Recorded backstage at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park on Good Friday, the CNN feature interview with Houghton will tell the story of CompassionArt and the CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty CD/DVD that released in January and was written by 12 world-acclaimed CompassionArt songwriters and recorded by 19 genre-defining artists, including Houghton. Proceeds from this album will be forever donated to charity.

The artists featured on this highly praised, 14-song album and companion 50-minute DVD are: (Songwriters) Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin and Darlene Zschech; and (Guest Vocalists) Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac and CeCe Winans. Together, they combine for: 101 million albums sold, 103 No. 1 songs, 36 GRAMMY Awards, 202 Dove Awards and 34 Dove nominations this year alone, 18 Stellar Awards, 3 American Music Awards, and 116 CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world.

CNN will further feature Houghton and his own recording, The Power Of One, the highly-acclaimed album that launched to the top of the retail charts following its March 24 debut on Integrity Music/Columbia Records. The Power Of One marks his first solo studio offering after a string of highly successful New Breed live concert projects and features guest vocals from such genre-leading artists as tobyMac, Martin Smith of Delirious?, Mary Mary and Chevelle Franklyn. From its genre-blending roots reggae and heavy rock to sanctified funk and power pop, the album has become the most widely praised recording ever for Houghton. Critics from Billboard Magazine to The Houston Chronicle to Worship Leader have all raved, calling the album “spectacular,” “creatively expansive, musically unlimited,” “fresh, healing, uplifting, encouraging,” “passionate, youthful energy,” “a visceral rush,” “celebratory,” “genre-defying” and “moving, powerful.”

Taking the new songs on tour, Houghton’s national major market, 37-city tour with Chris Tomlin that began Jan. 22 has logged packed venues coast to coast as Houghton prepares for his first appearance at Yankee Stadium in New York with his pastor, Joel Osteen (Lakewood Church, Houston). This “A Night of Hope” event Saturday, April 25, marks the first non-baseball event at the new stadium.

On the same day, Houghton will be featured on the new Gospel Music Channel program, “Revealed.” Israel performs fan favorites and new songs from The Power Of One for the show’s live audience, as well as shares his story and insight into his songs.

Israel Houghton is signed to Integrity Music, distributed to Christian retail by Provident-Integrity Distribution and to the general market by Columbia Records/Sony Distribution. For more information, go to www.israelhoughton.net.

CompassionArt, a charity based in Littlehampton, England, held a songwriters’ retreat in January 2008 and began recording songs from the 12 world-acclaimed CompassionArt songwriters a month later for the CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty album. Recognized by Gospel Music Channel with its “Gospel Angel Award,” CompassionArt has been covered by hundreds of media outlets across the U.S. and internationally. More information can be found at http://CompassionArt.tv. (CompassionArt is not associated or affiliated with, or otherwise sponsored or endorsed by, Compassion International, Inc. Compassion® is a registered trademark of Compassion International, Inc.)

 

[2026]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2025]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE