In an unprecedented six-year span, with 4.5 million career album sales, Casting Crowns readies for the Nov. 17 release of its fourth studio album, titled Until The Whole World Hears. The five-time Dove Award-winning “Group of the Year” remains focused on discipleship through music with its new 11-song collection, featuring boldly-honest lyrics from lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall, giving listeners a fresh, relevant perspective on loving God and loving people. With Hall’s 18 years in youth ministry, the band’s message remains rooted in the student services he has led on a weekly basis since 2001, at Eagles Landing Baptist church near Atlanta.
Hall says, “The songs start out as our messages to the 400 teens and families we see each week at Eagles Landing. Our goal is to live our lives telling others about Jesus – until the whole world hears – those simple words are a challenge to be intentional with the way we live our lives.”
This week, the title track and first single jumps to No. 1 on Billboard’s AC-Indicator radio chart marking a ninth career chart-topping song for Casting Crowns. The hit song also moves up to No. 2 on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart gaining 8.1 million weekly impressions.
Scott Smith, Assistant Program Director for the national KLove Network, states, “I am so glad we finally have a new Casting Crowns song to play! It’s smokin’ and the message challenges us as believers to fulfill the Great Commission until the whole world hears!”
Millions of fans can now hear full-song previews exclusively on the band’s newly created fan-centric web site, www.crownsfans.com. A new track releases each Tuesday, counting down to the full 11-song album stream launching exclusively Nov. 9 – 16, at Yahoo! Music, tallying over 9 million daily impressions. Yahoo! Music will be the first place to hear the entire record prior to street date.
Both Verizon and AT&T will feature new ring tones from Until The Whole World Hears in November. Verizon hosts Casting Crowns for an exclusive artist feature as the only carrier with ring tones of “Glorious Day” and “To Know You,” while AT&T positions Casting Crowns with a full artist feature offering selected new ring tones. Both campaigns run Nov. 5 – 19.
Casting Crowns is currently headlining the 41-city “Until The Whole World Hears Tour” with special guest Matt Redman. For more, visit www.providentpress.com, or www.castingcrowns.com.
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Oct. 2, 2009—Credential Recordings piano pop/rock band Seabird readies the release of its highly anticipated sophomore studio project, Rocks Into Rivers, Dec. 15, 2009. The group has jump-started its promotion of Rocks Into Rivers, currently debuting the record live on David Crowder Band’s fall 2009 tour.
A follow up to Seabird’s 2008 critically acclaimed label debut, ‘Til We See The Shore, Rocks Into Rivers features top-notch production by Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Sixpence None The Richer) and Matt Hales from Aqualung. The band split its time between Ocean Studios in Los Angeles and The Smoakstack in Nashville, honing what brothers Aaron and Ryan Morgan are calling their most exciting project to date.
“For this album I think we wanted to mature both musically and lyrically,” says Aaron. “We have families now and are experiencing different aspects of life, and we think that our audience has matured with us as well. We want to continue making songs that inspire people to change and grow. There is a musical progression in these songs, they may be a little less poppy but at the same they definitely showcase our rock sensibility.”
“It’s been a really good collaboration,” says Hales. “I’ve felt a bit like I’ve been in the band...they’ve been very gracious in allowing me to bring my ideas in. When it’s all together, we’ll have a striking, confident, really enjoyable record.”
The project’s first single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” is currently vying for adds at CHR/AC radio. The song will be available at iTunes and other digital music outlets beginning Nov. 3. In the meantime, Seabird will join headliner David Crowder band on a 30+-city tour kicking off this month. Additionally featuring Sparrow recording artist Danyew, the tour will visit major markets including San Antonio, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, New York City and Atlanta through late November. For a complete list of tour dates, visit: http://www.myspace.com/seabird.
Cincinnati-based Seabird comprises brothers Aaron (vocals/keys) and Ryan (guitar) Morgan as well as Preston Lane (drums). The band signed with Credential Recordings in late 2007 and released its debut label project,‘Til We See The Shore, June 24, 2008. A collaborative effort with producers Jacquire King (Modest Mouse, Kings Of Leon, Tom Waits, Switchfoot) and Allen Salmon (Mute Math, This Beautiful Republic), the album received phenomenal national publicity, featured on episodes of “Numb3rs,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and promos for ABC’s 12-time Emmy-nominated series, “Pushing Daisies.” The band was also recognized by its hometown as “Artist of the Year” at the 2008 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards and toured with artists including Barcelona, Meese, and Jars of Clay throughout the spring and summer of 2009. For more information on Seabird, visit: http://www.seabirdmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/seabird.
(Nashville, Tenn.) September 16, 2009 – As rock powerhouse Pillar gears up for the launch of its career-shifting sixth album Confessions (Essential/Provident), its simultaneously released radio singles (July 31) are making waves at radio. “Fire on the Inside” has climbed to No. 8 on the Christian Rock chart while the CHR single “Secrets and Regrets” was added by the Air-1 Network reaching two-million listeners, weekly.
In addition, the Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY nominated band recently announced its fall Confessions Tour with KJ-52, Run Kid Run and 7eventh Time Down. Promoters are anxiously anticipating the bands arrival in their markets.
“Pillar was part of our Rock the Sound festival this summer in New York City,” said Chris Barrett, President - Rock the Sound Concerts. “They played our rock room along with RED, Decyfer Down, Remedy Drive and Doubledge. All night the room was pulsing with energy as the anticipation grew for Pillar’s appearance onstage. Their set was strong and the crowd was with them from the beginning.”
Matt Brown, Kansas-based concert promoter, expressed a similar sentiment. “The ‘Confessions Tour’ was a huge ministry outreach to our community. The event strengthened believers while it introduced non-believers to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
“The time that Rob Beckley, Pillar’s lead singer, had with the youth leaders before the concert was totally unexpected, and truly appreciated,” shared John Hill, Uvalde, Texas Event Organizer. “The one-on-one interaction, from the second the band drove up until the last student left, made the event unforgettable. Six months later our youth are still talking about the experience. Thank You, Pillar.”
Thematically, the album picks up where Pillar’s profound spring “Confessions Tour” left off earlier this year. A confessional curriculum, called “My Secret,” being taught in the band’s local Tulsa, Oklahoma church, changed the way the members of Pillar wanted to engage its audiences on tour.
“We decided to give our fans a way to pour out their hearts anonymously, yet before God” says Beckley. “We took thousands of blank confession cards [distributed via a confessional booth] on the road. It definitely brought kids to the point of acknowledging their sin and what was going on.” The “Confessions Tour” had a defining impact on Pillar as its members read and prayed over each audience’s confession cards. Explains Beckley, “More than ever, it put things into a perspective of ‘what we do matters.’”
That approach obviously carried over to the new album. “1 John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Every song on this album could be broken down to ‘If you just confess,’” shares Beckley. Under this umbrella, recurring themes on Confessions include unity, commitment and perseverance.
While lead singer Rob Beckley and guitarist Noah Henson have been the band’s principal songwriters the past eight years, Confessions marks the first time the two of them have collaborated with writers outside the band. Guest composers include Chris Stevens (tobyMac, Sanctus Real), Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, Skillet), Keith Wallen (Fuel), Red guitarist Jasen Rauch and Building 429 front man Jason Roy.
Confessions’ production marks equally new territory. Pillar teamed with GRAMMY nominated, Dove Award-winning producer/songwriter Rob Graves (Red, Wavorly) and further enhanced its sound through new bassist Rich Gilliland (KJ-52, Brandon Heath) and drummer Taylor Carroll (After Edmund).
Graves notes, “Originally I was just supposed to write with Rob (Beckley) for the album. But after spending the day with him in a writing session, I called my manager and told him to get all over the record. I wanted to produce it. The result is something I’m extremely proud of. The guys allowed me to push them as hard as I needed to and they gave it everything they had. They impressed me on so many levels. They’re genuinely great guys, and a band I hope to continue working with regularly.”
New Sparrow Records artist, 19-year-old Alabama native Sarah Reeves will release her debut Sweet, Sweet Sound on April 21. The six-song set reveals a tapestry of worship-inducing pop distinguished by her sweet vocals and unashamedly vulnerable lyrics.
Written in conjunction with Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters, including two-time SESAC Songwriter of the Year Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath, Rush Of Fools, Tenth Avenue North), Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Laura Story), Matt Bronleewe (Rebecca St. James, Plumb), and Marc Byrd (Leeland), the album was produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Krystal Meyers) and Matt Bronleewe. The result is a song collection which speaks to the heart of who Reeves is and her earnest desire for an effective ministry.
“I have one goal and one true destiny, and that is to bring people to the heart of God, to help them understand his love, his mercy, and the freedom and power of worship,” says Reeves. “My goal is to lead the nations into His arms. That’s my calling.”
“Sarah’s passion for leading others in worship comes through on every track of her record,” says Brad O’Donnell, VP of A&R for EMI CMG. “I believe that her emotional lyrics, her distinctive voice and her ability to communicate onstage will connect with her generation and anyone else who is looking for a fresh worship sound and experience.”
Reeves is currently a special guest on the “Wonder of the World” tour featuring headliner Rush Of Fools. Presented by Freedom Begins Here, the tour also features Inpop Records Jimmy Needham and introduces new artist Joy Lippard. The tour kicked off in Garner, N.C. Feb. 20 and will conclude April 5 in Marietta, Ga. Her debut radio single “Sweet, Sweet Sound,” available at iTunes, is currently at No. 27 on the R&R AC Monitored chart and continues to get adds at Christian AC, CHR and INSPO radio. She is also featured on an upcoming EMI compilation record, re-making “Lamb of God” by Twila Paris.
With zealous faith and a love of music early on, Reeves first exercised her songwriting/vocal abilities as a participant in her church’s fine arts program. Consistently placing first at local as well as regional competitions, Reeves was moved by the receptiveness of young people to her message—one of power and freedom in the Holy Spirit. She has since made it her goal to serve God by leading young people into a lifestyle of worship and adoration to Him. Reeves is managed by Patton House Entertainment, with booking through Jeff Robert & Associates. For more information on Sarah Reeves, visit http://www.sarahreeves.net/.
Legendary, best-selling pop-rock band newsboys prepares for the release of its fourteenth studio project, In The Hands of God, releasing May 5, 2009. The group is currently debuting music from its forthcoming record on the sell-out “Join The Tribe” spring tour.
Produced by Max Hsu (Superchick, tobyMac) along with newsboys’ Peter Furler and Jeff Frankenstein, In The Hands of God boasts the classic rock sound that has made newsboys’ music legendary among Christian music fans for more than two decades. Featuring 10 hit songs, including “No Grave,” “My Friend Jesus” and “Glorious,” the album additionally includes background vocals by Michael Tait of dc Talk and Jamie Rowe of Guardian. In The Hands of God, as Furler explains, is an autobiographical record and a tribute to God’s divine providence over newsboys’ long-running career.
In The Hands of God is already being embraced by radio with the debut single and title track, currently at No.10 on Radio & Records’ Adult Contemporary Indicator chart, No. 16 at AC Monitored, and No. 15 at CHR in only one month’s time. The single was released to iTunes on February 24 and rose to No. 4 on iTunes’ Top Christian Songs chart in less than 24 hours.
“‘In The Hands Of God’ is a song that needs to be heard in times like these, and the success the song is seeing at radio and digitally sets a great precedent for the record,” says Shara Katerberg, director of marketing for Inpop Records. “Given the current state of our economy, everyone is dealing with hardship, and In The Hands Of God is an album that reminds us that God was, is, and will always be in control.”
Fans attending newsboys’ spring “Join The Tribe” tour have responded enthusiastically as well; the 35-city tour, which kicked off Feb. 19, has already sold out six dates, including upcoming shows in Manheim, Pa., Scranton, Pa., and Longview, Texas. The tour marks the return of longtime guitarist Jody Davis and will hit cities across North America through the end of April, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto and Vancouver.
Fans will also have the unique opportunity to take the tour home with them. High quality live recordings and original photos from each show will be available to download for $9.99. To learn more about the official bootlegs, visit live.newsboys.com For the most up-to-date tour itinerary, visit www.myspace.com/newsboys.
With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its two decades together. Known for its amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, the band continues to sellout festivals and concerts worldwide, satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. For more information, visit http://www.newsboys.com/.
Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 8, 2008… The unique iShine Live event will launch nationwide this Sept. with a star packed crew including host Luke Benward from “How to Eat Fried Worms” and Disney Channel’s “Minutemen” as well as music from 15 year-old Robert Pierre and tween girls trio The Rubyz. Also added to the mix will be interactive Jelly Telly characters designed specifically for iShine from Veggie Tale’s creator Phil Vischer as well as speaker Paige Armstrong and backstage personality “JP.” Amidst the tour, the iShine crew is also launching an online “iShine So iDance” contest through the end of the Nov. on iShinelive.com as well as their youtube page.
Around 20 dates are scheduled for the fall and 70 performances are slated for 2009. Creative Artists Agency is booking the event, home to tween songstress Hannah Montana, Tobymac and Carrie Underwood. For all tour information including dates and tickets, go to myspace.com/iShinelive.
Here to fill an age gap in faith-based entertainment, iShine Live is a two and a half hour event that will include music, a speaker and overall entertainment designed specifically for the eight to 14 tween market.
Tweens ages eight through 14 are emerging in every area including kids music sales which increased 38.5% to $17.1 million last year alone. According to Billboard, this musical category was the only one to show growth in 2007, with tweens spending $50 billion dollars a year and their parents spending an additional $150 billion on their behalf. iShine wants to acknowledge the needs of this growing generation and provide them with not only entertainment, but with an identity in their faith as well.
iShine Live recently held a kick-off event at Disney World’s Odyssey Center on July 13 at the International Christian Retail Show. The event included an address from founder Robert Beeson as well as Michael Omartian and Allan Hardin. The breakfast was attended by around 75 guests and also included devotions from The Rubyz, Robert Pierre, Luke Benward and Paige Armstrong.
“This younger market is hungry for music and they want something that applies to their lives, something that they can connect with,” explains iShine founder Robert Beeson. “And as far as the Christian community is concerned, there is a real lack of music being made for this age group.”
In addition to the tour, the iShine crew is launching the “iShine So iDance” online contest where they are encouraging tweens to be fun, creative and show how they shine through dance video submissions. Submissions can be sent to idance@ishinelive.com for approval prior to being posted on youtube and will include three categories for solos, duos and group dances. There will be prizes for the best rated in each category and then an overall grand prizewinner. Anyone can vote online at the youtube website. All dances must be choreographed to one of the six songs listed at the below link from Benward, Pierre and The Rubyz. For a free download of these songs, go to iShinelive.com. For more information about the “iShine So iDance” campaign along with a sample video from The Rubyz, visit www.youtube.com/ishinesoidance
At first glance, Luke Benward looks like any other typical 12 year-old boy. Born and raised in Franklin, Tenn., he spends his free time like most kids his age: playing football, video games, break dancing and practicing on his new electric guitar. Lucky for Hollywood, Benward is not just your average seventh grader. Luke’s first break was at the age of five, appearing along side Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers. At age eight, he was cast as Stevie Dewberry in the family film Because of Winn Dixie. During the fall of 2006, moviegoers laughed as Luke (Billy Forrester) choked down ten worms in the hit Walden Media Film How To Eat Fried Worms. Most recently, Benward has appeared in Disney Channel's Minutemen and can be seen later in the year in the Diamond Dog Caper. He was named as one of “Hollywood’s Top 12 Kids to Watch” by The Hollywood Reporter in 2006 and is working on an upcoming career in music.
Robert Pierre is a 15 year-old sophomore who plays high school basketball, leads student worship at his church, is involved in student leadership at his school and is working on his sophomore record with Matt Bronleewe (DC Talk, Steven Curtis Chapman, Tobymac). He is truly a multi-talented young man with a desire to make a difference in his generation. Since 2007 Robert has performed for more than a quarter of a million people at major Christian summer festivals and as the guest artist on Christ In Youth’s national Believe tour. As he talked with students on the road, Robert realized so many of them find their identity in anything from celebrities and athletes, to music and video games. As a result, Robert wants to influence his peers to find their identity in Christ. That passion is reflected in the songs he co-wrote for his upcoming release, Identity.
Here to fill the industry age gap, The Rubyz released their iShine Record’s self-titled debut on April 1. Comprised of Cammie Hall (17), Alexis Slifer (14) and Marissa Milele (13), The Rubyz’ debut record has been praised by everyone from Christianity Today to Girl’s Life magazine. Though their sound can be compared to the fresh chart-topping teen discs like High School Musical or Hannah Montana, their lyrics are sure to be grasped by tweens and teens alike. Whether it was taking dance, performing in their local school theater or playing bass, drums and even piano, The Rubyz are your average girls who are making music about everything from acting their age to friendship. The band’s freshman project was produced by Chris Omartian (Hilary Duff, Pink, Jump5) with Executive Producer Joy Williams. The Rubyz were also recently accepted into Radio Disney’s coveted Incubator Program in June 2008.
Paige Armstrong’s life changed abruptly in 2001, just before her 11th birthday, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She spent most of the next year in the oncology unit of St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia as she endured extensive chemotherapies and surgeries. However, the cancer became an opportunity to begin fulfilling her dream of being a Christian recording artist and songwriter. The Make-A-Wish Foundation sent her to Nashville, Tenn. in 2003 to record songs with industry professionals. Since that time she has been all over the country with her story and songs and was featured on ”The Today Show” as well as the TV show “Extra” when she made a CD for the Bath and Body Works Christmas Album in 2005. Many of her appearances are fundraisers for Make-A-Wish, The American Cancer Society, schools and churches. She and some friends also formed a group called “Kids 4 Kids” who perform at children’s hospitals and cancer camps. Paige wants to focus her message on young people who she believes often become discouraged and aimless because they don’t realize that God has a plan for them. Her “anti-apathy” message includes the slogan – “You Have A Life – Use It!” In addition to her singing and songwriting, Paige is working on a book to guide young people in discovering their gifts, developing a passion and “using the life they have been given”.
