaron Lindsey, Chuck Butler, and Daniel Kinner, Black & White showcases Royal Tailor’s distinctive musical blend, highlighting influences that range from Bruno Mars to Maroon 5 to Michael Jackson.  The result is 11 high-energy tracks that make audiences want to dance, pray, shout and sing along.  Royal Tailor is currently debuting new music from Black & White on the road, having just wrapped up the 20-city “The Overcome Tour,” which also featured Fireflight, After Edmund and Hyland.

About Royal Tailor
With a contagious blend of pop, R&B, hip hop and rock, Royal Tailor is a high-energy band and music ministry reaching out to a new generation of students suffering from symptoms of a visionless life.  The four-member band - made up of Tauren (lead singer), DJ (guitar), Blake (bass) and Jarrod (drums) -- met while in school in Indianapolis and began to hone its sound while playing for churches and youth groups around the country.  In just under two years, Royal Tailor has performed more than 300 shows, most recently playing at the Nashville GRAMMY Chapter’s Block Party stage alongside artists including Old Crow Medicine Show and The Civil Wars. 

For more information on the band and its forthcoming project, visit www.RoyalTailor.com, myspace.com/royaltailor.com or follow the band on Twitter at twitter.com/royaltailor.

Source: CMSpin

 

Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Third Day will be joined by an all-star lineup of musicians and Alabama radio/TV personalities for the “Make Your Move Alabama Tornado Relief Benefit,” which will take place on Sunday, May 15, at Birmingham’s BJCC Arena, beginning at 6 pm CT (doors open at 5 pm). Spearheaded by Third Day, the concert will also feature performances by Tenth Avenue North, Trevor Morgan and Rush of Fools, along with appearances by special guest radio personalities Rick & Bubba, Alabama’s ABC-TV 33/40 meteorologist James Spann and author/speaker David Nasser. Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.
 
The “Make Your Move Alabama Tornado Relief Benefit” concert will aid Alabama victims of the devastating band of tornadoes that tore through the South on April 27. Proceeds will be distributed statewide through the Come Together Fund to several chosen relief agencies, including: The Birmingham Dream Center, Alabama Baptist Tornado Relief, Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision. All of these agencies are already on the ground working to meet the immediate needs of Alabama tornado victims.
 
“When we heard about the devastation caused by the storms and tornadoes in Alabama and our home state of Georgia, we, just like everyone else, wanted to do something to help,” said Third Day’s Mac Powell, an Alabama native.  “We are so excited that so many of our friends agreed to stand beside us as we attempt to have a night that will not only raise money and supplies for many people that so desperately need it, but raise hope and build faith through this great night of music and encouragement.”
 
“As a local pastor in Alabama, I have seen first-hand the devastation caused by these tornadoes,” said Nasser, whose Christ City Church and David Nasser Outreach ministry are both based in Birmingham. “This benefit will usher in great aid to those who need it most. This is more than a concert, this is ministry. Pure, raw, real ministry.”

General admission tickets will be $10 at the door. A limited number of $100 VIP packages are available, which include a premium concert seat, a Q&A session with all artists, an exclusive autographed VIP event poster, and an autographed copy of David Nasser’s book, Glory Revealed. VIP packages may be purchased via the event’s website: www.makeyourmovebenefit.com.
 
Third Day is in the midst of headlining the 35-city “Make Your Move” Tour across the U.S. with fellow tour mates Tenth Avenue North and Trevor Morgan. The tour’s spring leg, which wraps up May 21, in West Palm Beach, Fla., follows the successful release of multi-platinum Third Day’s 11th studio album, Move, which debuted inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Current Contemporary Christian chart. 
 
About Third Day:
Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (made up of members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than 7 million albums which reflect an impressive 2 RIAA Platinum and 8 Gold Certifications.
 
A Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 27 career GMA Dove Awards from 47 nominations, 4 GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with 3 American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors for songwriting including the coveted Vanguard Award.  As a credit to its songwriting, Third Day’s memorable “Call My Name,” off its Revelation (07/29/2008) project, was selected by country star Keith Urban as a bonus track on his Defying Gravity project.
 
As one of the highest-ranked touring bands in any market, according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day earned its reputation by performing before audiences into the millions. Third Day’s recent mega-tours include the 2010 Make A Difference Tour, one of that year’s highest selling Christian concert tours, co-headlining with fellow artists Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and author Max Lucado followed by its own 40-city “Make Your Move” tour which kicked off Feb. 18, 2011 in Mercedes, Texas and has seen nearly 75 percent of its dates sold out.
 
Due to its mass appeal on the road, on radio and at retail, Third Day has garnered coverage  by media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, The New York Times and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.” For additional information about Third Day please visit www.ThirdDay.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Chapman to give Commencement Speech on May 7
 
Tomorrow, music icon and five-time GRAMMY ® Award winner Steven Curtis Chapman will help close out the academic year for Anderson University’s Class of 2011 at their graduation ceremony held on campus in the Ward Fieldhouse of the Kardatzke Wellness Center.

Chapman will deliver his commencement speech during the afternoon engagement that is set to begin at 3PM EST. In addition, the multi-platinum selling artist and former student of the university, will also receive an honorary doctorate along with other speakers including Rev. Charles Myricks, chief operating development officer for the National Association of the Church of God, and Dr. Beverley Pitts, president of the University of Indianapolis. The event is free and open to the public. Anderson University will offer a live webcast during Commencement starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT. For more information on the graduation event please click here.

For more information on Steven Curtis Chapman, please visit http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/.
 
About Steven Curtis Chapman:
Steven Curtis Chapman has sold over ten million records including two RIAA certified platinum albums and eight RIAA certified gold albums. Along with his five GRAMMY awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, has recorded 45 No. 1 US radio hits and been awarded 56 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has recorded seventeen projects with Sparrow Records. He has performed at the White House and has appeared on multiple national programs via CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, FOX News, the Hallmark Channel and E!, including Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Fox&Friends, Huckabee, CBS Sunday Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and more. Chapman and his wife Mary Beth created Show HOPE in 2001 after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 2,000 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world.

Source: CMSpin   

 

For the Dove Awards darling Francesca Battistelli, her fans are ‘the stuff.’ And to say thank you, Battistelli is unveiling a fan-directed music video for her smash No 1 hit “This Is The Stuff.” The video features a compilation of footage shot by fans during the Winter Jam tour. To see which fans’ films made the final cut, tune in to Francesca’s website – http://www.francescamusic.com/ or click here: http://www.francescamusic.com/news/stuff-live-music-video

“I have the best fans and feel so blessed,” shares Battistelli. “It was so fun to have them be my directors and stand right up on the stage with me every night of Winter Jam!”

“This Is The Stuff” is from her sophomore album Hundred More Years, which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Album Chart and No. 16 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. The album is available everywhere now.

Battistelli recently made Dove Awards history when she won the award for “Artist of the Year” making her the first female vocalist in 19 years to claim the elite title and also took home the honors “Female Vocalist Of The Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song Of The Year” for the smash hit "Beautiful Beautiful."

Hundred More Years released to rave reviews and is the follow-up to her debut My Paper Heart which delivered the smash No. 1 single “Free To Be Me” and hit singles “It’s Your Life,” “I’m Letting Go” and “Beautiful, Beautiful.” With over 430,000 albums sold and well over 900,000 downloads to date, Battistelli has become the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past eight years. Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Song Performance), 5 Dove Awards and 15 Dove Award nominations and was recently featured in Associated Press, USA Today, M Magazine, and Atlanta Journal Constitution. Her music has also been featured on TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance, and several other television and movie outlets.

For additional information on Francesca Battistelli, please visit www.FrancescaMusic.com.

About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Group 1 Crew, Point Of Grace, Mark Schultz, Sidewalk Prophets and Chris Sligh and is home to 25 LIVE, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records and Fervent Records.

Source: CMSpin  

Taylor wins Scholarship from TWC and J103

Tennessee Wesleyan College and J103 announced Tina Taylor from Tellico Plains as the winner of the "What a College Education Means to Me" scholarship giveaway. TWC and J103 partnered to give one lucky listener a one-year, full tuition scholarship. The contest was open to any new student at TWC in either the day or evening program, Athens or Knoxville campus.

J103 listeners were invited to submit their essays from February 28 through March 23.  Essays were judged by a committee who reached a unanimous decision on Taylor's entry.  More than 50 entries were received.

"I am so excited to win," said Taylor.  "This is such a blessing from God to be given such a wonderful opportunity at a school with a great education department.  I had some wonderful teachers growing up and want to honor those individuals by following in their footsteps."

Taylor was awarded the scholarship at a J103 live remote on TWC's campus, where she was also surprised to learn the scholarship would be extended to her second year at TWC as well.  Taylor, a community college transfer, plans to major in education and teach grades K-6.

 "Tennessee Wesleyan's mission is to provide the highest quality educational experience and we are pleased to offer this experience to Tina while making her dream come true,"  said Stan Harrison, TWC interim president.  "We are certain she will be an inspiration to our students and many prospective students in our area as she pursues this dream."

In addition to attending community college, Taylor is employed at Insurance Incorporated of Athens.  She is also an active member of her church.

Tennessee Wesleyan College, founded in Athens, Tenn., in 1857, is a four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. The College's dedicated faculty and staff believe in providing the resources and support students need to become socially responsible, intellectually skilled and spiritually developed members of our community. For additional information about Tennessee Wesleyan College, visit www.twcnet.edu, become a TWC fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/TWCnews.

###

Tina Taylor's winning essay is included below.

What does a college education mean to me? For me, it is the chance to finish what I started. Life has a way of throwing you curve balls right when you least expect them. I was in college at Cleveland State Community College in 1998 and had to quit during the pregnancy of my daughter, Kaitlin. She was, and still is, the joy of mine and my husband's life, so when she began to have seizures at 21 months old, my plans to go back to college had to be put on hold. I felt that as a mother, I needed to make a sacrifice with my own personal goals in order to care for my daughter. Kaitlin had these seizures for a year, and by the grace of God, they finally stopped. However at that time I had already taken a job working as a teller at a bank and my dream of going to college had to be put on the back shelf so that I could work and help support my family. Growing up in a family of four children, I am familiar with the word sacrifice. I have a wonderfully loving and supportive family and while we may not have always had the newest things, we did have parents who were willing to take the steps necessary for us to succeed. My mother, a devout Christian, often quoted Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." That definitely has become a verse I live by. I know my own work ethic and drive comes directly from them. They taught me to go after what I want with reckless abandon and not to give up when times get hard. I am truly grateful for these lessons, especially now. I had been content with my career as an insurance agent, but recently I felt that God was leading me in a new direction--and to my surprise, it was back to college. I have been attending Cleveland State since 2010 and maintaining my job at Insurance Incorporated of Athens. While going to school and working is not the ideal situation, I knew it was necessary if I was going to have a chance to fulfill my dream. To me college is a second chance to renew my former goals and to have the career that I always desired. I truly believe that this is what I am supposed to do and even though the circumstances are not what I had planned, I know that it is the perfect time for me to get my degree. So to conclude, college is not just a way to fulfill my goals, but also a way to make a positive difference. Through my life I have learned to be a better daughter, coworker, wife, mother and person. Through my trials and tribulations in life I've learned to be a more understanding person, a more patient individual and a better friend and family member for those I surround myself with. I know that my education is far from over, but I also know that life and education are a journey. I am so excited to continue on my journey and see where this road takes me. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

For more on the book or to oder yours today click here.

 

Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Jars of Clay will take the community-minded theme behind its latest album, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter, on the road this spring with the launch of The Shelter Tour. Featuring award-winning songwriter/worship leader Matt Maher and special guests Derek Webb and Audrey Assad, the tour will kick off March 30, in Greensburg, Pa., and travel through nearly 20 cities before wrapping up in Jackson, Miss., on May 7.
 
The Shelter Tour comes on the heels of Jars of Clay’s top billing in the Rock and Worship Road Show, one of the winter’s largest multi-artist tours, and is an opportunity for the band to create a live extension of the collaborative moments offered on their Shelter album. For that critically-acclaimed project, Jars of Clay brought in a collection of both songwriting and vocal guests (including both Maher and Assad), creating a huge collaborative environment never before attempted on any of the band’s previous projects.
 
“We knew in the beginning that we wanted as many voices as possible in the record,” guitarist Matt Odmark explains. “We wanted to make a record about community, and we wanted the recorded process to be community. We wanted it to be an expression of what it was trying to articulate from a concept standpoint.”
 
In that same spirit, The Shelter Tour will offer these musical colleagues and co-creators an opportunity to form a true collaborative evening not to be missed. Multi-platinum-selling Jars of Clay will perform songs from the new release, including the album’s single “Out Of My Hands,” along with many of their numerous hits – “Flood,” “Two Hands,” “Dead Man (Carry Me),” “Worlds Apart,” “Love Song For A Savior,” to name a few – which have become concert favorites. 
 
The Shelter Tour will be sponsored by relief organization Blood:Water Mission and Azusa Pacific University.
 
Jars of Clay and Blood:Water Mission will celebrate the building of their 1000th clean water well in Sub-Saharan Africa during a May 10 event at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Tickets to the “Well:Done Celebration, Blood:Water Mission's Journey to 1000 Wells” are still available at http://www.bloodwatermission.com/welldone.php.
 
About Jars of Clay:
Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars), and Matt Odmark (guitars), launched its breakout career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it has amassed more than 6 million in career sales (5 Gold, 2 Platinum and 1 Double Platinum certification), three GRAMMY Awards (from 8 nominations), an American Music Award nod, six GMA Dove Award nominations, 17 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing. The band’s GRAMMY-nominated 10th album, The Long Fall Back to Earth, was followed by the recent release of the compelling and community-minded project, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.  Jars of Clay has headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals, and earlier this year led the successful Rock and Worship Road Show with MercyMe, which traveled to 27 cities across the country.
 
While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, the group successfully launched the Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band’s debut, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, worldview, and humanitarianism. For more information, please go to www.jarsofclay.com.
 
About Matt Maher:
Matt Maher – worship leader, songwriter, singer and recording artist – has taken his calling as a “musical missionary” to create a substantial impact on a national and global stage. An award-winning songwriter, Maher first gained notice as the writer of the internationally renowned modern-worship song, “Your Grace Is Enough.” Highly sought after for his poignant yet poetic writing style, Maher has recently had songs recorded by such artists as Chris Tomlin; Bethany Dillon; Phillips, Craig & Dean; Brenton Brown and others. In addition, Maher’s songs have appeared in the top 10 ranked songs on the CCLI chart, marking their popularity in church worship services around the world.  Matt's sophomore Alive Again solidly captures the penetrating spirit and charisma Maher has become known for in a live setting. The 12-song studio project recently garnered him Dove Award nominations for both Worship Song of the Year and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year (“Christ Is Risen”).
 
Amid busy touring and writing schedules, Maher finds it important to serve alongside ministries including Life Teen and Adore Ministries, while still playing an active role with Oregon Catholic Press’ spiritandsong.com. Further, he serves as a regular host for Worship Together’s “Newsong Café.” Maher, recently honored with a Praise Award as Worship Leader’s Breakout Artist of 2008, has been featured on the covers of Breakaway and Christian Single, performed live on “FOX & Friends,” written for Billboard and is an active, bylined contributor to OnFaith.com ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/2010/07/08/ABhGcoE_page.html), an interactive conversation on religion. For more information on Matt Maher, please visit www.mattmahermusic.com or follow him on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mattmahermusic.
 
About Derek Webb:
Ever the musical shapeshifter, Derek Webb has once again expanded his musical boundaries and redefined his artistic expectations to produce Feedback, arguably his most ambitious and most creative project to date. Described as “an instrumental electronic album based on The Lord’s Prayer”, the scope and impact of Feedback can hardly be summed up in a tagline. Derek has managed to supersede the main complaints of electronic music (artificial, plastic, cold, soulless, etc.) with enough creativity, emotion and live instrumentation to construct an electronic album with a beating heart. Sprawling, mysterious, weighty and layered, Derek uses organic and non-organic musical elements, along with accompanying abstract pictures and paintings, to express one of the most powerful and intimate moments of the Christian faith.
 
A founding member of the Houston, Texas-based Caedmon's Call, singer/songwriter Derek Webb has seen career sales approaching one million records, 10 Dove Award nominations, a Billboard Music Video Award nod and six No.1 radio hits. Webb’s innovative music marketing and distribution strategies have received national news coverage in USA Today and the LA Times. More information can be found at http://www.derekwebb.com/ and at http://twitter.com/derekwebb.
 
About Audrey Assad:
27 year-old, Arizona-based singer/songwriter Audrey Assad propelled to the forefront of Christian music with her debut album on Sparrow Records titled The House You’re Building. Produced by Marshall Altman (Brooke Fraser, Natasha Bedingfield, William Fitzsimmons, Marc Broussard), the record released in the summer of 2010 to much acclaim. An avid reader, poems from Gerard Manley Hopkins and books were amongst Assad’s inspirations in her songwriting. Her collaborations with everyone from Chris Tomlin to Jars of Clay have marked her songwriting and vocal talent. Assad’s fresh sound was named among the best of 2010 from Relevant Magazine, Rhapsody.com, Gospel Music Channel online and more and was even profiled on CNN Online. In addition, The House You’re Building was named Amazon.com’s “Best Christian Music of 2010” and iTunes ® Christian & Gospel “Breakthrough Album of the Year.” At the close of 2010, Assad collected the title of top selling new artist of the year in the Christian genre according to SoundsScan.  For more information, go to http://www.audreyassad.com/.
 
About Blood:WaterMission:
Founded and launched by Jars of Clay in early 2002, Blood:Water Mission is a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. It’s goal is to empower communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. The first effort of this non-profit was the “1000 Wells Project” with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This year Jars of Clay will celebrate the building of the 1,000th well which will bring clean water to more than 150,000 people. For more information, please visit www.bloodwatermission.com.
 
JARS OF CLAY - THE SHELTER TOUR – SPRING 2011
* All dates are subject to change without notice. 
MARCH
3/30           Greensburg, PA          Word of Life Ministries
3/31           Morgantown, WV       Chestnut Ridge Church
APRIL
4/1             Middletown, NJ          New Monmouth Baptist Church
4/2             Charleston, ME           Charleston Pentecostal Church
4/3             Quincy, MA                Eastern Nazarene College
4/4             Alexandria, VA           The Birchmere
4/8             Belleville, IL                St. Matthew United Methodist
4/10           Collegedale, TN          Collegedale Community Church
4/14           Due West, SC             Erskine College
4/15           Haw River, NC           Lamb’s Chapel
4/16           Shrewsbury, PA          Grace Fellowship Church
4/17           St. David’s PA            Eastern   University
4/29           Melbourne, FL            The King Center
4/30           Silver Springs, FL        Twin Oaks Amphitheater
MAY
5/1             Niceville, FL                Mattie Kelly Arts Center
5/5             Lake Charles, LA        Contraband Days Festival
5/6             Humboldt, TN             West Tennessee Strawberry Festival
5/7             Jackson, MS               Jackson Academy of Performing Arts                
 
For the most up-to-date tour information, please visit www.jarsofclay.com.

 

John Waller, the popular recording artist who touched the world with the extraordinary song "While I'm Waiting" from the motion picture "Fireproof," is back with a brand new collection of scripture-based songs and declaration-style anthems designed to inspire listeners to fight the good fight of faith. Waller's eagerly anticipated enhanced CD, As For Me and My House, is set for a May 3, 2011 release through Provident-Integrity Distribution. It is his first project since signing with Nashville-based City of Peace Media.

Waller first captured the attention of the Christian music community as frontman for the pop band, According to John. But the talented Georgia native laid down his aspirations for a career as a performing artist when he and his wife Josee felt led to move to Colorado to help establish a new church. Songs that were birthed in Waller during that time opened new doors for the worship leader, and his major label debut, The Blessing, introduced his music to a wider audience. His follow-up solo project included the powerful title track, "While I'm Waiting," which was the only song played in its entirety in "Fireproof," the No. 1 independent film of 2008.
John Waller has never been an artist who cranked out a new album every year simply to meet the demands of the marketplace. Instead, his songwriting is the natural result of spending time communing with God. "I don't think I could write a record in any less than a year or two," Waller muses, "because you really have to walk with the Lord, experiencing life and allowing Him to teach you something."

That time spent walking with God has caused Waller to perceive numerous parallels between the life journey of contemporary believers and those of the ancient Israelites, particularly in the areas of bondage and freedom, spiritual warfare and dominion.

"I suffered with depression for so many years," Waller confesses. "I was in bondage but the Lord set me free. He healed me and taught me a lot about blessing and speaking life. Many of the songs on my first solo album came out of that. The Lord has given all of us so many promises that are ours for the taking, yet there is a battle to lay hold of what God has promised us."

Waller has long been known for injecting heavy doses of scripture into his songs, and As For Me and My House is no exception. He boldly proclaims the Word of God to this generation through a rich variety of musical styles ranging from tender, heartfelt prayers like "Somebody Else's Story," to poignant ballads like "Man of the Valley," to his trademark declaration anthems such as the impassioned spiritual warfare battle cry "Our God Reigns Here" and "Bless Us and Keep Us," both of which express God's heart for Israel.

"Hiding God's Word in my heart has impacted every area of my life since I began memorizing scripture in my early college days. What has been stored away in my heart just comes out of me when I write," Waller declares. "When people memorize scripture and sing the truth of God's Word, it changes their lives forever."
The title track highlights the album's theme of declaring our allegiance to God. The music video version of "As For Me and My House" has already started to go viral, with more than 20,000 views on YouTube within a few weeks of its release. To view the video, visit www.johnwallermusic.com.

"Yes" continues Waller's assertion that God is good and His plans for His children are positive, yet he also addresses the seeming dichotomy of bad things happening to good people in "Because God is Good." Waller co-wrote the song with Third Day frontman Mac Powell and the album's producer, Jason Hoard.
"Every believer that I know can relate to the fact that life doesn't go the way we plan it all the time," Waller explains, "but the Bible promises that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. It is because God is good that sometimes life doesn't go the way we want it to go!"

Although John Waller is frequently associated with declaration anthems, As For Me and My House offers plenty of opportunity for introspection and worship on such songs as "The Jesus I Need," "Fallen" and "Count it All." One of the album's highlights that holds particular significance to Waller is his sweetly sung duet, "The Marriage Prayer," which he sings with his wife, Josee.

More than just the title of an album, John Waller wants Joshua 24:15 — "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" — to become a heart's cry for individuals and families across the country and the world. In the hope that it will restore our focus back to family values, Waller is offering a free song download to those who sign the Joshua 24:15 Declaration on his website, www.johnwallermusic.com.

John Waller's As For Me and My House will release May 3, 2011 on City of Peace Media and will be distributed through Provident-Integrity Distribution. For more information on John Waller and As For Me and My House, visit johnwallermusic.com or cityofpeace.com.

 

Drawing on real-life experiences near to the hearts of its members and extended family of friends,  GRAMMY, AMA and Dove Award winning, Atlanta-based rock band Third Day uses the issue of adoption as a metaphor for God’s love in the video for its latest single, “Children of God.”
 
“Children of God” is the second single from the band’s 11th studio project, MOVE, and features footage of families with adopted children, denoted by t-shirts emblazoned with the word “adopted.” The families (including that of Third Day’s lead vocalist Mac Powell, who recently welcomed adopted son Emmanuel and daughter Birdie) eventually all don the signature white t-shirts, revealing the idea that we’re all adopted into the family of God.
 
“Children of God,” released to AC radio on December 31, 2010, has accumulated an impressive 58 million cumulative radio impressions. The video was directed by Ry Cox, and can be seen on Third Day’s channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/thirddaychannel#p/u/0/V6jO7xhU_Pw.
 
This new video release is merely the latest item in a very busy spring for Third Day. Long known as the premier live touring rock band in Christian music, Third Day is in the midst of a 40-city tour supporting its most recent full-length release MOVE. The “Make Your Move” tour runs through May 21 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
 
About Third Day
Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (made up of members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than 7 million albums which reflect an impressive 2 RIAA Platinum and 8 Gold Certifications. A recent Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 47 nominations, 4 GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with 3 American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors for songwriting.
 
Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.” As a top-ranked touring band, according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions. For additional information about Third Day please visit www.ThirdDay.com.

Nashville, TN – (March 9, 2011) – Fervent Records and reigning Dove Awards “Female Vocalist Of The Year” Francesca Battistelli, proves that she’s got the stuff with her sophomore album Hundred More Years landing in the No. 1 spot on the Christian SoundScan Album Chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top 200 chart today, making it her highest charting album debut to date. The album features her current No. 2 single “This Is The Stuff.” Battistelli’s impressive debut is right on the heels of scoring four nominations including the prestigious Artist Of The Year for the upcoming 42nd annual Dove Awards, making her the most nominated Female Artist this year.

“I do what I do every day in the hopes that my music will inspire and bring light to my fans. And to know that you’re on the right path is an incredible feeling!” shares Battistelli. “I feel so blessed and can’t thank Christian radio, my fans and my team at Fervent Records, Paradigm Agency and Proper Management enough for all of their support in this release.”

USA Today calls the release “eloquent long-range views on family and love” rounding out their 3 ½ star review. And the Gospel Music Channel says Hundred More Years is “a gorgeous meditation on life’s fleeting moments and our desire to see them last forever.”

The leadoff single “This Is The Stuff” is already a smash hit at radio and “full of the witticism and appeal you’d hope for” (Soul-Audio). It is the perfect introduction to an album that takes the treasures of her debut My Paper Heart one-step further. Working with producer Ian Eskelin, she has crafted a CD that is every bit as hooky and infectious as its predecessor but whose subject matter, as befitting a young woman whose life has changed so dramatically, addresses a wider spectrum of the human experience.

Since her debut in 2008, Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Song Performance), 2 Dove Awards and 15 Dove Award nominations. Her debut album delivered the smash No. 1 single “Free To Be Me” and hit singles “It’s Your Life,” “I’m Letting Go” and “Beautiful, Beautiful.” With over 400,000 copies sold and well over 840,000 downloads to date, Battistelli has become the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past eight years. Her music has also been featured on TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, and several other television and movie outlets.

Fans can vote for this talented songstress for The Dove Awards’ Artist Of The Year by visiting http://www.watchgmctv.com/fanvote. Voting is now open and will close on April 19th at midnight (EST), with the winner being announced at the 42nd Annual Dove Awards show taped live at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, on April 20th and broadcast on The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) on Sunday, April 24th at 8:00 p.m. EST.

For additional information on Francesca Battistelli and her upcoming album release, tour and media appearances, please visit www.FrancescaMusic.com.

 

For Fervent Records and reigning Dove Awards Female Vocalist Of The Year Francesca Battistelli, March 1 is going to be a day that she remembers for at least a ‘hundred more years’ with the release of her sophomore album entitled Hundred More Years available everywhere beginning today. The release comes on the heels of Battistelli scoring four nominations including the prestigious Artist Of The Year for the upcoming 42nd annual Dove Awards, making her the most nominated Female Artist this year.

“This year has been such a blessed one so far,” said Battistelli. “I’m out on the Winter Jam Tour with David Crowder Band and Newsboys, just found out that I’ve broken the Top 5 with the new single "This Is The Stuff," and today I’m releasing my sophomore album across the country. To top it off, being nominated for the Dove Awards’ Artist Of The Year is an incredible honor and I feel deeply humbled to be in a category with so many amazing artists. I want to thank all of the Christian radio stations and fans that believe in me.”

The Dove Awards’ Artist Of The Year nod is fan-voted. Fans can vote for Battistelli by visiting http://www.watchgmctv.com/fanvote. Voting for the Artist Of The Year category is now open and will close on April 19th at midnight (EST), with the winner being announced at the 42nd Annual Dove Awards show taped live at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, on April 20th and broadcast on The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) on Sunday, April 24th at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Battistelli’s new single “This Is The Stuff” is already a Top 5 smash at radio and is the perfect introduction to an album that takes the treasures of her debut My Paper Heart one-step further. Working with producer Ian Eskelin, she has crafted a CD that is every bit as hooky and infectious as its predecessor but whose subject matter, as befitting a young woman whose life has changed so dramatically, addresses a wider spectrum of the human experience.

My Paper Heart released to rave reviews and has since earned Battistelli a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Song Performance), 2 Dove Awards and 15 Dove Award nominations in a two-year period. Her debut delivered the smash No. 1 single “Free To Be Me” and hit singles “It’s Your Life,” “I’m Letting Go” and “Beautiful, Beautiful.” With over 400,000 copies sold and well over 840,000 downloads to date, Battistelli has become the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past eight years. Her music has also been featured on TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, and several other television and movie outlets.

For additional information on Francesca Battistelli and her upcoming album release, tour and media appearances, please visit www.FrancescaMusic.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

EMI Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group and Word Entertainment proudly announce their continued partnership in the WOW brand with the release of WOW #1’s available everywhere today March 1. With 30 smash hits that reigned in No. 1 at Christian Radio, WOW #1’s marks the 17th two-disc release and the second Deluxe Edition release of the platinum-selling series that compiles the best songs from Christian radio. The entire WOW branded series (Worship, Gospel, Hits and specialty releases) now tops 26 million units in sales with over half-a-million from the last WOW #1’s release.

Featuring 30 inspiring No. 1 hits on two-discs, the WOW #1’s is a must-have collection of Christian Radio chart-toppers from 2005-2010, including fan favorites like Francesca Battistelli’s “Free to be Me,” Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes” and Matthew West’s “The Motions.”

Highlights on Disc 1 include monster hits such as Phillips, Craig & Dean’s “Revelation Song” which topped the charts for 16 weeks, Casting Crowns’ "Praise You In This Storm" and Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God.” Disc 2 includes more No. 1 songs like TobyMac’s “City on Our Knees,” Tenth Avenue North’s ”By Your Side” and NEEDTOBREATHE's "Washed By The Water."

The WOW #1’s Deluxe Edition features six bonus tracks of even more No. 1 favorites from top Christian Music performers including Krystal Meyers, Nichole Nordeman, Relient K, Remedy Drive, Rush Of Fools and Superchick.

WOW # 1’s Track Listing:
 
-Disc 1-
1. God With Us - MercyMe
2. Give Me Your Eyes – Brandon Heath
3. The Motions – Matthew West
4. Praise You In This Storm – Casting Crowns
5. Cry Out To Jesus – Third Day
6. The Words I Would Say – Sidewalk Prophets
7. There Will Be A Day – Jeremy Camp
8. Revelation Song – Phillips, Craig & Dean
9. Held – Natalie Grant
10. How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin
11. My Savior, My God – Aaron Shust
12. I Am – Mark Schultz
13. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
14. Here I Am To Worship – Michael W. Smith
15. What Faith Can Do – Kutless

Deluxe Edition
16. Brave – Nichole Nordeman
17. Undo – Rush Of Fools
18. Stand In The Rain – Superchick
 
-Disc 2-
1. Never Going Back to OK – The Afters
2. City on Our Knees - TobyMac
3. Free To Be Me – Francesca Battistelli
4. By Your Side – Tenth Avenue North
5. The Lost Get Found – Britt Nicole
6. Washed By The Water - NEEDTOBREATHE
7. The Last Night - Skillet
8. I’m Not Alright – Sanctus Real
9. I Need You To Love Me - BarlowGirl
10. This Is Your Life – Switchfoot
11. Me And Jesus – Stellar Kart
12. Every Time I Breathe – Big Daddy Weave
13. Hide – Joy Williams
14. Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster
15. Everything You Ever Wanted – Hawk Nelson

Deluxe Edition
16. Forgiven – Relient K
17. All Along – Remedy Drive
18. The Way To Begin – Krystal Meyers

Source: CMSpin 

 

INO Records' singer/songwriter Jonny Diaz is an artist with a mission - to serve the Body of Christ. And from the very beginning of his music career, his desire has always been to write songs that encourage and entertain, yet challenge fellow believers. His latest CD release, titled simply Jonny Diaz, is a collection of songs that definitely accomplishes that mission.

“I attempted to break free from some of the traditional confines of Christian music, but I couldn’t get away from the fact that most of my songs revolve around my relationship with Christ," Diaz shares. "He is the focus of my life, and I find it impossible to honestly record my emotions and my journey without including Him. The people who truly understand my music share this same kind of relationship with God.”
 
The songs from Jonny Diaz encompass a full range of human emotions – from the heights of love to the depths of grief; from praising God to a cry for those whose lives are broken. Through his music, the Church receives challenging and encouraging reminders that every broken human life can find redemption in God’s love.

The anticipated project, releasing April 12th, was produced by a plethora of talent. Those lending their skills to Jonny Diaz are Ed Cash (Dave Barnes, Chris Tomlin), Chris Stevens (Toby Mac, Sanctus Real), Jeff Pardo (Josh Wilson, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra), and Steve Wilson (Josh Wilson, Leeland).

Diaz also collaborated with others in the songwriting process, such Audrey Assad, Mia Fieldes, Kate York (co-writer on “More Beautiful You”) and Chris Stevens. “It can be challenging coming up with new ways to express themes that are important to believers. Co-writing encourages and inspires me,” says Diaz. “My own personal growth and new insights gave me fresh perspectives on old material, and co-writing added exciting and alternative ways to express what I was learning.” 
 
Diaz also confronts timely issues in the Church with his writing. “These days we can become immune, and we need to be brokenhearted for the poor, to feel their pain the way that Christ feels it."

The project's first radio single, “Beauty of the Cross,” was especially important to Diaz. “This is the first song I’ve recorded that I haven’t written," he explains. "The first time I heard it, I was drawn straight to God’s throne in worship. I am not a ‘worship artist’ but there is something special about this song and I wanted to be a part of it. The great irony and beauty here is that we’re singing about one of the most awful torture devices ever conceived by man, and yet we are calling it ‘beautiful.’ Those of us whose lives have been changed by the sacrifice Jesus made for us at Calvary know exactly why the cross is so beautiful.” Click on the image below to watch his story behind the song, "Beauty of the Cross." 
 
Currently planning to share these new songs on the road, Diaz looks forward to sharing his music with audiences everywhere. “As an artist, I believe God gifted me with an ability to relate through the songs and stories I share. I like looking out at the crowd and seeing the smiles on faces or tears in the eyes and knowing straightaway that these songs are connecting.” Diaz told himself he would continue as long as people were interested – and he feels that it is clearer now more than ever that this is what God has for him.
 
“I love making music; it’s challenging and fun,” he says, “but my prayer is always: Whatever God wants me to do, that is where I want to be. It is a prayer of abandon to be used by God wherever and whenever.” And today that is sharing music that encourages, entertains, and, above all, challenges the body of Christ.

Source: CMSpin 

 

Following the biggest radio tour of their career promoting their current single "Say What You Believe," Echoing Angels, the soulful rock band hailing from Atlanta, is set to release their next project, Echoing Angels. This self-titled effort, available digitally and physically March 22nd courtesy of eOne Entertainment, was produced by Calvin Turner (Marc Broussard, Jimmy Needham).   
 
And even brighter news is the Echoing Angels family grew a member. Bassist Josh LeBlanc and his wife, Cami, a DJ for the Salem Network in Atlanta, welcomed the birth of their first baby. Daughter Lacey Elisabeth was born January 4th, weighing 6 lbs and 15 oz. and measuring 19 in. long. Mom, dad and baby are all doing great! Welcome to the world, Lacey!

About Echoing Angels  
Growing up in the south with a wide range of influences, Echoing Angels has embraced their roots to create their own distinctive sound of southern rock, pop, and worship from the likes of James Taylor to Kenny Loggins, from Train to Third Day. The band continues their musical offerings from their 2006 debut project, You Alone, to their 2011 self-titled release. For upcoming tour dates, videos and more information about the band, visit EchoingAngels.com.

Source: CMSpin 

 

Salvation Road Records has announced that iconic pop-rock band Blessid Union of Souls will release their latest album, The Mission Field, on March 1st, with distribution through SONY and Provident-Integrity Distribution. Blessid Union of Souls exploded onto the music scene in 1995 with the smash hit "I Believe," which hit #1 in the UK, Asia and the USA, where it became the 4th most played song of the year. The band's hits play like a soundtrack of the last two decades, thanks to numerous hit singles including "Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)," "Let Me Be the One," and "Oh Virginia" to name a few. With a new album and a renewed focus, the band is ready to add more to the list.

Thanks to the seamless merger of contagious pop, rock and soul from founder and lead singer Eliot Sloan, coupled with his ability to continuously write socially conscious and spiritually inspiring songs, it’s no surprise that Blessid Union of Souls has become one of this generation's most beloved and consistent pop-rock groups. With gold and platinum records and chart topping singles, the band has toured the world sharing stages and busses with the likes of Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Third Eye Blind, Sister Hazel, Vertical Horizon, Edwin McCain and more, while making appearances on such top-rated television programs as “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Live with Regis & Kelly," “Good Morning America,” “Top of the Pops" and VH1 to name a few.

“You don’t have time to really prepare for it because all of a sudden your songs are being played on the radio, you’re getting video play and landing on TV shows all around the world,” says Sloan. “But I try not to think about it too much and never let myself get a big head. I just live a regular life with my wife and two kids at the house, drive to the studio for recordings and then hit the road when it’s time to tour.”

Sloan’s remarkably humble demeanor stems from a lifelong Christian faith that’s repeatedly made its way into Blessid Union of Souls’ songwriting. With The Mission Field, the band takes a spiritually overt direction while retaining the signature qualities that have literally attracted millions of fans over the years.

“I’ve always sung about wanting to live right, and with The Mission Field, it’s just a matter of taking things one step further and doing in my heart what I’m called to do,” explains Sloan. “The songs we wrote for our first album Home were particularly strong in that direction, and though there was more of a light-hearted direction in some of the later tracks, the underlying spiritual tone was always there. All of the pondering and articulating matters of faith on The Mission Field are basically an extension of the ideas I first started exploring on Home, which makes the two records seem like bookends with one another."

Though a longtime staple of EMI Records (David Bowie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roxette) and V2 Records (The White Stripes, Moby), The Mission Field was recorded entirely on Sloan’s terms, but will pop up in all the usual physical and digital retail outlets thanks to a new deal with Salvation Road Records. With dual footing in the general and faith-based marketplace, the collection is sure to expand Blessid Union of Souls’ audience even further.

“A lot of fans have said this is the perfect transition and I also hope to inspire new listeners as well, but I don’t really think about marketplaces or numbers when I’m writing,” says Sloan. “I always just want to make them sound as good as possible while singing something of substance, which on this record says 'let's strap in and really make a daily, conscious effort to follow in Christ's footsteps.’ I’m always under construction, but at the same time, if I wait until I’m perfect before taking a step, then it’s never going to happen. I don’t know of any perfect people except one and they hung Him on the cross! I think the songs speak about looking at ourselves a little closer, paying more attention to what we say and do, and knowing that overall world change is possible, but it starts with one person at a time.”

For more information on Blessid Union of Souls, visit http://www.blessidunionofsouls.net.

 

New Album Leaving Eden Releases Next Week, Jan. 18
 
On the heels of Brandon Heath’s highly-anticipated third album release, Leaving Eden, the project’s lead single “Your Love” hits No. 1 at radio this week atop Billboard’s National Christian Audience, and both AC Monitor and Indicator charts. This feat marks the Dove-winning Male Vocalist of the Year’s fourth career No. 1 radio single. Leaving Eden releases nationally on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
 
Scott Smith, Music Director for the KLOVE Network, celebrates the hit song saying, “Brandon paints a beautiful picture of Christ’s love and compassion that has captivated KLOVE listeners!”
 
Written by Heath and Jason Ingram, “Your Love” is the pair’s first collaboration since their previous No.1 radio hit, and 2009 Song of the Year success, “Give Me Your Eyes,” which continues to lead sales with 550,000 downloads to date, according to SoundScan.
 
Fans in Tulsa, Okla., and Wichita Kan., will hear Heath’s current No. 1 song and new music off Leaving Eden live this weekend as he kicks off the 17-city Winter Wonder Slam Tour with GRAMMY Award winning artist TobyMac, running Jan. 14 - Feb. 20, in markets including Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver.
 
Heath’s street week launches Monday, Jan. 17 in Minneapolis with a performance at the Mall of America in partnership with Best Buy and KTIS radio, followed by a show with JOY FM listeners in Tampa, Fl. on Tuesday at the local Family Christian Store and his free concert with Z88.3 in Orlando on Wednesday.
 
The first featured video piece of Brandon performing new music is now posted on his website as the premiere of “The Leaving Eden Sessions” releases online this week. The “Your Love” performance leads the video series with future installments to follow. To view, and for a list of tour dates, please visit www.brandonheath.net.

About Brandon Heath
Since his 2006 debut, Christian music’s beloved and twice honored Male Vocalist of the Year (2009 and 2010) Brandon Heath has won an Emmy Award, been nominated for two GRAMMYs, an American Music Award, and holds multiple GMA Dove Awards. The Nashville native was featured on the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” while also spotlighted in the Sunday edition of The New York Times as a GRAMMY-nominated newcomer “that shouldn't be allowed to slip through the cracks.” His soaring radio career includes four No.1 hits, “Your Love,” “I’m Not Who I Was,” “Wait and See” and 2009’s GMA Dove-winning Song of the Year, “Give Me Your Eyes.”  Heath first began writing at age 13 and credits his hometown’s legendary hotspot for songwriters, the Bluebird Café, as the place he first experienced music that moved him.

Off stage, Heath seeks opportunities to merge his public platform with his heart for community, regularly working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially volunteering for many other human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath also created the annual “Love Your Neighbor” benefit with songwriter Jason Ingram, in partnership with Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, for a night of music to raise funds and gather volunteers for a focused need in the Nashville community.

Source: CMSpin

 

With the November 9th holiday debut of Very Merry Christmas and April's release of What We Want, What We Get (Razor & Tie), topped off with the infectious hit single "God Gave Me You," a successful tour and a viral music video, this proves that 2010 was quite the year for songwriter and performer Dave Barnes.
 
Since he began his musical career, Barnes continues to showcase his quintessential style of classy and timeless music tied with a solid dose of his traditional Southern upbringing and humorous charm. In fact, his story of his rising musical career is currently being promoted on the homepage of Performing Songwriter magazine. Click here to read the full story as well as to view his music video catalog.
 
RADIO
To top off the year, his hit single "God Gave Me You" was one of the most played songs in 2010 and continues to be heard on radio stations across the nation. According to Billboard's year-end charts, it was the 15th most played song at CHR and the 24th most played at Christian AC. The next single from What We Want, What We Get slated for radio is "What I Need."

Barnes' Christmas singles have been making a huge mark at radio as well. "Christmas Tonight," his duet with Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, is this season's 5th most played Christmas song, keeping chart company with such artists as Mariah Carey and the cast of Glee. Additionally, two weeks ago "Very Merry Christmas" was the free iTunes Discover Download single for the week and now through Christmas, Very Merry Christmas can be purchased for only $5 at Amazon.com.

TOUR & MOCHA CLUB
The Very Merry Neighborly Christmas Tour, performing to sell-out crowds during its 15-city run, wrapped up this weekend in Nashville where Barnes was joined by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Gabe Dixon, and other special guests to spread the holiday cheer. The tour partnered with the Mocha Club for their Clean Water project area, which helps fund the building of wells in the Sudan for refugess of the Darfur genocide. Barnes is a long-time supporter of Mocha Club, a generation of activists giving up the cost of two mochas, or $7 a month, to fund relief and development projects in Africa. To find out more to join Dave's Clean Water project, click here.
 
Touring will continue well into the new year for Barnes as he will continue to promote his current studio release What We Want, What We Get along with his previous recordings. Stay tuned to DaveBarnes.com for the most updated tour schedule.
 
VIDEO
A highlight of Very Merry Christmas was the music video for "Christmas Tonight," featuring Barnes alongside television actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. The video was directed by and also features Alex Beh. The video not only debuted on Perez Hilton, but it also was featured on US Magazine's site, Huffington Post's entertainment front page and OK! Magazine's website. 
 
DAVE BARNES LINKS
DaveBarnes.com
facebook.com/davebarnesmusic
twitter.com/davebarnesmusic
myspace.com/davebarnes
www.youtube.com/thedavebarnes

Source: CMSpin 

 

Since the 2009 release of their hit worship album, It Is Well, BEC Recordings’ Kutless has catapulted to the top of the charts with their mega-hit song “What Faith Can Do.”  Already a hit single in 2009, the success has carried into 2010 as this single topped the 2010 Mediabase Christian AC Song of the Year. 

In addition to Mediabase, “What Faith Can Do” was the No. 2 Billboard Hot Christian Song of the Year.  Kutless was also named the No. 7 Billboard Christian Artist of the Year, and It Is Well was the No. 10 Billboard Christian Album of the Year.

This year “What Faith Can Do” topped five radio formats --CHR, AC Mon, AC Indicator, Inspo as well as spent eight weeks at the top on the the National Christian Audience Chart. The single has also surpassed 220K in digital single sales.  It Is Well is also nearing 200k in album sales. Fans can now purchase the expanded edition of It Is Well, which features three live tracks and two new songs.

Kutless also has two singles currently moving up the charts from their worship project. “Everything I Need” is breaking into the Top 20 on AC Monitored and the National Christian Audience Chart, Top 10 on AC Indicator and Inspo. “Remember Me” is currently in the Top 5 on CHR.

This Christmas season, Kutless also released a new single “This Is Christmas,” which has been charting at AC Monitored, AC Indicator, Inspo and the National Christian Audience Chart.  The song is No. 1 at CMW.  This song is available on the BEC Recordings’ Christmas compilation O Come All Ye Faithful.

After the holidays, Kutless will be heading out on the 2011 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular with Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Francesca Battistelli, Red, Newsong, KJ-52, and more.  The all-star packed tour begins January 8th in Charleston, West Virginia and concludes on April 3rd in Illinois.  For the tour dates, visit here: http://www.hearitfirst.com/winterjam/default.aspx

For more information, go to www.kutless.com or the band’s official YouTube Page http://www.youtube.com/kutless.  Follow the band on Twitter @kutless and become their fan on Facebook: facebook.com/kutless.

Source: CMSpin

 

Spring 2011 Tour Features Special Guests
REVIVE (February), TENTH AVENUE NORTH (March-May) & TREVOR MORGAN
 
Tour Follows Release of Third Day’s New, Chart-Topping Studio Album MOVE
 
Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Third Day will headline a massive 40-city tour across the U.S. this spring. The “Make Your Move” Tour will kick off Feb. 18, in Mercedes, Texas, with special guests Dove-nominated rock band Revive on dates in February, and progressive pop Dove Award winners Tenth Avenue North rounding out the remainder of the tour dates from March through May.  Acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist Trevor Morgan will also join the tour’s roster in all markets.
 
The Make Your Move Tour follows the successful release of multi-platinum rock band Third Day’s 11th studio album, Move (Oct. 19), which debuted inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Current Contemporary Christian chart.  The Atlanta-based band will perform selections from the new album which have already become concert highlights – including the hit radio single “Lift Up Your Face,” “Make Your Move,” “Gone” and “Children of God” – as well as long-time fan favorites that feature the group’s signature rock sound.
 
“The fan response to the new album Move has been better than we ever could have hoped,” says Third Day bassist Tai Anderson.  “We can't wait to play the new music live and take the songs to a whole other place on the Make Your Move Tour.  The show is going to be about the music and message that has given us the greatest and most supportive fans in the world, and we're going to deliver that music and message with renewed urgency and passion.”
 
As a unique price point option for concert attendees, all regular tickets for the Make Your Move Tour will be offered at $25 across the board. A special VIP ticket package will be available for purchase, including a prime-seating concert ticket, an exclusive Third Day poster, a Move CD and entry to a special VIP meet & greet. A group ticket package will be available, and Fan Club pre-sale dates will be announced soon.
 
The Make Your Move Tour is sponsored in part by Grand Canyon University ( www.gcu.edu) and Christian humanitarian organization World Vision ( www.worldvision.org).  World Vision provides assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
 
About Third Day:
Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (made up of members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than 7 million albums which reflect an impressive 2 RIAA Platinum and 8 Gold Certifications. A recent Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, 4 GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with 3 American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors for songwriting. As a credit to its songwriting, Third Day’s memorable “Call My Name,” off its Revelation project, was selected by country star Keith Urban as a bonus track on his Defying Gravity project.

As a top-ranked touring band, according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions. The band recently wrapped up the 2010 Make A Difference Tour, one of the year’s largest Christian concert tours, co-headlining with fellow artists Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and author Max Lucado. Because of its mass appeal, Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.” For additional information about Third Day please visit www.ThirdDay.com.
 
THIRD DAY / MAKE YOUR MOVE TOUR – SPRING 2011
* More dates to be added.  All dates are subject to change without notice. 
FEBRUARY
2/18              Mercedes, TX                           RGV Livestock Show Grounds
2/19              Longview, TX                           S.E. Belcher Performance Hall
 
MARCH
3/10              Indianapolis, IN                        Northview Church
3/11              Brookfield, WI                         Elmbrook Church
3/12              Davenport, IA                          Adler Theater
3/13              Grand Rapids, MI                    Sunshine Community Church
3/18              Bossier City, LA                       First Baptist  Church
3/19              Grand Prairie, TX                     Verizon Theater
3/20              Joplin, MO                               Joplin Memorial Hall
3/24              Beaver Falls, PA                       Geneva College
3/25              Grove City, OH                        Grove City Church
3/26              Johnstown, PA                         War Memorial Arena
3/27              Charleston, WV                       Charleston Civic Center
3/31              Johnson City, TN                      Freedom Hall
 
APRIL
4/1                Fairfax, VA                               Patriot Center
4/14              Memphis, TN                            Hope Church
4/15              Knoxville, TN                            Knoxville Coliseum
4/16              Greenville, SC                           TBA
4/17              Macon, GA                               Centerplex
4/28              Valparaiso, IN                          Valparaiso Nazarene Church
4/29              Chicago, IL                               Life Changers
4/30              Greenville, IL                            Agape Festival
 
MAY
5/1                Kansas City, MO                    First Baptist Church
5/4                Salem, VA                              Salem Civic Center
5/5                Louisville, KY                         TBA
5/6                Cincinnati, OH                        Landmark Church
5/7                Akron, OH                             Akron Baptist Church
5/12              Chattanooga, TN                    Memorial Auditorium
5/13              Greensboro, NC                     Special Events Center
5/14              Nashville, TN                          Ryman Auditorium
5/19              Jacksonville, FL                      Veterans Memorial Arena
5/20              Ft. Myers, FL                         Germain Arena
5/21              West Palm Beach, FL             Cruzan Amphitheater
 
For the most up-to-date tour information, please visit www.ThirdDay.com.

Source: CMSpin

Dr. Butch Varner is pastor and his lovely wife, are passionate about service, and serving God.  As a J103 Church partner, you can hear their devotionals on the air.  You are encouraged to visit The Pointe, Sunday’s at 10am for coffee and worship at 10:30am and also on Wednesday’s at 7:00.  You can find out more about The Pointe at www.hamiltonpointechurch.com.

 

Stephanie Smith Releases Christmas Digital Single ‘I Celebrate The Day’ Thru Online Stores
 
Amazon.com is giving a special Christmas gift to music lovers everywhere.  To help celebrate the holiday season, as they have added Gotee Record’s holiday compilation ‘Tis the Season To Be Gotee’ to their music promotion, offering the project for the low price of $5 for the entire month of December.   
 
Gotee has long been known for their past Christmas projects for individual artists, however ‘Tis The Season To Be Gotee is the first full length holiday compilation that the label has created.  ‘Tis the Season To Be Gotee features artists such as Relient K, House of Heroes, Ayieshia Woods, Stephanie Smith and Abandon Kansas, each performing songs that have never before been available for purchase.
 
To coincide with this special pricing, Stephanie Smith released the single ‘I Celebrate the Day,’ yesterday on multiple digital music stores, as well as to all radio formats.  After it’s debut earlier this fall on the Gotee Records holiday compilation ‘Tis the Season to be Gotee, ‘I Celebrate the Day’ is available by itself, or in a Christmas EP that also features the young artist’s versions of the songs ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Jingle Bell Rock.’  Originally penned and recorded by Relient K, ‘I Celebrate the Day’ truly encompasses the spirit of this most cherished of seasons.
 
Stephanie Smith began performing the song during TobyMac’s Winter Wonder Slam tour in 2009.  Due to the overwhelming response, Gotee Records quickly knew they needed to record the song and add it to this special Christmas project.  Mark Lee Townsend who produced the Relient K version of the song, was enlisted to be a part of the recording as well, so not only does the project keep the original spirit of the song, it takes on a whole new flavor with Stephanie’s unique approach and style.
 
The song “I Celebrate the Day” is currently being added to stations in multiple formats across the country, just as many stations turn primarily to Christmas music after the Thanksgiving holiday.
 
‘Tis The Season To Be Gotee
1. Relient K - Silver Bells
2. House of Heroes - All I Want For Christmas Is You
3. Ayiesha Woods - Jingle Bells
4. Abandon Kansas - O Come All Ye Faithful
5. House of Heroes - Silent Night
6. Stephanie Smith - I Celebrate the Day
7. Ayiesha Woods - Merry Christmas Baby
8. Stephanie Smith - Jingle Bell Rock
9. Relient K - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. House of Heroes - O Come, O Come Emmanuel
11. Relient K - O Holy Night
 
See the ‘Tis the Season To Be Gotee album cover here - http://media.gotee.com/%27TisTheSeason/TisTheSeason-Cover.jpeg
 
‘Tis the Season To Be Gotee, available at digital and Christian Retail Outlets exclusively.
 
The Amazon.com holiday music promotion can be found here: http://amzn.to/tisgotee
 
The link to purchase the project on iTunes can be found here: http://bit.ly/tisitunes
 
“I Celebrate the Day”, single and EP, available today at online digital outlets.
 
Gotee.com

Source: CMSpin

 

Five-time Grammy ® Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist TobyMac is embracing the holiday season with his first Christmas song in 8 years in the brand new track “Christmas This Year.”

Available now and exclusively at iTunes®, “Christmas This Year” features one of TobyMac’s favorite vocalists, Sixpence None The Richer’s Leigh Nash, and hit Christian AC and CHR radio this week with a phenomenal response:

Carmen Brown of Tampa’s JoyFM remarked, "Already a listener favorite, you don't lose new Toby when you play ‘Christmas This Year!’  It is the best of all worlds; Toby and a Toby-esque Christmas song."

Talking about the season and what it was like making the song, TobyMac said, "Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year for my family.   While we were recording the song , we had a week-long Christmas party at my house...in JULY!!!  I wanted to write a song that captured that pure delight without missing the spirit of the season... when love came down to let us live.”

 For more information on TobyMac please visit  http://www.tobymac.com/.

Source: CMSpin 

 

Randy Phillips of Phillips, Craig & Dean recently donated $15,000 from his Texas Ranger’s fan favorite tune, “The Claw,” to Col. Dave Jones of Ft. Hood’s Phantom Trackers unit. The full proceeds from the song will go to support the families of the 400 piece squadron while they are serving in the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan for a year, and ensure that their families experience memorable times during their deployment such as celebrating Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries.

“The Claw,” written by Phillips and gospel rap artist Canton Jones, grew to fame amongst the Dallas and Fort Worth area during the Texas Rangers baseball season. Outfielder Josh Hamilton also got behind the tune as well as local television and radio stations in the area as the Rangers made their way into the World Series. Radio stations such as KLTY had Phillips on the air every week to give updates on the total amount raised, and local ESPN networks, the CBS affiliate and more also had Phillips on for interviews to promote the song.
 
When launching the sale of the song on www.dotheclaw.com, Phillips always had the intention of donating the raised funds to the military, specifically the Ft. Hood army base in his home state of Texas. “I wanted to do something noble with the funds if God chose to bless this quirky song,” explains Phillips. “Those serving at Ft. Hood and their families have such a huge place in my heart.”  Phillips also wrote “Wishing On A Christmas Star” for the holiday season with proceeds from the song benefitting the USO Wounded Warrior Program. The song is written from the perspective of military personnel being deployed during Christmas, and missing loved ones. For more information and to hear the song, visit www.operationstar1.com.
 
www.phillipscraiganddean.com
www.myspace.com/phillipscraiganddean

Source: CMSpin   

 

Multi-platinum selling band MercyMe was named America’s Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at last night’s 2010 American Music Awards. The ceremony aired on ABC and was held at the NOKIA Theater in Los Angeles.
 
Winning by fan vote for their latest album The Generous Mr. Lovewell (INO Records), the GRAMMY ® nominated band previously took home the title in 2004. Since then, they have sold nearly 6 million records with all of their albums being certified Gold or Platinum. MercyMe has also  made appearances on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ The Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more.
 
The band thanked their fans on their blog last night saying, “It makes sense that we’d win a ‘Fan Voted’ award because you guys are amazing. Seriously we couldn’t ask for a better community that surrounds us and our music.  Thank you so much for being involved in our ministry.  We can’t thank you enough.”
 
Currently, MercyMe is wrapping up their Lovewell Live tour performing songs off their latest project The Generous Mr. Lovewell (INO Records) where they have been singing songs off the new album including their recent single “Beautiful.” “Beautiful” has been heard on radio stations across the country and is continuing to climb the radio charts taking the No. 6 spot on AC Indicator and No. 10 on AC Monitored.
 
For more information on MercyMe please visit www.mercyme.org.

Source: CMSpin   

 

One year after the release of their critically acclaimed release “Welcome to the Masquerade,” Tooth & Nail Records’ Thousand Foot Krutch celebrates their third No. 1 Rock single from the album and their 10th career Rock single with “E For Extinction,” for the past two weeks. Their CHR single “Look Away” is already climbing the charts as their third Top 20 CHR single from this album.

As their singles continue to climb, TFK has also completed a full touring schedule this fall with their headline tour “Welcome to the Masquerade” presented by Creation Festival: The Tour. 

On the heels of their headline tour and their hot singles, TFK also announces their joining the 2011 “Rock & Worship Roadshow” with MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Matt Maher and The Afters.  This tour will begin January 28th and conclude April 9th.  For tour dates and cities, visit: http://therockandworshiproadshow.com.

The past year has been a whirlwind for TFK since the release of their fifth studio album, “Welcome to the Masquerade,” which has produced three No. 1 Christian Rock singles (“Fire It Up,” “Bring Me To Life,” “E For Extinction”), two top 10 Christian CHR singles (“Forward Motion, and “Already Home”), one top 15 Active Rock single (“Fire it Up”), as well as numerous TV, film (GI Joe), gaming and sport arena placements including being featured at the Super Bowl in February as well as ESPN’s use during recent NCAA basketball games. 
 
The album was touted by media as “their best,” the “best album of its genre to be released,” and one of the “very best albums of the year.”  Thousand Foot Krutch was also recently awarded three 2010 GMA Canada Covenant Awards: Rock Song Of The Year ("Forward Motion"), Rock Album Of The Year ("Welcome To The Masquerade", and Hard Music Song Of The Year ("Bring Me To Life").

For more information on TFK visit their website ( www.thousandfootkrutch.com) MySpace (www. myspace.com/thousandfootkrutch) Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/thousandfootkrutch) and Twitter - @officialTFK. 

Source: CMSpin

 

One of Christian music’s most acclaimed singer/songwriters and platinum-selling artist Mark Schultz is hitting the road this winter to headline a Christmas tour with featured artist DOWNHERE. The “How Many Kings” Christmas Tour is sponsored by World Vision and will also feature CCM artist Alli Rogers. The 16-city tour begins in Hastings, Nebraska on December 2, running through the 19th in Greenford, OH. 

“I'm looking forward to spending my favorite season with Downhere and Alli Rogers, a group of talented musicians and artists, as we celebrate the incredible gift of Christ's birth with our favorite Christmas songs, original music and great stories,” says Schultz. “It should be a wonderful time!”

Schultz has been playing dates all across the country in support of his latest release Come Alive that delivered the back-to-back Top 10 hit singles “He Is” and “Love Has Come,” as reported on the R&R Christian AC Chart. His forthcoming single "What It Means To Be Loved" will be released to Christian radio this spring.

Lauded at No. 1 on Billboard’s “Hot Christian Adult Contemporary Songwriters” list and with nine No. 1 radio hits to date, Schultz’s celebrated career highlights include being named Christian Music Today’s Male Vocalist in 2003, his song “Back in His Arms Again” being recognized as BMI’s Christian Song of the Year in 2003, his 2005 release, Mark Schultz Live…A Night of Stories & Songs, selling RIAA certified Platinum and garnering him his first GMA Dove Award, and being featured on the national TV programs 48 Hours, CNN, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and more.

Source: CMSpin 

 

In comments today from Los Angeles, Grammy Award winning Christian singer Rebecca St. James is speaking out strongly in support of Pope Benedict XVI’s unprecedented call late last week for worldwide prayer against abortion.

An outspoken voice for pro life, the Australian born singer, now living in the U.S, has dedicated a large portion of her time this year to a series of special appearances and support events for Crisis Pregnancy Centers throughout America.  St. James' 2009 starring role in the film, Sarah’s Choice, impacted audiences with her moving portrayal of a young career woman pregnant outside of marriage and faced with the decision of the life of her baby.  Since its release the movie has been used by CPC Center’s nationally in their pro life messaging to young women facing the real life issues presented in the film.

Of the Pope’s worldwide call to prayer for the unborn on November 27th, Ms. St. James believes it’s an urgent mandate for life that she hopes will cross all denominational lines.

“I applaud Pope Benedict for this call to pray for abortion to end,”  she notes, adding: “I applaud him  also for standing for life with strength, as he continually does, and I respect him and stand with him in this battle against abortion.  Abortion not only steals life from an innocent child, but it invariably wounds the mother.”

She urges those of all denominations to come together in support of the unborn.  Noted Ms. St. James, “I dearly hope and pray that Protestants and Catholics alike will draw together in unity, especially as it pertains to protecting life.  I, as a Protestant, have been able to partner with many Catholics to promote the pro life message together.  It’s a true joy for me to do this.”

With  international sales of her music and books taking her influence to audiences worldwide, Rebecca St. James performed for Pope John Paul II during his pastoral visit to America in1999. 

She will be in New York next week for a return guesting on the Fox News Network’s “Hannity.”

Resource Rebecca St. James online:

www.myspace.com/rebeccastjames

Source: CMSpin   

 

America has heard her on MTV’s The Hills and NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and this week Sparrow recording artist Britt Nicole is debuting her brand new music video, “Headphones” on iTunes ® http://is.gd/gS9B1. After just 24 hours of being release, it skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Christian & Gospel iTunes®“ video chart. Headphones” can be heard on her critically acclaimed sophomore album The Lost Get Found in addition to a new studio version on her latest project Acoustic, released this past summer.

Fans can also watch “Headphones,” directed by Wes Edwards and produced by Brittany Hailes with Ruckus Films, on Hearitfirst.com and CCM starting November 16, while Gospel Music Channel will host the television premiere of the video on November 19. In the song, Britt encourages boys and girls of all ages to not conform to what society tells them to be, but to be true to who they are. The song is a fun anthem for anyone who wants to escape reality for a few moments and be encouraged to know they are loved and in turn, share that love with others.
 
Britt’s “The Lost Get Found” video, directed by Steve Hoover and produced by Danny Yourd with Endeavor Media, has been nominated for Gospel Music Channel’s video of the year. Fans may vote for their favorite video once per day at http://www.gmclife.com/vote. The fans' votes will narrow down the list to the Top 10 Videos of 2010, which will be revealed in December on the Top Spin 10 Countdown special edition.
 
In other news, the singer/songwriter was recently honored with her first ASCAP award for the most played songs on The Lost Get Found. Produced by Robert Marvin (Mat Kearney, tobyMac) and Dan Muckala (Brandon Heath, Backstreet Boys), The Lost Get Found (2009) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, No. 62 on the Billboard 200, went straight to No. 1 on iTunes’ Christian/Gospel Top Albums chart, and peaked in the Top 10 on iTunes Top 100 albums chart. The album’s lead single, “The Lost Get Found,” rocketed to No. 1 on the Radio & Records CHR chart, spending eight consecutive weeks in the top position while climbing to No. 1 on iTunes’ Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart as well.
 
Britt is currently wrapping up the “Fly Me To The Show” tour with Hawk Nelson and will be and will be embarking on the 2011 Revolve tour entitled Dream On, accompanied by friends Group 1 Crew, Hawk Nelson, Jenna Lucado Bishop and more as they travel around the country performing for teens and encouraging them in their walk with Christ. For additional information please visit RevolveTour.com.
 
For more information on Britt Nicole and a full list of tour dates please go http://www.brittnicole.com .

Source: CMSpin

 

On the heels of releasing their third studio album, Today, 33Miles will be releasing their first, full-length Christmas record titled Believe. The Christmas CD will be sold separately at all digital retailers, and will also be available in stores with purchase of their latest recording Today.
 
"Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year,” explains 33Miles’ Jason Barton. “Chris and I have both wanted to make a Christmas record since childhood."
 
The ten track album features holiday classics such as “Joy to the World” and “O Holy Night” alongside original tunes including “Finally Christmas.” Believe was available last year exclusively at Family Christian Stores during the holiday season. “O Come All Ye Faithful (Sing to the King)” and “I Believe In Christmas” will be released to radio for the Christmas season.
 
“’O Come All Ye Faithful’ is such a glorious reminder to Christians that this season is a celebration of Christ.  It’s not about presents, music, holiday movies, or anything else,” says 33Miles’ Chris Lockwood. “It's about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  More than ever, Christians need to rally and show the true meaning of Christmas, which is the selfless love of our Savior.”
 
"'I Believe In Christmas' is a declaration/prayer for those who have lost hope due to the hard circumstances that life throws at us,” adds Barton. “Christmas is hope and that hope is Jesus Christ!”
 
33Miles will also be embarking on a tour throughout the holiday season. “The Believe Tour” will partner with local churches to allow choirs and worship teams to open the show. The tour is slated to visit 10-12 cities in December. Visit 33Milesonline.com for a full list of tour dates and details.
 
33Miles’ Today released on Oct. 5 and was produced by Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Stellar Kart) and Nathan Nockels (Passion, Phillips, Craig & Dean). Today features 10 new songs with an overarching theme of encouraging listeners to make the most of their present time. The band is currently on the “Today Tour” through mid-November with JJ Heller.
 
33Miles is comprised of Jason Barton and Chris Lockwood.  The band has received multiple GMA Dove Award nominations, including one for “New Artist of the Year” for their self-titled debut.  They have released three albums with INO Records to date: a self-titled debut, One Life and their most recent, Today.  The band also unveiled a Christmas project which released nationally this fall. 33Miles’ aggressive touring schedule includes nearly 150 dates a year, many with long time sponsors and ministry partners Food for the Hungry.
 
www.33milesonline.com
www.myspace.com/33miles
www.facebook.com/33miles

 

Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings’ Hawk Nelson has just finished their fifth studio release, “Crazy Love,” set to release on February 8, 2011. Produced with Ian Eskelin  (All Star United, Francesca Battistelli, Starfield), “Crazy Love” is already generating a buzz among fans. Last week, more than 20,000 fans downloaded a free new track, “Skeleton,” in just four days. Hawk Nelson promises fans that this new release will be a combination of punk rock and new styles.

“We’re very excited about our new record. It's got some old-school punk rock feel to it, as well as some songs my mom would appreciate,” shares frontman Jason Dunn. “Overall it is one of our most well rounded albums dealing with truth.”

Along with the “truth” theme, Hawk Nelson wants to encourage fans to love like crazy as stated in the debut radio single and title track. Similar to their last album’s plea to Live Life Loud, this band is about giving a call to action for their fans. 

“Part of this truth talk is us growing older and wanting to sing about what's real to us,” states bassist Daniel Biro. “The truth topics make ‘Crazy Love’ the most different from past records; we are definitely more overt about faith this time. We're not scared about the truth in our lives, and it's satisfying to be real like that.”

In addition to “Crazy Love,” Hawk Nelson will also be releasing “The Light Sides,” acoustic/stripped down versions of their hit songs from their four previous albums.  "The Light Sides" will not be available separately.  It will only be available with the purchase of "Crazy Love" as a 2 disc set. Fans can pre-order their copy of “Crazy Love” + "The Light Sides" online here:  here.

Hawk Nelson just finished their fall headline tour “Fly Me To The Show,” which was an overwhelming success.  JesusFreakHideout.com raved about the tour saying, “Fly Me To The Tour is definitely a highlight among the Fall 2010 tours, and one that fans of any of the acts on the billing shouldn't miss! And if you're unfamiliar with some or all of these acts, fans of pop rock and power pop would especially enjoy this fun evening of music, entertainment, and spiritual inspiration.” Stay tuned for Spring 2011 touring information for Hawk Nelson.

For more information on the band, visit www.hawknelson.com, follow the band on Twitter at @ HawkNelson and communicate with other fans on Twitter using the hashtag: #crazylove.

Crazy Love Track Listing:
1. Tally-Ho
2. Your Love Is A Mystery
3. Crazy Love
4. My Next Breath
5. We're Alright
6. Skeleton
7. We Can Change The World
8. One Shot
9. Fraud
10. Joanna
11. LAX
12. Done Holding On
13. Thanks For The Beautiful Memories

The Light Sides Track Listing:
1. California (Acoustic)
2. Friend Like That (Acoustic)
3. Zero (Acoustic)
4. Stagefright (Acoustic)
5. First Time (Acoustic)
6. You Have What I Need (Acoustic)
7. Everything You Ever Wanted (Acoustic)
8. Head On Collision (Acoustic)
9. Long Ago (Acoustic)
10. Take Me (Acoustic)
11. 36 Days (Acoustic)

Source: CMSpin   

 

August’s debut single tops both the Christian AC Monitored Chart and the National Christian Audience Chart this week
 
The stars are aligning for Fervent Records' hot debut artist Chris August whose smash single “Starry Night” secured the No. 1 spot on both the Christian AC Monitored Chart and the National Christian Audience Chart this week, making the song the most played single in the Christian format, reaching over 7.5 million fans. Not to mention, August is the first new artist to reach No. 1 at Christian AC Monitored with a debut single in over three years. "Starry Night" has been in the Top 10 for the past 13 consecutive weeks on the Christian Soundscan digital tracks, selling well over 70,000 digital singles to date. “Starry Night” is from August’s debut album No Far Away, which is proving to be one of the highest selling new artist releases this year in the genre.
 
With Christian radio and fans going starry-eyed over Chris August, the positive buzz keeps coming in.
 
“This is a new artist with intense staying power. Someday we’ll all be saying ‘remember when?’ ”
-Sarah Taylor, KCMS

“Chris August has the amazing ability to write songs that not only do you hum along to but impacts you in a deep and meaningful way. Starry Night has connected with our audience in this way from the very beginning.” -Ben Milton, WGTS

“Starry Night has been one of those special songs that come along seemingly out of nowhere and connect deeply with our target audience, the song has tested awesome from the first test and continues to do so.”
-Kris Love, WYLV and WDLF

"There are so many singer/songwriter out there.... here comes one that can finally deliver.”
-Corey Mann, LESEA Broadcasting
 
Currently, August is playing shows all across the country in support of the new album and is gearing up to join multi-platinum group Point Of Grace on their upcoming 2010 “Home For The Holidays” Christmas tour and then will join the highly anticipated Winter Jam 2011 Tour.

While he may be considered a "new" artist, Fervent Records' newly signed singer-songwriter Chris August is anything but a rookie in the music industry. The self-taught pianist, guitarist, and producer previously toured as the keyboard player and opening act for pop sensation Ashlee Simpson and worked with Ryan Cabrera, Brian McKnight and Jessica Simpson before shifting his focus to his solo career. Chris, a native of Dallas, Texas, put his refined skill set to work when he co-produced his debut record with acclaimed producer Ed Cash. While he is not one to shy away from writing about his faith, Chris isn't afraid to embrace relationships and heartache in his songwriting. Chris cites influences such as Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, and Gavin DeGraw who all contributed to the polished pop/rock sound that is sure to resonate with all who listen.

For additional information, please log on to: www.chrisaugustmusic.com, www.myspace.com/chrisaugustmusic or www.twitter.com/ChrisAugust
 
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for 59 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Point Of Grace, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, Mark Schultz and Big Daddy Weave and is home to Word Distribution, Word Print, The Breen Agency, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Fervent Records and Myrrh Records.

Source: CMSpin 

 

With nine No. 1 radio singles, three GRAMMY nominations, 16 Dove Awards, a platinum and two gold albums to his credit, Chris Tomlin is among the most well-known and influential artists in contemporary Christian music. On November 16th, on the heels of celebrating the RIAA Gold Status of 2008s HELLO LOVE,  Tomlin will deliver his seventh recording for sixstepsrecords, "AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US... ". The album's first single, "I Will Follow," is already Top 10 on Christian AC.

For the first time in his career, Tomlin recorded at his home base outside Atlanta, where he recently renovated a cabin into a studio next to his house.   This made the recording process much more personal for Tomlin as he created eleven worshipful and powerful tracks, once again partnering with the legendary Ed Cash (Matthew West, Bebo Norman, David Crowder*Band) as well as exploring new musical avenues with Dan Muckala (Amy Grant, MercyMe, The Afters).

As many will realize, the title comes from Tomlin's #1 song from the PASSION: AWAKENING live CD, "Our God," and as Tomlin explains, the title is one that wasn't his first choice, but kept coming back to him.  "For the longest time I had a different title for the album, but at the end of the day, I really came back to 'And if Our God is for Us.' I just love that statement. It's just so strong.  Every night in concert when we get to the part of the song where we sing 'if our God is for us,' it's amazing to see what happens, to see so many people rise up in that statement.  If you really believe in God, you know that everything is possible. Anything can happen. Miracles can happen. All things are available to you no matter what you're going through, no matter what you're facing, no matter what is coming against you. Life comes against all of us but you know God is for you. That's straight from the scripture. It's not just my thought. It's not just my idea or opinion. The scripture tell us 'if God is for you then who can be against you.' I love the hope that is in that statement. I think when people see that in the stores and they pick it up or they see it online, hopefully it just instantly takes them to that idea--'God is for me today!'"

sixstepsrecords, EMI Christian Music Group and EMI Christian Music Publishing recently  honored Tomlin for HELLO LOVE's Gold certification at his studio in Atlanta and treated select radio, retail and media VIPs to a sneak preview of "AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US...".

Touring throughout the country this fall, Tomlin will hit numerous U.S. cities with fellow sixstepsrecords' NEW artist Kristian Stanfill and will also play in Vancouver for the Passion World Tour.  This Christmas season he will once again tour GLORY IN THE HIGHEST with Passion Movement and sixstepsrecords' founder Louie Giglio on several dates in December, and then in the spring will begin the nationwide "AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US… Tour," featuring Louie Giglio, Christy Nockels and others.   For tour dates and more, please visit http://www.christomlin.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Multi-platinum selling band MercyMe garners their third American Music Award nomination for Favorite Artist in Contemporary Inspirational Category. Previously winning the title in 2004, MercyMe is one of three nominees in the genre. Produced by dick clark productions, the live broadcast will take place at the NOKIA Theater L.A. on Sunday, November 21 at 8pm (EST/PST) on ABC.
 
For the fourth year, winners will be determined by online voting at the official Coca-Cola voting location www.amavote.com as well as ama.abc.com. Artists will be honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Soundtracks and Contemporary Inspirational.  Fans can go to the official homepage of the "2010 American Music Awards," ama.abc.com, to find performer and presenter announcements, artist information, and more. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or fans can call 1-877-AEG-TICKETS.
 
MercyMe’s success continues to blossom as the band is performing to packed out houses on their Lovewell Live tour performing songs off their latest project The Generous Mr. Lovewell (INO Records) which debuted last spring at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 selling over 80,000 units its first week. The project's debut single “All of Creation” held the No. 1 spot for multiple weeks after its launch, while their current single “Beautiful” is climbing several charts, presently at No. 17 on Billboard’s Christian AC Chart, after landing in the Top 10 at Soft AC/Inspo as well as the Top 10 on iTunes ® Christian Singles Sales Chart.
 
Additionally, the Grammy nominated band made history this year as their mega hit “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. They also have been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ The Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more.
 
For more information on MercyMe please visit www.mercyme.org.

Source: CMSpin

 

Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY winning artist Casting Crowns is once again tapped as a “Favorite Artist” nominee for the 2010 American Music Awards® (AMAs) in the Contemporary Inspirational category, as announced this week during a press conference from the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE. Casting Crowns won the AMA Inspirational category in 2007. This is the band’s fifth career AMA nomination.
 
The live broadcast of the 38th annual AMAs will take place at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21st (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC. For the fourth year in a row, winners will be determined by fan online voting at amavote.com. Voting is now open and closes on Friday, November 12, 2010.

The 38th Annual American Music Awards will be hosted by N’Sync alum Lance Bass, and feature a star-studded lineup of music’s top artists and acts, including performances by Bon Jovi, P!nk and Usher. The 2010 American Music Awards, produced Larry Klein and executive-produced by Orly Adelson, will honor artists in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin and Contemporary Inspirational.
 
Christian music’s GRAMMY, AMA and Dove Award-winning Artist of the Year, Casting Crowns is headed by frontman/principal songwriter Mark Hall. The Platinum-selling band’s fourth album, Until the Whole World Hears, sold 167,000 copies first-week, setting a sales record as the highest debuting Christian music artist in SoundScan history (week ending 11/22/09). The album certified RIAA Gold in four weeks, with more than 600,000 sold to date. The band’s career sales exceed 5.2 million.
 
Casting Crowns recently released its newest project, Until the Whole World Hears LIVE, a DVD/CD combo package featuring live concert video, 80 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, a Mark Hall-led teaching video series and more. The band continues to tour in support of Until the Whole World Hears, with dates in the US through fall 2010, and appearances “across the pond” in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Norway and Germany scheduled for November. The band’s tours are responsible for uniting more than 50,000 children with sponsors through humanitarian outfit World Vision.
 
About Casting Crowns:
All of Atlanta-based Casting Crowns’ projects are RIAA certified, with a tally of three RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, two RIAA Gold Albums and a Gold DVD, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. Despite an unprecedented six-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K.

For more information, visit www.providentpress.com, or www.castingcrowns.com.
Follow the band on Mark Hall’s Twitter at: http://twitter.com/markhallCC.

Source: CMSpin 

 

Breakout Urban sensation and Fervent Records’ Group 1 Crew’s (Blanca, Manwell and Pablo) new album Outta Space Love is proving to be an out-of-this-world-hit as it launches in at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian/Gospel Digital Album chart, No. 2 on the Christian Adult Contemporary Album chart and No. 4 overall on the Contemporary Christian Album chart. Last week, their song “Live It Up” was featured as iTunes’ “Single of the Week” and their album Outta Space Love was featured as AmazonMP3's Deal of the Day on release date. Group 1 Crew is currently on the road for a 28-city tour with Fireflight, wrapping-up on November 6 in Miami, FL. The band will re-join the Revolve Tour in January 2011.
 
“We're so thankful that we were able to hit No. 1 for the first week it was truly humbling,” Manwell said. “We only hope to remain a constant in people lives and a presence on iTunes for weeks to come!”
 
Produced by Andy Anderson, David Garcia and Chris Stevens, Outta Space Love is comprised of 12 infectious, fresh songs with unforgettable hooks that showcase the trio’s urban grooves and Hip-Hop sensibilities. The album includes the band’s current Top 5 single, “Walking On the Stars.” The band’s music has also received success through various television placements which include their songs, “Live It Up,” which was featured by the Studio One Young Beast Society dance group on the hit show America’s Got Talent and “Breakdown,” which was featured in promotional spots for E! Television Network’s Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami all summer.
 
Group 1 Crew has become one of the leading Hip-Hop focused acts in the Christian music scene, having several hit singles, such as “Movin’” and “Keys To The Kingdom,” both of which broke into the Top 5 on Billboard’s Christian CHR Charts. They have won two Dove Awards in the Rap/Hip-Hop Album Of The Year category consecutively in 2007 and 2008, and recently won in the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song category with “Movin.” Group 1 Crew has previously had their music featured in a variety of popular television shows, including FOX Television’s “The Simple Life,” Style Network’s “Kimora Lee Simmons: Life in the Fab Lane,” MTV’s “Run’s House,” and The CW’s “One Tree Hill.”
 
For more information about Group 1 Crew, visit www.group1crew.com or www.wordlabelgroup.com.

 

Recently receiving his second Double Platinum and 7th Platinum RIAA certifications (Worship and Worship Again, respectively), industry leading recording artist Michael W. Smith releases his 22nd career project Wonder today, Sept. 28.
 
The anticipated 12-song collection is garnering attention from national media outlets including the Associated Press, Billboard magazine, FoxNews.com, SiriusXM, FOX NEWS Radio, Charisma magazine, The Baptist Press, Christian Retailing and is the subject of CCM Magazine's October cover story.
 
To top it off, Michael will spend Wonder’s street week in New York City doing radio and television interviews. Today, Smith will be a featured guest on FOX News Channel’s highly rated “HANNITY” show as part of Sean Hannity’s “Great American Panel” (9:00 PM EST). The following morning he will be a featured performer during the 8:30 AM EST segment of “FOX & Friends." Check local listings for airtimes in your area.
 
For more information on Michael W. Smith, including up-to-date tour information and exclusive story-behind-the-song video clips, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

 

Fans jump with both feet into Ocean, the newest release from acclaimed singer/songwriter Bebo Norman.  This album has already been touted as his “finest effort” and one of the “top overall album(s) of 2010.” Ocean explores the theme of finding one’s real identity - where we find it, who we are, and where we draw life from. 

“I’m given the opportunity to create records that become sort of like a topographical map of all my past experiences,” says Norman.  “And today I’m happily married with two boys that I love. Still, I find myself looking up and asking, ‘Who am I outside of music and beyond being a husband and father? How do I hide myself in who Christ is rather than relying on my own identity in the real world?’ Every song on Ocean speaks to that idea.”
 
To celebrate his seventh studio project, Bebo Norman will be on HearItFirst next Tuesday, October 5th at 8/7 PM Central.  He’ll be performing songs live from Ocean as well as answering fan questions.  Tune in next week at http://www.hearitfirst.com/live .

Here are some media highlights praising Ocean:

“Going deeper than a feel-good album, Ocean beckons you into the depths of God's love.”
- CBNMusic

“Bebo Norman puts words to unspoken emotions on Ocean …Norman is an expert word-painter, and the visuals on Ocean are extremely vivid. For those who appreciate a good turn of phrase and are drawn to the artistic, Norman's latest is a must.”
- Crosswalk.com

“Bebo inspires a new way to think about our personal relationships both with God and our loved ones through the songs on Ocean.  His lyrics display a sense of honesty and faithfulness in the midst of confusion and challenge the listener to stretch out of his or her comfort zone to get lost in the Lord.  This is definitely his best album yet!”
- Hearitfirst

“(Ocean) does bring back his signature lyricism.”
- JesusFreakHideout.com

“Ocean is full of poetic, folk-rock gems, but don't miss the Brandon Heath collaboration ‘Here Goes.’”
- Real Rhapsody

“Norman separates himself from many in the Christian worship pack with his soft musical tone....And with Ocean, Norman has earned our respect, which then makes us want to participate in his worship.” 
- Soul-Audio.com

Bebo Norman has recently spent time with Relevant Magazine in their new studios performing “Here Goes” and “The Middle,” which can be heard on this week’s podcast.  He also interviews with NewReleaseTuesday.com podcast, Charisma magazine podcast each available on their respected sites.
 
Follow Bebo’s journey on Twitter @bebonorman as well as his blog http://www.bebonorman.com with song descriptions and stories from Ocean.

 

"Light Up The Sky” Aggressively Climbing Billboard Christian Radio Charts
 
The Afters To Embark on “Hungry For Love Tour” This Fall with Leeland and Sanctus Real
 
Produced by Dan Muckala (MercyMe, Brandon Heath, Amy Grant), The Afters’ 10 track CD has a comprehensive theme of rebirth and a fresh start streaming throughout the lyrics of the record. The topic of new beginnings was something very natural for The Afters whom after going through a season of loss with the passing of their former manager, and even the loss of drummer Jordan Mohilowski’s best friend, started a new chapter with the added additions of a new bassist and drummer to their line-up.
 
“I think the direction of this album reflects where we are in life,” explains The Afters’ guitarist Matt Fuqua. “I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary this year and so did Josh. As we get older I think we are seeing that what is truly important to us is God, family and our relationships. I think that is reflected in this album because that is where we are spiritually speaking.”
 
Sonically, the band’s pop sound continues to evolve and grow with Light Up the Sky. “We spent a lot of time working on building the soundscapes for this record. We experimented with mic placements...even placing mics throughout long hallways outside the studio rooms and in our producer’s garage to capture ambient sounds,” addresses lead singer Josh Havens. “There are a lot of textures and subtleties that the listener might not notice until they've listened a few times.  I think both musically and lyrically it is instantly accessible and yet has deeper layers for those wanting to find them. It's artful pop.” Light Up the Sky finds Havens and Fuqua writing alongside Muckala as well as Jason Ingram, Brandon Heath and Nate Campany (Brandon Heath, The Click Five).
 
The first single from the album “Light Up the Sky,” which is already No. 2 at Billboard Christian CHR and top 10 at AC, is a reminder of the steadiness of God’s faithfulness. The Afters have trekked across the US this summer in support of the single, making stops at KCMS (Seattle), Joy FM (St. Louis), K-LOVE/Air 1 and more (photos below). The song was also used in the final season of MTV’s hit show “The Hills” earlier this summer. Other songs of interest on the record include the sonically aggressive “ We Won’t Give Up,” the praise-filled “Lift Me Up,” encouraging “Runaway” and “Start Over,” which continues with the overriding theme of rebirth.
 
The Afters are teaming up with Leeland and Sanctus Real for the “Hungry For Love Tour” this fall. Sponsored by Food for the Hungry, the “Hungry For Love Tour” will help raise awareness for the goal’s of bringing relief and aid to twenty-six of the most impoverished countries in the world. The tour will be making stops in 23 cities across the U.S. starting Oct. 9 through Nov. 22. For the most up to date concert listings, visit http://hungryforlovetour.com/.
 
Texas-based band The Afters were propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean”.  “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes ® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. The Afters’ sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia Records) debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200, and proved to be sensation on the silver screen with “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray.” A slew of media including Rolling Stone, Seventeen.com, E! News Live, TV Guide, Premiere Radio and more also picked up on covering The Afters’ earlier releases as well.

Source: CMSpin

 

Fervent Records’ GRAMMY-nominated artist and reigning Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Francesca Battistelli is on top of the world right now with her debut album My Paper Heart topping the overall Christian/Gospel Album Chart for four weeks in a row, making her the highest selling female artist in the genre in five years. This album features the hit singles “Beautiful Beautiful,” “I’m Letting Go,” “It’s Your Life” and the record-breaking smash hit “Free To Be Me” that held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Christian/AC Radio chart for 10 consecutive weeks. Not to mention, all four singles have sold well over 100K digital downloads each with “Free To Be Me” already nearing 300k downloads. In addition to all of these phenomenal milestones, Francesca and husband Matt are expecting the birth of their first child in October.
 
“I’m so incredibly thankful to my fans and Christian radio for all of these unbelievable blessings that I have cherished this year,” said Battistelli. “Without your support, none of this would be possible. It's amazing to see what God has done in such a short time. Thank you!”
 
And, all of the support has definitely paid off for Battistelli. Released in 2008, her album has had the longest run to No. 1 for a female artist in Billboard Christian Album Chart history, a testament to her continually growing fan base and infectious pop soul sound that has been featured on such popular TV shows as ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance and MTV’s The Hills. Luckily, fans will not need to wait much longer for new music. Battistelli is currently in the studio writing and recording for her much anticipated sophomore album, expected to release early next year.
 
For additional information on Francesca Battistelli please visit, www.francescamusic.com

Source: CMSpin

 

Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings’ Hawk Nelson announces their fall headlining tour, “Fly Me To The Show,” featuring special guests Britt Nicole, Revive, and John Reuben landing October 9th in Texas concluding November 13th in Michigan. At select shows, fans can purchase special VIP tickets that include an exclusive acoustic performance and an autographed CD and t-shirt. The Fall tour dates are posted on the newly launched site: http://flymetotheshow.com/.

Continuing to Live Life Loud, Hawk Nelson will introduce concertgoers to the Mocha Club on tour.  Mocha Club ( http://www.mochaclub.org) is an online community of people giving up the cost of two mochas a month or $7.  Hawk Nelson stands behind this organization and their initiatives for the Orphan Care + Vulnerable Children, specifically the Grace Foundation. 

The Grace Foundation aims in helping children orphaned because of accident, HIV/AIDS and natural deaths.  Currently there are 180 children being provided for with clothing, educational materials (books, pencils and pens) and money for food. These orphans live in Sunyani, Ghana and its suburbs.

“We are stoked about our fall tour and the artists that will be joining us,” shares Jason Dunn of Hawk Nelson. “We’re thrilled to be bringing Mocha Club on board for the tour - an amazing organization that is making a HUGE difference in these children’s lives. We want to do our part and host a tour with a purpose.”

Fans can sign-up to help support Hawk Nelson’s efforts with Mocha Club here.  For tour dates, Facebook profile images and banners go to: http://flymetotheshow.com/.  For more information on the band, visit http://www.hawknelson.com, follow the band on Twitter and communicate with other fans on Twitter using the hashtag: #fmtts for the tour.

Source: CMSpin

 

Georgia Music Hall of Famer (2009) Third Day has reached yet another milestone in its already illustrious career with the certification of its ninth RIAA Gold Certification marking sales of more than 500,000 copies of Revelation (7/29/2008). 
 
The album launched with a performance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, a Billboard cover feature and an American Music Award trophy.  In addition, the album yielded two GRAMMY nominations in song categories plus the live version of the album, Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage, Backstage, also certified Gold, took home a GRAMMY for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album earlier this year.
 
The announcement caps a productive summer for the band, as the four-man rock unit finished production, alongside producer Paul Moak, on its upcoming 11th studio release MOVE, set to release on October 19.
 
“Lift Up Your Face,” the anticipated album’s first radio single, showcases the unmistakable vocals of The Blind Boys of Alabama. The song is not only poignant but is proving its potency as well.  Already a multi-format smash, “Lift Up Your Face” is garnering undeniable attention on both the AC and CHR charts with 91 stations spinning by its Aug. 13 add date and touting the most increased spins the weeks of Aug. 9th and Aug. 16th.  
 
Already No. 12 at CHR and No. 15 at AC Monitored, the song is seeing more than 3.5 million weekly impressions and is well on its way to reaching the benchmark set by the band’s previous 27 No. 1 singles.  “Lift Up Your Face” is a song of encouragement, and beyond the early radio success, it is a small taste of an album that was written to provide hope for those in the midst of desperate times such  as these.
 
Third Day will finish the summer and enter fall performing at select major festivals throughout the country, leading to the start of the World Vision/AEG Live-sponsored “Make A Difference Tour 2010.”   The tour, which also features Michael W. Smith, tobyMac and New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado, launches September 30, and will hit arenas in 20 cities through the end of October.  (For updated tour dates please visit www.ThirdDay.com.)
 
About Third Day
Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (made up of members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than 7 million albums which reflect an impressive 2 RIAA Platinum and 9 Gold Certifications.  A recent Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, 4 GRAMMY Awards (with eleven career nominations), an American Music Award (11/24/2008 during its Revelation promotional window), 3 American Music Award nominations and multiple ASCAP honors for songwriting.  As a credit to its songwriting, Third Day’s memorable “Call My Name,” off its Revelation project (7/29/08), was selected by country star Keith Urban as a bonus track on his Defying Gravity project.
 
As a top-ranked touring band, according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions. Because of its mass appeal, Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine (June 7, 2008). For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com.
 

Source: CMSpin 

 

GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning Sanctus Real released on Sparrow Records in March its most critically acclaimed album to date, Pieces Of A Real Heart.  The fifth studio offering from the band, the album has since gathered an ever-growing cache of musical milestones, including the No. 1 radio hit, “Forgiven,” and the band’s eighth No. 1 radio single and first-ever Billboard Adult Contemporary (AC) No. 1, “Lead Me.”  The fastest climbing AC radio song ever for the band, “Lead Me” is also No. 1 on this week’s overall Billboard Christian radio national audience chart and makes its video debut on iTunes Sept. 7.  The song is further gathering acclaim from Casting Crowns, 10th Avenue North and others, as well as the first-ever song endorsements from Focus on the Family and FamilyLife.

 “Sanctus Real's ‘Lead Me’ is a beautiful reminder for men to stand up and be the husbands and fathers God called them to be,” says Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family.  “It’s a message every dad in our culture needs to hear, and I’m glad the song is making a significant impact on the radio.”

“It’s rare to hear a song that penetrates to the depths of the soul, stirs the emotions, reveals the innermost thoughts and seeks help from the only One who has it,” says Dennis Rainey, President and Co-Founder of FamilyLife, a subsidiary of Campus Crusade for Christ International.  “‘Lead Me’ does all this and more.  It’s a relevant message for marriages and families today.  Lead Me is a timeless message that should motivate every married man to stand up and fight for his family by kneeling down to pray.”

“‘Lead Me’ is a prayer song of God’s leadership that every man needs to hear, amazing song!” adds Chris Huffman of Casting Crowns.

“‘Lead Me’ is probably the most intensely convicting and inspiring song I’ve heard on Christian radio in years,” continues Mike Donehey of 10th Avenue North.  “I literally wept the first time I heard it. Matt put words to my heart’s cry and for that I’m infinitely grateful.”

Written as a personal confession and prayer by lead vocalist Matt Hammitt, “Lead Me” is proving to be a source of hope even as he and his wife, Sarah, walk through a difficult pregnancy. Parents to Emmy and Claire, the couple is struggling to bring to term their first baby boy, Bowen Matthew Hammitt.  Bowen, which means "small victorious one," is due Sept. 3 and has been diagnosed with a serious heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).

“Knowing Bowen is sick has brought me face to face with the sobering reality that none of us are promised tomorrow and has pulled that nagging ache, the one to make every moment count, straight to the surface of my daily life,” confesses Matt on a blog he and Sarah created to give updates on Bowen at http://bowensheart.com/.

As the Hammitts patiently wait for Bowen to be born, band guitarists Chris Rohman and Pete Prevost are embracing their new roles as first-time fathers.  With children born on the exact same day, Chris and Dominique Rohman welcomed Penelope Jane Rohman, and Pete and Melissa Prevost welcomed Bennett Elise Prevost, into their respective families Aug. 11.

Enjoying the time off from touring to spend time with their families, the band members are also gearing up to be the nightly closing band on the 22-city “Hungry for Love” tour sponsored by Food for the Hungry and featuring Leeland, The Afters and Speaker Palmer Chinchen.  The tour begins Oct. 8 in Jackson, TN and travels through 13 states before wrapping up Nov. 21 in Rogers, AR.  (See full tour itinerary below)

Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, OH-based Sanctus Real is all about living out their lives as “real” Christians, not only on the stage and as they interact with fans, but in the quieter moments of their lives as husbands, fathers and fellow believers.  The band creates compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be Holy (Latin meaning of “Sanctus”).

With eight No. 1 and six Top 5 radio hits, Sanctus Real’s 2006 breakthrough album, The Face of Love, landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart while the band’s most recent release, We Need Each Other, garnered the band a GRAMMY nomination.  Pieces Of A Real Heart is the result of the band maturing and growing as songwriters, musicians and individuals, while retaining its aggressive edge and incorporating a more diverse musical palette of instrumentation and themes.

For all the latest Sanctus Real news, including it tour dates, go to www.sanctusreal.com

Source: CMSpin 

 

Fervent Records recording artist and 13-time Dove Award nominated band BarlowGirl is sharing the never-before-told side of their first 10-years with fans through their new album Our Journey…So Far due out September 14.  This album candidly tells the story of these three rockin’ sisters (Alyssa, Lauren and Rebecca) musically and visually in chronological order.
 
“It feels like yesterday that we packed in the van and drove to Nashville to make our first album,” said Lauren.  Rebecca continued, “Time flies! It has been such a blessing to be able to make music, travel the world and meet all of our amazing fans.” Alyssa then chimed in, “We thought it would be fun to take a look back on our first 10 years and show you what our journey has looked and sounded like!”

Produced by Otto Price (BarlowGirl, GRITS, dcTalk), the new album is a unique collection of the band’s 15 all time favorite songs, including their chart-topping smashes “Never Alone,” “I Need You To Love Me,” “Let Go” as well as the Top 5 hits “Mirror” and “Beautiful Ending.”  As an added bonus, the package also features a 16-page booklet that dips into the Barlow family archives and reveals the history of the band through never-before-seen images.  Capturing the raw essence of the band’s journey from day one until the present, Our Journey…So Far is ultimate collection of BarlowGirl songs all in one place. And if you want to be one of the first fans to catch a glimpse of their scrapbook unveiled by the girls themselves, visit www.BarlowGirl.com today, August 25 at 5:00 PM (CST) for a special live, online chat.
 
Our Journey…So Far Track Listing:
1.      Never Alone (BarlowGirl)
2.      She Walked Away (BarlowGirl)
3.      Mirror (BarlowGirl)
4.      Surrender (BarlowGirl)
5.      Let Go (Another Journal Entry)
6.      I Need You To Love Me (Another Journal Entry)
7.      Grey (Another Journal Entry)
8.      Here’s My Life (How Can We Be Silent)
9.      One More Round (How Can We Be Silent)
10.    Million Voices (How Can We Be Silent)
11.    Hallelujah (Light Has Come) (Home For Christmas)
12.    Stay With Me (Love & War)
13.    Our Worlds Collide (Love & War)
14.    Beautiful Ending (Love & War)
15.    Come Alive (Love & War)
16.    I Need You to Love Me (FredTown Manila Remix)

BarlowGirl recently wrapped up a headlining tour with Superchick and VOTA and will be appearing at Disney’s “Night Of Joy” in September.  For additional information on upcoming shows, the band and how to pre-order Our Journey…So Far now, log on to the BarlowGirl website – www.barlowgirl.com.

Source: CMSpin   

 

With the continuous momentum of Newsboys' current CD release Born Again, a No. 1 radio hit and an extensive touring schedule, they continue their whirlwind year with the announcement of their first-ever Christmas project. Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday will release October 12th, courtesy of Inpop Records.
 
The new CD was produced by Dustin Burnett, Michael Tait, and Juan Otero of The Write Bros, half of the production team of Born Again. Comprised of six holiday classics, Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday includes "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bell Rock," "All I Want for Christmas is You," "O Holy Night," "The Christmas Song," and "Mary Did You Know."     
 
To help promote Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday, Newsboys will join Newsong the weekend after Thanksgiving to kick off the "Very Merry Christmas Tour 2010." This 20+city nationwide tour kicks off in North Carolina and will finish up in Georgia on December 20th. Check out the tour dates listed below to see if can help ring in the Christmas season with Newsboys at a city near you.
 
There is no question the momentum keeps continuing to escalate for Newsboys and their July 13th release of Born Again. The current single and No. 1 hit "Born Again" continues to stay high up on the charts, having a total of 7.1 million impressions to date. Following the largest street week of their careers by selling an astounding 45,311 units and hitting #4 on Billboard's overall chart, Born Again continues to keep its place on the Billboard Top 200 chart and is No. 3 on the Christian Soundscan chart, scanning more than 72,000 units in the first month of release.  

Source: CMSpin  

 

As acclaimed songstress Kerrie Roberts readies to release her self-titled debut album on Provident Label Group’s Reunion Records on Aug. 24, the project’s early hit single, “No Matter What,” breaks the Top 20 this week at No.17 on Billboard’s AC Monitored chart, and jumps to No. 12 on the CHR format. With proven strong radio support, the emotive singer’s huge soaring vocals and transparent songwriting poise her to be the next breakthrough voice in Christian music.
 
The 10 songs on her soulful-pop debut, Kerrie Roberts, include production credits for GRAMMY Award-nominated Rob Graves (Natalie Grant, Red), Dan Muckala (Brandon Heath, The Afters), Chuck Butler and four-time Grammy Award winner Brown Bannister. Roberts, who has writing credits on every song, thematically explores a thoughtful side of faith, hope and love—the acknowledgment that an authentic life of faith isn’t void of suffering, the purpose amidst pain, the promise that a breakthrough is coming, and the motivating power of God’s love.
 
“People need to know they are not alone in what they’re feeling,” Kerrie says. “I want every song to leave people with a sense of purpose—a call to action, a realization of a truth, a promotion of hope and healing.”
 
Roberts’ first performance came at the age of 5.  Growing up a pastor’s daughter, she was the youngest member of the church choir, and would stand on top of a milk crate each week to see over the choir’s partition. After learning to play piano, she wrote her first songs in high school and began performing in churches and local venues.
 
The southern Florida native has been deeply impacted by her parents counsel and love to those who were hurting. Her parents’ ministry instilled in her a desire to reach out to the broken and those searching for hope. Her music is a clear indication she has developed a passion for sharing God’s faithfulness in hardship and the unconditional love she has seen poured into her own life and the lives of others. Kerrie explained, “That’s something that resonates in me and that I love being a part of.”
 
Kerrie’s distinctive songwriting and powerful voice have already caught the attention of radio stations and listeners across the country. Mike Prendergast, Director of Programming for KLTY in Dallas, predicted Kerrie Roberts as “New Artist of the Year” saying, “She’s one of the best new acts I’ve heard in a while.”
 
Dwayne Harrison, Program Director for WRCM in Charlotte, N.C., said he expected Kerrie’s talent and song-writing to earn her a lasting place on his station. After the positive response from her single, both stations say they look forward to sharing the rest of her album with their audience. 
 
Kerrie hopes the messages in her songs will be an encouragement to those who are struggling, and an honest expression of life as a Christian, a life where God allows hardship but never abandons during these trials.
 
For more information, performance videos, and more, please visit: www.kerrieroberts.com, and www.providentpress.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Ancient words, carried through a friend, can deliver impact and inspiration which you dare not dream. In the case of the men that make up Jars of Clay, it was an old Irish proverb, translated as “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live,” that served as the genesis point for its newest project, titled Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.
 
Recorded and produced by the band, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter dwells on the idea of community, both physical and spiritual, and features a litany of both songwriting and vocal guests – including Mac Powell, Matt Maher, Brandon Heath, Laura Story, Thad Cockrell, Phillip LaRue and others – making contributions to this unique set of Jars of Clay songs.
 
“Jars of Clay, historically, has been this kind of compact creative environment; we’re known for doing everything from the songwriting to the producing to the artwork,” says guitarist Matt Odmark. “This was a push in a totally different direction. We brought people in on the songwriting side of things, and we knew in the beginning that we wanted as many voices as possible in the record.
 
“We wanted to make a record about community, and we wanted the recording process to be community. We wanted it to be an expression of what it was trying to articulate from a concept standpoint,” Odmark continues. “It wasn’t going to work any other way, and it didn’t make sense to us to write a record about community that was just us talking to one another.”
 
Alongside the project’s music reside very personal essays about the idea of community, gathered and curated by the members of Jars of Clay themselves. The writers – such as author David Dark, Blood:Water Mission executive director Jena Lee Nardella, Sara Groves, Nate Larkin, Anne Jackson, Jim Hancock, Padriag OTuama – have all contributed to Jars’ personal views on community, giving the listener and reader another avenue through which to explore that concept.
 
What emerges on Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter is more of Jars of Clay’s signature sonics, informed by the season of its last project The Long Fall Back To Earth but echoing all the way back to its much-heralded self-titled debut, meshed with an heretofore underexplored inclusiveness of lyric that encourages the listener to join in on the song. In short, these songs are designed to be sung aloud, with others, within the parameters of that listener’s own shelter.
 
For some, including the members of Jars of Clay, that will entail bringing them into the church
environment proper, something that hadn’t really been a purposeful part of the band’s work before.
 
“One of the things we’re excited about with this record is to offer, with humility, what we’re excited about within the church,” guitarist Stephen Mason says. “We’re all big fans of the church, we attend church, so part of the passion we want to get to the people is that, hopefully, this is the language we can use to rejuvenate the way we speak about God in terms of each other.
 
“What has been, graciously, changing us is this idea that when we look around we see God in other people and in what they’re doing. We are the hands and feet,” Mason continues. “We’re trying to find new language to describe stuff that we’re all probably in some regards cynical or bored about, because we want to believe there is life in those places.”
 
That idea of being “hands and feet,” actively working for the various communities it impacts, has long been a priority for Jars of Clay. It’s a notion that extends into the charitable realm through its foundation Blood:Water Mission, which was the beneficiary of a day-long Jars-hosted radio-thon via K-LOVE and Air 1, an effort which raised more than $800,000 for the group’s work.
 
Jars of Clay will hit the road extensively this fall, alongside two-time GMA Dove Award-winning Male Vocalist of the Year (and labelmate) Brandon Heath, and plans are underway for a multi-artist tour presenting songs from Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter scheduled for spring 2011.
 
About Jars of Clay                                 
Jars of Clay launched its breakout career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it’s amassed more than six million in career sales (five Gold, two Platinum and one double Platinum certification), three GRAMMY Awards (from eight nominations), an American Music Award nod, six GMA Dove Awards nominations, 17 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing.  Its GRAMMY nominated tenth album, The Long Fall Back to Earth (April 21), debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan and on October 5, Jars of Clay will release the compelling and community minded project, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.
 
While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, members Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark and Charlie Lowell founded the Blood:Water Mission in early 2002. The first effort of this non-profit was the “1000 Wells Project” with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This year Jars of Clay will celebrate the funding of the 1,000th well which will bring clean water to more than 150,000 people, www.bloodwatermission.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

Ancient words, carried through a friend, can deliver impact and inspiration which you dare not dream. In the case of the men that make up Jars of Clay, it was an old Irish proverb, translated as “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live,” that served as the genesis point for its newest project, titled Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.
 
Recorded and produced by the band, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter dwells on the idea of community, both physical and spiritual, and features a litany of both songwriting and vocal guests – including Mac Powell, Matt Maher, Brandon Heath, Laura Story, Thad Cockrell, Phillip LaRue and others – making contributions to this unique set of Jars of Clay songs.
 
“Jars of Clay, historically, has been this kind of compact creative environment; we’re known for doing everything from the songwriting to the producing to the artwork,” says guitarist Matt Odmark. “This was a push in a totally different direction. We brought people in on the songwriting side of things, and we knew in the beginning that we wanted as many voices as possible in the record.
 
“We wanted to make a record about community, and we wanted the recording process to be community. We wanted it to be an expression of what it was trying to articulate from a concept standpoint,” Odmark continues. “It wasn’t going to work any other way, and it didn’t make sense to us to write a record about community that was just us talking to one another.”
 
Alongside the project’s music reside very personal essays about the idea of community, gathered and curated by the members of Jars of Clay themselves. Friends of the band, including author David Dark, Blood:Water Mission executive director Jena Lee Nardella, Sara Groves, Nate Larkin, Anne Jackson, Jim Hancock, Padriag OTuama – have all contributed to Jars’ personal views on community, giving the listener and reader another avenue through which to explore that concept.
 
What emerges on Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter is more of Jars of Clay’s signature sonics, informed by the season of its last project The Long Fall Back To Earth but echoing all the way back to its much-heralded self-titled debut, meshed with an heretofore underexplored inclusiveness of lyric that encourages the listener to join in on the song. In short, these songs are designed to be sung aloud, with others, within the parameters of that listener’s own shelter.
 
For some, including the members of Jars of Clay, that will entail bringing them into the church environment proper, something that hadn’t really been a purposeful part of the band’s work before.
 
“One of the things we’re excited about with this record is to offer, with humility, what we’re excited about within the church,” guitarist Stephen Mason says. “We’re all big fans of the church, we attend church, so part of the passion we want to get to the people is that, hopefully, this is the language we can use to rejuvenate the way we speak about God in terms of each other.
 
“What has been, graciously, changing us is this idea that when we look around we see God in other people and in what they’re doing. We are the hands and feet,” Mason continues. “We’re trying to find new language to describe stuff that we’re all probably in some regards cynical or bored about, because we want to believe there is life in those places.”
 
That idea of being “hands and feet,” actively working for the various communities it impacts, has long been a priority for Jars of Clay. It’s a notion that extends into the charitable realm through its foundation Blood:Water Mission, which was the beneficiary of a day-long Jars-hosted radio-thon via K-LOVE and Air 1, an effort which raised more than $800,000 for the group’s work.
 
Jars of Clay will hit the road extensively this fall, alongside two-time GMA Dove Award-winning Male Vocalist of the Year (and labelmate) Brandon Heath, and plans are underway for a multi-artist tour presenting songs from Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter scheduled for spring 2011.
 
For updates on Provident related artists, please visit www.providentpress.com.

Source: CMSpin   

 

It's official! Born Again, the critically-acclaimed 15th studio project just released from Newsboys, is the biggest project ever to release in the band's history. Even better? Newsboys' Born Again is the 2nd highest Christian artist debut on Billboard's Top 200 and the 3rd highest debut on CCM Soundscan for 2010!

According to Soundscan, Born Again has sold an astounding 45,311 units in just one week, placing Born Again at #4 on Billboard's Overall Chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting and M.I.A.  In its first week of release, Born Again also placed Top 4 on iTunes' Overall Chart, sharing company again with Sting and charting before the Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack. Born Again officially released July 13th, courtesy of Inpop Records. 
 
Even before sales numbers were released, it has been reported that Born Again is the best project Newsboys has ever released. It has also been said that the band is "wonderfully rejuvinated," "amazing" and "The 'Boys are back...simply the best!" It's been months and months of hard work for Newsboys leading up to the release of Born Again, and it's certainly paying off.

Along the way, the band has received tremendous support from retail, radio stations, media outlets, and dedicated fans across the nation. From kicking off a few of their new songs and doing local tour promotion earlier this year during the WinterJam 2010 tour to now, Newsboys have been so ready to share Born Again with the world.
 
"The record-setting number of sales today reflect the dedication and hard work of Newsboys to create another groundbreaking musical creation," exclaims Andrew Patton, General Manager, Inpop Records. "The amazing support of Christian radio stations, festival promoters, our hard-working Inpop staff, and our partners at EMI CMG distribution have all earned our thanks today."
 
RADIO
For an amazing eight  weeks, Born Again's first radio single, "Born Again," claimed the top spot at CHR radio, while the song continues it's climb to the top on the Christian AC charts, currently Top 10. To further promote the CD's release, Newsboys traveled around the country last week via ISDN radio hook ups to talk to radio stations and listeners from coast to coast. The band was featured on numerous morning shows and stations around the country, including K-LOVE; Air 1; Star 99.1 New York; WCSG Grand Rapids, MI; WAY-FM Network; His Radio Greenville, SC; KSBJ Houston; WFFH Fish Nashville; and KFIS Fish Portland. The band set up a special ustream page allowing stations to include LIVE video into each of the interviews.

MEDIA
Preparing for street week the critical press has shown their support as well. Popular outlets such as FOX News, Rhapsody, Billboard, gmclife.com, CCM, Charisma, TitleTrakk.com, CBN, and so many more have promoted Born Again.
 
Both NewReleaseTuesday.com and JesusFreakHideout.com named Newsboys' Artist of the Week, promoting them on their homepages and featuring full CD streaming, feature articles and reviews. HearitFirst.com immediately jumped on board with numerous exclusive video interviews, as well as streaming the new project and launching a contest to win a trip to Rock the Universe to sit side-stage during the Newsboys performance. Visit the site too to not miss drummer Duncan Phillips' sharing his laundry tips with the world, as well as much more.

What are the critics saying about the new release?

"...Born Again marks a new beginning for the Grammy-nominated, Dove-winning band...and features a wonderfully rejuvenated sound...jam-packed with energetic rock made for live performances. Auditory treats include the funky 'When the Boys Light Up' and the redemptive 'Build Us Back.'"
- Wendy Lee Nentwig for Rhapsody.com

To further support Newsboys, Rhapsody.com named Born Again Album of the Day along with including a major feature with the CD review. Please visit Rhapsody.com/christian-gospel to read Rhapsody's full coverage.

"Born Again is a strong introduction for this new incarnation of one of Christian music's most successful groups. You'll be hard-pressed to not feel the new energy here." - Debra Akins for gmclife.com

"Tait shines as Newsboys frontman...Born Again delivers."
- Kevin Thorsun for cmaddict.com

"The lyrics are pure...to the point and at the same time deep, leaving you looking at yourself and examining yourself." - ChristianMusicReview.org

THE FAN
We can't forget about the music buyers, the die-hard fans who will always give honest opinions. Read on to hear what they think of Born Again:

"The best Newsboys album ever! Simply the best....don't miss this one!"

"The Boys are back! It's a fresh, new sound for the Newsboys....can't wait for this band to hit 30 years in 2018 and still be putting out records!"

"By far the best album Newsboys have released...brilliant!"

"This album is amazing! Every song is so catchy and I officially know for sure the boys are BACK. if you're not sure whether to buy it or not...BUY IT!!"

Be sure to catch Newsboys live in a city near you this summer and fall to capture the excitement of their new songs live along with seeing their brand new stage set. Visit their website for the most updated schedule and information!

Newsboys.com

Source: CMSpin

 

The newest music video from six-time GRAMMY ® winner Amy Grant for the hit song “Better Than A Hallelujah” will premiere exclusively online at Ladies’ Home Journal’s website LHJ.com tomorrow, Tuesday July 20.  LHJ.com will also run an interview with Grant to coincide with the video’s premiere.

The song “Better Than A Hallelujah” comes from Grant’s acclaimed March release titled Somewhere Down the Road. Grant’s first new, non-holiday music in seven years garnered praise from Ladies’ Home Journal saying “She’s back and better than ever...” and Billboard magazine raving “…all the songs on this collection weave together into a beautiful musical tapestry—--each as warm, thoughtful and gently compelling as the woman singing them…. we are all better for Grant having shared this emotional road map.”
 
“The first time I heard ‘Better Than A Hallelujah’ I was completely blown away by it,” Grant tells LHJ.com. “A lot of hard things were going on in my life at the time, and I found so much comfort in this song. It’s all about honesty, vulnerability and not being afraid to come as you are—it’s okay to be broken.”
 
About Ladies’ Home Journal
Founded in December 1883, Ladies' Home Journal magazine has been inspiring, informing and entertaining women for more than 125 years. Published by Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP), Ladies’ Home Journal has a circulation of 3.2 million and a readership of 12 million.  The magazine’s interactive online companion, www.lhj.com, has 1.8 million unique visitors and 20 million page views each month.

About Amy Grant
Amy Grant’s career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six GRAMMY® Awards in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum selling Age to Age in 1982. She also has six #1 hits, including “Baby, Baby,” and “Every Heartbeat” and is one of only two Christian artists to be awarded a star on the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood. Grant released her first live recording in 25 years with Time Again...Amy Grant Live in September 2006, and then announced her first ever label shift to EMI Music Group where her entire music catalog was re-mastered and released via a GREATEST HITS CD and made available for the first time digitally.   

www.amygrant.com
www.facebook.com/amygrant
www.twitter.com/amygrant

Source: CMSpin

 

Over four months after releasing their acclaimed album Beautiful Things, Gungor took their original worship experience on tour making stops in Nashville, TN and Chambersburg, PA earlier this week.

After both standing room only performances, twitter was overwhelmed with praise from those who attended the show.
 
“Just had my audio-visual mind blown by Gungor! World take note...”

“I'm trying to find the right words.  Overwhelming.  Uninhibited. Worship. Musical. Visual. Excellence.  Thank you. #gungor”         
“ Gungor was incredible! Can't wait till worship is always like that!”

“ New favorite GUNGOR! Wow amazing band is an understatement”

“If you have the chance to see Gungor live...just do it. legitimately the most incredible worship experience ever!”   

“Gungor's 'Beautiful Things' events are wonderfully bombastic in every best sense of the word.”

“So many more need to experience Gungor...people have no idea what they're missing out on. amazing!”

The “Beautiful Things Tour” comes just after Gungor finished a successful run with John Mark McMillan. The band will also embark on an additional leg of the “Beautiful Things Tour” this fall. For the most up to date tour news for Gungor, stay tuned to http://www.gungormusic.com/.

Also endorsing the band and the Beautiful Things events is GRAMMY ® winner Israel Houghton who was Michael Gungor’s co-writer on the hit “Friend of God.” To see and hear a glimpse of the Beautiful Things event from the band along with additional thoughts from Houghton, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsu4gD5ws7k.

The band’s 2008 debut on Brash Music, Ancient Skies, garnered critical acclaim. Beautiful Things (BRASH) is the band’s sophomore release, and the third CD release for Michael Gungor.

http://www.gungormusic.com/
http://twitter.com/gungormusic

Source: CMSpin  

 

The latest single from The Afters’, “Light Up the Sky,” will be used in the popular MTV show “The Hills” tonight. The show, in its final season, airs on MTV on Tuesday evenings at 10/9 central.

No stranger to television exposure, The Afters’ music has also received placement in NBC’s “Secrets of the Mountain” soundtrack, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “8th & Ocean” (MTV), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray.”

A digital EP from the band will release on July 13 and feature new songs “Light Up the Sky,” “We Won’t Give Up” and “Runaway.” The band’s third full-length album titled Light Up the Sky will street on Sept. 14.

The first single off of the anticipated album is already being well-received at radio. “Light Up the Sky” was No. 2 most added at AC/CHR last week.

Texas-based band The Afters were propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean”.  “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes ® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. With their debut exceeding the expectation, status quo simply would not do for their second album.  It is this powerful transformation that lies at the core of The Afters’ sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia Records). Among a street week hit with placement in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200, Never Going Back to Ok proved to be sensation on the silver screen with “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray” using music from The Afters’ sophomore project in promotion for their programming. A slew of media including Rolling Stone, Seventeen.com, E! News Live, TV Guide, Premiere Radio and more also picked up on covering The Afters’ latest releases as well.
  
http://theafters.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theafters
http://twitter.com/theafters
http://www.youtube.com/theaftersVEVO
http://www.facebook.com/theafters

Source: CMSpin

 

DVD Premieres “Until the Whole World Hears” Music Video, Plus Extensive Behind-the-Scenes, Mark Hall Teaching Videos, and the Story of Hall’s New Adopted Daughter “Hope”
 
Christian music leader Casting Crowns announces the release of its new live project, titled Until the Whole World Hears LIVE, available Aug. 31, which will offer millions of fans a front-row experience to the platinum-selling music, and discipleship, of 2010’s Dove Award-winning Artist of the Year.
 
Recorded at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, N.C. on April 24, with additional footage recorded at North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, S.C. and at Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala., the band’s unforgettable 2009/2010 “Until the Whole World Hears” national concert tour is captured on this live 2-disc set, sharing the heart and story of such songs as “If We’ve Ever Needed You,” “Glorious Day” and the No. 1 hit single “Until the Whole World Hears.” The powerhouse tour saw over 350,000 fans in 82 cities.
 
The 54-minute LIVE concert DVD includes an additional 80 minutes of behind-the-scenes content and will launch the premiere of Casting Crowns’ new “Until the Whole World Hears” music video. The music video features fan-submitted clips of audiences singing the anthemic song, literally all across the globe.
 
DVD highlights include “Mark Hall’s Teaching Video Series” and the “Adopting Hope” story which details the Halls’ heartwarming journey to bringing home their 33-month old daughter, Meeka Hope, from China. The five devotional-styled video lessons led by lead singer/songwriter, author and pastor Mark Hall, give viewers a deeper look at the Biblical studies and personal stories that have inspired the band’s message-driven songs for the family.
 
Casting Crowns also reveals secrets of the road, with a peek into the creative day-time activities of the seven band members, in clips titled “Laser Tag,” and “Cornhole.” Remaining chapters provide new interviews with the band and “The Crew,” a look at the growing family in “Crowns’ Kids,” an introduction to Brian Scoggin in “Our New Drummer” and the last word with “Inside Scoop: two Minutes with Mark’s Parents.”
 
Appearing on the LIVE CD are eight live versions of the band’s new songs: “Until the Whole World Hears,” “If We’ve Ever Needed You,” “Glorious Day,” “Mercy,” “To Know You,” “Holy One,” ”Blessed Redeemer,” and “At Your Feet.”
 
The platinum-selling band’s recent fourth album, Until The Whole World Hears, sold 167,000 copies first-week setting a sales record as the highest debuting Christian Music artist in SoundScan history (week ending 11/22/09). The album certified RIAA Gold in four weeks, with more than 600,000 sold to date. The title track marks a ninth career No.1 radio single for Casting Crowns, as its new single “If We’ve Ever Needed You” moves up the chart.
 
All of the Atlanta-based band’s projects are RIAA certified, with a monster tally of two RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, three RIAA Gold Albums and a Gold DVD, further establishing its unprecedented six-year career, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007.
 
=For more information, visit www.providentpress.com, or www.castingcrowns.com.
Follow the band on Mark Hall’s Twitter at: http://twitter.com/markhallCC.

Source: CMSpin

 

TobyMac recently took a break from his highly energetic tour and Diverse City Band to spend some time with children diagnosed with HIV at the 2010 A Time for Heroes Celebrity Picnic, sponsored by the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation in Los Angeles. The multi-platinum selling artist was among many other celebrity guests including Stacy Keibler, Billy Crystal, Lori Loughlin, Billy Bush and more. Guests were able to spend time with their favorite Hollywood’s stars, played games, and enjoyed unbelievable food while helping create a generation free of HIV.

Thanks to the support of generous donors and sponsors, including the title sponsor Disney, over $1.3 million was raised to help the foundation eliminate pediatric AIDS. 

In other TobyMac news, his current single “Get Back Up” is dominating the radio charts. The hit track recently peaked at No. 1 on AC Monitored and this week holds the No. 1 spot on CHR radio, while also placing at No. 2 on AC Indicator and on the National Christian Audience Chart.

With the summer season in full swing, the Grammy ® Award winner is back on the road with popular contemporary artist Chris Tomlin on the Hello Tonight tour. Together they are visiting select cities across the U.S. and fanatics have had the opportunity to win tickets to experience the excitement LIVE by sending in a simple text.

To catch TobyMac LIVE, please visit www.tobymac.com for additional tour dates and information.

Source: CMSpin   

 

On the heels of his 2010 Dove Award, Bebo Norman has just finished his seventh studio project with award-winning producer Jason Ingram.  Bebo Norman will release his album, Ocean, on September 28th on BEC Recordings marking his second studio release with the label.  This week the album cover as well as the debut single “Here Goes” will be available exclusively for his ‘fans’ on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bebonorman). Fans can go to his Facebook page, or if you are a new fan "like" his page, and click on "Song Premiere" to see the album cover and hear the song.

“Being in the studio and writing songs hands down is why I play music,” Bebo shared while in the studio.  “It’s not that I don’t love playing shows in their own right and being in front of people, but if I were to make a list of why I play music, writing and being in the studio would be at the top.”

For Ocean, Bebo once again teamed up with Ingram in the studio for production as well as co-writing.  On the last four records, Bebo and Ingram have established a mutual respect working together creatively to create a sonic landscape listeners love. 

Ingram gives props to Bebo, “I love working on Bebo’s albums, it is working with a friend as well as someone I admire.  He is one of our better songwriters that our industry has ever had.”

Bebo also partnered with Brandon Heath and Laura Story to write for this upcoming release. The debut radio single “Here Goes” was co-written with Brandon Heath, based on conversations they’d had over the years.  It is a song about stepping into the difficult with the determined trust that there is indeed a God who is completely in control and completely good. 

“Each of us stands on the precipice of extremely difficult decisions many times over in our lives…from the moment we first step into faith in Christ we are called to trust in something larger than ourselves,” Bebo explains. “‘Here Goes’ does nothing more than claim that scripture as truth and sing it out as a proclamation of the goodness of God as we stand on the edge of difficult decisions.”

Follow Bebo’s journey on Twitter @bebonorman as well as his blog http://www.bebonorman.com .

Source: CMSpin

 

The latest single from The Afters’, “Light Up the Sky,” will be used in the popular MTV show “The Hills” tonight. The show, in its final season, airs on MTV on Tuesday evenings at 10/9 central.

No stranger to television exposure, The Afters’ music has also received placement in NBC’s “Secrets of the Mountain” soundtrack, “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “8th & Ocean” (MTV), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray.”

A digital EP from the band will release on July 13 and feature new songs “Light Up the Sky,” “We Won’t Give Up” and “Runaway.” The band’s third full-length album titled Light Up the Sky will street on Sept. 14.

The first single off of the anticipated album is already being well-received at radio. “Light Up the Sky” was No. 2 most added at AC/CHR last week.

Texas-based band The Afters were propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean”.  “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes ® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. With their debut exceeding the expectation, status quo simply would not do for their second album.  It is this powerful transformation that lies at the core of The Afters’ sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia Records). Among a street week hit with placement in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200, Never Going Back to Ok proved to be sensation on the silver screen with “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray” using music from The Afters’ sophomore project in promotion for their programming. A slew of media including Rolling Stone, Seventeen.com, E! News Live, TV Guide, Premiere Radio and more also picked up on covering The Afters’ latest releases as well.

Source: CMSpin   

 

David Crowder*Band is releasing a four song EP today exclusively on iTunes ® titled Summer Happiness. The EP features acoustic versions of Church Music favorites “Oh, Happiness,” “How He Loves,” “Alleluia, Sing” and “Shadows.”

The latest studio album from the band, Church Music, is currently on sale at iTunes ® for $7.99.

David Crowder*Band will also present the first ever “Crowder’s Fantastical Church Music Conference” this fall. The conference whose stellar line-up includes Louie Giglio, Rob Bell, Matt Redman, Francis Chan, Matt Maher, Jars of Clay, Leeland, Gungor, Derek Webb and more will take place on Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 in Crowder’s hometown of Waco, TX. To purchase tickets and see a personal invitation from David Crowder himself, visit http://www.davidcrowderband.com/fantastical/.
 
About David Crowder*Band:
Named among the “most thoughtful, progressive and exciting acts in contemporary Christian music” by the New York Times, the popular yet unconventional David Crowder*Band released their latest album Church Music in the fall which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian retail chart. Along with the group’s 7 GMA Dove Awards and 20 nominations, David Crowder*Band has toured with Michael W. Smith, Third Day and MercyMe including a headlining tour with Mute Math.  The first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006 as well as foster a partnership with M-Audio/Propellerhead’s Reason software, Crowder is also the namesake behind premiere guitar maker Tom Anderson Guitarworks’s Roadster Acoustic. They have received media coverage from such major news outlets as CNN, Fox and the New York Times. Despite the success, David Crowder*Band makes it a point to get back to University Baptist Church on most Sundays, a church they helped found near the campus of Baylor University in Waco, TX.  The band is also part of the Passion movement, participating in university students gatherings in the US and around the world. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass).
 
About sixstepsrecords:
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords (www.sixstepsrecords.com) is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (Hello Love), David Crowder* Band (Church Music), Charlie Hall (The Bright Sadness), Matt Redman (We Shall Not Be Shaken), Kristian Stanfill (Attention), Christy Nockels (Light Life Up) and Passion (Passion: Awakening). The label partners with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Label Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations.
 
About EMI CMG Label Group:
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development.  The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group.  For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.

Source: CMSpin  

 

As one of the most beloved artists ever in gospel music, Michael W. Smith can easily be described as “well-traveled,” and a recent string of international appearances only underscores that.
 
Smith recently performed more than 20 shows around the world, beginning in late April with 11 appearances across Canada and continuing in mid-May with four shows in South Africa (followed by a quick stop in Zambia) and six shows in Brazil.
 
Smith started off the world tour with a string of sold out performances across Canada. In just two weeks, Smith traveled across the country from Montreal, Quebec, to Victoria, British Columbia and performed before a total audience of nearly 20,000 fans.
 
Smith’s next concert run took him halfway across the world to South Africa. Over four days, Smith gave four concerts drawing more than 23,000 fans. Smith’s latest project A New Hallelujah and its partner DVD, Michael W. Smith: A New Hallelujah – Live, were recently certified Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) with combined sales of more than 30,000. Five of his previous records have also been certified Gold or Platinum by RISA, evidence of his popularity. Smith concluded his stay on the African continent in Zambia, entertaining a crowd of 7,000 people before heading back across the Atlantic to Brazil.
 
Smith spent 10 days in the country stopping in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Aracaju, Cabo Frio and São Paulo. Smith performed six times in Brazil and ended his international tour with the concerts in São Paulo on June 2 and 3. More than 10,000 fans attended the two São Paolo concerts alone.
 
“Everyone who attended one of these concerts had a wonderful experience in God’s presence.” Mauricio Soares, Executive Director of Gospel Music at Sony Music Entertainment Brazil, said. “That’s why Michael continues to be one of the most important international Christian artists
in Brazil.”
 
Smith wrapped up his world tour with a stop in San Jose, Costa Rica.  The actual last show of the tour was slated for Guatemala City, Guatemala which was postponed due to the volcano and hurricane.  In response to the natural disasters to hit that country, Michael is returning to Guatemala on July 25th to perform a benefit concert to raise money in support of the victims of the storm and volcano.
 
“Smitty” will perform next week as part of the sold-out “Nashville Rising” concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena set for Tuesday, June 22. He joins artists including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Amy Grant, Miley Cyrus, ZZ Top and more for a fundraiser benefiting The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and its ongoing flood recovery efforts. For more information on the “Nashville Rising” concert or to donate to CFMT, visit www.nashvillerising.org

Source: CMSpin   

 

The Christian music industry and fans all over are shocked to hear that Dana Key has died.  Key was half of the Christian rock group De Garmo & Key which was founded in the late 70's and became popular through the 80's and even into the 90's.  Key was a pioneer in what later became solid Christian rock music and deserves much credit for his participation.

Key had over twenty albums released over his career.  One of De Garmo & Key's most memorable songs was Boycott Hell which was later rerecorded by the Newsboys.   It was just one of the great memories Key leaves behind.   Key was an inspiration to many who grew up to the new sounds of 80's Christian rock.  He had a heart for God and will be missed.

Before his passing, Key was a pastor at the TLC Community Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dana Key died from blood clot at the age of 56 on June 6th, 2010.

Source: CMSpin

 

When Will DC Talk Again?

DC Talk’s last album was a 10th Anniversary Special Edition Jesus Freak back in late 2006.  Their last studio album was Supernatural, released in 1998.  They have done some projects together since, but my question is, when will Kevin, Toby, and Michael realize that it is Time Ta Jam again?  I wonder what Mrs. Morgan has to say about?

-----

TobyMac (tobymac.com) is currently on tour promoting his new album Tonight.  Kevin Max (kevinmax.com) just released a new single called On Yer Bike, available on iTunes (see more info below).  Michael Tait (newsboys.com) is the front man for the Newsboys and they are currently in the studio working on new album due out on July 13th.

When I asked B.  Reith, Gotee Records artist, if he has heard anything about DC Talk getting back together he said, “I would say they’re talking about it.  They’re discussing it, maybe 2011 with a question mark.  That’s my rumor”  Well that’s an awesome rumor, let’s get the bloggers spreading it!

When I talked to KJ-52 on the subject he responded, “Lies and rumors all from the liberal media!  I blame the liberal media!”  Really?  I was not aware that DC Talk made Keith Olbermann’s Countdown list.  I’m sure Mr. Olbermann thinks the government could form a better band.

Matt Thiessen, of Relient K said, “You know, I’ve been trying to talk Toby into it.  I’m  friends with a couple of those guys.  You never know!”   Matt sure seems to be building up the suspense.

Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch (and FM Static) also commented on the chance of DC Talk getting back together, “Toby is a good friend of mine.  We’ve talked and joked around about it a bunch of times when we’re together.  He says someday it will happen but as far as when and where, (I got) no idea.”

When Jason Dunn of Hawk Nelson was asked if he has heard any rumors about DC Talk getting back together he said, “I don’t think I really have.  But if there were any rumors they were started by me!  I’ve always said they should do that.”  Maybe Jason was on The Countdown with Keith Olbermann?

You might think after getting some artists to spread a few rumors, I should put this to rest but I believe action should be taken to help bring DC Talk back together.  So I started asking these artists how they could help bring DC Talk back.
  
Jason Dunn gave me a creative and diabolic suggestion. “What you could do is get a really old school DC Talk song and play it like it’s a brand new single on the radio station.  Get it to every station.  Then it will become a huge song again.  At that point they would have no choice but to get back together and play it.”

Jason also had this solution, “or you could break up the TobyMac band and the Newsboys then tell them (Kevin, Toby and Michael) they have to bring back DC Talk.” 

I think Jason is on to something here.  Now the staff at CMSpin.com and I are solution minded and we would have sympathy for the Newsboys losing another front man.  So I made a few a calls and reached Ben Olin (former lead singer of This Beautiful Republic) and asked if he wanted the Newsboys gig and he responded, “LOL, oh yeah!”  He further mentioned getting the job might ruin his golf handicap and put his high score of Bejeweled Blitz at risk, but he’s willing to face the challenge.  Thanks Ben!

What about the Diverse City crew?  I really don’t have a solution for them.  We can’t solve everything but maybe Gotee Records has solo careers for them all.  They might know someone who has some pull there.

-----

Now that we have a solution for the band to get back together we need a new record!  Trevor was excited about the idea of helping DC Talk put out a new album, he said “I would love to write a song for them.  That would be a blast if DC Talk put out another record.  Hopefully we could hook up on that tour!” 

KJ-52 has a very practical way to help out, “I’d be willing to carry Michael Tait’s Guns and Roses t-shirts.”  Nice suggestion KJ!

Matt Thiessen has some ideas on how to get the album started, “At first they need to start with the concept of the album.  I think they should go back to 90’s rock feel and make a record that has got a little bit of Jesus Freak to it but you know, more current.  I think if they made an album like that they would all be really stoked about getting back together.”  Matt continued, “I’d help write some songs, and I’ll call Toby on the hour!”
 
When asking Kevin Max (formerly of DC Talk) if he has heard any rumors that the band will get back together, he responded. "Ummm no, but I was asked to form a band with John James, Mark Stuart and Steve Taylor called 'Audio News Talks’, I politely refused."

Kevin did however have a way he could help get the band back together, he said, "Rewrite 'I Luv Rap Music' - tentatively titled  'Ok, I Finally Admit to Kinda Liking Rap Music’ ”.  I am still not convinced Kevin. 

TobyMac was unavailable for comment due to his busy tour schedule. 

Michael Tait was unavailable to comment as well as he is hard at work on the new Newsboys album.

Kevin, Toby, and Michael definitely have the support of their peers and without a doubt their fans.  It’s Killing Me, it’s Gah Ta Be soon but as fans we will just have to take it Day By Day.  Come on guys, just Say The Words.  Bring back the crew! If you say No More, then So Help Me God!  Can I Get A Witness!?

Source: Rob 'Nappy' Blausey

I gained 52 pounds. Mostly from white sugar.

I took the pre-natal vitamins as sporadically as I flossed my teeth. Which only happened after an intense time of self-loathing followed by a subsequent list of promises to better myself: Floss. Do one brain exercise a day. Eat some fruit.  And take those horse pill vitamins that make me gag.

The Guilt Begins

But my failures didn’t end there. They came in all shapes and sizes. McDonald’s, cold-cuts (apparently these cause diseases), low water intake, a consumption of hot dogs and glasses of wine (or two), a failure to read books to my child while in utero, loud music and it wasn’t even Beethoven, traveling beyond the 28th week (I was on the travel-for-work-till-your-water-breaks type of schedule) and the biggest failure of all: I got an epidural. And while you might think epidurals have been a mainstay for quite some time, there is a growing insurgency of women, doctors, and naturalists who will convince you that your child will simply be born part-animal; slower, smaller, and more prone to diseases, adult therapy, and life failures if you choose to go this man-made route.

So I got the epidural. Ended up having an emergency c-section. Didn’t hold my baby until eight hours later. Didn’t read any of the What to Expect Now That You Have A Baby Alien books.  Showed up for her first round of shots not even knowing there was a debate on whether I should immunize or not. And, I only nursed her for four months (a secret I guarded closely for fear of disapproval from leche lovers).

I remember the day my fragile, new-mom mind got the best of me. What if I have set Annie up for failure? Maybe those vitamins were going to make her smarter but now she will always be a C-plus student with no drive or desire to become educated and now she will never have a real job and maybe she was emotionally scarred during the emergency c-section and she will never trust me again and she will probably act out her insecurities during her teenage years and we will end up on Dr. Phil talking about why I failed her as a mother. Whew…

My insecurities sent me over the edge. I cried all day in bed and neglected my infant as I thought about how I had already ruined her future. On top of that, I informally diagnosed her with Hot Dog and Wine Disease.

I knew early on… I flunked motherhood. At least by this world’s standards.

A Great Big Lie

Being a new mother in this day in age, in this country, in this community of rich Dallas/ Fort Worth “mommies” who push their babies around in $1,000 strollers (and refuse to serve anything but organic food and goat milk, attend baby yoga, and still find time to make it to the gym and look fabulous) makes me want to pull my hair out and start a club for loser moms. I’ll be president. With luxury baby boutiques, upscale playgroups, elite schools for babies as young as six months old, and a throng of women clamoring to have the most organic baby, it’s easy to fall prey to motherhood myths. They are different for every stage of mothering, for every generation, and in every culture. But they are always there. Always.

Motherhood myths say that doctors and mom experts are the final authority on how to raise your child. They say that being a mom is easy and that the other mom is always doing it better than you. They say that if you are sad, lonely, stressed, bored, tired, less than in love with your child, or just plain miserable, that you have failed. They say that joy should be abundant in new “mommies” (a name I refuse to use for myself). They say that if your kids make a mistake it is because you didn’t properly discipline them. And if your kid isn’t a prodigy or on the road to athletic success by age seven, well, you’ve missed the boat. They tell moms to take the blame for everything. Bumps, bruises, the common cold, autism, even terminal cancer.

Motherhood myths are so prevalent that we don’t even realize they have become the ones calling the shots. They are now the ones defining what it means to be a good mom. But I have to wonder, who’s smarter? Babies-R-Us, Graco, and the multitude of books that tell us how-to, or the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit who has guided mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, families and communities to raise children around the world for thousands of years?

HWJM?
(How Would Jesus Mother, duh)

I knew my daughter would be raised on the road. As I tried to come to terms with unconventional mothering, my good friend Jackie Roese said this, “Jenny, this is God’s daughter. Jesus will show you how to mother her. Don’t listen to anyone else; just listen to Jesus. He will give you instinct. He will give you direction. He knows her better than any book. Your job is simply to love her well.”

And can I just say this is the best advice I have ever gotten?

It never occurred to me that God might be able to help me parent. I didn’t realize he had read the books. But I am finding that he quietly guides me as I learn to love this little girl. He gives me patience, endurance, creativity, common sense, hope, joy, a clear mind, and a spirit free from fear and timidity.  He prompts me to notice teachable moments and fills me up so that the overflow rains down on my daughter.

My job is to love my child the way Jesus loves her.

Growing Up

So I am learning that the only true motherhood myth is the myth that every mother is the same and every child follows a formula. The myth that says you can separate child rearing from the Holy Spirit. That a book knows better than the Creator.

I am learning that there is nothing wrong with preparing and being educated as you navigate the world of parenting. But when the feeding schedule, baby sign language, torturous schedules for the sake of our children’s “success,” or guilt of not being a good-enough parent becomes consuming…then the modern American ideal of perfection has replaced the timeless way of mothering that simply involves prayer, Holy Spirit intuition, and love.

I am learning to let God himself define what it means for me to be a good mom to this little girl. I may not do much of anything by the books, the books that I never bought and read, but I do love her well. And God is gracious to remind me that that is enough.

Jenny Simmons has brought Annie on 67 airplanes, 3 subways, two boats, and one crazy taxi ride. As of publishing, the Hot Dog and Wine Disease has still not manifested itself.

taken from ChatterMag.com

 

Inpop Records’ Newworldson is celebrating its first No.1, as its current single “There Is A Way” tops the Canadian Christian Radio Charts this week. The song, from Newworldson’s Feb. 23 self-titled release, additionally peaked at No. 2 on the Radio & Records Christian AC Monitored & Indicator charts.
 
“There Is A Way,” featuring the Toronto Mass Choir, is a song of encouragement to those who are carrying a heavy burden. Newworldson frontman Joel Parisien explains, “We all have someone in our lives who is trying to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders ...the purpose behind this song is to shine a light in the dark, lyrically extending a hand to that someone just waiting to lay their burden down.”
 
That message has resonated greatly with listeners who helped propel the song to No. 1 on Canadian Christian radio and No. 2 on Christian AC radio here in the US:
 
“Every once in a while there is a song that is good, but different. ‘There Is A Way’ was one of those songs, and for a long time we were afraid that in this case, different might mean that our audience would not connect with it.  WOW, were we wrong! I am more than happy to say that I was shocked not only at how well the song tested with our audience, but how within a few weeks it became our top testing song!  I am so glad I finally came around and did not miss it!” --Jeff Cruz, WPOZ (Orlando, FL)
 
“I am smelling a Juno Award for Newworldson! ‘There Is A Way’ is a breath of fresh air on KLOVE that delivers the truth of God’s Word.  It’s a song that just puts a smile on your face!” --Scott Smith, K-LOVE
 
“We’ve received several calls in the morning of moms telling us their kids were in the backseat singing ‘There Is A Way.’ Newworldson…kid tested and mom approved!” --Brian Sumner, WCQR (Johnson City, TN)
 
“’There is a Way’ was an instant success for us. It immediately connected to our target audience, and by the end of its run, became one of our top testing songs of 2010!” --Kris Love, WTLV-WDLF (Knoxville, TN)
 
Parisien adds, “We're so encouraged by the support we've received at radio. Not only have they helped to boost our profile, but they have also partnered with us to get this message of hope out to the world, which was our prayer for this song from the very beginning."
 
Dale Bray, Inpop Records president agrees, “We at Inpop are very appreciative of the many radio stations around the world who have embraced this song to such a high level.  It is great for our industry to see such a creative and artistic band receive such outstanding attention and support."
 
Produced by Newworldson alongside veteran co-producer Justin Koop (Silverstein, Finger Eleven) and GRAMMY Award-winning mix engineer F. Reid Shippen (India.Arie, Jonny Lang), the new project is largely influenced by the band’s international travels, subsequently capturing an even bigger, more dynamic sound than its previous effort. This growth is evident to media who are impressed by Newworldson’s “ ‘it factor’” (CCMMagazine.com) and are calling the album “a musical grandslam” (cbn.com) and “high art” (soul-audio.com). The album debuted at No. 3 on on the iTunes Christian/Gospel Albums chart. “There Is A Way” was recently highlighted as an iTunes Discovery Download and received more than 123,000 downloads in one week.
 
Since signing with Inpop Records in 2007, Newworldson has garnered two JUNO Award nominations for Gospel Album of The Year and seven GMA Canada Covenant Award nominations, including two wins for Roots Album of The Year and one each in the categories of Best New Artist and Group of the Year. The band claimed a No. 1 music video on the Gospel Music Channel with “Working Man,” while earning a guest spot on newsboys’ wildly popular “GO” tour, as well as invitations to headline festivals in Australia, Germany, Holland and Sweden.
 
Its national debut, Salvation Station, additionally elicited unanimous critical acclaim, hailed as GRAMMY-worthy by industry trade publication Christian Retailing and praised by AllMusic.com as “one of 2008’s most enjoyable, well-written albums.”  The band plans to support its sophomore effort this spring and summer in new territories, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Scandinavia, as well as to revisit major venues across North America. Visit www.newworldson.com or www.myspace.com/newworldson for more information and a current list of tour dates.
 
Founded in 1999, Inpop Records is home to a variety of artists including newsboys, Superchick, Shane & Shane and Mat Kearney, among others. For more information, visit  www.inpop.com.

Source: CMSpin   

 

Word Entertainment flies high at the 41st Annual Dove Awards scoring 15 Awards at Wednesday night's event.  Held at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, evening standouts included NEEDTOBREATHE with three wins and first-time award winners Francesca Battistelli and Sidewalk Prophets.  The GMA Dove Awards is set to air on the Gospel Music Channel this coming Sunday, April 25 at 8:00 PM ET.
 
Atlantic recording artist NEEDTOBREATHE carried the Word Label Group with three nods; Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for their latest release The Outsiders, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for the gospel-infused track “Lay ‘Em Down,” giving the group a back-to-back win in this category with their nod for “Washed By The Water” in 2009 and the coveted Group of the Year award.

“We are really proud of the record and glad people seem to like it,” says Bear Rinehart from NEEDTOBREATHE.  “Thanks to all of our fans for their support!”
 
Fervent Records’ Francesca Battistelli brought home two wins; Female Vocalist of the Year and Short Form Music Video of the Year for her chart-topping, record-breaking smash hit “Free To Be Me.”  Battistelli also performed live her brand new single “Beautiful Beautiful.”
 
“I’m so incredibly honored and humbled by the support of the GMA, Christian radio and my amazing fans,” says Francesca.  “I’m very blessed to do what I love to do every single day and can not even begin to express my gratitude.  I thank God for these wonderful blessings.”
 
And the firsts keep coming in as Sidewalk Prophets were named the New Artist of the Year.  This award came on the heels of their No. 1 hit, “The Words I Would Say,” from their top-selling debut album, These Simple Truths.
 
“This year has been an unbelievable journey for us and truly humbling,” remarks Sidewalk Prophets frontman Dave Frey.  “Our heart lies in inspiring people and letting them know that they matter.  Being given the gift of spreading this message through our music drives us and this award is beyond what we ever expected.”
 
The Breen Agency, another division of Word Entertainment handling artist touring and booking, garnered nominations for Inspirational Album (“Revelation Song”; Phillips, Craig & Dean) and Inspirational Recorded Song (“The Only Hope”; Bebo Norman and Jason Ingram).
 
Below is the complete list of awards for Word Entertainment:
 
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Francesca Battistelli

GROUP OF THE YEAR
NEEDTOBREATHE

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sidewalk Prophets
 
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp
 
RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG
“Movin”; Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Group 1 Crew, Jeremy James, Byron Chambers, Christopher Stevens; Fervent Records
 
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Lay ‘Em Down”; The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records
 
INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG
“The Only Hope”; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman, Jason Ingram; BEC Recordings
 
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Rick Beato, NEEDTOBREATHE, Jim Scott, John Alagia; Atlantic Records
 
INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM
Fearless; Phillips, Craig & Dean; Bernie Herms; INO Records
 
COUNTRY ALBUM
The Reason; Diamond Rio; Michael D. Clute, Jimmy Olander; Word Records
 
CHILDREN’S MUSIC ALBUM
Veggie Tales: Here I Am To Worship; Featuring Natalie Grant & Aaron Shust; Steven V. Taylor; Big Idea
 
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM
Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship; Mac Powell, Shane Everett, Jonathan Shelton, Brian Littrell, Trevor Morgan, Mark Hall, Jason Crabb, Bear Rinehart, Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Geoff Moore, Natalie Grant, Laura Story, Brandon Heath, Mike Donehey, Aaron Shust, Shawn Lewis, Sara Evans, Bethany Dicks Olds, Shane & Shane, Bethany Dillon, Kari Jobe; Mac Powell, David Nasser; Reunion

CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Christ Has Come; Big Daddy Weave; Jeremy Redmond; Fervent Records
 
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
“Free To Be Me”; Francesca Battistelli; Andy & John Erwin; Dan Atchison; Alabama Production Group; Fervent Records
 
MUSICAL
A Baby Changes Everything; Deborah Craig-Claar, David T. Clydesdale; Word Music
 
For more information on Word Entertainment log on to: http://www.wordlabelgroup.com

Source: CMSpin

 

With winners announced last night for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards, Casting Crowns nabbed the evening’s highest honor, Artist of the Year. After scoring five consecutive Group of the Year titles from the Gospel Music Association, this top-selling act in Christian music since 2007 receives top recognition for the first time in this fan-voted category.
 
“To me, it’s extra special because the fans were voting,” Casting Crowns lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall reported the Associated Press. “It really wasn’t anywhere on our radar.”
 
Performing its ninth smash No. 1 radio hit, and title track from the band’s latest project, “Until the Whole World Hears,” on the award show, Casting Crowns was joined on stage and in the aisles of the Grand Ole Opry House by a 200-voice children’s choir from New Hope Academy in Franklin, Tenn. By the end of the song, the packed audience was singing the song’s powerful gospel message in unison. The televised show will air nationwide on gmc Sunday, April 25, from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST.
 
Casting Crowns’ fourth album, Until the Whole World Hears, certified RIAA Gold in four weeks, spanning another chart-topping hit for the platinum-selling supergroup. The project’s title track was also nominated for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Selling 167,000 first-week copies, the historical debut of Until The Whole World Hears set a sales record for the group as the highest debuting Christian Music artist in SoundScan history (week ending 11/22/09).
 
Additionally, Hall received a Dove for his participation on Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship, winner in the Special Event Album of the Year category.
 
The RIAA Gold certification of Until The Whole World Hears adds a third Gold album to the band’s collection. To date, all of the Atlanta-based band’s projects are RIAA certified, with a monster tally of two RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, now three RIAA Gold Albums and a Gold DVD, further establishing its unprecedented six-year career.
 
The band is currently headlining its highly-successful “Until The Whole World Hears” Tour with Tenth Avenue North, who won Song of the Year last night for “By Your Side.” The powerhouse tour rounds out the final segment of shows in April and May. The spring leg of the “Until The Whole World Hears” Tour follows a well-received, 41-city run of fall dates on which Casting Crowns played multiple sell-out performances.
 
About Casting Crowns:
 
Christian music’s GRAMMY, AMA and five-time Dove Award-winning Group of the Year Casting Crowns is headed by frontman/principal songwriter Mark Hall. The platinum-selling band’s recent fourth album, Until The Whole World Hears, continues to perform in the top of the sales charts since its Nov. 17 release.  The album’s title track marks a ninth career No.1 radio single.
 
Despite an unprecedented six-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a remarkable occasion, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K.
 
For more information, visit www.providentpress.com, or www.castingcrowns.com.
Follow the band on Mark Hall’s Twitter at: http://twitter.com/markhallCC. Millions of fans can now stream the band’s entire catalog of music and video from the fan-centric web site, www.crownsfans.com.

Source: CMSpin  

 

The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards, Gospel/Christian music’s biggest event, were held last evening at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House. It was an evening of celebration as an incredible 43 Dove Awards were handed out and 15 collaborative performances were showcased. The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be televised nationwide on gmc (http://www.watchgmctv.com) Sunday, April 25th from 8 p.m. -10 p.m EST. Click here for a complete list of all winners.
 
The Dove Awards in the overall categories went to:
Artist of the Year: Casting Crowns
Female Vocalist of the Year: Francesca Battistelli
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brandon Heath
Group of the Year: NEEDTOBREATHE
New Artist of the Year: Sidewalk Prophets
Songwriter of the Year: Jennie Lee Riddle
Song of the Year: “By Your Side,” Mike Donehey, Phillip LaRue, and Jason Ingram, as performed by Tenth Avenue North
Producer of the Year: Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp
 
“On behalf of the membership of the Gospel Music Association, we are fortunate to have such immense creative talent sharing the Gospel through music,” says Ed Leonard, Gospel Music Association’s Chairman of the Board. “We are proud to present this year's Dove winners, and congratulate them and all the nominees on their achievements.”
 
Tenth Avenue North’s “By Your Side” was awarded Song of the Year. Written by Tenth Avenue North’s Mike Donehey, along with Phillip LaRue and Jason Ingram, the band also performed the hit single, which ranked an impressive No. 3 on Billboard’s overall decade ranking of Christian songs, this evening.

Ingram additionally collected trophies for publisher for Song of the Year and co-writer on the Inspirational Song of the Year, "The Only Hope." He was also named Producer of the Year along with Rusty Varenkamp.

Another of the night's multiple award winners is rock band NEEDTOBREATHE who walked away with statuettes for Group of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Album for The Outsiders, and Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song, “Lay ‘Em Down.” NEEDTOBREATHE'S Bear Rinehart also picked up an award for participating in the Special Event Album, Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship.
 
Artist of the year was awarded for the first time to platinum-selling Casting Crowns. The Atlanta-based band of youth workers continues to be one of the nation’s top-selling artists across all genres, with its recent album Until the Whole World Hears debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, surpassing the first-week sales of rapper 50 Cent. One of the best-selling new artists of 2009, Sidewalk Prophets, received the New Artist of the Year award. This is Sidewalk Prophets’s first Dove Award.
 
For the second year in a row, the Artist and New Artist of the Year categories were voted on by both the Gospel/Christian music industry as well as its fans in a campaign coordinated by gmc. Almost 100,000 votes were cast on gmc’s website (http://www.watchgmctv.com) and via text messaging to help determine the winners.
 
It was also a big night for Francesca Battistelli as she walked away with two Dove Awards, winning for Female Vocalist of the Year and for Short Form Music Video for "Free To Be Me." Battistelli also took to the center stage performing her song “Beautiful, Beautiful” from her debut project, My Paper Heart.   
 
In other top overall categories, for the second year in a row Brandon Heath took home the Male Vocalist of the Year trophy. He also received a Dove Award for his participation in the Special Event Album category. Heath also performed last evening, partnering with winners Jars of Clay on its single “Two Hands.” Jars of Clay was awarded two Dove Awards, one for the Pop/Contemporary Album win The Long Fall Back To Earth, as well as for the album’s Recorded Music Packaging, designed in partnership with Tim Parker.
 
Another double winner was Jennie Lee Riddle. Riddle was recognized as the Songwriter of the Year, as well as for her No. 1 penned single, “Revelation Song,” named Worship Song of the Year. Recorded by Phillips, Craig & Dean, as well as by Kari Jobe.
 
Even more performances and unique collaborations took place, as almost 100 artists joined throughout the night to showcase the plethora of Christian music genres. Natalie Grant, who co-hosted the evening along with MercyMe’s Bart Millard, joined with Jordin Sparks to open the main show with “Human,” while MercyMe and David Crowder combined as one to perform the medley “All of Creation"/”How He Loves.”  
 
Other stellar collaborations were shared with the packed Grand Ole Opry House audience, such as Rock Album of the Year winners Red taking the stage with Brian “Head” Welch, former lead guitarist of multi-platinum metal band Korn to perform the medley “Fight Inside”/”Death Of Me.” Introduced by Tenley Molzhan, a runner-up from the 14th season of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs performed “Someday Soon” with Gordon Kennedy, while Stellar Award-winning artist and producer Donald Lawrence teamed up with Jason Crabb, showcasing their talents for the audience during their collaboration of  “My Tribute.”
 
The evening was also highlighted by a tribute honoring 100 years of Southern Gospel. The tribute featured the Blackwood Brothers, The Perrys, The Booth Brothers, Mosie Lister, and The Crabb Family.
 
Other unforgettable performances of the evening included Amy Grant performing “Better Than A Hallelujah,” tobyMac & Diverse City with “Funky Jesus Music,” and Bebe & Cece Winans shared the stage with a 23-piece choir to perform “Grace.” Another highlight this evening was from Casting Crowns, last year’s Group of the Year, who performed “Until the Whole World Hears" sharing the stage with a mass children's choir.
 
“Come Together Now,” the Haiti relief tribute helmed by Michael W. Smith and written by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan, closed the celebratory evening. Introduced by evangelist Franklin Graham, nearly 30 artists united on stage for the poignant finale to illustrate Nashville’s distinct and authentic community of musicianship, and most of all to help remind people of the need to help those in Haiti. A few of the artists who participated in the powerhouse collaboration were Wynonna, Lee Greenwood, Matt Maher, Melinda Doolittle, Jeremy Camp, Nicole C. Mullen, Mark Hall and many more.
 
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards Opening Ceremonies featured the presentation of 37 of the evening’s 43 Dove Awards, as well as remarkable performances by Voices of Glory, Karen Peck & New River, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Collin Raye, and The Nelons with Karen Peck.
 
Bob Gordon was the producer of the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. Stephen Hubbard produced the evening’s Opening Ceremonies.
 
About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community consists of more than 2,200 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Dove Week and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376.
 
About gmc:
gmc can be seen in 47 million homes. The channel's rapid growth has made it one of the fastest growing networks in television for the past three years. gmc is available on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224. For more information visit http://www.watchgmctv.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

The Project's First Single, "Born Again," Already Top 5 At Radio!

Born Again, the highly anticipated new recording from newsboys, has a new street date. Originally scheduled for a June 8th release, the project will now officially be available on July 13th.
 
The band is currently finishing Born Again between their jam-packed travel schedule. Well-known for performing for their fans not only across the nation but the world, newsboys are heading out of the country this week to headline shows in Canada and Australia. This past weekend completed the 44-city Winter Jam tour.

With the release date officially set, the foursome - Michael Tait, Jeff Frankenstein, Duncan Phillips and Jody Davis - is embarking on a sure-to-be momentous year with Born Again, which was produced by The Write Brothers and Mark Heimermann (dcTalk, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith). The songs were penned by newsboys, The Write Brothers, Steve Taylor, as well as a new track by Audio Adrenaline's Mark Stuart.
 
There is no question newsboys are truly rejuvenated with the new songs they've created as a band, and they are enjoying the amazing feedback about the brand new songs they've already been performing live. The band is also already garnering success at radio with their two new singles. "Born Again" is #4 at CHR, while "I'll Be" is climbing up the AC charts this week to #28 on AC Indicator and #35 on AC Monitor.    
 
ABOUT newsboys:
This GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning band has achieved what few artists have in their lifetime. They have sold over 6.5 million units, garnered five Gold albums and 20 #1 hits, and are renown for their heart-pumping live shows. Last year, when longtime members Jody Davis (guitar), keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein and drummer Duncan Phillips welcomed the vocal strengths, writing talents and boundless energy of former dc Talk member Michael Tait to the band, it was clearly a good reason for newsboys to feel born again and share brand new songs with fans old and new. Born Again is newsboys' 15th studio project.
 
For more information and the most updated tour dates, please visit www.newsboys.com.

Source: CMSpin

On Friday, April 23 the Athens Chamber of Commerce will welcome Contemporary Christian Artist Phillips, Craig & Dean to Athens for our 3^rd Annual Community Concert.   Since forming in 1991, they have released eleven albums and earned nineteen #1 radio singles.  The group has sold over 2 million units, receiving a Dove Award and had one of the most requested songs of 2009 with "Revelation Song."  The concert will be at Athens Junior High School located at 200 Keith Lane and will start at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6.  Our first two concerts featured Mark Schultz in 2008 and Natalie Grant in 2007.  Both of those events were sellouts and with tickets being only $7, we are encouraging everyone to get them early.  To purchase tickets, call the Athens Chamber at 423-745-0334 or come by our office in downtown Athens.  

(from CMSpin.com)

 

Just one week into their spring tour, 30-minutes before they were going to the take the stage in Vegas, Addison Road received a disturbing call from their bus driver saying their RV and trailer were up in flames. Within seconds after the driver had pulled off to the side of the deserted road, the entire vehicle erupted in flames destroying all of the band’s sound equipment, instruments and personal belongings.  The flames were so powerful that the highway was shut down for multiple hours to control the fire, which had melted the concrete underneath it. Immediately, Addison Road received an outpouring of love and support from churches, friends, family, fans and Christian radio helping the band restore what was lost in the accident. As a result, all of the bands’ needs have been met above and beyond measure, and for that they are truly humbled and grateful.

 Addison Road shared this devastating experience with their fans on their website and blogs and soon a flow of prayers, money, clothes and other miscellaneous items began to pour in.

“We are completely blown away by the generosity, love and support we have received from the body of Christ,” said lead singer Jenny Simmons. “Through your financial donations, personal stories, prayers, and reminders of so many beautiful passages of scripture, you have not only met our needs physically but you have been a part of restoring or souls and re-igniting a passion for our ministry as a band. We are incredibly humbled to know that we have played a small part in your lives and overwhelmed with gratitude and joy that you have played a HUGE part in ours.”

“It’s crazy because when we sing our songs, the words we are singing hit home for us,” continues Simmons. “Everything does lie on ‘hope now,’ and there is a new song on our record that really makes us laugh because of how true it stands:
 
‘And do you feel the fire when the flame gets hot, are you living each day like it’s the last you’ve got, Will you step aside when it all falls down and watch it burn away, Have a little faith when the walls cave in, Pray for strength to fly against the wind, Will you walk away when the fire gets hot, Or fight another day.’
 
The fact of the matter is, we all have plans whether it’s a plan for tomorrow or for years to come, but God has other plans. When things don’t go as you hope them to, you have two choices: to hang your head low in defeat, or fight it out and get through it because God will get you through. We chose to fight.”

Desiring to be wise stewards, the entirety of the donations have gone directly to:
• Cover the unexpected rental cars, hotel fees, and RV maintenance, which preceded and directly followed the fire.
• Paying for new band merchandise
• Covering the cost of new gear and sound equipment
• A new vehicle
 
To find out more updates as they happen, please visit www.addisonroad.com.

 

Robbie Seay shares the inspiration behind "Awaken My Soul" the current radio single from the band's forthcoming March 23, 2010 release:
 
"I write songs on planes. I don't know why. I think it’s because my cell phone is off. I try and sit away from the band guys (I do love them) to get some privacy. And I'm silent, for once! I wrote this lyric on a long flight to California. It's the prodigal story, really. Realizing my own sin and stubbornness made me a perfect match with the prodigal, so I sat down to write. But the song is really more about the Father's response. God not only waits with forgiveness, He pursues us. His rescue follows us closely. So, awaken my soul. All this stuff, all the fame--it’s loss compared to the powerful force of love that is the Father." --Robbie Seay

Access an audio stream of the song at http://www.robbieseayband.com/.

Source: CMSpin

 

Rarely has a new band delivered an album with more emotional punch than Tenth Avenue North’s 2008 debut Over and Underneath.  Musically inventive and lyrically compelling, the song collection helped earn the band its prestigious New Artist of the Year accolade at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, one element that propelled the band to headliner status for the all of 2009.  As evidenced by immediate impact at radio and at iTunes this week, Tenth Avenue North’s follow up The Light Meets the Dark is proving to be one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2010.
 
With one listen to The Light Meets the Dark, it is obvious Mike Donehey, (lead vocals/acoustic  guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer) and Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals), are taking a bold step forward on their musical journey.  Once again their songs are poignant and powerful, and the band brings a seasoned level of musicianship and intensity, honed from two years of relentless touring.
 
Produced by Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp and Phillip LaRue, The Light Meets the Dark has delivered an impressive first single “Healing Begins” (released to radio on March 5).  The song garnered 43 first-week adds among AC and CHR stations nationwide.
 
“Tenth Avenue North has worked well for us right from the start,” says Keith Stevens of New York City’s STAR 99.1. “As APD/MD, I'm always looking for songs that connect with our listeners. ‘Healing Begins’ connects right out of the gate.”
 
Another indication of the song’s incredible positive momentum is its position in the top of iTunes’ Christian and Gospel Songs chart, reaching No. 2, and selling more than 4,800 downloads its first two weeks of availability.
 
Like “Healing Begins,” all of the songs on the band’s sophomore release are authentic, heartfelt and confessional. “On this record I really tried to be honest about how messed up I am,” Donehey says. “We wanted it to be a collision between our hearts and God’s truth.  His grace collides with the dark inside of us. His blood can cover us and I’m trying to call people out and say ‘Look, please do not hide your darkness. Expose that to the light.’  I know that’s the scariest thought, but its where freedom and healing starts to take place. It’s where it all starts to happen.”
 
While Over and Underneath quickly established Tenth Avenue North as one of the Christian music community’s most talented bands, lead vocalist/principal songwriter Donehey began drawing comparisons to such visionary leaders as Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, Third Day’s Mac Powell and Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine.
 
For many young musicians, such early success may have proved paralyzing, but not for Tenth
Avenue North.   Music for them has never been about awards and CD sales, but about the chance to impact lives.
 
“It’s been kind of crazy I guess when you think about it,” Donehey says with a smile. “In a lot of ways, we don’t feel like anything has changed. When we get up on a stage, more people are there to see us play and more people are familiar with the songs, but the objective really hasn’t changed.  The objective is for people to encounter truth and be changed.”  Tenth Avenue North meets that objective head on with the music on The Light Meets the Dark.
 
That ability to challenge audiences to a deeper walk of faith while simultaneously encouraging them with the truth of God’s grace has propelled Tenth Avenue North to the forefront of the Christian music industry. The band’s debut disc placed tenth on Billboard Magazine’s list of Top Christian Albums for 2009. The group placed two songs on the Hot Christian Songs chart, including the No. 1 radio single, “By Your Side” at No. 2 and “Hold My Heart” at No. 13.   The most impressive is the fact that Tenth Avenue North, still on its first album, had “By Your Side” place No. 3 on Billboard’s overall decade ranking of Christian Songs.
 
2010 has already reflected notable successes for the band, as it picked up two key nominations for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. The band was honored with nods in two of the prestigious general categories for the Doves, notching a Song of the Year mention for “By Your Side” from Over and Underneath, as well as a nomination for Group of the Year.
 
Tenth Avenue North saw its live performance profile take off in 2009, with its “Inside and In Between” Tour (its first as headliners) seeing sell-out shows in more than half the markets it visited.
 
Currently a closing artist on the Winter Jam tour, Tenth Avenue North will hit the road with Casting Crowns on its “Until The Whole World Hears” tour April 1 in Dayton, Ohio.  Its summer is booked with festivals and a second headlining tour plus a major fall tour, spanning 40 cities, will be officially announced in mid April, and goes on sale May 1st.

Source: CMSpin   

This past weekend, the RV that Addison Road was using on their tour with Sanctus Real, caught fire and burned up destroying much of their clothes, equipment and merchandise. To read more about the incident, follow the link below to Addison Road's homepage and the blog entry on the story.

AddisonRoad.com

(from CMSpin.com)

The song was originally inspired by Superchick guitarist/vocalist Melissa Brock's personal struggle with an eating disorder. Melissa explains, "I know full-well the pressures that society and even friends sometimes place on us to be thin and beautiful. It started for me when I was 15. I know what it’s like to not feel pretty, to feel fat, to feel like no one would ever want to be with you or even be friends with you because you feel so bad about yourself. BUT I also know how it feels to be free from those pressures and feel a love and acceptance that isn’t humanly possible. This week I am sharing my story, the whole story. And I hope that it reaches someone out there who has been or is where I have been. The biggest step is knowing you aren’t alone."
 
Read Melissa's story in its entirety at http://www.superchickonline.com/blog/?p=506. Also--access the free download of "Courage" at http://inpop.com/superchick/courage/. For more information on National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, visit:www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/.
 
The free download is an extension of Superchick's involvement with "Operation Beautiful," an NEDAwareness Week featured organization. "Operation Beautiful" is an international campaign that encourages women to love themselves just the way they are. For more information on "Operation Beautiful," visit: www.operationbeautiful.com.

(from CMSpin.com)

Group of the Year Nominees Include Skillet, Casting Crowns, Gaither Vocal Band, Jars of Clay, Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Tenth Avenue North.

Kari Jobe, Crystal Aikin, Bluetree, Jonny Diaz, Revive, Sidewalk Prophets and Brian Courtney Wilson Recognized in New Artist of the Year Category
 
Jars of Clay, Skillet, Matt Maher and Jason Crabb, lead the diverse and gifted artists nominated for gospel/Christian music’s highest honor – the Dove Award, with six nominations each. Bernie Herms leads in total nominations of eight, including Producer of the Year. Producers and songwriters Jason Ingram and Wayne Haun follow with seven nominations each. 
 
Of the 43 categories, nominees in 23 categories of the Dove Awards were announced at a press conference today in Nashville for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. The event was held at Belmont University’s Curb Café and was hosted by an outstanding list of Dove and GRAMMY nominees and winners including Francesca Battistelli, Jeremy Camp, Jason Crabb, Brandon Heath, Kari Jobe, Michael W. Smith, Ben Tankard and Lisa Kimmey-Winans.  The GMA Dove Awards, gospel music’s biggest night of the year, will feature artists from every style of gospel/Christian music coming together for a night of music and celebration. The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House and televised nationwide on gmc (http://www.gmclife.com/), Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST.  While the awards are the  urpose of the show, music performances will definitely share center stage at the GMA Dove Awards, showcasing some of gospel music’s hottest and most diverse artists.   
 
Dove Awards will be handed out in 43 categories.  Dove Awards nominations go to recordings released during the eligibility year November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009 and voted on by the members of the GMA.  The complete nominations list is available at both http://www.gospelmusic.org/ and http://www.doveawards.com/.

Tickets to the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards are currently on sale through the Grand Ole Opry Call Center, 1-800-SEE-OPRY/1-800-733-6779, via the web at http://www.opry.com/ or may be purchased in-person at The Opry Box Office located at the Opry House at 2804 Opryland Drive and the Ryman Auditorium Box Office at 116 5th Ave North, in downtown Nashville. Ticket prices range from $25 - $200.
 
About GMA: 
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community consists of more than 2,200 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Dove Week and IMMERSE.  For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit http://www.gospelmusic.org/ or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376.

(from CMSpin.com)

Giving users of the world’s largest online Christian community unlimited access to some of the biggest names in gospel music – including TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, Underoath, David Crowder*Band, Thousand Foot Krutch, Matthew West and Bill & Gloria Gaither.

tangle.com is a global technology company that creates social networking tools for the faith-based and family marketplace. As one of the largest providers of Christian content in the world, tangle.com reaches well over two million unique visitors a month, with millions of page views and maintains over 750,000 registered users. Providing a place for Christians to connect, watch and share videos, access  the top artists in Christian music, read the Bible online through the Online Bible, upload prayers to the Prayer Wall and network with friends, tangle has become the largest Christian social network in the world. tangle is owned and operated by Big Jump Media Inc.

 

Multi-platinum and award-winning band MercyMe is encouraging “All Of Creation” to “love well” with their upcoming studio album “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” (INO Records), scheduled to arrive May 4th nationwide.                                         

“The album, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell,” revolves around a fictional character we created who reminds us that we simply need to love others well,” explains MercyMe frontman Bart Millard. “For some of us, it means that we need to put hands and feet on our ideology and rhetoric. For others, it means that we need to continue in doing well, but to not stop there. We need to let people know why we are called to make a difference. Our prayer is that this album would mobilize the body of Christ to encourage people in word and deed.”

MercyMe recently had the opportunity to share this concept as they personally premiered their first single, “All of Creation” to radio stations across the U.S. The band split up into three teams of two, making stops at major market stations such as K-LOVE, Z88 in Orlando, The Fish Los Angeles, KCMS in Seattle, WCSG in Grand Rapids and dozens more.

Produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala, the project features 11 tracks, and with each member sending regular tweets throughout the recording, photo shoots and more, fans have been able to stay connected to the process.  The band plans to continue this process, and has already posted YouTube videos talking about the idea behind Mr. Lovewell and the new single:

Millard Describes the idea behind “The Generous Mr. Lovewell”-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS4Q8xiP6N8

Millard Introduces “All Of Creation”-
http://www.youtube.com/user/INORecords#p/a/u/0/q-tywXLREik

“We as a band are all very excited about “The Generous Mr. Lovewell,” continues Millard. “And hopefully it will create a movement of encouraging people to make a difference in the world whether it’s helping your neighbor or just loving each other.”

Also this spring, fans can catch MercyMe on the Rock And Worship Roadshow as they travel across the country alongside fellow acts David Crowder*Band, Family Force 5, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, Remedy Drive and Sidewalk Prophets. To see if the tour is coming to a city nearby please visit: www.rockandworshiproadshow.com.

For more information on MercyMe and “The Generous Mr. Lovewell,” please go to www.mercyme.org or www.mrlovewell.com, or via Twitter @MrLovewell.

Source: CMSpin

 

New Music Video For "Born Again" Already Making Impact On Winter Jam Tour

Combine the strengths of two supergroups that have sold millions of records, achieved an astounding number of #1 radio hits and received numerous Dove Awards. The result? A reborn newsboys. Now that longtime members Jody Davis (guitar), keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein and drummer Duncan Phillips have welcomed the vocal strengths, writing talents and boundless energy of former dc Talk member Michael Tait to the band, this is clearly a good reason to feel born again and in fact, share some new songs. On June 8th, newsboys are eager than ever to release their 15th studio project, aptly titled Born Again (inpop records). 
 
When newsboys announced in 2009 that Tait would take over the lead vocals, the band and their fans began to relish the positives and possibilities of this brand new start. “Tait is great for us because he’s a real team player and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the mix of personalities,” Jody Davis explains. Even though Davis, along with Frankenstein and Phillips, have played together since newsboys first broke through with 1992's Not Ashamed, Tait immediately, and easily, became part of the unique and tight newsboys unit.

"We’re all getting a new lease on life from this," Jeff Frankenstein states. "The core of the band—myself, Jody, and Duncan—is reunited, and Mike is an amazing singer. It’s providential.”

Tait couldn't agree more. When newsboys called he was actually working with the legendary Clive Davis on a solo project in Los Angeles. Yet after a few great concerts together he knew the invitation to join the band was just what he needed.

Now, the foursome is embarking on a sure-to-be momentous year with Born Again, which was produced by The Write Brothers and Mark Heimermann (dcTalk, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith). Thanks to a pre-sale campaign on the band's current co-headlining Winter Jam tour, fans can advance purchase Born Again for only $7 and until the June release date, each fan receives a 5-song EP along with a chance to get the full CD autographed by the band. The campaign has been a successful since the tour kicked off the beginning of January.

"All of us at inpop records are thrilled for the upcoming release of the brand new newsboys music," exclaims John Kelly, CEO, inpop records. "It's also been exciting to hear the buzz from the fans at Winter Jam purchasing the 5-song EP. We are proud to be their record label and are truly looking forward to a great year from this stellar band." 
 
THE SONGS
The songs on Born Again were penned by newsboys, The Write Brothers, and Steve Taylor, including a new track by Mark Stuart (Audio Adrenaline). Living out the album's moniker, thanks to "On Your Knees," the worshipful "We Remember" and the group's first two radio singles, "I'll Be” and "Born Again," both shipping February 12th to AC and CHR radio respectively, each song showcases what is noticeably different about newsboys today: story-led tunes with melodies coupled with more distinguishable piano and guitar performances.

Already a live highlight at their concerts, “Born Again” is where newsboys truly become a band renewed, and they collectively view the song as representative of everything the band has gone through this past year. “We’ve all believed in lies at some point,” Tait says, emoting his testimony. “I had some prodigal years in the past, but I hope the song encourages others to make the same decision I did: I’m giving Him the best of everything that’s left of the life inside this man / I’ve been born again.”

“Born Again” is also the project’s first music video and the perfect match to share footage of newsboys building houses in Mexico’s poverty stricken Baja Peninsula. The video, which can be viewed on the homepage of www.newsboys.com, has already seen by thousands thanks to its airing during newsboys Winter Jam set, is already impacting concertgoers on how they can do something for those less fortunate. For years the band has been serving the people in this Third World setting constructing hundreds of homes, and plans are underway to invite fans there this summer for ministry efforts. Details will be announced as soon as they are available.

Penned with longtime newsboys collaborator Steve Taylor, “Boys Light Up” is a biographical anthem of reignited belief and purpose for the band: I was feeling all overcome / Had a faith gone dim and then some / Got a call from a band of brothers . . . / All the doubters I heard them say “now the band’s gonna fade away” / But the ‘boys are back for a second act / No excuses. We’re lighting fuses.
“It’s a common theme running through newsboys,” Phillips says of the ultra-rhythmic cut with a chorus that declares: When the boys light up you know Who gets the praise, Who owns the show. “It’s like a new version of ‘Shine,’ another song of encouragement.”

With the band's efforts to connect with their audiences of all ages, through meet and greets to social media aspects, Phillips states, "It helps us gauge the pulse of where our fans are at and what they're going through, and I hope they feel a sense of greater reconnection that the band is trying to make." 

In all, newsboys view this new collection of songs  as representative of everything the band has gone through this past year. They are truly Born Again.

Born Again EP Track Listing:
1. Born Again
2. On your Knees
3. When The Boy's Light Up
4. I'll Be (first single )
5. One Shot

www.newsboys.com

Source: CMSpin

When sending in your suggestion, please include the following:

1.       Person/persons basic contact information:  Name, number, and address.

2.     A brief story about the person/persons.

3.     Why you feel they deserve a new roof.

4.     Condition of the roof:

a.      Does it leak?

b.     Are there missing shingles?

c.      What is the approximate age of the roof?

5.     As many pictures of the roof as possible, both close-up and from a distance, as well as any water damage on the inside caused by the roof.

IF YOU CANNOT SAFELY TAKE A CLOSE UP PICTURE...DON'T!

Please submit your suggestion with all the requirements to AllTimateBlessing@AllTimateRoofing.Com

All suggestions must be received by February 28, 2010. 

As a top-ranked touring band, according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions. Because of its mass appeal, Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine (June 7, 2008). For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com.

from CMSpin.com

 

As we near the street date for TobyMac’s upcoming album TONIGHT, (Feb. 9/Forefront Records), iTunes® has teamed up with the GRAMMY Award ® winner and 2010 nominee, and is offering an exclusive opportunity to purchase and download a new single every week leading up to the release of TONIGHT.

This week the single is “Get Back Up,” and due to the devastation in Haiti, TobyMac has decided to donate 100% of his artist royalties from first week sales to relief efforts.   Proceeds will be divided up amongst the Hands and Feet Organization, Restore Haiti, and Compassion International.

"The world is responding in a beautiful way to this tragedy haitians are experiencing,” he says.  “If I am going to create art that speaks of compassion than I must live that out.  I wanted my new release "Get Back Up" to benefit Haiti in their tragedy and I am blessed to use my music to help as your purchase becomes our gift. "

To purchase the single go to: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/get-back-up-single/id349759576

Source: CMSpin   

 

Football fever is at a high as the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV nears on February 7, 2010.  Thousand Foot Krutch’s music will be present at the Miami football party as the band’s hot song “Fire It Up” will be used in the arena on the jumbotron to pump up the crowd with a highlights video.  This month, NFL Network has also used the song on NFL Total Access, NFL Nike Rewind and NFL Game Day Morning (see link below). 

“Fire It Up” has also been featured in recent months in the summer blockbuster movie trailer for “G.I. Joe,” ESPN’s NASCAR Nationwide series, the Versus Network IndyCar race as well as a pre and in-game song for various sports teams (New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Seattle Sounders and Seahawks, UFC, and many others).  This single has also brought chart success, giving TFK their fourth Top 20 hit on Active Rock radio including current top 10's in Seattle, WA (KFNK), Santa Rosa, CA (KXFX), Burlington, VT (WLFE), and Denver, CO (KBPI), Chicago, IL (WIIL), Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (KEGL), Las Vegas, NV (KOMP) and Fresno/Visalia, CA (KRZR), and many other stations increasing spins.

As their most recent studio album “Welcome to the Masquerade” catapulted the band with many song placements, radio singles, year-end album mentions and reviews, TFK has also risen to the occasion on the touring market.  With new booking agent Pardiagm Agency, the band has landed a tour with Breaking Benjamin in March (dates below).  TFK is also replacing the Newsboys at the January 29  Winter Jam Spectacular Tour in Cleveland, Ohio. Also, starting March 25th, TFK will start their headlining tour through April 9th including special guests Since October, The Letter Black and Write This Down.

For more information on TFK visit their website (www.thousandfootkrutch.com) MySpace (www.myspace.com/thousandfootkrutch) Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/thousandfootkrutch) and Twitter - @officialTFK. 

Source: CMSpin

 

Sparrow Records pop/rock trio Above The Golden State will release its sophomore album, The Golden Rule, Jan. 26, 2010. The follow-up to its critically acclaimed 2008 self-titled debut, The Golden Rule contains a collection of songs that explore the core elements of Christian faith.
 
Living in Portland, a city where much of Christianity, like the music scene, is underground, Above The Golden State went back to the basics. Frontman Michael Watson explains, “I feel like we got a fresh, clean, unbiased start to following Christ and understanding God through his Word, and that’s why we draw from who we are and share that message musically.”
 
The band used “The Golden Rule” as the starting point for its new songs. “The Golden Rule, to love God and your neighbor as yourself, is a commandment we’ve all been given,” says Watson. “Through these songs, we want to encourage the Church to return to that fundamental truth. We are constantly pursuing God upward, serving God within our community and going into the world to share His message.”
 
The Golden Rule is driven by the band’s desire to love the world as Jesus did. The album aims to move listeners beyond mere words to actions that support faith and delivers the message through thought-provoking lyrics. The result is songs that are meant to inspire Christians to live out love to those around them in their own communities, neighboring cities, across the country and around the world.
 
The band addresses authentic Christianity in “The Real You” and couples that with a practical application in “Tragedy,” where the band investigates life’s darker realities that come with divorce, cancer, lost jobs or even loss of faith.
 
Following up the hit singles “Sound of Your Name” and “I’ll Love You So,” the band’s debut single from The Golden Rule, “I Am Loved,” is currently going for adds at Christian AC and CHR radio. The band will debut new music from The Golden Rule on tour with label mate Sanctus Real this spring.

Source: CMSpin  

 

Knowing that in a disaster, time and resources are of the utmost importance, Essential Records recording artist Third Day is stepping up to speed aid to the people of the earthquake-ravaged island nation of Haiti, and members of the band are challenging its fans to do the same.
 
Third Day has made a $20,000 donation out of its Come Together Fund to World Vision’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, established immediately following the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Tuesday, Jan. 12.
 
In an open letter signed by all four members of the band and available on ThirdDay.com, Third Day praises the ongoing work done by World Vision, and encourages its fans to give to the charitable organization’s work in dealing with this specific humanitarian crisis.
 
“We have seen firsthand the amazing work that World Vision does around the world,” the letter reads.  “They are first call responders to these kind of disasters, and will immediately maximize our dollars to care for those suffering in this difficult time.”
 
“We would like our donation to serve as a challenge.  We invite you, as Third Day fans and a community of believers, to match our donation to help our brothers and sisters suffering in Haiti today,” the letter continues. “We hope that you will keep the people of Haiti in your prayers, but we also hope that you will be part of God’s answer to their prayers as well.”
 
Fans interested in donating to the World Vision’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund can do so through the band’s website at www.ThirdDay.com or through World Vision’s website at www.worldvision.org.
 
About Third Day:
Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (made up of members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold 6.25 million albums. A recent Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee, Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards (with 14 career nominations including 3 this year), an American Music Award, three American Music Award nominations and multiple ASCAP honors for songwriting.   As a credit to its songwriting, Third Day’s memorable “Call My Name,” off its Revelation project (7/29/08), was selected by country star, Keith Urban as a bonus track on his Defying Gravity project.

As a top-ranked touring band, according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions. Because of its mass appeal, Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine (June 7, 2008). For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com.
 
The Fall 2009 “Revelation Tour” continued Third Day’s tradition of “paying it forward” by donating $1 per ticket sold to charitable organizations through its Come Together Fund. Through this fund, Third Day--who actively supports the ONE Campaign--has been able to serve charities such as Habitat For Humanity, Blood:Water Mission, World Vision’s Hope Child Initiative and is responsible for more than a million dollars in donations over the last four years to disaster relief in and outside of the U.S.

Source: CMSpin 

 

Rebecca St. James is adding her voice and national  media presence to those speaking out in favor of January’s recognition as "Sanctity of Life Month.”
 
St. James will be seen tomorrow (15th) on CBN’s flagship “700 Club,” speaking about the heartening acceptance accorded the release of her first starring role on film in “Sarah’s Choice,” –a movie with a strong pro life message.
 
Next week, Rebecca will be in New York for major mainstream media, including a Tuesday (19th) appearance on “Hannity,” on the Fox News Channel.  She will later next week be in Colorado Springs for radio tapings with Focus On The Family as well as the presentation of her music and message at their Sanctity of Life chapel gathering on Friday, January 22nd.
 
Long a passionate and outspoken advocate of abstinence from the global platform of millions of unit sales on her music and a chain of best-selling books, (her self-penned hit song, Wait For Me, has been an anthem for abstinence and birthed a franchise of books worldwide), the Australian born singer has in recent months turned her creative focus to films. Not just any films. Films with messages she hopes will positively impact lives.  
 
The “Sarah’s Choice” story line follows St. James in the lead role of a young career woman on the fast track to success in the corporate world when she discovers she’s pregnant outside of marriage.
 
Rebecca feels that the raw ‘reality of life’ message in “Sarah’s Choice” is one that holds promise of helping young women to choose “life” as the decision of choice in unplanned pregnancy.  
 
She was personally deeply impacted by her role in the film, as she noted in a recent interview:
 
“I think the biggest thing the film imparted to me—both in researching the role and in portraying the character—was a real sense of empathy for women who find themselves in the situation my character found herself in,” she commented. "My heart goes out to them as I have seen the extreme amount of pressure and fear that can come from outside sources at a vulnerable time such as this.  Too often, young women choose abortion and subsequently suffer the immeasurable pain that often comes with living with regret and guilt.  I came away from the movie with a real passion to impact this cycle with the message of God’s heart for the unborn,” St. James added.
 
In national screenings of “Sarah’s Choice,” reaction to the film’s message has been consistently powerful.
 
“This is a film that delivers the message of God’s love, forgiveness and grace on a subject matter thousands need to see and hear—it’s a movie that every pregnancy center in America should have in their library and consider showing as a special event,” noted Bill Donovan, executive directorship member of the CPC Pregnancy Center in Anchorage, Alaska.
 
St. James has in 2010 added a series of special presentation events for Crisis Pregnancy Centers to her already busy schedule of concerts and future film interests.
 
The DVD, of “Sarah’s Choice,” which features bonus content, including “The Making Of,” “Trailers,” and “Commentary,” is available from Pure Flix Entertainment at national retail through EMI CMG Distribution.

Source: CMSpin   

 

Dove Award-nominated rock band Remedy Drive is gearing up for a busy spring with a slot on the popular Rock and Worship Roadshow Tour, along with one of Christian music’s biggest names, MercyMe.
 
“We are thrilled to be on the Roadshow with Remedy Drive this spring,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “They bring so much energy and passion to the stage; it’s going to be a great show.”
 
Other special guests include David Crowder Band, Family Force 5, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, and Sidewalk Prophets. The tour kicks off March 18 in Indianapolis, IN and wraps up April 25.
 
Remedy Drive is currently in the studio with producers Ian Eskelin and Otto Price, wrapping up some new songs that will be available soon. If you haven’t yet seen the most buzzed-about live show of the year, catch a sneak peek from the guys’ Lifelight Festival performance here http://budurl.com/HopeEPK.
 
For more information, please visit www.remedydrive.com.
 
Word Records is a part of Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb Company. The artist roster heralds some of today's top Christian music performers and songwriters including Point Of Grace, Mark Schultz, Diamond Rio, David Phelps, Remedy Drive and Meredith Andrews.  The Word Label Group leads the industry with over 58 years of music-making history.

Source: CMSpin  

 

Myrrh Records’ five-piece worship-focused band Pocket Full of Rocks will be releasing their long awaited new project, More Than Noise on March 2, 2010. Featuring the rising single “Alive”, More Than Noise was produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bebo Norman). More Than Noise also includes a recording of “Let It Rain”, a worship standard in the contemporary church, written by frontman Michael Farren and made popular by Michael W. Smith. 
 
Pocket Full of Rocks is currently on tour with 33 Miles and John Waller in preparation for the release of More Than Noise. The band will also be playing a handful of promotional dates with Meredith Andrews and Todd Agnew. Check the band’s official website for a complete list of tour dates (http://www.pocketfullofrocks.com). Additionally, the Dove Award-nominated band is offering fans the opportunity to pre-order More Than Noise on their website in a variety of unique packages featuring exclusive audio and video content for those who pre-order.  
 
For more information, visit http://www.pocketfullofrocks.com or www.wordlabelgroup.com.
 
A leader in the music industry for more than 50 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Diamond Rio, Point Of Grace, BarlowGirl, Mark Schultz, Big Daddy Weave, Group 1 Crew and Francesca Battistelli, and is home to Word Distribution, Word Print, The Breen Agency, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Fervent Records, Myrrh Records and Squint Records.

Source: CMSpin 

Australia's national Christian music charts, The Rock Across Australia (TRAA), today announced Mat Kearney's Closer To Love as the 2009 Song of the Year, and honored 30 year old American singer Brandon Heath as 2009 Artist of the Year.

This is first time Mat Kearney (pronounced Karni) and Brandon Heath have earned TRAA honors.

The internationally acclaimed American singer/songwriter who has toured with John Mayer, The Fray and newsboys spent eight weeks atop TRAA with Closer To Love, the lead single from his City Of Black & White album.

Best known for his 2007 song Nothing Left To Lose which peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100, Kearney regards himself as a mainstream act. His music is included in TRAA because of parallel distribution in the Christian sector.

Brandon Heath garnered Artist honors for three songs - Wait And See, Give Me Your Eyes, and Follow You (a duet with Leeland) - with each landing in the top half of TRAA's end of year chart. His songs spent a total of 56 weeks in the survey with dual listings for some weeks.

Other contenders for TRAA awards this year included Francesca Battistelli. The US singer songwriter was the only act to score two number ones (Free To Be Me, and It's Your Life).

TRAA's annual airplay accolades recognise the artist or group gaining the most airplay on Australian Christian radio, plus the individual song generating the most airplay.

TRAA - published by Woodlands Media - compiles its weekly charts aggregating high rotation activity (derived from playlist reports, and airplay monitoring) across more than 20 stations in capital cities and regional markets.

The Rock Across Australia's 2009 Top 100 Songs and Top 50 Artists Chart are available online here: www.therockacrossaustralia.com/annual/TRAA-091231-Top100.doc

The Rock Across Australia's analysis of 2009 is available here: www.therockacrossaustralia.com/annual/TRAA-091231-Analysis.doc

The Rock Across Australia has published its national Christian music charts weekly since 1999 at: www.therockacrossaustralia.com.
 
PREVIOUS TRAA HONORS

2008 Song of the Year This Is Home - Switchfoot
 Artist of the Year Britt Nicole

2007 Song of the Year Something Beautiful - newsboys
 Artist of the Year newsboys

2006 Song of the Year Like You Love Me - Nathan Tasker
 Artist of the Year Nathan Tasker

2005 Song of the Year Gloria (All God's Children) - Paul Colman
 Artist of the Year Bethany Dillon

2004 Song of the Year Beautiful - Bethany Dillon
 Artist of the Year Jars Of Clay

2003 Song of the Year (There's Gotta Be) More to Life - Stacie Orrico
 Artist of the Year Stacie Orrico

2002 Song of the Year Purified - Michael W Smith
 Artist of the Year Michael W. Smith

2001 Song of the Year These Thousand Hills - Third Day
 Artist of the Year Paul Colman Trio

2000 Song of the Year Shackles (Praise You) - Mary Mary
 Artist of the Year Paul Colman Trio

1999 Song of the Year There's No Power in Pity - Cliff Richard
 Artist of the Year dc Talk

Source: CMSpin   

Here are a few upcoming releases in Christian albums for the first quarter of the year that are relevant to the music played on J103:

January 12, 2010
- All Star United - The Good Album - E1 Entertainment

January 26, 2010
- Various - WOW Gospel 2010 - Verity Records - Provident
- Above The Golden State - The Golden Rule - Sparrow Records - EMICMG
- Deas Vail - Birds & Cages - Gotee Records - Word

February 9, 2010
- tobyMac - Tonight - Forefront Records - EMICMG
- Fireflight - For Those Who Wait - Flicker Records - Provident

March 2, 2010
- Point Of Grace - No Changin' Us - Word Records - Word
- Various - WoW Worship Purple - Word Records - Word
- Pocket Full of Rocks - More Than Noise - Myrrh Records - Word
- Meredith Andrews - As Long As It Takes - Myrrh Records - Word
- Francesca Battistelli - My Paper Heart (Deluxe Edition) - Word Records - Word

March 9, 2010
- Sanctus Real - Pieces Of A Real Heart - Sparrow Records - EMICMG
- Chasen - That Was Then This Is Now - INO Records - Provident

March 23, 2010
- Robbie Seay Band - Miracle - Sparrow Records - EMICMG
- DecembeRadio - Live CD/DVD - CHP - EMICMG 

March 30, 2010
- Amy Grant - Somewhere Down The Road - Sparrow Records - EMICMG
- Sarah Reeves - TBD EP - Sparrow Records - EMICMG
- Remedy Drive - Daylight Is Coming (Re-release) - Word Records - Word

 

Here is an interview Nappy did with Mark Schultz.

Nappy:  Are you originally from the North Carolina area?

Kansas is where I grew up.  Then moved to Nashville right after college, Kansas State University.  Packed everything up in my Mazda RX-7 and moved to Nashville.  Then I got married three and half years ago. My wife is a doctor OB/GYN, so she went to undergrad at UNC/medical school and doing her medical residency at UNC so we are here at Chapel Hill.

Nappy:  That definitely makes you at Tar Heal over the Dukies!

Mark:  Oh big time, my wife likes to yell at the television when they’re playing Duke.

Nappy:  I was reading on your bio that for some reason you rode your bike over 3,500 miles.

Mark:  Right.

Nappy:  Was that coast-to-coast?

Mark:  I totally did.  I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I went all that way and didn’t see one coast to the next.  We started at the coast in Los Angeles and then road all the way to New Hampshire.  I dipped my back tire in the Pacific Ocean and my front tire in the Atlantic Ocean.

Nappy:  How many miles per day is that?

Mark:  We did the whole thing in about 62 days.  We had about 14 shows in there and I didn’t really ride on those days.  We averaged about 100 miles today.  It was a pretty awesome and a long ride.

Some days it was nice, just put your headphones in and six hours later and you’ve gone 100 miles.  In a weird way it was relaxing.  There was a day when the bus broke down and I just kept pedaling across the state of New York.  I did 200 miles in one day, which is an all time record for me.

It was a great experience and we raised a quarter million dollars for widows and orphans for the James Fund.

Nappy:  That’s awesome.  You rode 3500 miles, what’s next?  An Ironman?

Mark:  Ha!  No, Ironman’s are out for me.  What I might do is the ‘from my house to Starbucks challenge’ and might do that later this afternoon.

It was a great experience for me; I pushed myself harder mentally I thought I could go.  At the end of the day it was neat to have people follow along on the website and raise attention to a cause that’s pretty dear to my heart since I was adopted at two weeks old.  I don’t know if I would have done it just to say I rode my bike across the country.  Riding for those kids was very special and gave me a lot of incentive.

Nappy:  You’ve written a number of number one songs, how do you usually start writing a song?

Mark:  I think in my mind, “let’s write a number one!”  Ha!  Nah, I’m just kidding. 

I sit at the piano and just noodle around and play different chords, I’ll think about what’s going on in my life and stories that I’ve heard.  I’ll tell you when the magic happens is when you play a certain chord a certain way you’ve probably played 100 times before but today it triggers something inside of you.  Whatever the first thing out of your mouth that really melts with that chord and flavor.  That chord brings out an emotion in you and the words just fly out your mouth.  Those things just, mmm, starts to make this stew where it just things start to happen that are special.

I never think to myself, ‘this is going to be a big song.’  You know when someone watches a movie and there is something special that comes on the screen and it just takes you, you get lost in the movie.  I think that’s similar to songwriting for me.  I just play around till something totally grabs me and pulls me into the song.   It’s like the song created it self and I just happen to be sitting there.

Nappy:  What advice would you have for someone wanting to write his or her own songs?

Mark:  First thing I would say is, and I tell everybody this.  There is a book called “The Craft of Lyric Writing.” By Sheila Davis.  I would say I was songwriter, but not a good songwriter until I read that book when I was in Nashville. 

A matter of fact, the first guy I played my songs for in the music industry said, “You don’t play the piano that well, you don’t sing very well, your songs aren’t that good.”  I thought I think I’m better than that, but he told me about the book “The Craft of Lyric Writing.”  I read it and it changed everything for me.  The songs got much better.  At the end of the day, what that book did for me is that it got lyrics that made sense to me but nobody else.  All of sudden I was crafting lyrics that were seemed to speak to everyone else and pull them into the song.   It’s just doing it over and over again and crafting a song with as few words as possible.

Mark’s Favorites

Color:  Blue 

Superhero:  It’s been for a long time Flash Gordon!

Movie (lately):  I really liked the movie, “Life is Beautiful.”

TV Show:  Lost

Ice Cream:  Vanilla Chocolate Chip

Breakfast Cereal:  Cheerios

Food while watching Favorite TV Show:  Pizza

Favorite chair while eating your favorite food while watching your favorite TV show: The couch in our living room.

Thanks again for Mark to take a few minutes to spend with us.  Be sure to check out Mark Schultz’s new album Come Alive, out in stores NOW.

Source: Nappy

 

Over And Underneath Among Billboard’s Top 10 Christian Albums For Year
 
Tenth Avenue North, the reigning GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year, wrapped an incredibly active and successful 2009 with appearances on both the charts and the airwaves, plus news of appearances already scheduled for 2010.
 
Coming in at No. 1 on the Billboard 2009 Hot Christian Songs Artists chart, the band also landed an impressive two songs on the Hot Christian Songs chart, including the No. 1 radio single “By Your Side” at No. 2 and “Hold My Heart” at No. 13.  More impressive is the fact that Tenth Avenue North, still on its first album, ranked No. 3 on Billboard’s overall decade ranking of Christian songs.
 
The band’s debut record, Over And Underneath, finished the year at No. 10 overall on Billboard magazine’s list of Top Christian Albums of 2009, alongside such Provident Label Group rostermates as Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Third Day and Red.  Over And Underneath has surpassed the 200,000 sales mark since its release on May 20, 2008.
 
Tenth Avenue North’s radio reception has been equally impressive, with singles “Hold My Heart” and “By Your Side” both notching in the top 10 on AC Monitored and CHR charts. The band was featured on the nationally syndicated “Total Axxess” program’s first-ever weeklong “Acoustic Christmas” series, together with Jars of Clay, Red and Brandon Heath the week of Dec. 14.
 
Fresh off the success of its own headlining “Inside and In Between” tour this fall – seeing more than half of the shows sold-out – Tenth Avenue North has been tabbed as special guests for two months worth of dates on Casting Crowns’ “Until The Whole World Hears” tour in 2010, paving the way for the release of Tenth Avenue North’s sophomore effort in early summer.

About Tenth Avenue North:
Named GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year (2009), Tenth Avenue North was the best-selling and most played new Christian artist of 2008, scoring three No. 1s at radio and crossing the 100,000 sales mark with its debut Over and Underneath (5/20/08) in just eleven months. The band – Mike Donehey (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer) and Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals)  – has toured extensively over the last year in support of Over and Underneath (recently crossing the 200,000 mark in total album sales), and recently wrapped an impressive run of shows on its very first headlining tour- “Inside and In Between”. Tenth Avenue North is one of the few debut bands that have experienced enough momentum to headline its own tour with only one album under its belt. For up-to-date information on Tenth Avenue North please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com or www.providentpress.com.

Source: CMSpin   

 

Today, the blockbuster fourth studio album, Until The Whole World Hears from GRAMMY, AMA and five-time Dove Award-winning “Group of the Year,” Casting Crowns (Beach Street/Reunion Records), reaches RIAA Gold status, only four weeks after the Nov. 17 release. This certification, signifying U.S. album shipments exceeding 500,000 units, marks the fastest-selling Casting Crowns album in its unparalleled six-year career.
 
With its sales continuing to demonstrate an upward trend, Casting Crowns is again named Billboard’s Top Christian Album Artist for 2009, for a third consecutive year. The repeated placement at No.1 on the year-end Christian/Gospel chart (12/31/09) solidifies Casting Crowns as the top-selling act in Christian music since 2007.
 
Selling 167,000 first-week copies, the historical debut of Until The Whole World Hears set a sales record for the group as the highest debuting Christian Music artist in SoundScan history (week ending 11/22/09). The album released as the third strongest album debut in the country on Billboard’s Top 200 chart behind John Mayer and Norah Jones. With 44, 845 units sold this week, Until The Whole World Hears is No.1 for a fourth week on Nielsen SoundScan Current Contemporary Christian Album chart. At radio, the title track claimed a third week at No. 1 on Billboard’s AC-Monitored chart, marking a ninth career chart-topping song for Casting Crowns.
 
Last month, the band’s 2008 Christmas album Peace on Earth also certified RIAA Gold. The Christmas album continues a strong run with the week’s 59, 865 units sold, and is named the No. 5 best-selling album of 2009 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums year-end chart (12/31/09). Both Until The Whole World Hears and Peace on Earth remain top performers on the national Billboard Top 200 chart, at No. 31 and 22 respectively, for week ending 12/13/09, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
 
The RIAA Gold certification of Until The Whole World Hears adds a third Gold album to the band’s collection. To date, all of the Atlanta-based band’s projects are RIAA certified, with a monster tally of two RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, now three RIAA Gold Albums and a Gold DVD, further establishing its unprecedented six-year career.
 
With lead singer and award-winning songwriter, Mark Hall’s 18 years in youth ministry, the band’s lyrics are born out of real life situations, inspired by the 400 students and families he has led on a weekly basis since 2001, at Eagles Landing Baptist church. Casting Crowns focuses on discipleship through music in its new chart-topping, 11-song album, giving national audiences a fresh, relevant perspective on loving God and loving people.
 
Casting Crowns played to 150,000 fans at multiple sell-out performances on the fall leg of its headlining 41-city “Until The Whole World Hears Tour,” and will continue with a spring run in 41 more cities. For tour dates or more information, visit www.providentpress.com, or www.castingcrowns.com.
 
*Follow the band on Mark Hall’s Twitter at: http://twitter.com/markhallCC. Millions of fans can now stream the band’s entire catalog of music and video from the band’s newly created fan-centric web site, www.crownsfans.com.

Source: CMSpin

 

With their year-end and decade charts out this week, BILLBOARD has named MERCYME's "Word Of God Speak" the #1 Song of The Decade and the group the #1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade. MercyMe earns an additional #1 in the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade category.

“MercyMe’s career has always been about writing songs that we believe will share the love of Christ and make him known,” commented lead vocalist Bart Millard. ”We continue to be blown away by the support radio and fans give us, and strive to continue to write music that can  move your heart toward God. Here’s to the next decade!”

MercyMe has garnered an astonishing 22 #1songs in their career, six of which are reflected on the Billboard radio charts for this decade, continuing to show the impact their songs have on listeners across the country:

#1 Christian songs artist of the DECADE
#1 Christian AC song artist of the DECADE
#1 Christian song of  the DECADE with “Word of God speak” as well  as:
            #16  “Here With  Me”
            #19  “God With  Us”
            #35  “You  Reign”
            #48  “In the Blink of an  Eye”
            #49  “Bring the Rain”

In addition to their radio singles, MercyMe's debut album, “Almost There” captured the 4th Christian Album of the Decade slot, as well as placing MercyMe as the #4 Christian Album artist of the Decade. Also, their 2004 release,“Undone” took #38 on the Christian Album of the Decade chart, with “Spoken For”(2002) not far behind at #46.

MercyMe is currently in the studio with producers Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala recording their sixth studio project, scheduled to release May 4th, 2010.
  
www.mercyme.org

Source: CMSpin   

 

Award-winning singer/songwriter Matthew West sets out to spread some holiday cheer this month with the “Give This Christmas Away Tour,” kicking off tonight in Indianapolis. Additionally, West will perform his current radio single, “Give This Christmas Away,” on Fox News programs “Huckabee” and “FOX & Friends.”
 
The “Give This Christmas Away Tour,” West’s first Christmas tour, will visit 10+ cities through Dec. 19 and feature Christmas classics, new Christmas songs as well as career favorites. The tour will additionally include a special pre-show screening of the brand new VeggieTales Christmas movie, Saint  Nicholas – A Story Of Joyful Giving, for which West wrote and recorded “Give This Christmas Away.” VeggieTales’ signature characters Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber will also be on hand to greet attendees. A tentative tour itinerary follows this release.
 
In the true spirit of giving, the “Give This Christmas Away Tour” will help to raise funds for Operation Christmas Child, a division of the international relief organization Samaritan's Purse. The tour will donate to Operation Christmas Child’s “beyond-the-box” discipleship program, seeking to provide children in developing countries with a New Testament Bible in their local language.
 
“I am so excited to begin the ‘Give This Christmas Away Tour,” says West. “So many amazing doors have opened this season for me to share the message of what I believe Christmas is about: Giving! True joy is found at Christmas when we choose not to get caught up in the chaos, and instead look beyond our own needs to see the needs of others.  That is why we are teaming up again with Operation Christmas Child, and a portion of every ticket purchased will be donated to help OCC purchase bibles for children.” 
In conjunction with the tour and radio single, “most added” this week at Christian radio, West will perform “Give This Christmas Away” live with Amy Grant on the Fox News Channel’s “Huckabee” Saturday, Dec. 5, re-airing Sunday, Dec. 6.  West and Grant will give an encore performance of the song Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 on the network’s “Fox and Friends” Christmas special additionally featuring Andrea Bocelli and Kristin Chenoweth. Check your local listings for air times.
 
In keeping with the “Give This Christmas Away” theme, West released a gift book this holiday through Tyndale Publishers, aptly titled  101 Ways to Give This Christmas Away. The book, along with the Something to Say Christmas Edition album featuring “Give This Christmas Away” and three new acoustic recordings, are now available in stores. 
 
West catapulted onto the Christian music scene in 2003 with his debut single, “More,” which was the most played Christian AC song of 2003. The multi-Dove Award nominee and sought-after songwriter released two critically-acclaimed recordings, Happy (2003) and History (2005); has been a mainstay at Christian radio with memorable hits like “Only Grace,” “History” and “Next Thing You Know”; and has toured with such artists as tobyMac and Jeremy Camp on the wildly popular 2008 “Boomin’ Beyond Measure” tour. In addition, West has penned songs for Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Natalie Grant and Mandisa, among others. West’s third studio recording, Something To Say, released January 15, 2008 and produced the No. 1 AC radio hit “You Are Everything,” which was also the most played Christian song of 2008, as well as “Something to Say,” which climbed to No. 7 at AC radio. His most recent single, Grammy Award nominated “The Motions,” was No. 1 on Radio & Records’ Christian AC Monitored chart and the Billboard Christian chart for 14 weeks as well as the most downloaded Christian digital track 15 weeks running, according to SoundScan. For more information on Matthew West, visit www.matthewwest.com or www.myspace.com/matthewwest.

Source: CMSpin

 

Singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli earned her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Performance for her hit single “Free To Be Me” from her debut record, My Paper Heart. “Free To Be Me” shattered records when it became the most added song by a female artist in Christian radio history, holding the number one slot for ten consecutive weeks and becoming the first number one song from a female at AC radio since 2005. Additionally, the song was the #4 most downloaded Christian Digital track for 2009.
 
"I am shocked, thrilled, and honored to be nominated for a Grammy award! I started dancing in my dressing room in Boston the night I found out,” Francesca shares. “It's truly a dream come true, and it means so much that a song I wrote in college has resonated with people so deeply.”
 
Francesca was nominated alongside Heather Hadley with Smokie Norful, Jonny Lang, Donnie McClurkin with Karen Clark Sheard, and Third Day in the Best Gospel Performance category. The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will be held January 31, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. A full list of Grammy nominees can be found at http://www.grammy.com.
 
“It’s Your Life,” Francesca’s current single, was recently featured on the series finale of TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8 as part of a dramatic montage recapping all five seasons of the show. “It’s Your Life” is currently the #1 digital track in the Christian market, generating over 23,000 downloads this past week. The song debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 list this week.
 
Francesca is currently on the road celebrating the holiday season with label mates Big Daddy Weave for Newsong’s “Very Merry Christmas Tour.” The tour is stopping in 19 cities, wrapping up on December 18 in Albany, GA. For a complete list of tour dates and cities, visit www.francescamusic.com.
 
For more information about Francesca Battistelli, visit http://www.francescamusic.com or http://www.wordlabelgroup.com.
 
A leader in the music industry for more than 50 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Diamond Rio, Point Of Grace, BarlowGirl, Mark Schultz, Big Daddy Weave, Group 1 Crew and Francesca Battistelli, and is home to Word Distribution, Word Print, The Breen Agency, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Fervent Records, Myrrh Records and Squint Records.

Source: CMSpin  

 

Songwriter, recording artist and worship leader Matt Maher recently notched another high-profile endorsement of the power of the standout debut single off his sophomore Essential Records project, Alive Again.
 
Apple, Inc.’s iTunes Store, the industry-leading digital music retailer, recently named the song “Alive Again” as the Best Christian & Gospel Single of 2009.  When asked Maher said, “It’s always great as a writer and worship leader when a song you write connects with people at radio and live, and to have iTunes honor it this way is a nice way to end the year.”
 
The single also is currently in the top 10 on two Christian radio formats, No. 6 at AC-Indicator and No. 7 at CRW-AC which translates to more than 250 + million cumulative impressions.
 
As Maher wraps up a busy and successful 2009, including just finishing a tour opening for label-mate Michael W. Smith, he’ll ring in the New Year in Orlando, Fla. at the National FOCUS Conference (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) in front of more than 3,000 students representing FOCUS chapters from all around the country.
 
Looking ahead to 2010, Maher will be part of Break Forth, the largest equipping and renewal conference in North America, in Edmonton, Alberta in late January. Maher will perform alongside Michael W. Smith, Robin Mark, Newsboys, Francis Chan and Lincoln Brewster. More than 15,000 attendees representing more than 1,000 churches are expected for the two-day conference.

Maher will embark on a full touring schedule in the spring of 2010 starting with the “Hold Us Together Tour” (named after his upcoming single, “Hold Us Together”) running January through early April, followed by a co-headline tour with label-mates Leeland and worship leader, Phil Wickham in April and May. Maher will finish out the spring season performing in May as part of the World Prayer Day in Newfoundland Canada and the YC Edmonton event.

Source: CMSpin

The biggest debate in Christmas music is new Christmas songs verses traditional Christmas songs. As I program music for a Christian radio station, I have that same question to answer, and I can say that it really is a tough one. What I have found is that a combination of the two actually makes sense for most people. The fact is that "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "The Little Drummer Boy," and "O Come All Ye Faithful" are great songs; there is no replacing them. However, I also cannot imagine Christmas music in 2009 without "Gloria" by Mercy Me, "This Baby" by Steven Curtis Chapman, or "He Made A Way In A Manger" by Candy Pearson Shelton. So, I think in this day and age it is just a matter of finding the right mix of new and traditional Christmas songs. 

If you were limited to three Christmas albums to listen to this year, I would have to say go with Steven Curtis Chapman's Christmas is All in the Heart, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra's Timeless Christmas, and of course Mercy Me's The Christmas Sessions. Let us take a quick look at all three of those. 

Steven Curtis Chapman's Christmas album Christmas is All in the Heart combines newer and older Christmas songs in such an amazing way.  Steven Curtis has a remarkable, down-home way of singing these songs, and provides the listener with a laid-back way of enjoying twelve Christmas tracks. The acoustic guitar is clearly present in most of the songs on this CD. I would say the highlight on this album is "This Baby." This song describes the early days of Jesus and how he went through many of the same things as little babies do still today-only this baby had come to change the world. What a message and what an honest look at what Christmas is all about. 

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra's CD Timeless Christmas is probably the most fun Christmas album I have heard. For the most part it is upbeat and exciting. Their version of "Joy to the World" is incredible. They are one of the few groups that can take a song that you have heard performed 1000 times by probably 50 different artists and make it special. They have a horn-driven sound that sets them apart from most of the rest of the Christmas music that you normally hear. 

Mercy Me also has a pretty fantastic collection of twelve songs inside The Christmas Sessions. This has all of the qualities of a great album: skilful songwriting, strong vocals, and fabulous instrumentation. This CD, like the other two, has a combination of new Christmas songs and traditional Christmas songs. "Joseph's Lullaby," one of the new tunes, is sung from the viewpoint of Joseph. It is such a touching song and the beauty of it is that it is written from a perspective that most of us do not think about. Mercy Me always comes through with great albums, and this one is no different.

Christmas music sure is great isn't it? There are a lot of great Christmas albums out there; we have merely highlighted three of the best. Check them out and enjoy. 

Justin Wade

Music Director

J103 Radio

You can help a Dalit ("Untouchable") family break the cycle of poverty—with an income-producing gift that will serve as a tangible expression of Jesus' love for them.

You can give a gift in honor of one of your loved ones! Consider adding to your Christmas list ... gifts like chickens, sewing machines, goats, BioSand water filters, and yes, even a water buffalo.

Who are the poorest of the poor? Who are the Dalits?

Literally meaning "crushed" or "broken", the word "Dalit" appropriately describes the people who bear this title. Also known as the "Untouchables," there are 300 million of them in Asia.

About Gospel for Asia

Gospel for Asia's mission is to share the Good News of Jesus with those who have not heard his name. One hundred percent of all contributions designated for use on the mission field are sent to the mission field.

Steven Curtis Chapman recently shared his story of faith and hope with US Weekly magazine in their Nov. 3 issue in addition to CNN.com, in a story that was quickly one of their most read features of the day. In it Chapman spoke candidly about the emotional journey he and his family have been on the past 18 months since the passing of his daughter Maria. Chapman can also be seen in an upcoming issue of PEOPLE Magazine set to hit newsstands in early December.

(http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/12/steven.curtis.chapman/index.html )

On Thanksgiving Day, the singer/songwriter will be featured on Larry King Live for their HEROES special, where Chapman will be speaking with King and performing his debut single  “Heaven Is The Face” from his latest and most personal album yet, Beauty Will Rise (11/3/09). Other guests scheduled to appear are Mariah Carey, Tyra Banks, Ben Stiller and more. This special episode of Larry King Live will air Thursday, November 26 at 8pm (EST).

In addition, the five-time Grammy Award winner recently taped an interview and gave an impromptu acoustic performance for Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, in follow-up to the program’s in-depth interview with Chapman and his family last fall.  The interview will air in early December. 

Chapman has also recently shared his story with Gudiepost.com, Christianity Today and Servant Magazine as well as for future covers of Charisma, Outreach magazines and most recently on CCM Magazine’s Digital Issue. Fans can also tune-in to hear Chapman LIVE on Moody Radio’s Midday Connection program on Monday, December 7 at 12pm (CST).
 
For more information on Steven Curtis Chapman please visit www.stevencurtischapman.com.

cmspin.com

 

33Miles will launch their second annual “Believe“ tour this December with the help of Food for the Hungry and INO Records’ label mate Jonny Diaz.
 
Church worship teams and choirs will join the band on each of the eleven tour stops and take part in the musical line up for the evening.
 
The tour will feature music from 33Miles’ debut Christmas release titled Believe that is available exclusively at Family Christian Stores this holiday season. The band’s third studio album was produced by Nathan Nockels (Passion, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean) and includes traditional favorites like “O Holy Night,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” along with several original songs including “Finally Christmas” and “I Could Not Come To You.” In addition, “Finally Christmas” and the classic “Joy to the World” will be released to radio during the holidays.
 
“Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year,” says 33Miles’ Jason Barton. “There’s something so beautiful about how the God of the universe stepped off of His throne and came to earth in the form of a baby. The King of all Kings became a servant.  It’s humbling to know that God loves us that much.  We’re excited and privileged to share that message of love this Christmas season on the ‘Believe’ tour with our friend Jonny Diaz.”
 
The “Believe” concerts arrive directly after the band’s first headlining tour, which included multiple sold out shows. The “One Life” tour visited 20 cities earlier this fall. For a full list of tour dates, visit www.33milesonline.com/tour
 
More information on 33Miles:
After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering radio hits and a 2008 Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles released their sophomore record One Life on Sept. 16, 2007 to much praise. Critically acclaimed One Life entered the Top Christian Soundscan Album Sales chart and the Christian Digital chart at No. 5, while debuting at No. 160 on the Billboard Top 200. Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles.
 
More information on Jonny Diaz:
Singer, songwriter and storyteller Jonny Diaz (pronounced dye-az) released his fourth project, More Beautiful You, May 5th - which is actually his first CD release with INO Records. Following in the footsteps of his 3 previous independent projects, More Beautiful You reveals his inspiring lyrics and catchy melodies and instrumentation. Through his songs, the listener will instantly hear a heart that is passionate about reaching his generation with the message of God's love, forgiveness, and grace. The project's first single, "More Beautiful You," was co-written by Diaz and reached #1 at radio, holding the spot for 3 weeks in a row. The song, which was also made into a music video, aims to tell women they were created by God with a specific purpose in mind and continues to generate a huge buzz at radio across the country!

Diaz is consistently on the road performing at churches and conferences and has also had the opportunity to perform at some of the largest Christian music festivals in the country. He has opened in concert for Steven Curtis Chapman, Bebo Norman, MercyMe, and many other top Christian acts. You can visit www.JonnyDiaz.com for more information.

cmspin.com

Our album of the month is What if We by Brandon Heath. What a fun album. It is one of the most rhythmic albums that I have heard in awhile. Actually, my good friend Brett just walked in while I was listening to the album and writing this article, and said, "That's groovin'." What a word to describe a song. It is a word that does not even show up on Wikipedia (except for a song by that name out of the 60's). However, somehow when he said "groovin,'" I knew exactly what he was talking about. So, I'll go with Brett on this one, "groovin'." What if We is an album on which you can expect to feel the beat. This is one of those CD's that, if you popped it into your car's CD player, could leave you looking a little foolish to those driving around you. You know what I'm talking about.  Some of these songs almost mandate a grin and some tapping on the steering wheel (if not fully-involved drumming on the steering wheel, requiring both sun visors to be lowered and used as cymbals). Oh yeah, did I mention that these songs house some of the most touching and compelling lyrics among current albums? Brandon brings a simple yet relevant message to Christian music listeners. 

Brandon says, "I wrote a lot of songs for this new record. 'Give Me Your Eyes' was one of the first that really stuck out. I co-wrote it with Jason Ingram, and musically, it has a hip-hop flavor to it. The song was inspired from the idea that every once in a while, God gives us His eyes. You tend to see a lot of different kinds of people in places like airports. Sometimes, usually only for a few moments, I feel like God gives me true compassion for those people around me. I think that the longer I get to know the character of Jesus, the more compassion I personally have for others. 'Give Me Your Eyes' is saying, 'Jesus give me your eyes so that I can see people the way you see people, so I can love people the way you love people.' One of the core goals of my ministry is focused on striking up conversations about social injustices around the world and being a voice for those who have often been silenced by poverty or lack of influence. I want to challenge people more. 'Give Me Your Eyes' does that. It is one thing to have compassion and quite another to act on it. Most times, it starts with the people around you."

Brandon also shares about "Wait and See," saying, "'Wait and See' is probably the most autobiographical song I've ever written. But I think that anybody can relate to this song, and be encouraged to know that God has a plan for us, even if we still feel like a failure at times. If we come to know Jesus as our Savior, He is going to change our hearts and lead us into a greater existence other than for ourselves. For me, the last verse of 'Wait and See' is really what my journey is all about: 'Now's my time to be a man, follow my heart as far as I can, no telling

where I'm ending up tonight.' Most nights, I am in a hotel room and I barely know where I am, but I know that I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing. I just have to wait and see what God is going to do with the rest of the story. I'm encouraged by what He has done already, but I know that the story will continue to unfold and I'll keep learning more about the purpose of my life."

What if We has all of the elements of a quality Christian album-the music is great, the beats are fun, and the lyrics are relevant and encouraging. Check it out.

This album is available now on iTunes, at brandonheath.net, or in your local Christian bookstores.

Justin Wade

Music Director

J103

 

The most special time of the year is only a few weeks away and the Katinas are helping the celebration begin.

"Sounds of Christmas," the Katinas newest project, releasing November 10th is already receiving rave reviews from radio and media as the classic song "Little Drummer Boy" is being added to playlists.

Creating songs that families could enjoy together has always been the focus of the Katinas music and ministry. "Sounds of Christmas" continues to follow that pattern with such holiday favorites as "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Mary Did You Know," and "Silent Night."

"We have always loved listening to Christmas music of all genres," says James. "Sounds of Christmas gave us an opportunity to make a Christmas record that drew from different sounds both sonically and stylistically. Our hope is that the entire family will be able to enjoy these Christmas Classics with perhaps a different twist."

The Katinas consist of five brothers, James, Jesse, Joe, John, and Sam who are from the Samoan Islands and have been touring and recording for the past 15 years. To find out more about the Katinas, visit their websites at http://www.thekatinas.com or http://www.katinamissions.org.

 Through Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project, Chattanooga residents are packing shoe box gifts for children in more than 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty.  From Chattanooga, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary—sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds—to reach suffering children around the world.

 “Everyday, kids around the world are just hoping that something good will happen,” said Bartlee Norton, Relay Center Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child.  “Kids facing poverty, war, and disease need to know that they aren’t forgotten.  Packing a shoe box is a unique way we can reach into the lives of children living in some of the most desperate places around the world and let them know, their life matters.”   

 Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to “follow your box” to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need.  To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

At J103, a steady stream of calls, letters and emails resound the praises of God for encouragement, light and even eternal salvation found while listening to J103.  The 877-Need-Him line averages 100 calls per month of hungry hearts seeking a personal relationship with the Lord, and for this we are thankful. 

The J103 Team is especially thankful for you, this season.  Just a couple short months ago, the future of J103 looked uncertain as corporate sponsors, and individual partnerships were both substantially down.  Subsequent downsizing of the staff and other financial cutbacks were initiated, but the deficit and monthly shortfall would take a miracle to turn around.

We went on the air announcing our situation and the J103 staff began to pray together every day.  Then God began to move on the hearts of many.  Over a two month period close to 2,000 wonderful friends stepped forward to help J103 begin to turn the tide. 

Since August the ministry has made budget each month and the deficit has begun to get reduced.  We rejoice in God's faithfulness and, again, are very thankful for the generous response and sensitivity to His Spirit's prompting of our Friends.  Thank you for your part in this miracle! 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving season and know that your J103 family is thankful for you!

 

Title Track Soars to No. 1 this week on Billboard’s AC-Indicator
Radio chart; No. 2 on National Audience chart with
8.1 Million Weekly Impressions

Fans Get an Early Listen to New Music as CrownsFans.com Releases Six Song Preview Leading Up to Exclusive Yahoo! Music “Early Edition” Feature Nov. 9

In an unprecedented six-year span, with 4.5 million career album sales, Casting Crowns readies for the Nov. 17 release of its fourth studio album, titled Until The Whole World Hears. The five-time Dove Award-winning “Group of the Year” remains focused on discipleship through music with its new 11-song collection, featuring boldly-honest lyrics from lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall, giving listeners a fresh, relevant perspective on loving God and loving people. With Hall’s 18 years in youth ministry, the band’s message remains rooted in the student services he has led on a weekly basis since 2001, at Eagles Landing Baptist church near Atlanta.

Hall says, “The songs start out as our messages to the 400 teens and families we see each week at Eagles Landing. Our goal is to live our lives telling others about Jesus – until the whole world hears – those simple words are a challenge to be intentional with the way we live our lives.”

This week, the title track and first single jumps to No. 1 on Billboard’s AC-Indicator radio chart marking a ninth career chart-topping song for Casting Crowns. The hit song also moves up to No. 2 on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart gaining 8.1 million weekly impressions. 

Scott Smith, Assistant Program Director for the national KLove Network, states, “I am so glad we finally have a new Casting Crowns song to play! It’s smokin’ and the message challenges us as believers to fulfill the Great Commission until the whole world hears!”

Millions of fans can now hear full-song previews exclusively on the band’s newly created fan-centric web site, www.crownsfans.com. A new track releases each Tuesday, counting down to the full 11-song album stream launching exclusively Nov. 9 – 16, at Yahoo! Music, tallying over 9 million daily impressions. Yahoo! Music will be the first place to hear the entire record prior to street date.

Both Verizon and AT&T will feature new ring tones from Until The Whole World Hears in November.  Verizon hosts Casting Crowns for an exclusive artist feature as the only carrier with ring tones of “Glorious Day” and “To Know You,” while AT&T positions Casting Crowns with a full artist feature offering selected new ring tones. Both campaigns run Nov. 5 – 19.

Casting Crowns is currently headlining the 41-city “Until The Whole World Hears Tour” with special guest Matt Redman. For more, visit www.providentpress.com, or www.castingcrowns.com.

Until The Whole World Hears will follow the platinum-selling band’s historical debut at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart with 130,000 first-week copies sold of its third album, The Altar and The Door.

cmspin.com

Singer/songwriter and Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath added another highlight to a breakout year with his first American Music Awards nomination, announced yesterday in Los Angeles.  Heath will vie for the title of Favorite Artist in the Contemporary Inspirational category at the 37th AMA Awards, set for live broadcast Sunday, November 22 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC.
 
For the third year, winners will be determined by online voting at www.amavote.com.

“I’ve been watching the AMA’s for years -- never thought I’d have the honor of being a nominee. I consider myself very blessed to do music for a living,” Heath said upon learning of the recognition.

After kicking off 2009 with three GRAMMY nominations, Heath was a five-time nominee at this year’s Dove Awards, winning three trophies: Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song for “Give Me Your Eyes,” from his GRAMMY-nominated sophomore album What If We. To date, the album has delivered back-to-back No. 1 singles with “Give Me Your Eyes,” which captured 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart plus 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart, followed by “Wait And See” topping Billboard’s Christian AC Indicator chart in July.
 
Heath is currently co-headlining the 40-city “Follow You” tour with Leeland and special guest Francesca Battistelli.  For tour dates, and more information, please visit www.brandonheath.net, www.providentpress.com, and follow Brandon on Twitter at twitter.com/brandonheath.
 
About Brandon Heath: 
Nashville native Brandon Heath was featured on the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” while also spotlighted in the Sunday edition (2/8) of The New York Times as a GRAMMY-nominated newcomer “that shouldn't be allowed to slip through the cracks.”  Heath released his breakthrough sophomore album, What If We, in Aug. 2008, featuring back-to-back No.1 singles “Give Me Your Eyes” and “Wait and See.” Heath’s five total nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards included Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, and Special Event Album for his recording of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day” on Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack.
 
What If We follows Brandon’s debut album, Don’t Get Comfortable (2006), and first chart-topping radio song, “I’m Not Who I Was,” nominated for Song of the Year at 2008 GMA Dove Awards and contributing to his win in the New Artist of the Year category. Off stage, Heath seeks opportunities to merge his public platform with his heart for community, regularly working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially volunteering for many other human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath is a respected songwriter in the Nashville music community and first began writing at age 13.

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Lifeway Christian Bookstore-Hixson and Chattanooga

Abba's House Bookstore

Hixson Transmission and Total Car Care

YMCA - Hixson

DQ Grill and Chill - Hixson

Bits of This and That - Ringgold, GA

Fast Access Health Care - Hixson

Flicko's Video Workshop - Fort Oglethorpe, GA

Joyland Christian Daycare - Fort Oglethorpe, GA

On Point - Hixson

Studio 360 - Hixson

In 2008, nearly 8 million shoe box gifts were collected in the United States and ten other nations. Children all over the world are hearing the Good News of the Savior in the follow-up programs overseas and many are coming to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord-all because you take the time to pack a shoe box full of toys, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy, t-shirts, hats, flashlights, and other gifts. Once these items are collected, Samaritan's Purse will add a Gospel booklet in the particular child's language and make sure it gets into their precious hands.

J103 has heeded the call and has set a goal of collecting 500 shoe boxes this year. You and your family, church, or small group can pick up the "How to Pack your Shoe Box" brochure and labels at the J103 studios. Put together your boxes and drop them off at J103 no later than 1pm on Monday, November 23. Ted and the J103 staff will transport them to the regional drop-off location in Cleveland to get them on their way around the world and into the hands of young children who need to know Jesus Christ. Will you pray for all of the children who will receive these boxes of Good News? Will you do your part to help J103 exceed 500 boxes? Together we can reach around the world to places where the J103 signal does not reach and J103.com is not accesible.

You can begin dropping off the shoe boxes right now through 1pm on Monday, November 23rd. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all the children of the world.

By now I'm sure you have all heard that the first half of 2009 was challenging to say the least.  We were ending each month with a bigger deficit.  After painful budget cuts and many friends joining us financially, we are pleased to tell you that we broke even in both August and September.  God also blessed us with many great calls and pledges during our Friend Raiser.  Please stand with us in praying that everyone that called in to make a pledge follows through with their gift.  It is critical that we not only continue to break even each month, but that we can start paying off the debt that was accrued during the first half of this year.  I and the entire J103 staff would like to say a special thank you to everyone that has stood with us financially during these tough times.  The team effort of over 1705 friends working together to meet the need has been such a huge blessing and encouragement.

Bob Lubell

Founder and President of J103

We would like to congratulate Covenant Life Worship Center for being the church of the week this week.  They are located at 7001 Lafayette Rd. in Chickamauga, GA.  On Sundays they have Morning Prayer from 7-8am, Worship Services at 9am and 11am, and Covenant Studies from 10:10 - 10:50am.  On Tuesdays they have a Pivotal Prayer meeting at 7pm.  On Wednesdays they offer a Bible Study at 7pm, and on Thursdays they have a Blended Families class at 7pm.  For more information contact them at 706-375-5286 or www.covenantlifeworship.com

The Outsiders includes 14 of the most creative songs I have heard in awhile. One of the great things about NEEDTOBREATHE is that they bring something a little different to the table. Some of their songs even have a little bit of a Gospel feel. It is truly refreshing to hear a different sound in the Christian Music genre. So far, the only radio single they have from this album is "Lay 'Em Down." This song has already broken the Top 10 in national charts and is one of Chattanooga's favorite Christian songs. "Lay 'Em Down" is a song that is touching people everyday and I have no doubt it will continue to do so. But the quality of the album goes far beyond the first single-every song on this disk is great.  Sara Watkins from Nickel Creek even joins boys from NEEDTOBREATHE for the song "Stones Under Rushing Water".