Attention: Writers, Musicians, Bands, Filmmakers, Screenwriters, Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners. If You’re An Aspiring Music Artist Or Band, Or A Writer Hoping For A Book Deal, Or A Creative Artist Such As A Filmmaker, Screenwriter Or Entrepreneur Then I’d Like To Tell You About My New Book Called The Success Secrets Of A Legend, How Bob Marley Went From Struggling Jamaican Musician To International Superstar
If You’re An Aspiring Music Artist Or Band, Or A Writer Hoping For A Book Deal, Or A Creative Artist Such As A Filmmaker, Screenwriter Or Entrepreneur Then I’d Like To Tell You About My New Book Called The Success Secrets Of A Legend, How Bob Marley Went From Struggling Jamaican Musician To International Superstar
WELCOME TO “THE 210 LIFE//: AWAKEN GENERATION” BLOG
"210 LIFE" is taken from Ephesians 2:10. And we chose "AWAKEN GENERATION" because there's a massive awakening happening in the hearts of this generation for the glory of God. And we want to be part of it.
Attention: Writers, Musicians, Bands, Filmmakers, Screenwriters, Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners. If You’re An Aspiring Music Artist Or Band, Or A Writer Hoping For A Book Deal, Or A Creative Artist Such As A Filmmaker, Screenwriter Or Entrepreneur Then I’d Like To Tell You About My New Book Called The Success Secrets Of A Legend, How Bob Marley Went From Struggling Jamaican Musician To International Superstar
STAY CONNECTED BY JOINING THE MAILING LIST FOR AWAKEN GENERATION & HERVICT JACOBS FOR NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS, SPECIAL PROMOTIONS & PRODUCT GIVE-AWAYS !!!
The holiday season is in full swing for Tenth Avenue North as their Christmas album, Decade The Halls Vol. 1(Remade Records) is available today. This unique concept-album is a musical walk through the last 100 years of Christmas music with each song featuring a different decade starting in the 1920s all the way to present day. This album displays the band’s creative and musical talent as they explore different instrumentation, rhythms, and tones specific to each decade and genre of that time period.
Click here to purchase the album or here to stream Decade the Halls Vol. 1. Check out the album review video below that is hosted by the band’s one and only Kenneth the Christmas Yeti.
The band will be taking this concept album on the road next month with Zach Williams and Meredith Andrews. Tour dates and ticket information can be found at tenthavenuenorth.com/tour. Compassion International present “Decade The Halls” tour will feature the stylistically different songs with full wardrobe changes to coincide with the different decade for a memorable holiday event.
“This is usually one of those ideas that either completely works, or falls completely flat, but we think Tenth Avenue North is the only contemporary Christian band in our market today that could have done this—and honestly, we think it’s done quite well. With Decade The Halls, Tenth Avenue North gives us the gift of something so completely different, yet so welcoming and familiar all in one package.”
“Just like the cover art, there is a lot to take in here, and while it can be a little busy at first, it’s exciting on early listens and rewarding for repeated listens. Hats off to Tenth Avenue North for doing something unique for their first full-length Christmas album.”
Decade The Halls Vol. 1 Track Listing:
1. Good King Wenceslas (1920s)
2. O Come All Ye Faithful (1930s)
3. O Holy Night (feat. Jon McLaughlin) (1940s)
4. The First Christmas (feat. Zach Williams) (1950s)
5. Deck the Halls (1960s)
6. We Three Kings (feat. Britt Nicole) (1970s)
7. Go Tell It On The Mountain (1980s)
8. The First Noel (feat. Colton Dixon) (1990s)
9. Mistletoe (The Christmas Sweater Song) (2000s)
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (feat. Sarah Reeves) (2010s)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 30, 2017 – Compassion Productions has announced its first annual summer concert series, Summer Lights 2017, featuring Grammy-nominated headliners MercyMe, along with fellow Grammy nominees Jeremy Camp and Natalie Grant. The summer tour, which also features worship artist Meredith Andrews and newcomer Jimi Cravity, is slated to hit eight major U.S. markets in the month of July including Kansas City, Indianapolis, Detroit, Baltimore, Charlotte and Raleigh before wrapping up in Pittsburgh on July 16.
“Touring is a huge part of our lives, and anytime you can tour with dear friends, life is good,” says MercyMe frontman Bart Millard. “We are so excited to be partnering with Compassion on Summer Lights, and to be on the road with our pals Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, Meredith Andrews and Jimi Cravity. Good times will be had by all!”
“Compassion International is excited to launch our newest event, Summer Lights,” adds Compassion Productions Director of Marketing and Promotions Chris Farnsworth. “Part of our goal with this summer concert series is to help those who attend ‘escape the ordinary’ — the day-to-day whirlwind of life — and connect to God in a deep and meaningful way through their favorite artists and music. We couldn’t have asked for a better lineup with artists like MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, Meredith Andrews and Jimi Cravity, and we are thrilled to have them on board for what we hope will be the first of many Summer Lights events to come.” Tickets for most Summer Lights events are on sale Friday, March 31, at 10 a.m. local time. For details and ticket links, visit www.SummerLightsTour.com. Compassion Productions is a division of Compassion International (www.compassion.com), a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by working exclusively with the Church to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. Compassion partners with more than 7,000 churches in 26 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 1.9 million babies, children and young adults. It is the only child sponsorship program to be validated through independent, empirical research.
SUMMER LIGHTS 2017 Dates, markets and venues subject to change without notice.
July 6 – TBA
July 7 – Kansas City, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
July 8 – Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
July 9 – Detroit, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheater
July 13 – Baltimore, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 14 – Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater July 15 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater July 16 – Pittsburgh, PA – Key Bank Pavilion
Today artist Andy Mineo debuts his highly anticipated sophomore album, Uncomfortable(Reach Records). The new full-length album, is currently #2 on iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Charts and ranks #3 on iTunes overall charts. The first leg of the nationwide Uncomfortable Tour will begin October 1 and Mineo will be joined by rapper Propaganda. Dates for Andy Mineo’s nationwide Uncomfortable Tour are listed below.
Uncomfortable, produced by !llmind (J.Cole, Drake, 50 Cent) is a 13-track album which includes the first single and title track, “Uncomfortable.” Hot New Hip Hop described the song as “consistently shape-shifting, moving from MBDTF-esque (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy) melodies backed by strings, to a straight-up rap number.” The second single off the album, “Hear My Heart,” which was released in August, first premiered on Sirius XM’s Sway In The Morning and then online with the popular music and entertainment site VIBE. “Hear My Heart” is a tribute to Andy Mineo’s deaf sister. Mineo announced the heartfelt song with a sign-language video, which left curious fans wondering what the rapper was cooking up.
Mineo documents the process behind the making of Uncomfortable on his weekly YouTube web series, Saturday Morning Car-Tunez, directed by Francis De La Torre. The web series which gained a rabid following is now in its third and final season. Tomorrow, Mineo will reveal the final episode of Season 3, to the dismay of many devoted fans. Still, Mineo, who prides himself in having a close relationship with his followers, continues sharing inside tidbits to his life and album making process. Mineo created the Extended Experience via Instagram, where fans can explore an immersive website via Instagram’s tagging feature to see behind-the-scenes content for the thirteen tracks on the album.
“You Can’t Stop Me,” the hugely successful single off Mineo’s previous project entitled Never Land, which sold over 90K units and has been seen more than 1M times on YouTube, recently won “MLB’s top walk up song” for ESPN’s inaugural Whammy Awards, beating out Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” and Big Sean’s “Blessings.”
2015 UNCOMFORTABLE TOUR DATES October 1 St. Peters, MO Church on the Rock
October 2 Tulsa, OK Guts Church
October 3 Houston, TX The Venue/Grace Community Church
October 4 Arlington, TX Texas Hall/UTA
October 8 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre
October 9 Lubbock, TX City Bank Auditorium
October 10 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
October 11 Omaha, NE Sokol Auditorium
October 15 Des Moines, IA Wooly’s
October 16 Arden Hills, MN Benson Great Hall/Bethel University
October 17 Chicago, IL House of Blues
October 18 Grandville, MI Ground Floor/Resurrection Life Church
October 22 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
October 23 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom
October 24 Cincinnati, OH The Underground
October 25 Indianapolis, IN Deluxe
October 29 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
October 30 New York, NY Irving Plaza
October 31 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)
November 1 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
November 5 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore
November 6 Lynchburg, VA Liberty University
November 7 Chesapeake, VA New Life Providence Church – Deep Creek
November 8 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore Charlotte
November 12 Tampa, FL Crossover Church
November 13 Miami, FL Alpha & Omega Church
November 15 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
About Andy Mineo:
New York native Andy Mineo is a born communicator with an infectious passion for hip-hop. Following his debut release, Heroes for Sale, Mineo raised the bar with his seven song EP, Never Land. The release moved over 25,900 units in the first week, landing the number 2 spot on the Rap charts and number 13 on the Top 200. Mineo began to gain traction with appearances on Sway in the Morning, MTV’s Live Rapfix Cypher, Thisis50.com, and more, breaking Mineo into new territory. Coming off of the spring run of the nationwide Anomaly Tour with Lecrae, Andy is gearing up for his next full-length album, Uncomfortable, expected to be his biggest release yet.
About Reach Records:
Reach Records, an independent record label, was founded in 2003 by Ben Washer and Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae Moore. Since its beginnings, the Atlanta-based label has sold over 2.7 million albums. Home to five artists, Lecrae Moore, Andy Mineo, Tedashii, Trip Lee and KB, Reach followers can be found worldwide. The overwhelming passion of the label is to change the way people see the world and they continue to push forward to make this passion reality. For more information on Reach Records, visit http://www.reachrecords.com.
Capturing the mission, heart and worldwide movement of Planetshakers Church, one of Australia’s fastest growing church’s in history, Planetshakers Band released #LETSGO globally through Integrity Music Sept. 11. Born through the movement’s passion to reach and impact people around the world, the new recording immediately soared to the top of the overall charts in several countries during its first week at retail. The album not only became the most downloaded iTunes album across all genres of music for a period of time in Singapore, but also was simultaneously the second bestseller on the charts in Malaysia. The album also hit No. 1 in Australia and South Africa, and No. 5 in the US, on the iTunes Christian/Gospel charts.
Live tonight, from Daystar Television’s Dallas, TX studios beginning at 8:30 pm ET, Planetshakers members will share new music from #LETSGO along with their “Let’s Go” stories during Planetshakers LIVE!. Presented by Planetshakers, Daystar Television Network, Integrity Music and Church of God World Missions, and sponsored by Gateway Church, Life Outreach International, The Assembly West Monroe, John Hagee Ministries, Potters House of Denver and more, this 90-minute special reaching into 700 million homes will be hosted by Brian Carn and Lakewood Church’s John Gray, and feature Grammy Award winning special guest, Tasha Cobbs.
In addition to the broadcast, the event is being streamed live at Daystar.com/Live and will be simulcast as a free “Watch Party” at Samaritan’s Place, an orphanage in Manila, Philippines. The children living there will not only have the opportunity to witness the event live, but also to participate via Skype. Planetshakers is further teaming with Daystar and Integrity Music to give away #LETSGO, and is teaming with Biblica and HarperCollins Christian Publishing to give away NIV Bibles, to the children and others throughout the Philippines through the Church of God ministry network.
“The mission behind #LETSGO is to reach and impact people around the world, seeing them transformed by the power of God and the love of God’s people,” Planetshakers collectively share. “The fact that we are able to live out this mission through our partnership with Samaritan’s Place and the gift of free Bibles via Biblica and Harper Collins Christian Publishing is beyond incredible – it’s proof that God is behind Planetshakers LIVE!. We are so humbled to see all the different people that are partnering with us for this broadcast and hope together we can rally the Church to even further impact a world in need of hope.”
Produced by Joth Hunt and featuring Hunt along with co-senior pastor and worship leader Sam Evans and worship leaders Rudy Nikkerud and BJ Pridham, #LETSGO was recorded live at Planetshakers’ spring 2015 “Awakening” conference in Melbourne. Available tomorrow as a CD/DVD combination as well as a standard digital album and a Digital Deluxe recording, Planetshakers has also released the first video from the project, “All About You,” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS-jVQ_uaNQ.
Widely known for their energetic and worshipful videos, Plantetshakers Band recently received its second consecutive “Long Form Video of the Year” Dove Award nomination for its 2014 release, This Is Our Time. This year’s awards will be handed out live from Nashville Oct. 13 during the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
Having led over 200,000 people at a single event in Asia and sharing new music from #LETSGO and other favorite Planetshakers worship anthems around the world, Planetshakers recently finished multiple back-to-back sold out events in Manila, Taipei (Taiwan), Shanghai (China), Jakarta (Indonesia) and more locations around the world. Upcoming events include headlining along with Casting Crowns and Jesus Culture “Florida’s biggest Christian music festival,” Rock The Universe, Sept. 12. Touring to more cities across North America throughout September before jetting to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) for an event Oct. 16, all the latest tour dates can be found at http://www.planetshakers.com.
About Planetshakers:
At its core, Planetshakers seeks first and foremost to pursue the presence of God. All expressions of Planetshakers, including Planetshakers Band, which is known for its international touring and worship favorites like “Like A Fire,” “Endless Praise,” “Nothing Is Impossible,” “This Is Our Time” and “The Anthem,” find their source in the local church. There are four Planetshakers Church campuses, including one in Melbourne, Australia, and one in Cape Town, South Africa. In ten years, Planetshakers Church has grown to over 12,000 members and is led by Sr. Pastors, Russell and Sam Evans. The husband and wife team also host Planetshakers TV, a 30-minute Christian television program broadcast in over 100 countries.
Planetshakers Church is further involved in numerous community and charitable causes, including prison ministry, school programs, refugee outreach, disaster relief and welfare assistance. It also partners with World Vision to assist in urgent humanitarian crises around the world, and runs Planetshakers College in Melbourne, which equips local and international students to impact their world for Christ.
About Integrity Music:
Integrity Music is part of the David C Cook family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with offices in Tennessee and the United Kingdom, Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world, including such top songs as “We Believe” (Newsboys), “Revelation Song,” “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” “Your Great Name” and “I Am Free.” Additional information can be found at http://www.integritymusic.com.
Bethel Music, the worship music and community of songwriters emerging from Bethel Church in Redding, CA, releases the debut solo album from artist Amanda Cook, Brave New World, today (Sept. 25) through Provident Distribution.
Already hitting No. 1 for a time on the iTunes Christian/Gospel chart, the recording features 13 original songs and reveals the themes, confessions and heart of Cook in a dynamic, melodic and ethereally rich atmosphere of worship. Intentionally crafted like a painting made with strokes of melodies and chords, the album invites listeners to experience Cook’s recorded journey of discovery, permission and mystery.
“These are my imaginations and confessions put to melodies and music,” shares Cook. “Brave New World represents a voyage of discovering that God has been on our side all along. That we can live a whole life, full of heart, with a capacity to process pain, wrestle with truth and find ourselves steady at the end of our pilgrimage. There is an endless possibility for God to create a world within us, a world transformed through the bravery of perfect love. My prayer through this record is that you would experience the reality that you in fact house a brave new world. You are a brave new world. May you be filled with hope in the one whose mercy is timeless and whose love for mankind is as boundless as the sea.”
Responding to the music and message of Brave New World, iTunes music fans are lauding the album with multiple 5-star reviews while two lyric videos from the new album that released Sept. 4, “Pieces” and “Heroes,” have already received thousands of “likes” and more than 440,000 views on YouTube. “Pieces” is a bold declaration of God’s nature while “Heroes” compels a listener to dance even amidst disappointment, trusting that God has our best interests in mind.
Like music fans, critics are similarly responding to the album. With upcoming coverage by RELEVANT, Worship Leader Magazine, CCM Magazine and more, HollywoodJesus.com names the recording a Top 10 album releasing this month. NewReleaseTuesday.com adds, “Amanda Cook has created a beautiful atmosphere of genuine worship and praise with Brave New World. With her soft yet bold vocals and anthemic lyrics that declare God’s promises in every song, Amanda has crafted what I believe to be one of the best worship albums this year.”
For Cook, the journey to Brave New World began with her song, “You Make Me Brave,” which became the anthemic title track to Bethel Music’s Billboard Top 10-selling album released last year. The message and process of writing, recording and leading the song in worship, gave Cook the opportunity to explore what it is like to live in a world without anxiety, a world absent of fear in the presence of God’s perfect love.
With three-time GRAMMY-nominated, twice Dove Award-winning “Producer of the Year,” Jason Ingram, and one of Nashville’s most in-demand producers and drummers, Paul Mabury, sharing producer credits on Brave New World, the pair also teamed up with Cook to write for the album. “Jason and Paul essentially pastored my heart through the making of this album,” says Cook, who also co-wrote three songs with Bethel Music’s Steffany Gretzinger.
For all the latest Bethel Music news, including information on its current 5-star acclaimed and bestselling (No. 1 Christian, No. 9 overall album, Billboard) We Will Not Be Shaken CD/DVD and its second, all instrumental Without Words: Synesthesia album that released July 31, can be found at http://www.bethelmusic.com. The site also features Bethel Music touring details, chord charts, videos and more resources. Links to Bethel Music social media sites include: http://www.facebook.com/bethelmusic, @bethelmusic and http://instagram.com/bethelmusic.
About Bethel Music:
Bethel Music is a worship ministry that formed as an organic extension of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. Over the last four years, Bethel Music has grown from being a local church music ministry to becoming a global outreach featuring a cadre of songwriters and worship leaders, more than a dozen albums, chart-topping songs, and both online and on-campus worship schools. The heart of Bethel Music is to be a steward of the worship being created and released at Bethel Church, making it a resource available to the world. In addition to thousands of people that attend Bethel’s weekly worship services, another 150,000 plus people subscribe to the online stream of the services at http://www.ibethel.tv. More about Bethel Music can be found at www.bethelmusic.com.
GRAMMY® Award-winning THIRD DAY have just announced their upcoming tour plans. In support of their most recent album Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship, the band will embark on the “Lead Us Back Tour.” Hitting 22 markets this fall, the tour will kick off in Wichita, KS on October 1 and run through November 21 in Columbia, SC. The tour will pick back up in spring 2016. Brandon Heath is set to join the fall leg of the tour along with Warren Barfield who will speak on behalf of Food For The Hungry. The latest tour dates are below, and tickets will go on sale beginning this Friday, July 17 in select markets.
In other touring news, THIRD DAY wrapped their successful spring U.S. and Canadian “Soul On Fire Tour” in May. In June they sold out two of their well-known THIRD DAY & FRIENDS shows – at Atlanta’s Gwinnett Arena on June 6 and Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre on June 14.
The Atlanta THIRD DAY & FRIENDS show made news as THIRD DAY was the first CCM act to perform a live stream concert with Yahoo! Live/Live Nation. Their concert was part of a large series of live stream shows where they joined the likes of previous concerts from Bruce Hornsby, New Kids On The Block as well as the iHeart Radio Mumford & Sons album release party, to name a few.
Leading up to the fall tour, THIRD DAY will appear at numerous summer festivals as well as headline two post-MLB game faith-based concerts in August. On Sunday, August 2 they will perform at Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark after the Reds game and August 9 after the Braves game at Turner Field in their hometown of Atlanta. For more information and how to purchase tickets, please click here.
Fans at the upcoming shows will surely get to hear THIRD DAY’s latest hit single, “Soul On Fire,” which was No. 1 for 11 weeks and is charting on both the AC Monitored and National Audience Charts. The song’s music video is below. The band’s next single, “Your Words,” will go for adds in August. Both songs are found on THIRD DAY’s latest release Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship (March 3, 2015; Essential Records). The album, their latest worship offering in more than ten years, debuted top 20 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart and No. 1 on the Christian Album Chart its first week. To find out more about THIRD DAY and if they’re performing in a city near you, please visit ThirdDay.com.
About Third Day: During the last decade, Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band THIRD DAY (comprising members Mac Powell, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 31 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than 8.5 million albums, including two RIAA 2x Multi Platinum, five Platinum and twelve 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 premiere 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, period.”
“LEAD US BACK TOUR” DATES*
Oct. 1 – Wichita, KS – The Orpheum
Oct. 2 – Midland, TX – Wagner Noel PAC
Oct. 3 – El Paso, TX – Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre
Oct. 4 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center
Oct. 7 – Loveland, CO – Budweiser Events Center
Oct. 8 – Rapid City, SD – Don Barnett Arena
Oct. 9 – Bozeman, MT – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
Oct. 10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Abravanel Hall
Oct. 16 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center
Oct. 17 – Spokane, WA – INB Performing Arts Center
Oct. 18 – Bend, OR – Bend Auditorium
Oct. 22 – Wenatchee, WA – Town Toyota Center
Oct. 23 – Kent, WA – ShoWare Arena
Oct. 24 – Tualatin, OR – Rolling Hills Community Church
Oct. 29 – Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Community Center Theatre
Oct. 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Nov. 1 – Las Vegas, NV – Henderson Pavilion
Nov. 12 – Lafayette, LA – Crossroads Church
Nov. 19 – Asheville, NC – Biltmore Baptist Church
Nov. 20 – Fayetteville, NC – Crown Coliseum
Nov. 21 – Columbia, SC – Township Auditorium
*tour dates being added daily and are subject to change; check ThirdDay.com for the latest updates
ABOUT BRANDON HEATH: Since Brandon Heath’s debut on Reunion Records with Don’t Get Comfortable (2006), he has become one of Christian music’s most beloved and respected artists and songwriters. Heath has garnered an Emmy Award, five GRAMMY® nominations and an American Music Award nomination. He has been honored as a six-time GMA Dove Award recipient, including “Male Vocalist of the Year” (2009 and 2010), BMI’s 2014 Songwriter of the Year, and earned multiple additional songwriting honors. His award-winning songs and signature vocals reflect a soaring radio career that includes top hits “I’m Not Who I Was,” “Wait and See,” the 2009 GMA Dove Award-winning Song of the Year “Give Me Your Eyes,” the eight-week chart topper “Your Love,” “The Light In Me,” and many others. Heath, a Nashville native, first began writing at age 13. His artistry and ability to connect with audiences have compelled countless media outlets across the nation to platform his story and music. Highlights include coverage in The New York Times, Billboard, The Wall Street Journal, Relevant, CBS Evening News and The Discovery Channel, and as a presenter on the 54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards.
ABOUT WARREN BARFIELD: At eighteen Warren Barfield used his dorm room as an office and booked one year of concerts. With his parents’ blessing he loaded his 1995, 4 cylinder, mint green Mustang with a suitcase and a guitar and took his songs on the road. After more than 600 “gigs” and 200,000 miles, Warren found himself in Nashville, TN signing his first record deal. He has released three records, had five songs top the Christian charts, received two Dove nominations, and his song “Love is Not a Fight” was the theme song for the #1 indie film FIREPROOF. He shares his songs and stories with thousands every year as he tours the country. Warren currently lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Megan, their son Montgomery and daughter Ada Beth. Warren’s description of his journey goes like this, “I have seen every dream I had as a fifteen year old in Spivey’s Corner, NC come true.”
Raucous, award-winning band, The City Harmonic, known for its eclectic modern hymns and worship anthems of longing, hope and celebration, was formed through the sweat, joy and tears of urban mission. From a crucible of small churches of various denominations in Hamilton, Ontario, calling themselves TrueCity, the heart and line-up of the band was fused. Grappling with the struggle of everyday people and writing songs for worship fueled by a “together for the good of the city” ethos, The City Harmonic returns with its third full-length album, WE ARE, releasing through Integrity Music September 4.
Composed by The City Harmonic members Elias Dummer (lead vocals, keys), Eric Fusilier (bass), Josh Vanderlaan (drums) and Aaron Powell (guitars), and produced by Jonny Macintosh, WE ARE (#WeAreTheCityHarmonic) bursts with a renewed commitment to the band’s original pulse. With 11 authentic expressions of worship and unity, WE ARE captures what gets them up in the morning and keeps them grounded come what may.
“It’s easy in the craziness of making music to lose sight of why you started,” Elias says. “But we’ve been through a lot together. We’ve traveled the world in a way we never expected and we’ve seen the beauty of Christ working through this crazy, diverse family we call the Church.
“Along the way, we’ve seen first-hand how powerful it is when the Church works in unity,” continues Elias. “Christ changes us every day and Christ is changing our hometown… if we can somehow inspire the Church around the world to do the same… that’s more than we could ever have hoped or imagined.”
From soaring anthems like “Solid Rock” and “Maranatha” that call believers to loudly declare their praises to the quieter moments of devotion in “Still and Small” and “One,” WE ARE builds on the truth that in Christ, we are one. As the album’s first single and video, “We Are One,” boldly proclaims:
All life and death and what’s to come belongs to Christ
So here we stand, hands lifted high, the very hands and feet of Christ,
No holding back, no wasting time for we are one… to the glory of the one true God
It can take months before some songs become popular. Most never find success at all. But, every so often, a song strikes a chord and finds an audience, literally, overnight. This was the case for “We Are One” following the band’s debut performance of the song on the May 2 episode of “Beyond A.D.,” the NBC.com talk show that accompanied the network’s hugely successful miniseries “A.D.: The Bible Continues” from producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. To measure audience reaction, Integrity made the single available as a 48-hour iTunes exclusive following the band’s performance. The very next day, the song hit best-seller status on iTunes charts in North America, rising to No. 1 on the inspirational chart for the band’s home country of Canadaand remaining there for the entire 48 hours it was available.
The single is now permanently available on iTunes leading up to the global release of WE ARE in September. The band has been sharing “We Are One,” along with other songs from the new album and fan favorites like “Manifesto” and “Praise The Lord,” during recent appearances such as the Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham in Jacksonville, Florida, the YC Alberta Conference in Edmonton, Alberta, and the National Worship Leader Conference in Kansas. They are also working with churches to arrange “We Are” events in cities across North America to help build unity within communities, and are developing a mini documentary that shares the TrueCity story and model for churches. The band is further developing a special website created to support the “We Are” community events and unity initiatives.
About The City Harmonic
Born out of a church unity movement in the blue-collar steel town of Hamilton, Ontario, The City Harmonic formed in 2009 after leading worship for inter-denominational student events. By 2011, the band had won its first Gospel Music Canada Covenant Awards, including one for Modern Worship Song of the Year for the anthem “Manifesto,” a rallying cry for believers around the world. More Covenant Awards, a Juno Award and a Dove Award nomination followed as the band released the critically acclaimed albums I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) and Heart and introduced the songs “Praise The Lord,” “Holy (Wedding Day),” “Mountaintop” and “A City On A Hill” to churches and radio stations internationally.
About Integrity Music:
Integrity is the worship music recording and publishing home to a variety of artists and ministries around the globe including: All Sons & Daughters, Paul Baloche, New Life Worship, Planetshakers, The City Harmonic, Worship Central, Covenant Worship, Life Worship, Dustin Smith, Desperation Band, Bluetree, Lincoln Brewster, Christine D’Clario, Stu G, Beth Croft, Sheldon Bangera, Danilo Montero, Jacobo Ramos, and Dove Award winning and nominated songwriters Israel Houghton, Jared Anderson, Michael Farren and Michael Neale.
Integrity is part of the David C Cook family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and with offices in Tennessee and the United Kingdom, Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Integrity publishes many of the top songs in the Church, including the No. 1 radio hit “We Believe” (Newsboys) as well as church standards “Revelation Song,” “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” “Your Great Name” and “I Am Free.” Additional information can be found at www.integritymusic.com.
From his early days leading the critically acclaimed band, According to John, to his impactful ministry as a solo artist, John Wallerhas continually used his gifts as a singer and songwriter to inspire, educate and encourage the body of Christ. With such powerful songs as “The Blessing,” “While I’m Waiting” (featured in the No.1 independent film of 2008, Fireproof) and “As For Me and My House” that have been cumulatively streamed nearly 10 million times on YouTube, Waller continues to articulate what it means to live a God-centered life in a turbulent world with “Crazy Faith.”
Faith is the key inspiration for all new and original songs on Waller’s upcoming album, Crazy Faith, releasing Aug. 21, 2015 through City of Peace Media and Capitol Christian Distribution. His first new album in four years, the recording features not only the title track, but the compelling anthems “I Know My God” and “The Orphan Song,” as well as live bonus tracks of “While I’m Waiting” and “As For Me And My House.”
Already garnering acclaim, the song “Crazy Faith” has been selected to be featured in the theatrical release, War Room. The highly-anticipated fifth film from Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the award-winning creators of Fireproof, Courageous and Facing the Giants, is a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships and every other area of life. The movie will debut in theaters nation-wide through Sony Pictures Entertainment’s TriStar Pictures on August 28, 2015.
“John Waller has written the songs for some of our favorite faith-based films,” says Greg Bays, Executive Vice President, Capitol Christian Distribution. “Along with his many fans in the United States and abroad, we’re excited to be partnering with John and City of Peace Media in the next chapter of his career, as part of the Capitol Christian Distribution family.”
City of Peace Media COO, Don Noes, says, “We’re thrilled to work with John and his captivating new album, Crazy Faith. The inclusion of his music in several Christian films is a positive testimony to the numerous lives he has touched and blessed.”
“We’ve seen John’s music touch millions of lives with ‘As For Me and My House’ (Courageous) and ‘While I’m Waiting’ (Fireproof). ‘Crazy Faith‘ (War Room) is going to challenge people to step out in faith and prayer like never before – for such a time as this…,” says Yochanan Marcellino, City of Peace Media Founder and CEO.
About John Waller
Georgia native John Waller first caught the attention of the Christian music community as frontman for the band, According to John. When the group disbanded, Waller and his wife Josee moved to Colorado where they helped launch Southlink Church. Though he had given up his aspirations as a recording artist, he began writing songs at Southlink that led to a new chapter in his ministry and signing a record deal with Beach Street Records/Provident Music Group. His major label solo debut, The Blessing, introduced a wider audience to Waller’s music, earning a Top 10 “Faces to Watch” nod by Billboard (2007). He followed his debut with While I’m Waiting, which included the poignant title track featured in Fireproof. The music video to the title track of his most recent album on City of Peace Media, As For Me and My House (2011), has received over 2.5 million views on Youtube to date. With the release of Crazy Faith this summer, the next chapter for Waller is about to begin. Waller currently resides with his wife and nine children in Atlanta.
John Waller Tour Dates:
May 14 Bath, ME Life Church Mid Coast
May 15 Southport, ME Marriage Retreat
Aug 16 Kansas City, KS TBA
Aug 18 Montgomery, AL TBA
Aug 18 Ashford, AL Watermark Church
Aug 18 Dothan, AL TBA
Aug 19 Jacksonville, FL The Promise
Aug 20 Orlando, FL First Baptist Church
Aug 21 Augusta, GA First Baptist Church
Aug 23 Greenville, SC Rocky Creek Church
Aug 24 Winston-Salem, NC Reynolda Church
Aug 26 Ringgold, GA Burning Bush Baptist
About City of Peace Media and City of Peace Films: The primary focus of City of Peace Media and City of Peace Films is to provide a framework where music, films and video with “redeeming value” can be developed, produced and distributed worldwide, bringing a message of hope, love and encouragement to this generation.
About Capitol Christian Distribution:
Capitol Christian Distribution is the market leader Christian and Gospel music distribution and represents a diverse range of chart topping Christian films and books reaching the US Christian and general retail marketplace, and the international Christian marketplace. Since this distribution division was launched, Capitol Christian has had more charting titles annually on Billboard’s Top Christian charts than any other Christian distributor and has been named Billboard Magazine’s Top Christian Music Distributor 15 times since 1995.
In addition to distributing Capitol Christian Music Group’s fully-owned labels, which include Sparrow, ForeFront, and Credential imprints, as well as Motown Gospel and Worship Together, Capitol Christian Distribution has exclusive distribution agreements with Centricity Records, City on A Hill, City of Peace Media, Difference Media, Dream Records, Gaither Music Group, Green Hill Productions, Inpop, Hillsong, sixsteps records, Sonoma Music, Maranatha! Music, North Point Music, Spring Hill Music Group, Troubadour for the Lord, Universal Music Group, VSR Music Group, Advent Film Group, Alchemy, Anchor Bay Entertainment/Starz, Cinedigm Entertainment, City of Peace Films, Creative Trust Media, Getty Music, Goose Creek Productions, Friends Media, For Our Fathers Films, Foreshadow Productions, Glorious Films, Guardian Studios/Bananas, Jason Campbell Films, Jellyfish Labs, Ocean Avenue Entertainment, Pure Flix Entertainment, Vertical Praise Productions, Wanderlust Productions, Whitestone Media, Zayatoonz, Worthy Publishing, Authentic Publishers and many more. Capitol Christian Distribution is a division of Capitol Christian Music Group, which is part of Universal Music’s Capitol Music Group. For more information, visit capitolchristiandistribution.com.
From award show nominations to career milestones and hit songs, Spring 2015 is truly a time of celebration for Fervent Records recording artist Francesca Battistelli.
Battistelli’s “He Knows My Name” is up for Top Christian Song at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, the latest benchmark for a song that’s been life-changing in many ways. Battistelli celebrated its success last week when she visited the Nashville Mercy Ministries home. She came to the home to sing for and visit with the girls and was surprised with a No. 1 plaque celebrating the multi-week, multi-format chart-topping success of “He Knows My Name.”
The song, the second multi-week chart-topper from her 2014 album If We’re Honest, spent 14 weeks at No. 1.
“It’s been an incredible season,” Battistelli said. “We came off of seven straight months of touring to some really exciting things to celebrate. To have my label surprise me at Mercy Ministries with a plaque for ‘He Knows My Name’ was just so special. The song will forever be connected to Mercy, and to celebrate its success there was just so perfect!”
Battistelli assumed her second visit to the Mercy Ministries home was solely to lead worship and spend time with residents. Just last summer she gathered stories from four young women who completed faith-based treatment and included them in the 12-minute short film that served as the video for “He Knows My Name.” That inspirational film has been seen more than 1.2 million times on YouTube. Rod Riley, CEO of Word Entertainment, presented Mercy Ministries with a unique plaque commemorating the organization’s involvement, which has helped raise awareness for its mission. Mercy Ministries helps young women struggling with addiction, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancies and other challenges.
“God is using music to impact lives,” Riley said. “We’ll never see the full impact this song has had this side of Heaven, but we are seeing some of the fruit now.”
With new single “Holy Spirit” quickly climbing the charts into the Top 5, If We’re Honest has now produced three hits and pushed the already popular Battistelli to new career heights. She performed lead single “Write Your Story,” which spent six weeks atop the charts, on ABC’s Good Morning America and Fox News’ Fox & Friends. The six-time Dove Award winner has now sold nearly 1.5 million albums and is one of the genre’s top live draws as well. She just wrapped appearances on The Bible Tour 2015 and Winter Jam, which was attended by more than 600,000 fans.
Find out if Battistelli wins her first Billboard Music Award from 8-11 p.m. ET Sunday on ABC. She also is nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “He Knows My Name” at the May 31 KLOVE Fan Awards. She will perform “Holy Spirit” during the show at the Grand Ole Opry. Fans can still vote at http://www.klovefanawards.com/vote.
Battistelli will be performing select solo and festival dates over the summer. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.FrancescaMusic.com and follow @francescamusic on Twitter.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive faith-based 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 About A Mile, Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Blanca, Jason Castro, Everfound, Family Force 5, Jon Foreman, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Stars Go Dim, Switchfoot, VERIDIA, We Are Messengers, We As Human and Zealand Worship, and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
About Mercy Ministries
Mercy Ministries’ free-of-charge, voluntary, faith-based residential program serves young women from all socio-economic backgrounds, ages 13-28, who face a combination of life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, depression and unplanned pregnancy. Mercy also serves young women who have been physically and sexually abused, including victims of sex trafficking. Using proven methods, a holistic approach and professional counselors in a structured residential environment, Mercy has helped thousands of young women be restored to wholeness. Mercy’s goal is to help these young women find freedom from their issues and empower them to serve in their communities as productive citizens. Media contact: Wes Vause / WMN / 615-214-1500
“My life is only important if [I] can help plenty people [sic].
If my life is just for me, my own security, then I don’t want it. My life is for people.”
—Bob Marley
I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. I left my family and came to the States ten years ago to go to school, and after falling in love with—and marrying—a beautiful southern belle, I have remained here ever since. Every child who grows up in South Africa grows up with a deep awe and respect for Nelson Mandela. After all, he is the father of our nation, our treasure, our national hero. Everyone back home grows up with a deep affection and admiration for this man who gave up so much to secure a brighter future for all of us— and for future generations—so we would never have to suffer under the injustice of racial oppression. And I too, like all South Africans, have always had that profound admiration for Madiba, as we affectionately call him in South Africa. He was like a beloved grandfather whom you love and have heard many great things about. But only after I grew into adulthood was I able to truly appreciate the incredible sacrifice he made for me and for my generation.
Think about it: Here’s a young guy, a promising law school graduate, who was just settling into his career as an up-and-coming law professional with his own practice, and he walked away from it all to take up the fight of racial injustice. He went from living a normal life surrounded by friends and family to living as a fugitive, constantly hiding and running for his life, knowing that he could be killed at any minute. He even lost his wife, who told him if he wanted to take on the whole apartheid regime, he’d have to do it without her. With all the humility and sincerity of heart he could muster, he looked her in the eye and said he couldn’t turn back. That choice cost him his marriage. It cost him his law practice, his career, and his hopes and dreams of a stable life. From that point on, he was hunted by the South African government. All because he dared to say that human beings are equal regardless of their race or the color of their skin.
He was sent to prison for twenty-seven years for this belief and spent most of his adult life locked up, though he did nothing wrong. I remember how moved I was when reading his autobiography after I finished high school. He writes that, for him, the most painful memories of prison were when his loved ones came to visit and he wasn’t allowed to embrace or kiss them.
What would possess a man to give up everything, even his very life, for the freedom of others? In a time when almost everyone else was afraid speak out against this injustice, why didn’t he do the same and enjoy the rewards of his education and hard work? He gave up everything because he put his people and fellow countrymen who had suffered so severely above himself. And by standing up to that unjust regime, he gave an entire generation courage.
My claim to fame is that I did see him once in real life. I was nine or ten years old at the time, and he was campaigning to be the next president of South Africa. It had been just two or three years since his release from prison. His party, the African National Congress, or A.N.C., was going to hold a rally at Athlone Stadium, a local soccer stadium in Cape Town, and my dad looked at me and said, “Let’s go. We will get to witness a profound moment in history.” To this day I remember pulling up to that stadium and seeing a sea of people— on foot and in buses. The traffic was gridlocked for miles around, and it seemed like everyone was singing and chanting and celebrating. We managed to get seats in the stadium. Near the end of the rally, after he had made his speech, Nelson Mandela got on the back of a white pick-up truck and rode around the stadium slowly. He was standing on the back of the truck waving his fist in the air, and the people were losing their minds. He came within thirty feet of me. It felt like I went into a time warp as he went by. To this day I remember that moment in slow motion; though people were screaming and jumping with deafening noise, I heard only silence as I watched him wave at us. As he passed us, no one could stop smiling; we were high-fiving each other and hugging strangers. We couldn’t believe we saw Nelson Mandela in real life.
When I think about all that he suffered and everything he gave up, I can’t help but think, “Man, I don’t know if I could ever do what he did.” Never mind sacrificing my life, I don’t even like being inconvenienced. (Especially if I’m watching football.) I will gladly admire Mandela’s sacrifice from a distance, but I would never want to sacrifice something in my own life. And yet that is exactly what God asks of me: to step out of a life where I am the focus and into a life where others and their needs take precedence.
Genesis 12 records an encounter between Abram— who would later be renamed Abraham—and God that forever changed Abram’s life. It records the account of Abram’s call, when God told him to leave his family and friends to become the father of a new nation. This story is significant for many reasons, one of which is that it gives us great insight into the nature of God’s call for his people: God always calls us away from ourselves and into the humble service of others. The story opens in chapter 12, verse 1:
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from 16 your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you’” (Genesis 12:1-3).
My favorite translation of verses 1 and 2 is that of the Amplified Bible, which says:
“Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].”
God’s call for Abram was to leave behind a life of self-service and enter into a life of “dispensing good to others.” Abram was living a normal life in the desert land of Haran when God called him to a life that would bless other people. In the same way, you and I were created to be a blessing to others.
Living a life that seeks to serve others is not a sentence to something we hate; rather it’s an invitation to discover our true selves, who we were made to be from the start. One of the most profound truths of the human experience is that we feel most alive and fulfilled when we’re doing something good for someone else.
This is one reason why being a parent is one of the most incredible experiences in the world, though at first glance it seems the opposite. Think about it: you have to exchange a life where you live for yourself and do whatever you want, whenever you want, for a life where you have to think about someone else before yourself, where you can’t just do what you want. Your time is no longer your own, nor is your money, and yet no other experience comes close to the joy of being a parent.
It is one of the mysteries of the human soul that we feel most alive and satisfied with life when we live for more than just ourselves. Think about the times you’ve helped somebody in your life; those are times we all remember fondly because they expose the imprint of God’s nature on our own souls. We are wired to live for others.
One of my favorite verses in scripture is Ephesians 2:10, which says, “For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (NKJV). God used this verse to change my life in such a profound way that it affected how I view myself, my gifts and talents, my future, and my understanding of what my life is supposed to look like as a Christian.
When I was a junior in college, I went to a student missions conference in St. Louis. They held devotions in the hotel every morning, and I had planned on attending each one. Each morning, however, I found myself sleeping through the morning devotional time. On the third day of the conference, I was determined to make it to morning devotions. I got myself up and made my way to the part of the hotel where the devotions were held. When I got there, the place was packed with students all quietly listening to a man on stage. I slipped in and took a seat close to the door, and a girl handed me a hand-out with the Bible passage that was being studied that morning on it. It was Ephesians 2. Not really paying attention to the guy speaking on stage, I looked down at the hand-out and I started reading the passage printed on it. Beginning at verse one, Paul talks about how God saved us; that we were dead in our trespasses and sins, but we have been saved by grace—not by our own volition. And I kept on reading until I got to verse 10: “For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
That verse hit me like a ton of bricks. I saw it in a totally new way, and I was fascinated by the term “good works,” because a good work, by definition, is something you do for someone else. And we are created for good works. For the first time, I saw what that verse was saying: I was saved—“created in Christ Jesus”—to serve others—“to do good works.” My life is supposed to be about other people, not myself. God saved me so that I could serve, assist, give to, and help others. I remember reading that and thinking, “Man, that is so far from how I live.” At that time in my life, I was thinking about life after school—my career, starting a family, buying a house—and then I read that verse. It changed everything for me. It showed me that God wants me to view my life, and the way I think about my future, as a tool with which to serve other people. I realized then that I needed to change my whole perspective in order to live the life God wants for me.
Enjoy more original pieces like this by visiting Hervict’s personal blog at http://www.hervictjacobs.wordpress.com. This piece is adapted from Hervict’s new book “Give Your Life Away: Embracing A Life of Selflessness For The Glory of God” that releases in August 2015. Everyone one Hervict’s email list will get a free copy of this book. Sign up for his email list by clicking here.
Adversity Introduces A Man To Himself. How Your True Passions Are Revealed Through Failure & Rejection
Robert Schuller is widely credited with coining the phrase:
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
I have heard more people use this quote than I care to remember. Popular belief has long maintained that if you ever wanted to know what you’re truly passionate about in life, just ask yourself this question—and the answer will reveal your true passion.
I believe this is one of the most misguided and misleading questions you could ever ask yourself in an attempt to discover what you’re truly passionate about in life.
Here’s what I mean . . . .
continue reading over at www.hervictjacobs.wordpress.com by clicking here.
With CCM Magazine describing Lauren Daigle as Christian music’s new “it” girl in the April issue, Daigle has lived up to that claim by reaching a record-breaking milestone in her young career. The 23-year-old singer/songwriter’s first full album, How Can It Be, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart and No. 29 on Billboard’s Top 200. This also marks the highest debut week for Daigle’s label, Centricity Music. Produced by Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram, How Can It Be, had 10 of the 12 songs from the project on iTunes Top 200 Christian Songs Chart. The former EP was only available at online music outlets and Daigle’s tour dates, while the release of the full album marks the first time Daigle’s music has also been available at all retail outlets.
“Once again, I’m standing in amazement of God’s story writing,” adds Daigle. “Proverbs 16:9 says, The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. I have held dearly to this verse ever since I was a little girl. So humbled, honored, and thankful that He has directed the steps along this journey and has brought me to places I could only dream of. God is faithful and sovereign. His promises are true and trustworthy. Thanks to everyone who supported my new album and music ministry. May the songs continue to lift up your heart to worship the Majestic Storywriter!”
Wow! What a response to an amazing artist,” exclaims Steve Ford, General Manager, Centricity Music. “I am so proud of the work Lauren has put into this record as an artist and a songwriter. This has been a debut two years in the making and has truly been a team effort. It took total focus and planning from the label, her management team at Eaglemont Entertainment and Lauren’s distribution partners at CCMG, to have a debut artist enter the chart at No. 1. It would not have happened without everyone locking arms with Lauren, but even more so it took God to bless the labor of all involved.”
Music critics are raving about Daigle’s new project with NewReleaseTuesday.com, “A worshipful masterpiece,” CCM Magazine, “the best and brightest young voices in Christian music,” JesusFreakHideout.com, “breathtaking voice,” and “inspiring worship tunes,” HollywoodJesus.com, “Powerful debut album,” Hallels.com, “Lauren Daigle is the success story of 2014,” Rockingodshouse.com, “a rare gem,” Breathecast.com, “stuns Christian music lovers with soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics & mainstream sound.” Additional press includes; YouthWalk Magazine feature story this fall, HomeLife Magazine review (August), American Family Radio/JJ& Ron In The Morning, Spirit Catholic Radio Network, Baptist Standard, KBPK/Fullerton College, David Santistevan Blog, among others.
The second single from the new album will be “First,” which will be going for adds at radio in June. Co-written by Daigle, Mabury, Ingram, Mia Fieldes and Hank Bentley, the song delivers a message of how to put God before anything else in your life. Before I bring my need/I will bring my heart/Before I lift my cares/I will lift my arms/I wanna know You/I wanna find You/In every season/In every moment/Before I bring my need/I will bring my heart/And seek You.
Daigle is currently on the road with Big Daddy Weave’s The Beautiful Offerings Tour that also features labelmate, Jason Gray. It was recently announced that Daigle will join the Outcry Tour this summer with Hillsong United, Jesus Culture, Passion, Kari Jobe, Crowder, Trip Lee, and others. The 12-city tour will launch July 24 and will run through August 7, visiting such cities as Chicago, IL, Washington, DC, Nashville, TN and Houston, TX. A major fall tour announcement will be coming soon.
About Lauren Daigle
Lafayette, LA native, Lauren Daigle, continued her record-breaking momentum when her first full album, How Can It Be, debuted No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart, April 14, 2015. She was named one of Christian music’s 2014 breakout artists with her debut EP, How Can It Be, reaching No. 1 on iTunes Christian Albums Chart and named as one of the Top 20 Christian releases last year by the online retail outlet. The title track went Top Ten at Christian radio, No. 1 on iTunes Christian Singles Chart and named by iTunes as one of the Top Christian songs of 2014. The song also earned Daigle her first music industry awards show nomination from the K-LOVE Fan Awards for Worship Song of the Year. With powerful vocals that are drawing comparisons of Adele and Amy Winehouse, Daigle has been receiving incredible album reviews with Worship Leader magazine saying, “beautiful album,” and NewReleaseTuesday.com exclaiming, “fantastic debut.” Daigle closed out 2014 by touring with Aaron Shust in the fall on his Morning Rises Tour and joining Jason Gray and Carrollton for Gray’s Christmas Stories Tour in December. She is currently on tour with Big Daddy Weave’s Beautiful Offerings Tour this spring, the Outcry Tour with Hillsong United this summer, and another major tour announcement this fall.
About Centricity Music
Centricity was founded in 2005 with a commitment to artist development and stylistic diversity. Based in Franklin TN, artists include Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Jared Anderson, Jason Gray, Jordan Feliz, Lauren Daigle and Unspoken. The company’s mission is to enable their artists to create life-changing experiences for the world, by providing label, management and publishing services.
You know one thing that is really incredible to behold in evangelicalism to me, is the power and influence that pastors have over their congregation and followers. It’s not your average generic influence, but a powerful direct influence these men of God yield over their flocks. In fact, it was by tapping in to this power of the local pastor that Rick Warren was able to sell 30 million copies of The Purpose-Driven Life and how Mel Gibson was able to generate more than $300 million at the box office for his movie, The Passion of The Christ. And it also how Mark Burnett, the acclaimed reality TV mogul, marketed his TV Series “The Bible” to Christians. And he’s doing it again with his new show “A.D.”
All these people have realized and have sought to leverage the power of local pastors for to sell their different products. Now, whether this power that pastors have is good or bad is not the point of this article.
But what I have been wondering about of late is are we witnessing a generation of Christians who are blindly following Christian leaders? The events of Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill brought this to my attention originally, and I’ve been seeing it again with Rob Bell and noted and controversial prosperity televangelist, Creflo Dollar.
More and more there seems to be instances where sincere Christians are just blindly following Christian leaders without really thinking for themselves. And this to me is of grave concern. One person who exemplifies this to me recently is Rob Bell. Bell originally sent shock waves throughout the evangelical world with his book “Love Wins” where he questioned the existence of hell etc. Thereby challenging unambiguous scriptural truth. The backlash was swift and unrelenting, and to me rightfully so, but what surprised me most was the number of sincere Christians who had followed Bell’s ministry for years, whether by attending his church, following his podcast, or reading his books, who when he crossed to clearly heretical views blindly followed him there without batting an eye and completely embracing his views.
Then it happened again with Mark Driscoll. When evidence – note the word evidence, not rumor – surfaced about how ungodly Driscoll treated staff and members of his church who did not obey him without reservation, many in his church and on his staff and his fans, dug their head in the sand refusing to believe the obvious truths, denying reality and holding on to him above all else.
Now again, Creflo Dollar, just unveiled a plan to get 200,000 people to donate $300 for his ministry to purchase an elite, luxury private jet for—get this—$65 million. And as you can imagine people are donating.
What astounds me in all of this is that it seems like more and more in various pockets of evangelicalism it seems like so many people are following Christian leaders blindly without objectively and biblically thinking about issues and the life, teachings and behavior of these Christian leaders.
The bible said that when Paul came to the Berean Christians in the book of Acts it was commended to them that they searched the scriptures after hearing him teach to make sure that what he was teaching was from God. Yet it seems like so many in our generation today don’t do this at all. They have given up on thinking independently and biblically about issues. This to me is very scary.
Recently Rob Bell again made startling statements about how he believes the Church should embrace people of alternative lifestyles, and again when I heard that my heart ached for the many sincere Christians who are going to blindly accept his views and statements as gospel truth without stopping and finding out for themselves what the Bible says about what he’s talking about.
I know it’s easy for many in evangelicalism to dismiss prosperity teachers like Creflo Dollar and others like him as being self-enriching and everyone knows that, but what I am noticing is that this same kind of blindly loyalty is showing itself in evangelicalism too.
I remember a few years ago, when The Purpose-Driven Life was all the rage how many Christian leaders condemned the book and Rick Warren’s teaching and it seemed like every Christian blogger had embraced this condemnation of Warren too. Then a few years ago John Piper invited Warren to speak at his conference and everyone went crazy, how could Piper do this, was he drinking the kool-aid too? Then noted Southern Baptist leader and scholar, Russell Moore, also openly talked about his work with Rick Warren and their friendship. Then it seemed the tide turned and all of a sudden Warren wasn’t the spawn of satan anymore. And thousands upon thousands of Piper loyalists embraced Rick Warren, purely on the his endorsement. And all through this I’m going ‘where are the independent thinkers who don’t just take what these leaders are saying as gospel truth but are forming their opinions on their own by looking at what scripture says.’ Because when a select group of Christian leaders condemned Warren, then everyone jumped on the bandwagon and he was evil, then new leaders come and say “I’ve examined his work and I don’t see heresy or twisting of scripture” and everyone again jumps on the band wagon and embraces him.
I’m seeing it again, there is this new ‘hip’ pastor/author who’s book is getting a lot of attention, Nadia Bolz Webber. This female pastor his such a big departure from orthodoxy and what scripture calls acceptable and yet many are following her because she’s gaining in popularity. I mean this lady she cusses like a sailor, she endorsers and champion every kind of alternative and deviant lifestyle and behaviors. And looking at this I’m going “who are the people buying her books and following her on social media? Don’t you see that she represents a Christianity that’s foreign to scripture?”
I really do pray that a movement will begin where Christians will start examining things for themselves with godly wisdom and not completely trusting and following these Christian leaders whom they love and trust, and rather hold them accountable and judge them by the word of God.
__
Written by Hervict Jacobs.
Hervict Jacobs is a Christian author and speaker based in Atlanta, GA. His new book entitled ‘Give Your Life Away: Embracing A Life of Selflessness For The Glory of God’ releases later this year.
News broke today that the lead singer of beloved band Casting Crowns, Mark Hall, has been diagnosed with cancer. According to Hall, doctors found a solid mass in his kidney last week, and the entire kidney will have to be removed.
Below is a statement from Mark Hall from Casting Crowns facebook page, posted earlier today:
Hey Casting Crowns Family,
I would appreciate your prayers.
Doctors found a solid mass in my right kidney about a week ago. They are 90% sure it’s cancer and they are going to remove the entire kidney next Wednesday, March 11th. They believe the cancer is contained in the kidney, which is also a great hope. They will know more once it is out and Pathology can see it.
I’ll be in recovery for a month or a little longer because of the surgery. Please pray for healing and for God’s peace for my family.
Today, Feed the Children announced their first series of concerts in a new tour brand they are launching. Each run will feature a different cast of artists who are passionate about ending child hunger in the United States. The roots of hunger go deep and affect American children in every state, county, and city in this country, and, in fact, one in five children is at risk of going to bed hungry tonight. That’s why The Table Tour is partnering with Feed the Children to help connect fans and artists with children who need support.
The Table Tour is scheduled to make multiple stops around the United States this spring. Artists for the first leg of tour dates in February and March will include multiple-award-winning artists Brandon Heath, Love & The Outcome, and Nichole Nordeman. Then an additional set of concerts, to be announced shortly, hits the road in April and May. It will again feature Brandon Heath and Love & the Outcome, and adds iconic artist and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman along with Ellie Holcomb, known as part of the band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, and now branching out as a solo artist.
A table brings people together. Tables come in many shapes and forms, but each serves the same purpose: nourishment and fellowship, two truly life-giving experiences happening in one place. It might be a dirt-floored hut in Africa, a wooden pallet in Mexico, or a reclaimed barn-wood table in Manhattan, but wherever tables are found, communities are born. That is the vision of The Table: building community with artists and fans.
“The Table Tour unites popular musicians and their fan bases to defeat the status quo of hunger,” said Kevin Hagan, Feed the Children President and CEO. “Innovative efforts like these will bring us closer to our ultimate goal—creating a world where no child goes to bed hungry.”
The first run, featuring Brandon Heath, Love & The Outcome, and Nichole Nordeman, is confirmed to stop at the following cities: Feb. 27 Clover, SC
Feb. 28 Mebane, NC
March 1 Virginia Beach, VA
March 2 Lynchburg, VA
March 12 Celebration, FL
March 13 Bellville, GA
March 14 Russellville, AL
March 15 Siloam Springs, AR
Brandon Heath is one of the best in the industry at telling stories through his music, and the next chapter is about to start. On February 10, Brandon will release a new album of compelling and personal stories entitled, No Turning Back. Heath is a seven-time Dove-Award winner (twice for Male Vocalist of the year), multiple Grammy-Award nominee, and Emmy-winning songwriter known for his radio hits including four #1 singles—Your Love, Wait & See, I’m Not Who I Was, and Give Me Your Eyes. Brandon Heath seems headed to the top of the charts again with the title track of his upcoming release No Turning Back already top 15 on the AC chart. Heath plans to share stories, fan favorites, and introduce the audience to his collection of great new songs during his set. Love & The Outcome is the emerging husband/wife duo of singer/songwriter Jodi King and bass player/songwriter Chris Rademaker. They believe Love & The Outcome is both a name and life story. The duo sold their Canadian condo and set off on an international musical road trip. Love & The Outcome were recent winners of three Covenant Awards (including Album of the Year and Group of the Year) at the Canadian Dove Awards show held in British Columbia. Adding momentum to the success they are already having, their singles King of My Heart and He Is With Us are exciting fans as to what they will do next!
One of Christian music’s most profound singer/songwriters, Nichole Nordeman, has seen critical acclaim throughout her career. She garnered awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and others, as she climbed to recognition as one of Christian music’s premier artists. In 2003, Nordeman was honored with six Dove Awards by her industry colleagues before stepping away to be home and raise her children—her greatest treasures, Charlie and Pepper. Now, Nordeman is returning to active touring and recording after her multiple-year break. A self-described “wrestling poet,” she is also an acclaimed author. Nordeman’s new music is hitting radio airwaves in the next few weeks with a brand-new single. Fans and gatekeepers are ecstatic about her return and anxiously awaiting Nichole’s upcoming album, yet to be titled, bowing later this year.
Feed The Children is excited to join forces with Steven Curtis Chapman and Ellie Holcomb with The Table Tour concerts planned for April and May. The second run is confirmed to stop at the following cities, with additional dates adding soon:
May 7 Wausau, WI
May 8 Waukesha, WI
May 9 Mankato, MN
May 10 Bemidji, MN
Ellie Holcomb has a clear vision for uplifting the weary and wounded who need a reminder of who God is—and how He loves them—and has already been connecting on a deep level. Whether she was spinning confessional tales of romantic heartache during her college years, collaborating with her husband Drew as part of his band, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, or penning her personal reflections of God’s faithfulness as a solo artist, singer/songwriter Ellie Holcomb has always viewed music as the ultimate bridge-builder. Inspired by God’s Word, Ellie recorded and released two EPs full of songs based on the Psalms and other scriptures, and now with Holcomb’s first solo full album, As Sure As the Sun (Full Heart Music), once again, scripture is intentionally at the forefront of all 10 tracks. Her debut solo radio singles from the album, The Broken Beautiful and Marvelous Light, have been quick-climbing audience favorites.
Steven Curtis Chapman has sold 11 million albums, recorded 48 No. 1 radio hits, won five Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, and is Christian music’s most-honored artist, with an unprecedented 58 Dove Awards. Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has recorded 18 full-length studio projects, his most recent released in the fall of 2013 entitled, The Glorious Unfolding. Touched and forever transformed by the miracle of adoption in their own family, Steven and his wife Mary Beth founded an organization called Show Hope, and it has become a leader in the movement to care for orphans. Steven and Mary Beth Chapman have been married for 30 years and have six children—three biological: Emily, married to Tanner (and mom to their granddaughters Eiley and Della); Caleb, married to Julia; Will Franklin, married to Jillian; and three adopted daughters: Shaohannah Hope, Stevey Joy, and Maria Sue, who is now with Jesus.
For the latest on ticket information for both runs, visit TheTableTour.com.
About The Table Tour
Tables bring people together and the vision for The Table Tour is no different—to build a community of artists and fans. The Table Tour is a unique concert-like experience showcasing artists coming together, sharing both in song and story, welcoming attendees to pull up a chair, and raising awareness and support for Feed the Children and their efforts to end childhood hunger in the United States.
About Feed the Children
Feed the Children is one of the world’s leading anti-hunger organizations, dedicated to creating a world where no child goes to bed hungry. Since 1979, Feed the Children has grown into one of the largest U.S.-based charities, accredited by GuideStar Exchange and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. By banding together with partners, donors, and communities to defeat hunger, Feed the Children distributed over $344 million in food, essentials, educational supplies, and medicine to over 10 million individuals in the United States and 18 other countries in fiscal year 2013. Visit http://www.feedthechildren.org for more information on Feed the Children and its new brand.
Featuring some of this generation’s most acclaimed worship leaders – Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and Brett Younker – the new live Passion album Passion: Even So Come is set to release on March 17.
The album was recorded in front of over 30,000 college students at three separate Passion gatherings in Atlanta and Houston. The new album follows in the footsteps of many successful live Passion recordings this decade, including Passion: Awakening, Passion: Here For You, Passion: White Flag, Passion: Let the Future Begin and most recently Passion: Take It All, all of which have debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart.
Passion 2015 was a three-day gathering on two separate weekends in Atlanta and a final three-day gathering in Houston. The conference was attended by a generation of 18-25 year olds from around the world and led by renowned pastors and teachers Louie Giglio, John Piper, Francis Chan, Christine Caine, Judah Smith, Ben Stuart, Matt Chandler and more.
Across the three gatherings, students were challenged to meet a goal of $850,000 that would support 10 people groups in 12 nations across the world in hopes that 19 million people will hear the message of Jesus for the first time. Following the final gathering in Houston, the total donations amounted to nearly $1.2 million.
Passion also continues to shine a light on modern-day slavery through the End It Movement. Leaders announced the new 27X7 initiative inviting advocates to create teams of 27 “freedom fighters,” representing the 27 million slaves around the world. Each “freedom fighter” will donate $7. All funds will be distributed among 16 coalition partners to support prevention, rescue and restoration efforts in the fight against modern-day slavery. Learn more and join the movement at enditmovement.com.
The Passion team announced that next year, Passion 2016 will consist of simultaneous conferences in Atlanta and Houston on January 2-4, 2016. They also announced plans to return to the Georgia Dome again in 2017.
For more information about Passion Conferences, visit passionconferences.com or follow on Twitter at @passion268.
Passion: Even So Come
1. Even So Come (featuring Chris Tomlin)
2. Shout Hosanna (featuring Kristian Stanfill)
3. Forever (featuring Melodie Malone)
4. Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains) (featuring Crowder)
5. Draw Near (featuring Kristian Stanfill)
6. The Saving One (featuring Chris Tomlin)
7. The Awesome God You Are (featuring Matt Redman)
8. My Anchor (featuring Christy Nockels)
9. Wonder (featuring Crowder)
10. The Way (featuring Brett Younker)
11. You Found Me (featuring Kristian Stanfill)
12. The Cross of Christ (featuring Chris Tomlin)
Deluxe Edition Only:
13. We Fall Down (featuring Chris Tomlin)
14. The Heart Of Worship (featuring Matt Redman)
15. It Is Well (featuring Kristian Stanfill)
16. How He Loves (featuring Crowder)
17. The Heart of Worship (featuring Matt Redman) (Video)
18. How He Loves (featuring Crowder) (Video)
About Passion Conferences:
Led by a stirring in the heart of Atlanta-based pastor, Louie Giglio, Passion was birthed in 1997 to see the 20+ million college students across the globe awaken to the reality of an omnipotent and glorious Creator. Since then, millions of students from across the globe have joined the Passion movement, united across ministry and denominational lines, to seek the face of God in worship and prayer at nine conferences, four world tours and multiple one-day and regional events. Passion’s core scripture, Isaiah 26:8 states: “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” The small Passion Team is led by Louie Giglio and operates under the direction of a Board that is committed to spreading the fame of Jesus Christ to college students around the globe.
About sixstepsrecords:
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (Love Ran Red), Crowder (Neon Steeple), Matt Redman (Your Grace Finds Me), Christy Nockels (Into the Glorious), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move), and Passion (Passion: Even So Come). The label partners with Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Music Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations. For more information on sixstepsrecords, visit: http://www.sixstepsrecords.com.
Over four thousand people from all over the world packed into the West Angeles Church of God In Christ on January 21st, to pay their respects to legendary Gospel artist Andraé Crouch. The concert and Celebration of Life services were streamed live on BET.com as well as the church’s website, with more than 600,000 people logging on to watch online.
The four-hour funeral service included performances by Stevie Wonder, CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Shirley Caesar, Ledisi, Yolanda Adams, Richard Smallwood, Tata Vega, Krystal Murden, Donald Lawrence, Israel Houghton, Tommy Sims, Jonathan Butler, Donnie McClurkin and original members of Andraé Crouch and the Disciples. The service was officiated by Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, with a eulogy by Pastor Marvin Winans, as well as comments by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Bobby Jones, Kirk Franklin, Edwin and Lynette Hawkins, Bishop Clyde Ramalaine from South Africa, Bishop Barbara Amos and Stevie Wonder. In addition, letters were received from President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, with video tributes from Bishop Charles Blake, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Rance Allen, Michael W. Smith, and Bill & Gloria Gaither. Acknowledgements were issued from numerous pastors and organizations including Bishop Clarence McClendon, Bishop Noel Jones, the music department of the COGIC, Rev. Jackie McCullough and more.
A musical tribute was held the night before, with performances by Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Bryan Duncan, Kurt Carr, Donald Lawrence, The Clark Sisters, Kim Burrell, David and Nicole Binion, Erica Campbell, Smokie Norful, Richard Smallwood and many more. The evening also included a performance by BeBe Winans, Howard Smith, Daniel Winans and Pastor Marvin Winans representing the original Testimonials before Ronald, Marvin, Carvin and Michael became The WINANS due to Andraé Crouch. The star-studded crowd also included Tyler Perry, Sheila E. and others.
Numerous tributes are being planned in the months to come. The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration paid tribute to Crouch on February 1st, and the 57th Annual Grammy Awards will include Crouch in a Memoriam during the February 8th broadcast. The MovieGuide Awards are planning to pay tribute, and the Stellar Awards will honor him with the Thomas Dorsey Notable Achievement Award.
About Andraé Crouch
Andraé’s accolades include 7 Grammy Awards, 6 GMA Dove Awards, an Academy Award nomination for “The Color Purple,” induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, and he worked as a producer and arranger with many of music’s top artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Elton John and many others. Andraé can also be heard on Michael Jackson’s hit singles “Man in the Mirror,” “Keep the Faith,” “Will You Be There” and “Earth Song.
Kutless’ co-founder and frontman Jon Micah Sumrall has announced a personal side project, Faith & Family, that will be releasing on BEC Recordings on February 24. The album is now available for pre-sale at iTunes here. When you pre-order the album, fans will get an instant download of the song “How You Love Me.”
“This project has been a long time coming for me as writing is a form of expression where I can explain my feelings and what I’m thinking,” shares Jon Micah Sumrall. “Over the years as we’ve written for Kutless albums, most of these personal songs just didn’t fit what we were looking for so these particular songs began piling up. I’m excited to share these songs with everyone as they are a window into my heart and a reflection of who I am.”
Faith & Family features a more mellow vibe than what Kutless fans have come to know and expect from the band. Jon Micah approached this album very differently with no rules and many acoustic elements. Some of the songs have been written years ago – such as a song he wrote for is wife on their wedding day, which was more than 13 years ago. Hear more about this project from Jon Micah in the video below.
Hailing from the Northwest, Jon Micah still resides in Oregon with his wife Shannon and their children. Kutless was launched by original members Jon Micah and guitarist James Mead as a modern rock/worship band at Warner Pacific College in Portland in 2000. Kutless signed to Tooth & Nail/BEC in late 2001 and released its self-titled debut the following year, which went on to become the fastest-selling debut in the label’s history. Since signing to BEC Recordings in 2001, Kutless has been transformed from a new rock band to a staple artist in the industry that has multi-format, top-charting hits and has sold millions of records. Kutless has had 12 No.1 radio singles and released eight studio albums throughout their career.
The debut solo EP from multiple-award winning, critically acclaimed powerhouse vocalist, Blanca, Who I Am, is available now todownload or to stream. (See full track listing below.) The EP precedes her full-length album slated Spring 2015.
Just a few weeks into the new year, Blanca has already performed to six arena-sized crowds as part of Winter Jam 2015 (see full schedule below), which Pollstar named the number one most-attended tour in the world in quarter one for the past four years.
The tour and EP, her first as a solo artist, retain and elevate her emotive, powerful, yet effortless sound for which she became known as a member of Group1Crew, who claimed 5 Dove Awards during her tenure. Who I Am takes that sound to a new and distinct soul/pop, hip-hop vibe, indicating a different artistic direction, while opening the door to new collaborations, such as “Not Backing Down,” which features Tedashii (Reach Records).
“This new chapter in my life and career has been amazing,” Blanca says. “I feel that with every song written, and every show performed, God is stretching me, and showing me more and more of who I am, and what He has created me for. I also feel incredibly blessed to embark on this new journey with my family right by my side.”
1. Who I Am
2. Sunshine
3. Echo
4. Not Backing Down (feat. Tedashii)
5. Different Drum
About Blanca
When it comes to stepping out on faith, Blanca sprints. After wrapping her powerhouse vocal around infectious and intense beats as part of hip/hop group, Group 1 Crew for several years, she’s making the leap and is flying solo. “Who I Am,” the lead single from her forthcoming debut solo album, slated Spring 2015, is an upbeat reflection of a season of soul-searching and surrender, buoyed by an effervescent soul/pop vibe that brings a crowd to their feet, and hearts to the throne.
WinterJam 2015 Cities and Dates
JAN 15, 2015 Reading, PA Santander Arena
JAN 16, 2015 State College, PA Bryce Jordan
JAN 17, 2015 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
JAN 18, 2015 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
JAN 22, 2015 Council Bluffs, IA Mid-America Center
JAN 23, 2015 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
JAN 24, 2015 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
JAN 25, 2015 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
JAN 29, 2015 Evansville, IN The Ford Center
JAN 30, 2015 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
JAN 31, 2015 Pittsburgh, PA CONSOL Energy Center
FEB 5, 2015 Mobile, AL Mitchell Center
FEB 6, 2015 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena
FEB 7, 2015 Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome
FEB 8, 2015 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
FEB 12, 2015 Augusta, GA James Brown Arena
FEB 13, 2015 Knoxville, TN Thompson-Boling Arena
FEB 14, 2015 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
FEB 15, 2015 Norfolk, VA Scope Arena
FEB 20, 2015 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
FEB 21, 2015 Auburn Hills, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
FEB 22, 2015 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center
FEB 26, 2015 Tupelo, MS BancorpSouth Arena
FEB 27, 2015 Bossier City, LA CenturyLink Center
FEB 28, 2015 Houston, TX Toyota Center
MAR 1, 2015 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
MAR 5, 2015 Springfield, MO JQH Arena
MAR 6, 2015 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena
MAR 7, 2015 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Center
MAR 8, 2015 Ft. Worth, TX Ft. Worth Convention Center
MAR 12, 2015 Roanoke, VA Berglund Center (f. Roanoke Civic Center)
MAR 13, 2015 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
MAR 14, 2015 Columbia, SC Colonial Life Arena
MAR 15, 2015 Chattanooga, TN McKenzie Arena
MAR 19, 2015 Ft. Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
MAR 20, 2015 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Integrity Music is honored to announce the signing of Indonesian worship leader and songwriter Sidney Mohede, representing Mohede’s albums and songs to a global audience with a forthcoming English language album slated for release early next year.
Mohede (pronounced Mo-heed-ee) serves on staff at Jakarta Praise Community Church in Indonesia’s capital city and is known for recording in English, Indonesian and Mandarin, ministering throughout Asia and beyond. With over 380,000 Twitter followers, a 300,000+ Facebook community and millions of YouTube views of his performances and work with JPCC and the ensemble Giving My Best, Mohede is an inspiration to worship leaders and worshippers alike.
“Because Integrity Music is focused on serving the local church on a global scale, we are always looking for those gifted and passionate people serving in their local congregations all over the world,” said C. Ryan Dunham, President of Integrity Music. “Sidney is doing exactly that… with over 20 years of ministry in Jakarta as a worship leader, songwriter and pastor. We are excited to represent him and eager to see his songs equip local worship leaders around the world.”
Born in Indonesia, Mohede immigrated to the U.S. as a child following his parents’ divorce. At the age of 10, he found himself thrust into a completely different culture, struggling to adapt to his new life as an American kid growing up in southern California. After some rebellious years leading into high school, Mohede accepted Christ at the age of 17, changing his trajectory and launching onto a ministry path that would eventually lead him back to Indonesia.
Today, Mohede and his family reside in his birthplace of Jakarta, where he serves as the Network Pastor for JPCC, a 12,000-member congregation. He also makes time to travel, leading worship and serving as a guest speaker and teacher at conferences and events throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, The Netherlands, the U.K. and U.S.
Mohede has written over 200 songs and recorded numerous projects, including the English language album, The Rescue, which features a co-write and duet with longtime friend Darlene Zschech on the song “It Is Done.” Fans of Israel Houghton may also recognize Mohede, who penned the song “Hosanna (Be Lifted Higher)” featured on Houghton’s GRAMMY Award winning album Love God/Love People. Mohede has also led worship and taught at Houghton’s annual “Deeper” worship conference.
“Words cannot describe how thrilled and honored I am to be a part of the Integrity Music family,” said Mohede. “My primary desire has always been to simply live in His presence, and live out this grace He has given me, whether in my leading worship or in writing worship songs for churches to sing in our nation of Indonesia. I believe worship transcends cultures, geographical and language barriers, and I am grateful for Integrity Music for welcoming me to be a part of what God is doing globally.”
Integrity is the worship music recording and publishing home to a variety of artists and ministries around the globe including: All Sons & Daughters, New Life Worship, Planetshakers, Covenant Worship, Life Worship, Dustin Smith, Worship Central, Desperation Band, Bluetree, Lincoln Brewster, Christine D’Clario, Stu G, Beth Croft, Sheldon Bangera, Danilo Montero, Jacobo Ramos, Israel Houghton, and Dove Award winning and nominated songwriters Paul Baloche, Jennie Lee Riddle, Jared Anderson, Michael Farren and Michael Neale.
Integrity Music is part of the David C Cook family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Eastbourne, UK, Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Integrity currently controls over 7,000 songs, including the No. 1 radio hit “We Believe” (Newsboys) as well as church standards “Revelation Song,” “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” “Your Great Name” and “I Am Free.” Additional information can be found at www.integritymusic.com.
Pastor, author and Integrity Music recording artist Danilo Montero received a Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Christian Album for his acclaimed project La Carta Perfecta (The Perfect Letter), during the 15th Annual Latin GRAMMYs held recently at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This album has become one of Montero’s most successful projects, debuting at No. 10 on Billboard’s “Latin Pop Albums” chart and receiving nominations for a Dove Award and Premio Arpa (Harp Award), among other accolades within the music industry.
Montero recorded La Carta Perfecta live at Lakewood Church, where he serves as pastor of Iglesia Lakewood, the Houston-based church’s thriving Hispanic congregation. The album is available globally through Integrity Music with distribution through retail stores and all major digital service providers including iTunes and Amazon.
Upon receiving the Latin GRAMMY, Montero expressed his happiness and gratitude as he accepted the award: “Thank you very much. Many thanks to the members of the Academy. Total surprise… after 25, 30 years of making Christian music. Completely unexpected and very special…”
Ryan Dunham, President of Integrity Music, was present at the ceremony and commented: “We have always believed in Danilo’s musical and teaching gifts. He is very respected and loved within the Church and among his music industry peers. It’s an honor to represent him and we are thrilled to see his talents recognized within the larger, global Latin music community.”
In 2010, Montero received his first Latin GRAMMY nomination, and in 2008, he became the first native of Costa Rica to win a Billboard Award for Latin music.
Currently, Danilo Montero and his family reside in Houston, Texas, where he leads the Spanish-speaking ministry at Lakewood Church. Additional information on Montero is available at https://www.facebook.com/DaniloMonteroOnline.
Best-selling author Sheila Walsh signed a multi-book deal with B&H Kids, and will announce a 2015 project designed to get kids excited about the Bible.
Singer-songwriter, blogger, and speaker Jenny Simmons signed a two-book contract with Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her first book, The Road to Becoming, is due next fall.
Tributes poured in following the Nov. 9 deaths of pastor and best-selling author Myles Munroe, 60, and his wife Ruth. The Munroes were en route to Freeport, Bahamas, to host the 2014 Global Leadership Forum when the plane crashed near the Grand Bahama International Airport.
All nine people aboard died, including members of Munroe’s Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI).
Munroe’s life exemplified his belief that God created every person with leadership potential. He and 10 siblings were raised in poverty in Nassau, Bahamas. He attended Oral Roberts University, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He earned his Master’s in Administration from the University of Tulsa.
A life-long Bahamas resident, Munroe founded BFMI, BFMI Fellowship, and Myles Munroe International. He traveled extensively as CEO of International Third World Leaders Assoc. and president of the International Leadership Training Institute.
In recognition of his contributions to the Bahamas’ spiritual and social development, Munroe received the Queen’s Birthday Honours of the Order of the British Empire and the Bahamian government’s Silver Jubilee Award.
Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said, “It is utterly impossible to measure the magnitude of Dr. Munroe’s loss to the Bahamas and to the world.”
Munroe wrote 38 books published by Destiny Image, Whitaker House, and FaithWords (Hachette). Combined, his titles sold more than 1 million copies. He was a contributing editor to The Believer’s Topical Bible and The African Cultural Heritage Topical Bible and wrote for Charisma Life and Ministries Today.
Munroe’s publishers were among the many who expressed their condolences.
Destiny Image CEO Don Nori Jr. said, “After 23 years of publishing partnership, it’s with a heavy heart that we at Destiny Image say goodbye to our longtime author and friend. … [He] will best be remembered for pioneering the message of the kingdom, how it operates and how each of us can fulfill our purpose within it.”
Whitaker House President Bob Whitaker Jr. said, “Dr. Munroe’s engaging energy, coupled with his profound knowledge of the Bible and human nature, greatly impacted our world with a message of hope and inspiration.”
“We will miss Rev. Munroe,” said FaithWords (Hachette) Publisher Rolf Zettersten. “Those who had the privilege to work directly with him were blessed by his constant positive outlook and devotion to sharing the Gospel.”
FaithWords published Munroe’s Passing It On and In Charge. A third book was in development.
On his Facebook page, Destiny Image founder Don Nori Sr., mourned the loss of “a close personal friend. We published his first book in the early 1990s. We used several of his books for our children’s home school. He was a true pioneer in so many ways, on so many levels.
“Goodbye old friend. It will take a long time to get beyond this moment.”
CBA President Curtis Riskey said Munroe’s passing will have a global impact because of his reach into developing nations.
Jack Scott, president of Scott Marketing and Training who serves the U.S. and international retailing communities, said Munroe was a beacon of inspirational leadership that will be missed in nations around the world.
The Munroes are survived by two adult children, Myles Jr. and Charisa.
“The value of life is not in its duration, but in its donation. You are not important because of how long you live, you are important because of how effective[ly] you live.” —Myles Munroe
Based on best-selling author Max Lucado’s first book on prayer, Before Amen (Thomas Nelson), more than 100,000 people have signed up to take the Before Amen prayer challenge, launched in September.
The challenge involves praying for four minutes every day for four weeks.
Integrity Music also released a musical companion, Before Amen: A Worship Collection, featuring Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Paul Baloche, All Sons & Daughters, and Planetshakers.
So I’ve mentioned in the past that I get a lot of music albums from different christian record labels. Usually I listen to these albums in the car, to get a real sense of the music, especially if its a band or artist I don’t really know.
Well a few months ago Integrity Music sent me the album for the new Desperation Band album called, Banner. And to be honest, I didn’t listen to this album for like 3 months after I got it. Well mainly because all I know about Desperation Band is that they are the band of the student ministry of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO. And I thought, I’m not really interested in listening to a youth ministry band. Well until about a month ago, when I burned the CD and figured I’d give it a whirl.
And by the 3rd song I was like,”who the heck is this?” I popped out the CD and saw ‘Desperation Band’ I was like, ‘say what?’ And that was just beginning. Song after song these guys hit it out of the park. I honestly I could not believe it. I think this album is the best worship album of 2014. Better than Passion’s album, better than all the other worship albums released this year.
These guys are on par with Hillsong United’s best music. Seriously, if I was Hillsong Music, and Hillsong United and Passion I would be very scared. Because there is a band looming man. And they are from the youth ministry of a Church in Colorado.
To be honest I do the think the name ‘Desperation Band’ is a new weird name for a band, but man their music is off the hook.
My top 3 songs off the album:
1. Fall Into You
2. On The Throne (Featuring Kari Jobe)
3. Make A Way
Here are the lyric videos for these songs. Check it out for yourself and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
According to figures released by billboard earlier this week, Chris Tomlin’s latest offering, Love Ran Red, managed to sell 35,000 units in its first week of release.
The big music news for that same week was Taylor Swift’s record-setting first week sales of 1.2 million for her new album 1989.
GRAMMY®-nominated platinum-selling rockers Skillet will return to the famed Winter Jam stage to headline the blockbuster tour’s 20th year, it was announced tonight. Reigning as the world’s #1 first quarter tour for four consecutive years, NewSong’s Winter Jam Tour Spectacular revealed its 2015 line-up and cities during a special event earlier this evening at Nashville’s Hard Rock Café.In addition, the event was webcast by Blue Scout Media’s StageHop.com to thousands attending “Winter Jam House Parties” around the world, where fans had a front row seat to the announcement and special performances by select Winter Jam 2015 artists.
Founded and hosted by GRAMMY®-nominated NewSong, the tour will also feature Jeremy Camp, Francesca Battistelli, Building 429, for King & Country, Family Force 5 and evangelist Tony Nolan, while the LifeWay Christian Stores Pre-Jam Party is slated to showcase Blanca, About A Mile and VERIDIA.
“As we enter a landmark year for Winter Jam, we’re overwhelmed by God’s favor on an event that began as one concert in 1995,” said Eddie Carswell, Winter Jam creator and NewSong founding member. “The tour has grown in unimaginable ways, but one thing has remained the same—an unwavering commitment to share the Gospel every night. This year’s line-up continues a tradition of excellent music and impacting ministry, and we’re especially excited to welcome our friends Skillet back as headliners.”
“Skillet is pumped to get back out on tour with Winter Jam,” remarked lead singer John Cooper from the band’s headline tour across Europe, which is selling out in multiple cities including London, Hamburg and Cologne, Germany and more. “After several tours in Europe over the past year, we’re looking forward to heading out on a tour that will keep us in the U.S. all winter and spring; and most importantly will help bring the message of hope in Jesus to people all over the nation! It’s gonna rock, so get ready!”
Promoted by Premier Productions and presented by Holt International, the tour—known for its 10 artists for $10 admission—will hit 47 cities from January through March. Winter Jam is slated to visit some of the country’s top venues, including Chicago’s Allstate Arena; the Toyota Center in Houston; Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena; the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida’s BB&T Center; and the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, among numerous others. For a complete list of dates and cities, visit jamtour.com.
Next year, three daylong JAM ZONE free family events are slated in conjunction with Winter Jam stops in Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; and Lexington, Kentucky. The inaugural JAM ZONE, held in February at Atlanta’s World Congress Center, included more than 85 local business and exhibitor booths and drew an estimated 7,500 people.
For the second year in a row, fans can access tour information and exclusive content via the Winter Jam App. With more than 100,000 downloads to date, the app offers interactive venue maps; free Winter Jam radio; giveaways; Jam Nation membership purchases; and a Winter Jam store, among other features. The Winter Jam App can be downloaded at jamtour.com/app.
Sponsors of NewSong’s Winter Jam 2015 Tour Spectacular include Pure Flix’s “Do You Believe?” film; the University of Mobile; Teen Missions; Pepsi; TheOverflow.com; Camp Electric; Premier Christian Cruises; Xtreme Conferences; Texas TransEastern; and Wayne E. Bailey Produce.
GRAMMY®-nominated and platinum selling rock band Skillet has sold more than 2.5 million units in the U.S., racked up more than 160 million YouTube views and amassed a diehard following whose members number more than five million on Facebook alone. Their 2013 Dove Award-winning release RISE debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Christian charts, which led to four consecutive No. 1 radio hits. RISE also gave Skillet their late night television debut on Conan and follows the band’s 2009 platinum blockbuster, Awake, which garnered three Billboard Music Awards and spawned four multi format hit singles, including the platinum single “Monster,” whose companion video has generated more than 69 million YouTube views. Skillet was the only active rock band to achieve RIAA Platinum Certification in 2012 and will launch Winter Jam following a sold out headline tour across Europe.
Capitol CMG artist Jeremy Camp has established himself with landmark accolades throughout his praised 12-year career. Camp has sold more than four million albums including four RIAA Gold-certified albums. He also has a RIAA Multi-Platinum long-form video. At radio, Camp is recognized as a staple artist with 36 No. 1 radio hits across all formats spending more than 175 weeks at No. 1 at radio in his career. His awards and nominations comprise of a GRAMMY®-nominated project, three American Music Award nominations, four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards, an ASCAP Song of the Year award, and five GMA Dove Awards including two-time Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year awards. Adding author to his name, Camp penned his first book and autobiography I Still Believe in 2013 (Tyndale). He will release his new studio album in early 2015.
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination, six Dove Awards (including 2011 “Artist of the Year”) and 23 Dove Award nominations. With both a RIAA Certified Gold Album and Single to her credit, 2Billboard No. 1 albums, and over a million in album sales and nearly 2 million single downloads to date, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. The launch of her third album, If We’re Honest, found her making her national morning TV debut this year on ABC’s Good Morning America performing her multi-week #1 song, “Write Your Story,” just weeks before the album hit the top of the Christian SoundScan chart.
Creators and hosts of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, GRAMMY®-nominated Christian music leaders NewSong continue to oversee the groundbreaking tour, now entering its 20th year. In addition, NewSong’s storied career boasts 18 albums, 20 #1 Christian radio singles and induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, among numerous other achievements. The group’s unparalleled 30-year ministry has been highlighted by such defining songs as “Arise, My Love” “The Christmas Shoes” and “The Same God.” In partnership with Integrity Music, NewSong recently recorded a live worship album, which is slated to release next year.
Singer/songwriter, Scott MacIntyre, recently performed songs from his new albumLighthouse for an enthusiastic crowd of 8,000 in New York City’s Foley Square. MacIntyre’s concert kicked off the National Kidney Foundation’s 2014 New York City Walk that raised awareness and funds for life-saving programs to fight kidney disease. The American Idol finalist has become a national spokesperson for organ donation and has performed at other National Kidney Foundation walks this year in Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Chicago, IL and Boston, MA with the Miami, FL walk scheduled for March 2015.
Since releasing Lighthouse in September, the project has drawn praise from many critics with Soul-Audio.com saying, “MacIntyre has a great voice and is a solid songwriter to boot,” while Christian Review calls it a “standout release.” For more information and tour updates on MacIntyre please visit online www.scottmacintyre.com, www.facebook.com/ScottMacOfficial andwww.twitter.com/ScottDMacIntyre.
–Feelin’ Like Christmas, the debut holiday EP from Dove Award-nominated Curb recording artist OBB, releases at iTunes and other leading digital outlets tomorrow. The three-song set, produced by Justin Ebach, features two original selections penned by OBB and Ebach, as well as a fresh arrangement of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”
The project’s title cut offers a glimpse into the band’s favorite sights and sounds of the season, while “Christmas Card To You” is a musical greeting encouraging listeners to embrace holiday traditions. “One of my favorite lines in ‘Christmas Card To You’ talks about not being too cool for caroling,” explains OBB’s Zach Oswald. “Don’t be embarrassed- just get out there and enjoy the experience and share the Love God wants us to remember.”
“Our family loves Christmas; it’s our favorite holiday,” Oswald continues. “Being together to celebrate and remember Jesus-God’s amazing gift to us- is what it’s all about. We sip eggnog and hot cocoa, watch Christmas movies together, and even get our neighborhood involved in the fun. In that spirit, we hope these Christmas songs help people remember the true meaning of the season as they celebrate.”
All three selections from Feelin’ Like Christmas will be serviced to Christian radio, while “Christmas Card To You” will go for adds at mainstream AC stations this season. In addition, OBB will share the songs in person as part of the “It’s Christmas!” Tour, headlined by Mikeschair. The multi-city tour also features City Harbor and is slated to hit Hudsonville, Michigan; Ottumwa, Iowa; and Cleburne, Texas, among other cities, before concluding December 20 in Kingsland, Georgia.
Bright Side, OBB’s highly anticipated full-length debut, released September 30. Produced by Justin Ebach, the project features 12 selections co-written by the Atlanta-based pop band, including the group’s latest single and music video, “That Kind Of Faith.”
Comprised of brothers Zach (lead vocals/keys/guitar), Jacob (lead guitar) and Nich Oswald (drums), OBB rocketed into the spotlight last year with a GMA Dove Award nomination and a slot on NewSong’s juggernaut Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, opening for some of the biggest acts in Christian music. Signed by Curb Records in 2012 after gaining national notoriety on CBS Early Show’s “Singing Family Face-Off,” OBB’s acclaimed self-titled EP released last year.
For further information, visit obbmusic.com, curb.com or turningpointpr.com. Follow OBB on Twitter @OBB_Music.
Reigning New Artist of the Year Dove Award recipients for KING & COUNTRY, consisting of brothers Joel and Luke, release today their acclaimed sophomore album RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG. (http://smarturl.it/rwlfls). Already hitting No. 1 on iTunes, the recording’s multiple 2014 GMA Dove Award-nominated lead single, “Fix My Eyes,” has also sold well-over 100,000 downloads and becomes this week’s No. 1 song on the National Christian Audience chart. The song further claims the No. 1 spot for the sixth consecutive week at CHR radio.
With the momentum building around today’s launch of the new album, for KING & COUNTRY’s major market, 40-city fall YOU MATTER-THE TOUR kicked-off Sunday (9/14) with a sold-out event in Nashville (Franklin, TN). Playing at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City yesterday, today in Houston for a KSBJ Brown Bag event and Sept. 19 at Uprise Festival at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds in Shippensburg, PA, the tour resumes in Louisville, KY at Southeast Christian Church Sept. 21, where at least 7,000 people are expected to attend. From there, they will travel to Knoxville, TN, where their Sept. 22 performance is also sold out. The tour will then continue into cities like Washington, D.C. (Woodbridge, VA), Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, San Diego, Las Vegas, Austin, Albuquerque and more before wrapping up at the Sun National Band Center in Trenton, NJ (11/22). Sponsored by Compassion International, all YOU MATTER-THE TOUR dates and tickets are available now at www.forkingandcountry.com.
The tour will feature hits like “The Proof Of Your Love” from their critically acclaimed debut album, Crave, as well as new songs derived from a long, at times painful, but ultimately enriching journey that led to the recording of RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG., and is chronicled in a new video featured at http://smarturl.it/fkcepk. Fox News has already tapped into the video for a feature that went out to its nationwide affiliates yesterday.
for KING & COUNTRY also premiere this week their first concept music video from the album, “Without You (Feat. Courtney)” on RELEVANT Magazine’s RTV. This song not only hit No. 1 on the Christian & Gospel Top Songs iTunes® chart, but is an inspiring, real life message of hope that features a beautiful duet with Luke’s wife, Courtney.
“‘Without You’ is probably the most honest, difficult song that I’ve ever had to write,” says Luke. “I got very, very sick at one point and my wife, during my sickness, thought that there was a chance she could lose me. She came to me on one particular night and said, ‘Luke, you just can’t leave me here.'”
“‘When you hear Luke’s wife on the chorus and them singing it together, I will be on record of saying it is the most gut-wrenching song that we have ever written,” adds Joel. “I think we’ve written a lot of honest songs before, but this is about as rip-a-page-out-of-your-journal-and-sing-it as music gets.”
Songs from RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG. are also gaining national attention through significant television placement. “To The Dreamers” is featured in “The Shows That Touch You” NBC campaign to promote its fall lineup (http://youtu.be/nPHXIsip5pE), while CBS featured the encouraging anthem, “It’s Not Over Yet,” during its airing of the Men’s Semifinals of the US Open Tennis Championships.
Nominated for four 2014 GMA Dove Awards, for KING & COUNTRY is also set to perform “Fix My Eyes” on the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards Oct. 7, which will air on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) Oct. 12. The duo also recently played during the 16th Annual GRAMMY Block Party in Nashville, and completed an interview with Grammy.com that can be seen athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNI3RRc2WVM.
With RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG., for KING & COUNTRY has created an album that lives up to the band’s name, a reflection of standing and fighting for something bigger than yourself, a mission statement that drove the duo from the first words written for this project until the last note was recorded.
“RUN WILD. LIFE FREE. LOVE STRONG. is a statement of reclaiming our birthright as humans to live a life that is for others–a life that is others-focused, God-focused-and in that, find what it truly means to run wild, live free and love strong,” says Joel.
About for KING & COUNTRY
The duo was named “New Artist of the Year” at the 44th Annual Dove Awards and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards. Their critically acclaimed album, Crave, released in 2012, is the highest-selling debut from a new artist in their genre that year. They made their late night debut performing their hit song “The Proof Of Your Love” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the song was named iTunes’ Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Song of the Year. ET’s The Insider said for KING & COUNTRY “makes music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwriter commented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.” In 2012, they were named one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist.
Kicking off 2013 with a No. 1 album made history for GRAMMY® winner Chris Tomlinas only the fourth Christian album to ever do so. Following the project’s success, sold-out tour dates, Billboard Music Awards, being named a BMI Songwriter of the Year and receiving the K-LOVE Fan Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Tomlin will unveil his tenth studio recording, Love Ran Red on October 27.
Accumulating more than 13 million album and digital sales and having his songs sung by over 40 million people in churches each week has propelled Tomlin into a category all his own but also one that continues to humble him and increase his desire to make music for the church. The first single from Love Ran Red, “Waterfall,” does just that and has already seen top ten radio success. The follow-up single is impacting radio this week, and while its title, “Jesus Loves Me,” may make you think of another well-known song, it’s a brand new, original track.
Produced by longtime friend and collaborator Ed Cash, Love Ran Red features songs penned by Tomlin, Cash, Matt Redman, Jonah Myrin, Ben Glover, Jason Ingram and Ben Fielding. A special Deluxe Edition will feature the full-length studio album along with four additional tracks.
Tomlin premiered the album to a VIP crowd in Nashville this past Friday with live performances of several songs. sixstepsrecords’ Chief Strategist Shelley Giglio and Capitol Christian Music Group President Peter York surprised Tomlin with plaques certifying the RIAA Platinum certification of his songs “How Great Is Our God” and “Our God,” as well as the RIAA Gold Certification of “Indescribable,” “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone),” “I Will Follow,” “I Will Rise,” and “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies).”
L to R: Bill Hearn, Capitol Christian Music Group President & CEO; Chris Tomlin; Shelley Giglio, Chief Strategist, sixstepsrecords; Peter York, President, Capitol Christian Music Group
Tomlin will support Love Ran Red with a promotional tour this fall, all leading up to January’s Passion 2015 Conferences in Atlanta (Jan 2-4; 16-18) and Houston (Jan 30-Feb 1). Spring tour dates will also be announced soon.
Love Ran Red Track Listing:
1. Greater
2. Waterfall
3. At The Cross
4. Jesus Loves Me
5. Boundary Lines
6. Almighty
7. The Roar
8. Fear Not
9. The Table
10. Psalm 100
11. I Will Boast
12. Jesus This Is You
About Chris Tomlin
With nine albums, 12 No. 1 radio singles, a GRAMMY® Award and eight additional nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a platinum and four gold albums to his credit, Chris Tomlin is among the most well-known and influential artists in contemporary Christian music. Referred to by Time magazine as “most likely the most often sung artist anywhere,” Tomlin also has 15 of the Top 100 CCLI songs, with 4 of them being in the top 10. BMI’s 2014 Songwriter of the Year, Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” was his first No. 1 on the CCLI Top 25, moving to No. 1 after becoming one of the fasting rising modern day hymns in CCLI chart history. In addition to having sold more than 5.3 million albums and over 8 million digital tracks, Tomlin made history as his single “Jesus Messiah” (Hello Love) garnered 97 adds at radio its first week and skyrocketed to No. 1, making it the biggest ever add date in Christian radio history. In the midst of his record breaking success, and continuing his role as worship leader at Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA, Tomlin continues touring and leading at Passion Conference gatherings across the US and worldwide. Burning Lights, debuted at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 in January 2013, making history as only the fourth Christian music album to do so, and Love Ran Red will release in October 2014.
Provident Label Group announces that Tenth Avenue North will release its fourth studio album on Reunion Records (a division of Sony Music) on November 10 titled Cathedrals, with a deluxe version also available, containing four additional bonus tracks. Tenth Avenue North’s first Christian radio single from the album, titled “No Man Is An Island,” debuted in the Top 20 on the National Audience Chart and is currently in rotation in key markets and networks including K-LOVE/Air1, The Fish, SiriusXM, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Seattle, among others.
In anticipation of the full-length project debut, Provident Label Group surprised fans with a special Islands EP featuring four bonus tracks, including the single “No Man Is An Island” which was released digitally in July. Coinciding with the EP, an exclusive music video for “No Man Is An Island” also debuted on K-LOVE (check it out here). Throughout the year, the band has also offered fans exclusives and insider content every tenth day of the month (#Tenthonthe10th), culminating with the month of October. Aptly renamed ‘Tenthtober,’ Tenth Avenue North will be sharing fan-focused content every day of the month.
The Dove Award-winning band’s fourth studio album is a collection of well-crafted songs that inspire community, encourage accountability and celebrate the fact we are not alone.
“So many of us live in isolation and we really don’t have to,” says lead vocalist Mike Donehey. “So the idea is: ‘Hey get in the boat with us, sail by the stars of God’s promises and reach the shore of community.’ We realize that when we start to live together, we become the cathedrals on earth. We are the place where the sprit resides. It no longer dwells in buildings but in each of us.”
Produced by John Fields, known for his work with the Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Pink, Cathedrals was written while the band was out on the Winter Jam Tour, setting up make-shift recording spaces in locker rooms and green rooms around the country.
The group made its national debut in 2008 on Reunion Records with Over and Underneath, which spawned the hits “Love is Here,” “By Your Side” and “Hold My Heart.” Tenth Avenue North won the Gospel Music Association Dove Award in 2009 for New Artist of the Year and in 2010 “By Your Side” was named Song of the Year. The band gained further momentum with 2010’s The Light Meets the Dark and The Struggle in 2012, which continued to populate radio and the church with such memorable songs as “Healing Begins,” “You Are More,” “Losing” and “Worn.”
Donehey, drummer Jason Jamison, bassist Ruben Juarez, keyboardist Brendon Shirley and guitarist Jeff Owen have forged a unique sound that has made them one of the Christian music’s most successful young bands. In the spring of 2014, Tenth Avenue North crossed the one million mark for records sold and continues to build its strong fan base by achieving more than one million likes on Facebook.
Performing regularly at diverse venues across the country, the group has a full national tour lineup scheduled throughout 2014 in support of the album that includes two headline fall circuits (From Islands to Cathedrals and Cathedrals tours).
From Islands to Cathedrals Tour (dates and cities are subject to change):
10/3 Langhorne, PA
10/4 Houghton, NY
10/5 Milton, PA
10/7 Ashland, KY
10/9 Wichita, KS
10/10 Oklahoma City, OK
10/11 Ponca City, OK
10/16 Gadsden, AL
10/17 Louisville, KY
10/19 Columbus, GA
10/22 Green Bay, WI
10/23 New Berlin, WI
10/24 North Mankato, MN
10/25 Cedar Falls, IA
10/26 Orange City, IA
Cathedrals Tour (dates and cities are subject to change):
11/6 Lancaster, PA
11/7 Bel Air, MD
11/8 Wenham, MA
11/9 Westbury, NY
11/13 Grandville, MI
11/14 Greenwood, IN
11/15 Willoughby Hills, OH
11/20 Boca Raton, FL
11/22 Jacksonville, FL
12/5 Cincinnati, OH
About Provident Label Group
Provident Label Group, a division of Sony Music, whose labels include Essential Records, Reunion Records, Essential Worship and Beach Street Records, is home to an artist roster which includes Casting Crowns (Thrive), Third Day (Miracle), Tenth Avenue North (The Struggle), Red (Release the Panic), Brandon Heath (Christmas Is Here), and Royal Tailor (self-titled) among others. Provident Music Group consists of Provident Label Group, Provident Films (“Mom’s Night Out,” “Courageous,” “Fireproof”) Provident Distribution, Essential Music Publishing and Essential Artist Services.
Five-time GRAMMY® Award-winner TobyMac‘s most recent album EYE ON IT, soared to the top of the charts and earned a GRAMMY® Award, and now those songs are getting revamped on his upcoming remix album,EYE’M ALL MIXED UP, set to release November 4.
EYE ON IT earned a GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and topped the iTunes Overall and Christian sales charts. It also marked the highest chart debut of his solo career, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making TobyMac one of only four artists to ever debut atop the Billboard 200 with a Christian music album.
EYE’M ALL MIXED UP features 11 tracks from EYE ON IT, including hits “Me Without You,” “Speak Life” and “Steal My Show” mixed by remixers such as Capital Kings and Soul Glow Activatur of Family Force 5. Shortly after the album’s debut, TobyMac will head out on the “Worship, Stories & Songs Tour” beginning November 6, featuring Matt Maher and Ryan Stevenson. This 20-city tour will make stops at intimate venues across the country, focusing on the stories behind the songs with stripped down performances.
Additionally, TobyMac received a nomination for Short Form Video of the Year for “Speak Life” for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The award show will take place at Lipscomb University in Nashville October 7.
EYE’M ALL MIXED UP Tracklist
1. EYE ON IT (Phenomenon Remix by Soul Glow Activatur)
2. FORGIVENESS (Feat. Lecrae) (Neon Feather Remix)
3. SPEAK LIFE (Telemitry Remix)
4. ME WITHOUT YOU (Capital Kings Remix)
5. STEAL MY SHOW (Jack Shocklee Remix)
6. UnSTOPPABLE (Feat. Blanca) (Phenomenon Remix by Soul Glow Activatur)
7. LOSE MYSELF (Capital Kings Remix)
8. EYE ON IT (Kaveman Remix)
9. THANKFUL FOR YOU (Thunderbird Remix)
10. MAC DADDY (Tru’s Reality) (Telemitry Remix)
11. ME WITHOUT YOU (Telemitry Remix)
“Worship, Stories & Songs Tour” Dates
More to be added, tour dates subject to change http://tobymac.com/tour
November 6 – Madison, MS
November 7 – Texarkana, TX
November 8 – Wichita Falls, TX
November 9 – Lewisville, TX
November 13 – New Albany, IN
November 14 – Lexington, KY
November 15 – Akron, OH
November 16 – Troy, OH
November 20 – Joplin, MO
November 21 – Lincoln, NE
November 22 – Bourbonnais, IL
November 23 – Grand Rapids, MI
December 4 – Toledo, OH
December 5 – York, PA
December 6 – Williamsport, MD
December 7 – Richmond, VA
December 11 – Normal, IL
December 12 – Appleton, WI
December 13 – Milwaukee, WI
December 14 – Ft. Wayne, IN
About TobyMac:
With more than 11 million units in career sales, TobyMac’s career continues on the fast track. His most recent project, EYE ON IT, garnered him the GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and the highest chart debut of his solo career landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and topping the iTunes® Overall and Christian sales charts. The project made TobyMac one of only four artists to ever debut atop the Billboard 200 with a Christian music album. His previous four solo projects have received RIAA Gold Certifications and his live DVD, Alive & Transported, is RIAA Certified platinum and received a GRAMMY® award. In less than 15 months between 2012-2013, TobyMac received two GRAMMY® awards, two Billboard Music Awards for Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album, his first American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Contemporary/Inspirational category, Dove Awards for “Artist of the Year,” “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year,” “Recorded Music Packaging of the Year,” “Short Form Video of the Year,” a K-LOVE Music Award for “Artist of the Year” and swept the 2013 Australian Music Award. At the 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards, he won the award for “Best Live Show.” His album EYE’M ALL MIXED UP is set to release November 4.
GRAMMY® award winning songstress Laura Story and her husband Martin have welcomed fraternal twin boys to their family. Benjamin Cary and Griffin James were born within three minutes of each other, weighing 6.5 lbs and 6.3 lbs respectively. The twins join their 2-year-old big sister Josie.
“Martin and I are so thrilled to finally meet these little guys! God has truly blessed our family,” said a tired but joyful Story.
Laura will take her new growing family out on the road this December for a short Christmas tour in select states (MD, ME, NY, OH and NJ). Her new Christmas record God With Us will be available for these shows and will be released to retail Christmas 2015.
While her schedule will be quite busy with the new additions, Story is also currently working on her first book scheduled to release next fall. The W Publishing book “When God Doesn’t Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn; Truths You Can’t Live Without” will explore Story’s journey from her life expectations through shattered dreams and on to the incredible truths that she uncovered in her study of God’s Word. It will offer readers a friend who understands, important biblical insights and hope that God has not forgotten them.
About Laura Story:
GRAMMY® award winning artist, speaker, songwriter, author and worship leader Laura Story has a gift for penning songs that connect with people all around the world. Among her successes as a solo artist with her smash hits “Mighty To Save” and “Blessings,” Laura has also penned hit songs for other renowned artists including Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable.” Her solo artist music debut in 2008 with Great God Who Saves led to four Dove nominations and the award for “Inspirational Album of the Year.” In 2011, Laura released her sophomore project Blessings. The album and the emotionally powerful title was inspired by her real life trials and adversities, primarily her husband Martin’s diagnosis of a brain tumor. The album resonated with a huge audience and led to whirlwind career highlights for Laura, peaking at the No. 1 album spot for three consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Overall chart, topping the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart and holding the No. 1 spot for an impressive 28 consecutive weeks on the Christian charts. The success of the single “Blessings,” which was certified RIAA Gold, includes the GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Song, the Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song and the Dove Awards for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. The song inspired Laura’s first book, “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” in 2012. Her latest project – God Of Every Story – released last year to much acclaim. Laura is the worship leader at Perimeter Church outside of Atlanta, GA and lives with her husband Martin and three children.
For more information on Laura Story, and to see all of the new photos and videos of her twins, visit her at the links below.
Grammy Award-Winning Artist Lecrae, Premier Productions, and Live Nation announce The Anomaly Tour featuring Lecrae with special guests Andy Mineo and DJ Promote. Tickets for Lecrae’s fall 2014 The Anomaly Tour go on sale Friday, July 25. The nation-wide tour kicks off in Houston on October 3.
“Lecrae has always been an innovator and trailblazer in our industry,” explains Dan Rauter of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. “He’s spent over a decade telling his story and sharing his faith in ways that are connecting with people inside and outside of the Christian and Gospel markets. He has truly been an anomaly that is inspiring thousands across the US and around the world. We are so excited to have Premier Productions and Live Nation involved as partners on this next step in the journey. They are helping us take Lecrae’s music and message to the premier concert venues across the country, with a live show that will blow fans away. We can’t wait to see the impact that this album and tour will have.”
Lecrae’s new album, ‘Anomaly,’ hits stores on September 9. The first single from the release, “Nuthin,” is out now.
Lecrae was a co-headliner on the Winter Jam 2014 Tour, which was once again the No. 1 tour based on attendance according to Pollstar first quarter 2014. Tour dates for The Anomaly Tour in the fall 2014 include:
Date Venue | Location
October 3 Berry Center | Houston, TX
October 4 Verizon Theatre | Dallas, TX
October 5 Tobin Center for the Performing Arts | San Antonio, TX
*October 9 Paramount Theatre | Denver, CO
*October 10 Abravanel Hall | Salt Lake City, UT
October 12 Hollywood Palladium | Los Angeles, CA
October 15 The Warfield | San Francisco, CA
October 17 Crystal Ballroom | Portland, OR
October 18 Revolution Concert House & Event Center | Boise, ID
October 19 ShoWare Center | Seattle, WA
October 23 The Riverside | Milwaukee, WI
October 24 Skyway Theatre | Minneapolis, WI
October 25 Independence Events Center | Independence, MO
October 26 Aragon Entertainment Center | Chicago, IL
October 30 The DeltaPlex | Grand Rapids, MI
October 31 Murat Theatre at Old National Centre | Indianapolis, IN
November 1 The Louisville Palace | Louisville, KY
November 2 The Fillmore Silver Spring | Washington, D.C.
November 6 The Fillmore Detroit | Detroit, MI
November 8 Wellmont Theater | Montclair, NJ
November 9 Tower Theater | Philadelphia, PA
November 13 Times-Union Center Moran Theater | Jacksonville, FL
November 14 The Fillmore Miami Beach | Miami, FL
November 19 Mobile Civic Center Theater | Mobile, AL
November 20 Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center | Greensboro, NC
November 21 The Tabernacle | Atlanta, GA *Andy Mineo will not be performing.
About Lecrae:
What began as a way to reach the youth in a nearby juvenile detention center, through hip-hop, eventually became chart topping success as a critically acclaimed rapper, with over 1.8 million collective album sales. In the past two years, Lecrae has released 3 genre-redefining projects. He dropped his first mixtape in 2012, Church Clothes, hosted by Don Canon, which went double platinum on Datpiff, garnering over 500,000 downloads and debuting #10 on iTunes as an EP. Following that, in probably what was a major upset in Gospel music, Lecrae made history as the first hip-hop artist to win a GRAMMY® award in the Best Gospel Album category for his sixth studio album Gravity. Gravity debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on the Rap Charts, and #1 Independent with over 73K units sold during its first week. The album featured key production from GRAMMY® award winning producers DJ Khalil and Heat Academy. He also celebrated video premieres of his singles “Mayday,” “Fakin’,” and “Confessions” on BET and MTV. Along with the biggest win of his career, Lecrae was also nominated for a Billboard Award, BET Award and Soul Train Award, and won a Dove Award. Lecrae closed out an incredible 2013 on several major tours, including Rock the Bells, and put out his second mixtape, Church Clothes 2, which has sold over 40K units after being downloaded over 150,000 times.
About Premier Productions:
Formed in 1996, Premier Productions is the largest producer of Christian concert events in the nation and the co-founder of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest annual tour! With more than 200 events a year, Premier promotes award-winning artists with No. 1 hits such as – TobyMac, Skillet, Casting Crowns, Hillsong Live, Hillsong UNITED, Lecrae, Bill Gaither & Friends Homecoming, Jesus Culture, Kari Jobe, Matthew West and many more! For more information on Premier Productions, please visit www.PremierProductions.com.
Hillsong Worship released No Other Name recently to chart topping numbers receiving their highest debut in their 26 years of releasing an annual live project. No Other Name debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 13 its first week in the U.S. and at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian/Gospel album chart. As the highest debut from the Hillsong Worship brand, the album also debuted No. 1 on the Christian Gospel Albums, Praise and Worship Albums and Christian Digital Albums charts as well as No. 6 on the Digital Albums chart.
During street week, No Other Name peaked at No. 4 on iTunes Overall Albums chart in the U.S. as well as charting in the Top 10 of iTunes in 13 countries outside of the U.S. including at No. 1 in three countries making a global impact. This project was the first release under the new moniker “Hillsong Worship” and the 26th annual live worship project. Media also praised this new release noting the fresh and creative approach to Hillsong’s music on this album. Currently gracing the cover of the latest issue of CCM (July 15, 2014), here are samples of what the media had to say about No Other Name:
“No Other Name is truly stellar. Once again they have released their newest ‘best’ album.” – NewReleaseTuesday
“Hillsong Church continues to release live worship recordings of its annual conference in Sydney, Australia. That kind of legacy can be a lot to live up to, but No Other Name is all about building on that foundation. The album’s 11 new praise songs emphasize congregational worship and highlight the Aussie church’s determination to remain pioneers in the genre.” – Rhapsody
“Hillsong Worship’s No Other Name Is like no other” – Music Times
“Hands down, this is easily one of the best worship albums released this year.” – Hallels
“Strong lyrics that can be a great help to really teach your congregation to sing theology in a fresh way.” -The Church Collective
“Gear up because this album will become a movement. A declarative movement.” – Examiner
“Highly recommend it to worship leaders who are looking for something to add to their Sunday morning set list.” – Faith Village
Hillsong Worship will be back in the United States for their “No Other Name” Tour that begins one month from today on August 14 in Boston and concluding August 31 in Grand Rapids (dates below). Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Premier Productions. Hillsong Worship will also be performing at the 2nd Annual Hillsong Conference in New York City, which will be held at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 16-18th. Register now and save here.
About No Other Name: This annual live release features 11 new songs that will refresh an individual and congregational worship. No Other Name highlights the songwriting and vocals of those now well-known Hillsong Worship team, including Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Nigel Hendroff, Autumn Hardmann, Annie Garrett, Jad Gillies, David Ware, and Taya Smith.
About Hillsong Worship: Hillsong Worship is the congregational expression of worship from Hillsong Church – a global church with local expressions. Their music captures the heart and sound of Hillsong Church globally and represents the coming together of the Hillsong worship team from around the world; including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Ben Fielding, Dave Ware, Annie Garratt and many more. Since 1992, Hillsong Hillsong Worship has resourced the local church and received gold and platinum album status multiple times, writing such well known worship songs as “Shout To The Lord”, “Inside Out”, “Hosanna”, “The Stand” and “Mighty to Save,” which was awarded the 2009 Dove for Worship Song of the Year. The Hillsong brands have sold more than 12 million albums.
Hillsong Worship “No Other Name” Tour:
August 14 Boston, MA
August 15 Baltimore, MD
August 16 Charlotte, NC
August 18 Baton Rouge, LA
August 19 San Antonio, TX
August 21 Dallas, TX
August 22 Houston, TX
August 23 Tulsa, OK
August 25 Independence, MO
August 27 Springfield, MO
August 28 Cincinnati, OH
August 29 South Barrington, IL (Chicago)
August 30 Minneapolis, MN
August 31 Grand Rapids, MI
This week 19 Recordings’ Dove Award-winning artist and Season 11 American Idol finalist,COLTON DIXON premiered his new music video for his single “More of You.” This single is from his forthcoming August 19th sophomore album Anchor (19/Capitol CMG). In addition to the music video debut, fans can now pre-order the album digitally at iTunes here: smarturl.it/Anchor
For his sophomore effort, he co-wrote with renowned songwriters and artists such as Trevor McNevan (TFK), Matthew West, TobyMac, Ben Glover, Matt Bronleewe and the album’s producers. Anchor was recorded in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood, a creative hub dotted with recording studios, and produced by David Garcia (TobyMac, Mandisa, Newsboys) and Red Decibel (Switchfoot, Kelly Clarkson, Jeremy Camp). On it, Dixon explores not just new topics, but new sonic territory as well.
Anchor follows Dixon’s 2013 debut, A Messenger, which set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album of 2013 by a new Christian artist and the No. 9 best selling album of 2013 in the Christian genre overall. A Messenger also became the No. 22 best-selling album across all genres that same year, while Dixon was still reeling from his highly publicized seventh place finish on Season 11 of American Idol.
Awards and accolades followed. Dixon received three Dove Award nominations, winning for Best Contemporary/Rock Album, and he was nominated for Male Artist of the Year at the 2014 KLOVE Fan Awards. Colton also racked up two No. 1 radio singles in 2013 and toured with Third Day, TobyMac and Josh Wilson. And he was recently named an Official Steinway Artist by the legendary piano maker.
Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS) announces the signing of Jesus Culture Music to a music administration agreement for the copyright management of their popular worship song catalog. CCS’s INDIEadmin service will provide easy online licensing for Jesus Culture songs and sound recordings.
Jesus Culture Music’s highly anticipated new worship recording, Unstoppable Love, released last month and was recorded live during Jesus Culture’s annual Encounter Conference. One of the most influential youth and young adult movements around the world, Jesus Culture’s band features Chris Quilala, Kim Walker-Smith, Brandon Aaronson, Josh Fisher, Jeffrey Kunde, Ian McIntosh and Skyler Smith.
Jesus Culture Music is the home to several new and emerging worship artists, like Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Kristine Dimarco and Andrew Ehrenzeller, among others, and is known for popular worship songs like “Holy Spirit,” “Rooftops” and “Awaken Me.” The Jesus Culture Band just wrapped up its “Still Believe Tour” in May with back-to-back sold out concerts, and will be at Jesus Culture conferences this summer in Los Angeles (July 17 – 19) and Atlanta (August 1 – 2).
“Jesus Culture is really excited to work with CCS’s INDIEadmin team to provide administration for our song catalog and master recordings,” says Chris Quilala, worship leader and songwriter. “We appreciate their heart for the church and Christian community, and believe they will help simplify and make it easy to obtain licensing for the proper use of our songs and recordings.”
CCS serves as an advocate for copyright owners, offering full service administration to promote, protect and collect royalties for music through its innovative online INDIEadmin Service.
“We are honored to add Jesus Culture Music’s great catalog of worship songs and recordings to our INDIEadmin family,” says CCS CVO/Founder Susan Fontaine Godwin. “We look forward to a long-term relationship with their ministry, and our focus will be on providing easy licensing and maximizing digital audio and video streaming revenue for their widely popular music.”
CCS’s awarding-winning INDIEadmin clients include popular worship songwriters, publishers and artists like Don Moen, Bethel Music, Brooklyn Tabernacle, Carlos Whittaker and Ed Kerr. CCS has won Worship Leader’s Best of Best and Editor’s Pick awards for its various licenses and products.
IT TAKES A CHURCH CONTINUES HIGHLY RATED RUN ON GSN; GRANT-HOSTED MATCHMAKING SERIES PROVES SUMMER SUCCESS, WITH NEW EPISODES AIRING THURSDAYS AT 9/8C ON GSN
Curb recording artist Natalie Grant is enjoying an extraordinary summer, highlighted by the long anticipated premiere of the new One Media, LLC/Millennium Entertainment motion picture, Persecuted, set for national release tomorrow, July 18th. Produced by multiple Oscar®-winner Gray Frederickson (The Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now) and writer/director Daniel Lusko, the faith-based action-thriller sees the award-winning singer/songwriter in a supporting role alongside James Remar, Bruce Davison, Dean Stockwell, Gretchen Carlson, and Fred Thompson. For additional details, including nationwide theatre information, please see www.Persecutedmovie.com.
Grant was among the stars assembled at Los Angeles’ ArcLIght Hollywood for last night’s world premiere of Persecuted. (Photo Above)
Persecuted is already among the year’s most talked about new films. The recently released trailer quickly ascended to No. 1 on iTunes Movie Trailers’ “Most Popular” list, noted by The Hollywood Reporter as “a feat insiders attribute to a robust Facebook page and the ripped-from-the headlines themes that the movie explores.” Furthermore, FOX News declared Persecuted to be a “timely thriller,” while Politico praised the film as a “House of Cards for the religious set.”
“I chose to be a part of this movie, not because I was trying to grandstand on any particular issue, but honestly, because I thought it would be fun and different and a challenge for me,” Grant recently wrote on her own popular Facebook page (facebook.com/nataliegrantmusic). “However, I also decided to do it because I have personally experienced that some who are screaming loudest for tolerance are the ones who are displaying the greatest intolerance. I do not believe you can legislate morality, and I am not a proponent of trying to force my beliefs or view of righteousness on anyone. I’m much more a proponent of living what you believe, instead of shouting it or waving it on a sign.”
In other news, Grant will make a special guest appearance on tonight’s season finale of The American Bible Challenge, airing at 8/7C exclusively on GSN. Comedian and author Jeff Foxworthy hosts the one-hour game show in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the bible. Grammy®-winner Kirk Franklin serves as musical co-host.
Meanwhile, It Takes A Church – the new matchmaking series hosted by Grant – continues its hugely popular first season on GSN. The highly rated series, which sees Christian congregations across the country play matchmaker to help an unattached fellow parishioner find their partner, recently received the Dove “Family-Approved” Seal for all ages. New episodes of It Takes A Church air Thursdays at 9/8C on GSN – for more, please visit gsntv.com/shows/it-takes-a-church.
An inspired performer known for making lasting connections with her audience, Grant has an array of concert dates and live appearances slated through the fall and beyond. For complete tour details and ticket information, please log on towww.facebook.com/nataliegrantmusic/events.
Natalie Grant is one of contemporary Christian music’s most talented and beloved figures, acclaimed around the world for her breathtaking vocal abilities, powerful songwriting, and courageous efforts to help victims of human trafficking. One of the most honored artists in CCM history, Grant is a five-time GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Award winner as “Female Vocalist of the Year” (including four consecutive victories spanning 2006 to 2009 and a return win in 2012), as well as a multiple GRAMMY® award nominee.
“HURRICANE,” Grant’s most recent album, entered Billboard’s “Top Christian Albums” chart at #1 upon its 2013 release – the award-winning singer/songwriter’s first-ever debut atop the chart. Produced by her husband and longtime collaborator Bernie Herms, “HURRICANE” marks the highlight of Grant’s long affiliation with Curb Records, an accomplishment celebrated earlier this year when legendary Curb founder Mike Curb presented her with a special plaque commemorating overall label sales in excess of 3 million. What’s more, “Hurricane,” the album’s chart-topping hit single, received two major nominations from the 56th Annual GRAMMY® Awards: “Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance” and “Best Christian Music Song.”
In addition to her extraordinary musical career, Grant is also committed to giving voice to the voiceless through a variety of charitable efforts. An outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking, she is the founder of Abolition International, a non-profit origination that works towards providing quality restorative aftercare to human trafficking victims both domestically and around the world.
Five-time GRAMMY® Winner TobyMac has announced the “Worship, Stories & Songs Tour” which will hit the road this fall and will feature Matt Maher and Ryan Stevenson. TobyMac, who is renown for his live performances, will bring together the three artists in a night of fellowship in intimate venues and musical settings across the country.
The “Worship, Stories & Songs Tour” will be a totally different TobyMac show, a time where it’s not about the lights, smoke or big stage. Instead, it will be more intimate and personal, a “storyteller’s night” where Toby will share where the songs came from.
Kicking off in Madison, MS on November 6, the tour will make select stops in 20 cities before wrapping in Ft. Wayne, IN in mid-December. For full tour dates and more information, see below. Just last month, the K-LOVE Fan Awards honored TobyMac with the “Best Live Show” award. Completely voted upon by fans, TobyMac was nominated alongside Switchfoot, NEEDTOBREATHE, for KING & COUNTRY, Newsboys and Rend Collective.
Earlier this year, TobyMac gave fans a special treat with the world premiere of his music video “Speak Life,” which debuted on cable’s top-rated morning program Fox & Friends. To view the music video for “Speak Life,” which already has over 1.4 million views, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeBv9r92VQ0.
“Worship, Stories & Songs Tour” Dates
More to be added, tour dates subject to change
http://tobymac.com/tour
November 6 – Madison, WS
November 7 – Texarkana, TX
November 8 – Wichita Falls, TX
November 9 – Lewisville, TX
November 13 – New Albany, IN
November 14 – Lexington, KY
November 15 – Akron, OH
November 16 – Troy, OH
November 20 – Joplin, MO
November 21 – Lincoln, NE
November 22 – Bourbonnais, IL
November 23 – Grand Rapids, MI
December 4 – Toledo, OH
December 5 – York, PA
December 6 – Williamsport, MD
December 7 – Richmond, VA
December 11 – Normal, IL
December 12 – Appleton, WI
December 13 – Milwaukee, WI
December 14 – Ft. Wayne, IN
About TobyMac:
With over 11 million units in career sales, TobyMac’s career continues on the fast track. His most recent project, Eye On It, garnered him the GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and the highest chart debut of his solo career landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and topping the iTunes® Overall and Christian sales charts. The project made TobyMac one of only four artists to ever debut atop the Billboard Top 200 with a Christian music album. His previous four solo projects have received RIAA Gold Certifications and his live DVD, Alive & Transported, is RIAA Certified platinum and received a GRAMMY® award. In less than 15 months between 2012-2013, TobyMac received two GRAMMY® awards, two Billboard Music Awards for Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album, his first American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Contemporary/Inspirational category, Dove Awards for “Artist of the Year,” “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year,” “Recorded Music Packaging of the Year,” “Short Form Video of the Year,” a K-LOVE Music Award for “Artist of the Year” and swept the 2013 Australian Music Award. At the 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards, he won the award for “Best Live Show.”
About Matt Maher:
Recording artist, songwriter and worship leader, Matt Maher is well known for writing worship anthems that influence church worship services worldwide, including “Your Grace Is Enough,” “White Flag,” “Lord I Need You,” and “I Will Rise.” His songs continue to climb the CCLI charts and have been recorded by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, the Passion movement and more. Maher’s credibility as a writer has been galvanized by recognition from the GRAMMYs®, where Maher has garnered four GRAMMY® nominations, two in the Contemporary Christian Music Song category, 54th and 55th GRAMMY® seasons for “I Lift My Hands,” “White Flag,” and two in the 56th season for Contemporary Christian Music Performance for “Lord, I Need You” and Contemporary Christian Music Album, All The People Said Amen. Maher’s songs have prompted career sales of more than 410,000 albums and generated national media coverage on outlets including “FOX & Friends” and as a guest writer with Billboard magazine. In the summer 2013, Maher was chosen to be the face of three million Dr. Pepper cans in conjunction with Pepsi MidAmerica and its Christian artist can campaign. Maher played at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro where he performed his renown songs, including Billboard NCA hit single “Lord, I Need You,” and was selected to play for Pope Francis’ Beachside Vigil, attended by over 3 million people. For more information on Matt Maher and All The People Said Amen, visit http://www.mattmahermusic.com. Also follow Matt on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mattmahermusic.
About Ryan Stevenson:
After capturing TobyMac’s attention, Ryan Stevenson-who spent seven years as a paramedic-was signed to an exclusive recording agreement with the iconic artist’s record label Gotee Records in 2013. Since then, he’s been nominated for a GRAMMY® as a song-writer on TobyMac’s latest single “Speak Life,” toured with Audio Adrenaline, seen his debut single “Holding Nothing Back” become a Top 25 Christian AC and National Christian Audience charting song and opened up TobyMac’s 2014 Hits Deep Tour. The Pacific Northwest native is a husband and father of two boys and currently serves as worship leader at Vertical Church Boise. His Gotee debut, the 4-song Holding Nothing Back EP, is available at all digital outlets now.
The first Christmas project ever recorded by Grammy and Dove Award winning vocalist John Schlitt, one of the most distinctive voices in Christian music, will be available September 2 through Send The Light Distribution and Munce Group Stores. Schlitt’s The Christmas Project will also be available in Family Christian Stores, Lifeway Christian Stores and others, for the 2014 holiday season.
The full-length CD is comprised primarily of beloved traditional Christmas carols, but that doesn’t mean The Christmas Project is all egg nog and holly. This album rocks with the unmistakable John Schlitt style that legions of fans have come to know and love. The icing on the Christmas confection is an original tune, “What Christmas Needs to Be,” which is destined to become a seasonal classic.
Schlitt launches The Christmas Project with what is arguably the greatest Christmas song of all time, “The Hallelujah Chorus.” While Handel’s masterpiece has been interpreted by a multitude of musicians over the past 250 years, no one sings “hallelujah” like Schlitt. “The Hallelujah Chorus” transitions seamlessly into a guitar-driven, barn-burning version of “Do You Hear What I Hear.” “Little Drummer Boy” gives Schlitt the freedom to explore his full range of vocal prowess, starting at a muted whisper before embracing his full-throttle, wailing rock roots while holding fast to the traditional melodies of the beloved carol. Fans can look forward to a music video of “Little Drummer Boy” by the award-winning Saylors Brothers (Israel & New Breed: Live From Another Level Concert DVD) in time for the holiday season.
Schlitt reins in his potent vocals for a gentle, reverent interpretation of “O Holy Night,” then ratchets up the intensity on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” a rock-inflected fist-pumper that is guaranteed to get the listeners’ blood flowing. The versatile vocalist shifts moods to one of pure fun with the funky Irish reel “Good Christian Men Rejoice,” then slides comfortably into the mellow, bluesy “That Spirit of Christmas,” made popular by the legendary Ray Charles.
Melancholy keys and strings embellish Schlitt’s emotion-laden vocals on the traditionally arranged “We Three Kings.” The gently rocking “What Christmas Needs to Be” leads into the project’s closing tune, the reflective “What Child Is This.” “What Child Is This” provides the perfect foil for Schlitt’s signature vocal stylings, allowing him to channel his passionate delivery through a filter of awe at the enormity of this central event in history.
Schlitt utilized the popular crowd funding platform Kickstarter to raise financial support for the new album.
About John Schlitt:
For more than three decades, John Schlitt has enjoyed a stellar musical career as a solo artist, as the lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Petra, one of the most successful Christian rock bands of all time, and as the former lead singer for popular ’70s mainstream rock band Head East. He has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as the lead singer of Petra during the years when the band won 10 Dove Awards and four Grammy Awards. Schlitt was named the best rock singer in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com. According to the website, Schlitt “remains one of the most distinctive and impactful men to ever stand behind a microphone.” Schlitt was also named Male Vocalist of the Year in About.com’s 2011 Readers’ Poll in a category that included Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath and Bebo Norman.
Since Schlitt released his fourth solo CD, The Greater Cause, in May 2012, the legendary vocalist’s busy schedule has included appearances on The Mike Huckabee Show, 700 Club Interactive and the Faith & Freedom Celebration–the faith-based kick-off to the Republican National Convention, as well as extensive international touring.
DREAM Worship is excited to announce the release of The Sound Of Jesus, the debut album byAaron Bagwell. The Sound Of Jesus is an honest and heartfelt spirit-filled album sure to encourage and uplight your day. With songs like “My Everything” and “Saving Grace” this album is a must have in your library and at your church. Purchase the the album on iTunes here! You can also text AARON to 51555 to purchase the album!
DREAM Worship recently asked Aaron about signing with DREAM and the release of “The Sound Of Jesus.” Check out what he had to say:
“I am thrilled to have signed with Dream Records and to be working with such amazing talent. Dream is unique because they are very involved in the artist publicly and privately. Integrity is at the heart of Dream’s mission to not only produce great music but have great hearts behind the songs.
The Sound Of Jesus is a unique record as it was written for the church to sing but produced with a sound to draw people outside of the church. It is a mix of upbeat, pop sounding beats with a mix of deep, intimate worship through the lyrics.
My Everything is the first single to be released off of The Sound Of Jesus. With it’s driving, upbeat tempo and uplifting words, any listener is sure to be reminded of the goodness of God.”
ABOUT DREAM WORSHIP:
DREAM was founded in 2008 to provide artists with a genuine approach to how real artist development should be done. By allowing for a partnership as a business model, Dream’s artists empower themselves to develop and carry out a real vision for their lives as they affect other people’s lives with their music and message. Incorporating social media, press, radio and touring it’s allowing it’s artists grow together as a family.
ABOUT AARON BAGWELL:
Pastor Aaron Bagwell has been in full time ministry since he was 15 years of age. Beginning as a praise and worship leader for his father, Dr. Tim Bagwell, he grew into a multi-faceted leader working and leading every part of the church under his father’s covering. Pastor Aaron is a 3rd generation pastor called and raised in ministry by God.
Music has been a passion of Aaron since he was a young teenager. Learning to play piano at age 9, Aaron began playing with the worship team at church. At age 15, Aaron began leading worship for an 800 member church and has continued to work in full time music ministry ever since.
The Sound Of Jesus is the latest release by Aaron Bagwell. This is a worship project with the vision of a modern sound for the church. This project is designed to draw people closer to God whether they are in church or they are unchurched.
Aaron Bagwell Ministries, founded in 2008, has hosted large american team missions trips, medical camps, food outreaches to thousands, clothing drives, construction projects for homes and churches, large scale street-evangelism, pastor’s conferences, women’s conferences, leader’s conferences, business leader conferences and large scale evangelistic campaigns. Pastor Aaron has been to over 20 nations, seen more than 50,000 signed decision card salvations through events that Aaron Bagwell Ministries has arranged and coordinated. Aaron Bagwell Ministries is striving to reach people of all walks of life. Through speaking, music, humanitarian efforts and the love of Jesus, ABM strives to bring people closer to God through the message of Jesus Christ. Connect with Aaron on social media for the latest tours and news
Award-winning comedian Bone Hampton will appear on ABC’s The View this Thursday, July 24. Hampton will perform his lauded stand-up routine during the show’s Sherri’s Comedy Corner segment. The appearance marks Hampton’s fourth appearance on The View – twice as a host on “Guy Day Friday,” Co-Host during “Male Best Friend” Day, and once during Joy’s Comedy Corner.
Recipient of the 2013 GMA Dove Award Grady Nutt Humor Award for Comedian of the Year, Hampton’s latest DVD, “UnOfficially Famous” released this past April and is available at bonehampton.com.
Hampton can also be heard in Nashville every Monday and Tuesday morning on “Mighty Good Day” with Stellar Award winner Lady Shaunte’ on 760AM The Gospel, and is part of the comedy tour “The Heavy Hitters” with Chinitta Morris, Akintunde and Marcus Wiley. For tour dates visit bonehampton.com. This fall he will be headlining the GMA Dove Award comedy show during GMA Dove Week 2014.
About Bone Hampton:
The term “crossover” is seldom used of comedians, yet the word is the perfect descriptor for “Bone” Hampton, one of redemptive comedy’s most well traveled and in-demand funnymen. Bone’s comedic smarts know no bounds. One day he can be seen working the crowd at a comedy club, the next he’s doing his thing at a church gig, and the following he’s making a splash on a hit sitcom. Such is evidenced in his diverse resume, including “All About Steve” with Sandra Bullock & Bradley Cooper, NBC’s My Name is Earl, ABC’s Less Than Perfect, and reoccurring appearances on TBN’s “Praise the Lord,” LeCrae’s “Higher Learning Tour” and on the “Thou Shalt Laugh 2 and 5 projects with Tim Conway and Chonda Pierce.
Los Angeles, CA – Kierra Sheard releases her highly anticipated album, GRACELAND, today, July 22. The newest judge on BET’s 7th season of “Sunday Best” gets personal on GRACELAND and shares her ongoing inner battle between self-conviction and condemnation. Gail Mitchell from Billboard states, “Sheard’s triumph over turmoil ultimately triggered what is arguably her best and most versatile work to date. GRACELAND brims with self-introspection and lessons learned as a fearless Sheard bares her soul and shares a revelatory, yet joyous journey that everyone can personally embrace.” Kierra collaborated for the first time with celebrated pop songwriter Diane Warren (Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Céline Dion) and rising songwriter/producer Harmony Samuels (Ariana Grande, Fantasia, Michelle Williams).
The exuberant first single, “2nd Win,” marches its cadence fittingly underscoring the song’s message about overcoming life’s challenges. Kierra samples the Clark Sisters’ song, “They Were Overcome,” paying homage to the trailblazing work of the group’s members: Sheard’s aunts and her mother, Karen Clark Sheard. GRACELAND’s other quintessential tracks range from the guitar-driven, folky mid-tempo title track (“I Fall All the Time,” says Sheard. “That song touches me because it’s what I feel every day”) to the rap-accented anthem “Moving Forward.”
In addition to promoting Graceland, Kierra recently launched a signature hosiery line distributed by Walgreens and is recently finished filming the second season of her family’s BET weekly docu-drama, “The Sheards,” airing this Fall. Kierra’s philanthropic campaigns include her youth organization: BRL (Bold! Right! Life!). The Non-profit is fifteen chapters strong and is staging its 9th annual conference (Aug. 7-9) in her hometown Detroit. Sheard recently launched a PSA campaign with Saving our Daughters to support young girls battling homelessness and date abuse.
Integrity Music announces the re-signing of trailblazing worship leader Lincoln Brewster, building on a 15-year relationship with the California-based musician who helped put a rock spin on modern worship while introducing the genre to contemporary Christian radio.
“I am honored to announce that after 15 years, Integrity Music will continue to serve as the music partner for Lincoln Brewster and his ministry going forward,” said C. Ryan Dunham, President of Integrity Music. “I have had the privilege of getting to know Lincoln and his wife Laura on a personal level and love their heart, their passion for serving and their dedication to their local church. It is a privilege to come alongside an artist like Lincoln, who has such incredible talent that he is choosing to use for God’s glory.”
Originally signed to the label in the late 90s, Integrity released Brewster’s first album, a self-titled debut in 1999 when modern worship music comprised only a small niche within Christian music before becoming the top-selling genre that it is today. Eight albums later, Brewster has made an indelible impact on modern worship, opening doors at Christian radio for other worship artists with his singles “Everlasting God,” “Let The Praises Ring,” “Love The Lord,” “Today Is The Day,” “Salvation Is Here,” “The Power Of Your Name” and more.
“In 1999, the only worship singles that were getting any significant airplay on Christian radio were songs from the debut SONICFLOOd project and Lincoln Brewster,” says acclaimed radio consultant Chris Hauser.
“I can distinctly remember getting adds for “Take Me Higher,” “The Power of Your Name” (with Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine) and even “Lord I Lift Your Name on High,” he continues. “These songs were taking root on radio playlists, opening doors for Lincoln as a ‘sure thing’ for great corporate, vertical songs that fit on radio while also paving the way for Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, the Passion movement records and many others.”
Looking ahead to August, Brewster and Integrity are preparing for a global release of his new album, Oxygen, which is co-produced by Brewster and Colby Wedgeworth and features all new songs penned by Brewster including the project’s first radio single, “Made New.”
“Lincoln is a renowned guitarist, songwriter, artist and worship leader who has produced many great albums and songs,” adds Dunham. “But with this new album, Oxygen, people are going to experience a whole new Lincoln Brewster. It’s a new sound with a nod to the past and a bold step forward… I believe it is his best album yet.”
Music has been an integral part of Lincoln Brewster’s life since early childhood when he would “sit in” on rehearsals with his mother as she played with local bands in their hometown of Homer, Alaska. By age five, Brewster was playing the mandolin and by age nine, he had picked up the electric guitar. That love for music took him down a winding road that included a season playing for rocker Steve Perry (Journey) and recording offers from mainstream labels all before he was 21. But Brewster, who had made a commitment to Christ in his late teens, walked away from the promise of rock stardom and instead took a position at his local church as a sound technician.
Years later, Brewster is again playing before thousands, this time leading people in worship at music festivals and concerts across the U.S., and at Bayside Church near Sacramento, California, where he serves as Worship Arts Pastor. Brewster’s recordings include the albums Real Life, Joy To The World, Today Is The Day, Let The Praises Ring, All To You and Amazed.
Recorded Live in UK, Dance Again Available Globally May 26
Integrity Music announces the May 26 global release of Dance Again, a 13-track album featuring new songs from the UK’s LIFE Church, including the title track, which was inspired by a miraculous physical healing. Recorded live by LIFE Worship, the music ministry of LIFE Church (formerly Abundant Life) in Bradford, England, Dance Again is an album filled with new songs from a congregation pressing deeper into God’s promises.
Dance Again features original songs written by members of the church along with a cover of “One Thing Remains” by Brian Johnson/Bethel Music. The album also features “We Believe” co-written by LIFE Worship’s Matt Hooper and popularized by the Newsboys. But it is the story behind the title track that has people talking.
It all began with church member Amanda Varty who had battled “ME” (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) for nine years. The debilitating disease left Amanda bedridden much of the time. There were days when she couldn’t walk, and in time, Amanda lost her job and was on the verge of losing her home.
Desperate beyond words, Amanda and her husband went to church hoping for a miracle. On that particular day, Amanda recalls that she felt stronger and could sit upright and even raise her hands during worship, hands that had barely the strength to raise a fork to her mouth. Yet when she left the church, the weakness returned.
For eight months, the situation remained the same with Amanda feeling weak at home but better at church. Then, one day as Amanda received prayer at church, she stood up, walking away from her wheelchair. And that’s when she did the one thing that she had dreamed of being able to do during all those years of suffering. She danced again before God.
Her testimony had a profound effect on the church, inspiring worship leader and associate pastor Matt Hooper to pen the song “Dance Again.”
Praise Him when your heart is breaking / When your strength is almost gone / Sing out your song and
Praise Him in the fire and fury / In the dark night of your soul
Your tears will dry / Your heart will mend / Your scars will heal / And you will dance again…
“So many of us live between the promise that God gave us and the realization of that promise,” says Matt Hooper. “There’s a big gap sometimes for us to live in. But what we do in that gap… our reasonable response ought to be praise. He never changes, He’s always faithful. And we have to approach the sovereign God with that mindset. When your heart is breaking, praise Him.”
To hear more about Amanda’s healing and the inspiration behind the song “Dance Again,” view “Amanda’s Story” and to watch the live performance of the song, go to “Dance Again”.
Dance Again will be available through all major digital service providers beginning May 26 with a “Deluxe” version of the album, including bonus videos, available exclusively through iTunes.
The complete songlist for Dance Again is:
1. Alive Inside
2. We Believe
3. One Thing Remains
4. Dance Again
5. Jesus’ Blood
6. Found & Redeemed
7. His Kingdom Is Here
8. Let Faith Arise
9. The Promise Isn’t Over
10. This Is My Surrender
11. Come All You Saints
12. Back Where I Belong
13. Emmanuel
About LIFE Church:
LIFE Church is a thriving, multi-cultural family that meets in Bradford and Leeds in England and Belfast, Northern Ireland. LIFE Worship, the music ministry of the church, exists to create life-giving worship and resources to serve their community and local churches around the world. Additional information on LIFE Church and LIFE Worship can be found at http://www.lifechurchhome.com.
Attention: Writers, Musicians, Bands, Filmmakers, Screenwriters, Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
I just released my new book for creative artists of all kinds who are looking to either launch their career or take it to the next level. Making a living, and finding ultimate success as a creative artist can be very challenging, and the truth is many creative artists never reach a place where they are happy with their income and level of success. If that is you, then I’d love to tell you about my new book called The Success Secrets of A Legend: How Bob Marley Went From Struggling Jamaican Musician To International Superstar.
You can download a free preview of the book (the first 3 chapters on amazon, or noisetrade or smashwords). The book costs only $0.99 on smashwords and iBooks and Barnes and Noble, and $2.99 on Amazon Kindle.
Below Is A Description of The Book:
Celebrated and revered around the world as one of the greatest musical artists to ever grace the stage, Bob Marley has given the world some of the most-loved songs, including “No Woman, No Cry,” “I Shot The Sherriff” and “Could You Be Loved,” among countless others. Rising from the humble origins of Trenchtown in Kingston, Jamaica, Bob Marley rose to the very pinnacle of music royalty with his status as icon and legend only growing each year since his passing. But how did this skinny kid from the ghetto slum of Trenchtown rise to the highest heights of pop music? By all accounts, Bob Marley’s success was as impressive as it was improbable. Coming from a country not previously known for its musical exports, as well performing a new musical genre unfamiliar to most of the world, Bob Marley invaded the public consciousness with a new sound that was ultimately embraced by people as far away as Canada, Germany and Japan.
As the title promises, in this new self help book, personal success author Hervict Jacobs looks at the success secrets of Bob Marley, and traces how he went from the slums of Kingston to becoming the legend that he is today by examining the insights that helped him rise from nothing having a personal net worth of $30 million at the end of his life.
This book is for creative artists of all kinds: writers, musicians, filmmakers, and screenwriters as well entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whatever your creative passion, THE SUCCESS SECRETS OF A LEGEND will show you the techniques and strategies that Bob Marley used to achieve his dream of musical success, and how you can use these same insights to take your career and business to the next level.
Some of the topics covered include, starting where you are no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem, the importance of brand to success and how Bob Marley built his brand through years of small gigs. It will also examine how Bob Marley got a London-based record label to partner with him and how you can get investors to partner with you.
What makes the story of Bob Marley’s success so uniquely compelling is the very lows of abject poverty from which he rose. Moving from rural St. Anne with his mother to Trenchtown, with no advantage or promise of future success, Bob Marley steadfastly worked his way up from nothing. Bob Marley’s life story, while it is a fascinating rags to riches story, is more than just the gripping saga of a boy with a dream who overcame the odds, it’s a blueprint for anyone who longs to follow their dreams.
Battistelli to Perform Lead Single, “Write Your Story,”
Now No. 1 at Hot AC/CHR and AC, on Fox & Friends This Friday
Nashville, TN – (April 22, 2014) – GRAMMY®-nominated artist and Christian Music’s best-selling new artist in 10 years,Francesca Battistelli releases her third studio album, If We’re Honest, everywhere today. Her two previous albums, debut release My Paper Heart and sophomore effort Hundred More Years, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart and garnered Battistelli a GRAMMY® nomination and Dove Awards’ 2011 “Artist of the Year” honors. In addition, My Paper Heart received RIAA Gold certification marking the only debut album from a CCM artist in 10 years to receive the status. Last Thursday, she also received a Gold record for her second single “Free To Be Me” which spent ten consecutive weeks at No. 1 on CHR and two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on AC Monitored. This Friday, Battistelli will perform the album’s lead single, “Write Your Story,” No. 1 this week at Hot AC / CHR and AC, on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” Earlier this year she made her national morning TV debut performing it on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Battistelli is also featured on SiriusXM’s “The Message: Delivered Live” for a 60-minute special performing songs from If We’re Honest for a live studio audience today at 2pm ET and rebroadcast on Saturday at 8am ET and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm ET.
Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and her longtime collaborator Ian Eskelin, If We’re Honest reveals her most intimate and accomplished musical statement yet and showcases her trademark pop and soul-infused sound. “This album is a really good reflection of where I am right now,” said Battistelli. “My family and I moved back to Nashville in May, and I went right to work writing for this album. From my perspective, it felt like the pressure was off after that famously terrifying second album and all that was happening back then. This time around, I really just let go of all that self-imposed pressure. Somehow I felt as though I didn’t have to prove as much, even to myself, and I think that allowed me to do my best work.” The 11-track album and 15-track deluxe version of If We’re Honest are available everywhere today and on iTunes athttp://smarturl.it/ifwerehonest.
If We’re Honest has critics applauding:
“Powerhouse singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli just keeps getting better…it appears the mutli-talented Battistelli has only dug further for this beautiful project. The result is prefection.” – CCM Magazine
“With enough soulful familiarity to satisfy, and the careful touch of some new sonic elements to keep things fresh, listeners have much reason to rejoice with the release of this album. It is undoubtedly Francesca’s best yet, and one of the must-own highlights of the year.” – New Release Tuesday (5/5 stars)
“If We’re Honest, produced by Ian Eskelin, is Francesca’s most mature and complete album to date, and my favourite album of the year.” – Christian Music Zine
“A must-have, inspiring, and soulful album…If We’re Honest, is an uplifting masterpiece that digs deep into Francesca’s musical canvas…” – Rockin’ God’s House
“If We’re Honest propels Battistelli to the next level sonically… [It] showcases Battistelli’s ability to pen shimmering pop songs filled with relatable lyrics, making Franny feel more like a friend than an award-winning pop songstress.” – Living Light News & The Sound Opinion (5/5 Stars)
“The truths imparted on these tracks are vital to our spiritual wellbeing.” – Christian Music Review
“… an album full of new songs that’s certain to skyrocket her popularity even more, to new heights.” – Indie Vision Music
“In the six years since her debut album, Francesca Battistelli has found her voice. [If We’re Honest is] poppy, friendly, and relatable, and a whole lot of fun to listen to.” – JesusFreakHideoout
If We’re Honest track listing:
1. Write Your Story – written by Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia and Ben Glover
2. When The Crazy Kicks In – written by Francesca Battistelli , Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood
3. He Knows My Name – written by Francesca Battistelli, Mia Fieldes and Seth Mosley
4. Unusual – written by Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood
5. Choose To Love – written by Francesca Battistelli, Justin Ebach and Tony Wood
6. Run To Jesus – written by Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover and Jennifer Schott
7. Find Rest – written by Francesca Battistelli, Jared Anderson and Ian Eskelin
8. If We’re Honest – written by Francesca Battistelli, Jeff Pardo and Molly E. Reed
9. Giants Fall – written by Francesca Battistelli, Jeff Pardo and Molly E. Reed
10. Hands Of God (Feat. Matt Hammitt) – written by Francesca Battistelli, Matt Hammitt and Seth Mosley
11. We Are The Kingdom – written by Francesca Battistelli, Casey Brown and Jonathan Smith
Deluxe Edition:
12. Holy Spirit – written by Brian & Katie Torwalt
13. Keeping Score – written by Francesca Battistelli and Ben Glover
14. I Am Home – written by Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood
15. Tonight (Feat. All Sons & Daughters) – written by Francesca Battistelli, Leslie Jordan and David Leonard
Battistelli just wrapped up the Word Entertainment / LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) partnership “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014,” in association with 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” and epic mini-series “The Bible,” with Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray. This spring/summer she can be seen throughout the country at numerous fairs and festivals prior to launching a headlining tour in the fall. For further information and a complete list of dates please visit: www.francescamusic.com.
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified Gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 995,000 in album sales to date and over 1.9 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S.
Fresh of an appearance at Napa’s LIVE IN THE VINEYARD, Plumb’s single NEED YOU NOW included in iHeartradio Artist Integration Campaign
Nashville, TN – After an incredible start to 2014, Curb Records artist PLUMB is slated to perform at exclusive songwriter showcases at ALOFT Hotels. Kicking off in Chicago on May 7, Kansas City on May 8 and Tulsa on May 9, these free acoustic events will be held at WXYZ Lounge inside each individual hotel. Throughout the month of May, all patrons of Aloft hotels nationwide will also receive a free download of the single “Need You Now” via their room keycard.
These Aloft showcases are on the heels of her performance at Napa California’s acclaimed music, food and wine festival – LIVE IN THE VINEYARD. Plumb was honored to participate in this unique invitation only event, where she performed alongside the likes of Sarah McLaughlin, Colbie Caillat, O.A.R., Fitz and the Tantrums and Hunter Hayes.
2014 has already proven to be a game-changer for Plumb. Her multi-genre single “Need You Now”, having already topped Dance and Christian charts, is currently in Clear Channel’s iHeartradio Digital Artist’s Integration platform and will soon impact at Adult Top 40 radio.
Plumb recently completed a run of U.S. arena dates on the tour recently named by Pollstar the top grossing tour of the first quarter of 2014. The tour spanned 58 dates from November 2013 to March 2014, with 34 sellouts and a record-setting attendance of over 700,000.
The early May installment of Aloft Storyteller shows will be held:
May 7 – Chicago, IL at Aloft Chicago City Center. 5:30pm. 515 Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654
May 8 – Kansas City, KY at Aloft Leawood – Overland Park. 6:00pm. 11620 Ash Street, Overland Park, KS 66211
May 9 – Tulsa, OK at Aloft Tulsa. 6:30pm. 6716 S. 104th East Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74133
About PLUMB:
Throughout her decade+ career as a songwriter and recording artist, PLUMB has established a highly respected multi-format voice, selling over half a million albums and 3 million singles worldwide. PLUMB has continually defied genre definition, becoming “known for a wide-ranging musical palette, which has led to success on multiple Billboard charts” (BILLBOARD, July 2013). Her otherworldly voice has make her a perfect fit on numerous soundtracks and TV placements (most recently with Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars), and her honesty has made her a coveted songwriter, with songs recorded by artists such as Mandy Moore, Michelle Branch, and Natalie Grant. PLUMB has also garnered wide acceptance in the dance/remix community, collaborating with EDM heavyweights Paul Van Dyk and BT, and has seen six Top 5’s and three #1 Billboard Hot Dance singles in the past 5 years. Plumb’s latest album, NEED YOU NOW, is proving to be her strongest yet, crossing 90k albums plus another 363k singles on the back of break out single “Need You Now,” which has already spent multiple weeks at #1 on various charts, and is preparing to impact the Hot A/C format.
PLUMB HIGHLIGHTS:
o Latest album at 92k album sales (130k+ total including singles-to-album aggregate)
o Facebook: 217k+; Email List: 32k+; Twitter: 27k+
o Featured on WinterJam 2014 58-date US arena tour November-March (700k audience); Headline & festival dates to over 250k in 2013
o 500,000+ album and 3+ Million track sales worldwide
o Ten #1s and numerous other top charting singlesacross USA, UK, Europe, & Russia
o Five Top 5 (Three #1) Billboard Hot Dance Airplay/Club hits
o DON’T DESERVE YOU (single) – collaborative remix and video with Paul van Dyk (http://youtu.be/QMt2hw62374)
o NEED YOU NOW (single) – 280k iTunes singles sold
– impacting Mainstream Hot A/C April 2014
– 100,000+ certified spins at radio (5 weeks at #1 CHA/C , #3 CA/C, and #1 CA/C Canada)
– 1M+ Spotify plays
– #5 on Billboard Club/Dance chart
– 3 Million+ YouTube views of lyric and live videos
Band returns to The Late Show with David Letterman tonight
Watch “The Heart” on The Ellen Degeneres Show
North American tour extended another two months
CBS This Morning performance confirmed for May 3
Nashville, Tenn. (April 23, 2014) – NEEDTOBREATHE and Atlantic/Word Records are thrilled to announce that the band’s new album Rivers In the Wasteland has debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Christian Albums Chart. Released last week, Rivers went straight to No. 1 on the iTunes® chart and stayed in the Top 10 all week.
The band performed new single “The Heart” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last Friday, a song the UK’s Clash Magazine spotlights as “strident, anthemic songwriting” that “matches Southern rock to gilded Americana with the trio’s voices gathered in rapture.” Watch the performance here: http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-rjytdfgl
NEEDTOBREATHE will return to The Late Show with David Letterman tonight for a performance of “The Heart,” joined by the legendary Paul Shaffer.
The band’s single “Difference Maker” continues to the climb the charts, hitting the Top 10 this week at CHR. The band’s next single “Multiplied” went for adds last week and was picked up by 29 Christian AC stations, making it the most added single at Christian AC.
Rivers In the Wasteland impressed fans and critics alike last week following its release. NewReleaseTuesday.com said, “You’ll be hooked right from the opening notes…” while JesusFreakHideout.com praised a “welcome return for the South Carolina boys, and already one of the best releases of 2014.”
The band’s North American headlining that kicks off May 1 has been extended for another two months. The additional leg sees the band performing in Austin, New York, Philadelphia and Boston. See the full list of dates below.
On May 3, NEEDTOBREATHE will perform on CBS This Morning Saturday’s “Saturday Sessions.”
Listen to Rivers In the Wasteland, which has already been spotlighted by USA Today, Yahoo, RELEVANT, HitFix, Team Coco and Paste, here: www.needtobreathe.com/riversinthewasteland
Tour Dates:
5/1/14 – Gillioz Theatre – Springfield, MO *
5/2/14 – Brady Theater – Tulsa, OK *
5/3-4/14 – Suburbia Music Festival – Plano, TX
5/5/14 – Marquee Theatre – Phoenix, AZ *
5/6/14 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA *
5/7/14 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA *
5/9/14 – The Neptune – Seattle, WA *
5/10/14 – The Neptune – Seattle, WA *
5/11/14 – Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, BC *
5/14/14 – The Fillmore – Denver, CO *
5/15/14 – Uptown Theater – Kansas City, MO *
5/16-18/14 – Hangout Festival – Gulf Shores, AL *
5/31/14 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA *
6/1/14 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA *
6/3/14 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA *
6/5/14 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH *
6/6/14 – Murat Theatre – Indianapolis, IN *
6/8/14 – Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI *
6/10/14 – Simon Estes – Des Moines, IA *
6/12/14 – Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN *
6/13/14 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO *
6/14/14 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL *
6/15/14 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL *
6/17/14 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY *
6/19/14 – Danforth Theatre – Toronto, ON
6/20/14 – The Fillmore – Detroit, MI *
6/21/14 – Meijer Gardens – Grand Rapids, MI *
8/16/14 – DownPour Festival – Great Falls, MT **
8/20/14 – Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville, TN **
8/21/14 – Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville, TN **
8/22/14 – The Uptown Amphitheatre – Charlotte, NC **
8/24/14 – Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC **
9/4/14 – Austin Music Hall – Austin, TX **
9/5/14 – Bayou Music Hall – Houston, TX **
9/8/14 – River Center Baton Rouge – Baton Rouge, LA **
9/9/14 – Orpheum Theatre – Memphis, TN **
9/11/14 – Alabama Theatre – Birmingham, AL **
9/13/14 – The Woods at Fontanel – Nashville, TN **
9/16/14 – The NorVa – Norfolk, VA **
9/18/14 – North Charleston PAC – Charleston, SC **
9/19/14 – Littlejohn Coliseum – Clemson, SC **
9/22/14 – The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD **
9/24/14 – Theatre of the Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA **
9/25/14 – Theatre of the Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA **
9/26/14 – House of Blues – Boston, MA **
9/27/14 – Best Buy Theater – New York, NY **
* With Foy Vance
** With The Oh Hellos
About NEEDTOBREATHE:
NEEDTOBREATHE is an American Rock ‘n’ Roll Band from South Carolina, effortlessly woven from the musical traditions and faith of their upbringing in the Deep South of the United States. Made up of brothers Bear Rinehart (vocals, guitar) and Bo Rinehart (guitar, vocals), as well as Seth Bolt (bass, vocals), the band hit their big break in 2005 when they signed to Atlantic/Lava/Word Records. The career to follow would include five full studio albums, chart-topping cross-genre success, multiple headlining tours and media coverage on CONAN, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with David Letterman, MTV, FOX and much more. The band’s fifth studio album, Rivers In the Wasteland, is available now.
Comedian and Author Jeff Foxworthy and Grammy® Winner Kirk Franklin Return
As Record-Breaking Original Series Kicks Off Season Three With Two Back-To-Back Original Episodes
New York, NY (April 23, 2014) – GSN announced today the third season premiere of its highest rated original series of all time,THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, a one-hour game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Season three premieres on Thursday, May 22nd at 8 PM (ET/PT) with two back-to-back original episodes and continues with new episodes Thursdays at 8 PM (ET/PT) on GSN.
In addition to 9 original episodes, season three of THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE will bring a new set of diverse, fun and colorful contestants which include a team of former beauty queens, motorcycle riding priests, police officers and Mormon moms. THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE has also added brand new games that put the contestant’s spiritual and physical talents to the test with new categories that include “Christ or Klingon” in which contestants have to guess whether words are from the Bible or Star Trek’s Klingon language; “Curse You Autocorrect” where contestants must decipher a typed Bible passage that has been “autocorrected” and “Nazareth Enquirer” with sensational Biblical headlines that could have appeared in a tabloid. Barry Poznick (“Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader,” “Lingo”) joins Tom Forman as Executive Producer for new season.
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy hosts this lively studio-based game in which contestants compete by answering questions drawn from the rich, dense narrative found in the world’s best-selling book. In addition, the contestants share their compelling back-stories and each team plays for a charitable organization. GRAMMY® winner and multi-platinum-selling musician and producer Kirk Franklin, known for his unique style of Gospel music, serves as musical co-host of THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE.
THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE garnered the network’s highest delivery in its 18-year history with 1.7 million total viewers for its August 23, 2012 series premiere. Factoring in the encore airing, the premiere episode was watched by over 2 million viewers. The second season premiered on March 21, 2013 and built upon the success of season one with year-to-year increases of +34% W18-49 and +17% W25-54. THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE has now been seen by over 21 million viewers.
THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE is produced by Relativity Television for GSN, with Relativity Television’s Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) serving as Executive Producer. Barry Poznick (“Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader,” “Lingo) also serves as Executive Producer. Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are Consulting Producers. Odyssey Networks is the country’s largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to producing and distributing media that creates understanding among people of different beliefs and perspectives. Jeff Foxworthy also serves as Producer. Embassy Row’s Michael Davies as well as Parallel Entertainment’s J.P. Williams and Jennifer Novak serve as Executive Producers.
About RealativityREAL
Under the leadership of award-winning producer Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Kid Nation,”) Relativity’s television arm launched in June 2008. The division has quickly become one of the country’s largest suppliers of unscripted television. RelativityREAL currently has 70 projects in active production, including 17 original series. In addition, the division is developing a slate of scripted sitcoms, dramas, and sketch comedy series to be released in the upcoming year. RelativityREAL’s executive ranks are bolstered by overall production deals with TV veterans Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh, Ashley Tisdale’s Blondie Girl Productions, executive producer Ellen Rakieten (“The Oprah Winfrey Show”), Ray Ricord, Bogner Entertainment and This Is Just A Test Productions.
About GSN
GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming and competitive entertainment via its 80-million subscriber television network and digital game sites. GSN’s cross-platform content gives game lovers the opportunity to win cash and prizes, through GSN’s popular TV game shows and GSN Games’ free casual games, mobile and social games, and skill-game tournaments. GSN’s television network is distributed throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and DIRECTV. For further information, please visit GSNTV.com.
Dallas, TX – Michael W. Smith and Natasha Owens will spend Memorial Day weekend in Puerto Rico and you can join them! A very special VIP Auction, sponsored by Gatorwire, has been announced which will benefit the work of Stepping Stone Support. Reneé Lynn Scott founded the Stepping Stone organization in 2005 after her own battle with cancer.
Individuals interested in placing an bid for the VIP trip auction can do so by visiting www.NatashaOwensMusic.com and clicking on the poster. Through a special partnership with Gatorwire, Natasha Owens is donating this trip and all proceeds from the auction will go directly to Stepping Stone.
One winner of the auction will experience the following:
2 Tickets to the Michael W. Smith featuring Natasha Owens concert on May 24 at Coliseo De Puerto Rico
2 Meet and greets with Michael W. Smith & Natasha Owens
2 Coach airline tickets
Hotel Accommodations at the Ritz Carlton for 4 days and 3 nights
Ground transportation to and from airport limited to Puerto Rico
ABOUT NATASHA OWENS
Just one listen to the voice of Natasha Owens and it’s evident that she “comes from music.” Growing up, Natasha was constantly surrounded by music – her family is comprised of singers, musicians and songwriters – and she “cut her teeth” singing in church. When you hear her infectious voice woven through beautifully intricate melodies delivering life-changing songs, you know this young woman believes and knows the One she sings about. Natasha, husband David and two sons live in Dallas, TX.www.NatashaOwensMusic.com | www.Facebook.com/NatasaOwensMusic | www.Twitter.com/TashaOwensMusic
ABOUT MICHAEL W. SMITH
Michael W. Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 28 No. 1 songs, earned three GRAMMY® Awards, one American Music Award, and more than 40 Dove Awards. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian Music artist has had the opportunity to sing for several Presidents and national leaders. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children. His first studio worship album since 2008, Sovereign, will be available in stores on May 13, 2014. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.
New York, NY (April 23, 2014) — Erica Campbell remains strong at the top of Billboard’s Top Gospel chart this week. Her debut solo album, HELP, released last month has been the Number 1 album for 4 consecutive weeks. Additionally, both singles: title track “Help,” and Grammy nominated “A Little More Jesus” appear in the Top 10 on the digital sales chart. “Help” has remained a top 10 single for 5 weeks peaking at number 6.
Erica has a full summer planned including an upcoming performance on BET’s Sunday Best and high profile appearances at the Essence Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz Festival.
She’ll also headline the 2014 McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour which kicks off next month. Back for its eighth year, the free summer concert series sets out May 10 and runs through July 25 to deliver messages of hope and inspiration to communities nationwide. For more information about the ICGT log onto: www.365Black.com.
Erica is also enjoying success with the third season of the WE tv hit “Mary Mary.” “Mary Mary” has been garnering their highest ratings ever. Considered the most personal season ever, the show chronicled Erica and sister Tina’s lives through an extremely difficult year. The season finale is May 15th on WE tv at 9pm / 8pm.
Christian music darling, bestselling artist and all-round rock star, Francesca Battistelli, releases her new album in 2 years today. You can get the new album entitled, “If We’re Honest” on iTunes, amazon and everywhere fine music is sold.
Her first two albums hit #1 on Billboard’s Christian albums list and garnered her a GRAMMY nomination and the Dove Award’s “Artist of the Year” honors in 2011. She is the only female in 20 years to win the title (Amy Grant was prior in 1992). In February she performed the album’s lead single “Write Your Story” (currently #3 at NCA) on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” She’ll perform it again on “Fox & Friends” this Friday. Also, this past week iTunes selected her for their “First Play” streaming the album in its entirety until street date.
Third Studio Album, If We’re Honest, Available Everywhere Tomorrow
Photo ID: Francesca Battistelli, husband and drummer Matt Goodwin, producer Ian Eskelin, Rod Riley (President & CEO, Word Entertainment), Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Entertainment), Kellyn Bailey (Brand Manager, Word Entertainment) and Word Entertainment staff celebrating the Gold certification on April 18 at Word’s Music Row offices.
Nashville, TN – (April 21, 2014) – Christian Music’s best-selling new artist in 10 years, Francesca Battistelli, earned Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for her GRAMMY® nominated single “Free To Be Me.” Word Entertainment President & CEO, Rod Riley, surprised Francesca with the Gold record at a private Nashville album launch event on Thursday. “Free To Be Me” is the second single off her debut album, My Paper Heart, and spent ten consecutive weeks at No. 1 on CHR and two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on AC Monitored in 2009. In 2012, Francesca received a Gold record for My Paper Heart marking the first debut album from a CCM artist in nearly a decade to receive RIAA-certified Gold status for sales in excess of 500,000 units. Casting Crowns’ 2003 release was the last CCM debut album to receive RIAA Gold certification. Tomorrow, Francesca’s third studio album, If We’re Honest, is set to release worldwide. It is currently being streamed in its entirety as an iTunes Radio First Play at http://smarturl.it/fbfirstplay and is available for pre-order on iTunes at http://smarturl.it/ifwerehonest.
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified Gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 995,000 in album sales to date and over 1.9 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S.
Word Entertainment—a leading Christian entertainment company offering an array of artist services including recorded music, publishing, merchandising, booking and marketing—today announced that it has partnered with international feature film production and distribution company Curb Entertainment, to distribute Word Entertainment’s faith-based films outside of the US. The inaugural slate of films will include The Perfect Summer, My Name Is Paul, The Trail (Let God), Hope for Hurting Hearts, Mother India,Season of a Lifetime, Veil of Tears, and more, which will be showcased at the 2014 CANNES Film Market in Cannes, France.
“There is an enormous and growing market for films that provide wholesome family entertainment, and Word Entertainment proudly offers thought-provoking films that tell stories of faith, hope, love, and redemption,” said Rod Riley, President & CEO, Word Entertainment. “I am thrilled that we are partnering with Carole Curb and Curb Entertainment to expand our reach and bring these great works to audiences around the world.”
Carole Curb, President, Curb Entertainment, added, “We are proud to build upon a very successful relationship between Word and Curb by having the opportunity to work directly on the exciting films that Rod Riley and his team have assembled. Our company has had a 30-year history of film distribution, and we are excited to join with Word in the sales and marketing of its films.”
Carole Curb, who has successfully grown Curb Entertainment into one of the most respected independent film companies in the world, will be heading up the charge for Curb. Curb Entertainment will provide international sales and marketing, and will maintain a presence at major film festivals and markets.
Recently, Word Entertainment has continued to expand its reach and offerings in Christian entertainment beyond music and film, including by becoming the only Christian content company to have booking, live events and strategic partnerships divisions in-house. Through this division, Word launched The Son of God Tour 2014. This epic two-hour live event, a Word Entertainment collaboration with producer and actress Roma Downey’s (“Touched by an Angel,” “The Bible,” Son of God) and producer Mark Burnett‘s (“The Voice,” “Survivor,” “The Apprentice,” “Shark Tank,” “The Bible,” Son of God) company LightWorkers Media, visited 16 cities nationwide March 20-April 13. “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” brought the epic miniseries “The Bible” and the 20th Century Fox feature film Son of God to life in sight and sound with immersive video and stunning visual effects paired with live, in-person performances by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, GRAMMY®-nominated artist Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray. These award-winning artists performed their biggest radio hits alongside the chronological telling of the story of Christ in a one-of-a-kind concert event.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including About A Mile, Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, VERIDIA and Zealand and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print/Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
About Curb Entertainment
Curb Entertainment formed in 1984 to concentrate on film production and distribution. A member of the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), Curb Entertainment maintains a major presence at major film and television markets including the American Film Market (AFM), CANNES Film Festival, MIPCOM, MIP-TV, and EFM. The company’s record division, Curb Records, remains one of the largest independent labels in the world.
Beginning today, fans can stream GRAMMY®-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli’s third studio album, If We’re Honest, exclusively as a First Play on iTunes Radio at http://smarturl.it/fbfirstplay. With the stream, fans will have their first and only opportunity to hear the album from Christian music’s best-selling new artist in the past 10 years in its entirety before its release on April 22. Battistelli’s two previous albums, My Paper Heart and Hundred More Years, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart and garnered her a GRAMMY® nomination and five Dove Awards including the prestigious “Artist of the Year” honors. On February 13, Battistelli made her national morning television debut performing the album’s lead single and current No. 3 hit, “Write Your Story,” on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and Battistelli’s longtime collaborator Ian Eskelin, If We’re Honestreveals her most intimate and accomplished musical statement yet and showcases her trademark pop and soul-infused sound.The deluxe version of her forthcoming album is currently available for pre-order at iTunes here http://smarturl.it/ifwerehonest. It features four bonus tracks – “Holy Spirit,” “Keeping Score,” “I Am Home” and “Tonight (Feat. All Sons & Daughters)” – and instant downloads of “Write Your Story,” “When The Crazy Kicks In” and “He Knows My Name.”
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 995,000 in album sales to date and over 1.9 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S.
Album is the Newest Release from the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Exclusive Music Program and Can Be Purchased Exclusively at All Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Locations and CrackerBarrel.com
Contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith has debuted at No. 2 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Current Contemporary Christian Album Chart (week ending 3/30/2014) with his latest album Hymns. The album also debuted at No. 25 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Current Albums Chart (week ending 3/30/2014). This is the latest project from the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program, and can be purchased exclusively at all 626 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and CrackerBarrel.com.
“Michael made a wonderful and inspiring album that is quickly becoming a favorite with our guests,” said Julie Craig, Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager. “Everyone at Cracker Barrel congratulates him on debuting at No. 2 on the album charts with Hymnsand we look forward to continued success together!”
Hymns contains 15 classic Christian songs, many of which Smith grew up singing in church with his family. Songs include such timeless Hymns as “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “How Great Thou Art,” “It Is Well,” “Old Rugged Cross,” and more. The album retails for $11.99.
Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 28 No. 1 songs, earned three GRAMMY Awards, one American Music Award, and more than 40 Dove Awards. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian artist has had the opportunity to sing for Presidents and national leaders, and counts among his friends the Reverend Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.
About the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Exclusive Music Program
Michael W. Smith’s Hymns is the latest CD release in the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program. Since 2005, Cracker Barrel has released CDs with a wide variety of artists, some of which have debuted in the top three spots on a range of Billboard’s charts including Top DVD Music Videos, Top Country Albums, Top Contemporary Christian Albums and Top Bluegrass Albums. The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program includes CDs with Alabama, Rodney Atkins, Mandy Barnett, Clint Black, Jason Michael Carroll, Steven Curtis Chapman, Dailey & Vincent, The Charlie Daniels Band, Ronnie Dunn, Edens Edge, Sara Evans, Bill Gaither, Vince Gill and Paul Franklin, Amy Grant, The Grascals, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Montgomery Gentry, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Craig Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Randy Travis, Josh Turner, Wynonna, and the Zac Brown Band. For details, visit crackerbarrel.com.
About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its made-from-scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 626 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® location is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.
Worship pastor, CCM artist and R&B legend, Montell Jordan, was invited to be the guest speaker this week at Belmont University’s Christian Faith Development Convocation in Nashville, TN. The event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Association and the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. Jordan spoke on “The Power of Music” to the standing room only audience of students. Jordan is currently the worship pastor at Victory World Church in Atlanta, GA and has become a frequent guest speaker about the spiritual impact of faith and worship music. Jordan’s upcoming keynote speaking engagements include the University of St. Francis Performing Arts Center, Fort Wayne, IN on May 3rd, Birmingham, AL on June 7th at the Riverfront Amphitheatre for a youth rally and forum, and June 8th at Birmingham’s Draper Correctional Facility, where Jordan will speak to young male inmates.
Left to Right: Keayana Robinson, Cameron Bryant, Belmont Black Student Association; Montell Jordan; RiTara Williams, Belmont Black Student Association; Ashlyn Whiteside, event coordinator
The Belmont speaking engagement came on the heels of a Nicaragua missions trip last week through Life Link International, where Jordan re-connected with two young boys that are sponsored by his family and friends. At the same time, Jordan has started songwriting for the next album from Victory World Music that is scheduled for a fall 2014 release.
‘No Plan B’ CD Presale Set For May 13, Releases May 27
North American ‘Live Across America Presents: No Plan B Tour’ Dates Announced
After a 10 year hiatus, Christian Music Trailblazer and Platinum-Selling Recording ArtistCarman is set to release a new studio album, ‘No Plan B,’ on May 27 through his independent label Norway Avenue Records and Capital Christian Distribution. On May 13, the ‘No Plan B’ presale launches with an instant download track. In support of the new release, Carman hits the road May 29 on his ‘Live Across America Presents: No Plan B Tour’ making stops at venues across the country bringing new music to friends and fans nationwide.
“The main message of the whole album can be found in the title track, ‘No Plan B,’ which is how I’ve lived all these years,” said Carman. “Even if I only have a few more on this earth, I’ll still be preaching, giving altar calls, winning souls for the kingdom and singing the songs that have the power to bring deliverance into people’s lives, whether it be in front of 20 people or 20,000 people. God doesn’t call us to be popular. He calls us to be effective and that’s always been my goal, effective right up to the end. Jesus is ‘Plan A.’ There is ‘No Plan B.'”
‘No Plan B’ includes 12 tracks penned and performed by Carman, and produced by Carman and his production partners Ted T and Tre’ Corely. The CD and tour were made possible through the unprecedented fan response to the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter campaign he launched after opening up on social media about a cancer diagnosis in 2013. The campaign was wildly successful – the second most funded Kickstarter music campaign ever – and set the tone for the momentum behind the release of ‘No Plan B’ and major national tour, ‘Live Across America Presents: No Plan B Tour.’ Carman found a renewed vision and purpose for his ministry when the fans spoke, and a Carman buzz was rekindled that inspired the artist to record a new CD and tour again.
“I was diagnosed in 2013 and was planning on having 2-3 good years left, but I didn’t want to keep it a secret,” confirmed Carman. “I posted the news on Facebook and wanted to be honest and upright about it with anyone who asked. So many people started sharing stories of what they went through and posted photos of their heads wrapped up because their hair was gone. When I hear a story like that, my instinct is to reach out and cheer them up.” Carman’s collection of songs features the title track “No Plan B,” and “God Made Man,” the latest of Carman’s many cheeky character songs featuring a “Sopranos”-styled mob cast, but with an Italian accented narrator who’s wholeheartedly committed to Christ, the gripping patriotic ballad “The Flag,” which sends a very well-timed reminder that we will always be “one nation under God” and our faith can never be silenced, and an updated version of “Jesus Heal Me” with new production, a true touchstone of the album that’s bound to continue its role as a concert standard. “I’ve always sought to minister to the best of my ability. I wanted to help win as many souls for the kingdom as I possibly could,” sums up Carman. “Now I meet people who say ‘my life was so messed up 20 years ago, but I went to your concert, got saved and now I’m a worship pastor.’ Stories like that just go to show you how somebody’s life can completely turn around. I’m like a soldier who serves their country. I just want to serve people, and if just one guy gets it, then it’s all been worth it.”
The first set of dates for Carman’s ‘Live Across America Presents: No Plan B Tour’ are on sale at iTickets.com. For the latest on ‘No Plan B’ and the tour, visit www.carman.org.
‘No Plan B’ track listing:
1. No Plan B | Words and Music by Carman
2. Time 2 P.T.L. | Words and Music by Carman
3. I’m Coming Home | Words and Music by Carman
4. God Made Man | Words and Music by Carman
5. Peace Of The Lord – feat. Hope Loftis | Words and Music by Carman
6. Jesus Heal Me | Words and Music by Carman
7. It’s All In His Hands| Words and Music by Carman
8. Another Day | Words and Music by Carman
9. Yes Yes | Words and Music by Carman
10. I Did My Best | Words and Music by Carman
11. That’s My King / Radically Saved | Words and Music by Carman
12. The Flag | Words and Music by Carman
ABOUT CARMAN: He was the only Christian artist able to fill stadiums all the world over, from record holdings like 72,132 people at Texas Stadium, over 50,000 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and another 80,000 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A grand total of 4.5 million cumulative fans attended three national tours, including his extensive “Heart Of A Champion” tour. He’s collected the most names of any American citizen, one million signatures, on a petition supporting prayer in public schools and had more than one million people accept Christ salvation at his events. Add in seven Dove Awards, a quartet of Grammy nominations, plus 16 RIAA Certified Platinum and Gold albums and videos amassing to well over 10 million cumulative career record sales, and Carman isn’t just one of the most decorated artists within faith-based circles, but quite literally one of the most flourishing, innovative and influential artists of all time. More than a singer, songwriter, video pioneer, speaker and all around evangelist, Carman branched out into many TV and movie roles, such as “Carman: The Champion” or guesting on “The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour” (which was the most watched gospel show on the BET network in 20 years!) He also broke ground as the first ever Christian music artist to write and release an action adventure novel (“Undefeated: In Love and War”) and even joined the likes of President and Mrs. Reagan and Dr. Billy Graham as a House of Hope Humanitarian Award recipient. Carman’s discography includes acclaimed albums such as ‘The Champion,’ ‘Revival In The Land,’ ‘Addicted To Jesus,’ ‘The Standard,’ ‘R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth)’ and ‘Mission 3:16.’ ‘No Plan B’ is available in May 2014.
The 2-Disc Set, Featuring Paul Baloche, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Darlene Zschech, Delirious? and Lincoln Brewster,
Is Latest Addition to the Multi-Platinum Selling Series
Songs 4 Worship™, the multi-platinum series created by Integrity Music and Time Life Music, has become one of Christian music’s most trusted brands, selling over 25 million products and consistently delivering the most popular worship songs by leading artists and worship leaders. On April 15, Integrity releases the 41stinstallment in this landmark series, Songs 4 Worship™ Worship Classics, a two-disc, 25-song collection filled with treasured songs such as “Blessed Be Your Name,” “Revelation Song,” “10,000 Reasons,” “Mighty To Save,” “In Christ Alone” and “Hosanna.”
Originally launched in 2001, the Songs 4 Worship™ series has featured CDs and DVDs representing a variety of genres and styles including Gospel, country, hymns, children’s and Spanish titles. The series has also been an international hit, selling millions of units in the UK/Europe and earning multi Platinum, Platinum and Gold RIAA certification in the U.S. and Gold certification in Australia, Canada and the UK. It is one of the best-selling music series in Christian music and has remained Time Life’s biggest music series launch to date.
“Songs 4 Worship™ Worship Classics represents songs that have traveled the globe, finding their way into houses of worship and hearts of believers from all walks of life,” says Steve Nicolle, Integrity’s Vice President of Sales/Marketing. “It is a must-have collection for worship music lovers and it makes an ideal gift for those who are looking to introduce friends and family to great worship music.”
The Worship Classics collection features original recordings from Paul Baloche, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Brenton Brown, Darlene Zschech, Delirious?, Gateway Worship/Kari Jobe, Soul Survivor, Don Moen and Brian Doerksen among others. (A complete tracklist including featured artists follows.)
Songs 4 Worship™ Worship Classics will be featured in Christian and mainstream stores around the globe, including major North American Christian retail chains such as Lifeway, Family and Mardel, and mainstream retailers including Walmart and Amazon. Worship Classicswill also be available through major digital service providers including iTunes.
The complete tracklist for Songs 4 Worship™ Worship Classics is as follows:
Disc 1
1. Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)
2. Come Now Is The Time To Worship (Brian Doerksen)
3. Open The Eyes Of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
4. 10,000 Reasons (Soul Survivor & Momentum featuring Tom Field)
5. Above All (Lenny LeBlanc)
6. Mighty To Save (Don Moen)
7. Your Name (Paul Baloche)
8. Trading My Sorrows (Darrell Evans)
9. How Great Is Our God (Promise Keepers featuring Dave Lubben)
10. You Are My King (Ross Parsley)
11. Give Thanks (Don Moen)
12. The Heart Of Worship (Matt Redman)
13. O The Blood (Gateway Worship featuring Kari Jobe)
Disc 2
1. Hosanna [Praise Is Rising] (Paul Baloche)
2. Here I Am To Worship (Tim Hughes)
3. I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever (Delirious?)
4. I Worship You Almighty God (Lisa Glasgow)
5. More Precious Than Silver (Alleluia Music featuring Lisa Bevill)
6. I Exalt Thee (Kelly Willard)
7. Our God (Lincoln Brewster)
8. In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock (Travis Cottrell)
9. Everlasting God (Brenton Brown)
10. Shout To The Lord (Hillsong featuring Darlene Zschech)
11. Before The Throne Of God Above (Promise Keepers featuring Drew Cline)
12. Revelation Song (Gateway Worship featuring Kari Jobe)
Thursday night was a momentous occasion as Word Entertainment, in partnership with producer Mark Burnett and producer/actress Roma Downey and their company LightWorkers Media, launched “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Southern California. GRAMMY®-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, GRAMMY®-nominated artist Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray played before a packed crowd with over 2,000 in attendance including Burnett, Downey, Warren and Word Entertainment President and CEO Rod Riley. The epic two-hour live event runs an additional 16 dates nationwide through April 13 including a sold out show in Pittsburgh on April 10.
“The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” brings the epic miniseries “The Bible” and 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” to life in sight and sound with immersive video and stunning visual effects paired with live, in-person performances by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, GRAMMY®-nominated artist Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray. These award-winning artists perform their biggest radio hits alongside the chronological telling of the story of Christ in a one-of-a-kind concert event. Tickets for all dates are on sale now at www.SonofGodTour.com.
Downey and Burnett brought the epic 10-hour mini-series “The Bible” to television audiences on the History channel with their company LightWorkers Media. It became the top entertainment telecast of the year, received three Emmy® Award nominations and has been viewed by over 100 million people to date. On February 28, the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” premiered to millions of people worldwide on the big screen. Word Entertainment collaborated with Burnett and Downey to release the musical companion to both “The Bible” and “Son of God.” In realizing the incredible impact of the stunning images together with the emotional powerful music, Burnett, Downey and Word Entertainment are joining forces once again to bring the epic scenes and music from “The Bible” and “Son of God” to life in sight and sound through “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” to audiences across the nation in the month leading up to Easter.
Celebrated Emmy-nominated actress and producer Roma Downey and her award winning husband producer Mark Burnett launched LightWorkers Media in 2011 with the children’s DVD and book series LITTLE ANGELS and its companion LITTLE ANGELS STORYBOOK BIBLE. LightWorkers Media produced the ten-hour hit miniseries THE BIBLE which was seen in the USA by 100 million people, was one of the fastest selling TV-to-Disc titles ever and was nominated for three Emmy awards. Additionally they are producing the series A.D., a sequel to THE BIBLE series for NBC and they acquired Alice Hoffman’s award winning novel THE DOVEKEEPERS which they are producing as a 4 hour mini-series for CBS. In addition Roma and Mark have coauthored several books published by Faithwords. They are ambassadors for two children’s organizations Operation Smile and Compassion. LightWorkers Media is dedicated to bringing uplifting content to people of all ages.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including About A Mile, Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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/Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
The self-titled debut album from new Word Entertainment band, About A Mile, is set to be released July 15. The album, produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producers Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, All Star United) and Howard Benson (Hoobastank, Daughtry, Third Day), is available for pre-order today on iTunes and includes an instant grat track of their current single impacting radio now “Satisfied.” The trio, consisting of three brothers hailing from the working class town of Butler, PA, are joining Sidewalk Prophets on “The Live Like That Tour” this spring commencing on April 24 in Massapequa, New York.
About A Mile has received a warm response from radio programmers across the nation:
– “As a Music Director you can get pretty jaded and closed when dealing with new bands and artists. Then every once in a while someone blows open your expectations and reminds you why you do this. Adam, Luke and Levi [About A Mile] did that for me.” – Ben Milton, WGTS, Washington D.C.
– “I was completely blown away by the fire and passion About A Mile pours into their music and moved to tears by how raw, real and transparent they are willing to be. No doubt hearts will be moved and lives will be touched after an encounter with any one of their songs.” – Brandi Lanai, KSGN, Riverside
– “I haven’t seen this kind of passion from an artist in a while; the transparency in their stories and songs is incredible…” – Theresa Ross, WTRJ, Jacksonville
– “The guys are talented musician who have a ministry that they want to share. I love their single ‘Satisfied.’ They definitely have my attention and I’m excited to see what’s in store for them.” – Jeremy Henry, WJQK, Grand Rapids
Upcoming tour dates:
April 24 “The Live Like That Tour” – CenterPoint Church – Massapequa, NY
April 25 “The Live Like That Tour” – Rockfest 2014 – Lanexa, VA
April 26 “The Live Like That Tour” – Claremont Opera House – Claremont, NH
April 27 “The Live Like That Tour” – Changepoint Church – Poughkeepsie, NY
April 30 “The Live Like That Tour” –TBA – Port Neches, TX
May 3 “The Live Like That Tour” – The Way Fest – Valdosta, GA
May 5 “The Live Like That Tour” – Abilene Civic Center – Abilene, TX
May 6 “The Live Like That Tour” – New Life Chapel – Odessa, TX
May 7 “The Live Like That Tour” – Wayland Baptist University – Plainview, TX
May 9 “The Live Like That Tour” – Northwest Arkansas Naturals Game – Springdale, AR
May 10 “The Live Like That Tour” – TBA – Marion, IL
Debut Word Entertainment artist About A Mile, whose name originates from the belief that Jesus carried his cross “about a mile,” may be new on the charts but have already gained recognition in the Christian Rock genre. The band, comprised of brothers Adam, Luke and Levi, have a chemistry and accomplished artistry that only comes from the bond brotherhood. Their upcoming self-titled album, due out on July 15, hopes to speak to members of all faiths about the suffering then triumph of a crucified and risen Christ. About A Mile has previously opened for GRAMMY® Award nominees DecembeRadio and works with production teams including Ian Eskelin, Neal Avron and Howard Benson, whom are responsible for shaping the sounds of Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Switchfoot, Linkin Park, Skillet and Daughtry. While not concerned with fame or fortune the band is simply focused on honoring God through their music. For further information and a complete listing of dates visit http://www.aboutamile.com/.
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For more information please visit, http://www.aboutamile.com/ facebook.com/aboutamile / Follow:@AboutAMile
GRAMMY®-Nominated Artist’s Current Single “Write Your Story” At No. 4 on NCA Chart
GRAMMY®-nominated artist and Christian music’s best-selling new artist in the past 10 years, Francesca Battistelli, launched a pre-order today at Francescamusic.com in anticipation of the release of her forthcoming studio album, If We’re Honest, due out on April 22. Her two previous albums, debut release My Paper Heart and sophomore project Hundred More Years, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With her most recent release in 2011, she garnered “Artist of the Year,” “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Pop/Recorded Song of the Year” at the Dove Awards. Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and her longtime collaborator Ian Eskelin, If We’re Honest reveals her most intimate and accomplished musical statement yet and showcases her trademark pop and soul-infused sound. On February 13, Battistelli made her national morning TV debut performing the album’s lead single “Write Your Story” on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” It is the fastest rising single of 2014 on the National Christian Audience chart and currently holds the No. 4 spot. This Thursday, the Word Entertainment / LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) partnership “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014,” in association with 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” and epic mini-series “The Bible,” launches at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Southern California with Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray.
Fans of Battistelli can choose between two exclusive album-themed packages featuring the deluxe version of If We’re Honest on CD and digital download. Additionally the If We’re Honest Collector’s Edition features an art print autographed by Battistelli and new merchandise inspired by her hit single, “Write Your Story.” The album is also available for pre-order on iTunes with its first three tracks, “Write Your Story,” “When The Crazy Kicks In” and “He Knows My Name” available as instant downloads. Additionally, Family Christian is offering a pre-order with an exclusive track, “Just The Same.” Patrons that pre-order If We’re Honest from Lifeway, will instantly receive a physical version of “Write Your Story.”
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards including 2011 “Artist of the Year” and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 978,000 in album sales to date and over 1.8 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S.
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For more information please visit, http://www.francescamusic.com / facebook.com/francescabattistelli / Follow:@francescamusic
Worship Leader to Embark on “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” on March 20 at Saddleback Church in Southern California
Featured Artist at 2014 National Worship Leader Conferences
Word Worship recording artist Meredith Andrews’ latest single “Open Up The Heavens,” impacting radio on March 7, attracted early attention with 25 stations adding it in its first week. The track, co-written by Andrews, Stu Garrard, Jason Ingram, James McDonald and Andi Rozier, marks the fourth release from her Dove Awards-nominated album Worth It All. This spring, the two-time Dove Award winner will embark on “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014,” slated to hit 17 cities from March 20-April 13. The two-hour live event, a joint partnership between Word Entertainment and LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey), brings the feature film “Son of God” and epic mini-series “The Bible” to life in sight and sound with award-winning artists Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August and Jason Gray. In 2014, Andrews is also engaged to perform and lead worship at national conferences including all 2014 National Worship Leader Conferences, the Evangelical Press Association conference, MOP’s (Mothers of Preschoolers) MOMcon and multiple national women’s events.
“‘Open Up The Heavens’ is a song that we at our church open up the service with and just say ‘God have your way. Do what you want to do here and show us your glory,’” said Andrews on her latest offering to radio, a song that’s been impacting church services since its inception in December 2011. “My pastor, James MacDonald, did a sermon series talking about the glory of God and how we were made for that. Sometimes we just get distracted when really it’s about seeking the Lord, seeing the arms of the Lord and then running after Him and wanting more of Him and His glory. ‘Lord show us your glory’ is a big theme in our church and it is a prayer in my own heart as well.”
“Open Up The Heavens” has critics raving with NewReleaseTuesday’s Kevin Davis, who selected Andrews’ latest album as his top worship album of 2013 noting “[Open Up The Heavens] beautifully set[s] the tone for this 5 star masterpiece with her signature powerful vocals and worship filled lyrics.” JesusFreakHideout follows step adding “One listen to ‘Open Up The Heavens’ … is enough to lodge the chorus in the listener’s mind. The lyrics themselves… are well thought-out and Christ-centric, honoring God’s steadfastness.”
Upcoming 2014 Appearances:
3/20 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Lake Forest, CA – Saddleback Church
3/21 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Phoenix, AZ – Vineyard Church
3/22 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Albuquerque, NM – Legacy Church
3/23 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Denver, CO – Denver First Church of the Nazarene
3/27 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Austin, TX – Riverbend Church
3/28 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Dallas, TX – Sunnyvale First Baptist Church
3/29 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Tulsa, OK – Mabee Center
3/30 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Kansas City, MO – Lenexa Christian Center
4/3 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Columbus, OH – Grace Polaris Church
4/4 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Grand Rapids, MI – Grand Rapids First
4/5 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Chicago, IL – Olivet Nazarene University
4/6 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Nashville, TN – Allen Arena
4/9 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Pittsburgh, PA – Amplify Church – East
4/10 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Pittsburgh, PA – Victory Family Church
4/11 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Louisville, KY – Northside Christian Church
4/12 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Lynchburg, VA – Thomas Road Baptist Church
4/13 “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” – Baltimore, MD – Hartford Community College
4/26 “Ladies Day 2014” – Bourbonnais, IL – Olivet Nazarene University
5/4-6 “Evangelical Press Association Conference” – Anaheim, CA – Sheraton Park Hotel
5/14 “National Worship Leader Conference” – Centreville, VA – Centreville Baptist Church
5/15 Dinner & Concert Fundraiser – Bangor, ME – Spectacular Events Center
6/17 “National Worship Leader Conference” – San Jose, CA – Cathedral of Faith
6/23 “SONPOWER 2014” – Orlando, FL – Doubletree
7/16 “National Worship Leader Conference” – Leawood, KS – Church of the Resurrection
10/2-4 “MOMcon” – Louisville, KY – Louisville Convention Center
10/9 “Apprentice 2014 National Conference” – Wichita, KS – Friends University
11/14-15 “Fresh Grounded Faith” – Jonesboro, AR – Central Baptist Church
Worship leader Meredith Andrews is passionate about boldly leading people into God’s presence. Over the course of her three Word Worship albums, the Dove Award-winning artist has been using her musical gifts – and love for God, and her huge heart for His people – to teach and remind us all about the enormity of our awesome and loving Savior. Andrews, who is also on staff at Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, focuses on creating music that lifts the body of Christ to a closer relationship with the Lord. Meredith’s latest album, Worth It All, features the worship songs “Open Up The Heavens,” “Not For A Moment,” and “Strong God.” On a regular basis, Andrews leads worship at major women’s and/or worship leader conferences across the U.S., and has toured with Matt Maher, Natalie Grant, Big Daddy Weave, for KING & COUNTRY, Vertical Church, Phil Wickham, and Michael W. Smith, among others. In March 2014, she will join Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August and Jason Gray for “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014.” For additional information, please visit http://www.meredithandrews.com.
“Son of God” Feature Film Premiered Last Weekend with $26.5M in Box Office Sales Tour includes GRAMMY®-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, GRAMMY®-nominated artist Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray
As 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” premieres 2nd at the box office with a staggering $26.5M in ticket sales, the tour associated with the film, “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014,” sells out in Pittsburgh, PA. In response, an additional date in the Pittsburgh area has been added on April 9 at Amplify Church in Plum, PA.
The epic two-hour live event, a Word Entertainment collaboration with producer and actress Roma Downey’s (“Touched by an Angel,” “The Bible,” “Son of God”) and producer Mark Burnett‘s (“The Voice,” “Survivor,” “The Apprentice,” “Shark Tank,” “The Bible,” “Son of God”) company LightWorkers Media, will visit 16 cities nationwide March 20-April 13. “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” brings the epic miniseries “The Bible” and the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” to life in sight and sound with immersive video and stunning visual effects paired with live, in-person performances by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, GRAMMY®-nominated artist Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray. These award-winning artists will perform their biggest radio hits alongside the chronological telling of the story of Christ in a one-of-a-kind concert event. It is slated to commence on March 20, 2014, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. Tickets for all dates are on sale now at http://www.SonofGodTour.com.
“The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” Schedule:
March 20 Lake Forest, CA – Saddleback Church
March 21 Phoenix, AZ – Vineyard Church
March 22 Albuquerque, NM – Legacy Church
March 23 Denver, CO – Denver First Church of the Nazarene
March 27 Austin, TX – Riverbend Church
March 28 Dallas, TX – Sunnyvale First Baptist Church
March 29 Tulsa, OK – Mabee Center
March 30 Kansas City, MO – Lenexa Christian Center
April 3 Columbus, OH – Grace Polaris Church
April 4 Grand Rapids, MI – Grand Rapids First
April 5 Chicago, IL – Olivet Nazarene University
April 6 Nashville, TN – Allen Arena
April 9 Pittsburgh, PA – Amplify Church (Note New Location) JUST ADDED
April 10 Pittsburgh, PA – Victory Family Church SOLD OUT
April 11 Louisville, KY – Northside Christian Church
April 12 Lynchburg, VA – Thomas Road Baptist Church
April 13 Baltimore, MD – APG Federal Credit Union Arena, Hartford Community College
Downey and Burnett brought the epic 10-hour mini-series “The Bible” to television audiences on the History channel with their company LightWorkers Media. It became the top entertainment telecast of the year, received three Emmy® Award nominations and has been viewed by over 100 million people to date. On February 28, the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” premiered to millions of people worldwide on the big screen. Word Entertainment collaborated with Burnett and Downey to release the musical companion to both “The Bible” and “Son of God.” In realizing the incredible impact of the stunning images together with the emotional powerful music, Burnett, Downey and Word Entertainment are joining forces once again to bring the epic scenes and music from “The Bible” and “Son of God” to life in sight and sound through “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” to audiences across the nation in the month leading up to Easter.
About LightWorkers Media
Celebrated Emmy-nominated actress and producer Roma Downey and her award winning husband producer Mark Burnett launched LightWorkers Media in 2011 with the children’s DVD and book series LITTLE ANGELS and its companion LITTLE ANGELS STORYBOOK BIBLE. LightWorkers Media produced the ten-hour hit miniseries THE BIBLE which was seen in the USA by 100 million people, was one of the fastest selling TV-to-Disc titles ever and was nominated for three Emmy awards. Additionally they are producing the series A.D., a sequel to THE BIBLE series for NBC and they acquired Alice Hoffman’s award winning novel THE DOVEKEEPERS which they are producing as a 4 hour mini-series for CBS. In addition Roma and Mark have coauthored several books published by Faithwords. They are ambassadors for two children’s organizations Operation Smile and Compassion. LightWorkers Media is dedicated to bringing uplifting content to people of all ages.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including About A Mile, Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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/Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Nominated for K-LOVE Fan Awards’ “Song of the Year” for Second Consecutive Year
Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave, currently enjoying the tremendous fan reception of their life-changing, mega-hit “Redeemed,” is releasing Love Come to Life: The Redeemed Edition today on Fervent Records. The 17-track album, produced by group member Jeremy Redmon, features their career best-selling album Love Come To Life with the addition of five bonus tracks including both acoustic and live versions of the K-LOVE Award-winning and Billboard Music Award-nominated “Redeemed” and their smash hit “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” Love Come to Life spawned three straight No. 1s including “Love Come to Life,” “Redeemed” and “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” Just announced last week, the band was recognized for the second consecutive year for the K-LOVE Fan Awards with a “Song of the Year” nomination for their current single “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” Big Daddy Weave is currently on the second leg of “The Only Name Tour” with 40 dates through May.
Love Come To Life: The Redeemed Edition Track Listing:
1. Jesus Move
2. Magnificent God
3. Love Come To Life
4. Stay
5. Different Light
6. If You Died Tonight
7. Redeemed
8. The Only Name (Yours Will Be)
9. Save My Life
10. Maker Of The Wind
11. Give My Life Away
12. Overwhelmed
13. Everything Beautiful*
14. No Other Name*
15. Redeemed (Acoustic Edition)*
16. The Only Name (Yours Will Be) [Live]*
17. Redeemed (Live)*
*New Additions
“The Only Name Tour” dates:
March 11: Las Cruces Convention Center – Las Cruces, NM
March 13: Friends Church – Yorba Linda, CA
March 14: Redding Civic Auditorium – Redding, CA
March 15: New Hope Community Church – Portland, OR
March 16: Gateway Fellowship – Poulsbo, WA
March 20: Maroon Activity Center – Butte, MT
March 21: Highland Park Community Church – Casper, WY
March 22: Mitchell Wesleyan Church – Mitchell, SD
March 23: Sioux Falls First Assembly of God – Sioux Falls, SD
March 27: East Side Baptist Church – Paragould, AR
March 28: Silver Dollar City– Branson, MO
March 29: Victory Ministry and Sports Complex – Joplin, MO
March 30: Woodward High School Auditorium – Woodward, OK
April 3: Silverdale Baptist Church – Chattanooga, TN
April 4: Lightsey Chapel at Charleston Southern University – North Charleston, SC
April 5: The Refuge – Kannapolis, NC
April 6: Kings Gate Church International – Hamlet, NC
April 10: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church – Schofield, WI
April 11: Calvary Community Church – St. Cloud, MN
April 12: North Platte High School – North Platte, NE
April 13: Adler Theater – Davenport, IA
April 24: Hillcrest Church – Pensacola, FL
April 25: Church of Hope – Sarasota, FL
April 26: Florida Bible Church – Miramar, FL
April 27: First Baptist Church of Umatilla – Umatilla, FL
May 1: Grace Christian Academy – Kankakee, IL
May 2: Dyersburg State Community College – Dyersburg, TN
May 3: St. Luke UMC Ministry Center – Columbus, GA
May 4: Tabernacle Baptist – Vidalia, GA
Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave, one of Christian Music’s mainstays, is currently enjoying its career best-selling album, Love Come To Life, an album boasting three consecutive number one radio singles: “Love Come To Life,” “Redeemed,” and “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” In 2013, Big Daddy Weave’s monster hit song and career best-selling track, “Redeemed,” spent 11 weeks at No. 1, and took home the prestigious trophy for “Song of the Year” at the first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards, while receiving nominations for “Christian Song of the Year” at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and “Song of the Year” at the 2013 Dove Awards. The first Christian AC-Monitored radio chart of 2013 featured “Redeemed” in the number one position, while the first AC-Monitored chart of 2014 rang in with “The Only Name (Yours Will Be)” in the top spot. In March 2014, Big Daddy Weave was recognized for the second consecutive year with a nomination for K-LOVE Fan Awards’ “Song of the Year” for their No. 1 single “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” The band, comprised of Mike Weaver, Jay Weaver, Jeremy Redmon, Joe Shirk and Brian Beihl, formed when the original members were attending the University of Mobile. In 2002, Big Daddy Weave stepped into the spotlight with the release of its second album, One and Only, which debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top 5 and earned them a Dove Award nomination for “New Artist of the Year.” In 2010, Big Daddy Weave took home the Dove Award for “Christmas Album of the Year” for its seventh album, Christ Is Come. The band has also been honored at ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards and BMI’s Christian Music Awards and is one of the 10 most played artists at Christian radio over the past decade.
Leads the “Best Live Show” Category with Three Nominations Including
for KING & COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot
At a press event yesterday, Word Entertainment celebrated with seven nominations for the second annual K-LOVE Fan Awards to be held on June 1 at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Nominations include Francesca Battistelli for “Female Vocalist of the Year” for the second consecutive time and Sidewalk Prophets for their first “Group/Duo of the Year” award. Big Daddy Weave, who took home the prestigious “Song of the Year” award last year for their No. 1 smash hit “Redeemed,” were once again recognized with the nomination for their recent No. 1 radio single “The Only Name (Yours Will Be),” the third straight No. 1 single from the band’s current album, Love Come To Life. The Word Entertainment family leads the “Best Live Show” category with three nominations including for KING & COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot. It was also announced this morning that Sidewalk Prophets were nominated for the “First Christian Artist to Appear on 7UP Can.”
“I am so proud of the entire Word Entertainment family for their hard work, artistry and passion to make these nominations possible,” said Rod Riley, President & CEO of Word Entertainment. “Not only are our artists all superb musicians but the three live show nominations speak volumes to the incredible entertainers we have on our label. Recognition like this from K-LOVE truly means so much.”
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including About A Mile, Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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/Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Reigning Dove Awards’ “New Artist of the Year” are in the Studio Working on Their
Sophomore Studio Album
Australian duo for KING & COUNTRY are celebrating the two year anniversary of the release of their critically-acclaimed debut album, Crave, today. It spent over 60 consecutive weeks in the Top 25 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart and sold nearly 140,000 units making them CCM’s best-selling debut record from 2012. In addition, Crave produced three Top 10 singles including their No. 1 smash hit “The Proof of Your Love,” “Busted Heart (Hold On To Me)” and “The Middle of Your Heart.” With its release, the duo also garnered seven Dove Award nominations and took home the Dove Awards’ “New Artist of the Year” and the K-LOVE Fan Awards’ “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” honors. To commemorate the two-year-mark, for KING & COUNTRY are offering fans a 20% discount on their merchandise online at www.forkingandcountry.com. The hardworking brothers, who can be seen tonight on TBN’s “Praise The Lord,” are currently on tour with Casting Crown and in the studio finalizing their sophomore album due out later this year.
Here is what the critics had to say about for KING & COUNTRY and Crave:
“ Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Album of 2012” – iTunes
One of 17 artists to watch in 2012 – Billboard
Named “The Proof of Your Love” as 2012’s “Christian Song of the Year” – Amazon.com
“for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.” – American Songwriter
“Crave is hands-down one of the best debut projects in years…Haunting, playful and deep all at once, it could quite easily beat out many of its mainstream counterparts…This is an extremely bright start for one best new acts in CCM and I can’t wait to see what comes next.” – 5/5 stars – NewReleaseTuesday.com
“Crave, as a whole is nothing short of brilliant…This is the can’t-miss album of the year.” – ChristianMusicZine.com
“Luke and Joel Smallbone’s brand of music…has led some critics to compare them to Coldplay and other major musical talents. But, in a way, even such flattering comparisons are unfair to for KING & COUNTRY….the brothers songs are truly gripping, almost like vignettes about their own lives.” – MTV’s Ourstage
for KING & COUNTRY, recently named “New Artist of the Year” at the 44th Annual Dove Awards and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, released their critically acclaimed debut album, Crave, on February 28, 2012. On January 10, they made their late night debut performing their hit song and iTunes’ 2012 “Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Song of the Year,” “The Proof Of Your Love,” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In 2012, for KING & COUNTRY was named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist. For further information and a complete listing of dates visit www.forKINGandCOUNTRY.com.
Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave, currently enjoying the tremendous fan reception of their life-changing, mega-hit “Redeemed,” will release Love Come to Life: The Redeemed Edition on March 11. The 17-track album, produced by group member Jeremy Redmon, features their career best-selling album Love Come To Life with the addition of five bonus tracks including both acoustic and live versions of the K-LOVE Fan Award-winning and Billboard Music Award-nominated “Redeemed” and their current hit “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” Love Come to Life spawned three straight No. 1 hits including “Love Come to Life,” “Redeemed” and their current chart topper “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” Big Daddy Weave is currently on the second leg of “The Only Name Tour” with 40 dates through May.
“It is incredible how people have received this song and this album,” said Big Daddy Weave front man Mike Weaver. “We are humbled by the many stories we’ve heard of God working in people’s lives through it. We’re equally excited by the ongoing life of this album and the stories to come through new versions of ‘Redeemed’ and ‘The Only Name (Yours Will Be),’ and two songs not previously released on this album that are as close to our hearts as any songs on the record. God is good!”
Love Come To Life: The Redeemed Edition Track Listing:
1. Jesus Move
2. Magnificent God
3. Love Come To Life
4. Stay
5. Different Light
6. If You Died Tonight
7. Redeemed
8. The Only Name (Yours Will Be)
9. Save My Life
10. Maker Of The Wind
11. Give My Life Away
12. Overwhelmed
13. Everything Beautiful*
14. No Other Name*
15. Redeemed (Acoustic Edition)*
16. The Only Name (Yours Will Be) [Live]*
17. Redeemed (Live)*
*New Additions
Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave, one of Christian Music’s mainstays, is currently enjoying its career best-selling album, Love Come To Life, an album boasting three consecutive number one radio singles: “Love Come To Life,” “Redeemed,” and “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” In 2013, Big Daddy Weave’s monster hit song and career best-selling track, “Redeemed,” spent 11 weeks at No. 1, and took home the prestigious trophy for “Song of the Year” at the first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards, while receiving nominations for “Christian Song of the Year” at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and “Song of the Year” at the 2013 Dove Awards. The first Christian AC-Monitored radio chart of 2013 featured “Redeemed” in the number one position, while the first AC-Monitored chart of 2014 rang in with “The Only Name (Yours Will Be)” in the top spot. The band, comprised of Mike Weaver, Jay Weaver, Jeremy Redmon, Joe Shirk and Brian Beihl, formed when the original members were attending the University of Mobile. In 2002, Big Daddy Weave stepped into the spotlight with the release of its second album, One and Only, which debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top 5 and earned them a Dove Award nomination for “New Artist of the Year.” In 2010, Big Daddy Weave took home the Dove Award for “Christmas Album of the Year” for its seventh album, Christ Is Come. The band has also been honored at ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards and BMI’s Christian Music Awards and is one of the 10 most played artists at Christian radio over the past decade.
One of the cool perks of having a popular blog is that christian record labels send me copies of their new albums. And recently Integrity Music sent me their new album iWorship Now/New 2014. And man have I been blown away by the songs on there. The iWorship album is a compilation album featuring different individual songs by various Integrity artists and wow you should check out that CD. Bu there’s one song on that album called “Ascribe” by New Life Worship Featuring Cory Asbury and believe me when I tell you to me it is one of the most incredible, soul-wrenching worship songs I’ve heard in a long time. I play this song at least 7 times a day at various times, everyday. I can’t tell you how much I love this song. It is hands down my favorite worship song at the moment.
Debut EP, Inseparable, Available Today for Pre-Order at iTunes with an Instant Download of “We Are the Brave”
NASHVILLE, TN – (February, 2014) – Word Entertainment is pleased to present dynamic new alternative rock band VERIDIA. Recently, the female-fronted group unveiled the cover and launched the pre-order for their new EP, Inseparable, at iTunes. Although the EP won’t officially be released digitally until February 25, with the pre-order fans will receive an instant download of their new single, “We Are The Brave,” hitting rock radio Friday. VERIDIA also released an official trailer to Inseparable.
VERIDIA – comprised of Deena Jakoub (vocals), Brandon Brown (guitar), Kyle Levy (drums) and Trevor Hinesley (guitar) – formed in Nashville in 2013. “VERIDIA means ‘of truth,’” explained lead singer Deena. “It’s our creed, to strive for raw honesty in all that we do, being true to ourselves, the ones we love and in our music.” Susan Riley, A&R, Word Entertainment added “VERIDIA is a band that is filled with conviction and passion to bring hope to the hopeless as quickly as possible. It’s an honor to get to work with a band that cares for their fans and truly wants to serve those who are hurting in any way.”
Inseparable track listing:
We Are The Brave
Disconnected
Furious Love
Mechanical Planet
Mystery Of The Invisible
Nashville, TN (February 20, 2014) —– Grammy-nominated Building 429 was in New York City over the weekend with high-profile appearances on FOX News’ Mike Huckabee Show and FOXNews.com Live Spirited Debate.
Building 429 performed their new single, “Press On,” on the Mike Huckabee Show and the Governor joined the performance by playing bass with the band. Governor Huckabee also interviewed Jason Roy, lead singer for the group, about their recent Grammy nomination for the album, We Won’t Be Shaken and encouraged the audience to buy the album! The show also aired Building 429’s new video for the song, “Bonfire,” that was shot on location at a Winter Jam tour date. Check out the video here:http://youtu.be/2p9rUiVcufk. The Mike Huckabee Show aired Saturday and Sunday nights on the FOX News Channel at 8:00 pm EST.
Building 429 meets Tennessee Representative, Marsha Blackburn, backstage at the Mike Huckabee Show
Building 429 with Spirited Debate host, Lauren Green
Building 429 has returned to Nashville and started rehearsals for the upcoming tour that will feature Family Force 5 and Hawk Nelson. The 37- city We Won’t Be Shaken Tour launches February 21st in Pennsylvania and concludes May 10th in Minneapolis, MN.
About Building 429
Building 429, comprised of Jason Roy (vocals), Jesse Garcia (guitar), Michael Anderson (drums), and Aaron Branch (bass), released its new album, We Won’t Be Shaken, June 4, 2013 and it debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart. The strength of the album resulted in the band’s first Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The first single and title track became a multi-week No. 1 hit on the Hot AC/CHR chart and AC Indicator charts, and had over 246-million accumulative audience impressions. For the second time in the band’s career, Building 429 was honored with a BMI 2013 Song of the Year award for “Where I Belong.” The group’s fifth studio project, Listen to the Sound in 2011, debuted at the top of iTunes’ Christian & Gospel Albums chart. The title track hit No. 1 on the CHR chart and Top 5 on Billboard’s National Christian Audience Chart. Follow up single “Made For You” reached Top 5 on the Christian CHR charts, while the project’s third single, “Where I Belong,” was the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Christian Audience chart for 15 consecutive weeks. “Where I Belong” was Billboard’s 2012 Christian Song of the Year, Christian AC Song of the Year, Christian Songs Artist of the Year and Christian AC Songs Artist of the Year. Building 429 first broke through with its 2004 No. 1 hit “Glory Defined,” which was named BMI’s Christian Song of the Year in 2005. That same year, Building 429 was recognized as New Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. For more information on Building 429 visit http://www.Building429.com, http://www.facebook.com/building429 or http://www.twitter.com/building429.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 20, 2014) – The Dare to Be…The Journey Continues 2014 event tour sold out seven of 12 events across the country, while honoring daring, local women at each event. The inspirational event tour features Grammy® nominated vocalist Natalie Grant and international speaker, Bible teacher and author Charlotte Gambill. Together, they have created an empowering event entwined with music and worship for women of all ages to make a difference in their life, family, and community.
Among the dozens of women honored during the event tour was the wife of imprisoned American Pastor Saeed Abedini. Naghmeh Albedini was recognized in Boise, Idaho for keeping her faith and strength while waiting for her husband’s safe return home from Iran. Like every Dare to Be event, this emotional tribute provided a comfort of positivity and optimism through togetherness and faith that tugged on heartstrings throughout the church.
Since the 2014 tour launch in January, the Dare to Be movement has sparked a wildfire of hope, faith, and love across the country. Due to overwhelming popularity, and even with the addition of new dates, tickets are only available for two of the remaining events, including Coral Springs, Fla. February 20 and a matinee in Tampa, Fla. on February 22.
DATES/CITIES/VENUES
February 20, 2014 Coral Springs, FL Church by the Glades
February 22, 2014 Tampa, FL City Life Church – MATINEE ADDED
February 22, 2014 Tampa, FL City Life Church – SOLD OUT
March 1, 2014 Waxahachie, TX The Avenue Church – SOLD OUT
ABOUT NATALIE GRANT:
Grammy nominated Christian vocalist and multi Dove Award winner, Natalie Grant, is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. Natalie’s work has gained international acclaim, including five Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the year. Natalie is married to producer Bernie Herms and they have three children Grace Ana, Isabella Noelle and Sadie Rose. Twitter @NatalieGrant
ABOUT CHARLOTTE GAMBILL:
Charlotte Gambill is an international speaker and author, best known for her practical and passionate application of God’s word. Her messages of life and purpose are rallying a generation to embrace the broken and become ambassadors of hope. Charlotte and her husband Steve, are the lead Pastors at Life Church, England – http://www.lifechurchhome.com. They have two children, Hope Cherish and Noah Brave. Twitter @CharlGambill
NASHVILLE, TENN. – February 21, 2014-In anticipation of GRAMMY-nominated worship leader Kari Jobe’s upcoming album, her debut single “Forever” is now available at iTunes (click here). The single debuted at the top of the iTunes Christian & Gospel chart this week. Jobe will release her new album and live DVD, Majestic (Capitol CMG), on March 25. Fans can get a taste of the full-length live DVD with the premiere of the video of “Forever,” which already has over 75k views. Click here to watch the live song that was recorded in the historic Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Tx.
Jobe’s third album reveals a collection of simple, congregational-friendly tracks that she hopes will become new anthems for a generation hungry for God to move in a fresh way. “When I die, if I was known for one thing, I would want to be known for [helping people] fall more in love with Jesus,” Jobe asserts. “So I don’t care what song I sing, if the heart of it is that people fall more in love with Jesus and they understand the heart of God for them.”
“Forever” celebrates the collision of heaven and earth. “It’s painting a picture here on earth as believers of our redemption story, but then it’s also telling of what heaven’s going to look like in our worship because it’s going to be forever singing that He is glorified and He is lifted high. So it’s marrying the two worlds in a song,” Jobe explains.
For the writing of Majestic, Jobe reached out to like-minded worship leaders who share her passion for writing songs for the Church and who have become personal friends through their common vision. The result is an album that boasts co-writes from some of the most admired songwriters around the globe, including Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, Paul Baloche, Reuben Morgan, Marty Sampson, Mia Fieldes, Jenn Johnson and Christa Black Gifford, in addition to several co-writes with her band. Many of the album’s 13 tracks have as many as eight writers on one song, revealing Jobe’s heartbeat for community.
Fans can catch the new songs on the upcoming “Majestic Tour” that will feature special guest Rend Collective beginning February 27 concluding on April 8.
About Kari Jobe: After being established as a well-respected worship leader with her Dove Award-winning, self-titled debut, Kari Jobe released her follow-up album, Where I Find You, which earned Jobe her first GRAMMY nomination. The project released with chart topping street week numbers at No. 1 and No. 10 on Billboard’s National Christian, Gospel and Top 200 Charts. The album also received much praise from a wide range of media outlets from Worship Leader to New York Times. Jobe has toured on the largely popular Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Chris Tomlin’s “Burning Lights” tour, the Hillsong Conferences (Sydney and London), Passion Conferences, Women of Faith events as well as headlined her own tours.
So I had an interesting experience yesterday. I read something online that bugged me so much I had to write a rebuttal to it in the form of a blog comment. As a person, I’m always curious when I see these “heretic watch” blog posts about Christian leaders I love and respect. And I saw this blog by a guy in South Carolina called James Duncan who has one of these “heretic watch” blogs called Pajama Pages. This guy is on a relentless mission to publicly discredit Steven Furtick, pastor of North Carolina’s Elevation Church. Just post after post about why Furtick’s a fraud. So I read some of his posts and first of all, he has nothing of substance, its all just frivolous personal, subjective attacks against the man, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it that I had to write a long blog comment, and I thought I’d go ahead and re-post that comment here.
This is simply what’s been on my heart tonight, and if you don’t care about these things, then don’t bother to read my comment that I posted on this guy’s blog under the name “Jason Goodblood.”
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Wow man. After I read a few of your blog posts on Steven Furtick I felt really sad. Sad for you. And what’s even sadder is that you are so convinced that you are doing “God’s work” that nothing I say here will have the slightest effect on you. You’d probably just feel good about the attention of another commenter.
There’s so many thoughts in my heart so I’ll try to be concise and brief. Now to be fair I’ve not read this blog post above, but I’ve read some others on your site. And it seems to me that you really hate Steven Furtick. It seems personal. Every blog post you do about him is to intended to publicly shame him and humiliate him and take pot shots. But you are doing it under the guise of “holding them accountable to the bible.” I have no problem with you or anyone pointing out and examining individual things a preacher says like the Berean Christians in Acts 17. So if the things you take issue with in this blog post above are legitimate then I say God bless you and more power to you. But in my eyes you’ve lost all credibility as a godly critic because you clearly have an axe to grind. You clearly hate Steven Furtick, and its like you want him to lose his church and to see Elevation crash and burn and be no more. That’s weird for me to see one christian have that feeling toward another. But even as I type this I feel like I’m completely wasting my time, because even if you approve this comment, it will mean nothing to you. You won’t be open to anything I say here; especially my exhortation to examine your own heart.
Like your blog post about ‘How Furtick plans to crash the chatterbox’ about his and his publisher’s efforts to get on the bestseller list seems like it was intended to just be another exhibit about why Steven Furtick is a fraud and needs to not be a pastor. But here’s the truth: it did zero to make me think less of Furtick as a pastor or a human being. It was nothing more than insight into how Christian publishers work, but its part of this overall campaign on your part to publicly shame this pastor, Which to me is just not godly. Of course you see it as just the opposite, to you, you are doing God’s work to call out this “false prophet.” But I think you’re misguided man. I just wish I could make you see things from my perspective.
What do you really want all of this accomplish: it sounds like you want Furtick to come to you and bow down and say, “I was wrong, you are right. I’m not fit to be a pastor. You get all the credit, I’m an ending Elevation.” This sounds like you have some pride issues. And self-righteous issues. Which I’m assuming comes from deep insecurity because you need to put him down to make yourself feel good.
Everything you’ve written about him, like even implying his attempts to get on the NYT bestseller list is further evidence of what a fraud he is and how he’s paying for his “mansion” you sound like the pharisees when they dragged the woman caught in adultery to Jesus to judge, to publicly shame and you remember Jesus’ response to this right? If you are without sin, then write on, and smear on my friend.
Its one thing to have an issue with minor things about Furtick: maybe he’s brass, maybe he’s flashy, maybe he’s too ambitious, you name it, maybe even certain things he says from the pulpit, or that he’s making too much money etc. But you’re not doing that, instead you are engaging in a smear campaign against the man himself. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and you are accusing Furtick on every side. Blaise Pascal has a quote that I think applies to you: “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.”
You believe you are doing God’s work, and that’s why I feel like wasting my time even writing this. But you should ask yourself am I really doing God’s work, because until you open yourself to the fact that you may be doing your own work in god’s name no one will ever get through to you, not even God himself. In this regard you’re like a suicide bomber, as long as they believe they are doing God’s work you can never reach them or talk them out of it or ask them to reconsider. I am asking you to reconsider. And evaluate your own heart.
Is Furtick guilty of some of the criticisms you’ve leveled at him, probably. But how does that make him unfit for ministry? Every minister has done or said things we can all take issue with, many have said knuckle-headed things—even from the pulpit. That’s because no one is perfect, even pastors. But everything you do, to you is just one more evidence that proves your over-arching belief that Furtick should not be a pastor. Every post. That’s why you’ve lost all credibility as a godly, trust-worthy critic, because your heart is set on a smear campaign against the man, personally. You’re like Fox News is against Obama.
I think you’d be better off doing a blog post entitled ” Why I Hate Steven Furtick” and lay down all your issues and let people just judge each issue on its own merit. You may not describe your feelings toward him this way but from I’ve read it seems like hate to me.
And if Furtick bought a house that cost $1.8 million how does that disqualify him from ministry? Celebrity preachers make a lot of money that’s just the reality of the situation, how in your mind that makes them unfit to lead is the sensibility of a man who just believes Furtick shouldn’t be pastor in the first place and so he’ll just keep adding things to his list of why he feels this way. But even then most of the things you point out are ridiculous, like the whole NYT list thing – it proves nothing. You failed to show why Furtick is the anti-Christ but that’s my whole point you’re so blinded by your campaign to bring this man down, that everything you do, serves that purpose. Even if it means you have to gasp at straws i.e. at things that aren’t there.
If Furtick makes a lot of money from his work it doesn’t make him less qualified, less holy, less Christian. Besides by him buying this house doesn’t mean he has $2 million, it means that he believes he can afford the monthly mortgage payments for the next 20 – 30 years.
So what’s my point? If you feel there are certain things you take issue with him about that are legitimate like say, something he says from the pulpit, that’s fine. But when you are dead set to destroy the man then its no longer about the individual meritorious issues, its about bringing the man down and his total destruction. Which just in and of itself, for one “christian” to have that impulse or feeling toward another christian is just weird man in the first place, and that person in my opinion is not part of the household of faith. To me your campaign against Furtick is like Fox News’ campaign against Obama. The people at Fox wants to see Obama burn, they want to see him destroyed. So its not really about the issues anymore its just about an on-going campaign to bring about his destruction, and when that impulse begins to drive the train then you have lost all credibility and any criticism leveled against him is just another part of your over-arching, all-consuming goal to destroy him.
“How can a man say he loves God whom, he cannot see, yet hates his brother whom he can see.” You my friend, if your blog posts speak for you, hate your brother. And if that’s true then God himself says you can’t love Him.
From their “Month of Giving” to a surprise secret show to performances on Sirius Radio, Billboard and FOX & Friends, momentum grows for ‘THRIVE’
Multi-platinum selling group, Casting Crowns continues to bring THRIVE to life, wrapping up a month of visits and giving back to fans across the country. Accompanying the recent release of the group’s seventh studio record (THRIVE), which debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, comes Mark Hall’s newest book on Zondervan, “Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out” available today, February 11. This is Hall’s fourth book to date and discusses the critical inner challenge that we are meant to more than just survive life – we are called to thrive. Each chapter threads together this impactful message, adding Hall’s signature style of weaving stories with powerful tools for application.
The release of “Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out,” comes off the heels of a jam-packed, whirlwind month for Casting Crowns. Beginning in the month of January, Casting Crowns launched their”Month of Giving” with opportunities for them to give back to fans in big and small ways. The roots didn’t stop there as the band traveled across the country to multiple cities performing acoustic sets (including a Secret Show in Dallas, TX) and visiting friends such asThe Harvest Show, Live at Studio B, Moody Radio, Rick & Bubba and more. Also adding to the momentum of ‘THRIVE,’ several members of the band surprised shoppers at local retailers with a copy of the new record.
Last week, the band made a trip to New York City where they did special performances and interviews with Sirius Radio, Livestream.com, Billboard and FOX Radio. Wrapping up their NYC run, Casting Crowns made their national television debut of their song “Thrive” on the highly rated morning show, “FOX & Friends.”
Following the sea of praises on the new record comes another flood of applause from critics and fans alike for “Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out”:
“Consider Mark Hall’s book a dependable resource to inspire a well-rooted, far-reaching growth spurt among students.” – Crosswalk.com
“The book gives stories and testimonies from the young people Hall pastors, and gives examples of how the principles set out in the book can be applied to real life situations…It’s an important message, and one that is delivered with grace and humility.” – Christian Today
“Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall is delivering up plenty for your mind to reflect on…you’ll hear words of wisdom from Hall’s experience and a depth of theological encouragement for your soul.” – Mustard Seed Thoughts Blog
Beginning Feb. 20, Casting Crowns will embark on their national tour,”The Thrive Tour,” which features Laura Story and for KING & COUNTRY. For a complete list of tour dates, visit: https://www.castingcrowns.com/tour.
Tour Precedes May 6 Release of New All Sons & Daughters Studio Recording
All Sons & Daughters, the worship duo composed of David Leonard and Leslie Jordan, continue to inspire audiences with their acoustic, folk aesthetic and lyrics that focus squarely on Jesus while embracing the tension of the Christian walk. The Franklin, Tennessee-based worshipers will take their songs on the road beginning March 4, inviting listeners to join them and guest speaker Jamie George for “A Night Of Worship Tour”, traveling to 19 cities across the U.S.
Hailed by fans and critics alike, All Sons & Daughters have released three EPs and two full-length albums featuring songs such as “All The Poor and Powerless,” “Brokenness Aside,” “Great Are You Lord” and “Oh How I Need You”. Their most recent full-length project, a CD/DVD titled LIVE, garnered the duo its first Dove Award nominations with nods in the “Praise & Worship Album” and “Long Form Video” categories. Their next project, a self-titled studio recording, is set to release through Integrity Music on May 6.
While on tour, Jordan and Leonard, who serve on staff at Journey Church in Franklin, will be sharing songs from their previous albums and the forthcoming project. They will be joined on the tour by their pastor, Jamie George, whom they describe as an “avid story collector and storyteller.” In addition to his pastoral role at Journey, George is the author of Love Well, a book that encourages believers to move past cycles of shame, fear and hopelessness to find freedom in Christ and renewal in His community.
At each Night of Worship event, participants will not only be encouraged to listen and sing along, they will be given the opportunity to contribute their own expressions of worship through journaling their prayers, drawing and praying for one another at special areas set up throughout the church or auditorium.
“We have experienced a great freedom in worship over the past four years in our community at Journey Church,” says Jordan. “Our hope is that we can encourage people to enter that same freedom when they join us on a Night of Worship… to put aside distractions and engage in a sweet conversation with God.”
In addition to the “A Night of Worship Tour,” (dates below), All Sons & Daughters will lead worship for the Christian College Leadership Conference at California Baptist University in April, and they travel to the U.K. in May to lead worship for “Big Church Day Out,” Britain’s largest Christian music festival. Additional information, including news and tour updates, is available atAllSonsAndDaughters.com.
Tour Dates
Mar. 4 – Chesterfield, MO – The Crossing at Chesterfield
Mar. 6 – Olathe, KS – Olathe Christian Church
Mar. 7 – Aurora, CO – Calvary Chapel Aurora
Mar. 8 – Manhattan, KS – University Christian Church
Mar. 9 – Omaha, NE – Brookside Church
Mar. 11 – Des Moines, IA – Walnut Creek Church Downtown
Mar. 12 – Peoria, IL – Riverside Community Church
Mar. 13 – Chicago, IL – Missio Dei Chicago
Mar. 14 – Green Bay, WI – Green Bay Community Church
Mar. 16 – Saint Paul, MN – Northwestern College (Maranatha Hall)
Mar. 28 – Austin, TX – Austin Ridge Bible Church
Mar. 29 – Waco, TX – Common Grounds
Mar. 30 – Aledo, TX – Aledo United Methodist Church
Apr. 2 – Tucson, AZ – University City Church (Midtown Campus)
Apr. 6 – Malibu, CA – Pepperdine University
Apr. 9 – Alamogordo, NM – The Worship Center
Apr. 10 – Amarillo, TX – Temple Baptist Church
Apr. 13 – Cleveland, TN – Lee University (Conn Center)
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Integrity Music is part of the David C Cook ministry family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Additional information can be found at www.integritymusic.com.
Currently Appearing Nationwide on World’s No. 1 Tour (1st Quarter)
“The Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular”
Last night at The Roadshow 2014 tour date in San Antonio, TX, it was announced live that Everfound received the “New Artist of the Year” award for NewReleaseTuesday.com’s second annual “We Love Christian Music Awards.” The Russian-born brothers took home the fan-voted award beating out four other contenders in the category. NewReleaseTuesday.com has been a staunch supporter of the band from the beginning including their debut album in their 2013 Top 10 list, with reviewer Kevin Davis citing that the “album is by far the catchiest, most energetic and emotionally engaging alternative rock album I’ve heard this year.” Last year their Word Entertainment label mates for KING & COUNTRY won the “New Artist of the Year” title and later went on to win the award at both the K-LOVE Fan Awards and the Dove Awards. Everfound is currently on the world’s top-attended tour in the world (1st quarter), The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular 2014 is scheduled to hit an additional 36 cities through March. The band’s second single, “God of the Impossible,” is Top 20 at Hot AC/CHR and is also featured on the companion CD to the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God,” Son of God: Music Inspired By The Epic Motion Picture.
“Thank you guys so much for voting for us,” said the band in a video displayed on screens Thursday night at The Roadshow 2014 concert. “We are absolutely thrilled that we won the ‘New Artist of the Year’ award. We have the best fans in the world. And thank you to New Release Tuesday for your support from the very beginning. As soon as our album came out you have been huge supporters of what we’re trying to do as a band musically. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Get to know Everfound in this exclusive video seen here of their early life growing up in Russia. The band, comprised of four brothers, Nikita Odnoralov (vocals), Ruslan Odnoralov (guitar, keys, programming), Illarion Odnoralov (bass) and Yan Odnoralov (drums), were born in and spent their first few years in Pyatigorsk, Russia. Before the fall of the Soviet Union, religion was seen as a threat to the government. Their great uncle spent 20 years in prison for just owning a Bible, their father was harassed by the police for attending Bible studies and their grandmother was fired from her job for professing her faith. In the late 90s the boys’ parents, seeking religious freedom, packed everything they could into suitcases and moved their young family to Colorado. As expressed in the video and throughout their lyrics, the brothers are incredibly grateful for what their parents did and are fully aware of the freedom they receive in this country. When their parents were growing up in Russia there were no Christian radio stations and the government would try to jam frequencies when American missionaries would transmit the gospel from across the border. Now, without fear of persecution, Everfound can freely have their music transmitted all over the world.
On July 16, Everfound released their self-titled Word Entertainment debut album. The album’s lead single, “Never Beyond Repair,” climbed into the Top 20 at radio and their track “What Love Means” is featured in the musical companion to the History Channel’s mini-series “The Bible.” In March, Everfound played at a massive kick-off event for the mini-series at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey in attendance. Immediately following the event Warren declared via Twitter, “Mark my word: This band is going to be HUGE!” These multi-instrumental musicians have played more than 800 shows throughout both the U.S. and Europe and released four albums independently. For further information and for listing of tour dates, please visit www.everfoundmusic.com.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including About A Mile, Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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/Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
GRAMMY®-Nominated Artist’s Current Single “Write Your Story” Top 10 After Just Four Weeks of Releasing
Nashville, TN – (February 6, 2014) – GRAMMY®-nominated artist and 42nd Annual Dove Awards’ “Artist of the Year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year,” Francesca Battistelli, will perform her new single “Write Your Story” live on ABC’s “Good Morning America” when she makes her national morning TV debut on February 13. Additionally, she’ll unveil a portion of “When The Crazy Kicks In” from her forthcoming third studio album, If We’re Honest, due out on April 22. “Write Your Story,” released to radio on January 3, is already Top 10 at NCA after just one month. Today Battistelli joins Sanctus Real on “The Hands of God 2014 Tour” in Fayetteville, AR, followed by the Word Entertainment / LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) partnership “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” this spring.
If We’re Honest comes three years after Battistelli, Christian music’s best-selling new artist in the past 10 years, released her sophomore album, Hundred More Years. With its release she garnered “Artist of the Year,” “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Pop/Recorded Song of the Year” at the 2011 Dove Awards. Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and her longtime collaborator Ian Eskelin, If We’re Honest reveals her most intimate and accomplished musical statement yet.The forthcoming album, showcasing her trademark pop and soul-infused sound, is currently available for pre-order at iTunes here. Customers that pre-order it will also receive an instant download of “Write Your Story.”
In the coming months Battistelli will be touring in support of If We’re Honest commencing today with the 15-city “Hands of God Tour” with Sanctus Real. Launching on March 20 at Saddleback in Lake Forest, CA, she’ll be featured on the 16-city Word Entertainment / LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) partnership “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014.” For more information and a complete listing of dates please visit: www.francescamusic.com.
“The Hands of God 2014 Tour” Dates:
Feb. 6 – Fayetteville, AR – Christian Life Cathedral Church
Feb. 7 – Decatur, TX – Victory Family Church
Feb. 8 – Metairie, LA – Victory Fellowship
Feb. 14 – Syracuse, NY – CNY Crossroads Inspiration Hall
Feb. 15 – Perry Hall, MD – Perry Hall Family Worship Center
Feb. 16 – Greencastle, PA – Greencastle Antrim High School
Feb. 27 – Monroe, MI – Stewart Road Christian Ministries Center
Feb. 28 – Campbellsville, KY – Living Grace Church
March 1 – Shelbyville, KY – Cornerstone Christian Academy
March 2 – Attica, IN – Attica High School Auditorium
March 6 – La Vista, NE – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
March 7 – Castle Rock, CO – The Rock Church
March 8 – Montrose, CO – Montrose Pavilion
March 9 – Artesia, NM – Artesia High School Auditorium
March 14 – Cordele, GA – Crisp County Auditorium
“The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” Dates:
March 20 Lake Forest, CA – Saddleback Church
March 21 Phoenix, AZ – Vineyard Church
March 22 Albuquerque, NM – Legacy Church
March 23 Denver, CO – Denver First Church of the Nazarene
March 27 Austin, TX – Riverbend Church
March 28 Dallas, TX – Sunnyvale First Baptist Church
March 29 Tulsa, OK – Mabee Center
March 30 Kansas City, MO – Lenexa Christian Center
April 3 Columbus, OH – Grace Polaris Church
April 4 Grand Rapids, MI – Grand Rapids First
April 5 Chicago, IL – Olivet Nazarene University
April 6 Nashville, TN – Allen Arena
April 10 Pittsburgh, PA – Victory Family Church
April 11 Louisville, KY – Northside Christian Church
April 12 Lynchburg, VA – Thomas Road Baptist Church
April 13 Baltimore, MD – APG Federal Credit Union Arena, Hartford Community College
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards including 2011 “Artist of the Year” and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 978,000 in album sales to date and over 1.8 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S.
iTunes Features Heart For Only $7.99 During Special, Month-Long Sale
The City Harmonic was honored this week with a 2014 JUNO Award nomination for their new, critically acclaimed album, Heart. The album is nominated forContemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year and follows the band’s JUNO win in that same category last year for their full-length debut, I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home).
The new JUNO nomination, presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, is the latest in a long line of honors that includes the band’s Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and four Covenant Awards, including one for Group of the Year. Forming four years ago in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, The City Harmonic quickly went from anonymity to widespread acclaim, leading worship and headlining tours across North America while gathering fans from around the world thanks in part to radio hits like “Manifesto,” “Holy (Wedding Day)” and “A City On Hill.”
Co-produced by the band (vocalist and pianist Elias Dummer, bassist Eric Fusilier, guitarist Aaron Powell and drummer Josh Vanderlaan) along with Jared Fox, the JUNO-nominated HEART delves into themes of grace, discipleship and being, and becoming, truly human. The band has been sharing songs from Heartwhile on tour, including their recent fall tour with The Royal Royal and Shawn McDonald, as well as TV appearances for the 2013 Covenant Awardsand a Crossroads/CTS special. The band launches into 2014 with new concerts throughout the winter and spring, including six U.S. events with Acquire The Firebeginning Feb 8.
In time for the winter-spring tour, iTunes is featuring The City Harmonic’s digital deluxe version of Heart, including bonus video content, for only $7.99 throughout the month of February.
FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI will be making her national morning TV debut and performing her new single “Write Your Story” on ABC’s “Good Morning America”in the 8am hour (ET/PT).
Big Daddy Weave headlining tour featuring for KING & COUNTRY and
Meredith Andrews Also Sells Out in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago and Kansas City
The second annual K-LOVE Christmas Tour, presented by 25 Entertainment, kicked off with a sold-out crowd Wednesday night in Greensboro, NC. Big Daddy Weave headlining tour featuring for KING & COUNTRY and Meredith Andrews is slated to hit an additional nine cities including four sold-out dates in Pittsburgh, PA; Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL, and Kansas City, MO. This past June at the first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards both Big Daddy Weave and for KING & COUNTRY won two of the top honors with Big Daddy Weave taking home “Song of the Year” for their smash hit “Redeemed” while for KING & COUNTRY were presented the award for “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” by Meredith Andrews. In addition, for KING & COUNTRY’s Christmas EP, Into The Silent Night, currently holds the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ Christian Album’s chart. The relationship between 25 Entertainment and K-LOVE Radio provides the opportunity for radio listeners and fans to experience an inviting evening of Christmas music for the entire family during the holiday season in 10 of K-LOVE’s markets.
In addition to music from these critically-acclaimed artists, Feed The Children will be the ministry focal point offering child sponsorships throughout the tour. The non-profit organization will also sponsor a separate event in each city along the tour to feed over 4,000 families in all. On Wednesday, Feed The Children with the help of the tour artists, fed over 380 in need families. Feed The Children is one of the world’s largest charities with the mission of providing hope and resources for those without life’s essential needs. In the U.S., Feed The Children works with local agencies to distribute food and necessities to over 400,000 families annually.
Upcoming K-LOVE Christmas Tour Dates:
Dec. 5 Virginia Beach, VA – New Life Providence Church
Dec. 6 Pittsburgh, PA – Amplify Church, Pittsburgh East Campus
Dec. 7 Indianapolis, IN – Zionsville Performing Arts Center
Dec. 8 Chicago, IL – Aurora Christian High School
Dec. 11 Lexington, KY – Porter Memorial Baptist Church
Dec. 12 Nashville, TN – Brentwood United Methodist Church
Dec. 13 Memphis, TN – Raleigh Assembly of God
Dec. 14 Kansas City, MO – Cross Points Church
Dec. 15 Evansville, IN – First Christian Church Newburgh
This year, Big Daddy Weave’s monster hit song “Redeemed,” which spent 11 weeks at No. 1, took home top honors for “Song of the Year” at the first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards and received nominations for “Christian Song of the Year” at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards and “Song of the Year” at the 2013 Dove Awards. The single from the band’s latest album, Love Come To Life, which also features the group’s current single at radio, “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” The band, comprised of Mike Weaver, Jay Weaver, Jeremy Redmon Joe Shirk and Brian Beihl, formed when the original members were attending the University of Mobile. In 2002 they stepped into the spotlight with the release of their second album, One and Only, which debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top 5 and earned them a nomination for Dove Awards’ “New Artist of the Year.” In 2010, Big Daddy Weave took home the Dove Award for “Christmas Album of the Year” for their seventh album Christ Is Come. They have also been honored at ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards and are one of the 10 most played artists at Christian radio over the past decade. For more information on Big Daddy Weave please visit www.bigdaddyweave.com.
FOR KING & COUNTRY
for KING & COUNTRY, recently named “New Artist of the Year” at the 44th Annual Dove Awards and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, released their critically acclaimed debut album, Crave, in 2012. On January 10, they made their late night debut performing their hit song and iTunes’ 2012 “Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Song of the Year,” “The Proof Of Your Love,” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In 2012, for KING & COUNTRY was named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist. New Release Tuesday noted that Crave was “One of the Best Debut Projects in Years!” ET’s “The Insider” said the duo, “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwriter commented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.” Stay tuned to www.forKINGandCOUNTRY.com for the most current news.
About Meredith Andrews:
With her Word Entertainment’s debut release in 2008, Meredith Andrews’ insightful songs and engaging voice awarded her recognition as Billboard Magazine’s “Most Promising New Artist.” In 2011, she picked up two Dove Awards for “Worship Song of the Year” and “Praise and Worship Album of the Year,” quickly distinguishing her as one of the preeminent worship leaders and songwriters in the Christian music community. With the success of her debut album and her sophomore release in 2010, As Long As It Takes, she was afforded the opportunity to tour with acclaimed CCM artists Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman and Michael W. Smith. Her much-anticipated third studio album, Worth It All, featuring singles “Worth It All,” “Strong God” and “Pieces,” was released January 22, 2013. A native of Wilson, NC, Meredith began singing in church when she was only six, and by the time she was in high school, she was writing songs and leading worship. For more information on Meredith Andrews please visit www.meredithandrews.com.
About Feed The Children:
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Feed The Children is one of the largest international charities based in the U.S. With the mission of providing hope and resources for those without life’s essentials, Feed The Children is a BBB Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity and uses a comprehensive and integrated program to combat hunger and poverty. Feed The Children addresses four basic needs: food and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and health, and livelihood community development. In addition to helping families and communities around the world achieve lasting self-sufficiency, Feed The Children also responds quickly in times of disaster to provide emergency supplies for those in need.
About K-LOVE: K-LOVE creates compelling media designed to inspire and encourage people to develop a meaningful relationship with Christ. K-LOVE is listener supported and delivers positive, encouraging contemporary Christian music through its 446 signals across 47 states. For more information visit:www.klove.com. About 25 Entertainment: 25 Entertainment is the event booking, production and promotion arm of Word Entertainment, acomprehensive Christian entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including recorded music, publishing, distribution, merchandising, Church resources, and online initiatives. Based in Nashville, 25 Entertainment’s roster includes some of the world’s most-renowned Christian artists including Chris August, Natalie Grant, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace, and Sidewalk Prophets. The company also proudly represents Girls of Grace, a nationwide conference for 6th – 12th grade girls, focusing on common age-related issues with positive Christian messages.
About Word Entertainment: A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Musical Companion to the 20th Century Fox Feature Film “Son of God”
Featuring Music by Today’s Top Christian Artists Beautifully Accompanying the Telling of the Greatest Story Ever Told
Artists Included Total 45 No. 1 Hits and 25 Dove Awards Combined
Nashville, TN – (January 20, 2013) –Word Entertainment is partnering once again with Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and their production company LightWorkers Media to releaseSON OF GOD: Music Inspired by the Epic Motion Picture on December 26. The 12-song collection, a musical companion to the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” due out February 28, features music by today’s top Christian artists including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, Point of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets and Group 1 Crew’s No. 1 hit “He Said” (feat. Chris August). Artists included on the album have a combined total of 45 No. 1 hits and 25 Dove Awards.Also included on the compilation is “Oh, Son of God,” a brand new song by Grammy-nominated artist and Dove Awards’ 2011 “Artist of the Year” Francesca Batistelli.
“We are incredibly honored that Roma and Mark have partnered with our Word family on the music inspired by CDs to ‘The Bible’ miniseries and now the motion picture ‘Son of God,’” said Rod Riley, Word Entertainment’s President & CEO. “Our artists’ songs, from for KING & COUNTRY’s ‘Baby Boy’ to the final song on the project, Meredith Andrews’ ‘The Gospel Changes Everything,’ so beautifully complement the telling of Jesus’ life, it made perfect sense to pair them with the motion picture.”
SON OF GOD: Music Inspired By The Epic Motion Picture Track listing:
Francesca Battistelli – “Oh, Son of God”
Chris August – “Jesus, Savior”
for KING & COUNTRY – “Baby Boy”
Group 1 Crew – “He Said” (feat. Chris August)
Dara Maclean – “Our Only Hope”
Sidewalk Prophets – “Keep Making Me”
Point of Grace – “Only Jesus”
Jason Castro – “I Believe”
Everfound – “God of the Impossible”
Love & The Outcome – “He Is With Us”
Big Daddy Weave – “Jesus Move”
Meredith Andrews – “The Gospel Changes Everything”
Downey and Burnett brought the epic 10-hour mini-series “The Bible” to television audiences on the History channel with their company LightWorkers Media. It became the top entertainment telecast of the year, received three Emmy® Award nominations and has been viewed by over 100 million people to date. On February 28, they will bring the 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” to millions of people worldwide on the big screen. Word Entertainment partnered with Burnett and Downey to release the musical companion to the epic mini-series “The Bible.” Announced earlier this month, they are also joining forces on “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014” slated to commence on March 20 at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Southern California and run 16 dates through April 13.
About LightWorkers Media
Celebrated Emmy-nominated actress Roma Downey and her husband producer Mark Burnett launched LightWorkers Media in 2011 with the children’s DVD and book series “Little Angels” and its companion “Little Angels Storybook Bible”. LightWorkers Media produced the ten-hour miniseries THE BIBLE and will be producing the feature film version SON OF GOD for 20th Century Fox. They recently acquired Alice Hoffman’s award winning novel The Dovekeepers. LightWorkers Media is dedicated to shining a light and bringing uplifting content to people of all ages.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Lead Single “Write Your Story” is Most Added at Radio This Week
Battistelli to Appear This Spring on “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014”
Nashville, TN – (January 6, 2014) – GRAMMY®-nominated artist and 42nd Annual Dove Awards’ “Artist of the Year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year,” Francesca Battistelli, is slated to release her third studio album, If We’re Honest, on April 22. Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and her longtime collaborator Ian Eskelin, the album features 11 tracks all co-written by Battistelli. Contemporary Christian Music’s best-selling new artist in 10 years, Battistelli’s debut album My Paper Heart received RIAA Gold certification and a GRAMMY® nomination while her sophomore effort Hundred More Years helped garner her the 2011 Dove Awards for “Artist of the Year,” “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year.” Today, Battistelli’s brand new single “Write Your Story” received the most adds at Christian radio for the week with 73 stations supporting it. Additionally, the singer marked another career milestone off her list this past Saturday when she made her debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry performing her Grammy-nominated single “Free To Be Me” and her hit song “This Is The Stuff.”
Fans can download “Write Your Story” and pre-order If We’re Honest on January 14 at iTunes. A deluxe version featuring three additional tracks will also be available. On February 14, LifeWay will offer a physical version of the single with the pre-buy of the physical album.
In the coming months Battistelli will be touring in support of If We’re Honest commencing with the “Hands of God Tour” with Sanctus Real on February 7 in Decatur, TX. “Hands of God” is also the title of a newly-penned track on her album co-written by and featuring Sanctus Real’s Matt Hammitt. Launching on March 20 at Saddleback in Lake Forest, CA, she’ll be featured on the Word Entertainment / LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) partnership “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014.” Battistelli also has songs on the companion CD to the upcoming 20th Century Fox feature film and LightWorker’s Media production “Son of God,” SON OF GOD: Music Inspired by the Epic Motion Picture, andon the companion CD, The Bible: Music Inspired By The Epic Mini-Series, to the massive History channel mini-series “The Bible.” For more information and a complete listing of dates please visit: www.francescamusic.com.
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards including 2011 “Artist of the Year” and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 978,000 in album sales to date and over 1.8 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S.
Set to Embark on Second Leg of “The Only Name Tour” on February 21 in Waukesha, WI
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NASHVILLE, TN –(January 6, 2014) – Dove Award-winning group Big Daddy Weave is celebrating their third consecutive No. 1 hit with “The Only Name (Yours Will Be)” today. It is the first No. 1 single of the year on both the National Christian Audience chart and AC Monitored chart. This marks the second straight year the band has scored the first AC Monitored No. 1 of the year, with the band’s blockbuster hit, “Redeemed,” holding the top spot for the first chart in January 2013. The three consecutive No. 1 singles – “Love Come To Life,” “Redeemed” and “The Only Name (Yours Will Be)” – are all from Big Daddy Weave’s current and career best-selling album,Love Come To Life. On February 21, Big Daddy Weave will embark on the second leg of “The Only Name Tour” with support from Group 1 Crew and Tim Timmons. It is slated to run 31 dates through May 3.
“The Only Name Tour” dates:
Feb. 21: RiverGlen Church – Waukesha, WI
Feb. 22: Open Door Church – Chillicothe,OH
Feb. 23: Calvary Temple Christian Center – Springfield, IL
Feb. 27: Langston Baptist Church – Conway, SC
Feb. 28: Church On The Hill – Fishersville, VA
March 1: First Baptist Church of New Castle – New Castle, DE
March 2: Chestnut Assembly of God Church – Vineland, NJ
March 7: Eastern Heights Church – Cleburne, TX
March 9: Abilene Civic Center – Abilene, TX
March 10: Clovis Civic Center – Clovis, NM
March 11: Las Cruces Convention Center – Las Cruces, NM
March 14: Redding Civic Auditorium – Redding, CA
March 15: New Hope Community Church – Happy Valley, OR
March 16: Gateway Fellowship – Poulsbo, WA
March 20: Mother Lode Theatre – Butte, MT
March 21: Highland Park Community Church – Casper, WY
March 23: Sioux Falls First Assembly of God – Sioux Falls, SD
March 28: Silver Dollar City– Branson, MO
March 29: Victory Ministry and Sports Complex – Joplin, MO
March 30: Woodward High School Auditorium – Woodward, OK
April 3: Silverdale Baptist Church – Chattanooga, TN
April 4: Lightsey Chapel at Charleston Southern University – North Charleston, SC
April 5: The Refuge – Kannapolis, NC
April 6: Kings Gate Church International – Hamlet, NC
April 12: North Platte High School – North Platte, NE
April 25: Church of Hope – Sarasota, FL
April 26: Florida Bible Church – Miramar, FL
April 27: First Baptist Church of Umatilla – Umatilla, FL
May 1: Grace Christian Academy – Kankakee, IL
May 2: Dyersburg State Community College – Dyersburg, TN
May 3: St. Luke UMC Ministry Center – Columbus, GA
Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave, one of Christian Music’s mainstays, is currently enjoying its career best-selling album, Love Come To Life, an album boasting three consecutive number one radio singles: “Love Come To Life,” “Redeemed,” and “The Only Name (Yours Will Be).” In 2013, Big Daddy Weave’s monster hit song and career best-selling track, “Redeemed,” spent 11 weeks at No. 1, and took home the prestigious trophy for “Song of the Year” at the first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards, while receiving nominations for “Christian Song of the Year” at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and “Song of the Year” at the 2013 Dove Awards. The first Christian AC-Monitored radio chart of 2013 featured “Redeemed” in the number one position, while the first AC-Monitored chart of 2014 rang in with “The Only Name (Yours Will Be)” in the top spot. The band, comprised of Mike Weaver, Jay Weaver, Jeremy Redmon, Joe Shirk and Brian Beihl, formed when the original members were attending the University of Mobile. In 2002, Big Daddy Weave stepped into the spotlight with the release of its second album,One and Only, which debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top 5 and earned them a Dove Award nomination for “New Artist of the Year.” In 2010, Big Daddy Weave took home the Dove Award for “Christmas Album of the Year” for its seventh album, Christ Is Come. The band has also been honored at ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards and BMI’s Christian Music Awards and is one of the 10 most played artists at Christian radio over the past decade.
Battistelli to Release her Third Studio Album, If We’re Honest, on April 22
42nd Annual Dove Awards’ “Artist of the Year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year,” Francesca Battistelli, graced the historic Grand Ole Opry stage on January 4 for the first time. A career milestone for the vocalist, she sang her Grammy-nominated song “Free To Be Me” and her hit song “This Is the Stuff.”
Battistelli is slated to release her third studio album, If We’re Honest, on April 22. The album features her latest single, “Write Your Story,” which was the most added song at Christian radio on January 6.
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards including 2011 “Artist of the Year” and 22 Dove Award nominations. Both her debut album, My Paper Heart (certified gold in 2012), and her 2011 sophomore release, Hundred More Years, took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Album chart. With over 978,000 in album sales to date and over 1.8 million single downloads, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. Her music has also been featured on TriStar Picture’s “Soul Surfer,” Columbia Picture’s “Julie and Julia,” 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. In addition, this past fall she was featured on over three million Diet Pepsi Cans throughout the U.S. On February 7, she’ll join Sanctus Real for the “Hands of God Tour” followed by “The Bible: SON OF GOD Tour 2014” in March/April. For more information and a complete listing of dates please visit: www.francescamusic.com.
New Collection Is Latest Addition to Sony’s Popular “Playlist” Series
Integrity Music announces the January 21 global release of Playlist: The Very Best of Israel & New Breed, a 13-song collection that is the latest addition to Sony Music’s popular “Playlist” series featuring legacy artists that span a variety of genres.
A collaboration between Integrity and Sony, the project joins a long list of Sony’s best-selling “Playlist” titles from artists who have helped define their genres – – from Billy Joel to Billie Holiday. Playlist: The Very Best of Israel & New Breed features songs from the GRAMMY Award winning group’s albums along with songs from New Breed founder Israel Houghton’s solo projects.
Known for bending genre rules, there’s no box that Israel Houghton can’t punch his way out of musically. Born from the circle of a white mother and a black father, raised within a blended white family, a Latino neighborhood and a spirited church, Houghton has challenged cultural and denominational biases since his youth. And he used his experiences to fuel the creation of his band New Breed as a means to overcome such divisions within the faith community. As a result, Houghton and New Breed have created a canon of songs that have become standards in houses of faith around the globe, while also earning GRAMMY, Dove, Stellar, Soul Train and Premios ARPA awards.
“I remember early on facing some walls and divisions that were skin-tone oriented, where people said you should just do it this way or just do it that way,” Houghton once told Charisma magazine. “White people would say, ‘Don’t do black music,’ and black people would say, ‘Don’t do white music.’ And it got so frustrating.” So, Houghton decided to just make the music his heart envisioned – meshing a variety of styles he refers to as a “Kingdom sound” – and eventually it caught on in a big way.
This “Playlist” album focuses on some of Houghton’s most creative musical moments that unite fans of Christian artists like Chris Tomlin and Gospel/Urban greats such as Kirk Franklin. In fact, Franklin, along with artists Michael Gungor and Fred Hammond, also make guest appearances on the selected songs as does Houghton’s friend, fellow producer and New Breed member Aaron Lindsey.
The Playlist features:
1. Jesus The Same
2. No Turning Back (Featuring Aaron Lindsey)
3. You Have Me / You Hold My World (Featuring Michael Gungor)
4. Jesus At The Center
5. Everywhere That I Go
6. Saved By Grace
7. New Season
8. Surprises (Featuring Fred Hammond)
9. Not Forgotten
10. Again I Say Rejoice
11. Moving Forward
12. Love God Love People
13. Mercies (Featuring Kirk Franklin)
Playlist: The Very Best of Israel & New Breed will be available wherever Christian music is sold, including digital service providers such as iTunes and Amazon.
A worship leader and member of Houston’s Lakewood Church, Israel Houghton has also led worship for Hillsong conferences, Franklin Graham crusades and a variety of music festivals around the world. His latest, best-selling album with New Breed is the live, two-disc CD (and DVD) Jesus At The Center. He is currently producing a new Integrity album with Covenant Worship, featuring David and Nicole Binion. Additional information can be found athttp://newbreedmusic.com.
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Integrity Music is part of the David C Cook family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Additional information can be found atwww.integritymusic.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Marking yet another first in its record-breaking history, NewSong‘s Winter Jam Tour Spectacular-the world’s #1 first quarter tour for three consecutive years based on attendance-comes to Atlanta’s Georgia Dome February 8. In addition to Winter Jam’s star-studded 2014 lineup-led by Newsboys and Lecrae-the Winter Jam 2014 Dome Spectacular will feature a special appearance by University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt and other surprise guests.
Making Winter Jam an all-day event, the inaugural “JAM ZONE presented by KIA” and sponsored by Country Financial, the Creation Museum and the Israel Ministry of Tourism, among others, will be held from 10 am-6 pm in the World Congress Center. JAM ZONE is a free, expo-style event, featuring a live performance stage and more than 85 booths of local businesses and exhibitors, in addition to food and merchandise vendors. Fans will also be able to interact with Winter Jam artists throughout the day at the Winter Jam autograph booth.
“For the last three years, Winter Jam has played to capacity crowds of more than 15,000 in Atlanta, so we knew it was time to think big so more people could attend,” said Eddie Carswell, Winter Jam creator and NewSong founding member. “With the move to the Georgia Dome, we also wanted to provide activities for fans during the day, so we appreciate KIA partnering with us for our first-ever JAM ZONE. We know February 8 is going to be a special day and we are anxiously anticipating what God will do.”
NewSong’s Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular features Multi-GRAMMY® nominated Newsboys and groundbreaking GRAMMY®-winning rap/hip-hop recording artist Lecrae, along with Tenth Avenue North, Thousand Foot Krutch, Plumb, NewSong and Colton Dixon, as well as a message from national evangelist Nick Hall. In addition the iDisciple App Pre-Jam Party will feature Love & The Outcome, Everfound and Derek Minor.
Promoted by Premier Productions and presented by Holt International, NewSong’s Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular will hit 48 cities, before concluding March 30. The Tour is sponsored by God’s Not Dead the movie, University of Mobile, Pepsi, TheOverflow.com, Camp Electric, Premier Christian Cruises, Xtreme Conferences, Wayne E. Bailey Produce, and Texas TransEastern.
For the third consecutive time, last year’s Winter Jam Tour Spectacular topped Pollstar’s Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales Charts – Top 100 Tours, surpassing all other 2013 first quarter tours. Since creating Winter Jam in 1995, NewSong hosts and continues to oversee the exponential growth of this groundbreaking tour. Among the music industry’s top outings, Winter Jam features Christian music’s best and brightest artists and provides a powerful platform for the Gospel message across the country.
A complete list of Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular dates and cities is available at JamTour.com.
WINTER JAM 2014 DOME SPECTACULAR
What: JAM ZONE
Admission: FREE
When: February 8
Time: 10 am-6 pm
Where: World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW,
Atlanta, GA 30313 (404) 223-4000
Further information: JamTour.com/JamZone
What: WINTER JAM TOUR SPECTACULAR
Admission: $10 at the door, no tickets required
Time: Doors open at 5 pm with iDisciple Pre-Jam Party;
concert begins at 6 pm
Where: Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Dr. NW,
Atlanta, GA 30313, (404) 223-9200
Further information: JamTour.com
Nashville, Tenn. (January 15, 2014) – Ending 2013 on a high note with the release of their energetic single, “Shake,” GRAMMY®-nominated, American Music Award and Dove Award winning band MercyMe carries the enthusiasm into 2014 as they announce their eighth studio album Welcome To The New, available April 8, 2014 from Fair Trade. Collaborating with producers David Garcia and Ben Glover (TobyMac, Mandisa), Welcome To The New represents a shift in tone for the multi-platinum selling group.
“At 41-years-old, I feel like I am just starting to grasp who I am in Christ,” says lead singer Bart Millard. “I grew up in a somewhat legalistic environment where the harder you try, the better God likes you. It was about two years ago a dear friend of mine reminded me I cannot do enough great things to make Christ love me more than He already does. Not to mention, I can’t sabotage this relationship and be taken from His hand. In other words, all the work was truly done on the cross and I cannot mess it up! This is not a new season in my life, it is my life! Everything has changed from this point on, and I want to tell this to anyone who will listen and be the first to welcome them to the new!”
Last fall, MercyMe released “Shake,” their first single from Welcome To The New. The song was an instant hit with radio audiences, gaining adds from 75 stations including K-LOVE, Air 1, Salem Music Network, KLTY/Dallas and more, while shooting up into the Top 20 on the Billboard National Christian Audience Chart.
The single’s impressive momentum has translated well for the “Shake” music video. Filmed on the downtown streets of Huntsville, Ala. with dancers from the North Alabama Dance Center and over 100 local extras, the high-energy, choreographed music video has been viewed nearly 700,000 times over several video platforms. Fans of the band have been buzzing about the video, using the hashtag “#MMShake” to share their own videos and responses via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The album will be available for pre-order at Lifeway, Family Christian Stores and other participating retailers on January 28, as well as iTunes® on February 18.
About MercyMe:
Since their debut in 2001, GRAMMY®-nominated, American Music Award and multiple Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 6 million units in CD and DVD sales, garnered 25 No. 1 multi-format Christian radio singles and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/Top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (Top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2009, Billboard named MercyMe’s “Word Of God Speak” the No. 1 Song of The Decade and the group the No. 1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, with an additional No. 1 as the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade as one of the industry’s most notable talents. MercyMe made history as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. MercyMe has sold out venues across the nation, including Radio City Music Hall, and has appeared on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS This Morning and in the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard and more. Their eighth studio album, Welcome To The New, will be available on April 8, 2014.
NASHVILLE, TENN. – January 14, 2014 –Acclaimed singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan has just released his first single, “Future / Past” from his upcoming independent release, Borderland, at iTunes. John Mark’s fourth studio album will release on March 4, 2014. Just hours after releasing, “Future / Past” jumped to No. 2 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Song chart. Click here to purchase this single.
Supporting today’s single release, John Mark’s music video for the song is also exclusively debuting at RELEVANT TV. Click on the image below to watch this video.
ABOUT Borderland:
“Borderland speaks to the idea of the ‘place between places,’” says McMillan, “which is where I feel I’ve been living as a person, as an artist, and as a believer for a couple of years. While few things describe the Christian experience more than the ‘place between places,’ it is also a concept everyone can relate to. We all walk lines between work and family, love and responsibility, art and commerce, passion and business and so on. Many of these songs are my commentary from a life between the crevices and on the verge.”
This will be the first album released through John Mark’s recently launched record label, Lionhawk Records. Borderland was funded by a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 raising over $69,000 and backed by more than 1,500 contributors.
In addition to the anticipation around McMillan’s upcoming LP, the Charlotte, North Carolina native’s previous work continues with its success. In 2012, “Seen A Darkness,” from his last album Economy, was featured in the promo for the Grey’s Anatomy episode, “Hope for the Hopeless” (Season 8: Episode 12). His single “How He Loves” was recently listed by Integrity Music as one of the 25 most influential worship songs in the past 25 years and still today ranks on CCLI’s Top 25 chart. John Mark is proud to be an ambassador for World Vision and an advocate for its work in Bahkari, India.
Nashville, Tenn. (January 14, 2014) – NEEDTOBREATHE is proud to announce the release of their upcoming album Rivers In The Wasteland. Set for an April 15 release on Atlantic Records/Word, Rivers In The Wasteland is the follow up to their acclaimed album The Reckoning, which saw the band spend over two years on the road in support of a collection of anthemic rock that caught the attention of The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly and USA Today.
“Difference Maker” from Rivers In The Wasteland, which the band performed to close out the 2013 Dove Awards, has impacted radio in a big way this week as the most added track at Christian Hot AC/CHR and the third most added at Christian AC.
The band’s relentless touring saw them captivate music fans at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, along with standout performances on Letterman, Fallon, Leno and Conan. However, this extensive touring is where the musicians began grappling with both significant inner turmoil and the external pressure created by notoriety. For all three musicians, they had to take a well-deserved break and meditate on what each wanted NEEDTOBREATHE to be. After some time, the guys all agreed that the answer was to return to the band’s roots and find the anchor of musical simplicity.
Rivers In The Wasteland – the sound of a band excited to reconnect with the idea of a fresh start – was co-produced by the band with the help of various producers including Joe Chiccarelli, Kevin Augunas, Ed Cash and Jerrod Bettis, and was recorded at the band’s own Plantation Studios in Charleston, Fairfax Recordings (formally Sound City Studios) in Los Angeles and Blackbird Studios in Nashville.
“We’ve come through some rough moments and some amazing moments,” says guitarist & vocalist Bo Rinehart. “We’re the most energized we’ve ever been. The band is young again. We’ve got a new sense of purpose and we believe in what we’re doing. We just fell back in love with the idea of what we get to do.”
Rivers In The Wasteland is now available for pre-order and comes with two instant grat tracks – “The Heart” and “Difference Maker.” Visit needtobreathe.com to purchase.
Stay tuned for news on the band’s 2014 headlining tour!
About NEEDTOBREATHE:
NEEDTOBREATHE is an American Rock ‘n’ Roll Band from South Carolina, effortlessly woven from the musical traditions and faith of their upbringing in the Deep South of the United States. Made up of brothers Bear Rinehart (vocals, guitar) and Bo Rinehart (guitar, vocals), as well as Seth Bolt (bass, vocals), the band hit their big break in 2005 when they signed to Atlantic/Lava/Word Records. The career to follow would include four full studio albums, chart-topping cross-genre success, multiple headlining tours and media coverage on CONAN, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Show with David Letterman, MTV, FOX and much more. The band’s fifth studio album, Rivers In The Wasteland, will be available April 15, 2014.
Nashville, TN (January 14, 2014) – Chances are you’ve heard of musician, thought leader, blogger and communicator Carlos Whittaker and just didn’t realize it. You may have heard of him through a certain viral video that received a People’s Choice Award, his segment on TLC’s “LA Ink” or maybe through his popular blog. Whatever the outlet, one thing’s for certain – Carlos Whittaker knows how to make big moments in his life. On April 1, Whittaker brings it all together in his first book aptly titled, “Moment Maker – You Can Live Your Life or It Will Live You.” With life happening all around, what you get out of it depends on how engaged and deliberate you are. In “Moment Maker,” Whittaker shares how he has learned to make each moment count and how those moments add up to a life rich with meaning and full of purpose.
For Carlos Whittaker living deliberately is a way of life. Making moments that are significant, memorable or impactful is a part of how he navigates each day, and it has forever changed the landscape of his story. Whittaker divides these discoveries into three parts – “Creating Moment,” “Receiving Moments” and “Rescuing Moments.” Through lessons and application, Whittaker explains his methodology for living intentionally and claiming moments that touch the lives of others whether they be his family, his friends, his colleagues or complete strangers.
About Carlos Whittaker
Carlos Whittaker is a renowned musician, thought leader, blogger, and communicator. He has been the worship leader for Andy Stanley’s Buckhead Church in Atlanta and is on the leadership team for Catalyst as well as leading worship at many of their events. He currently attends Cross Point Church in Nashville and leads worship there. He and his wife Heather and their children live in Nashville, TN. He blogs at: ragamuffinsoul.com
National Worship Leader Conference has announced its 2014 conference event schedule featuring special appearances by Nicole C.Mullen, Tim Hughes, Matt Maher, Paul Baloche Meredith Andrews, Rush of Fools, Christy Nockels, All Sons and Daughters, Tim Timmons, One Sonic Society, The Digital Age, Gateway Worship, and many more.
Keynote speakers, such as Leonard Sweet, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Marva Dawn, Marcos Witt, include the most influential, insightful and challenging thought leaders in the Church across traditions.
National Worship Leader Conference, presenting the nation’s leading training events for worship leaders regularly draws attendees from around the world and across the nation. The conference has expanded into new cities in 2014 and will be kicking off its year of events Feb 24-27th in Dallas, Texas; followed by conferences in Virginia (DC) on May 12th-14th; San Jose, California on June 16th-19th; and rounding out the year in Kansas City, Kansas on July 14th-17th.
With over 80 workshops featuring many of the country’s leading worship artists, songwriters, thought leaders, biblical scholars, teachers, VJs and sound techs, conference attendees will also have access to cutting-edge technology and the ability to stream conference content long after the event is over. The National Worship Leader Conference serves the needs of the entire worship team by offering customizable educational opportunities, access to face-to-face mentorship from leading artists, and a chance to form lasting friendships within the worship community.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 14, 2014) – Grammy and Dove Award-winning vocalist John Schlitt is set to join actor Stephen Baldwin in a new sitcom, Rock And A Hard Place, slated to go into production in the Spring. The faith-based television project features Schlitt in the role of John, the maintenance man at Solid Rock Church, where Baldwin’s character is the pastor.
The sitcom, which has reached its initial Kickstarter goal to produce the pilot, is currently in Phase Two as the production team strives to make a “reach goal” of $100,000. The deadline for contributions is 9 p.m. E.T. Thursday, January 16.
The story line centers around Baldwin’s character, Pastor Darren Keaton, who has a young daughter, a live-in mother-in-law, a slowly declining congregation in a northern Illinois church. When Pastor Keaton learns he has become the new owner of Hard Knocks, the bar directly across the street from his church home, Solid Rock Church, he suddenly finds himself between “a rock and a hard place.” The pastor questions how his congregation will respond, how the church elders and staff will treat him, and how a devoutly religious man pastoring a church can possibly be allowed to own a bar? Pastor Darren finds he must look up for the answers, even more now than ever.
Legendary vocalist John Schlitt, far left, is set to star in the upcoming faith-based sitcom Rock And A Hard Place, with (l-r) Stephen Baldwin, Lindee Link, Berkeley Clayborne (front), and Darren Marlar, who also created and wrote the series and will serve as one of the producers. (Thompson Digital Image Photography & Web Design photo)
“If you feel it’s important to reach the public with a Christian perspective, this is your chance,” Schlitt says. “I believe there is an audience waiting for programming such as Rock And A Hard Place and I’m honored to be part of making the series happen.”
“Rock And A Hard Place is a comedy sitcom extravaganza,” Baldwin says. “It’s an outside the box, kooky, funny, Christian comedy of a heightened quality.”
Joining Baldwin and Schlitt in the cast are Braxton Cosby (Bill Cosby’s nephew) as the Solid Rock Church worship leader, Berkeley Clayborne as Rachel Keaton, and actress Lindee Link (Christian music singer Twila Paris’ cousin) in a surprise role. Grammy nominee Bryan Duncan wrote and performed the theme song for the new TV project. Darren Marlar is the series creator, producer, writer and also acts in the show.
To contribute to Rock And A Hard Place via Kickstarter or to learn more about the faith-based sitcom, visitRockAndAHardPlaceTV.com.
About John Schlitt:
For more than three decades, John Schlitt has enjoyed a stellar musical career as a solo artist, as the lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Petra, one of the most successful Christian rock bands of all time, and as the former lead singer for popular ’70s mainstream rock band Head East. He has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as the lead singer of Petra during the years when the band won 10 Dove Awards and four Grammy Awards.
Schlitt was named the best rock singer in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com. According to the website, Schlitt “remains one of the most distinctive and impactful men to ever stand behind a microphone.” Schlitt was also named Male Vocalist of the Year in About.com’s 2011 Readers’ Poll in a category that included Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath and Bebo Norman.
Since Schlitt released his fourth solo CD, The Greater Cause, in May 2012, the legendary vocalist’s busy schedule has included appearances on The Mike Huckabee Show, 700 Club Interactive and the Faith & Freedom Celebration–the faith-based kick-off to the Republican National Convention, as well as extensive international touring. Schlitt released his first recorded project of Christmas music this past November with the digital release of The Christmas Project.
Millwood, VA (January 14, 2014) – American Idol finalist Jeremy Rosado launched his new single, “Hope for Tomorrow,” that is now available on iTunes, with a portion of the proceeds going to Project HOPE’s disaster recovery efforts in the Philippines where millions are still struggling after Typhoon Haiyan. The song was released by AIC Records.
To download your copy of “Hope for Tomorrow” by Jeremy Rosado, please visit this link.
For every 100,000 downloads of Rosado’s new song, Project HOPE and AIC Records will send two fans to the Philippines with Jeremy Rosado to see HOPE’s continuing medical mission and watch him perform. Individuals can enter this contest by visitingthis link.
“I hope this song will inspire people, especially my fans in the Philippines, to never give up no matter what challenges life throws at you,” said Rosado. “This song symbolizes healing and strength and each person who buys my song is supporting Project HOPE’s efforts to send medicines and supplies for thousands of people who are still suffering after Typhoon Haiyan.”
Rosado said the song was his way of giving back to his Filipino fans who sent him thousands of messages of support on social media during his run on American Idol. He credits these loyal fans for inspiring him to build a successful career as a recording artist after Idol.
The Virginia-based NGO Project HOPE has been deploying medical volunteers to the remote Panay Island in the Western Visayas region and the Camotes Islands in the Philippines. Project HOPE has also shipped over $7.3 million in donated medicines, generators, First Aid kits, and surgical equipment.
“There is still much work to be done in the Philippines to improve health care for millions of people. Typhoon Haiyan severely compromised many health facilities, and people are still traumatized by this tragedy,” said John P. Howe III, President and CEO of Project HOPE.
Project HOPE has played a crucial role in saving lives in regions hit by natural disasters over much of the last decade, in Haiti, Indonesia, Japan, China and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Rosado ultimately chose to partner with Project HOPE because of its legacy of providing health care to underserved communities. The NGO first arrived in the region over 50 years ago, aboard the SS HOPE, the first peacetime hospital ship. Project HOPE currently has health education programs in the region and worldwide.
About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health problems with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now provides medical training and health education, as well as conducts humanitarian assistance programs in more than 35 countries. Follow us on Twitter at projecthopeorg. www.projecthope.org
Grammy-award winning rock band Switchfoot will release their new album, Fading West, today on Atlantic Records/Word. The album was exclusively streamed as an iTunes Radio First Play last week offering fans a sneak preview. A 47-city U.S. tour in support of the new album has also been announced, with performances confirmed at Terminal 5 in New York, House of Blues Chicago, and The Wiltern in Los Angeles, amongst many others.
A departure from the fuzzy, blistering guitars and bold rock sound of Vice Verses, Fading West takes the classic Switchfoot style and infuses a vast array of cultural influences collected during their 2012 World Tour that can be heard within the rhythms and sonic tapestry of the new record. With daring synth lines, inventive guitars and anthemic harmonies, this collection of songs is bigger and more powerful than anything the band has released to date. Rooted in the same hopeful message and quick turn of phrase that fans have come to love, Fading West is a renewed expression of change, hope and discovering your place in the world.
The first No. 1 radio hit from the acclaimed album, “Love Alone Is Worth The Fight,” claims the top spot for the sixth consecutive week on the Billboard Christian Hot AC/CHR chart with a bullet while simultaneously hitting No. 16 and climbing on the National Christian Audience chart. In just its first week at radio, the song garnered plays from every Billboard Christian Hot AC/CHR reporting station, marking the only time this has happened since the chart launched in 2006.
Switchfoot released their first feature film, also titled Fading West, on December 10th. Inspired by such films as Rattle and Hum and Endless Summer, the Fading West film follows Switchfoot as they travel the globe in search of new musical inspiration and perfect waves. Directed by Matt Katsolis and filmed during Switchfoot’s 2012 World Tour, the film charts the creation of the San Diego-based fivesome’s upcoming ninth album in its earliest and most unpredictable stages. Part rock documentary, part surf film, and part travelogue, Fading West offers rare glimpses of the longtime surfers on their boards and in the waves, captures the frenetic energy of their live shows, and in the end portrays a journey both epic and intimate. The film is now available across all leading Video On Demand platforms in the U.S. including iTunes, Amazon, Instant Video, Cable Movies on Demand, Google Play, Xbox Video, Sony Playstation, Cinemanow and Vudu with digital entertainment curator, FilmBuff. In addition, fans can request screenings of the film in a number of markets around the country in partnership with Gathr.
ABOUT SWITCHFOOT:
As they enter their 17th year as a band, Switchfoot have sold 5.5 million copies worldwide of their eight studio albums (including their 2003 double-platinum breakthrough The Beautiful Letdown and 2009’s Grammy Award-winning Hello Hurricane), racked up a string of Alternative radio hit singles (“Meant to Live,” “Dare You To Move,” “Mess of Me,” “The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues),” “Dark Horses,” and “Afterlife”), performed sold-out world tours (visiting five continents in the past year alone), raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to aid homeless kids in their community through their own Bro-Am Foundation, and earned themselves a global fan base devoted to Switchfoot’s emotionally intelligent and uplifting brand of alternative rock.
SWITCHFOOT TOUR DATES:
Jan 14 Encinitas, CA La Paloma Theater (film screening + performance)
Jan 15 San Diego, CA Casbah
Jan 24 Rochester, NY Main Street Armory
Feb 20 Williamsport, PA Bardo Gym
Feb 21 Lynchburg, VA Liberty University
Feb 22 Charleston, SC The Music Farm
Feb 23 Central, SC Southern Wesleyan University
Feb 24 Thomasville, GA Thomasville Municipal Auditorium
Feb 26 Richmond, VA The National
Feb 28 N. Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
Mar 1 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
Mar 2 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
Mar 6 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom
Mar 7 Tulsa, OK Club Brady
Mar 8 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
Mar 9 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
Mar 10 Baton Rouge, LA Varsity Theatre
Mar 12 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall
Mar 13 Chattanooga, TN Track 29
Mar 14 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Mar 19 Charlotte, NC Amos’ Southend
Mar 20 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore
Mar 21 Clifton Park, NY Upstate Concert Hall
Mar 22 Boston, MA Royale
Mar 23 Killington, VT Pickle Barrel
Mar 26 Stroudsburg, PA The Sherman Theater
Mar 28 Providence, RI Fete Ballroom
Mar 29 New York, NY Terminal 5
Apr 2 Chicago, IL House of Blues
Apr 3 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Apr 4 Marion, IN Indiana Wesleyan PAC
Apr 5 Cincinnati, OH The Underground
Apr 6 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Apr 7 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
Apr 9 Roswell, NM The Liberty
Apr 10 Flagstaff, AZ Orpheum Theatre
Apr 11 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Apr 12 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Live
Apr 16 San Francisco, CA Regency Ballroom
Apr 18 Seattle, WA Showbox
Apr 19 Spokane, WA Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox
Apr 20 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
Apr 21 College Place, WA Walla Walla University
Apr 22 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
Apr 23 Englewood, CO Gothic Theater
Apr 25 Abilene, TX Abilene Civic Center
Apr 27 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium
For more information on Switchfoot, Fading West, the latest tour updates and more, go to www.switchfoot.com.
(January 7, 2014) – Integrity Music kicks off the new year with today’s release of iWorship Now/Next 2014, a collection of 15 worship songs that are impacting the church “now” along with new songs that are destined to be the “next” anthems sung by congregations the world over.
The songs featured on iWorship Now/Next 2014 are from a variety of worship leaders, artists and ministries including: All Sons & Daughters, Darlene Zschech, Martin Smith, New Life Worship, Paul Baloche, Planetshakers, Rend Collective, Tim Hughes, The City Harmonic, Worship Central, Dustin Smith and Jennie Lee Riddle. The tracklist includes two songs, All Sons & Daughters’ “Great Are You Lord” and Planetshakers’ “The Anthem,” recently tapped by Worship Leader magazine in their “Top20 Worship Songs of 2013”. It also introduces a new song (“Legacy”) from ICF Worship, a Zurich-based outreach of Europe’s International Christian Fellowship.
The complete songlist for iWorship Now/Next 2014 is:
1. The Anthem – Planetshakers
2. In Jesus’ Name – Darlene Zschech
3. You Are My Vision – Rend Collective
4. My Hope – Paul Baloche
5. Ascribe – New Life Worship
6. Great Are You Lord (Live) – All Sons & Daughters
7. Limitless – Planetshakers
8. Let It Be Known – Worship Central
9. You Are The Fire – Dustin Smith
10. God’s Great Dance Floor – Martin Smith
11. When The Stars Burn Down – Jennie Lee Riddle & Jonathan Lee
12. Come Like The Dawn – ONE: A Worship Collective
13. Holy (Wedding Day) – The City Harmonic
14. Jesus Reigns – New Life Worship
15. Legacy – ICF Worship
The iWorship Now/Next 2014 collection will be available through Christian retail outlets and all major digital service providers including iTunes and Amazon. In addition, an exclusive Now/Next 2014 Digital Deluxe Edition featuring all 15 songs plus 5 bonus videos will be available through iTunes.
Integrity created its iWorship line of products in order to resource the church and individual listeners – both adults and children – with new worship songs. Since its launch a decade ago, over two million iWorship audio and video products have been sold. This includes last year’s Now/Next 2013 collection along with the re-launch of its “@ Home” and “Visual Worship Trax” resources for personal and small group worship and church use, respectively.
Acclaimed singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan is gearing up for the independent release of his fourth studio album titled Borderland on March 4, 2014. This will be the first album released through McMillan’s recently launched record label, Lionhawk Records. Borderland was funded by a Kickstarter campaign earlier this year raising over $69,000 and backed by more than 1,500 contributors.
“Borderland speaks to the idea of the ‘place between places,’” says McMillan, “which is where I feel I’ve been living as a person, as an artist, and as a believer for a couple of years. While few things describe the Christian experience more than the ‘place between places,’ it is also a concept everyone can relate to. We all walk lines between work and family, love and responsibility, art and commerce, passion and business and so on. Many of these songs are my commentary from a life between the crevices and on the verge.”
Fresh off the heels of a Christmas tour, John Mark recently released an original Christmas single via Noisetrade titled “Baby Son,” which has been downloaded by over 10,000 listeners. All proceeds from this song will go to World Vision’s relief efforts in the Philippines. Click here to get “Baby Son.” In 2014, John Mark will begin his headlining tour to support Borderland. Information on the tour will be forthcoming.
In addition to the anticipation around McMillan’s upcoming LP, the Charlotte, North Carolina native’s previous work continues with its success. In 2012, “Seen A Darkness,” from his last album Economy, was featured in the promo for the Grey’s Anatomy episode, “Hope for the Hopeless” (Season 8: Episode 12). His single “How He Loves” was recently listed by Integrity Music as one of the 25 most influential worship songs in the past 25 years and still today ranks on CCLI’s Top 25 chart. John Mark is proud to be an ambassador for World Vision and an advocate for its work in Bahkari, India.
NASHVILLE, TENN. – January 08, 2014 –Well-respected and GRAMMY-nominated worship leader Kari Jobe is preparing for an impactful 2014 with her tour that will coincide with the release of her highly anticipated new album and live DVD, Majestic (Capitol CMG), which will release on March 25. Jobe’s “Majestic Tour” will feature special guest Rend Collective beginning February 27 concluding on April 8. Tickets are available via Premier Productions here. The tour will feature songs from Majestic that showcase what Jobe does so giftedly and gracefully – lead others into an unique worship experience.
Jobe’s forthcoming album was recently recorded live at the historic Majestic Theatre in her hometown of Dallas, Texas and features her upcoming new single “Forever” that will be going for adds at radio on January 31. In addition to the release ofMajestic, she will be releasing her first-ever full-length live concert DVD. This DVD will also be a part of the physical deluxe edition of Majestic featuring bonus songs in addition to the full concert footage.
“I am so excited about my new album Majestic,” shares Kari Jobe. “My passion in life is to lead worship and help people to connect to the presence of God. Worship changes the atmosphere of our lives and makes us more aware of His presence at work in and through us. I cannot wait for people to connect with these new songs and fill the earth with more worship to ourMajestic King.”
Majestic co-writers include Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Reuben Morgan, Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, Paul Baloche, her band mates along with a few others. These songs are new anthems of worship and very congregational.
“I wrote for this album for a solid two years and was able to co-write with some friends who absolutely have a heart to write for Church,” states Jobe. “I am very excited for these new songs. And I am really looking forward to the Majestic tour with Rend Collective. We are going to just have a crazy good time in God’s presence and worshipping Him together.”
Majestic follows the breakout sophomore album Where I Find You, which earned Jobe her first GRAMMY nomination. The project released with chart topping street week numbers at No. 1 and No. 10 on Billboard’s
National Christian, Gospel and Top 200 Charts. The radio singles “We Are” and “Steady My Heart” saw much success at AC Monitored and Indicator charts as well as the National Christian Audience chart. The album also received much praise from a wide range of media outlets from Worship Leader to New York Times.
About Kari Jobe: After being established as one of the premier worship leaders with her Dove Award-winning, self-titled debut, Kari Jobe released her highly anticipated follow-up album, Where I Find You, on Sparrow Records. She has toured on the largely popular Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Chris Tomlin’s “Burning Lights” tour, the Hillsong Conferences (Sydney and London), Passion Conference, Women of Faith events as well as headlined her own tours in 2012 with special guests All Sons & Daughters and Warren Barfield. Jobe also released The Acoustic Sessions and Where I Find You Christmas Edition digitally in 2012. She was also a part of special projects such as the award-winning Passion: Let the Future Begin (“Revelation Song”) and My Hope: Songs Inspired by the Message and Mission of Billy Graham. (“The Cross is My Confession”).
February:
27 Minneapolis, MN / Grace Church
28 Chicago, IL / Rosemont Theatre
March:
01 Saginaw, MI / The Heritage Theater at Dow Event Center
02 Toronto, ON / Attwell Center at Catch the Fire Toronto
04 Woodbridge, VA / Hylton Memorial Chapel
06 Boston, MA / House of Blues
07 New York City, NY / Best Buy Theater
08 Reading, PA / Santander Performing Arts Center
09 Cleveland, OH / Lakewood Civic Auditorium
11 Memphis, TN / Memphis First Assembly
13 Birmingham, AL / Gardendale First Baptist Church
14 Atlanta, GA / Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church
15 Orlando, FL / House of Blues
16 Miami, FL / The Fillmore – Jackie Gleason Theater
22 Columbia, SC / Riverland Hills Baptist Church
27 Lexington, KY / Immanuel Baptist Church
28 Detroit, MI / NorthRidge Church*
29 Ft. Wayne, IN / Blackhawk Church*
30 Indianapolis, IN / Murat Theatre*
*denotes dates Rend Collective will not be performing
April:
01 Charlotte, NC / LifePointe Church
03 Tampa, FL / Bell Shoals Baptist Church
04 Jacksonville, FL / Trinity Baptist Church
05 Jackson, MS / Pinelake Church
06 Louisville, KY / The Louisville Palace
08 Mobile, AL / Cottage Hill Baptist Church
Nashville, Tenn. (January 8, 2014) – On February 4, 2014, Passion City Church Resources will unveil the new Passion Talk Boy Meets Girl and Passion Talk Series: The Essential Collection, featuring four key titles bundled together for the first time. The offerings are the newest installments of the powerful and compelling, 1 million plus selling Passion Talk Series from Passion founder, Passion City Church Pastor and visionary, Louie Giglio. The Passion Talk Series: The Essential Collection will feature a brand new talk, “Moved By Mercy,” which has left audiences across the country inspired on Chris Tomlin’s “Burning Lights Tour,” the most successful of his career.
Boy Meets Girl takes an honest and straightforward approach to dating and the challenges that relationships can bring. Digging below the surface, Boy Meets Girl uncovers potential dangers and offers practical help for anyone seeking a long-term relationship that is all God intended it to be. Passion Talk Series: The Essential Collection includes the popular, powerful and compelling talks “Indescribable,” “How Great Is Our God,” “Symphony (I Lift My Hands)” and “Moved By Mercy.”
Indescribable (Passion Talk Series)
The heavens are telling glory of God, and their expanse the work of His hands. Night after night they remind us of just how small we are, and how huge God is. Looking out into the far reaches of the universe, we find a seemingly vast expanse of mystery and wonder, intricately fashioned by a God of unfathomable size and power. Just a glimpse of one of the billions of visible galaxies He has formed resizes us, shrinking us, and the world we call home, to seeming insignificance in an instant. But as tiny as we may seem, the God who knows every star by name also knows yours, and mine. And in the most stunning rescue imaginable, God sent His son to this spinning planet we call home – the Creator reconnecting us to Himself with life that never ends. Indescribable takes us on an image-rich journey through the cosmos, allowing us to peer into God’s universe to discover the amazing magnitude of His greatness and grace.
How Great Is Our God (Passion Talk Series)
Your life is a miracle, and the creator of the universe knows you by name. He’s big enough to breathe out stars, yet intricate enough to fashion together the trillions of cells that make up every facet of who you are. The God who spoke the universe into existence made you, too and knows everything about you. From the smallest molecule to the situation you find yourself in right now, He’s aware of your circumstances and intimately acquainted with everything you do. And He cares about you and promises to carry you through. That’s where we find hope in the midst of the darkest places in life. The journey often complicated and painful filled with confusion and chaos. Yet, the cross of Christ reveals God’s promise to preserve and restore you no matter what the circumstance. He will hold onto you and hold you together, giving strength to those who hope in His unfailing love.
Symphony (I Lift My Hands) (Passion Talk Series)
It’s staggering when we begin to realize that all creation is singing the praises of the One who fashioned and formed the universe. Yet, singing stars and earth’s ovation cannot drown God’s desire to hear your voice. In the midst of a miraculous and immense symphony of praise, God is still mindful of you, going to extraordinary lengths to give you life and breath through His Son. But why would God pay such a high price to bring us to life again? Could it be that we are prized above all creation…that we are loved by the God who made the heavens and the earth. Such stunning grace awakens our hearts in extravagant worship as we take our place in His symphony and join the chorus, on both the best of days and through the darkest nights.
Moved By Mercy (Passion Talk Series)
A father. A son. And a dance floor. How far can we run from God? Can we ever do enough to make Him give up on us? Moved By Mercy transports us to the heart of the conflict between the crippling feeling of guilt and the lavishness mercy, and shows us how a Father’s love can overcome all wrongs.
Passion is currently gearing up for Passion 2014, the gathering and movement of 18-25 year olds seeking to stake their lives on what matters most. This year they are set to host gatherings in two cities, joining together in Atlanta on January 17-18 and Houston on February 14-15. It was recently announced that the Atlanta gathering has sold-out, but Houston still has space remaining. For more information, visit 268generation.com.
About Louie Giglio and The Passion Talk Series:
The Passion Talk Series features hours of compelling content from Passion Founder and Passion City Church Pastor Louie Giglio. The collection of talks has been experienced by millions around the world, and each talk tells a meaningful story of God’s goodness, grace & love. This series includes four full length talks which will inspire, encourage & speak to God’s grace & truth. These messages are being used by small groups, life groups, and churches, as well as among friends & family members around the world. Many have been impacted by the stories, images and powerful messages captured in each of the talks.
The Passion Movement and the messages of founder Louie Giglio have marked the lives of millions of people around the globe, calling people everywhere to live for the glory of God. Focused on the collegiate age group – yet spilling over to people of all ages – Passion exists to unite students for spiritual awakening in this generation. From its inception, the movement of Passion has birthed new anthems of worship, influencing countless churches and helping to define the current worship climate and establish artists Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and others. Louie is the pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA.
About sixstepsrecords:
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (Burning Lights), Crowder (Neon Steeple), Matt Redman (Your Grace Finds Me), Christy Nockels (Into the Glorious), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move) and Passion (Passion: Let The Future Begin). The label partners with Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Music Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations. For more information on sixsteprecords, visit: www.sixstepsrecords.com.
Amazon.com is running a special limited time promotion in their kindle store where they are giving away 16 books by Beth Moore for free. I’ve already downloaded them.
I’m pretty sure by now you are sick of hearing about the Duck Dynasty controversy that erupted this past week after comments by the Ducky Dynasty patriach Phil Robertson came to light. Phil made some comments to GQ magazine saying that marriage should be between a man and wife and that the alternative lifestyle is a sin.
The praise and backlash has been swift and unrelenting as those who agree with Phil has come to his aid while others who disagree with his views have unleashed all kinds of vitriol.
As I’ve reflected over the hoopla the past few days I was struck by some of the things this entire controversy means for christians. Especially christians in the post modern age. And the biggest issue this uproar has brought to light for Christians in our time is this: what to do with the hard sayings of scripture.
The truth of the matter is that both Jesus and scripture has some hard sayings that we as Christians know is hard for the world to hear. And this puts us as conservative, bible-believing christians in a difficult position. Because we want to be loving, we don’t want to be judgmental or bigots or whatever else. But in our attempt to be all these things there are just certain teachings in scripture that no matter how we try to package or coat it, just will not be received well by those who have different views than the ones expressed in the sacred text.
Did we forget that this why Jesus was crucified by the jews of his day. Because he made statements that to them were just blatantly unacceptable. And therein lies the rub. And we see this issue in the life of Jesus, there’s the gracious side of Jesus that we see in his dealings with the woman at the well in John 4 and his dealings with Mary Magdalene etc. but then there are also his hated statements that “he and the father are one.” And that he has the power to forgive sins. These were the hard sayings of Christ that got him crucified.
And the challenge for us as Christians is the same one faced by Christ. In that we do want to be loving and gracious and all those good things, but also we have to stand by and affirm even the harder parts of scripture. And we should be very careful that in our attempts to make Christianity attractive and palatable to non-Christians we don’t also reject or avoid the hard sayings of scripture, because to me that would be not honest.
Any person with even just a basic knowledge of scripture cannot deny that scripture calls alternative lifestyles a sin. That’s a hard saying of scripture that we just cannot get away from no matter how gracious or loving we long to be.
And here’s where it gets difficult because it means that if we stand in unwavering obedience to the truths taught in scripture we as Christians will be hated. And no matter how patient and “seeker sensitive” and non-judgemental we want to be there’s just no way around that reality that we will be hated for remaining committed to the harder tenets taught in scripture. And unfortunately the only way to avoid this hate is by distancing ourselves and essentially reject the hard sayings of scripture to appease non-Christians. And there are many streams in Christianity who have already done that, who’ve already rejected the basic teachings on scripture in order to make christianity more appealing to non-Christians. But for true, bible-believing Christians that is just not an option. And unfortunately because of this we should not be afraid to be hated. Because that’s the price of holding firm to the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.
In regard to this tension of our time, Jesus’s words in John 15 vs 18-21 is as relevant and applicable as ever:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.”
And while it may be hard to do this in our generation we can rest assured that there is a reward waiting for all those who have remained faithful.
Matthew 10: 32 reminds of this reward:
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
There is this blog that I wrote a couple years ago making its way around the internet again the last few days. It’s a spicy little rant that I wrote on a plane as I was coming home from a long “Christian music” tour, and I was tired, cranky and sick of the copious loads of b.s. that I had continually encountered in the religious circles that I found myself in.
The blog was angry. It wasn’t all that articulate or even very well thought through, but it did call a spade and some people appreciated that. Of course, it made some people angry too. Some said that I was arrogant and cynical, and maybe I was.
I ended up deleting the blog because, as I thought about it and discussed the issue through the next year, I realized some things. I realized that the issues I was upset about don’t just exist in the tiny bubble that I was living in. They exist everywhere. The issues I saw were just a small piece of fruit on a much larger tree planted within a much larger orchard. I actually ended up writing an entire book about it called The Crowd, the Critic and the Muse.
So imagine my chagrin when my road manager told me a couple of days ago that people were texting him all day about that deleted blog that I wrote years ago…
Why is it that the CCM blog is by far my most “viral” blog ever? Is it because it’s more true or honest than other blogs I have written? I don’t think so.. Is it because the content was more informative than other blogs I have written? No. I think it is for the same reasons that football is more popular than the symphony.
Both a sports team and an orchestra are made up of highly skilled, highly trained, and highly rehearsed human beings working together for a common purpose. The great athlete and great musician have both put in countless hours of hard work and have achieved a level of mastery both mentally and physically of the ‘game’ that they are playing. But symphonies don’t pack out stadiums…
So why is it that 50,000 people show up to the football game but only 500 show up to the performance of the Rachmaninoff concerto?
I think it has something to do with the fundamental difference between the nature of the goals of a football team and the goals of an orchestra. An orchestra rehearses together to focus their talents into a single vision: the piece. They work together to build something beautiful and grand. A sports team also must learn to work together, but it is for the purpose of defeating the opposition. The entire purpose of a sporting event is competition. An orchestra is more like a construction team trying to build a beautiful piece of architecture together, while the sports team is more like an army trying to defeat an enemy.
When you’re team comes to my town, and my team crushes your team, I somehow feel powerful. I am on the right side of the battle. I am part of the winners and we are better than you. You don’t get that at the symphony. You don’t really walk away from listening to Bach feeling superior or powerful. If anything, it is a humbling experience. An experience of wonder and beauty, but not of conquest or tribal pride.
So, what does this have to do with my blog?
Well, what is it that made this particular blog get shared thousands of times and others get largely ignored?
In my opinion, the infamous CCM blog was not nearly as “beautiful” as other blogs that I actually spent time crafting and shaping. It was an unedited rant. Just guttural angst vomited onto a laptop keyboard. Sure, I think there was truth in it, but I honestly don’t think it was the truth that made it spread. It was the guts. The blood. The lines that could now be drawn in the sand. Us. Them. Those of us who feel justified in hating most mainstream Christian music. Or those of us who love Christian music and see how much of an ass this Gungor guy is. The battlefield was setup. Now, go, kill!
I made the mistake of perusing some of the comments that were left on the reposted blog yesterday. They get really mean. Name calling and below-the-belt personal attacks on both sides. Parental warning here. Some of the comments below are not suitable for young audiences.
“I’ve never called you creative. A copy, yes. Clone, maybe. Creative, no.”
“The real problem with the “Christian Music Industry” is that Michael Gungor is a part of it. Get a fucking life. Your are a joke just sitting around stirring up meaningless conversation. No one gives a shit about you or your opinions. Asshole.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Michael, without a doubt, from this post, you sound like an ignorant, stuck up oaf, attempting to veil your attempts at basin someone who violates a pet peeve of yours…”
Where there is passionate blood shed, there is social media sharing.
My point here is that I think most human beings in our current mainstream level of consciousness are often drawn more to competition than cooperation, and the result of this is a world that gets divided up into camps of ‘us and them’, and the world is a worse place for it. The reason that I deleted the blog was not because I was afraid of calling out the b.s. in the Christian music industry, but because I think the way I wrote it was a bit too emotional and narrow.
I say it was narrow because like I have said, the problem does not lie solely within the Christian music industry. There are plenty of people and industries that wade behind the true innovators and pick up the crumbs to insert their messages into a previously alive creative medium. There are plenty of TV shows, Disney movies, boy bands and pop albums that are every bit as soulless and zombie-like as the most generic Christian songs on the radio. And there are songs that have been arguably been created within the somewhat imaginary “Christian music industry” that are full of life and innovation and soul.
So, in hindsight, I think this blog was too narrow and the emotion it was written in a way that lends itself to a fight rather than a discussion. And for that I am sorry.
What I do stand by after the years that have passed since I wrote this blog is that there is too much fear in the world and we ought to create and behave from a place of passion, belief, and love rather than truing to homogenize, pander, and cater with our art. But while I enjoy making art with an edge that speaks against the things that ought to be spoken against and for the things that ought to be spoken for, I also want my art to be more like a symphony than a football game.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-competition. Competition can be good fun and even helpful at times. But here’s something that we sometimes don’t think about… Competition is not as effective in nature or in human history as cooperation is.
Human beings didn’t evolve to the top of the food chain because we are the biggest, strongest or fastest. If competition were the highest rule of the universe, then wouldn’t you expect some sort of giant shark-dragon-monster at the top of the food chain that just easily defeats all of its prey with its venomous fire balls or something? Instead, you have these relatively small, slow, and fragile creatures called human beings who can’t even survive a winter without fire, clothing and shelter. Sure we can use our opposable thumbs to make weapons, but that’s not really what has made humanity thrive. It is our developed ability to empathize, communicate, and cooperate with one another.
And this is not just about humans. If you look at nature, there is love and cooperation everywhere. Ants building cities together, whales forming families and clans that spend their whole lives together, parents sacrificing their own lives for their offspring, cells working together to keep life going… Cooperation towards a greater good can be found everywhere we look. In some ways, the most “fit” are not the biggest, strongest and fastest but the the most empathetic and cooperative.
So why don’t we as a society value cooperation as highly as competition? Why must there be a loser for us to be interested? Why is the most boring part of American idol when all of the singers sing together?
Because we want blood!
The result of this type of thinking are a world full of ‘us vs them’. A world plagued with things like concentration camps and bad religion and Roman arena games where thousands are slaughtered for the public’s amusement. But is this really the kind of world we want to build?
Tribal, competitive thinking allowed for societies to develop certain helpful things through history. But when these tribes start getting nuclear bombs, the world is in trouble. I think we are at an important juncture of our development as a species. We either will learn to cooperate and empathize with the “other” or we will continue to try to conquer them. And if it’s the latter, we are all in trouble.
You see this on a global scale, but you also see it down to a personal scale. Down to a, “what should I post on my twitter feed?” scale. The world we live in is built of small decisions. So what kind of world do we want to build?
I, for one, don’t want anything to do with drawing more lines in the sand between people. I’d rather be a part of trying to erase them.
At this point in my life, I have no desire to bash Christian music or anybody’s music really. But I do still think we ought to be wary of the fear and b.s. that plagues not just the religious world but our world as a whole. My conclusion about the matter is this: spend your energy on things you believe in, and do them honestly and to the best of your ability.
You know, one thing that’s really interesting about people and bands who end up becoming legends, is that for most of them when they first released their songs that would become classics later on, those same songs were not popular when they were first released. Its like they had to work in the shadows for a long time, and it took the culture and marketplace 15 years to catch on to them. This was the case with Bob Marley. The songs we love most by Marley were not popular when he first released them.
Its for this reason that as a little hobby, I like to find undiscovered up-and-coming artists who I think have the ability to become really big, but discover them before everyone else does. One of the first people I thought this of was Phil Wickham. After seeing him perform live like 5 years ago I was blown away at his talent, and surprised that more people have not heard his music or seen him live. The second person I’m thinking this of now is Daniel Bastha. A worship leader based in Atlanta, GA who is signed to Integrity Music, Bashta has released 2 albums on Integrity to date, with his latest album, THE INVISIBLE, released only a few months ago in February 2013.
I’ve been listening to The Invisible on repeat since I got it a few months ago, and to say that I’m impressed is a massive understatement. This guy is something else man. Out of the 10 tracks on the album, every song is a stand out, with 4 that tower above the rest in my opinion. My favorite track is Great Is The Lord, and my second favorite track is Praise The Invisible, then the other 2 is I Want It All and Behold The Lamb.
I’m telling you, if you get a chance to grab this album, you won’t be sorry, and you’ll be surprised that he could’ve been flying under the radar for as long as he has. I honestly think Daniel has the potential to be the next Chris Tomlin.
This seems to be the first question everyone asks when they see me, so I’m posting the ministries I am currently involved with…
1) I’m working with my friends David Platt and Mark Beuving in developing a discipleship tool that will help equip believers to make disciples. I am very excited about this, as I believe the greatest need in the American church is for allwho call themselves “Christian” to be out baptizing and making disciples.
2) I’m helping my friend Chris Huang develop a conference on August 26-27. Much of the conference involves walking around San Francisco and actually doing ministry rather than just talking about it. You can find out more about it atwww.cityimpactconference.com
3) I’m helping my brother Paul launch a new service that ministers to people who attend English services in Chinese churches. By combining worship services, it frees up the pastors to focus on discipleship throughout the week. We had our first service last Sunday and it was a great time.
4) I’m involved with my friend Brad Buser in establishing a new school that will train people to reach unreached people groups. We’re hoping to launch in about a year. The Lord has increased my burden for reaching those who have never heard the gospel.
5) I’m working with my friend Dave Lomas in figuring out how to implement discipleship at his church in SF. I’ll be team teaching and helping develop leadership this fall in hopes of launching a discipleship movement.
6) I’m teaching a preaching class for inner city ministers. We recently had our first class, and I was pretty blown away by their testimonies. I believe God is going to do significant things through these individuals.
7) Lisa and I decided to write a book over a year ago, but we haven’t gotten very far. Now that our baby is sleeping through the night, we should have some more time to write.
8) I have been spending a lot of time meeting pastors in the area and trying to support them in any way. I have met a lot of great leaders. I’ve learned a lot from them and hopefully I have been of help to some of them.
I still travel and speak almost every week. I tried to cut back significantly, but the calendar gets full somehow. No complaints though. I am enjoying ministry a lot. I love the new friends we have made in San Francisco. It’s beginning to feel like family, but we miss our friends at Cornerstone a ton. I still go back to preach there every 6-8 weeks or so.
Most importantly, I have really been enjoying my time alone with God. I readDesiring God by John Piper again last week. It still tops my list of books everyone needs to read. Besides the Bible, no other book has had as much impact on my life.
Every now and then – maybe every 1, 2, 3 , 4 , 5, 6, 7, 14 —maybe 50 years an artist comes along who so embodies the very definition of talent and goodwill, and sometimes when we’re lucky they’re even Christian artists. And to me Aaron Schust was one such one artist. Plucked from the squalor of utter obscurity and thrust in to the limelight, headlining the Grammy Awards, having lunch with the president, getting a personal tour of the moon, Aaron rose to the highest ranks of Christian music royalty. Remember the gold ole days when you were blaring “My Savior My God” in the car, other people thought you were crazy, but to you life was all of a sudden, in the blink of an eye . . . alright. Now to be fair you never bought the whole Aaron Schust album, just that single but still . . . the world was alright. But then as fast as the new promise of Aaron Schust arrived it seems to have . . . dare I say it—vanished. Which brings me to my question—what in the world happened to Aaron Schust? Or should I say where in the world is aaron schust? Or should I have capitalized those proper nouns? What happened man? Anyone? Aaron you there? I don’t understand. I want more songs like “My Savior My God.” I refuse to call you a one hit wonder, because there’s got to be more man. Let us know – where’s the new album, the latest cool single that’s a remixed, coolerized version of a dusty hymn.
Just sayin’.
Any takers want to let me know what happened to Shust or what you think about this whole line of questioning.
Be bold. Comment. Forget about your worries and your strife.
Everyone agrees – RISE was worth the wait. Nearly four years since their last album, two-time GRAMMY®-nominated and platinum selling rock band Skillet aren’t showing signs of slowing down. The new release, out today, comes as the highly anticipated follow-up to Skillet’s mega-selling project AWAKE. The praises for RISE are pouring in with the project being called one of the “Best Rock Albums of the Year.” With a Top 5 slot on the iTunes® Overall Chart and the deluxe edition not far behind at No. 7, the band is also narrowing the gap on the iTunes® Rock chart, holding both the No. 2 and No. 3 slots.
USA Today featured the release in today’s edition offering a 3 out of 4 star review and toting the headline “Skillet’s ‘Rise’ above rock boundaries.” Adding to the momentum comes Billboard’s praise of the record for “mixing new sonic flavors into the group’s hard-rock bombast.” The flood of applause has just begun, with more reviewers chiming in agreement at diverse outlets in both the mainstream and Christian world:
“Skillet is excelling at its craft.” – HM Magazine
“Every note feels like it is there to convey an emotion and there is a laudable sense of in-the-moment intensity.” – HitFix.com
“Bottom line: Skillet really did rise above the norm and their previous projects with RISE. Each and every song is a masterpiece in its own right…RISE is THE album of 2013.” – About.com
“Skillet hopes to strike gold, well platinum, once again…with RISE, band clearly refuses to rest on their laurels.” – CCM Magazine
“The songwriting has more depth, there’s added diversity, the concept and lyrics are interesting and uplifting…there are plenty of potential hit singles like ‘Sick Of It.’ Current Skillet fans will find plenty to like, and new fans will be attracted to the album as well.” – Loudwire.com
“This has all of the band’s best elements in one record. It looks like Skillet has another platinum record on their hands.” – Midwest Music Scene
“Skillet’s RISE is an achievement well worth the wait…might also be their most musically complex and diverse offering.” – New Release Tuesday
“RISE is Skillet’s strongest album yet and is one of the best rock albums that will be released this year.” – Front Row Report
“…it’s hard to root against RISE, as its commercial aspirations are matched by its certainty that, despite the endless smackdowns delivered by the daily grind, goodness will ultimately prevail.” – AllMusic.com
The band has been building momentum around the album’s arrival with radio promotion, a social media blitz and festival show performances. The past two weeks Skillet hosted their first ever VIP fan events titled “Road to Rise” in Nashville and Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times heralded the event stating that it “redefines the VIP experience.” In the digital world, the band did an exclusive album stream and podcast premiere with Billboard, video premieres with Revolver and Guitar World and a song premiere with USA Today, to name a few. The high media profiles lead up to the band’s late night debut on CONAN on July 11.
Prior to street date, Skillet released four tracks off the record: “Sick Of It,” “American Noise,” “Rise” and “Not Gonna Die.” The release led to “Sick Of It” and “American Noise” peaking at No. 1 on the iTunes® Rock Songs Chart and songs “Rise” and “Not Gonna Die” hitting the chart at No. 2. Their continual radio success can be seen on both the Active Rock and Christian charts with “Sick Of It” currently at No. 12 on the Active Rock chart with a bullet and the No. 1 slot at Christian Rock for six consecutive weeks. Also at Christian radio, critic favorite “American Noise” continues to receive airplay at AC radio while quickly climbing the Hot AC/CHR chart at No. 5 with a bullet.
All of us here at Awaken Generation wanted to give a massive congratulations to our friend; worship leader and songwriter extraordinaire Joel Houston who tied the knot just a few days ago. Details about the nuptials have been sparse, with the only real mention coming from a cryptic tweet by Houston himself. So far all we know about the new Mrs Houston is that she is a Brazilian native and her name is Esther De Lima. (Now Esther Houston we’re guessing).
We do know that the entire Hillsong United gang was in attendance.
We’ve all seen it. Those facebook statuses and tweets of people trashing celebrities they can’t stand. The completely unprovoked personal attacks on celebrities we see on tv all the time. And I have a question: when did we become this unkind, malicious, hateful people who have to, so passionately, trash celebrities we can’t stand?
I just went to facebook after game 3 of The NBA Finals and saw this update:
“LOUSY role model, overrated as a player and yet anointed by David Stern to be the face of the NBA. I do not have the words to say how good it feels to see the Spurs send LeBron down in flames – BY 36 POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!”
And I had two instinctive responses; first I wanted to comment and second I wanted to unfriend this person.
Yet this status updates is a perfect example of this disturbing trend I’ve been noticing the past few months all across social media. And to state it frankly, it saddens me. I’m saddened that we’ve become a culture that has to trash celebrities we don’t like with the most hateful and almost violent rhetoric. And it seems like Twitter has just poured fuel on this fire.
There are definitely a select few celebrities who seemed to have invoked and incurred the wrath of many a twitter user and I don’t understand why. Tim Tebow, Dane Cook, Lebron James, Barack Obama are some of the names that come to mind of celebrities who no matter what can’t win with a large percentage of the masses. But this new trend is more than people stating their dislike, its a venomous, malicious type of trashing that I’ve not seen before. Its personal attacks with the most foul things you could say to another person, and it seems to be fashionable.
I mean I get it, I get that there are certain celebrities who rub us the wrong way for whatever reason, but when has that general and benign dislike morphed into the kind of personal attacks that seem to be the norm now? I remember the days when if you didn’t like a performer or entertainer or whatever you’d change the channel. Now it seems people intentionally watch performances of celebrities they hate so they can trash them on social media. So you don’t like Tim Tebow? then why watch him play football? So you don’t find Dane Cook funny, then why watch his special on TV and attack him personally on Twitter? And why feel the need to tell the world that you don’t find him funny, and that you never will, and how you think those who like him are the worst of the worst? I don’t get it. So you don’t agree with the policies and values of Barack Obama, do you have to wish him the worst tragedy and unspeakable pain and call him despicable names? Why?
Can’t you say, “sure, I don’t agree with his views and decisions and stances but he’s still a decent human being.”
There are so many celebrities and entertainers I don’t particularly care for, and that’s why I just change the channel. There are some tv programs I don’t care to watch, some interviews I don’t care to hear, but I don’t feel the urge to take to social media and trash that celebrity. I don’t hate them personally, so for me this vehement hatred is really a mystery, I don’t understand it. Why don’t you just change the channel and find something else to watch?
And the worst thing about this trend, is that I see so many Christians part-taking in this as much as the next person. In fact ,in the Christian sub-culture this trend has taken on a life of its own. If its not conservatives trashing Rob Bell or Steven Furtick, its moderates and liberals trashing Mark Driscoll and John Piper. And Rick Warren seems to be getting it from both sides. Aren’t we supposed to live by a higher standard? Aren’t we supposed to be the very exemplars of generosity and grace? That’s what especially bothered me about the status update above? Honestly, I think we can do better.
David C Cook announces the signing of bestselling author and pastor Kyle Idleman to a multiple-book deal. The first book in the contract will be a book about the process of true, biblical life transformation jumping off of Jesus’ most famous parable The Prodigal Son, which is planned to release in the spring of 2014.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kyle Idleman to the David C Cook family of content creators,” said Alex Field, deputy publisher at David C Cook. “I resonate so much with Kyle’s heart for ministering to people, changing lives, and helping his readers (and listeners) to know God better. We know that the unique and powerful way that Kyle writes about discipleship and encourages people to follow Jesus will speak to generations of readers for many years to come.”
Kyle Idleman is the Teaching Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, the fourth largest church in America, where he speaks to its more than 30,000 members throughout the year. He is the author of the books Not a Fan, and the recently released, Gods at War. He is also the presenter of the award-winning video curriculum “H2O: A Journey of Faith,” “Gods at War,” “The Easter Experience,” and the “Not a Fan” DVD teaching series. Idleman speaks at regional and national conventions and conferences across the country and regularly teaches at some of America’s largest and most influential churches.
“It is a joy to be working with the folks at David C Cook,” said Kyle Idleman, teaching pastor at Southeast Christian. “I so value their ministry intent, organizational mission and marketplace capability. As we have gotten started on The Prodigal Son book, I appreciate their spirit of partnership; and look forward to honoring God, collaborating on content and impacting lives together.”
Don Gates of The Gates Group serves as the literary agent and ministry partner. There will be robust national marketing and publicity campaigns planned for Kyle’s book launches.
David C Cook announced its partnership with pastor and activist Eugene Cho. Cho is the founder and executive director of One Day’s Wages, a movement of people dedicated to alleviating global poverty through donations as small as one day’s pay. Cho is also the founding pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, WA, and the founder of Q Café, a nonprofit community café and music venue in Seattle.
“We are thrilled to join Eugene in his calling to do justice and to love mercy,” says Don Pape, VP of trade publishing at Cook. “Eugene already reaches thousands of people through his teaching and his blog, and now his books will reach even more individuals and churches around the world.”
Cho, who is represented by Chris Park with Foundry Literary + Media, has signed a three-book deal with Cook, with the first book likely to release in fall 2014. As Cho says, “I have great respect for the work David C Cook does in the United States and internationally. I look forward to seeing where this next season of ministry leads.”
Born in Korea, Cho moved to the United States at age 6 and grew up in San Francisco. After spending several years on the East Coast and in South Korea, he now lives in Seattle with his wife, Minhee, and their three children.
Award-winning author Ruth Haley Barton has signed a six-book contract with InterVarsity Press. Barton, president of The Transforming Center, a spiritual formation ministry to pastors and Christian leaders, will releaseInvitation to Transforming Community, the first of six books in the Transforming Church series, in Fall 2014.
“I am very excited about publishing a new series of books on becoming a transforming church with IVP,” Barton said. “This series will include a ‘big book’ addressed to leaders which will cast vision and clarify the major components of a church or ministry organization committed to becoming a transforming community plus a collection of smaller books designed to guide community members in studying and learning together in small groups and educational settings. Developing resources that equip and empower leaders to cultivate transforming communities is a natural next step for me and for the Transforming Center. We are so pleased to be taking it in partnership with IVP!”
“The Transforming Center is doing significant work equipping leaders in the church to have a transformational impact on the lives of the people they touch,” said Jeff Crosby, InterVarsity Press associate publisher and director of sales and marketing. “Throughout its existence, both IVP and, more personally, I have been honored to be a partner with Ruth and her team. I look forward to collaborating with them on the launch of this new collection of books.”
Barton published her first book with InterVarsity Press, Equal to the Task,in 1998. She has published five more books with InterVarsity Press, including Invitation to Solitude and Silence (2005 Christianity Today Book Award), Sacred Rhythms (2006 Logos Book Award), Longing for More, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership and Pursuing God’s Will Together (2012 Leadership Book Award).
Cindy Bunch, Barton’s editor and associate editorial director said, “It has been a delight to be Ruth Haley Barton’s editor for the past 15 years and to follow her journey as a leader in the area of spiritual formation. We are very pleased to be continuing the relationship long into the future. Ruth has some very important work ahead of her as she helps churches bring spiritual formation into the center of their ministry.”
Nashville, TN – (November 7, 2013) –Last night in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Word Entertainment’s Love & The Outcome were the evening’s top winner, taking home four of the five awards they were nominated for at GMA Canada’s 35th Annual Covenant Awards. In addition to being crowned “New Artist of the Year,” the Canadian duo reigned in three additional awards including “Song of the Year,” “Recorded Song of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year” for their debut single “He Is With Us.” The single has skyrocketed to the top of the charts in just a few short months and currently sits at No. 7 on the Canadian Christian Radio Chart and No. 8 in the U.S. on Billboard Christian Songs Chart. It is the lead single from their self-titled debut album which was released on August 27 to critical acclaim. Tomorrow Love & The Outcome will embark on the “Winter Jam Tour Spectacular,” the No. 1 tour in the world (1st quarter), for 11 dates through November and an additional 47 dates in January, February and March 2014. On November 30, they’ll join NewSong on their “Very Merry Christmas Tour” for 15 dates.
“We are blown away by the love and support of the Canadian Christian music industry and all of our friends and family who have walked this road with us,” said Love & The Outcome’s Jodi King. “We toured this beautiful country living out of our Jetta for two years which is where the song ‘He Is With Us’ came from. We are so amazed by how God is using our story!”
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Mosley along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). In 2013 the duo have been on the road supporting Francesca Battistelli on her “Hundred More Years Tour” and NewSong for their “Swallow The Ocean Tour.” For tour dates and further information please visit www.loveandtheoutcome.com
About Word Entertainment A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Hellebronth’s Song “Spirit Break Out” To Be Featured In Major Motion Picture
Integrity Music announces the global release of Stand Up, the debut album from Luke Hellebronth, co-leader of London’s Worship Central, a staff member at Holy Trinity Brompton and writer of the song “Spirit Break Out,” soon to be featured in a major motion picture.
Stand Up, which is available through digital service providers including iTunes and Amazon, was produced by Hellebronth’s fellow Worship Central leader and songwriter Ben Cantelon and executive produced by Tim Hughes. The project features seven studio-recorded songs and two live tracks, all written by Hellebronth with co-writers including Cantelon, Hughes, Nick Herbert and Aaron Keyes.
The album unveils the depth of Hellebronth’s talent as a writer with songs that range in tone from urgency and optimism, as in the title track and “Our Generation,” to plaintive and personal as with “Miracle of Grace.”
… Fully embraced by prodigal love / Wrapped in compassion, I’m held in delight
The life in Your laughter, joy in Your wine – “Miracle of Grace”
Also included among the nine tracks is “Spirit Break Out,” a song that has quickly moved beyond the UK and Europe thanks to Worship Central’s 2011 global release of a live album by that title. Kim Walker-Smith followed this, covering the song for her album Still Believe and Integrity featured it on the iWorship Now/Next collection released earlier this year. The song will reach an even larger audience next spring when it is featured in the Paramount film “Noah,” starring Russell Crowe. On Stand Up, Hellebronth and Cantelon give “Spirit Break Out” a stronger, darker treatment, reminding listeners of the fine line between intercession and worship. A live video recording of the song featuring Hellebronth and the Worship Central team can be viewed at “Spirit Break Out” (Preview) .
The complete tracklist for Stand Up is:
1. Stand Up
2. Love Like This
3. Awesome Is He
4. Miracle Of Grace
5. Ready For You
6. Who You Say You Are
7. Spirit Break Out
8. Now Is The Time For Us (Bonus – LIVE)
9. Our Generation (Bonus – LIVE)
Luke Hellebronth serves as worship pastor at London’s Holy Trinity Brompton church (creators of the “Alpha” course). He also works with Worship Central, helping train local worship leaders and equip churches around the world. His passion is to use music and lyrics to help people worship and connect with God. Additional information, including acoustic versions of his songs and accompanying chord charts, can be found at http://www.worshipcentral.org.
“… You have to be willing to become invisible. It’s never about you. Nothing in the service is about you. People aren’t coming to see you. They are coming to experience God.”
If you scan the Christian music horizon, you’ll find a wealth of artistry created in praise of God and represented by music styles as diverse as the Church itself. But there are some sounds that defy categorization, some songs that go beyond what our vocabulary can express. And it is the desire to welcome and nurture these heaven-inspired sounds and songs that drives worship leader and songwriter William McDowell.
A pioneer in modern worship, McDowell serves as the lead pastor at Deeper Fellowship Church in Orlando, Florida. But his sphere of ministry reaches far beyond his hometown. Taking his songs around the nation and world with two previous chart-topping albums (As We Worship and Arise) and 18 million Youtube views, McDowell now releases a groundbreaking CD/DVD that takes the audio-visual worship experience to a whole new level.
Available in stores and through digital service providers, Withholding Nothing expands on the attitude of whole-hearted worship that McDowell strives for, whether at his home church or at churches, festivals and conferences around the world.
“In the past three years, we’ve traveled to over 30 countries,” says McDowell. “And along the way, we’ve experienced amazing services. But sometimes, something truly remarkable happens… it starts with the congregation, not the stage. There’s a sound of worship that comes from a congregation so hungry for God… a wave that comes from the back of the room, overtaking the concert. It’s not something that you can orchestrate or plan for, that sound, that response when God shows up.”
So how does one go about capturing that shift in the atmosphere, that moment when the order of service takes a back seat to the work of the Holy Spirit? According to the ASCAP Award winning, Stellar and Dove Award nominated writer, you simply “get out of the way.”
“The best you can do is to prepare your heart and be obedient…. you have to be willing to become invisible. It’s never about you. Nothing in the service is about you. People aren’t coming to see you. They are coming to experience God.”
With this underlying approach, during 40 days of fasting and prayer prior to the recording, new songs began to emerge. As an example, McDowell points to the song “Withholding Nothing,”
“What started in rehearsal as a way to re-work our song ‘Give Myself Away’ became the title track after the event,” he explains. “As we were singing the chorus of what would become ‘Withholding Nothing,’ the response was overwhelming. The whole evening was like that… at least 45 minutes of the project was unrehearsed.”
Six months later, McDowell finished writing “Withholding Nothing.” And that finished song is now the album’s first radio single and a bonus “radio edit’ track on the CD.
Referring to both the song and the entire recording, McDowell adds, “No one expected that. We just rehearsed and then followed the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
The powerful, unforgettable result of that obedience is Withholding Nothing, a CD/DVD unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen in Christian and Gospel music. Produced by McDowell, Steven Lester of Elevation Church, Aaron Lindsey, and Clay Bogan, who co-produced Arise, Withholding Nothing aims not so much to entertain or inspire as to minister to those who listen and watch. It was created as a testimony, to open wide the door for a new generation to witness the manifestation of God’s presence among his people.
With 14 unforgettable tracks recorded on CD and 20 total on the DVD, including standouts from Arise and As We Worship, Withholding Nothing reverberates with anthems of surrender and praise, overcoming and victory and a clarion call to change the world in Jesus’ name.
“The DVD highlights 2000 people immersed not in a recording but in worship, people who don’t know they are being heard by anyone but God,” McDowell explains. “We don’t get pre-claps, we don’t stop for any reason. The focus is 100 percent on God and what He’s saying, and the songs just happen the way they happen.”
In fact, when McDowell presented the DVD footage to his distribution company (Entertainment One), booking and management, a collective awe filled the room. They’d never seen anything like it before, a video that focused more on what was happening in the venue, the impact of and response to the encounter, than on the artist on stage.
“We never have a lock on it,” says McDowell. “Each time we bring our hearts to God, it feels as if it is a fresh encounter. We can’t rely on past encounters with God, because he chooses the encounter. We pray and ask him to show up, and if we think it’s something we’re doing, we’re missing the whole point.”
That point has been made crystal clear to McDowell during his travels, including extraordinary trips to Guyana, Guadeloupe and Ghana.
In Guyana, after leading three songs, McDowell witnessed an historical event when the nation’s president took the stage to pray and offer his country back to God. Furthermore, he asked for forgiveness from the opposing political party and prayed for reconciliation. It was an unprecedented act that took the nation’s media by surprise, resulting in headlines such as “Historic Reconciliation At Gospel Concert.”
While at a concert in Guadeloupe, McDowell witnessed the miraculous healing of a deaf man as thousands sang in French despite language barriers. “The thing is,” explains McDowell, “the man wasn’t even a Christian… he was at the concert because he’s a member of the media and he was covering the event.” This time, the headlines read, “Media Member Receives Healing At Concert.”
“We’re not going into these places for concerts,” says McDowell. “We’re going in to see moves of God.”
This was confirmed to McDowell in Ghana when a local pastor explained to him, “We didn’t bring you here for a concert, but for an impartation.”
Referencing his growing international platform, McDowell says, “If you look at what God is doing, what only He can do, I can’t take credit for any of this… if it works, it’s God. There’s no pressure because you can’t do anything apart from God, but there is responsibility to inspire the next generation to pursue God, to inspire them to get into His presence and make a difference in this world.”
One of This Year’s Most Nominated Artists for NewReleaseTuesday.com’s
Second Annual WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS
Everfound Embarks on The Winter Jam 2013 Tour Spectacular This Friday
Everfound’s music video for “God of the Impossible,” the second single from their debut album, premieres today exclusively at NewReleaseTuesday.com. In August the Russian-born brothers performed the track with Governor Mike Huckabee on bass when they made their national TV debut on Fox New Channels’ “Huckabee.” On November 1 they were announced as one of the most nominated artists for NewReleaseTuesday’s second annual WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS with a total of five nominations including “Album of the Year,” “Group of the Year,” “New Artist /Group of the Year,” “Best Lead Singer” (Nikita Odnoralov) and “The Hook (Best Pop Artist/Group).” Voting for the awards runs through December 13 online at the NewReleaseTuesday.com Facebook page. This Friday Everfound will embark on The Winter Jam 2013 Tour Spectacular in Ontario, CA, which runs 11 dates through November. In January, they’ll pick back up on The Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular with over 45 dates through March.
Everfound, a band comprised of four Russian-born brothers who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990’s, released their self-titled Word Entertainment debut album on July 16. The album’s lead single, “Never Beyond Repair,” climbed into the top 20 at radio and their track “What Love Means” is also featured in the musical companion to the History Channel’s mini-series “The Bible.” In March Everfound played at a massive kick-off event for the mini-series with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey in partnership with Rick Warren at Saddleback Church to which Warren declared via Twitter, “Mark my word: This band is going to be HUGE!” These multi-instrumental musicians have played more than 800 shows throughout both the U.S. and Europe and released four albums independently. For further information and for listing of tour dates, please visit www.everfoundmusic.com.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome,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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Indie sister duo The Sonflowerz, known for their worshipful and inspiring pop songs, announce the October 29 release of “Made To Shine,” a new 33-day devotional book created especially for girls ages 12-17.
Funded by a recent Kickstarter campaign and following the release of their critically acclaimed EP Love Walked In, “Made To Shine” is the first book from singer/songwriter sisters Elissa and Becca Leander. Moved by conversations with their young fans, “Made To Shine” takes its name from one of their songs written for a teen girl who was the victim of bullying. And the book itself deals with topics that include relationships, peer pressure and self-image, all examined in light of the Christian faith.
Recommending “Made To Shine” to moms, Vicki Courtney, author of the books “Your Girl” and “5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter,” says: “…this devotional should be on every girl’s nightstand.”
“‘Made To Shine” is a labor of love for us,” says Elissa. “It’s the result of hundreds of conversations, emails and letters from girls around the world… and despite social and cultural differences, there are many issues that we all struggle with, core issues related to their self-image and identity.”
Tackling many of these themes, “Made To Shine” offers conversational, story-driven devotionals, each followed by a “Reflection & Action” with scripture references as well as a “Playlist for the Day,” with recommended songs from some of The Sonflowerz’ favorite artists.
“We wanted to leave the girls with suggestions for songs that reinforce the message, pouring more positive content into their hearts and lives,” explains Becca.
The book, which is available for sale at www.sonflowerz.com and coming soon as an e-book, is the latest step in a ministry that has taken the sisters across the U.S. and throughout the U.K. Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., the British/American sisters have been ministering together since their teen years when given the opportunity by their church to share a song they had written. Thirteen years later, Elissa and Becca remain committed to praising God and ministering to others. Their next project is a “Made To Shine” interactive tour for girls, which they plan to launch later this fall.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the new reality show on the Oxygen Network (a basic cable channel) called “Preachers Of LA.” The show features around 5 or 6 pastors from the Los Angeles area and revolves around their personal lives. To say that the show has garnered some controversy would be the understatement of the month. It has experienced backlash from everyone and every where. The controversy originated with the trailer for the show that was released earlier this summer long before the show debuted on TV. In the trailer the show was promoted as focusing on the wealth and “bling” of these pastors. This stoked the fire of controversy. What is interesting, however, is that when you do watch the show i.e. all 4 episodes to date, is that the show could not be further from the image created in the trailer. Its not about their possessions or money at all, instead shows a softer, more human side of these ministers of the gospel.
To be honest, I think the idea to promote the show by using controversy was a mistake by the people at Oxygen. They wanted to cause an outcry with the show even before it debuted so that when it does air everyone will tune in. And to one’s surprise, their tactic worked, though I think it was the wrong approach, I think the show has the makings of a lasting franchise that would’ve grown on its own over time. Another pointed criticism about the show is that it features pastors who subscribe to the “prosperity” gospel. I get this criticism. I don’t agree with the prosperity or word of faith movement, I think it’s not biblical. I think it is a system of belief created by stringing together a bunch of bible verses out of context to create a manufactured, and unfounded view that they believe. And by doing this, they can call their view “biblical.” As any student of the bible knows you can use various, individual verses taken out of context (that is, out of their original meaning) to support any belief that you want to espouse. This is not how sound biblical doctrine is built in the church.
But I wanted to answer the question that many who have seen the show have voiced on twitter and other social media, namely how did these preachers get so rich. And the short answer is; not from their churches. But here is a breakdown of how they make so much money.
1. Base Salary From The Church – Their churches pay them a salary that could range from between $40,000 – $100,000 a year (or in some cases more) depending on the size of the church. This is not unusual for people in a profession such as theirs, to be paid this. However, high profile pastors have additional income that come from sources separate from their church.
2. Base Salary From Their Ministry – Often times, high profile preachers like Noel Jones, and say, TD Jakes also have ministries that are separate from their church. Like with TD Jakes he has his ‘TD Jakes Ministries” that is separate from The Potterhouse, his church. Often times these ministries will also pay these guys a salary. So that’s a second base salary, that they get on top of the salary from their church. And like their church salaries, this ministries salary could easy be between $40,000 – $100,000 a year. So already, you have 2 base salaries, that’s making you at least $150,000 combined per year (and that’s a very conservative estimate). TD Jakes Ministries brings in about $30 million a year in donations, and Joel Osteen brings in $50 million a year. So it would be nothing for these ministries with those budgets to pay TD Jakes and Joel Osteen $200,000 plus all kinds of perks including a private Jet/plane, clothing allowance etc.
3. Royalties From CD & DVD Sermons – A person like Bishop Noel Jones, may also get a royalty for each sermon CD or DVD his church sells that he preached, and it could be $1 or $2 per product. That’s separate from his standard salary from the church. So if the church has a bookstore, if other churches’ books stores are ordering CD’s and DVD’s in bulk they may get a royalty from those sales. That’s separate from their 2 base salaries. But it gets added on top of it. So let’s say Noel Jones is making $150,000 from his church. Maybe $100,000 plus $50,000 in an anniversary present. Then he makes $70,000 from his ministry. And he makes $30,000 from CD & DVD royalties he’s already at $250,000 a year, or $20,000 a month.
4. Speaking Gigs – Then also, for someone like Noel Jones his major money is made in speaking gigs. Apart from preaching on Sundays, Noel Jones easily preaches at 4 places each week. And with someone with his profile and celebrity, he’s making at least $10,000 per speaking gig. So if he’s speaking at 4 places in a week at $10,000 per engagement, he’s making $40,000 a week off speaking gigs alone. That’s like $160,000 a month from speaking gigs alone. Did you get that? $160,000 a month. Off guest preaching alone. So now in addition to his 2 base salaries and royalties from his preaching products he’s making easily between $50,000 – $100,000 a month off speaking gigs. If he preached 10 months a year at $100,000 per month, he’s easily clearing $1 million off speaking gigs alone.
5. Book Royalties – Then there’s his books that he’s written, he gets a royalty from that too. He may make $1.5 – $2 in royalties per book. If Noel Jones has 3 books in the marketplace and each sells 20,000 a year. Multiply that by 3, because each book sold 20,000 copies in a year. So if he sold a combined total of 60,000 copies of his book, at $2 per book. He’s making $120,000 from book royalties alone. So add that to the money he’s already making, now we’re at $1.5 million for the year.
6. Other Business Ventures – Then, on top of all that, he may be involved in numerous business ventures. These ventures may come from business people he knows in his church or in his city. Maybe he had a friend who came to him and said we’re starting a new construction company with a group of 10 investors all putting up $200,000 to start the business. So he joined them, that now becomes another source of income for him. For example, I know a preacher who owned a lot of homes that he rented out to people, this was his business that brought him money every month, apart from his church salary. So Noel Jones may make $20,000 a month from his various business ventures and other investments. This is a common practice among wealthy people, they are always being approached with business deals. A friend’s brother in law is starting a new company or his sister’s husband’s friend is starting something and they come you with the offer. And if you’re an investor like say, in a restaurant, not only do you own equity or shares, but you also share in the profits each year. It doesn’t have to be external business ventures only i.e. someone else’s business venture. It can also be their own. Look at TD Jakes, he’s doing movies, he’s owns a record label. It’s all kinds of business ventures. They could easily be making $150,000 a year minimum, from their various business ventures. Jakes with his movies I’d say is making at least $1 million a year from his various business ventures.
7. Investments – This is very similar to point # 6 but also different in some ways. Investments in this case refers to ways that you money grows i.e. generates additional passive income in the form of mutual funds, stocks and things like real estate. TD Jakes mentioned in a sermon he preached on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at The Potters House, a sermon called “Supply & Demand” that he owns a lot of real estate all over the place. Now if those properties are vacant, i.e. no one lives in them, then he’s only making money in the value of the property increasing every year. But if he has properties that he’s renting out to others well now he’s making addition money from that. Investments is a big source of growing your wealth when you’re already wealthy, because you hire asset managers who will invest and oversee your financial portfolio. And the reason it’s such a big part of wealthy people’s lives is because when you are earning upwards of $250,000 – $500,000 per year and up, you have way more money than you’ll spend or use in a year. So at the end of the year when you’ve paid everything you could easily have an extra $100,000 that you have just sitting in your bank account, and every 12 months you have a new $100,000 that you have no use for. So it’s natural for someone in this position to invest that money instead of letting it just collect dust. So these preachers who fall in this category, they have so much surplus money each year that they don’t need, and as a result they naturally invest more and more each year.
While this is only a hypothetical example of how Noel Jones or TD Jakes makes their money from so many quarters, this is also the way everyone else on the show makes their money. And so you end up with preachers who are making between $300,000 and $1.5 million a year easily (and more). And they don’t make that money off the church. Now of course, no-one on that show is going to tell you how they make their money, but one thing you can be sure of is that it’s not from their respective churches. They are not raiding the coffers of the church to enrich themselves, there are laws against that kind of stuff that prevents them from doing it, even if they wanted to, because if they did they’d be facing serious prison time. So I hope this helps people who watch this show understand how preachers can be so wealthy. The answer is because they have a lot more ventures going on that you even know about. All you know about is their church, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
I just finished Craig Groeschel’s new book, “Altar Ego” and wanted to do a review for the blog. If you’re not familiar with Craig he’s a pastor out in Oklahoma City, OK. He first gained popularity as the pastor of his mega church in OKC, but has in recent years seen his profile rise significantly as a popular conference speaker and subsequent author. I first got to hear him speak at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA. He’s a great speaker and while I’d consider myself a fan, I’d never actually read any of his books before so I was really looking forward to reading his latest release. And to be frank, I enjoyed it more than I expected. So below is my review:
Summary Of Content: In his book Groeschel invites readers to lay down the labels and destructive self-perceptions that have prevented them from being all that God wants them to be. And instead presents them with who God says we are: that we are his masterpiece, that we are overcomers etc. Then for the second half of the book he lays out the values, qualities and behaviors that should instead describe our lives, among these are, living with patience, becoming people of integrity, being bold, etc.
Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I really liked the book. I thought his writing style was easy and not difficult or convoluted. Also Craig writes with a kind of transparency that really enriches the reading experience.
The Thing I Loved Most About The Book: My favorite parts of the book were when Craig shared from his own life, I really loved that, whether its sharing his own struggles in these areas or telling us stories of how God did things in his life that just blew him away. Like I mentioned before, Craig writes with a lot of transparency and I think this elevated the book considerably.
Biggest Surprise About The Book/Reading Experience: The biggest surprise of all for me about this book is just how funny Craig is. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times. It was really a pleasant surprise. For example, he tells the story of how he got a tennis scholarship to play tennis at college, but when he got there he was just horrible. And he was surprised the coach never cut him, so one day he asked the coach how come you didn’t cut me and the coach said, “you were the only one with a car, and I needed you to take the others to practice.” Or how before each match he would pray on the tennis court and one time he played against a guy Jeremy from Oral Roberts University and as Craig was praying he looked up and saw Jeremy praying too and yelled over, “hey, you can’t pray that’s my thing!”
Favorite Chapter: I think my favorite chapter was chapter 5 “Living With Patience” I was kinda surprised to realized that, but for some reason that chapter really resonated with me. The idea of not sacrificing the ultimate for the immediate. Really a sober call to not just live for immediate gratification.
Favorite Line/Statement From The Book: “Integrity is living in full accordance with your beliefs.” (Honorable Mention: “Boldness is behavior born out of belief”)
Final Thoughts:
It was great just being reminded of what God says we are, because I think for many of us bad labels and self-beliefs creep up on us over time, so much so that we don’t even realize just how much it affects out lives, and so the book served a great tool for self-examination. Also, I really loved his final section on “Passionate Obedience” it was refreshing reminder and exhortation to live with boldness and to let that boldness infuse our prayers and our obedience.
Here is a picture of Craig Groeschel for those who aren’t familiar with him.
Hannah Luce, the lone survivor of a May 2012 small plane crash in Kansas, who crawled out of a burning aircraft and lost several friends in the devastating accident, has signed a deal with Atria/Howard Books for an inspiring memoir to be titled Fields of Grace. She is the daughter of Ron Luce, co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries.
Luce’s bookwill be published on Oct. 22 and will detail her struggles with her faith, her coming of age inside an evangelical home, her decision to join her father’s ministry outreach to teens, and her miraculous survival and recovery following the accident. It will also serve as a tribute and testament to the lives of the dear friends who perished in the catastrophic plane crash and reveal how their memory continues to inspire all that Luce does.
“Despite what I have been through, mine is a story of hope. Hope from knowing that, even through great adversity, we can live good and purposeful lives. It is the story of perseverance and finding light in life’s darkest moments. Above all, it is a love story about three friends whose bond cannot be broken by death,” says Luce.
Judith Curr, President of the Atria Publishing Group, commented: “Themes of friendship, recovery, faith, guilt, purpose, and ultimately the importance of moving forward while never forgetting the past will have readers looking deeply at their own lives and relationships. This will also be the first title published as collaboration between Atria and Howard Books, and we look forward to helping Hannah find wide readership in both the general and Christian markets.”
The deal, for North American rights, was negotiated by Atria Senior Editor Sarah Durand with Luce’s literary agent, Brandi Bowles at Foundry Media.
Tim Chaddick, author and pastor of Reality LA, one of the fastest growing churches in the heart of Hollywood, announces the release of BETTER: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for Meaning. Hitting stores nationwide on September 1, 2013 through David C. Cook, Chaddick’s latest project addresses questions we often avoid but inevitably must ask while unveiling the answers to anyone asking the “Why” questions of life.
In Better, Chaddick unpacks the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and wrestles with the hardest questions of life. He exposes the western myth that tells us we can be happy if only we get a bigger house, buy a better car, or follow our dreams. Better unveils an alternative way by pointing to answers from the heart of God. In Better, readers will find a vision of life that is neither naïve nor cynical, but realistic and hopeful.
“As a pastor in Los Angeles I come face-to-face with the harsh reality of the quest for success and fulfillment,” says Chaddick. “The woman in tears whose acting career is over because the other actresses always stand out more. The frustrated man who gained recognition for his musical talents but is now in danger of losing his record deal. I see the constant anxiety that stems from unmet expectations in a culture that promises so much. I know that you will face detours and dead ends-and it’s possible that life may not work out the way you hoped-but I also know that you can still enjoy peace and joy in this world.”
Filled with Chaddick’s personal stories, Better follows the journey of the ancient author of Ecclesiastes, taking readers on the mother of all road trips. Referred to as the “Question Maker,” Chaddick admits that the ancient author is provocative, seeking to make sense out of what he sees in this world before bringing God into the conversation.
“This is where most of us begin when we write our life-script anyway,” says Chaddick. “Most of us work out what we want in life before adding God on as an afterthought, viewing Him as some kind of cosmic vending machine here to help us accomplish what really matters in life.”
Better serves as a roadmap so that each person can have his or her life story redemptively rewritten as it guides readers through three main categories of life before arriving at the final destination. These three categories include aspirations (what we expect out of life), assets (how we use some of the things we have in life) and attitudes (how we respond to what life gives us). Addressing key life issues such as money, work, sex, relationships, anxiety, power and religion, Chaddick helps readers make the connection between these issues and the rest of Scripture.
BETTER: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for Meaning
By: Tim Chaddick
David C Cook
Trade Paper
Page Count: 224 pgs.
Firm On-Sale Date: September 1, 2013
ISBN- 978-1434705235
Price: $14.99
About Tim Chaddick
Tim Chaddick currently serves as the pastor for preaching and vision at Reality LA, which is one of the fastest growing churches in the heart of Hollywood, California with approximately 4,000 people. Tim’s teaching podcasts and Sunday morning sermons are massively popular on their web site, and from iTunes, having been downloaded millions of times. Tim has spoken at Calvary Chapel events, Gospel Coalition events, is on the steering team for Reality, along with pastors Britt Merrick, and Dave Lomas. He and his wife Lindsey live in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles with their three daughters.
Performed Hit Single “Proof of Your Love” and Debuted “Fix My Eyes”
(October 16, 2013) – It was announced last evening that Joel and Luke Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY received their first Dove Award win for the coveted category of “New Artist of the Year” at the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards. In a celebration in Nashville, TN, the Australian brothers that make up duo for KING & COUNTRY were on hand to accept the award. They also performed their hit single “The Proof of Your Love” from their debut album and iTunes’ 2012 “Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Album of the Year,” Crave, and premiered new song “Fix My Eyes.”
“Luke came off the road for about three months with a digestive disorder and got down to about 125 pounds. For a 6’ 4” fellow that is pretty light,” said Joel. “It’s funny. I was so sick, in my bed thinking ‘God, why am I in so much pain?’” continued Luke. “God has a unique way of taking those moments and spinning them into something quite miraculous. I felt God say to me ‘Luke, no matter how dark things are or how difficult those trials you face might be, there is always hope in me. That is the reason why we do music. Thank you all so very much for this award. We are so blessed not only by God’s love but by so much love from the fans and the industry.”
Yesterday the duo also released their live album and concert film, Hope Is What We Crave │Live, everywhere. The project features nine live performances from their critically-acclaimed debut album, Crave. Their new single “Hope Is What We Crave” just went for adds at radio and is already closing in on the Top 25.
for KING & COUNTRY made their late night debut on January 10 when they performed “The Proof of Your Love” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In 2012, the breakthrough duo was named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist. ET’s “The Insider”said the duo, “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwritercommented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.”
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
The Live Album and Concert Film Receives Glowing Praise from Critics
Exclusive Premiere of Aussie Duo’s “Fine Fine Life” Live Video Today at CBN.com
(October 15, 2013) – for KING & COUNTRY’s live album and concert film, Hope Is What We Crave │Live, is available today at digital outlets and physical retailers. This live project was filmed at The Factory in Franklin, TN, on the final night of their inaugural headlining tour, “The Proof of Your Love Tour,” in November 2012. It features nine live performances from their critically-acclaimed debut album, Crave, which was named iTunes’ “Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Album of 2012.” Fans can catch a sneak peek into the footage as the Christian Broadcasting Network is premiering the “Fine Fine Life” video exclusively today at CBN.com. This evening, for KING & COUNTRY will perform their nominated single “The Proof of Your Love” and will debut a new song “Fix My Eyes” at the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards in Nashville, TN. They are also nominated for seven Dove Awards including “New Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.” The duo’s new single “Hope Is What We Crave” just went for adds at radio and is already closing in on the Top 25.
Hope Is What We Crave │Live has critics praising the project both for its exceptional live music and as a memorable experience:
“This is a live album not to be missed or even be unsure about- this is a great album, no matter what your genre of music that you listen to.” – Indie Vision Music
“Through their music, you can see that they are living proof of His Love. The live album as a whole is remarkably stunning.” – SJD Music for Christian Living
“While their debut album introduced fans to very solid songs, this release of live versions of those songs has taken them to a whole other level.” – Vertical Hope
“It’s not just an experience, but a time of worship with a band that in the end wants to point others to Christ.” – Christian Music Zine
“Whether you are just now discovering them or have enjoyed them since the beginning, Hope Is What We Crave Live CD/DVD is sure to be a great addition to your collection and one I’m sure you’ll want to enjoy over and over again.” – Christian Music Review
“For fans who want to watch the concert, there’s the DVD; for fans who want to sing along in the car, there’s the CD. Either way, you’re in for a treat.” – Hollywood Jesus
“for KING & COUNTRY’s ‘Hope Is What We Crave LIVE,’ offers up so much good music that you need to add it to your musical collection.” – Christian Rockers Online
for KING & COUNTRY are currently on the Newsboys’ “Restart” tour through October. In December, they’ll join Big Daddy Weave and Meredith Andrews for 10 dates on the “K-LOVE Christmas Tour.”
for KING & COUNTRY, recently named “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, made their late night debut on January 10 performing “The Proof Of Your Love” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In 2012, for KING & COUNTRY were named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist. New Release Tuesday noted that Crave was “One of the Best Debut Projects in Years!” ET’s “The Insider” said the duo, “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwriter commented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.”
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Britt Merrick, pastor of Reality Church in California, and father of Daisy Merrick, whose battle with cancer as a five year-old was made public and touched the hearts of thousands through her dad’s very personal blog prayfordaisy, shared the sad news last night on twitter that his beautiful daughter had lost her battle with cancer and has gone on to be with Jesus.
Packed With New Songs and Extemporaneous, Unrehearsed Moments,
Withholding Nothing Takes The Audio Visual Worship Experience To New Level
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 8, 2013)- – On the heels of two critically acclaimed, genre-bending albums, worship leader William McDowell prepares for the November 5threlease of a groundbreaking new CD/DVD that takes the audio-visual worship experience to a new level. Appropriately titled Withholding Nothing, the project contains over 60 minutes of passionate, extemporaneous worship in the form of songs, choruses and instrumental interludes that reverberate with themes of surrender and thanksgiving.
With 14 tracks recorded on CD and 20 on the DVD, including standouts from his chart-topping albums Arise and As We Worship, Withholding Nothing highlights 2,000 people immersed not in a recording, but in worship.
“These people don’t know they are being heard by anyone but God,” explains McDowell. “We don’t get pre-claps, we don’t stop for any reason. The focus is 100 percent on God and what He’s saying, and the songs just happen the way they happen…we rehearsed, we prepared, but in the end, the Holy Spirit led the evening.”
So how does one go about capturing that shift in the atmosphere, that moment when the order of service takes a back seat to the work of the Holy Spirit? According to McDowell, who is also the lead pastor at Orlando’s Deeper Fellowship Church, you simply “get out of the way.”
“The best you can do is to prepare your heart and be obedient,” says McDowell. “…you have to be willing to become invisible. It’s never about you. Nothing in the service is about you. People aren’t coming to see you. They are coming to experience God.”
And throughout the two-hour-long DVD, viewers are captivated as the presence of God takes complete control of the room while McDowell introduces a plethora of new worship anthems and songs of praise for today’s church. These include “Can’t Live Without You,” featuring guest vocalist Nicole Binion, “Are You Ready?” featuring guest Aaron Lindsey and “My Heart Sings,” in which McDowell cries out, “My worship is too deep for my words…I’ve got to cry from the depth of my heart… my vocabulary is too limited when it comes to God.”
The complete tracklist for the CD portion of Withholding Nothing, including guest vocalists, is:
1. Releasing A Sound
2. Bring Me A Minstrel
3. Expecting
4. Are You Ready (featuring Pablo Villatoro and Aaron Lindsey)
5. Through Christ
6. We Will Prevail
7. Sovereign God (featuring Danny Gokey)
8. When I Call Your Name
9. There Is Something About That Name
10. My Heart Sings
11. Can’t Live Without You (featuring Nicole Binion)
12. Withholding Nothing
13. There Is A Sound
14. Withholding Nothing (Radio Edit)
Withholding Nothing, which is distributed by Entertainment One Music, will be available in stores and through iTunes and Amazon beginning November 5.
Modern worship pioneer William McDowell is known for crossing musical genres and blending styles as he brings people of all ages, cultures and denominations together through passionate, Christ-centered worship. The lead pastor at Deeper Fellowship Church in Orlando, Florida, McDowell has a sphere of influence that reaches far beyond his hometown. The ASCAP Award winning and Dove and Stellar Award-nominated worship leader’s songs have traveled the world, ministering to the global church through his recordings, international worship events and 18 million Youtube views.
Howard Books announced that Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family and Ducks Built A Dynasty has reached a tremendous publishing milestone, with more than 500,000 books in print. This marks two milestones for the stars of A&E’s hit show “Duck Dynasty” this week; the publishing milestone and hitting record ratings of 9.6 million viewers during last Wednesday night’s season finale. Duck Commander Family by Willie and Korie Robertson released in October of 2012 and details the life of the famous bayou family who lives by the motto: Faith, Family, Ducks.
Howard Books announced earlier this month a multi-book deal with the family, including the upcoming May 7 release of Happy, Happy, Happy by family patriarch Phil Robertson. The deal also includes books from Si Robertson, Miss Kay, and a Duck Commander devotional, all scheduled to come out this fall.
(September 25, 2013) – Internationally-recognized singer/songwriter Jason Castro is gearing up for the release of the third single, “Stay This Way,” from his debut Word Entertainment album, Only A Mountain. This week the track ships to radio and will go for adds on October 18th. Castro, after having spent the summer co-headlining a tour with Ryan Cabrera, promoting his appearance in the UP! original movie, “The Perfect Summer,” and visiting Colombia, South America, on an “I am Second” expedition, is hitting the road again this week with Matthew West and Sidewalk Prophets for West’s “Into the Light Tour.” Then, throughout the holiday season, he’ll join NewSong for “The Very Merry Christmas Tour” which runs through December 15.
“‘Stay This Way’ is the most relevant for me lyrically. You know, in the last couple years I think I realized for the first time that I’d grown up accustomed to some things being the way they were, thinking that I can’t outrun my last mistake, and I’m just stuck here. I always believed in God, I knew He was good – I thought I was just messed up,” said Castro who co-wrote the song with its producers Ben Glover and David Garcia. “I didn’t understand what people meant by freedom in Christ. I never felt free – I always felt like a slave to my sin. It wasn’t until these last few years that I got into my first real Biblical community. And as I started to share my life with others, and we studied God’s word together, I really discovered freedom for the first time. And so that’s been a big part of my journey these last few years and one of the highlights.”
On Thursday, Matthew West’s “Into the Light Tour” featuring Castro and Sidewalk Prophets commences in Carlsbad, NM. The tour runs through November 17th and is scheduled to visit 30 cities throughout the U.S. Immediately following this tour he’ll join “The Very Merry Christmas Tour” alongside NewSong, Audio Adrenaline and Love & The Outcome. The tour kicks off in Tyler, TX, on November 30th and hits 15 cities.
Sept. 26 Carlsbad, NM – Walter Gerrell’s Performing Arts Center
Sept. 27 Phoenix, AZ – Grand Canyon University
Sept. 28 Saint George, UT – Dixie State College, Cox Auditorium
Sept. 29 Sparks, NV – Sparks Christian Fellowship
Sept. 30 Brentwood, CA – Golden Hills Community Church
Oct. 2 Coos Bay, OR – Marshfield High School Auditorium
Oct. 3 Portland, OR – New Hope Community Church
Oct. 6 Issaquah, WA – Eastridge Church
Oct. 8 Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center
Oct. 9 Bismarck, ND – Shiloh Christian School
Oct. 10 Dickinson, ND – Trinity High School
Oct. 11 Gillette, WY – New Life Wesleyan Church
Oct. 12 Rapid City, SD – Performing Arts Center of Rapid City
Oct. 18 Bel Air, MD – Harford Community College
Oct. 19 Simpsonville, SC – Southside Christian School
Oct. 24 Wausau, WI – Grand Theater Wausau
Oct. 25 Appleton, WI – Appleton Alliance Church
Oct. 26 Bourbonnais, IL – Olivet Nazarene University
Oct. 27 Indianapolis, IN – The Caring Place
Nov. 1 Fort Wayne, IN – First Assembly of God
Nov. 2 Eden Prairie, MN – Grace Church
Nov. 3 Zeeland, MI – Community Reformed Church
Nov. 7 McAlester, OK – Southeast Expo Center
Nov. 8 Lincoln, NE – Lincoln Berean Church
Nov. 9 Tulsa, OK – ORU Mabee Center
Nov. 10 Mount Vernon, IL – Central Christian Church
Nov. 14 Lubbock, TX – City Bank Coliseum
Nov. 15 Andrews, TX – Andrews County Expo
Nov. 16 Decatur, TX – First Baptist Church
Nov. 17 Tyler, TX – Lane’s Chapel UMC
Nov. 30 Tyler, TX – The Oil Palace
Dec. 1 Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge River Center
Dec. 2 Russellville, AR – Russellville Performing Arts Center
Dec. 3 Wichita, KS – NewSpring Church
Dec. 5 Anderson, SC – Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center
Dec. 6 Kinston, NC – Kinston Performing Arts Center
Dec. 7 Whiteville, NC – Northwood Assembly
Dec. 8 Johnson City, TN – Freedom Hall Civic Center (PWYC)
Dec. 9 Hight Point, NC – First Wesleyan Church
Dec. 10 Marion, IL – Marion Cultural and Civic Center
Dec. 11 Lancaster, OH – Fairfield Christian Academy
Dec. 13 Pascagoula, MS – First Baptist Church
Dec. 14 Warner Robins, GA – Warner Robins Civic Center
Dec. 15 Woodstock, GA – First Baptist of Woodstock
Dec. 16 Charlotte, NC – Central Church of God
For further information and a complete list of tour dates visit www.jasoncastro.com.
About Jason Castro:
Internationally-renowned recording artist and “American Idol” contestant Jason Castro has topped radio charts in multiple countries, including: Norway, Singapore and The Philippines. His self-titled debut album entered the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at No. 18. Throughout his career, Jason has appeared on television shows such as “TODAY,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Access Hollywood” and “The Bachelor”and has appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone, USA Today and The New York Times. Castro just released his Word Entertainment debut album, Only A Mountain, January 15, 2013.
Acclaimed worship leader and two-time GRAMMY® winner Matt Redman has had quite a few reasons to celebrate this year with the success of his impactful song “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord).” Following the highly revered song and album comes his latest project, Your Grace Finds Me out today, September 24. The lead single and title track pulls together the powerful message that even in the midst of battle and blessing, the highest high of a wedding day or when weeping by a graveside, God’s grace is always active and present.
The infectious melodies and poignant lyrics found in this 12-track record continues to showcase Redman’s innate gift to churn heartfelt prayers into worship songs. Here is just a glimpse of the praises critics are giving Your Grace Finds Me:
“More upbeat than previous outings, the eleventh release by U.K. worship songsmith Matt Redman was recorded live at Passion City Church in Atlanta…fist-pumping worship for people who don’t want to sit in their seats anymore.” – RELEVANT Magazine
“Tis the season to be deluged by a slew of releases, and in this Best of the Best season, it is fitting that one of the most notable is from Matt Redman…the consistent message of God’s mercy and grace told in Redman’s direct, joyous, uplifting and Scripturally-tethered style is once again a gift to the Church.” – Worship Leader
“Matt Redman carries his faith, his voice, his ministry with a humble, quiet dignity. Your Grace Finds Me not only offers a glimpse into the heart of an artist willing and ready to allow God to be God; it invites listeners to do the same.” – CCM Magazine
“If you’re looking for quality musicianship that leads you into the worship place, you will thoroughly enjoy Matt Redman’s new album. Beautiful.” – HM Magazine
“Matt Redman has again shown his willingness and ability to produce songs the global church can claim as their own. With a fresh sound, thought-out arrangements and lyrics that are steeped in worship, Your Grace Finds Me is a brilliant modern praise album.” – Louder Than the Music
“What endears this U.K. native once again on this new record, is his ongoing ability to create a worship experience for all of us: an experience that is cognitively descriptive giving us food for thought. Yet, it is also gloriously edgy to the spiritually malleable.” -Breathecast
“[Matt Redman] is still the world Church’s most consistent creator of heartwarming worship songs.” -Cross Rhythms
“You feel like you’ve experienced a moment, embraced a movement. Matt Redman doesn’t just entertain with uplifting lyrics, he teaches through song and gives your spirit plenty to ponder.” -Hallels.com
Redman recorded Your Grace Finds Me at Passion City Church’s ‘LIFT: A Worship Leader Collective’ in Atlanta, GA. The event was hosted by Louie Giglio and GRAMMY® winner Chris Tomlin and included worship leaders from all across the country. Adding to this year’s impressive accolades -two GRAMMY® awards, a Billboard Music Award, “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” receiving this year’s ASCAP’s Christian Music Song of the Year and being RIAA Certified Gold – Redman was recently honored with nine Dove Award nominations including “Songwriter of the Year” and “Song of the Year.”
Kicking off street week, Matt Redman is set to partner with K-LOVE’s morning and afternoon shows, hosting three live worship events in Kansas City last night, Indianapolis tonight (9/24) and Chicago tomorrow (9/25). To find out more, visitwww.mattredman.com/klove.
About Matt Redman:
Matt Redman is a key songwriter for today’s church and active worship leader for Passion conferences around the world. Leading a generation of worshipers, his songs have been recorded by Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, David Crowder*Band, Israel Houghton, Jeremy Camp, Jesus Culture and Passion, among others. He won his first GRAMMY® awards earlier this year for the powerful hit, “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” which won for both “Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance” and “Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.” Among artists Frank Ocean, fun., Mumford & Sons, Chick Corea and Esperanza Spalding, Redman was one of six artists with two GRAMMY® wins at the award show. Adding to his GRAMMY® awards this year, Redman’s “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” was certified RIAA gold and named ASCAP’s Christian Music Song of the Year and “Top Christian Song” at the Billboard Music Awards. “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” has spent over 19 weeks at No. 1 and over 30 non-consecutive weeks in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Christian/Gospel Digital Songs chart. Additionally, Redman has 26 songs in the CCLI Top 500, with six populating the Top 50.
Bashta To Visit 38 U.S. Cities With Guest Speaker Cody Deese
Daniel Bashta, Integrity Music worship leader and writer of “Like A Lion (God’s Not Dead),” will take his music on the road this fall, visiting 38 cities across the U.S. with guest speaker Cody Deese for the free “Strip Everything Away Tour.”
Referencing the lyrics “strip everything away ‘til all I have is You” from his song “Pursuit,” Bashta launches the tour at the Salvation Army Church in Anaheim, Calif., on September 5 with stops in 19 states before concluding at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Burlington, NJ on November 18. A list of tour dates and cities follows below with information also available at “Strip Everything Away Tour”.
“We had this dream of doing a tour that would not have a price tag on it,” says Bashta. “In a culture driven by stadium stage glitz and glamour, our heart and mission for the night is that we are removing the noise of the circus to create space for God to speak… one night of worship and wonder, stripping everything away and pursuing the presence of God.”
For Bashta, a “missionary kid” who grew up immersed in ministry all around the globe, speaking life and hope into a dark world has been a life-long passion. Educated at the Worship Institute of London and heavily influenced by the ministry of Soul Survivor, Bashta’s path of ministry reads like a winding stream that eventually led him to his current role as worship pastor at RiverStone Church, just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
Along the way, Bashta has been writing songs that have become the heart cry for worshipers from different cultures and church backgrounds. In 2011, Integrity released his debut full-length album The Sounds of Daniel Bashta, packed with many of these songs, including “Like A Lion (God’s Not Dead)” popularized by the Newsboys and “Pursuit” popularized by Jesus Culture. This year saw the release of The Invisible, which introduced more new songs including, “Praise The Invisible,” “Undone” and “Let Hope In.” Both albums resulted in acclaim from worship leaders, music fans and critics, earning Bashta kudos for his writing and vocals filled with raw conviction, courage and compassion and what Worship Leader magazine refers to as “vibrant lyrical poetry.” For more information, visit www.danielbashta.com.
On Saturday night, critically-acclaimed duo for KING & COUNTRY performed before an audience of 34,000 people at Harvest Crusade at Angel’s Stadium in Anaheim, CA. The event, now in its 24th year, is hosted by Pastor Greg Laurie and is designed to be an opportunity for Christians to invite family members and friends to hear the message of the gospel in an entertaining and non-threatening environment.
“For King and Country was a great addition to the Harvest Crusade this year,” said John Collins, Executive Director of Harvest Ministries. “Their performance was electric and had universal appeal. We’ve had nothing but great comments about the quality of their music and the content of the message.” “Occasionally there comes a moment where the hours of writing, recording, rehearsing, touring, praying and dreaming all collide into a profound crescendo,” added Joel of for KING & COUNTRY. “Saturday night, as we stood alongside Greg Laurie and 34,000+ friends and shouted ‘Let my life be the proof of Your love,’ was without a doubt one of those rare, spiritual and profound moments.”
This past week the duo also received seven nominations including “New Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year” for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards scheduled to take place in Nashville, TN, on October 15. On Tuesday, for KING & COUNTRY released their live CD/DVD package, Hope is What We Crave │LIVE, which was recorded on the final night of their first headlining tour in 2012 and features their new single, “Hope Is What We CRAVE.”
In September, for KING & COUNTRY can be seen at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, and on the Newsboys “Restart Tour” which kicks off on the 20th in Barre, VT. For further information and a complete listing of upcoming tour dates visit www.forKINGandCOUNTRY.com.
Oct. 26: Family Arena – Newsboys’ “Restart Tour” – St. Charles, MO
Oct. 27: Prairie Capital Convention Center – Newsboys’ “Restart Tour” – Springfield, IL
Nov. 9: Westgate River Ranch – River Ranch, FL
Nov. 23: Gatlinburg Convention Center – Gatlinburg, TN
Nov. 29: Texas Louisiana Youth Conference – San Antonio, TX
Nov. 30: Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, CA
Dec. 1: Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, CA
Dec. 22: Southeast Christian Church – Louisville, KY
for KING & COUNTRY, recently named “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, made their late night debut on January 10 performing “The Proof Of Your Love” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In 2012, for KING & COUNTRY were named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist. New Release Tuesday noted that Crave was “One of the Best Debut Projects in Years!” ET’s “The Insider” said the duo, “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwritercommented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.”
Lead Single, “He Is With Us,” Is Highest Charting Debut Single Currently on
Billboard’s Christian Songs Chart
Word Entertainment’s breakthrough duo Love & The Outcome released their self-titled debut album on Tuesday to rave reviews and top 5 chart placement on the iTunes’ Christian Albums chart. In addition, their debut single, “He Is With Us,” has skyrocked to No. 13 on Billboard’s Christian Songs chart making it the highest charting debut single currently on the chart and the duo the only new artist inside the top 15. On September 13, Love & The Outcome are kicking off NewSong’s “Swallow The Ocean” tour which is slated to hit Philadelphia, Pa., St. Louis, Mo., Gainesville, Fla., Chesapeake, Va., Lenoir, N.C., and Waycross, Ga. among other cities.
Love & The Outcome have generated quite a buzz since the release of their debut single “He Is With Us” in May. Billboard included them in their “Bubbling Under” section in June which highlights new and noteworthy acts. Additional media have taken notice of the duo with the progression up the chart of their single and the release of their debut album.
NewReleaseTuesday.com: “Love & The Outcome is one of the strongest debut releases of 2013, by a group well worth keeping on your radar.”
BREATHEcast.com: “Love and the Outcome has released one of the promising releases this year.”
ChristianMusicZine.com: “I totally loved Love & The Outcome’s debut album… I suggest that you definitely buy the album when it releases, and Jodi and Chris…ought to be congratulated.”
ChristianRockersOnline.com: “On their self-titled debut release Canadian husband and wife duo Love and the Outcome really hit the mark musically with songs that cruise along like a fine tuned Ferrari with uplifting lyrics filled with God’s hope, promise, and grace.”
IndieVisionMusic.com: “Love and the Outcome’s debut record is a bright highlight that’ll hopefully continue far into the future, with this Canadian outfit getting my vote for best album from a new artist in 2013.”
JesusFreakHideout.com: “this debut works, both as a snapshot in a young couple’s journey and an inspiring, God-centered soundtrack for the traveller in us all.
AlphaOmegaNews.org: “Their self-titled debut is solid and fans of the contemporary pop genre should be getting used to hearing them on the radio and the same would not be disappointed in the album as a whole.”
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Mosley along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). Spring 2013 saw the two back on the road for the “Hundred More Years Tour” supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters over 27 dates. For tour dates and further information please visit www.loveandtheoutcome.com.
Nashville, TN – (September 23, 2013) – Word Entertainment’s Love & The Outcome is one of the top nominees for GMA Canada’s 35th Annual Covenant Awards scheduled to take place in Canada on November 6 in Burlington, ON. The Canadian duo are nominated for “New Artist of the Year,” “Music Video of the Year” for their song “City of God” in addition to “Song of the Year,” “Recorded Song of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year” for their debut single and smash hit, “He Is With Us.” The single, currently No. 11 on Billboard Christian Songs Chart, is also the lead track from their self-titled debut album which was released August 27 to critical acclaim. Love & The Outcome is currently on the road with NewSong for their “Swallow The Ocean Tour” and will join “The Winter Jam 2013 Tour Spectacular” in November.
“It’s such an honour to be nominated alongside our friends and peers,” said Love & The Outcome’s Jodi King. “Chris and I have always written and performed music knowing it’s our best contribution to building God’s Kingdom on earth. We’re so glad to see people joining in and singing along.”
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Mosley along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). Spring 2013 saw the two back on the road for the “Hundred More Years Tour” supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters over 27 dates. For tour dates and further information please visit www.loveandtheoutcome.com
About Word Entertainment A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Title Track / Lead Single Climbs to No. 4 at Hot AC/CHR
(September 24, 2013) – Fervent Records’ soulful vocalist/songwriter Dara Maclean released her sophomore album, Wanted, today to outstanding praise from critics and a Top 5 chart position on iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums Chart. Produced by Paul Mabury (All Sons & Daughters, Hillsong, Meredith Andrews),Wanted is the eagerly-awaited follow-up to her 2011 debut album, You Got My Attention, which garnered her a 2011 Dove Awards’ nomination for “New Artist of the Year.” The album’s lead single and title track, “Wanted,” is currently No. 4 at Hot AC/CHR and climbing.
Early reviews have critics embracing Maclean’s latest effort and comparing her to some the finest voices of today. Here are a few highlights:
“These are the most transparent, vulnerable and authentic lyrics I’ve heard on any album this year. If you like soulful singer-songwriters like Adele, Lana Del Rey and Natasha Bedingfield, you’ll love Wanted by Dara Maclean.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com (5/5 stars)
“Contemporary Christian music has found its Adele with Dara Maclean.” – Digital Journal (4.5/5 stars)
“You won’t find a single ‘bad’ song on this album. For that matter, you won’t even find a ‘take it or leave it’ one….they’re all top notch, making this a five star release…This is a young woman with something to say and an incredible voice to say it with. But don’t just take my word for it; listen for yourself and prepare to fall in love.”– Hallels.com (5/5 stars)
“You’ll definitely be changed from the inside out after these 12 tracks…A must buy…Dara Maclean’s respect is about to go through the roof, and hopefully you all can be a part of her journey!” – Christian Music Zine (4.5/5 stars)
“…this album…is able to stand tall amidst all of these releases, possibly being one of my favourite pop-soul albums of the year.”– Indie Vision Music (4/5 stars)
“Maclean is one of the most promising young artists in Christian music today and Wanted is prime proof of this- don’t expect her to go anywhere anytime soon- just expect her to pick up more and more steam and become one of the biggest names out there.” – The Front Row Report – (9/10 stars)
In support of Wanted, Maclean will participate in a series of Google+ Hangouts with key partners throughout the week. Please see schedule for further information:
Maclean is on tour with Casting Crowns through October and then will join the “Winter Jam Tour Spectacular” through November. This week on Maclean’s website fans can also enter for a chance to win a flyaway to see her on the Casting Crowns tour on October 24 in Lafayette, LA. For further details, please visit www.DaraMaclean.com.
Powerful vocalist and songwriter Dara Maclean first sparked the music industry’s interest with her 2011 debut, You Got My Attention. The album introduced a powerful new voice in Christian pop, steeped in Motown and soul and beaming a heart for the broken and struggling. The LP reached the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Christian Albums chart, and album tracks “Suitcases” and “Free” each hit the Top 20 on Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. “Suitcases” appeared on the 2012 installment of WOW Hits, celebrating Christian radio’s biggest songs, and You Got My Attention closer “Home” was included in The Bible: Music Inspired By The Epic Mini-Series, a companion to the smash History Channel series. The Texas-bred singer-songwriter earned a New Artist of the Year nomination in the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards, and spent nearly two years straight on the road with some of Christian music’s biggest names, including Casting Crowns and Newsong, and on major tours including Winter Jam and the KLOVE Acoustic Christmas Tour. Maclean has earned high critical praise throughout, NewReleaseTuesday including her among its Top 10 New Female Christian Singers in 2012, noting that “Dara displays the strongest vocals I’ve heard in years.” Maclean is also passionate about raising awareness and bringing an end to human trafficking and is an advocate for the International Justice Mission.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DaraMaclean
Twitter: Twitter.com/DaraMaclean
YouTube: YouTube.com/DaraMaclean
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group has signed a new multi-book, major deal, including world rights, with Nick Vujicic, the and internationally best-selling author of Life Without Limits, Unstoppable and Limitless(WaterBrook Press).
Vujicic is the Australian-native, international evangelist, and inspirational speaker born without arms or legs who travels the world speaking to large audiences about living a “ridiculously good life.” He is the founder of Life Without Limbs, an organization that helps share a message of hope to the entire globe. He has been featured on such programs as “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Oprah’s Life Class,” and “60 Minutes.” His books with WaterBrook Press have more than a million copies in print and have been translated into 28 languages.
The first book in the new agreement, tentatively titled Love Without Limits, is scheduled to publish in 2015. It tells Vujicic’s stories of finding his spouse and the birth of his son—both gifts of love from the God of love—and the hope his experience offers for all of us.
“We are thrilled with our publishing relationship with Nick Vujicic,” said Stephen W. Cobb, president and publisher of the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, a division of the Crown Publishing Group. “Nick is an inspiration, reaching millions of people in countries that don’t often hear a message like his. We see a significant future in his ministry and are happy to be a partner in it with him.”
Vujicic is represented by Jan Miller, CEO and founder of Dupree Miller and Associates.
Under his current contract, Vujicic’s fourth non-fiction title, A Bully’s Dream, will release on Apr. 15, 2014. Drawing from his painful, personal experience as a victim of bullies, Vujicic offers compelling advice on how to respond to the negative influence of emotional and physical abuse from peers. He provides encouragement, motivation, and practical directions on how young people can overcome personal challenges, and then, both individually and collectively, work to make their world a better place.
The internationally top-ranked Winter Jam 2013 Tour Spectacular—featuring 10 artists for $10—is set to hit 11 Western cities this fall, headlined by multi-GRAMMY-nominated Newsboys. Once again boasting many of the top names in Christian music, Winter Jam West kicks-off in Los Angeles Nov. 8 at Ontario’s Citizens Business Bank Arena.
Created and hosted by GRAMMY-nominated NewSong, the tour also includes Tenth Avenue North; Thousand Foot Krutch; Plumb; and Building 429, along with a special worship set from Crowder (select cities) or Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill (select cities), in addition to a message from evangelist Nick Hall. The Youth Music Vault Pre-Jam party will feature Love & The Outcome, Everfound, and Dara Maclean.
Winter Jam West is slated to hit Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center; the Rose Garden Arena in Portland; Sacramento, California’s Sleep Train Arena; World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO; Boise, Idaho’s Taco Bell Arena; and Glendale, Arizona’s Jobing.com Arena, among other top venues, before concluding Nov. 24 at the Ft. Worth Convention Center in Ft. Worth, TX.
Promoted by Premier Productions and presented by Holt International, Winter Jam West partners include God’s Not Dead the movie; University of Mobile; PEPSI; Teen Missions International, Xtreme Conferences; Camp Electric; Premier Christian Cruises; Wayne E. Bailey Produce; and Texas TransEastern.
FaithWords (Hachette Book Group) announced that by Joel Osteen has passed the one million mark in sales, 10 months after its publication in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. I Declare is currently available in Spanish and released in trade paperback Aug. 6.
“We knew I Declare was a special book from the beginning,” said Rolf Zettersten, SVP & publisher for Hachette Nashville. “We were confident it would sell a million copies, but it exceeded our expectations by doing so in less than 10 months.”
Broken into 31 segments, I Declare defines the most powerful blessings in Scripture and encourages readers to declare one each day for a month. The declarations affirm God’s blessings in the areas of health, family legacy, decisions, finances, thoughts, outlook, and overcoming obstacles.
Osteen’s new book, Break Out! releases Oct. 1. Break Out! challenges readers to have a new perspective, to let nothing hold them back, and to reject labels that might limit them.
The debut album from Influence Music, We Believe Live, has taken this week’s No. 1 position on the Nielsen / SoundScan Praise & Worship chart. (The chart compiles digital and physical sales and then ranks albums based on total U.S. sales.) The album topped long-time powerhouse artists including Hillsong United, Passion, and Chris Tomlin. Additionally, the album broke into the Top 200, a feat not often reached by worship albums. (The Billboard Top 200 ranks albums in all secular and Christian genres.)
“Having so much momentum around a debut album is unique. It really shows the strength of the songs and the power of our movement,” said Josh Babyar, director of new media for the Assemblies of God (U.S.), which created Influence Music.
According to Sol Arledge, COO of the AG, by focusing on three up-and-coming worship leaders from within the Assemblies of God—Kurtis Parks from National Community Church in Washington, DC (Mark Batterson, lead pastor), Clayton Brooks from The Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, TX (Scott Wilson, senior pastor), and Ryan Williams from River Valley Church in the twin cities area (Rob Ketterling, lead pastor)—the goal was to capture the sound of the movement. “We have so much talent and heritage inside of our local churches,” Arledge said. “We wanted to put some of that art on a platform that unites us in worship.”
Recently, the three artists led worship for the Influence Conference, General Council’s opening service and the youth service on Wednesday night. “It was so powerful,” said Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of AG. “Having this team, all leaders from different regions of our movement, humbly leading the body in worship really ushered in the presence of God in a very special way.”
The group will reunite on Sept. 3 at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), where We Believe Live was recorded during the school’s annual 7:14 Prayer conference. They will lead the student body in worship during the university’s spiritual emphasis week.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today, from Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University, the nominees in 42 categories for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards show will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, at 7:30 p.m. CT. The show will be broadcast on Monday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. ET exclusively on the UP! Television Network. Voting for the final winners will run Sept. 3-24. All tabulations certified by the independent accounting firm, Kraft CPAs PLLC.
Additionally, key partners for this year’s show were announced including Food for the Hungry, Official Humanitarian Partner; Cantinas Ranch, Nominee Lunch Partner; Kia Motors, Dove Cares Red Carpet and HearitFirst.com, Technology Partner. Hearitfirst.com will live stream the red carpet, pre-telecast and other non-broadcast show activities.
The nominees in 22 categories were revealed today during the press conference, and the remaining categories can be found atwww.doveawardsvoting.com/nominees. Included here are five of the top categories announced today.
Artist of the Year
Chris Tomlin, sixstepsrecords
Francesca Battistelli, Fervent
Lecrae, Reach Records
Tamela Mann, TillyMann
TobyMac, ForeFront Records
New Artist of the Year
Capital Kings, Gotee Records
Colton Dixon, Sparrow Records
for King & Country, Fervent
Rhett Walker Band, Essential Records
Tasha Cobbs, EMI Gospel
Song of the Year
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” Matt Redman, (writers) Matt
Redman, Jonas Myrin
“All I Can Do (Thank You),” Mikeschair, (writers) Mike Grayson,
Ben Glover, David Garcia
“Break Every Chain,” Tasha Cobbs, (writer) Will Reagan
“Forgiveness,” Matthew West, (writer) Matthew West
“From My Rags To His Riches,” Devin McGlamery featuring Dailey & Vincent, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored,” Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Larry Gatlin, Bill Gaither
“Hold On,” Canton Junction, (writer) Gerald Crabb
“I’m Learning,” Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Lee Black, Michael Fordinal, Kenna West
“Live Like That,” Sidewalk Prophets, (writers) Dave Fray, Ben McDonald, Ben Glover
“Need You Now (How Many Times),” Plumb, (writers) Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Luke Sheets, Christa Wells
“Not For a Moment (After All),” Meredith Andrews, (writers) Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
“One Thing Remains,” Kristian Stanfill, (writers) Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle
“Redeemed,” Big Daddy Weave, (writers) Mike Weaver, Benji Cowart
Nielsen, a global information and measurement company, and ProQuest affiliate R.R. Bowker, a leading provider of bibliographic information and management solutions, have signed a definitive agreement for Nielsen to acquire Bowker’s Business Intelligence and Commerce Solutions products. This acquisition will build on Nielsen’s existing global book intelligence by adding enhanced offerings in transaction services and sales measurement and analysis.
Bowker’s industry-leading Business Intelligence and Commerce Solutions products will be integrated into Nielsen’s book portfolio upon completion of this acquisition. Nielsen will soon be able to measure the impact of eBook sales in the U.S. and UK and provide insights and trends around the volume and value of books sales by various demographic criteria. Nielsen will also be able to offer for the first time a B2B service that enables retailers to source and order books throughout the English-language book market.
“We are committed to elevating the global book industry’s understanding of print and digital book measurement and discovery within an evolving media landscape,” said Jonathan Nowell, president, books, Nielsen. “Bowker has developed first-rate book analytic solutions, which offer a great complement to Nielsen’s existing solutions for the book industry. We are excited to welcome Bowker’s team to Nielsen, and we will work together to provide our clients with the measurement, tools, insights and linked commerce solutions needed to exceed their current and future expectations.”
“Our commitment at Bowker and ProQuest is to develop solutions that streamline the workflow of our customers,” said ProQuest CEO Kurt Sanford. “By bringing together Nielsen and Bowker analytic services, book publishers will receive the critical data they require to navigate the transition to digital-first publishing, through one tool set from one source, significantly simplifying the collection of business intelligence.”
Bowker will continue to play a key role for book publishers by powering and transforming book discovery. Working closely with its affiliate ProQuest, Bowker will focus on facilitating and enhancing book discovery through technology solutions, such as Syndetic Solutions™ and Summon®, and through identifier services (including ISBNs and ISNIs).
This acquisition of select Bowker products underscores Nielsen’s desire to advance the holistic understanding and supply chain efficiency of the global book industry. Bowker products that will be available as part of the Nielsen Book portfolio include:
· Business Intelligence products: PubTrack ™ Digital, PubTrack ™ Christian, PubTrack™ Higher-Ed, and Bowker Market Research Books & Consumers, Global Ebook Monitor, and custom research
· Commerce Solutions products: PubEasy® and Pubnet®
The Nielsen Book portfolio currently includes BookData, BookNet, Registration Agencies and BookScan.
Selma Wilson, B&H Publishing Group president, announced a strategic shift that will incorporate three of the organization’s key consumer brands under the oversight of Jim Baird, who has led B&H Academic since 2008.
In his new role, Baird will manage B&H Academic, WORDSearch, and CrossBooks with a team comprised of Paul Mikos, who will set strategy for CrossBooks, and Chris Cowan, who will set strategy for B&H Academic.
“Jim’s background and experience in the academic, software, publishing, ministry and business arenas make him uniquely gifted for this role,” Wilson said. “His leadership both internally and externally has helped build B&H Academic as a recognized leader amongst authors and scholars.”
LifeWay acquired the Bible software solutions WORDsearch and QuickVerse in 2011. WORDhas been a provider of Bible study software since 1987, offering over 4,800 Bibles and books that make study faster, easier and more enjoyable. As part of the WORDsearch family of software, QuickVerse has been known for over 20 years as an affordable, easy-to-use Bible software program that can be found in more Christian bookstores and retail outlets than any other Bible software.
Baird sees a natural alignment between B&H Academic and Wordsearch. “As a WORD consumer for many years, I know from experience that we serve well those who teach and preach. We are able to reach the masses through all forms of technology including desktop, iOS app, cloud and coming soon the Android app,” Baird said.
Author Sally Lloyd-Jones’ top-selling The Jesus Storybook Bible(Zonderkidz, 2007) has surpassed one million units sold.
Since its debut, The Jesus Storybook Bible has been published in eight different formats including a church curriculum, and collector’s edition with award-winning audio narrated by David Suchet and animated videos. This storybook Bible has been published in 19 different languages worldwide and is the narrative of 44 Bible stories of a young Jesus who comes to win back his lost treasure. Readers of all ages have been impacted by the story of God’s love for his children and how he came to rescue them.
As the storybook Bible gained in popularity, so did its broad appeal. “The Jesus Storybook Bible”spans across all ages being used in men’s and women’s ministry groups, prison ministries, seminary classes and endorsed by several pastors. Just this year, was put on the list of recommended titles for Bible Study Fellowship.
Accompanied with original and unique illustrations by artist Jago, The Jesus Storybook Bible has received several notable awards including the Mom’s Choice Award, Moonbeam Award, and NAPPA Award. It has been mentioned in thousands of blogs, magazines, newspapers, and trade reviews.
“One million units is nothing short of incredible,” commented Annette Bourland, SVP and group publisher of Zondervan Books. “Sally and Jago create such inspiration in all of their works and we are thrilled to share this milestone. Our continued focus on making this available to more people will bless children, families, churches, and other organizations who want to plant the seed of Christ.”
Selma Wilson, B&H Publishing Group president, announced a strategic shift that will incorporate three of the organization’s key consumer brands under the oversight of Jim Baird, who has led B&H Academic since 2008.
In his new role, Baird will manage B&H Academic, WORDSearch, and CrossBooks with a team comprised of Paul Mikos, who will set strategy for CrossBooks, and Chris Cowan, who will set strategy for B&H Academic.
“Jim’s background and experience in the academic, software, publishing, ministry and business arenas make him uniquely gifted for this role,” Wilson said. “His leadership both internally and externally has helped build B&H Academic as a recognized leader amongst authors and scholars.”
LifeWay acquired the Bible software solutions WORDsearch and QuickVerse in 2011. WORDhas been a provider of Bible study software since 1987, offering over 4,800 Bibles and books that make study faster, easier and more enjoyable. As part of the WORDsearch family of software, QuickVerse has been known for over 20 years as an affordable, easy-to-use Bible software program that can be found in more Christian bookstores and retail outlets than any other Bible software.
Baird sees a natural alignment between B&H Academic and Wordsearch. “As a WORD consumer for many years, I know from experience that we serve well those who teach and preach. We are able to reach the masses through all forms of technology including desktop, iOS app, cloud and coming soon the Android app,” Baird said.
Likewise, CrossBooks, launched in 2009, offers traditional and self-publishing, a process that entails meeting the same rigorous theological standards of B&H Academic and its parent company B&H Publishing Group.
Allan Fisher, Crossway’s SVP and publisher for books, retired in July, after serving as Crossway’s book publisher over the last eight years. Before joining Crossway, Fisher began his publishing career nearly 40 years ago at Baker Publishing Group, where he served as director of publications, later holding the same position for five years at P&R Publishing.
As Crossway president Dr. Lane Dennis noted, “We are deeply grateful to Allan Fisher for the enormous contribution he has made to the Crossway publishing program—but much more than this, to all of Christian publishing throughout his distinguished career as an editor and publisher. Allan has overseen publication of well over a thousand books during his career—books that have had an immeasurable impact for the sake of the gospel and edification of the church.”
As of Aug. 15, Crossway announced the appointment of Justin Taylor to the position of SVP and publisher for books, held previously by Allan Fisher. Justin came to Crossway in 2006, serving most recently as VP for book publishing. Before coming to Crossway, Justin served as the director of theological and educational development at Desiring God. He received his Master of Arts degree in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary, and he is currently working on a PhD at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Taylor has co-edited numerous books and is well known through his daily blog, “Between Two Worlds,” which is widely recognized as one of the most influential Christian blogs.
“It is my delight,” Lane Dennis said, “to welcome Justin in his new role as Crossway’s Publisher for Books. Justin has already made a tremendous contribution to our publishing program, and he is highly qualified both theologically and personally to carry forward the Crossway mission and ministry in this new position.”
“I am honored beyond words to accept the position of Crossway’s Publisher for Books,” Justin Taylor noted. “Allan Fisher has made an indelible mark on Christian publishing, and it has been a great privilege to be mentored by him in preparation for this role. By God’s grace, under the leadership of Dr. Lane Dennis and the Crossway board, our desire is that Crossway would continue to be a pacesetter for faithful gospel-centered publishing for generations to come.”
Similarly, Fisher notes, “Having worked with Justin for more than five years, I could not be happier about his becoming Crossway’s next Publisher for Books. Though attaining this position at a relatively young age, he has clearly demonstrated his readiness for the position. Bringing together a devotion to Christ, keen theological insight, and personal warmth, Justin will make a lasting contribution in the world of Christian publishing.”
While Allan Fisher will be retiring from his current position, he will continue to work part-time at Crossway in the area of Bible publishing rights and will be advising Crossway on specific key projects.
Daniel Bashta, Integrity Music worship leader and writer of “Like A Lion (God’s Not Dead),” will take his music on the road this fall, visiting 38 cities across the U.S. with guest speaker Cody Deese for the free “Strip Everything Away Tour.”
Referencing the lyrics “strip everything away ‘til all I have is You” from his song “Pursuit,” Bashta launches the tour at the Salvation Army Church in Anaheim, CA, on Sept. 5 with stops in 19 states before concluding at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Burlington, NJ, on Nov. 18. A list of tour dates and cities follows below with information also available at .
Women of Faith, the nation’s largest live event for Christian women, will host , a brand new, in-depth Bible study event happening in 2014, featuring five of this generation’s most gifted Bible teachers, Beth Moore, Christine Caine, Priscilla Shirer, Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper, together on one platform for the first time.
Unwrap the Bible will take place Feb. 21-22, 2014, at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, and is expected to draw thousands of women from across the country seeking transformational Bible teaching. Women of Faith will encourage those who attend this event to open their Bible and experience God’s Word in a new way.
“This gathering is a dream come true for me,” said Christine Caine, Bible Teachers and Founder of A21, an organization seeking to abolish injustice in the 21st century. “This is a new day full of passion, purpose, unity, faith, hope and love. We have prayed, planned and prepared and are expecting Jesus to do great things in our midst. It won’t be the same without you.”
The Hands & Feet Project, in partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation, announced their next big event to raise awareness for the children of Haiti. This Septe. 6, join Audio Adrenaline and a few of their friends at their “Run For Joy” 5K Celebrity Fun Run to be held in Orlando, FL, during Disney World’s Night Of Joy music event, where you can run for the orphaned and abandoned children of Haiti along with your favorite artists!
Sign up to run and to fundraise for your favorite artists’ team that are already confirmed to participate in “Run For Joy.” You can join in on Team Audio A to support the members of Audio Adrenaline, Team Colton Dixon, Team For King And Country, Team KJ-52, as well as Team All Things New, Team Kutless, and more are being announced soon.
For only $30 per person, each participant receives registration to the race, an artist swag bag, a race t-shirt, race day breakfast, as well as a fundraising page to help raise funds and awareness for the Hands & Feet Project. The Hands & Feet Project is comprised of two children’s villages in Cyvadier/Jacmel and Grand Goave, Haiti, which cares for 100 orphans and abandonded Haitian children.
To find out more about Run For Joy Celebrity 5K and to register for the race, visit Hands & Feet Project.
So I wanted to let you guys know of a little secret.
David Cook Publishers has this website where they give away free ebooks every week. And its the greatest thing in the world. I am signed to their email list so every week I get an email letting me know that a new ebook is available for download. And the second I get that email I am on it like white on rice. So I thought you guys might want in on the fun.
You have the option of signing up for the weekly emails like I am.
Over the course of the last few months I have gotten a ton of free books from all kinds of authors like Francis Chan, Warren Wiersbe, Britt Merrick, Louie Giglio, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Brennan Manning, you name it. Every week I get a new book free.
Just this past week they gave away James MacDonald’s book “Vertical Church” which sells for $22.99 ebook kindle version. So that was a massive steal.
Internationally-renowned singer-songwriter Jason Castro will make his TV acting debut when he appears in the UP original movie, “The Perfect Summer,” scheduled to air on the network on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. EDT. In the inspirational sun-and-surf family drama, which stars Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Eric Roberts (“The Dark Knight,” “The Expendables”) and Daytime Emmy nominee Sydney Penny (“All My Children,” “The New Gidget”), he takes on the role of Cody, the local surf shop owner. Several of his songs will also be featured on “The Perfect Summer” soundtrack. On July 11, Castro, who recently wrapped up a co-headlining tour with Ryan Cabrera, is scheduled to embark on a week-long expedition with “I am Second” to Colombia, South America. This fall he can be seen on Matthew West’s “Into the Light Tour” which will also feature label mates Sidewalk Prophets. Castro’s current single, “Rise To You,” and second from his recently released Word debut album, continues to scale the charts.
“The Perfect Summer,” directed by Gary Wheeler (“Somebody’s Child,” “The Heart of Christmas”) and written by Nathan Scoggins and Wheeler, was filmed over a two-week period this spring in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. In addition, the concept for the script was based around Castro after Wheeler and Word Records selected him as the perfect artist to joint venture a film around. “Making ‘The Perfect Summer’ was such an incredible experience that I cannot wait to share with the world,” said Castro. “The cast and crew were amazing to work with. Also, I am delighted that several songs from my new CD are used in the film. I hope everyone enjoys it!”
In the film fatherless teenager Jake (Adam Horner) is uprooted from Chicago by his mother who decides to move them to a small surfing town where her estranged father lives. Now stuck in a small town with no friends, he has nowhere to turn until Cody (Castro) reveals that Jake’s grandfather is a surf legend. Tired of feeling like an outcast and wanting to impress Katie, he asks his grandfather to teach him how to surf. Jake learns to face his fears and push through his inhibitions and realizes that winning the respect of his new peers means facing the biggest challenge of his life.
July 11 – 20 will see Castro in Colombia, South America, for an “I am Second” expedition. The movement is meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others and discover their purpose in life. “Jason has a long-standing relationship with the ‘I am Second’ movement and a short film about his personal story can be found at iamsecond.com,” commented John Humphrey, Director of Communications for “I am Second.” “This week he and his father are helping host an ‘I am Second’ Youth conference for nearly 2,000 students, telling Colombians about Jesus during the day and participating in ‘I am Second’ small groups in the evening. The expedition is organized e3 Partners, the parent ministry for ‘I am Second,’ which has worked with churches in Colombian outreach for nearly 20 years.”
Immediately following the trip, Castro will join up with Matthew West for his “Into the Light Tour” which departs on September 26 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. For further information and a complete list of tour dates visit www.jasoncastro.com.
About Jason Castro:
Internationally-renowned recording artist and “American Idol” contestant Jason Castro has topped radio charts in multiple countries, including: Norway, Singapore and The Philippines. His self-titled debut album entered the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at No. 18. Throughout his career, Jason has appeared on television shows such as “TODAY,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Access Hollywood” and “The Bachelor”and has appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone, USA Today and The New York Times. Castro just released his Word Entertainment debut album, Only A Mountain, January 15, 2013.
About Word Entertainment A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Nashville, TN – (August 6, 2013) – Australian duo for KING & COUNTRY’s forthcoming project, Hope Is What We Crave │Live, is scheduled for release on August 27 on Fervent Records and is available for pre-order now atforkingandcountry.com. This CD/DVD package was filmed at The Factory in Franklin, TN, on the final night of their first headlining tour, “The Proof Of Your Love Tour,” in November 2012.
Hope Is What We Crave │Live features nine live performances from for KING & COUNTRY’s debut album, Crave, which was named iTunes’ “Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Album of 2012.” The set also includes their hit single and Amazon.com’s Christian music “Song of the Year” for 2012, “The Proof Of Your Love,” and the band’s new single, “Hope Is What We CRAVE,” currently climbing the charts.” In addition to the CD featuring live audio, the package includes long-form concert footage, their critically-acclaimed music video for “The Proof Of Your Love (The Monologue Remix)” and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the shoot.
“To you who we’ve met at shows over the last few years, you know that playing music live is our life’s blood” said for KING & COUNTRY’s Joel. “We’ve poured so much into this DVD/CD with the intent to give you a moving, honest and first class view of our show that has not been seen like this… Until today!”
The band has put together two pre-sale offers featuring the forthcoming release, exclusive bonus audio and video, autographed and personalized merchandise, and more!
2. Light It Up: From the Rooftop – Live Performance
3. Middle Of Your Heart – Live Performance
4. Missing – Live Performance
5. Pushing On A Pull Door – Live Performance
6. Busted Heart (Hold On To Me) – Live Performance
7. Baby Boy – Live Performance
8. Crave – Live Performance
9. The Proof Of Your Love (The Monologue Mix) – Live Performance
10. The Proof Of Your Love Official Music Video
11. An Inside Look: Making The Music Video
12. An Inside Look: The Song + Music Video
13. An Inside Look: A Busted Heart
14. An Inside Look: Love’s To Blame, Missing, and People Change
15. Busted heart (Hold On To Me) – In-Studio Acoustic Performance (Recorded Live at KLOVE Studios in Rocklin, CA)
16. The Proof Of Your Love – In-Studio Acoustic Performance (Recorded Live at KLOVE Studios in Rocklin, CA)
17. Middle Of Your Heart – In-Studio Acoustic Performance (Recorded Live at KLOVE Studios in Rocklin, CA)
CD Track Listing: Live audio from Hope Is What We Crave | LIVE
1. Fine Fine Life
2. Light It Up
3. Middle Of Your Heart
4. Missing
5. Pushing On A Pull Door
6. Busted Heart (Hold On To Me)
7. Baby Boy
8. Crave
9. The Proof Of Your Love (The Monologue Mix)
for KING & COUNTRY, recently named “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, made their late night debut on January 10 performing “The Proof Of Your Love” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In 2012, for KING & COUNTRY were named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch and were CCM’s best-selling new artist. New Release Tuesday noted that Crave was “One of the Best Debut Projects in Years!” ET’s “The Insider” said the duo, “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwriter commented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.”
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
The first is the music video for “Love Walked In,” the title track of their new EP releasing next month.
You can also watch the video of the story behind the song, where you’ll hear Elissa share how the tragic news of the Newtown, CT shootings inspired her to write the line “…into the grieving, love walked in,” and to share the message that no one is beyond the redeeming power of God’s love.
Title Track / Lead Single Climbs to No. 8 at Hot AC/CHR
Nashville, TN – (August 20, 2013) – Fervent Records’ soulful singer/songwriter Dara Maclean’s sophomore effort Wanted, due out on September 24, is available for pre-order now at DaraMaclean.com. The album’s title track and lead single climbed to No. 8 at Hot AC/CHR and jumped two spots to No. 28 at NCA. Produced by Paul Mabury (All Sons & Daughters, Hillsong, Meredith Andrews), Wanted is the eagerly-awaited follow-up to Maclean’s debut album,You Got My Attention, which entered the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums chart at No. 1 in 2011 and garnered her a spot as one of their “New Artists to Watch.”
Fans of Maclean can pre-order two Wanted-themed packages featuring the album, two bonus songs, a “Wanted” lyric top and a journal which Dara will personalize for each fan.
You Are Wanted Journal, Autographed and Personalized to You From Dara
For Maclean, both a passionate artist and advocate for the International Justice Mission, an organization that is pioneering the fight against human trafficking, this album is much more than just a compilation of songs. “This album is for those broken, the lost and the ones in need of rescue. It’s for me and it’s for them, whether ‘they’ are next door or halfway across the world. This record is a reminder that through God’s grace and redemption, He has made us good enough, He sees us as ‘blameless.’ We’ve been forgiven and we can find the peace, satisfaction and rest we’re looking for in Him,” said Maclean. “This record is my mouthpiece to raise the volume of the already screaming heartbeat of the Father, crying ‘Set My People Free.’ When life hits in the hardest ways, and you need peace and you need an answer, let’s take Him at His word and together learn about truth, discover sustaining hope and put all of our trust in the only answer, God.”
During the past two years Maclean, who embraces songwriting equally as much as being a vocalist, wrote heavily in preparation for this album. She co-wrote each of the 12 tracks on Wanted and loved getting to write with some of her favorites including Paul Mabury, Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman), Dave Barnes (Blake Shelton, Bebo Norman) and Cindy Morgan (Amy Grant, Mark Schultz).
Wanted Track Listing:
Wanted
Our Only Hope
Set My People Free
Love Is
Good Enough
Step Into The Light
Blameless
You Are All I Need
Nobody But You
I Am Blessed
Made
Find Rest
In September, Maclean will be appearing at Rock The Universe in Orlando, FL, and the “Girls of Grace” conference in Houston, TX, prior to joining Casting Crowns out on the road. For further details, please visitwww.DaraMaclean.com.
Dara Maclean’s Upcoming Tour Dates:
Aug. 20: Victory Bible Institute – Tulsa, OK
Sept. 6-7: Rock The Universe – Orlando, FL
Sept. 21: Girls of Grace – Sugar Land, TX
Sept. 28: First Christian Church – Wauchula, FL
Oct. 3: The Shield w/ Casting Crowns – Mountain Home, AR
Oct. 4: Jack Howard Theater – Monroe Civic Center w/ Casting Crowns – Monroe, LA
Oct. 10: International Community Church w/ Casting Crowns – Frederick, MD
Oct. 11: Temple Baptist Church w/ Casting Crowns – New Bern, NC
Oct. 12: Stabler Arena w/ Casting Crowns – Bethlehem, PA
Oct. 17: Viaero Event Center w/ Casting Crowns – Kearney, NE
Oct. 18: Heritage Hall w/ Casting Crowns – Adrmore, OK
Oct. 24: First Baptist Church w/ Casting Crowns – Lafayette, LA
Oct. 25: Whitesburg Baptist Church w/ Casting Crowns – Huntsville, AL
Oct. 26: Crossroads Arena w/ Casting Crowns – Corinth, MS
About Dara Maclean:
Powerful vocalist and songwriter Dara Maclean first sparked the music industry’s interest with her 2011 debut, You Got My Attention. The album introduced a powerful new voice in Christian pop, steeped in Motown and soul and beaming a heart for the broken and struggling. The LP reached the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Christian Albums chart, and album tracks “Suitcases” and “Free” each hit the Top 20 on Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. “Suitcases” appeared on the 2012 installment of WOW Hits, celebrating Christian radio’s biggest songs, and You Got My Attentioncloser “Home” was included in The Bible: Music Inspired By The Epic Mini-Series, a companion to the smash History Channel series. The Texas-bred singer-songwriter earned a New Artist of the Year nomination in the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards, and spent nearly two years straight on the road with some of Christian music’s biggest names, including Casting Crowns and Newsong, and on major tours including Winter Jam and the KLOVE Acoustic Christmas Tour. Maclean has earned high critical praise throughout, NewReleaseTuesday including her among its Top 10 New Female Christian Singers in 2012, noting that “Dara displays the strongest vocals I’ve heard in years.” Maclean is also passionate about raising awareness and bringing an end to human trafficking and is an advocate for the International Justice Mission.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DaraMaclean
Twitter: Twitter.com/DaraMaclean
YouTube: YouTube.com/DaraMaclean
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, NEEDTOBREATHE, Point Of Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Switchfoot and We As Human and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Four-time GRAMMY®-nominated band Newsboys plans to “take the music further” than ever before with their new album, Restart, set to hit stores on September 10. Boasting a discography of 16 records and over eight million albums sold, Restart will be the third studio album with Michael Tait at the helm and combines the pop, worship and rock that fans embraced from the first two albums, Born Again and God’s Not Dead. In the nearly four years since Tait joined the band, over 650,000 records have been sold, while five singles have attained No. 1 status on the radio charts.
Musically, the Newsboys are driven to recast themselves with the pop-spirited new album and have already proven to be successful as their first single “Live With Abandon” reached No. 20 on the National Christian Audience chart this week. The single has also broken into the Top 10 at Christian Hot AC at No. 6.
“At the start of this record two years ago, we knew we’d be taking great risks, but people will be excited about this album because we’ve pushed the music and taken it further than we’ve ever taken it before,” says front man Michael Tait. “I have not felt this way about anything I’ve been involved in musically since Jesus Freak.”
The lyric video for “Live With Abandon” is now available here.
Fans of the Newsboys can look forward to their dynamic live performance as the band gears up for another extensive touring schedule this fall. For the most updated tour schedule and information, visit http://www.Newsboys.com.
About Newsboys:
Four-time GRAMMY®-nominated band Newsboys boasts an impressive track record with 16 albums, five gold certifications, 25 No. 1 radio hits and close to 8 million units sold over their multi-decade career. This rock and pop-driven worship band includes front man Michael Tait (vocals) and his band mates who’ve played together for two decades – Jody Davis (guitar), Jeff Frankenstein (keys) and Duncan Phillips (drums). Their 2010 release, Born Again, saw the largest street week of their careers, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and garnering three No. 1 hits. Their 2012 record, God’s Not Dead, has sold over 300,000 copies and it’s title song, “God’s Not Dead,” topped the CHR radio format for seven weeks in a row. Renown for their heart-pumping live concerts, the tight knit Newsboys unit continues to headline shows in the U.S. and around the world. Their new album, Restart, is set to hit stores on September 10, 2013.
The idea of paying for chips felt so counter to everything a great Mexican restaurant stood for.
But in the last few years, I’ve learned how awesome Chipotle actually is.
I think their food is fresh, fast and delicious.
I’m a big fan.
That’s why I was excited when I saw their new promotion.
Right now, you can win burritos for 20 years!
The ad shows a treasure chest full of gold-plated burritos.
That is awesome and actually ends up being a great lesson in perceived value.
Do you know what 20 years of burritos is actually worth?
$9,300.
That’s not a ton of money for a company who had a net—not gross—income of $278 million in 2012 to give away as a grand prize. In fact, on average, Chipotle makes $9 per person and serves 300 people an hour. So in less than four hours they have made that amount of money. They actually serve approximately 750,000 customers every day. Granted, there are a ton of expenses, but at the end of the day, it’s a small prize.
Why did Chipotle do it then?
Because sometimes perceived value matters more than real value.
When people see a treasure chest of gold burritos they don’t think, I bet after taxes that represents a total of about $5,000. They made $278 million and they’re giving me $5,000. Pretty amazing!
No, people see this and think about free burritos (one a week) for 20 years! That has a much bigger perceived value than real value. And that’s key for you to remember any time you launch a dream that requires fans, friends or shoppers. And Chipotle actually has real value because the total amount of prizes they are giving away is around $400,000.
The big win, however—the best thing you can do—is to combine perceived value with real value.
That’s why we created the Start Society. It’s essentially a VIP experience for the Start Conference this September. The title “VIP” has some perceived value, but without real value it’s useless.
So we added:
Pre-event, one-on-one coaching with me.
Reserved, VIP seating
Invitation to dinner at Mangia with me and special guests
Entry to Start Society VIP lounge
Free ticket to Friday’s writer workshop
Exclusive pre- and post-event group conference calls with me
Discount on marketplace booth rental
Private access to bonus content
Other surprises and exclusive giveaways
We then priced it lower than most conferences make you pay for a regular ticket.
As you build your dream, you must have perceived value. That gets people in the door. That helps people actually notice you among all the noise. Once they are there, though, you have to give them real value or they will leave.
The Sonflowerz, known for their worshipful and inspiring pop songs, including “My Adoration” and “By Faith,” have launched a Kickstarter campaign in support of a new EP as well as a devotional book and a ministry-focused, interactive tour for tween and teen-aged girls.
The Colorado-based sisters, Elissa Leander Tipps and Becca Leander Nicholson, have been ministering together since their own teen years when given the opportunity by their church to share a song they had written. Fast forward 13 years, countless concerts and six albums, and the duo find themselves coming full circle with hearts focused on ministering to young girls.
“From that first moment of sharing our songs, we’ve had a desire to use music as a tool to be a voice to and for young women,” explains Elissa. “We said ‘yes’ to God and continued to write, sing and speak where He led, often finding ourselves in places we never imagined – from a small town near Southhampton, England to Lifeway’s You And Your Girl conferences that drew thousands of moms and daughters from around the U.S.”
Launching the The Sonflowerz Kickstarter Campaign, Elissa and Becca hope to engage their fans of all ages in being part of the development of their new 6-song EP Love Walked In, which is set to release September 10. The campaign will also help fund a 30-day devotional book titled “Made To Shine,” which was inspired by conversations with young girls and named after a song written for a victim of bullying. Along with the EP and book, the duo will embark on a ministry-focused tour of Made to Shine events for girls ages 10-18.
For The Sonflowerz, writing songs is just the beginning. “Girls fight against all kinds of obstacles in our culture,” says Becca. “Peer pressure alone brings an onslaught of identity crisis, self-hatred, depression and loneliness. Add in the fatherless factor, which nearly one-third of kids in the U.S. live with, and you have a desperate generation of girls in need of love.”
“So at the events, we will spend time speaking from the book and performing songs from our new recording,” adds Elissa. “We’ll break through peer pressure, common lies they believe, answer their questions and reveal to them their true identity as daughters of God… each song, every word and all that we do is to point them to Jesus. Hopefully our friends will want to come alongside and be a part of it.”
For more information on The Sonflowerz, including album, book and tour updates along with free chord charts, visit http://www.sonflowerz.com.
Word Entertainment’s breakthrough duo Love & The Outcome are scheduled to release their self-titled debut album on August 27. The 11-track collection is available for pre-order today at loveandtheoutcome.com and features their debut single, “He Is With Us.” The song has soared to No. 17 on Billboard’s Christian Songs chart making it the highest charting debut single currently on the chart. In their Canadian homeland it is closing in on the Top 10 with a chart position of No. 12 on the CCRC chart.
Co-Produced by Seth Mosley (Newsboys), Ben Glover (for KING & COUNTRY), David Garcia (TobyMac) and Jeff Pardo (Matthew West), Love & The Outcome balances Chris’ rock sensibilities with Jodi’s love of melodic pop artists. In addition, the duo’s influence is also revealed in the lyrics as they had a hand in writing each of the 11 tracks on the album. The pre-order packages reflect the personal nature of the album and include exclusive music and a collectible shadowbox featuring a polaroid from the duo’s photo shoot. Each deluxe package will be personally inscribed and signed by Jodi and Chris.
Currently Love & The Outcome are on the road playing dates with the following upcoming shows:
August 3 – Covenant Ranch – Caddo Mills, TX
August 9 – Knoebels Amusement Resort – Elysburg, PA
August 10 – Royal Tailor @ Back to School Bash – Harrisonburg, VA
August 11 – Indiana State Fair – Indianapolis, IN
August 17 – First Baptist Church – Newcastle, OK
August 19 – Young Harris College – Young Harris, GA
August 21 – Cornerstone Church – East Longmeadow, MA
August 22 – Crossroads Church – Pelham, NH
August 23 – Sunday River Resort – Newry, ME
August 24 – Keswick Landing Mall – Keswick, Canada
August 25 – Nu Café – Worcester, MA
August 31 – Van Wert County Fair – Van Wert, OH
September 14 – Chesapeake City Park – Chesapeake, VA
September 20 – J.E. Broyhill Civic Center – Hudson, NC
September 21 – Spirit University – Portsmouth, OH
September 22 – Elevation Community Church – Blanchester, OH
October 5 – Community Hope Center – Cottage Hills, IL
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Mosley along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). Spring 2013 saw the two back on the road for the “Hundred More Years Tour” supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters over 27 dates. For tour dates and further information please visit www.loveandtheoutcome.com.
About Word Entertainment A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
VERSE
On the mountain
In the valley
Everywhere I go
You are with me
Right beside me
You never let me go
The Messiah
The Almighty
Saviour of my soul
Saviour of my soul
In the daylight
In the shadow
Your faithfulness untold
You surround me
And protect me
Guiding as I go
The Messiah
The Almighty
Saviour of my soul
Saviour of my soul
PRE-CHORUS
There is nowhere I can run
There is nowhere I can hide
And if I ever lose my way
You’re calling out my name
You’re calling out my name
CHORUS
And only You can save us Jesus
Only You can heal us Jesus
Only You can fix this Jesus
Only You Jesus
BRIDGE
The boroughs have been opened
The broken have been chosen
The city is becoming alive in You
VERSE
I have this hope
As an anchor for my soul
Through every storm
I will hold to You
With endless love
All my fear is swept away
In everything
I will trust in You
CHORUS
There is hope in the promise of the cross
You gave everything to save the world You love
And this hope is an anchor for my soul
Our God will stand
Unshakeable
VERSE
Unchanging One
You who was and is to come
Your promise sure
You will not let go
BRIDGE
Your Name is higher
Your Name is greater
All my hope is in You
Your word unfailing
Your promise unshaken
All my hope is in You
VERSE
When the mountains fall
And the tempest roars You are with me
When creation folds
Still my soul will soar on Your mercy
PRE-CHORUS
I’ll walk through the fire
With my head lifted high
And my spirit revived in Your story
And I’ll look to the cross
As my failure is lost
In the light of Your glorious grace
CHORUS
Let the ruins come to life
In the beauty of Your Name
Rising up from the ashes
God forever You reign
And my soul will find refuge
In the shadow of Your wings
I will love You forever
And forever I’ll sing
VERSE
When the world caves in
Still my hope will cling to Your promise
Where my courage ends
Let my heart find strength in Your presence
VERSE
For we know the truth
Your truth has set us free
In Your Name alone
We have been released
You are here with us
You are here with us
We are slaves no more
Freedom is our hope
Never looking back
Jesus You are Lord
We give all to You
We give all to You
CHORUS
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
There is freedom
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
Chains are broken
Eyes are open
Christ is with us
Christ is with us
VERSE
Who the Son has freed
He is free indeed
All our sin is gone
We have been redeemed
Jesus paid it all
Jesus paid it all
BRIDGE
Open wide the gates of heaven
Fill our hearts as we surrender
Lord let Your presence fall
Lord let Your presence fall
Open wide the gates of heaven
We will worship You forever
Lord let Your presence fall
Lord let Your presence fall
VERSE
When waters rise all around me
When mountains stand in the path I see
I look to love that’s unfailing
I look to grace that is all I need
PRE-CHORUS
Oh call
Call upon the Name
Jesus Christ
The only Name that saves
CHORUS
For there is no one like our God
There’s no one like our God
There’s nothing that can stand against You
There’s no stronghold You can’t break
No life that You can’t save
Our God You never fail
VERSE
Your light will shine through the darkness
Your word will calm every crashing wave
My hope it lies in Your promise
My faith it stands on the empty grave
BRIDGE
Strong through every trial
Faithful through the night
Our God will never fail
Our God will never fail
Anchor through the flood
You keep holding on
I know You’ll never fail
Jesus You’ll never fail
You hide, I want to find You, go
And I will follow You
I want to be where You are
As you move, I’m right beside You, oh
I’m running after You
I want to be where You are
I’m chasing You
I’m so in love
Captivated, I just can’t get enough
I’ll spend my days
Running after Your heart
Your heart, Your heart, Whoa
I’m chasing You
With all my love
Captivated, I just can’t get enough
I’ll spend my days
Running after Your heart
Your heart, Your heart, Whoa
Heart, You’ve won me heart and soul
And where You lead I’ll go
I want to be where You are
From the moment I rise, to the moment I sleep
My affection is for You, and even as I dream
I want to know you, I’m after Your heart
This life, this love, was always meant to be
A wild, crazy adventure, discovering
The thrill, the rush, the more of You I see
The more it leaves me wanting
You’re everything, You’re everything
The wind and waves surround me And I’m tossed, Feel like I’m drowning I am tired, I am weak I need You here with me ‘Cause I can feel the rising tide But I don’t have the strength to fight I feel clouded and confused I need You here with me
Chorus: In the chaos of the storm I have drifted far; far away But I call out Your name ‘Cause You are just a breath A breath away
Then through the shadows Your light appears I’ve known You’re with me But now it is clear I can feel You Jesus All around
Like sun on my skin Warm to the touch Here You surround me I am held by love I can feel You Jesus all around
Now hope is rushing through my veins With everything You’ve rearranged
I am peaceful; I am brave When You’re here with me
All my questions find their answers here When You come You change the atmosphere I am focused; I am clear When You’re here with me
Chorus: In the chaos of the storm I have drifted far; far away But I call out Your name ‘Cause You are just a breath A breath away
Then through the shadows You’re light appears I’ve known You’re with me But now its is clear I can feel You Jesus all around
Like sun on my skin Warm to the touch Here You surround me I am held by love I can feel You Jesus all around
There is nothing in this world That will satisfy my soul like You do (2)
Then through the shadows You’re light appears I’ve known You’re with me But now its is clear I can feel You Jesus all around
Like sun on my skin Warm to the touch Here You surround me I am held by love I can feel You Jesus all around
Though the storm it rages I won’t be moved I won’t be shaken I’m anchored in You I can feel You Jesus all around
Then through the shadows You’re light appears I’ve known You’re with me But now its is clear I can feel You Jesus all around
Acclaimed worship leader and two-time GRAMMY® winner Matt Redman announces the release of his new live album Your Grace Finds Me due September 24. The forthcoming release from sixstepsrecords follows his heralded 2011 project and its RIAA certified gold anthem title track, 10,000 Reasons. This year alone “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” has won two GRAMMY® awards, a Billboard Music Awards and was named ASCAP’s Christian Music Song of the Year. Continuing the momentum from “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” is the new album’s lead single “Your Grace Finds Me” which drops at radio on August 2.
Redman shares about Your Grace Finds Me and the inspiring new songs: here.
Redman recently finished recording the 12-track project at Passion City Church’s ‘LIFT: A Worship Leader Collective’ in Atlanta, GA. The event was hosted by Louie Giglio and GRAMMY® winner Chris Tomlin and included worship leaders from all across the country. The record follows suit with 10,000 Reasons, which was also recorded at the annual LIFT conference. This fall, Matt Redman will embark on a European tour along with Martin Smith. For more information on the “God’s Great Dance Floor – Worship Tour” visit: www.MattRedman.com.
Track Listing for Your Grace Finds Me:
*not final sequence
1. Sing and Shout
2. Jesus, Only Jesus
3. Your Grace Finds Me
4. Mercy
5. This Beating Heart
6. One Name Alone
7. Good Forever
8. Wide as the Sky
9. Let My People Go (for the A21 Campaign)
10. Come and See
11. I Need You Now
12. Benediction
About Matt Redman:
Matt Redman is a key songwriter for today’s church and active worship leader for Passion conferences around the world. Leading a generation of worshipers, his songs have been recorded by Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, David Crowder*Band, Israel Houghton, Jeremy Camp, Jesus Culture and Passion, among others. He won his first GRAMMY® awards earlier this year for the powerful hit, “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” which won for both “Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance” and “Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.” Among artists Frank Ocean, fun., Mumford & Sons, Chick Corea and Esperanza Spalding, Redman was one of six artists with two GRAMMY® wins at the award show. Adding to his GRAMMY® awards this year, Redman’s “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” was certified RIAA gold and named ASCAP’s Christian Music Song of the Year and “Top Christian Song” at the Billboard Music Awards. “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” has spent over 19 weeks at No. 1 and over 30 non-consecutive weeks in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Christian/Gospel Digital Songs chart. Additionally, Redman has 26 songs in the CCLI Top 500, with six populating the Top 50.
Word Entertainment’s Love & The Outcome is joining forces with multiple partners to unveil the music video for their debut single, “He Is With Us.” Today the video can be seen exclusively atNewreleasetuesday.com followed with premieres on Monday at both K-LOVE and the Canadian outlet, 100 Huntley Street’s Crossroads 360. On Tuesday, July 16, the video will be made available for purchase on iTunes. Filmed in Toronto, Canada, “He Is With Us” intersperses dynamic performance footage of Jodi and Chris with Love & The Outcome’s signature graffiti text to create an engaging video that underscores the song’s powerful lyrics. The duo’s debut single has skyrocketed into the Top 20 since its release in May with Billboard including them in its “Bubbling Under” section on new and noteworthy acts. “He Is With Us” is the lead single from Love & The Outcome’s self-titled debut album due out on August 27.
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Seth Mosley along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). Spring 2013 saw the two back on the road for the “Hundred More Years Tour” supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters over 27 dates. For tour dates and further information please visit http://www.loveandtheoutcome.com.
About Word Entertainment A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Click here to view the new music video for “He Is With Us” from Love & The Outcome. Filmed in Toronto, Canada, “He Is With Us” intersperses dynamic performance footage of Jodi and Chris with Love & The Outcome’s signature graffiti text to create an engaging video that underscores the song’s powerful lyrics. The duo’s debut single has skyrocketed into the Top 20 since its release in May with Billboard including them in its “Bubbling Under” section on new and noteworthy acts. “He Is With Us” is the lead single from Love & The Outcome’s self-titled debut album due out on August 27.
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Seth Mosley along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). Spring 2013 saw the two back on the road for the “Hundred More Years Tour” supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters over 27 dates. For tour dates and further information please visit www.loveandtheoutcome.com.
Everfound, a band comprised of four Russian-born brothers, released their self-titled label debut today to critical acclaim (iTunes link:http://smarturl.it/everfound). The band celebrated the release this past weekend at Saddleback Church in Southern California. Earlier this year they played there for a massive kick-off for “The Bible” mini-series, as their single “What Love Means” is featured on the companion CD, with Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Pastor Rick Warren in attendance. Immediately following the performance Warren declared via Twitter: “Mark my word: This band is going to be HUGE!” Everfound will continue the celebration on July 27 when they will make their national TV debut and perform their current Top 13 hit single, “Never Beyond Repair” on Fox News Channel’s “Huckabee.”
Everfound, co-produced by Seth Mosley (Francesca Battistelli, for KING & COUNTRY, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline) and Pete Kipley (Phil Wickham, Matthew West, MercyMe), features 14 tracks all written or co-written by the band. The band’s goal when creating this album was to write songs that could serve as the soundtrack to people’s daily lives. “Every song on this record is about something that we’ve gone through ourselves,” said lead singer Nikita. “The struggles, the defeats the victories, peaks, valleys and everything in between – all written with the goal of reaching people with the love of Christ.” Everfound’s songwriting fused with a rock sound that mirrors their musical influences which include The Killers, U2, Coldplay and 30 Seconds to Mars, results in a debut release that is garnering praise from critics in early reviews.
“Everfound is the top alt-rock album of the year. I can’t get enough of this album, which is loaded with catchy and hope-filled emotional rock songs. This album will stay in heavy rotation for me all year.” –NewReleaseTuesday.com
“Everfound’s self-titled debut is one to savor over and over again…now is the time for Everfound to shine and show the world that a new rock band is in town! And I suggest you all jump on the bandwagon, they’ll be the band on everyone’s lips pretty soon!” – Christianmusiczine.com
“…this popularity is only going to soar with its self-titled debut album.” – HM Magazine
“Of all the new bands that I’ve heard over the past couple years, I don’t know if I’ve been personally pulling for one harder than this one.” JesusfreakHideoout.com
“If you only buy one new CD in 2013, make sure it’s the new release by this band.” – Spin: The Blog
The band recently wrapped up touring with the Dare 2 Share youth conference and spent last fall opening for Matthew West on his “Into the Light Tour.” They can be seen this summer throughout the country at various festivals:
July 18: Sonshine Festival – Willmar, MN
July 21: Roosevelt Baptist Church – Roosevelt, UT
August 3: Spirit West Coast – Salinas, CA
August 4-5: Kingdom Bound – Darien Center, NY
August 7: Unity Fest – Muskegon, MI
August 10: Creation West – Enumclaw, WA
August 12-18: Drift Creek Camp – Lincoln City, OR
Everfound is a band comprised of four Russian-born brothers who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990’s. Their Word debut album’s lead single, “Never Beyond Repair,” is currently No. 13 at Hot AC/CHR. These multi-instrumental and classically-trained musicians have played more than 800 shows throughout both the U.S. and Europe and released four albums independently. For further information and for listing of tour dates, please visit www.everfoundmusic.com.
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome,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 Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
Integrity Music announces the signing of songwriter and worship leader Dustin Smith and the forthcoming global release of his DVD/CD Rushing Waters on September 10.
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Smith serves as a worship leader at World Revival Church. A pastor’s son, Smith has been involved in fulltime ministry for 16-plus years, including the past eight years on staff at WRC. He previously released six independent albums including Everything Inside Me, Open The Floodgates and Healing Waters, as well as teaching materials that cover a variety of topics such as “Are You God Conscious?” and “Function Before Title.”
Inspired by his church, his pastor and his own personal journey in Christ, Smith has written and co-written worship songs that range in theme from adoration and surrender to spiritual warfare. These songs include “Yahweh,” “Jesus,” “Reign Over Me” and “Rushing Waters,” a song that has moved beyond the WRC congregation to find a home in churches around the world.
“Dustin is a gifted songwriter and worship leader who has faithfully served the local church for many years,” says Craig Dunnagan, Integrity’s Vice President of Music Publishing/Ministry Alliances. “We are excited to partner with him in his growing ministry and we look forward to sharing his songs with the global Church.”
Co-written by Smith and Michael Farren (Pocket Full Of Rocks), the song “Rushing Waters,” was inspired by the picture of worship presented in Revelation 19:6 that reads: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns’.”
Recalling the songwriting process with Farren, who co-produced the Rushing Waters project, Smith says: “Michael had asked me what was on my heart. So I shared this scripture from Revelation… we were both overwhelmed with the thought of worship that was like the roar of rushing waters. What a great lesson for worship leaders! Instead of just trying to instruct people on what to do in worship, we need to start directing them on whom to look at! When people see God for who He really is, they can’t help but worship loudly and extravagantly.”
A visual preview of the DVD/CD, which features guest musicians Stu G (Delirious?) and Carl Albrecht (Paul Baloche), is available at “Rushing Waters”. A free chord chart for the song is available at “Rushing Waters” chord chart.
Dustin Smith is a husband and father of three young children. In addition to his own independent recordings and his forthcoming release with Integrity Music, Smith has been featured on collections including Integrity’s iWorship Now/Next double album. He has also authored several teaching resources and served as a facilitator on songwriting related topics forAllAboutWorship.com. Additional information is available at http://www.dustinsmith.com.
At the stroke of midnight as the calendar turned to Jun. 1, GMC TV began writing the latest chapter in its evolution as America’s leading television destination for uplifting entertainment when the network changed its name to UP. The fresh, new name will better communicate a clear sense of the network’s unique brand position, which has always been, and will continue to be, “Uplifting Entertainment.”
Along with the new name the network introduced a new URL, UPtv.com, and the company’s corporate name changed to UP Entertainment, LLC.
“The response to our new name has been phenomenally positive,” said Charley Humbard, president and CEO. “The beauty of UP is that it needs no explanation. Every hour of programming on UP is uplifting, inspiring and entertaining for the whole family. It captures the essence of our brand – uplifting entertainment – and will lend itself to many interesting and fun creative executions.”
Starting Jun. 1, viewers continued to see the great programming they have come to love along with a new logo and new on-air look. The introduction of UP will be supported with on-air image and cross-channel spots, a multi-platform marketing initiative and the launch of the on-air “Summer UP” campaign.
UP is the network’s most extensive step in the evolution of the brand since the network launched in 2004 as the Gospel Music Channel, which subsequently evolved to be known as GMC TV: “Uplifting Entertainment.” The UP concept was conceived as an upbeat, positive and playful way to communicate the network’s unique brand promise and position as the destination for the best in family friendly “Uplifting Entertainment.”
Duck Dynasty fans from around the world will now have the opportunity to vacation with A&E’s popular reality TV cast when Premier Vacations and Events (formerly Premier Christian Cruises) sets sail on the Carnival Victory Ship next summer.
Departing from the Port of Miami, passengers will travel to Key West and Cozumel from July 17-21, 2014. Booking for the cruise begins Monday, Jun. 17via .
Today, The Duck Commander was the first to announce the cruise via their Facebook page, giving their fans the first opportunity to hear about this trip of a lifetime.
The entire Robertson family will be on the cruise including all the kids, as well as Godwin and Martin. Sure to excite will be the chance for each passenger to meet and gather autographs and photos with the family. Providing even more opportunity for passengers to engage with the Duck Dynasty crew will be events throughout the cruise, such as a ‘Not so Newlywed Game,’ ‘Get to Know the Robertsons’ etc.
“The values and character of the Robertsons is an ideal match with Premier,” commented co-owner Roy Morgan. “Faith and Family is the backbone of both of our companies, and it is the kind of experience that we provide on our vacations. We are extremely proud and honored to partner with them for this cruise next summer.”
Starting at $749 per person (does not include $295 Port Fees, taxes and gratuities), a deposit of $150 and no-interest monthly payments make it an affordable vacation. Monthly payments start as low as $75 per person. Prices based on double occupancy. Third and Fourth passengers are $499 a person plus (port fees, taxes and gratuities).
The nation’s largest gathering of Christian women, Women of Faith, is taking its two-day live events to a new level this year with an expanded list of biblical Christian speakers, an emphasis on deeper worship with the addition of and Third Day, and a new focus on bringing scriptural depth to modern life applications.
The 2013 tour theme, ‘Believe God Can Do Anything,’ was created to inspire women to let go of the pain, planning and stress by handing their lives over to the only One who can make anything possible, God.
Multiple studies show that women experience greater levels of stress than men on average, including work, home life, major life events, and social and economic concerns, which, if not managed, can lead to post traumatic stress disorder, mental disorders, depression and other health problems.
“This year’s theme was created to refocus the minds of women, reminding them that we are not in control, God is, and through Him we can find peace, healing and restoration,” said Barry Walsh, VP of creative at Women of Faith.
The Believe God Can Do Anything tour will make stops in 24 cities across the U.S. starting August 2 in Oklahoma City, OK, and wrapping up in Hartford, CT, on Nov. 1. Each event runs a day and a half and includes a variety of speakers, such as Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Lisa Harper, Max Lucado, and Priscilla Shirer. Worship music will be led by Gateway Worship, home church of Kari Jobe and well-known worship songs such as “Revelation Song” and “Stay Amazed.”
Women of Faith is committed to helping woman plug into the local church. This year it has invited more local pastors than ever before to the speaking platform as a way to better help grow and develop ongoing relationships between the women who attend its events and the local church.
Women of Faith has also partnered with producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett to feature their series THE BIBLE, whose success made History Channel the top cable network, at this year’s events. Women of Faith will incorporate a special collection of film footage from
“The Bible” that will be woven throughout the event to bring a fresh creative element to the program.
For a full list of 2013 Believe God Can Do Anything tour cities, please
Fervent Records’ soulful vocalist Dara Maclean is scheduled to release her sophomore album, Wanted, on September 24. The album’s title track and lead single grabbed early attention jumping seven spots at radio to No. 30 on NCA chart this past week. Produced by Paul Mabury (All Sons & Daughters, Hillsong, Meredith Andrews), Wanted is the eagerly-awaited follow-up to Maclean’s debut album, You Got My Attention, which entered the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums chart at No. 1 in 2011 and garnered her a spot as one of their “New Artists to Watch.”
For Maclean, both a passionate artist and advocate for the International Justice Mission, an organization that is pioneering the fight against human trafficking, this album is much more than just a compilation of songs. “This album is for those broken, the lost and the ones in need of rescue. It’s for me and it’s for them, whether ‘they’ are next door or half way across the world. This record is a reminder that through God’s grace and redemption, He has made us good enough, He sees us as ‘blameless.’ We’ve been forgiven and we can find the peace, satisfaction and rest we’re looking for in Him,” said Maclean. “This record is my mouthpiece to raise the volume of the already screaming heartbeat of the Father, crying ‘Set My People Free.’ When life hits in the hardest ways, and you need peace and you need an answer, let’s take Him at His word and together learn about truth, discover sustaining hope and put all of our trust in the only answer, God.”
“She genuinely cares for people and has a story to tell; she genuinely wants to see people changed,” said Mabury. “I heard a girl singing at the beginning…now I hear a woman singing.”
Sonically, Wanted reveals Maclean’s musical upbringing and love for powerful, soul-steeped vocalists from Etta James to Lauryn Hill. This influence can be seen throughout the album that infuses her soaring vocals with modern pop and soul melodies thanks to the help of multi-talented producer Mabury. “Paul knows the world of worship and he’s a songwriter, a producer and one of the best drummers that I’ve heard,” said Maclean. “He is also extremely well-versed in the music that moves me. He has this backbone of soul and took the time to ‘get me’ and wanted to make music that was true to that.”
During the past two years Maclean, who embraces song writing equally as much as being a vocalist, wrote heavily in preparation for this album. She co-wrote each of the 12 tracks on Wantedand loved getting to write with some of her favorites including Paul Mabury, Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman), Dave Barnes (Blake Shelton, Bebo Norman) and Cindy Morgan (Amy Grant, Mark Schultz).
About Dara Maclean:
Powerful vocalist and songwriter Dara Maclean first sparked the music industry’s interest with her 2011 debut, You Got My Attention. The album introduced a powerful new voice in Christian pop, steeped in Motown and soul and beaming a heart for the broken and struggling. The LP reached the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Christian Albums chart, and album tracks “Suitcases” and “Free” each hit the Top 20 on Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. “Suitcases” appeared on the 2012 installment of WOW Hits, celebrating Christian radio’s biggest songs, and You Got My Attentioncloser “Home” was included in The Bible: Music Inspired By The Epic Mini-Series, a companion to the smash History Channel series. The Texas-bred singer-songwriter earned a New Artist of the Year nomination in the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards, and spent nearly two years straight on the road with some of Christian music’s biggest names, including Casting Crowns and Newsong, and on major tours including Winter Jam and the KLOVE Acoustic Christmas Tour. Maclean has earned high critical praise throughout, NewReleaseTuesday including her among its Top 10 New Female Christian Singers in 2012, noting that “Dara displays the strongest vocals I’ve heard in years.” Maclean is also passionate about raising awareness and bringing an end to human trafficking and is an advocate for the International Justice Mission.
For additional information on Dara Maclean, please visit www.DaraMaclean.com. To view her EPK please click here.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DaraMaclean
Twitter: Twitter.com/DaraMaclean
YouTube: YouTube.com/DaraMaclean
About Word Entertainment
A leader in the music industry for over 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 music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, 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 Music Publications & Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.
NewSong is set to bring their “Swallow The Ocean” Fall Tour to multiple cities across the U.S., it was announced today. The tour will feature Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Aaron Shust and acclaimed pop/rockers Royal Tailor, along with special guest, new Word recording duo Love & The Outcome.
Launching in September, the “Swallow The Ocean” Fall Tour is slated to hit Philadelphia (Sewell, New Jersey); St. Louis (Cottage Hills, Illinois); Gainesville, Florida (Micanopy); Chesapeake, Virginia; Lenoir, North Carolina; Portsmouth, Ohio; and Waycross, Georgia, among other cities.
NewSong will present selections from their best-selling 18th recording, Swallow The Ocean. Along with the album’s title-cut and the group’s latest single, “Who Loved You First,” NewSong’s headlining set will also feature highlights from their legendary career, including the signature anthem “Arise, My Love.”
Founders and hosts of the internationally top-ranked Winter Jam Tour Spectacular-the #1 tour in the world (first quarter) for three consecutive years-NewSong’s unparalleled legacy includes 18 albums, 20 #1 Christian radio singles, a Dove Award and a GRAMMY® Award nomination, in addition to being inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, among numerous other achievements. The band’s three-decade career boasts such defining songs as “The Christmas Shoes,” “Arise, My Love,” “Rescue,” and their 2012 hit, “The Same God.”
Dove Award winning artist Aaron Shust has been embraced by Christian radio since his debut project in 2006, which contained the mega-hit single “My Savior, My God” that rose to #1 on six charts. Shust’s last project, This Is What We Believe launched with the biggest song of his career, “My Hope Is In You,” which stayed at the top of the AC Monitored chart for 14 weeks. Shust is scheduled to release his new album, Morning Rises, July 16th and already the new project is garnering strong attention. The first single, “God Of Brilliant Lights,” is already Top 20 at AC Radio and Shust will be the cover story for CCM and iBelieve magazines’ August issues, has reviews with Worship Musician, JesusFreakHideout.com, Christian Retailing, and upcoming interviews with Christian Post, CBN.org, Faith Radio/Live The Promise and World Christian Broadcasting. At the GMA Awards in 2007, Shust was honored with three Dove Awards for Song of the Year (“My Savior, My God”), Songwriter of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.
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. In just four years, the group has performed more than 425 shows, including playing at the Nashville GRAMMY® Chapter’s Block Party stage alongside artists including Old Crow Medicine Show and The Civil Wars. Royal Tailor’s debut project, Black & White, received a 2012 GRAMMY® Award nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and produced the band’s first #1 radio single “Make A Move.”
For Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome is both a name and a literal life story. The duo sold their Winnipeg condo en route to a high-stakes musical road trip that has seen them criss-cross Canada, Liberia, the Philippines and China, winning over fans both emotionally and spiritually with their blend of effervescent pop. After signing to Word Records in 2012, they retreated to the mountains of Washington state to record their powerful debut, produced by Seth Mosley (Newsboys) along with Ben Glover (for King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac).
For further information on the “Swallow The Ocean” Fall Tour, visit www.newsongonline.com
Capitol CMG artist Jeremy Camp has established himself with landmark accolades throughout his praised 12-year career. Camp has sold more than four million albums including four RIAA Gold-certified albums. He also has a RIAA Multi-Platinum long-form video. At radio, Camp is recognized as a staple artist with 36 No. 1 radio hits across all formats spending more than 175 weeks at No. 1 at radio in his career. His awards and nominations comprise of a GRAMMY®-nominated project, three American Music Award nominations, four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards, an ASCAP Song of the Year award, and five GMA Dove Awards including two-time Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year awards. Adding author to his name, Camp penned his first book and autobiography I Still Believe in 2013 (Tyndale). He will release his new studio album in early 2015.
Since her debut in 2008, Francesca Battistelli has earned a GRAMMY® nomination, six Dove Awards (including 2011 “Artist of the Year”) and 23 Dove Award nominations. With both a RIAA Certified Gold Album and Single to her credit, 2Billboard No. 1 albums, and over a million in album sales and nearly 2 million single downloads to date, she is the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past decade. The launch of her third album, If We’re Honest, found her making her national morning TV debut this year on ABC’s Good Morning America performing her multi-week #1 song, “Write Your Story,” just weeks before the album hit the top of the Christian SoundScan chart.
Creators and hosts of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, GRAMMY®-nominated Christian music leaders NewSong continue to oversee the groundbreaking tour, now entering its 20
AWAKEN GENERATION 