Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, May 2014: Dove Award Winner Billy Sprague Surpasses Initial Kickstarter Goal, Moves To Phase 2

DOVE AWARD WINNER BILLY SPRAGUE SURPASSES INITIAL KICKSTARTER GOAL, MOVES TO PHASE 2

Beloved Singer/Songwriter/Worship Leader Thanks Supporters as Crowd-Sourced Funding of the Project Moves Toward its Stretch Phase

NEWS SOURCE: McCain & Co. PR
May 5, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 5, 2014) - Beloved multi-Dove Award winning recording artist and worship leader Billy Sprague is reaching out to fans today to express his gratitude for their overwhelming support of his upcoming project, Songs in the Key of Awe. Funded through the innovative crowd-sourced Kickstarter program, fan donations have surpassed the initial goal of $20,000 in only half the allotted time.

"The enthusiasm of the fans for the project has made this even more exciting than when I first set out on this adventure," Sprague says. "Thank you. Thank You so much--I am blown away by the support! While we've achieved our initial funding goal, we want to keep the fire burning so we can reach the stretch goals as well, which will enable the music to go forward and touch lives around the world."

Additional funds which come in by the deadline of 8 p.m. C.T. on Wednesday, May 14, will go toward expenses associated with the project's two stretch goals.

"Creating a new project is only a part of the picture," Sprague says. "But it really doesn't accomplish its purpose if nobody hears it. That's where our stretch goals come into play."

Stretch goal No. 1 - Money raised between the initial goal of $20,000 and $35,000 will go toward Songs in the Key of Awe launching through media, publicity and radio promotion.

"Without this propulsion, the whole project can remain a silent symphony, undiscovered, unheard and never experienced," says Sprague.

Stretch goal No. 2 - Money raised above the $35,000 level will go toward funding Sprague's vision of a live OVERFLOW worship and workshop event.

"OVERFLOW focuses on Worship As a Lifestyle, Elements of Praise and Worship, Awe Vs. Wow, Planning, Rehearsing and Songwriting," Sprague says. "We need you on the team to plant the seeds to take this music and vision to faces and hearts."

Kickstarter programs are known for providing contributors with some unique rewards, and Sprague's Songs in the Key of Awe campaign is no exception. Rewards, based on the level of contribution, include exclusive pre-release downloads of the new album, autographed copies of the physical CD, a Skype or Facetime performance of Sprague's classic hit song "Via Dolorosa," a signed and numbered print of Sprague's painting, "Sunflowers," and even a dinner for two with Sprague and his wife Kellie.

Songs in the Key of Awe was birthed out of Sprague's eight-year stint as Worship Leader and Director of Momentum for a multi-campus church in Denver. During his tenure, Sprague wrote more than 100 songs.

"I'm prompted by the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, which says the Lord expects me (and you) to do something with what He has entrusted to us," he explains. "My goal is to harvest the best crop from this field to include on this CD."

An added bonus for Sprague is the opportunity to share the microphone with his daughter, Willow. Sprague's son, Wyatt, whom he describes as a "killer drummer and djiembe slapper" will add some awe of his own on some tunes. "Apparently, the beat goes on down the chromosomes," Sprague says.

Fans can pledge to the Songs in the Key of Awe Kickstarter campaign through the May 14 deadline. To pledge, visit the project's Kickstarter page at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1430849833/songs-in-the-key-of-awe-a-new-worship-project or visit Sprague's website at billyspraguemusic.com and click on the Kickstarter link on the homepage. Every pledge is appreciated and no pledge is too small.

About Kickstarter:
Hundreds of individuals have raised capital through the Kickstarter business model, including Christian musicians Shaun Groves, John Schlitt and Cheri Keaggy. The movie adaptation of Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz received $345,992 (276% of its original goal) from more than 4,495 donors through Kickstarter to make it one of the largest crowd-funded films in history, according to Paste Magazine and Kickstarter's website.For more information about Kickstarter, visit kickstarter.com.

About Billy Sprague:
Born in West Texas, Billy Sprague earned a degree in English at Texas Christian University and did two years of graduate work in literature at West Texas University before moving to Nashville to spend the next 25 years writing and recording Christian music. From 2006-2014, he served as Worship Leader and Director of Momentum at Crossroads Church, a multi-campus church in Denver, Colo.

Sprague has been awarded four Dove Awards by the Gospel Music Association, and his songs have been recorded by a Who's Who of Christian music greats, including Sandi Patty, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Susan Ashton, Debbie Boone and Gary Chapman. He also co-wrote the theme song for the long-running hit TV show, America's Dumbest Criminals.

Sprague is also the author of two books, Ice Cream as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe and Letters to a Grieving Heart.

He currently lives in Colorado with his wife, Kellie, and their three AWEsome children, Willow, Wyatt and Sawyer, and their dog, Lucy Loo Hoo. For more information, visit billyspraguemusic.com.