Provident Artists Launch into the New Year Claiming 5 of the Top 10 spots on this week's Nielsen Christian SoundScan Chart: Provident artists Michael W. Smith, Third Day, Casting Crowns and Brandon Heath maintained strong footing on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan Chart for the week ending Jan 4, 2009. Michael W. Smith’s A New Hallelujah claimed the No. 3 position while Third Day’s Revelation came in at No. 6. Casting Crowns took the No. 8 and 9 spots with Peace On Earth and The Altar And The Door, respectively . Finally, Brandon Heath rounded out the list at No. 10 with his sophomore album, What If We.

*Casting Crowns closed 2008 with the No. 1 album Peace On Earth, which sold nearly 300,000 over the holiday season, according to Nielsen SoundScan, week ending 12/28/08. Peace On Earth released 10/6/08.

Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes” Reaches 20th Week at No. 1 on iTunes with 200,000 downloads: Along with being one of the biggest songs of 2008 at Christian radio, “Give Me Your Eyes” reached its 20th week at No. 1 on iTunes with 200,0000 downloads of the song. This month Heath will be featured on Nashville's CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5+ “Issues of Faith” discussing Contemporary Christian Music with Christian radio personality WAY-FM's Wally. The show will air at the following times on NewsChannel 5+ (cable channel 50):

Saturday, January 10 at 5:30 am & 5:00 pm (CT)
Sunday, January 11 at 4:30 pm
Monday, January 12 at 9:30 am & 12:30 pm
Thursday, January 22 at 1:00 pm
Saturday, January 24 at 5:30 am & 5:00 pm
Sunday, January 25 at 4:30 pm
Monday, January 26 at 9:30 am & 12:30 pm

For more about the show, please visit:
www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5373419

Photo Credits: Rob Hoffman/JBE

Michael W. Smith Performs with the Jonas Brothers at Ryman Auditorium: Last Sunday night, Michael W. Smith joined the Jonas Brothers in a sold-out show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Michael W. Smith and the Jonas Brothers performed Smitty’s 1991 hit "Place in This World." Later that evening Michael performed another song with Steven Curtis Chapman, Phil Vassar, Vince Gill and the Jonas Brothers. “A lot of the people we’ll bring up tonight are idols of ours,” Nick Jonas told the crowd. Other performers included: Jordin Sparks, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley and Amy Grant with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill introducing the trio. “They’re talented—this is more than just a boy band,” said Michael W. Smith of the Jonas Brothers.