Artist: Robbie Seay Band
Album: Miracle
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Alex Judge
Now I’m not entirely sure how to pronounce “Seay,” but I can “say” that the Robbie Seay Band has produced a good album. With the typical acoustic guitar, softly distorted electric, and the natural sounding drums, Robbie lets his signature vocals cut through the rhythmic music bed to make your head nod to the beat. The lyrics are well crafted, not overly predictable, and accompanied by the catchy tune that will be stuck in your head for days.
“We Are Not Alone” seems to have a southern influence in the finger picking and the lap steel-esque guitar while “Long Way Home” and “Lament” present a more ambient influence. Robbie reworks the hymn “Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go” that results in a style comparable to Needtobreathe. Look for the title track “Miracle” to be an instant favorite along with “Crazy Love,” which exhibits memorable melodic lines and beautifully crafted instrumentation.
For those who are already fans of Robbie Seay, you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t heard the band before, check out this new album and you may find a new favorite. For those who were not into his earlier releases, you may find the experimentation to your liking. Overall, the Robbie Seay Band incorporates a good amount of old, tried and true styles with some musical exploration. The songs on this album got my head nodding to the rhythm and had me humming along even after the song ended.
Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay Band will celebrate the forthcoming release of its latest project, Miracle, with an 8-city Texas tour, kicking off March 23.The band will be joined by new Integrity artist John Mark McMillan and local singer/songwriter Jillian Edwards. See below for a complete list of tour dates. For additional information, visit www.robbieseayband.com or www.myspace.com/robbieseayband. Street week interviews are available upon request at mandy@savvymediasolutions.com.
Robbie Seay Band Miracle CD Release Tour Dates
March 23
Houston Baptist University
Dunham Theater
7502 Fondren Rd.
Houston, TX 77074
7:00 PM
Tickets: $10
www.itickets.com
March 24
First Baptist Church Magnolia
18525 FM 1488 Rd.
Magnolia, TX 77354
7:00 PM
Tickets: $12
www.itickets.com
March 25
Common Grounds
1123 South 8th Street
Waco, TX 76706
7:00 PM
Tickets: $10 adv/$12 door
www.itickets.com
March 26
The Palace Theater College Station
105 S. Main St.
Bryan, TX 77801
7:00 PM
Tickets: $10
www.itickets.com
March 27
Mosiac Austin
5619 Airport Rd.
Austin, TX 78751
8:00 PM
Tickets: $12
www.itickets.com
*Robbie Seay Band and Jillian Edwards only
March 29
TriPoint Church San Antonio
3233 North Saint Mary's
San Antonio, TX 78212
8:00 PM
Tickets: Free
March 30
Hardin Simmons University
Behrens Auditorium
Abilene, TX 79698
7:00pm
Tickets: $10 or free w/ student ID
www.itickets.com
*Robbie Seay Band and John Mark McMillan only
March 31
The Oaks Fellowship
777 S I-35E
Red Oak, TX 75154
7:00pm
Tickets: FREE - Love offering will be taken
Sparrow Records artist Robbie Seay Band releases its third label project, Miracle, March 23. A reflection of Seay’s work and relationships within Ecclesia Church in Houston, the record captures thoughts, feelings, and realities of his local community.
Produced by Seay and Tedd T (tobymac, Mute Math, David Crowder Band) with additional contributions by Dan Muckala (Brandon Heath, The Afters) and Matt Bronlewee (Chris Tomlin, Leeland), Miracle is a collection of songs inspired by the real life stories of those around him. It is a call and response to life, to what God is doing in their midst, as it happens.
Seay wrote the album’s title track, for example, in reaction to a friend who was diagnosed with cancer, while “Lament (We Cannot Wait)” was penned to express the grief of his congregation over a church member’s death. “Let Our Faith Be Not Alone,” sung by Ecclesia for more than a year before Seay recorded it, is a song meant to encourage the church as a community of faith. Similarly, “Kingdom and a King” talks about the church moving together to reach those in need.
“In some ways, this record reflects the past year for us - representing a broader journey and reality,” Robbie says. “From the deepest depths of sorrow and angst to the greatest moments of celebration in scripture, the band strikes up and it’s beautiful to be part of that. Each song seems to echo what God is doing among us, that this is not a me-centered life we’re living... we are not alone.”
The project’s current single, “Awaken My Soul,” is presently vying for adds at Christian radio, while Robbie Seay Band has confirmed select tour dates with sixstepsrecords singer/songwriter Charlie Hall this spring. Additional tour information is forthcoming.
An example of the many ways Robbie Seay Band is connected to both the local and international church is a unique partnership with Church Online. Fans can tune in to services on LifeChurch.tv the weeks of February 6–12, February 27–March 5, and March 20-26 for an exclusive preview of songs from the new album. The band will perform three worship sets, including several tracks from Miracle, to be viewed by more than 140 countries and territories. These performances offer a rare glimpse inside Robbie Seay Band’s Church Online sessions at the Red Tree recording studios in Magnolia, Texas.
Known for a psalmist/songwriter worship style that features raw, insightful lyrics coupled with an equally engaging sound, the Houston-based Robbie Seay Band is comprised of Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Matthew Kidd, and Michael Lisenbe. Since signing with EMI CMG imprint Sparrow Records in 2005, the band has released two critically acclaimed albums, Better Days (2005) and Give Yourself Away(2007). The band’s music has received high profile television placement in promotions for FOX’s “American Idol,” as well as CW programs “One Tree Hill” and “Life Is Wild.” At radio, the band’s Christian AC single “Song of Hope” climbed to No. 6 and remained on the charts for an entire year from 2007-2008. The song became the No. 7 song on the year-end AC chart. When not on the road, the Robbie Seay Band leads worship at Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love. For more information, visit www.robbieseayband.com or www.myspace.com/robbieseayband.
Sparrow Records artist, Robbie Seay Band will head out on the remaining dates of its popular 2008 “Hope, Coffee, and Melody” Tour next month. Also continuing on the ticket is author Chris Seay.
The fall “Hope, Coffee, and Melody” tour kicked off Sept. 10 at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. Missing several early dates due to Hurricane Ike, the tour picked up full swing again in October and will wrap Nov. 14 in Irving, Texas.
“We’re eager to get back on the road with Chris Seay in a few weeks,” says Robbie Seay. “We hope folks will join us not only for a concert but also for an evening of story and coffee …of hope and a reminder that God is calling us to something bigger ourselves.”
Chris Seay is a church planter, pastor, president of Ecclesia Bible Society, and internationally acclaimed speaker. He is a key contributing writer for The Voice Bible translation which officially launches later this month with the release of The Voice New Testament. The Voice™ translation provides a true interpretation of the biblical text while including historical and cultural expansions of the story. With additional background on setting and characters, the project’s narrative screenplay-like format is ideal for group studies and dramatizations, and the inserted devotional commentary helps readers truly understand the context of the biblical story. For more information on The Voice™ New Testament and to download a free copy of The Gospel of John presented in The Voice™ Bible translation, visit http://www.hearthevoice.com. Chris Seay’s previous books include The Gospel Reloaded, co-authored with Greg Garrett, The Gospel According to Tony Soprano, and Faith of My Fathers.
Known for its alternative worship style that features raw, insightful lyrics coupled with an equally edgy and engaging sound, the Houston-based Robbie Seay Band comprises Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Taylor Johnson, Michael Lisenbe, and Tyler Halford. Having recorded four successful independent projects, the band signed with EMI CMG imprint Sparrow Records in 2005 and released two critically acclaimed albums, Better Days (2005) and Give Yourself Away (2007). The band’s music has received high profile television placement in promotions for FOX’s “American Idol,” as well as CW programs “One Tree Hill” and “Life Is Wild.” At radio, the band’s Christian AC single “Song of Hope” climbed to No. 6 and remained on the charts for an entire year from 2007-2008. Robbie Seay Band’s current single, “New Day,” is currently vying for adds at AC radio. When not on the road, the Robbie Seay Band leads worship at Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love. For more information, visit www.robbieseayband.com or www.myspace.com/robbieseayband.
“HOPE, COFFEE AND MELODY” TOUR NOVEMBER 2008
DATE CITY
11/5 Dallas, TX
11/6 Abilene, TX
11/8 Phoenix, AZ
11/9 San Diego, CA
11/10 Los Angeles, CA
11/11 Santa Cruz, CA
11/12 Whittier, CA
11/13 Los Vegas, CA
11/14 Irving, TX
*dates subject to change
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – “New Day,” from Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay Band, will be featured on episode three of “Oprah’s Big Give,” which will air this Sunday, March 16 at 9 pm ET on ABC. “New Day,” showcased on Robbie Seay Band’s critically acclaimed 2007 release, Give Yourself Away, is slated to be the group’s next Christian radio single, following their Top 5 hit “Song of Hope.”
The March 2 premiere of "Oprah's Big Give" drew 15.7 million viewers, the largest audience in primetime that week for any program other than "American Idol," according to Nielsen Media Research. On the show, participants compete to find the most creative ways to multiply a given amount of money and other resources before giving them away to help others.
In addition, FOX recently featured Robbie Seay Band’s “Rise” on four national television promotional spots for its hit show “American Idol.” The song was used in promotion for the seventh season of “American Idol,” which premiered January 15 and 16.
Give Yourself Away released August 28 and was one of the top 25 Christian albums downloaded on iTunes for over 18 weeks. The album features the hit single, “Song of Hope,” which charted 18 weeks in the Top 5 on R&R’s Christian CHR National Airplay chart and Top 10 on R&R’s Christian AC National Airplay chart. The song was also one of the Top 20 Christian CHR/pop singles of 2007, according to CRW’s year-end charts.
“Rise,” from Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay Band, is currently featured on four national television promotional spots for FOX’s “American Idol.” The opening selection of the band’s critically acclaimed album,
Give Yourself Away, is being used in promotion for the seventh season of “American Idol,” which premieres January 15 and 16. An “American Idol” promotional spot featuring “Rise” can be seen online at
www.robbieseayband.blogspot.com
“We are thrilled that FOX enjoyed ‘Rise’ enough to feature it in the ‘American Idol’ campaign,” said Robbie Seay. “I’ve always been passionate about ‘Rise.’ It’s a song written from my own frustration of living a life so centered on me that it becomes too busy and distracted. It’s about slowing down enough to see the great need of people both near and far and acting on that need.”
Give Yourself Away released August 28 and has been one of the top 25 Christian albums downloaded on iTunes for over 18 weeks. The album features the hit single, “Song of Hope,” which charted for 18 weeks in the top 5 on R&R’s Christian CHR charts and in the top 10 on R&R’s Christian AC charts. Currently, “Song Of Hope” is #10 on Billboard’s Top 100 Hot Christian Songs chart and is #13 on R&R’s Christian AC Monitored chart. The song is also one of the top 20 Christian CHR/pop singles of 2007, according to CRW’s year-end charts.
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, Credential Recordings and the worshiptogether label, in addition to providing marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit
www.emicmg.com.
For further information on Robbie Seay Band, please visit
www.robbieseayband.com or online at
www.hearitfirst.com/robbieseayband.
In conjunction with the release of their latest album, Give Yourself Away, Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay Band recently performed a Houston-area concert at Market Street in The Woodlands. Sponsored by KSBJ Radio, the event drew an estimated 900 people. Following the concert, the band members signed CDs at The Woodlands’ Borders.
“Song Of Hope,” the first radio single from Give Yourself Away, was Most Added at Christian CHR radio for the week of September 21 and is #17 on the Christian AC Indicator chart for the week of September 21, according to R&R. Give Yourself Away debuted at #17 on the Top Christian Albums chart, according to Nielsen SoundScan, for the week ending September 2.
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Here for more on Robbie Seay Band
On the heels of last week’s release of Robbie Seay Band’s critically-acclaimed sophomore Sparrow recording, Give Yourself Away, the Houston-based ensemble is currently on the road in support of the project. The multi-city “Give Yourself Away” Fall Tour features the Robbie Seay Band, along with special guest Reunion recording artist Brandon Heath.
Kicking off recently in Midland, Texas, the tour is slated to hit more than 30 cities, including stops in Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Dallas; St. Louis; and Cleveland, before concluding in November.
“We’re so excited to be back out on the road, covering a lot of ground and sharing our music with both old friends and new,” said Seay. “Playing new songs and starting conversations about them has opened the doors for more dialogue about faith, missions, and life in general. It’s also great to have Brandon Heath with us. We’ve been fans of Brandon’s for a while and couldn’t ask for a better partner on the road.”
Give Yourself Away, the follow-up to Robbie Seay Band’s 2005 critically-acclaimed label debut, Better Days, was produced by Tedd T. (Mute Math, David Crowder*Band) and Robbie Seay, and finds the band taking an aggressive step forward with their alternative worship style. “Song Of Hope,” the debut single from Give Yourself Away, is at #24 on R&R’s September 4 AC Indicator chart and debuted at #26 on R&R’s September 4 AC Monitored chart.
Comprised of Robbie Seay, Dan Hamilton and Ryan Owens, the group leads worship at Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love. In addition to their work within Ecclesia, Robbie Seay Band has recorded four independent projects and toured in 2005 on the 30-city David Crowder*Band “Collision” Tour.
Brandon Heath has been a respected writer in the Nashville music community for years, collaborating with well-known artists like Bebo Norman, Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes, to name a few. The Nashville native first began writing at age 13 and credits the town's legendary hotspot for songwriters, the Bluebird Café, as the place he first experienced music that moved him. Heath's debut album Don't Get Comfortable has already yielded two hit songs with "I'm Not Who I Was" and "Our God Reigns" which garnered a Dove nomination for Worship Song of the Year.
For more on the above artists click the links below:
Robbie Seay Band
Brandon HeathOnly days after the release of Robbie Seay Band’s Give Yourself Away, the Houston-based ensemble is currently on the road in support of the project. The multi-city “Give Yourself Away” Fall Tour features the Robbie Seay Band, along with special guest Reunion recording artist Brandon Heath.
Kicking off recently in Midland, Texas, the tour is slated to hit more than 30 cities, including stops in Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Dallas; St. Louis; and Cleveland, before concluding in November. Comprised of Robbie Seay, Dan Hamilton and Ryan Owens, the group leads worship at Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love.
Robbie Seay Band is currently giving away free downloads of two new songs on
www.freeRSB.com. The band will continue to offer the downloads through the end of August.
Give Yourself Away will release August 28 and is the follow-up to the group’s 2005 critically-acclaimed label debut, Better Days. Produced by Robbie Seay and Tedd T. (Mute Math, David Crowder*Band), the album finds Robbie Seay Band taking an aggressive step forward with their alternative worship style.
For more info on Robbie Seay Band click here.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay Band returns with the August 28 release of Give Yourself Away, the follow-up to the group’s 2005 critically-acclaimed label debut, Better Days. Produced by Tedd T. (Mute Math, David Crowder*Band) and Robbie Seay, the album finds the band taking an aggressive step forward with their alternative worship style.
Give Yourself Away features progressive melodies and raw, insightful lyrics rooted in Jesus’ call to service. The album’s first single, “Song Of Hope,” was the second Most Added on R&R’s Christian AC Monitored chart for the week of August 3, and was also one of the Most Added on R&R’s Christian CHR chart for the week of July 20. The single had 11 adds in its first week and has been picked up by 21 stations in three weeks.
Other highlights of Give Yourself Away include the piano-driven “New Day,” the ambient, hope-filled “Starting Over,” and “Go Outside,” partly inspired by the uniting of Houston’s larger church community in efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“Give Yourself Away is a missional record, almost a rebirth of how we’re seeing our faith and how we’re seeing a lot of young Christians respond to the great need around the world and at home,” explains Seay. “As believers, we are being awakened to the call of Christ to give of ourselves, to live out life together honestly, in community. As we find hope together, it pushes us to be proactive in our faith.”
“Rise,” the opening selection of Give Yourself Away, reflects Robbie Seay Band’s desire to serve others through their support of African children. Inspired by “Invisible Children,” a film documenting the tragedies in modern-day Uganda, and the book “Girl Soldier” (by Faith J.H. McDonnell and Grace Akallo), Robbie Seay Band is working with Compassion International to support children in Uganda.
Comprised of Robbie Seay, Dan Hamilton and Ryan Owens, the group leads worship at Ecclesia Church, a Houston-based community of faith that seeks to embrace culture through practical love. In addition to their work within Ecclesia, Robbie Seay Band has recorded four independent projects and toured in 2005 on the 30-city David Crowder*Band “Collision” Tour.
Robbie Seay Band is streaming sneak previews of their new album "Give yourself Away" on their
myspace page starting today, July 6, and every Friday. The album is scheduled for release on August 28. This Friday you can listen to the song "Rise". How do you know if it is not from their previous album?
Here's a list of songs from their previous album
"Better Days"
- Better Days
- Hallelujah God is near
- Faith of our fathers
- Jesus Garden of my rest
- We are free
- Eternal God
- Breathing air again
- Come ye sinners
- Rescued ones
- Peace
- You have stirred my soul
About their new project, Robbie Seay writes, "We have finally finished our upcoming album Give Yourself Away and can't wait for you to hear it. The album will be instores and online August 28th! In the meantime, stay tuned to our myspace in the upcoming weeks as we will be leaking new songs from the record along with video blogs, in which we share the stories behind the songs. The first is coming your way tomorrow on myspace, so watch out for it! You'll be the first to hear our new song "Rise" and watch an exclusive "behind the scenes-in the studio" video."
With a nod to the past twelve months and an eye on the future, the editors of ChristianMusicToday.com have named Robbie Seay Band among the Best New Artists of 2005 who offer “music that’s more thoughtful and significant.”
A Texas-based rock/worship outfit with a strong independent following, Robbie Seay Band released its major label debut, Better Days, in 2005 and toured with David Crowder*Band. Of the acclaimed first disc, ChristianMusicToday.com writes:
“Better Days is the perfect nighttime album, drenched in the same mellow-yet-dynamic Brit pop of Coldplay, while Seay’s soothingly raspy voice draws listeners in to lyrics that are both worshipful and conversational. It’s the sort of music that appeals to regular churchgoers and fringe seekers alike, blending hymnody and modern worship with introspection. Robbie Seay Band’s pursuit of deeper ministry pays off here.”
Hear songs from Better Days, check concert dates, and read the Robbie Seay Band blog at RobbieSeayBand.com.
