August, 2007
Special thanks to Bozeman Media for the following press release...
Continuing to fight the staggering number of orphans worldwide, Steven Curtis Chapman and
Shaohannah’s Hope are spreading the message, “Giving a little changes a lot. Give change now,” with the “Change for
Orphans” campaign officially kicking off this fall beginning September 20th. The money collected will show hope to an orphan each tour
night by financially helping to provide a loving forever family.
In support of the Show Hope movement, the change campaign will begin in less than one month when Steven Curtis Chapman embarks on his nationwide tour “Live in This Moment” with labelmates Sanctus Real and Bethany Dillon. Chapman will be spreading the word to his concertgoers to “give change now” by collecting loose change and bringing it to the concert in their respective areas (ideally in check form or converted to bills).
“The need of orphans is so great,” explains Chapman, “that we too often believe the lie that one person can’t do anything significant. But this is a unique opportunity to make a difference just by collecting your loose change and gathering a couple friends to do it with you, by donating that pile of coins you have lying around, or by giving up a cup of coffee each week and bringing in that money. Small things add up, and together we can change the life of an orphan.”
Chapman’s tour is in support of is upcoming studio release, This Moment,” which comes out October 23rd, marking his sweet sixteenth studio release with Sparrow Records. Co-produced by Steven Curtis Chapman and Matt Bronleewe. For more than five years, Steven Curtis Chapman and Shaohannah’s Hope have partnered during his nationwide tours to help bring an end to the number of orphans by raising awareness and by collecting funds each night resulting in record breaking numbers. With the “All Things New” tour, Shaohannah’s Hope raised over 2.1 million dollars, and over 1,700 couples expressed interest in adoption. During the “All I Really Want” Christmas tour, tens of thousands of dollars were raised through the sale of Christmas ornaments, and over one thousand responded to the need of orphans and kids waiting in foster care.
“God is continually awakening His people to a faith that is more than just words—an authentic faith that evidences the hope we have in Christ,” describes Scott Hasenbalg, Director of Shaohannah’s Hope. “With this upcoming tour we are inviting people to join us by showing hope and changing their world for orphans. Through big and small ways, we can each follow in the footsteps of Jesus and care for the needy and the orphan, whether it be through mobilizing our community, giving generously, or going out to love waiting children. We can take advantage of right now to show hope to an orphan, and it can start with just a little change.”
In a response to the miracle they saw in their own family through adoption and with a desire to help eliminate the obstacle of finances
for families they knew, Chapman and his family established Shaohannah’s Hope Foundation in 2000. Then in 2002, as opportunities to
financially assist families ready to adopt far outpaced the Chapman’s personal abilities to fund; the foundation began accepting
donations to raise further financial grants for willing families. In 2003, Shaohannah’s Hope became an official 5010(c) 3 non-profit
organization. Arriving at a milestone in October 2006, Chapman and Shaohannah’s Hope were thrilled to announce the 1,000th grant awarded.
Shaohannah’s Hope has now launched the Show Hope project—a campaign to engage individuals and communities to evidence the hope they have in Christ by speaking up for orphans and caring for them in their distress. Centered on the belief that an authentic faith connected with action will bring life to a skeptical and hurting world and glorify the God of love, Show Hope encourages every person to change their world for orphans.
Shaohannah’s Hope receives approximately 125 adoption assistance applications a month, with funding capacity, currently, to award 30-40 grants each month with an average amount of $3,000. Chapman has become a voice for this cause, with fans, and strangers, responding mobilizing hundreds of donors giving to the foundation with a great need for thousands more. His message has impacted others, and a web of influence has been created through the foundation.
(from The M Collective)
Back surgery is not enough to keep Israel Houghton from going full throttle towards the
release of Israel & New Breed’s sixth Integrity Music release, A Deeper Level, on September 4, 2007.
Following back surgery on Friday, August 10 in Houston, Houghton has fully recovered and is back to work maintaining a full promotional
and touring schedule as well as fulfilling his worship leader duties at Lakewood Church, all leading up to A Deeper Level’s release date.
“Thanks to everyone for your prayers,” Houghton said. “What was a very minor procedure turned in to a major outpouring of love.”
An outpouring of critical acclaim and sales success are expected to follow the release of A Deeper Level on Sept. 4.
A Deeper Level was produced by the award-winning team of Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey. The CD is packed with energetic
praise and worship songs but also shows a contemplative and prayerful side to Israel & New Breed reflecting the group’s desire that
A Deeper Level moves listeners to deeper worship that leads to acts of compassion and justice.
A special part of A Deeper Level is the A-list Christian and gospel artists who make guest appearances on the CD. The 2006-7
Dove Award Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin co-wrote and provides a vocal on “I Know Who I Am.” Grammy Award-winning Jonny Lang displays
his world-renown guitar skills and smooth vocals on the acoustic “You Are Not Forgotten” while West Coast rap veteran T-Bone guests on
“With Long Life.” International Worship Leader Darlene Zschech also appears providing a prayerful introduction to the song "Deeper."
“Israel Houghton’s music defies categorization. You cannot box him into a genre. His sound isn’t black or white or Latin. It isn’t
Gospel or CCM (Contemporary Christian) or rock. It’s a Spirit sound, a Kingdom sound and with A Deeper Level, he’s created his best
music yet,” said Don Moen, president of Integrity Music.
(from Spinhouse PR)
Bethany Dillon's new digital EP, So Far: Acoustic Sessions is available October 2nd.
All new acoustic recordings of 6 classic Bethany songs! Cellos, pianos, guitars, and new arrangements make this a sweet little EP.
Click here to hear 'The Kingdom' from the upcoming release!
And catch the newly engaged singer on tour this fall with Sanctus Real on Steven Curtis Chapman's Live In This Moment Tour!
(from Bethany Dillon; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Rebecca St. James, just back from a concert tour of Europe, will blaze onstage this
Saturday, September 1st as the centerpiece artist of her own one hour “Front Row Live” world television premiere airing on the Atlanta
based Gospel Music Channel’s growing network of major cable and satellite providers.
The special, taped in May, will feature a guest performance by Todd Agnew to perform with St. James a rendition of their current radio
single “Our Great God,” which is now impacting nationally at both AC and Inspo formats.
The "Our Great God" duet with St. James is included on Todd Agnew's newest INO/Ardent album release Better Questions, in addition to
being available in digital single format.
The intimate “all access” setting of GMC’s Front Row Live will give viewers the vantage point of a a front row concert seat to the
energetic live presentation by Rebecca St. James and her full band ensemble as seen by national and international audiences on tour throughout ’07.
Much of the current concert set list being seen by GMC viewers was recorded for release in St. James' first DVD/CD release
aLIVE In Florida, released by EMI/ForeFront, in March of this year.
Noted Tammi Weed, Manager of Music Industry Relations for the Gospel Music Channel: “Gospel Music Channel has been a long-time fan and
supporter of Rebecca St. James. We are absolutely thrilled to have partnered with Rebecca on this project and to deliver to our viewers
a 'must see' concert special by an artist who is among their favorites." Global in her reach, Australian born St. James is just back in the U.S. from a lightning tour of Europe that included her first headlining at Holland’s massive Flevo Festival, a capacity audience at London's Kensington Temple, as well as a first ever visit by Rebecca to the Czech Republic—a concert experience termed one of the largest to reach the region—and one she described in a single word as “phenomenal.”
“We had an audience of more than 7,000 Czech young people who jumped, clapped and sang their way through our entire concert—it was like a massive sea of people in motion” noted Rebecca. "During one of my songs—Forgive Me—almost all raised their hands to surrender to God. From what the organizers told me, I’m sure for many in the crowd this was their first experience with Christianity.”
The “Front Row Live” telecast this weekend will debut on the Gospel Music Channel this Saturday at 8:00 P.M. Eastern, with repeat telecasts at 11:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M. on September 2nd.
Additional Labor Day Weekend repeats will re-air on Sunday September 2nd at 7:00 P.M. Eastern. and again on Monday September 3rd at 10:00 A.M.
The Rebecca St. James FRL concert will also be telecast on Saturday, September 13th at 9:00 P.M Eastern and again at 12:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. on the 14th.
(from Morning Star PR)
Dove Award-winning Word recording artist Building 429 wraps a summer of non-stop event
and festival appearances, moving on to an even busier fall touring season. The band will be a featured artist on the fall 2007
SHOUTfest tour in addition to co-headlining two other national tours.
With major appearances this summer including Luis Palau’s Heartland Festival, the Franklin Graham NY Penn Festival, and KLTY’s
Celebrate Freedom, as well as a national radio single and music video campaign for “You Carried Me,” Building 429 will hit the road
Sept. 9 on the fall 2007 SHOUTfest tour alongside Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Pillar, Superchick, Shane & Shane, Bebo Norman, and The
Afters, among others. This year’s SHOUTfest tour will stop in 20+ cities through November. For tour dates visit www.shoutfest.com.
Between SHOUTfest dates, the band will co-headline a national tour alongside INO/Columbia Records artist The Afters. This tour will
additionally feature Gotee Records band StorySide:B as well as Word Records’ Jackson Waters.
Lastly, Building 429 and worship phenomenon Aaron Shust will team up for a run of dates in November. A complete list of tour dates is
available at www.building429.com.
(from Savvy Media)
As their sophomore project The Heat hits stores and online outlets this week,
NEEDTOBREATHE is already basking in the success of their debut single, “Signature of Divine
(Yahweh)”, currently top 5 with a bullet on R&R’s Christian CHR chart, and the simultaneous media ravings supporting the new project.
In addition, their creative juices have continued to flow into film in the music video for “Yahweh.” Created through a unique process
of stop motion comprised entirely of over 3000 photos (each photo-shopped by band member Bo Rinehart), this video is incredibly fun to
watch. Take a look at: http://www.youtube.com/NEEDTOBREATHEvideos
(from The M Collective)
Sanctus Real hits the road Sept. 20 for the 50+city Live In This Moment Tour with
Steven Curtis Chapman and Bethany Dillon. A limited number of premium seating tickets will be
available in most markets through an exclusive sale at StevenCurtisChapman.com, or by clicking here.
Sanctus Real is also in the studio over the next few months finishing up their new album (not yet titled).
Slated for release next Spring, new music from the album will be at radio soon…
Last weekend, Sanctus Real played a concert in Detroit, MI where they shared the stage with Michael W. Smith and Third Day. While
they were there, they filmed several public service announcements for the ONE Campaign, which will be seen on broadcast TV and radio
soon. You can also check out the latest info on the ONE Campaign at www.one.org.
(from Hoganson Media)
SONICFLOOd’s appearance on The Hour of Power at Crystal Cathedral will air on Sunday, September 2nd. The popular worship band’s
visit includes a live performance of “Resonate,” as well as an interview with Dr. Robert Schuller.
“We had a wonderful time at Crystal Cathedral,” says lead singer Rick Heil. “I was so honored to be interviewed by Dr. Schuller,
as he has been a mighty servant of God for so many years. It is always a blessing to partner with people who have such an obvious zeal
for Jesus.” The Hour of Power airs on TBN and the Lifetime Network. For airtimes and more information, visit www.Hourofpower.org or
www.sonicflood.com.
(from SONICFLOOd)
Melinda Doolittle will be hitting the road with Michael W. Smith and The Katinas for the
It’s A Wonderful Christmas tour, from November 29-December 22. Doolittle is most recently known for her amazing performances on
this year’s American Idol competition. For tour dates, cities and venues, please check out www.michaelwsmith.com.
Smitty's third Christmas release, It’s A Wonderful Christmas debuts October 16th.
(from Provident Music Group)
Jump5 stopped by the nationally syndicated radio show Total Axxess last week, to discuss their upcoming album and tour.
The group performed an acoustic version of "Throw Your Hands Up," backed by Sammy Ward, and also took the opportunity to accept a live
on-air Dance Dance Revolution challenge from the show's host Wally (who was easily defeated). The program airs live weeknights on the
WAY-FM Network and other affiliated stations.
Also last week, Radio Disney tested the song "Shoot the Moon" as part of their "Pick It or Kick It" feature on their Saturday Morning
Music Mailbag, and listeners voted an overwhelming 95% in favor of the song. It's now in regular rotation on the national network, and
will be available for purchase at iTunes on August 28th. "Fly" and "I Surrender All," the first singles for Christian radio, will go
for adds at CHR and AC/Inspo radio outlets respectively on September 7th.
The group also made a recent stop by the Dallas-area studios of the nationally syndicated Coconut Hut Radio Show, for a interview
feature that will run in October.
Jump5's final studio album, Hello & Goodbye, will be released October 9th by
Slanted Records. As previously announced, Jump5's farewell tour kicks off September 7th, hitting over 30 cities throughout North
American through the end of the year. Sponsored by The Kingdom Kidz Club and Shoutlife.com, the Hello & Goodbye Tour will also feature performances by Jessie Daniels, Pure NRG, Carried Away, Sammy Ward and Cali (select cities only).
(from Nashville Publicity)
Our God Saves, the seventh Integrity Music recording from Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Paul Baloche,
will release September 18. Produced by Baloche and Austin Deptula, Our God Saves was recorded live at Community Christian
Fellowship in Lindale, Texas, where Baloche has served as worship leader for 18 years.
Our God Saves features 12 songs written or co-written by Baloche, along with the classic hymn, “How Great Thou Art.”
Co-writers on the project include Matt Redman, Brenton Brown, Kathryn Scott and Glenn Packiam (Desperation), among others. The
collection also features guest vocals from Lincoln Brewster, Redman, Packiam, Scott, and Baloche’s wife Rita and son David. In
addition, the enhanced CD includes song stories, lead sheets, and an instructional guitar tutorial.
“From beginning to end, this project was created out of close relationships,” said Baloche. “It was such a privilege to write the songs
with friends and peers who I respect and love, including Brenton Brown, Matt Redman and Kathryn Scott. Then we recorded with my road
band of several years at my home church of 18 years. The essence of life is about our relationships. The essence of worship is about
our relationship with God.” “Paul continues to amaze me with his ability to write songs that connect with so many people and give voice
to the cries of the heart,” said Don Moen, president, Integrity Music. “As a worship leader, he understands the need for songs that
embrace sound doctrine and universal themes, songs that are transgenerational and transcultural.”
Paul Baloche is one of the foremost worship writers of our time. His songs, including “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” “Above All,”
“Hosanna” and “All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises,” are sung by millions around the globe. “Above All” garnered a Dove Award in 2002
for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year, and Baloche received nominations in 2007 for Inspirational Album of the Year
(A Greater Song) and Special Event Album (Arise – A New Celebration of Worship).
In addition to leading worship for congregations across the country and overseas, Baloche serves as an instructor for Seminars4Worship
and other conferences, where he trains and mentors worship leaders, songwriters and musicians.
In conjunction with the release of Our God Saves, worship resources, including CD trax, a songbook and digital songbook, will be
available simultaneously.
(from Turning Point PR)
The Revelation Generation music festival (www.revelationgeneration.org) -
quickly becoming the event of the summer - is right around the corner. Now in its third year, Revelation Generation is an annual,
day-long festival that features renowned Christian musical artists from every genre-from pop to rock to rap. Taking place on September
1st, at Revelations Farms - a 140-plus acre property in Hunterdon County - the event is sure to attract people of all ages, from teens
to grandparents, and everyone in between.
With two stages named after the two cities surrounding the area (New York and Philadelphia), event-goers are sure to find a band to suit
their tastes. The New York stage will host contemporary artists Nicole C. Mullen, Newsboys and former Backstreet Boy, Brian Litrell.
Other artists performing on that stage include long-time favorite Jars of Clay, hip-hop artist, Grits, and Building 429. The Philadelphia
stage will draw a more alternative crowd, featuring well-known punk band MxPx, rock bands Skillet, The Almost, and Emery, and hardcore
band Norma Jean - all of which can be heard on Christian and mainstream radio alike.
Several nationally-recognized motivational speakers, such as Ron Luce, Bob Lenz, Justin Lookadoo and Mylon LeFevre will also take to the
stages to share their experiences and advice with the crowd. Other entertainment will include renowned guitarist Phil Keaggy, playing an
acoustic set in the Worship Tent; and an adrenaline-pumping skateboarding exhibition by the KKSM (King of Kings Skateboard Ministry).
The whole family is encouraged to join in the festivities, as the event will also feature well known attractions such as the Exhibitor
Tent with local vendors and community organizations, inflatable amusement games and a full range of family-oriented activities.
"As this exciting event draws closer, we are looking forward to an even larger turnout from the past two years," said Robert Grom,
co-founder of Revelation Generation with wife Kim Grom. " Festival-goers can enjoy the entertainment and activities in a safe, drug-
and alcohol-free environment - perfect for the whole family."
Available today, tickets range from only $28 - $38, and can be purchased at www.itickets.com or by calling the concert office at 908-483-2203.
(from Resound Marketing)
The newly independent Switchfoot is thrilled to announce their fall tour plans with their
good friends from Ohio's finest, Relient K, along with a new partnership for the tour.
"For us this tour carries more meaning than simply a reunion of friends," said the San Diego rock band. "We're thrilled to be partnering
with Habitat For Humanity, and both bands are donating $1 from every ticket sold to this amazing organization committed to building
homes for those in need here in the US and abroad. It is also a chance for us all to get plugged in to being a part of the solution
in our own communities. For more info, please visit Habitat.org" For tour dates, visit Switchfoot.com!
(from Switchfoot; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Sparrow Records debut artist, Britt Nicole headed oversees August 18, to promote her
premiere release Say It as it hits store shelves in Japan, marking its first time to be
released internationally. The CD release is positioned to catalyst mainstream attention worldwide.
In the United States, Britt’s debut music video from Say It, “Believe” will be ready for release in late September. The video
was filmed July 23, and is currently in post-production.
In addition to her overwhelming fan reception with Say It, “You,” Britt’s first radio single also continues to climb multiple radio charts this week. After 16 weeks, "You" is still hanging in the Top 10 on both of R&R's AC charts, taking the #8 slot this week at both AC Monitored and AC Indicator. It has been on the CHR chart for 20 weeks peaking at #5 for 3 weeks, and is currently positioned at #6 on the chart.
Say It has been showing a consistent top ranking on the iTunes charts since its release. Britt was recently featured as one of a handful of artists in any genre chosen for the new “Next Big Thing” iTunes promotion and one of only three Christian music artists included.
Britt’s presence on Myspace has shown steady growth, currently breaking the 10,000 mark with 10,016 friends and counting. The current “Say It” campaign featured on Myspace and BrittNicole.com chronicles Britt’s journeys via her video diaries and invites fans themselves to “Say It” by uploading their own videos as a part of the campaign. Britt’s inherent and natural heart to minister to the teens of this generation is heard through her music, seen through her life and solidified through the strong, positive media support she has already been receiving. Britt recently appeared on the cover of the July issue of Focus on the Family’s BRIO magazine, which is centered around teaching, entertaining and challenging teen girls toward a healthy self-concept and closer relationship with Jesus Christ – exactly in line with what Britt’s personal message is all about.
For more information about Britt Nicole, please visit www.myspace.com/brittnicolemusic and www.brittnicole.com
(from LAB Media)
The Almost has three free shows coming up for fans to take note of!
Aaron Gillespie has been best known for his bone-crunching vocals and talent behind the drums in the Florida-based band, Underoath.
Now, his newer project, The Almost, lets Gillespie put a different, more melodic side of himself on display. Essentially a solo effort,
the project has evolved into a full band with Jay Vilardi (guitar), Dusty Redmon (guitar), Alex Aponte (bass) and Kenny Bozich (drums)
rounding out the lineup. The debut album, Southern Weather, was released April
3rd via Virgin/Tooth & Nail and debuted at #29 on the Billboard 200.
The band will be putting on a free, private show for their fans in Chicago!
When/Where: Thursday, August 30 at Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60647). Doors open at 7 p.m!
The only way to get tickets to this free performance is to befriend the show’s MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/_allinwithhelioandq101
You will be sent a private link to your printable ticket for FREE admission into the concert. The link will be sent a couple of days
before the show, and is the ONLY way to get in.
Also, The Almost’s friends at 1iota.com are looking for die hard fans to be part of their mini-concert on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday,
August 28th. The band will become one on a list of many amazing performers that have graced the stage of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
They will play anywhere from 2-5 songs. Attendance to this event is by invitation only! Remember – be quick, because space is extremely
limited! (You must be at least 16 years old, You must have a valid photo ID, Please do not wear white, light blue, beige or logos, as they don’t come across well on camera,
Please do not bring large handbags or knapsacks, No cameras or recording devices!).
It's on Tuesday, August 28 at Jimmy Kimmel Live (6840 Hollywood Blvd / Los Angeles, CA 90028), 6:30 - 9 p.m.
If you want to be in the crowd then head over to www.1iota.com and follow these steps:
Click the 1iota TV Shows button, click the Jimmy Kimmel Live logo, choose The Almost event link to request tickets.
Finally, check out The Almost playing and exclusive in store performance at the Paul Frank store in Los Angeles! There will be food,
drinks, good music and a poster signing afterwards! This will take place Monday, August 27 at Noon at
Paul Frank Store (7964 Melrose Avenue / Los Angeles, CA 90046)!
(from Fanscape; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Until June, pop/rock band on Flicker/Sony-BMG, is currently being featured with their
song “What I’ve Done” on ABC’s Fall Preview promotions for the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, Private Practice, which
premieres September 26. The band’s song is featured online (click the first two preview screens at: http://abc.go.com/fallpreview/privatepractice/index )
as well as on air with the same trailers.
Next month, September 11, “What I’ve Done” will be featured on the third season DVD collection of Grey's Anatomy on the
Private Practice promo included on the release.
(from The M Collective)
Relient K – the band that brought you Five Score And Seven Years Ago,
mmhmm, Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right…But Three Do and The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek – is heralding the
holiday season in its own inimitable style with the release of its first-ever, full-length Christmas album:
Let It Snow, Baby…Let It Reindeer. The album, scheduled for release by Capitol Music Group/Gotee Records on October 23rd,
features Relient K’s take on 10 holiday classics and six original songs.
From the glory of “Handel’s Messiah” and “Angels We Have Heard On High” to the goofiness of 1950’s novelty song “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’
For Christmas” and “Santa Clause Is Thumbing To Town” (wherein Relient K imagines a Christmas full of catastrophes that reduce St. Nick
to hitchhiking), Let It Snow, Baby…Let It Reindeer captures the many sides of the season. There’s elation
(“I Celebrate The Day”) and depression (“I Hate Christmas Parties”), nods to “Boxing Day” and New Year’s Eve (“Auld Lang Syne” –
with a new ending) and lots of old-fashioned fun along the way (“Deck The Halls,” “12 Days of Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “We Wish You
A Merry Christmas,” to name a few). The collection was produced by Mark Lee Townsend and Relient K vocalist, Matt Thiessen.
(NOTE: This is an expansion of the band's 2003 album Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand)
For a full tracklisting of the seventeen songs within Let It Snow, Baby…Let It Reindeer, click here!
(from LB PR; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
He's at it, again! Some of you may remember Audio Adrenaline's Mark Stuart
and his 2005 trek across the country -- covering 3,000 miles & raising over $65,000 for Hands & Feet Project. Well... here's the new, "condensed"
version. From September 26-29th, Mark will be riding 1,000 miles throughout Louisiana, stopping at churches to speak with YOU about the
Hands & Feet Project! Along with the talk, there will also be AudioA giveaways, a live band, as well as the chance to sponsor Mark's
trip! With a goal of raising $10,000, there are opportunities for you to pledge your support in a couple of different ways...
even donating per mile! For a Pledge Form, click here.
For the Flyer, click here! Remember, all proceeds
go to helping fund the orphanage the AudioA guys started in Haiti!
(from Audio Adrenaline; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Multi-platinum and multi-GRAMMY award winning band Jars of Clay is releasing a collection
of live cuts recorded while the band was on the spring and fall legs of its Good Monsters tour. The seven-song live album,
Live Monsters, is due out on September 4.
Matt Odmark, Jars of Clay’s acoustic guitar player, explains a little more about the album. “More than any album that we have done as a
band Good Monsters was meant to be played live. Live Monsters was our
attempt to preserve some of the finer moments on the spring and fall legs of the Good Monsters tour. It was an amazing tour, and on this
album you will find performances from our college tour across the northeast and west coast, our New England club run, and even a show
from our first time back in Canada since 1996,” he shares. “We teamed up with the folks at Presonus and Sweetwater Sound to build one
of the leanest and meanest mobile recording rigs possible. This rig enabled us to capture every show of the tour and catalog them
digitally. We owe them special thanks in the making of this project.”
Multi-Platinum and three-time GRAMMY Award winning band Jars of Clay launched its career with its hit, “Flood,” in 1995. Since then,
it’s amassed more than six million in career sales (5 -Gold, 2 platinum and 1 double platinum certification), an American Music Award
nod, 17 No.1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing.
For a full review of Live Monsters, click here! For a PReview of the band's forthcoming Christmas album, Christmas Songs
(October 16th), click here!
(from Provident Music Group; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Cross Movement Records is pleased to announce that several of their artists have received first round ballot nominations for the
23rd Annual Stellar Awards, which will take place January 12, 2008 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn.
The Stellar Awards is the largest gospel music awards show in America, bringing together some of the most noted singers and celebrities
in the world. Cross Movement Records artists received first round nominations in the following categories:
The pioneering Christian rock band Degarmo & Key are having a reunion concert in
Memphis, TN on September 30th. Eddie Degarmo and Dana Key will be performing at Key's church (where he is senior pastor)
as part of a celebration/dedication of the new building purchased by the church.
This is the first Degarmo & Key public concert in 13 years! It appears that the original band members will be joining Eddie and
Dana as well (Tommy Cathey on bass and Greg Morrow on drums).
This concert is free to the public and other artists will be opening for D7K including Altered and Brother's Keeper.
For more information, see www.tlcmemphis.com below for the "Big Day" announcement.
(from TLC Community Church; Jesusfreakhideout.com; thanks to S. Matthews)
The new website NowWhat.com/music offers fans exclusive behind-the-scenes
content from the ultra-successful band, The Fray. This Grammy-nominated group is headlining a
major amphitheater tour this summer in support of their debut album How to Save a Life. Having formed only five years ago in Denver the
band has reached phenomenal success, their debut album recently went double platinum.
The first single from How To Save A Life, "Over My Head (Cable Car)" climbed into the top 10 on the Billboard singles chart,
has been certified platinum, and was streamed more than a million times on MySpace in just one month. Indeed, MySpace has been good the
to the band: they've been streamed over 16 million times, they have had more than 5 million views and close to 300,000 friends on the
networking site. The Fray doesn't fit easily into any niche, and they don't need to: word of mouth (or, word of digital mouth) has been
good enough. The songs stand on their own, no clever marketing or catering to genres necessary.
"Over My Head (Cable Car)" was inspired by Isaac Slade's temporary estrangement from his brother: "It is about a fight I got in with my
brother, Caleb. After he graduated high school, we drifted apart and really hadn't spoken in a long time. One day we both realized that
we needed to fight it out. We'd been friends for twenty years. That's a long time when you're only 23 years old. We fought it out, and he's one of my best friends today."
The title track, "How To Save A Life," was inspired by Slade's experience as a mentor to a crack addicted teen. "I was a sheltered
suburban kid when I met this guy. He was a recovering addict, coming out of a really tough teenage life. Thankfully, he was on his way
out of that life, so he was able to really look back with some objectivity. The song is more of a memoir about his slow motion descent
and all the relationships he lost along the way." Destined to be one of the band's greatest hits, Slade isn't worried about getting
tired of performing the song: "It is the easiest one for me to sing every night. I constantly get emails from people who relate to it."
The song has resonated with fans in some truly moving ways, which is humbling to the author: "Some people actually formed a non-profit
organization called Save A Life. They lost their son to a tragic car accident and apparently ‘How To Save A Life' was the last song he
downloaded. Another girl lost her mother to suicide. She wrote me and said it helped her deal with her mom's death."
Fans can go to the website to get tour information, bios, exclusive tour photos and video. In the band’s latest videos, the guys sit
down and talk about the tour, silly “Nowwhat” moments and what artist are influencing them right now.
The cross country tour will supply the site with plenty of exclusive photos and videos to keep fans interested and excited. Fans are encouraged to continuously check the site for new material throughout the summer.
(from Fanscape, Inc)
Universal Republic Records has signed Florida rock band Anberlin, it was announced yesterday
by Monte Lipman, President of Universal Republic Records. The five-member Anberlin, cited by many critics as an indispensable
‘staple of the modern rock scene,’ have independently released 3 full-length albums since their launch nearly six years ago.
“Anberlin has been able to build one of the most enthusiastic followings online and across the country by remaining faithful to their
music and their fans,” stated Mr. Lipman. “They represent the boldest and the brightest on the rock horizon and we welcome them to the
Universal Republic family.”
Originally from the Orlando area, Anberlin’s combined releases have sold more than 350,000 albums through their founding label Tooth &
Nail Records, with their most recent album, Cities, debuting on Billboard’s Top Albums
chart in February of this year at #19. The disc has also soared past the 100,000 indie-sales milestone, fueled by their riveting first single “Godspeed.”
Known for an intricately connected digital fan network and relentless touring with top rock attractions such as Fall Out Boy, My
Chemical Romance, Yellowcard, and others, Anberlin has been hailed for mixing tinges of provocative, hard-edged rock with their own
trademark bombast, as well as frontman Stephen Christian’s evocative vocal style and searching lyrics.
Recognized in a recent article by a Gainseville, FL scribe as one of the south’s more promising rising bands, Anberlin’s signature
imprint on this summer’s popular Warped Tour cast them in the national spotlight as one of the most vital new bands to emerge from the
entire indie rock scene. Their much anticipated Universal Republic Records debut is scheduled for a mid 2008 release.
(from MSO PR)
For the first time in her award-winning, 30 year career, Amy Grant’s catalog of music will
be available on iTunes and other DSP’s starting this week! 16 new catalog titles are available for the first time starting today,
completely re-mastered, free of digital rights management (DRM) restrictions, and available at bit rates up to CD quality.
iTunes rolls out the red carpet for Amy this week with not only a launch of 16 previously unavailable catalog titles, but also multiple
features related to her catalog which include: All new dedicated artist page, Amy’s Celebrity Playlist, iTunes EXCLUSIVE: The Storyteller
Collection (digital box set of 10 albums for $79.92 – 112 songs and includes 14 page digital booklet with liners about each album), and
her first ever podcast: “Looking Back: The Interview” – Amy discusses each of her albums, stories behind the songs, life, and memories.
Over 4 hours in length, each week for next 10 weeks a new episode will be available.
Other Features incled what’s on Amy’s iPod and albums that influenced her, and coming soon are her music videos “Lead Me On,”
“Baby Baby,” “Every Heartbeat,” “House of Love,” and “Takes a Little Time.”
PDFs of album art/lyrics are available for 10 titles (For “Unguarded,” all 4 original covers are included).
Also, 14 of Amy’s catalog titles have been completely re-mastered and are back in stores. Retail promotions include 2 CD’s for $20 and
are end-capped in most stores: Available to the CBA Market will also be the following projects: Amy Grant, My Father’s Eyes,
Never Alone, In Concert Vol 1, In Concert Vol 2, Age To Age, Straight Ahead, Unguarded,
The Collection, Lead Me On, Heart In Motion, and House Of Love.
The General market will have all the above projects plus Behind The Eyes and Simple Things.
Grant’s three Christmas titles will be re-mastered also and released on 10/2: A Christmas Album, Home For Christmas, and
A Christmas To Remember.
(from The M Collective)
Flyleaf guitarist Jared Hartmann has offered an update on the band's pending sophomore release. "Lacey started writing a new song
using Garage Band. It sounds really cool so far. We'll all get together and work on it when we get a chance, she only has 2 or 3 lines
written, but it seems cool so I'm excited about working on it." Harmann continues, "As for when our new cd will come out, we're really
not sure right now. Hopefully we will get to start recording it at the beginning of next year, and we'll have it out early 2008 -
it's just so hard to tell though because we are touring so much. We have been working on writing a lot though and we have about six or
seven songs we're working with and a couple of more ideas to go from. Maybe we'll get to put one or two of our really old songs on the
new album, and we'll change them a bit. We really don't know... but we're REALLY looking forward to getting to write it."
(from Flyleaf; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Dan Haseltine, lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the acclaimed, multi-GRAMMY winning
band Jars of Clay, will release his first book on Sept. 15 through the award-winning
children’s book publisher, Mackinac Island Press. Haseltine has connected with millions of fans through Jars of Clay and is hoping to
reach an even younger audience through his new book, The One, The Only, Magnificent Me.
“I wrote Magnificent Me because there is nothing more rewarding than fostering the imagination of a child,” shares an
enthusiastic Haseltine. “It is so important in setting up a person’s capacity to dream bigger and live more passionately. Ideas that
change the world come from people who have been given permission to think about a world far beyond our physical limitations. I wanted
to write a book that reminded children that they are amazing and wonderful, and it has everything to do with them being alive, and
having a heart and a mind and a soul. All children need to know that they are magnificent – with or without feathers.”
Award-winning artist Joel Schoon Tanis agrees that the story shares such a poignant message, and was excited to be able to use his
passion for art to make the book come to life. “I’ve loved and respected Dan’s writing for years, and often paint to his music. To be
able to create with him is amazing. Magnificent Me was written with such visual possibility that it allowed me the space to
sneak in all sorts of fun details. It let me lose myself in imagination much like the child in the story – and when a kid loses
themselves in their imagination, it is truly magical. It is also about strengthening a child’s self-esteem, which can open a world of
possibilities to them, just like my parents’ encouragement did for me.”
Publisher Anne Margaret Lewis is very pleased about the pre-release response to the book, which will be distributed in venues all across
the country, including 1100 Target stores. “When we first saw Dan’s manuscript and the artwork by Joel, we felt this was something
special. We have been showing sneak previews and everyone who has seen it also feels that Magnificent Me is just that – magnificent.
This book will give kids the confidence to be secure in their individuality. There is no doubt Magnificent Me will be a very
popular book, but it will also be a book that will have the same significance in young people’s lives 10, 20, and even 30 years from
now, and that is truly the test of something great.”
In fact, one admirer who experienced the book has said: “It’s a combination of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. You can tell the writer
is a musician because there is a definite rhythm to the words. In addition, I love the splash of color in the illustrations because it
shows the way the young boy’s imagination accents his world. And, of course, the message itself is something that everyone needs to be
reminded of from time to time. I LOVE this book.”
The One, The Only, Magnificent Me will be published on September 15, 2007 in a nationwide release to stores around the
country. Please visit www.mackinacislandpress.com for further details.
(from Provident Music Group)
Rebecca St. James is in the Czech Republic bringing the message of Christian music to a
part of the world where concerts such as hers are seldom staged. Nevertheless, Christian organizers in the former communist held nation
expect a massive outpouring of young people will attend to see St. James perform at the outdoor National Youth Gathering being held in the city of Tabor.
Europe is literally a second home for the Grammy winning Australian born singer who records for EMI/Forefront and whose footprint is
global. She annually tours the continent as part of a career she considers more of an evangelical ministry than a standard music
industry calling to sell records and increase her fan base. Notes Beth McKenzie, VP of International Marketing for EMI: "Rebecca's
commitment to international ministry over the years has been extraordinary and to this end, she has become one of the most popular
Christian artists outside the U.S.” “I always love going to Europe—there’s such a joy with which they receive the encouragement that comes from Christian music--such a
fresh enthusiasm that I sense over there,” noted Rebecca in a pre-tour interview with Radio UCB in London. “A lot of the countries that
we’re returning to this trip –such as Holland, Norway, and England—we’ve visited so many times I feel that we’ve built up a kind of
supportive family—it’s like coming back to visit relatives,” she added.
Included on this tour will be St. James’ first ever appearance this Thursday (16th) headlining at one of Europe’s largest Christian
concert stagings -- Holland’s Flevo Festival, held outside of Amsterdam August 16th-19th. On the 19th she will be in London for a
return appearance at historic Kensington Temple.
In addition to global touring, the singer's work as a major voice for Compassion International gives her a broad vision of world
outreach. It's a vision in particular for the world's children that last year extended to Rwanda in Africa on a mission Rebecca
openingly talks about as "profoundly life changing for me." Through her direct work with Compassion, to date more than 30,000 of the
world's neediest children have found sponsorship.
For an artist who last year brought a bold message in music for God to twelve Euro countries in a 15 day tour span –including a
celebrated concert staged in the shadow of the Kremlin in Moscow--Europe this year holds added excitement of seeing old friends—and making new ones.
“I’m excited to see what God is going to do –and I am excited myself about being refreshed by being with my brothers and sisters in
these parts of the world," notes St. James. "There’s a verse in the Bible that says ‘He who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed’ and I really believe that is what will happen on this European trip.”
(from Morning Star PR)
Maximizing audience participation at the upcoming Steven Curtis Chapman tour in support
of his fall studio release, fans are getting a taste of the new music through a three week partnership on iTickets.com. In order to
create familiarity with the yet-to-be heard music from This Moment, which releases October 23, Chapman is teaming up with iTickets.com
to bring exclusive “rehearsals” that went live on the homepage of iTickets Monday with the first of two new songs being taught by
Chapman in his Franklin, TN home studio. Check out the first week of class: http://www.itickets.com
“Historically Steven’s tours have followed the release of an album by several months, so fans walking into the show knew his new songs
already. However on the timeline for the LIVE IN THE MOMENT tour, the album isn’t even available for audiences in the first 16 markets,”
explains Jim Houser, Creative Trust Entertainment and Literary Management. ”We knew we wanted to be creative and engage the fans with
the new music some way. Something this Innovative, interactive and fun had to be launched with great reach and a great partner, enter iTickets.com.”
Monday's rehearsal video, still viewable the rest of the week, features the song “Children of God,” and next Monday’s session he will
teach “With One Voice.” Chapman instructs fans on the chorus so they will be familiar with the new songs on the tour. He also
encourages the fans to come prepared for the chorus of “Children of God” with t-shirts and signs stating “We Are,” and in true Chapman
fun, perhaps be selected for “special” concert-song participation. At the end of each session, the full song lyrics for the songs are
posted and streamed to reinforce Chapman’s instruction.
“We are excited about this opportunity to work with Steven and his upcoming tour,” shares Ed Novak of iTickets and Christian
Happenings. “We have always viewed our role as ‘How do we best support Christian events?’ Usually that meant working side by side with
local and national promoters to create event awareness, and in the case of ticketed events, making it as easy and economical as possible
for the Christian audience to get tickets. Here we have a chance to get on board with this project at the concept level, providing our
members on iTickets an opportunity to get a look at all the work and effort that goes into creating a tour. We are happy to be a part of
this effort with Steven Curtis Chapman and the upcoming tour.”
Chapman will be hitting the road for his 50+ city “Live in This Moment” tour kicking off September 20th in Grand Rapids, MI closing the
year on November 16th in Nashville, TN. The tour will feature rockers Sanctus Real and singer/songwriter Bethany Dillon. Special
guest band members include Chapman’s sons Will Franklin (Drums) and Caleb (Guitar), who make a special appearance on This Moment
and recently earned their keep and band roles with their dad during the recent Winter Jam tour. Tour dates are at iTickets.com and at
the newly redesigned and launched SCC site: http://www.StevenCurtisChapman.com.
This Moment marks the sixteenth studio album for Chapman on Sparrow Records and his first studio project in three years. The disc is a
musically modern, poignant, personal studio release that captures the vital importance of embracing the “Miracle of the Moment,” which
is the title of the debut radio single that is currently shooting up the AC at No. 14 (CRW), debuting at No. 18 on AC Monitored and No.
25 on AC Indicator. He seamlessly applies his chosen theme across various sonic settings and three distinct areas: family, global
mindedness, and worship. Co-produced by Steven Curtis Chapman and Matt Bronleewe (TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Leeland, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay), This Moment was tracked in Los Angeles with a solid studio band whose combined credits include Sting, Paul McCartney, and Sheryl Crow.
(from The M Collective)
From his 2006 critically-acclaimed Christmas masterpiece Do You See What I See?
Ardent Records/INO Recording artist Todd Agnew prepares for the Christmas season by creating a
collection of performance tools for churches, using music from the Do You See What I See? project. This resource collection will be
available starting September 11 along with a repackaged retail version of Do You See What I See?.
In this 2 CD-ROM set, the package will include a Full Listening and Split Trax Audio with rehearsal ID points. The Listening disc will
contain, as an enhancement, sheet music and chord charts both in PDF form and narrations in document form. The Split Trax contains the
visual backgrounds and lyric text files for all of the songs. The image backgrounds are designed to help visualize and support the
powerful lyrics of the songs, invoking thoughts of what each song means, causing listeners to consider what God might have them
interpret as they meditate on the story of events that happened so many years ago.
Commenting about this resource and Agnew’s creativeness, Tim McCarty, Pastor of Worship Ministries at Edgewoods Baptist Church in
Edmonds, Washington says, “When I first heard Todd Agnew’s Do You See What I See?, I was just blown away. Besides the stirring music
and great vocal lines, I quickly noticed how the entire CD is more of a story than just a bunch of songs. Through the well-thought-out
lyrics, Agnew is able to retell the story of Christ’s birth in a fresh, exciting way. I am thrilled to see this new resource set
available and I look forward to being able to use this collection in our church.”
Along with the release of the resource disc, Agnew will be shoveling across the U.S. as he co-headlines “The Christmas Promise Tour”
with NewSong beginning the last weekend in November and running through mid-December. The 15-city tour, which is currently being routed
by GOA (www.goa-inc.com) will also feature radio-favorite Matthew West, new Ardent Records’ singer/songwriter Joy Whitlock and more. Eddie Carswell, founder of
NewSong, reflects, “Last year we had the honor of touring with Todd and the enthusiastic feedback we got was overwhelming. Some of our
pastors said this was among the very best combinations of artistry and content they had ever experienced in a Christmas event. This year looks to be even more promising!”
(from The M Collective)
Superchick has broken some silence on their upcoming new album. Bassist Matt Daly writes,
"We are switching gears and really working day and night to give you the greatest Superchick record of all time. It is,
HANDS DOWN, the greatest record to date. I know for some of you this has been a long time coming but I promise it will be worth the wait.
We are hoping to have it out by early next year, so save your nickels and dimes cause this record will be worth every penny. Just
because we are in the studio doesn't mean we are taking a break from touring. Because we are the hardest working band in the biz we are
also going to be apart of an amazing tour called SHOUT FEST! It will definitely be in a town near you so i better see all of you and
make sure to bring every friend you know! well thats all. And remember this year make a difference, be a hero and start the REVOLUTION!
TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM!!!!" More to come...
(from Superchick; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
One of our favorite women in music has released a new track for all to hear. Gotee Records' Sarah Kelly has debuted her
brand new rendition of "Amazing Grace" on her MySpace this week and let us be the first to tell you - it's incredible!
Sarah Kelly's new version has been posted to share with you in preparation for her upcoming worship album (aka her third studio
release). An April 2008 release is being projected. Along with the announcement of the new track this week, it was aid that songs
from the future album may find their way onto your favorite radio station real soon. More to come...
(from Sarah Kelly; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
For a limited time, when you purchase the new album from As Cities Burn, Come Now Sleep,
at select music retailers, you'll get a free As Cities Burn EP with purchase. The EP includes 4 songs, including three demo versions
of songs from Come Now Sleep and a live performance of "The Widow" by Cody Bonnette from Cornerstone 2007. Watch and listen to
Cody's live version of "The Widow" on YouTube here. For a complete list of locations where you will be able to get the EP for free, click here!
For Jesusfreakhideout.com's review of the new record, click here.
(from Tooth & Nail Records; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
After the David Crowder Band was voted MSN’s Artist of the Year 2006, MSN noted, “They've single-handedly redefined what
contemporary Christian music should sound like…” David Crowder Band lives up to that billing and follows up 2005’s critically acclaimed
and commercially successful A Collision with what promises to be one of 2007’s best offerings, Remedy. The band’s fourth
full-length studio album releases September 25.
The album’s first single and the band’s fastest charting single to date, “Everything Glorious” moved up to No. 12 this week on R&R’s
Christian AC Monitored chart and cracked the Top 10 on its Christian AC Indicator chart, only seven weeks since its add date. The song
was first performed live earlier this year at Passion ’07 in Atlanta and has been a set list favorite throughout the band’s touring
schedule this spring and summer. Other highlights on the album include a special guest appearance by the “Motor City Madman” Ted Nugent
on “We Won’t Be Quiet,” the energetic and driving “Neverending,” and the synth-laden dance track “Can You Feel It?”
“The David Crowder Band continues to recast the modern worship conversation with language and musical texture that affirm our shared
values while energizing our expressions with uniqueness and creativity,” says Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords founder and popular
speaker/author. “Remedy is a beautiful and redemptive leap forward in what has already become a storied journey for this band.
Crowder's latest offering is laden with the potential to engage the listener with worship that transforms the world.”
Always rearranging the norm, David Crowder Band gave fans an inside look at the recording process for the new album in the spring,
offering an eight-webcam view of The Barn, a recording facility built by the David Crowder Band in the legendary barn of Dr Pepper
fame. Fans were given unprecedented access to the recording process with cameras left running 24 hours a day. In addition to watching
the recording in real time, fans were given early hints of what is coming through video blogs posted by band leader David Crowder.
David Crowder states, “We perceive music as a means of empathizing with one another and enunciating something common among us in our
experiences of life and faith. Our band’s latest musical offering is for us the next available step in this journey; musically,
lyrically, and thematically it is the sound of one foot coming down firmly in the present while the other simultaneously rises, exiting
the space previously occupied, throwing our weight in a forward direction of momentum and consequence toward whatever lies ahead.”
Remedy picks up right where A Collision - the universally acclaimed 21 track,
73 minute epic that made everyone’s Top Ten list – left off. The last line A Collision offered an apology of sorts and a bit
of foreshadowing:
Combinations, the second full length from Tyler, Texas pop-rockers, Eisley hits
stores tomorrow, August 14th but you can hear it now in its entirety, exclusively on MySpace. Head over to
http://myspace.com/eisley for a first listen.
When listening to Eisley’s new album Combinations, it doesn’t take long to hear why the Tyler, Texas, quintet has earned such
ardent fans. In the first minute of the album’s opener — the rock-oriented “Many Funerals” — sisters and vocalists Stacy and Sherri
DuPree trade lines and harmonize with a beauty unique in modern music, as the guitars and drums carry the song along.
Building on the success of their lauded debut Room Noises, the guitar-driven
Combinations is a diverse collection of songs that nevertheless fit comfortably together. The lyrics shift effortlessly from
romantic to quirky (“Invasion” even involves an alien takeover), but always keep the listener fixated on the track at hand.
But where Room Noises contained a mix of new songs and re-recorded older tunes, Combinations is the band’s first
full-length of all new material. “It was exhilarating for us to have an opportunity to start from scratch,” Stacy says. “We were excited
to start writing this record and, because of that energy, we wrote a lot of the songs very quickly.”
(from Total Assault)
There's quite a bit of news stirring from the Switchfoot camp. Lead vocalist Jon Foreman announced yesterday...
"I've got some exciting news: after several years of trying to make
things work over at Columbia we have officially severed our ties with
Sony to pursue making music independently. We are thankful for the
incredible success that our partnership has produced over the years,
yet within this ever changing business there can arise differences in
vision and goals. These differences have now come to a point where we
feel like parting ways would be best for us, and best for Sony.
As a hands-on band, we feel so grateful for our newfound freedom. We
are continually dreaming up ways to bridge the gap between the
audience and the stage; this feels like an incredible step in that
direction... We'll have more information for you as things shape up. In the
meantime, here are several projects already in the works for the next
year: Four Jon Foreman solo EP's (tentatively titled Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer),
The Real Sean Jon (a collaboration between Jon Foreman and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek fame), and
a new Switchfoot record in '08 (the first 13 tracks were cut this week!)"
More to come! For tour dates, visit Switchfoot.com.
(from Switchfoot; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Inpop Records’ pop/rock band newsboys will perform at the Pentagon’s
sixth annual memorial service to be held in the Pentagon Auditorium on Sept. 11, 2007. The event will honor those who
gave their lives at the Pentagon and elsewhere on 9/11.
The multi-faith service will include members of the armed forces as well as government employees and their families.
Additionally, the band will be hosting a concert immediately following for all employees.
“The events of 9/11 touched us all,” says Peter Furler, lead vocalist of newsboys, “and the willing sacrifices of the
men and women of our Armed Forces to defend the United States is truly awe-inspiring. We are honored and humbled to have
been asked to be a part of the memorial service at the Pentagon this year, and we hope our music and message will be an
inspiration to all those who attend.”
“newsboys’ music is incredible and reaches across the lines to so many different people,” comments Chaplain (Maj.) Alan
Pomaville of the Pentagon Chaplain’s Office. “I believe that many people will be blessed as a result of hearing their music.”
With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as
well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its near two decades together. Known for its
amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, the band continues to sellout festivals and concerts worldwide,
satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. Most recently, newsboys released its fourteenth record,
GO, to critical and commercial success. Produced by Peter Furler and Tedd T, the project debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit www.newsboys.com.
(from Savvy Media)
Fireflight is taking a much deserved break from the summer heat to record
a new record. The band will be in the studio for the month of August before the Scars Remain Tour with Disciple,
Fireflight, Dizmas and Wavorly in mid-September. Look for video blogs and updates of the recording process from
Fireflight at their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/fireflight.
(from Provident Music Group)
Congratulations to Nevertheless’ frontman Josh Pearson, who will be
getting married next week. Even the excitement of a wedding doesn’t slow down this band. Nevertheless is playing a
show with Cartel two days before the ceremony, in a city 15 hours away. Check out their official website for upcoming
shows: www.neverthelessmusic.com.
(from Provident Music Group)
For one exciting weekend in September, guests can sing their hearts out and jam with their friends as
Rock The Universe 2007 takes center stage at Universal Studios. Some of the
industry's most popular Christian bands and artists perform September 7 and 8, captivating both secular and Christian audiences.
Guests will revel in the innovative music of the powerful lineup featured at Rock the Universe 2007. On Friday night,
the event features Grammy-award winners Casting Crowns and Jars of Clay, rap combo Grits, crunk rock group Family Force 5
and Christian chart-toppers MercyMe and Hawk Nelson. On Saturday night Grammy-award winner tobyMac, pop/punk rock group
Relient K, along with Jeremy Camp, Pocket Full of Rocks, The Afters and Skillet wrap up the action-packed weekend.
This year's event includes special guests Bethany Hamilton and Daren Streblow. After losing her arm in a shark attack,
Bethany Hamilton, 17, now travels around the world to share her story and inspire youth. Daren Streblow is an in-demand
comic for schools, youth rallies, and churches and is also featured in the nationwide Funny People of Faith Tour.
Popular speakers David Nassar, Dr. Jay Strack and Brent Crowe will also share their personal testimonies.
A unique and uplifting addition to Rock the Universe 2007 is the Sunday Morning Worship Service to be held Sunday,
September 9 at 10 a.m. The non-denominational service will feature praise and worship music, a special appearance by
Bethany Hamilton, and a speaker from the Christian Surfers United States. Admission to the worship service is free with
any Rock the Universe ticket and advance reservations are required at www.rocktheuniverse.com.
Through August 31, guests can purchase a special Rock the Universe package which lets them enjoy an entire weekend of
inspirational concerts, motivating guest speakers, and thrilling theme park attractions -- all for the same price as a
2-night Rock the Universe ticket. The "Rock Your Whole Weekend" package includes park admission Friday, September 7
through Sunday, September 9 to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, as well as admission to both nights of Rock
the Universe. The package is available online for $69.95 or $91.95 when purchased after August 31.
One-night individual tickets are on sale now for $41.95 in advance and $46.95 for day-of tickets. One-night group tickets are available for $39.95 in advance and $46.95 at the gate. For additional information, visit our website at www.rocktheuniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).
Tickets are non-refundable and will be honored at Universal Studios after 4 p.m. until the park closes at 1 a.m. Select Universal Studio's attractions will remain open until 1 a.m. throughout the weekend for added enjoyment. For more information on Rock The Universe or to purchase tickets visit www.rocktheuniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).
(from Universal PR)
GRAMMY-winning rock band Third Day announces a very special tour this
holiday season. Based on its Dove Award-winning project of the same name, The Christmas Offerings Tour will kick off
November 29th in Rome, Ga. and continue for a total of twelve dates. Third Day is pleased to announce its very special
guest Jars of Clay to the tour. Having just launched its own label, Gray Matters,
Jars of Clay will present selections from its very first full-length Christmas project, Christmas Songs releasing
October 16. In the spirit of the season, Third Day will be giving a portion of the proceeds to Jars of Clay’s Blood:Water Mission
and will encourage fans to join them in giving. “I think our fans, and fans of Jars of Clay, are very giving people,
and have expressed interest in joining us in giving to those who are in need during the holidays. We’re also going to be
partnering with a number of other highly regarded, charitable organizations, in addition to the Blood:Water Mission, that
concert goers can consider giving to,” shares Third Day’s Tai Anderson.
Having successfully unveiled Volume Two of its two-part
Chronology series, Third Day is starting to write the third act of its career, beginning with this tour that is
certain to usher fans into the holiday season with a beautiful evening of worship. The band is also continuing to play
all the major festivals and fairs this summer and into the fall, and plans are underway to begin work on its next studio project, scheduled for release in 2008.
While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, members Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark and Charlie Lowell founded the Blood:Water Mission in early 2002. The first effort of this non-profit was the “1000 Wells Project” with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. To date, 200 wells have been constructed bringing clean water to more than 100,000 people.
(from Provident Music Group)
TobyMac’s latest masterpiece, Portable Sounds,
is continuing to break records for this award-winning artist, now having over 100 Christian radio stations playing his
smash hit singles “I’m For You” (50 AC stations) and “Made to Love”, (53 AC stations) which is currently No. 1 on R&R
chart CHR chart as well. Reaching such a career milestone for an artist whose songs have primarily spent airtime in
the CHR and ROCK world is sure to propel his just-announced fall 2007 tour. In addition, TobyMac recently discussed an
issue close to his heart, racial reconciliation, with The Washington Times.
In follow-up to his successful spring tour, “The Portable Sounds Fall Tour“ with special guests Barlow Girl and Thousand
Foot Krutch is set to kick off September 20th in Mobile, Alabama and stop in about 28 cities through November 11th.
In addition, TobyMac Christian Rock radio hit “Boomin’” will be featured in one of the trailers for the film Underdog,
in theatres now, while “Feelin So Fly” is featured in the new Disney film Gameplan, staring Dwayne “The Rock”
Johnson (Sept. 28). BarlowGirl has solidified their rock stature in the Christian and mainstream music scene with their
2004 self-titled debut and follow-up 2005 project, Another Journal Entry. The success of these two albums resulted in
sales of over 500,000, four #1 hits, nine Dove Award nominations and the mega-hit, “I Need You To Love Me,” became the
longest #1 single in Christian Radio Weekly’s CHR chart history at a record 13 weeks. BarlowGirl has been featured on NBC
News/Today show, Associated Press, Sophisticates Hairstyle magazine, winner of Yahoo! Music’s “Who’s Next” series and
recently was named the 2007 Youth Ambassador for the National Day of Prayer. BarlowGirl is supporting their third album
and July 24 release, How Can We Be Silent, while on tour this fall.
Thousand Foot Krutch returns with their most prolific and inspiring release to date, The Flame in All of Us,
which hits stores September 18th (Tooth & Nail Records). This record is a perfect blend of the band’s patented rawk
sounds, coupled with beautiful ballads that explore what truly burns inside of us and the common core amongst humanity,
depicting the title The Flame in All of Us. The Toronto, Canada natives have sold more than 450,000 copies to
date of their albums Set It Off, Phenomenon, and The Art Of Breaking. Thousand Foot Krutch
broke out with their 2003 Phenomenon album, which landed them an impressive six No. 1 songs on rock radio and even a step into the mainstream with songs “Rawkfist” and “Move.” It was “Rawkfist” that became the first great sports anthem of the 21st century being heard everywhere from sports stadiums to commercials (NHL, NFL and major league baseball, ESPN) to the WB’s Smallville.
(from The M Collective)
Following a no. 1 Single on Billboard’s Hot Single Sales chart (5 straight weeks), appearances on The Today Show,
Live! With Regis & Kelly, The Tom Joyner Show, countless radio and retail visits, vocal powerhouse Mandisa’s debut CD,
True Beauty, has entered at No. 1 on Soundscan’s Christian/Gospel and
itunes Christian/Gospel charts. The American Idol alum’s chart entry marks the first debut album by a female solo artist
to open at No. 1 since this chart converted to Nielsen SoundScan back in 1995, as well as making Mandisa the only female
solo artist to land at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart with a debut album in the 27 years since Billboard began
tracking Christian album sales in March 1980. In addition, with over 17,000 units scanned, Mandisa hits No. 43 on the
Billboard Top 200 chart, surrounded by Toby Keith’s latest and the current mega smash by Robin Thicke.
True Beauty also became Sparrow Records highest chart entry for a new artist in the company’s 31 year history.
Peter York president, EMI CMG Label Group remarked on the significance of the debut as well as her impact on her fans,
“Mandisa has struck a chord with consumers across this country in a way few artists can and the successful launch of this
debut attests to that fact. Her message of what true beauty is and where it comes from offers a refreshing perspective
to millions of people. Mandisa's debut is a historical one for Sparrow and we look forward to more milestones throughout what promises to be a long career.”
Along with reviews praising “True Beauty” from the likes of USA Today and People, “Only The World,” the first single from “True Beauty, is quickly climbing the R&R’s Radio charts, becoming a multi-format hit, currently No. 4 on Christian AC Indicator, No.7 on Christian AC monitored and continuing to climb at Christian CHR currently at No. 13.
Aggressive marketing continues on all fronts including the mobile arena where both leading mobile service providers
Verizon and Sprint have come on board to promote Mandisa. For a limited time, Verizon users can get an exclusive track by
Mandisa called "Broken Into Beautiful". Even though the track is not available on her album Verizon has it NOW on VCast.
Plus Verizon is making all of Mandisa's new Ringtunes and Ringbacks available in an artist feature folder on Friday, August 10 including hit tracks "Only the World" and "Shackles." Likewise, Mandisa's hit single "Only The World" earned a top spot on the main page of the Sprint Ringers store this week. Sprint subscribers looking for new ringers this week will see "Only The World" in the top spot on the "Ringers" page. She's also one of 14 artists featured in a Sprint "Christian Hits" promotion. This feature is also on the main page of the Sprint Ringers Store.
(from The M Collective)
Following their departure from the platinum-selling band Kutless, founding member Kyle Mitchell and
bass player Kyle Zeigler have announced the first project release under their new label imprint,
Verbatim Records. Newcomer Logan Martin's debut CD entitled Colorless will
release nationwide via Infinity Distribution on September 25, 2007.
"Logan is such a talented song writer and performer, and on top of that he is so genuinely committed to impacting people
with his music, we really couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with him on a deeper level," says Verbatim Records co-founder Kyle Mitchell.
Mitchell and Zeigler left Kutless shortly after recording the highly-acclaimed Strong Tower project. Their mutual goal
was to offer up-and-coming local and regional artists quality production options as well as assist them in promotion and
distribution. Of all the artists they reviewed, they chose Logan Martin to be their first project on Verbatim.
"We were blessed to have Logan accept our invitation," says Mitchell, "and we have had a great time producing his first project 'Colorless.' We truly believe it is an amazingly creative and accessible album with a strong spiritual message and a fantastic sound that many different types of music lovers will enjoy. Our passion at Verbatim has always been for music that can reach the hearts of people who listen to all different styles of music."
To promote Colorless, Logan Martin will continue to be featured on tours with artists such as Phil Wickham, Shawn McDonald, and Warren Barfield. Martin, an Oregon native, began writing songs at age 14 and performing live a couple of years later. He has toured with Jeremy Camp and TobyMac, among others.
"During this past year, we have had the opportunity to build a talented executive team for Verbatim Records, and God has blessed us by surrounding us with wonderful people without whom we would not be able to build on our vision," shares Kyle Zeigler, Verbatim Records co-founder. "We really have sought God's direction, as we feel that our work is His vision to begin with, and God continues to drive us forward. There have been great sacrifices for us, and times of waiting quietly along the way, but God has always been faithful, and He shows that side of Himself often through the people that have come alongside us. We look forward to what he is going to do, in our lives, in the lives of the artists that we work with at Verbatim Records, and in the hearts of the people who listen to the music."
Verbatim has not yet announced additional releases in 2007, but they have confirmed that there are a number of other artists and bands in different phases of the production process. "2008 promises to be quite an eventful year for Verbatim Records and our artists," says Mitchell.
Verbatim Records was founded in late 2006 and registered as a corporation in the State of Washington in early 2007. Founded by Kyle Mitchell (President), Kyle Zeigler (Head of A&R), and business partner Dan Herman (Head of Operations), Verbatim Records operates out of Vancouver, WA. Verbatim Records is managed by a Board of Directors and a team of shareholders. Verbatim Records is distributed through Infinity Music Distribution, a division of Central South Distribution. Verbatim Records claims no association with the musical group Kutless or any of its affiliates.
(from Christian Publicity Services)
On September 28th, Gotee Records will release the definitive GRITS
double-disc collection, Greatest Hits, with 30 songs by the hip-hop duo, 11 of which are previously unreleased tracks.
Fans can anticipate GRITS featured for the first time ever in their 10-year career as the cover story of CCM Magazine's
October issue. The rappers also recently interviewed with ccmmagazine.com for a podcast, which will be online in September.
While their first three albums established GRITS as underground icons, it was their breakthrough fourth album
Art Of Translation that solidified the group's assent as one of hip-hop's hottest new rising stars. GRITS
cracked MTV2's Top 10 Most Requested and Top 5 Handpicked and received favorable media coverage in the pages of XXL, Spin,
Vibe, Billboard, The Source, URB and other major publications and media. Over the course of their career, GRITS has
shared the stage with OutKast, Jay-Z, Nappy Roots, Ice Cube, DJ Shadow, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Goodie Mob, and
Monica. They have a Billboard Video Award, 3 Dove Awards, and 2 GRAMMY nods to their credit.
The GRITS song "Ooh Ahh" remains a hot commodity as a digital single and has sold over 150,000 downloads to date.
The song, from their 2006 release simply titled 7, was also used on the big screen in both The Fast And The Furious:
Toyko Drift, and Big Momma's House 2 featuring comedian actor Martin Lawrence. Rappers Coffee and Bonafide
have seen their music grace the movies before with the single "Here We Go" featured in Something's Gotta Give
starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, as well as music used in independent films including Devious Beings,
Lockdown, and Road Dogz. GRITS' songs have also been used extensively on television including shows
like "MTV CRIBS," "The Real World," "Pimp My Ride," "Tough Enough," and "Boston Public."
(from LB PR)
The new album from Steven Curtis Chapman This Moment comes out October 23rd,
but you can download the single "Miracle of the Moment" at iTunes now! Click HERE to go to the iTunes music store to get it.
Stay tuned to stevencurtischapman.com or myspace to get the latest on Steven and hear new music every week!
(from Sparrow Records)
New Edison Glass music will be available on iTunes on August 28th. The Let Go EP
will be made up of 3 songs from their upcoming release Time is Fiction as well as two other tracks exclusive to this iTunes
release. And all for the low low price of $3.95.
Edison Glass decided they really wanted to get to know all of you out there, so they got an official Edison Glass cell phone.
Anyone can call them to just chat, leave a voicemail or a text! (917) 338-3878 is the number if you would like to call the guys
and say hello.
(from Biscuit PR)
Future of Forestry is sad to say goodbye to Nick and Luke. The band’s vision seemed
to be going in different directions, and the guys will be greatly missed. Nick and Luke are going to be playing for some other
artists such as Bethany Dillon, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the near future. The bands still has their last shows
with this lineup this weekend – Aug 10 in Orange County and 11 in San Diego, and then Eric and Spencer will begin working on the
next chapter of the band. Be looking for a tour coming up in December!
(from Biscuit PR)
Fans who purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com for select dates on Casting Crowns’
upcoming fall concert tour will receive a special passcode to download a complimentary three-song digital music sampler from the iTunes store.
The tour sampler includes three tracks: Casting Crowns’ “The Altar and The Door,” Leeland’s “Tears of the Saints,” and John Waller’s
“Still Calls Me Son.” “Ticketmaster is thrilled to facilitate artist initiated programs like these,” said David Marcus,
Ticketmaster’s SVP, Music. “Casting Crowns knows that providing music to ticket buyers rewards these core fans for their commitment
and deepens their involvement with the band. That’s a formula we’re committed to.”
Kicking off Sept. 27 in San Antonio, Casting Crowns will lead the touring season visiting 36 markets this fall with opening act
Leeland and introducing John Waller. Markets include Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., with the fall leg wrapping on Dec. 2 in Dekalb, IL. “The Altar and The Door” Tour will visit a total of 80-cities in 2007-2008.
Casting Crowns is also among the upcoming Fall concert tours featured on Ticketmaster.com. For tour dates and more information, please visit www.castingcrowns.com and to purchase tickets visit Ticketmaster.com
(from Provident Music Group)
Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay Band returns with the August 28 release of
Give Yourself Away, the follow-up to the group’s 2005 critically-acclaimed label debut, Better Days.
Produced by Tedd T. (Mute Math, David Crowder*Band) and Robbie Seay, the album finds the band taking an aggressive step forward
with their alternative worship style. Give Yourself Away features progressive melodies and raw, insightful lyrics rooted in Jesus’ call to service. The album’s
first single, “Song Of Hope,” was the second Most Added on R&R’s Christian AC Monitored chart for the week of August 3, and was
also one of the Most Added on R&R’s Christian CHR chart for the week of July 20. The single had 11 adds in its first week and has
been picked up by 21 stations in three weeks. Other highlights of Give Yourself Away include the piano-driven “New Day,” the ambient, hope-filled “Starting Over,” and
“Go Outside,” partly inspired by the uniting of Houston’s larger church community in efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Give Yourself Away is a missional record, almost a rebirth of how we’re seeing our faith and how we’re seeing a lot of
young Christians respond to the great need around the world and at home,” explains Seay. “As believers, we are being awakened to
the call of Christ to give of ourselves, to live out life together honestly, in community. As we find hope together, it pushes us
to be proactive in our faith.” “Rise,” the opening selection of Give Yourself Away, reflects Robbie Seay Band’s desire to serve others through their support of
African children. Inspired by “Invisible Children,” a film documenting the tragedies in modern-day Uganda, and the book “Girl Soldier” (by Faith J.H. McDonnell and Grace Akallo), Robbie Seay Band is working with Compassion International to support children in Uganda.
Comprised of Robbie Seay, Dan Hamilton and Ryan Owens, the group leads worship at Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love. In addition to their work within Ecclesia, Robbie Seay Band has recorded four independent projects and toured in 2005 on the 30-city David Crowder*Band “Collision” Tour.
(from Turning Point)
With their single “Be Still” gaining momentum at AC radio, Gotee act StorySide:B will
tour their sophomore album, We Are Not Alone, this fall both as part of 20
cities on the ShoutFest tour, as well as 15 dates with Building 429 and The Afters.
“Be Still” continues to make the climb at radio with 6 adds at AC radio last week and 2 additional adds this week, landing them at
#27. The song also jumped from #19 to the #16 spot at Indicator, making it the #8 Most Increased song.
StorySide:B has been touring non-stop this year already with acts such as Leeland, Salvador, Red, Disciple and Skillet, and summer
performances at SoulFest, Newsong, Creation West, and SpiritFest as well as Luis Palau events. These Florida-based rockers have
shared past stages with marquee artists such as Jars Of Clay, Kutless, TobyMac, GRITS, Matthew West, and Shawn McDonald.
With their 2005 debut effort Everything And More, StorySide:B nabbed the
best new artist debut spot on Billboard Magazine’s “Top Christian Albums” chart, and saw radio success with the CHR radio single
“Miracle”, which was named as one of the “Top Ten Most Played Songs Of 2006”. The follow up single, "Everything and More" was also a #2 song (CHR). In addition, their music video for the hit song “Miracle” received an award for “Outstanding Music Video” at the 27th Annual Telly Awards.
(from LB PR)
Manifesto, the sophomore release from Dove Award-nominated worship group
Pocket Full of Rocks, made its sales debut at #5 on SoundScan’s “Praise and Worship”
chart amid solid reviews from fans and critics. The strong showing at retail follows an extensive promotional tour in support of
Manifesto, the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut, Song to the King.
The new project features a set of twelve new tracks produced by the band including their current radio single “Let the Worshippers Arise.”
Critics have embraced Manifesto, which has received rave reviews from publications such as Worship Leader Magazine which
said, “If you embark with Manifesto, you will return with a new outlook and a life that has been changed. It will be worth your while.” Additionally, The Worshiper Magazine stated, “Passion and praise were both abundantly present on the Pocket Full of Rocks’ major label debut, and as is clear with ‘Who Is This King,’ their sophomore project is just as stirring.”
The group, featuring Michael Farren (lead vocals/guitar), Alisa Farren (vocals), David Rollins (drums), Jody Crump (bass) and Ryan Riggins (electric guitar), is widely known for their hit songs, including “Let It Rain” on Michael W. Smith’s Platinum-certified Worship album and “Let the Worshippers Arise, the title track for a recent Phillips, Craig and Dean release.
(from The WMG)
The names have changed, but the passion and purpose remain the same for the new Parachute Band
set to release their new album Roadmaps and Revelations on Integrity Music on September 25, 2007.
With limitless energy and hearts focused on God, The new Parachute Band is ready to push boundaries and take their worship to fresh
places. The five new members: Omega Levine (vocals), Sam de Jong (drums), Rhys Machell (bass), Alister Woods (keyboards) and Simon
Moore (guitars) fuse their hearts for worship and creativity on this collection of all-new guitar driven worship songs.
The Parachute Band was originally formed in 1996 as the worship band for New Zealand’s Parachute Music Festival. As the band’s popularity grew in its home country, so did the band’s mission: to lead people of all races and ages in worship, using songs as a tool to see lives changed and hearts connected with God.
The new Parachute Band line-up was first introduced at this year’s Parachute Festival in January. With more than 27,000 in attendance, founding members Wayne and Libby Huirua were honored for their years of leading worship around the world and then the mantle was handed over.
Said Parachute Music Founder and CEO Mark de Jong: “This new generation Parachute Band is made up of five young guys dedicated to the same heart and same mission as the original band – to resource the church worldwide with new worship songs and to lead people into God’s presence. The heart of the new band is the same, the sound is brand new!”
Roadmaps and Revelations was recorded in New Zealand and co-produced by top Producer Nic Manders and Parachute Band’s drummer Sam de Jong. The CD features 13 songs written by acclaimed Australasian songwriters, including several by members of the band.
Woven throughout the Roadmaps and Revelations’ refreshingly raw and organic songs is the theme taken from Psalm 119, translated in The Message as “Barricade the road that goes nowhere…I choose the road to somewhere.”
Honored with the Gospel Music Association’s International Award in 2006, the Parachute Band was back in the U.S. earlier this year, introducing their new songs and new sound on their first international tour.
(from Spinhouse PR)
Wrapping up street-week promotions in support of their highly-anticipated third album,
How Can We Be Silent, Fervent Records’ sister rock trio
BarlowGirl recently debuted at No. 1 on multiple Christian SoundScan charts.
Capturing the top position on SoundScan’s CBA chart, BarlowGirl seized the No. 1 spots on the combined CBA and general market chart
along with the digital albums chart. The critically acclaimed How Can We Be Silent further claimed the No. 40 position on Billboard’s Top 200 chart.
BarlowGirl’s music is additionally becoming a favorite among cell phone users as the group offers customizable ringtones to fans
through UrTone. The UrTone platform, available at www.myspace.com/barlowgirl and www.barlowgirl.com, provides fans the unique
opportunity to customize their own ringtones from all songs listed in the BarlowGirl catalog.
BarlowGirl has solidified their rock stature in the Christian and mainstream music scene with their 2004 self-titled debut and
follow-up 2005 project, Another Journal Entry. The success of these two
albums resulted in sales of over 600,000, four No. 1 hits, nine Dove Award nominations and the mega-hit, “I Need You To Love Me,”
became the longest running No. 1 single in Christian Radio Weekly’s CHR chart history at a record 13 weeks. The song additionally
was certified in May for 50,000 spins, according to BDS. BarlowGirl has been featured on NBC News/Today show, Associated Press,
Sophisticates Hairstyle magazine, winner of Yahoo! Music’s “Who’s Next” series and recently was named the 2007 Youth Ambassador for
the National Day of Prayer. For more information on BarlowGirl, or to purchase How Can We Be Silent, visit www.barlowgirl.com or www.myspace.com/barlowgirl.
(from Bozeman Media)
The new Joy Electric 12 song remix album
Their Variables is available for preorder now. Their Variables features remixes for every song from The Otherly Opus as well as two brand new,
never before heard songs. You can hear two of the remixes on the band's Myspace page right now.
Remixes by the following artists include Solvent, Celluloide, Norway, The Viirus,
B! Machine, Travelogue, The Echoing Green, Flashlight Party, Engine Beach, and Scholastics.
Pre-order your copy before it's released and you'll receive a copy of The
Foxglove Hunt EP (Ronnie Martin's side project with Fine China's Rob Withem) for free!
(from Joy Electric; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
The first song to be revealed from the upcoming solo album from Josh Dies
of Showbread can now be heard at www.myspace.com/joshuadies.
Go over and listen to "Does This Inspire You?" from the album Aesthetics Of Violence coming December, 2008.
(from Showbread; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
After they finish their Fall tour, Copeland will put the finishing touches on a brand new b-sides project for release
in early December. "This will contain all of the hard to find rarities, acoustic and alternate versions, probably even
some previously unreleased songs from past albums, stories and photos surrounding these songs, maybe stuff that never
ended up making it on the records," the band states in an online announcement. "We’re excited about this and should be a
fun project to put together. More info on this as it develops. Feel free to send us some suggestions via our msg board,
we’re open to any and all ideas."
(from Copeland; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Third Day has officially announced (if you haven't heard already) The Christmas Offerings Tour, with Special Guest
Jars Of Clay! "We are very excited to share this night with all of you to
rejoice in the birth of Jesus. The tour begins on Nov. 29 and ends on Dec. 16th. 12 shows only! Tickets are available to
everyone on Sept. 7th," announced the band in a newsletter today. "Get your tickets early! A portion of the proceeds
will go to benefit Blood Water Mission- www.bloodwatermission.org" Jars of Clay told Jesusfreakhideout.com last week when
they played in Pennsylvania that fans can expect some nice surprises at these shows!
(from Third Day; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
Hawk Nelson continues to dominate the sports realm with a new national
promotional NBC NFL campaign featuring “Bring Em’ Out,” which includes online and television trailers. Starting this past
weekend on http://www.sundaynightisfootballnight.com, “Bring Em’Out” is featured on the “Preview” for the next six weeks.
This site promotes the move of Monday night football on ABC to Sunday night on NBC. “Bring Em’ Out” has already
received airtime with its debut in the family movie Yours, Mine, & Ours, it was also part of a promotion for 2006
NBC coverage of the NHL Stanley Cup, as well as selected song in a USA Today Critic Blog.
Festival attendees were greeted from above as daredevil Hawk Nelson members took the plunge from the sky as they entered
their set for Spirit West Coast this past weekend. Each band member flew tandem as they skydived into the 20,000+
attended festival on Saturday. The guys will finish out the summer with the Hawk Nelson Baseball Tour that has already traveled across the country
hitting major & minor baseball league games with a concert prior to the games. Upcoming games that will feature the band
include: LA Dodgers on August 19th... for updated list check out their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hawknelsononline
(from The M Collective)
San Antonio, Tex.-based pop/rock band Grey Holiday welcomed representatives
from several different radio stations to their hometown this week. The group spent their time touring the city, including
the Alamo. "I haven't been this impressed with a new band in a long time. Meeting Grey Holiday was awesome for me.
The quality of these four guys is as amazing as the quality of their music. Don't even think "one hit wonder" with Grey
Holiday. This band is here to stay." - Mike Schlote, Program Director and Host of "Mike at the Mic in the Morning."
Grey Holiday’s debut album, The Glorious Revolution, drops
September 25. The album features six audio tracks as well as an audio interview with the band and will be loaded with
extra content including music videos, a songwriting journal, early song demos and much more.
(from Provident Label Group)
Every Reason Why, the debut project from Myrrh Records’ worship artist
Mark Roach, entered at #8 on this week’s “Christian Retail” sales chart and at #3 on the
“Praise and Worship” sales chart, according to SoundScan. The strong debut is the culmination of an aggressive street week
promotional tour with label mates Pocket Full of Rocks.
Produced by Dove nominee Nathan Nockels (Chris Tomlin, Passion, Watermark), the record features a set of thought-provoking, accessible songs that are sure to become new anthems of the church. The CD also unlocks a website featuring MediaShout lyric files, chord charts, song-by-song descriptions, instructional videos and more.
Early reviews of the record include CBA Retailers+Resources Magazine, who described Roach as “On his way to becoming the next Chris
Tomlin, with anthems reverberating in congregations everywhere…” and Worship Leader Magazine, which said, “It’s hard to beat an
outstanding record full of completely accessible songs for the service of worship. So, Every Reason Why is hard to beat.”
Although Roach’s music may be new to some, over half a million Women of Faith “Amazing Freedom” conference attendees have sung two
songs from Every Reason Why—“You Are” and “Amazing.” Additionally, Roach’s songs are featured on the Women of Faith Worship Team
CD, Amazing Freedom. As the worship pastor at Morning Star Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in Missouri, Roach
was born to share his music with the world. His relationship with Christ and exposure to modern worship has birthed in him a desire
to write relevant, accessible, Christ-centered songs for the church.
Since 2004, seven of Roach's songs have appeared on a total of eight national compilation projects including WOW Next 2007,
Absolute Modern Worship 2, SongDISCovery Vol 53, and two appearances on Purpose Driven Ministries SongSeeker
projects in 2004 and 2005. He has appeared at Re:Create, The Purpose Driven Worship Conference, The National Worship Leader
Conference, and GMA Music In The Rockies. Roach has also already shared the stage with the likes of Mercy Me, Matthew West and Jonah 33.
(from The WMG)
During the month of August, RKT Music's
High Flight Society will be touring the western half of the United
States, including a three-day showing in Monterey, CA at Spirit West
Coast and a performance at Hollywood's historic Whiskey A Go-Go.
Select dates of the tour will be featured as a part of the Rock,
Paper, Scissors Tour, also including Flicker Records' Wavorly and
Gotee Records' Our Heart's Hero. This will be the band's first tour
of the western half of the United States.
"We are excited to introduce High Flight Society to fans on the west
coast as part of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tour." states Greg Oliver,
President of GOA, Inc. "High Flight Society's live show is
outstanding and those in attendance will not leave disappointed."
The band has released a re-mix of their current CHR single,
"Declaration," featuring declarative statements of faith from fans.
The statements of faith were sent to the band in response to a
question posted on the band's myspace page asking fans how they
declare their Christian faith. The new re-mix, which is currently
streaming at myspace.com/highflightsociety and being offered as a
limited time free download via purevolume.com/highflightsociety,
represents the band's desire to minister to young people and invest
themselves in the lives of their fans. The band will be promoting
the new version of "Declaration" throughout their August tour dates.
Contact the Greg Oliver Agency (http://www.goa-inc.com) to
book High Flight Society or a date on the Rock, Paper, Scissors
Tour. For more information, please visit myspace.com/highflightsociety or www.rktmusic.com.
(from Rocketown Records)
TBN's Christian youth network JCTV, will broadcast Audio Adrenaline's last concert
from the picturesque Waikiki Bowl in Hawaii beginning August 4th at 7:00 PST. This JCTV 90 minute exclusive will feature behind
the scenes footage of the band surfing, snorkeling, and fellowshipping with over 200 devoted fans from around the world throughout
the weekend in Hawaii surrounding the Farewell Concert. In addition to back to back music, there will also be a surprise marriage
proposal during the broadcast. Viewers can see this exclusive farewell concert on August 4 and 18 at 7:00 PM PST; August 11 and
12 at 1:00 AM PST; and on August 31 at 5:00 pm and 10:30 pm only on JCTV. The concert will also be released in a CD/DVD set from
Forefront Records on August 28th, entitled Live From Hawaii:The Farewell Concert!
(from Audio Adrenaline; Jesusfreakhideout.com)
This year is proving to be an exciting year for Multi-Platinum recording artist Jaci Velasquez
and her husband Nic Gonzales of the award-winning band, Salvador.
Since legally being wed on December 5, 2006 at a small get together in Franklin, TN followed by a formal ceremony in Austin, TX on
December 17th, the couple has worked on music, settled down in Nashville, TN and NOW is preparing for a new addition to their
budding family, due mid-November, a baby BOY!! The proud parents-to-be state, “This has been a great year! 2007 promises to be even better with the arrival of our first child.
We’re thrilled and already feel creatively inspired by our son.”
During her pregnancy, Jaci will be in the studio working on her next album. This new CD will be produced by Mark Heimermann, who
has worked with Jaci in the past on albums such as Crystal Clear and her
Platinum-selling debut Heavenly Place. Through her highly-successful debut, Velasquez became the newest sensation in
Christian music, winning the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Best New Artist in 1997. Now, 11 years later, her new album
will be released by her label Apostrophe Records in early 2008.
Jaci also is busy making select concert appearances such as those at Lakewood Church on August 12th; Riverfront Park in Nashville,
TN on September 2nd and Disneyworld on September 7th. She will also be helping promote Max Lucado’s 3:16 -- Songs of Hope album
which is the companion CD to the compelling new book from New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado in which she has a brand
new recording now at radio called “Loved By You.” The album also features award-winning recording artists Third Day, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and many more sharing musical tributes to the timeless message of John 3:16.
For more information on Jaci visit www.jacivelasquez.com and for Nic visit www.salvadorlive.com.
(from Big Machine Media)
Springing forward from two highly successful projects on Tooth & Nail Records, which have sold more than 450,000 units,
Thousand Foot Krutch rocks it with their new studio album The Flame in All of Us
releasing September 18th. Remaining true to their alternative rock style while taking on new musical risks, TFK has created a
sonically diverse and three-dimensional album listeners will grab hold.
“I feel as excited about this record as I did about music when I was a kid,” lead vocalist Trevor McNevan says. “There’s definitely
a new energy. It feels like we’re just getting started. We feel that way as a band.”
The Flame in All of Us encompasses the heart pumping adrenaline the band creates during their live show that fans know and
love. Recording the drum, guitar, and bass tracks simultaneously in the same studio in Pasadena, Ca, captured this energy.
Producer Ken Andrews (Chris Cornell, Pete Yorn, Tenacious D) was enlisted to string together the cleverly written project, which
was recorded in a mere three weeks time.
“In more ways than one this is the most refreshing record we’ve made,” McNevan says. “My favorite albums are the ones with lots of
contrast that you can listen to front to back, that take you on a journey. And I believe the strongest bands are the ones that a
listener can grow up with.”
Making this release refreshing is a central theme of unification throughout beginning with its title and opening track, “The Flame
in All of Us.” An ambitious rocker elevated by a stop-in-your-tracks chorus featuring strings and a softer melody that refers to
the common thread we have in human nature asking the same core group of questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is life really all about?
Continuing with the theme of asking questions is the first CHR/AC single, “What Do We Know?” which should be a landmark song for
Thousand Foot Krutch. Easily accessible, it’s a “What’s Going On” type of sing-along anthem for the postmodern world that is
equally haunting and hopeful in its memorable use of a children’s choir.
Trevor explains, “The song starts out waking up the morning of 9/11, and it refers to events like Hurricane Katrina, the Virginia
Tech tragedy, Tsunami and the major catastrophes that have happened in the last few years that have made us all—no matter what you
believe—stand back and say, Wow, we’re not in control here.”
Thousand Foot Krutch will be out on tour with TobyMac for the fall tour. The band is also performing at major festivals across the nation this summer.
(from The M Collective)
Michael W. Smith, an iconic artist loved and respected for his immense creativity,
leadership and heart for others, announces the release of his 20th studio album It’s A Wonderful Christmas, on Reunion Records, October 16th.
Over the years, people have come to respect Smith as a man of many gifts. He’s written and recorded pop music that has infused
America’s cultural climate with hope. He’s a gifted worship leader that has drawn other believers closer to God through his songs. However, there’s no denying that one of his greatest gifts is simply as a composer. That passion for creating new music abounds on It’s A Wonderful Christmas, a powerful collection of songs that reverberate with Smith’s heartfelt connection to that most special season.
Like his musical hero John Williams (composer of film scores for Jaws, Star Wars, Raiders of
the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park), Smith’s work has an epic, cinematic quality that stirs emotions in the listener.
It’s the kind of music that is not simply heard; it’s felt. “It’s so big and symphonic,” says Smith, who himself has scored two
films, including The Second Chance in which he also starred. “It feels like you’re going to get to the end of the record and you’ll want to see the movie. It sounds like
a soundtrack.” In recording It’s A Wonderful Christmas, Michael enlisted David Hamilton’s expertise with arrangements.
Hamilton worked with Michael on his highly acclaimed instrumental album, Freedom, and has also toured with Michael.
It’s A Wonderful Christmas features the winning singer-songwriter joining forces with four amazing choirs, among them a 100-voice
choir and also a 16-member London boy’s choir directed by John Tobin, and a 67-piece orchestra at London’s Abbey Road studios. Also
featured is a duet with American Idol’s Mandisa. As the strings soar and the bells ring, you can almost feel winter’s nip in the
air and smell the fragrance of pine trees as Smith’s music puts you in that holiday mood. Smith reveled in the opportunity to
record with a 67-piece orchestra, “The arrangements were great. The room is legendary and the players were unbelievable,” he enthuses.
In preparing for his new Christmas collection, he wanted to create an album with the lush arrangements and powerful orchestral
sounds that he heard listening to his favorite Christmas records as a child. He began putting together a list of his favorite
tunes, but in a burst of inspiration soon found he’d written more than enough new material to fill the album. The only cover tune
is the timeless standard “What Child is This?” which sounds both familiar yet fresh thanks to Smitty’s deft musical reinvention.
In addition, Michael will be hitting the road for a Christmas tour, appropriately titled the,
“It’s A Wonderful Christmas” with special guests, The Katinas. Each date will feature a full symphony orchestra.
The It’s A Wonderful Christmas tracklist includes: "Christmas Angels," "It’s A Wonderful Christmas," "The Promise,"
"Song For The King," "Christmas Day (duet with Mandisa)," "A Highland Carol," "Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah," "Son of God,"
"What Child Is This," "Audrey’s Gift," and "All Year Long."
(from Provident Label Group)
Word Entertainment, inspired by Platinum selling, award-winning recording artist Mark Schultz’s
“Across America” benefit bicycle ride that brought in more than $250,000 to help orphans and widows through the Family Christian
Stores James Fund, has started the Mark Schultz Activity Fund. This fund, named in Schultz's honor, will be used to provide fun
outings for the children at the Back2Back Ministries children’s home in Monterrey, Mexico.
It was this children’s home that Schultz and his wife, Kate, visited in the spring of 2006 with the James Fund, and that gave
Schultz inspiration as he rode over 3,500 miles to benefit orphans and widows worldwide. Through the new Mark Schultz Activity
Fund, these children will have the opportunity to visit the amusement park, movie theatre and various outings that the children would normally never have the chance to experience.
“Word Entertainment is so pleased to play a small part in what Mark Schultz and the James Fund are doing to touch the lives of
orphans in Mexico,” states Rod Riley, Sr. VP of Marketing for Word Label Group. “I speak for the entire Word Entertainment family
when I say, ‘We couldn't be more proud of Mark and what he has accomplished.’ It is an honor to partner with the James Fund in
this tangible way and pray it will have a lasting impact on these kids for many years to come.”
“The Mark Schultz Activity Fund will be a tremendous blessing to hundreds of orphans we serve here in Mexico,” says Todd and Beth
Guckenberger, Directors of Back2Back Ministries in Monterrey, Mexico. “It will facilitate adult/child interaction, provide fun
memories and stories the children can share at school, and help them for a moment to feel the carefree living every child deserves.
Thanks, Mark, for all your hard work and being the voice they don't have.”
Word Entertainment has made a first donation of $1,000 to the fund with the idea of keeping it subsidized as the fund
depletes. Others interested in making a donation can participate by logging onto www.jamesfund.org.
The Mark Schultz Activity Fund will benefit Back2Back Ministries through the James Fund, a non-profit organization founded by
Family Christian Stores to meet the needs of orphans and widows in distress. Back2Back exists to serve the abandoned and neglected
children of Monterrey, Mexico. By connecting mission groups from the United States with children's homes in Mexico, Back2Back is
able to meet the physical needs of the children while serving them spiritually as well. Back2Back has grown to support nearly 400
children in seven separate children's homes, 19 teens in the Joshua and Esther House programs and more.
Mark Schultz completed the Across America benefit bicycle ride benefiting the James Fund on July 6 at the Atlantic Ocean after
beginning May 7 with his back tire in the Pacific Ocean. The ride also generated a documentary and new music to be featured in the
Broken & Beautiful Expanded Edition CD/DVD releasing Sept. 25.
(from Hoganson Media)
Iconic female vocalist Sandi Patty was honored last night by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) with the GMA Music in the
Rockies Summit Award during her concert performance in Estes Park, Colo.
The Summit Award honors individuals, groups or organizations in the Christian/gospel music industry that have demonstrated
remarkable achievement over time, and have a meaningful connection with the GMA Music in the Rockies event. It is presented only
when the GMA determines there is a deserving recipient. Patty becomes the fourth to receive the honor since it was introduced in
2003. Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are former recipients of the Summit Award. Cam Floria, founder of the event, received it in
2004 on the 30th anniversary.
“The Summit Award gives us an opportunity to honor the contributions of those who have helped Christian music reach new artistic
and commercial heights and who have had a meaningful connection to the Estes Park event. Sandi Patty, who has been a regular
fixture since she first attended Music in the Rockies in 1979, received the award in recognition of her nearly three decades of
unparalleled achievement in vocal artistry and because she has been an inspiration to millions,” said John W. Styll, president and CEO of GMA.
Patty was presented the Summit Award during the Tuesday night concert that is part of the week-long Music in the Rockies concert
series. After receiving the award from Styll, Patty ended the evening’s show asking fellow artists David Phelps and the Crabb
Family to join her on stage for an impromptu group performance "Blessed Assurance."
In her illustrious career, INO recording artist Sandi Patty has won 39 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards and four Billboard Music
Awards. In 2004, became a member of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She has released 24 albums over the last 27 years, selling
more than 11 million units and receiving three platinum and five gold certifications from the RIAA. Patty has performed for four
presidents; appeared on the “Tonight Show, the “Macy's Thanksgiving Parade” and “Christmas in Washington”; played Carnegie Hall and
has inspired millions all over the world with her soaring voice and humble character. Patty released her 25th career recording
Falling Forward along with a companion book of the same name in April and is currently a featured participant in the Women of
Faith conferences.
(from Spinhouse PR)
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Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)
