Laura Story is on a roll, having earned yet another award for her celebrated, multi-week No. 1 single, "Blessings." At last night's Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Story garnered the trophy for Top Christian Song, following up her recent Grammy® Win for Best Contemporary Christian Song as well as Dove Awards for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
"Many thanks to the fans that continue to request this song, talk about it on Facebook and Twitter, and buy it. We are thankful to you and Billboard for awarding "Blessings" as Top Christian Song of the Year," commented Story. "We are awed by how God continues to use this little song to minister to so many!"
Story's award and radio successes are matched by album sales, helping crown an immensely successful period for the decorated worship leader. Her critically acclaimed album, Blessings, has held the No. 1 spot for three consecutive weeks on Billboard's current Contemporary Christian Overall chart, with the digital single for "Blessings" nears Gold status. The project debuted at No. 4 upon its release in April 2011.
“Blessings,” which was released last year, was in rotation at over 100 Billboard Christian format reporting stations going No. 1 at Christian AC, Inspo and the National Audience charts for multiple weeks. Additionally, the song also held the No. 1 spot on the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks.
Recently wrapping the “Girls Night Live” tour with Mandisa on May 4 in Savannah, Ga, Story will be taking most of the summer off as she and her husband Martin prepare for the birth of their first child and begin writing and recording for a forthcoming album. Starting November 29, Story will join Steven Curtis Chapman and many others on the “12 Gifts of Christmas” tour. For more information, please visit www.12giftstour.com.
Story’s first book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, released in March by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing (EMI CMG Distribution), and is already in its third printing. Inspired by her Grammy®, Billboard and Dove Award-winning hit song, “Blessings,” the book is comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts. For further information on the book, visit www.worthypublishing.com or www.turningpointpr.com.
The Billboard Music Awards took place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand and were broadcast live Sunday May 20, at 8/7c on ABC.
On the heels of her recent GRAMMY® and multiple Dove Award wins, acclaimed worship leader Laura Story’s first book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, has entered its third printing in less than two months. Released in March by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing, the popular 30-day devotional is based on Story’s #1 song, “Blessings.”
The 2012 GRAMMY® Award winner for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, “Blessings” received trophies for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the recent GMA Dove Awards. Story, who took home a total of four Dove Awards, was also named Songwriter of the Year. In addition, she was recently nominated for three Billboard Music Awards, which will be presented later this month.
Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? features Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey. In addition, the book includes prayers, quotes from influential Christian leaders, and journaling pages for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.
“We are thrilled to see Laura’s book enter its third printing in such a short time,” says Ron Smith, vice president and deputy publisher, Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing. “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? has already proven to be a powerful resource for those seeking to grasp God’s blessings in the midst of pain, as readers from around the world resonate with Laura’s honest reflections about her own struggles. We believe this will be an important book for many years to come.”
Written and recorded by Story, “Blessings” was a #1 hit at Christian AC and Inspo radio last year, in addition to topping the iTunes Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The song is featured on her critically acclaimed Fair Trade Services release, Blessings.
Story is involved in music and women’s ministry at Atlanta's Perimeter Church and is currently featured on the Girls Night Live Tour with Mandisa. For further information on the tour, visit www.girlsnightlive.com. Story and her husband, Martin, are expecting their first child—a daughter—later this year.
Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., is a privately held company whose mission is helping people experience the heart of God. Worthy is an independent voice in Christian publishing, managing editorial, marketing, publicity, sales and distribution from its home offices in Brentwood, Tennessee. Worthy focuses on a boutique list of new books each year, crossing a broad spectrum of genres, including fiction, Bible study, current events, devotionals, biography, leadership, specialized Bibles, as well as spiritual and personal growth.
What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? ($11.99) is distributed to retail outlets nationwide by EMI CMG. For further information, visit www.worthypublishing.com or www.turningpointpr.com.
Taking home four trophies—the most Dove Awards of any artist at last Thursday's ceremony—GRAMMY®-winning songwriter and worship leader Laura Story embellished her acclaimed career as she nabbed the award for Song of the Year for her celebrated, multi-week No. 1, “Blessings.” The song and album of the same name also won awards for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. In addition, Story earned the Dove for Songwriter of the Year, a fan-voted award. The Gospel Music Association (GMA)’s 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on Thursday night, April 19, at the FOX Theatre in Atlanta.
“I am so grateful for the kindness of the GMA last night, as well as the listeners, fans, radio and retail who have so graciously supported us this past year,” says Story. “I’m even more thankful that God uses broken thing and broken people to shine His glory through. All praise and honor to Him.”
Fresh off her Dove wins, Story was also nominated for three Billboard Music Awards Thursday night: Top Christian Song for "Blessings," Top Christian Album (Blessings), and Top Christian Artist. The Billboard Music Awards will take place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand and be broadcast live Sunday May 20, 8/7c on ABC.
Story’s 2008 national debut, Great God Who Saves, won a Dove Award for Inspirational Album and earned her two consecutive nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year. In February of this year, Story picked up her first GRAMMY®, winning the award for Best Contemporary Christian Song for “Blessings.” In addition to this GRAMMY® win, her four Dove wins and three Billboard Music Award nods crown an immensely successful period for the decorated worship leader.
“Blessings,” which was released last year, was in rotation at over 100 Billboard Christian format reporting stations going No. 1 at Christian AC, Inspo and the National Audience charts for multiple weeks. Additionally, the song also held the No. 1 spot on the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The critically acclaimed album Blessings debuted at No. 4 on Soundscan’s Overall chart and has remained one of Christian music’s best sellers to date.
Currently on the road with Mandisa for the “Girls Night Live” tour, Story took time out from the 30-city trek to attend the Dove Awards at which she and husband, Martin, revealed that the baby they're expecting later this year is a girl. Story wraps the “Girls Night Live” tour on May 4 in Savannah, Ga., and the remaining dates also feature special guests Anita Renfroe and Jamie Grace in select cities. For more information visit www.girlsnightlive.com. Starting November 29, Story will join Steven Curtis Chapman and many others on the “12 Gifts of Christmas” tour. www.12giftstour.com
Story’s first book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, released last month by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing (EMI CMG Distribution), and is already in its third printing. Inspired by her Grammy and Dove Award-winning hit song, “Blessings,” the book is comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts. For further information on the book, visit www.worthypublishing.com or www.turningpointpr.com.
The GMA Dove Awards ceremony will be nationally televised on GMC TV on April 24 at 8PM and 10PM EDT.
Celebrated Fair Trade Services recording artist Laura Story picked up her first GRAMMY® at yesterday’s awards ceremony, winning “Best Contemporary Christian Song” for her No. 1 hit “Blessings.” This GRAMMY® win crowns an immensely successful period for the decorated worship leader after she garnered five Dove nominations, a No. 1 hit song and a best-selling sophomore album Blessings in less than a year’s time.
“Blessings,” which was released last year, was in rotation at over 100 Billboard Christian format reporting stations going No. 1 at Christian AC, Inspo and the National Audience charts for multiple weeks. Additionally, the song also held the No. 1 spot on the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The critically acclaimed album, Blessings debuted at No. 4 on Soundscan’s Overall chart and has remained one of Christian music’s best sellers to date.
In addition, Story and her husband, Martin, recently learned they are expecting their first child, due later this year.
"What an amazing season this has been!" says Story. "Martin and I have been so thankful to find out that we are expecting, and then this GRAMMY surprise was the cherry on top! We are both humbled and so grateful to God for this and pray that any attention the song "Blessings" receives will be used by God to bring hope to others who are walking hard roads. May God's faithfulness be seen in this above all things. Thanks to all who are celebrating with us."
Story’s new single, "What A Savior," is also experiencing success at Christian radio and is currently No. 17 on the Billboard Christian AC chart. Top stations and networks currently playing the song include K-LOVE, WAY-FM, KLTY/Dallas, KSBJ/Houston, Fish Atlanta/Nashville/Sacramento, KTIS/Minneapolis and JoyFM/St. Louis.
Story kicks off the "Girls Night Live Tour" with Mandisa next week in Omaha, Neb. The tour will visit over 30 cities within the next two months and will also feature special guests Anita Renfroe and Jamie Grace in select cities. For more information visit www.girlsnightlive.com
What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, the first book by Laura Story, will release March 13 by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing. The 30-day devotional is based on her song, “Blessings,” and contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.
What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, the first book by Dove Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated worship leader Laura Story, will release March 13 by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing. The 30-day devotional is based on Story’s #1 song, “Blessings,” nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.
Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? includes the devotions “He Loves Us Too Much to Give Us Lesser Things”; “When Faith Disappears”; “The Blessed Thorn”; “Giving Endurance a Chance to Grow”; and “How Can We Find Peace Amid Suffering?” Each devotion contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.
Written and recorded by Story, “Blessings” was a #1 hit at Christian AC and Inspo radio last year, in addition to topping the iTunes Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The song is featured on Story’s critically acclaimed Fair Trade Services recording, Blessings. Her previous recording, Great God Who Saves, garnered a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year and featured the hit single, “Mighty to Save.” In addition, Story penned the popular worship song “Indescribable,” recorded by Chris Tomlin.
Story is involved in music and women’s ministry at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, where she resides with her husband, Martin. She will be on the Girls Night Live Tour this spring with Mandisa and Britt Nicole. For a complete list of upcoming dates, visit www.laurastorymusic.com.
Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., is a privately held company whose mission is helping people experience the heart of God. Worthy is an independent voice in Christian publishing, managing editorial, marketing, publicity, sales and distribution from its home offices in Brentwood, Tennessee. Worthy focuses on a boutique list of new books each year, crossing a broad spectrum of genres, including fiction, Bible study, current events, devotionals, biography, leadership, specialized Bibles, as well as spiritual and personal growth.
Fair Trade Services recording artist Laura Story has had an immensely successful year, garnering five Dove nominations, a No. 1 hit song and a best-selling sophomore album Blessings. The accolades continue as earlier this week, she received her first ever GRAMMY ® nomination for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Song” for the title-track off her critically acclaimed release Blessings. The winners of all 78 categories will be announced during the 54th annual GRAMMY ® Awards ceremony on February 12, 2012 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA and will be televised LIVE on CBS at 8/7cst.
“Blessings,” which was released earlier this year, was in rotation at over 100 Billboard Christian format reporting stations going No. 1 at Christian AC, Inspo and the National charts for multiple weeks. Additionally, the song also held the No. 1 spot on the iTunes ® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. Furthermore, the critically acclaimed album heralding the nominated song debuted at No. 4 on Soundscan’s Overall chart and has remained to be one of Christian music’s best sellers to date.
For more information on Laura Story, please visit www.laurastorymusic.com
INO Records’ Laura Story released her sophomore album Blessings last week and the 10-track worship album made a strong debuted selling over 6,000 units and landing at No. 2 on Soundscan’s Overall Chart, No. 4 on iTunes® Christian Albums Chart.
The title-track single is continuing to hold the No. 1 spot on iTunes ® Christian Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks and also recently hit No.1 on the Overall Christian/Gospel Digital Tracks Soundscan Chart. “Blessings” has also been making a huge impact at radio. So far, over 80 Billboard Christian format reporting stations have added the single and music directors are saying they haven’t seen a song with this kind of connection in years:
" 'I Can Only Imagine', 'How He Loves' and now 'Blessings' - it's one of those songs that unexpectedly touches listeners in their deepest need," says Wally Dekker from WBFJ-FM in Greensboro. "Laura Story's simple delivery of such a poignant message provides instant connection. If you want a song that elicits response, please consider. If you want a song that will touch hearts for eternity, it's a must add."
In addition to having a top selling record and single, the critically acclaimed worship leader celebrated her third nomination for “Female Vocalist of the Year” for the 42nd Annual Dove Awards last night. For the first time, Story took the stage and performed alongside other “Female Vocalist” nominees in a tribute to music legend Sandi Patty. Fans can tune in to watch the special performance on the 42nd Annual Dove Awards, on gmc Sunday, April 24 at 7pm EST.
For more information on Laura Story, please visit www.laurastorymusic.com.
Dove Award Winner and this year’s female vocalist nominee Laura Story released the title track from her upcoming album Blessings earlier this week on iTunes ® and in less than 24 hours, the track skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Christian Singles Chart. In addition, the single also placed in Billboard’s Top 200 Chart at No.155.
“Blessings” is the debut single off Story’s sophomore album set to release on April 12. The single has already gained attention from stations like KLOVE, American Family Radio, KSBJ Houston, WBFJ Greensboro and more. Radio stations across America continue adding it to their playlists each week. Early reactions to the song lyrics have proven to have significant emotional impact to those listening. In just one short week, a fan-generated video featuring the song has garnered over 80,000 views. (Lyrics to the song are listed below. The song can be heard at laurastorymusic.com.) The INO Records’ artist opens up about the song in this personal video.
Following in the footsteps of her freshman release, the critically acclaimed Great God Who Saves, Blessings, produced by Nathan Nockels (Passion, Philips, Craig & Dean, Chris Tomlin) is a worship project at heart with constant threads of pop energy and singer/songwriter warmth.
Shortly after the release of her new album, Story will perform at this year’s 42nd Annual Dove Awards. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Fans can tune in to watch Story take the stage on April 24 at 7pm (EST) on GMC. Tickets to the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards are now on sale at the Fox Theatre box office in Atlanta or at www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information on Story, please visit www.laurastorymusic.com.
**INO Records’ artist Laura Story won her first Dove Award for “Inspirational Album of the Year” at last night’s 40th Annual Dove Awards. The awards ceremony was held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN and was broadcast LIVE on Gospel Music Channel.
**Story received four Dove nominations this year: Female Vocalist, Inspirational Recorded Song “Great God Who Saves,” Inspirational Album and Praise & Worship Album. She was previously nominated in 2006 for the penning of “Indescribable” which was made famous by Chris Tomlin.
** Story earned a No. 1 Soft AC/Inpso and Top 10 AC hit at Christian radio with "Mighty To Save". Her current single, "Bless The Lord" is No. 6 at Soft AC/Inpso and New and Active on AC-Indicator this week.
**Story has been residing in Atlanta, GA continuing to be a worship leader at her local church while touring around the U.S. For more information on Story please go to www.laurastorymusic.com.
Laura Story, a talented songwriter known for penning hit worship songs such as “Indescribable” made famous by Chris Tomlin, will unveil her national debut release on INO Records’ March 18th titled Great God Who Saves.
Produced by GMA Dove Award winner Ed Cash (Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman) Story’s 10-track project declares her tried-by-fire confidence in God’s faithfulness in unforgettable, utterly infectious songs like the first radio single “Mighty to Save,” “Immortal, Invisible God,” “Great God Who Saves,” and “Bless The Lord.” Melodic, piano-driven worship imbued with the peace and joy that comes only on the heels of suffering shines through in every track.
“I wanted to make sure to highlight the authentic, organic nature of Laura’s music,” said Cash regarding the new project. “Laura has an awesome anointing on her life for writing songs that call [people] closer to Jesus. She is a true worshipper of God and a joy to be around.”
Shortly after signing with INO Records Story heard the words, no wife wants to hear: “your husband is diagnosed with a brain tumor.” Story and her husband of one year endured the trial and hardship remaining faithful that God will pull them through it. Thankfully, her husband conquered the disease and is recovering smoothly. Although times were tough, Story saw God’s grace and never gave up.
“ God has really blessed me with some insight into who He is and what that has to do with me,” says Story. “For some reason He just gives it to me in song form.”
She now shares her courageous and encouraging testimony to the world through the songs on Great God Who Saves and an inspiring viral video that can be seen here,
http://wmedia.buzzplant.com/content/ino/LS-MightyToSave-SizzleReel.wmv
