Archive for "News"

Laura Story Devotional Book “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?”

Laura Story has written a devotional book based on her hit single that is scheduled to release on March 13.  Her song, “Blessings,” has touched so many lives, and this book, “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” expands the message of the song that sometimes God’s greatest blessings come through trials.

Through her husband’s struggle with a brain tumor, Laura Story truly learned the meaning of “trials of this life.” She guides readers through her journey and offers encouragement and wisdom in 30 days of devotions.

Visit this link for more information on the book and to read an excerpt from the first chapter.

Posted on
February 6, 2012 in
Blog, News by
freeccmchandler •
No Comments

The Afters Heard on “The Biggest Loser” and “You Deserve It”

The Afters  Heard on “The Biggest Loser” and “You Deserve It”
Band Scores Back-to-Back No. 1’s at Radio with “Light Up the Sky” and “Lift Me Up”

No strangers to television exposure, The Afters’ latest songs from their album Light Up the Sky have received placement on a slew of TV promotions including NBC’s popular “The Biggest Loser” and ABC’s new philanthropic “You Deserve It”.
“Light Up the Sky” will be played in the Dec. 6 finale of NBC’s mega hit “The Biggest Loser.” ABC’s new show “You Deserve It” has also been supportive of The Afters’ music using “Lift Me Up” in promotion for the program.
In addition to No. 1’s at both AC and CHR radio, both “Light Up the Sky” and “Lift Me Up” have been constant mainstays in the top 5 on the iTunes ® Christian and Gospel Songs Chart. “Lift Me Up” is still Top 10 at AC Indicator.
# # #
Texas-based band The Afters were propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean.”  “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes ® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. The Afters’ sophomore release Never Going Back To OK (INO/Columbia Records) debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200, and proved to be sensation on the silver screen with “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” (Lifetime) and “Rachael Ray.” The band’s third record Light Up the Sky has bolstered two No. 1 radio hits, as well as placement in “The Biggest Loser” (NBC) and “You Deserve It” (ABC). A slew of media including Rolling Stone, Seventeen.com, E! News Live, TV Guide, Premiere Radio and more also picked up on covering The Afters.
Posted on
November 29, 2011 in
News by
FreeCCMLaura •
No Comments

Troops in the Middle East get inspired by MercyMe on the band’s first USO tour

The guys of MercyMe recently set out on their first USO/ Armed Force Entertainment tour, delivering a touch of home to troops in the Middle East. They staged three one-of-a-kind concerts, signed autographs and uplifted the spirits of service men and women.

Check out some photos from their time there below!

“I can’t really express how much of a blessing this USO tour was for the band and myself, it was just amazing.  There is no greater sacrifice then self-sacrifice and no one knows that better than our troops, ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like enough but I hope they realize how much we appreciate their service.” – Bart Millard of MercyMe

MercyMe is a big supporter of military families, and their 2009 release “Finally Home” paid homage to service heroes. Watch the “Finally Home” music video below.

Posted on
October 13, 2011 in
News by
FreeCCMLaura •
4 Comments

Jonny Diaz teams up with non-profit, FINDINGbalance, for a Celebrity Spelling Bee!

This summer we took some time to highlight different ministries that Christian artists support. We took a look at Jonny Diaz’s trip to the Nashville Rescue Mission, and today we want to highlight another cause Jonny is supporting!

FINDINGbalance is “a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those who struggle with eating and body image issues.” (www.findingbalance.com).

A number of celebrities are going head to head with Nashville 5th Graders in a spelling bee to benefit this organization tonight, August 25th in Franklin, TN. You can learn more about the event at beeforfreedom.com. If you live in the area, go check it out!

Here’s what Jonny has to say:

CONTEST: As a part of this week’s giveaway, we’ll send you a copy of Jonny’s latest self-titled record, his previous release “More Beautiful You” and his “More Beautiful You” book if you win! To enter, post your best answer to this question in the comments section:

What would be the worst possible word to get if you were participating in a spelling bee?

CONTEST CLOSED!

Posted on
August 25, 2011 in
Contests, News by
freeccmchandler •
22 Comments

Darlene Zschech authors a new book, “The Art of Mentoring.”

Darlene Zschech wears many hats. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, songwriter, worship leader, and now she is also an author! Zschech has recently written The Art of Mentoring, a book on cross-generational mentoring. See what her publisher has to say about the Darlene’s latest undertaking:

Tension between older and younger generations has always existed–especially in the church. We have struggled with this for years, building up resentments and crippling those on both sides of the fight. We resist the thought that emerging and established leaders can, andmust, work together.

But these are critical days, and the church needs large-hearted leadership willing to move beyond personal struggles and emotional triggers for the sake of others. It needs passionate, relational leaders, willing to mentor and be mentored, to give a thriving, living legacy to future generations.

Can it be done? Absolutely–and it can start with you.

Join internationally acclaimed leader Darlene Zschech for a journey into the heart of mentoring–and see how intergenerational leadership radically impacts the kingdom in ways you could never do alone.

You can purchase the book at a discounted rate here.

While you sit down with a cup of coffee and read Darlene’s book, you can add to the ambience by listening to her latest album, You Are Love. Here she is talking about both the new album and The Art of Mentoring.

Posted on
August 25, 2011 in
Blog, News by
freeccmchandler •
No Comments

SHANE & SHANE teams up with Fair Trade Services for latest release, “The One You Need”

Project Available Oct. 4;
Debut Single “The One You Need” Now Impacting Radio
Acoustic duo Shane & Shane is partnering with Fair Trade Services for its first studio release in two years, The One You Need. Available Oct. 4, the project’s debut single and title track is currently impacting Christian AC, CHR and Inspirational Radio.
After a brief hiatus from recording, Shane Barnard and Shane Everett have returned to the studio with two years worth of new material, all self-written and self-produced. The duo, who has been playing together for 13 years, has joined efforts with Fair Trade Services, home to top artists including The Afters, MercyMe, and Derek Webb, for its latest album.
“Shane and I are so excited about our new record label Fair Trade Services,” says Everett. “It feels amazing to have a team around us who is not only concerned about selling records but also about the Gospel moving forward through song!!! We love these guys.”
The Shanes, now both married with children, created this latest record through the lens of fatherhood and community. In fact, Barnard penned the title track—a poignant letter from daddy to daughter—a week before his daughter Lucy was born. Having also recently assumed the role of worship pastors at their local church, The One You Need additionally contains songs intended to minister to those hurting around them.
“For the first time, we’ve been in community; and when you’re in community, you see the hurt,” Everett explains. “Being on staff has been an eye opening experience for us, rubbing shoulders with broken hurting people helps us not only in our own struggles, but lets us know how to pray and how much we desperately need it.”
Preceding the record’s release is lead single, “The One You Need,” which went for adds at radio July 22. Shane & Shane wrapped a national promotional tour in support of the single earlier this month. Watch Part I and Part II of their road trip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihajxCkyZ4c and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ9DcP3QNjA. The duo also filmed a music video for the song, which will premiere on GodTube Aug. 4. Additional details are forthcoming. For more information on Shane & Shane and The One You Need, visit www.shaneandshane.com.
Shane Everett and Shane Barnard formed the duo, Shane & Shane, after meeting at Central Baptist Church in College Station, Texas in the late 90’s. Since then, the acoustic-guitar wielding pair has become a college-circuit favorite with six label releases to its credit, and countless hours logged on the road, including tours alongside Bethany Dillon, David Crowder Band and Robbie Seay Band, among others. In total, the band’s career sales exceed half a million units. Follow Shane & Shane at www.facebook.com/shaneandshanemusic or www.twitter.com/ShaneandS
Posted on
August 5, 2011 in
News by
freeccmchandler •
No Comments

Emerging Female Powerhouse Heather Williams To Release Debut

Emerging Female Powerhouse Heather Williams To Release Debut, Full-Length Record,
This Time Around, September 27
Billboard Magazine Heralds Williams As A “Best Bet of 2011”
Fair Trade Services’ songstress Heather Williams will debut her first, full-length studio album on September 27 titled This Time Around. Early acclaim has followed Williams since the release of her debut EP last fall. In addition to the radio success of “Hallelujah,” Williams was named amongst the “Best Bets of 2011″ by Billboard Magazine, one of only two Christian artists to receive this title.
Her songs and her character speak of the strength of a woman well beyond her years. Williams grew up in extreme poverty with her mom and stepfather. Throughout her early childhood, she suffered intense abuse. Her mother gave her away at age 11, and Williams went to live with her grandfather in Michigan and later with her aunt and uncle who eventually adopted her and are now her legal parents. Living with little guidance and the pain of past abuse and rejection, Williams turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the realities of life. As things began to spiral out of control, the young teenager began to have thoughts of suicide and was even homeless at one point. At age 18, however, the dangerous road Williams was on took a U-turn when she gave her life to Christ.
“When I was 18, I was going through a whole series of events where I was really rejecting God and blaming Him for everything that had taken place in my childhood,” says Williams. “I came to this place where it was either, OK, I’m going to give my life to God, or I just don’t know if I’m going to live. So, I walked up that aisle at that church, and I gave my life to God.” Having grown up with a love of music, after becoming a Christian, Williams says she began to write songs from a “perspective of radical change.”Another wave of tragedy struck the budding singer/songwriter when her first child passed away shortly after he was born. This tragedy led to William’s Top 10 AC  and Top 5 INSPO  debut, “Hallelujah.” To hear more of Williams’ story visit, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7cnMDwdm3k.
“God Is Still God” is the second song from Williams to hit radio. “It’s a song that speaks so clearly into an insecurity that we can get when life just comes at us  at full speed,” admits Williams. To hear more about “God Is Still God” from Williams, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLgjuMxV4qk&feature=related.
For Williams, she describes her songs as “conversations,” sometimes joyful, sometimes angry, sometimes a mix of both. “This album is you getting to peek in on me sometimes having it out with God, sometimes crying to God, sometimes laughing,” she says. “But it’s always going to be a transparent look at what’s going on in my heart, because that’s who I want to be before Him. If I want Him to use me, then I have to be willing to share everything.”
Posted on
August 3, 2011 in
News by
freeccmchandler •
No Comments

3RD ANNUAL “ROCK & WORSHIP ROADSHOW” CONTINUES WITH STAR-STUDDED LINEUP

3RD ANNUAL “ROCK & WORSHIP ROADSHOW” CONTINUES WITH STAR-STUDDED LINEUP:
MERCYME, JARS OF CLAY, DISCIPLE,
HAWK NELSON, MATT MAHER & GROUP 1 CREW
TO HIT A DOZEN TOUR MARKETS THIS NOVEMBER

“The Rock and Worship Roadshow” will venture into their second leg of the tour hitting 12 markets this November with a stellar cast including MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Disciple, Hawk Nelson, Matt Maher and Group 1 Crew. Talented rapper Trip Lee along with other artists will serve as the pre-showentertainment. This will mark the first time “The Rock and Worship Roadshow” will tour in the fall in addition to their annual spring trek.

Admission prices will be the traditional $10 at-the-door, making it an affordable event for the whole family. Compassion International will once again serve as a tour sponsor. Compassion International is a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.  For more information on Compassion International go to http://www.compassion.com.

Kicking off Nov. 4 in Grand Rapids, MI, the tour will stop in cities such as Cleveland, OH,  Atlanta, GA, Columbia, SC, Oklahoma City, OK, and Kansas City, MO before wrapping on Nov. 20 in Memphis, TN.

See full list of markets are listed below, but stay tuned to www.rockandworshiproadshow.com for the latest tour information.
ROCK AND WORSHIP ROADSHOW ROUTING FALL 2011
FRI 4-Nov  GRAND RAPIDS, MI // VAN ANDEL ARENA
SAT 5-Nov  FT WAYNE, IN // MEMORIAL COLISEUM
SUN 6-Nov  CLEVELAND, OH // WOLSTEIN CENTER
THU 10-Nov  ATLANTA, GA // PHILLIPS ARENA
FRI 11-Nov  CHARLOTTE, NC // BOJANGLES COLISEUM
SAT 12-Nov  KNOXVILLE, TN // UT ARENA
SUN 13-Nov  COLUMBIA, SC // COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
THU 17-Nov  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK // OK CITY ARENA
FRI 18-Nov  WICHITA, KS // INTRUST CENTER
SAT 19-Nov  KANSAS CITY, MO // SPRINT CENTER
SUN 20-Nov  MEMPHIS, TN // FEDEX FORUM
Posted on
July 29, 2011 in
News by
freeccmchandler •
No Comments

Swedish Hard-rockers Blindside’s “With Shivering Hearts We Wait” Impresses Critics

Four years after the release of their last record, rockers Blindside have partnered with Fair Trade Services/Sony RED to return from hiatus with the release of their sixth album, With Shivering Hearts We Wait and the fans are eager to listen as the record debuted at No.8 on iTunes ® Mainstream Rock Chart.  The band, who has appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” collaborated with music icons including Smashing Pumpkins’ leader Billy Corgan and toured extensively world-wide alongside acts such as P.O.D. and Linkin Park, are now wowing critics with their newest project:

“It’s a streamlined little monster of a record, not wasting any time to get to the hooks and the introduction of the band’s core power: the gripping vocals of frontman Christian Lindskog. The rest of the impassioned pull of Shivering flows out of the driven attack of Lindskog’s bandmates.” –Alternative Press

“After a four year break from the scene, Blindside have made what may be the best album of their career, giving us With Shivering Hearts We Wait. Well worth the wait.”-HM Magazine

“Blindside is back and sounding even more hungry than the first go around. With Shivering Hearts We Wait boasts both some of the hard rock act’s most mighty aggression beside some of its greatest accessibility.”-CCM Magazine

“From the album’s blistering opener to its electronic filled final cut, With Shivering Hearts We Wait was more than worth the wait. It’s an exciting new entry into what hopes to be a long new chapter in the band’s career.” –JesusFreakHideout.com

“The good songs aren’t just good, they’re great. I believe that I speak for everyone when I say, welcome back old friends. We sure have missed you.” -The New Review

The debut single, “Our Love Saves Us” is currently impacting radio stations across the nation, presently at No. 4 on Billboard’s Christian Rock Songs chart. The song marks the first release from With Shivering Hearts We Wait, which was helmed by producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Flyleaf, Skillet) who helped create a bombastic and epic sound that still stays true to the band’s aggressive stylings. The relationship between Benson and the band has been longstanding, with the producer guiding Blindside on two previous efforts: Silence (2002) and About a Burning Fire (2004).

In addition to the new record, Blindside has launched a new website, www.withshiveringheartswewait.com. The site features mini-webisodes, documentary clips, and streaming of the full album. Also, in the upcoming weeks the band will announce details about their headlining USA tour.

For more information on Blindside and With Shivering Hearts We Wait please go to www.blindsideonline.com.

Posted on
June 9, 2011 in
News by
freeccmchandler •
No Comments

Rock Band Blindside Returns With New Project With Shivering Hearts We Wait Slated for June 7

They have been seen on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” have collaborated with music icons including Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan and heard around the world on World Wrestling Entertainment. Now, after four years since the release of their last project, rock band Blindside is partnering with Fair Trade Services/Sony RED to unveil their sixth album, With Shivering Hearts We Wait, on June 7.
“When we decided it was time to make another record, everyone’s perspective was really renewed and we’re super pumped right now to be doing the band again,” front man Christian Lindskog said. “We just needed to break away from music for a bit because it starts to define who you are when you should be finding it in a higher purpose.”
After taking time to be with their families and reenergize after over a decade of touring the world and releasing material, the Swedish natives reconnected with producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach, Flyleaf) to deliver an evolved artistic sound that still harkens back to band’s signature styles. Benson helmed the Elektra Records collections Silence (2002) and About a Burning Fire (2004) and helped create what is said to be their most compelling collection to date.
“The similarities between With Shivering Hearts We Wait and past projects is that we’re always striving to get the right songs for a project and the spirit is still Blindside,” assures Lindskog. “But this album is very different in the sense that it took us a lot longer to write and record it. We used to get everyone in a room and start jamming, but this time we started with an acoustic framework that was eventually translated into rock n’ roll songs.”
“There are definitely some new elements, such as putting strings or an electronic sound over a really bombastic song,” adds guitarist Simon Grenehed. “We wanted to make the record sound big and didn’t feel like there were any boundaries.”
Introducing strings and electronic elements, Blindside’s rock n’ roll styling turns epic and bombastic on many of the songs. One such song, “Our Love Saves Us” will act as the albums debut single, impacting Christian radio this Friday.
In addition to introducing America to their new single, Blindside recently launched their new website www.withshiveringheartswewait.com, where mini documentary videos are being posted leading up to the album release while also leaking all 10 songs off their new record before it becomes available to the public.  Those who get involved with the band’s pre-order will receive a unique special edition With Shivering Hearts We Wait album.
For more information on Blindside and With Shivering Hearts We Wait please go to www.blindsideonline.com.
Posted on
May 5, 2011 in
News by
FreeCCMLaura •
No Comments