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New Music From The Afters To Appear in the Upcoming Feature Film October Baby

Fans looking for an early preview of new music from chart-topping foursome The Afters will have their chance later this month as the band’s song “Life Is Beautiful” is featured in the upcoming feature film October Baby. Releasing nationwide on March 23 via Provident Films, the movie’s closing credits play to “Life Is Beautiful,” a newly penned song from the band’s forthcoming Fall 2012 studio album. Before the movie hits theaters, however, the music video for the song, which also features footage from the film, is available to view online at  TheAfters.com. GodTube exclusively premiered the video for “Life Is Beautiful” on their site yesterday, and the video received over 30,000 views within the first 24 hours.
“It’s an honor to be able to partner with a movie that promotes love, acceptance, forgiveness, and mercy in such a poignant and effective way,” says lead singer Josh Havens. “We hope that the song and the movie remind people of all the things that make every life beautiful!”
Already having had their music placed in TV promotions for “The Biggest Loser,” “Army Wives” and “You Deserve It,” as well as in the trailer for last year’s feature film New Year’s Eve, The Afters are no strangers to their music receiving national film and television exposure. The band’s third record Light Up the Sky bolstered two No. 1 radio hits—“Light Up The Sky” and “Lift Me Up.” The Afters’ current singles include the Top 5 Billboard Christian CHR song “We Won’t Give Up” and the newly released AC single “I Am Yours.”
October Baby—premiering nationwide March 23—marks the feature film debut of award-winning music video directors Jon and Andrew Erwin. It tells the story of Hannah, a 19-year-old college freshman whose world is rocked by learning she is the adopted survivor of an attempted abortion. The realization leads Hannah on a journey to find her birth mother, but it is the power of forgiveness she ultimately discovers. The film earned the Grand Jury Prize for Best Fiction Feature at the Red Rock Film Festival and was named Audience Choice Feature Film at the Omaha Film Festival. In support of the film’s life-affirming theme, the producers of October Baby have assigned 10 percent of the profits of the film to the Every Life is Beautiful Fund. More information can be found at www.EveryLifeIsBeautiful.com. Visit the film’s official website at www.OctoberBabyMovie.net
Posted on
March 22, 2012 in
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Decorated Trio Phillips, Craig & Dean’s Breathe In Bows With Strong and Exciting Debut Week

On the heels of a street week filled with overwhelmingly positive reviews, several sold-out album release concerts and their single “When The Stars Burn Down” poised to crown radio charts, it’s good to be Phillips, Craig & Dean! Their latest recording Breathe In bowed at retail last Tuesday, March 13. This, their 12th studio album, entered the Billboard Christian Soundscan charts at No. 4, and in digital sales, the project peaked at No. 4 on the iTunes® Christian Albums chart. “When The Stars Burn Down” continues to burn up the charts at radio, seizing the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Christian Soft AC/INSPO radio chart, the No. 7 position on the Billboard Christian Audience Chart and No. 12 on the AC chart. Phillips, Craig & Dean also embarked on a street-week promo tour with hugely popular shows in Dallas, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Breathe In album release promotional concerts garnered sell-out crowds on Mon., March 12 at Gateway Church in Dallas, Tues., March 13 in Minneapolis at Mall of America, Wed., March 14 in Winston-Salem, and Thurs., March 15 in St. Louis at Calvary Church. The shows were massively successful in all markets, with the St. Louis show having 1800 tickets snatched in just a few minutes for the early show. Because of demand, an additional show was added for the mid-afternoon for an additional 1000 listeners. Over 3500 attended the street-week kickoff show in Dallas, and 4000 fans crowded into the rotunda at Minneapolis’ Mall of America to see the band perform.
Produced by Bernie Herms and Nathan Nockels, the 10-track album features songs co-written by each band member including “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again,” “All Is Well” and “I Choose To Believe.” Breathe In speaks life into a world so full of frustration and struggle. Twenty one years into their storied career, Phillips Craig & Dean offer another ground-breaking collection of songs poised to minister to the hurting, lead believers in powerful praise, and point the broken to Christ.
Reviews of Breathe In are matching the eager reception at radio and among fans. Below is just a sample of what the critics are saying…
“With two decades under their belts and well over 20 chart-topping singles, Phillips, Craig & Dean doesn“t show signs of slowing down anytime soon. The trio’s twelfth studio disc follows in the footsteps of its career revival cut “Revelation Song,” promising plenty of string-soaked worship and inspiring contemporary pop reflections.”
– Gospel Music Channel
“On Breathe In, Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig, and Dan Dean illustrate why they’ve enjoyed longevity: They consistently produce quality music and well-written songs while remaining musically relevant. Breathe In is a glowing showcase for time-tested musical trio Phillips, Craig & Dean. The three solidly demonstrate musical relevance, songwriting skills, and vocals that sound better than ever. The group is clearly still having fun after all these years!” – New Release Tuesday
“…with vertical songwriting as well as modern arrangements…Songs like the powerful “Great, Great God” carry a congregational chorus, while the modern hymn “All Is Well” is suited for churches or personal worship alike. As their rendition of 2010 Song of the Year “Revelation Song” indicated, PC&D have only gotten stronger with time.” – CCM
“The suitably rousing opener, “Great and Glorious,” the inspirational singalong of lead single “When the Stars Burn Down,” and the hymnal-like rock of “Great I Am” burst out of the block with an emphatic production from Bernie Herms (Casting Crowns) and regular collaborator Nathan Nockels…” – All Music Guide
“Their latest album aims to bridge the two sides of their musical worlds, reining in the group’s more fist-pumping ways while adding some spice to their quieter ballads.”
– Christianity Today
Phillips, Craig & Dean perform at Minneapolis’ Mall of America on March 13.
PCD with songwriters David Moore (“Great, Great God”) and Jennie Lee Riddle (“When The Stars Burn Down,” “Revelation Song”)
PCD performing in Dallas, with a capacity crowd of over 3500 in attendance.
Posted on
March 22, 2012 in
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JONNY DIAZ’S SINGLE “SCARS” IMPACTING LISTENERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Artist and storyteller Jonny Diaz continues to impact the music listener with his powerful lyrics and heartfelt songs. With his brand new radio single “Scars,” the song follows Diaz’s other well-known radio hits such as “Break My Heart” and “Beauty of the Cross,” as well as his 2010 top hit “More Beautiful You.”

The important message of “Scars” is poignant during this Easter season, yet it’s also a song that Diaz will surely be playing for years to come. Be sure to click here to listen to the song, and to watch Diaz share the message behind the writing of “Scars” here.

The single, which is being added to stations across the country, is obtaining new adds weekly and already receiving an overwhelming response from fans and radio stations of how it has deeply impacted them.

Greg Cassidy, Music Director/Morning Show Host from JOY-FM in St. Louis, shares, “From the first time I heard ‘Scars,’ I really felt it was a song that would connect with our community. We all have scars – though they are different scars for different people. We’ve all been in that place. Whatever you’re are suffering through, ‘Scars’ is a reminder that Jesus’ scars cover ours! So powerful. While it may be top of mind this Easter season, it is a theme that is timeless. Great writing from Jonny D!”

After fans have recently seen Diaz in concert performing the song, numerous comments have been rolling in. From “breathtaking” to “loving it,” a fan also posted, “Thank you so much for playing ‘Scars.’ I really believe it’s why I was there (at the show) tonight.” Another fan wrote, “Scars is your best song yet! Oh my goodness it is amazing!!”

JonnyDiaz.com

Posted on
March 19, 2012 in
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MercyMe to deliver The Hurt and The Healer May 22

With the most-added Billboard Christian AC single this week as well as the No. 2 Christian song on iTunes, the buzz for MercyMe’s May 22nd release, The Hurt and The Healer, is rapidly escalating.

With an uninterrupted string of 23 #1 career singles, the award-winning and multi-platinum selling band sure seems to have another hit on their hands with the title track garnering a whopping 61 adds from AC, CHR and Inspo formats combined. In addition, the single even debuted at No. 28 on the AC-Monitored and No. 29 on the AC-Indicator charts its first week out.

“The Hurt & The Healer is a celebration of that moment when these two worlds collide…. the deep need for healing and the God who provides it, ” remarks lead vocalist Bart Millard.

Produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala, The Hurt & The Healer features signature MercyMe anthems, engaging pop songs and worshipful and intimate moments.

“For whatever reason, God has called us to help people through the healing process, so as we began this project, we thought, ‘do we even try to fight it, this is kind of who we are,’ ” said Millard recalling songs like their worldwide hit “I Can Only Imagine,” “Homesick,” “Bring the Rain,” “Finally Home” and more.  “The idea is to create an album to help bring healing to people, but not just healing; even in the midst of life’s worst moments, there’s this irony of feeling more alive than anytime before; that moment when we embrace our kids a little tighter and we reevaluate what’s important in life,” he continues. “The whole album revolves around this common theme, but it’s not all really heavy.  We hope it helps people get to a better place in these moments that seem to cripple us at times.”

On April 19, just after closing out another successful Rock and Worship Roadshow tour, MercyMe will embark on a headline tour also featuring Chris August and Moriah Peters. More dates are currently being added, and current shows can be seen below or by visiting MercyMe’s website.

Posted on
March 1, 2012 in
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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
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Laura Story’s Blessings Makes Strong Debut Selling over 6k Units

Latest Release Attains No.2 Spot on Overall Soundscan Chart

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.

About Laura Story:
Laura Story, a talented worship leader and songwriter known for penning hit worship songs such as “Indescribable” made famous by Chris Tomlin, made her music debut in 2008 with her first release Great God Who Saves (INO Records). Great God Who Saves garnered her four Dove nominations in 2009, at which she took home her first award for “Inspirational Album of the Year.” This year, she is also nabbed another nomination for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” Her hit single “Mighty To Save” earned a No. 1 Soft AC/Inspo and Top 10 AC hit at Christian radio as well, and now, on April 12, Story will reveal twelve new inspirational tracks on her sophomore release titled Blessings. Story teamed up with producer Nathan Nockels (Passion. Philips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace) to deliver a worship project that exudes constant threads of pop energy and singer/songwriter warmth. For more information on Story, please go to www.laurastorymusic.com.
Posted on
April 21, 2011 in
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JONNY DIAZ’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW CD RELEASING APRIL 12TH

Jonny Diaz has been waiting for this day for a long time, and as of Tuesday, it’s officially here. This INO Records’ singer and songwriting talent is set to release his next studio project, aptly titled Jonny Diaz, April 12th. Excited to be promoting the highly anticipated CD and its first single, “Beauty of the Cross,” Diaz has completed numerous interviews, has been featured in CCM Magazine, GMC, HearItFirst.com, Breathecast.com and more, as well as appearing on radio stations across the nation to get the word out about his brand new songs.
Continuing to heavily promote his new music throughout street week, Diaz will be calling over 70 radio stations to talk about the record, chatting with outlets such as KCMS Seattle, WONU Chicago, WAWZ New York, KFIS Portland, WCSG Grand Rapids, and WVFJ Atlanta. Along with a big Facebook promotion running all this weekend, an interview with XM Radio and performing a live broadcast on HearItFirst.com Monday night, one lucky fan will also win an iPad from pre-ordering the new CD or a CD and t-shirt combo from his online store.
“Beauty of the Cross” is currently Top 10 on Billboard’s Christian AC Indicator Chart. It is also No. 2 on Soft AC/Inspo and Top 20 AC Monitored, while new stations are coming on board each week. Jonny Diaz is currently on tour with Newsong and 33Miles, sharing his new music along with songs from his previous projects. For the most updated tour dates and for more about Jonny Diaz, please visit JonnyDiaz.com.
Posted on
April 7, 2011 in
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