Don't Miss Rap Fest 2012

October Baby Is A Vote For Life!

This weekend, when the biggest box-office hit is expected be a film based on a popular book about young people being forced to fight to the death, OCTOBER BABY hits theaters with a resounding message about the sanctity of life. Talk about a culture in need of a wake-up call!

On top of that, every ticket purchased for OCTOBER BABY is a vote for life. The producers of OCTOBER BABY have assigned 10 percent of the profits of the movie to the Every Life is Beautiful Fund, which will distribute funds to frontline organizations helping women facing crisis pregnancies, life-affirming adoption agencies, and those caring for orphans.

Starring Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey, Jasmine Guy and John Schneider of "Dukes of Hazard" and "Smallville" fame.

Visit OctoberBabyMovie.net for more information.

Viktory's "R4 Featured Emcee Contest" Winners Announced

Recently, Gospel Rapper Viktory held a contest on DaSouth.com in which emcees were able to submit their best verse for a chance to be featured on Vik's upcoming national album release entitled "R4 (Relentless 4Ever)," due out April 17th through CLG Distribution.

Head over to DaSouth.com right now to see who the winner is! On April 16th the song will be revealed at the DaSouth.com's listening party.

Hot New Video: Nine Lashes - Get Back

Tooth & Nail Records continues to pump out musically relevant content. Check out the hot new video from Tooth & Nails' "Nine Lashes."


Nine Lashes debut album "World We View" is out now. Grab your copy at WalMart, Lifeway, Family Stores, Mardel, FYE, etc.

Hit Or Miss? "My Destiny" Video By Demon Hunter

It's finally here! The brand new, official video for "My Destiny" from Demon Hunter's upcoming album True Defiance releasing April 10th.


So what's your opinion? Hit or miss? Hot or not? 

Preview The New Family Force 5 Video "Paycheck"

Check out the brand new video for the song "Paycheck" from their new album III. No doubt, this song rocks!

Jars Of Clay Announce New Spring Tour

Multi-Platinum and GRAMMY Award-winning Gray Matters/Essential Records recording artist Jars of Clay has announced the initial nine dates on their highly anticipated 2012 Spring Tour, with additional dates to follow. The tour will feature special guests LEAGUES, an emerging band comprised of Tyler Burkum, Thad Cockrell and Jeremy Lutito; and acclaimed singer/songwriter Matthew Perryman Jones.

Launching April 12 in Minneapolis, the Jars of Clay Spring Tour will travel to Dallas; Milwaukee; St. Louis; Des Moines, Iowa; and Monroe, Louisiana, among other markets. Dates are slated to include such esteemed venues as The Door in Dallas; Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis; and The Old Rock House in St. Louis.

In conjunction with the tour, a special Jars of Clay Spring Tour 2012 Sampler is currently available via www.noisetrade.com/jarsofclayspringtour2012. The sampler features “Small Rebellions” and “Body and Wine” from Jars of Clay; “Mind Games” and “Haunted” from LEAGUES; and “O, Theo” and “Until The Dawn Appears” (featuring Thad Cockrell of LEAGUES) from Matthew Perryman Jones. All selections are available for free download, with tips being collected for Blood:Water Mission (www.bloodwatermission.com).

During each performance, concert attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization founded by Jars of Clay in 2005 to empower communities to work against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in sub-Saharan Africa through creative grassroots efforts. Those enlisting as Community:Builder monthly donors at the shows will receive $25 in Jars of Clay merchandise of their choice.

Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars) and Matt Odmark (guitars), launched its breakout career with the multi-format Hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it has amassed more than 6 million in career sales (five Gold, two Platinum and one Multi-Platinum certification), three GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award nod, three GMA Dove Awards, and BMI honors for songwriting as well as performing. The group also claims 17 #1 radio singles, numerous film credits, and has headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals. The band’s GRAMMY-nominated 10th album, The Long Fall Back To Earth, was recently followed by its compelling, community-minded project, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.

In advance of their highly anticipated full-length debut (summer 2012), emerging band LEAGUES (Tyler Burkum, Thad Cockrell, Jeremy Lutito) will also be performing selections from their debut self-titled EP, which was recorded in Nashville with engineer Vance Powell (Jack White, Raconteurs, The Dead Weather). In the band’s own words, “LEAGUES is a collective of three guys that believe music is a gift. We are all still amazed where it comes from and that we can take part of it. The decision to start the band was made under the simple idea of ‘let’s just show up.’ Show up we did and this is the music that happened. All the music was played, written and produced together with the idea that beauty is the driving force and these songs are not only for us but everyone.”

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Matthew Perryman Jones, whose catalog includes his stellar debut, Throwing Punches In The Dark (2006), followed by Swallow The Sea (2008), featuring “Save You,” returns with Land Of The Living, releasing May 29. Jones has shared stages with Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole and Patty Griffin, among others, and is a member of the collective “Ten Out of Tenn.” His music has been featured multiple times on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Bones” and “One Tree Hill.”

New Music From "The Beautiful Refrain" Out Tomorrow

The Beautiful Refrain’s debut EP, Redemption:Daylight, tomorrow, March 17, 2012. The band will be celebrating the release with a hometown album release show Sunday, March 18 at the Blue Nile in Harrisonburg, VA.

The Beautiful Refrain got their start at Aletheia Church, while the band was attending James Madison University. Although they started writing songs to be performed at Aletheia, their music has proved to resonate with a much larger audience, and has struck a chord with both listeners and worship leaders across the nation.

Their debut single “Page One” is on the verge of a debut on the Christian rock charts, and the band is finding fans with radio networks across the country.

"After the first three lines of this song I was hooked,” explains Kenny Fowler from WBHY, Mobile, AL. “Great lyrics & it brings some spiritual meat to our rock playlist.”

Chris Goodwin from KRVK in Dallas/FT. Worth continues, "We literally crave songs that sound this good with lyrics like 'Page One'."

Minneapolis' Renowned Christian "Club 3 Degrees" Sold to AEG Live

There wasn't much reason for Joe Litvag to show a music critic around the spacious kitchen at the Brick nightclub, except for one important detail: the new walk-in beer cooler.

"That's one thing we did have to add," noted the senior vice president at AEG Live.

The giant promotions company that owns or co-owns everything from London's O2 Arena to Los Angeles' Staples Center -- oh, and the L.A. Lakers, too -- AEG is staking a much bigger claim on Minneapolis in the form of the Brick.

The 2,100-capacity Warehouse District venue opens Monday with a sold-out concert by Jane's Addiction. It's housed in the former Club 3 Degrees, a nonalcoholic Christian music haven that probably wouldn't have let Marilyn Manson in the door (he plays the Brick May 18).

After a couple of years of shopping around for a smaller sister space to Target Center -- which AEG manages but the city owns -- Litvag said he was surprised to come across the "near-perfect" space "almost right under our noses.

"Not only was it a good-looking building, but all it really needed was a dusting and a little reconfiguring," he said.

The historic, brick-adorned, three-story building already had a top-notch audio system and lighting rig. It just required a few things, including a liquor license and extra bar space. AEG added a better-flowing entrance and larger stage and soundboard.

Read the rest of the story HERE!

Kye Kye Performs "Broke" At Relevant Magazine Studio

With an eclectic blend of acoustic, electronica, ambient and even spoken word influences, the enigmatic band Kye Kye from Camas, Washington has forged a distinctive sound all their own. Lead vocalist Olga Yagolnikov has a style reminiscent of Ingrid Michaelson and, to a lesser extent, Brooke Fraser.

Kye Kye are friends and siblings. Their love for music was passed on from their parents. Their love for Christ was given to them from our Heavenly Father. They fuse the two and the result is Kye Kye. They experienced a personal encounter with Jesus Christ in 2009 which went down something like Acts 2:2. It was nothing short of profound. They know they have found the meaning of life, and know it is Eternal Life. John 3:16 tells us that this is the reason He came. Then in John 17;3 Christ expounds on what this truly means. "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."


Certain things happen in a persons life that are a result of an intimate relationship with God through Christ. One of those things is the desire to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God. As this relationship grows, a second set of desires tends to rise up in your heart. This desire is designed and tailored to you and grows for the very purpose of supporting the desire to pour out the gospel from within you.

Kye Kye is their second set of desires.

Learn To Play Hillsong's "Hosanna"

WorshipTutorials.com has a full instructional video complete with chord charts for Hillsong's "Hosanna." View the video below:


Visit WorshipTutorials.com for chord diagrams.

Brand New Video From Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer

Leigh Nash covers the classic hymn "Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us (Blessed Jesus)" in this brand new video from her newest effort.

Leigh, perhaps best known as the dynamic, angelic-voiced lead singer of platinum-selling pop group Sixpence None the Richer, now offers her favorite, newly recorded Hymns &  Sacred Songs. "Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us" is the first track from this new album.

Michael Gungor Discusses Perspective & Art

Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to really see the beauty of something. From the ledge of the Grand Canyon, Beauty shines bright as the sun. She wears a dress of granite and sky with sparkling shoes made of rushing river. Her eyes shine bright as the sunbeams shade the giant cliffs and valleys with color and shadow, revealing scope and texture. Her hair smells like wildflowers in the crisp desert wind. It’s difficult to stand on the ledge of the Grand Canyon and not notice her blinding presence.

But if you hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and lay prostrate with your face against the rocky floor, you may notice that your awareness of her will soon begin to wane. You may find that all you see down there is rock. Maybe some dirt or a crawling bug. These are the threads of her dress, but up close, it’s easy to lose her essence in the details.

I find this to be true of art.

Read more on GungorMusic.com

New Demon Hunter Song "My Destiny" Posted On Facebook

Check out the brand new track "My Destiny" on Facebook now! The song is off their upcoming album "True Defiance" available in stores and online April 10th!

Jeremy Camp's "I Still Believe: The Number One Collection"

New album "I Still Believe: The Number Ones Collection," out March 13, 2012, features 15 of Jeremy Camp's 25 #1 songs at radio from his past releases and also includes a brand new unreleased song, "Wait" that you can hear now.

For those of you that have Jeremy Camp's mobile app - you can hear the new song now in the music player section, plus see all of Jeremy's current tour dates, chat with other fans, post comments to Jeremy and more. Download the mobile app now!

Also, Jeremy Camp's current single "Overcome" is #2 in the US! Thanks for your support and continue to call your radio stations to ask them to hear it. This single is from Jeremy's worship album "We Cry Out" available where ever you buy your music.

Critics & Audiences Tout Andrew Greer's Latest Effort

Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions, the sophomore recording from acclaimed singer/songwriter Andrew Greer, has garnered a range of critical praise since its January 31 release, reaching #2 on Amazon.com’s Hot New Releases in Contemporary Folk chart. In support of the project, Greer recently appeared on FOX 4's Good Day Dallas, where he performed “Never Grow Old.”

CCMMagazine.com says, “Despite the tremendous guest list…Greer’s strong vocal styling and impeccable arrangements stand tallest—a testimony to Greer’s vision for this hymns project,” while Crosswalk.com adds, “Greer shows that he is a rare breed of artist who has the ability to oscillate between genres effortlessly—contemporary, bluegrass, Americana, inspirational, worship—affording him creativity most artists wish they could pull off.”

With arrangements of 11 beloved hymns as well as Greer’s original, “I’ve Been Searching,” Angel Band features appearances from some of the top names in bluegrass and gospel music, including Sonya Isaacs, The McCrary Sisters, Ron Block (Alison Krauss; Union Station), Cindy Morgan, and Ginny Owens, among others.

Greer is currently headlining Under The Radar’s “Angel Band Tour,” along with acclaimed singer/songwriter Julie Lee. The tour will hit more than 20 cities this spring, including stops in Chicago, Dallas and Nashville. In addition, Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions and all of the project's tracks, charts and stems are available as nationwide church resources from LifeWayWorship.com.

Andrew Greer is an accomplished singer/songwriter and respected music journalist. His 2009 critically-acclaimed debut, Open Book, is a collection of introspective original selections he penned following a season of spiritual reawakening. As a writer, Greer’s stories have appeared in Christianity Today, CCM, and ParentLife, among other notable publications.

Mosaic Promotes "Teach Us' At NRB 2012

Critically-acclaimed Christian band Mosaic recently met with broadcasters and other media representatives at the 2012 National Religious Broadcasters Convention, held Feb. 18-22, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. The band was at the convention to promote its current CD, Teach Us.

"With it being our first experience at NRB, we weren't sure what to expect, but we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet and spend time with others in our industry," says band member Jonathan Martin. "What we found is that as we gathered together with others at the convention, we built each other up and encouraged one another in our callings."

Thousands of Christian broadcasters, programmers, ministers and others participated in the convention, which is presented annually by the National Religious Broadcasters.

Members of Mosaic chat with Covenant Award-winning guitarist Sean Spicer, center, during NRB 2012.

Viktory Drops Brand New Video "On Fire"

Gospel Rap artist Viktory drops a brand new video from his upcoming album "R4 (Relentless 4Ever)" dropping April 17th, 2012. The album features top-tier artists like: Lisa Kimmey (Out of Eden), Canton Jones, Marvin Winans, Jr. and more! The album is being distributed by CLG Distribution.




 

Auburn Release New Video For "I'm Over The Ups and Downs"

Hardcore band Auburn mixes traditional hardcore elements with melodic rock flavorings. Check out this radical video complete with a humorous story line:



Pick up the single on Amazon.com now!

Demon Hunter "True Defiance" Studio Blog #2

Demon Hunter discuss their mutual love of meat in the second edition of the studio blog recorded during the studio sessions for True Definance, the sixth full-length album from the band.



The album will be available April 10th. Pre-order your copy now on Amazon.com.


   

Kim Person Releases New Single "Alone In His Presence"

Contemporary gospel recording artist, Kim Person releases new music “Alone In His Presence”, from her current project “Speak Life.”

Produced by Kim and Tallmadge Person, “Alone in his Presence” takes you into the intimacy of worship. It describes the importance of having a personal relationship with Christ. “Speak Life” has produced great chart topping music such as, “More than Enough”, "You Did It” and the title track “Speak Life” which have all charted in the top one hundred on all three gospel music charts. “Speak Life” has touched the hearts of many and sure to become a gospel classic.