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BELOVED PREPARES TO 'WAKE THE WORLD'

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:44:02 -0400

Since bursting onto the scene in 2003, BELOVED has developed a reputation of being unique. So much so that the Atlanta-based group has created their own genre - women's ministry music - which has been marketed with considerable success as "Real Music for Real Women." With the upcoming release of their third album (and first nationally distributed release) Wake the World on August 19th, the pop trio is ready to extend their reach to America's women... and beyond.

Defining BELOVED is not an easy task. An equal mix of Point of Grace, Anita Renfroe and Bette Midler, BELOVED writes songs that are life-applicable and relatable, connecting with an audience instantly through relational humor and infectious encouragement. The trio wrote 9 of the 11 tracks on Wake the World, including the first radio single, "Love God, Serve Others," which was produced by GRAMMY® Award winner Mac Powell of Third Day. The remainder of the album was produced in Atlanta by John Carrozza (Boyz II Men, Babbie Mason).

On August 19th, the day of the album's release, the group will appear on Daystar's popular series Celebration live from Dallas. Additional television appearances are scheduled for that week, including Live at 9 on Memphis' CBS affiliate (Aug. 20), TCT Network's Rejoice! (Aug. 21) and NRB Network's Atlanta Live (Aug. 22). Earlier this month, the trio appeared on FamilyNet's Mornings with Lorri and Larry and Every Day with Marcus and Lisa, and they are scheduled for upcoming appearances on The Good Life, Body Builders, CTN's The Coffee Club and LeSEA Broadcasting's The Harvest Show and Live From Studio B - a 30-minute live concert series taped before a studio audience. In addition to a busy concert schedule, BELOVED will be appearing at select LifeWay Christian Bookstore locations throughout the month of August, performing live and signing copies of Wake the World.

The group's members are at first glace as diverse as their influences. BELOVED is comprised of former Forefront Records staffer Amy Goins, new grandmother Denise Clark and former Miss Georgia Kim Gravel, who currently juggles her roles as a new mom and recording artist with hosting duties for the popular Christian TV talk show Friends & Neighbors.

The trio stepped into the writing and recording process during a season of change, that heavily influenced the lyrical and spiritual direction of the album. Prior to recording the album, Kim gave birth to her first child, Beau Michael, and was adapting to the newness of motherhood. While Kim was experiencing being a new mom, Denise had become a new grandmother. “I love being a young grandmother," says Denise. "I had my kids when I was young and back then I was so wrapped up in doing everything just right and making sure things were the way they ‘ought to be.’ Now I realize what really matters and I enjoy every little moment with my granddaughter.”

Amy was also experiencing a season of change, but hers was one of loss, with the passing of her mother in early 2008. “The death of my mother was particularly difficult," remembers Amy. "Since my dad has already passed as well, I no longer have any living parents. As a single woman, that was frightening for me. Although I have been living and supporting myself for many years, I suddenly felt very alone and abandoned, in a way.”

These major life changes no doubt supplied profound inspiration for the songs that were to become Wake the World. But Denise is quick to point out that one unifying theme hasn't changed. "The core and heartbeat of this project, and this group, is Jesus," explains Denise. “We never want to assume that the person listening to our music already knows and has a relationship with Jesus. The one constant message in all of our songs is that Jesus is the only way to have eternal salvation and a joyful abundant life here on this earth. Everything else can change, but that must stay the same.”

"Lyrically we wanted to challenge ourselves and our listeners to get out there and live the life God intended for us," states Kim. "It seems to be such a simple message but it’s one that a lot of people have a hard time grasping and actually living out, day to day.”

The first track “I Dare You” challenges listeners and drives the point home. "One of my greatest pleasures in life is encouraging people and helping them to accomplish their goals and dreams," explains Kim. "I was raised by parents that taught me from a very young age that through Christ, I could do anything I set my mind to. I have realized that not everyone was raised that way so anytime I can, I try to get that message out there. Without Christ, I am nothing, but with Him I am everything.”

The title song “Wake the World” was inspired by the missions program of Cross Pointe Church where Kim and Amy are members. “Missions is not only going across the world, it’s going across the street, or even just across the hall," says Amy. "It’s merely about opening our eyes, looking around to see a need and meeting that need.”

Cross Pointe Church also inspired the Mac Powell produced “Love God, Serve Others." “That is our church's mission statement, and I love it because it is so concise, direct and to the point," says Kim. "If we would just focus on those three things, love God, serve others and share your story, everything else would just fall in line."

Proverbs 13:12 and the story of Rachel in Genesis 30 was the inspiration for “Hope Deferred”. Amy explains, “I am by nature and environment a reserved person. It is difficult for me to ‘put it all out there.’ But I knew, I could feel God calling me to be more honest and transparent with what was deep inside me.”

“Jehovah-Jireh” was born out of a miraculous healing of Denise’s husband. “In 2005, my husband Brian was very ill in the hospital," she explains. "He was only 12 hours away from a major surgery to have his colon removed. The doctor came in to check on him and decided to run a test one last time before the surgery. Miraculously the test came back as if nothing was wrong so they did not do the surgery. That experience made God, and all the different qualities of Him, come alive to me.”

"BELOVED is a group that definitely doesn't take ourselves too seriously," says Goins. "We love to laugh and poke fun at ourselves. Even our CD cover is intentionally over the top, kind of 'tongue in cheek' in a way."

"If I can't look like that in real life, I am going to look like that in print!" adds Gravel. "We have found that by using a mix of humor and music, it creates an ideal atmosphere for people to relax and let their guard down. It softens hearts so that God can speak and work in lives."

Wake the World will be released on August 19, 2008 by Trato Records and Infinity Music Distribution, a division of Central South Distribution.

For further information, please visit www.belovedga.com.

Source: Nashville Publicity

Momentum Soars for Brandon Heath on Eve of ReleasE

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:42:00 -0400

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.

Source: Provident

DAVID CROWDER*BAND REMEDY CLUB TOUR IN THEATRES NATIONWIDE

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:50:59 -0400

David Crowder* Band’s best-selling “REMEDY Club Tour” will be featured on the silver screen in 80 cities for one night only, Monday, Aug. 18, courtesy of The Bigger Picture, the alternative content distribution unit of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (“AccessIT”) (NASDAQ:AIXD).

The screening will serve as an exclusive preview of David Crowder Band’s first ever full-length DVD release on Aug. 19.

With 19 sold-out dates in distinguished club and theater venues nationwide, the fall 2007 “REMEDY Club Tour” captured the essence of what makes David Crowder Band among the most-talked-about live bands in music. Upon release of the REMEDY Club Tour DVD/CD combo on Aug. 19, fans will finally be able to bring this live experience home. In anticipation of this long-awaited event, the DVD will be debuted nationally for live audiences in theatres across the country one night only on Aug. 18.

Premieres are scheduled in select cities including New York City, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Nashville, Columbus, Ohio, Cincinnati and Tampa, Fla.

A complete list of cities and theatres is available at http://www.thebiggerpicture.us/davidcrowderband

“David Crowder*Band consistently delivers one of the best live shows in music,” says Leisa Byars, EMI CMG VP, Marketing & Artist Development. “The Remedy Club Tour Edition was created for the many people who love the live Crowder show experience.

Partnering with AEG at a national level and radio in local markets, enables us to place this compelling show on the big screen across the country and allows the band's music to continue to impact lives and communities.”

“We are proud to present The David Crowder Band “REMEDY Club Tour” with this special one-night only presentation in theatres,” says President of AEG Network LIVE, John Rubey. “Fans will be delighted with the high quality digital cinema picture and the incredible surround sound.”

The 85-minute concert was recorded at both the New York City and Atlanta tour stops. Shot with nine cameras, the DVD features 5.1 surround sound and includes tracks from REMEDY along with favorites from the band’s previous releases including, “I’m Trying to Make You Sing,” “The Glory Of It All,” “Can You Feel It?,” “Everything Glorious,” “…neverending…,” “Here is Our King,” “You Are My Joy,” “We Won’t Be Quiet,” “Foreverandever Etc..,” “A Beautiful Collision,” “Never Let Go,” “Remedy,” “I Saw the Light,” “No One Like You,” “O Praise Him,” and “Surely We Can Change.”

Those who purchase the REMEDY Club Tour DVD/CD will also receive a 15-minute exclusive tour documentary “On The Road With David Crowder Band” as well as “Learning the Songs,” a section hosted by each band member showing fans their setup and gear used in each song along with a how-to lesson on playing the songs exactly like the David Crowder*Band.

Taking it even further, the DVD features the ability to display chord/lyric subtitles so that fans can test their skills and play along with the tour night.

After the David Crowder Band was voted MSN’s Artist of the Year 2006, MSN noted, “They’ve single-handedly redefined what contemporary Christian music should sound like…”

The group’s last record, A Collision, was widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2005, receiving five-star reviews and comparisons to groundbreaking albums of the past and artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Hank Williams.

The album further garnered an iTunes No. 1, debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Top 200 and received GMA Music Dove Award honors for Best Rock/Contemporary Album and Best Rock/Contemporary Song (“Here is Our King”). Featured at the enormously popular collegiate Passion gatherings, the

band also makes it a point to get back to the church they helped found, University Baptist Church, on most Sundays. Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass).

For more information on the David Crowder Band, visit www.DavidCrowderBand.com

Source: Savvy Media

Steven Curtis Chapman & Family Talk about Daugher’s Death

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:49:35 -0400

The following is a listing of clips related to Steven Curtis Chapman & family’s recent TV appearances speaking about their family’s recent tragedy:

CNN: Commentary: Our tragedy and God's love for orphans
ABC News: Healing After Tragedy: Chapman Copes With Loss of Daughter

GMA Awards Centricity Music, Disney, Compassion and ABS Prizes at Music in the Rockies

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:45:48 -0400

Shannon Whitson of Estes Park, Colo., Maggie Erickson of Frisco, Texas and Shelly Johnson of Franklin, Tenn. were the big winners coming out of the 34th GMA Music in the Rockies, held last week in Estes Park, Colo.    The GMA Academy Artist & Song of 2008 National Competition is the Christian and gospel music community’s premier talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters that has in recent years seen entrants like “American Idol” champion Jordin Sparks and fellow finalist Chris Sligh, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West and BarlowGirl go on to successful music careers.

Hundreds of artist and songwriting contestants from 40 states and six foreign countries competed for grand prizes which included a record development deal with Centricity Music, a “Disney Best of Show” award and performance slot at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World and a Compassion International ministry trip. Also at stake were GMA’s grand prize titles for Artist and Song 2008 and American Bible Society’s new ABS Scripture Song Awards which offered a chance for the winning songs produced by a major Christian music recording label.

At the conclusion of the week-long competition held in conjunction with GMA Music in the Rockies’ training and professional development, Shannon Whitson was named GMA’s Artist Solo 2008 for contestants in the 13-24 age category. Centricity Music (www.centricitymusic.com) also chose 22-year-old Whitson to receive its recording development deal. Centricity Music, an independent label whose artists include Downhere, Andrew Peterson, Circleslide (previous GMA winner), and Jaime Jamgochian was recently featured in Christianity Today, which described the label as “home to some of the Christian music industry's brightest and best, Centricity Music is a small label on the rise thanks to good old-fashioned techniques like artist development and fan interaction.”
Maggie Erickson was chosen as GMA’s Artist Solo 2008 in the age 25 and up category. She is also the recipient of GMA’s “Disney's Night of Joy Best of Show Award,” which means she will perform at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World (www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy), one of the top Christian music events in the country which has sold out the past three years. Erickson will share the billing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., with GMA Dove Award winners tobyMac, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, MercyMe and 12 other artists who will perform Sept. 5-6 at Night of Joy.

23-year-old songwriter Shelly Johnson penned two award-winning songs for the GMA Music in the Rockies songwriting competitions. “The Power of the Cross” was named GMA’s Song of 2008 in the Semi-pro category and American Bible Society recognized her song, “Draw Near” for its top prize in the Semi-pro category. Compassion International (www.compassion.com), a Christian child advocacy organization which Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 24 countries, was drawn to Johnson’s ministry emphasis of her music and named her their recipient of the Music & Ministry Experience, an all-expense paid ministry trip to a Compassion International destination.
In addition to Whitson, Erickson and Johnson, winners were also honored in several categories defined by musical style and/or age. These winners, too, receive prizes including personal consultation meetings with music industry executives, free tuition to future GMA events, and several other product prizes. Those winners include:

GMA ARTIST 2008

GMA Vocal One (ages 13-24) Winner/Centricity Music Winner Shannon Whitson (www.myspace.com/shannonlabriemusic)  Estes Park, Colo.    GMA Vocal One Runner Up Desiree Olson (www.myspace.com/DesireeOlson) Spring Hill, Tenn.

GMA Vocal Two (ages 25 and up) Winner/Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Winner  Maggie Erickson (http://www.myspace.com/maggieerickson) Frisco, Texas   GMA Vocal Two Runner Up Peggy Mann (www.peggymann.com)  Grand Lake, Colo.

GMA Band Winner Rough Draft (www.roughdraftband.com)  Fort Collins, Colo.

GMA Band Runner Up 1000 Generations (www.1000generations.com)  Indianapolis, Ind.

GMA Small Group/Duet Winner     Of Scripture (www.myspace.com/ofscripture) Wichita Falls, Texas

GMA Small Group/Duet Runner Up Ben & Nicole Portland, Ore.

GMA Instrumental Winner     Matthew Kooi Orland Park, Ill.

GMA Instrumental Runner Up Scotti "Stringz" Bartnett (www.myspace.com/scottistringz) Sheads Ferry, N.C.

GMA SONG OF 2008

GMA Overall Song Winner “Ascend to Heaven” by Richie Fike (www.fikeanddana.com)  Colorado Springs, Colo.   GMA Overall Song Runner Up “A Little Bit of Something” by Erik Bledsoe (www.erikbledsoemusic.com)  Nashville, Tenn.      GMA Semi-Pro Song Winner/Compassion International Winner    “Power of the Cross” by Shelly Johnson (www.shellyejohnson.com)  Franklin, Tenn.   GMA Semi-Pro Runner Up “Truly Jesus” by Christopher Kai (http://www.myspace.com/christopherkaimusic)  Manchester, Mo.

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY SCRIPTURE SONG AWARDS

ABS Amateur Class Winner  “Psalm 63” by Erik Bledsoe (www.erikbledsoemusic.com) Nashville, Tenn.

ABS Amateur Class Runner Up “Lead Me” by Cindy James (www.mcjmusic.com) Vista, Calif.       ABS Semi-Professional Class Winner    “Draw Near” by Shelly Johnson (www.shellyejohnson.com) Franklin, Tenn.   ABS Semi-Professional Class Runner Up “Do You Know the Books of the Bible?” by D. Jerome Garrett (www.myspace.com/djeromegarrett) Monticello, Fla.       ABS Professional Class Winner     “King of Mercy” by Jason Dyba (www.myspace.com/dybamusic) and Clint Lamberth  Nashville, Tenn.

GMA Music in the Rockies, which has a rich history of more than 30 years, was held for the final time this August in Estes Park. Over the course of 34 years, this event has become known as the music community's premier talent competition and training experience for Christian artists, songwriters, and worship leaders. In addition to the unsurpassed variety of training and career development classes taught by artists and other industry professionals, the event also has its own unique and remarkable musical legacy. Besides Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Keith Green and Sandi Patty, who each have an established history with the event, many of today’s biggest artists trace their musical heritage to Estes Park. Although GMA Music in the Rockies is coming to an end, GMA is excited to announce the launching of a brand new training event in Music City in the summer of 2009! Details coming soon

Source: Spinhouse

33MILES RELEASES “ONE LIFE” ON SEPT. 16

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:43:24 -0400

After logging in over 120,000 miles (not including air travel), performing at over 200 churches, garnering three consecutive radio hits and a Dove nomination for “New Artist of the Year,” 33Miles is releasing their sophomore record “One Life” on Sept. 16. The new project on INO Records includes efforts from a trio of well-known producers including Nathan Nockels (Passion, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean), Sam Mizell (Matthew West) and Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Third Day).    To kick off the new record, the first single "One Life to Love" has already been one of the most added singles at Christian AC since its release as well as earning airplay at CHR and Inspo formats. The single is now No. 25 on the R&R AC-Monitored charts and is currently No. 18 on the AC-Indicator charts. “One Life to Love” also exploded on to iTunes reaching the No. 25 position on the Christian & Gospel Top Song charts in only a matter of days.  “’One Life to Love’ still gives me chills,” says lead singer Jason Barton. “It also goes back to the meaning behind 33Miles—the idea that life can be short, that Christ lived only thirty-three years on this earth. So the question remains: what will you and I do with our miles, with the years we are given?”    33Miles continues to be committed to their original goal of loving the church which is evident throughout the entire record. The album also offers up beat tracks such as “When It All Comes Down” and “One of Those Days” that are comparable to today’s biggest selling country pop acts.  This overall mission and heart of the band is not only reflected in the single, but also in the lives of Barton, Lockwood and Stoddard. Whether it is serving the people of Guatemala on a Food for the Hungry mission trip (photo attached) or lead singer Barton and his wife being featured in Redbook magazine’s June issue discussing their covenant marriage (also a front page story on MSN.com), the members of 33Miles are living every moment to the fullest.   “The people of Guatemala returned the charity I expected to administer with a relationship I didn't know existed,” recalls member Collin Stoddard after their trip to the third world country with Food for the Hungry. “They showed me the gracious, selfless love of a Sovereign God who chose a specific place for me on heaven and earth, and the equivalent place for every person in this world. I think the size of my God grew exponentially in my heart and mind.”   From March to the launch of “One Life” in mid-September, 33Miles will have played for just under 100,000 young adults and youth ministers across the country including five of the largest youth events in the states. Their schedule also includes stops at some of the summer’s biggest festivals such as Alive, Spirit West Coast, Big Ticket, Kingdom Bound, Rock the Light, Unity and Lifelight. Continuing their mission of loving the church, the band will also be headlining fall tour dates across the country starting Sept. 16 (tentative dates listed below) as well as an extensive list of radio visits and events throughout the upcoming months.   Since their debut in 2007, 33Miles’ Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar) and Collin Stoddard (keys) celebrated one of the highest-selling freshman albums of 2007 with their GMA Dove nominated project 33Miles. In addition, the band has made tremendous impact on the radio charts garnering three consecutive radio hits with “What Could Be Better,” “There Is A God” and “Thank You,” two of those hits breaking the Top 10.

Source: The M Collective