Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath, Ellie Holcomb To Headline The Table Tour, A New Music Partnership With Feed The Children

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.

Louie Giglio’s Passion Conferences Announces New Worship Album Called, Even So Come, Set To Release March 17

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.

Get Connected with Passion
Website // www.268generation.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/Passion268generation
Twitter // www.twitter.com/passion268

More Than 600,000 Watched Andre Crouch’s Funeral Service Live Stream

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.

Jon Micah Sumrall, Lead Singer of Kutless, To Release Solo Album, Faith & Family, February 24

 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.