Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music News Archive

March, 2011



*Thursday, March 31st, 2011*


Andrew Peterson One of Nashville’s most revered singer/songwriters, Andrew Peterson, is scheduled to perform on the highly popular Music City Roots: Live from the Loveless Cafe. The concert series is emceed by Keith Bilbrey and hosted by singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. The show will air live 7:00 – 9:00 PM CDT on Nashville’s WRLT Lightning 100 and streamed worldwide at www.musiccityroots.com. Tickets are $10.00 for general admission and $5.00 for anyone with a student ID. Tickets may be purchased at New Grimey’s New and Preloved Music, 1604 8th Avenue South and online at www.musiccityroots.com...
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Owl City Owl City is back after a long cold winter with a new full-length studio album – All Things Bright And Beautiful – due out May 17th Worldwide on Universal Republic. Produced by Owl City’s Adam Young and recorded at Sky Harbor Studios in Owatonna, MN, All Things Bright And Beautiful features twelve new songs and was mixed by Young along with Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer Jack Joseph Puig whose credits include Beck, Mary J. Blige, Green Day and John Mayer to name a few...
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Hailing from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Rend Collective Experiment released its international debut Organic Family Hymnal to widespread critical acclaim. A movement of 20-somethings that began in Ireland and spread across Europe before hitting the Americas has now officially added the U.S. to its groundswell as tens of thousands of worship music fans experience the infectious Rend Collective Experiment on its first U.S. national tour with Chris Tomlin that began Feb. 15...
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For Today For Today have released their much anticipated video for "Seraphim" from the album Breaker. Directed by Drew Russ and shot in the woods south of Orlando, FL, the actual filming of the video turned into an 18 hour work day. Russ says, "I wanted to do something unique for For Today without losing the intensity of the song. Along with being a high-energy song, "Seraphim" also has a very epic feel. I wanted to push for production that conveyed the grand nature of the lyrics...
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Jim Labriola, best known for his role as Benny Baroni on ABC's hit comedy "Home Improvement," releases his latest CD, Heart Improvement, in stores now. The project is a light-hearted look at Labriola's experience growing up in an Italian Catholic family from Queens, New York. Recorded live in Cape Coral, Fla., Heart Improvement is Labriola's first release to the Christian market. Like most comedians, his earliest routines focused mainly on adult themes and vulgarity...
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*Wednesday, March 30th, 2011*


Third Day Earlier this week, Third Day was honored with ASCAP’s Vanguard Award, which recognized the band for its “extraordinary impact on Christian music.” Third Day is the first Christian music artist to receive the ASCAP Vanguard Award. Past ASCAP Vanguard Award honorees include The Killers, Sara Bareilles, Santigold, All-American Rejects, Arcade Fire, The Mars Volta, Jack Johnson, The Strokes, Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Beck and Bjork...
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Big Idea Big Idea Entertainment, the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands, announced today they will release their first-ever live show DVD entitled VeggieTales® Live! Sing Yourself Silly. This all-new DVD will debut on June 4 and June 7, 2011 in Christian and general market stores respectively. The DVD, featuring an important lesson in sharing, captures all the fun of the live tour with energetic dancers, loads of bubbles, confetti, big bouncy characters and 18 of the most classic and popular VeggieTales...
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Jeremy Horn is announcing his debut with Ardent and INO Records titled Sound of the Broken. The newest music from the Memphis-based worship leader will hit retailers on May 3. With Sound of the Broken, Horn offers an album of worship meant to remind us that the Spirit of God rests inside of broken people, and that God wants to use us to tell His story of redemption. The album was recorded at Ardent Studios and co-produced by Horn alongside James Joseph (Todd Agnew) and Curry Weber (Todd Agnew, Joy Whitlock)...
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Blessid Union of Souls is pleased to announce a new booking agreement with booking giant William Morris Endeavor. Effective immediately, the agency will represent the multi-platinum pop/rock band worldwide, with the Nashville office taking the lead in an effort to connect the band on the road with longtime fans, as well as new fans of the group’s deliberate move to the Christian music market. Salvation Road Records released Blessid Union of Souls’ latest album, The Mission Field, on March 1st, with distribution through SONY and Provident-Integrity...
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*Tuesday, March 29th, 2011*


“Hold Me,” the debut single from Gotee newcomer Jamie Grace featuring multiple GRAMMY ® award winner tobyMac, has been selected as this week’s iTunes ® Discovery Download. The song will be available for one week free of costs on iTunes ®. To download the song, visit http://bit.ly/jamiedd. In only four weeks, “Hold Me” has hit the top 15 at CHR radio. The song is currently in the iTunes ® Top 20 Christian & Gospel Songs chart, peaking at No. 3.The entire EP has consecutively charted in the Billboard...
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*Monday, March 28th, 2011*


Family Force 5 After nearly a year long break from playing the clubs, a successful trek through Europe and hitting the studio to start production on their summer 2011 CD release Family Force 5 is excited to give their fans a sneak listen of what’s to come as they embark on TOURtantula with special guests Stereo Skyline, Swimming with Dolphins and Since Forever, dates kick off on April 15. “We’re like five Pamplona bulls anxiously pacing back and forth before being released to terrorize the streets. We’ve meticulously endured countless nights of writing, recording...
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BEC Recordings’ brings out the softer side with the newest signing of female singer/songwriter Jessa Anderson to the label family. Anderson will release her label debut, Not Myself Anymore, on May 17th. The label-debut album was produced by Brandon Perdue (Kellie Pickler, The Ember Days) and Kevin Bruchert (The Glorious Unseen, Abandon). Already, this artist has been making a name for herself with her radio debut single, “Not What I Thought,” impacting AC and CHR radio as it was New and Active as well as on the National Christian Audience chart...
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Meredith Andrews The critically-acclaimed, Colorado-based Desperation Band and singer/songwriter Meredith Andrews will team up with international orphan care organization, Children's HopeChest for the FREE TO LIVE Tour this May and June, visiting major markets across the U.S. The concert, a non-ticketed love-offering event, will feature a night of worship music by two of worship's most exciting and innovative artists. Desperation Band is known for delivering music that is both congregationally-friendly and full of rock 'n' roll attitude while Andrews...
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Intense rock worship artist Jake Hamilton releases his full-length CD/DVD, Freedom Calling, on Jesus Culture Music May 17 with marketing and distribution through Kingsway and EMI CMG respectively. Following his internationally acclaimed debut, Marked By Heaven, Hamilton’s Freedom Calling includes 11 new worship songs, video of three songs from the live recording at Jesus Culture Atlanta, and a 30-minute in-depth, behind-the-scenes feature of his life, music and ministry...
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*Friday, March 25th, 2011*


Red Following the high-impact release of RED’s third studio album UNTIL WE HAVE FACES (2/1) -- the nation’s highest debut its first week out and No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart -- the twice GRAMMY-nominated rock outfit RED claims the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Christian CHR radio chart this week with its single, “Faceless.” The multi-format No. 1 song, “Faceless” also topped Billboard’s Christian Rock radio chart and it received millions of impressions when the band performed the track live during its street week, on TBS’s CONAN (2/8)...
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*Thursday, March 24th, 2011*


Owl City Owl City’s new single “Alligator Sky” debuted at #1 on the iTunes electronic track chart yesterday! “Alligator Sky” is the first song to be released from Owl City’s new album All Things Bright and Beautiful – which became available for preorders yesterday as well and immediately took the number one spot in the Electronic Albums Chart and is currently #19 in the Overall Charts on iTunes. Fans can purchase/preorder both at: itunes.com/owlcity...
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Aaron Gillespie Aaron Gillespie is launching his debut single’s music video, “We Were Made For You,” produced by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, today exclusively at GodTube.com. Click here to view the video. Last month musician Aaron Gillespie traveled to Haiti with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse to see first-hand the work of the organizations, as well as to tape a documentary that will debut this summer. Gillespie hopes that this music video and the upcoming documentary will bring back an awareness to Haiti...
<< Full Report >>

Third Day Third Day has invited families who have experienced the gift of adoption to become part of Third Day's live performance. Check out their special letter to fans below... "Adoption is such an incredible picture of God's redemptive grace. As you can see in the "Children Of God" video, it has touched our Third Day family first hand. So, we've been thinking, how has it touched other families? How can we share that story with the world?...
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"Glorious," "Mighty God," and "Because Of Who You Are" are just a few of the songs that have made worship leader Martha Munizzi a household name in Gospel music. The GRAMMY Nominee and Dove and Stellar Award Winner has literally broken down barriers in the genre. With a slew of Billboard-charting releases under her belt, Munizzi is known for her spirited performances and powerful songs. She is preparing to add a new CD to her discography entitled "Make It Loud" releasing on Tuesday, April 26, 2011...
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*Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011*


JoC Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Jars of Clay will take the community-minded theme behind its latest album, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter, on the road this spring with the launch of The Shelter Tour. Featuring award-winning songwriter/worship leader Matt Maher and special guests Derek Webb and Audrey Assad, the tour will kick off March 30, in Greensburg, Pa., and travel through nearly 20 cities before wrapping up in Jackson, Miss., on May 7. The Shelter Tour comes on the heels of Jars of Clay’s top billing in the Rock and Worship Road Show...
<< Full Report >>

RSJ Rebecca St. James reunited this week in Nashville with the VeggieTales® team at Big Idea, Inc. to be presented with a plaque celebrating DVD sales topping the 1 million mark on “An Easter Carol,” the endearing VeggieTales film that features St. James in the voice role of “Hope, The Musicbox Angel.” Since its initial release in 2004, this Easter adaption of Charles Dickens original Christmas storyline, has become a beloved seasonal classic and a repeat retail success story the VeggieTales brand...
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Blindside Fans have been wondering for years what has been taking Swedish rock band Blindside so long to make a follow-up to their 2005 album, The Great Depression. While we last heard from them with a new EP in 2007, the band has been talking about a new record ever since, with little to show for it. Now that the June 7th release date of With Shivering Hearts We Wait is swiftly approaching (and we couldn't be more thrilled!), the band is breaking the silence over where they've been all this time...
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SCC On Friday, April 15th, 2011, Show Hope will present the 2nd Annual Spring Celebration featuring the concert production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Enchanted Edition. This year's event promises to be a stellar evening, just as it was last May when Cinderella first appeared on a Nashville stage. This year the set will be Nashville's breathtaking Schermerhorn Symphony Center with music performed by the Nashville Symphony. The production will again showcase incredible talent, colorful costumes, a bit of dancing, and a good measure of magic...
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Dove Awards The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards hosted by TV star and comedienne Sherri Shepherd, announce more performers to the already amazing lineup. Multi-nominated Audrey Assad, Deitrick Haddon, Kirk Franklin, first time and multi-nominee Kerrie Roberts, and nominees Smokie Norful, Laura Story and Tenth Avenue North will join the previously announced performers at the fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, April 20th at 8:00 p.m. for the annual awards show. The awards show will be televised on GMC, America's favorite network for uplifting music and entertainment, on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. ET...
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John Waller John Waller, the popular recording artist who touched the world with the extraordinary song "While I'm Waiting" from the motion picture "Fireproof," is back with a brand new collection of scripture-based songs and declaration-style anthems designed to inspire listeners to fight the good fight of faith. Waller's eagerly anticipated enhanced CD, As For Me and My House, is set for a May 3, 2011 release through Provident-Integrity Distribution. It is his first project since signing with Nashville-based City of Peace Media...
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Strike First Records welcomes LA's Dynasty to the family. You can get a sneak peek of their debut album here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dynasty_HC/108814869192409 Playing music together for the past 6 years in Los Angeles has prepared Dynasty to bring a fresh dose of west coast hardcore to the Strike First roster. Dynasty has reached back into the hard music archives and honed a revival of classic, driving hardcore in the vein of Terror and Madball...
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*Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011*


Building429 Dove-winning, pop/rock band Building 429 will debut new music from its forthcoming Essential Records album release, titled Listen To The Sound, on its 20-city tour kicking off this week. The “Listen To The Sound Tour” will additionally feature guest artists, Australian rockers Revive and pop foursome Anthem Lights. Opening tomorrow in Iowa City, Iowa, the “Listen To The Sound Tour” will make its way cross-country from California to New York...
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The Letter Black Tooth & Nail Records' girl-fronted hard rock act The Letter Black released a new EP today consisting of previously unreleased material that was recorded when they were recording their debut, Hanging On By A Thread. Check out the announcement from vocalist Sarah below and then check out the EP available on iTunes... "So we're back home for a few more days before we head off on this spring tour. We actually just got back from Knoxville, Tennessee...
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Official Press Release: Tooth & Nail’s female-fronted rockers, THE LETTER BLACK, have been on a roll since their 2010 full-length debut Hanging On By A Thread. Today THE LETTER BLACK releases the first of three collector discs showcasing exclusive tracks, B-sides from the debut, as well as new recordings. Hanging On By A Thread Sessions Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, will be available only at live shows, digital outlets (iTunes/Amazon), and on the TNN store...
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Brenton Brown Modern worship songwriter/artist Brenton Brown, best known for anthems like “Everlasting God,” “Lord, Reign in Me,” “All Who Are Thirsty,” and “Your Love Is Amazing,” releases today his third full-length album, the acclaimed Our God Is Near from Kingsway with distribution in North America by EMI CMG. Produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, Our God Is Near features the musical collaboration of Brenton and his band, The Worship Republic members Daniel Ornellas (bass), Scotty Murray (guitar) and Ben Showalter (drums)...
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*Monday, March 21st, 2011*


NewSong GRAMMY®-nominated NewSong recently brought their Winter Jam Tour Spectacular to a capacity crowd of nearly 16,000 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Hosts of Christian music’s largest annual tour, NewSong took the stage to debut several new selections, including “One True God,” the title-cut from their highly-anticipated forthcoming release. This year's tour, produced by Premier Productions and presented by Holt International, features the most artists and dates in its 16-year history...
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*Sunday, March 20th, 2011*


This Beautiful Republic Just last week, former Forefront Records rock band This Beautiful Republic released their final project, a 3-song cover EP and announced that they had split up late last year. The band has been traveling a bit of a rocky road since parting ways with their lead singer at the end of 2009, and this recording was made before Ben had left the band. Below is their break-up announcement letter from bassist Brandon Paxton, posted at ThisBeautifulRepublic.com...
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*Friday, March 18th, 2011*


Laura Story Dove Award Winner and this year’s female vocalist nominee Laura Story released the title track from her upcoming album Blessings earlier this week on iTunes ® and in less than 24 hours, the track skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Christian Singles Chart. In addition, the single also placed in Billboard’s Top 200 Chart at No.155. “Blessings” is the debut single off Story’s sophomore album set to release on April 12...
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Integrity Music's Brian Doerksen will be the worship music guest on this weekend's television broadcast of the international broadcast ministry Hour of Power. Doerksen sang music from his current live worship CD Level Ground. The program airs on national cable networks Lifetime and TBN as well as being syndicated in local markets throughout the U.S. The first Hour of Power airings will be on TBN on Saturday, March 19 at 9 p.m. ET. and on Lifetime on Sunday, March 20 at 8:00 a.m. ET/PT. For detailed times and broadcast outlets, visit www.hourofpower.org...
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*Thursday, March 17th, 2011*


MercyMe This spring multi-platinum selling band MercyMe will embark on the second leg of the Lovewell Live tour. Accompanying them on the stage will be award-winning female vocalist Natalie Grant and GRAMMY® nominated artist Brandon Heath. The tour will launch on April 7 in Beaumont, TX and entertain audiences through the season...
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Kingsway announces the North American launch of Love Divine, an album that celebrates the legacy of one of the most significant voices in church hymnody: Charles Wesley. The project, which releases April 19 with distribution in the U.S. through EMI CMG, unites the treasured hymns of Wesley with today’s modern expression, joining the dots between two centuries of the worshipping church...
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Tenth Avenue North Already making waves as established radio hit makers and a road worn touring force, the 2010 Song of The Year Dove Award winning modern pop band Tenth Avenue North can add two more charts to which it has reached the summit, this time thanks to the single, “You Are More...
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Hillsong United Modern worship band Hillsong UNITED wrapped up its North American “Aftermath” tour with huge crowds in every market, logging 10 sell outs at major venues coast-to-coast while simultaneously mobilizing a movement of people to help ease hunger in the local communities surrounding each worship night and inspiring donations to help with earthquake relief efforts. Becoming the first Christian artist to ever sell out Los Angeles’s Staples Center...
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Third Day Drawing on real-life experiences near to the hearts of its members and extended family of friends, GRAMMY, AMA and Dove Award winning, Atlanta-based rock band Third Day uses the issue of adoption as a metaphor for God’s love in the video for its latest single, “Children of God.” “Children of God” is the second single from the band’s 11th studio project, MOVE...
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*Wednesday, March 16th, 2011*


Abandon Kansas Abandon Kansas recently released their full-length album for Gotee Records, Ad Astra Per Aspera (latin for "to the stars through difficulties") out now at all digital outlets and shows, release produced Mark Lee Townsend (Deas Vail, House of Heroes, Relient K). Off to a great start first week sales landed the band at #15 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, as well as topping out at #1 on the Amazonmp3.com album chart...
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Aaron Gillespie BEC Recordings’ Aaron Gillespie’s solo debut, Anthem Song, has received widespread attention. After releasing strong last week, Gillespie’s single, “We Were Made For You,” has been selected as the featured iTunes Discovery Download this week. Fans can snag this track for FREE as well as the entire album for $7.99 at iTunes now. Anthem Song resounded loudly with fans as it charted in the Top 10 at No. 6 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums chart...
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Passion Selling over 30,000 units, taking the No.1 spot on the Christian Albums chart and No. 11 on Billboards' Top 200, sixstepsrecords’ Passion: Here For You has topped their own street week debut for a Passion record to date. In addition to topping the charts, the latest single from the new album, “Waiting Here For You” from Christy Nockels will go for radio adds next week. To see the live performance of the song, please click here...
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*Tuesday, March 15th, 2011*


Skillet “Awake & Alive,” the latest single from Atlantic/Ardent/INO recording group Skillet, has bulleted its way to #1 at Mainstream Active Rock Radio outlets nationwide. Their gold certified album, “AWAKE,” now features a trio of Active Rock and Christian radio blockbusters including the current hit “Awake and Alive,” the RIAA gold certified, top 5 Active Rock and Christian Rock smash, “Monster,” and the just certified RIAA gold hit “Hero,”– with digital single sales from the album now exceeding 1.5 million. “Hero,” which has already received an array of TV placements including the NFL’s Sunday Night Football, NFL Weekend Kickoff promos...
<< Full Report >>

Demon Hunter Today, ex-Demon Hunter drummer Jesse Sprinkle wrote us to help get the word out about a special raffle he's hosting to raise money for a missions trip to Uganda. Check out the details from Jesse himself regarding special Demon Hunter and Dead Poetic items and, if you feel God moving your heart to, please pitch in to support his missions trip. Also, click here to check out a video from Jesse about the raffle!....
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Building429 Dove-winning band Building 429 enters into a new season as it joins the Provident Label Group family and announces its fifth studio album, set to release May 10, on Essential Records. Titled Listen To The Sound, Building 429 has crafted a record that is sonically vibrant and lyrically substantive, with songs that collectively acknowledge life’s struggles, but point to the hope, grace and love of God. The 10-song project is produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp...
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Francesca Battistelli Fervent Records artist and reigning Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Francesca Battistelli received a surprise greeting from the staff at Word Entertainment after her performance at Sunday’s sold out Winter Jam concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Her label family along with her renowned producer, Ian Eskelin showed up at Bridgestone Arena adorned with foam No. 1 fingers in celebration of her sophomore album Hundred More Years debuting at the top of the Christian SoundScan Album Chart. Battistelli scored a different No. 1 this week at AC Indicator with her current single “This is the Stuff...
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VSR Music Group and EMI CMG Music Distribution are proud to announce the addition of Minneapolis-based band Bright Light Parade to their artist roster. Proclaiming a powerful message of purity and seeking the will of God in everyday life, Bright Light Parade is made up of sisters Lex (vocals, guitar) and Torre (bass, background vocals) Anderson. The group is obtaining a continually increasing fanbase, thanks to a steady tour schedule and millions of views from their YouTube posts...
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Dove Awards The second round of appearances was announced today for the upcoming GMA Dove Awards, hosted by TV personality and comedienne Sherri Shepherd. The legendary Kenny Rogers, multi-award-winning Point of Grace, The a cappella TV sensation Committed, multi-nominated Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Britt Nicole and first time nominee LeCrae are the second group of artists to be announced for Gospel Music’s biggest night of the year. The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards are being held Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Atlanta, GA's historic Fox Theatre. The awards show will be televised on GMC...
<< Full Report >>

The sophomore album from Onward to Olympas, The War Within Us, is out now! You can pick up a physical CD copy at Hot Topic, FYE, Hastings, our online store, and most indie stores nationwide. Fans and press are both talking about how great this album is and how much OTO has grown from their debut album This World is Not My Home, so make sure to check it out for yourself...
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iShine and BEMA Media, one of the foremost Christian media companies focusing their efforts on reaching the tween market, is proud to announce the launch of its first syndicated radio program called Radio iShine later this Spring. The show will be co-produced by iShine Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Robert Beeson, The Passion Group's Rick Welke, and former Radio Disney's founder and executive producer, Robin Jones...
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Worship Together, the #1 worship leader resource website, presents their latest collection of worship songs, Worship Together: 25 Favorite Songs (released February 15, 2011). Releasing compilations that capture the worship movement within the Church, Worship Together has cumulatively sold over 2 million units. With its latest offering, Worship Together went into the studio to create new arrangements of today’s most popular worship songs for smaller churches...
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*Monday, March 14th, 2011*


Michael W. Smith It’s not even spring yet, but multi-platinum recording artists Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant have already experienced one of their highlights for 2011: touring alongside each other as longtime friends and creative partners. The pair’s recently-wrapped run of shows called the “2 Friends Tour” brought back a flood of memories not only for fans, but for the performers as well. “Touring with Amy was absolutely awesome,” Smith says. “Our friendship runs deep and my respect...
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Big Daddy Weave Word recording artist Big Daddy Weave will hit the road in March for the “Love Come to Life” tour, featuring special guests American Idol Season Six finalist Chris Sligh and breakout new artist Luminate. The tour begins on March 25th in Palos Heights, IL, and wraps up May 8th in Ahoskie, NC. Big Daddy Weave’s reputation for recording songs dear to the hearts of thousands is eclipsed only by their reputation for bringing incredible heart and passion to each and every live performance. Big Daddy Weave’s “Love Come To Life Tour” is no exception. The tour’s concept centers on seeing Love Come To Life in everyday actions...
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Save the City Records is proud to announce the April 5, 2011 release of Inside These Walls, the sterling sophomore CD from critically acclaimed producer/performer/worship leader Brandon Bee. The project builds on the anticipation created by Bee's 2009 debut, This is the Revolution, and 2010's stripped down, introspective Surrendered EP. Bee has earned the respect of his peers as a producer by bringing out the best in a long line...
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*Saturday, March 12th, 2011*


Inhale Exhale Recently, hardcore act Inhale/Exhale announced their departure from Solid State Records and have become the latest act to ask fans to support their independent venture financially. Check out the band's announcement below... (thanks to Zach for the tip!) "...Hello all, we are an independent artist now and have decided to release a 6 song EP for you guys on our own. We have no backing"...
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*Friday, March 11th, 2011*


Skillet “The Daytona 500: The American Dream” is a one-hour documentary special delivering fresh and never-before-seen footage from self-professed Skillet fan, Trevor Bayne’s historic run to Victory Lane. Bayne, who won the Great American Race on his first try, in just his second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, has been credited by some experts as securing the most improbable victory in the 53-year history of the Daytona 500. One day after his 20th birthday, Bayne piloted his No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford to Victory Lane...
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Michael W. Smith With 16 Gold Records, 7 Platinum and 2 Double-platinum albums to his name, and as the author of 12 books, Michael W. Smith’s latest read “A Simple Blessing: The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer” is compelling critics and fans to bless others as well: “Instead of looking for how you can be blessed, it's inspiring to hear Michael's insight on how best to bless others. It only seems fitting to consider Michael W. Smith's ‘A Simple Blessing: The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer’ a blessing itself!”—Jesusfreakhideout.com...
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The “Jesus Calling”® devotional book written by missionary Sarah Young has captured the hearts of more than one million people, selling over 700,000 copies in just the last 12 months (over 1 million units since its release). Inspiring a growing number of readers, the book has also caught on within the Christian music-artist community. Sparked by the artists, EMI CMG and Thomas Nelson are partnering together for the first time to support this week’s release of Jesus Calling: Songs Inspired By...
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The New Year is off to a great start for Curb Records' Contemporary Christian trio, No Other Name. The group kicked off 2011 with their first Gospel Music Association Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, a category voted on by fans. They'll be vying for the honor with some of Christian music's most exciting new stars including Audrey Assad, Chris August, Forever Jones, John Mark McMillan, Kerrie Roberts and Kristian Stanfill. The 2011 Dove Awards will be held in Atlanta at the historic Fox Theatre's Grand Salon on April 20. Fan voting is open...
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*Thursday, March 10th, 2011*


Britt Nicole Sparrow Records’ Britt Nicole can be heard in the upcoming major motion picture SOUL SURFER, starring AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in her film debut, and Dennis Quaid. Songs featured during the film include "Like a Star" from her sophomore album The Lost Get Found and "Set the World on Fire" from her freshman release Say It. TriStar Pictures releases SOUL SURFER in theaters nationwide on April 8th, 2011...
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Newsboys When the Newsboys see a need, they do what they can do to help in any way possible. Discovering the desperate need for clean water in the Dominican Republic, Newsboys, along with the dedicated support of Compassion International, are helping to supply a water filtration system in the Dominican Republic. It is reported that 80% of disease is caused by unclean water, and according to the United Nations Development Program...
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Peter Furler We reported last Friday on the upcming new solo release from former original Newsboy Peter Furler, titled On Fire. We just got word this morning that the release date has been pushed back until Tuesday, June 21st! The updated info from EMI CMG is below... Grammy nominated and Dove award winning Peter Furler needs no introduction. His history in our industry has been well documented as the previous iconic lead voice of the Newsboys. He has not only been given our industry’s top songwriter of the year award, but also driven the sales of five Gold...
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Dove Awards The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards announced today that it will celebrate local church heroes by inviting Georgia churches of all denominations to send in 30 second clips finishing the statement “my pastor is my hero because.” The Gospel Music Association is partnering with Christian Copyright Licensing International and PraiseHymn Sound Tracks in launching this special recognition of pastors in the State of Georgia...
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While singer-songwriter Lara Landon has not disclosed her New Year’s resolutions, it’s safe to say that taking it easy was not among them. While the music business continues to falter and even established artists are struggling to stay busy, Landon has managed to find one opportunity after another. As 2011 unfolds, Landon will be releasing two new albums, touring heavily and appearing on screen in her feature film debut...
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*Wednesday, March 9th, 2011*


Francesca Battistelli Fervent Records and reigning Dove Awards “Female Vocalist Of The Year” Francesca Battistelli, proves that she’s got the stuff with her sophomore album Hundred More Years landing in the No. 1 spot on the Christian SoundScan Album Chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top 200 chart today, making it her highest charting album debut to date. The album features her current No. 2 single “This Is The Stuff.” Battistelli’s impressive debut is right on the heels of scoring four nominations including the prestigious Artist Of The Year for the upcoming 42nd annual Dove Awards, making her the most nominated Female Artist this year...
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Nashville-based Sons & Daughters have signed a worldwide recording/publishing contract with Integrity Music with a debut six-song digital EP slated to release in May. The duo of David Leonard and Leslie Jordan was birthed in 2010 from Journey Church located in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, Tennessee. Jordan and Leonard met at Journey in the summer of 2009 where they began writing honest worship songs for their church family. Their evolution into a duo began when they started leading those songs together on Sunday mornings. Both currently serve...
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33Miles 33Miles will begin their headlining “Today Tour” at the end of this month with special guest Jonny Diaz and newcomers Finding Favour. This is the second leg of the “Today Tour,” the band also went on the road in promotion of their latest recording Today in the fall of 2010. The tour, which takes the namesake of 33Miles’ most current album Today, will begin in Ohio on March 25 and will wrap at the end of May in Kansas City, MO. Other notable tour stops include Arlington, TX, Bloomington, IL and others...
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Tooth & Nail's new artist, HYLAND, is facing a challenge: two weeks until they go on a month-long tour with Fireflight, and their trailer and all their equipment has been stolen. This comes just after they have been mentioned in Alternative Press' latest issue as 100 Bands to Watch, their single "This Love Is Free" is climbing the charts, and they are preparing for their May label debut album. And this isn't the first time this has happened to the band - last year they had their gear and merchandise stolen, which inspired the song "Desperate Man...
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Passion Recorded live amidst the voices of 22,000 college-aged young people, Passion: Here For You is available nationwide and via all digital outlets. The album has already skyrocketed to No. 6 on iTunes ® Top Albums Overall Chart and can be downloaded here. The live recording from Passion 2011...
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*Tuesday, March 8th, 2011*


Dove Awards The first round of appearances was announced today by this year's host for the upcoming Dove Awards. TV personality and comedienne Sherri Shepherd tweeted today the first list of performers for the upcoming 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards to be held Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Atlanta, GA's historic Fox Theatre...
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Shawn McDonald Two weeks from the release of his fourth album, listeners can pre-order Shawn McDonald’s Closer on iTunes ® with an instant gratis of the song “Better Way.” The album is available at an early rate of $9.99. Click here to purchase the iTunes® pre-order. Radio stations are welcoming the return of McDonald with his first single “Closer”...
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Aaron Gillespie Today, Aaron Gillespie is thrilled to release his album, Anthem Song, to what he hopes is a new generation of worshippers. Upon releasing today, Anthem Song, immediately charted on iTunes debuting at No. 17 on the overall iTunes Top Albums chart, No. 2 on the Christian iTunes Albums chart and No. 1 on Canada’s iTunes Christian chart...
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Dave Barnes Last year was quite a year for Dave Barnes, and 2011 is well on its way to being even better. He's already off to a great start as he kicked off this past weekend joining Brandon Heath's Leaving Eden Tour, which is hitting a dozen markets across the southern U.S. into early April. Tour dates are listed below. Additionally, Barnes' single "God Gave Me You" was not only a hit on CHR and AC radio but has crossed over to Mainstream AC. Officially impacting radio yesterday, the single had already obtained early adds with four stations...
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Integrity Music artist and songwriter Daniel Bashta has partnered with Bethany Christian Services, the nation’s largest adoption agency, to create IAmProjectGift.com, a new initiative to raise funds to support adopting parents. The mission behind IAmProjectGift is simple…"Like A Lion" will be a 'give what you want' download. All of the money that comes in through the IAmProjectGift...
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Rush Of Fools One of the most highly anticipated projects of 2011 will be releasing this summer, as Rush Of Fools is in the studio recording their debut CD for eOne Christian Music, a division of eOne Entertainment. At the production helm is renowned mainstream producer, Dennis Herring (Elvis Costello, Counting Crows, Modest Mouse), who flattered the band by requesting to work with them. Rush Of Fools is currently recording at Herring’s Sweet Tea Studio in Oxford, MS and the album is scheduled for a late summer 2011 release...
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Facedown Records is launching the second Young and Wreckless tour this spring featuring Onward to Olympas, Your Memorial, and As Hell Retreats. They will be joining up with the newest addition to Facedown, Gideon. Tour dates inside the full report...
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Introducing Cait Plage, a 24-year-old touring artist and songwriter who is releasing her sophomore project, the EP All We Have Is Now, March 29th. Produced by Chris August and Jacob Schrodt, All We Have Is Now is Plage's storybook, sharing personal stories and experiences from set to song. As the follow-up to her debut CD, Cait Plage (2008), the new five-song EP shares her good times and the bad, yet most of all, shares what God has placed openly on her heart...
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*Monday, March 7th, 2011*


downhere Downhere, the Dove, Convenant and Juno award winning group, is scheduled to launch their first Out & Aboot Tour March 11, 2011. The 17-date tour begins in Alabama and concludes May 7th in Pennsylvania. Downhere also announced award-winning rock band, Rush Of Fools, as the featured guest for the tour. “Last fall we hit the road with Rush Of Fools for the first time, “says Downhere’s lead singer, Marc Martel. “From the moment they arrived at the first venue we played together...
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Owl City When Owl City's Adam Young released his debut record in 2009, he didn't know he had a hit on his hands — he honed his songs in his parents basement in Owatonna, MN, during his off hours working at a Coca-Cola factory — but Ocean Eyes went on to become the sleeper smash of the year, topping the iTunes Albums Download chart in its first few weeks and moving more than one million copies to date. On May 17, Young will return with his second album, All Things Bright and Beautiful...
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Caedmons Call Due to the success of their 2010 release, Raising Up The Dead, which Caedmon's Call released independently, the album will now see more nationwide exposure when it hits stores March 22. The six-piece will also be hitting the road. Check out all the details below... "We are hitting the road! Yes, it's true. We are scheduling a weekend of release shows in Texas on May 13 - 15. We can't wait to play the songs from Raising Up The Dead for you. As we finalize all the details, we will send them your way...
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Provident’s Reunion Records unveils the signing of innovative, pop foursome Anthem Lights to its roster of award-winning artists as the outfit debuts two songs at Christian radio, and heads into the final weeks of its first national tour, playing 27 cities with MercyMe. With soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry, Anthem Lights is set to release its infectiously melodic self-titled debut on May 10. At radio, the project’s lead CHR single “Can’t Shut Up” breaks into the charts at No. 27...
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Maranatha! Music releases Broken Restored Loved - CBC Live from Josh Lopez available in stores March 22, 2010. Lopez recorded the 13-song album live from Community Bible Church (CBC) in San Antonio, Texas. Lopez gained inspiration for the album through his own personal journey with God as he invites the listener to experience stories and songs of brokenness restored by God's love...
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*Sunday, March 6th, 2011*


So this may not be the most recent news, but it was just brought to our attention that hardcore act Life In Your Way, who split up in 2008, is back and with a new label home at Come&Live! The now-six-piece band will release new album Kingdoms this year... "It’s our great pleasure to announce the addition of Connecticut Spirit-filled melodic hardcore act, Life In Your Way, to the Come&Live! family of artists!...
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*Friday, March 4th, 2011*


Francesca Battistelli On Tuesday night, Fervent Records and reigning Dove Awards Female Vocalist Of The Year Francesca Battistelli celebrated the release of her sophomore album entitled Hundred More Years with an intimate concert at the renowned Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, TN. Surrounded by family, friends and industry insiders, Francesca performed the new release from top to bottom including the current Top 3 hit single “This Is The Stuff,” along with surprise guest performances...
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Peter Furler Grammy nominated and Dove award winning Peter Furler needs no introduction. His history in our industry has been well documented as the previous iconic lead voice of the Newsboys. He has not only been given our industry’s top songwriter of the year award, but also driven the sales of five Gold records and sales of over seven million albums as the unforgettable front man for Newsboys. He has written, produced and sung over 25 number one hits including classics such as "He Reigns," "Shine," "Something Beautiful," and "It is You...
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Building429 Pop/rock band Building 429 will debut new music from its forthcoming May release on a 20-city tour kicking off late March. The “Listen to the Sound Tour” will additionally feature guest artists, Australian rockers Revive and pop foursome Anthem Lights. Opening in Iowa City, Iowa on March 23, the “Listen to the Sound Tour” will make its way cross-country from California to New York, promising fans a night of high-energy music with spiritual depth...
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The Hymn Makers series features the best-known hymns of all time, and calls to mind the magnificent heritage of music found in the Christian church. Kingsway will release four projects in this series simultaneously through EMI CMG Distribution March 22: Best Loved Hymns: How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace: The Hymns of John Newton & William Cowper, Blessed Assurance: The Hymns of Fanny Crosby and Just As I Am: The Hymns of Ira D. Sankey. All value priced at $7.99...
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Big Idea In Christian retail stores Saturday, March 5 and everywhere March 8, VeggieTales: ‘Twas the Night Before Easter is garnering significant media attention in trade and consumer outlets far and wide. Crosswalk.com says, “’Twas the Night Before Easter contrasts the popular sentiment that ‘bigger is better’ with the gospel truth that Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection is our true source of hope. In this VeggieTales, the gospel message shines bright and clear...
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*Thursday, March 3rd, 2011*


Skillet Atlantic records and their GRAMMY®-Nominated rockers Skillet have announced the release of a new digital EP. The “AWAKE AND REMIXED” EP will arrive at all DSPs on March 22nd. The EP – which features alternative versions of songs found on the RIAA gold certified album, “AWAKE,” including the current top 5 Active Rock hit, #1 Christian Rock hit “Awake and Alive...
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Abandon Kansas Abandon Kansas to release their full-length album for Gotee Records, Ad Astra Per Aspera (latin for "to the stars through difficulties") on March 8 at all digital outlets and tour stops, produced Mark Lee Townsend (Deas Vail, House of Heroes, Relient K). Band to kick off tour with Swimming With Dolphins on March 8 and April dates with The Wedding announce...
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BEC Recordings’ newest signing Ryan Stevenson is gearing up for his label debut EP, Yesterday, Today, Forever, on March 22nd. The EP has already produced a Top 15 CHR single with the title track. Fans can go to his Facebook Page and click “like” and hear the title track and other songs from the upcoming project. The single “Yesterday, Today, Forever” is also available now at iTunes. This musical...
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Sanctus Real Sanctus Real lead vocalist Matt Hammitt and his family got through baby Bowen’s second heart surgery yesterday. Please pray for Bowen who will be in recovery for several days. See www.bowensheart.com for the latest. Toledo’s ABC affiliate runs a compelling video/print feature covering Bowen’s surgery: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7990647...
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Jamie Grace is releasing a free download to fans via freeJamieGrace.com. The newest artist on Gotee Records has a new song, “Revolvin,” made popular from her performances on the “Revolve: Dream ON!” tour. The tune is a theme song dedicated to the two-day weekend event for girls. Listeners will be able to go to the site, tweet about or like the tune and receive a free download of “Revolvin...
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Award-winning Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Tasker has signed an exclusive recording agreement with Entertainment One. Named among "2011: New Artists to Watch” by Gospel Music Channel’s www.watchgmctv.com, Tasker's Entertainment One debut, Home, is slated for release May 17. “I was instantly captivated by Nathan, his open vulnerabilities and his honest approach to faith,” said Robert Morrison, Vice President...
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*Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011*


Mark Schultz Word recording artist Mark Schultz will hit the road in March for “The “Renaissance Tour,” featuring special guests Jason Gray and David Klinkenberg. The tour begins on March 10th in Evansville, IN, and finishes up April 10th in Yukon, OK. This is the Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter’s first major tour since he co-headlined the 2010 “Come Alive” tour last spring with Point of Grace in support of his 2009 album of the same title. Schultz will be performing hit songs from past favorite albums in addition to his current release Come Alive, including his current single...
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Tooth & Nail Records/BEC Recordings announces Charles Van Dyke to the role of Director of National Promotions. This role includes managing the radio team developing new artists in addition to continuing to support the established roster. "We are thrilled to have Charles come on board and lead our radio team,” states Brandon Ebel, President Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings. “We feel like with his familiarity with our roster, passion for our music and experience with the radio stations, he is the right person for the job...
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*Tuesday, March 1st, 2011*


Francesca Battistelli For Fervent Records and reigning Dove Awards Female Vocalist Of The Year Francesca Battistelli, March 1 is going to be a day that she remembers for at least a ‘hundred more years’ with the release of her sophomore album entitled Hundred More Years available everywhere beginning today. The release comes on the heels of Battistelli scoring four nominations including the prestigious Artist Of The Year for the upcoming 42nd annual Dove Awards...
<< Full Report >>

Owl City Owl City is back after a long cold winter with a new full-length studio album – All Things Bright And Beautiful – due out May 17th Worldwide on Universal Republic. Produced by Owl City’s Adam Young and recorded at Sky Harbor Studios in Owatonna, MN, All Things Bright And Beautiful features twelve new songs and was mixed by Young along with Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer Jack Joseph Puig whose credits include Beck, Mary J. Blige, Green Day and John Mayer to name a few...
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Releasing today, March 1st is the Know Hope Collective (review), courtesy of Integrity Music. After returning from a three-year hiatus, Audio Adrenaline's Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss joined with some of their favorite emerging voices of worship and partnered with Integrity to create this ground-breaking initiative that combines worship music with stories of hope and inspiration...
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EMI Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group and Word Entertainment proudly announce their continued partnership in the WOW brand with the release of WOW #1’s available everywhere today March 1. With 30 smash hits that reigned in No. 1 at Christian Radio, WOW #1’s marks the 17th two-disc release and the second Deluxe Edition release of the platinum-selling series that compiles the best songs from Christian radio. The entire WOW branded series...
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Holly Starr's sophomore project, Tapestry, releases to retail today, March 1st, with Save The City Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution. Tapestry, which initially hit the digital marketplace October 19th of last year, reached No. 11 on the iTunes Christian/Gospel Charts and has already garnered coverage in major outlets such as Gospel Music Channel, Plugged In, JesusFreakHideout, Soul-Audio, Breathecast, AlphaOmegaNews and CCM Magazine. Starr will also appear in an upcoming issue of Susie Magazine...
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It's official! The brand new album from Blindside will be titled, With Shivering Hearts We Wait. The long awaited release from the Swedish rock band is slated for an "underground release" on May 6th and a worldwide release on June 7. Stay tuned to www.withshiveringheartswewait.com, which officially releases April 1st!...
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This Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

This Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]
Trebuchet SDG Lux Mundi - EP [The Charon Collective]

SINGLES
iamnicekidd Cut the Lights - Single [Syntax]
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Vic Lucas Personally - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Never Alone - Single [Syntax]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]
Zippy & Drenae Walk Differently - Single [Syntax]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]

Next Wednesday, December 4, 2024
VINYL
Russ Taff A Christmas Song Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, December 6, 2024
ALBUMS
Various Artists DREAM Christmas Vol. 8 [DREAM]
Within Silence The Eclipse of Worlds [Ulterium]

SINGLES
Sidewalk Prophets I Apologize - Single [Curb]



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