January 2009
The buzz continues to grow surrounding the return of RED, Essential Records’
GRAMMY-nominated modern rock band. The debut single from Innocence & Instinct, the epic “Fight Inside,” retook the top spot
on the Radio & Records Christian Rock chart for the week of January 26, furthering anticipation for the February 10 full
album and Deluxe Edition release.
“Fight Inside” made history last November when it became the first single ever to debut at No. 1...
January 30th's Provident Friday Buzz... Monday evening Brandon Heath,
nominated for two GRAMMY awards this year for “Give Me Your Eyes” in the Best Gospel Song category and
What If We in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category, and Leeland,
GRAMMY-nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (for Opposite Way), attended the 2009 Nashville GRAMMY Nominee party at Loews
Vanderbilt Hotel...
Phil Stacey, American Idol Season 6
finalist, announced his partnership with Reunion Records, a division of Provident Label Group, this week.
The relationship between Stacey and Reunion/Provident began last fall following his stellar performance at an event honoring
Michael W. Smith at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Terry Hemmings, Provident’s President and CEO, attended the
event and having been moved by Stacey’s performance, reached out to him to inquire more about his career plans...
This spring, Seventh Day Slumber will usher
their fans into worship with an unexpected motif and sound. Applying their rock, alternative style to worshipful songs,
Seventh Day Slumber hopes to provide a tool of praise in a relevant way. "Take Everything" will release on BEC
Recordings March 10, 2009 featuring nine cover worship songs in addition to three stirring original tracks...
Shaohannah's Hope, the ministry of Steven
Curtis Chapman and his wife dedicated to helping families overcome financial barriers associated with
adoption as well as raise awareness about the worldwide plight of orphans, is honored to announce their partnership with
Running Hope. Running Hope is an organization with a mission to utilize running and walking events to
generate awareness and resources to support charitable organizations across the nation, working to make a difference for...
With sales exceeding five million, worship label sixstepsrecords, home to Chris Tomlin,
David Crowder* Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, and Passion, announces its first new artist signing since the label’s
inception in 2000. Worship leader Kristian Stanfill will join the
sixstepsrecords family, releasing his label debut, Attention, April 21, 2009 after wrapping...
Tenth Avenue North, the Best Selling
and Most Played New Artist of 2008 (according to R&R’s Year End Chart) claims the No. 1 spot on the charts for the third
time in its career, and first multi-format No.1, as “By Your Side” tops R&R’s CHR chart this week.
“By Your Side,” previously No. 1 on R&R’s AC Indicator chart (12/08), is also the band’s second career No. 1 at CHR and its
third career No. 1 since the May 20 release of its...
Family Force 5 is fast becoming one of the great stories of artist development
on the scene today. The band’s sophomore release Dance Or Die has already sold over 50k units to date, proving to be
unstoppable the band gears up to hit the road on the AP Tour 09 presented by Rockstar Energy Drink but just before they will
hit the studio to record brand new tracks to be included on the Dance or Die Remix CD due out May 19.
“The remix record is going to be off the chain!! Our friends from The Secret Handshake, 3oh!3, and Cobra Starship will be...
GMA’s reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Curb recording artist,
Natalie Grant, is slated to headline the Second Annual Home Foundation Concert
at Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theatre on February 17 at 7 pm. Benefiting Grant’s Home Foundation, the concert will also
feature GMA’s 2008 New Artist of the Year and Reunion recording artist Brandon Heath; Reunion recording artist...
It’s been 10 years since MercyMe
frontman Bart Millard penned “I Can Only Imagine,” a touchingly personal song about his father’s early death that
catapulted the group to nothing short of superstardom. The down-to-earth Texas-based band’s breakthrough hit would sell
almost 3 million units, race up the charts on Top 40, AC, Christian and Country charts alike, and be adopted as an anthem
by hurting people around the world. In a testament to “I Can Only Imagine’s” timelessness, it remains...
Ron McClelland, bassist for the popular Christian recording band
StorySide:B, collapsed and died suddenly from an apparent undiagnosed heart
condition on January 18th while on a cruise with his wife as part of Jacksonville, Florida’s 88.1 The Promise radio listener
appreciation trip.
McClelland, who was playing basketball when he lost consciousness, was not able to be revived...
Superchick bassist Matt Dally and DJ/keyboardist/producer Max Hsu met
up with fellow GRAMMY nominee, Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Trace Adkins yesterday at a local
reception held in honor of this year's Nashville GRAMMY Award nominees. Superchick is nominated in the category of Best Rock or
Rap Gospel Album for its June 2008 release, Rock What You Got...
Rush Of Fools, one of the hardest working tour bands in Christian music will launch their first
headlining tour, Wonder Of The World, in support of their latest CD.
Presented by Freedom Begins Here the tour kicks off in Garner, NC on February 20 and concludes April 5 in Marietta, GA.
(A complete listing of dates is at the end of this press release). Also featured on the tour is Jimmy Needham along with
special guest Sarah Reeves and introducing, Joy Lippard...
The award-winning CompassionArt charity launches its
CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty CD/DVD today amidst widespread acclaim. The album, which includes a 50-minute
DVD documentary, and its companion book, The Art of Compassion, written by the 12 world-acclaimed CompassionArt songwriters,
are available now at retail outlets everywhere. All song, artist and author royalties received from these projects will be
forever donated to the poorest of the poor...
Award-winning Sparrow Records acts Matthew West
and Sanctus Real will join WAY-FM and World Vision for the organizations’
first-ever national tour. Designed to bring World Vision’s ministry to the local station level, “The WAY-FM/World Vision ’09
Tour,” also featuring special guest Jason Gray, will kick off Jan. 28, 2009 in Charleston, SC, and visit 12 WAY-FM radio
markets through Feb. 20, 2009.
“I’m ready to hit the road this spring with Sanctus Real...
On Tuesday January 27th at 7pm Steven Curtis Chapman will be performing in
Hendersonville, TN. The address is 1 Music Village Blvd. Hendersonville, TN 37075.
Steven and Max Lucado will be taping a one hour television special, along with Mandisa.
It's a Free event, so if you're in the area, make plans to join in...
On the heels of an incredibly successful 2008, including having one of the top-selling
and most acclaimed projects of the year and the announcement of his upcoming induction into the Gospel Music Hall of
Fame (2/2/09), Michael W. Smith releases
A New Hallelujah – The Live Worship DVD on March 17...
This week, Billboard magazine names Revive as one of 15 new “Faces To Watch” in 2009, as part
of the Jan. 24 Best Bests cover story, on newsstands now. The high-energy, pop/rock band is the only Christian music artist
selected, which highlights emerging talent in various genres of music. “Revive looks to be the next Aussie export to make
its mark in the Christian music arena,” Billboard states. Revive’s debut album, Chorus of the Saints, releases...
War of Ages has just announced a headlining tour in support of their
album, Arise and Conquer. Special guests will include: Destroy the
Runner, Inhale Exhale, Hope For the Dying and Hands. The tour will kick off in WOA's hometown of Erie, PA and will make its
way to Facedown Fest in Pomona, Ca...
David Phelps is back with the Gaither Vocal Band! Gaither Music Group
recently announced plans for a radical transformation of the Gaither Vocal Band, including the departure of long-time GVB
lead singer, Guy Penrod, and the group's baritone since 2004, Marshall Hall. Bill Gaither has gone far beyond simply
replacing...
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) today announced that tickets for the 40th Annual
GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com) go on sale to the public tomorrow. Gospel and Christian music’s biggest
night of the year will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn.
Tickets for the GMA Dove Awards will be available through TicketMaster (www.ticketmaster.com) or by calling the GMA at
615-242-0303. Ticket prices range from $55 to $200...
Chicago’s Celtic-punk outfit FLATFOOT 56 will enter Absolute Sound in Houston,
Texas on February 1st to begin the recording process for their highly anticipated new album, due out later this year.
The as-yet untitled full-length will arrive as the follow-up to the band’s critically lauded 2007 release,
JUNGLE OF THE MIDWEST SEA. Johnny Rioux of Street Dogs will take the helm...
Jeremy Camp takes viewers along the battle of his life and back in the newest
installment of the Gospel Music Channel television network biography series Faith & Fame. Faith & Fame: Jeremy Camp world
premieres Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 pm ET/PT on Gospel Music Channel. (Encores 1/25 at 1:30 am & 1pm).
Gospel Music Channel is the nation's first and only 24/7 all music television network devoted to the uplifting...
With a career spanning more than a decade, Sparrow recording artist Avalon has established
itself as one of Christian music’s premier vocal groups. To showcase those songs that have made the group famous,
Avalon will release Avalon: The Greatest Hits on Feb. 10, 2009.
Avalon: The Greatest Hits includes 16 songs that have received massive radio airplay and impacted the world...
This week, Orlando-based rock band Fireflight
will perform during the “Winter X Games 13” in Aspen, Colo., on Friday, January 23rd at 4:30 p.m. MT. The band will rock a
45-min set, packed with No.1 singles off its buzz-worthy, sophomore album Unbreakable, on
the Taco Bell stage. Fireflight is the recent winner of Taco Bell’s inaugural “Best of the Beat” fan-voted contest...
Five-time Dove Award-winning, two-time GRAMMY nominated rap duo GRITS celebrates the
successful launch of its new label, Revolution Art. Making its debut on the Christian music scene last fall,
Revolution Art has quickly become the buzzword among industry circles.
The brainchild of Teron “Bonafide” Carter and Stacy “Coffee” Jones along with business partner Mo Henderson, Revolution Art,
according to its mission statement, aims “to usher...
Tooth & Nail Records' Thousand Foot Krutch is
set to perform on Thursday, January 22 at the Winter X Games 13 in Aspen/Snowmass, CO. as part of the "Best of the Beat" for
Taco Bell®'s Feed the Beat program, which the band was voted as one of three winners in 2008. The band will perform at the
X Games village at 5:30 PM Mountain time.
Thousand Foot Krutch is no stranger to the sports arena as it was "Rawkfist" that became the first great sports anthem of...
We just got an email from a fan StorySide:B fan informing us of the sudden passing of the band's bassist
Ron McClelland over the weekend. The band writes, "Im sure a lot of you have many questions regarding to what it says about Ron on our myspace. Yesterday January 18 Ron passed
away. He was on a cruise with his wife Rebecca and 88.1 The Promise out of Jacksonville FL. He was playing basketball and
suddenly collapsed...
Grammy Award winning gospel superstars Mary Mary
have been chosen as one of the few gospel performers who will be an intricate part of the many prestigious events
surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. This has been quite an impressive year for the dynamic duo
sisters, Erica & Tina Campbell. From their chart-topping album, The Sound, to their three 2009 Grammy nominations...
Provident's Friday Buzz... Brandon Heath’s powerhouse hit “Give Me Your Eyes” hits
No. 1 at R&R’s AC-Monitored chart for its 14th week. The song is also No. 1 on iTunes Christian Top Songs chart for its 21st
week and the popular music video for “Give Me Your Eyes” sits at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Top Music Videos chart. For more
information on Brandon Heath...
Award-winning supergroup newsboys kicks off 2009 with its 35-city “Join The Tribe” tour in
February featuring DecembeRadio, VOTA, and Bread of Stone. Also on the
tour is Jody Davis, who has re-joined newsboys after a five-year hiatus.
Kicking off on Feb. 20, the tour will support Global Tribe (www.globaltribe.com) in its quest to fight physical and spiritual
poverty...
BRASH Recording Artist and American Idol Season 6 finalist
Chris Sligh got some great news this week when he found out a song he penned
will become Rascal Flatts' new single. “Here Comes Goodbye,” written by Sligh and Clint Lagerberg, (who also co-wrote
Chris' single “Empty Me”) will go to radio next week, with an add date of January 26th, and appear on Rascal Flatt’s...
This just in from Fireflight...
"We have been given the opportunity to perform at this years Winter X Games in Aspen, CO! We will have a live outdoor concert performance on
Friday, January 23rd at 4:30pm on the Taco Bell stage, that is FREE to everyone! We are one...
Facedown Records is excited to announce plans for Facedown Fest 2009. This
year's fest will take place on April 3-4 at The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA and will feature Impending Doom, Sleeping Giant,
War Of Ages, For Today, xDeathstarx, A Plea For Purging, No Innocent Victim, as well...
Seven Stories Up (VSR Music Group / EMI-CMG) will be performing on February 6,
7 and 8 in Evart, Michigan at Spring Hill Camps. Taking part in the annual Winter Teen Retreat, the band will lead worship
with 1,500 students into a love encounter with their Savior. The Atlanta, GA-based band will be making their third
appearance at the camp...
Rebecca St. James is in Nashville this week talking “new music” with her
label—EMI. More to come on this. Regarding her blossoming film endeavors, her film To the Wall is in post production and
looking at a Fall ’09 release date.
Rebecca will also begin filming her lead role in the production Sarah’s Choice this month –expected for Fall ’09...
One of Christian music’s premiere bands, Rush Of Fools,
kicks off 2009 by recording a duet with the renowned pianist, Jim Brickman. Brickman wanted to team up with Rush Of Fools
after hearing one of the new songs, “Never Far Away,” from their current album,
Wonder Of The World. Brickman’s new project,
Ultimate Love Songs: The Very Best Of Jim Brickman releases January 27th and “Never Far Away...
Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman
are happy to announce that they will be hitting the road for the second leg of their UNITED TOUR this Spring. The tour begins
on March 28th in CHATTANOOGA, TN and then criss crosses the entire country for a total of 23 shows (18 shows are currently
announced with 6 more coming soon).
This is a special evening of music and is THE concert of the year; bringing together the two biggest names in Christian...
After nearly four years, The Fray returns
with their sophomore effort, The Fray on February 3, 2009, and for the first time, due to a partnership with EPIC
Records and INO Records, the band’s project will be available to CBA market retail.
With key placement on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs, The Fray achieved a licensing dream with usage of their...
Multiple GRAMMY, Stellar and Dove Award winner, Soul Train Award winner and double
RIAA certified Gold-selling artist Israel Houghton, joins an all-star cast for
the 2009 Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball. Held Jan. 20 in Washington, DC, at the Warner Theatre beginning at 8:00
p.m. ET, the event is being executive produced by GRAMMY Award winning Nile Rodgers and hosted by Tiki Barber, sports
broadcaster and former New York Giants (NFL) running back...
Big Daddy Weave’s lead singer and guitarist,
Mike Weaver, is resolving to lose 90 pounds this year by launching the “90 in ‘09 Challenge.”
That may seem like a lot of weight for a member of an active band, but fans know that Big Daddy Weave was named after
brothers Mike and Jay Weaver, who both admit to having “larger than average exteriors...
In a world where life generally boils down to the numbers- number of albums sold, number of awards won, number of dates
played and tickets sold- a very different kind of number stands out for the members of Christian Rock Group BarlowGirl-
40 million, representing the number of lives silenced since the legalization of abortion.
That staggering number drives a band who often serves as a voice of their generation to also speak up on behalf...
We're pretty excited that NEEDTOBREATHE has been holed up in their studio recently, whittling away at a new album as
the follow-up to their stellar sophomore release, The Heat. Today, drummer Joe Stillwell issued this band update
from the studio, "Happy 2009! We've started this new year hard at work crafting our new record...
After three full-length albums between both independent and major record labels and over 500,000 in worldwide sales,
MAE have a new purpose and a new partner - their fans. With the help of the band's
international community, MAE --lead vocalist DAVE ELKINS, guitarist ZACH GEHRING, AND, drummer JACOB MARSHALL, have embarked on a
year-long journey to help those less fortunate and raise awareness about important humanitarian issues...
Francesca Battistelli, the talented
singer/songwriter who just released her debut project, My Paper Heart,
with Fervent Records in July, has officially made radio history! According to R&R (Radio & Records), Battistelli is the
most-added new artist in the history of Christian radio, thanks to her new single, "Free To Be Me."
Obtaining the most adds within the first week at radio's AC and CHR formats...
In one of the most anticipated tours of the spring, the “Rock & Worship Road Show”
will launch on March 17th in Billings, MT. The diverse line up boasts current GRAMMY® nominee and multi-platinum band
MercyMe, Award-winning and multi-Gold selling male vocalist Jeremy Camp and Hawk Nelson, as well as new and burgeoning
bands Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road. The tour will hit over 20 U.S. Markets (see tour routing below).
Promoting the tour across the country, Rush Concert’s Cliff Reiser is excited about this tour, remarking, “Our goal is to...
Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Matthew West’s
“You Are Everything” was the most played song at Christian radio in 2008, according to a year-end report by Radio &
Records. This is West’s second song to earn “Song of The Year” status, following “More” in 2003.
Making its radio debut in October of 2007, “You Are Everything” maintained chart status for more than 11 months...
Provident Friday Buzz is here again... Provident artists Michael W. Smith, Third Day,
Casting Crowns and Brandon Heath maintained strong footing
on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan Chart for the week ending Jan 4, 2009. Michael W. Smith’s A New Hallelujah claimed
the No. 3 position while Third Day’s Revelation came in at No. 6. Casting Crowns took the No. 8 and 9 spots with Peace
On Earth and The Altar And The Door, respectively . Finally, Brandon Heath rounded out the list at No. 10
with his sophomore album, What If We...
Tenth Avenue North, the sales and radio
breakout new artist of 2008, finished the year as the best selling new Christian artist according to Nielsen SoundScan
with nearly 60,000 in physical sales and the only new artist to break the 100,000 digital download mark since the May 20
release of its debut album, Over and Underneath. In addition, the
band is the only new artist to have claimed two No. 1 radio singles...
Nevertheless is entering a season of change as the band continues to adjust to life on the road with a new guitarist after
Brad Jones recently exited the band. Brad, who tied the knot in September,
had played guitar with the band since 2002. Below is vocalist Joshua Pearson's update and Spring tour announcement,
Hello friends! It has been awhile since we have updated you on things that are happening, but, rest assured...
Joy Williams has recorded the One of Those Days EP, her first set of new songs in over three years.
Since this EP signifies a new chapter in Joy’s career, we want your ears to hear it as soon as possible.
The digital version of the 4 song EP will release on January 27th, 2009 via online music stores (iTunes, AmazonMP3, eMusic,
Rhapsody, Napster and more). The physical CD will release on March 3rd, 2009...
The CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty CD/DVD releases in the US and Canada 1/27/09.
As you may know, the award-winning CompassionArt charity is giving
away 100 million brand new songs from its upcoming CD/DVD for a limited time
(click here). With hundreds of major online and print
publications, including the New York Times, USA Today and Forbes, covering the launch of the giveaway, thousands of songs have
already been downloaded...
The GMA Foundation (GMAF) will induct artists Michael W. Smith,
Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones and The Dixie Hummingbirds along with music
producer Lari Goss into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 2, 2009, announced John W. Styll, president and CEO of the GMAF.
The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner will be held on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 at The Richland Country...
Pop-rock trio Building 429 has recently announced plans for the spring 2009 continuation of their
“Truth, Hope & Love Tour.” Once again, GRAMMY® nominee After Edmund will be accompanying the band alongside new EMI artist
Above The Golden State and emerging female group, Kimber Rising.
With 30 dates on the calendar, the “Truth, Hope & Love Tour” will travel across the country from February-March of 2009...
With 22 albums, 33 number one singles, and three Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of
the Year Awards under her belt, it is easy to see that Twila Paris holds an illustrious
musical career. And Paris shows no sign of slowing down with the national release of her critically acclaimed album Small Sacrifice,
which will be distributed through KOCH Records, on February 24, 2009.
"Twila Paris is truly one of the best known and beloved artist's in Contemporary Christian music...
This just in from Family Force 5... "Our online store is back! AND...We have a New Year’s treat for you!
That's right, it's back for the attack! We apologize for the inconvenience and the delay, but it was totally worth it. The new online store is much easier to navigate
than our last one, and it looks incredible! Check it out here!
I'm sure you're wondering about the treat we mentioned in the title of the blog... it's not Cracklin' Oat Bran, it's not stolen...
While many bands are struggling on the road in a slumping economy, gospel reggae band Christafari
has maintained a relentless worldwide tour schedule. In the last eight months alone, the 10-piece band (recognized as one of
the Top 10 Reggae Artists in the World by Billboard Magazine) has performed over 80 shows in 20 countries, including concerts
in the USA, Iceland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, The Netherlands, England...
Grammy-nominated modern rock band RED has already garnered airplay across the
country--weeks before its official release to radio--for their single "Death Of Me" from their INNOCENCE & INSTINCT album,
due out February 10 via Essential Records/Red Distribution.
The song--which combines a soulful urgency with crunchy guitars, gorgeous strings...
Guitarist Jody Davis returns to newsboys after a five-year hiatus. Davis,
who was a member of the band from 1993-2003, contributed to many of newsboys’ greatest hits like “Shine,”
“Entertaining Angels,” and “It is You.” In 2003, he took time off to care for his daughter, Bethany, who has cerebral palsy.
“I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends,” says Davis.
“This is a big change in my life...
The guys in Cool Hand Luke jump-started 2009 with a January tour alongside
their good friends, My Epic. This weekend, the tour began in Virginia and North Carolina to rave reviews
and great crowds. Joining Cool Hand Luke onstage is Lee Hardin, a great friend and bass player, so if you are able to check
out the tour...
Today, Everyday Sunday vocalist and front man Trey Pearson announced that fans can watch the band recording their still untitled
fourth album live from the studio starting on Monday, January 5th. Pearson writes,
"We are live in the studio starting this Monday at www.myspace.com/everydaysunday!!!
The time has finally come! You will be able to see a live feed of us in the studio starting this Monday, and all...
Grammy Award winning Christian singer, Rebecca St. James,
closes 2008 with a successful new book added to her list of impressive credits. The book, "Pure" is a relevant and timely
slice of day-to-day encouragement on living a radical lifestyle of purity in mind, body, and spirit--a topic that since the
book's Fall release has shown tremendous connectivity with readers and reviewers alike -- at a time perhaps when 'encouraging
words' seem too often at a premium. The Australian born St. James, whose popularity goes global as do her tours,
is vocal that she feels God's...
Showbread vocalist/front man Josh Dies will be embarking on his
first book reading/acoustic performance tour this weekend. At the shows, Josh will be doing an acoustic set made up of requests
and surprises from the Showbread and DIES catalog, reading from his books, stories and poetry, and having an
open Q&A and dialogue with the audience. It will be a nice break from the traditional rock show format and a unique experience
every night with interesting things thrown in every time...
 We Will Worship Releases New Single "Ndiyabulela," feat. Lisa Oduor-NoahFri, 28 Nov 2025 11:00:00 EST |
| Danica Hart Releases Powerful New Single "Amazing Grace" Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:30:00 EST |
| Tasha Layton Debuts New Holiday Video for Her New Song "Christmas All Year Long" Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:30:00 EST |
| Procyse and Illustrate "Had To Run This One Back," Drop New Remix Project Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:20:00 EST |
| NF's "FEAR" EP Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rap Albums Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:30:00 EST |
| Kemara Lynn Announces New Single, "Apply Pressure," featuring DKG KIE Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:20:00 EST |
| Gospel Legend John P. Kee Drops New Album, "Throwback," Nov. 28 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:20:00 EST |
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Seth Davey 
