Celebrating 20 years of music and ministry, modern worship trailblazer Paul Baloche releases his acclaimed, 12th recording with Integrity Music, The Same Love, today to digital providers iTunes® and Amazon.com, among others, as well as to general market stores through Sony Music Entertainment, marking the first time in five years that new music from Baloche has been distributed by Sony. The album was released to CBA market stores March 13.
 
With “Christ the Lord” and “All Because of the Cross” from The Same Love already being adopted this Easter by many churches, Baloche is also offering a free song, “We Are Saved,” from the album through his website, www.leadworship.com.  The song was written by Baloche along with Hillsong’s Ben Fielding and One Sonic Society’s Jason Ingram.
 
In addition to Fielding and Ingram, Baloche was joined by accomplished songwriters Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster, Ed Kerr and All Sons & Daughters, among others, together delivering 13 compelling tracks composed in community.  Baloche also shares vocals on songs with Jobe, Fielding, Ingram, All Sons & Daughters, Brothers McClurg and Kathryn Scott.  Co-produced with Ben Gowell and Michael Rossback, while GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge (U2/Switchfoot) mixed the title track, first single and music video from the project, The Same Love forges a progressive path musically.
 
Already garnering covers, features and/or reviews by Worship Leader, Worship Musician, Charisma, CCM, Christian Today, Gospel Music Channel and more, here is what the critics are continuing to say about the album:
 
“The heralded worship leader turns in another grand effort…Baloche’s moody vocals are reminiscent of Switchfoot's Jon Foreman, which blends well with the album’s modern-rock vibe…Pitch-perfect production, a heavenward focus—The Same Love delivers the goods.” – ChristianityToday.com
 
“World-renowned songwriter and worship leader Paul Baloche has again met and exceeded expectations with his latest worship release, The Same Love…This worship collection is full of scripture-rich lyrics, quiet prayers, memorable choruses, and wonderful expressions of love to our God that are sure to be in the hearts and on the lips of worshippers around the world.” – Worship Musician
 
“They say that music soothes the savage beast and in Paul Baloche’s case, it soothes the ravaged soul. His gift is that strong and his delivery is that sincere… count on getting ‘goosies’ just like Jennifer Lopez does when she hears music that blows her away.” – About.com
 
“Baloche sounds rejuvenated and bursting with energy. The by-product is a top-notch worship album. It’s the Paul Baloche you know and love -- the sensitive singer-songwriter with heartfelt songs -- and this CD is sure to capture listeners’ hearts and radio programmers’ ears. So, ready or not, Paul Baloche is about to be thrust into the spotlight.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com
 
“The Same Love is a great collection of new songs from Paul Baloche and should give the church 13 more God glorifying songs to worship with.  This CD continues to move Baloche to the forefront of influential modern praise and worship.” – Colossal Pop
 
“Paul Baloche gives the Church a great gift with The Same Love…Listening to a new Paul Baloche CD for the first time is like opening a huge stack of Christmas presents – so much excitement, anticipation of what’s to come, looking forward to discovering what new jewels will be inside. With Paul’s latest release, The Same Love, that anticipation is greatly rewarded with a batch of fresh, powerful, creative new songs for the church.” – AllAboutWorship.com
 
“To sum up, these 13 songs that Paul has recorded…are truly a magnificent masterpiece! A work of art, nothing short of amazing! … Paul has raised the bar higher than ever on The Same Love… Paul’s near flawless album, is one to truly remember!” – ChristianMusicZine.com
 
“If you’re looking for encouragement, worship, or new material for your congregation you’ll find it here...Thanks to Paul Baloche for pouring his heart and spirit into my new favorite album.” – Colliedoscope
 
Taking the new music on the road, Baloche’s touring/workshop/teaching schedule takes him around the world.  In the coming months, he will host Leadworship Workshops throughout the U.S., followed by a two week Canadian tour with worship artist Phil Wickham and conferences in the Netherlands, Singapore and UK.
 
Best known for such modern classics as “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Above All,” “Hosanna,” and “Your Name,” Paul Baloche’s songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman and Philips, Craig & Dean. And this three-time Dove Award-winning writer’s songs are sung by millions of worshippers around the world, with 21 of them included in the CCLI Top 500 list, indicating the songs most often used in North American churches.
 
In addition to writing, recording, touring and serving as a worship pastor, Baloche has created a variety of teaching DVDs, along with many free resources designed specifically for worship leaders and musicians. He has also written a book, God Songs –How to Write and Select Songs for Worship.  He is a contributing writer for both Worship Leader and Worship Musician magazines and is a featured blogger on ChurchLeaders.com. For more information on Paul Baloche, go to www.leadworship.com and www.integritymusic.com.
 

Celebrating 20 years of music and ministry, modern worship trailblazer Paul Baloche releases his acclaimed, 12th recording with Integrity Music, The Same Love, through CBA market stores today.  On April 3, the album will be available through digital providers iTunes® and Amazon.com, among others, as well as available in general market stores through Sony Music Entertainment, marking the first time in five years that new music from Baloche has been distributed by Sony.
 
Leading up to the April 3 digital and general market release date, those who pre-buy The Same Love for $9.99 will receive immediate access to the exclusive Paul Baloche Experience featuring performance videos, tutorials, behind the music videos, work tapes/demos, photos, new song streams, chord charts and more.   For more information and to pre-buy the album, go to www.experiencepaulbaloche.com.
 
Co-produced with Ben Gowell and Michael Rossback, The Same Love forges a progressive path musically, while delivering 13 compelling tracks composed in community with accomplished songwriters Ben Fielding, Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster, Jason Ingram, Ed Kerr and All Sons & Daughters among others.  In addition to co-writing, Baloche shares vocals on tracks with Kari Jobe, One Sonic Society’s Jason Ingram, All Sons & Daughters, Brothers McClurg, Kathryn Scott and Hillsong’s Ben Fielding.  GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge (U2/Switchfoot) also mixes the title track, first single and music video from the project.  The video was filmed and edited by Baloche’s son, David Baloche (www.youtube.com).
 
Already garnering covers or features in Worship Musician, Charisma, CCM, Christian Today and more, here is what the critics are already saying about the album:
 
“Paul has furnished the Church with a new set list, but he has also gifted us with songs for our times of private devotion.  In a sea of swirling, growling electric guitars, the acoustic beauty and sweetly sung melodies of Paul and company are a refreshing and welcome alternative.” – Worship Leader
 
“The lyrics may be timeless in nature, but this collection boasts some of the most musically progressive work of Baloche’s career. With The Same Love, he has fashioned an album that showcases old truths in a new light and has made the gospel relevant to a whole new generation.” – Gospel Music Channel
 
“…this worship album from Paul Baloche is one of the best I have heard in a long time and definitely one of Paul’s best albums to date.” – Louder Than The Music (5-star review)
 
“This is the Paul Baloche CD I have been waiting for. The production is perfect and the writing is nothing less than remarkable. If you are a Baloche fan you will love this album. If you are a worship leader you will spend many thoughts trying to decide if it’s ok to introduce all of these songs to your church next week.” – Klampert.com
 
Taking the new music on the road, Baloche’s touring/workshop/teaching schedule takes him around the world.  In the coming months, he will host Leadworship Workshops throughout the U.S., followed by a two week Canadian tour with worship artist Phil Wickham and conferences in the Netherlands, Singapore and UK.
 
Best known for such modern classics as “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Above All,” “Hosanna,” and “Your Name,” Paul Baloche’s songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman and Philips, Craig & Dean. And this three-time Dove Award-winning writer’s songs are sung by millions of worshipers around the world, with 21 of them included in the CCLI Top 500 list, indicating the songs most often used in North American churches.
 
In addition to writing, recording, touring and serving as a worship pastor, Baloche has created a variety of teaching DVDs, along with many free resources designed specifically for worship leaders and musicians. He has also written a book, God Songs –How to Write and Select Songs for Worship.  He is a contributing writer for both Worship Leader and Worship Musician magazines and is a featured blogger on ChurchLeaders.com. For more information on Paul Baloche, go to www.leadworship.com and www.integritymusic.com.

Celebrating 20 years of music and ministry, modern worship trailblazer Paul Baloche is one of today’s most influential worship leaders, songwriters and mentors. The Same Love—Baloche’s 12th recording with Integrity Music—releases March 13th. Co-produced with Ben Gowell and Michael Rossback, The Same Love forges a progressive path musically, while delivering 13 compelling tracks composed in community with accomplished songwriters Ben Fielding, Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster, Jason Ingram, Ed Kerr and All Sons & Daughters among others.
 
Best known for such modern classics as “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Above All,” “Hosanna,” and “Your Name,” Paul Baloche’s songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman and Philips, Craig & Dean. And this three-time Dove Award-winning writer’s songs are sung by millions of worshipers around the world, with 21 of them included in the CCLI Top 500 list, indicating the songs most often used in North American churches.
 
But for this modern hymn writer, mentor and teacher who once aspired to be a priest, ministry is not a sprint, but a marathon, a long series of obedient steps in the same direction. After 25 years of marriage, 23 years leading worship at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, TX, a 20-year partnership with Integrity, a decade with the same band members and hundreds of teaching resources provided free for church leaders (via his web site leadworship.com), Paul Baloche remains focused on the adventurous calling upon his life.
 
“One of the reasons I love the process to this day is that it’s a bit of a frontier, a mystery,” Paul says of the creative process behind The Same Love. “You can’t put your finger on it. Nobody can. It has a sense of adventure, a Lewis and Clark kind of thing. All explorers, over time, are trying to go places they’ve never been. Writing for worship is a lot like that. You’re trying to go places you’ve never been, deeper into ancient biblical truths, stirring up your modern soul, if you will. You’re testing the tension and the harmony of several things, combining that with what’s going on musically at the moment... And you end up with all these different elements — harmony, chords, lyrics, melody, vibe — and out comes something new.”
 
In addition to co-writing, joining Baloche on vocals for The Same Love are Kari Jobe, who sings on “Look Upon the Lord,” One Sonic Society’s Jason Ingram, who sings on “Reign in Me,” All Sons & Daughters on “King of Heaven” and “Oh Our Lord” and Brothers McClurg on “Just Say.” Kathryn Scott lends her vocals on “My Hope” and Hillsong’s Ben Fielding joins Baloche on “We Are Saved,” which was mixed by GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge (U2/Switchfoot). Lord-Alge also mixes the title track, the touchstone for the entire album and first single from the project, co-written by Baloche and Michael Rossback.
 
“God is not this impersonal force,” Paul says. “The truth is that from creation to the crucifixion, God has been calling us – by name. He’s giving us a challenge, calling us to the cross, asking, ‘Are you ready to give up your way of doing things? Come as you are, pick up your cross daily and I will transform your life.’”
 
The same love that set the captives free
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us all by name
 
With themes of God’s faithfulness and mercy through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, The Same Love showcases Baloche’s unbreakable connection to and passion for the Church. “From project to project, I try to wipe the slate clean,” he says, “to consider what’s happening right now in my church, in my own soul and in the church at large. And I ask, ‘What do I sense in the heart of the next generation, how do they perceive God, the church, fellowship and community?’”
 
The Same Love also gives voice to the spoken and unspoken prayers of people in times of need. “Life is hard, people are looking for hope, and there’s not much to be found outside of the hope we have in Christ,” says Baloche.  “My intent is for these songs to be honest prayers for the Church to sing, songs that give people a means of expression, songs that facilitate a conversation with God.”
 
Continuing that conversation, Baloche’s touring/workshop/teaching schedule takes him around the world.  In the coming months, he will host Leadworship Workshops throughout the U.S., followed by a two week Canadian tour with worship artist Phil Wickham and conferences in the Netherlands, Singapore and UK.
 
In addition to writing, recording, touring and serving as a worship pastor, Baloche has created a variety of teaching DVDs, along with many free resources designed specifically for worship leaders and musicians. He has also written a book, God Songs –How to Write and Select Songs for Worship.  He is a contributing writer for both Worship Leader and Worship Musician magazines and is a featured blogger on ChurchLeaders.com. For more information on Paul Baloche, go to www.leadworship.com and www.integritymusic.com.
 
The Same Love full track listing with corresponding songwriters follows:
The Same Love (Baloche, Michael Rossback)
We Are Saved (Baloche, Ben Fielding, Jason Ingram)
King of Heaven (Baloche, Jason Ingram)
All Because of the Cross (Baloche, Ben Gowell)
Your Blood Ran Down (Baloche)
My Hope (Baloche, Ed Kerr, Sheila Rabe, Alyssa Mellinger)
Oh Our Lord (Baloche, All Sons & Daughters - David Leonard and Leslie Jordan)
Christ the Lord (Baloche)
Reign in Me (Baloche, Jason Ingram)
Just Say (Baloche, Brothers McClurg - Chris and Anthony Hoisington)
Loved By You (Baloche, Lincoln Brewster)
Look Upon the Lord (Baloche, Kari Jobe, Jason Ingram)
Shout for Joy (Baloche, Jason Ingram, Lincoln Brewster)
 

When nominations were announced last week for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards, Integrity Music’s signed and distributed artists and songwriters received an impressive 18 nods.
 
With one of the most successful CDs by a debut artist in recent years and the top-selling new artist album of 2009, Kari Jobe was nominated as New Artist of the Year.  The artist/songwriter/worship leader earned a total of three nominations.  Her additional nods were for Spanish Language Album for the Spanish version of her debut record and for Special Event Album of the Year for her participation on the Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship.
 
 

“I am so excited to be up for these nominations!  It’s a dream come true and such an honor.  I’m having more fun meeting other artists that I’ve looked up to over the years and the newer ones who I am running alongside now in ministry and life.  It’s so fun, and I cannot wait for April 21st and the Dove Awards show,” a joyful Jobe responded after not only receiving the three nominations but also participating in the press conference in Nashville to make the Dove Awards announcement.  Before the Dove Awards in April, Jobe will be performing on tour with Desperation Band and leading worship at churches across the country.
 
"Revelation Song," which is featured on Jobe's debut album and was a radio hit for Phillips, Craig & Dean, was nominated for two songwriter awards - Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year - for Jennie Lee Riddle, a Gateway Create/Integrity Praise Music songwriter
 
Mary Mary, whose recent album The Sound has won for the sister duo both Stellar Awards and a GRAMMY Award, was honored with their first nomination in the Dove Award’s top category – Artist of the Year.  The sister duo who records on Columbia Records and is distributed by Integrity Music, is currently featured prominently in the 25th anniversary recording of “We Are the World,” the multi-artist Haiti benefit song and video.
 

Fresh from his GRAMMY Award win last month, Israel Houghton earned four nominations, including three nominations for songs from his GRAMMY Award-winning album The Power of One.  “Just Wanna Say” was nominated for Urban Recorded Song of the Year while “Every Prayer” and “The Power of One” share nominations in the Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year.  Houghton received a fourth nomination for Special Event Album for his contributions to CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty.
 
Also nominated for the CompassionArt project was Paul Baloche.  Baloche earned a second nomination for Worship Song of the Year for “Hosanna.”
 
Hillsong’s Brooke Fraser penned a worship song also called “Hosanna,” and that modern hymn was nominated for Inspirational Song of the Year from Selah’s album You Deliver Me.  Hillsong was also recognized with a Dove Award nomination for Long Form Video of the Year for “Faith + Hope + Love.”
 
Integrity’s other album nominations include Country music superstar Collin Raye’s first solo Dove Award nomination for his TimeLife/Integrity Music CD Never Going Back.  Integrity Music Latin’s Julissa was nominated in the Spanish Language Album category for Adorandote and in the Children’s Music Album category, Shout Praises Kids – Today is the Day was recognized.  Finally, Integrity’s Choral division earned a nod for Youth/Children’s Music of the Year for “Get To The Manager” by Jeff Sandstrom.
 
(For the second year in a row, fans will be able to cast their votes online for Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.  Fans can vote for Jobe as New Artist and Mary Mary for Artist starting the first week of March at www.gmclife.com.)
 
The GMA Dove Awards is Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, where top artists from every style of gospel music come together for a night of music and celebration as the GMA bestows the industry's highest honor -- the Dove Award.  The 41st Annual Dove Awards will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House and televised nationwide on gmc (http://www.gmclife.com), Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST. gmc is the fastest-growing network in television and can be seen in 46 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.
 

Baloche will be singing the title track to Glorious, his acclaimed new modern worship album released last month on Integrity Music, on the TBN Christmas Special.  He will also sing his song “Offering” featured on Worship and Adore: A Christmas Offering, also from Integrity Music.  

In addition to Baloche and McClurkin, the TBN special will feature FOX News anchor Kelly Wright, actress Sherri Sheppard and artists Ayiesha Woods and Sherri Jones Moffett.  The special is scheduled to debut Dec. 19 at 5:00 pm ET / 2:00 pm PT. (Schedule subject to change, check your local listings.)

Baloche’s peers, including Michael W. Smith, Israel Houghton and Martin Smith (Delirious?/CompassionArt), as well as Worship Leader, Christianity Today, New Release Tuesday and others, continue to share their enthusiasm for Baloche and Glorious:

“Filled with songs of hope, praise and adoration, Glorious affirms Baloche's legacy as one of today's premiere worship artists and songwriters.” – Charisma

“…congregational worship in pop/rock form with direct lyrics of devotion to God that enrich the believer as they uplift the name of Christ.” – Worship Musician

“Paul Baloche is one of today’s most influential worship songwriters. He has written songs that are shaping worship services all over the world…Paul has crafted some of the most inspiring songs in church culture today.” – Amazon.com

“Glorious contains songs of faith, hope, commitment, trust, and praise that will encourage your church, be a joy to listen to, and stir up a love for the risen Savior who came to purchase our forgiveness and rescue us from our sins.” – WorshipMatters.com

“This songwriter, musician, and worship leader has helped define the sound that has come to represent the mainstream of worship music in recent years.” – Soul-Audio.com


For more information on Paul Baloche’s Glorious, check out the e-card at www.integritymusic.com/ecard/glorious.

Additional information can be found at www.paulbaloche.com, www.leadworship.com and www.integritymusic.com.