Christian Radio Network

Internationally-renowned worship artist Alvin Slaughter anticipates the release of Overcomer, his seventh album with Integrity Music, on May 13.  Overcomer was produced and arranged by Grammy Award winning producer Aaron Lindsey (Israel and New Breed).
 
Enriched with his own unique and uncompromising style, Slaughter hopes that Overcomer will bring life-changing principles and leadership skills that will inspire and motivate thousands across age, gender, and denominational lines.
 
As the former lead male vocalist of the multiple GRAMMY Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and frequent guest and host for TBN, Slaughter is best known for his cross-cultural songs and smooth blending of gospel and contemporary Christian music. 
 
Each song on his upcoming release, including “We’re Destined To Win” and “Great Grace,” delivers passionate, enthusiastic and entertaining messages to both teach and encourage.  His inspiring messages of hope in overcoming life’s obstacles are based on his own lessons learned and breakthrough journey.  Slaughter is committed to helping others across the world apply these principles in their individual lives and relationships.
 
The word Overcomer carries personal significance to Slaughter who spent years living as a “defeated Christian.”  The effects of bankruptcy, foreclosure, welfare, low self esteem and a troubled marriage ruled his life until 1990, when he discovered a whole other world outside the four corners of his own mind.  Little did he know that he was on a collision course lead by the power of God.  It was a power strong enough to set him on an amazing path that would, through the test of time, lead him back into the doors of the church, right into the arms of Christ and into a powerful, worldwide music ministry. 
 
His mission now is to help transform the lives of people who have been bound by self doubt and religious tradition, setting them free with the acceptance of God’s love and the power of a personal relationship with Christ.  He hopes to share the message, that with the Lord, there is hope to overcome life’s obstacles and struggles.  As the song “We’re Destined To Win” states: “We have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and nothing can separate me from His love.” 
 
“My focus has expanded from just music to blending the ministry of music, inspirational speaking and writing — empowering people to not just live passively, sort of looking at their lives as something that they cannot control, but to live passionately,” says Slaughter. “I want to help them find the courage and power within to live their lives on God’s terms and not someone else’s.”
 
“My prayer is that every song I sing will breathe fresh life and love into those who hear it.”
Source: CMSpin.com

When Third

 Day’s newest project kicks off with vocalist Mac Powell declaring “I’m the son of a good man/I’m the child of an angel,” you don’t get the sense the statement is necessarily autobiographical. It’s personal yet universal; a reflection of man’s never-ending search for his identity.

“As we mature in our faith, we come to a point where we realize that everything is not black and white. The older you get, the more questions you have,” Powell says. “The point is that it’s okay that we don’t have all the answers - but we know the One who does.”
Just as this season of definition for Third Day involved bringing Benson into the fold, other artists step into to the creative mix as well, such as Chris Daughtry on the track “Slow Down,” Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely on “Run To You” and “Born Again” and pedal steel guitar wizard Robert Randolph on “Otherside.”
But it’s the core of Third Day that pushed them to this bigger, more polished and yet edgier musical stance, with lyrics designed to relate to a broad swath of the human and Christian experience. “So many Christians have a story of being lost, experiencing Christ and then their lives are all better. But for the ones who were brought up in Christian homes or who have been Christians for most of their lives, are they supposed to have it all together?” Anderson asks. “These songs are for people who are walking through something, right now. They add a tension that can only be found in our daily experience.”
The 13-song album’s first single, the aching love song “Call My Name,” releases to Christian radio on April 4, and sets the stage for the album’s release on July 29, followed by a summer of festival appearances and an ambitious fall tour schedule together with Switchfoot and Robert Randolph & The Family Band.
 
About Third Day:
Over the past decade, Third Day has racked up 24 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than six million albums, with RIAA certifications including one Platinum record, one Platinum DVD, and six Gold records. The band has garnered 23 career Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards (with eight career nominations), two consecutive American Music Award nods, multiple ASCAP honors, and has developed a historic partnership with Chevrolet. Third Day has maintained a touring record second-to-none by playing for audiences reaching into the millions.  In addition to these many accolades, the band is most proud of its humanitarian efforts that include raising nearly $300,000 for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and charities such as the Blood:Water Mission. The band is responsible for encouraging more than 15,000 fans to sponsor children across the globe through the work of World Vision. For more information on Third Day, please visit:  www.ThirdDay.com.
Source: CMSpin.com

Highly-Anticipated Sophomore Album Available This Summer

Family Force 5, just named “Artist of the Year” by Jesusfreakhideout.com’s Reader’s Choice Awards, will hit the road for their 14-city Skeletour and the Rock-n-Roll Champions of the Universe tour.  The Maine (Fearless Records) and Ivoryline (Tooth & Nail) will join them on the club circuit that kicks off on April 3rd in Dallas, TX and continues throughout the West coast ending in Portland, OR on April 20th.  Full tour date listings and tickets can be found online at http://ymamusicgroup.com/familyforce5/skeletour2b.php

Following on the heels of their smash-success debut Business Up Front, Party In The Back, the next Family Force 5 album is slated for a late summer release. Fans can anticipate a preview of the new songs on the April tour run.

Guitarist Chap Stique says, “We used to always say, ‘if theTransformers became a rock band, it would be Family Force 5.’  But the second record turns it up to 11.  Now, we’re more like the Delorean from Back to the Future…but the Delorean became a Transformer that slays dragons, travels through time, and kills monsters with mullets!”

With an escalating fan popularity since their 2006 debut Business Up Front, Party In The Back, Family Force 5 has been catapulted onto the music scene with a performance on CBS TV’s The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, two performances on DIRECTV’s CD USA, music video play on MTVU.com, and a win as Yahoo! Music’s “Who’s Next” contest.  The band’s freshmen effort has sold over 110,000 copies while racking up two #1 rock radio hits, “Replace Me” and “Love Addict” at Christian radio.  The band tours over 200 dates a year including 2006’s Journeys Backyard BBQ Tour, 2007’s Van’s Warped Tour and their Dance, Rawr, Dance Tour where they played 16 sold-out shows and awed over 16,000 people. 2007 was also punctuated with an online Family Force 5 surge including 1,200,000 views of the band’s “Really Real” shows on You Tube, over 200,000 person community on the Family Force 5 MySpace site, and 10,000,000 online music plays.   Led by front man and guitarist Solomon Olds (aka Soul Glow Activator), Family Force 5 includes Solomon’s two brothers Jacob Olds (aka Crouton) on drums/vocal, and his twin Joshua Olds (aka Fatty) on bass/vocals.  The force of five is rounded out by Nathan Currin (aka Nadaddy) on keyboard and Derek Mount (aka Chap Stique) on guitar.

 Event Expands HM Stage Programming, Adds Christian Wrestling Team
 
Sonshine Festival, one of Christian music’s premier summer events, is pleased to announce its participation in the Christian Festival Association (CFA) 2008 National Talent Competition. In addition, Sonshine is excited to say that, in a time when concert attendance is on the decline, the Festival’s advance ticket sales are double what they we were at this time last year.

Together with Provident Label Group and 12 other CFA-affiliated Festivals across the country, Sonshine will host a regional leg of the competition.  Independent artists interested in participating in the contest can submit an online press kit through Sonicbids, via the Sonshine website at www.sonshinefestival.com/contest.htm.  A winner for the Sonshine region will be chosen by a panel comprised of festival administrators and Essential Records staff and will receive a 30-minute main stage performance slot on Thursday, July 17.   All regional winners from the 12 participating festivals will then have the opportunity to compete in the final round in Nashville, TN in September, with the national winner receiving a development deal with Provident Label Group.  The deadline for the Sonshine Festival competition entries is June 15.

“One thing I have always loved about producing festivals is that it has given me the opportunity to help promote up and coming new talent,” says Michael Scanland, Sonshine Festival co-director.  “That is the main reason why we wanted to get involved with this very organized talent search. We are excited to have Provident and the CFA be a part of Sonshine 08.”

Another exciting development is the increase in ticket sales for the event.  As gas prices go higher and concert ticket sales decrease industry-wide, Sonshine Festival is encouraged to see its advance ticket sales double where they were at this time last year.

Scanland comments on the record sales: “I feel our focused internet push, an increased web presence and various other new media strategies, combined with what I would say is our best line up ever in the history of the event, are the driving force behind the increased sales.”

With the goal of being an affordable, family-friendly event, Early Bird weekend passes will be available at a special rate until Monday, March 31.

Adding a fourth night of entertainment to the already outstanding, three-day lineup of events, Sonshine Festival will be held July 16 – 19 at the Willmar Civic Center in Willmar, MN.  The schedule boasts such acts as TobyMac, Third Day, Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Hawk Nelson, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pillar and John Reuben to name a few. Jars of Clay will perform a free concert open to the general public as well as ticket-holders on the newly-added Wednesday night concert.

The HM Stage has expanded their programming, playing host to larger name bands, such as Project 86, Inhale Exhale, August Buns Red, The Chariot, O Sleeper, Maylene & the Sons of Disaster, As I Lay Dying and Haste the Day to highlight a few.  The World Impact Wrestling Team has also been added to the schedule of events on the Sports Arena Stage.

For more information about the Sonshine Festival, the Talent Competition or to view the complete program and information on purchasing tickets to the event please visit www.sonshinefestival.com.

Dove Awards Performers Announced For April 23 Live Show in Nashville
 
Diverse Line-up Includes Casting Crowns, The Clark Sisters, Michael W. Smith,
Amy Grant, Marvin Sapp, Switchfoot, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Trin-i-tee 5:7,
David Crowder*Band, Israel Houghton; and Charlie Daniels with Mac Powell
 
Gospel Music Channel to Telecast Dove Awards Live Nationwide 8 – 10 p.m. ET
 
Casting Crowns, The Clark Sisters, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Marvin Sapp, Switchfoot, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Trin-i-tee 5:7, David Crowder*Band, Israel Houghton; and Charlie Daniels with Mac Powell and other performers to be announced in a special Grand Ole Opry segment are the first performers announced for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards telecast, according to the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Gospel Music Channel (GMC).

Source: CMSpin.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 marked the official street date from EMI of Rebecca St. James’ much anticipated double CD anthology package, The Ultimate Collection.
 
The project presents a unique collection in one package. Hers has been a remarkably influential presence in contemporary Christian music—a career that has spanned over the past fourteen years, producing both a Grammy and multiple Dove Awards, as well as gold album certifications for the Australian born singer/songwriter. With sales of her music soaring into the millions globally, her signature blend of modern pop/rock production, combined with lyrics of unwavering devotion, blaze straight to the heart. The new RSJ double CD set crosses into virtually all of her past album projects to assemble a broad collective portrait of Rebecca’s music—signature songs as well as fresh reminders of why Rebecca St. James remains relevant with today’s listeners.
 
Included in the hits package are unique bonus ’special interest’ tracks such as Lion, St. James centerpiece song written for the inspired by soundtrack album of the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, America, which served as the theme of the 2005 National Day of Prayer, and  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, originally released on the WOW brand compiliation Christian album.
 
The Ultimate Collection scores a perfect “10” for her established music buyers and a super introduction to those just becoming acquainted with Rebecca St. James’ rich musical catalogue.
 
Tracks include:
 
Disc 1:
 
God Help Me
Reborn
God
Lion
Yes (I Believe In God)
Go And Sin No More
I Thank You
Better Is One Day
Wait For Me
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
A Cradle Prayer
God Of Wonders
Abba Father
 
 
Disc 2:
 
You Are Loved
Alive
Psalm 139
Here I Am
Blessed Be Your Name
Breathe
Mirror
Pray
America
Expressions of Your Love
Song of Love
Here I Am To Worship

Source: CMSpin

Release of With Hearts As One CD Is First Part of New Social Justice Movement

The passion to “live out their worship” is at the heart of Hillsong United’s ministry and also at the heart of Hillsong Church, Australia’s largest evangelical congregation and home to the dynamic youth ministry from which the band emerged. Hillsong United is a “Group of the Year” nominee for the 39th Annual Dove Awards and also a former recipient of the Gospel Music Association’s International Award given in recognition of their impact on the global Church.
Additional information about the movement is available at www.TheIHeartRevolution.com and http://www.myspace.com/theiheartrevolution with details related to the DVD release and development of the social justice hub to be announced later. 

Source: CMSpin

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