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Phillips, Craig & Dean Reaches Career Milestone PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN REACHES CAREER MILESTONE, “GREAT ARE YOU LORD” EARNS BAND 20TH NO. 1 SINGLE IN 19 YEAR CAREER Adding to the stellar success of Phillips, Craig & Dean’s latest album, Fearless, the band’s most recent single “Great Are You Lord” reached the No. 1 spot at Billboard’s Christian Soft AC/INSPO marking the band’s 20th No. 1 single in their nearly 20 year career.“20 No.1’s in almost 20 years is such a blessing,” comments member Randy Phillips. “We certainly thank radio for allowing our music to be heard. Thank you for trusting us for nearly two decades. We are overwhelmed with the fans and people across the country that have been so kind to us. Much has to do with amazing producers through the years, great writers, supportive record companies, hard working radio departments and tremendous management. Singing songs about Jesus Christ is the greatest privilege in the world.” “Great Are You Lord” is the second No. 1 single off of Phillips, Craig & Dean’s 11th studio project titled Fearless which was released on INO Records in Aug. of 2009. The band’s mega-hit “Revelation Song” was the longest running single of 2009 spending a whopping 17 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian charts, and spent nearly a year in the top 10. Fearless also earned the band their first album GMA Dove Award win for “Inspirational Album of the Year” earlier this year. The record was also praised by media saying… “The musical performances and production are cutting-edge… the best feature on this album is the performance of PC&D – they have a way of infusing the songs with an honest passion that connects as effectively as a live worship concert.” – Worship Leader
To hear more about Fearless, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLd41Ycamxg.
About Phillips, Craig & Dean: Since forming, Phillips, Craig & Dean have released 11 albums which has now produced 20 No. 1 radio hits, almost three million records sold two GMA Dove Award wins and ten GMA Dove Award nominations.
www.phillipscraiganddean.com www.myspace.com/phillipscraiganddean 09/01/2010Skillet and Papa Roach Announce Co-Headlining MONSTERS OF ANNIHILATION U.S. Tour SKILLET AND PAPA ROACH ANNOUNCE CO-HEADLINING MONSTERS OF ANNIHILATION U.S.TOUR BANDS TO ANNIHILATE FANS BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES Tickets On Sale Beginning Friday, August 27 M (Nashville, TN) – Rockers Skillet and Papa Roach have announced plans to join forces and destroy crowds across the US with their Monsters of Annihilation tour beginning October 1st in Myrtle Beach, SC at The House of Blues. Armed with their RIAA gold-certified AWAKE album which features two Active Rock and Christian Rock radio hits with "Monster" and "Hero,” Skillet will be joined by Papa Roach who has a current Top 10 Active Rock smash “Kick in the Teeth” from their upcoming album, Time For Annihilation…On the Record and on the Road (August 31st via Eleven Seven Music). For a complete list of tour dates, please see below. Skillet’s John Cooper says, “The first time we played with Papa Roach, I told the band we have to tour with these guys because they have an amazing live show! Jacoby is one of the best front men I’ve seen in years and I’m honored to share the stage with him. This tour is going to rock!!” "We've become good friends with Skillet over the past couple years and are excited to jump on the road with them. Having both Papa Roach and Skillet together on one stage, you best believe we're going to burn it down!!! Get ready for total stage annihilation," adds Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix. Skillet's most recent release, AWAKE made a blockbuster debut at #2 on the Billboard 200, has since been certified gold and achieved a TOP 5 Active Rock and No. 2 Christian Rock hit with "Monster" and Top 15 Active Rock as well No. 1 CHR & Christian Rock smash with "HERO." Various tracks from AWAKE have received major TV placements including NBC Sunday Night Football, NBC's "The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania” and MTV's “Bully Beatdown.” As one of the hardest working live acts, their solo tours ranked within Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours and landed the band on the cover of the magazine. Skillet has spent the last year on the road with Creed, Shinedown, various headline festival appearances and the "Awake & Alive" co-headline tour with TobyMac. The band has racked up an array of achievements since they first formed in 2003, including two BMI Music Awards, multiple Grammy ® nominations, RIAA gold certification for Comatose and cumulative sales approaching 2 million.
For up-to-the-minute news, tour dates and information on Skillet, visit www.skillet.com. For more information on Papa Roach, please visit www.paparoach.com.
Skillet Goes Gold With "Awake" SKILLET GOES GOLD WITH “AWAKE”; GRAMMY-NOMINATED ROCKERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATION AS “HERO” SAVES THE DAY AT ACTIVE ROCK; Extensive Tour Now Underway with Headline Festival Appearances, Dates Supporting Creed, Fall Co-Headlining Tour with Papa Roach and Awake Tonight Tour with TobyMac In a fast and furious 10 months, “AWAKE,” the latest album from Atlantic/Ardent/INO recording group Skillet, has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000. The album – which includes two Active Rock radio blockbusters in the top 5 hit, “Monster,” which also ranked in at No. 2 at Christian Rock, and the top 12 smash and No. 1 CHR and Christian Rock hit, “Hero” – continues to reign as a hard rock favorite, standing strong in the upper half of the Billboard 200. The band just released their latest single at Christian radio, “Forgiven.”Produced by Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf), “AWAKE” reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Store’s “Top Albums” chart within 24 hours of its release last August. The album also made a blockbuster debut on the SoundScan/Billboard 200, entering the chart at #2. Skillet is currently on the road as part of Creed’s “20-10 Tour,” with dates continuing through early September. In addition, the Grammy-nominated rock outfit will be among the top artists appearing at a number of upcoming summer festivals, including a headline slot on the “Rock The River” festival tour of Western Canada. Beginning October 1st, Skillet will join Papa Roach for the co-headline Monsters Of Annihilation Tour also featuring Trapt and My Darkest Days. The highly anticipated 16-city Awake Tonight Tour with TobyMac and presented by Winter Wonder Slam, will launch November 11 in Springfield, IL and carry through until December 12. For complete tour details and ticket information, please visit www.skillet.com. One of America’s hardest working live acts, Skillet spent the first part of 2010 touring alongside Atlantic labelmates Shinedown, as well as co-headlining the hugely successful debut of the Awake Tonight Tour with TobyMac. Skillet’s headline tours ranked with Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours and recently landed the band on the cover of the magazine. In addition, the band has shared stages with such acts as Flyleaf, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether, and Puddle of Mudd. “Hero” has received an array of high-profile placements, including THQ’s WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 video game. Various tracks from “AWAKE” have received major TV placements including NBC Sunday Night Football, NBC's "The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania” and MTV's “Bully Beatdown.” In addition to cumulative album sales now approaching 2 million, Skillet has racked up a wide range of honors throughout their extraordinary career, including multiple Grammy nominations and two BMI Music Award wins for “The Last Night” and “The Older I Get,” both featured on the gold certified COMATOSE. For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.skillet.com or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic. 09/01/2010Heather Williams Releases EP to Digital Retailers
SONGSTRESS HEATHER WILLIAMS TO SHARE COMPELLING STORY WITH NEW SELF-TITLED EP HITTING DIGITAL RETAILERS, AUG. 17 First Single, “Hallelujah,” Impacting at Christian Radio After overcoming life trials of abuse, homelessness, poverty and more, Heather Williams’ will bring her strong inspirational story and hearty talent for songwriting in an EP for digital retailers releasing Aug. 17 from INO Records. Williams’ background provides a unique perspective for her songwriting on her freshman EP. She grew up in extreme poverty with her mom and stepfather, and suffered abuse. Her mother gave her away at age 11, and Williams went to live with her grandfather in Michigan. Living with little guidance and the pain of past abuse and rejection, she turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the realities of life. As things began to spiral out of control, the young teenager began to have thoughts of suicide and was even homeless at one point. At age 18, however, the dangerous road Williams was on took a U-turn when she briefly reconnected with her birth father. Her father, a Christian, invited Williams to church. Here, Williams realized that she was at rock bottom, and decided to dedicate her life to Christ. It wasn’t long after this that she met and married her husband, and then had her first child, named Caedmen. Then, another wave of tragedy struck the budding singer/songwriter when Caedmen passed away shortly after he was born. To hear more about Heather Williams’ story, you can view the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g7AytNuJ7Q&feature=player_embedded For Williams, she describes her songs as “conversations” that range in emotion, but all come from a place of honesty, brokenness and transparency before God. “This album is you getting to peek in on me sometimes having it out with God, sometimes crying to God, sometimes laughing,” she says. “But it’s always going to be a transparent look at what’s going on in my heart, because that’s who I want to be before Him. If I want Him to use me, then I have to be willing to share everything.” The four song EP features the current radio single “Hallelujah.” Williams has also been on a radio promo tour hitting Dallas, New York and Orlando among others. Heather is presently receiving airplay on more than 30 stations to date. http://www.heatherwilliamsmusic.com/Home http://www.myspace.com/heatherwilliamsmusic http://twitter.com/hwmusictweets http://www.facebook.com/heatherwilliamsmusic 09/01/2010Winter Wonder Slam Presents the AWAKE TONIGHT TOUR Featuring Award-Winning INO Artist SKILLET & TOBYMAC Winter Wonder Slam Presents the Awake Tonight Tour Earlier this year, the Awake Tonight Tour was listed as one of the most popular tours landing in the Top 30 concerts, according to Pollstar’s Concert Pulse. This year, the show is visiting major markets such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and Pittsburg exposing the show to an even greater number of concertgoers. Keeping the focus on the true meaning of the holiday season, in its sixth year, Winter Wonder Slam will continue the gift of giving as the tour joins forces with the U.S. Marine Corps to help with their Toys for Tots campaign. Toys for Tots aims to provide tangible signs of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. Attendees are invited to bring an unwrapped gift to the event as Marines will be on site to collect toys at every venue. Each year, Winter Wonder Slam produces multiple sell-outs and sets records for the amount of gifts collected for Toys For Tots. For further details on Winter Wonder Slam’s Awake Tonight Tour, please visit www.winterwonderslam.com. Winter Wonder Slam Presents Awake Tonight Tour (dates subject to change)
Along with sold out tour dates, back-to-back radio hits and being named the GMA Dove Award’s 2008 Artist of the Year, The title-track of TobyMac’s latest album was also chosen as the theme song for MLB’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days Spring Training Series and featured on the Golf Channel. In addition, his music has been heard in major motion pictures such as “Hancock,” “TRANSPORTER 2,” while also being featured on Fox sports, The NFL network, being selected as the theme song for Fox College Football, WWE’s Fatal 4-Way Pay-Per-View and “Showstopper” was featured in ESPN’s ESPY Award Show and most recently chosen to launch the new season of CBS hit television show CSI: NY. For more information on TobyMac, go to: http://www.tobymac.com Christian Music Artist Jonny Diaz Releases New Book Based On The #1 Hit Song – More Beautiful You When Jonny Diaz wrote the #1 hit song, “More Beautiful You”, he couldn’t have imagined that thousands of women, teens, and young girls would be helped. Jonny Diaz with the help of his mom, Gwendolyn Diaz have partnered together to show us that “true beauty” is not what society says, but seeing yourself through the eyes of God. They have seen first-hand the impact of the song as girls and women across the nation have responded to God’s call for true beauty. Each section of the book is structured around a line in the song’s lyrics, and shows how society’s distorted perceptions can encourage dysfunctional behaviors like anorexia, elective plastic surgery, and promiscuity. Also included are powerful listener testimonies that show how the song has impacted women’s lives worldwide. This book will help you discover the power of redemption and restoration found in the true beauty revealed by your Heavenly Father.
For Book and Publishing Inquiries, Contact Harrison House Publishers 918.523.5700 • chriso@harrisonhouse.com For Artist & Booking Information, Contact Just Management 615.567.6397 • ryan@just-management.com 07/30/2010Sara Groves Joins International Justic Mission For Nashville Stop of 1,800-Mile Bike Ride Against Injustice Nashville, Tenn. July 30, 2010… In a fight against modern-day slavery, last week INO Records’ Sara Groves joined the International Justice Mission (IJM) and 5 Weeks of Freedom team as they rode 70 miles through Nashville as part of the organization’s 1,800-mile bike ride through the historic Underground Railroad. "We had an amazing day with the IJM riders,” said Groves. “The dedication of these friends was staggering. They are really putting themselves in extreme conditions to identify in a small way what trafficked victims go through. Appreciate them letting us tag along for a day". Groves has been a long-time supporter of IJM. In April 2009, she traveled to Washington, D.C. on behalf of the organization to advocate for victims of human trafficking, meeting with the offices of Minnesota Congress and Senate Aides. IJM is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. In support of IJM’s work, 5 Weeks for Freedom is a major awareness and advocacy campaign to give a voice to victims of modern-day slavery and other forms of injustice. Additional information about these efforts can be found at www.ijm.org. Since her debut release in 2001, Conversations, Sara Groves has become one of the most critically-acclaimed artists in the Christian music industry, receiving rave reviews across the board for each recording by the likes of Billboard, and consistently topping year-end reader's polls and album of the year nods from the likes of CCM magazine, Christianity Today online and more. On her latest album, Fireflies & Songs, her most personal recording to date, Groves expands on her life lessons and struggles including she and her husband’s determined efforts to nurture other marriages by being open about their own shortcomings and lessons learned. Since her 2005 release Add to the Beauty, Groves has been immersed in a series of global conversations and experiences, from the flood-ravaged gulf of Louisiana, to the genocide memorials of Rwanda, to the testimonies of Southeast Asia sex trade survivors. These experiences showed the disparity between some of the American pursuits of comfort and wealth and the joy of joining the difficult work of social justice and engaging in the suffering of the afflicted. www.saragroves.com 07/02/2010 Addison Road’s Stories Stirs Enthusiastic Response from Critics and Fans Alike Sophomore Release Skyrockets to No. 2 on iTunes Christian Chart Nashville, TN… July 1, 2010… INO Records’ Dove nominated band Addison Road released their highly anticipated sophomore album Stories on June 22 and if the critics are any indication, Stories is exceeding everyone’s expectations: “This is one of the top 5 albums of the year-a 5 star album. If you liked Addison Road’s debut album, then you’ll absolutely LOVE Stories. This is an excellent album and I can’t get enough of the musical hooks, Jenny’s vulnerable and sincere vocals and the extremely poignant lyrics.” -ChristianMusicReview.org “Stories is an album that will likely bring Addison Road to the top of music charts in the Christian categories” –ChristianPost.com “With Stories, Addison Road is poised to become the next MercyMe, and is quite likely soon to discover the rewards of perseverance. Very highly recommended.” –The-Trades.com “Addison Road transforms their tribulation into triumph on a healthy—and highly-anticipated—sophomore set.”-Christianitytoday.com “Addison Road’s Stories is a disc of stories of faithfulness and brokenness and an overall great album.”-Hollywoodjesus.com Fans are also fancying the new album as the record skyrocketed to No. 2 on iTunes ® Christian Chart and in the Top 50 Overall Albums Chart. With their debut single “Fight Another Day” continuing to climb the charts, the song is currently No. 7 on Billboard’s CHR Chart, No. 16 on AC Indicator and in the Top 25 on AC Monitored. The female-fronted band recently went out on the road to visit their friends at radio in major cities including Tulsa, OK, Indianapolis, and Chicago, while also hosting free concerts celebrating their album release. Additionally, they made time to stop by LeSea Broadcasting studios and performed a few of their new songs on “Live at Studio B.” This fall, Addison Road will continue sharing their stories to audiences around the country on The Light Meets Dark Tour also featuring Tenth Avenue North and Matt Maher. For more information on Addison Road please visit www.addisonroad.com. ### About Addison Road: It has been two years since Texas natives Addison Road debuted with their self-titled record that garnered the band their first Dove nomination for Best New Artist, was featured as an iTunes ® Discovery Download and garnered 6 No. 1 singles. Already having shared the stage with star-studded acts such as MercyMe, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp and more, on June 22, Addison Road will release their highly anticipated sophomore album Stories. Featuring songs with memorable hooks and driving beats, Simmons’ vocal abilities continue to impress, lending an honest and authentic voice to lyrics that hit listeners with disarming relevance. The project's first single, “Fight Another Day,” written by Grammy winner and music veteran, TobyMac, is already at No. 7 on CHR, No. 16 on AC Indicator and No. 22 on AC Monitored. For more information on Addison Road, please visit www.addisonroad.com.07/01/2010 Building 429 Headlines 2nd Annual Summerfest Tour with New Partner Food For The Hungry Special Guests Include Britt Nicole, Mikeschair and Finding Favour Nashville, Tenn.…June 30, 2010… Back by popular demand, Building 429’s Annual Summerfest Tour kicks off July 6 in Dodge City, Kansas with the support of Christian radio partners in each market. This year the tour is partnering with Food for the Hungry, and also features the talents of Britt Nicole, Mikeschair and special guests Finding Favour. After ending a month-long Canadian tour in June, headlining act Building 429 recently traveled to Haiti joining Food For The Hungry to aid in earthquake relief efforts. So moved by what they saw and the Haitian people they met, Summerfest 2010 is partnering with Food For The Hungry to seek child sponsorships specifically in Haiti, which aid children who have been displaced by the 2010 earthquake. “After being in Haiti just a couple months ago, the work of Food For The Hungry has rooted itself even deeper in our hearts,” said Building 429’s front man Jason Roy. “We’re proud to be partnering with them on this upcoming summer tour, working to save the lives of thousands of Haitian children. Spreading the mission of Food For The Hungry is an honor and we are excited to do it on the Summerfest 2010 tour.” Summerfest 2010 runs through August 20, visiting 13 cities. Tickets for the family-friendly event are available at the door for the low cost of $5, except for a few select markets. For more information about Food For The Hungry’s Summerfest 2010 tour, visit the tour website at www.FHSummerFest.com. ### Summerfest 2010 Tour Dates: July 6 – Dodge City, KS July 7 – Amarillo, TX July 9 – Lubbock, TX July 13 – West Columbia, SC July 14 – Winston-Salem, NC July 20 – Shreveport, LA July 21 – Birmingham, AL July 23 – Monroe, MS July 24 – Picayune, MS August 5 – Panama City, FL August 6 – Charlotte, NC August 19 – Princeton, WA August 20 – Waynesboro, VA *all dates subject to change. Building 429 Building 429 has had a history of success with the release of three albums, and now the rock band has joined forces with INO Records for their fourth studio record which became available in stores last year. In 2005 “Glory Defined” was named BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, they were named the Gospel Music Association’s 2005 New Artist of the Year and nominated that same year for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and Song of the Year. They have toured with artists such as TobyMac, Family Force 5, Casting Crowns and Thousand Foot Krutch. Jason, Michael and Jesse are excited for their fans to hear a record that reflects where they are as individuals and artists. About Food For The Hungry: Since 1971, Food for the Hungry has boldly served and spoken out for the poor. Food for the Hungry is more than a relief and development organization; they are tested, trusted and innovative partner who respectively walks with the poor in more than 26 countries worldwide while intentionally reflecting the love of Jesus. For more information, please visit www.fh.org About Britt Nicole: Hailing from Salisbury NC, pop-rock artist Britt Nicole burst onto the Christian music scene in 2007 with her Sparrow Records debut, Say It. The finely crafted pop collection produced 3 Top 10 radio singles “You,” “Set the World on Fire,” and “Believe,” while earning Britt a slot on “The Winter Jam 2007 Tour” and Superchick’s spring 2008 “Cross The Line Tour.” Her songs have been featured on LucasArt’s Thrillville 2 video game, “Legally Blonde 3” DVD, MTV’s “The Hills,” and most recently heard during three episodes of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and featured on the soundtrack for new family friendly film “Ice Castles.” In addition, Britt’s “Welcome to the Show” will be heard on televisions across the country during ABC Family’s “Campus Crush” promo, highlighting their series TV shows, original movie and acquitted movies. Britt’s sophomore project, The Lost Get Found, (Aug. 11, 2009) produced by Robert Marvin (Mat Kearney, tobyMac) and Dan Muckala (Brandon Heath, Backstreet Boys), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, No. 62 on the Billboard 200, went straight to No. 1 on iTunes’ Christian/Gospel Top Albums chart, and peaked in the Top 10 on iTunes Top 100 albums chart. The album’s lead single, “The Lost Get Found,” rocketed to No. 1 on the Radio & Records CHR chart, spending eight consecutive weeks in the top position while climbing to No. 1 on iTunes’ Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart as well. For more information about Britt Nicole, please visit www.myspace.com/brittnicolemusic About MIKESCHAIR: This is a band well-known for infectious songs that inspire action to change the world through love. Partnering with organizations and utilizing mikestable at many of their shows, it is the band's hope for people to be aware of what's going on in the world in terms of need, to give them empowerment, while also give options. Audiences are welcomed to visit mikestable, which is dedicated to offering information for various causes such as Food for the Hungry, IJM, Love 146 and much more. MIKESCHAIR is managed by Creative Trust, Inc., and booked by Jeff Roberts & Associates, both located in the Nashville, TN area. www.MIKESCHAIR.com About Finding Favour: Hailing from Vidalia, GA, five-piece pop-rock band Finding Favour was formed in 2005. Averaging over 120 dates per year, they have performed at numerous camps, youth events, conferences, and festivals over the past five years. The band recently recorded a 3-song EP with award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Leeland). For more information, please visit www.findingfavour.com 06/21/2010 MercyMe’s ‘Lovewell Streak’ Continues “All of Creation” Holds No. 1 Spot For Over 11 Weeks At Radio The Generous Mr. Lovewell Holds No. 1 At Retail Lovewell Phenomenon Continues to Spread Around the Country Via CNN, Billboard, Hollywood Reporter and More Nashville, TN…June 17, 2010…The MercyMe ‘lovewell streak’ continues for the multi-platinum selling band who reaches another career high as their current single “All of Creation,” holds its spot at No. 1 on the AC radio chart for its 11th consecutive week, making it the longest run at radio in their career. The chart-topping track is the first single from the band’s latest album The Generous Mr. Lovewell, which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, making it their highest sales debut ever. In addition to selling nearly 90k units in its first week, the album has remained the No. 1 selling album in its genre for an uninterrupted seven weeks. Recently seen on the cover of the June issue of CCM’s Digital Issue, CNN.com and Billboard also spoke with MercyMe about the lovewellI phenomenon. It is a movement that the band is not just talking about, but living out. Following recent visits to the West Coast partnering with local radio stations and serving at Rescue Missions, assisting with can food drives and helping restore a car in Vegas, the Grammy nominated band partnered with God’s Pit Crew, a non-profit disaster relief organization, and WPAR-FM in Danville, VA to help rebuild a home for local resident Ms. Jewel and her family. After a surgery in 2002 that caused trauma to Ms. Jewel brain, she is unable to walk without assistance and lives in an unstable home caring for her three children. MercyMe, God’s Pit Crew volunteers and WPAR-FM invited the community to get involved as they kicked off a summer long project to rebuild the house in its entirety making it it handicap accessible while also leaving the family mortgage free. While the band is encouraging all to lend a helping hand, the raving reviews continue to pour in showing support for the new record including from The Hollywood Reporter, Breathecast.com, HollywoodJesus.com and more: “MercyMe's sixth studio album, ‘The Generous Mr. Lovewell,’ is a beautifully executed set that celebrates how the power of love can change the world.”-TheHollywoodReporter.com “The music through whole project 'The Generous Mr. Lovewell' is dynamic and upbeat drums make you move along with the tracks. Well done MercyMe!” -Breathecast.com “The Generous Mr. Lovewell, continues the band’s trend of focused lyrics, Christ-centered themes, and infectious music.”-HollywoodJesus.com MercyMe will be performing some of their new material from The Generous Mr.Lovewell at various summer festivals and fairs including the Life & Faith Tour, Harvest Crusade, NewSong Festival and more. For more information on MercyMe and their summer dates please visit www.mercyme.org. ### Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 5.5 million units in CD and DVD sales, while being one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 22 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2009 BILLBOARD named MercyMe's "Word Of God Speak" the #1 Song of The Decade and the group the #1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, with an additional #1 as the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade as one of the industry's most notable talents. MercyMe recently made history as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. The multi-platinum selling band has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ The Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more. For Media Contact: Velvet Kelm or Christina Garvin the media collective Velvet@theMcollective.com Christina@theMcollective.com 615.591.7989 via Twitter: @themcollective 06/15/2010 Food For the Hungry Presents the “Summer Block Party” Tour Featuring 33Miles and Aaron Shust Newcomers Among the Thirsty and NewFire Also Set to Join 15-date Tour Nashville, Tenn. June 10, 2010... 33Miles and Aaron Shust are preparing to co-headline Food for the Hungry’s “Summer Block Party Tour,” a festival style concert kicking off on June 16 with tickets for only $5 at the door (there are no advance ticket sales). Among The Thirsty and NewFire are also set to perform with Pocket Full of Rocks appearing at select shows. Adding to their long time relief and development work with the poor in more than 26 countries, Food for the Hungry will also be seeking child sponsorships on the tour to aid children in Haiti who have been displaced by the 2010 earthquake. “We are thrilled to team up and hit the road with Aaron Shust, Among The Thirsty and NewFire,” says 33Miles’ Jason Barton. “This will surely be a powerful and fun tour. Plus, the work of Food For The Hungry speaks for itself, we are proud to partner with them on this tour to bring aid to thousands of Haitian children. The mission of child sponsorship is always one that has been close to our hearts. Partnering in ministry with Food For The Hungry is an honor.” The 12-city tour is also partnering with local Christian radio in each market including KZKZ Ft. Smith, KXOJ Tulsa, WBGL Champaign, IL, Shine FM Chicago and American Family Radio to put on the event. The tour will start in Gulfport, Miss. and will finish on July 31 in Flint, Mich. (tour schedule is listed below). For more information about the tour, visit www.FHSummerBlockParty.com. To learn more about Food For The Hungry, please visit www.fh.org More about 33Miles: 33Miles is preparing to release their third studio album and a Christmas project at the end of this year. After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering radio hits and a 2008 Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles released their sophomore record One Life on Sept. 16, 2007 to much praise. Critically acclaimed One Life entered the Top Christian Soundscan Album Sales chart and the Christian Digital chart at No. 5, while debuting at No. 160 on the Billboard Top 200. Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. More about Aaron Shust: The author of one of Christian music’s biggest songs, “My Savior, My God,” Aaron Shust has established himself as one of Christian music’s core artists. He has received Dove Awards for “Song of the Year,” “Songwriter of the Year,” and “New Artist of the Year” from the Gospel Music Association. Also, between his first two projects, Shust has sold over 300,000 CDs, more than 500,000 digital downloads, and garnered a #1 radio single, along with five Top Ten radio singles. He has toured and performed extensively both as a headliner and a guest of artists such as MercyMe, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, and others. More about Food for the Hungry: Since 1971, Food for the Hungry has boldly served and spoken out for the poor. Food for the Hungry is more than a relief and development organization; they are tested, trusted and innovative partner who respectively walks with the poor in more than 26 countries worldwide while intentionally reflecting the love of Jesus. For more information, please visit www.fh.org More about Among the Thirsty: Among the Thirsty has been working hard performing and Leading Worship all across the country over the last 4 years. In 2009 the band released their radio single "I'd Need a Savior", which quickly climbed the Christian music charts. Once referred to as "The Beatles of Christian Music" by Jon Rivers of 20 the Countdown Magazine , Among the Thirsty's energetic performance, and dynamic Worship are not soon to be forgotten. # # # www.FHSummerBlockParty.com Tour Dates: *All dates subject to change. Please visit www.FHSummerBlockParty.com for most updated schedule. 6/16 – Gulfport, MS* 6/17 – Pace, FL* 6/19 – Logan, WV+ 6/23 – St. John, IN (Chicago area) 7/15 – Ft. Smith, AR 7/16 – Wichita, KS 7/17 – Tulsa, OK 7/27 – Paducah, KY 7/28 – Wayne City, IL 7/29 – Terre Haute, IN 7/30 – Decatur, IL 7/31 – Flint, MI+ *Pocket Full of Rocks appearing +Aaron Shust not appearing06/08/2010 Addison Road Share Their Stories, New Sophomore Release Available June 22 It has been two years since Texas natives Addison Road made their debut with their self-titled record home of the hits ”All That Matters,” “What Do I know of Holy,” and “Hope Now.” Now on June 22, the Dove nominated band will release their highly anticipated sophomore album Stories. The songs on Stories became part of a theme without the band realizing it, a theme the members would soon experience quite personally. Their first single “Fight Another Day,” written by Grammy winning lyricist, TobyMac, is climbing to the top on the radio charts. Having released just a few weeks ago it has already placed at No. 11 on CHR, No. 21 on AC Indicator and No. 22 on AC Monitored. Additionally, it is being played on 60 stations across America including Air 1, Way-FM and in major markets such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland and Baltimore. The song’s lyrics hit close to home as the band were the victims of a devastating fire in which they lost all of their equipment and personal belongings just a few months ago. “We’ve never done anybody else’s song, ever, but he felt sure the song sounded like us,” says lead singer Jenny Simmons.“We had no idea when we recorded lines about feeling the flames when the fire gets hot that we would actually have everything we own literally burn up in a fire.” “These songs have been the picture of our year,” she continues. “The theme – fighting another day, persevering, getting to the end of your own plans and recognizing that God is going to do something beautiful – we’ve lived that out this year.” Change is a fact of life for the band. Since their last album, Simmons and her husband Ryan have welcomed their baby girl, Anniston and just last week guitarist Ryan Gregg and his wife are the new proud parents of Lila Kate Gregg. Newlywed drummer Jeff Sutton decided to leave the band and finish his teaching degree; a highly-publicized search for a new drummer was conducted on YouTube, with audition tapes posted from around the world. Bass player Travis Lawrence, has continued to expand his design work, doing artwork for the band as well as other artists. He's also picked up banjo and harmonica, both of which are featured on Stories. Grammy-nominated Chris Stevens (Matthew West, TobyMac, Big Daddy Weave) returns to handle production on Stories, developing songs with memorable hooks and driving beats. Simmons’ vocal abilities continue to impress, lending an honest and authentic voice to lyrics that hit listeners with disarming relevance. 05/07/2010It’s as if God has brought them through an arduous mountain climb so they can deliver these Stories with genuineness, and remind their listeners that the climb may be difficult, but you can see a lot of good things once you’ve reached the top. To watch the band share about the album check our their EPK at and for more information on Addison Road, please visit www.addisonroad.com. SKILLET TO JOIN CREED ON “THE 20-10 TOUR" AWAKE RETURNS TO NO. 1 ON BILLBOARD’S CURRENT CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN SOUNDSCAN CHART
SKILLET has just been confirmed as a special guest for select dates on CREED’s “20-10 Tour” dates (specific Skillet dates listed below in full tour schedule). “The 20 -10 Tour” kicks off on July 28th in Washington D.C., and was named because the first 2,010 reserved seats are $20 all-in. This means fans pay a flat rate with no added service charges, and the remaining seats will be priced at $20 or $10, plus applicable ticketing fees. A full itinerary and lineup can be found below. GRAMMY ® nominated recording group SKILLET is set to take their explosive live show on the road once again in support of their highly acclaimed album, AWAKE, which made a blockbuster debut on the Billboard 200, entering the chart at #2. The album continues to reign as a favorite, ascending the upper half of the Billboard 200. Even after 36 weeks since AWAKE’s release, the album has returned to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Current Contemporary Christian Soundscan Chart. AWAKE is highlighted by the Top 5 Active Rock smash, "Monster" and the electrifying, "Hero," which is now top 20 at mainstream Active Rock radio after only six weeks. SKILLET just finished their hugely successful co-headlining AWAKE TONIGHT tour with tobyMac last month, and is currently touring under their headline run for the AWAKE & ALIVE tour through late May. The band’s latest Christian radio single “Awake & Alive” is currently No. 1 at Christian Rock and Top 5 at CHR. “The 20 -10 Tour” will feature new songs from CREED such as “Rain,” “Overcome” and “A Thousand Faces” from Full Circle, the bands 2009 release and first new album in eight years, as well as hits such as “Higher,” “My Sacrifice,” “With Arms Wide Open,” “One” and “What’s This Life For.” Creed has sold close to 35 million albums and has performed live in front of millions since forming in 1995. Creed has received numerous accolades, including several American Music and Billboard Awards, and the band won the GRAMMY ® for Best Rock Song for “With Arms Wide Open.” Citi(R) cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets through Citi's Private Pass(R) Program beginning in select markets. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. Tickets for “The 20-10 Tour” concerts will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets, through LiveNation.com, or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 (except the show on August 20th in Gilford, NH). Dates and times are subject to change without notice. Tickets for the August 20th Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion concert in Gilford, NH will be available through the venue's Box Office, by calling 603-293-4700 and at select ticket locations. Check http://www.meadowbrook.net/?page=ticket_info for additional information. About Skillet: Skillet’s latest, "AWAKE," continues to propel the incredible momentum the rock outfit has going for them with a blockbuster debut at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200, selling over 67,000 units and peaking at No. 1 on iTune’s “Top Albums” chart and “Top Rock” chart. Already over 300k in scans in just 20 weeks (more than double that of the GOLD selling COMATOSE), "AWAKE" was Amazon.com’s best selling Christian CD of 2009, and boasts the No. 4 mainstream Active Rock single in the country with “Monster,” which was also AOL Music’s No. 4 mainstream rock song of last year, and the No. 1 Christian CHR & Rock single, “Hero,” which has been used all season long by the NFL in their, Sunday Night Football and NFL Weekend Kickoff promos. Skillet has toured with the likes of mainstream megastars Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether and Flyleaf, and headlined a slew of major Christian festivals, all followed by solo tours that ranked within Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. Along the way, the two-time Grammy®-nominated alternative rockers also scored seven consecutive number one Christian radio singles, a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” and a 2009 nomination for Artist of the Year. Along with a trio of singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, a pair of BMI Songwriting Awards, and being chosen as Reader’s Poll favorites on several top ccm websites, they also released their first ever concert CD/DVD combo pack “Comatose Comes Alive.” For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.skillet.com or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic. # # #
Tickets are on sale now for the following concerts: -July 31st Darien Lake Performing Arts Center concert in Darien, NY -August 2nd at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT -August 9th Tyson Event Center/Gateway Arena concert in Sioux City, IA -August 13th Riverbend Music Center concert in Cincinnati, OH -August 15th at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Chicago, IL -August 17th Susquehanna Bank Center concert in Camden, NJ -August 20th at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH * -August 25th at SPAC in Saratoga, NY -August 3rd at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA -August 6th at the Blossom Music Center in Cleveland, OH -August 14th at Verizon Wireless Music Center in Indianapolis, IN -August 18th at Toyota Pavilion in Scranton, PA -August 21st at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ -August 24th at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY -August 31st at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL -September 1st at the Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Grounds in Tampa, FL Tickets go on sale Friday, May 7th at 10:00 AM for the following concerts: -July 28th at Jiffy Lube Live (formerly Nissan Pavilion) in Washington, D.C. -August 27th Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek concert in Raleigh, NC -August 28th at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, VA Tickets go on sale Friday, May 7th at 12:00 midnight for the concert on July 30th at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI * Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 15th at 10:00 AM for the concert on August 29th at Aarons Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta, GA Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 22nd at 10:00 AM for the following: -September 3rd at the Superpages.com Center in Dallas, TX -September 4th at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, TX Tickets go on sale Friday, June 18th at 10:00 AM for the concert on Saturday, August 7th at Constitution Park in Ft. Macoy, WI * “THE 20-10 TOUR” Itinerary * SKILLET dates bolded and listed in red.
05/07/2010WED 28-Jul Washington, D.C. Jiffy Lube Live # ^ FRI 30-Jul Mt. Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino * ^ SAT 31-Jul Darien, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center ^ MON 2-Aug Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena # ^ TUE 3-Aug Mansfield, MA Comcast Center + ^ THU 5-Aug Orillia, ON Casino Rama Entertainment Casino* FRI 6-Aug Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center + ^ SAT 7-Aug Ft. Macoy, WI Constitution Park * ^ MON 9-Aug Sioux City, IA Tyson Events Center / Gateway Arena # ^ TUES 10-Aug Sturgis, SD Rock N the Rally * # ^ FRI 13-Aug Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center # ^ SAT 14-Aug Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center # ^ SUN 15-Aug Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre # ^ TUE 17-Aug Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center ^ WED 18-Aug Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion # ^ FRI 20-Aug Gilford, NH Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion * # ^ SAT 21-Aug Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center ^ TUE 24-Aug Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater # ^ WED 25-Aug Saratoga, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center # ^ FRI 27-Aug Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek # ^ SAT 28-Aug Virginia Beach, VA Virginia Beach Amphitheater + ^ SUN 29-Aug Atlanta, GA Aaron s Amphitheatre at Lakewood # ^ TUE 31-Aug West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre # ^ WED 1-Sep Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre # ^ FRI 3-Sep Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center # ^ SAT 4-Sep Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion + ^ *These select shows do not include specially priced tickets. # with special guest Skillet ^ with special guest Theft + with special guest Red MercyMe’s The Generous Mr. Lovewell Gets Love from Retail, Radio, Critics and Fans Alike “...sonically engaging and musically substantive. Music with a message has never sounded more lovely."
![]() “MercyMe ups the musical ante”
“This album truly establishes MercyMe as the premier artist in all of Christian music”
MercyMe’s The Generous Mr. Lovewell Gets Love from
Retail, Radio, Critics and Fans Alike
New Album Hits No. 1 on iTunes ® Christian Albums Charts and
Top 5 on Overall Album Chart No. 1 Selling Record in Christian Retail “All Of Creation" #1 at Christian Radio as Single Continues to Dominate Nashville, TN…May 6, 2010…Billboard magazine’s “Christian Song Artist of the Decade,” MercyMe’s brand new project, The Generous Mr. Lovewell, available now, has already peaked at No.1 on iTunes ® Christian Albums Chart and in the Top 5 on its overall album chart. Additionally, the album is currently the No.1 selling record at Family Christian Stores, Lifeway, Mardel, Berean and most other Christian bookstores. Furthermore, The Generous Mr. Lovewell is getting a lot of love from all who listen, including critics from Billboard, USA Today, Christianity Today, New Release Tuesday and more:
“MercyMe’s sixth studio album is a well conceived and beautifully executed record that celebrates the power of love to change the world. Frontman Bart Millard and the band have crafted a set of tunes that are sonically engaging and musically substantive. Music with a message has never sounded more lovely.”-Billboard
“MercyMe ups the musical ante with a whimsy-filled concept album about a balloon-carrying character who encourages people to, well, "love well," using everything from random acts of kindness to intentional, determined commitment. The title track recalls Mr. Blue Sky-era Electric Light Orchestra, and the rest ranges from inspirational ballads to synth-pulsing anthems.” - USA Today
“MercyMe remains a lyrical fortress for an inspired constituency looking for straightforward spiritual encouragement. And with Lovewell, MercyMe's message remains a serious asset to this industry.”-Christianitytoday.com “The Generous Mr. Lovewell is RIDICULOUS!! This album truly establishes MercyMe as the premier artist in all of Christian music. I didn't think MercyMe could top All That Is Within Me but The Generous Mr. Lovewell rocks, has some incredible new musical twists and Bart's vocals have never sounded better.”-NewReleaseTuesday.com “The band has never sounded better, nor [Bart] Millard more soulful and confident, than on The Generous Mr. Lovewell, easily one of MercyMe’s best efforts in their incredible string of success.”-NoisyWhisper.com In addition to a stellar reception from the press, every single Christian AC station in the country is playing the chart topping single “All of Creation,” as the hit track continues to dominate the charts holding its place at No. 1 on AC Monitored and Soft AC/Inspo for more than 7 weeks total and is currently in the Top 10 at CHR.
This week as the Grammy nominated band celebrates their new album, they stopped by Good Day Dallas (FOX) and performed their hit single, while also speaking to over 100 different radio stations over the past two days. After their stop at Good Day, they made a special appearance at a Chick-fil-a in Dallas meeting fans for a fun and personal event hosted by KTLY in partnership with Lifeway Christian stores. In addition to the meet and greet, the band continues to live out their message of loving well as the band broke out their bowling shoes and played with select winners from a radio promotion with KTLA. MercyMe also recently served at Rescue Missions in California where they served food, washed dishes and loved on the residents and also assisted radio listeners in Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas by providing contributions to the winners that went towards meeting their needs.
For more information on MercyMe and the album please go to www.mercyme.org.
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Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 5.5 million units in CD and DVD sales, while being one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 22 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2009 BILLBOARD named MercyMe's "Word Of God Speak" the #1 Song of The Decade and the group the #1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, with an additional #1 as the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade as one of the industry's most notable talents. MercyMe recently made history as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. The multi-platinum selling band has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ The Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more. PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN NAB “INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR” AT 41ST ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS Trio Also Performs Award-winning “Revelation Song” with Kari Jobe During Televised Awards Show
Nashville, Tenn. April 22, 2010… Phillips, Craig & Dean’s Fearless took home the “Inspirational Album of the Year” honor at last night’s 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards earning the trio their first album Dove win of their career.
“After singing for almost 20 years, to be honored with our first career Dove win for an album, specifically for Fearless, is such an honor,” says Randy Phillips. “We are humbled by this accolade and the continuation of our ministry as well as the success of ‘Revelation Song.’ Thank you to the Gospel Music Association and to Jennie Lee Riddle for writing such a great song.”
This adds to the stellar success Phillips, Craig & Dean has had with their 11th studio project, Fearless. The single "Revelation Song" was the longest running single of 2009 spending a whopping 17 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian charts, and has spent nearly a year in the top 10. In addition to the win, the radio hit popularized by Phillips, Craig & Dean won for “Worship Song of the Year” and was also nominated for "Song of the Year" at this year's GMA Dove awards. Phillips, Craig & Dean's performance of the song with Kari Jobe will also be a part of Sunday night's televised show.
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Nashville's historic Grand Ole Opry House, and will be televised nationwide on gmc Sunday, April 25, from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST.
Phillips, Craig and Dean will follow up "Revelation Song" with their new single "Great Are You Lord" at radio impacting April 30th.
About Phillips, Craig & Dean: Since forming, Phillips, Craig & Dean has released 11 albums which has produced 19 No. 1 radio hits, almost three million records sold and ten Dove Award nominations.
About GMA: Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community consists of more than 2,200 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Dove Week and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376.
About GMC: GMC can be seen in 47 million homes. The channel's rapid growth has made it one of the fastest growing networks in television for the past three years. GMC is available on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224. For more information visit www.gmctv.tv.
# # # 04/22/2010MERCYME MAKES HISTORY AS “I CAN ONLY IMAGINE” SURPASSES 1 MILLION DOWNLOADS FIRST SONG IN CHRISTIAN MUSIC GENRE TO GO PLATINUM IN DIGITAL MARKET ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME RECIEVES GOLD CERTIFICATION
"Once again it is overwhelming to see the success that a song which is so personal to me has touched so many lives,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “We are honored that our fans continue to buy our records and support our ministry. God has been way too good to us!"
For more information on MercyMe please visit www.mercyme.org. ### 04/14/2010THE AFTERS’ LAND SPOT ON “SECRETS OF THE MOUNTAIN” SOUNTRACK HELMED BY GRAMMY ® AWARD WINNING PRODUCER AND AMERICAN IDOL JUDGE RANDY JACKSON Third Studio Album Light Up the Sky Set For Fall Release Date Nashville, Tenn. April 14, 2010… The Afters’ “Never Going Back to OK” will be featured on the upcoming soundtrack of the family friendly film “Secrets of the Mountain.” Hand-picked for the soundtrack by GRAMMY ® Award winning producer and music supervisor for the film and soundtrack, Randy Jackson, The Afters’ music will be featured with the likes of Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and more on the soundtrack.<p> To hear more about the film from Jackson, visit http://www.vocalpoint.com/secretsofthemountain/soundtrack.html. You can also check out http://www.vocalpoint.com/secretsofthemountain/home.html to watch a trailer of the film as well as find out more about their efforts to bring back family movie night.<p> The “Secrets of the Mountain” will debut on NBC Friday April 16 at 8pm EST/7pm CST. The movie focuses on a single mother who brings her family to a mountainside cabin. The film highlights values such as generosity, honesty and togetherness.<p> The DVD version of the film bundled with the soundtrack will be available exclusively at Walmart.<p> The Afters are currently working on their third studio project titled Light Up the Sky set to hit retailers on Aug. 24. “This record is new and exciting territory for us,” says Josh Havens, band front man. “We're thrilled with how the songs are turning out! I hope you guys are ready to join us on this journey.”<p> Texas-based band The Afters were propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean”. “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes ® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. With their debut exceeding the expectation, status quo simply would not do for their second album. It is this powerful transformation that lies at the core of The Afters’ sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia Records). Among a street week hit with placement in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200, Never Going Back to Ok proved to be sensation on the silver screen with Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Dr. Phil, Army Wives (Lifetime) and Rachael Ray using music from The Afters’ sophomore project in promotion for their programming. A slew of media including Rolling Stone, Seventeen.com, E! News Live, TV Guide, Premiere Radio and more also picked up on covering The Afters’ latest releases as well.<p><p> http://theafters.com/ http://www.myspace.com/theafters http://twitter.com/theafters http://www.youtube.com/theaftersVEVO http://www.facebook.com/theafters 04/07/2010SKILLET’S EXPLOSIVE LIVE PERFORMANCE CAPTURED IN “AWAKE AND ALIVE” MUSIC VIDEO DEBUTING ON RANSOM.TV THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7 Nashville, Tenn. April 6, 2010… Skillet’s new music video for their current hit Christian radio single “Awake and Alive,” from their latest and best selling album Awake, will debut exclusively this Wednesday, April 7 on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA) Ransom.tv. The song is currently top 5 on the CHR radio charts as well as No. 6 on the Christian Rock chart.
The new video was produced by BGEA, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and is based mostly on a live Skillet performance in Chattanooga, Tenn. with additional footage shot backstage by the band. Photos from the video shoot are currently available at www.facebook.com/WeAreRansom.
“Skillet is one of those unique bands who’ve been able to stretch beyond the Christian market and impact mainstream audiences,” explains Kevin Adamson, Ransom Producer and spokesperson. “These guys are passionate about the Gospel and living out their faith. This is why we hand-picked them for Ransom, and why we’re excited to debut this video.”
Ransom.tv aims to address some of life’s toughest questions with compelling content – in a format custom-designed for the “millennial” generation, ages 15-25. The site features videos, culturally relevant articles, testimonials, devotions and other engaging pieces on real topics to encourage a deeper relationship with Jesus.
As they close out the hugely successful AWAKE TONIGHT tour with TobyMac this week, Skillet will launch their next headline run, the AWAKE & ALIVE Tour on April 15th in Scranton, Pennsylvania continuing through late May, an updated tour schedule is listed below.
For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.skillet.com orwww.myspace.com/skilletmusic.
Ransom updates can also be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WeAreRansom), Twitter (http://twitter.com/WeAreRansom) and its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/RansomTeeVee).
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About Skillet:
Skillet’s latest, "AWAKE," continues to propel the incredible momentum the rock outfit has going for them with a blockbuster debut at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200, selling over 67,000 units and peaking at No. 1 on iTune’s “Top Albums” chart and “Top Rock” chart. Already over 300k in scans in just 20 weeks (more than double that of the GOLD selling COMATOSE), "AWAKE" was Amazon.com’s best selling Christian CD of 2009, and boasts the No. 4 mainstream Active Rock single in the country with “Monster,” which was also AOL Music’s No. 4 mainstream rock song of last year, and the No. 1 Christian CHR & Rock single, “Hero,” which has been used all season long by the NFL in their, Sunday Night Football and NFL Weekend Kickoff promos.
Skillet has toured with the likes of mainstream megastars Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether and Flyleaf, and headlined a slew of major Christian festivals, all followed by solo tours that ranked within Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. Along the way, the two-time Grammy®-nominated alternative rockers also scored seven consecutive number one Christian radio singles, a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” and a 2009 nomination for Artist of the Year. Along with a trio of singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, a pair of BMI Songwriting Awards, and being chosen as Reader’s Poll favorites on several top ccm websites, they also released their first ever concert CD/DVD combo pack “Comatose Comes Alive.”
About BGEA: The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) proclaims the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world by every effective means available. From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., BGEA directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large-scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org. Get BGEA news updates on Twitter @ Twitter.com/BGEAMediaPR.
current Skillet tour schedule
* all dates subject to change, for most updated tour information, visit myspace.com/skilletmusic
Apr 1 2010 7:00P Awake Tonight Tour- UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, Louisiana Apr 2 2010 7:00P Awake Tonight Tour- Oil Palace Tyler, Texas Apr 3 2010 7:00p Awake Tonight Tour - Mississippi Coliseum Jackson, Mississipp Apr 8 2010 7:00P Awake Tonight Tour - Chrysler Hall Norfolk, Virginia Apr 9 2010 7:00P Awake Tonight Tour - Big Sandy Superstore Arena Huntington, West Virginia Apr 10 2010 8:30P Awake Tonight Tour - Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia Apr 11 2010 6:00p Awake Tonight Tour - Asheville Civic Center Asheville, North Carolina Apr 15 2010 8:00p Awake & Alive Tour- Scranton Cultural Center Scranton, Pennsylvania Apr 17 2010 12:00P Richmond Raceway Complex Richmond, Virginia Apr 18 2010 6:00P Bojangles Coliseum Charlotte, North Carolina Apr 20 2010 7:30P 1st Bank Center Broomfield, Colorado Apr 23 2010 7:30P Awake & Alive Tour at Campbell University Buies Creek, North Carolina Apr 24 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - USC Aiken Convocation Center Aiken, South Carolina Apr 25 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - Saenger Theater Pensacola, Florida Apr 29 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour-Cajundome Convention Center Lafayette, LA Apr 30 2010 5:15P Toad Suck Daze Conway, Arkansas May 1 2010 7:00P Agape Festival-Greenville College Greenville, Illinois May 2 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - ASU Convocation Center Jonesboro, Arkansas May 4 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour- Fort Smith Convention Center Fort Smith May 6 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour- Hartman Arena Park City, Kansas May 7 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - Dodge City Civic Center Dodge City, Kansas May 8 2010 5:30P Gwazi Fied - Busch Gardens Tampa, Florida May 9 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - Kansas Expocentre Topeka, Kansas May 11 2010 7:00P Bismarck Civic Center Bismarck, North Dakota May 13 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rapid City, South Dakota May 15 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour -Urban Plains Center Fargo, North Dakota May 16 2010 3:00P Balloon Classic Field-KAZR’s Lazerfest 2010 Indianola, Iowa May 20 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - Dow Event Center Saginaw, Michigan May 21 2010 7:00P Awake & Alive Tour - Michigan State University Concert Auditorium East Lansing, Michigan May 22 2010 5:00P Columbus Crew Stadium- Rock on the Range 2010 Columbus, Ohio May 23 2010 4:00P WMMRBQ - Susquehanna Bank Center Camden, New Jersey May 28 2010 8:30P Spirit West Coast - Del Mar Fairgrounds Del Mar, California May 30 2010 5:00P YC Alberta 2010 Edmonton, Alberta Jun 12 2010 8:00P Elitch Arena - Elitch Gardens Denver, Colorado Jun 17 2010 7:00P Atlantafest Stone Mountain, Georgia Jun 18 2010 9:30P Ichthus Wilmore, Kentucky Jun 19 2010 7:00P Magic Springs Park Hot Springs, Arkansas Jun 25 2010 9:30P Alive Festival 2010-Atwood Lake Park Mineral City, Ohio Jul 1 2010 10:00P Cornerstone Festival Bushnell, Illinois Jul 3 2010 7:00P Creation Festival East Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania Jul 8 2010 9:00P Kings Fest - Kings Dominion Doswell, Virginia Jul 10 2010 9:30P Lifest - Sunnyview Fairgrounds Oshkosh, Wisconsin Jul 17 2010 9:30P Sonshine Festival Willmar, Minnesota Jul 23 2010 8:00P Timber Linn Park Albany, Oregon Jul 24 2010 7:00P Creation Fest West Enumclaw, Washington Jul 31 2010 6:00P One Voice :: Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas Aug 3 2010 9:30P Kingdom Bound Festival Darien Center, New York Aug 6 2010 9:00P Rock The Desert Festival Field Midland, Texas Aug 7 2010 7:00P Rock The River West -Thunderbird Stadium Vancouver, British Columbia Aug 21 2010 7:00P Rock The River West - Canadian Olympic Park Calgary, Alberta Aug 28 2010 7:00P Rock The River - Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. Edmonton, Alberta Sep 4 2010 7:00P Revelation Generation Festival Frenchtown, New Jersey Sep 5 2010 7:00P Youth Front- Rock the Light Festival Shawnee Mission, Kansas Sep 10 2010 10:15P Rock The Universe - Universal Studios Orlando, Florida Sep 18 2010 7:00P Uprise Festival - Shippensburg Fair Grounds Shippensburg, Pennsylvania Sep 25 2010 6:00P Harvest Crusades - Allstate Arena Rosemont, Illinois Addison Road Lives To Fight Another Day Receives Outpouring Of Support In Wake Of Recent Tour RV and Trailer Fire
March 19, 2010…Nashville, TN… Just one week into their spring tour, 30-minutes before they were going to the take the stage in Vegas, Addison Road received a disturbing call from their bus driver saying their RV and trailer were up in flames. Within seconds after the driver had pulled off to the side of the deserted road, the entire vehicle erupted in flames destroying all of the band’s sound equipment, instruments and personal belongings. The flames were so powerful that the highway was shut down for multiple hours to control the fire, which had melted the concrete underneath it. Immediately, Addison Road received an outpouring of love and support from churches, friends, family, fans and Christian radio helping the band restore what was lost in the accident. As a result, all of the bands’ needs have been met above and beyond measure, and for that they are truly humbled and grateful.
‘And do you feel the fire when the flame gets hot, are you living each day like it’s the last you’ve got, Will you step aside when it all falls down and watch it burn away, Have a little faith when the walls cave in, Pray for strength to fly against the wind, Will you walk away when the fire gets hot, Or fight another day.’
The fact of the matter is, we all have plans whether it’s a plan for tomorrow or for years to come, but God has other plans. When things don’t go as you hope them to, you have two choices: to hang your head low in defeat, or fight it out and get through it because God will get you through. We chose to fight.”
To find out more updates as they happen, please visit www.addisonroad.com. 33MILES EXTENDS SUCCESSFUL “ONE LIFE TOUR” INTO 2010, Pocket Full of Rocks and Kimber Rising Join Touring Bill Nashville, TN – March 18, 2010 – GMA Dove Award nominated band, 33Miles, is announcing the spring leg of its highly successful, fall 2009 “One Life Tour.” 33Miles will be joined by worship band Pocket Full of Rocks, who released their third studio project “More Than Noise” on March 2 , as well as newcomers Kimber Rising.
The spring tour kicks off in New Berlin, WI on March 19, and will make stops in 25 cities across the mid-west and southern United States. The extended spring tour comes after multiple sold-out shows during the fall run, a trend that is continuing into the spring with several dates already being close to a sell out including one event running out of tickets in under four hours.
“We are excited to get back out on the road after taking some time off to be with our families and write for our next album,” says lead singer, Jason Barton. “It’ll also be great to join our friends Pocket Full of Rocks and Kimber Rising, who we have loved touring with in the past.”
“Food for the Hungry is thrilled to be partnering with 33Miles on the ‘One Life Tour,’” explains Ben Greene, Director of Food for the Hungry’s artist program. “They communicate the mission and heart of the organization. We are staying very aggressive in our development work in Haiti and 33Miles wanted to be a part of that. The church has responded to the immediate needs of the Haitian people, now we need to lead the way in the long-term recovery and development efforts. This program gives us that opportunity.”
To learn more about Food For The Hungry, please visit www.fh.org
For tickets and information on the “One Life Tour,” visit www.33milesonline/tour
3/19 – New Berlin, WI+ 4/8 – TBA 4/18 – TBA 4/25 – TBA 4/29 – TBA 4/30 – TBA 5/2 – TBA
*Pocket Full of Rocks & Kimber Rising not appearing. Samestate and Last Place to open.
More about 33Miles: After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering radio hits and a 2008 Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles released their sophomore record One Life on Sept. 16, 2007 to much praise. Critically acclaimed One Life entered the Top Christian Soundscan Album Sales chart and the Christian Digital chart at No. 5, while debuting at No. 160 on the Billboard Top 200. Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles.
More about Food for the Hungry: Since 1971, Food for the Hungry has boldly served and spoken out for the poor. Food for the Hungry is more than a relief and development organization; they are tested, trusted and innovative partner who respectively walks with the poor in more than 26 countries worldwide while intentionally reflecting the love of Jesus. For more information, please visit www.fh.org
More about Pocket Full of Rocks: Pocket Full of Rocks has been leading worship together for over 14 years. Lead singer and songwriter Michael Farren has written hit songs “Let It Rain” and “Let The Worshippers Arise”, which are now worship standards in the contemporary church. The band’s previous release, Manifesto, earned a 2008 Dove nomination for Worship Album of the Year. CHASEN LANDS iTunes ® DISCOVERY DOWNLOAD SPOT WITH “CASTAWAY” Band’s INO Records Debut Release That Was Then, This Is Now Draws Acclaim “Castaway,” off of Chasen’s March 9 release of That Was Then, This Is Now, will be featured as today's free Discovery Download on iTunes ®, and is available for one week only! To download the song, visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/castaway/id363323286?i=358462250. For Chasen Discovery Download web banners, go to http://www.inorecords.com/banners/chasen/DiscoveryDownload.html . To hear the story behind “Castaway,” check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCQTNbfYyp8. The coveted iTunes ® spot comes just weeks after Chasen released their debut project with INO to much critical support. Below is just a sample of what the reviews are saying. “One of 2010’s Most Likely To Succeed” – CCM Magazine “I have no doubt that That Was Then This Is Now will occupy a prominent place in your top albums of 2010 by the end of the year.” - Christian Music Review “Highly talented band with a stunning array of songs in their arsenal. Instantly enjoyable, Chasen Callahan's vocals are a pleasure to listen to. What a stunning album.” - Louder Than The Music The record, co-produced with Rob Hawkins (Fireflight), features 10 personal tracks, most written by band front man Chasen Callahan who has penned songs for Addison Road and Stellar Kart among others. In addition to “Castaway,” the new album features “Slow Down,” “Love In Your Name” and “On and On” which was No. 1 on the CHR radio chart for over a month. The band will also be joining Kutless for the “It Is Well Tour” starting in April. For a complete list of tour dates, visit http://www.chasenmusic.com/tour.php. Chasen is comprised of Chasen Callahan, Evan Silver, Aaron Lord and Jared Barber. Callahan entered the music scene after nearly a decade of service as a worship pastor. The Greenville, South Caroline based band released their first independent project Shine Through the Stars in 2008 and experienced solid radio success with two songs landing in the Top 5,“Crazy Beautiful” and “Drown. MERCYME ENCOURAGES “ALL OF CREATION” TO ‘LOVE WELL’ WITH RELEASE OF “THE GENEROUS MR. LOVEWELL” ON MAY 4 2/10/10 Multi-platinum and award-winning band MercyMe is encouraging “All Of Creation” to “love well” with their upcoming studio album “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” (INO Records), scheduled to arrive May 4th nationwide. INO RECORDS COLLABORATES WITH CHURCHES NATIONWIDE FOR THE RELEASE OF THE CATALYST MUSIC PROJECT BEST OF TODAY’S LOCAL CHURCH CULMINATES IN ALBUM FEATURING PERFORMANCES FROM PHIL WICKHAM, LAURA STORY, FEE, HEATHER WILLIAMS AND MORE INO Records and Catalyst, a leadership development organization, recently joined forces to create the Catalyst Music Project – an album inspired by churches and songwriters nationwide. CHASEN MAKES MAJOR LABEL DEBUT WITH THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW MARCH 9, 2010 Feb. 5, 2010 # # # MERCYME’S RADIO TOUR DRAWS TO AN END The journey has come to an end as MercyMe wraps their radio tour after a successful week of visiting numerous radio stations across the U.S. introducing them to their new single “All of Creation,” from the band’s upcoming INO Records CD, THE GENEROUS MR. LOVEWELL (May 4). Teams Barty (Bart and Barry), Team Jathan (Jim and Nathan) and Team Mobby (Robby and Mike) grew a friendly competition as they split up their route between the members and conquered the country. Bringing their fans along for the ride through each members tweets, fans were able to get up close and personal with the band through text, pictures and videos! Check out the band’s final moments during the last days of their voyage:
“Spending the morning with fish-fm in LA! These people know radio! http://twitpic.com/z833j”
“http://twitvid.com/640BA - Team Barty...BartenBarry...BartnoBarry whatever our name is, is still in action.”
“Thanks a ton to @kduvfm in Visalia, Ca for a great morning. Lovewell Cometh!”
“Thanks to Don Star 88.3 for having us today. Oh and also for share DeBrand chocolatier w/ us.
“Team Mobby hit 22 stations and we didn't have an RV tobstreyxh out in. MOBBY RULZ!!!”
“Awesome pizza time w/ you guys!!! RT @KTIS @mercyme @mikescheuchzer @robbyshaffer Thanks for stopping by. Great to see you all again.”
“SpiritFM Lynchburg VA morning show. Great people and a great station! http://twitpic.com/z27lx”
Stay tuned for more details on THE GENEROUS MR. LOVEWELL! 01/20/2010THE FUN CONTINUES WITH MERCYME ON CROSS-COUNTRY RADIO TOUR TO REVEAL NEW SINGLE “ALL OF CREATION” The competition continues to build between the members of MercyMe and their various “teams,” as they proceed with their radio promo tour across the U.S. to premiere their new single, “All of Creation,” from the band’s upcoming INO Records CD, THE GENEROUS MR. LOVEWELL (May 4). Bart and Barry (Team Barty) are conquering the West coast, Jim and Nathan (Team Jathan) the East Coast, and Robby and Mike (Team Mobby) the midwest and while on the road the band has been bringing their fans along for the ride through their tweets. Have you decided which team you are on? Check out the band’s tweets below, along with a few photos/videos to see their journey thus far:
“On the air with @1041thefish in Portland. Good times! http://twitpic.com/yv74p”
“The awesomeness of Team Barty! http://twitvid.com/F3BB7“
“Just had a great time w/ @mynameiscorey@ the pulse radio!!! Thanks for the road snacks!!! http://twitpic.com/yxf7c “
“This the way we roll @ 8:16 am http://twitvid.com/AE1A6”
“Jim acting like the child he is on 106.9 The Light here in Ashville. Great to be here! http://twitpic.com/yx4ws “
With more details soon to be announced on THE GENEROUS MR. LOVEWELL, the band debuted the album cover for the upcoming release today. To view please visit http://www.mercyme.org/2010/01/20/the-generous-mr-lovewell-cover%E2%80%A6part-2/.
Watch for updates throughout the week!
MERCYME HITS MULTIPLE RADIO STATIONS THIS WEEK TO UNVEIL NEW SINGLE “ALL OF CREATION” MercyMe is hitting the road this week with visits to multiple radio stations all across the country to premiere their new single, “All of Creation,” from the band’s upcoming INO Records CD, THE GENEROUS MR. LOVEWELL (May 4). The band has a ‘divide and conquer’ approach to this promo tour, with band members Bart and Barry hitting the West coast, Jim and Nathan the East Coast, and Robby and Mike the midwest. We thought it’d be fun for you to see what they’re saying as they trek across the U.S. this week. Watch for updates throughout the week! On Day 1 of the tour, the band brought their fans along via twitter, check out their tweets below, along with a few photos:
“Let's see who has the best radio road trip. Barry and Bart aka Team Barty. Jim and Nathan, Team Jathan. Or Mike and Robby, Team Mobby”
“Ok Colorado Springs, about to Play the new single.”
“Our biggest fan! Working hard in Florida on the radio promo tour.”
“Jim and I are on Z88.3 this morning here in Florida. I think the other guys are missing out not being on the east coast with us.”
“Top o' the mornin' to ya!!! Tune into Klove @ 7 this morning for the world premiere of our new single All of Creation!!! Here we go!!!!
“So... Eric & Lisa are going rogue and playing our new single once an hour!!! They didn't want anyone to miss it.”
“ Lunch with Star 93.3.
SKILLET SLAMS INTO 2010 WITH NO. 4 MAINSTREAM RADIO HIT, SHINEDOWN TOUR, MORE WWE AND MASSIVE SALES “Monster” has proven to be just that for Skillet, with fans purchasing so many digital copies over the holiday, their sales increased almost 300%. In addition to all the success “Monster” is having, their No. 1 Christian rock and CHR track, “Hero,” has been creating a great buzz as well: ‘Hero” will be used in the upcoming trailers and promos for the new Twentieth Century Fox film, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” which stars Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman and is based on the best-selling book by Rick Riordan. -“Hero” has been used all season long by the NFL in their, Sunday Night Football and NFL Weekend Kickoff promos. -The WWE will use the song once again as the official theme song for WWE’s Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View on January 31st. “Hero” was also featured as part of the soundtrack to the WWE’s Tribute To The Troops TV Special, which aired just before Christmas on NBC. Skillet was promoted alongside other contributing artists including Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, and Nickelback. WWE programming reaches nearly 16 million people per week in the U.S., and WWE.com currently averages 14 million unique visitors worldwide monthly, providing more than 28 million video streams. -In follow up to their fall AWAKE & ALIVE tour, which, due to numerous sell out shows made Pollstar’s Concert Pulse’s Top 50 tours for the fall, Skillet will hit the road with mainstream rockers Shinedown and Puddle of Mudd for the Sound of Madness 2010 tour beginning January 21st in Providence, RI. - In March and April Skillet will co-headline the AWAKE TONIGHT tour with TobyMac for one of the most anticipated tours of the spring for the Christian concert arena. Tour dates will be announced soon. For tour dates go to http://www.skillet.com Skillet’s latest, AWAKE, continues to propel the incredible momentum the rock outfit has going for them with a blockbuster debut at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200, selling over 67,000 units and peaking at No. 1 on iTune’s “Top Albums” chart and “Top Rock” chart within 24 hours of its release. Since 2006’s breakthrough RIAA Gold certified project “Comatose,” Skillet has toured with the likes of mainstream megastars Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether and Flyleaf, and headlined a slew of major Christian festivals, all followed by solo tours that ranked within Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. Along the way, the two-time Grammy®-nominated alternative rockers also scored seven consecutive number one Christian radio singles, a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” and a 2009 nomination for Artist of the Year. Along with a trio of singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, a pair of BMI Songwriting Awards, and being chosen as Reader’s Poll favorites on several top ccm websites, they also released their first ever concert CD/DVD combo pack “Comatose Comes Alive.” For more information on Skillet, go to: www.skillet.com and/or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic 01/06/20102010 LINEUP FOR 2ND ANNUAL ROCK AND WORSHIP ROADSHOW REVEALED STELLAR CAST INCLUDES MERCYME, DAVID CROWDER* BAND, FAMILY FORCE 5, FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI, FEE, REMEMDY DRIVE AND SIDEWALK PROPHETS In follow-up to its successful debut in 2009, the 2010 lineup has been revealed for the 2nd Annual Rock and Worship Roadshow. The stellar cast includes the talents of MercyMe, David Crowder*Band, Family Force 5, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, Remedy Drive and Sidewalk Prophets. Watch a hilarious video created by MercyMe as they announce the lineup by going to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFOgprYaw4. Last year, the Rock and Worship Roadshow drew more than 170k fans to major cities across the U.S. and this year hopes to continue to attract people by the thousands providing them the best entertainment along with a meaningful message. The 25-city tour will kick off March 18 in Indianapolis and will carry through to April 25 in Columbia, SC. (see tour dates below) “We are so excited to be back for this tour with such an incredible group of artists,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “We’re going to have a great time.” Admission prices will again be $10 at-the-door, as the tour aims to be an event for fans of all ages, especially families. In addition to bringing a night of exciting performances, the tour is also dedicated to a much greater purpose: helping children with juvenile diabetes via “Imagine A Cure”, a non profit organization geared to raise awareness and to support research that will lead to a cure along with Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. For more information on “Imagine A Cure,” go to: http://www.imagineacureonline.com/. For more information on Compassion International go to http://www.compassion.com For more information on the Roadshow please log on to www.rockandworshiproadshow.com.
Tour Dates for Rock and Worship Roadshow 2010 (dates subject to change)
March 18, 2010 Indianapolis, IN
MercyMe: MercyMe is one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 22 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2008 the band was named R&R’s Christian AC Artist of the Year, and as one of the industry's most notable talents, MercyMe has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more. For all things MercyMe, please visit: www.mercyme.org. DAVID CROWDER *BAND: Church Music is the follow-up to David Crowder*Band’s 2007 release of Remedy. Along with the group’s 6 GMA Dove Awards and 17 nominations, David Crowder*Band has toured with Michael W. Smith, Third Day and Mercy Me including a headlining tour with Mute Math. The first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006 as well as foster a partnership with M-Audio/Propellerhead’s Reason software, Crowder is also the namesake behind premiere guitar maker Tom Anderson Guitarworks’s Crowdster Acoustic. They have received media coverage from such major news outlets as CNN, Fox and the New York Times. Despite the success, David Crowder*Band makes it a point to get back to University Baptist Church on most Sundays, a church they helped found on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, TX. The band is also featured at the enormously popular Passion gatherings. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die. www.davidcrowderband.com Family Force Five: Formerly known as The Brothers Olds, Family Force Five have been doing things their way since the band’s inception nearly 10 years ago. In follow-up to their debut album Business Up Front, Party In The Back (2006), FF5 released their sophomore release Dance or Die on their record label Transparent Media Group in 2008. Dance was a near-perfect amalgam of dense grooves (“Radiator”), synthesizer-driven funk (the title track), techno-pop nostalgia (“How In The World”) and inspired emo (“The First Time”) that seemingly erased the lines of demarcation between dirty rock clubs and cosmopolitan dancefloors. Anyone familiar to their mythology knows, when Family Force 5 activate their collective booty-movin’ powers, there’s not a single rock club, dance floor or house party they cannot vanquish. Now, the band is writing new material for their third album, tentatively slated for release later in mid-2010. www.myspace.com/familyforce5 FEE: From national worship conferences to local youth group meetings, the GMA Dove nominated Fee has brought a new level of abandon and talent to rock worship, gifting today’s church with riveting songs of praise. The band has been associated with some of today’s most forthcoming faith-based events including Passion, 7:22 and Catalyst conferences. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Steve Fee, Matt Adkins, Heath Balltzglier and Brandon Coker still lead worship at the North Point Community Church. Fee released their sophomore project Hope Rising in the fall of 2009. The newest album contains the successful digital and radio single “Glory to God Forever.” www.feeband.com FRANCESCA Battistelli: This New York City-born singer and songwriter has been going non-stop since her debut project, My Paper Heart, released last summer on Fervent/Reprise Records, which boasts the #1 hit for multiple weeks, "Free to be Me." The single reached an unheard of #1 on four radio charts, and is also the first #1 song from a female at AC radio since 2005. This ranks her as the most added female artist and new artist in Christian radio history. She was named one of iTunes' best new artists of 2008 within the Christian/Gospel category and received accolades for her single "I'm Letting Go" as the #3 "Best iTunes Song" of the year. Francesca Battistelli was nominated an astounding five times for the 2009 Dove Awards for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, while "I'm Letting Go" received nominations for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. My Paper Heart was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Adding to her accolades, Battistelli's music has been featured in feature films, on AOL Music's homepage, in ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," NBC's "Biggest Loser," and The Style Network's new reality show "Running In Heels." Visit www.francescamusic.com for her blogs, current tour dates, and more. REMEDY DRIVE: There's a passionate honesty to middle America - it's deep-rooted and straightforward. Few places embody that better than Lincoln, Nebraska, home to Word/Warner Bros. newest rock outfit, Remedy Drive. A four-piece, four-brother band (David, Philip, Paul and Dan Zach), Remedy Drive has been cranking out their own brand of music as a full time indie for the past 5 years. The band's debut release, "Daylight Is Coming" was produced by Ian Eskelin (All Star United). With a message of hope for the searching and a desire to reach beyond a static life for something bigger, Remedy Drive combines a heart-on-a-sleeve sensibilities with their one-of-a-kind live show - the Midwest has never felt like this before! www.remedydrive.com SIDEWALK PROPHETS: As one of Christian music's fastest rising new bands, Sidewalk Prophets highly anticipated debut record These Simple Truths scanned more than 25,000 copies since releasing in August 2009. Their first single, "The Words I Would Say" made a huge impact at radio holding the #1 at AC Indicator for 5 weeks in a row. Gaining their start leading chapel at Anderson University where founding members Dave Frey and Ben McDonald met, Sidewalk Prophets began playing anywhere they could get an audience. Moving to Nashville on a wing and a prayer with nothing but an EP the band eventually signed with Fervent Records. www.sidewalkprophets.com 10/21/2009PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN’S “REVELATION SONG” NO. 1 CHRISTIAN SONG FOR 15 WEEKS Phillips, Craig & Dean’s “Revelation Song” continues to be unstoppable at Christian radio. This week marks the 15th week in a row “Revelation Song” has sat atop the Billboard Christian AC Monitored chart, making it the longest running No. 1 song in any format in Christian radio this year. 100% of the Christian AC panel has added the single. “We are so grateful to radio that after 18 years, they are still making a place for us,” says band member Randy Phillips. “Phillips, Craig & Dean’s ‘Revelation Song’ continues to have remarkable impact with radio. After all these months at the top of the charts, I continue to hear that this song is testing extraordinarily high with listeners,” explains Dan Michaels, Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Promotions for INO Records. “I am thankful to radio and very happy for Phillips, Craig & Dean.” In the midst of the single’s successful stay at the top of the radio and iTunes ® Christian Singles charts, Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean continue to visit radio outlets across the country including K-LOVE, KLTY/Dallas, The Fish/Sacramento, KSBJ/Houston, HIS Radio/Greenville, KXOJ/Tulsa and WPOZ/Orlando. KLTY, KSBJ, KXOJ and WPOZ also hosted concerts with an average of 4,000 people in attendance. To hear more about the story behind “Revelation Song” from Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean, visit: http://video.inorecords.com/streaming/?video=PCD-RevelationSongFinaledit05-18-09 “Revelation Song” is from the group’s latest release on INO Records titled Fearless that debuted at No. 1 at Christian retail. Below is just a sample of the media’s praise of Fearless. “The musical performances and production are cutting-edge… the best feature on this album is the performance of PC&D – they have a way of infusing the songs with an honest passion that connects as effectively as a live worship concert.” – Worship Leader “The trio has nailed their niche and sound in this fantastic arrangement of worshipful lyrics, contemporary sound and pleasing harmonies, making it their best album to date.” – Advance Magazine “If you had told me several years ago that some of the best executed modern rock of 2009 would be released by Phillips Craig and Dean, I would have personally signed your commitment papers. But....well, that is exactly what has happened. The beauty of the trio's new project, Fearless is its lack of pretense: They aren't trying to set the worship world on fire with their artistry, yet they are making seriously good worship music that is just as viable in the modern rock arena as in the church... Fearless finds the group at the height of their powers.” - Christian Musician With 12 albums, two million plus records sold, nine Dove Award nominations and 19 No. 1 radio hits, Phillips, Craig & Dean have no doubt achieved longevity in their 18 years of ministry as a staple in the ever changing Christian music industry. If the success of “Revelation Song” is any indication, Phillips, Craig & Dean show no sign of stopping anytime soon. 10/20/2009PHIL WICKHAM FINDS HIS VOICE ON THIRD STUDIO ALBUM HEAVEN AND EARTH SET TO LAND NOVEMBER 17 Since the release of his critically acclaimed sophomore album Cannons, distinguished singer/songwriter Phil Wickham finds his voice on his third studio album Heaven and Earth set to land on November 17. Even with the critical acclaim he’s garnered, for the first time in his career, Wickham feels that he has a story to tell: he wants to remind the Church for what and who we are created for. Produced by Pete Kipley (MercyMe, The Afters, Kutless) Heaven and Earth is not only an encouraging album from a lyrical standpoint, but a delight to listen to with guitar parts that feel like they are literally plucking strings connected to your chest and lonesome yet lush string arrangements, recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios. Writing much of the record while in the studio certainly paid off for Wickham, as a story began to unfold in the songs, and for the first time Wickham found himself writing specific songs to connect the dots and join the threads that were beginning to weave themselves in and out across the tapestry that was becoming Heaven and Earth. The first single “Safe” featuring MercyMe frontman Bart Millard, has received great support at radio debuting at No. 28 on Billboard AC Monitored and No. 27 on AC Indicator this week. The lyrics of “Safe” serve to encourage, strengthen and remind listeners that they are not alone as they say, “You will be safe in His arms, You will be safe in His arms, the hands that hold the world are holding Your heart, this is the promise He made He will be with You always, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms.” “If we are Christians, we know God is great and we know what Jesus did on the cross,” says Wickham. “We know all the stories, but to be reminded of and to be compelled to move by those stories, I feel, is in a way a large part of what my goal in music is - to remind the Church of the reality of the Gospel, the importance of the cross, of the excitement and hope that we have in Heaven.” www.philwickham.com 10/19/2009AWARD-WINNING POP-ROCK BAND STELLAR KART FINDS NEW HOME WITH INO RECORDS Group to Release Its Fourth Studio Album March 9 Award-winning pop-rock outfit Stellar Kart has landed a new home with Nashville-based label, INO Records. The band will release its forth studio album, Everything Is Different Now, March 9, 2010. A favorite among youth group circles, Stellar Kart looks forward to the next phase of its thriving career with INO’s support. “We've been through a lot in the past year and have been searching and praying for what God wants us to do with our ministry,” says Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee. “We are now proud to say that we have found a home with INO Records! They understand and share our vision, and we can't wait to take on this new project together. We are very excited to see what God has in store for us as we enter this new chapter in our lives. Everything is different now.” “We are extremely happy to welcome Stellar Kart to the INO family of artists,” says INO Records President Jeff Moseley. “I’m impressed with their heart for ministry, their tremendous work ethic and dedicated fan following. The guys have recorded what we believe is their best project to date, and we are excited to see its impact on youth around the world.” Stellar Kart will kick off its new label partnership with the release of Everything Is Different Now this spring. The album’s first radio single “We Shine,” debuts at CHR Oct. 30, 2009 and will be available for purchase at iTunes beginning Nov. 3. Punk pop-rock band Stellar Kart launched onto the music scene with its 2005 Word Records debut, All Gas. No Brake. The project landed Stellar Kart a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, and the band was honored as New Artist of the Year by readers of Ignite Your Faith magazine. In 2006, Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart with its sophomore release, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down. Furthermore, the band’s single, “Me And Jesus,” held the No. 1 spot at Christian Hit Radio for seven consecutive weeks. The group also received a 2007 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Me And Jesus”) as well as three other nominations in the categories Artist of the Year, Rock Recorded Song (“Activate”), and Rock/Contemporary Album (We Can’t Stand Sitting Down). Additionally, Stellar Kart was recognized by SESAC with four 2007 National Performance Activity Awards. Stellar Kart’s last release, Expect the Impossible (2008), debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200, spawning the tenth most played CHR song of 2008, “Jesus Loves You,” and garnering the band Dove Award nods for Rock Recorded Song ("Shine Like the Stars") and Rock Contemporary Album (Expect the Impossible). The foursome has toured alongside such CCM powerhouses as Kutless, newsboys, and Superchick, and is currently on “The Revolve Tour,” additionally featuring Britt Nicole and Group 1 Crew, among others. For more information on Stellar Kart, visit: www.stellarkart.com myspace.com/stellarkart 10/13/2009CHRISTIAN MUSIC VETERAN MARK HARRIS CREATES FIRST SOLO HOLIDAY ALBUM, CHRISTMAS IS, AVAILABLE NOW INO Records’ recording artist, Mark Harris, who over the course of fifteen years gave Christian music 22 No. 1 hits and received 8 Dove awards as a member of 4Him, has created his first solo Christmas album titled Christmas Is. Now available nationwide, Christmas Is speaks to the warmth of the season’s true spirit: giving to those who have less, celebrating with loved ones, and recognizing the beauty and the mystery of Christ’s birth. “I’ve always loved Christmas music and everything that goes with the holiday season, and my goal was to create a warm, intimate, simple production environment so that the music could be about the songs themselves,” says Harris. Produced by Luke Denton the 10-song project reflects traditional classics while Harris strikes out with new arrangements of old songs and his own original compositions with classics such as “ O Holy Night,” “Silent Night” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” The songs’ acoustic bones and Harris’ strong, clear voice combine to create a well-balanced album that is at once uplifting, holy, prayerful, and high-spirited. The title track will be the first single from the record, as well as introduce the world to Harris’ 13-year-old daughter, Maddison. Harris says having the chance to sing with her was one of the most rewarding parts of recording. The day before he went into the studio to record the CD’s title track, he decided he didn’t want to sing the song alone. Maddison had been leading First Priority, a worship service at her school, and Harris had noticed the growing strength of her voice; having her sing “Christmas Is” with him “made the album,” he says, “because the innocence in the message of the song came through her voice.” Harris reminds us of the reason we celebrate Christmas with Christmas Is. Harris will launch his “Christmas Is” tour in November where fans can hear the Dove Award winner perform many of these holiday favorites and more. For more information and tour schedule, please visit www.markharrisonline.com. 10/08/2009SARA GROVES DELIVERS ’SONGWRITER’S ALBUM’ WITH “FIREFLIES & SONGS” As one of the industry’s most prolific and most–celebrated artists, Sara Groves will deliver her most personal recording yet, and what she describes as her ‘songwriter’s album,’ “FIREFLIES & SONGS,” on November 17th. With her two previous INO recordings, Add to the Beauty and Tell Me What You Know, Groves focused on a theme and wrote poetic commentary with songs about social justice and the impoverished. However, early in the pre-production process of “Fireflies & Songs,” INO Record’s president Jeff Moseley suggested that "It's been a long time since we've heard from you," saying, "I want to check in with you. What's happening now in your life? What is life like for you as a wife, mother, daughter and friend?" "As soon as he said that, I knew it was true. As a songwriter, it's easier to step back and take an observer's view, and that's what I'd been doing the last couple albums,” she recalls. “Of course, I'm in all those songs, and they're personal, but I wasn't 'digging in the dirt' for sure. It's hard to do that. It's hard to say, 'Here's my stuff. I'm not writing about other people's stuff.' "As I started writing, I revisited some things that have taken place over the last 15 years of marriage," she says. "It wasn't all exactly current, but it was stuff that I hadn't written about yet, and it was good to do so." Soon she had her first conversations with producer Charlie Peacock about the album and, at one point, asked if he had any early direction for her. "I want you to enjoy God and the gift of songwriting," he replied. "I just burst into tears," says Groves. "I don't think anyone has ever told me to do that. And that's what I did. I cried like a baby as every single song came out. And as they did, I thought, I'm more grateful today that I get to do this than ever before." Even now, as she recalls the experience, her eyes well with emotion. Listeners will relate as songs like "From This One Place," calls out to God in response to tangible and recurring anxiety, while the flowing, moody "Eyes Wide Open," is both confessional and declarative, saying, "I’ve got layers of lies that I don’t even know about yet," and concludes, "When the lights come up on this town/When the thing goes down/... I wanna be telling the truth." The gently pleading "It's Me" is at once stark and reassuring as it paints a personal picture of the often polar push and pull couples experience as they pursue a genuine marriage relationship. Fireflies & Songs also expands on the Groves' determined efforts to nurture other marriages by being open about their own shortcomings and lessons learned. Perhaps the most intimately vulnerable song of all is the stealthily titled "Different Kinds of Happy." As she sings, "I’ve got to ask you something/But please don’t be afraid/There’s a promise here that's heavier/Than your answer might weigh," she foreshadows redemptive truth amidst emotional danger. While Groves is the first to confirm Fireflies & Songs is the "most her" musically, it's also the singer's most candid recording. "I tried not to teach on this album," she explains. "And I'm a natural-born teacher. I turn everything into a lesson--for myself, for the people around me. That's how I process my life, that's how I learn. But I wanted Fireflies & Songs to feel more like friends and I are talking at Don Pablo's over nachos and cheese. I'm trying to be more confessional, and I hope these songs encourage other people to live confessionally." Groves is currently doing one-off dates throughout the U.S., and will launch her own O HOLY NIGHT Christmas tour later this fall (tour dates below). For more information please visit http://www.saragroves.com. Fall Dates: October 2009
10/2, 3 Alexandria, MN
10/13 Nashville, TN
10/ 14 San Diego, CA December 2009 O HOLY NIGHT Christmas Tour
12/3 Scotch Plains, NJ
12/4 Presque Isle, ME
12/5 Bangor, ME
12/6 Manchester, NH
12/8 Hershey, PA
12/10 Des Moines, IA
12/ 11 Green Bay, WI
12/13 Niles, OH
12/17 Alexandria, MN
12/18 Maple Grove, MN
12/ 20 Springfield, IL TODD AGNEW’S NEED GARNERS CRITICAL ACCLAIM AS ALBUM STREETS THIS WEEK Need, the fifth studio album from Ardent and INO Records’ artist Todd Agnew, is raking in acclaim across the board from media as the album released this week on October 6. “ The music is great, and his vocals seem to be at the top of his game this time around.” – JesusFreakHideout.com “Some tracks will make you want to lift your hands in worship, and others will make you want to jump in row for a line dance.” – ChristianmusicToday.com (Christianity Today) “Todd Agnew has always been known for his insightful and astute lyrics, as well as being famous for his deep, low baritone. And both shine out in this album: Need does not lack strong vocals or perceptive lines.“ - theChristianManifesto.com “When it comes to beautiful worshipful music that doesn't fit the ‘modern worship’ pigeonhole, Todd Agnew's Need is as good as it gets.” - BeyondtheTurntable.com “... a compelling new project that explores the perceptions of our true desires.” - NewReleaseTuesday.com Agnew is currently a part of the “Promise Remains” tour with Building 429 and Kimber Rising, sponsored by Christian humanitarian organization World Vision. The tour started in Sept. and will visit around 40 cities. Visit www.thepromiseremainstour.com for the most updated tour information. Todd Agnew is a five-time Dove Award nominee, garnering numerous hit radio singles including two No. 1 hits, “Grace Like Rain” and “This Fragile Breath (The Thunder Song).” Agnew continues to perform over 150 dates per year and has currently sold over 500,000 units. His most recent release Better Questions entered Billboard’s Christian Retail Chart at No. 1. 10/08/2009FEE’S HOPE RISING CONTINUES CLIMB AT RADIO AND GARNERS MEDIA PRAISE AS ALBUM HITS STORES TODAY After nabbing the No. 1 position on the iTunes ® Christian and Gospel Album chart and the No. 22 spot on the overall iTunes ® album chart upon its release, Fee’s Hope Rising streets today with the radio single “Glory to God Forever” mounting on the charts and media giving acclaim to the band’s latest efforts. Below is just a sample of the media’s response to Hope Rising: “Hope Rising is a definite necessity for any avid CCM or praise & worship fan. It once again shows us how powerfully talented the group is, which is no big surprise for existing Fee fans out there.” – GospelMusicChannel.com “I can’t get enough of this album and every song is worshipful, totally catchy and instantly sing-able.” – ChristianMusicReview.org “The sort of anthemic, powerful worship album that makes you want to jump up and kneel at the same time. “ – Group Magazine “... a cut above much of what you'll find in an overcrowded worship music industry.” – JesusFreakHideout.com 5 out of 5 stars! “Their follow-up, Hope Rising, will make you forget the term, “sophomore slump.” Now that the worship music genre has established itself as its own entity, Fee has claimed a spot as front-runners and trendsetters.” – TheChristianManifesto.com Fee’s current single “Glory to God Forever” is at the No. 21 spot at AC and is No. 8 on the Soft AC/Inspo charts. To watch the making of Hope Rising as well as hear more about new songs such as “Glory to God Forever,” visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ebQGURnNiE&feature=channel_page. The Atlanta-based band is teaming up with multi-platinum and GRAMMY® nominated group MercyMe as well as newcomer Jonny Diaz as they visit auditoriums and churches across the country this month. All tour dates listed below. Produced by Jason Hoard and lead singer Steve Fee, Fee’s newest release Hope Rising contains twelve original tracks. Though the band continued with their signature worship sound on the record, Hope Rising also includes statement songs that the band hopes will transcend one style of music. From national worship conferences to local youth group meetings, Fee has brought a new level of abandon and talent to rock worship, gifting today’s church with riveting songs of praise. Known for amazing live performances and the No. 1 hit "All Because of Jesus" plus "Glorious One," and Christmas song “All Creation Sing (Joy To The World),” Fee continues to inspire the church musically with this all-new release of soon-to-be modern classics. The band has been associated with some of today’s most forthcoming faith-based events including Passion, 7:22 and Catalyst conferences. Fee released their debut INO project & GMA Dove nominated We Shine in September 2007. The band’s hit single “All Because of Jesus” also garnered the No. 10 spot on R&R’s AC Songs of the Year. Fee Front man Steve Fee was also selected to lead worship at the 92nd annual Indianapolis 500 chapel services in 2008, the biggest event of the Indy Car Series. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Steve Fee, Matt Adkins, Heath Balltzglier and Brandon Coker still lead worship at the North Point Community Church. 10/08/2009THIS FALL MERCYME INVITES YOU TO SPEND “AN EVENING WITH MERCYME” ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS FEE, TENTH AVENUE NORTH AND JONNY DIAZ Multi-platinum and GRAMMY® nominated band MercyMe is inviting fans to spend “An Evening with MercyMe” this fall, as they visit auditoriums and churches across America. For each night of the tour, audiences will be entertained not only by the award-winning band as they perform hits to include “Finally Home,” “You Reign,” “Word of God Speak,” “Homesick,” and of course “I Can Only Imagine,” but some special guests as well. Worship band FEE and new artist Jonny Diaz will be taking the opening spots for the month of October, while GMA’s New Artist of the Year Tenth Avenue North and Jonny Diaz will join forces to open the shows in November. The tour begins October 9 in Jackson, MS and concludes November 22 in Johnson City, TN (full tour listing below). For more information on ”An Evening with MercyMe” please visit www.mercyme.org. Tour Dates for “An Evening With MercyMe"
October with FEE and Jonny Diaz
November with Tenth Avenue North, Jonny Diaz 33MILES PARTNERS WITH FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY TO PRESENT THE “ONE LIFE” TOUR INO Records’ trio 33Miles will partner with international philanthropic organization Food for the Hungry for the “One Life” tour hitting approximately 20 cities this fall. They kick off the tour in Sept. and will also be joined by recording artists John Waller and Pocket Full of Rocks. “We are so excited about hitting the road this fall on our very first headlining tour with John Waller and Pocket Full of Rocks!” states 33Miles frontman Jason Barton. “We look forward to seeing our friends at radio and all those who support and pray for us. It is such a blessing to be able to travel and spread the hope of Christ through music and to encourage people to make the most of their ‘One Life.’” In addition to the tour, 33Miles is prepping to release their first Christmas album titled Believe available exclusively with Family Christian Stores this year. 09/03/2009Skillet debuts at #2 on Billboard 200! "Awake," the acclaimed new album from Atlantic/Ardent/INO recording group Skillet, has made a blockbuster chart debut, entering the SoundScan/Billboard 200 at #2, with sales of 67,611. The project also debuted at #1 on SoundScan’s overall Contemporary Christian sales chart. The album is also shaping up as a digital phenomenon, with the Deluxe Version reaching the #1 spot on the iTunes Store’s “Top Albums” chart and “Top Rock Chart” within 24 hours of its release. The “AWAKE” Deluxe Version is currently #3 on iTunes’ “Top Rock Albums” chart, while standing strong as a top 12 success on the overall sales ranking. Produced by Howard Benson (Daughtry, Flyleaf), “AWAKE” is highlighted by the electrifying new singles, “Monster” and “Hero.” “Monster” is currently approaching the top 20 at Active Rock outlets nationwide, while a companion video is in post-production. In addition, the band’s performance of “Monster” will open as the official theme song each week during the upcoming ACC College Football season, as well as on the soundtrack to MTV’s new hit series, Bully Beatdown. NBC recently aired the song during The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania special, and “Monster,” along with “Hero,” will be a part of the upcoming video game, WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2010. What’s more, “Hero” (already #1 at Christian rock and currently #2 at CHR) is featured in the promotional campaign heralding the new season of NBC Sunday Night Football. A companion video for “Hero” is also in production, with a premiere date to be announced soon. One of America’s hardest working live acts, Skillet will celebrate the breakthrough success of “AWAKE” with the 50-city “Awake & Alive Tour,” set to launch on September 24th at Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Embassy Theater. The headline tour will then travel the country through early December. Skillet’s special guests on the “Awake & Alive” tour will be Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, and The Letter Black. Skillet frontman John Cooper and producer Brian Howes recently collected two BMI Music Awards for “The Last Night” and “The Older I Get,” both featured on 2006’s Grammy® Award-nominated “COMATOSE.” That album proved Skillet’s most popular work to date, with sales now approaching RIAA gold certification. “COMATOSE” followed the band’s 2003 label debut, “COLLIDE,” which launched Skillet into the mainstream while also garnering their first Grammy® Award nomination. For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.skillet.com or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic. 08/26/2009Skillet Soars Into Street Week With #1 Album Album At iTunes As their new album “Awake” hits stores and digital domains all over the nation this week, Skillet is psyched to know that digital fans have responded immediately on iTunes®. In less than 24 hours it became the #1 and #4 best-selling project on the overall iTunes® sales chart as well as it’s rock sales chart. Their first Christian radio single “Hero” continues to climb the charts as well, reaching #2 this week, previously hitting #1 on the Christian Rock format earlier this month. Skillet’s 50 city “Awake & Alive” fall tour launches on September 24th amd will feature Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down and The Letter Black. They will rock accross the country, landing in cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle, Dallas, and their hometown base of Chicago. ”AWAKE” is also continuing to get media’s attention in a big way with spectacular reviews, including the following: “… Skillet has once again outdone the competition.” – CCMmagazine.com “The bottom line here is that Awake shows us all that Skillet is like a fine wine ... better and better with age. All 12 tracks come as close to excellent as you will find in today's musical landscape. This is a "must have" CD for any Christian rock fan and it's one that will be gracing my CD player for many years to come.” – About.com “Skillet's music has a, 'Midas-like gold touch'” – CMSpin.com “… this should be another Grammy nomination for Skillet.” – RockEyez.com “… best Skillet record to date.” – Melodic.net “Awake is Skillet’s action-adventure summer blockbuster....aggressive, splashy and entertaining.” – ChristianMusicToday.com (Christianity Today) “… a new noticeable evolution of their music sure to connect with longtime panheads and open the floodgates to mainstream music rock fans who have never heard their music.” – StereoTruth.net “It's been a long wait for an all-new Skillet CD, but the result is worth it. Skillet fans are sure to embrace Awake, another strong addition to the band's discography.” - Beyondtheturntable.net “ Skillet is truly one of today’s most innovative, entertaining and inspiring modern rock bands.” - Andy Argyrakis (freelancer writer with ChristianMusicToday.com, HearSay magazine, CCMmagazine.com and GospelMusicChannel.com) “ .... thunderous, motivating, and will do its best to wake your heart up and sync it with its rhythms. The beats are pulsing in our brains, the truth is resonating in our hearts—we love this album!” -YouthWalk magazine “ .. this record easily stands out as the best work the band has done in years, possibly of their career. This is the one that will fully bring Skillet into the mainstream spotlight.” -UndertheGunreviews.net 08/25/2009 The Comedy Bus Series Gives Reasons To Laugh During Tough Times With New Discs "Laugh Tracks" and "Cracked Up" Available Aug. 25th The Comedy Bus is giving us reasons to laugh during tough times this fall with the release of their CD/DVD Laugh Tracks and Cracked Up, available in stores August 25. This hilarious family friendly series features some of today’s top Christian comedians: Bean and Bailey, Mike Williams, Leland Klassen, Rich Praytor, Kristy Byers, Robert G. Lee, Paul Aldrich, Gordon Douglas and Kelly Sisney, all performing clean stand-up from a Christian perspective. Laugh Tracks features Kristy Byers’ side-splitting take on being single, while the comedy duo Dave & Brian use their musical talents to explore young love and heartbreak through the lens of pop culture. Canadian Leland Klassen offers some hilarious observations about our neighbors to the North and Gordon Douglas riffs on the myriad of differences between men and women. Robert G. Lee, Mike Williams and Bean & Bailey round out this outrageous crew. For a double dose of comedy, Cracked Up serves up a whole new batch of laughs kicked off by hilarious host Mike Williams. On this DVD, funnyman Paul Aldrich offers his take on the TV theme songs of our youth, Atlanta’s Kenn Kington jokes about the problem of too many choices today, and Kelly Sisney admits to being afraid of the parking crew at her Kansas mega-church. Dave & Brian, Gordon Douglas and Leland Klassen return as well, bringing the laughs in a family- and faith-friendly format that doesn’t require the kids to leave the room. “Comedy fans are going to love these DVDs! We need to laugh…and the Comedy Bus delivers the goods. Buy all four of the current DVDs and you’ll never get off of the floor,” says Roy Morgan of Premier Productions. Laugh Tracks and Cracked Up are the follow-ups to 2008’s Class Clowns and Laugh Out Loud. These new titles are the second phase of The Comedy Bus Series from INO Records and Premier Productions, with a total of five in the making. The laughs don’t just stop on your television screen with The Comedy Bus either. Fans can see the comedians live this fall as The Comedy Tour makes its across America, reminding us all that God definitely has a sense of humor. For more information on The Comedy Bus series, great comedy products or to find out how you can bring The Comedy Bus Tour in your area, log on to www.TheComedyBus.com. 08/21/2009Building 429 And Todd Agnew Embark On Fall "Promise Remains Tour" Building 429 and singer/songwriter Todd Agnew will embark on the fall “Promise Remains Tour” sponsored by World Vision. In addition, new female trio Kimber Rising is slated to open the tour as they visit 40+ dates across the U.S. beginning September 17th. Both Building 429 and Todd Agnew have been long-time partners with World Vision. In the past year, Building 429 and the organization paired up for the “Truth Hope and Love Tour” and the highly successful World Vision Summerfest tour. “It's been over five years since Todd and Building have toured together,” explains Building 429 lead singer Jason Roy. “When we drew up a vision for the tour, the thought process was simple: God's promises remain true today, even with the economic hardships and the continuing wars that are being waged around the world. Our fans are sure to leave each night reminded of the fact that God is still in control and that all of His promises are guaranteed for those who know Him as King.” Building 429 will be performing songs off their latest self-titled release including their current and powerful single “Always,” and upcoming single “Overcome” that will release to radio in October. Preparing for his new studio release in October, Agnew will be playing fan favorites “Grace Like Rain” and “This Fragile Breath”, as well as giving audiences a preview of new songs off his upcoming record NEED releasing Oct. 6. Included in the set list is the first radio single, “Joy Unspeakable” which went for adds July 17. “We are really excited about getting back on the road this fall,” states Agnew. “We look forward to sharing some songs from the new record and are really glad to be back with some dear friends, Building 429. We’re also happy to have Kimber Rising back with us after touring together last Christmas. It should be a great tour and we are excited to see what God will do this fall!” Log on to www.thepromiseremainstour.com to see if the tour is coming to a city near you. 08/12/2009MercyMe: Continuing To Pray August 12, 2009 Late last night MercyMe posted an updated statement about the accident their bus was involved in this past Saturday morning in Ft Wayne, IN. We are passing along this statement at the band’s request, and also due to the numerous inquiries we have received for the band: MercyMe would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and prayers that have been said not only for them, but for the families affected by this tragic accident. We have been in continued communication with the chaplaincy program at the Ft. Wayne Police Department, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone affected by this situation. Every night on stage when we introduce our song, “Bring the Rain”, we talk about God being in control. If we believe what we say, then we must continue to look at how He will get the glory through this, and bring healing to so many. We resumed our touring schedule in Milwaukee Monday evening. Before beginning the concert Bart addressed the crowd for all of us, expressing our heartbreak for the families in Ft. Wayne and our desire to pray for the families and for the young lady who still remains hospitalized. The crowd joined us in prayer specifically praying for healing, comfort, peace and understanding. We thank all of you for continuing to pray. Bart, Mike, Jim, Nathan, Barry & Robby MercyMe 08/08/2009MERCYME EXPRESSES HEARTACHE OVER ACCIDENT Following the accident earlier this morning involving their tour bus, MercyMe gave the following statement: "MercyMe would like to express their incredible heartache over this horrible accident. They are praying for the families of all who this will affect, and are asking others to please pray as well. The band and crew sustained minor bumps and bruises, however their hearts are heavy. They appreciate the concern they have received from people all over the world." 08/04/2009Phillips, Craig & Dean- Album Release Concert Sells Out with Hundreds Being Turned Away It’s a good week to be Phillips, Craig and Dean! Their latest recording Fearless hit stores today, August 4th, and “Revelation Song” continues to reign in the No. 1 spot for the fourth week in a row on Billboard Christian radio charts. The album release concert garnered a sell out crowd on Fri. Jul. 31 in Dallas, TX. The Gateway Church fittingly served as host to the event, where the band and Gateway church member/"Revelation Song” songwriter, Jennie Riddle, were presented with a plaque commemorating the #1 radio single in front of the sold out crowd. The album features songs co-written by each band member including “The Distance,” “Nothing to Prove” and “The Spirit of God is Here.” Fearless was born out of struggles from people in the congregations that the three pastors face and offers hope for these tough situations. 07/21/2009FEE’S “GLORY TO GOD FOREVER” JETS TO NO. 1 SPOT ON iTunes ® CHRISTIAN AND GOSPEL SINGLES CHART IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS After being released to iTunes ® earlier this morning, the newest single from Fee, “Glory to God Forever,” has shot up to the No. 1 spot on iTunes ® Christian and Gospel Singles chart. “Glory to God Forever” is from Fee’s new album Hope Rising, which is scheduled to release on Oct. 6. “It is a really simple song, but it is based on a massive concept,” says band front man Steve Fee of the new single. “The massive thought is that everything in our lives gives glory to God. It strikes the very core of why we were made. I believe this is a song that was already in us to say that God created us to give glory to Him.” To hear Fee explain the story behind “Glory to God Forever,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-29pHKxVcZ8&feature=channel_page www.feeband.com 07/17/2009SKILLET ANNOUNCES ‘AWAKE & ALIVE’ 50 CITY FALL TOUR WHILE CELEBRATING #1 ROCK SONG As they prepare for the August 25th release of their already-critically acclaimed CD “AWAKE,” the GRAMMY® nominated band SKILLET is celebrating a new #1 Rock single with “HERO” and has announced plans for their 50 city “AWAKE & ALIVE” fall tour, which will feature Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down and The Letter Black. On the heels of fall and spring legs of their “COMATOSE” tour, which saw an average of 70% of their shows sell out and also landed them in Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 tours, SKILLET will spend September to December rocking across the country, hitting major markets like New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle, Dallas, and their hometown base of Chicago. As they become more and more well known for their rocking live show, lead singer John Cooper says the band will continue to push the envelope when it comes to giving their fans the best show possible: “Skillet wants this to be the biggest, baddest tour we’ve ever done, and we’re happy to be going out with these bands” he says. “We always try to put everything we have into our shows and the “Awake and Alive” tour will not disappoint – we’re pulling out all the bells and whistles we can, and these new songs are going to be incredible to perform live. We can’t wait to get out there and see everyone – our fans are amazing.” With over a month before “AWAKE” hits the market, SKILLET is already garnering critical acclaim for their 7th studio project: “While Comatose marked Skillet’s arrival on the mainstream scene without ever abandoning its Christian roots, Awake marks its full-fledged domination of both scenes simultaneously. Loaded with fist pumping rockers, heart wrenching ballads and thought provoking lyrics of social and spiritual sensibility no matter what the style, Skillet is truly one of today’s most innovative, entertaining and inspiring modern rock bands.” - Andy Argyrakis (freelancer writer with ChristianMusicToday.com, HearSay magazine, CCMmagazine.com and GospelMusicChannel.com) “ ’Awake,’ the latest from hard rockers Skillet, is thunderous, motivating, and will do its best to wake your heart up and sync it with its rhythms. The beats are pulsing in our brains, the truth is resonating in our hearts—we love this album!” -YouthWalk magazine “ ‘Awake’ wastes no time giving fans plenty to cheer about. In fact, I would say this record easily stands out as the best work the band has done in years, possibly of their career. I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I predict this record will be at least twice as successful as the last. This is it. This is the one that will fully bring Skillet into the mainstream spotlight.” -UndertheGunreviews.net
“AWAKE & ALIVE” TOUR DATES (*all dates subject to change and more to be added soon)
October
November TODD AGNEW ANNOUNCES NEWEST RECORDING NEED RELEASING OCT. 6 First Single “Joy Unspeakable” Hits Radio Waves Jul. 17 Inspired by recent life changes and learning experiences, Todd Agnew will release his fifth studio project Need Oct. 6 on Ardent/INO Records. Speaking into the title Need, Agnew says, “Once we finished recording this record, I looked back at it trying to find the theme running throughout. I started to realize how much of this project is about need. My need to be loved. My need for answers. My need for assurance. Our need to worship. Our need to be rescued, redeemed, restored. I noticed that God has been teaching me all year that all of my needs are met in Jesus.” Much has happened since listeners last heard from Agnew as the singer/songwriter married early last year. Among the twelve tunes on the album, the record includes tracks showcasing Agnew’s worshipful tones and signature sound in songs such as “Gloria,” “I Need No Other,” “Breakable” and more. As for the first single “Joy Unspeakable,” Agnew says, “I got married in Feb. of 2008, so there was a great deal of joy added to my life through this amazing gift God had given me. Now, being over a year into it, I know that it’s not all easy and fun; some of life is still quite difficult. But what I have found is that joy runs through it all, and that is God’s plan for His bride as well. The strength, the comfort and the joy that comes from our relationship with Him is ever present, even in our troubled times. That is a joy that I do not have words to describe.” Agnew will join forces this fall with Building 429 and newcomers Kimber Rising for the “Promise Remains” tour sponsored by Christian humanitarian organization World Vision. The tour will visit around 40 cities starting in Sept. Visit www.thepromiseremainstour.com for the most updated tour information.
www.toddagnew.com PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN’S “REVELATION SONG” # 1 CHRISTIAN SONG IN THE NATION Overwhelming Momentum Grows As New Album Fearless Releases Aug. 4 Phillips, Craig and Dean’s smash hit “Revelation Song” has claimed the top spot on Billboard's Hot Christian AC, Mediabase/All Access Christian AC and the CRW AC charts, and created an overwhelming momentum for the band’s upcoming release, Fearless, on Aug. 4. “The voice on the other end of the phone said to me, ‘Randy, ‘Revelation Song’ just went to #1,’” recalls member Randy Phillips. “I inhaled surprise and exhaled gratitude. 18 years of singing contemporary Christian music – and radio, retail and audiences still find our music relative and desirable. It’s beyond me. Way beyond me. It’s actually … above me.” Phillips, Craig and Dean’s timing could not be better as they are releasing their tenth studio album Fearless on Aug. 4, highly anticipated due to the success of “Revelation Song.” Fearless was born out of struggles from people in the congregations that the three pastors face and offers hope for these tough situations. Produced by Bernie Herms (Casting Crowns, Mark Schultz, Avalon), the 10 track album features songs co-written by each band member including “The Distance,” “Nothing to Prove” and “The Spirit of God is Here.” After 18 years of ministry, 16 No. 1 radio hits, 10 albums, two million plus records sold and nine Dove Award nominations, see what people are saying about their latest endeavor. “The first time I heard Revelation Song I got chills... In fact, every time I hear it, I get chills! After 18 years, Phillips, Craig and Dean deliver their best yet... K-LOVE listeners love it!” - Scott Smith, MD K-LOVE Radio Network “PC&D's Revelation Song is ridiculous. Ridiculous test scores (highest ever at KXOJ), ridiculous phones, ridiculous passion levels from listeners. You really do not see this level of response on a song very often. Congratulations to some old friends that still gain new fans every single day.” - Bob Thornton, PD KXOJ Tulsa “Revelation Song” is a rising anthem in churches across the country that the trio has wanted to record for sometime. “It’s not just a lyric, it’s not just the music, it’s a combination of all of that together that takes you on a journey,” says Dan Dean. “It lifts your spirit. I have seen it happen many times in our church as we do the song in worship. Now we just hope we can see that happen on a larger scale.”
www.phillipscraiganddean.com INO RECORDS AND DEREK WEBB SILENT NO MORE WITH RELEASE OF STOCKHOLM SYNDROME ON SEPT. 1 After nearly two months of silence, and several months of delay Derek Webb and INO Records are announcing the release of his newest album Stockholm Syndrome set to street Sept. 1, 2009. Over two years in the making, Webb co-produced Stockholm Syndrome with former Caedmon’s Call bandmate Josh Moore (Watermark, Bethany Dillon, Bun-B, Slim Thug). Stockholm Syndrome delivers everything listeners have come to expect from Derek Webb: killer pop hooks and lyrics as thought provoking as they are emotionally revealing. Sonically, however, this record is a radical departure for Webb, who has left his acoustic, folk/rock roots behind for a sound he describes as “intentionally inorganic.” Together, Webb and Moore have succeeded in creating a dense, richly absorbing sonic vernacular that pays homage to an entire century of music. From 1920’s jazz to 1950’s doo-wop, from disco and dance music to old-school R&B, Webb uses this album as a means of exploring deep issues through the central metaphor of Stockholm Syndrome, illuminating the ways in which a society can fall in love with an oppressive culture and become enslaved by it. That sound is palpable in every track from the strut of “Black Eye” and “Cobra Con” to the electropop of “Jena & Jimmy” and Webb’s ironic Fred Phelps-inspired love song, “Freddie, Please.” “Instead of writing a dozen songs and then trying to figure out the best way to record them, Josh and I spent a year collecting sounds we loved – beats, loops, odd bits of programming – then weaving those elements into tracks that moved us and made us feel something,” comments Webb. “Only then did we even begin to think about song structures and melodies and lyrics. It was the total reverse of my usual process and by far the most fun I’ve ever had making a record.” Due to what some are calling the provocative content and nature of the record, Webb has the most pre-release awareness of his career. Nearly 5,000 people regularly followed details of Webb’s release of Stockholm Syndrome daily as he leaked information via websites, twitter feeds, independent blogs, google searches and more. In that time Google recorded over 7,100 google searches and 1,200 independent blogs reporting on all or some aspect of Webb and Stockholm Syndrome. Webb was also among the top 70 google searches (internet wide) the first day information was released through his website. As part of the campaign, Webb also engaged 20 cities in the U.S. such as Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Los Angeles and more on a scavenger hunt for “artifacts,” USB drives that contained new music. 1,500 people participated per day in finding the pieces of music in these U.S. cities. Webb also plans to tour this fall in all 20 markets where the scavenger hunt took place on the ‘Black Eye’ release tour. The search drew to a climactic close on Fri. Jul. 3 as Webb hosted a “secret” event for over 300 fans at The Rutledge in Nashville, Tenn. to watch a sneak peek of a documentary about Stockholm Syndrome and to participate in a Q&A with Webb and Moore. Supporters came from as far as Seattle, WA, Lincoln, NE and Austin, TX. 18 lucky fans who solved the final puzzle, which actually continued into the venue that night, found themselves whisked away to Webb’s home studio after the Rutledge show for an intimate listening party with Webb and Moore and exclusive, pre-release copies of Stockholm Syndrome. Webb and his free distribution tactics will be among the topics that author and editor Chris Anderson discuss in his upcoming book Free: The Future of a Radical Price, released on Jul. 7 from Hyperion. A former member of the Houston, Texas-based Caedmon's Call, singer/songwriter Derek Webb has seen career sales approaching one million records, 10 Dove Award nominations, a Billboard Music Video Award nod and six No.1 radio hits. Webb’s innovative music marketing and distribution strategies have received national news coverage in USA Today and the LA Times. # # # www.derekwebb.com 07/02/2009SMASH ANTHEM “REVELATION SONG” HERALDS PHILLIPS, CRAIG AND DEAN’S RELEASE OF FEARLESS ON AUG. 4 Revelation Song” Garners Unparalleled Momentum at Radio and on iTunes ® Nashville, Tenn. Jun. 23, 2009… Decorated Christian trio Phillips, Craig and Dean will release their tenth studio album on INO Records on Aug. 4 titled Fearless. Preceding the late summer release, the band’s first single “Revelation Song” is already a smash hit at radio and iTunes ® landing in the Top 5 AC and Top 10 INSPO positions at radio while maintaining a Top 5 spot on iTunes ® Christian & Gospel “Top Songs” chart for the past four weeks. Uniquely gifted and positioned in their dual roles as musicians and full-time senior pastors in three different U.S. cities, Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean know well the current struggles people in their congregations face, which is where the compelling idea behind Fearless was created. Produced by Bernie Herms (Casting Crowns), the 10 track album features songs co-written by each band member including “The Distance,” “Nothing to Prove” and “The Spirit of God is Here,” which Phillips co-wrote with Paul Baloche. “We were talking about how afraid our church members are today,” recalls Phillips. “A look at your finances right now might mean kids who wanted to go to college can’t, and so on. The fear that brings can be so paralyzing; it puts you in a cage. But then we asked ourselves, Shouldn’t believers who have the heart of eternity in them be different? That’s when we found our theme: fear less, hope more. This is an opportunity to show our power is in God alone.” Among the band’s new music, each admits that “Revelation Song” is a tune the band has wanted to record for some time and aptly supports the theme of Fearless. To hear the story behind “Revelation Song” in the band’s own word, visit http://video.inorecords.com/streaming/?video=PCD-RevelationSongFinaledit05-18-09. “This song captures the moment of looking up into Heaven, peeling back the curtain of eternity so we can peek in,” says Phillips. “If you keep your eyes on the Dow Jones or nuclear weapons in North Korea, you’ll always be nervous. Look to the awesomeness of God instead.” Amidst “Revelation Song’s” success at radio, the song is receiving support from major markets & stations such as K-LOVE, KLTY/Dallas, KSBJ/Houston, WPOZ/Orlando, KCMS/Seattle, The Fish/Nashville and American Family Radio among many others. In addition, national radio network K-LOVE recently partnered with Phillips, Craig and Dean for a Father’s Day contest they called “Hoosier Daddy?” The winner, Jeff Hannan, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas won the trip of a lifetime to the Hoosier State – Indiana. Later this fall, Jeff and his dad will be VIP guests to a Phillips, Craig and Dean concert, enjoy a round of golf at the prestigious Brickyard Crossing golf course, take a tour of the Indianapolis 500 Raceway and experience Opening Day of the NFL season at the Indianapolis Colts game! KLOVE Brand Manager Mike Tedesco said of the promotion, “It was fun watching as this promotion transformed from a simple idea to something memorable.” During street week, the band will be making promotional stops (to be announced) in support of Fearless. Phillips, Craig and Dean will also be performing tour dates across the country including appearances at Gateway Church, Atlanta’s Celebrate Freedom and at Brooklyn Tabernacle. For the most update tour info, please visit www.phillipscraiganddean.com. In their 18 years of ministry as a Christian music staple, Phillips, Craig & Dean has no doubt achieved longevity in the ever changing music industry with 16 No. 1 radio hits, 10 albums, two million plus records sold and nine Dove Award nominations. www.phillipscraiganddean.com www.myspace.com/phillipscraiganddean Phillips, Craig and Dean Touring Schedule: * all tour dates subject to change Jul. 10 Lifefest - Oshkosh, WI Jul. 31 Gateway Church Southlake, TX Sept. 5 Celebrate Freedom - Atlanta, GA Sept. 11 First Church of the Nazarene - Indianapolis, IN Sept. 25 Central Christian Church - Mt. Vernon, IL Oct. 4 Brooklyn Tabernacle - Brooklyn, NY Oct. 15 Southeast Christian Church - Parker, CO Nov. 5 Cedar Rapids, IA - First Assembly Nov. 6 Emmanuel Christian Center - Minneapolis, MN Nov. 19 Pentecostals of Alexandria - Alexandria, LA Dec. 17 Christian Celebration Center - Midland, MI06/22/2009 SKILLET TO UNVEIL “AWAKE” ON AUGUST 25th NEW SINGLE ‘HERO’ CLIMBING CHR AND ROCK RADIO CHARTS “AWAKE” Follows Massive Radio, Sales & Tour Success of “Comatose” NASHVILLE, TN…6/22/09…On the heels of the most successful record of their career, Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records’ active rockers Skillet will end the nearly 3-year spanse between projects with “AWAKE,” available in stores and at all online retailers on August 25th. The new album was produced by Howard Benson who has also produced Daughtry, My Chemical Romance, and The All American Rejects. "AWAKE" is available now for pre-order via the band’s official website, "http://skillet.com" A variety of packages are being offered, pairing the album with such bonuses as an exclusive Skillet t-shirt, an autographed VIP pass, and membership in Skillet’s official fan club. All pre-orders of “AWAKE” come with an immediate download of “Hero.” Skillet is currently headlining and creating a big buzz at several summer Christian festivals with their ‘electric’ live show. They are also preparing to unveil what lead-singer/bassist and primary songwriter John Cooper calls a “turning of a page” for the band. “This album is even more immediate than “Comatose,” but there’s also a noticeable maturity,” he says. “Some of the songs are complex, others are just really intense rockers and overall there’s a real sense that we’re opening a new chapter. There are definitely some classic rock elements on the record, some very melodic moments with orchestration and piano, along with a lot of today’s heavier rock influences as well. ” The first example is the hook-heavy lead single “Hero,” already climbing Christian CHR (#15) and Rock radio (#6) charts, and getting an excellent reception: “We've anxiously awaited a new song from Skillet for months and they've lived up to our lofty hopes,” commented WAY-FM’S Zach Boehm. “Our initial listener response has been great!” Other outpourings include the first Mainstream and Active Rock single “Monster,” the militant “It’s Not Me,” and the hopeful “Forgiven.” There are also a handful of gripping ballads and crossover songs like the loss-centered “Lucy,” the melodic “Don’t Wake Me” and “One Day Too Late.” “Never Surrender” came from a conversation with a fan about their eating disorder, and what is sure to become a live show favorite is the rocker “Awake & Alive.” To listen to a clip of “Hero,” go to "http://www.inorecords.com/inoradioemail/090510/heroclip.mp3" “We’re living in hard times right now between the news that seems to get crazier every day and all the uncertainly throughout society in general,” says Cooper. “Sometimes it doesn’t seem like there’s hope, and sure you can choose to give up, but why not face it ‘Awake and Alive’? Life is full of challenges, and sometimes when you look deep into yourself, you can feel weighed down by sin and the ‘Monster’ that lives inside us all. But the more you realize your need for Christ, the less you focus on that, and on Him instead. Everything we sing about on this album is something someone can relate to, and if anything, the songs will let you know you’re not alone.” 06/17/2009FEE UNVEILS SOPHOMORE PROJECT HOPE RISING ON OCT. 6 INO Records’ Band Releases “Glory To God Forever” to Radio on Jun. 19 As Follow-Up to Mega Hit “All Because of Jesus” Nashville, Tenn. Jun. 17, 2009… After a stellar debut, Fee is prepping to release their sophomore album titled Hope Rising with the first single “Glory to God Forever” going for adds at radio on Jun. 19. “We are thrilled that the success of the first record is giving us a platform with Hope Rising to inject God into the equation of tragedy and uncertainty going on in the world,” says front man Steve Fee. The band’s second project comes after much acclaim from their freshman album We Shine which garnered a No. 1 radio smash hit in “All Because of Jesus,” a Worship Leader Praise Award for “Breakout Artist” and four GMA Dove Award nominations including a nod in the “New Artist of the Year” category. Produced by Jason Hoard and lead singer Steve Fee, the Atlanta-based foursome’s newest release contains twelve original tracks. Though the band continued with their signature worship sound on the record, Hope Rising also includes statement songs that the band hopes will transcend one style of music. It was after recording tracks such as “Everything Falls” and “Promised Land,” that the group decided on the title Hope Rising. In fact, the song “Arms that Hold the Universe” was born out of a concert the band did shortly after the March church shooting in Maryville, Ill for the congregation as a message reminding listeners that when you factor in God to any circumstance, you will find hope. As for the band’s first single, Steve says, “There is a message for us here in this era and period in church history. I’m confident that songs which echo the victory of Christ are exactly what we, the Church, want to say and God, in his timely way, put songs in us like ‘Glory To God Forever.’” This summer, Fee will also participate in some of the country’s biggest festivals including Atlanta Fest, Creation East and Unity Festival. For the band’s most updated touring schedule, please visit their website, www.feeband.com. From national worship conferences to local youth group meetings, Fee has brought a new level of abandon and talent to rock worship, gifting today’s church with riveting songs of praise. Known for amazing live performances and the No. 1 hit "All Because of Jesus" plus "Glorious One," and Christmas song “All Creation Sing (Joy To The World),” Fee continues to inspire the church musically with this all-new release of soon-to-be modern classics. The band has been associated with some of today’s most forthcoming faith-based events including Passion, 7:22 and Catalyst conferences. Fee released their debut INO project & GMA Dove nominated We Shine in September 2007. The band’s hit single “All Because of Jesus” also garnered the No. 10 spot on R&R’s AC Songs of the Year. Fee Front man Steve Fee was also selected to lead worship at the 92nd annual Indianapolis 500 chapel services in 2008, the biggest event of the Indy Car Series. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Steve Fee, Matt Adkins, Heath Balltzglier and Brandon Coker still lead worship at the North Point Community Church. 06/08/2009NEW ARTIST JOY WHITLOCK HEADLINES ACOUSTIC TESTIFY TOUR New artist Joy Whitlock is headlining the Testify tour as it kicks off June 28 at Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL. The acoustic tour will also introduce audiences to indie duo Carolina Story who are also launching a “Spare Change” campaign to help in sending aide to needy children in Africa. For tour dates please see below. Whitlock received raving reviews for debut album God And A Girl, which released last fall on INO/Ardent Records’. Since then, she has been busy writing music and entertaining audiences across the country. Formerly having toured with mentor Todd Agnew, Whitlock is ready to head back on the road where she will be performing songs from her debut that reveal the struggles she has encountered and how she conquered them through Christ. Carolina Story is comprised of husband & wife duo Emily and Ben Roberts. The Memphis-based band just released their debut album. For more information on Joy Whitlock go to: www.joywhitlock.com and for Carolina Story go to: http://www.myspace.com/carolinastorymusic.
Testify Tour Dates (dates subject to change)
06/28/09 Bushnell, Ill Cornerstone Festival (The Anchor Stage) BUILDING 429’S “ALWAYS” MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERES ON GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL JUNE 1 THE CURRENT SINGLE TOUCHES THE HEARTS OF AMERICA On June 1, Gospel Music Channel will host the music video premiere for Building 429’s current single “Always, ” following the recent online premiere on yahoomusic.com. Check out the music video at: http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=83f0f1fdc92eae48201f The Dove Award winning band’s current single “Always” has been touching the hearts of America as evidenced by the following comments from fans: “Always” has been a huge encouragement to me as I go through times of asking God why things have to happen...like cancer, divorce, struggles with co-workers, among many other things. This song is a sweet reminder that God is with us always, no matter what the circumstances!” – Kristin, fan of Building 429 “The song “Always,” has touched my life tremendously. It reminds me of just how important it is for us to turn to God and how we can always depend on Him. There is nothing as wonderful as knowing that whatever you go through, God is always going to be with you and He never fails.” – Trishia, fan of Building 429 “I am 49 years old and the first time I heard your song “Always”, I stopped my truck and cried. I cannot remember when a song moved me so much. God bless you—you most definitely helped me through a very dark and rough time in my life.” – Dave, fan of Building 429 The song shares the story of an encounter that lead vocalist, Jason Roy had with a woman whose son was murdered by his father and encourages those who are in the midst of hard times that they are not alone. The music video was directed by Carl Diebold who has worked with artists such as Third Day, Switchfoot, Skillet, Kutless and more. The song is being played on major radio networks such as: K-LOVE, SiriusXM, American Family Radio and more. Check out special behind the scenes footage from the “Always” video shoot held in downtown Nashville, at HearItFirst.com http://www.hearitfirst.com/artist/videos.aspx?artist_id=1701 05/21/2009ROCK & WORSHIP ROADSHOW WRAPS AFTER ALL-STAR LINEUP PERFORMS BEFORE 170,000 SCREAMING FANS IN 20 CITIES NATIONWIDE May 21, 2009…Nashville, TN...The all-star lineup on The Rock & Worship Roadshow recently wrapped having stationed in 20 cities before a total of 170,000 screaming fans. Sharing the stage on the Roadshow were multi-platinum selling and GRAMMY ® nominated, Dove and AMA winning band MercyMe along with gold selling and multiple Dove award winner Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, 2009 Dove Award winner for New Artist of the Year Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road. The Roadshow celebrated a sold out crowd of 18,000 in Dallas, TX along with sold out shows in Boise, Portland, LA, Phoenix, Fresno, Wichita, Springfield, MO and Cedar Rapids. In addition, a sum of 78,000 fans tuned in to watch the tour LIVE online at www.rockandworhiproadshow.com. Not only were concertgoers treated to an amazing night of ministry and entertainment those thousands of people across the country responded to also impact those far beyond the venue walls. Through MercyMe’s Imagine A Cure in partnership with Compassion International, 3,000 children were sponsored by fans attending the Rock & Worship Roadshow. These sponsorships will help children in third world countries receive medical treatment, balanced nutrition and a Biblical education. Additionally 600 of those children will receive the additional medical care needed to treat their special medical conditions. For more information on “Imagine A Cure,” go to: www.imagineacureonline.com. For more information on Compassion International go to www.compassion.com. “This tour has been a dream of ours since the very beginning and to see it come alive is truly remarkable,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “We were overwhelmed by the number of people that came out to each show and we appreciate their support. With this tour we strived to put the fans first and believe the gospel was and continues to be shared with millions.” Plans are currently underway for the Second Annual Rock & Worship Roadshow scheduled to hit the road in February 2010. For more information on the Roadshow please log on to www.rockandworshiproadshow.com. 05/18/2009WORLD VISION UNVEILS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES FEATURING BUILDING 429 Nashville, TN, World Vision unveils World Vision’s Summerfest '09, their first-ever summer concert series featuring pop-rock band Building 429. Other acts appearing on stage will be 33Miles, Lanae Hale and new act Kimber Rising. The Summerfest will visit 12-15 cities and it kicks off in Joplin, MO on June 2. World Vision hopes to have more than 800 child sponsorships by the end of the tour. "World Vision is thrilled to once again be teaming up with Building 429,” said World Vision’s Artist Representative Ben Greene. “During 2008, in concerts all across the US, Building 429 connected over 4000 vulnerable children to new World Vision sponsors. We are so excited to be partnering with them to create a new summer event that will surely be an incredible concert series. Concert goers are sure to leave a Building concert with a renewed passion for being the hands and feet of Christ, and that makes our relationship such a perfect fit." The family friendly summer concert is joining with churches and radio stations around the country including large market stations such as WBFJ in Winston Salem, NC, WVFJ- Atlanta, GA and KWND in Springfield, MO. Tickets are being sold for a convenient $5 at the door. The tour dates lead up to Building 429’s World Vision mission trip to Uganda this July where the band will be performing to approximately 30,000 people in Rwanda with Andrew Palau of the Luis Palau Association. The band will continue their tour with World Vision in August for 15 dates across Canada. For more information on World Vision Summerfest ‘09 and the tour dates, please visit http://www.worldvisionsummerfest.com. 05/12/2009FANS RESPOND TO DECYFER DOWN¹S NEW CD CRASH, MAKING IT NO. 3 ON CHRISTIAN SOUNDSCAN CHART FANS RESPOND TO DECYFER DOWN’S NEW CD CRASH, PURCHASING NEARLY 9,000 COPIES IN FIRST WEEK Fans responded to Decyfer Down’s new album Crash purchasing nearly 9,000 copies in its first week. The project landed in the No.3 spot on Christian Soundscan chart, debuted at No. 66 on Billboard’s Top 200 and topped the iTunes ® Christian chart at No. 1. The band garnered their second consecutive No. 1 hit with “Fading” at Christian Rock Radio charts last week and the single is continuing to build at CHR following the No. 1 success of the album’s title cut, “Crash.” iTunes ® and Rhapsody will also be offering exclusive bonus songs for Decyfer Down fans from the new album. iTunes ® will feature the bonus studio cut, “Now I’m Alive,” and Rhapsody will present an acoustic version of “Best I Can." There has been an outpour of raving reviews about Crash since the album became available nationwide on May 5: “It’s truly excellent, mixing it up but remaining true to who they are as a band. Melodic and guitar-driven… keeping the hard-rocking feeling throughout but varying how that’s interpreted. This is ten out of ten stars!”-Hollywood Jesus “Crash is a must have for fans of Decyfer Down as well as for those who simply like their music loud, proud and uncompromised.”-About.com Rock music fans have also had the opportunity to hear the new songs from Crash as Decyfer Down has opened Skillet’s Comatose Tour, which has seen several sell-out dates in the 17 shows they have held thus far. Playing for over 35,000 people so far on the tour, nearly 70% of the shows have been sold out or capacity-filled crowds, in cities including Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Oklahoma City. The 30+ city tour launched on Apr. 2 and will continue through May 24.05/04/2009 THE AFTERS 2ND CAREER DOVE AWARD April 24, 2009 The Afters took home the top prize in the “Rock/Contemporary Album” category at the 2009 GMA Dove Awards held yesterday evening at the Grand Old Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. and broadcasted live on Gospel Music Channel. The band was recognized for their record “Never Going Back to Ok” which was produced by Dan Muckala. The band dedicated the award to their late manager David Lipscomb. This is The Afters’ second Dove award, the band was the “New Artist of the Year” in 2006. The Afters earned a No. 1 hit at Christian CHR radio with "Never Going Back To Ok.” Their current single, "Ocean Wide" is No. 25 and rising at CHR with airplay from WAY-FM network, WONU/Chicago, WAY-FM/Denver, KLFF/San Luis Obispo, WORQ/Green Bay, KDUV/Visalia, WYLV/Knoxville among others. “Never Going Back to Ok” entered the Billboard Top 200 at #41 and the Contemporary Christian SoundScan charts at #1 selling 15,856 units. In digital sales, the project entered at #1 for Christian SoundScan album and track sales plus hit as high as #14 on the iTunes® overall digital chart and #4 on their digital Rock chart. “We Are The Sound” from the new record was also used in promotion for last season’s American Idol with the viral video for “MySpace Girl” being featured on E! News, Seventeen.com and TV Guide Channel’s website. Songs from “Never Going Back to Ok” were also used on the Rachael Ray show and Grey’s Anatomy as well as on Dr. Phil. Releasing their debut project “I Wish We All Could Win” in 2005, the hit single from that project “Beautiful Love” was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming that Video in 2005. 05/04/2009 SKILLET’S COMATOSE TOUR RAKES IN SOLD OUT AND CAPACITY CROWDS WHILE BAND GARNERS TWO BMI SONGWRITING AWARDS After just 14 shows, two time GRAMMY ® nominated rock band Skillet has already received an overwhelming response to their headlining “COMATOSE” tour featuring label mates Disciple and Decyfer Down. Playing for over 26,000 people so far on the tour, nearly 70% of the shows have been sold out or capacity-filled crowds, in cities including Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Oklahoma City. The 30+ city tour launched on Apr. 2 and continued through May 24. “SKILLET consistently sells tickets, and we have multiple sold out shows with them every tour. However, one of the most rewarding aspects is that we consistently have concert goers tell us they beat an addiction or healed a relationship because of the songs and the live concert experience”. Nothing like have a huge show and making a positive impact on the world at the same time! – Dan Fife, Awakening Events. Last year, the first leg of the Comatose tour 60% of the shows were sold out placing the tour in Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours . Continuing to reel in recognition for their most recent and best-selling album of their career “Comatose,” band front man John Cooper with Brian Howes collected two BMI awards for “The Last Night” and “The Older I Get.” U.S. performing rights organization BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s most performed songs on Christian radio and television during the annual BMI Christian Music Awards in Nashville on Apr. 18, 2009. Skillet spent the last few months in Los Angeles recording their highly anticipated next studio project titled “Awake” with producer Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf, P.O.D.) due out this August. Following the spring tour Skillet will be headlining several summer festivals, including Creation, Agape, Red Letter Rock, Ichthus, Alive, Atlantafest, Summerfest, Sonshine, Hills Alive, Soulfest, Kingdom Bound, Newsong and Disney’s Night of Joy, all leading up to the new release. 2008 GMA Artist of the Year nominee Skillet’s explosive 2006 Grammy®-nominated release, “Comatose” followed 2004’s “Collide,” which launched the group into the public eye and garnered the band their first prestigious Grammy® nomination. A critical fave, “Comatose” has become their best-selling project to date, nearly GOLD certified with more than double the sales of “Collide” in half the time. In follow up to packed out headline club shows, a tour with FlyLeaf, and summer festivals, Skillet spent the fall of 2007 opening for mainstream rockers Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace. In the process of becoming one of the hardest working, most rocking, and broadly appealing acts of its generation, radio welcomed “Comatose” with open arms, as the first single, “Rebirthing” spent seven-weeks at No.1 on Christian Rock, while their five follow up singles all rose to No. 1 as well. Their single for the title track received a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” as well, and at the end of 2007 the band was named the No. 2 top artist on both CHR and ROCK radio year –end lists, and in 2008 named R&R’s Top CHR Artist of the Year for 2008. Since R&R began publishing Christian radio charts, Skillet has garnered more #1 songs from one recording (COMATOSE/Ardent/Atlantic/INO) than any other artist in the industry, with their 6 consecutive radio hits. 60% of their 2008 “COMATOSE” tour shows were sold out, placing the tour in Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. 03/06/2009VOTA RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM TO RAVE REVIEWS NEW POP/ROCK BAND, VOTA, RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM TO RAVE REVIEWS BAND TEAMS UP WITH FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, AND GIVES OVER $80,000 TO EFFORTS IN KENYA New INO Records’ pop/rock band, VOTA, released their debut album to stores nationwide on Feb. 10 and has received rave reviews from media outlets far and wide. Check some of them out: “VOTA takes a fresh spin on the same players' arena-filling alternative rock offerings and occasional dance-floor fillers.”-CHRISTIANITY TODAY “Olesen’s syrupy vocals are perfect for this sort of music, and most of the songs are electric. Vota shows its writing chops here, re- minding listeners of God’s love and redemptive power, making this a strong debut.” –CHRISTIAN RETAILING “ Catchy, honest, and encouraging, 2009 looks to be a big year for VOTA.” -JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT "Lyrically, VOTA exhibits a maturity and depth that belies their newcomer status. VOTA delivers a memorable debut and effectively breaks into the Christian mainstream. They expertly blur the line between cutting edge and familiar while leaving you glad you gave VOTA a chance." - ON COURSE MAGAZINE After a mission trip to Kenya in 2007, the men of VOTA left Africa with the burden to help those in need. They teamed up with Food for the Hungry, and with their digital album release last fall they sold digital download cards and gave a portion of the proceeds to efforts in Kenya, while U.S.Aid also contributed by offering a matching grant toward every dollar they gave to Food for the Hungry. Together they have given over $80,000 to date. To find out more about VOTA’s collaboration with Food for the Hungry and their efforts with Kenya, visit: http://votaband.com/kenya. For more information on VOTA, visit www.votaband.com. 03/02/2009 SKILLET TO LAUCH "COMATOSE" TOUR SKILLET TO LAUNCH “COMATOSE” SPRING TOUR WITH DISCIPLE AND DECYFER DOWN Spring Tour Follows Band’s 2008 Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tour On April 2nd, two time GRAMMY®-nominated band Skillet will launch the second leg of their “COMATOSE” tour in follow up to their 2008 run where 60% of the shows sold out, placing the tour in Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. Completing the bill and joining Skillet in 32+ cities will be fellow rockers Disciple and Decyfer Down. Skillet has spent the last few months in Los Angeles recording their next studio project with producer Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf, P.O.D.), and with the “Comatose” album approaching Gold status and having just received GMA Dove Award nominations for Group of the Year, Rock Album of the Year and Long Form Video of the Year (for the critically acclaimed live CD/DVD project, “Comatose Comes Alive”) they are ready to hit the road. Following the spring tour Skillet will be headlining several summer festivals, including Creation, Agape, Red Letter Rock, Ictchus, Alive, Atlantafest, Summerfest, Sonshine, Hills Alive, Soulfest, Kingdombound, Newsong, and Disney’s Night of Joy, all leading up to the new release. “We’re pumped up and ready for this tour to get started,” remarked Skillet frontman John Cooper. ”I personally have wanted a tour with Disciple for several years now and I think it’s going to be an awesome tour package. We have been working incredibly hard on this new record, so we are also looking forward to playing some new material for everyone!” 01/30/2009"ROCK & WORSHIP ROAD SHOW" TOUR "ROCK & WORSHIP ROAD SHOW" TOUR - COMING MARCH 2009 FEATURING MERCYME JEREMY CAMP, HAWK NELSON, TENTH AVENUE NORTH AND ADDISON ROAD ‘ROCK & WORSHIP ROAD SHOW’ TOUR - COMING MARCH 2009 FEATURING MERCYME JEREMY CAMP, HAWK NELSON, TENTH AVENUE NORTH AND ADDISON ROAD Tour to Benefit ‘Imagine a Cure’ and Medical Missions with Compassion International 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 bands Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road. With a $10 admission price, the “Rock & Worship Road Show” aims to be an event for fans of all ages, especially families. In addition to bringing a night of exciting performances, the tour is also dedicated to a bigger purpose: helping kids with juvenile diabetes via “Imagine A Cure,” a non-profit organization to support research that will lead to a cure and those with medical needs around the world through Compassion International. For more information on “Imagine A Cure,” go to: http://www.imagineacureonline.com/. For more information on Compassion International go to http://www.compassion.com “We are all living in a new world today, and an economy that is affecting everyone around us,” comments Bart Millard, lead singer for MercyMe. “We all wanted to be able to bring some family-friendly and Christ-centered entertainment that will uplift people and not break the bank. We are really excited to get out on the road with all of these acts. It’s going to be a blast!” www.mercyme.org www.jeremycamp.com www.hawknelson.com www.tenthavenuenorth.com www.addisonroad.com01/30/2009 MERCYME CELEBRATES 10 YEARS MERCYME CELEBRATES 10 YEARS SINCE "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE" UPCOMING “10” PROJECT TO FEATURE NEW RECORDING OF TIMELESS ANTHEM WITH THE LONDON SYMPHONY 2 DISC SET ALSO FEATURES #1 HITS, 13 VIDEOS, GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL’S “FAITH & FAME,” PLUS NEVER BEFORE HEARD SONGS 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 copies, race up the radio charts, and be adopted as an anthem by hurting people around the world. In a testament to “I Can Only Imagine’s” timelessness, it remains a favorite on radio playlists nationwide today. To mark this epic anniversary, and to celebrate one of the most powerful songs and popular groups in Christian music history, MercyMe is releasing “10,” on April 7th. “10” is a new CD/DVD set that showcases twelve number one singles and videos that span MercyMe’s career. The “10” audio CD features hits from all of their previous albums, plus three bonus tracks including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the famed London Symphony Orchestra. The companion DVD brings the music to life, featuring a diverse mix of videos that showcase how the band’s music has won hearts in local venues and around the world. The fans can also view an inside glimpse of the story behind “I Can Only Imagine” and get up close and personal with the band through their appearance on Gospel Music Channel’s “Faith & Fame” feature. For listeners who first met MercyMe through the story of Millard’s father, which inspired “I Can Only Imagine,” “10” will be a musical marker of a career that has changed lives and continues to inspire. For others, it may be an introduction to a group that has scaled great heights and yet remains firmly grounded by their faith and their families. MercyMe is also offering a special edition, exclusive pre-sale for fans. To learn more, visit: http://www.mercyme.org/mercyme10 www.mercyme.org01/15/2009 BUILDING 429 HITS THE ROAD AGAIN THIS SPRING HEADLINING THEIR “TRUTH, HOPE AND LOVE TOUR” Pop-rock trio Building 429 has recently announced plans for the spring 2009 continuation of their “Truth, Hope & Love Tour.” Once again, After Edmund will be accompanying the band alongside 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 to March of 2009 partnering with World Vision. The band had a successful fall 2008 Tour sharing the stage with the new female-fronted band Addison Road and After Edmund. “It has been a thrill to be a part of the ministry of Building 429 this last year,” says front man Jason Roy. “With the release of our new record, the success of the debut single, ‘End Of Me’ and fall tour, we now have the blessing of cranking up the bus and heading back out on the spring leg of the ‘Truth, Hope and Love Tour.’ In the fall, we saw thousands of children sponsored through World Vision and countless numbers of decisions for Christ, which was far above and beyond our expectations.” Building 429 recently released their fourth self-titled studio album with INO Records on Oct. 21st, and their debut single “End Of Me” is currently climbing the radio charts. The band’s second single “Always,” is scheduled to release this spring. It is a powerful ballad that Roy wrote following an encounter with a woman who shared her heartbreaking story about how her son’s life was taken away by his own father. Roy explains, "There is a moment in each of our lives that will undoubtedly define our existence from that point on. The moment when, for the first time, we stare injustice in the face. When an innocent child is murdered, when a father walks out on a family, when life seems completely unfair. That moment undoubtedly brings us to our knees asking the question: ‘God, Where are you?’ This is the true story of two people who faced that very question and found peace in the storm in the truth of God with us." For more information on Building 429 please visit their website at www.building429.com and get an idea of what the tour will be like by watching a special spring tour video. Click here to watch youtube video. 01/14/2009 MERCYME NOMINATED FOR SECOND GRAMMY® MERCYME NOMINATED FOR SECOND GRAMMY® BART MILLARD NOMINATED FOR FIRST SOLO GRAMMY® MERCYME NAMED R&R’S CHRISTIAN AC ARTIST OF THE YEAR; TO LAUNCH ‘ROCK & WORSHIP ROAD SHOW’ TOUR IN MARCH MercyMe has been nominated for their second GRAMMY® Award with their #1 Single, “You Reign” for Best Gospel Song, which was also co-written by Steven Curtis Chapman. The band was first nominated in 2007 for their COMING UP TO BREATHE recording. In addition, Millard’s second solo offering, HYNMED AGAIN was nominated for Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album. “In response to the nominations, Millard commented, “I am so excited for my brothers in MercyMe and Steven Curtis Chapman! Apparently scrambling to get "You Reign" on the album, at the last minute, was the right decision! To perform at the Grand 'Ole Opry, and then to have HYMNED AGAIN receive a GRAMMY® nod has made the past two weeks a dream come true! Pardon me while I go buy some cowboy boots.” In addition to the GRAMMY® nominations, the band has also been named R&R’s Christian AC Artist of the Year, a result of their two long-standing #1 singles, “God With Us” and “You Reign.” This March MercyMe will launch their national “Rock & Worship Road Show” tour, which will also feature Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road. More tour details to come in January. On a fun note, be sure to check out the “Casting Pounds” weight loss competition between Millard and Casting Crown’s lead vocalist Mark Hall at: http://mercyme.org/blog/2008/12/01/casting-pounds/ www.MercyMe.org 12/16/2008 THE FRAY- NEW SELF-TITLED PROJECT NEW SELF-TITLED PROJECT FROM THE FRAY HITTING FEBRUARY 3, 2009 NASHVILLE, TN....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 at Christian retail stores. TV placement on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs launched them into major radio play with their songs, “How To Save A Life” and “Over My Head (Cable Car).” Now the band’s new emerging hit "You Found Me" will be hitting Christian radio at the top of 2009. “’You Found Me’ is a tough song for me,” comments The Fray’s frontman Isaac Slade from the band’s MySpace page. “It’s about the disappointment, the heartache, the let down that comes with life. Sometimes you're let down, sometimes you're the one who lets someone else down. It gets hard to know who you can trust, who you can count on. This song came out of a tough time, and I'm still right in the thick of it. There's some difficult circumstances my family and friends have been going through over the past year or so and can be overwhelming. It wears on me. It demands so much of my faith to keep believing, keep hoping in the unseen. Sometimes the tunnel has a light at the end, but usually they just look black as night. This song is about that feeling, and the hope that I still have, buried deep in my chest." The Fray has recently collaborated with ABC’s hit show, “LOST” in a series of videos featuring the first single for the newest season of the show. Over the first weekend of airing, the “LOST” video had over one million views and can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX7md0HoR8E. In addition to the “LOST” video, the band also has an official music video for “You Found Me”, which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obhdTlImFBo) and a viral video with behind the scenes studio footage ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb-Z_wH3SFQ).
http://www.thefray.net/
THE AFTERS RING IN HOLIDAY SEASON WITH 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOUR THE AFTERS RING IN HOLIDAY SEASON WITH 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TOUR “Keeping Me Alive” Used In Promotion for FOX’s “The Secret Millionaire” Teaming up with bands Nevertheless and Remedy Drive, The Afters are bringing music and Christmas cheer as the headliner for the 12 Days of Christmas tour. The tour will make stops in nine cities starting Dec. 2nd. The band has just finished wrapping up their new music video for “Never Going Back to Ok” and it will have its world premiere on the Gospel Music Channel on Dec. 9th. Adding to an already impressive list of TV exposure, The Afters’ “Keeping Me Alive” was recently used in promotion for FOX’s “The Secret Millionaire.” The new inspirational show sends millionaires undercover into the most impoverished neighborhoods in America and documents their investment in those less fortunate. “Keeping Me Alive” is off of The Afters’ sophomore project Never Going Back to Ok.
myspace.com/theafters * All Below tour dates, subject to change, for most updated dates go to www.theafters.com or myspace.com/theafters
Dec. 2 Indianapolis, IN - Ransburg Auditorium AMAZON CEO ECHOES SARA GROVES SENTIMENTS ABOUT WRAP RAGE IN HER NEW CHRISTMAS SINGLE TOY PACKAGING NASHVILLE, TN....11/20/08.... In a recent letter to Amazon.com customers, the company's CEO Jeff Bezos talked about the "wrap rage" many feel when trying to get products out of "nearly impenetrable packages," and even included a link to videos from customers showing this frustration (www.amazon.com/upload). You can read Bezos' full letter here. Likewise, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Sara Groves humorously talks about this in her new Christmas single, aptly titled Toy Packaging, from her new holiday offering, O HOLY NIGHT. Comments Groves, "Last year at Christmas I had to use a screwdriver, wire-cutters, and scissors to open a toy and nearly cut off my finger in the effort. I was relieved to see on Amazon.com that I am not the only one who suffers from 'wrap rage' - where better to vent my feelings about toy packaging than on a Christmas album! To get a free download of Toy Packaging, just go to this link: http://www.inorecords.com/saragroves/downloads/mp3download.php?file=08_ToyPackaging.mp3. Lyrics for the song are below, and for more information on Sara Groves, please visit: http://www.saragroves.com.
Toy Packaging Sara Groves and Ben Shive © 2008 Sara Groves Music (ASCAP) admin by Music Services / ????
Nothing makes me lose my cool like
Nothing makes me lose my cool like
In the old days you could hold a box and shake it
Nothing makes me lose my cool like toy packaging SARA GROVES’ ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE TOUR SUCCESSFULLY WRAPS AND IMPACTS WITH MESSAGE OF JUSTICE AND HOPE AUDIENCES RESPOND NATIONWIDE TO SPONSOR OVER 500 RWANDAN CHILDREN FOR FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, AS FINANCIAL GIVING SURPASSES GOAL SET FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION ![]() ![]() NASHVILLE, TN.... 11/6/08....This September and October, critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Sara Groves gathered a group of fellow-acclaimed artists and friends Brandon Heath, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and author/artist Charlie Peacock, to join her on the ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE tour which benefited both the International Justice Mission (IJM) and Food For the Hungry (FH). The tour was such a success on so many levels that plans are already underway to put together a follow-up tour in the fall of 2009. “ I can't say what a joy it has been to collaborate with these incredible artists to take a small step towards a night like we had on the Art Music Justice Tour,” remarked Groves. ”To be surrounded with like-minded artists with a common goal and message, to ask the larger questions about what Jesus is doing in our world, and how we can be the art of God was very life-giving. The responses from audiences confirmed what we had hoped, as they responded generously to the work of Food for the Hungry and International Justice Mission.” In over 20 cities, the artists brought a unique concert opportunity to “add to the beauty, seek justice and give God praise,” each evening, desiring to further educate the church on God's heart for justice, gain advocates for the oppressed, and show evidence of a God at work in this world. Each evening brought with it inspired music and videos of God's people in action and their heroic experiences across the globe. Incredible stories of rescue from the International Justice Mission were told, while giving audience members the opportunity to be involved in Groves 'adopted' village in Rwanda thru Food for the Hungry. As the tour wrapped, 550 kids had been sponsored in the Rwandan Village of Gisanga that the AMJ tour and Groves family support, and their goal to raise $50k for the International Justice Mission was surpassed. Food for the Hungry (www.FH.org) works in more than 26 developing countries providing disaster and emergency relief, and implementing sustainable development programs to transform communities physically and spiritually. The International Justice Mission (www.IJM.org) is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. About the shows, Heath stated, “The sound and feel of the night couldn’t have been more like a family joining other families to end slavery,” while Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken echoed those sentiments, commenting, "we have all been knit together on this tour like a traveling music community, and at the end of the day, we've been able to be part of this larger story of redemption through IJM and FFH." To further cement their commitment to the oppressed, the Groves family will be traveling to Rwanda in March with Food for the Hungry. They will be taking a team of 12 people with them, working on clean water projects, an IJM day to hear from their office about the legal challenges for Rwandans 14 years after tragic genocide, and just loving the kids in the Village of Gisanga. Grove’s site will have updates, pictures, and video footage from the village to keep the FH sponsors plugged in to what is happening there. Aside from the incredible success seen on the road each night, the tour also received critical acclaim, including the following from Relevant Magazine’s official blog, a sponsor of the tour: “ Over the years, there have been many Christian festivals/events/tours, trying to promote some kind of cause/get people involved/push a message. The vast majority of them are quickly forgotten, tossed into the large bin of failed trends within our own subculture. This tour, however, is unique in that rather than pushing a certain action (”wear this purity ring!” “sign this petition against [fill in the blank depending on the year]!”) the audience was encouraged to take what they’d learned, pray deeply about it, and discover their own role in ending injustice.” 11/06/2008DISCIPLE CELEBRATES SUCCESFUL STREET WEEK WITH WHIRLWIND PROMO RUN INO Records’ Band Completes Nationwide Radio Station Visits, Fan Meet and Greet Events, Hard Rock Cafe's Pinktober™ event and More ** Disciple’s Southern Hospitality landed in the No. 7 position on the Christian soundscan charts and the No. 98 spot on the Billboard Top 200 after its Oct. 21 release its first week out the door. On top of scans, the band’s newest rock single “3,2,1,” is currently at No. 12 moving towards the top ten on the R&R Rock chart with their CHR single "Whatever Reason" recently going for adds. CHR stations and networks such as Air-1, Yes-FM, WAY-FM in Denver, KLFF and many others are also spinning the song. ** In support of Southern Hospitality, the band just finished a two-week promo tour with stops in Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Nashville, while also partnering with Air-1 for national promotions and a series of free concerts in Portland, Rocklin, CA and Phoenix, AZ. **Amidst radio station interviews, Disciple also made visits to Yahoo Music!, Sony’s LA branch and HearitFirst.com, and treated fans to exclusive meet and greets at the Huntington Beach Pier and Santa Monica Beach Pier. ** On top of the promotional stops, the INO Records’ rock band came home to play Hard Rock Cafe's Pinktober™ event in Nashville. All proceeds from the event went to the Nashville chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. ** Disciple will continue touring throughout the U.S. and Germany for the remainder of 2008, tour dates listed below. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Disciple’s first release on INO Records “Disciple” (2005) brought home three No. 1 hits, while their sophomore album “Scars Remain” (2006) became the highest selling record of their career, scanning 100,000 units. Disciple has been nominated for a whopping eight GMA Awards including a win for “Rock Album of the Year” in 2007, while their hit single “Game On” received massive placement in sports shows across the country including “Best Damn Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess,” WWE’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report,” as well as in venues such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The single was also used in promotion for CBS shows “Criminal Minds” and “CSI Miami.” This year, the rockers were chosen to write a song for “WWE: The Music Vol. 8” and WWE superstar duo Hawkins and Ryder.
* all tour dates below, subject to change
Nov 7 2008 7:00P
Nov 8 2008 7:00P
Nov 9 2008 6:00P
Nov 12 2008 7:30P
Nov 13 2008 7:30P
Nov 14 2008 7:30P
Nov 16 2008 7:00P
Nov 22 2008 7:00P
Dec 5 2008 8:00P
Dec 6 2008 8:00P
Dec 31 2008 7:00P INO RECORDS AND PREMIER PRODUCTIONS INTRODUCE “THE COMEDY BUS” SERIES DEBUT DOUBLE CD/DVD SET, LAUGH OUT LOUD AND CLASS CLOWNS TO HIT NOVEMBER 11TH NASHVILLE, TN….10/27/08…..Touted as the best clean, faith and family friendly comedy around, INO Records and Premier Productions have partnered to introduce “The Comedy Bus series.” The first of a six piece series, “Laugh Out Loud” and “Class Clowns” will be available on CD and DVD digitally and in CBA stores nationwide on November 11, 2008, with the next installment due in April 2009. The “Laugh Out Loud” CD and DVD feature hilarious performances from comedians CLETO RODRIQUEZ, often called the funniest man to tunnel under the Mexican border; musical funny guy PAUL ALDRICH and comedy duo BEAN & BAILEY who will teach audiences how to have more fun with a guitar than should be allowed by law. Comedy superstars ROBERT G. LEE and RICH PRAYTOR round out the “Laugh Out Loud” project with insanity that hopes to make heads spin. Lastly, the project’s producer, MIKE G. WILLIAMS delivers a bit that may leave you on the floor looking for those socks. Promising that it’s not the same old ha-ha, “Class Clowns” is what happens when you put seven class clowns and a case of high octane coffee on the same stage in the same hour. This CD and DVD also features the maniacal music of MIKE G. WILLIAMS, musical comedy duo BEAN & BAILEY demonstrating how to crack it up acoustic style, RICH PRAYTOR driving Atheism back into its primordial ooze, ROBERT G. LEE upstaging the world from the perspective of the worlds funniest class clown, CLETO RODRIGUEZ stepping up to the plate and hitting the comedy ball out of the park, as well as KENN KINGTON showing viewers why he wears women’s socks. “Class Clowns” also features behind the scenes stories from the comedians sharing their weirdest road stories ever. Premier Productions, known for some of the most successful entertainment ventures in the Christian music industry, will also launch “The Comedy Bus Tour” to 20 cities nationwide in the late Spring of 2009. For more great comedy products or to find out how you can bring The Comedy Bus Tour in your area, log on to TheComedyBus.com. For more information on INO Records and their artists, go to www.inorecords.com . For more information on Premier Productions and their events go to www.premierproductions.com 10/25/2008DECYFER DOWN ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF NEW LEAD SINGER DECYFER DONW'S SOPHMORE PROJECT, “CRASH” TO HIT SPRING ‘09 Rockers Decyfer Down have recently announced the addition of a new lead singer, TJ Harris. Formerly with the band Fighting Instinct, Harris has joined the band effective immediately. “TJ brings a unique vocal edge to the band with his dynamic style, and is an exciting and engaging live performer,” remarks drummer Josh Oliver. “Combined with his heart for ministry, Decyfer Down is looking forward to starting this new chapter in the band’s career. “ TJ has been filling in at recent shows for Caleb Oliver, and will now be a permanent fixture on stage with fellow members Josh Oliver (Drums), Brandon Mills (Guitar) and Chris Clontz (bass). Addressing the changes,“Caleb (former lead singer) is dealing with some personal things,” continued Oliver. “We had hoped they could be dealt with in the context of the band, but it has become apparent that he needs to step away to find resolve. He is my brother, I love him, and we as a band support him and still consider him a brother as well. Moving forward with Decyfer Down, we are excited to have TJ as our new lead singer – the shows we’ve done together have been great.” “At first, I filled in with Decyfer Down for a couple of shows,” recalls Harris. “It felt great on stage, and hanging out with the guys before and after felt good as well. We had toured together a few times before, but now I was really able to sit down and hear their testimonies and see where their hearts are. I'm really excited about this new chapter that God has opened in my life. It's a great opportunity as a writer and a performer. I'm glad to be a part of the Decyfer Down family." Decyfer Down’s new Digital EP released on Sept. 30th, and their new single, “Crash,” recently peaked at No. 1 on Christian Rock radio. The digital EP is a preview of four-selected tracks from their upcoming sophomore record, aptly titled CRASH, due April 2009. ### VOTA DEBUTS NEW SOUND SELF-TITLED DEBUT RELEASE WITH INO RECORDS DIGITAL ALBUM RELEASE NOV. 11 WITH PHYSICAL CD RELEASE FEB. 10
Produced by Nathan Dantzler (Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Tree63) the 11-track album exerts high-energy artistic sounds, taking cues from the players’ previous alternative dichotomy and adding dance elements influenced by dance poppers Maroon 5 to ethereal rockers Augustana.
### “We Need Each Other” Tour Dates Listed Below:
9/4/08 Cedar Creek Church Perrysburg, OH 9/5/08 The Underground-OH Forest Park, OH 9/6/08 Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI 9/10/08 Pioneer Center Elk City, OK 9/11/08 First United Methodist Stillwater, OK 9/13/08 Schreiner University Kerrville, TX 9/14/08 Paramount Theater Abilene, TX 9/19/08 Taconic High School Pittsfield, MA 9/20/08 Abundant Life Church Bangor, ME 9/21/08 Calvary Church Souderton, PA 9/25/08 Wausau East High School Auditorium Wausau, WI 9/26/08 Club 3 Degrees Minneapolis, MN 9/27/08 Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL 10/8/08 The City Salina, KS 10/10/08 Turning Point Community Church Lubbock, TX 10/14/08 Desert Springs Bible Church Phoenix, AZ 10/16/08 Cornerstone Community Church Wildomar, CA 10/17/08 Pacific Christian Center Santa Maria, CA 10/18/08 Immanuel Baptist Church Highland, CA 10/19/08 Valley Bible Fellowship Las Vegas, NV 10/23/08 Sunset Presbyterian Portland, OR 10/24/08 Mountain Christian Fellowship Medford, OR 10/25/08 Oakland Christian Center Redmond, WA 10/26/08 The Service Station Spokane, WA 10/28/08 Shrine Auditorium Billings, MT 10/29/08 The Bellfoursche Bell Comm. Ctr Foursche, SD 11/6/08 Frauental Theatre Muskegon, MI 11/7/08 McMorran Place Theatre Port Huron, MI 11/8/08 Gaylord E-Free Church Gaylord, MI 10/22/2008TiVO ALERT FOR BART MILLARD! MERCYME UNVEILS NEW MUSIC VIDEO! October 22, 2008 **Having recently launched their fall tour with special guest Bebo Norman (tour dates below), and fresh off their recent (and third!) American Music Award nomination, MercyMe has some news to share this week: **Bart Millard and MercyMe on Gospel Music Channel TOMORROW: -MercyMe’s lead singer Bart Millard's national broadcast on GMC show "The Kitchen Sink" will re-air Thursday October 23rd – 7pm and 11pm Eastern. Millard performs 3 songs from his latest solo effort, "Hymned Again" - including his hit INSPO single "I Stand Amazed." -With two number one singles from their latest hit project, ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, the band’s third single “Finally Home” will go for adds December 26th. Their second single , *"You Reign" (INO) became their eighth chart topper on the Nielsen BDS-driven Christian AC list in late August 2008, givng MercyMe the most No. 1 singles by any artist on that chart since it was launched in July 2003. -Before you can hear the new single on the radio you can see the music video when you catch Millard on the Gospel Music Channel as they broadcast the music video for “Finally Home” Thursday October 23rd. To watch the video now, go to: http://video.inorecords.com/#mercyme
10.23.08 07:00 PM Harvest Time Revival Center Waco, TX 10.24.08 07:00 PM Summer Grove Baptist Church Shreveport, LA 10.25.08 06:30 PM Evangel Temple Wichita Falls, TX 10.26.08 07:00 PM Shoreline Christian Center Austin, TX 10.30.08 07:00 PM Central Wesleyan Church Holland, MI 10.31.08 07:00 PM Thomas Road Baptist Church Lynchburg, VA 11.02.08 07:00 PM Bethel Assembly Life House Church Hagerstown, MD 11.06.08 07:00 PM Stonegate Fellowship Church Midland, TX 11.07.08 07:00 PM The Church at Quail Creek Amarillo, TX 11.08.08 06:00 PM First Baptist Church Lubbock, TX 11.09.08 07:00 PM Beltway Park Baptist Church Abilene, TX 11.13.08 07:30 PM Calvary Church Naperville, IL 11.14.08 07:00 PM Lincoln Berean Church Lincoln, NE 11.15.08 07:00 PM Adler Theater Davenport, IA 11.16.08 06:00 PM Christian Fellowship Church Evansville, IN 11.20.08 07:30 PM Northside Christian Church New Albany, IN 11.23.08 06:00 PM Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church Montgomery, AL 10/21/2008ABC’S “GREY’S ANATOMY” USES THE AFTERS’ “OCEAN WIDE” IN SHOW PROMOTION The INO/Columbia Recording Artists Signs Booking Deal with William Morris Agency ** ABC’s hit drama “Grey’s Anatomy” is currently using “Ocean Wide” from The Afters' sophomore record Never Going Back to Ok in promotion for the show. The Golden Globe winning show rakes in around 14 million viewers a week in its fifth season and features a renowned cast including Patrick Dempsey and Katherine Heigl. This will add to the band’s already impressive list of TV exposure, Lifetime TV’s “Army Wives” used “Ocean Wide” as well in early August. ** The Afters’ also recently signed an exclusive booking contract with the well known literary and talent agency the William Morris Agency. Founded in 1898, the William Morris Agency has offices in New York, Beverly Hills, Nashville, London, Miami Beach and Shanghai and represents artists such as the Foo Fighters, Hootie & The Blowfish, Switchfoot and Whitney Houston. “The Afters are poised to break out as major headliners in our industry, and with the added exposure and opportunities they have had that spill over to other formats beyond Christian Music, WMA and The Afters are a perfect fit,” says William Morris Agent Mark Claassen. “We are excited to be a part of the team!" ** After spending weeks at No. 1 at the CHR format, the title track "Never Going Back To Ok" is currently impacting AC radio with stations like WFHM/Cleveland, WJQK/Grand Rapids, WMUZ/Detroit and KKSP/Little Rock recently adding the single. “Never Going Back to Ok” entered the Billboard Top 200 at #41 and the Contemporary Christian SoundScan charts at #1 selling 15,856 units. In digital sales, the project entered at #1 for Christian SoundScan album and track sales plus hit as high as #14 on the iTunes® overall digital chart and #4 on their digital Rock chart. “We Are The Sound” from the new record was also used in promotion for last season’s American Idol with the viral video for “MySpace Girl” being featured on E! News, Seventeen.com and TV Guide Channel’s website. Songs from “Never Going Back to Ok” were also used on the Rachael Ray show as well as on Dr. Phil. Releasing their debut project “I Wish We All Could Win” in 2005, The Afters received top attention from their fans and media outlets. The Afters’ music has appeared on the networks of MTV, mtvU, ABC Family and E! News as well as on HOT AC and VH-1 radio along with outlets such as Billboard, BOP and Popstar. The MTV college network and mtvU have been strong supporters of the band as their music video for “Beautiful Love” was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming Video in 2005. The Afters were awarded the Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year” (2006), and has had over 250,000 downloads to date. The foursome composed of Josh Havens, Matt Fuqua, Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, met while working at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas.
DISCIPLE TO ROCK FOR A CURE AS PART OF HARD ROCK CAFÉ’S PINKTOBER WITH OCT. 29 NASHVILLE PERFORMANCE The INO Rock Band Preps for Oct. 21 release of Southern Hospitality with Coast-to-Coast Promo Tour and New Radio Singles ** With the release date of Southern Hospitality less than a week away, Disciple has been selected to participate in Hard Rock Café’s Pinktober in Nashville, Tenn. on Wed. Oct. 29. In its ninth consecutive year, Pinktober is Hard Rock's signature Breast Cancer Awareness Concert Series to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer charities around the globe with all proceeds benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). With Pinktober celebrations taking place across the world in other locations such as Maui, Paris, London and Toronto, Disciple is joining the likes of The Donnas, Melissa Etheridge, All American Rejects and Jon McLaughlin who also have pledged their Hard Rock Café performances to finding a cure for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 150,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year alone. Below are more details about the Oct. 29 show, 100% of the door charge proceeds for the show will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Nashville Chapter: The Hard Rock Café in downtown Nashville 100 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 742-9900 Date: Wed. Oct 29th Time: Doors - 8:30pm Start - 9pm Cost: $5 at the door ** Following the best selling record of their 15-year career, Scars Remain, celebrated rock act Disciple offers Southern Hospitality releasing Oct. 21. Produced by Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., Pillar), Southern Hospitality offers 12 new tracks from what lead singer Kevin Young describes as their most incredible record making experience to date. In support of Southern Hospitality, the band will be making promo stops and radio visits in Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Nashville. ** The first rock single off of Southern Hospitality, “3,2,1” continues to rise on the rock radio charts while their upcoming CHR single, "Whatever Reason" is going for adds this Friday Oct. 17. Disciple has also been selected as an Artist to Watch for Clear Channel's online program called NEW! The band’s rock genre feature will be posted throughout the month of Oct. and will appear on over 400 radio station websites. Disciple’s first release on INO Records “Disciple” (2005) brought home three No. 1 hits, while their sophomore album “Scars Remain” (2006) became the highest selling record of their career, scanning 100,000 units. Disciple has been nominated for a whopping eight GMA Awards including a win for “Rock Album of the Year” in 2007, while their hit single “Game On” received massive placement in sports shows across the country including “Best Damn Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess,” WWE’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report,” as well as in venues such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The single was also used in promotion for CBS shows “Criminal Minds” and “CSI Miami.” This year, the rockers were chosen to write a song for “WWE: The Music Vol. 8” and WWE superstar duo Hawkins and Ryder.
SKILLET BRINGS EXPLOSIVE LIVE SHOW TO THE FANS ON COMATOSE COMES ALIVE DVD AND CD OCTOBER 21ST **GMA's Artist of the Year nominee and two-time GRAMMY® nominated band Skillets explosive live show will soon be available for fans as the first-ever live concert CD and DVD combo, COMATOSE COMES ALIVE, hits on October 21st. This is the first live project for the band in their 12 year history. **COMATOSE COMES ALIVE features songs from their 2006 Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO release COMATOSE, which has become their best-selling project to date, with sales over 400,000 units, along with their 2003 best-selling CD COLLIDE, and more. ** In follow up to a spring 07 tour with FlyLeaf, and fall 07 with Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, this winter Skillet played to over 300,000 on Winter Jam, and in the spring launched their own theater tour, during which this footage was garnered at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga, and where 60% of the shows sold out placing the tour in Pollstar's Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours throughout the spring . Skillets electric live show was also a highlight of numerous summer festivals. ** The CD of COMATOSE COMES ALIVE includes the full live concert audio plus six enhanced acoustic versions and bonus tracks, while the DVD, recorded in 5.1 surround sound audio, includes the full live concert plus four music videos and a photo gallery of live shots (full track listings below.) ** In the process of becoming one of the hardest working, most rocking, and broadly appealing acts of its generation, radio has welcomed SKILLET and COMATOSE with open arms, garnering 5 back-to-back #1 singles: the first single, "Rebirthing" spent seven-weeks at No.1 on Christian Rock. Their second single, "The Last Night," also took the top spot, this time at both Rock and CHR (CRW/R&R), while "The Older I Get" (CHR/Rock) and "Comatose," which received a 2008 GMA Dove Award for Rock Song of the Year, became their third and fourth consecutive No. 1 singles. Most recently "Those Nights" hit number one as well on CHR. **At the end of 2007 the band was lauded with R&Rs No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year for The Last Night, which was also R&R's No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, Skillet was named 2007s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK yearend lists.
www.myspace.com/skilletmusic ### TRACK LISTING
CD
DVD 33MILES LANDS POPULAR iTunes ® DISCOVERY DOWNLOAD WITH “ONE LIFE TO LOVE” ![]() ** After celebrating a successful street week with their sophomore record One Life, 33Miles’ first single “One Life to Love” has been selected as the iTunes ® Discovery Download starting Oct. 7. Appearing among the few "Free on iTunes" selections for the week, the song will be available for free download through Monday Oct. 13. To download “One Life To Love,” go to http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=292674314&s=143441 ** Another popular music streaming and download service Napster ® will be featuring a play list from the band starting the week of Oct. 21. Members Jason Barton, Chris Lockwood and Collin Stoddard recommended a dozen songs that they deemed “Favorite Songs Everyone Should Know.” ** “One Life to Love” has also been making an impact on the radio charts garnering the No. 9 spot on the R&R AC-Indicator, No. 13 R&R AC-Monitored and No. 14 CRW-AC charts. On the Inspo/Soft AC charts, the single has also hit # 2 on CRW and # 10 on R&R. Below is just an example of what radio stations across the country have been saying about “One Life to Love.” "Message fans can't get enough of this soon-to-be CLASSIC from 33Miles! The guys have really struck a chord when it comes to life's PRIORITY!" - Jim Epperlein, XM 32 The Message "From someone who's job keeps him busy 10-12 hours per day, this song speaks to me every time it plays." Jim McDermott, Spirit FM-KCVO “One Life to Love” sounds good on our airwaves at WJIE. Glad to be playing this single from one of the most talented bands in any genre of music." Chris Crain, WJIE After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering radio hits and a Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles released their sophomore record One Life on Sept. 16 to much praise. Critically acclaimed One Life entered the Top Christian Soundscan Album Sales chart and the Christian Digital chart at No. 5, while debuting at No. 160 on the Billboard Top 200. Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. In addition, the band made tremendous impact on the radio charts with their first record garnering three consecutive radio hits with “What Could Be Better,” “There Is A God” and “Thank You,” two of those hits breaking the Top 10.
myspace.com/33miles DECYFER DOWN GAVE FANS A TASTE OF THEIR UPCOMING ALBUM CRASH, WITH DIGITAL EP RELEASED ON SEPT. 30 SOPHOMORE RECORD CRASHES INTO STORES FEB.10 FIRST SINGLE “CRASH” PEAKS AT NO. 1 ON CHRISTIAN ROCK RADIO Oct. 6, 2008…Nashville, TN…. INO/Columbia Records’ rock band Decyfer Down gave their fans a taste of their upcoming album with their Digital EP that released on Sept. 30. Along with the first single, “Crash,” which recently peaked at No. 1 on Christian Rock radio, the digital EP is a preview of four-selected tracks from their upcoming sophomore record, aptly titled CRASH, which crashes into stores Feb. 10. CRASH is the follow up to their 2006 debut album End Of Grey, which garnered 4 No. 1 Christian Rock singles and received airplay on both mainstream and Christian radio. After entering the R&R Active Rock Chart, the band’s single “Fight Like This” was also featured in a promotion for an Ultimate Fighting Championship title fight. In addition, “Break Free” also received placement and was heard by more than 9 million sports fans during some of the most watched sports games of the year in the NBA, NHL, MLB and NCAA including games between the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, NY Yankees, Chicago Cubs and more. Decyfer Down has come a long way since End of Grey, entertaining sold out crowds at festivals and concerts around the country sharing the stage with artists such as Cold, Puddle of Mudd, Breaking Benjamin, Strata, Theory of a Dead Man, Smile Empty Soul, Crossfade, Seven Mary Three, Red, Pillar, Thousand Foot Krutch, Skillet and more. Get a sneak peak of Decyfer Down’s new single “Crash” http://www.inorecords.com/inoradioemail/080623/content/DecyferDown-Crash.mp3 and for more information on the rock band visit www.myspace.com/decyferdown or www.decyferdown.com. 09/26/200833MILES’ ONE LIFE MAKES STRONG DEBUT ON SALES AND RADIO CHARTS Trio’s Sophomore Album Garners Praise From Media Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 25, 2008… INO Record’s 33Miles is celebrating a successful street week with their sophomore project One Life entering the Top Christian Soundscan Album Sales chart and the Christian Digital chart at No. 5, while debuting at No. 160 on the Billboard Top 200. The Dove-nominated group has been visiting radio stations across the country in promotion of One Life including stops at K-LOVE and KLTY, while the record's first single "One Life To Love" is already a solid hit having reached No. 9 R&R AC-Indicator, No. 17 R&R AC-Monitored and No. 18 CRW-AC charts. On the Inspo/Soft AC charts, the single has hit #2 on CRW and #10 on R&R. One Life is not only highly favored on the charts, but has also received its share of critical acclaim: “The charm and polish of 33Miles' sophomore record are hard to resist… only a handful of artists convey those themes with as much magnetism as Jason Barton's heartfelt vocals. – All Music Guide “POP MUSIC NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD… the men of 33Miles have created an incredible second set… All comparisons aside, 33Miles is seriously good. One Life emits massive crossover appeal, and considering the wealth of musical enthusiasm the band showcases, 33Miles has music for many lifetimes to come.” – CCM magzine.com “It gives fans of country pop and Christian music a balanced middle ground on which to stand, with just enough liveliness, balladry, quality musicianship, heartland sentimentality, and faith to keep both camps happy.” - Christianity Today One Life was produced by a team of well-known producers including Nathan Nockels (Passion, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean), Sam Mizell (Matthew West) and Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Third Day). In addition to the single, One Life offers up beat tracks such as “When It All Comes Down” and “One of Those Days” as well as the transparent “Apologize” and a song inspired by the band’s partnership with Food for the Hungry titled “Little Bit of Love.” After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering radio hits and a Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles released their sophomore record One Life on Sept. 16. Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. In addition, the band has made tremendous impact on the radio charts garnering three consecutive radio hits with “What Could Be Better,” “There Is A God” and “Thank You,” two of those hits breaking the Top 10.
*all dates subject to change SANDI PATTY SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER WITH INTIMATE CHRISTMAS TOUR GOSPEL MUSIC ICON ALSO HOSTS BALTIMORE SYMPHONY HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR TO CELEBRATE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DEC. 12 THROUGH DEC. 23 Sept. 25, 2008…Nashville, TN… Christmas is just around the corner and the most decorated Christian female artist of all time, Sandi Patty will help spread Christmas cheer with an intimate Christmas tour, kicking off in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 28th and running through December 7th (all tour dates listed below). The Gospel music legend will be singing holiday classics from her 2005 critically acclaimed Christmas album Yuletide Joy, which includes famous carols “Oh Holy Night,” “Star of Bethlehem” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Patty will be performing the Yuletide celebration in grand fashion accompanied by a local symphony in select cities on the tour. “The celebration of Christmas is the foundation on my faith,” says the singer. “Christmas is a celebration of family, life and love and the birth of Jesus. His birth meant freedom for the rest of us.” In addition to the tour, to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, Patty will be hosting the Baltimore Symphony Holiday Spectacular for 12 days starting on Dec. 10 and carrying on until Dec. 23. The event will take place at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD. This will be the singer’s second time to host the event as she previously participated in 2006. For more information on the Baltimore Symphony Holiday Spectacular, please log on to www.bsomusic.org and for the latest on Patty, visit www.sandipatty.com.
As the single most award-winning female vocalist in the Christian Music industry, Sandi Patty released her 30th recording May 13, 2008 titled Songs For The Journey. Patty has won 39 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, four Billboard Music Awards and was recently honored and named a member of the prestigious Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She has released 24 albums over the last 26 years, selling more than 11 million units, while the RIAA has certified three of her recordings platinum and five of them gold. Patty has appeared on The Tonight Show, 7th Heaven, E! Entertainment, Dr. Phil, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and most recently appeared on Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
Tour Dates: MIKE FARRIS HONORED AS 2008’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR AT AMERICANA MUSIC AWARDS "Must-see" Sunday Night Shout residency returns in October Sept. 22, 2008…Nashville, TN…INO Records’ Mike Farris has traveled far in his journey from wild front man of the hard-rockin' Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies to being honored as 2008's Emerging Artist during last week’s Americana Music Awards and Honors, which took place at The Ryman Auditorium. He chronicles the heart of that journey in his Salvation in Lights album as well as his “must see” Sunday Night Shouts, which will pick up again in October at Nashville’s iconic Station Inn. Farris’ debut solo album Salvation in Lights (2007) critical raves helped raise the front man's profile enough so that he was firmly in position to be heralded as this year's Emerging Artist in the rootsy truths of the Americana music format. "We've taken the music of the long-lost Deep South, dug it out of America's collective attic and brought it back to life for everyone to enjoy," is Farris’ explanation for the album's power and purpose. Salvation is such a strong and personal statement, one that can't be contained on a single recorded document. It must see light, or stage lights in this case. That is why he began his first round of Sunday Shouts and why he is set to return. Backed by his shouting, stomping, shuffling and wailing 11-piece Roseland Rhythm Revue, the singer continues his quest to document, with rock fervor and soulful splendor, his personal and musical revival. During these Sunday Night Shouts, the singer-songwriter allows the audience to peer into his soul while he delivers weekly installments of rafter-raisin' boogie stew, equal parts honky-tonk spirit and Christian revival. Farris says he's been told that if Sunday morning services were as spirited and spiritual as his evening shows, more folks would go to worship services. While he is continuing to host Sunday Night Shouts, he will also be performing at various festivals and venues throughout the remainder of the year. For more information on Farris please visit www.mikefarrismusic.net and to hear his testimony http://wmedia.buzzplant.com/content/ino/MikeFarris_EPK.wmv
Founder and former front man of the highly successful rock group Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, Mike Farris has lived through it all, literally. The SCW band has toured with artists/groups Meatloaf, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler and more. Then, nearly dead from an accidental overdose of pills and alcohol before he turned 21, Farris made a desperate cry out to God, and He responded. Farris’ struggles through addiction slowly turned into hope as he and the band, Screamin Cheetah Wheelies, played their final show in Spain to 30,000 fans then two years later, he signed with INO/ Columbia Records releasing what many call a “uniquely redemptive story” with Salvation In Lights.
Tour Dates: (dates subject to change) DISCIPLE OFFERS SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH OCT. 21 RELEASE Celebrated Rockers Bring Forth Most Relevant Material of Their 15-year Career with New Project Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 18, 2008… Following the best selling record of their 15-year career, Scars Remain, celebrated rock act Disciple offers some of their most relevant material yet with Southern Hospitality releasing Oct. 21. With 12 total tracks, lead singer Kevin Young admits that this was the “most incredible record-making experience” to date for the band. “I think we’ve written more current songs than ever before.” The band teams up with producer Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., Pillar, Superchick) once again for the new record. Another step for the new project is the heavy guitar solos also embraced by the band. Whether it is the poetic imagery behind “Romance Me” or the genuine plea in ”Savior,” Southern Hospitality was written and created with more attention paid to the craft and less to the clock. A few months before Disciple began working on Southern Hospitality, the original guitarist Brad Noah stepped down from full-time touring with Disciple as the result of long-term health issues. He decided, however, to continue writing and recording with the band. Adding to their recognizable rock sound are three new members, guitarist Andrew Welch (formerly of Capital Lights), guitarist Micah Sannan (formerly of Falling Up) and Israel Beachy (formerly of Staple). While Young still says that Noah is the best guitar player he knows, he can’t help but heap compliments on his new band mates. “I’ve been in Disciple since day one, and we’re in the best place we’ve ever been,” says Young. “We’re writing the best songs we’ve ever written, and we’re putting on the best shows we’ve ever put on. I just can’t wait to share this with people. I can’t wait to see how these songs affect people’s lives. It’s fully God. We can’t take any credit for that.” Disciple’s longevity and philosophy among their peers in Christian rock music is something the band is incredibly grateful for says Young. “Just like any band, we’ve been through ups and downs. All of us are in constant process, but since day one, our goal has been to stand onstage and tell people about Christ, and then provide an opportunity for people to receive Him. Our music is about providing the backdrop for that moment to occur. The fact that that is happening more effectively than at any time in our 15 year career is humbling to say the least.” “3,2,1” is the first rock single from Southern Hospitality. The song went for adds on Sept. 12 to Christian rock and was the format’s No. 1 most added single this week according to R&R. In support of Southern Hospitality, Disciple will appear on the upcoming cover of the Nov./Dec. issue of HM Magazine. HM is a bi-monthly publication for hard music audiences. This will mark Disciple’s first appearance on the cover. Disciple’s first release on INO Records “Disciple” (2005) brought home three No. 1 hits, while their sophomore album “Scars Remain” (2006) became the highest selling record of their career, scanning 100,000 units. Disciple has been nominated for a whopping eight Gospel Music Awards including a win for “Rock Album of the Year” in 2007, while their hit single “Game On” received massive placement in sports shows across the country including “Best Damn Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess,” WWE’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report,” as well as in venues such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The single was also used in promotion for CBS shows “Criminal Minds” and “CSI Miami.” This year, the rockers were chosen to write a song for “WWE: The Music Vol. 8” and WWE superstar duo Hawkins and Ryder.
BUILDING 429 HEADLINES 30-CITY TRUTH, HOPE & LOVE TOUR THIS FALL Tour Kicks Off Oct. 2, With Special Guests Addison Road & After Edmund NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 17, 2008 – Dove Award-winning trio Building 429 will headline the 30-city “Truth, Hope & Love Tour” this fall in support of their brand new self-titled album releasing Oct. 21, on INO Records. The Truth, Hope & Love Tour features special guests Addison Road and After Edmund.Kicking off Oct. 2, in Ft. Smith, Ark., the Truth, Hope & Love Tour will hit 30 markets across the country including Minneapolis, Minn.; College Station, Texas; Springfield, Ill.; and Cincinnati, Ohio, to name a few. The tour, which takes its name from the track “Your Love Goes On” from the band’s new album, also gives Building 429 a chance to partner in ministry with World Vision, an international Christian humanitarian organization. “We are totally amped about the Truth, Hope & Love Tour,” says Building 429 frontman Jason Roy. “All of the artists we have chosen to join us are amazing talents and have incredible hearts, which gives us great hope for the ministry and music on this tour. It is an honor for us to headline this show and we’re looking forward, with great anticipation, to unveiling the music and media surrounding our new record. We can’t wait to share the stage with these extremely talented new bands!” “I’m really excited about the Truth, Hope & Love Tour with Building 429,” adds concert promoter Dan Fife of Awakening Events. “We have worked with Jason, Michael and Jesse since we first met them back in 2005, and this particular tour is exciting because we are now seeing more families share the music of Building 429. The band has worked with us so that we could provide a ticket price the entire family can afford. I feel like the more opportunities we have to bring the family together as a unit and share together in the live concert/worship experience, the stronger the family. We know that every time we work with these guys we are fulfilling our mission.”
About Building 429
About Addison Road
About After Edmund NEW ARTIST JOY WHITLOCK EMBRACES LIFE’S HARDSHIPS ON DEBUT ALBUM GOD AND A GIRL ON SEPTEMBER 16 Sept. 15, 2008…Nashville, TN… New artist Joy Whitlock embraces her life’s hardships in her debut album God And A Girl set to release on Sept. 16 on Ardent/INO Records. Produced by Jeff Powell (Tonic, Bob Dylan, Bottle Rockets), Ian Eskelin (All Star United, Krystal Meyers) Curry Weber (Skillet, Todd Agnew) and James Joseph, the record showcases her compelling testimony highlighted by captivating vocals and candid lyrics infused with an alternative pop/rock sound. “Holding Onto Me” is the first single off the 14-track album, which impacted CHR and AC Radio in August. In addition, the God And A Girl digital EP has been available at all digital service providers along with Whitlock’s limited edition Fake EP. Co-written by Ian Eskelin, Barry Weeks and Tony Wood “Holding Onto Me,” encourages people encountering rough patches in life to draw closer to God instead of running away from Him. To preview the single go to http://www.inorecords.com/inoradioemail/080728/JoyWhitlock-HoldingOnToMe.mp3. Through God And A Girl, Whitlock encourages fellow Christians who also face trials and tribulations with a message of hope and encouragement. “Because I still have many struggles in my life, even as a child of God, the subject matter of most of my songs tends to gravitate towards struggle,” admits Whitlock. “I want people to know that pain is not working against us. It brings us closer to the one who knows pain better than anyone else...Jesus Christ.” Having grown up in Mississippi as the daughter of a minister, Whitlock’s family was involved in a few churches, which caused them to travel often. Throughout this process, Whitlock began to fall away from her faith and tried to numb the pain with drugs and promiscuity. It wasn’t until she saw Mel Gibson’s The Passion Of The Christ her heart softened and rededicated her life to Christ. From that moment on she has never been the same. To celebrate God And A Girl, the singer/songwriter had an album release concert in Memphis, TN, the city that she now calls home. The performance took place on Sunday, Sept. 14 at the The Love of Christ Church. To find out more about Whitlock and her testimony visit www.joywhitlock.com or watch her EPK at http://video.inorecords.com/video/JoyWhitlock_EPK.wmv. The brand new website features Whitlock’s new interactive blog www.joywhitlock.com/blog where the artist will post photos, videos, written thoughts and twitter updates. All the blog posts will allow fans to communicate with Whitlock and also with one another. 09/10/2008BUILDING 429 LAUNCHES INTO A NEW SEASON WITH NEW LABEL AND NEW RECORD
DOVE AWARD-WINNING TRIO JOINS FORCES WITH INO RECORDS TO RELEASE BUILDING 429 ON OCT. 21
Sept. 10, 2008…Nashville, TN… The Dove award-winning trio, Building 429 launches into a new season, recently signing a new label deal with INO Records and creating a new, self-titled album scheduled to release on Oct. 21. “End of Me” is the first single from their fourth studio record and it impacted Christian CHR and AC on Aug. 22. Jason Roy, Michael Anderson and Jesse Garcia have come a long way since their debut album Space In Between Us (2004) and are excited for the new changes that have come their way and for the new relationship with INO Records. “We are really excited about the future with Building 429,” said President of INO Records, Jeff Moseley. “With this record they are pouring life into their fans, clearly making their passion for music, people, and more importantly, God, known in a great way.“ Produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Sanctus Real) Building 429 is using this album to help find their true identity as individuals and artists. “This record is a new beginning,” said Roy, Building 429’s front man and chief lyricist. “Its no longer about what everybody wants us to be or what we think we should be but a season of finding what God has in store for us. I’m more confident than I’ve ever been in my life when it comes to my calling, when it comes to my brothers and when it comes to my band. That confidence is not in myself. That confidence is in the fact that the Lord is going to do something great with us. We’re just excited to be along for the ride,” Roy concludes. One of the more buoyant songs Building 429 has ever recorded is the album’s first single “End of Me.” The song is a reminder that true fulfillment in life is found in surrendering control to Christ. “It is my constant reminder these days to live my life by God's design, says Roy. “To leave the burdens and the comforts of believing I have the power to find true life. When I admit I have no control and that God gets that responsibility, everything seems to make a little more sense.” To listen to “End of Me” visit: http://wmedia.buzzplant.com/content/ino/Building429-EndOfMe_ACMix.wma. Be on the look out for the launch of the band’s Truth Hope and Love fall tour with additional details to be announced soon. For more information on Building 429, go to: www.building429.com. Building 429 has had a history of success with the release of three albums and now the rock band is joining forces with INO Records for their fourth studio record which will be hitting stores this fall. In 2005 “Glory Defined” was named BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, they were named the Gospel Music Association’s 2005 New Artist of the Year and nominated that same year for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and Song of the Year. They have toured with artists such as TobyMac, Family Force 5, Casting Crowns and Thousand Foot Krutch. Jason, Michael and Jesse are excited for their fans to hear a record that reflects where they are as individuals and artists. 09/05/2008BART MILLARD’S 6 YEAR OLD SON SAM WINS CONTEST SPONSORED BY FORD AND THE JUVENILE DIABETES RESARCH FOUNDATION NASHVILLE, TN....9/5/08....Last week MercyMe’s Bart Millard was celebrating the debut of his second critically-acclaimed solo project, HYMNED AGAIN, but some of the most exciting news came later in the week, when his six year old son Sam, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes when he was two, won a contest sponsored by the Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to help raise awareness of the disease. JDRF kids had three weeks to submit a design for the Motorcraft/Quick Lane/Custom Accessories Shelby Mustang Funny Car, driven by Bob Tasca III, which was featured on the car during the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis over Labor Day weekend. To view designs, go to: http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfmfuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=B607291E-110A-9BB5-F8AE5884A2F4FC4E For the car design contest, each child’s submitted design was featured on the www.JDRF.org/Ford website from June 23 to July 31, during which the public was invited to vote for their favorite car design by making a monetary donation vote to JDRF. The top five donation-earning designs were recently narrowed down to one, and therefore Sam’s design was featured on Tasca’s Shelby Mustang Funny Car during the U.S Nationals in Indianapolis Aug. 29 – Sept. 1. Millard, his wife Shannon and Sam were invited to Indianapolis for the official unveiling of his paint scheme, and a chance to see the car run during qualifications for the race. “What a thrill for Sam to see his creation on a race car!,” recalls Millard. “Of course we were the over the top proud parents, but I think the thing we are most proud of is the fact that the contest raised over $84,000 to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes. After making the MercyMe bloggers aware of the contest, they came through in a huge way! We are eternally grateful.” With a desire to create a lifelong legacy for all children suffering from Juvenile Diabetes, Millard, along with his bandmates created Imagine A Cure last year, a non profit organization to support research that will lead to a cure. For more information on Imagine A Cure, please visit http://www.imagineacureonline.com/. 08/26/2008SARA GROVES TO RELEASE FIRST CHRISTMAS PROJECT ON OCTOBER 14TH O HOLY NIGHT BRINGS COMBINATION OF SACRED AND FAMILY TRADITION NASHVILLE, TN….8/26/08…During the last month of the year, you don’t have to travel far to see what Christmas is for many people—a combination of sacred celebration and family tradition. Sara Groves’ first Christmas album, O Holy Night, which will bow on INO Records this October 14th, sits snugly in that spot where the magnificent story of Bethlehem coalesces with the sounds of yuletide gathering of friends and family. “I’ve always dreamed of doing a Christmas album,” Groves says. “Christmas music was such a part of life growing up. We had a huge stack of records that only get played for one month of the year. Ultimately I wanted to convey this story of Christ that’s been told so many times with as much artistry and creativity as possibly because it bears repeating,” she says. Produced by Ben Shive, O Holy Night was originally intended to be an advent album for her family that would consist solely of sacred Christmas songs. When she began working on it, though, she decided to include some of her favorite songs about her family’s Christmas traditions. One such song (one of four originals) is “To Be With You,” about Groves’ family Christmas, a sentimental snapshot of their gathering at her grandma’s house. Another is the fun song any parent who’s stayed up late on Christmas eve can relate to, “Toy Packaging,” which mimics how manufacturers twisty-tie and rivet everything to pieces of cardboard, saying, “my self-esteem is in the can, trying to open the robot man.” Among the sacred Christmas songs included, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” both have personal meanings to Groves; the latter recorded with family and friends gathered around, singing together. About the first, which turned out to be one of her favorites on the album, Groves says, “I hadn’t really thought about this song, but the lyrics jumped off the page to me. My family has had a really hard year. We’ve had some death and pain. The second verse of this song talks about “over our sad plains the angels sing.” It talks about how they come to sing about Christ, and “still through broken skies they come.” I was in tears reading the lyrics. It goes back to the theme of peace. You’re not traveling alone. You’re not laboring in vain. You’re not carrying this hardship for no reason. Over this, God still has His way.” For more information on Sara Groves, go to: http://www.saragroves.com 08/18/200833MILES RELEASES “ONE LIFE” ON SEPT. 16 First Single “One Life to Love” Has High Impact at Christian Radio Nashville, Tenn. … Aug. 18, 2008… After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering three consecutive radio hits and a Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles is releasing their sophomore record “One Life” on Sept. 16. The new project on INO Records includes efforts from a trio of well-known producers including Nathan Nockels (Passion, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean), Sam Mizell (Matthew West) and Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Third Day). To kick off the new record, the first single "One Life to Love" has already been one of the most added singles at Christian AC since its release as well as earning airplay at CHR and Inspo formats. The single is now No. 25 on the R&R AC-Monitored charts and is currently No. 18 on the AC-Indicator charts. “One Life to Love” also exploded on to iTunes reaching the No. 25 position on the Christian & Gospel Top Song charts in only a matter of days. “’One Life to Love’ still gives me chills,” says lead singer Jason Barton. “It also goes back to the meaning behind 33Miles—the idea that life can be short, that Christ lived only thirty-three years on this earth. So the question remains: what will you and I do with our miles, with the years we are given?” 33Miles continues to be committed to their original goal of loving the church which is evident throughout the entire record. The album also offers up beat tracks such as “When It All Comes Down” and “One of Those Days” that are comparable to today’s biggest selling country pop acts. This overall mission and heart of the band is not only reflected in the single, but also in the lives of Barton, Lockwood and Stoddard. Whether it is serving the people of Guatemala on a Food for the Hungry mission trip (photo attached) or lead singer Barton and his wife being featured in Redbook magazine’s June issue discussing their covenant marriage (also a front page story on MSN.com), the members of 33Miles are living every moment to the fullest. “The people of Guatemala returned the charity I expected to administer with a relationship I didn't know existed,” recalls member Collin Stoddard after their trip to the third world country with Food for the Hungry. “They showed me the gracious, selfless love of a Sovereign God who chose a specific place for me on heaven and earth, and the equivalent place for every person in this world. I think the size of my God grew exponentially in my heart and mind.” From March to the launch of “One Life” in mid-September, 33Miles will have played for just under 100,000 young adults and youth ministers across the country including five of the largest youth events in the states. Their schedule also includes stops at some of the summer’s biggest festivals such as Alive, Spirit West Coast, Big Ticket, Kingdom Bound, Rock the Light, Unity and Lifelight. Continuing their mission of loving the church, the band will also be headlining fall tour dates across the country starting Sept. 16 (tentative dates listed below) as well as an extensive list of radio visits and events throughout the upcoming months. Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. In addition, the band has made tremendous impact on the radio charts garnering three consecutive radio hits with “What Could Be Better,” “There Is A God” and “Thank You,” two of those hits breaking the Top 10. # # # www.33milesonline.com myspace.com/33miles
*all dates subject to change SARA GROVES TEAMS WITH ACCLAIMED ARTISTS FOR ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE TOUR SARA GROVES TEAMS WITH ACCLAIMED ARTISTS FOR ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE TOUR Fall Tour to Feature Brandon Heath, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, and Charlie Peacock Benefiting the International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry, tour Aims to “Add to the Beauty, Seek Justice and Give God Praise” NASHVILLE, TN....8/13/08.... Critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Sara Groves has gathered a group of fellow-acclaimed artists and friends Brandon Heath, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and author/artist Charlie Peacock, for her ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE tour this fall, which will benefit both the International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry. The International Justice Mission (www.IJM.org) is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Food for the Hungry (www.FH.org) works in more than 26 developing countries providing disaster and emergency relief, and implementing sustainable development programs to transform communities physically and spiritually. With dates running from Sept 19th through October 26th (concert listing below), the tour is a unique concert opportunity to “add to the beauty, seek justice and give God praise,” desiring to further educate the church on God's heart for justice, gain advocates for the oppressed, and show evidence of a God at work in this world. Each evening will bring inspired music and stories of God's people in action and their heroic experiences across the globe. Incredible stories of rescue from the International Justice Mission will be told, while giving audience members the opportunity to be involved in Groves 'adopted' village in Rwanda thru Food for the Hungry. "God is mighty to save and is actively rescuing the oppressed through His people,” comments Groves. “ Scripture references to the 'slave, the poor, the oppressed' are not figurative. There are 27 million people enslaved today, after more than in 400 years of trans-atlantic slavery. God is calling us to respond. All of us on this tour want to convey, it is not a burden to help, it is an adventure. We’re excited to get out there and share what God is doing!" To listen to audio of Sara sharing about the tour, and for more tour information, please go to: www.myspace.com/artmusicjustice. In addition, all of the artists on the tour are offering songs on NoiseTrade.com for the price of telling three friends about them or paying any amount they choose in exchange for an immediate download. Webb co-created NoiseTrade.com after the success of giving away over 80,000 full downloads of his project “Mockingbird,” Through NOISETRADE, any artist can freely distribute their music online via NoiseTrade’s embeddable widget. For the Art*Music*Justice Tour widget, go to www.myspace.com/artmusicjustice 08/13/2008PHIL WICKHAM’S LIVE WORSHIP ALBUM SINGALONG RECEIVES OVER PHIL WICKHAM’S LIVE WORSHIP ALBUM SINGALONG RECEIVES OVER 8,000 DOWNLOADS IN THE FIRST WEEK CANNONS HITS TOP 10 ON ITUNES® AND TOP 21 ON MOZES Phil Wickham recently invited listeners to sing along with him and other fans in his first-ever recording of a LIVE worship album, aptly titled SINGALONG. Available only as a free download from his website www.philwickham.com, the album has received more than 8,000 downloads within the first week of release (8/8/08). SINGALONG was recorded at Solid Rock Church in Portland, OR where 3,000 fans gathered together to see the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter perform 15 songs from his self-titled debut album and sophomore record Cannons. Three days after Wickham released the live worship album, his debut CD climbed the iTunes ® Top Christian Albums chart to No. 25 after being released over two years ago. Wickham’s most recent release Cannons peaked at No. 10 on iTUNES ® Top Christian chart and No. 11 on national mobile platform Mozes, surpassing artists such as Nelly and Jewel. The chart numbers for Mozes are based on artists’ mobile fanbase activity and fan texting interactions with their favorite artist. 08/04/2008HIT TV SHOWS ARMY WIVES, RACHAEL RAY AND DR. PHIL CHOOSE SONGS FROM THE AFTERS’ LATEST RECORD “NEVER GOING BACK TO OK” HIT TV SHOWS ARMY WIVES, RACHAEL RAY AND DR. PHIL CHOOSE SONGS FROM THE AFTERS’ LATEST RECORD “NEVER GOING BACK TO OK” The Band Finishes Mainstream Radio Promo Tour in Support of “Never Going Back to Ok” Nashville, Tenn…. July 31, 2008… INO/Columbia Record’s The Afters continue to be heard on the small screen with songs from their sophomore project “Never Going Back to Ok” being used in episodes of Army Wives and Rachael Ray as well as in promotion for Dr. Phil. The Texas based band also recently finished a mainstream radio promo tour with a final stop in Los Angeles speaking with Premiere Radio Networks and the TV Guide Channel. “Ocean Wide” can be heard this Sunday Aug. 3 on Lifetime’s hit series Army Wives. Now in its second season, the series is the highest-rated show in the channel’s 24-year history. The episode will air at 10pm EST with encore presentations on Monday Aug. 4 at 8pm EST and Saturday Aug. 9 at 11pm EST. Rachael Ray’s daytime television show used The After’s “Tonight” in May of this year as well. Winner of the 2008 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show-Entertainment, Rachael Ray is a daily one-hour syndicated talk show in its third season and is watched by millions of viewers. “One Moment Away” from the band’s sophomore record will be used to promote the new season of Dr. Phil. Now preparing for its seventh season since the show’s launch in 2002, the show’s advertisement can be seen starting next week. The Afters visited key mainstream radio markets in June such as Chicago, Denver, Albuquerque and Charlotte on a promo tour in support of their Hot AC single “Never Going Back to Ok.” The band’s final stop in Los Angeles included an interview on the nationally syndicated Premiere Radio Network’s Daily Music News and an interview with the TV Guide Channel. To view The Afters’ segment on TV Guide’s broadband channel visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoiBbe-Bx1E "Never Going Back To Ok" is presently being promoted to the Hot AC format. Stations currently playing the track include KVLY/McAllen, TX, KSII/El Paso, TX, KLCA/Reno, NV, KLTG/Corpus Christi, TX and WAYV/Atlantic City, NJ. The band was also on the July 30 edition of the nationally syndicated morning radio program The Bob and Sheri Show. Though based in Charlotte, NC, the program runs live on over 60 stations nationwide. To listen to The Afters’ segment on the show, you can visit: http://bobandsheri.1079thelink.com/archive/audio.cfm;jsessionid=a630cb9dce69764b14f45d612a6952c76284?ID=1051 “Never Going Back to Ok” entered the Billboard Top 200 at #41 and the Contemporary Christian SoundScan charts at #1 selling 15,856 units. In digital sales, the project entered at #1 for Christian SoundScan album and track sales plus hit as high as #14 on the iTunes® overall digital chart and #4 on their digital Rock chart. “We Are The Sound” from the new record was also used in promotion for last season’s American Idol with the viral video for “MySpace Girl” being featured on E! News, Seventeen.com and TV Guide Channel’s website. Releasing their debut project “I Wish We All Could Win” in 2005, The Afters received top attention from their fans and media outlets. The Afters’ music has appeared on the networks of MTV, mtvU, ABC Family and E! News as well as on HOT AC and VH-1 radio along with outlets such as Billboard, BOP and Popstar. The MTV college network and mtvU have been strong supporters of the band as their music video for “Beautiful Love” was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming Video in 2005. The Afters were awarded the Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year” (2006), and has had over 250,000 downloads to date. The foursome composed of Josh Havens, Matt Fuqua, Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, met while working at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas. www.theafters.com myspace.com/theafters 07/28/2008LAURA STORY PERFORMS ON CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL’S HOUR OF POWER THIS WEEKEND, JULY 26TH AND JULY 27TH Catch INO Records’ artist Laura Story on Crystal Cathedral’s “Hour of Power” this Saturday and Sunday on TBN and Lifetime. She will be performing “Indescribable” and “Perfect Peace” from her debut album Great God Who Saves. Check for your local TV listings and times by visiting www.crystalcathedral.org/hour_of_power/tvlisting/index.php. “HOUR OF POWER” airs on Saturday at 6PM (CST) on TBN and Sunday at 8AM (EST)/(PST) on Lifetime Story’s current single “Mighty To Save” hit No. 1 at R&R Soft AC/Inspo chart, Top 10 AC-Indicator and Top 20 AC-Monitored. The singer/songwriter continues to perform at various churches across the U.S. and remains active as a worship leader at her local church in Atlanta, GA. For the latest news and tour information on Laura Story, visit www.laurastorymusic.com and to hear her testimony watch www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hawO1Ulek4. 07/10/2008 PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN FINDS FOLLOWING AT TEXAS RANGERS’ BALLPARK The Trio Continues Tour Dates Across the Country and Readies for Third INO Record’s Studio Release Nashville, Tenn… July 9, 2008… As it continues to draw interest from fans, Texas Rangers’ Outfielder Josh Hamilton enters the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX in front of nearly 25,000 people at each game to the sounds of Phillips, Craig and Deans’ “Saved the Day” from their 2006 INO Records’ release “Top of My Lungs. ” Pegged as the Rangers’ “Miracle Man,” the Major League Baseball player opened up to the Fort Worth Star Telegram recently about his choice in music and the impact that it is having on the fans. "So many people have asked about it," Hamilton said. "The Rangers get e-mails all the time asking 'What song was that?' I've had a lot of people say they love the song." Currently leading the Major Leagues in RBIs, Hamilton believes the song reflects his strong faith in Jesus Christ and in the transforming power of the gospel. "It's one of those things," Hamilton said. "A lot of guys want to listen to their song. What I want to do is I want everyone else to hear my song." “Saved the Day” can also be purchased as a ring tone and ring back tone at major phone service providers including Verizon Wireless, Virgin, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. Phillips, Craig & Dean continue to tour the country (tour dates below) and have begun work on their 12th studio project titled “When Grace Walks In” set to release next year. Some things you do for the money. Some things you do out of obligation, responsibility or a sense of nobility. But some things you do simply because you love-love-LOVE it. You can’t imagine not doing it. It’s the joyous gift God has put in your heart that makes passionate living possible. For Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean—Phillips, Craig & Dean—that thing is ministry through music. More succinctly put: These guys love-love-LOVE to sing about God. And way beyond the 10 albums, 18 No.1 singles and 2 million+ records sold in the past 17 years, the story of God’s grace in their lives just keeps getting bigger. Their individual lives are steeped in local church ministry, but it’s the power of song that keeps them coming back to the studio and stage. “Most of our songs come from real life experiences,” Dan says. “We sing to reach out to people who are going through difficult places in their lives. We choose songs that will bring the reality of Christ into those places.”06/23/2008 ROCK WORSHIP GROUP FEE RELEASES iTunes ® EXCLUSIVE The Single Continues to Maintain Position on Radio Charts Fee’s “All Because of Jesus Complete EP” will be sold exclusively on iTunes ® starting this Tuesday June 24. Along with two versions of “All Because of Jesus” including an acoustic and radio mix, the EP will also contain a live performance video as well as words from lead singer Steve Fee. The complete EP from the INO Records’ band will be a worship resource kit. The hit radio single “All Because of Jesus” reached the No. 1 spot on the R&R AC Indicator and remains in the top 5 on both the R&R and CRW AC radio charts. FEE, known across worship circuits world wide, released their debut INO project & GMA DOVE Nominated “We Shine” in September ’07. Endorsed by the likes of MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Casting Crown’s Mark Hall and author David Nasser, FEE has also received praise from visionary, architect & director of the Passion Conferences Louie Giglio saying “Steve Fee has a unique voice in the world of worship, effectively leading a new generation to live in a story so much bigger than their own … ‘We Shine’ is one of the best worship projects of the year.” As part of the Passion Conferences with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin, FEE has worshipped with and performed in front of thousands. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Steve Fee still leads worship at the North Point Community Church. # # # www.myspace.com/stevefee www.feeband.com 06/23/2008Five-time GRAMMY Award Winner, Sandi Patty Nashville, TN...June 22, 2008...INO Records’ five-time GRAMMY award winning recording artist, Sandi Patty was recently honored at the 2008 GRAMMY Salute to Gospel Music ® last week at the Lincoln Theater in Washington D.C. alongside other honorees Edwin and Walter Hawkins and the Winans. President Neil Portnow presented the gospel music legend with The Recording Academy President’s Merit Award, an award she feels privileged to have received. “It is a tremendous honor to be associated with the outstanding company of honorees at the GRAMMY Salute to Gospel Music,” says Patty. “It was a joy to be apart of a celebration that was all about the heritage of our music. Gospel music was born because a story needed to be told. That story is about God’s faithfulness, no matter what life may bring. I’m humbled to be a vessel for such an important story.” Prior to Patty’s appearance on stage, contemporary Christian artist Natalie Grant performed one of Patty’s classics “Love In Any Language.” Following Grant’s performance, Avalon, the Christian vocal quartet sang “Another Time, Another Place,” all in tribute to the honoree. The evening continued with powerful concerts as the legendary singer herself wowed the audience when she performed Dottie Rambo’s “We Shall Behold Him.” Other artists who entertained throughout the night were gospel singer Rance Allen, gospel artist Kim Burrell, gospel singer/composer/arranger Maurette Brown Clark, honorees Edwin and Walter Hawkins, two-time GRAMMY winner Patti LaBelle and gospel composer/pianist/arranger Richard Smallwood. The GRAMMY Salute To Gospel Music event honors those who have made significant contributions to gospel music, while supporting the history and importance of the genre. The Recording Academy® President's Merit Award recognizes the contributions that key individuals have made in the music industry and the impact their efforts have had on music and the business of music. Patty continues to stay strong touring across the country with Women of Faith while performing and sharing her testimony. For more information on Patty please visit www.sandipatty.com or www.myspace.com/sandipatty ### Sandi Patty Being the most award-winning female vocalist in the Christian Music industry, Sandi Patty released her 30th recording May 13, 2008 titled Songs For The Journey. This album features a duet with Shelia Walsh and another duet with husband Don Pesli. Patty has won 39 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, four Billboard Music Awards and is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She has released 24 albums over the last 26 years, selling more than 11 million unites, RIAA has certified three of her recordings platinum and five of them gold. Patty has appeared on The Tonight Show, 7th Heaven, E! Entertainment, Dr. Phil, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and most recently appeared on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. 06/19/2008 MERCYME FRONTMAN MILLARD TO RELEASE SECOND HYMNS PROJECT/Features Duet with Vince Gill “Hymned Again” Hits August 19th and Features Duet with Country Superstar Vince Gill “I Stand Amazed” Goes to Radio July 4th NASHVILLE, TN....June 19, 2008.....In follow up to HYMNED, MercyMe frontman Bart Millard’s 2005 solo project, named one of Billboard and ChristianMusicToday.com’s Top Ten albums of 2005, comes his second effort, HYMNED AGAIN, which will hit nationwide on August 19th. The first single to be serviced to AC and Inspo radio formats will be “I Stand Amazed,” on July 4th, which features guest vocals by Christy Nockels. Taking the production helm once again is Brown Bannister, who along with Millard’s passionate vocals and a famed line up of studio musicians, has created an impressive and diversified musical landscape on HYMNED AGAIN. Raised in East Texas relatively close to where many musical styles originated, Millard wanted to create an authentic sound with these old hymns, most of which date back to the 1800s and talk about sharing one’s faith during this era when evangelism was on the rise. Therefore, HYMNED AGAIN runs the stylistic gamut from New Orleans style horn-driven jazz to Texas blues-rock guitar, and country/bluegrass to banjo-featuring Dixieland, '70s soul/gospel flavor, and one song centered on nothing more than a ukulele. To top it off, the sole original track on the CD, written by Millard and Thad Cockrell, “Jesus Cares for Me,” features a duet with country superstar Vince Gill. "The one thing I've been looking to do is sing with Bart and check that off my Bucket List.” laughed Gill, who had some fun with Millard in the recording studio with his ‘Bucket List,’ video from which is featured on MercyMe’s blog page at http://www.mercyme/org/blog. All kidding aside, the duet is surely a dream come true for Millard, who states, “I never imagined I would sing a duet with Vince Gill, and especially that it would be on one of my records. It was truly an incredible ‘pinch myself’ moment.” While HYMNED was inspired by Millard’s grandmother, and the hymns she used to sing, HYMNED AGAIN was inspired moreso by his three kids. "My three kids know every word of the first hymns record I did,” he says. “These are songs that were a huge part of my upbringing, and now they are a part of my kids’ as well, so I had to do another one! And, true to form, they already have the new album memorized too." Millard is currently touring a full summer schedule with MercyMe supporting their latest hit project, ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME. The band will be touring this fall as well, dates for which are available on http://www.mercyme.org. Millard also just taped a special HYMNED AGAIN episode of the Gospel Music Channel’s Kitchen Sink program which is scheduled to air on September 27th. 06/19/2008 PHIIL WICKHAM PERFORMS ON THE KITCHEN SINK, THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 21ST · INO Records’ critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Phil Wickham, dives into the sizzling summer this Saturday evening on Gospel Music Channel’s, The Kitchen Sink, as he performs his latest single “True Love” along with “Desire.” Check out www.gospelmusicchannel.com for Wickham’s exclusive performance of “Divine Romance” from his debut album. · The Kitchen Sink airs on GMC at 8PM ET/PT · In addition, Wickham fanatics can catch the artist performing in numerous churches and festivals across the country. For most current tour info go to www.philwickham.com 06/12/2008 Glory Unleashed: Mike Farris and the Redemptive Power of Music Career Rebirth Explodes with Incendiary Live Shows Receives "New/Emerging Artist of the Year" Nomination from the Americana Music Association Nashville, Tenn.—There is music that soothes and satisfies the soul and there is music that saves the soul. There is music—southern, communal, and powerful—that is a sweet balm for the ravaged heart, the broken spirit. This is the music of Mike Farris. It is elemental, essential, and ultimately redemptive. Farris has been winning fans to his vibrant fusion of rock, soul and gospel music since the release of his Salvation in Lights album in 2007. Word of mouth buzz and rave reviews in publications such as Harp, Billboard, and No Depression stoked the fervor higher, leading to upcoming high profile appearances at Bonnaroo in June, the Austin City Limits Festival in September, and an ongoing Sunday night residency at Nashville's Station Inn called Sunday Night Shout. The Sunday Night Shout series epitomizes the wide-ranging appeal of Farris and the testimony he preaches from the stage in his own rockin' redemptive style. In his own words Farris says the mission of Sunday Night Shout is "to provide musical manna to the hearts, souls, and minds of the good people of Nashville and beyond… Our wish is for every person to leave us on Sundays to go back into the world feeling excited, delighted, and loved." What started as a small gathering of musicians and friends has quickly grown into a must-hear event in Nashville. But Farris is ranging further afield as his reputation grows. Music is a calling and a mission and he continues preaching the gospel from the stage throughout the rest of 2008. In addition to Bonnaroo and the Austin City Limits Festival, he appeared at the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival in Georgia and is looking forward to the Strawberry Festival in California. This fall he will also be opening several dates for Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby. Like all great artists, Farris transcends boundaries. His career kicked into hyper-drive after a soul-stirring and poignant rendition of "Green, Green Grass of Home" at the Porter Wagoner Tribute during the Americana Music Conference. Yesterday, the Americana Music Association announced Farris' nomination for the "New/Emerging Artist of the Year." The award winner will be announced at the 2008 Americana Honors and Awards in September. In addition to the Americana format, his music has been embraced by both Triple A radio and the Gospel Music Channel. Music luminaries including Buddy Miller and Marty Stuart are raving about Farris, the former hard rocking frontman for the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies. The rock and roll lifestyle led Farris down the dark path of addiction, but music ultimately brought him through the darkness. His recovery and salvation were wrapped up in writing the songs that ultimately formed the foundation of Salvation in Lights. Farris' second solo album, Salvation in Lights, is a deeply powerful and personal collection of original and traditional hymns. In addition to the original compositions he wrote for the album, he brought new energy to old standards. The traditional hymns and spirituals he recorded are part of the very fabric of this country. Farris says, "We've taken the music of the long lost deep south, dug it out of America's collective attic and brought it back to life for everyone to enjoy." The album was greeted with great critical acclaim, but it was his rafter-raising live shows that stopped folks in their tracks and began creating converts by the thousands. As word began to spread about the intensity of his shows and the positive energy and joyful noise being created, his renewed career began taking a life on its own. Street teams began forming, then growing. Now there's a palpable excitement, a spirit if you will, of energy that's undeniable. Mike Farris is working out his salvation one song at a time. Come along for a listen and join him on an incredibly journey to a better place. ### *Photo credit: Ed Rode Praise for Mike Farris - "Mike Farris is a soul man...way cool! When I saw him on TV the first time, even though I didn't know who he was, I thought he was a star. When I heard his record, I knew he was." - Marty Stuart - "Mike Farris has enough heart, soul, and power to light up a city. He mixes up the elements and turns them into something new, beautiful, and uniquely his own." - Buddy Miller - "It's impossible to listen to this album and not be moved. No matter what your religious beliefs, there's something so soulful and primal about Mike Farris' delivery that it's hard not to be shaken to the core." - Billboard - "Farris' voice has moved unexpectedly higher - and stronger - and melds seamlessly with his female backup singers." - No Depression - "Farris surrounds himself with a heavenly soundtrack that slides effortlessly between Stax soul, New Orleans gospel and shuffling Southern blues, all of it punctuated with Farris' smoldering vocals and clear message of redemption." - Harp - Sometimes you have to go through hell to reach heaven, & watching Mike Farris perform songs off Salvation In Lights with a full band, I'd have to think someone earned his wings. Fantastic show bordering on a religious experience." - Larry Timko, WIKX, Charlotte Harbor/Fort Meyers, FL - Mike had the room mesmerized with his soaring vocals and stage presence. If Mike brings this ensemble on the road to a town near you, you had better go because you WILL NOT be disappointed, I guarantee it!" - Big Kev Ploghoft, WXLV, Schnecksville, PA06/10/2008 P.O.D. TO PERFORM ON LAST CALL with CARSON DALY THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 12TH *INO/COLUMBIA rockers P.O.D. will kick off the summer this Thursday night on Last Call with Carson Daly when they perform “Tell Me Why” from their latest CD, “When Angels and Serpants Dance.” In addition, the band will pre tape a performance of " Shine with Me" to air on the show at a later date this summer. *Last Call with Carson Daly airs on NBC at 1:35am ET/12:35 am CT, following Late Night with Conan O’Brien. *In addition, fans can catch the band at several summer music festivals, including (for up to date tour info go to http://www.payableondeath.com.05/28/2008 WORSHIP ARTIST STEVE FEE PERFORMS AT INDIANAPOLIS 500 CHAPEL SERVICES Fee’s “All Because of Jesus” Hits No. 1 on R&R’s AC Indicator While Continuing to Climb Charts Across the Board Nashville, Tenn. … May 28, 2008 … Recognized in worship circuits across the country, Fee front man Steve Fee performed at all three chapel services at the highly anticipated 92nd annual Indianapolis 500 on Sunday May 25th. Fee’s hit single “All Because of Jesus” has also landed in the No. 1 spot on the R&R AC Indicator charts while climbing to No. 2 on R&R’s AC Monitored as well as the CRW No. 3 spot on the AC charts. The biggest event of the Indy Car Series included famous racing names such as Danica Patrick, Helio Castroneves, Marco Andretti and John Andretti. ABC televised the live race event that took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway known to racing fans worldwide as “The Brickyard.” Scott Dixon took top honors as the winner of this year’s race. The three chapel services took place early Sunday morning at 7:30 am just feet away from the winner’s circle in the pressroom. Attendees included drivers, crews, track officials and the president of the Indy Racing League and owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tony George. “It was an immense honor to take part in such an amazing event,” says Fee. “The experience was unforgettable.” Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Steve Fee is a 13-year worship veteran and continues to lead worship at the North Point Community Church. Lead singer of INO Record’s band Fee, the rock worship group released their debut & GMA Dove nominated “We Shine” in September ’07. Endorsed by the likes of MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Casting Crown’s Mark Hall and author David Nasser, Steve Fee has also received praise from visionary, architect and director of the Passion Conferences Louie Giglio saying “Steve Fee has a unique voice in the world of worship, effectively leading a new generation to live in a story so much bigger than their own … ‘We Shine’ is one of the best worship projects of the year.” As part of the Passion Conferences with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin, Fee has worshipped with and performed in front of thousands.
05/27/2008 SKILLET SELLS OUT 60% OF COMATOSE TOUR SKILLET SELLS OUT 60% OF COMATOSE TOUR packed houses in Chicago, Kansas city, more NASHVILLE, TN….5/15/08….Atlantic/LAVA/Ardent/INO rockers Skillet completed their “COMATOSE” headline tour with Thousand Foot Krutch and Decyfer Down this past weekend to a SOLD OUT crowd in Lancaster, PA., something they got used to during the 2.5 month tour with 60 % of the shows selling out, turning away hundreds, while packing out houses in Birmingham, AL (2482/The Basement), Kansas City, MO (1870/First Baptist Raytown), Des Moines (1656/Val Air Ballroom), Chicago (1142/House of Blues), Springfield, MO (1817/Remington’s), Anderson, IN (1383/Reardon Auditorium) and South Bend, IN (Elco Theater/1665). “Skillet never ceases to amaze me. These guys bring a high energy show packed with great songs, production and an encouraging message. Everyone in the industry is always asking ‘who is the next great headliner’? I believe we just found it.” -Shane Quick, Premier Productions “Very few rock bands stir the kind of excitement that Skillet does,” said Chris Barrett, President of Rock the Sound Concerts who promoted the NYC concert. “We sold out with 9 days remaining and had to turn away hundreds. We believe so much in Skillet and what they do and that we have booked them for Rock the Sound IV in Bridgeport, CT, our biggest concert, at the Arena at Harbor Yard.” NEW YORK CITY/Hammerstein grand ballroom SOLD OUT MINNEAPOLIS, MN/Club 3 Degrees SOLD OUT CINCINATTI, OH/The Underground SOLD OUT ALBANY, NY/northway auditorium SOLD OUT LANCASTER, PA/lmhs fine arts center SOLD OUT KALAMAZOO, MI/ wings stadium SOLD OUT EAU CLAIRE, WI/memorial h.s. SOLD OUT DAYTON, OH/the avenue SOLD OUT PORTLAND, ME New life Christian fellowship SOLD OUT HAGERSTOWN, MD/ north Hagerstown h.s. SOLD OUT LONGVIEW, TX/Letourneau university SOLD OUT ABILENE, TX/CIVIC CENTER SOLD OUT JACKSONVILLE, FL/MURRAY HILL THEATER SOLD OUT MOBILE, AL/CIVIC CENTER SOLD OUT CHATTANOOGA, TN TIVOLI THEATER SOLD OUT www.skillet.com myspace.com/skilletmusic 05/21/2008 Sandi Patty astounds LISTENERS once again with Nashville, TN…May 21, 2008… Sandi Patty astounds listeners once again with her 30th studio album Songs For The Journey as the legendary artist continues make her mark in music, drawing attention from press all around the country. With her latest record dropping less than a week ago, the renowned gospel music singer has already caught the interest from Christian Music Today receiving a four out of five stars being described as “the Sandi Patty people know and love—big-voiced songs spanning inspirational, adult contemporary, hymns, Broadway, and more.” The praise doesn’t stop there, as Christian Music Planet agrees “Sandi Patty has made an indelible mark on gospel music, and Songs for the Journey further establishes her legendary stay in this industry,” having “fantastic musicianship and seamless production.” Patti is continuing to inspire women by speaking and performing at Women of Faith Conferences every weekend across the country (summer dates below, all dates subject to change). For more information on Sandi Patty please visit www.sandipatty.com 33MILES’ FRONT MAN JASON BARTON AND WIFE FEATURED IN JUNE ISSUE OF REDBOOK MAGAZINE The Couple Discusses Covenant Marriage in Feature Story Nashville, Tenn. … May 16, 2008 … 33Miles’ lead singer Jason Barton and his wife Jennifer were selected as the lead-in story in Redbook’s June feature “The State of Our Unions” where nine couples opened up on the basic principles and challenges of marriage. Reaching over two million readers as one of today’s leading women’s publications, Jason and Jennifer talked with Redbook magazine regarding their choice to have a covenant marriage, raising two sons, the importance of faith in their relationship and even about miscarriages the couple had earlier in their marriage. “Jason and I believe that God designed marriage as a covenant, a binding promise never to be broken,” says Jennifer in the June issue. “Our motto is Team Barton, and we live it every day.” The couple was chosen by Redbook, but was submitted by their pre-marital counselor who started the Covenant Marriage Movement. “It was an honor to be chosen by Redbook Magazine to represent a covenant marriage and to express to its readers our belief that God designed marriage to be forever ... just like His commitment to love us is forever,” says Jason about the magazine feature. You can view the online version of “The State of Our Unions” article by going to http://www.redbookmag.com/love/types-of-marriages. Since their debut in 2007, well-respected newcomers 33Miles celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. Jason Barton, Chris Lockwood and Collin Stoddard performed over 130 concerts last year alone continuing to build new fans across the country. In addition, 33Miles has made tremendous impact on the radio charts garnering three consecutive radio hits with “What Could Be Better,” “There Is A God” and “Thank You,” two of those hits breaking the Top 10. The band is now at work on their sophomore album set to release this fall.05/06/2008 GOSPEL MUSIC LEGEND, SANDI PATTY SET TO RELEASE HER 30TH STUDIO RECORDING, SONGS FOR THE JOURNEY ON MAY 13TH May 1, 2008…Nashville, TN…Gospel music legend, Sandi Patty set to release her 30th studio recording Songs For The Journey (INO Records), on May 13th. On Songs For The Journey, the five-time GRAMMY Award winner captures the soul, passion and praise of irreplaceable hymns of faith, which have inspired generations past. Through 11 new vibrant performances purposefully chosen to reflect her walk in faith from her childhood to today, listeners are sure to recognize their own stories among the selections, connecting with the struggles, joy, and peace along the way. Sharing her thoughts on the foundation of the album, Patty explains, “The idea for this project came from watching my kids get older. I recently began to wonder and hope about what things they will someday look back upon as being foundational in their lives,” continues Patty, mother of eight. “Then I asked the same question of myself in relation to my passion for music—what are the songs that have inspired me and come to represent my journey, and how can I give those back to others as an encouragement?” It was through songs like “Were It Not for Grace” and “Through It All” that gave Patty the encouragement and inspiration she needed during struggles in her life. “In a manner of speaking, the unconditional love and grace of God doesn’t mean as much to people until they really need it,” Sandi says in relation to that past. “But like the Andrae Crouch song suggests, I wouldn’t trade anything if it meant I wouldn’t have the current understanding of who God is and who I am because of Him.” Produced by David Hamilton, Songs For The Journey was created in various parts of the world ranging from Nashville, Bill Gaither’s studio in Indiana and even Prague where powerful record with orchestral segments were recorded for stirring operatic numbers such as “Panis Angelicus,” a duet between Patty and her husband, Don Peslis. Songs for the Journey, a lovingly crafted achievement that’s as diverse and entertaining as Sandi Patty herself. While previous releases displayed her gift for singing hymns, pop, gospel, Broadway, and even opera, none have ever combined these styles into one grand expression as pleasing and effective as this one. 05/06/2008PHIL WICKHAM STREAMS AND RECORDS LIVE CONCERT ONLINE MAY 9TH This week fans of INO Records’ artist Phil Wickham can experience him from their very own computer. On May 9th at 7:30PM (PST) Wickham will stream and record his concert LIVE from Portland, OR via www.philwickham.com/blog/. Wickham has been actively involved in spreading the news about the LIVE showcase by interacting with his listeners through written and video blogs on his website. The singer/songwriter continues to reach new levels in his career as he made his mark as the #74th “Top Watched Musician” on Youtube.com with his intimate acoustic performance of “Hallelujah,” which was recorded in his hotel room during a visit to Nashville, TN. Wickham gave an outstanding performance singing his upcoming single “True Love” at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards pre-show at the Grand Ole Opry on April 23rd where he received a standing ovation for his performance. He sang the same powerful song at INO’s acoustic showcase, April 21st at the Bourbon Street Blues Club in Printer’s Alley. For all things on Phil Wickham please visit: www.philwickham.com 04/25/2008NEW ARTIST FAVORITE 33MILES CELEBRATES FIRST GOSPEL MUSIC AWARD NOMINATION AS CURRENT SINGLE “THANK YOU” NEW ARTIST FAVORITE 33MILES CELEBRATES FIRST GOSPEL MUSIC AWARD NOMINATION AS CURRENT SINGLE “THANK YOU” MAKES A SPLASH AT RADIO INO Records Trio Prepares for Intense Summer Touring Schedule and Begins Work on Anticipated Sophomore Release Nashville, Tenn. … 4/11/08 … Freshman favorites and INO Record’s trio 33Miles is enjoying an accolade-filled beginning to 2008 after collecting a Gospel Music Award nomination in the competitive “New Artist of the Year” category and watching their current radio single “Thank You” enter the top 10 on the R&R AC charts. On the heels of their self-titled freshman success, 33Miles is gearing up for youth events and festivals across the country and entering the studio to work on a sophomore follow-up, set to release in the fall of this year. Recognized with one of the industry’s highest newcomer honors, 33Miles’ Collin Stoddard is thrilled with their nomination saying, “We are so honored to be recognized by the Gospel Music Association, and are excited to be a part of this year’s Dove Awards. This has been an amazing journey for us as a band, and we look forward to what God has in store for us in the years to come.” The band will also be performing at this year’s live telecast of the Gospel Music Awards which will air on Gospel Music Channel on April 23 at 8 pm EST. In addition to ChristianMusicPlanet.com readers naming 33Miles as one of the “Best New Artists of 2007,” their current single “Thank You” is climbing up the charts on both the R&R AC and INSPO charts. The single is currently No. 9 on the AC charts while entering in the top 20 on the INSPO charts. This is the band’s third consecutive radio hit following “What Could Be Better” and “There Is A God.” After logging in tens of thousands of miles last year alone, the trio is preparing for a packed summer as they hit the road for tour dates across the country including stops at youth events and the Summer’s biggest festivals (tour dates listed below, subject to change). Since their debut in 2007, well-respected newcomers 33Miles scanned over 50,000 units with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. The band’s freshman project also received praise on iTunes as a staff favorite, reaching No. 5 on the Christian/Gospel genre list. # # # www.33milesonline.com myspace.com/33miles 04/25/2008 SKILLET AND DISCIPLE ROCK THE 2008 GMA DOVE AWARDS SKILLET AND DISCIPLE ROCK THE 2008 GMA DOVE AWARDS Both Bands Receive First Dove Wins Nashville, Tenn. … April 24, 2008 … Atlantic/Ardent/INO artist Skillet and INO Record’s Disciple are celebrating rock wins at last night’s 39th annual GMA Dove Awards with each bringing home their first career statues. After 16 nominations, Skillet won “Rock Recorded Song of the Year” for “Comatose” written by John Cooper and Brian Howes from their 2006 release of the same name. “The GMA Award show was absolutely awesome! It made me feel even more proud to be a part of the Christian music industry. Winning the Dove was an unexpected highlight of the night, second only to saying ‘Hi’ to Amy Grant and giving her a high five,” says Skillet front man John Cooper. Skillet is currently headlining their COMATOSE tour and selling out numerous venues across the country, recently including New York City’s Grand Ballroom. Disciple took top honors in the “Rock Album of the Year” category for their sophomore project “Scars Remain” (2006). With seven nominations to the band’s name, lead singer Kevin Young is pumped about their first win saying "We are all so very happy and honored to have won the Dove Award for ‘Rock Album of the Year’ with ‘Scars Remain.’ This was our eighth nomination and our first win. Over the years I always would get butterflies every time our category would come up , but would always hear someone else's name called every time until last night. So needless to say, I was truly shocked. We are so thankful to God for using our music, and to the Gospel Music Association for recognizing us.” Currently on the “Cross the Line” tour with Superchick, the band is also working on a new project set to release this fall. Skillet’s explosive 2006 Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records GRAMMY-nominated release, Comatose follows 2004’s Collide, which launched the group into the public eye and garnered the band their first prestigious Grammy nomination. A critical fave, Comatose has become their best-selling project to date, doubling the sales of Collide in half the time. In follow up to packed out headline club shows, a tour with Flyleaf, and summer festivals Skillet spent last fall opening for mainstream rockers Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace. In the process of becoming one of the hardest working, most rocking, and broadly appealing acts of its generation, radio welcomed Comatose with open arms, as the first single, “Rebirthing” spent seven-weeks at No.1 on Christian Rock. Their second single, “The Last Night,” also took the top spot, this time at both Rock and CHR (CRW/R&R), while their latest singles, “The Older I Get” (CHR/Rock) and “Comatose” have become their third and fourth consecutive No. 1 singles. At the end of 2007 the band was lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year for “The Last Night”, which was also R&R’s No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, Skillet was named 2007’s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK year end lists. For more information go to www.skillet.com The Knoxville, Tenn. foursome’s first self-titled studio release “Disciple” (2005) sold nearly 100,000 units and brought home three No. 1 hits. Disciple has also been nominated for a whopping eight Gospel Music Awards, and their sophomore album “Scars Remain” (2006) has already garnered a No. 1 hit. “Game On” from their sophomore project that also received massive placement in sports shows across the country including “Best Damn Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess”, WWE’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report,” as well as venues such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The single was also used in promotion for “Criminal Minds” and “CSI Miami.” The rockers were also chosen to write a song for “WWE: The Music Vol. 8” and WWE superstar duo Hawkins and Ryder. For more information go to www.disciplerocks.com P.O.D. DANCE ONTO BILLBOARD TOP 10/CHRISTIAN SOUNDSCAN AT # 1 P.O.D. DANCE ONTO BILLBOARD TOP 10 /CHRISTIAN SOUNDSCAN AT # 1 "WHEN ANGELS & SERPENTS DANCE" MARKS P.O.D.'S 4TH TOP 10 DEBUT!! BAND ALSO CELEBRATES #1 ROCK ALBUM ON iTUNES CHART
Nashville, TN - April 16, 2008 - Multi-Platinum rockers P.O.D. are back to reclaim their place atop the rock scene with their INO/Columbia Records debut, When Angels & Serpents Dance. The disc nabs the #9 spot on this week's Billboard Albums Chart and #1 on the Contemporary Christian SoundScan chart. This marks P.O.D.'s fourth Top 10 release. "Satellite" (2001), "Payable On Death"(2003) and "Testify" (2006) also debuted in the Billboard Top 10 when released. In addition, P.O.D. have landed the coveted #1 spot on iTunes Rock album chart this past week. Lead vocalist Sonny Sandoval says: "After 16 years of being in P.O.D., the loyalty of The Warriors continue to make us look good. We are truly grateful and blown away to see another Top 10 debut." The San Diego quartet’s renewed vigor is evident throughout When Angels & Serpents Dance. From the searing guitar which kicks off the hard-rocking first single, “Addicted," and the striking and poignant, “End Of The World” (complete with gospel choir); to the album’s most ferocious track, the savage “God Forbid,” the disc has been receiving rave reviews in both the CBA and General Market: The Oakland Press says: “The band deliver their most mature and ambitious outing to date. It's a fresh start to P.O.D. rather than merely returning to the good old days." The disc also received an impressive 2 1/2 stars from USA Today and the band’s hometown San Diego Union Tribune quipped: "It's during the softer moments, such as the questioning acoustic ballad "Tell Me Why" and the meticulously layered "Rise Against," that P.O.D. best demonstrate its new maturity, dynamic range and emotional and musical depth." CCM magazine boldly stated that ”If this amazing album doesn’t get the music world’s attention upon its release, there just might have to be a revolution,” while Aspiring Retail remarked, “P.O.D. reemerge as aggressive as ever, but have a more mature, passionate pulse, purposed to please their passionate fan base. “When Angels and Serpents Dance” displays an impressive range in this13-song collection.” When Angels and Serpents Dance (produced by Jay Baumgardner: Evanescence, etc.) is ultimately a record of P.O.D. in 2008. “As far as P.O.D. goes it’s always for the moment,” Sandoval says. “I just kind of go through it and whatever the song brings out in us that’s it. There’s a lot of passion on this record.” Indeed, When Angels and Serpents Dance is the sound of a rejuvenated band: passionate, aggressive and with a message for our times.
### www.payableondeath.com 04/08/2008P.O.D. LIVE ON THE TONIGHT SHOW! *Postponed 4/8/08 UPDATE***....This just in from the P.O.D. newsletter about the Leno performance: "Leno Postponed - Sonny's voice is completely out, the last few days he'd been trying to save up his voice as much as he could as it started going out the last couple days of the tour. By the end of the evening Monday his voice was blown. Please pray that his voice/throat will heal soon. Leno has been postponed as a result. We thank our family for all the love and prayers whenever we're in need!" - P.O.D.
P.O.D. IS BACK WITH “WHEN ANGELS AND SERPANTS DANCE” HOMETOWN HARD ROCK CAFÉ SHOW LIVE ONLINE TONIGHT! LIVE ON THE TONIGHT SHOW TOMORROW! REVIEWS PRAISE CURIEL’S REUNION
NASHVILLE, TN....4/7/08.....If the reviews are any indication, people are exuberant over Marcos Curiel’s reunion with P.O.D. on their INO/Columbia record’s debut, WHEN ANGELS AND SERPANTS DANCE, which hits worldwide tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8th. Tonight the band will perform at their hometown Hard Rock Cafe in an All Access Warrior Pass Online concert live from San Diego. The band will be online up close and personal before and after the show as well, and fans can experience it all by signing up at www.payableondeath.com/allaccess. This exclusive access will allow fans to have to view exclusive footage, witness the hometown performance and a chance to interact with the band and other fans. Tomorrow P.O.D will perform their new single, “Addicted,” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, along with fellow guests Dennis Quaid "Smart People" and Russell Brand "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - P.O.D P.O.D. recently took part in Hard Rock Café's month long charity drive for Musicians on Call, performing at various Hard Rock Café's throughout the country, including the March 18 album listening event at Hard Rock locations in Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The listening parties had a voluntary $5 donation to the Musicians on Call charity and a register to win a drawing for various P.O.D. items. Media outlets online, in print and in both the CBA and General market are loving what they hear on WHEN ANGELS AND SERPANTS DANCE:
”If this amazing album doesn’t get the music world’s attention upon its release, there just might have to be a revolution” ----CCM Magazine “P.O.D. have come back and brought the best of their game on “When Angels and Serpents Dance.” ----clevelandleader.com “Forgive the blasphemy, but for P.O.D., the return of founding guitarist Marcos Curiel is almost the second coming. The longtime Christian rap-rock band welcomes him back warmly, with most of this set celebrating his strengths: crunchy bits of riffs, resounding reverb and even some Spanish acoustic.” ---- Recoil Magazine ”Indeed, “When Angels and Serpents Dance” is the sound of a rejuvenated band: passionate, aggressive and with a message for our times.” ----refuelyoursoul.com “P.O.D. Is rightly considered one of the best Nu Metal bands (a fusion of grunge, funk, hip-hop and several varieties of metal)......It’s not that other bands don’t do this ‘dance with the devil’ thing – they do – P.O.D. just does it better.” --Christian Retailing “Positively, I'm happy to report. P.O.D. have matured and progressed from their rap-rock-reggae hybrid, crafting smart songs with groove. “When Angels And Serpents Dance” is a well-manicured collection of radio-ready hard rock” --UNRATEDMUSIC.com “Fabulous” (04.5 rating) ---HMMagazine “Multi-platinum rockers P.O.D. reemerge as aggressive as ever, but have a more mature, passionate pulse, purposed to please their passionate fan base. “When Angels and Serpents Dance” displays an impressive range in this13-song collection.” ---- Aspiring Retail “...their most powerful, purpose-filled album since “The Fundamental Elements of Southtown”... sonically-searing, lyrically-leveling...” ----Soul-Audio.com ###
www.payableondeath.com
NASHVILLE, TN....
4/1/08.....Atlantic/LAVA/Ardent/INO rockers Skillet launched their “COMATOSE” headline tour this past weekend to packed houses and sell out crowds. Both Minneapolis (1609/Club 3 Degrees) and Kalamazoo, MI (2850/Wings Stadium) shows were SOLD OUT, with packed houses in Des Moines (1656/Val Air Ballroom) and the band’s hometown area of Chicago (1142/House of Blues).
"As long as you don't mind answering the phone, you're gonna love bringing the Skillet tour to your town,” remarked WAYK Station Manager Rich Anderson, promoter of the Kalamazoo show. “First it was dozens and dozens of calls from people begging for tickets because we sold out 8 days in advance of the show; Then it was calls and e-mails from the ecstatic 2,850 who got to experience the tour.”
Here's a few comments from some of the e-mails WAYK received:
'SKILLET ROCKED!!!! Thanks, WayFM for bringing them here to West Michigan. It was so awesome to see so many kids and parents totally rockin’ out and having a great time. I have seen many concerts in my day and let me tell you, they are definitely on top of my list and I can't wait to see them again. I am a fan for life!'
'The concert WAS AWESOME!!! My son, daughter & their friends were down in front of the stage and are still saying "huh? I can't hear you." Wow, it was LOUD, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Will said it's the best weekend he ever had! Isn't that great? Each band probably talked about 2 minutes about how they loved Jesus and Rock & Roll in that order. It was really awesome.'
Hitting approximately 30 cities, including New York City,’s Grand Ball Room, also features Thousand Foot Krutch and special guest Decyfer Down, the tour will run through May 11, 2008. Tour dates are listed below and more information can be found at http://www.skillet.com and http://www.myspace.com/skilletmusic.
Criss-crossing the country over the past year and a half with other bands like Flyleaf, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and on Winter Jam, Skillet is excited to be out on their own tour. As their GRAMMY-nominated COMATOSE continues to be one of the best-selling projects in Christian music, still in the top 10 after 77 weeks of release and 320,000 units scanned, Skillet is also nominated for a GMA Dove Award for ARTIST OF THE YEAR and ROCK RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR (“Comatose”).
Skillet's current rock hit is already #2 on the Christian rock chart with a bullet on their song from the COMATOSE Deluxe Edition, “Live Free Or Let Me Die,” and they’ll be releasing "Those Nights" to CHR this month. In addition, Skillet will headline several rock stages and pre-closing slots at top summer festivals including Creation East and West, Kingdom Bound, Soulfest, Cornerstone, Icthus, NewSong, Rock the Universe, Spirit West Coast, Sonshine, LifeFest Alive, Red Letter Rockfest, and many more.
Skillet’s explosive 2006 Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records GRAMMY-nominated release, Comatose follows 2004’s Collide, which launched the group into the public eye and garnered the band their first prestigious Grammy nomination. A critical fave, Comatose has become their best-selling project to date, doubling the sales of Collide in half the time. In follow up to packed out headline club shows, a tour with FlyLeaf, and summer festivals Skillet spent last fall opening for mainstream rockers Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace. In the process of becoming one of the hardest working, most rocking, and broadly appealing acts of its generation, radio welcomed Comatose with open arms, as the first single, “Rebirthing” spent seven-weeks at No.1 on Christian Rock. Their second single, “The Last Night,” also took the top spot, this time at both Rock and CHR (CRW/R&R), while their latest singles, “The Older I Get” (CHR/Rock) and “Comatose” have become their third and fourth consecutive No. 1 singles. At the end of 2007 the band was lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year for “The Last Night”, which was also R&R’s No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, Skillet was named 2007s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK year end lists.
NASHVILLE, TN....4/1/08....As you’re watching TV over the next few weeks, watch out for AMERICAN IDOL commercials featuring The Afters’ song “We are the Sound” from their brand new CD, NEVER GOING BACK TO OK. Fox’s top-rated show picked the song to use with commercials and other promotional opportunities over the next few weeks. To listen to “We are the Sound” go to myspace.com/theafters.
NEVER GOING BACK TO OK entered the Billboard Top 200 at #41 and the Contemporary Christian SoundScan charts at #1 selling 15,856 units. In digital sales, the project entered at #1 for Christian SoundScan album and track sales plus hit as high as #14 on the iTunes® overall digital chart and #4 on their digital Rock chart.
The radio single “Never Going Back to OK,” returned to #1 at Christian CHR this week while “Keeping Me Alive” continues to emerge as their next hit single at Christian AC radio.
The Afters are touring across the country throughout 2008 including headlining their own dates this spring and hitting the major summer festivals. All tour dates are available at www.theafters.com and myspace.com/theafters.
Releasing their debut project “I Wish We All Could Win” in 2005, The Afters received top attention from their fans and media outlets. The Afters’ music has appeared on the networks of MTV, mtvU, ABC Family and E! News as well as on HOT AC and VH-1 radio along with outlets such as Billboard, BOP and Popstar. The MTV college network and mtvU have been strong supporters of the band as their music video for “Beautiful Love” was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming Video in 2005. The Afters were awarded the Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year” (2006), and has had over 250,000 downloads to date. The foursome composed of Josh Havens, Matt Fuqua, Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, met while working at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas.
NASHVILLE, TN.....3/20/08.....As their headline run on the Winter Jam Spectacular closed out this past weekend in Nashville, MercyMe fans needn’t fear as the band’s iTunes ® Original album made its way into the main newsletter from iTunes ® this week, hitting #1 on the Christian album chart for iTunes and #32 on their overall chart.
Recorded in Southern California for iTunes ® during MercyMe’s “All That Is Within Me” Tour last fall, the band spent a day in a recording studio before their show in Irvine. The iTunes ® Original is a collection of six exclusive new recordings, in-depth interviews with frontman Bart Millard and key tracks from MercyMe's previous releases. The set lists includes “I Would Die for You,” the Dove-Award winning and NO. 1 single “Word of God Speak,” a cover of Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down,” and of course the biggest fan favorite of all, the multi-format smash hit “I Can Only Imagine.” *See attached for complete track listing.
“We're thrilled to be a part of anything iTunes is doing,” remarked MercyMe guitarist Mike Scheuchzer. “They are so forward thinking in getting our music out for people to listen to, so to have the opportunity to do an iTunes original to share with our fans was awesome! We can't wait to get some more new music and extras out there for the world to hear!”
At the close of 2007, MercyMe was the No. 1 Most Played AC artist (R&R/CRW) and Inspo artist (CRW) in 2007, while their latest studio project, “All That Is Within Me,” garnered their 10th No. 1 Christian single, “God With Us.” The album remains in the top five on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian SoundScan chart after 17 weeks and entering the Top 200 chart at No. 15 and selling an impressive 83,626 units, a personal record for units sold in a project’s first week.
www.mercyme.org
* INO Rockers Disciple’s new song “In The Middle of it Now” will be among the tracks featured on “WWE: The Music Vol. 8.” The song specially written for the record will hit stores on March 25, and includes track from other rock artists such as Saliva, Axel and Airbourne. “WWE: The Music Vol. 8” unleashes right in time for WWE's biggest bash of the year, WrestleMania® XXIV live on pay-per-view on Sunday, March 30 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. WWE has sold more than six million CDs worldwide with five WWE Group album titles debuting in the US Top 10.
* WWE stars Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder will also be using the new rock anthem “In The Middle of it Now” as the duo’s theme song.
“We were totally excited when we heard it because we wanted something different unlike anybody else on the show,” says Hawkins. “It definitely gave us a good kick start in the right direction.”
Be sure to check out an interview with the star wrestling pair and Disciple lead vocalist Kevin Young in the latest WWE Superstar to Superstar feature.
http://www.wwe.com/inside/superstartosuperstar/exclusives/s2shawkinsryderdisciple
* The rock powerhouse group also raked in two Gospel Music Award nominations from their sophomore project “Scars Remain.” The album is nominated for “Rock/Contemporary Album” and their multi-format radio hit “After the World” is nominated for “Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song.” The 39th annual Gospel Music Awards will air live on Gospel Music Channel on April 23.
The Knoxville, Tenn. foursome’s first self-titled studio release “Disciple” (2005) sold nearly 100,000 units and brought home three No. 1 hits. Disciple has also been nominated for a whopping eight Gospel Music Awards, and their sophomore album “Scars Remain” (2006) has already garnered a No. 1 hit. “Game On” from their sophomore project also received massive placement in sports shows across the country including “Best Damn Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess”, WWE’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report,” as well as venues such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The single was also used in promotion for “Criminal Minds” and “CSI Miami.”
# # #
www.disciplerocks.com
myspace.com/disciplerocks
Los Angeles, CA - March 3, 2008 - The lineup that took P.O.D. to multiple platinum success with The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and Satellite (featuring “Youth of a Nation,” “Alive,” “Boom,” and "Satellite") is back to reclaim their place atop the rock scene with their Columbia Records debut, When Angels and Serpents Dance on April 8, 2008!
Our fans are excited and we’re having a lot of fun,” says vocalist Sonny Sandoval. “After four years Marcos is back in the band and we’ve got new music. Things are exciting again. When the four of us are in a room making music it’s definitely right and Marcos brings that passion for music into the band.”
The quartet’s renewed vigor is evident throughout When Angels and Serpents Dance. From the searing guitar which kicks off the hard-rocking first single, “Addicted,"(which the band will perform live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 8) and the striking and poignant, “End Of The World” (complete with gospel choir!); to the album’s most ferocious track, the savage “Don't Fake It.”
"It's just great to get back to basics and give it another whirl & tap into our souls." says an inspired Marcos. "This band is a supernatural experience to me! It has literally surpassed many of my vivid dreams...I'm blessed and excited to reconnect with family & friends. I hope to pursue & establish the passion that began in 1992 with 4 brothers who just followed God, dreams & our music."
Prior to the release of When Angels and Serpents Dance the band will take part in Hard Rock CafÈ's month long charity drive for Musicians on Call and perform at various Hard Rock CafÈ's throughout the country. On Tuesday, March 18 there will be an album listening event at Hard Rock locations in Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia and San Francisco. These listening parties will have a voluntary $5 donation to the Musicians on Call charity and a register to win drawing for various P.O.D. items.
Beginning March 25, P.O.D. will criss-cross the country to perform live in 8 markets at various Hard Rock CafÈ venues including a special hometown show on April 7 in San Diego the night before the CD is released in-stores. The Hard Rock shows will give P.O.D. fans a chance to be up close with the band in the intimate setting of the Hard Rock CafÈ venues. The San Diego show will be broadcast live over the internet on ALL ACCESS Warrior Pass. This will allow fans to have access to exclusive footage, witness the hometown performance and a chance to interact with the band and other fans. P.O.D. will also be special guests on Rockline Radio show on Monday April, 7 before the Hard Rock performance that same evening. Hard Rock CafÈ Club shows:
March
25 Hollywood, CA @ Universal Studios
27 Orlando, FL - THQ Superslam Raw vs Smackdown
at House of Blues. Not part of Hard Rock tour!
28 Miami, FL - 401 Biscayne Blvd.
29 Washington DC - 999 E. Street N.W.
31 Chicago, IL - 63 W. Ontario
April
1 St. Louis, MO - 450 St. Louis Union Station
2 Denver, CO - 500 16th Street Mall
3 Phoenix, AZ - 3 South 2nd Street
7 San Diego, CA - 801 4th Avenue
As has always been the case with P.O.D. the band looked to those that inspired them rather than the hot artist of the moment for guests on the album. “That’s what we do on our records; we bring in people that influenced us.” Joining in the fun was Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies, who guests on the track “Kaliforn-Eye-A,” and The Marley Sisters (the daughters of Bob Marley), who lend their vocal prowess to what Sonny calls “Our reggae track (I’LL BE READY).” Helmet’s Paige Hamilton sings on “God Forbid,” which Sonny calls “probably our heaviest song.”
When Angels and Serpents Dance (produced by Jay Baumgardner: Evanescence, etc.) is ultimately a record of P.O.D. in 2008. “As far as P.O.D. goes it’s always for the moment,” Sonny says. “I just kind of go through it and whatever the song brings out in us that’s it. There’s a lot of passion on this record.”
Indeed, When Angels and Serpents Dance is the sound of a rejuvenated band: passionate, aggressive and with a message for our times.
This is P.O.D. in 2008
Wuv (Drums)
Sonny (Vocals)
Traa (Bass)
Marcos (Guitar)
NASHVILLE, TN...3/5/08....On the heels of a street week filled with smashing reviews, viral video victory with “MySpace Girl” and a No. 1 Christian CHR radio hit, INO/COLUMBIA Record’s act The Afters confirm they are indeed NEVER GOING BACK TO OK as this, their sophomore release, enters the Billboard Top 200 at #41 and the Contemporary Christian SoundScan charts at #1 selling 15,856 units. In digital sales, the project enters at #1 for Christian SoundScan album and track sales plus hit as high as #14 on the iTunes® overall digital chart and #4 on their digital Rock chart. Simultaneously, for the third straight week, the album’s title track, “Never Going Back to OK,” remains #1 at Christian CHR, and hit Top 5 at Christian Rock. Now, “Keeping Me Alive” has just released and is emerging as their next hit single at Christian AC radio.
“After their initial success with “Beautiful Love”, it is gratifying to see The Afters return with such a strong sophomore album,” remarks INO Records’ President Jeff Moseley. “I think the strong showing in sales, welcome arms from radio, media and fans alike is just an early indication of the fact that this band is for real and here to stay.”
Following prime placement on MySpace.com, YouTube, Seventeen.com over the past couple of weeks, the “MySpace Girl” video has now gone out via TV Guide Broadband’s Video on Demand service, which hits 30 million homes, syndicating content across a number of sites like YouTube, veoh, hulu and AOL video. The clip is can be viewed on AOL Videos at http://video.aol.com/partner/hulu/mvids-the-afters-myspace-girl-music-video/eicuKYI2tFTwUk0uWbzzt3YzAysys2Jp and on Youtube at http://youtube.com/watch?v=4HySTiCLYcM
In addition, Clear Channel has also announced they will be featuring the video on their radio station websites for on-demand streaming, starting March 6th. This will be for a feature they call "NEW!", which is available across 393 stations . Also coming up, The Gospel Music Channel will host the television broadcast premiere the video on March 8th. To view the video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA_LDKz3Tc0.
"This is an exciting week for us.” exclaimed The Afters’ frontman Josh Havens. “We had so much fun recording this album and it’s wonderful to know how well it is being received. We are very encouraged that so many people are as excited about the new album as we are. Thank you!"
NEVER GOING BACK TO OK is a culmination of all the buzz and excitement of the past three years for this emerging band. After receiving a Gospel Music Award for “Best New Artist of 2006” and having the most downloaded inspirational track (“Beautiful Love”) of the same year on the iTunes® charts, the band is back with a diverse record receiving rave reviews from media outlets including Popmatters, CBNMusic, CCM, Alternative Addiction, All Music Guide and many more.
The Afters will also be touring across the country throughout 2008 including headlining their own dates this spring and hitting the major summer festivals. All tour dates listed below are subject to change.
Releasing their debut project “I Wish We All Could Win” in 2005, The Afters received top attention from their fans and media outlets. The Afters’ music has appeared on the networks of MTV, mtvU, ABC Family and E! News as well as on HOT AC and VH-1 radio along with outlets such as Billboard, BOP and Popstar. The MTV college network and mtvU have been strong supporters of the band as their music video for “Beautiful Love” was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming Video in 2005. The Afters were awarded the Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year” (2006), and has had over 250,000 downloads to date. The foursome composed of Josh Havens, Matt Fuqua, Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, met while working at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas.
www.theafters.com myspace.com/theafters
NASHVILLE, TN…Feb. 18,2008… Revered by popular music artists/musicians Marty Stuart, Buddy Miller, David Roe and more, INO/Columbia’s powerhouse vocalist and former front rocker for the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies Mike Farris grabs national attention playing legendary venues and festivals while announcing his recent partnership with Paradigm Talent Agency.
Farris will perform two different times at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, TX, one of the largest music festivals in the U.S. SXSW is known to draw crowds by the thousands and among industry insiders is a place for discovering fresh talent. Along with Farris, scheduled to perform is music icon Dolly Parton, R.E.M, The Black Crowes, etc. The music event will run March 12-16, with Farris performing on the 11th at Stubb’s and the 13th for the AMA (Americana Music Association) showcase at the world famous blues venue, Antone’s (singers to grace Antone’s stage have been Bono & The Edge of U2, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello and many more).
“Mike is a star, and more than that a great person with an amazing jaw dropping voice,” says Executive Director of the Americana Music Association Jed Hilly. “Mikes appreciation for great music goes deep; his sound pays homage to great roots traditions that he makes uniquely contemporary. His gospel blues Americana show is a perfect fit for historic Antone’s.”
In addition to the SXSW Festival, Farris will play in concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on March 16th, opening for Steeldrivers and Fairfield Four; will be singing at the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot in May; has been invited to play on Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at Nashville’s hallowed Ryman Auditorium in June, and will perform at two Creation Fest’s in PA and WA in mid-summer, along with many more dates.
Farris is seeing success both on-stage and with his 2007 studio release Salvation In Lights as it has been voted as one of the “Best Albums of 2007” by three different media outlets, including The Tennessean. This record continues to see chart success as well staying power on the Americana Radio Charts for twelve weeks and counting.
“We are excited to see Mike get all the duly deserved recognition on his fantastic release,” says VP of Sales and Marketing of Columbia Records Tyler Pittman. “It pleases us that he will be able to get a chance to perform for the world of music industry professionals and fans in Austin at SXSW and beyond.”
For more information on all things happening with Mike Farris and to see him LIVE, go to http://www.mikefarrismusic.net or http://www.myspace.com/mikefarris .
About Mike Farris
Founder and former front man of the highly successful rock group Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, Mike Farris has lived through it all, literally. The SCW band has toured with artists/groups Meatloaf, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler and more. Then, nearly dead from an accidental overdose of pills and alcohol before he turned 21, Farris made a desperate cry out to God, and He responded. Farris’ struggles through addiction slowly turned into hope as he and the band, Screamin Cheetah Wheelies, played their final show in Spain to 30,000 fans then two years later, he signed with INO/ Columbia Records releasing what many call a “uniquely redemptive story” with Salvation In Lights.
* ALL DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE Feb 9 2008 7:00P Johnson City, Tennessee Feb 13 2008 8:00P Nacogdoches, Texas Feb 16 2008 7:00P Chandler Arizona Feb 17 2008 7:30P Garden Grove, California Feb 19 2008 7:00P Visalia, California Feb 22 2008 7:00P Lake Stevens (Seattle Area), Washington Feb 23 2008 7:00P Vancouver, Washington Feb 26 2008 8:00P Denver, Colorado March 8th - Dallas, TX KLTY Celebrate Family Mar 12 2008 7:00P Westerville (Columbus Area), Ohio Mar 14 2008 7:00P Marion, Indiana Mar 16 2008 7:00P Musica Akron, Ohio Mar 21 2008 9:00P Belton, Texas Mar 29 2008 8:00P Kingsland, Texas May 3 2008 7:00P Greenville, Illinois May 19-232008 5:00P KLOVE Friends and Family Music Cruise May 31 2008 5:00P Federal Way, Washington Jun 27 2008 4:00P Creation -Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania Jul 24 2008 1:00P Creation West- George, Washington Aug 9 2008 2:00P Leitchfield, Kentucky Sep 13 2008 5:00P Springfield, Massachusetts 01/11/2008 SKILLET ANNOUNCES NATIONAL SPRING HEADLINE ‘COMATOSE’ TOUR WITH THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH NASHVILLE, TN....1/8/08...In follow-up to a stellar 2007, Atlantic/Lava/Ardent/INO record’s band Skillet will hit the road on Winter Jam later this week, and has recently announced plans to rock even more American cities when they launch their Spring headline COMATOSE TOUR on March 28th. Hitting approximately 30 cities, the tour will also feature Thousand Foot Krutch and run through May 11, 2008. Tour dates will be announced soon and will be posted at http://www.skillet.com and http://www.myspace.com/skilletmusic. Due to the undeniable success of COMATOSE, including their second consecutive GRAMMY nomination, over 300k in sales (doubling sales of their previous recording in half the time) and four back-to back radio No. 1 hits, including their latest, “The Older I Get” spending 11 weeks at No. 1 Christian CHR, Skillet released the COMATOSE CD/DVD Deluxe edition for their fans on December 26th. Skillet is known for their loyal fans, many of which are known as the “Panheads,” and this year they did not disappoint, giving Skillet honors in several Readers Choice awards polls, including: -2007 CCM magazine Reader’s Choice awards: Best album, COMATOSE Best song, “Rebirthing” (also voted 2nd Best Artist, Most Underrated Artist, Best Website, Best Video (“Whispers In the Dark”), and 3rd favorite Live Performance and Best Band) -2007 Christianity Today’s Reader’s Choice for Best Band or Group (in addition, per the website, “COMATOSE technically won out for Best Album of 2007, we just don't feel that it's right to award the same album two years in a row”.) -2007 Ignite Your Faith magazine’s Best Hard Rock or Punk Artist, Overall Artist of the Year and John Cooper took top honors for Best Christian Male Vocalist (In addition, Skillet came in third following Switchfoot and Relient K for The Salt and Light Award, a new IYF award honoring Christian artists impacting the mainstream with the Gospel) - ABOUT.COM’S Top 40 Christian Hits of 2007 named “The Last Night” one of the top 10 hits of the year, stating, “The song talks about someone considering suicide after living life in despair and not having support from their parents. A friend reminds him/her of God’s unconditional love and they’re eventually talked down from that ledge. Just like every song on the album, this one rocks!” -2007 Jesus Freak Hideout.com Readers Choice Awards for ‘Song of the Year,’ (“Rebirthing”) ‘Hard Rock Album of the Year’ and ‘Album of the Year’ (COMATOSE), and also tying for the sixth favorite song of the year with two of their songs, "Comatose" and "Whispers In The Dark". On top of their four consecutive No. 1 radio hits, COMATOSE was the No. 12 Top Contemporary Christian album on Billboard’s Year-End list, and Skillet was also lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year for “The Last Night”, which was also R&R’s No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, the band was named 2007s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK year end lists. In follow up to their radio success, this month both “The Older I Get” and “The Last Night” will go for more when they are released to Christian AC radio and Mainstream Active Rock Radio respectively. 01/09/2008 MERCYME KICKS OFF 2008 HEADLINING WINTER JAM TOUR AND CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING RADIO AND SALES IN 2007 With their latest project “All That Is Within Me” outpacing sales of their previous RIAA Gold-certified recording, the multi platinum, Dove Award winning and Grammy-nominated band MercyMe is kicking off 2008 as the headline act for Winter Jam, and also celebrating a record-breaking year in 2007. WinterJam begins this Thursday, January 10th, in Johnson City, TN, and will hit over 30 markets through mid-March. As the lead act, MercyMe will be partnering with WinterJam and Mozes to continue to build their already growing mobile fanbase. During the course of this tour, they will be encouraging fans to join their Mozes mobile MOB to get a free ringtone and wallpaper. Last year, Mozes partnered with WinterJam and saw over 40,000 texts from fans getting involved in the SMS revolution, and saw their mobs grow to over 12,000. MercyMe expects a great involvement rate for this year’s tour, as they were able to kick off their mob during their fall tour, ending it with 2500 members. Mozes is a growing company that provides tools to send and receive mobile messages to and from bands, social groups, and friends. With three two No. 1 singles from their 2006 release “Coming Up to Breathe,” ("So Long Self" “Hold Fast”, “Bring the Rain”) and six previous consecutive No. 1’s under their belt, their latest track continued MercyMe’s reign as one of Christian radio’s premiere artists when “God With Us” set the record for most AC adds in a week with over 75% of R&R’s AC panel, and 79 total R&R and CRW reporting stations immediately adding the song. The single went on to hit No. 1 in a fast and furious eight weeks. At the close of 2007, MercyMe was the No. 1 Most Played AC artist (R&R/CRW) and Inspo artist (CRW) in 2007, and after reaching as high as No.16 on iTune’s Top 100 Albums list, and No. 1 on iTunes Top Christian Albums list since its release, “All that is Within Me” was also named No. 1 on iTunes Best of Chart for Christian/Gospel in 2007, a list created by iTunes staffers. In addition, the album remains in the top five on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian SoundScan chart after entering the Top 200 chart at No. 15 and selling an impressive 83,626 units, a personal record for units sold in a project’s first week. 01/02/2008 UPDATE: NEW AIR DATE FOR GREY’S ANATOMY EPISODE: JANUARY 10TH! Caedmon’s Call’s lyrically compelling song about redemption, “Ten Thousand Angels” will receive a rare and lengthy place on an upcoming episode of the ABC hit drama series “Grey’s Anatomy” on January 10th. Featuring vocals by Derek Webb, the song will play for five consecutive minutes during an emotionally charged final scene. In order for the song to fit the length of the scene, an extra minute was even edited in, and with lyrics including ‘so lift up your heart now, to this unfolding, all that has been broken will be restored, here runs deep waters for all who are thirsty, love has come, love has come for you’, its use on one of television’s biggest shows is especially uncommon. “It’s an honor to be asked to help carry some of the emotional weight of a powerhouse show like Grey’s,” says Webb. “ I think the spiritual significance of a song like “Ten Thousand Angels” will have some really special chemistry with what is bound to be an important episode in the season.” 12/19/2007 CAEDMON’S CALL EXPLODES ONTO TOP-RATED “GREY’S ANATOMY” WITH SONG ABOUT REDEMPTION Caedmon’s Call’s lyrically compelling song about redemption, “Ten Thousand Angels” will receive a rare and lengthy place in this season’s biggest episode of the ABC hit drama series “Grey’s Anatomy” on January 3rd. Featuring vocals by Derek Webb, the song will play for five consecutive minutes during an emotionally charged final scene. The episode will re-air on January 4th. In order for the song to fit the length of the scene, an extra minute was even edited in, and with lyrics including ‘so lift up your heart now, to this unfolding, all that has been broken will be restored, here runs deep waters for all who are thirsty, love has come, love has come for you’, its use on one of television’s biggest shows is especially uncommon. “It’s an honor to be asked to help carry some of the emotional weight of a powerhouse show like Grey’s,” says Webb. “ I think the spiritual significance of a song like “Ten Thousand Angels” will have some really special chemistry with what is bound to be an important episode in the season.” "Ten Thousand Angels" is a bonus track on the group's current release, Overdressed, which was in the top 5 (no. 5) of ITunes Editorial list of 2007 for overall “Best Christian Albums”. 12/07/2007 SKILLET CLOSES OUT 2007 WITH GRAMMY NOMINATION **As 2007 comes to a close, Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO band SKILLET continues to celebrate a fabulous year with their second consecutive GRAMMY nomination. The critically-acclaimed and best-seller COMATOSE is nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album in the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 10th. The show will be broadcast at 8pm et/pt on CBS. ** On top of the GRAMMY news, Skillet has also been lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year with their massive hit “The Last Night”, which was also R&R’s No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, Skillet was named 2007s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK year end lists. **Skillet garnered four consecutive No. 1 singles from COMATOSE with “Rebirthing”, “The Last Night”, “The Older I Get” and “Comatose”. ** Skillet will release the COMATOSE CD/DVD Deluxe edition on December 26, 2007, and along with new cover art and the full COMATOSE CD, the deluxe edition will also feature: . 1 BRAND NEW studio track, “Live Free or Let Me Die” . 5 acoustic tracks: - “Rebirthing” - ”Yours to Hold” - “The Older I Get” - “Whispers In The Dark” - “Say Goodbye” . 3 music videos (“Rebirthing”, “Whispers in the Dark”, “Looking for Angels”) . Behind the scenes video - making of the record . FREE Wallpaper . FREE Ringtone -“Falling Inside the Black” 12/05/2007 DEREK WEBB TOPS 2007’s “BEST OF” ALBUM LIST FOR PASTE MAGAZINE AND CHRISTIANITY TODAY.COM INO/Columbia Record’s innovative singer/songwriter Derek Webb has once again received high honors for his critically acclaimed release The Ringing Bell. The project was No. 27 out of 100 on Paste Magazine’s top albums of the year list, and then ChristianityToday.com editors considered Webb’s latest their No. 11 favorite album of the year, his fourth consecutive year on their list. This week XM Satellite Loft Sessions will run an exclusive interview/performance series with Derek Webb. This will be one full hour of Webb telling stories and playing different songs from projects past and present. The Loft Sessions is where XM invites their favorite artists up to the “loft” and asks them to create their ideal intimate musical session. This spring Webb will hit the highway with friends and fellow musicians Caedmon’s Call on a nationwide tour beginning in February and running through the end of April (more details on tour TBA). In addition, Webb’s latest Americana radio single “Name” was recently featured on ABC’S hit drama series “Grey’s Anatomy”. Be sure to tune in during the December 20th episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” to listen for Caedmon’s Call (featuring Derek Webb) song “Ten Thousand Angels” (check your local listings for more details). 11/28/2007 MULTI-PLATINUM BAND MERCYME’S ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME LANDS ON BILLBOARD TOP 200 AT NO. 15 SELLING OVER 83,000 UNITS IN FIRST WEEK On the heels of a major promotional tour in support of their sixth recording ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, multi-platinum and award-winning band MercyMe has once again hit the Billboard Top 200 SoundScan charts in a big way landing at No. 15, just below Jay-Z and above Beyonce and Rascal Flatts latest, selling 83,626 units in its first week of release, 30% ahead of it’s previous recording, 2006’s COMING UP TO BREATHE. The album entered at No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian SoundScan chart. The album reached as high as #16 on iTune’s Top 100 Albums list, and has been No. 1 on iTunes Top Christian Albums list since its release on November 20th. Live from New York City last week, MercyMe launched the new project with a Real Rhapsody session, SIRIUS radio interview, a performance at BB Kings and a live Satellite Media Tour (SMT) in the Reuters studio overlooking Times Square. The SMT hit markets including Chicago, San Francisco, Tampa, Denver, Minneapolis, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta, and was picked up by several feeds, including the Associated Press, Reuters, ABC NewsOne, and CNN Pop Life. Along with sales and some of the best reviews of their career (USA Today, Beliefnet.com, CCM, AllMusic and more), MercyMe’s first single for the project, ‘God With Us,’ set the record for most AC adds (57) in a week, with almost 80 adds from reporting stations in the AC, CHR and Inspo formats. Currently the single is already Top 5 at Christian AC, Top 10 Inpso, New and Active CHR and moving up. “We have felt quite a ground swell of support for MercyMe and their new project on every level,” remarked INO president Jeff Moseley. “Radio, media and retail have really come to the table to show their commitment to this band, and for that we are truly grateful.” Leading up to and after their NYC stop the band made live in-store appearances and performances and visited radio and retail in Dallas, Minneapolis and Washington DC, while headlining the Friday evening event at the R&R Christian Radio Summit in Nashville. In addition, the band stopped-by Christian AC radio stations nationwide with on-air time and promotions with stations such as KTIS Minneapolis, KLOVE morning show with Jon and Sherry Rivers, Total Axxess/WAYfm in Nashville, KLTY in Dallas, an Associated Press Radio interview in D.C. and many others. Retail highlights from the promo tour include live performances at Northwestern in Minneapolis, John’s Christian Store in Chicago (followed by an additional sold out cd release concert that evening), and Potomac Adventist Store in Washington D.C. In addition, the band had hundreds of fans show up at their hometown in-store at a Wal-Mart in Dallas. MercyMe's Online/Digital street week presence included prime positioning with Wal-Mart.com, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, Sony Connect, Borders, Barnes and Noble, FYE Stores, Napster.com,BestBuy.com, and Amazon.com among others 11/20/2007 Project Receiving Bands’ Best Reviews Ever as National Promo Tour Wraps Just in Time for Thanksgiving INO/Columbia records’ multi-platinum and Award-winning band MercyMe officially launched their new project, “All That Is Within Me,” live in New York City this week with a performance at BB Kings last night 11/19 and a live Satellite Media Tour this morning overlooking Times Square, hitting markets including Chicago, San Francisco, Tampa, Denver, Minneapolis and the Associated Press Broadcast wire. Leading up to NYC the band made live in-store appearances and performances and visited radio and retail in Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis and Washington DC, while headlining the Friday evening event at the R&R Christian Radio Summit in Nashville. They’ll head back home to Dallas tonight and appear tomorrow morning, 11/21, on the city’s ABC morning show, Good Morning Texas. Christian radio continues to be a formidable force with the band’s new single “God With Us,“ which set the record for most AC adds (57) in a week, and almost 80 adds from reporting stations in the AC, CHR and Inspo formats. Currently Top 5 at Christian AC, Top 10 Inpso, New and Active CHR and moving up. The past few weeks has seen extensive activity on the record as pre-sales are projected to reach record highs. Most accounts are pre-selling the Collectors edition which includes: + Six song live video + Interview footage of band + Three acoustic versions of songs + FREE Ringtone + FREE Wallpaper Media are also supporting “All That Is Within Me” with what may be the best reviews of their career: “it is impossible to deny that this is the group's best effort to date. MercyMe has yet again set a new standard for themselves. Millard's raw emotional connectivity on each track, combined with a sparkling array of musical styles, continues to be unmatched. MercyMe's latest record shows that the band's penchant for making hits might always remain.” All Music Guide “MercyMe is an unstoppable music force… they bring something new to the table each and every time out. ‘All That is Within Me’ is no exception.” Infuzemag.com “This CD is a deeply connected music journal.... he band infuses their songs with a trademark abundance of verve and life.” Beliefnet.com “...filled with arena-sized worship anthems .... nothing counterintuitive about the emotion when he imagines throwing his arms around his late father’s neck “when I finally make it home.” USA TODAY “… an exuberant, defiant, stand-up-and-shake-your-fist-at-the-devil, rock & roll worship album. ‘All That Is Within Me’ is MercyMe's best work to date.” CCM magazine “There is not a weak one in this bunch….MercyMe seems capable of more than what is humanly possible – they keep putting gout good records without missing a step.” Worship Leader “All That Is Within Me is rock, praise and outpouring of one’s heart, and I’m happy to have spent the hour with the band.” HollywoodJesus.com “...beautifully crafted featuring smooth production and strong musicianship” JesusFreakHideout.com “MercyMe is a well-oiled machine and one of the best out there.” ChristianMusicToday.com MercyMe will hit the road once again in support of “All That Is Within Me” when they headline the Winter Jam tour starting January 10th.11/19/2007 PHIL WICKHAM IS THANKFUL FOR SOPHOMORE RELEASE, SUCCESSFUL FALL TOUR, STRONG DIGITAL SALES, STELLAR REVIEWS AND MOBILE MOB OUT OF CONTROL "When Phil sings it sounds like everything is riding on every note. I think he believes he can save the world with his voice, and he might be right." --David Crowder INO Records’ singer/songwriter Phil Wickham has much to be thankful for this year as he has released his acclaimed sophomore release, Cannons, spent the fall touring with the David Crowder Band and has received praise from the media saying he is “insightful,” “passionate,” and “intriguing.” Releasing last month, Cannons is outpacing same week sales of Phil Wickham's debut with more than 40 percent of album sales in digital form as the album has remained in the Top 10 on iTunes Christian Album chart since street week peaking at No. 3. He also debuted on Real Rhapsody’s top artists chart in the Christian/Gospel genre as well as on the Napster top artists chart. In addition, Cannons was a featured new release for both Napster and Sony Connect. During his time on the Crowder tour, Wickham began building his mobile fanbase. His “mob” has grown to nearly 500 members who receive free text updates, ringtones, and pictures from Wickham keeping him in touch with his fans. At each concert, he encourages fans to simply text PHIL to the number 66937 to join the mob and to become eligible for an autographed vintage-style guitar to one lucky mob member for Christmas on December 19th. Fans can also go to Wickham’s MySpace to gather information on being a “mob” member and enroll in the giveaway. (http://www.myspace.com/philwickham) In addition to the eventful fall, media and peers have raved about Cannons and Wickham’s passionate vocals: “Phil Wickham is the definition of worship artist in that, his music is so worshipfully written that it must thrill the heart of God to hear His people sing these words back to Him, and yet Phil doesn't settle for his music being artistically mundane...these songs reach deep and draw me to worship a VERY BIG God.” --Mike Scheuchzer, MercyMe “Cannons is an intriguing tale of personal worship that showcases Wickham’s voice and insightful songwriting.” --All Music Guide, 4 out of 5 star review “Wickham could just use his vocals to soar through each song without words and they’d make sense; the passion, the urgency, the aching...” --Soulshine.ca, 4 out of 5 star review “Mr. Wickham has proven he has a quality some of his contemporaries lack...his songs have got heart.” --JesusFreakHideout.com, 4 out of 5 star review “Cannons is an ethereal album of haunting melodies that—more often than not take on a life all their own” --Christian Retailing, Top Pick “Phil Wickham is an artist to be proud of.” --Worship Leader11/14/2007 SARA GROVES HAS No.1 CHRISTIAN ALBUM ON iTUNES FOR OVER A WEEK WITH 'TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW' As singer/songwriter Sara Groves’ latest, “Tell Me What You Know” (11.6) holds in as the No. 1 Christian album on iTunes for over a week, the project also scanned 33% above her last record, debuting at No. 3 on CMTA’s Digital Album’s SoundScan chart, as well as No. 8 on Christian Retail and No. 14 on the Overall Christian Retail chart. Groves’ current radio single, "When the Saints" continues to build momentum at Christian radio with over 35 reporting stations on board already. The song was also recently chosen to be a Discovery Download on the iTunes Store, and was one of the top downloads ever for a Christian song. In addiiton, Groves currently has the No. 1 video on the Gospel Music Channel with the song 'I Saw What I Saw' based on her life altering trip to Rwanda. To watch, go to: www.youtube.com. INO Records has also developed a great e-card on Groves. To view/use, go to: Sara's Ecard. As always, Groves’ is a magnet for critical acclaim with her poignant, though-provoking and eloquent songs. Groves’ recently spoke with fellow songwriter Carolyn Arends for Christianity Today’s Christian Music Today cover story, (“Running to Justice”), writes regular columns for Radiant Magazine, has features in upcoming and current issues of CCM, Christian Single, Women First and Aspiring Retail, and continues to garner incredible support from media with reviews including: “Sara Groves' thoughtful songwriting about hope amid hopelessness combines well with radio-friendly roots pop, yielding her most satisfying album to date.” *ChristianMusicToday.com “It’s impossible to over-rate this gripping, thoughtful, delightful album. Straight from the front lines of battle, it is one of the year’s most important contributions.” *CMCentral.com “Groves has perfected the art of creating warm, intimate pictures of life, love, and faith. ‘Tell Me What You Know’ adds to her catalogue of excellently crafted folk/pop” *JesusFreakHideout.com “’Tell Me What You Know’ is Groves at her best, and it enraptures from the first track.” *CBNMusic.com “This is simply a wonderful project that should convince any listener that Sara Groves is a compelling, important artist who needs to be heard by a wider audience, and has perhaps just given us one of the best albums of the year.” *Tollbooth.org Groves will also be touring this fall on the Behold the Lamb of God Christmas tour with Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves, Bebo Norman, Jill Phillips, Andrew Osenga and Andy Gullahorn. Groves will be performing songs from “Tell Me What You Know” as well as previous projects, and join Peterson and the rest of the line up in the second half of the evening featuring Christmas music. The tour will be hitting the following markets (all dates subject to change): 11/27/07: Bethany Lutheran Church / Elkhorn, NE/ 11/28/07: Immanuel Baptist Church / Wausau, WI/ 11/29/07: Christ Community Evangelical Free Church / Leawood, KS/ 11/30/07: Christ United Methodist Church of Sugarland / Sugarland, TX/ 12/1/07: The Heights Baptist Church / Richardson, TX 12/2/07: Bellevue Baptist Church / Cordova, TN / 12/3/07: Grace Covenant Church / Austin, TX / 12/5/07: Southwood Presbyterian Church. / Huntsville, AL / 12/6/07: World Gospel Church / Terre Haute, IN / 12/7/07: Countryside Church / Michigan City, IN / 12/8/07: New Milford High School / New Milford, CT / 12/9/07: Faith Evangelical Free Church / Milford, OH / 12/10/07: Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center / Huntsville, AL / 12/11/07: Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church / Birmingham, AL / 12/12/07: Mecklenburg Community Church / Charlotte, NC / 12/13/07: Ryman Auditorium / Nashville, TN / 12/14/07: Christ Community Church / Tampa, FL / 12/15/07: Imperial Theatre / Augusta, GA / 12/16/07: Christ Church / Jacksonville, FL / 11/13/2007 SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER, TODD AGNEW AND NEWSONG CO-HEADLINE “CHRISTMAS PROMISE” TOUR As the holiday season fills the air, Todd Agnew and NewSong will be spreading Christmas cheer as they co-headline the “Christmas Promise” Tour with special guest Matthew West. The Tour will also feature Nate Sallie and introduce Brit Nicole. Commencing November 27 in Bolivar, Missouri, the "Christmas Promise" Tour will travel to 17 cities nationwide before its final date in Champaign, Illinois December 20. What Todd Agnew & NewSong’s founding member Eddie Carswell are saying about the upcoming tour “We are always thrilled about sharing the story of Christ and His reckless love for His children,” says Todd Agnew. “Christmas is a wonderful time to explore that and we are honored to share this season with our friends in NewSong, Matthew and Britt.” NewSong’s Eddie Carswell says, “We enjoyed last year’s Christmas tour with Agnew so much that we simply had to do it again. We tour most of the year, but we especially love the Christmas season and can’t wait to share the Christmas story with the cities we’re visiting.” In September, Agnew released a resource collection disc from his critically-acclaimed 2006 Christmas project, Do You See What I See? This 2 CD-ROM set is a collection of performance tools for churches which includes Full Listening and Split Trax Audio with rehearsal ID points. The Listening disc contains, as an enhancement, sheet music and chord charts both in PDF form and narrations in document form. The Split Trax contains the visual backgrounds and lyric text files for all of the songs. The image backgrounds are designed to help visualize and support the song lyrics. Agnew hopes these resources will deepen the worship experience of each song as listeners meditate on the story of Christ's birth. Agnew’s, Do You See What I See? Christmas project is on shelves in time for the holidays this year with new packaging. Check out more details at http://www.toddagnew.com. 11/06/2007 WITH OVER A QUARTER A MILLION IN SALES, SKILLET KNABS FOUR CONSECUTIVE No. 1 SINGLES; TO RELEASE CD/DVD DELUXE EDITION THIS FALL, HIT WINTER JAM TOUR IN JANUARY ** In follow-up to two No. 1 singles, “Rebirthing” and “The Last Night,” Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO band SKILLET is now celebrating their third and fourth consecutive #1 singles as “The Older I Get” takes over the top spot on Christian CHR (R&R/CRW) and “Comatose” places No. 1 for the second week in a row on Rock (R&R and CRW) radio this week. ** With COMATOSE selling a fast and furious quarter of a million units since releasing last fall, the project continues to top all previous sales records. To offer fans something special to show their appreciation, Skillet will release the COMATOSE CD/DVD Deluxe edition on December 26, 2007. **Along with new cover art (attached) and the full COMATOSE CD, the deluxe edition will also feature: . 1 BRAND NEW studio track, “Live Free” . 5 acoustic tracks: - “Rebirthing” - ”Yours to Hold” - “The Older I Get” - “Whispers In The Dark” . 3 music videos (“Rebirthing”, “Whispers in the Dark”, “Looking for Angels”) . Behind the scenes video - making of the record . FREE Wallpaper . FREE Ringtone -“Falling Inside the Black” **Skillet is just wrapped up fall tour dates opening for Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, and after the first of the year will hit the road again as part of the Winter Jam tour, hitting the following cities: Winter Jam Tour Schedule: (All dates subject to change) January 10 Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall January 11 Chattanooga, TN McKenzie Arena January 12 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center January 13 Charlotte, NC Bobcat Arena January 18 Tampa, FL Sun Dome Arena January 19 Orlando, FL UCF Arena January 24 Normal, IL Redbird Arena January 25 Columbus, OH Schottestein Center January 26 Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Gardens January 27 St. Charles, MO Family Arena January 31 Evansville, IN Roberts Stadium February 1 Little Rock, AR Alltell Arena February 2 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena February 7 Augusta, GA James Brown Arena February 8 Jacksonville, FL Memorial Coliseum February 9 Mobile, AL The Mitchell Center February 10 Tupelo, MS Bancorp South Center February 15 Greenville, SC The Bi-Lo Center February 16 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum February 17 Norfolk, VA Constant Convocation Center February 22 Columbia, SC The Colonial Center February 23 Jackson, MS MS Coliseum February 24 Southaven, MS DeSoto Civic Center February 28 Oklahoma City, OK The Ford Center February 29 Tulsa, OK Mabee Center March 1 Wichita, KS Charles Koch Arena March 2 Colorado Springs, CO World Arena March 6 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena March 7 Ft. Wayne, IN Allen County Memorial Coliseum March 8 Knoxville, TN Thompson Boling Arena March 9 E. Lansing, MI The Breslin Center March 13 Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena March 14 Fayetteville, NC Crown Coliseum March 15 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena March 16 Nashville, TN The Sommet Center 10/30/2007 SARA GROVES CHOSEN BY iTUNES FOR COVETED DISCOVERY DOWNLOAD Singer/Songwriter Sara Groves is the latest artist to have one of her songs chosen as a DISCOVERY DOWNLOAD with iTunes. Just days before her new album, TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW, hits the streets on November 6th, her single, “When The Saints” has been chosen to be a Discovery Download on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) for the week before the project releases, starting October 30th, and will be listed under the Free downloads section on the iTunes homepage On her new album, Tell Me What You Know, Groves explores what she has learned over the past two years, lessons on the value of long defeats, and the defiance of hope in the face of insurmountable odds. Since the 2005 release of her last project, Add to the Beauty, Groves has been questioning just how, exactly, she is called to do that. Sara explains, “I believe God invites us to add to the beauty of his plan, letting us participate in his redemptive work. But I found myself asking, ‘How have I applied this idea?' I had groomed and groomed and groomed my personal faith, but to what end?” Her answers came in a series of global conversations and experiences, from the flood-ravaged gulf of Louisiana, to the genocide memorials of Rwanda, to the testimonies of Southeast Asia sex trade survivors. These experiences showed the disparity between some of the American pursuits of comfort and wealth and the joy of joining the difficult work of social justice and engaging in the suffering of the afflicted. As Groves explains, such is the case with the song “When The Saints”: "’When the Saints’ was inspired by the work of The International Justice Mission. Their work made me think about the people I have admired in history and made their kind of action seem more accessible. I used to read about amazing heroes like Harriet Tubman who secured her own freedom from slavery and then helped rescue many others through the Underground Railroad. I have always wondered how I would have responded in different times in history. Would I have opened my home to the Underground Railroad or given Anne Frank refuge? We think those stories are removed from us, but right now there are millions of slaves, millions of people hiding from their oppressors. I realized not too long ago, that I have not been the Good Samaritian. I have been the other guys, who walk on the far side of the road. It is my heart’s desire to change that, and ‘When the Saints’ is a celebration of people who were placed by God for certain times and events, and a prayer that I will have the strength to show up for my time. " No stranger to critical acclaim, TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW is already drawing praise from media for “revealing that she’s not content with glossy cultural Christianity,” (RELEVANT magazine) and how she “soaks up life’s myriad experiences and pours them into compelling songs that both enlighten and entertain, and we are all richer for her efforts” (CCM magazine), as well as: “ Tell Me What You Know may leave you in a world of rumination, it’s passionate and beautifully emotional, but it will also leave you in a place of peaceful contemplation. Groves, it seems, just keeps getting better.” -Worship Leader magazine “It’s hard to feel anything but warm about Groves’ soaring vocals and acute pop sensibilities. Listeners will be grateful that Groves shares what she knows –honesty, artistry and how to write a good song.” -Christian Retailing "No question, Sara Groves remains one of the most skillful and thoughtful songwriters in Christian music. Tell Me What You Know is on par with her best work." *Russ Breimeier, Online Managing Editor ChristianMusicToday.com "Sara Groves strikes gold yet again- a heartfelt, emotive offering steeped in introspective songwriting sensibilities, deftly executed earthy instrumentation and an overall uplifting demeanor. Perfect for fans ofher past work and a solid introduction to the uninitiated." *Andy Argyrakis (contributor to The Chicago Tribune, Illinois Entertainer, CCM magazine, Christian Single magazine, Concert LiveWire and more) “Sara's new disc has been in heavy rotation in our station wagon since we got our copy. It's all there -- genius writing, innovative production, great vocals, and a message that matters and moves. The whole thing is brilliant, but the first time I heard cut 2 ("In The Girl There's a Room"), it was so good I had an actual physical reaction (which involved slamming my fist against the steering wheel and shouting "Woah"!) That doesn't happen to me very often. Then again, an artist like Sara doesn't come along very often. She's given us another extraordinary gift in Tell Me What You Know.” *Carolyn Arends - CT contributor/award-winning singer/songwriter and author. 10/24/2007 CONNERSVINE LAUDED BY INDIANAPOLIS COLT'S HEAD COACH DUNGY As their self-titled debut hits nationwide this week, Connersvine, the duo made up of the punter for the Indianapolis Colts’ Hunter Smith, and songwriter Chris Wilson is receiving support and accolades from the likes of the Colt’s head coach, media, hometown radio/TV outlets, and more. "I have really enjoyed listening to Connersvine's debut CD,” remarked Indianapolis Colt’s Head Coach Tony Dungy. “ It is great music from some very talented musicians. But even more than the music, I appreciate the heartfelt words of the songs. Very thought provoking and very much pointing the listener to Christ." CMCentral.com stated, “Connersvine busted up my misconceptions in a big way with this creative, delightful debut,” and Aspiring Retail also commented, “Smith and Chris Wilson, both grounded in years of young adult ministry, deliver a signature stamp of worship for today’s church.” In addition, Connersvine hosted The Gospel Music Channel’s Front Row Live program, recently airing over two back-to-back weekends, and have made several local Indianapolis appearances, including the local NBC and FOX affiliate morning shows, Pop station WZPL’s Dave Smiley Morning Show, and each Monday morning are talking with Christian radio personalities across the country from 6-9am in support of their new single, “Live For You”. Also in Indianapolis, Connersvine will be doing a free record release party at 7pm tonight at Traders Point Christian Church. Later in the week the duo will hit the River Landing Indy Borders (Wednesday, 7pm) and Berean Christian store (Friday, 6pm) for live acoustic sets and signing events. In the summer of 2001, Smith and Wilson began their friendship by leading music together for a young adult ministry on the south side of Indianapolis – this grew into a songwriting relationship, and then they found people asking them to come and play all over the city. Thus began Connersvine. Born and raised in Sherman, Texas, Hunter Smith has had a passion for music as well as a talent in football. Smith graduated from Notre Dame and went on to be drafted in the NFL by the Indianapolis Colts, and just started his ninth season as their punter in addition to the holder for kicker Adam Vinatieri. Raised with a great appreciation for music, Chris Wilson began playing guitar at the age of ten and was helping on the worship team at his local church by the time he was in middle school. Through his passion, Wilson has continued to develop his skills as a musician, songwriter, artist and worship leader. 10/19/2007 DISCIPLE GEARS UP FOR THE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY TOUR AMIDST BUSY FALL INO rockers & Southern based group DISCIPLE will be hitting the road again for the Southern Hospitality Tour with Tooth & Nail Record’s band Spoken, Brave New World Record’s The Wedding and Rocketown Record’s High Flight Society. Having just finished up their Scars Remain tour, the band will kick off the Southern Hospitality Tour on Oct. 31 in Highland, IL and will wrap up on Nov. 18 in Manheim, PA; tour dates listed below. After receiving placement on sports shows and in sports venues throughout the country, DISCIPLE’s “Game On” rock hit will now be performed live at a college or university thanks to the INO Records “Get Your Game On” promotion. High school and college students across the country have been registering and voting for their school online. The grand prize includes 200 specially designed t-shirts for the winning school, an autographed Disciple CD library and a live performance from the group at a school pep rally. Deadline to enter is this Friday, but several hundred students, 40 faculty members and almost a dozen radio station have already registered and voted at http://www.inorecords.com/getyourgameon/. Southern Hospitality Tour * All dates subject to change · Oct. 31 Highland, IL · Nov. 1 Fayetteville, AK · Nov. 2 Joplin, MO · Nov. 3 Broken Arrow, OK · Nov. 4 Lafayette, LA · Nov. 6 Jacksonville, FL · Nov. 8 Homestead, FL · Nov. 9 Lakeland, FL · Nov. 10 Montgomery, AL · Nov. 13 Linthicum, MI · Nov. 15 Bamegat, NJ · Nov. 16 Cleveland, OH · Nov. 17 Landsdale, PA · Nov. 18 Manheim, PA The Knoxville, Tenn. foursome comprised of Kevin Young on vocals, Brad Noah on guitar, Tim Barrett on drums and Joey Fife on bass’ first self-titled studio release “Disciple” (2005) sold 100,000 units and brought home three No. 1 hits. Disciple has also been nominated for a whopping four Gospel Music Awards, and their sophomore album “Scars Remain” (2006) has already garnered a No. 1 hit. “Game On” from their sophomore project also received massive placement in sports shows across the country including “Best Damn Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess”, WWF’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report,” as well as venues such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The single was also used in promotion for “Criminal Minds” and “CSI Miami.” |