Christian Radio Network

Tyler, Texas-based band Luminate releases its self-titled debut nationwide today. Luminate’s lead single, “Shine (Love Is An Action),” is currently New and Active at CHR, while the band has been confirmed to appear on GRAMMY Award nominated Superchick’s “Alive Tour” this spring.

Formed in 2005, Luminate comprises Sam Hancock (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Cody Clark (lead guitar), Dustin DeLong (vocals/keys), Dusty Jakubik (bass), and Aaron Matthew (drums). Each of the band’s members are accomplished musicians in their own right, having backed such well-known artists as Billy Ray Cyrus, Building 429, By the Tree and Kari Jobe. As Luminate, the group has released three well-received independent projects, prompting extensive touring nationwide.

Luminate’s first national release, produced by multi-Dove Award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Vince Gill, Steven Curtis Chapman), combines poignant lyrics and anthemic choruses that speak to the essence of God’ love. Luminate frontman Hancock comments, “Our common goal is to reach anyone and everyone with the love of Christ. We want to encourage everyone to actively pursue their God-given life calling.”

In addition to its debut single, “Shine (Love Is An Action),” Luminate will support the new project on tour with Inpop Records pop-rock act Superchick this spring. The “Alive Tour” will visit 20 cities beginning early April.

For more information on Luminate’s upcoming tour dates, and to hear audio clips from its debut release, visit www.myspace.com/luminate.

Fervent Records’ recording artist Big Daddy Weave is hitting the road this week for the “We Want the World to Hear” tour featuring special guests Chris and Conrad. Heading into their 11th year as a band with all original members, Big Daddy Weave will visit more than 20 cities across the South, Midwest and Southeast regions performing songs from their most recent album, What Life Would Be Like, and other Big Daddy Weave fan favorites.
“We are really excited to be heading out on the ‘We Want the World to Hear’ tour with our good friends Chris and Conrad,” says lead singer, Mike Weaver. “It’s not just the name of a tour or title of a song. We are excited to share hope with people who might be stressed out during this time of uncertainty in our world. We want the world to hear the hope we have in Jesus.”

Big Daddy Weave hit the spotlight in 2002 when One and Only debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top 5, the highest debut for a new artist that year. Garnering their first CHR No. 1 at radio with “Audience of One,” the band’s other chart-topping songs include “You’re Worthy Of My Praise” and “Every Time I Breathe.” Big Daddy Weave has additionally been featured on several special event albums such as: Dove Hits, WOW Hits, WOW Worship, WOW Christmas and the Absolute series. For more information on Big Daddy Weave and the “We Want the World to Hear” tour, visit www.bigdaddyweave.com.

Chris and Conrad exploded on the scene in 2009 with their debut Top 5 hit “Lead Me To The Cross”. Their new single “You’re The One” is already a Top 20 hit and climbing fast. For more information on Chris and Conrad, visit www.ChrisandConrad.com.

“We Want the World to Hear” Tour featuring Big Daddy Weave with Chris and Conrad
*Dates and markets subject to change without notice.
3/5- Martin, TN
3/6- Florissant, MO
3/12- Dayton, OH
3/13- Charleston, WV
3/14- Marietta, OH
3/18- Texarkana, TX
3/19- Nacogdoches, TX
3/20- Flower Mound, TX
3/21- Wimberly, TX
3/25- Leland, NC
3/26- Warner Robbins, GA
3/27- Monroeville, AL
4/9- Daytona Beach, FL
4/10- Hartsville, SC
4/15- Hixon, TN
4/16- Clarksville, TN
4/17- Hattiesburg, MS
4/29- Jacksonville, FL
4/30- Valdosta, GA
5/1- Gibsonville, NC
For an updated list of tour dates, markets, and biographical information on Big Daddy Weave go to www.bigdaddyweave.com

What happens when, as a child, you can’t decide what to do with the rest of your life? When Dave Barnes was a little boy, he wanted to grow up and be Spiderman or play music. He chose the latter because becoming Spiderman would have been a long shot, and thankfully years later we get to enjoy the music and lyrics from Dave Barnes, most recently from his brand new album What We Want, What We Get. Releasing April 6th on Razor & Tie Records, this is Barnes’ fourth project to date and his second full-length project with Razor & Tie.

What We Want, What We Get showcases Barnes at his best yet as he explores a range of texture and melodies with songs expressing a wide range of emotions. The most accessible and inspiring of all of his projects, he explains, “When I decided to make this record I really wanted to write songs that people could quickly assimilate in to their own life. I’m excited because I think this record is the most ‘easily digestible’ of anything I’ve ever written.”

Just a few years into Barnes’ musical career, which started with an EP in 2002 that led to opening some shows for fellow singer/songwriter Matt Wertz, Barnes began to build his own audience. He also began to obtain fans in respected artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Marc Cohn, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and John Mayer, something for which he is very grateful. “The thing that fires me up, and still blows me away, is when I am able to meet someone I’ve admired and has inspired me, only to find out they feel the same way about what I do. Respect is a pretty heavy currency in my little world, and it has hugely impacted my music.”

Encouraged by these artists as well as influenced by Stevie Wonder, Doobie Brothers, Indigo Girls, and authors Donald Miller and Frederick Buechner, Barnes was more than eager to create What We Want, What We Get. The project’s theme reflects how Barnes deals with expectations of life. “I’ve been very blessed but still struggle with a head full of dreams,” he shares. “Be it good, be it bad, what do we do when we don’t get what we expected?”

He also co-produced this new project, partnering with Ed Cash (Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant) who has also co-produced all of Barnes’ full-length releases.

Known for honest lyrics and not hiding his feelings behind metaphors, Dave Barnes continues to approach his subject matter directly. His first radio single, titled “God Gave Me You,” is a beautiful up-tempo love song for all ages: God gave me you for the ups and downs / God gave me you for the days of doubt / For when I think I lost my way / there are no words here left to say, it’s true / God gave me you.

“God Gave Me You” is already making a huge impact at CHR radio, capturing fans in both promoters and the radio listener. The single debuted this week on Billboard’s CHR charts at #28, with more adds coming in weekly.

No matter what, Dave Barnes is just enjoying every minute of every day. “What really blows my mind is that every day is a constant invitation from God, for us to participate is His will for our lives,” he says. “Yet something that the devil loves to do is to pull us into thinking that there’s just that one chance, that one choice, and when you’ve made that choice you’ve made it for the rest of your life. And the beauty of what God says is, ‘No! Every second of every moment, of every day, of every year of your life, I’m inviting you to do this, and You can participate or not.’ Every moment God gives us is another chance,” he concludes.

Sure, Dave Barnes never did become Spiderman, swinging from tall buildings by the thread of a web, but we’re glad he has become entangled in something much more spectacular.

What We Want, What We Get song listing:
1. Little Lies
2. God Gave Me You
3. What I Need
4. What We Want, What We Get
5. Chameleon
6. Somebody’s Someone
7. Look So Easy
8. Same for Me
9. My Love, My Enemy
10. Amen

INSIDE THE HEART AND MIND OF DAVE BARNES
Growing up the son of a pastor, there wasn’t a time in his life that Dave Barnes hasn’t been in the church. “Because of my parents’ faithfulness and love, I never knew a time not knowing the Lord,” he gratefully mentions. There also hasn’t been a time in his life that he hasn’t had music around, something his parents have always supported. With music on during homework to housework chores, “If I am doing anything, I’ve got music on in the background.” He even studied percussion in college with hopes to then move to Nashville to become a session musician. Yet when his dorm room was just too small for his drum set, he picked up his roommates’ guitar and taught himself to play. Along the way, Barnes discovered he also had a real knack for songwriting.

Some may also be surprised to know that he has a separate, and successful, career as a stand-up comedian. Motivated by the stand-up work of Bill Cosby, Barnes has performed several sold-out dates in and around Nashville, garnering positive reviews and more fans with each performance.

Passionate to share his heart through his music, Barnes has been immensely inspired by The Mocha Club and puts the ministry as a priority at all of his shows. “I view my work with The Mocha Club as, in some ways, the reason why I do what I do,” he shares. “I realized early on in my career, as Solomon did, if I’m doing this to bring attention to myself, it gets really miserable. I have been able to go to Africa three times with them and each time, it becomes more and more the story that God is writing in my life. One of my best friends in the world, Barrett Ward, runs it so it was an easy and obvious choice. He is an amazing man and I knew what he was involved with would be full of integrity and vision.“

Most recently Barnes was one of the many artists joining their talents at last weekend’s Help Haiti Live benefit, supporting Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund. He shared the stage with Alison Krauss and Union Station, Jars of Clay, Matt Kearney, Brandon Heath and Matt Wertz at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Photos are below from the event.

For more information, please visit:

www.DaveBarnes.com
www.razorandtie.com
www.mochaclub.org

INO Records’ singer and songwriter Jonny Diaz has received one of the biggest honors of his career thus far – the nomination for New Artist of the Year at the upcoming 41st GMA Dove Awards. The winner of the New Artist of the Year category will be decided by GMA members and also by the fans! Cast your vote from now until Tuesday, April 20th by visiting http://www.gmclife.com/fanvoting. The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will air on gmc Sunday, April 25th at 8pm EST.

Diaz is no doubt one of the breakout artists of 2009. With his hit single “More Beautiful You,” Diaz held the #1 spot at radio for four weeks in a row and to date, the song has received more than 110,000 single downloads and over 375,000 MySpace plays, along with over 135 million radio impressions and over 60,000 spins. The music video alone has received well over 500,000 online views. Diaz’s CD, More Beautiful You, is his fourth to date and is his first signed with INO Records.

It doesn’t end there. “More Beautiful You’ continues to receive airplay across the nation not only at Christian radio but also on mainstream stations across the U.S. The single has hit Top 30 on Billboard’s mainstream AC chart, and is currently top 12 on Clear Channel’s new on-line program.

Diaz is already making another mark at radio with his next radio single, “Stand For You,” the #1 most added song as of the first reporting week of the new year. Penned by Diaz, “Stand For You” shares the important message about standing up for Christ in a world that wants to water Him down. The song is quickly climbing the Christian charts, as it is already Top 10 at Soft AC/Inspo and Top 20 AC.

Steve Turley of WCLN, Fayetteville, NC, knew it was a hit when he first heard the song, stating, “‘Stand For You’ was a song I couldn’t wait to add. Talk about a song that relates. I’m sure we all agree that instead of complaining about how bad things are getting, we need to be proactive in influencing our culture.

“Jonny Diaz puts into words what so many are already thinking,” Turley shares. “Great song with timely lyrics.”

To further promote the theme of the song, Diaz and INO Records have teamed with Tangle.com for the “Stand For You” video contest, where participants create their own video to show how they stand up for the Word of God. The contest is currently in full swing and further details can be found at http://jonnydiaz.com/contest.

“More Beautiful You” music video:

“Stand For You” performance video:

“Stand For You” story behind the song:

http://inorecords.com/jonnydiaz/JonnyDiaz_newsingle.mov

MORE ABOUT JONNY DIAZ:
Following in the footsteps of his previous projects, More Beautiful You continues to reveal Diaz’s inspiring lyrics and catchy melodies and instrumentation, while illuminating his heart to the listener, a heart that is passionate about reaching his generation with the message of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace.

No stranger to touring, Diaz is currently on the road performing at churches, venues and conferences. He has had the opportunity to open in concert for Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, Bebo Norman, and perform alongside numerous other Christian musicians, such as Building 429 and Chris And Conrad. Diaz has also appeared at some of the largest Christian music festivals in the country such as Atlanta Fest, Alive and more.

“More Beautiful You” topped the Christian radio charts for an astounding four consecutive weeks this summer, and now months later the hit song continues to be a staple at Christian radio. Along with hitting the top spot at radio, the year-end charts placed Jonny Diaz #9 as Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs Artist and “More Beautiful You” claimed the #6 spot on Billboard’s AC charts. The song was also the 3rd best Christian Song of the year, according to AOL Radio. The music video won the “Contemporary Video” category in 2009’s Gospel Music Channel Video Awards and received more votes than any other video in any of the categories. Along with exposure on GMC, the video has been seen by well over half a million viewers on other outlets such as YouTube and Tangle.com and continues to receive new views every single day.

www.JonnyDiaz.com
www.inorecords.com

Following the highest sales debut of his solo career with his new CD TONIGHT (No. 6 on Billboard Top 200/No. 1 Christian SoundScan/No. 2 iTunes® overall), multi-platinum and GRAMMY® Award winning artist TobyMac is now celebrating the project’s title track being chosen as the theme song for Major League Baseball Network’s (MLB) 30 CLUBS IN 30 DAYS spring training series. The song will be featured throughout each episode.

With just 41 days until Opening Day, MLB Network recently announced it will once again televise the Spring Training series 30 Clubs in 30 Days, with hour-long features on each of the 30 Major League clubs previewing the 2010 season. The new season of 30 Clubs in 30 Days will provide extensive coverage of each team with field reports, interviews, predictions and inside access to every club’s training camp as Opening Day approaches. A preview of the new season can be viewed on MLB Network’s web site.

30 Clubs in 30 Days premieres on Wednesday, March 3 at 5:00 p.m. ET with the Detroit Tigers, followed by the New York Yankees on Thursday, March 4 at 5:00 p.m. ET (check www.mlbnetwork.com for updates).

Sold out and packed crowds helped TobyMac kick off the AWAKE TONIGHT tour with Skillet last week, which runs through April 11. For tour dates and more information on TobyMac, go to: http://www.tobymac.com

Christian music has been enjoyed for centuries by those interested in an alternative to secular music. Christian music is mostly written to express one’s belief in their religious lifestyle, and offers listeners a chance for learning, worship and an overall listening experience in accordance to their Christian beliefs. Christian music has become very popular throughout the years and can now be classified into a number of different categories. We will examine some of the more popular genres of today’s Christian music.

Contemporary

Contemporary music literally covers all genres of new age Christian music, but is most commonly associated with a new movement of Christian music that has alternative rock, pop, and country sounds. The contemporary movement began in the 1960s, with this type of music then referred to as Jesus music. Some Christians dispute whether or not the contemporary tones fit into their religion, but contemporary is a popular genre that gives Protestant listeners an alternative faith-based style of music. The growth of contemporary styles has been strong since the mid 1990s, and newer artists and subgenres help to continue the expansion of Christian music.

Hip Hop

The words hip hop don’t exactly bring images of Jesus to one’s mind, but Christian rappers have attempted to change that. Sometimes called gospel rap, Christian hip hop is a refreshing alternative to secular rap music. Christian rap was started in the late 1980s and became increasingly popular throughout the late twentieth century because it offered an uplifting listening experience for youth with good beats and positive lyrics. Gospel rap allows urban neighborhoods to celebrate their faith while listening to a style of music they have been accustomed to and enjoy.

Gospel

If gospel music does not fill your sole with spirit, then I am not sure what can! Gospel music is uplifting, inspiring, and fun to listen to. When most think of gospel music, churches in the south come to mind. In fact, gospel music has been thought to have started during times of slavery in the late 1800s. The genre of gospel became more defined and gained popularity in the first quarter of the twentieth century, and is now listened to worldwide. Gospel music is known for its strong vocals surrounded by electric guitars, bass, and drums. Gospel music thrives today and is certainly considered a staple of Christian music.

Christian Rock

Christian rock music covers a lot of ground with many different subgenres contained within the rock category. The “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll” explosion in the 1960s certainly made many Christians wary of jumping into the rock scene, but by the early 1970s Christian rock bands began to separate themselves from a demonic image, and instead produced Christian lyrics with rock tones. Today many bands are considered Christian rock artists, some more devoted to the Christian title than others. Although some might not realize this, the band U2 was a catalyst for Christian rock in the 1990s based on their enormous success beginning in the 1980s.

This is hardly a complete list of Christian music genres, but sampling some of these genres will give you a good taste of the great listening Christian music offers. Finding your favorite genre is important and will certainly enhance your experience. Being able to listen to your favorite Christian bands at home or on the go is a relaxing way to worship throughout the day.

Justin Palmer runs the online store for C28.com where you can find bold Christian t-shirts, clothing, shirts, music and more for guys, gals, and kids. The C28 Christian music store has the hottest selection of todays Christian music CDs in rock, pop, hardcore, and upcoming new Christian music bands. Listen to samples and see others ratings.

Music has always been a big influence in the lives of young people. Elvis, the Beatles, U2 and others have left a mark on their generations. Unfortunately that influence has not always been positive. As parents we need to constantly monitor what is going into our children’s minds and souls. The music that they listen to is something that we need to take a very close look at. What’s on your son’s iPod? What are they downloading on the computer?

Christian radio is a great way to introduce your children and teens to music with a message that will help to build them up in their faith. The quality of Christian music and the talent on Christian radio rivals or exceeds many non Christian stations. Christian music has grown from Southern Gospel quartets and Christian folk music to include Christian Hip Hop, Christian Rock, Christian Punk, Christian Latino, etc. Whatever style of music that your teens are listening to, Christian radio plays it.

The difference between Christian radio and secular radio is not the sound. The difference is found in the lyrics and usually the lifestyle of the groups singing the songs. This is important to understand. It may all sound the same to you, and the people singing the music may look somewhat similar, but what they are singing about is worlds apart. The difference is the message.

Christian rap sounds like rap music, Christian rock sounds like rock music, Christian punk music sounds like punk music. The difference is in the lyrics. A listener related this story to me. She was traveling in her car with her teenage daughter on a Saturday night. The radio was tuned into our Christian radio station which plays Southern Gospel music in the morning. However, our programming on Saturday night is geared to teens and is a mix of Christian Rock and Christian Rap music. As they drove down the highway the daughter was enjoying the music and couldn’t believe that her mom was listening to rap music, “her music”. After several miles the daughter asked what station it was and was surprised to find out it was her mom’s Christian radio station. The daughter now listens regularly. Not only is she being fed spiritually on the Word that is the lyrics but the ministry between the songs provides positive reinforcement to what she is learning at home and in her youth group.

This story illustrates an important point: many of our kids listen to secular music by default. They don’t know that there is a Christian alternative. They don’t know that they can listen to the same sound but hear a different message. As parents we can point them to the Christian music alternative to what they are listening to. By doing this we can ensure that the music they are listening to lines up with our Christian values and not the worldly values found in secular music.

How to Find Christian Music Your Kids Will Listen To

If you are having a difficult time finding Christian music that your teens and children might enjoy listening to,or don’t know where to start your search, look in the local telephone book for a Christian radio station. They should be able to help you find what you are looking for. You could also visit your local Christian book store. They usually sell a variety of music and will be able to help you. Another good resource is the internet.

A key point to remember is that the music will sound similar to what you kids are already listening to. So if you don’t like the sound of what they are listening to now, you probably won’t like to sound of the Christian music alternative. Look past the sound to the message and rejoice that your kids are using ear buds!

Tim Eutin is the President of The Rock Marketing Group and hosts a daily four hour Christian radio show on the He’s Alive Radio Network.

More than a dozen award-winning artists offered their musical talents to help make sure desperately needed relief supplies continue flowing into Haiti, where the struggle for survival continues for hundreds of thousands of earthquake victims. Today, the result of that musical effort – Healing 4 Haiti – is available for sale at iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/healing-4-haiti/id356668357).

Healing 4 Haiti is a collection of 15 songs from Christian music’s leading artists and worship leaders and includes the anthem “Come Together Now (Music City Unites For Haiti),” penned by Michael W. Smith, Cindy Morgan and David Mullen and featuring a host artists including Vince Gill, Wynonna, Amy Grant and Oak Ridge Boys. The CD’s songlist also includes tracks from Israel Houghton, DecembeRadio, Kari Jobe, The Afters, Hawk Nelson and many more plus an exclusive version of Jared Anderson’s new song, “Carry Me.”

Healing 4 Haiti was released today by Integrity Music at iTunes and will become available at retail stores on March 16. A minimum of $5.00 per copy of the album sold will be donated to Haiti earthquake relief. The donations will be used to provide clean water, shelter, medical care and other critical aid from Samaritan’s Purse. It will also support the work of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Rapid Response Team, which had chaplains on the ground within 24 hours of the earthquake providing emotional and spiritual comfort to survivors. Additionally, net proceeds from “Come Together Now (Music City Unites for Haiti)” will go to the Haiti relief efforts of Samaritan’s Purse and the American Red Cross.

Several of the artists have traveled to Haiti and visited the work of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. (Photos available upon request.) Additional information for Healing 4 Haiti is available at www.healing4haiti.org.

International relief organization Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, both headed by Franklin Graham, were on the ground in Haiti immediately following the tragedy and have expanded their response to more than $25 million in aid.

About The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
BGEA is a nonprofit organization that reaches millions of people each year through Billy Graham television broadcasts, Franklin Graham Festivals, Will Graham Celebrations, “My Hope” World Television Project, Dare to Be a Daniel youth ministry, The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, Decision magazine, “Hour of Decision” and “Decision Minute” radio programs, and the Internet.

About Samaritan’s Purse:
Samaritan’s Purse is a nonprofit organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations – especially in locations where few others are working. Samaritan’s Purse has worked in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

About Integrity Music:
Integrity Music is a division of Integrity Media, a privately-owned media/communications company that produces, publishes and distributes Christian music and related materials that are sold throughout the United States and in over 160 other countries. Integrity Media is committed to providing Christ-centered products and resources to individuals, families and the Church worldwide.

Dorothy Savage is breaking the ‘new female voice sound barrier’ with a contemporary fresh edge, and a relevant message of hope threading throughout her debut project, Glorious Mess, (Crimson Pink Music) releasing March 30th.

Aiding her breakthrough introduction to listeners is the addition of Air 1 Radio Network last week adding her first radio single, As Long As It Takes, to their playlist. Dorothy is featured this week on the network’s website (http://www.air1.com) in a special “getting to know the artist” feature.

Dorothy’s connectivity with Christian radio on the single has elicited early positive programming support from, among other stations, Star 93.5 FM in Jackson, Mississippi: “Being a CHR station, I’m faced with picking music that is relevant to a younger audience. Something hip, modern and funky that has a rock edge—that’s what you get with Dorothy Savage,” noted Star 93.5 air personality Traci Lee.

Produced by Marty Magahee (of 4HIM acclaim), additional production credits on two songs (As Long As It Takes, Finder of the Lost) go to Chris Omartian (Rubyz, Atomic Blonde). Stand-out tracks on the project include Faith Begins, See Through Me, Beautiful Savior, End of Me, and I Am. Contributing writers and talent include Chris Sligh (American Idol), Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys), Jill Philips and Cindy Morgan.

Glorious Mess is a project two and a half years in the making. It marks the latest chapter in the life of a young woman who has both encountered more than one spiritual challenge and had more than one musical dream come true.

“My first inspiration for the album came when I was working in theater in New York,” Dorothy shares. “As a Christian, I had been in a secular environment for so long and at a time in my life when my sister was struggling with a very serious illness. All that was happening in my life really caused me to draw heavily on God for my strength. I felt Him calling me back to a place where I could speak candidly in my music about Him and about what Jesus has meant to my life. This album has been like an ‘autobiographical lifeline’ that has given me that opportunity.”

The title for her first project is typical of Dorothy’s transparency in her intentional journey of heart and lyrics: “I am truly a ‘glorious mess’ with raw edges and a mountain of imperfections! The title comes from my viewpoint of embracing all my faults and just realizing God loves me just as I am. I came to realize God can not only look beyond our weaknesses, He can look beyond our perceived ‘strengths’ and give our hearts a place to rest. I hope my music will encourage others to find that place.”

Promotions set for the project include an April spotlight in CCM “Digital” Magazine which will include a full page ad and Q&A with Dorothy; April music spotlights at Youthworker.com and CCM.com; and Christian Music Planet music positioning in May. A special introduction of Dorothy Savage and her music will also be featured street week as a highlight of Focus on the Family’s “Official Plugged In Podcast.” Glorious Mess will also be spotlighted nationally on a “Mega Day” pre-street launch campaign by the Salem Radio Network on March 29th. Special positioning at retail is also being planned. The project is being distributed at retail by Crimson Pink/New Day Distribution.

Crimson Pink Productions and Ray Ware Management will host an ‘invitation to the industry’ street day launch party to introduce Dorothy Savage and the new project on March 30th The event is being held at The Red House, 138 Third Avenue North in Franklin.

Resource Dorothy Savage online: www.dorothysavage.com

Single Available Online, More Album Pre-Order Options Also Available

Solid State Records and Demon Hunter present the world premiere of the band’s music video for the single “Collapsing” exclusively on MySpace as a part of the official “50 Days of Demon Hunter” online campaign.

The video was filmed in Pittsburgh, PA by Endeavor Media (Anberlin, Owl City) and features Bjorn “Speed” Strid of Swedish death metal band Soilwork, who contributes guest vocals to the song.

“We’re all huge Soilwork Fans so this was an honor for us,” says Demon Hunter vocalist Ryan Clark. “Speed was on a very short wishlist of ours for guys that we would want to have do vocals on the record so we were really, really excited when he agreed to do it.”

“Collapsing” is the lead single from Demon Hunter’s upcoming album THE WORLD IS A THORN and is available for download now on iTunes and Amazon MP3.

THE WORLD IS A THORN will be released in stores and online March 9th. The album will be available as both a Regular Edition and Deluxe Box Edition and can be pre-ordered now at iTunes, Best Buy, Amazon as well as the Demon Hunter Webstore.

Please check out the “50 Days Of Demon Hunter” at TheWorldIsAThorn.com. For 50 days straight fans will have access to exclusive Demon Hunter content, information, track listings, contests, images, videos, and much more!

About Demon Hunter:
Demon Hunter is an anomaly in today’s heavy music scene, jettisoning fashionable trends and easily recognizable cliches in favor of traditional heavy metal power and melodic hooks. THE WORLD IS A THORN recalls the best of the genre’s past while pushing the envelope forward at the same time. The album follows previous studio albums STORM THE GATES OF HELL (2007), THE TRIPTYCH (2005), SUMMER OF DARKNESS (2004) and DEMON HUNTER (2002), as well as the live album and three-disc CD / DVD set 45 DAYS, which have sold close to a combined half a million copies.

Demon Hunter is Ryan Clark (vocals), Jonathan Dunn (bass), Yogi Watts (drums), Patrick Judge (guitar) and Ryan Helm (guitar).

For more information visit:
www.demonhunter.net
www.myspace.com/demonhunter

Modern rock band, Sixteen Cities, has signed with Centricity Music and is scheduled to release their self-titled debut April 20, 2010. The project was produced by Jason Ingram (Meredith Andrews, Tenth Avenue North), Rusty Varenkamp (Bebo Norman, Rush of Fools) and Steve Wilson (Hawk Nelson, Leeland). The project will be distributed by EMI Distribution.

“At Centricity we not only try to honor the artists’ talent but more importantly we embrace their ministry,” says Chris Hamilton, Manager A&R, Centricity Music. “Sixteen Cities is such a talented group of artists that have been compared to The Fray, Jars Of Clay and The Afters. But what really impacted us at the label, was their ministry with the unchurched in public high schools around the country. It has become a very powerful and effective calling that also translates well with the more traditional music venues.”

“In high school, we started out by leading our peers in worship on Wednesday mornings and we fell in love with it,” recalls the band’s lead vocalist and keyboardist, Josiah Warneking. “As soon as we graduated, we all prayed and sought God’s true heart and will. We felt called to full-time music ministry, but knew nothing about the music industry. A week or two later we got a phone call from a guy with a ministry called Common Ground, which is basically a huge production with concerts, games and a Gospel presentation in a public school. So here we were thinking we’d have no chance to continue singing to students after having just graduated, and we wound up in front of hundreds and sometimes thousands of teenagers in gymnasiums singing about Jesus.”

Sixteen Cities hails from Portland, Oregon and the group started performing as a band in their early years of high school. The group’s moniker was inspired by the tribe of Issachвr in Joshua 19, which also understood the current needs of its generation. The band’s modern rock sound and heartfelt messages began connecting with fans within the indie Northwest music scene. Sixteen Cities began garnering national recognition when a friend at a Christian bookstore started passing their CD around the industry and Centricity Music invited them to their indie artist retreat, which led to their label deal in 2008. Sixteen Cities remains an active touring band and has toured with such other acts as Kutless, Building 429, Fireflight and Sanctus Real.

For more information on Sixteen Cities please visit online at www.sixteencities.com and www.myspace.com/sixteencities.

Christian music has become extremely popular of late. The music has become so widespread that some Christian FM radio stations have come up. The stations are fully dedicated to Christian music. Those who are not so familiar with this type of music feel that it’s mainly religious music. A group of singers generally performs the music. But that’s not all. Have you heard of Christian rock? While Christian music is the integral part of a church service, the Christian rock tends to break away from that ritual. Christian rock is performed with guitars, drums and other non-organ instruments. This is a section of Christian music that has caught the imagination of Christian music lovers.

Just like other music, Christian music has also gone through the same revolution to become more popular. In fact, modern Christian music has deviated from its original form, say the experts. The music has become so contemporary that you won’t be able to differentiate it from other music you listen to everyday. The Internet has become one of the greatest sources of Christian music. You will find latest information on Christian music. You can read reviews of the latest Christian music albums that have hit the market. Many Christian music sites carry profiles on Christian artists. So, you can update your knowledge of Christian music on the Internet. Christian music reviews play a significant role in shaping up the listeners’ response.

Christian music has been carrying out its duty with perfection, i.e., to spread the word of God. Christian music is an effective tool to attract people towards Christianity. The music has been influencing more and more people to explore the Christian religion. If you are a devoted fan of Christian music, we suggest you explore sites with music clips. These sites will give you an idea of what’s happening on the Christian music scene.

Christian Music provides detailed information on Christian Music, Christian Music Lyrics, Download Christian Music, Christian Sheet Music and more. Christian Music is affiliated with Southern Gospel Music

My son has the game but there isn’t any Christian worship music on it. We like rocking Christian music as well.

I keep hearing the same stuff i need some new christian music to listen to. So whats your top 5 christian songs, i like guys like chris tomlin, jeremany camp, and the newsboys.

Free Smartphone Software

I really want to write and perform contemporary christian music as a future career. What should I major in to do this?

Satellites & Sirens, the latest rock addition to the Word Records family, is preparing for an extensive tour with Disciple and Decyfer Down. Launching on March 4 in Longview, Texas, the “Blood, Sweat, and Rock n Roll” tour, will hit 35 cities during the months of March and April.

The band’s self-titled, full-length release debuted in the iTunes Top 10 Christian & Gospel chart the first week of the exclusive release. Satellites & Sirens will release to all outlets Tuesday, March 2. The new single, “Anchor” was just released to CHR/Rock Radio as a follow-up to the hit single “Take Me Back.”

For a full list of tour dates or for more information on Satellites & Sirens, visit http://www.satellitesandsirens.com

Centricity Music’s powerhouse band, Me In Motion, will join Sanctus Real on its 2010 Tour that launches March 3rd and ends May 7th. The tour also features Above the Golden State and Addison Road. This marks the third major tour for the newcomer band in the last twelve months, as they were featured on the Newsboys fall tour in 2009 and the RED/Pillar tour in January and February 2010.

“Next week marks the beginning of an exciting new tour as we’ll be hitting the road with one of our longtime favorite Christian bands, Sanctus Real,” says Seth Mosley, lead singer, Me In Motion. “We love their message, their music, their hearts and are extremely excited to share the stage with them. We’ll be playing a new song, ‘Seek Justice, Love Mercy,’ from our upcoming self-titled CD and it’s our first time to play the tune live. We are extremely excited to share it with the fans and we believe that now is a critical time for this message to be heard loud and clear. We feel quite certain that no audience will leave unchanged, but called to live out their faith in a radical new way. Me in Motion is thrilled to be a part of this with Sanctus Real, Above The Golden State and Addison Road.”

“It is a joy to work with a band that is as dedicated as Me In Motion is with their ministry,” states Steve Ford, Vice President of Marketing, Centricity Music. “Success in this business takes aggressive touring, along with strong radio, and Me In Motion has both. It has been such a great time for our team to partner with a group that works as hard as we do.”

On the tour, Me In Motion will perform additional songs from their new debut project that releases March 23, 2010. The first single from the new album, “Losers,” is currently number 18 and climbing on the CHR chart. The video for “Losers” debuted on the Air1 website and is being played on various video outlets, including the Gospel Music Channel.

Me In Motion, which is comprised of Seth Mosley, Tim Wilson (bass/background vocals) and Brian Dexter (drums/background vocals), was formed by Mosley after working two years in a recording studio following high school graduation. After realizing he didn’t want to “sit in one place all the time,” was when he brought Wilson and Dexter on board to begin the musical journey as Me In Motion. The talent of the group immediately brought them attention which led to 140 tour dates in 2008 and Me In Motion reached 165-dates in 2009. But more than playing Brit-influenced rock, it’s the message that Me In Motion wants to impact with their audiences.

For more information on Me In Motion please visit, www.myspace.com/meinmotion or www.centricitymusic.com.

Celebrating 15 years as one of the north east’s premier music events, Purple Door Arts and Music Festival announces a new partnership with Facedown Records, an expanded Forum schedule with rare performances and a line up featuring some of the hottest bands from around the country for 2010. Held August 13 and 14 at Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, PA, tickets are on sale now.

With the intent of making the HM Stage line up even bigger and better, Purple Door is partnering with Facedown Records for “Facedown Friday,” featuring all bands from the label’s roster.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to team up with Purple Door to bring the first ever Facedown Night,” says Jason Dunn of Facedown Records. “All four of the Facedown bands playing that night have brand new 2010 albums releasing before the fest and it’s a perfect chance for people to see what Facedown is all about, from our seasoned veterans like War Of Ages and A Plea For Purging to our up and coming young bands like Onward To Olympas and In The Midst Of Lions.

The 2009 event saw the addition of a forum, featuring speakers and discussions in an intimate setting. For 2010, the Forum is hitting the stage. With the addition of a fourth stage, the Forum will feature speakers covering the hard-hitting and relevant topics of today, as well as a rare acoustic performances from industry-changing artists like Derek Webb and last year’s headlining band, Family Force 5.

Other bands featured in the 2010 line up include:
Main Stage: HM Stage: Gallery Stage:
Family Force 5
Thousand Foot Krutch
August Burns Red
Project 86
Lecrae
The Classic Crime
House of Heroes
Children 18:3
I Am Terrified
Ivoryline Demon Hunter
Showbread
Mychildren Mybride
Texas In July
Ace Augustine
War of Ages Bradley Hathaway
Paper Route
Seabird
John Mark McMillan
Deas Vail
B. Reith
Esterlyn
Oceans in Love

Main Stage speakers will be Lecrae and To Write Love On Her Arms’ Renee Yohee.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased through iTickets.com at a discounted advance rate of $35.50 prior to April 2nd, $39.50 before August 6th and $42.00 at the gate.

“Its hard to believe Purple Door will celebrate the big one five this year,” says Festival Administrator, Chris Strayer. “Who would have known 15 years ago that our little Festival would become what it is today! We are excited to be bringing back many of the great additions to the festival we made last year plus several new elements for this year. Its going to be great!”

Additional announcements of highlights, contests and new web content for Purple Door 2010 will be coming soon.

For more up-to-the-minute information about Purple Door Arts and Music Festival, including photos and videos from last year’s event, please visit www.purpledoor.com and www.twitter.com/purpledoorfest.

Essential Records artist Red announced its presence with authority as one of the premier rock bands in Christian music with a total of three nominations for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards.

The band’s second full-length album project, Innocence & Instinct, picked up a nod for Rock Album of the Year, while two different songs off the record – “Fight Inside” and “Mystery of You” – were included in the list of honorees for Rock Recorded Song of the Year.

The GMA Dove Award nominations come the same week Red is finishing its first big touring jaunt of 2010, headlining the “Nothing And Everything Tour,” which also includes fellow hard rock band (and labelmates) Pillar, along with special guests The Wedding and Me In Motion. The tour wraps Tuesday, February 23 in Dodge City, Kansas.

Nashville-based Red, made up of Michael Barnes (vocals), Anthony Armstrong (guitar) Randy Armstrong (bass), and Joe Rickard (drums), has logged an impressive 1,500+ live shows since releasing its debut album End Of Silence in 2006.

Red’s GRAMMY-nominated sophomore project, Innocence & Instinct (2/7/09) released with more than 40,000 in first week sales and climbed its way to the Top 5 on iTunes Top Albums chart. To date, the band has earned eight consecutive No. 1 radio singles, the last three of which are from Innocence & Instinct. The band simultaneously released a Deluxe Edition of Innocence & Instinct that includes four bonus tracks and a DVD featuring the “Death of Me” music video, a “making of” documentary and more.

Since the 2006 emergence of End Of Silence RED has maintained a near-constant presence on the road, touring alongside notable rock names such as Three Days Grace, Flyleaf, 3 Doors Down, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Sevendust, Staind, Kutless, Trapt, Third Day, Switchfoot and others, and rave reviews for the band’s live shows have poured in via both print and online outlets alike.

For more information about RED, please visit: www.redmusiconline.com.

GRAMMY Award nominated pop-rock group Superchick is offering a free download of its song “Courage” (from the Beauty From Pain album) Feb. 21-27 in support of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

The song was originally inspired by Superchick guitarist/vocalist Melissa Brock’s personal struggle with an eating disorder. Melissa explains, “I know full-well the pressures that society and even friends sometimes place on us to be thin and beautiful. It started for me when I was 15. I know what it’s like to not feel pretty, to feel fat, to feel like no one would ever want to be with you or even be friends with you because you feel so bad about yourself. BUT I also know how it feels to be free from those pressures and feel a love and acceptance that isn’t humanly possible. This week I am sharing my story, the whole story. And I hope that it reaches someone out there who has been or is where I have been. The biggest step is knowing you aren’t alone.”

Read Melissa’s story in its entirety at http://www.superchickonline.com/blog/?p=506. Also–access the free download of “Courage” at http://inpop.com/superchick/courage/. For more information on National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, visit:www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/.

The free download is an extension of Superchick’s involvement with “Operation Beautiful,” an NEDAwareness Week featured organization. “Operation Beautiful” is an international campaign that encourages women to love themselves just the way they are. For more information on “Operation Beautiful,” visit: www.operationbeautiful.com.

The well-known and highly respected work of Ian Eskelin has been recognized by the Gospel Music Association. Also a songwriter and the name and mind behind the popular rock band, All Star United, Eskelin has been nominated yet again as Producer of the Year for this year’s 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards will be given out on Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House and televised nationwide on gmc (www.gmclife.com) Sunday, April 25th.

In his highly successful career as a producer, Ian Eskelin has been nominated four times in a row for Producer of the Year, walking away with the top prize in 2008. He is honored to be acknowledged again this year for his production efforts.

“What an incredible blessing to be included in this list of producers,” exclaims Eskelin. “Congrats to Franny and Sidewalk Prophets – thanks for making me look like I know what I’m doing. God is good!”

Not only is Eskelin singled out as a Producer of the Year nominee but his production is also recognized through the nominations of Francesca Battistelli (Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Song and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Free To Be Me”) as well as Sidewalk Prophets (New Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for These Simple Truths).

“All of us at E1 congratulate Ian on this recognition by the GMA members for his work with some of the best new artists in Contemporary Christian music.” states Jim Sturgeon, E1 Entertainment. “We are thrilled to be representing Ian as an artist in his own right with his band All Star United and as the consummate producer of our Avalon ‘Reborn’ project that released this past fall.”
One would think that his plethora of production work with artists like Avalon, Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, and many more would keep him busy enough, but not according to Eskelin, as All Star United continues to churn out new music. Most recently, The Good Album, originally released in August 2009 nationally and internationally via online and iTunes, was re-released this past January, making it available for the first time to retail stores nationwide. The re-release includes an exclusive bonus track, “Beautiful Way,” which is also the band’s new radio single that has already been added at a number of stations, including Air 1.

The Good Album is All Star United’s first project released via E1 Entertainment (Avalon, Ashley Cleveland). The 12-song project tackles head-on with profound topics such as redemption and forgiveness, and cultural tendencies toward materialism and celebrity-worship while also exploring weightier topics like guilt, original sin, and the power of forgiveness in relationships. A unique song by song and biblical references, created for each tune on the current project, can be downloaded by visiting www.AllStarUnited.com.

MORE ABOUT…..ALL STAR UNITED
With their 1997 self-titled debut, All Star United obtained four #1 radio hits and a GRAMMY nomination (Best Rock/Gospel Album), this critically-acclaimed band has also has not only toured the world in over 20 countries but have obtained significant placement in prime time TV. Their music as appeared on both ABC and CBS networks, as well as in the movies, specifically in the film trailer for the movie “Superbad.”

From the start, this hard-touring rock ensemble quickly developed a widespread following that stretched across the continents where their music has a power that draws festival crowds numbering in the thousands. Although All Star United has lightened their performance dates recently due to Eskelin’s emergence as one of Nashville’s most popular songwriters and producers (Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Avalon, Krystal Meyers, Remedy Drive, Stellar Kart, Starfield), but their worldwide fanbase stays strong. It’s no question that The Good Album will keep that staying power alive and well.

www.AllStarUnited.com
or
www.myspace.com/allstarunited

dPulse Announces Red-Hot New Release for April 27, 2010

Three simple words describe the bold and innovative career of dPulse artist Kevin Max: Strength Through Reinvention.

That will certainly be evident in the forthcoming dPulse release Cotes d Armor, announced today for an April 27, 2010 worldwide release.

Foreshadowed by the recent digital maxi-single Traveler (Mora Brothers Remixes), Cotes dArmor finds Kevin Max exploring new territory, while also staking his claim to the province of intelligent, searingly personal rock that has always been his own.

Featuring brand-new tracks produced by mega-producers Tedd T and Lynn Nichols of LYNTT Productions as well as radical re-workings of tracks originally released on 2008s Crashing Gates – Max teams up with legendary UK electronica band Pop Will Eat Itself, plus label mates and collaborators 3kStatic for this electronically-charged new release.

In a move some may see as reminiscent of Bowie and Peter Gabriel, its the strength of reinvention that has empowered Kevin Max to seamlessly move, combine or shift genres almost at will as listeners will discover first-hand when Cotes dArmor drops April 27, 2010. They will also discover the same presence that helped propel DC Talk to fame as a GRAMMY©-winning, multi-platinum super-bandonly considerably evolved and perpetually reinvented.

www.kevinmax.com
www.dpulse-america.com

After three records that received international acclaim including huge success in Japan, Juno nominee Manafest (aka Chris Greenwood) returns to partner with BEC Recordings for his March 30th release, “The Chase.” This fourth studio project is Manafest’s most aggressive and sonically evolved record to date.

“I’m really stoked to have this record teamed up with BEC Recordings again,” shares Manafest. “This is a full on rock record with a more mature sound. I am still on the chase and living out my dreams everyday with this new release.”

“The Chase” is produced by Adam Messinger (Chris Brown, JoJo, Justin Bieber) and features eleven tracks of gritty guitars, aggressive rhymes fusing rock and rap styles. The album can be pre-ordered on Manafest’s MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/manafestca) as well as the new song “No Plan B” can be heard. The debut radio single “Avalanche” will be impacting Rock on March 12th and CHR radio on April 2nd.

Over the past seven years, Chris Greenwood has used the moniker Manafest to organically build his fan base playing hundreds of shows on three continents. In 2006, Manafest released “Glory” from which the rock anthem “Impossible,” featuring Thousand Foot Krutch’s Trevor McNevan, became a global hit. This release dramatically increased his record sales 5x over. In 2008, Manafest followed up with “Citizens Activ,” which catapulted success garnering multiple TV placements and his overall presence in the US and internationally. Contact Lori Mahon for interviews and review copies.

- ### -
“The Chase” Track Listing:
1. No Plan B
2. Fire In The Kitchen
3. Supernatural
4. Every Time You Run
5. Bring The Ruckus
6. Avalanche
7. Married In Vegas
8. Renegade
9. The Chase
10. Better Cause Of You
11. Breaking Down The Walls

Newest title in the multi-platinum series features worship songs
by favorite Christian artists with three brand new recordings

Word Entertainment is proud to announce its continued partnership in the WOW brand with the March 2 release of WOW Worship (Purple). This new collection compiles the biggest worship songs of the Church, sung by the most popular artists in Christian music.

Featuring 30 songs on two CDs, WOW Worship (Purple)’s songlist includes “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin, “Mighty To Save (Live)” from Hillsong United, MercyMe’s “You Reign,” “Everything Glorious” by David Crowder*Band, Casting Crowns’ “All Because Of Jesus” and “Shout Unto God” from Michael W. Smith. In addition to these popular songs, this project also features three brand new recordings – Francesca Battistelli singing “Lead Me To The Cross,” Leeland covering Delirious?’s “Majesty (Here I Am)” and Matthew West’s version of “The Wonderful Cross.”

This newest title in the WOW series will see promotional support from various partners in the retail, radio and online communities. National account retailers and independent Christian stores are promoting WOW Worship (Purple) as a key traffic-driver for the Easter selling season by providing ideal positioning and aggressive sale pricing. On the radio front, the KLOVE radio network will host several radio contests sponsored by WOW, including fly-aways and private concerts with WOW artists. And the online space will be spearheaded by HereItFirst.com and the re-designed WOWiloveChristianmusic.com, the home for the entire WOW brand. Aggressive marketing though Tangle.com, social media networks like Facebook and various Christian music blogs brings significant online awareness to this release.

The Word Entertainment-distributed release is part of the multi-platinum WOW brand series. Created through the partnership between the three largest Christian music/entertainment companies in the industry, including, EMI Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group and Word Entertainment, the marketing and distribution of WOW projects are shared among the companies, with Word leading efforts for Wow Worship (Purple). The entire WOW branded series (Worship, Gospel, Hits and specialty releases) now tops 22 million units in sales.

For more information, visit the official WOW website at WOWiloveChristianmusic.com.

WOW Worship (Purple) Track Listing:
DISC 1:
1. Your Grace Is Enough – Matt Maher
2. Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster
3. Shout Unto God – Michael W. Smith
4. You Never Let Go – Matt Redman
5. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin
6. Mighty To Save – Hillsong United
7. Revelation Song – Kari Jobe
8. Lead Me To The Cross – Francesca Battistelli
9. Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) – Brenton Brown
10. All Because Of Jesus – Casting Crowns
11. The Wonderful Cross – Matthew West
12. Your Name – Paul Baloche
13. You Reign – MercyMe
14. New Song We Sing – Meredith Andrews
15. Beautiful Jesus – Kristian Stanfill

DISC 2:
1. I Am Free – Newsboys
2. Everything Glorious – David Crowder*Band
3. How Great Is Our God – Hillsong London
4. God Of This City – Passion
5. Majesty (Here I Am) – Leeland
6. Give Us Clean Hands – Kutless
7. Hosanna – Selah
8. Marvelous Light – Charlie Hall
9. Song Of Hope (Heaven Come Down) – Robbie Seay Band
10. Desert Song – Natalie Grant
11. You’re Worthy Of My Praise – Big Daddy Weave/BarlowGirl
12. My Savior My God – Aaron Shust
13. You Are Good – Israel Houghton
14. Happy Day – Tim Hughes
15. Forever Reign – One Sonic Society

Award-winning pop-rock band Stellar Kart releases its INO debut , the band’s fourth studio recording, Everything Is Different Now March 9. Unique to this project, Stellar Kart incorporates a more worshipful sound and vertical lyrics.

Produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Krystal Meyers), Everything Is Different Now is a unique collection of vertically minded songs that continue in the pop/rock tradition of Stellar Kart’s past work. However, instead of focusing on more relational matters, Everything Is Different Now takes a decidedly worshipful turn, a nod to the band’s roots.

“We had performed at a camp earlier in the summer before recording, and we really discovered that we loved leading worship for youth again,” says Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee. “So we tried to find some of the songs that were our favorites and wrote a few new songs, too, and that eventually became Everything Is Different Now.”

Songs like the catchy opening track “All My Heart,” and the congregational-friendly “Rescue,” which Agee wrote with some friends from Hillsong United, keep the praise-focused theme front and center. The album’s lead single “We Shine,” currently Top 10 on the Billboard CHR chart, also reflects Stellar Kart’s foremost desire to glorify God.

“As a band, that’s exactly what we want to do in front of the adults, kids, anyone listening—shine,” says Agee. “We hope that everyone will shine his/her light and not be afraid or ashamed of what they believe.”

Stellar Kart will support its latest project on the winter/spring 2010 “Love & War Tour” alongside Fervent Records artist BarlowGirl as well as headlining the “Best Tour Ever Tour” late spring. For a complete list of tour dates, visit www.myspace.com/stellarkart.

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, among others. For more information on Stellar Kart, visit: www.stellarkart.com or www.myspace.com/stellarkart.

INO Records launched in April 1999, designed to create ‘independently minded’ artist-label partnerships that offer specialized attention to both music and ministry. Following an extremely successful two years in business, INO was purchased by Integrity Incorporated, a media/communications company that produces, publishes and distributes Christian music, books and related products throughout the United States and internationally in 176 other countries worldwide.