Award-winning artist and songwriter Brandon Heath announces the 24-city “Blue Mountain Tour,” named for his forthcoming studio project, Blue Mountain, due out Oct. 9. Heath is joined by label mate – celebrated singer, songwriter and worship leader – Matt Maher on all dates; the tour is presented by Food for the Hungry.
Kicking off October 11 in Milwaukee, Wis., the “Blue Mountain Tour” will visit cities including Chicago, Knoxville, Indianapolis and St. Louis. A night of rich musical layers, fans can expect to hear Heath’s hits (“Give Me Your Eyes,” “I’m Not Who I Was” and “Your Love”) as well as songs from his fourth full-length studio album, Blue Mountain. The forthcoming 12-track project merges modern music-making and ancient tones, taking listeners on a musical journey full of heart and back-porch ease via Heath’s signature storytelling.
“Similar to the new album, this tour invites the listener to a special experience to come on up to ‘Blue Mountain,’ a fictional place where this music was created,” says Heath.
Heath shares the stage with Essential Records’ Matt Maher, known for worship staples like “Your Grace Is Enough,” “Christ Is Risen” and the radio hit “Hold Us Together.” Also part of the night, audiences will meet the talented spoken-word poet Micah Bournes and new independent sibling acoustic act, The Church Sisters. Heath will continue highlighting the work of Food for the Hungry on tour, specifically its efforts in the villages of Kitgum, Uganda. These are communities in which Brandon Heath's audiences have wholly sustained the child sponsorship program.
“I’m thrilled to see and participate in this next level of Brandon's touring career. From the first time I heard his music, I was hooked by the storytelling set to great melody,” shares Bryan Myers, talent agent, CAA. “This new CD is storytelling taken to the mountains...Blue Mountain. A look inside all of us and what our Redeemer sees underneath the dirt and grime and His beauty that lies inside.”
Tour promoters concur, “We’re thrilled to be a part of the ‘Blue Mountain Tour’ here in Texas this Fall. We are equally excited about this next chapter in Brandon’s career. His latest single“Jesus in Disguise” is pure brilliance and Christian radio fans are sure to embrace it,” offers Greg Carnes, Greg Carnes Productions.
“This tour is full of familiar songs and faces, with music reflecting life-changing truth,” sharesHeath. “Plus, it’s all got a new sound, some new faces and a few surprises. We’ve got great things planned, I think you’re going to love it, so come on up to Blue Mountain.”
Acclaimed hit-maker Brandon Heath returns to his roots and creates new ones with his fourth full-length album project, Blue Mountain, releasing October 9.
The Nashville native merges ancient tones and modern music-making on this 12-track musical journey full of heart and back-porch ease. It fleshes out characters created for, and residing in, a fictional Appalachian setting called ‘Blue Mountain,’ which, as is frequently the case with great art, are slices of the storyteller himself.
“As a songwriter and artist I have a responsibility to take risks,” says Heath, the five-time GRAMMY Nominee, Emmy winner and two-time Gospel Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year. “Usually I’m telling my own story. I wanted to tell other people’s stories this time, so I created a space and characters that would allow me a new canvas to paint on.
“Through them, I’m more outside of myself, but maybe more true to myself than I’ve ever been,” Heath continues. “Funny enough, by the time I had finished this record, I realized that ‘Blue Mountain’ is me.”
Teaming again with producer Dan Muckala, Heath aims for a rootsier musical space with Blue Mountain, crafting tracks that are a hybrid of the driving acoustic music of both his youth and this project’s imagined locale, together with the loops and beats that have become part of Heath’s signature sound.
Still, on top of them sits Heath’s versatile, expressive vocals, conveying each track’s storyline, be it the “those who don’t know or just don’t know yet” allegory of “The Harvester,” the simultaneous languish and lament of “Love Will Be Enough For Us,” the gripping finality of “Dyin’ Day,” or the finding faith in the everyday nature of Blue Mountain’s first single, “Jesus In Disguise.”
“Jesus isn’t always in the obvious,” Heath notes. “But from busy city streets to the rural roads of ‘Blue Mountain,’ Jesus is always there to be found. You just have to know what to look for, and be willing to look for it. It’s been a burden, it’s still a burden for God to open my eyes, so much so that I’m still writing about it after all these years.”
Other standout tracks on Blue Mountain include “Diamond,” told from the viewpoint of a coal miner toiling in dirt now, but pointing toward treasure in the hereafter, and “Love Does,” a song paralleling the written work of Heath’s mentor Bob Goff, founder and CEO of Restore International, a non-profit Organization addressing the atrocities and injustices committed against children.
“Bob is a world changer,” Heath says. “It’s a tribute to him and to others on the front lines fighting, our modern day heroes. In the song, I say, ‘Nobody walks on the road you’re paving, nobody sees all the souls you’re saving, but Love does.’”
The album’s first single, with an add date of August 10, is “Jesus In Disguise.” The song is being overwhelmingly well received and has already seen early adds from K-LOVE, KCMS and SiriusXM/The Message.
Two days after the October 9 release of Blue Mountain, Heath will team with label-mate
Matt Maher for the 24-city The Blue Mountain Tour. Dates and cities will be announced in coming weeks.
Award-winning singer/songwriter, Brandon Heath, assembled friends Jason Ingram, Bebo Norman, Gabe Scott and Christopher Williams for the fifth annual “Love Your Neighbor” benefit concert last night; an event Heath started with renowned producer and songwriter Ingram in May 2008. The show was held at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tenn. and raised more than $14,000 for Young Life Capernaum, an outreach for students with physical and mental disabilities.
In attendance were more than 75 local Young Life Capernaum students including Katie Harbison, who joined Heath and friends on stage to share YLC’s impact on her life and perform a song from a worship CD she recorded, whose sales will directly cover Capernaum camp fees for one of her friends. Harbison’s performance generated a much deserved standing ovation.
To date, the five “Love Your Neighbor” events have raised more than $140,000 benefitting community needs. Heath and Ingram have promised a "sixth annual" event to take place next
spring. For details on next year's event, when it's announced, follow the event's twitter @luvyourneighbor and Facebook page www.facebook.com/LoveYourNeighbor. To find out more about, or to donate to Young Life Capernaum, please visit: www.Younglife.org/Capernaum
Five-time GRAMMY Award® nominee Brandon Heath and one of Christian music’s most successful and respected songwriters/producers, Jason Ingram, will host the fifth annual “Love Your Neighbor” concert at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 22 at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tenn. Heath and Ingram, accompanied by friends Bebo Norman and Christopher Williams, will be putting on this event to benefit the Young Life Capernaum organization, an outreach for students with physical and mental disabilities.
Heath and Ingram were drawn to help Young Life Capernaum due to its powerful impact on the lives of its community. “Our young friends in Capernaum have a rare bravery, the kind that transcends disability and the ignorance of others,” says Heath. “They’re inspiring to guys like me. It is the love and commitment of Young Life’s Capernaum and ultimately Christ that help these unique individuals become known and loved. It’s a very similar story to mine, in that, Young Life helped me come know Christ and loved me in spite of my own imperfections. That’s why I connect with this ministry and these special friends.”
The Young Life Capernaum organization (translated from the original meaning, “village of comfort”), aids in providing opportunities for students with any physical and mental incapacity. The organization provides the missing link of relationship between society and the challenged community, the program’s main initiatives help instill purpose and create opportunities they would never have experienced, while extending authentic compassion and teaching them to find their place as a meaningful disciple for God.
This year’s event, featuring performances by Heath, Ingram, Bebo Norman and Christopher Williams, intends to replicate the level of support that “Love Your Neighbor” events have delivered in recent years. In 2008, $20,000 was raised for Nashville area tornado victims. In 2009, David, a local Centennial High School student, lost his father, his health insurance, and was at risk of losing his vision without access to a necessary eye surgery. “Love Your Neighbor” covered the total cost of the medical attention David needed and his vision was restored. In 2010, more than $61,000 was collected for El Shaddai Church in south Nashville that was severely damaged by flooding. Last year’s gathering raised more than $25,000 for the Lee family who was affected by the devastating tornadoes in Alabama.
“These events are so important to me because community is so important to me. I’m grateful for the people who have come out to support their neighbors alongside Jason and me and hope to get to do these for years to come,” notes Heath.
For information on “Love Your Neighbor,” please visit: http://www.facebook.com/loveyourneighbor or www.twitter.com/luvyourneighbor
Christian music’s two-time GMA Male Vocalist of the Year and multiple GRAMMY Award® nominee Brandon Heath was honored again with
an impressive three nominations from The Recording Academy® during last night’s hour-long special broadcast, “The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's
Biggest Night®,” which aired live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE.
Heath’s nominations were earned across three categories. His eight-week No. 1 radio hit, “Your Love” (from his 1/18/2011 project, Leaving Eden) was honored in both Best Gospel / Contemporary Christian Music Performance and Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, an honor he shares with co-writer Jason Ingram. Leaving Eden was recognized in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category.
The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® ceremony will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, February 12, 2012.
The acclaimed singer/songwriter will soon wrap a very successful touring year in support of the Leaving Eden. Fans actively supported tour dates in 96 cities, including 45 headlining concerts with opener, Britt Nicole.
A draw for Heath’s fans is his ability to connect on a personal level with his audience. His album’s title track “Leaving Eden” developed into a campaign that’s taken on a life of its own. Based on the “Leaving Eden” theme, Brandon has challenged himself, and those around him, to reflect on three questions: 1) What Is Your Eden? 2) What Is Your Apple? 3) What Is Your Heart? Visit BrandonHeath.net to watch videos and read Brandon's thoughts on each topic. Brandon also invites people to join him in the conversations on his site, where many have already shared their personal "Edens," "apples," and "hearts."
Video Featured on HearItFirst.com, KLOVE.com, Gospel Music Channel and More
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Aug. 24, 2011 – Christian music’s two-time GMA Male Vocalist of the Year and multiple GRAMMY Award nominee Brandon Heath rolls out his latest music video to top web outlets this week. “The Light In Me,” whose corresponding single is currently impacting radio, can now be viewed at HearItFirst.com, KLOVE.com and Gospel Music Channel on air and online (watchgmctv.com) and more.
The video, which premiered on HearItFirst.com Aug. 17, was produced by Wes Edwards (Ruckus Films) and shot at Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, Tenn. In keeping the song’s theme, the video storyline follows a young boy as he learns to pursue the light inside of him, even when it means standing alone.
The song, gaining momentum at radio, is currently No. 15 at AC Monitored, No 9 at AC Indicator and No. 14 at CHR. This is Heath’s second single from his chart-topping third studio project, Leaving Eden. The first single, “Your Love,” spent an impressive eight weeks at No. 1 on the AC Monitored chart earlier this year. The highly acclaimed album, released Jan. 18, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Current Contemporary Christian Chart and climbed to No.1 on iTunes’ Christian Albums chart.
Award-winning singer/songwriter Brandon Heath, long an advocate of supporting communities in times of need, rallied friends and colleagues for his now-annual “Love Your Neighbor” benefit concert May 24 in Nashville, and raised more than $25,000 for families affected by the recent tornadoes in Alabama.
The concert, held at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, featured Heath alongside acclaimed producer/songwriter Jason Ingram, vocalist Kari Jobe and Dove Award winning, Chris August.
Along with the funds raised, Heath and company had one extra surprise for the Lee family from Birmingham, AL whose patriarch Jim was killed when the family home collapsed as he was trying to protect his family. Through the generosity of Sixsteps Records and the Steinway company, the piano played that night on stage was autographed by the artists and donated to the family, replacing one small piece of the family’s tradition as they continue to rebuild from this tragedy.
The “Love Your Neighbor” event was the latest in Heath’s busy spring supporting his most recent album project Leaving Eden (1/18), and kicked off a busy summer season of festival appearances. This fall, Britt Nicole joins Heath as the Leaving Eden Tour impacts nearly 40 cities around the country. A final list of venues, tour sponsors and strategic partnerships associated with the Leaving Eden Tour will be announced in coming weeks.
Last year was quite a year Dave Barnes, and 2011 is well on its way to being even better. He's already off to a great start as he kicked off this past weekend joining Brandon Heath's Leaving Eden Tour, which is hitting a dozen markets across the southern U.S. into early April. Tour dates are listed below. Additionally, Barnes' single "God Gave Me You" was not only a hit on CHR and AC radio but has crossed over to Mainstream AC. Officially impacting radio yesterday, the single had already obtained early adds with four stations.
"God Gave Me You" was one of the most played CHR and AC songs in 2010 and continues to be heard on radio stations across the nation. According to Billboard's year-end charts, it hit top 3 and was the 15th most played song of the year at CHR.
Barnes' vocal talents and songwriting abilities are also being shared by other popular artists. "Until You," one of his first singles from his CD Brother, Bring The Sun, was recently cut by country artist Billy Currington, and Barnes also joined Francesa Battistelli to co-write and share vocals on "Emily (It's Love)," which appears on her brand new release, Hundred More Years.
LEAVING EDEN TOUR DATES:
March 10 - Fayetteville, AR
March 11 - Mountain Home, AR
March 24 - Panama City Beach, FL
March 25 - Gainesville, FL
March 26 - Tanner, AL
March 29 - Greenwell Springs, LA
March 31 - Brownwood, TX
April 1 - Selma, TX
April 2 - Waco, TX
April 7 - Rome, GA*
April 13 - Stillwater, OK*
May 6 - St. Paul, MN*
*not designated Leaving Eden Tour dates
Christian music’s reigning two-time Male Vocalist of the Year, Brandon Heath is once again tapped in the coveted category with his nomination announced today from Atlanta, Ga., for the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heath won the title in 2009 and 2010.
The Nashville native continues to have the biggest song in the land, as his fourth career No. 1 single “Your Love” remains No. 1 for a sixth week on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart.
The single is featured on Heath’s chart-topping third studio release, Leaving Eden. The highly-acclaimed album released Jan. 18, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Current Contemporary Christian Chart and reached the No.1 position on iTunes Christian Albums chart.
Last month, Heath reached another career milestone as the digital sales of his previous 2009 Dove-winning Song of the Year hit “Give Me Your Eyes” surpassed 500,000 and officially certified as a RIAA Gold digital single. Heath is currently on tour with GRAMMY Award winning artist TobyMac as part of the Winter Wonder Slam Tour. On March 4, he kicks off headlining a month of shows with special guests Dave Barnes and Kristian Stanfill, and then joins MercyMe for an estimated 20 cities.
For tour dates, and to view Heath’s new Leaving Eden video sessions, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 20th. The awards show will be televised on GMC at 8:00p.m. ET/delayed PT on Easter Sunday, April 24th. GMC is the fastest-growing network in television and can be seen in 47 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.
Dove-winning Male Vocalist of the Year, Brandon Heath debuts his highly-anticipated third studio release, Leaving Eden, at No. 1 this week on Billboard’s Top Current Contemporary Christian Chart, marking the Nashville artist’s first career opening at the top of the sales chart.
Produced by Dan Muckala, the acclaimed 11-song project also held the No.1 position on iTunes Christian Albums chart, and lead single “Your Love” remains No. 1 at radio for a third week atop Billboard’s National Christian Audience, and AC Monitor charts, with 100% of AC stations across the country spinning the hit track.
Reviews applaud the GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter’s latest offering, with Billboard magazine projecting Heath as the next leader in the genre. The respected print magazine’s Jan. 22 feature states Heath is “Cementing his growing status as the next young male artist to carry the Christian music torch held by veterans Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith…”.
Other media outlets proclaim:
“ Brandon Heath won the last two Dove Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year with “Give Me Your Eyes,” and “I’m Not Who I Was,” but those tunes pale in comparison with what he offers on Leaving Eden.” - DenverPost.com
“…we can’t get his song “Leaving Eden” out of our heads.” - AmericanSongwriter.com
As radio and sales soar, Heath reached another career milestone as the digital sales of his previous 2009 Song of the Year hit “Give Me Your Eyes” surpass 500,000 - officially certifying as a RIAA Gold digital single last week. According to SoundScan, “Give Me Your Eyes” has sold over 563,000 digital downloads to date.
Heath is currently on tour with GRAMMY Award winning artist TobyMac as part of the Winter Wonder Slam Tour. For tour dates, and to view Heath’s new Leaving Eden video sessions, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
On the heels of Brandon Heath’s highly-anticipated third album release, Leaving Eden, the project’s lead single “Your Love” hits No. 1 at radio this week atop Billboard’s National Christian Audience, and both AC Monitor and Indicator charts. This feat marks the Dove-winning Male Vocalist of the Year’s fourth career No. 1 radio single. Leaving Eden releases nationally on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Scott Smith, Music Director for the KLOVE Network, celebrates the hit song saying, “Brandon paints a beautiful picture of Christ’s love and compassion that has captivated KLOVE listeners!”
Written by Heath and Jason Ingram, “Your Love” is the pair’s first collaboration since their previous No.1 radio hit, and 2009 Song of the Year success, “Give Me Your Eyes,” which continues to lead sales with 550,000 downloads to date, according to SoundScan.
Fans in Tulsa, Okla., and Wichita Kan., will hear Heath’s current No. 1 song and new music off Leaving Eden live this weekend as he kicks off the 17-city Winter Wonder Slam Tour with GRAMMY Award winning artist TobyMac, running Jan. 14 - Feb. 20, in markets including Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver.
Heath’s street week launches Monday, Jan. 17 in Minneapolis with a performance at the Mall of America in partnership with Best Buy and KTIS radio, followed by a show with JOY FM listeners in Tampa, Fl. on Tuesday at the local Family Christian Store and his free concert with Z88.3 in Orlando on Wednesday.
The first featured video piece of Brandon performing new music is now posted on his website as the premiere of “The Leaving Eden Sessions” releases online this week. The “Your Love” performance leads the video series with future installments to follow. To view, and for a list of tour dates, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
(Nashville, Tenn.) Sept. 21, 2010 – This week, GRAMMY nominated, two-time reigning GMA Dove-Award Male Vocalist of the Year, Brandon Heath debuts his anticipated new single, “Your Love,” to Christian AC and CHR radio with a record 78 stations voting ‘yes’ and spinning the song by the official Sept. 17 add date.
“We jumped on Brandon’s song a little early,” admits Scott Smith, Music Director of the K-Love Network. “We just couldn’t wait to share the message of ‘Your Love’ with KLOVE listeners!” He adds, “Brandon reminds all of us that ‘the only thing that matters and all we ever need’ is God’s all consuming love!”
“It took all of three seconds for me to say “freaking YES” to adding this song,” exclaims Sarah Taylor, Music Director, KCMS/Seattle. “Brandon has done it again. Man, he makes my job
so easy.”
All three national networks, K-Love, Air 1 and Way-FM, immediately added the Heath and Jason Ingram-penned song, with first-week commitments coming in from more than 50% of the nation’s top 100 markets, including KLTY/Dallas, WPOZ/Orlando, JOYFM/Tampa, WGTS/Washington DC, KTIS/Minneapolis, WRCM/Charlotte and WVFJ/Atlanta.
Following Heath’s 2009 Song of the Year and No. 1 radio hit “Give Me Your Eyes,” this new monumental feat continues a storied run for Heath at radio, and sets a career number of radio adds first-week for the Nashville native. It also ties Provident Label Group’s most successful single add week ever, with “Your Love” scoring the exact number of adds as Provident’s debut week of Casting Crowns’ smash No. 1 hit “Until the Whole World Hears” in 2009. Ultimately, with 78 stations now playing “Your Love,” the song pulls in one of the highest add weeks in Christian radio history.
“Your Love” is the first song released off Heath’s forthcoming third studio album, expected early 2011. Produced by Dan Muckala, “Your Love” was also the first song written for the new project by Heath with acclaimed co-writing partner Jason Ingram, following their previous writing accomplishment: “Give Me Your Eyes.”
Upon receiving the record-setting news, Heath said, “I can’t thank Christian radio enough for all they do for their listeners. I’m blown away by the response to ‘Your Love’ and thankful for the support.” He adds, “‘Your Love’ shares a simple and important message that God’s love for
His people is profound.”
“Your Love” has already reached No. 4 on iTunes Christian Songs chart, and debuts on the radio charts at No. 18 on Billboard’s Christian audience chart, No. 23 at AC Monitored, and No.29 at CHR.
This fall, Brandon will join Jars of Clay on the co-headlining “An Evening With Brandon Heath & Jars of Clay” tour. In partnership with Blood:Water Mission and Food for the Hungry, the tour will kick off Oct. 8, and travel across the country before wrapping in mid-November. For tour dates, and to listen to the new single, “Your Love, visit www.brandonheath.net.
Two-time reigning Gospel Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath and three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Jars of Clay will join forces this fall to co-headline the 21-city “An Evening With Brandon Heath & Jars of Clay” tour. In partnership with Blood:Water Mission and Food for the Hungry, the tour will kick off Oct. 8, and travel across the country before wrapping in mid-November.
As a unique co-headlining tour, “An Evening With Brandon Heath & Jars of Clay” gives these two musical entities an opportunity to create a true collaborative night not to be missed. Audiences will be able to catch them playing within each other’s sets in a series of one-time-only performances not likely to be seen again.
A GRAMMY- and American Music Award-nominated singer/songwriter, Heath will perform selections from his first two albums (Don’t Get Comfortable, What If We) including the hit singles “Give Me Your Eyes,” “I’m Not Who I Was” and “Wait And See.” He’ll also unveil new material from his upcoming third studio album, slated for a February 2011 release.
Multi-platinum-selling Jars of Clay will be touring in support of their brand new album, Jars Of Clay Presents The Shelter (Oct. 5, 2010), the band’s 11th CD and follow-up to their GRAMMY-nominated The Long Fall Back To Earth. The band will perform songs from the new release, including the brand new single “Out Of My Hands,” along with many of their numerous hits – “Flood,” “Two Hands,” “Dead Man (Carry Me),” “Worlds Apart,” “Love Song For A Savior,” to name a few – which have become concert favorites.
“I’m more excited than I can even really say about the chance to tour with Jars of Clay this fall,” Heath says. “We truly are long-time friends and collaborators. Now, the chance to do this over a period of weeks on tour in front of a live audience – it’s going to be special. I really look forward to what will happen each night on stage playing and singing together.”
“We can’t wait to head out this fall with our friend Brandon Heath,” adds Jars of Clay’s Steve Mason. “We are looking forward to playing songs from our new album along with some old favorites going all the way back to our first record.”
The tour partners with relief organizations Blood:Water Mission and Food for the Hungry in a joint effort to focus on needs in Kenya. “Over the last several years Blood:Water Mission and Food for the Hungry have been working together to help transform many communities in the Marsabit district of northern Kenya,” says Ben Greene, Artist Program Director for Food for the Hungry. “Their unified vision in this area has focused on things like water and sanitation; medical clinics; and schools and education. The goal of this work is to tackle the root causes of poverty and empower Kenyans to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from reaching their fullest potential. Food for the Hungry is thrilled to be partnering with Blood:Water, Jars of Clay, and Brandon Heath for this great tour that will surely reach into the heart of Africa.”
Nashville native and award-winning singer/songwriter Brandon Heath with songwriter and “Producer of the Year” Jason Ingram raised $61,857 for area flood victims this week, during their third annual “Love Your Neighbor” concert on Tuesday evening, May 18. The free-with-donation show attracted a standing-room only crowd at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tenn., and was also streamed live online. The night featured intimate performances by Christian music’s biggest names including tobyMac, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, Britt Nicole, Heath and Ingram, plus special unannounced guest, Amy Grant.
Brandon Heath said, “More than a benefit, it felt like a big family piled into the living room to share songs, stories, and all that we have. I’m immensely grateful for the generosity of Nashville, and those watching online. Above all, God was glorified and our neighbors were loved.”
Each year, Heath and Ingram tap into their music community friends for a great night of music to raise funds and gather volunteers for a focused need in the Nashville community. This year’s “Love Your Neighbor” proceeds will go towards the rebuilding efforts of El Shaddai Christian Church, a small and growing Hispanic church in South Nashville devastated by the catastrophic flooding that overwhelmed the area earlier this month. Heath and Ingram explain the need of El Shaddai in this video interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o61jTb4pESo&feature=player_embedded#!
Heath noted, “Jason and I immediately connected with El Shaddai because we are called to action by God’s Word when He says in Galations 6:10, ‘let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.’”
On Sunday, May 2, six feet of water rushed inside El Shaddai, forcing Sr. Pastor Germán Castro to be rescued from the building by boat. Castro’s amazing water rescue was captured by Nashville Fox17 cameras. Watch the story here: http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_3480.shtml
Pastor Castro stated, “After the flood, we’ve experienced an outpouring of God’s grace through the love of the body of Christ. You stopped and noticed us, you loved us, you did not look the other way, you were His hands and feet, you saw us through His eyes and cared enough to know that we could not build up again alone.” He adds, “The concert, and the encouragement through your lyrics is a seed for El Shaddai to spring up into a field of harvest, and to shine the love of Christ into our community and the nations.”
Strong local media support also contributed to the success of “Love Your Neighbor,” including Heath’s interviews with NewsChannel 5, WSMV Channel 4 “Better Nashville” and Fox17 “Tennessee Mornings.”
NewsChannel 5: http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=12504681
Fox 17 Morning show: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=719950865915
WSMV “Better Nashville”: http://www.wsmv.com/better/index.html
The “Love Your Neighbor” benefit is an annual concert event created by Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram, in partnership with Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. In 2008, the event raised $20,000 for Nashville area tornado victims. In 2009, the event slogan to “Save David’s Eyes” did just that, with donations covering the total cost of a critical eye surgery to prevent blindness of a local Centennial high school student, who had recently lost his father and health insurance coverage. Enough proceeds were collected to also create a standing fund for a future need within the student body.
For the latest updates on “Love Your Neighbor,” please visit http://www.facebook.com/loveyourneighbor.
Nashville native and award-winning singer/songwriter Brandon Heath partners again with songwriter and “Producer of the Year” Jason Ingram for their third annual “Love Your Neighbor” concert benefitting the needs of the Music City. The free-with-donation show will be held Tuesday, May 18, at 7 p.m., at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tenn., featuring intimate performances by Christian music’s biggest names including tobyMac, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, Britt Nicole, Heath and Ingram.
Each year, Heath and Ingram tap into their music community friends for a great night of music to raise funds and gather volunteers for a focused need in the Nashville community. In the aftermath of the historic flooding that overwhelmed the area last week, this year’s “Love Your Neighbor” proceeds will go towards the rebuilding efforts of El Shaddai Christian Church, a small and growing Hispanic church in South Nashville devastated by the catastrophic flooding.
Brandon Heath notes, “There are so many ways that we can respond to this disaster, but my friends and I choose to react with hope. We encourage others to see this time of rebuilding as a great opportunity to care for others.” He adds, “Jason and I immediately connected with El Shaddai because we are called to action by God’s Word when He says in Galations 6:10, ‘let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.’”
On Sunday, May 2, six feet of water rushed inside El Shaddai, forcing Pastor German Castro to be rescued from the building by boat. Castro’s amazing water rescue was captured by WSMV Fox17. Watch the story here: http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_3480.shtml
The “Love Your Neighbor” benefit is an annual concert event created by Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram, in partnership with Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. In 2008, the event raised $20,000 for Nashville area tornado victims. In 2009, the event slogan to “Save David’s Eyes” did just that, with donations covering the total cost of a critical eye surgery to prevent blindness of a local Centennial high school student, who had recently lost his father and health insurance coverage. Enough proceeds were collected to also create a standing fund for a future need within the student body.
For the latest updates on “Love Your Neighbor,” please visit: http://www.facebook.com/loveyourneighbor
Awards were given out last night at the Grand Ole Opry House for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards with celebrated Nashville-based singer/songwriter Brandon Heath scoring two wins, including the prestigious Male Vocalist of the Year honor for the second year in a row. The televised show will air nationwide on gmc Sunday, April 25, from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST.
Heath notes, “I think this year I’m most thankful to the GMA for their commitment to stand with us and for us as artists whose voices are being heard. I happily accept this award and am truly proud to be a member of such a musically diverse family.”
One of the highlights of the evening’s performances came when Brandon Heath collaborated with Jars of Clay on “Two Hands,” the band’s Song of the Year nominated tune. These two acts will be touring together this fall and sharing their passion for people in need.
Heath’s back-to-back Male Vocalist titles follow his 2008 breakthrough New Artist of the Year win. Last night he also secured a Dove for his participation on Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship, winner in the Special Event Album of the Year category. Heath was also nominated for Short Form Video of the Year for “Wait And See,” the second chart-topping single from his sophomore album, What If We.
2009 was a huge year for Brandon, nominated for two GRAMMY awards, and his first American Music Award, in addition to walking away with three awards at last year’s Dove Award ceremony, including Song of the Year for his hit song “Give Me Your Eyes” the blockbuster lead single from What If We.
Having captured 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, plus 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart, with 450,000 total digital downloads, “Give Me Your Eyes” was also recently used by NASA as the wake-up call for the Endeavour shuttle crew on their first day in orbit.
Nominations for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominations were announced this morning at Belmont University’s Curb Café, with Nashville-based singer/songwriter Brandon Heath serving as one of the presenters at today’s nominee press conference. In addition to announcing the nominees, Heath scored three of his own nominations, including the prestigious Male Vocalist of the Year, an award he won in 2009. Heath nabbed a Short Form Video of the Year nod for “Wait And See,” the second chart-topping single from his 2008 GRAMMY-nominated, sophomore album, What If We, plus recognition for his participation on Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship, nominated in the Special Event Album of the Year category.
2009 was a huge year for Brandon, nominated for two GRAMMY awards, and his first American Music Award. Heath also garnered three wins at last year’s Dove Award ceremony, including Song of the Year for his hit song “Give Me Your Eyes,” the blockbuster lead single from What If We. Having captured 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, plus 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart, with more than 440,000 total digital downloads, “Give Me Your Eyes” won an Emmy Award, and was used by NASA as the wake-up call for the Endeavour shuttle crew on their first day in orbit.
Heath’s new single “Love Never Fails” climbs to No.17 at Billboard’s AC Monitored radio chart this week.
For tour dates, and more information, please visit www.brandonheath.net and follow Brandon on Twitter at twitter.com/brandonheath.
(Nashville, Tenn.) Feb.9, 2010 – Nashville singer/songwriter and Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath added a rare highlight to his growing list of accolades with his recent Emmy Award win, presented to the celebrated songwriter for his blockbuster hit “Give Me Your Eyes.” The song served as the catalyst for Nashville Rescue Mission’s Hunger to Hope 2009 PSA Campaign, produced by NewsChannel 5’s Jerry L. Walker, WTVF-TV (CBS).
Rounding out Heath’s week of unique compliments is the selection of the award-winning song by NASA as the 5:14pm CT wake-up call for the Endeavour shuttle crew, on their first day in orbit, in honor of first-time flyer Pilot Terry Virts, who is a fan of Heath’s music. Virts invited Heath to join his family as a special guest at the launch yesterday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Listen to NASA crew’s “Give Me Your Eyes” wake up call at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubLobZqp80w
Brandon Heath states, “Having my song included in a PSA talking about serving the poor was hugely rewarding. The Emmy is a nice statue, loving Nashville’s homeless is monumental. I’m especially grateful to WTVF NewsChannel 5, and Jackie Pillers, and to Jerry Walker for the idea.”
In regards to the NASA wake-up call, Heath adds, “I’m still geeking out over this, it’s the coolest thing ever!”
The Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented their 24th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards on Saturday, January 30, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Heath’s blockbuster No. 1 hit song “Give Me Your Eyes” appears on his 2008 GRAMMY-nominated sophomore album, What If We. The album has delivered back-to-back No. 1 singles with “Give Me Your Eyes,” which captured 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, plus 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart, with 439,000 total digital downloads. The second single “Wait And See” topped Billboard’s Christian AC Indicator chart in July 2009. The album's current single “Love Never Fails” moves into Top 20 at Billboard’s AC Monitored this week.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to fostering excellence in television. The academy has 19 chapters with 15,000 members nationwide. The Nashville/Midsouth Region encompasses the States of North Carolina (except Asheville) and Tennessee, and northern Alabama. This year’s nominations resulted in 74 awards for 30 companies in 68 categories. The ballots, tabulated by Jennifer Lane of Decosimo Vaden, were judged by the Northwest Chapter of NATAS, based in Seattle, Washington.
For tour dates, and more information, please visit www.brandonheath.net, www.providentpress.com, and follow Brandon on Twitter at twitter.com/brandonheath.
Mocha Club Live Online Event with Brandon Heath, Dave Barnes, and Matt Wertz
benefitting Clean Water in Africa
Tuesday, January 26th @ 8pm CST
Streaming LIVE from live.mochaclub.org.
Online admission is only $1.50!
Dave, Matt, and Brandon will each be playing some songs, interviewing one another, and answering your questions *live* submitted through Twitter.
The popular nationally syndicated “Total Axxess” radio show premieres its first-ever “Acoustic Christmas” this week, featuring intimate, in-studio performances with a high-profile artist lineup, kicking off today, Dec. 14, with GMA’s “New Artist of the Year,” Tenth Avenue North. GRAMMY-winning, progressive band Jars of Clay performs Tuesday, followed by GRAMMY-nominated, modern rockers Red on Wednesday, and wrapping Thursday with GMA’s “Male Vocalist of the Year,” Brandon Heath.
*Check local listings for air times.
Fervent/Reprise Records singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli continues to make significant headway with her acclaimed debut, My Paper Heart. From the small screen to now the big screen, Battistelli's top 5 radio hit, "I'm Letting Go," can be heard in the promotions for the just-released "Julie & Julia" movie featuring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, while her current radio single, "It's Your Life," was heard during last week's season finale of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance."
Battistelli is set to perform this fall on the 43-city "Follow You Tour" as special guest to co-headliners Brandon Heath and Leeland. The high-profile touring event kicks off Sept. 23rd in Norfolk, Nebraska and goes through November 22, ending in Birmingham, Alabama. Not one to sit back and relax, Battistelli is confirmed to also perform on Newsong's 2009 Christmas tour and will kick off next spring appearing on the "Rock and Worship Road Show," along with headliner MercyMe. Upcoming dates will be announced shortly.
Appearing earlier this year on the 35-city nationwide 2009 WinterJam tour, Battistelli continues to perform this summer across the country at churches and festivals. She will appear in mid-September at DisneyWorld's famed "Night Of Joy."
Grammy® nominee and GMA Dove Award winning Male Vocalist of theYear, Brandon Heath and Grammy®-nominated progressive rock act, Leeland, will co-headline the Follow You Tour in 43-cities this fall, featuring special guest Francesca Battistelli. The Follow You Tour introduces new music from Leeland’s anticipated third album titled Love Is On The Move releasing Aug. 25, and Heath’s award-winning sophomore album What If We, featuring his Dove Award-winning Song of the Year “Give Me Your Eyes” and Christian AC radio’s recent No.1 song “Wait And See.” The high-profile touring event kicks off at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk, Neb., September 23 and wraps up on November 22 at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
Along with offering audiences a night of great music and worship with three of the most popular artists in Christian music today, the Follow You Tour also engages attendees with a message close to the hearts of these artists. With a collective mission to love and serve the poor and broken, Leeland and Heath recently traveled to Cambodia. Each night on tour, audiences will hear more about that experience and have the chance to respond to each night’s worship with immediate action offering child sponsorships through Food for the Hungry.
Leeland, Brandon Heath and Francesca Battistelli hope to inspire Christians to engage actively with world need. “We see our calling as a band as two-fold: reaching out to the poor and reaching the ‘up-and outers.’ America’s a rich nation, but we’re spiritually poor,” explains Leeland Mooring. “We want to see God bring a personal revival in the hearts of Americans and transform our nation.”
“After traveling through Asia with Leeland, more specifically Cambodia, I can say that we’ve seen God with the poor,” says Brandon Heath. “This tour is about sharing what we’ve learned among the least of these. Cambodia was about going and listening and being changed. We hope that audiences will have the same experience at the Follow You Tour. We’re on the same page with each other,” explains Jack, keyboardist for Leeland. “Brandon’s heart, like ours, is focused on being about action.”
Brandon Heath is a respected songwriter and considered a radio hit-maker in the Nashville music
community. He first began writing at age 13 and his background is rooted in a history with Christian
youth-based organization, Young Life, which is grounded in relationship and mentoring. Heath’s most
current hit list includes Grammy®-nominated single “Give Me Your Eyes,” from sophomore release, What If We. The song was recently awarded a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year and spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart. To date, the album’s breakout first single continues to lead digitally, selling more than 360,000 total downloads of the track across all digital providers. The second single “Wait and See” was recently the top song in the country on the Christian AC Indicator chart.
Often quoted as one of Christian music’s most gripping live bands, the 2006 debut Sound of Melodies and 2008’s Opposite Way quickly established Leeland as a leader in the worship community and beyond. While both previous albums were Grammy®-nominated and drew a combined eight Dove nominations, Leeland’s measure of success has always been the human heart. And now Leeland’s third album, Love Is On The Move is a landmark in the deepest sense.
Featured guest for the Follow You Tour is Francesca Battistelli, who received five Dove Nominations in 2009, a remarkable feat for a new artist. Francesca continues to experience chart-breaking radio success, substantial play on popular TV and film and contagious online fan interaction. “It's Your Life” from My Paper Heart releases on July 10 and follows debut chart-topping single, “Free To Be Me”, which was the first No.1 single from a female artist on AC radio since 2005 also ranking her as the most added female artist and new artist in Christian radio history. “I’m so excited to be part of this Fall tour with Leeland and Brandon,” says Francesca. “This tour is a great opportunity for us to all take a step outside of our comfort zone and move deliberately toward helping others and answering the call to action that the Lord establishes for each one of us, each day.”
(Nashville, Tenn.) April 24, 2009—The Christian music industry crowned a new Male Vocalist of the Year last night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, naming singer-songwriter and radio hitmaker Brandon Heath its honored recipient. Heath’s GRAMMY-nominated hit single “Give Me Your Eyes,” off his sophomore album What If We, was also named Song of the Year, for which Heath received a Dove trophy for co-writing the No. 1 song with Jason Ingram. The live broadcast of the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards show aired nationwide on the Gospel Music Channel.
Backstage last night Heath said, “I was surprised to receive Male Vocalist of the Year. With this honor, I hope my voice is not just for singing, but for teaching and confessing and questioning my own generation.”
When asked about the Song of the Year win, he added, “It was an honor to share this award with my friend Jason Ingram. I consider myself blessed to be able to write songs that encourage and challenge others. It feels great to know that you are making a difference in the world.”
“Give Me Your Eyes,” spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart, during a 7-month run at the top of the download chart following the song’s release in July 2008. To date, the album’s breakout first single continues to lead digitally selling more than 310,000 total downloads of the track across all digital providers. The second single “Wait and See” is now climbing radio and iTunes charts.
A third win for Heath came in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song for performing and writing “Give Me Your Eyes.
Brandon Heath was also one of the few artists selected to perform live on the telecast. Heath performed his giant, award-winning song “Give Me Your Eyes” with a full production supported by a unique step-number by members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Chi Chapter of Fisk University, and a local competitive female step team.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 24, 2009 -- Dove Awards were handed out last night in Nashville for the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards with singer/songwriter Brandon Heath and worship band Casting Crowns earning the most awards. Steven Curtis Chapman was honored as Artist of the Year and Tenth Avenue North received the Dove Award for New Artist which for the first time were voted on by both the gospel/Christian music industry and its fans.
Televised live on the Gospel Music Channel and held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, this year’s Dove Awards spread the love around like never before, with more than 75 artists, songwriters and producers receiving Dove trophies, including 38 out of the 43 award categories featuring different recipients. A complete list of all winners is avaiable at http://www.gospelmusic.org/newsmedia/pressRoom_detail.aspx?iid=40927&tid=33.
“Many different artists have obviously connected with people in powerful ways this year as evidenced by last night’s impressive number of singular honorees. The list of Dove Award recipients is very culturally and musically diverse, yet together they reveal the unique ability for gospel and Christian music to reach across cultural, religious and generational divides to encourage and inspire with the good news of the Gospel,” said John W. Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and executive producer of the Dove Awards.
This year’s Dove Awards show offered a powerful picture of Christian/gospel music’s appreciation for the past and embrace of the future. While the voting process welcomed new technologies that allowed fans to vote for the first time, southern gospel music icon Bill Gaither earned a Dove Award in 2009, 40 years after he received his first at the inaugural Dove Awards ceremony in 1969. The show’s musical performances continued the theme with moving tributes to legendary artists and performances from several New Artist of the Year nominees.
The Dove Award recipients in the overall categories were:
Artist of the Year – Steven Curtis Chapman
New Artist of the Year – Tenth Avenue North
Song of the Year -- “Give Me Your Eyes”; songwriters Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram
Songwriter of the Year -- Steven Curtis Chapman
Male Vocalist of the Year -- Brandon Heath
Female Vocalist of the Year -- Natalie Grant
Group of the Year -- Casting Crowns
For the first time, fans became stakeholders in the Dove Awards with an opportunity to vote for the winner of Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year, in a campaign coordinated by the Gospel Music Channel. In an unprecedented engagement of fans, 250,000 votes were cast on gospelmusicchannel.com and via text messaging, including through the first part of the live broadcast.
Steven Curtis Chapman, who is used to making Dove Awards history, having already received more Dove Awards than any other artist in the awards show’s 40 years, was named Artist of the Year for the seventh time and Songwriter of the Year for the 10th time. His 2008-09 worldwide hit “Cinderella” not only brought Chapman praise for his always consummate songwriting skills, it became a worldwide hit and sentimental favorite because of the tragic loss he and his family experienced nearly a year ago, when five-year-old Maria, one of three Chinese-adopted daughters who inspired “Cinderella,” died in an accident. Introduced by current tour mate Michael W. Smith and joined on stage in his band by sons Will Franklin and Caleb, Chapman’s performance of “Cinderella” brought the audience to tears and to their feet.
Tenth Avenue North became the first New Artist of the Year to be voted on by fans. The melodic pop-rock group, currently on tour with MercyMe, became the best selling new Christian artist of 2008 with its debut CD Over and Underneath.
Heath, who was 2008’s New Artist of the Year, proved he was no rookie by following that up with three Dove Awards this year, including Male Vocalist of the Year. Heath also received the prestigious Song of the Year Dove Award for co-writing with Jason Ingram “Give Me Your Eyes,” from Heath’s sophomore CD What If We. “Give Me Your Eyes,” which spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart also earned a trophy for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Heath offered a compelling performance of “Give Me Your Eyes” during the live awards broadcast, that included a step/stomp dance routine that mirrored Heath’s music video of the song.
Casting Crowns also earned three Dove Awards, including the band’s fifth consecutive Group of the Year trophy, winning this award every year it has been nominated. The band also took home honors for Christmas Album of the Year for its 2008 chart-topping, first Christmas project Peace On Earth and a Dove Award for Short Form Music Video for the powerful music video “Slow Fade,” which appears on the band’s recent RIAA Gold-certified The Altar and The Door Live DVD/CD.
Grant extends her reign as Female Vocalist of the Year with her fourth consecutive trophy in that category. Only Sandi Patty has been honored as Female vocalist more times. Notably, Grant was not the only one in her family to be honored last night. Husband and songwriter/producer Bernie Herms was named Producer of the Year (He produced Grant’s Relentless with Shaun Shankel). Grant shared the stage with hip/hop artist Group 1 Crew for an electric R&B-flavored performance of “Make it Matter.”
Among the Dove Awards other multiple artist winners were Smith (for Inspirational Recorded Song and Praise & Worship Album), Blind Boys of Alabama (Traditional Gospel Recorded Song and Album), Chris Tomlin (for his contributions to Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song and Special Event Album), Jeff & Sherri Easter and Lewis Family (Bluegrass Recorded Song and Bluegrass Album).
Last night’s broadcast of the Dove Awards featured nothing but unforgettable performances, starting with urban gospel duo Mary Mary’s high energy rendition of their Dove Award-winning Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song “Get Up.” and culminating with GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and double Dove Award winners the Blind Boys of Alabama bringing a New Orleans jazz sound to “Free At Last,” with special guest Mac Powell (of Third Day) who then introduced a final celebration of the 40th anniversary of “Oh Happy Day,” the 18th century hymn which became gospel music’s first mainstream crossover hit when it was arranged and recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Hawkins himself was joined onstage by a group of artists including Donnie McClurkin and American Idol finalists Mandisa and Phil Stacey and Gospel Dream Winner Melinda Watts.
Several other performances paid tribute to the past including an emotional multi-artist segment honoring Southern Gospel legend and GMA Gospel Music Hall of Famer Dottie Rambo who died in a tragic bus accident last year. Kim Hopper, Brian Free & Assurance, Ronnie Milsap, Jason Crabb and Rambo’s daughter and family members Reba Rambo McGuire, Dony McGuire and Destiny McGuire and a reunion appearance of Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty performed some of Rambo’s biggest hits. MercyMe, reflecting on a decade in Christian music, performed a stirring arrangement of their huge mainstream hit single from 2001 “I Can Only Imagine.” The band was introduced by Miss California U.S.A. Carrie Prejean.
Also appearing in performances or presenting on the Dove Awards were Kierra Sheard, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli, Jonathan Nelson, Remedy Drive, Chris Sligh, Tenth Avenue North, Billy Baldwin, Chynna Vaughan, Sinbad, A.J. Styles, Fireflight, Kirk Franklin, Richie McDonald, Ronnie Milsap, Tye Tribbett, Jeremy Camp, Martha Munizzi, Mary Alessi, DecembeRadio, GRITS, Jason Crabb, Kim Hopper, The Afters, Canton Jones, Isaiah D. Thomas, Marty Magehee, Mark Harris, Wayne Watson, Rebecca St. James and Lisa Kimmey.
The Dove Awards pre-telecast featured the presentation of the majority of the evening’s 43 Dove Awards as well as performances by Meredith Andrews, Downhere and J.R.
Also this evening, Jars of Clay was also recognized with Gospel Music Channel’s annual Gospel Angels Award, which recognizes recording artists who activate and inspire others to positively change the lives of people. Jars of Clay was honored for its Blood:Water Mission project, a non-profit organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis founded by the members of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band. To find out more about the Blood:Water Mission, please visit http://www.bloodwatermission.com/.
Steve Gilreath, producer of the GMA Dove Awards for the 8th consecutive year, was joined by producer Rob Cowlyn to put on the live stage show and broadcast.
This is the second straight year that Gospel Music Channel has televised the Dove Awards live. In addition to the exclusive live broadcast, Gospel Music Channel will present back-to-back encore broadcasts that night and additional re-airings following. Gospel Music Channel’s rapid growth has made it the fastest growing network in television for the past two years and GMC is now available in more than 45 million homes in all major markets on the major cable systems as well as on DIRECTV on Channel 338.
The American Bible Society (http://www.americanbible.org/) is the official charity for the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
GRAMMY and Dove nominated artist Brandon Heath will appear this week on the top-rated, national “FOX & Friends” morning show, as a special guest artist in celebration of Good Friday. Heath is scheduled to perform throughout the morning on Friday, April 10, bringing viewers in and out of commercial breaks with songs off his GRAMMY-nominated album What If We, including his No. 1, Dove-nominated Song of the Year, “Give Me Your Eyes.”
“FOX & Friends” airs weekdays from 6 A.M.- 9 A.M. (ET/PT).
For more on Brandon Heath, and a listing of his “Revelation Tour” dates with Third Day and Revive, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
GRAMMY-nominated artist, Brandon Heath adds a fifth Dove Award nomination to his tally for the 40th Annual Dove Awards, receiving a nomination this week for Songwriter of the Year, as announced by the Gospel Music Association (GMA). Heath co-wrote the blockbuster, GRAMMY-nominated song, “Give Me Your Eyes,” off his sophomore album What If We. The song spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart, during a 7-month run at the top of the download chart following the song’s release in July 2008.
The recipient of the Dove Award for Songwriter of the Year will be named during the awards show on April 23rd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, broadcasting live nationwide on Gospel Music Channel. This is Heath’s second career nod for Songwriter of the Year. He was nominated in 2008 for penning the No.1 radio hit, “I’m Not Who I Was” appearing on his debut album, Don’t Get Comfortable.
Following the announcement, Heath said, “Being a songwriter, this is one of the highest honors I can receive in our industry.”
Honored with four additional nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards, Heath is up for Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Give Me Your Eyes.” Heath also appears in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category for performing and writing “Give Me Your Eyes,” and for his recording of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day” on Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack, in the Special Event Album category.
For more on Brandon Heath, and a listing of his “Revelation Tour” dates with Third Day and Revive, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
Hitmaker and recent double GRAMMY-nominee, Brandon Heath is honored today with four nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards including Male Vocalist of the Year. Once again, Heath appears in the Song of the Year category, this time for co-writing his blockbuster, GRAMMY-nominated song “Give Me Your Eyes,” which spent 14 weeks at No.1 # 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart. This week, the megahit song spent a 27th week as the No. 1 download on iTunes Christian Song Chart, holding for 7 months, since its release July 2008.
Heath is also nominated in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category for performing and writing “Give Me Your Eyes,” and for his recording of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day” on Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack, in the Special Event Album category.
Following the news, Heath said, “I’ve had one of the most exciting years of my life. I thank God everyday that I get to do what I love and make a difference in the world. I accept these nominations as a huge honor from my peers. He adds, “To be nominated for male vocalist is a big surprise! I was excited to see Give Me Your Eyes up for Song of the Year. I think that song has shocked us all.”
Dan Keen, vice president of ASCAP, commented on the momentum surrounding Brandon’s music, “Brandon continues to build on his amazing launch as a new artist, with his win last year as New Artist of the Year, and now today with several more Dove nominations, including Male Vocalist and Song of the Year. Keen continues, “The thing that makes Brandon stand out from other great artists, is that he writes hit songs. “Give Me Your Eyes” is one of the most performed songs of the year, and really impacted our culture in a great way, with its timely message. I couldn’t be happier for Brandon.”
Dove Awards will be handed out Thursday, April 23rd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN and broadcast live nationwide on Gospel Music Channel.
Brandon Heath’s powerhouse hit “Give Me Your Eyes” hits No. 1 at R&R’s
AC-Monitored chart for its 14th week. The song is also No. 1 on
iTunes Christian Top Songs chart for its 21st week and the popular music video
for “Give Me Your Eyes” sits at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Top
Music Videos chart. For more information on Brandon Heath, please visit: www.brandonheath.net.
Based off the title of his new album, What If We,
K-Love and Brandon Heath partner to give K-Love listeners and
Brandon Heath fans a "What If We" opportunity to give back. In an
effort to bring community together and work toward helping those in need,
K-Love, Brandon and the Denver Rescue Mission will host a toy drive and VIP
free concert on Tuesday, December 2 to gather gifts for 12,000 children this
Christmas. In order to be qualified for this event, K-Love listeners were
prompted to call in and share ideas about how to serve others in need.
Qualifiers received Brandon’s sophomore album What If We. One caller
and a guest won the grand prize drawing of a roundtrip flight
to Denver for two nights to work with Brandon at the Mission and
attend his concert later that evening. For more information about
Brandon Heath please visit: www.brandonheath.net.
(
Nashville,
Tenn.) Oct. 30, 2008 – Singer/songwriter and Christian music’s New Artist of
the Year Brandon Heath was honored on Music Row this week in
his Nashville hometown with a “#1 Party” hosted by ASCAP for his smash
radio hit “Give Me Your Eyes.” The song is the first single off Heath’s new
sophomore album What If We, and tops Billboard’s
Hot Christian AC chart for a sixth consecutive week, while spending a tenth
week at No. 1 on R&R’s CHR chart. “Give Me Your
Eyes is reaching 25 million in radio impressions this week, which compares to
the weekly impressions of a No.1 song on both Mainstream AC and Hot AC charts,
No. 6 on the Country charts and No.15 on the Top 40 chart.
“Give Me Your Eyes” is also one of
the most successful digital Christian tracks of 2008, currently holding the No.
1 spot on iTunes Christian chart for a 13th week. The track
has sold 115,000
total downloads across all digital providers to date.
Dan Keen, vice president of ASCAP, notes, “You can tell how an artist
treats people by who shows up to congratulate them on their successes. In
Brandon Heath’s case, the #1 party for “Give Me Your Eyes” at ASCAP brought a
full house that included the fantastic members of his team; publisher, manager,
record label, booking agent, but also other managers, other publishers, other
individuals who might be considered in competing business roles with Brandon
and his team. They were there because the Christian music community loves and
trusts Brandon Heath. His life and music draws out the best in people.”
“Give Me Your Eyes” is Heath’s second career radio No. 1.
He first topped charts in 2007 with his
Song of the Year nominated hit “I’m Not Who I Was.”
Last week, Brandon wrapped a
national tour with Sara Groves as part of the Art*Music*Justice Tour featuring
Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and Charlie Peacock, benefitting both the International
Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry. The tour raised more than $35,000
for IJM and Food for the Hungry received sponsorships for 560 kids.
(Nashville, Tenn.) Sept. 23, 2008 – This week, singer/songwriter and New Artist of the Year Brandon Heath garners his second career radio No. 1 on R&R’s AC-Monitored chart with the breakout first single “Give Me Your Eyes,” off the new sophomore album What If We. With a No.1 at AC, the project’s smash song proves to be a multi-format success story spending a fifth week at No. 1 on R&R’s CHR chart, with multiple weeks atop CRW’s CHR format and 153 million cumulative radio impressions to date. Heath first topped radio charts in 2007 with his Song of the Year nominated hit “I’m Not Who I Was.”
Brandon notes, “‘Give Me Your Eyes’ is a song about my own convictions for wanting to see the world with compassionate eyes. It’s really encouraging to see that other people agree.” He adds, “Thanks to everyone who believed in the song early, and to the Provident radio team.”
In addition to radio achievements, “Give Me Your Eyes” is quickly becoming one of the most successful digital Christian tracks of 2008, currently holding the No. 1 spot on iTunes Christian chart for its tenth consecutive week. The track has sold more than 70,000 total downloads across all digital providers to date.
While the single draws on-air support at radio, stations across the country are also rallying the concept behind Heath’s provocative, humanitarian-minded album title What If We. Recent promotions include local blood drives asking listeners, “What If We Save a Life,” and an outreach to Chicago’s oldest rescue mission in a “What If We Change Chicago” station campaign. The concept has spurred partnerships with the national K’Love radio network, Mardel retail stores and The Red Cross. On Sept. 30, the What If We concept will take the form of a “Drive-Thru Difference” in St.Paul, MN., with KTIS radio in which Brandon will be participating in random acts of kindness throughout the day in drive-thru lines around the twin cities.
The new music video for “Give Me Your Eyes” is also available at iTunes and Heath remains Gospel Music Channel’s “Listen Up” artist of the month for Aug. and Sept. Brandon is currently on the road with Sara Groves as part of the Art*Music*Justice Tour featuring Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and Charlie Peacock, benefitting both the International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry. The tour is a unique concert opportunity seeking to further educate the church on God’s heart for justice, gain advocates for the oppressed, and show evidence of a God at work in this world. For more, visit www.myspace.com/artmusicjustice.
About Brandon Heath: Teaming up again with producer Dan Muckala, Brandon Heath’s sophomore album What If We follows his breakthrough debut project, Don’t Get Comfortable, which delivered the No.1 radio hit, and Song of the Year nominee, “I’m Not Who I Was.” The song ended 2007 as one of the year’s most played radio singles. The smash debut also contributed to Heath's first Songwriter of the Year nomination, and win in the New Artist of the Year category at the 2008 GMA Dove Awards in April. Off stage, Heath seeks opportunities to merge his public platform with his heart for community, regularly working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially volunteering for many other human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath is a respected songwriter in the Nashville music community and first began writing at age 13. Heath most recently served as a worship leader at The Loft church located in The Woodlands, just north of Houston, and now resides in his hometown, Nashville.
For more information on Brandon Heath, please visit www.brandonheath.net or www.reunionrecords.com.
(Nashville, Tenn.) Aug. 28, 2008 – This week, singer/songwriter
and New Artist of the Year Brandon Heath debuts his sophomore
album release What If We at No. 3 on Nielsen’s
Christian SoundScan chart with more than 7,100 first-week sales. The album’s
breakout first single “Give Me Your Eyes” continues to hold the No. 1 spot
on iTunes Christian chart for a fifth consecutive week, selling more than 38,000
total downloads across all digital providers. “Give
Me Your Eyes” launched digitally just over a month ago with nearly 6,000
first-week sales, which claimed the highest debut week for a Christian track in
2008 to date (July 23).
The
project’s smash song also lands at No. 1 this week on R&R’s
CHR chart, while again sitting at No. 1 on CRW’s CHR
format, and moving up to No. 5 on R&R’s AC-Monitored chart, with
100 million cumulative impressions to date.
Heath’s
street week activities ranged from radio morning shows, TV appearances, and
concert events in Dallas, Austin, and Houston, Texas, West Palm Beach and
Tampa, Fl., Atlanta, New York City and Nashville with a hometown performance at
the city’s Sounds minor league baseball game. (photo attached).
Radio
continues to rally the concept behind Heath’s provocative, humanitarian-minded
album title What If We. K-Life in San Luis Obispo, Calif.,
recently held its annual blood drive August 18-21, this year spotlighting
Brandon Heath as they asked listeners “What If We…Save a Life.” On August 29, the national K-Love
radio network will also join in the What If We idea, partnering with
Mardel retail stores and The Red Cross for a blood drive in Oklahoma
City. Plans are also now developing for a What If We Change Chicago
outreach with Heath and ShineFM 89.7.
Singer/songwriter and New Artist
of the Year Brandon
Heath released his sophomore album What If We on Tuesday August 19. The
album single “Give Me Your Eyes” has sold more than 30,000
single downloads in the four weeks since it released digitally, holding
the No. 1 spot at iTunes. At radio, the hitbound song
recently landed at No. 1 on CRW’s CHR chart, and this
week it jumps to No. 2 on R&R’s CHR chart, and up to No. 6 on R&R’s
AC-Monitored chart, with 73 million cumulative impressions at radio
to date. The new album is also supported with a feature story in Billboard
magazine, a lead cover story on Salem’s CCM Magazine.com
and CMCentral.com,
and in Heath’s upcoming TV performances on LIFE TODAY,
FamilyNet’s Every Day with Marcus & Lisa, and Daystar
Network’s Joni Show, Soundcheck and Celebration.
Plus, Heath is Gospel Music Channel’s Listen Up
campaign artist for both August and September, receiving daily on-air promotion
and a TV world premiere of Heath’s new music video for “Give Me Your Eyes” on
Aug. 23. For more info on Brandon Heath, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
(Nashville, Tenn.) Aug. 18, 2008 – Singer/songwriter and New
Artist of the Year Brandon Heath is at the center of the
Christian music scene on the eve of his sophomore album release What
If We,
available tomorrow, Tuesday Aug. 19. The album single “Give Me Your
Eyes” has sold more than 30,000 single downloads in the
four weeks since it released digitally, holding the No. 1 spot
at iTunes. At radio, the hitbound song recently landed at No. 1
on CRW’s CHR chart, and this week it jumps to No. 2 on R&R’s
CHR chart, and up to No. 6 on R&R’s AC-Monitored chart, with 10
million cumulative impressions to date.
Heath
will also be the topic of numerous radio morning shows and events with street
week concerts in Dallas, Texas, with KLTY; Austin,
Texas, with KPEZ; Houston with KSBJ;
West Palm Beach, Fl. with WayFM; Tampa, Fl.,
with JoyFM; and New York City with Star99FM. He
will wrap the week in Nashville with a hometown performance at
the city’s Sounds minor league baseball game.
The
new album will also be supported with a feature story in Billboard
magazine, a lead cover story on Salem’s CCM Magazine.com
and CMCentral.com, and in Heath’s upcoming TV performances on LIFE
TODAY, FamilyNet’s Every Day with Marcus & Lisa,
and Daystar Network’s Joni Show, Soundcheck and
Celebration. Plus, Heath is Gospel Music
Channel’s Listen Up campaign artist for both August and
September, receiving daily on-air promotion and a TV world premiere of Heath’s
new music video for “Give Me Your Eyes” on Aug. 23.
In
addition to the activity surrounding Heath’s new album, his debut project Don’t
Get Comfortable (2006) continues to garner attention. Recently,
Lakeshore Entertainment and Lakeshore Records selected
Heath’s Dove-nominated hit song “I’m Not Who I Was” for the Henry
Poole is Here film soundtrack. The comedic drama, directed by Mark
Pellington’s and starring Luke Wilson, is a modern-day fable
investigating the unexpected wonders of the everyday. Playing now in theaters
nationwide, Henry Poole is Here is produced by Lakeshore Entertainment
(Untraceable, The Last Kiss, Million Dollar Baby, Wicker Park, Runaway
Bride) and Camelot Pictures (Garden State). The soundtrack album, which
features Brandon Heath, the Eels, The Bravery, Golden
State, John Linton, Badly Drawn Boy and others, released digitally via
iTunes on August 12, with the physical album release to follow. Check out
the film’s MySpace page for more: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=384450070.
About Brandon Heath:
Teaming up again with
producer Dan Muckala, Brandon Heath’s sophomore album What
If We follows his breakthrough debut project, Don’t Get
Comfortable, which delivered the No. 1 radio-hit, and Song of
the Year nominee, “I’m Not Who I Was.” The song ended
2007 as one of the year’s most played radio singles. The smash debut
also contributed to Heath's first Songwriter of the
Year nomination, and win in the New Artist of the Year category at
the 2008 GMA Dove Awards in April. Off stage, Heath seeks
opportunities to merge his public platform with his heart for
community, regularly working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission,
Restore International and unofficially volunteering for many other
human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath has been a
respected songwriter 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 currently resides in Houston, Texas,
and is a worship leader at The Loft church located in The Woodlands, just north
of Houston.
(Nashville, Tenn.) April 24, 2008 – Acclaimed singer/songwriter Brandon Heath scored a huge win last night in his hometown of Nashville by taking home the Dove for New Artist of the Year at the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heath claimed the coveted New Artist title due largely to the success of his debut project, Don’t Get Comfortable, which contained the night’s Song of the Year nominee, “I’m Not Who I Was,” a No. 1 smash-hit that was also nominated in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category and granted Heath his first Songwriter of the Year nod.
“I’m from here in Nashville so it’s an honor to accept this award in front of my peers and my parents,” Heath told Nashville’s CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5. “It was a fun thing!”
Heath said backstage during a press conference, “It is truly an honor to be recognized for hard work and good songwriting. I am thankful to work with such a talented and committed team of managers, producers and label staff, and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter!”
Brandon Heath currently resides in Houston, Texas, and is a worship leader at The Loft church located in The Woodlands. He is currently preparing for the late summer release of his highly anticipated sophomore album titled “What If We.”
Heath quickly became a fixture at Christian radio with the release of his debut project. His mega-hit “I’m Not Who I Was” raced to No. 1 and ended 2007 as one of the year’s most played radio singles. His debut project also delivered the 2007 Dove-nominated, Top 5 radio hit, “Our God Reigns.” 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.
Only 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.
