Skillet Sweeps Rock Categories at 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards

RISE awarded Rock Album of the Year and “Not Gonna Die” honored as Rock Song of the Year

Skillet launches first headline European fall tour October 12 in Glasgow, UK

Nashville, Tenn. (October 8, 2014) — Skillet continues to prove themselves as a leading force in the diverse world of rock music as they were awarded Rock Album of the Year for RISE and Rock Song of the Year for "Not Gonna Die" at the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards last night at Lipscomb University in Nashville. 

The honors reflect the success of RISE, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Christian charts and No. 4 on the Billboard 200. "Not Gonna Die" was one of several No. 1 radio hits to come from the album.

"Have to say it was pretty cool hearing the news about these wins," remarked lead singer John Cooper. "We couldn't be there since we're heading to Europe again this week, but to have this album recognized in this way is definitely an honor, and we're really thankful."

On October 12, Skillet will head to Glasgow, UK to kick off their first headlining European tour. As the band's third visit to Europe in a year, they will make 20+ stops in cities including London, Zurich, Stockholm, Warsaw, as well as multiple dates in Russia, where the band's popularity is growing exponentially. See full routing information below.  

The fall tour follows the band's jaunt with the Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival, for which Skillet joined multi-platinum artists Godsmack, Seether, Buckcherry and Pop Evil at stops throughout the country. Earlier this summer, Skillet performed at multiple festivals throughout Europe, playing for thousands of fans. The summer and fall tours have seen the band gain a solid European following, all subsequent to last fall’s tour supporting Nickelback.

Skillet Fall European Tour (*all dates subject to change, visit Skillet.com for updated info)
October 12 – The Garage, Glasgow, UK
October 13 – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England
October 14 – Islington Academy, London, UK
October 15 – Waterfront, Norwich, UK
October 17 – Trix Hall, Antwerp, Belgium
October 18 – O13, Tilburg, Netherlands
October 20 – Komplex Klub, Zurich, Switzerland
October 21 – Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany
October 24 – Gruenspan, Hamburg, Germany
October 25 – Bygningen, Vejile, Denmark
October 26 – Debaser Strand, Stockholm, Sweden
October 28 – Stodola, Warsaw, Poland
October 29 – Loftas Concert Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania
October 30 – Melna Concert Hall, Riga, Latvia
November 1 – Rock Café, Tallinn, Estonia
November 3 – Stadium Live, Moscow, Russia
November 4 – Stadium Live, Moscow, Russia
November 5 – Capitoliy, N. Novgorod, Russia
November 7 – Emeritage Concert Hall, Kazan, Russia
November 8 – MTL Arena, Samara, Russia
November 10 – Expo, Novosibirsk, Russia
November 12 – Sport Palace, Ekaterinburg, Russia
November 14 – A2, St. Petersburg, Russia

About Skillet
Over the course of the past few years, GRAMMY®-nominated and platinum selling rock band Skillet has sold more than two million units in the U.S., racked up more than 160 million YouTube views and amassed a diehard following (dubbed Panheads) whose members number more than five million on Facebook alone. Their 2013 release RISE debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Christian charts, which led to No. 1 radio hits for "American Noise,” “Not Gonna Die” "Rise" and "Sick Of It." RISE also gave Skillet their late night television debut on Conan. RISE follows the band's 2009 blockbuster, Awake, which was certified platinum for sales in excess of one million copies in the U.S. and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. In addition, the record hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, garnered three Billboard Music Awards and spawned four hit singles including the No. 1 Active Rock smash and gold-certified “Awake & Alive,” the gold-certified "Hero," "It's Not Me It's You" and the platinum-certified "Monster." "Monster" lived up to its name, selling more than a million copies and hitting Top 5 at Active Rock radio (the first in a string of multiple Top 5 active rock hits,) while its companion video has generated more than 69 million YouTube views. Skillet was the only active rock band to achieve RIAA Platinum Certification in 2012 and was one of only three rock bands (the other two being Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys) to strike platinum in 2012. Skillet is made up of John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison.

[Get Connected with Skillet] 
Website // http://www.skillet.com 
Twitter // http://twitter.com/skilletmusic 
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/skillet
YouTube // http://www.youtube.com/skilletband

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Mandisa Brings “High Energy and Inspiration” on Remix Project, Get Up: The Remixes, Available Now

Mandisa to perform on Dove Awards Oct. 7; receives five nominations 

Mandisa on the road with Casting Crowns for Thrive Tour

Nashville, Tenn. (October 1, 2014) – GRAMMY® winner Mandisa brings a whole new element of “high energy and inspiration” on her first full-length remix album, Get Up: The Remixes, available now. Featuring 11 remixes of her biggest hits - including "Overcomer," "Stronger" and "Good Morning," all three of which Mandisa has performed on ABC's Good Morning America – Get Up: The Remixes follows the success of her best-selling and critically acclaimed album Overcomer. 

Breathecast.com praised Get Up: The Remixes for providing the listener with “non-stop, feel good dance music” while Hollywood Jesus was quick to call out “Good Morning (feat. TobyMac)” for it’s “sweeping background and club-ready groove.” Soul-Audio.com called the album a “musical B12 shot of energy, featuring soulful vocals alongside playful yet creative new arrangements that give the music renewed life.” 

Check out the lyrics videos for Get Up: The Remixes:
What If We Were Real (Neva Remix/Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/GKgR0QfKvKU
Overcomer (Capital Kings Remix/Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/zvRkBtnEdr4 
Stronger (Movin' Remix/Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/6n39IskpG-4
Good Morning (Capital Kings Remix/Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/DeqfLqPz44c
Joy Unspeakable (Atellagali Remix/Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/KXqaoZ9N0Lw

In less than two weeks, Mandisa will perform at the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards, where she is nominated for Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Overcomer, Song of the Year, Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year and Short Form Video of the Year for "Overcomer.” The show will be held at Lipsomb University's Allen Arena October 7 and will air globally on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Mandisa is currently on the “Thrive Tour” with Casting Crowns and Sidewalk Prophets. To see if Mandisa is coming to a city near you, visit mandisaofficial.com/home/tour. 

About Mandisa:
With more than 1 million records sold, GRAMMY® winner and and American Idol Season 5 finalist Mandisa is a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world. In less than a year, Mandisa performed her three hit singles "Overcomer," "Good Morning," and "Stronger" on the highest rated morning show, ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA.) Her performance of “Stronger” welcomed the emotional return of beloved morning host Robin Roberts. The NFL also welcomed Mandisa to perform the national anthem during a Sunday night NFL Network game to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month where she was joined by members of the 49ers family who are survivors. Her album, Overcomer, released in 2013 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, with the album's title track holding on to the No. 1 spot for twelve weeks on the National Christian Audience chart as well as the No. 1 position on the Christian/Gospel Core Digital sales chart for several weeks. This year, Mandisa was awarded a GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her best-selling and critically acclaimed project Overcomer. Additionally, “Overcomer’s” songwriters (David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens) won the GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song. Her first full-length remix album, Get Up: The Remixes, is available now. 

[Get Connected with Mandisa] 
Website // www.mandisaofficial.com 
Twitter // www.twitter.com/mandisaofficial 
Facebook // www.facebook.com/mandisaofficial 
YouTube // www.youtube.com/user/MandisaOfficial 
Spotify // http://open.spotify.com/artist/0YPElKYjOD1sofFCtLdYj3

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Passion: The Essential Collection to Encapsulate the Best of The Passion Movement on November 11

Album will feature 15 songs, seven music videos and four talks from Passion

“Passion: Take It All Tour” currently on the road

Nashville, Tenn. (September 23, 2014) – sixstepsrecords and Capitol Christian Music Group will bring together the very best of the Passion Conferences this November with Passion: The Essential Collection. Available on November 11, the CD + DVD box set will feature 15 songs and seven music videos from Passion, including Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, David Crowder*Band, Christy Nockels and Charlie Hall. It will also feature four talks from founder Louie Giglio, bringing together the best representation of the multi-decade impact the Passion Conferences have had on a generation of 18-25 year olds across the country and internationally.

Having sold over 1.5 million units, The Passion Movement has marked the lives of millions around the globe. Passion: The Essential Collection will feature “Our God,” “Lord I Need You,” “How Great Is Our God,” “God of This City” and others that were originally introduced to the church by Passion. For a full track listing, see below.

Kristian Stanfill and Passion are currently on the road for the 26-city “Passion: Take It All Tour.” The tour is making stops around the country, paving the way for January’s Passion 2015 Conferences in Atlanta (Jan 2-4; 16-18) and Houston (Jan 30-Feb 1).

For more information on Passion, visit 268generation.com.
 

Passion: The Essential Collection
CD
1. Holy Is The Lord (Chris Tomlin)
2. One Thing Remains (Kristian Stanfill)
3. 10,000 Reasons [Bless The Lord] (Matt Redman)
4. Our God (Chris Tomlin)
5. How He Loves (David Crowder*Band)
6. Healing Is In Your Hands (Christy Nockels)
7. Whom Shall I Fear [God Of Angel Armies] (Chris Tomlin)
8. You Never Let Go (Matt Redman)
9. Amazing Grace [My Chains Are Gone] (Chris Tomlin)
10. Better Is One Day (Charlie Hall)
11. In Christ Alone (Kristian Stanfill)
12. God Of This City (Chris Tomlin)
13. Like A Lion (David Crowder*Band)
14. Waiting Here For You (Christy Nockels)
15. How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin)

DVD
Videos
1. The Lord Our God (Kristian Stanfill)
2. Let It Be Jesus (Christy Nockels)
3. Mercy [From Lift] (Matt Redman)
4. White Flag (Chris Tomlin)
5. Here’s My Heart (Crowder)
6. My Heart Is Yours (Kristian Stanfill)
7. God’s Great Dance Floor (Chris Tomlin)

Talks
1. Let’s Work It Out (From Passion: 2010)
2. We Will Carry The Name (From Passion: 2011)
3. Raise To Life By The Breath Of A Living God (From Passion: 2013)
4. Crushed By Grace (From Passion: 2014)
 

About Passion Conferences:
Led by a stirring in the heart of Atlanta-based pastor, Louie Giglio, Passion was birthed in 1997 to see the 20+ million college students across the globe awaken to the reality of an omnipotent and glorious Creator. Since then, millions of students from across the globe have joined the Passion movement, united across ministry and denominational lines, to seek the face of God in worship and prayer at nine conferences, four world tours and multiple one-day and regional events. Passion’s core scripture, Isaiah 26:8 states: “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” The small Passion Team is led by Louie Giglio and operates under the direction of a Board that is committed to spreading the fame of Jesus Christ to college students around the globe.

About sixstepsrecords:
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (Love Ran Red), Crowder (Neon Steeple), Matt Redman (Your Grace Finds Me), Christy Nockels (Into the Glorious), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move), and Passion (Passion: Take It All). The label partners with Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Music Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations. For more information on sixstepsrecords, visit: www.sixstepsrecords.com.

[Get Connected with Passion]
Website // www.268generation.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/Passion268generation
Twitter // www.twitter.com/passion268

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Media Contact:
Ryan Anderson
the media collective
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Partners with Michael W. Smith to Sponsor "Spirit of Christmas Tour"

Tour follows Smith's exclusive partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®
on best-selling Hymns album

Fans will get early taste of Christmas with Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas 
hitting stores September 30

 
Nashville, Tenn. (September 23, 2014) - Three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith will bring holiday cheer to audiences across the country this holiday season as he launches "The Spirit of Christmas Tour,” set to hit several cities in the U.S. and Canada. Partnering with Michael W. Smith as the official tour sponsor is Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and joining him on all tour dates is Dove Award-winner Rachael Lampa.

Earlier this year, Michael W. Smith debuted his first classic hymns album, aptly named Hymns, exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and online at www.crackerbarrel.com. The tremendous success of the album, which was recently nominated for a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year, led to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® signing on as the official tour sponsor.

"I’m really happy to have Cracker Barrel as a tour sponsor," remarked Smith. "Our local Cracker Barrel has become a very special place over the past several years. It’s where I take my Dad once a week for breakfast. We’ve shared some great memories there that I’ll always cherish. It feels great to have Cracker Barrel as part of my tour."

“We enjoyed working with Michael and his team when we exclusively released his Hymns album earlier this year, and were so happy for them when it was recently nominated for a Dove Award,” said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. “Christmas is a time when families come together, and often they gather to share a meal at Cracker Barrel. When we were approached about sponsoring his ‘Spirit of Christmas Tour,’ we knew it would be a great fit.” 

In addition to "The Spirit of Christmas Tour," Smith will co-headline three special events with long-time friend and fellow GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant. Teaming up in Dallas, Minneapolis and Atlanta, Smith and Grant will showcase their beloved Christmas set while performing alongside the full Symphony Orchestras. Full tour dates are listed below. For more information, visit: www.michaelwsmith.com.

Smith made national headlines last month as he announced the release of Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, featuring an all-star lineup of guests – Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald. The album will be available in stores – including Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® - as well as online on September 30.

“This is the most unique and unusual record I've ever done in my 31-year career,” remarked Smith. The album was co-produced by Smith, CMA Music Awards and CMA Country Christmas producer Robert Deaton and renowned orchestral maestro David Hamilton.

"The Spirit of Christmas Tour"                                                                            
All dates subject to change                                                                                     

November 30 - Anaheim, CA
December 1  – Modesto, CA
December 3 – Clarksville, TN
December 4 – Nashville, TN
December 5 – Birmingham, AL
December 6 – Richmond, VA
December 11 – Wichita, KS
December 12 – Dallas, TX*
December 13 – Minneapolis, MN*
December 15  –  Atlanta, GA*
December 18 – Spokane, WA
December 19 – Portland, OR
December 20 – Seattle, WA 
December 21 – Abbotsford, BC, Canada
*Co-headline with Amy Grant
 

About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 28 No. 1 songs, earned three GRAMMY® Awards, one American Music Award, and more than 40 Dove Awards. Most recently, in honor of ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary, Smith, along with Amy Grant, was honored as “a cornerstone of Christian music,” for his groundbreaking career and significant influence on the genre. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian Music artist has had the opportunity to sing for several Presidents and national leaders. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children. So far this year, Smith has released Hymns, his first-ever classic hymns album available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and CrackerBarrel.com, as well as his first studio worship album since 2008, Sovereign, which took a Top 10 spot on the Billboard 200, as well as the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart. His fourth career Christmas album, Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, will be available September 30, 2014. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store:
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its made-from-scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 632 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® location is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

GRAMMY® Winner Laura Story Welcomes Twin Boys

Nashville, Tenn. (September 19, 2014) – GRAMMY® award winning songstress Laura Story and her husband Martin have welcomed fraternal twin boys to their family. Benjamin Cary and Griffin James were born within three minutes of each other, weighing 6.5 lbs and 6.3 lbs respectively. The twins join their 2-year-old big sister Josie.

"Martin and I are so thrilled to finally meet these little guys! God has truly blessed our family,” said a tired but joyful Story.

Laura will take her new growing family out on the road this December for a short Christmas tour in select states (MD, ME, NY, OH and NJ). Her new Christmas record God With Us will be available for these shows and will be released to retail Christmas 2015.

While her schedule will be quite busy with the new additions, Story is also currently working on her first book scheduled to release next fall. The W Publishing book "When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn; Truths You Can't Live Without" will explore Story’s journey from her life expectations through shattered dreams and on to the incredible truths that she uncovered in her study of God's Word. It will offer readers a friend who understands, important biblical insights and hope that God has not forgotten them.  

About Laura Story:
GRAMMY® award winning artist, speaker, songwriter, author and worship leader Laura Story has a gift for penning songs that connect with people all around the world. Among her successes as a solo artist with her smash hits “Mighty To Save” and “Blessings,” Laura has also penned hit songs for other renowned artists including Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable.” Her solo artist music debut in 2008 with Great God Who Saves led to four Dove nominations and the award for “Inspirational Album of the Year.” In 2011, Laura released her sophomore project Blessings. The album and the emotionally powerful title was inspired by her real life trials and adversities, primarily her husband Martin's diagnosis of a brain tumor. The album resonated with a huge audience and led to whirlwind career highlights for Laura, peaking at the No. 1 album spot for three consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Overall chart, topping the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart and holding the No. 1 spot for an impressive 28 consecutive weeks on the Christian charts. The success of the single “Blessings,” which was certified RIAA Gold, includes the GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Song, the Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song and the Dove Awards for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. The song inspired Laura's first book, “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” in 2012. Her latest project - God Of Every Story - released last year to much acclaim. Laura is the worship leader at Perimeter Church outside of Atlanta, GA and lives with her husband Martin and three children.

For more information on Laura Story, and to see all of the new photos and videos of her twins, visit her at the links below.

Get Connected with Laura Story:
Website // www.laurastorymusic.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/laurastory
Twitter // www.twitter.com/LauraStoryMusic
Instagram // www.instagram.com/laurastorymusic

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Media Contact:
Ryan Anderson
the media collective
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989 
www.themcollective.com

Five-Time GRAMMY® Award-Winner TobyMac Set To Release Remix Album, EYE'M ALL MIXED UP, November 4

TobyMac nominated for 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards

Nashville, Tenn. (September 18, 2014) — Five-time GRAMMY® Award-winner TobyMac's most recent album EYE ON IT, soared to the top of the charts and earned a GRAMMY® Award, and now those songs are getting revamped on his upcoming remix album, EYE'M ALL MIXED UP, set to release November 4.

EYE ON IT earned a GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and topped the iTunes Overall and Christian sales charts. It also marked the highest chart debut of his solo career, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making TobyMac one of only four artists to ever debut atop the Billboard 200 with a Christian music album.

EYE'M ALL MIXED UP features 11 tracks from EYE ON IT, including hits "Me Without You," "Speak Life" and "Steal My Show" mixed by remixers such as Capital Kings and Soul Glow Activatur of Family Force 5. 

Shortly after the album's debut, TobyMac will head out on the "Worship, Stories & Songs Tour" beginning November 6, featuring Matt Maher and Ryan Stevenson. This 20-city tour will make stops at intimate venues across the country, focusing on the stories behind the songs with stripped down performances.  

Additionally, TobyMac received a nomination for Short Form Video of the Year for "Speak Life" for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The award show will take place at Lipscomb University in Nashville October 7.

EYE'M ALL MIXED UP Tracklist
1. EYE ON IT (Phenomenon Remix by Soul Glow Activatur)
2. FORGIVENESS (Feat. Lecrae) (Neon Feather Remix)
3. SPEAK LIFE (Telemitry Remix)
4. ME WITHOUT YOU (Capital Kings Remix)
5. STEAL MY SHOW (Jack Shocklee Remix)
6. UnSTOPPABLE (Feat. Blanca) (Phenomenon Remix by Soul Glow Activatur)
7. LOSE MYSELF (Capital Kings Remix)
8. EYE ON IT (Kaveman Remix)
9. THANKFUL FOR YOU (Thunderbird Remix)
10. MAC DADDY (Tru’s Reality) (Telemitry Remix)
11. ME WITHOUT YOU (Telemitry Remix)

“Worship, Stories & Songs Tour” Dates
More to be added, tour dates subject to change
http://tobymac.com/tour

November 6 – Madison, MS
November 7 – Texarkana, TX
November 8 – Wichita Falls, TX
November 9 – Lewisville, TX
November 13 – New Albany, IN
November 14 – Lexington, KY
November 15 – Akron, OH
November 16 – Troy, OH
November 20 - Joplin, MO
November 21 – Lincoln, NE
November 22 – Bourbonnais, IL
November 23 – Grand Rapids, MI
December 4 – Toledo, OH
December 5 – York, PA
December 6 – Williamsport, MD
December 7 – Richmond, VA
December 11 - Normal, IL
December 12 - Appleton, WI
December 13 – Milwaukee, WI
December 14 – Ft. Wayne, IN

About TobyMac:
With more than 11 million units in career sales, TobyMac's career continues on the fast track. His most recent project, EYE ON IT, garnered him the GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and the highest chart debut of his solo career landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and topping the iTunes® Overall and Christian sales charts. The project made TobyMac one of only four artists to ever debut atop the Billboard 200 with a Christian music album. His previous four solo projects have received RIAA Gold Certifications and his live DVD, Alive & Transported, is RIAA Certified platinum and received a GRAMMY® award. In less than 15 months between 2012-2013, TobyMac received two GRAMMY® awards, two Billboard Music Awards for Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album, his first American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Contemporary/Inspirational category, Dove Awards for "Artist of the Year," "Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year," "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year," "Short Form Video of the Year," a K-LOVE Music Award for “Artist of the Year” and swept the 2013 Australian Music Award. At the 2014 K-LOVE Fan Awards, he won the award for "Best Live Show." His album EYE'M ALL MIXED UP is set to release November 4.

[Get Connected with TobyMac]
Website // http://www.tobymac.com
Twitter // https://twitter.com/officialtobymac
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/tobymac
YouTube // http://www.youtube.com/tobymacmusic

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WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition Includes 36 Christian Artists & Hit Songs

Available for digital pre-order now; in stores September 30

(Nashville, Tenn.) September 18, 2014 – Capitol Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group, and Word Entertainment announce the September 30th release of WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition. To increase the excitement of the annual release, WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition is available now to pre-order at all major digital download stores. With 12 No. 1s plus 18 top 5 radio songs, WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition marks the 20th two-disc release of the platinum-selling series that compiles the best songs from Christian radio at an incredible value for the consumer. The entire WOW branded series (Hits, Worship, Gospel, and specialty releases) tops 30 MILLION units in sales.

With songs about sharing God’s love, giving praise, and placing your trust in God, WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition is 2 CDs filled with 36 uplifting hit songs from today’s top Christian artists; including Big Daddy Weave’s “The Only Name (Yours Will Be),” Casting Crowns’“Thrive,” for KING & COUNTRY’s “Fix My Eyes,” Matt Maher’s “All The People Said Amen,” TobyMac’s “Speak Life,” and United’s “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).” 

WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition has 6 more hit songs than the standard edition. Both versions of WOW Hits 2015 also feature 3 bonus tracks from up and coming radio artists, making the deluxe edition a jam-packed collection of 39 songs!

Since announcing the track listing on Facebook last month, fans have been eagerly anticipating the release of WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition.

Marketing efforts include prime retail positioning throughout the holiday season at all Christian, mainstream and digital retail outlets, radio promotions, and a strong online presence with ad buys at Christian music sites, Facebook, YouTube, and Google. WOW Hits 2015 will be a major traffic driver for retail during the crucial Christmas shopping season. 

WOW Hits 2015 Deluxe Edition debuted Tuesday in WOW’s app on Spotify. Currently in the top 20 out of Spotify’s 100 apps, the WOW app is the only destination for the best in Christian music playlists.

WOW Hits 2015 Track Listing

DISC ONE

1. We Believe Newsboys
2. The Only Name (Yours Will Be) Big Daddy Weave
3. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) [Album Edit] United
4. Thrive Casting Crowns
5. Do Something (Radio Version) Matthew West
6. Back To You Mandisa
7. Keep Making Me Sidewalk Prophets
8. I Am Crowder
9. Waterfall Chris Tomlin
10. All The People Said Amen Matt Maher
11. Shake MercyMe
12. You Won’t Let Go Michael W. Smith
13. My Heart Is Yours (Radio Version) Passion (feat. Kristian Stanfill)
14. Glorious Unfolding (Radio Edit) Steven Curtis Chapman
15. Forever (Radio Version) Kari Jobe

BONUS

16.  I Will Follow Jon Guerra
17.  Beautiful Dan Bremnes

ONLY ON THE DELUXE EDITION

18.  Lay It Down Sanctus Real
19.  Mercy (Radio Version) Matt Redman
20.  Lift My Life Up Unspoken

DISC TWO

1. This Is Amazing Grace Phil Wickham
2. Fix My Eyes for KING & COUNTRY
3. Speak Life TobyMac
4. Beautiful Day Jamie Grace
5. Multiplied NEEDTOBREATHE
6. More Of You Colton Dixon
7. Write Your Story Francesca Battistelli
8. No Man Is An Island Tenth Avenue North
9. Press On Building 429 (feat. Blanca Callahan)
10. Come Alive Jeremy Camp
11. Alive (Radio Version) Young & Free
12. Love Alone Is Worth The Fight Switchfoot
13. Don’t Deserve You Plumb
14. Your Love Is Like A River Third Day
15. He Is With Us Love & The Outcome

BONUS

16.  Satisfied About A Mile

ONLY ON THE DELUXE EDITION

17.  Words Hawk Nelson (feat. Bart Millard)
18.  American Noise Skillet
19.  Ready Set Go Royal Tailor (feat. Capital Kings)

About WOW:
Established in 1995 with collaboration between Capitol Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group, and Word Entertainment, the three largest Christian music and entertainment companies; WOW releases multiple compilation albums each year, including WOW Hits, WOW Gospel, WOW Worship, and WOW Christmas.  The marketing and distribution of WOW is shared among the three companies.  The entire WOW branded series (Hits, Worship, Gospel, Christmas, and specialty releases) tops 30 MILLION units in sales. Visit WOWilovechristianmusic.com for a full product line up.

WOW Hits 2015 is marketed and distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group.

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GRAMMY® Winner Chris Tomlin to Unveil Love Ran Red October 27

Follow up to history-making, Billboard No. 1 album 
Burning Lights Features Hit Track “Waterfall” and 
New Single “Jesus Loves Me”

Tomlin honored with RIAA Platinum and Gold Single Certifications at Exclusive Album Premiere and Performance

 
Nashville, Tenn. (September 16, 2014) — Kicking off 2013 with a No. 1 album made history for GRAMMY® winner Chris Tomlin as only the fourth Christian album to ever do so. Following the project’s success, sold-out tour dates, Billboard Music Awards, being named a BMI Songwriter of the Year and receiving the K-LOVE Fan Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Tomlin will unveil his tenth studio recording, Love Ran Red on October 27. 

Accumulating more than 13 million album and digital sales and having his songs sung by over 40 million people in churches each week has propelled Tomlin into a category all his own but also one that continues to humble him and increase his desire to make music for the church.    The first single from Love Ran Red, “Waterfall,” does just that and has already seen top ten radio success.  The follow-up single is impacting radio this week, and while its title, “Jesus Loves Me,” may make you think of another well-known song, it’s a brand new, original track.

Produced by longtime friend and collaborator Ed Cash, Love Ran Red features songs penned by Tomlin, Cash, Matt Redman, Jonah Myrin, Ben Glover,  Jason Ingram and Ben Fielding.  A special Deluxe Edition will feature the full-length studio album along with four additional tracks.

Tomlin premiered the album to a VIP crowd in Nashville this past Friday with live performances of several songs.  sixstepsrecords' Chief Strategist  Shelley Giglio and Capitol Christian Music Group President Peter York surprised Tomlin with plaques certifying the RIAA Platinum certification of his songs "How Great Is Our God" and "Our God," as well as the RIAA Gold Certification of "Indescribable," "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)," "I Will Follow," "I Will Rise," and "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)."   

L to R:  Bill Hearn, Capitol Christian Music Group President & CEO; Chris Tomlin; Shelley Giglio, Chief Strategist, sixstepsrecords;  Peter York, President, Capitol Christian Music Group

Tomlin will support Love Ran Red with a promotional tour this fall, all leading up to January's Passion 2015 Conferences in Atlanta (Jan 2-4; 16-18) and Houston (Jan 30-Feb 1). Spring tour dates will also be announced soon.  

Love Ran Red Track Listing: 
1. Greater 
2. Waterfall
3. At The Cross
4. Jesus Loves Me
5. Boundary Lines
6. Almighty
7. The Roar
8. Fear Not
9. The Table
10. Psalm 100
11. I Will Boast
12. Jesus This Is You

About Chris Tomlin
With nine albums, 12 No. 1 radio singles, a GRAMMY® Award and eight additional nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a platinum and four gold albums to his credit, Chris Tomlin is among the most well-known and influential artists in contemporary Christian music. Referred to by Time magazine as “most likely the most often sung artist anywhere,” Tomlin also has 15 of the Top 100 CCLI songs, with 4 of them being in the top 10. BMI’s 2014 Songwriter of the Year, Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” was his first No. 1 on the CCLI Top 25, moving to No. 1 after becoming one of the fasting rising modern day hymns in CCLI chart history. In addition to having sold more than 5.3 million albums and over 8 million digital tracks, Tomlin made history as his single “Jesus Messiah” (Hello Love) garnered 97 adds at radio its first week and skyrocketed to No. 1, making it the biggest ever add date in Christian radio history. In the midst of his record breaking success, and continuing his role as worship leader at Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA, Tomlin continues touring and leading at Passion Conference gatherings across the US and worldwide. Burning Lights, debuted at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 in January 2013, making history as only the fourth Christian music album to do so, and Love Ran Red will release in October 2014.

[Get Connected with Chris Tomlin] 
Web site // http://www.christomlin.com 
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/christomlin 
Twitter //https://twitter.com/christomlin 

###

Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
615.591.7989
www.themcollective.com 

Q Management Signs 19 Recording’s Artist and American Idol Finalist Colton Dixon

Dixon’s Sophomore Effort, ANCHOR, Debuted Last Week    

Nashville, Tenn. (August 26, 2014) — Q Management Group has announced the signing of 19 Recordings' Dove Award-winning artist and Season 11 American Idol finalist, Colton Dixon. Based just outside Nashville in Franklin, Tenn., Q Management Group, headed by Owner and President Zachary Kelm, also represents the Grammy® nominated and platinum selling band Skillet as well as burgeoning rockers WE AS HUMAN. 

"We are incredibly excited to be working with Colton," remarked Kelm. "He has great talent, passion, drive and integrity. We are looking forward to getting this new music from Anchor out there in every facet possible and building a partnership that propels his already burgeoning career."

Just last week, Dixon released his highly anticipated sophomore album, Anchor, which quickly climbed the iTunes overall albums chart to No. 4 and remained in the Top 10 throughout the week, while holding strong to No.1 on the Christian & Gospel albums chart. 

Anchor follows Dixon’s 2013 debut, A Messenger, which set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album of 2013 by a new Christian artist and the No. 9 best selling album of 2013 in the Christian genre overall. Dixon played to more than 300,000 people last year and his current tour schedule through 2014 will place him in front of more than 800,000.

After his appearance on American Idol (Season 11), Dixon had national media exposure and received three Dove Award nominations, winning one for Best Contemporary Rock Album. He was also named a finalist in the recent Ryan Seacrest online Fan-Favorite American Idol Contestant from past seasons - placing 3rd overall. Colton Dixon has also been named the latest Steinway artist, following in the footsteps of folks like Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall and Billy Joel. Additionally, Dixon will have an exclusive ice cream flavor named after him. Boston-based boutique ice cream maker Emack & Bolio’s will debut Dixon’s unique flavor later this month. For more information about Colton Dixon and updated tour dates visitcoltondixon.com. 

ABOUT Q MANAGEMENT GROUP'S ROSTER:
Over the course of the past few years, Atlantic Record’s GRAMMY®-nominated and platinum-selling rock band Skillet has sold more than two million units in the U.S., racked up more than 160 million YouTube views and amassed a diehard following (dubbed Panheads) whose members number more than five million on Facebook alone. Their 2013 release RISE debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Christian charts, which led to No. 1 radio hits for "American Noise,” “Not Gonna Die” and "Sick Of It." RISE also gave Skillet their late night television debut on Conan. RISE follows the band's 2009 blockbuster, Awake, which was certified platinum for sales in excess of one million copies in the U.S. and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. In addition, the record hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, garnered three Billboard Music Awards and spawned four hit singles including the No. 1 Active Rock smash and gold-certified “Awake & Alive,” the gold-certified "Hero," "It's Not Me It's You" and the platinum-certified "Monster." "Monster" lived up to its name, selling more than a million copies and hitting Top 5 at Active Rock radio (the first in a string of multiple Top 5 active rock hits,) while its companion video has generated more than 69 million YouTube views. Skillet was the only active rock band to achieve RIAA Platinum Certification in 2012 and was one of only three rock bands (the other two being Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys) to strike platinum in 2012. 

Skillet recently announced their fall European tour, the band’s third visit to Europe in a year. After joining multi-platinum artists Godsmack and Seether along with Buckcherry and Pop Evil for the fifth Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival in the U.S., Skillet will head to Europe for 20+ tour dates including London, Zurich, Stockholm, Warsaw, as well as multiple dates in Russia, where the band’s popularly is growing exponentially. See full routing information below. 

The fall jaunt follows a summer European run, which saw Skillet rocking multiple festivals throughout the continent, performing for thousands of fans. The summer and fall tours have seen the band gain a solid European following, all subsequent to last fall’s tour supporting Nickelback.

Critics and fans alike were blown away by Atlantic Records/Hear It Loud/Word Records WE AS HUMAN’s explosive entry into rock music last year with the release of their debut, eponymously titled album WE AS HUMAN. Earlier this summer, the band celebrated their first No. 1 single with their hit “Take The Bullets Away (feat. Lacey Sturm)” hitting the top spot at Christian Rock radio. The song is currently racing up the mainstream charts, sitting at No. 11 and about to break the Top 10 on the Mainstream Active Rock Chart. 

The band has toured relentlessly since the release of their debut album, hitting the road alongside the likes of Shinedown, Black Stone Cherry, TobyMac, Lecrae, Skillet, Filter, RED and Family Force 5. WE AS HUMAN continue to establish themselves as one of the dominant new forces in the rock music scene with their dual nominations for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards. For more information on upcoming tour plans, visit www.weashuman.com.

http://www.qmanagementgroup.com

Media Contact
Velvet Kelm 
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
615.591.7989
www.themcollective.com 

Things Just Get “Greater” for MercyMe

Single No. 1 on iTunes and SoundScan charts 

“I Can Only Imagine” approaching 
RIAA Certified Double Platinum
 

Nashville, Tenn. (September 4, 2014) — For GRAMMY® nominees and American Music Award winners MercyMe, things just keep getting “Greater,” the second single from the 6.5 million+ selling band’s latest project, Welcome to the New. Peaking at No. 1 on both iTunes Christian sales and SoundScan chart as well as hitting the Top 5 on Christian radio, “Greater” has also garnered 100% of the Billboard Christian AC radio panel spinning the song.  

To hear more about the track directly from MercyMe, click here, and to watch its lyric video, click here.

Additionally, MercyMe’s multi-format smash, “I Can Only Imagine,” is closely approaching a Double Platinum Certification by the RIAA. The popular song made history as the first single in the Christian genre to receive RIAA Platinum Certification.   

This past April, Welcome to the New, which has been called the band’s “best effort to date” and “a party from top to bottom,” nabbed the highest debut of the week landing at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The album peaked at No. 3 on the iTunes® Overall Albums Chart and No. 1 on its Christian Albums Chart.

MercyMe has been playing festivals and ball park faith nights throughout the summer and will hit select U.S. cities this fall, continuing to support Welcome to the New with an eclectic and entertaining live show that has received raves reviews across the country.

About MercyMe:
Since their debut in 2001, GRAMMY®-nominated, American Music Award and multiple Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold more than 6.5 million units in CD and DVD sales, garnered 26 No. 1 multi-format Christian radio singles and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/Top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (Top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2009, Billboard named MercyMe's "Word Of God Speak" the No. 1 Song of The Decade and the group the No. 1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, with an additional No. 1 as the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade as one of the industry's most notable talents. MercyMe made history as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 2 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. MercyMe has sold out venues across the nation, including Radio City Music Hall, and has appeared on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel's Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS This Morning and in the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard and more. Their eighth studio album, Welcome To The New, is available now.

[Get Connected With MercyMe]
Website // www.mercyme.org
Facebook // www.facebook.com/mercyme
Twitter // www.twitter.com/mercyme
iTunes// http://smarturl.it/MMNewiTunes
Amazon// http://smarturl.it/MMNewAmazon

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Media Contact:
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Amy Grant’s “Fizzy Delight” In Motion: The Remixes Catapults the GRAMMY® Winner to the Top 5 of Billboard’s Electronic Albums Chart, No. 1 on Amazon’s Best Dance Pop List

“Baby, Baby” Remix Hits No. 4 on 

Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart
 

Nashville, Tenn. (August 27, 2014) – Six-time GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant’s “Fizzy Delight” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) In Motion: The Remixes, has catapulted to the Top 5 of Billboard’s Electronic Albums Chart. Following the album’s release last week, it peaked at No. 1 on Amazon’s Best Dance Pop list and Top 10 on iTunes Pop Albums chart. Not stopping there, the Dave Audé remix of her No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 single from 1991, “Baby, Baby,” is back in a big way, currently at No. 4 this week on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart and climbing.   

Grant’s first remix album in her 30-plus year career is one that has been met with critical praise, saying it “…capitalizes on the sunny energy of the 1991 hit,” (The New York Times), that its “wicked beat can provide the juice to quench a raver's thirst," (ABC News) and calling it “an unexpected triumph” (Houston Chronicle).

As Grant celebrates the release of In Motion: The Remixes, this fall she will support the American Cancer Society as she teams up with Kellie Pickler for Athena® Bottled Water’s “Eat. Drink. Party Pink.” event to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month in October and join the 72nd Annual Santa Train this November, bringing gifts to families in need in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. 

Following Santa Train, Grant will once again hit the road spreading Christmas cheer with husband Vince Gill as they play multiple Christmas performances at the famous Ryman Auditorium in December, as well as co-bill with Michael W. Smith for shows with symphonies in Minneapolis, Dallas and Atlanta. Grant will also headline Christmas symphony dates in Toledo, St. Charles and Cincinatti. For more tour information, visit amygrant.com/tour.

About Amy Grant
Amy Grant's career spans more than 30 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, ten Top 40 pop singles, seventeen Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past couple of decades is assured. Her first studio album in more than a decade, How Mercy Looks From Here, released May 14, 2013 and debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Her first career remix album In Motion: The Remixes is available now.

[Get Connected with Amy Grant]
Website // www.amygrant.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/amygrant
Twitter // www.twitter.com/amygrant

###

Media Contact:
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.theMcollective.com

Kristian Stanfill to Lead 26-City "Passion: Take It All" Tour, Kicking Off September 10

Passion: The Essential Collection set to release November 11

Passion: Take It All album earns two Dove Awards nominations

Nashville, Tenn. (August 19, 2014) - Kristian Stanfill and Passion will tour the country this fall on the 26-city "Passion: Take It All" tour kicking off in Seattle September 10. The tour will run through November, making stops in Dallas, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Columbus and more, paving the way for January's Passion 2015 Conferences in Atlanta (Jan 2-4; 16-18) and Houston (Jan 30-Feb 1). Watch the official promo video for Passion 2015 here.

The "Passion: Take It All" tour will feature songs from many past Passion projects as well as the most recent release Passion: Take It All, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, was ranked No.1 on the Christian Albums chart and had the highest debut for a worship album so far this year.

"We are excited and full of expectation for this tour," Stanfill said. "We believe it will be way more than just a night of music for people, and we have faith as a team that God will come close to us on these nights and reveal himself to us in amazing ways. Passion has always been about one great name — Jesus, and these nights are no different. For every night, every city and for every person, we are praying for revelation because we know that Jesus changes everything." 

Following Take It All's success, Passion: The Essential Collection will be released November 11, featuring a collection of 25 of the most powerful songs, talks and performances from the past 15 years of the Passion movement. Passion: The Essential Collection will include staple worship songs known around the world such as "Our God," "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" and "How He Loves" along with talks from Passion Founder Louie Giglio and several live performances.

Last week, Passion received two GMA Dove Awards nominations including Praise and Worship Album of the Year and Special Event Album of the Year for Passion: Take It All. The 45th annual GMA Dove awards will take place Tuesday, October 7 at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

"Take It All" Tour (Click here for up-to-date tour information.)
September 10 - Seattle (Issaquah), WA - Eastridge Christian Assembly
September 11 - Portland (Newberg), OR - George Fox University - Bauman Auditorium
September 12 - Sacramento (Roseville), CA - Bayside Church
September 17 - Anaheim, CA - The Rock
September 18 - Phoenix (Tempe), AZ - Sun Valley Community Church
September 19 - Albuquerque, NM - Calvary of Albuquerque
September 24 - Kansas City (Raytown), MO - First Baptist Church of Raytown
September 25 - Dallas (Richardson), TX - The Heights Baptist Church
September 26 - Baton Rouge (Greenwell Springs), LA - Greenwell Springs Baptist Church
September 27 - Little Rock (Benton), AR - First Baptist Church
October 9 - Albany, NY - Joyce Meyer Conferences 2014
October 15 - Columbus, OH - Mershon Auditorium
October 16 - Grand Rapids (Holland), MI - Ridgepoint Church
October 17 - St. Louis (St. Peters), MO
October 18 - Louisville, KY - Okolona Christian Church
October 22 - Sarasota, FL - Church Of Hope
October 23 - Lakeland, FL - Victory Church
October 24 - Ocala, FL - Church At The Springs
October 25 - Tampa, FL - Calvary Church
November 6 - Cleveland (Middleburg Heights), OH - Grace Church
November 7 - Indianapolis (Carmel), IN - Northview Church
November 8 - Cincinnati, OH - The Underground
November 11 - Harrisonburg, VA - James Madison University - Wilson Hall
November 12 - York, PA - Grace Fellowship Church
November 13 - Baltimore (Columbia), MD - Bridgeway Community Church
November 24 - Williamsburg, VA - Williamsburg Community Chapel
January 2-4 - Atlanta, GA - Passion 2015
January 16-18 - Atlanta, GA - Passion 2015
January 30-February 1 - Houston, TX - Passion 2015

About Passion Conferences
Led by a stirring in the heart of Atlanta-based pastor, Louie Giglio, Passion was birthed in 1997 to see the 20+ million college students across the globe awaken to the reality of an omnipotent and glorious Creator. Since then, millions of students from across the globe have joined the Passion movement, united across ministry and denominational lines, to seek the face of God in worship and prayer at nine conferences, four world tours and multiple one-day and regional events. Passion’s core scripture, Isaiah 26:8 states: “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” The small Passion Team is led by Louie Giglio and operates under the direction of a Board that is committed to spreading the fame of Jesus Christ to college students around the globe.

About sixstepsrecords
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (Burning Lights), Crowder (NeonSteeple), Matt Redman (Your Grace Finds Me), Christy Nockels (Into the Glorious), Kristian Stanfill (Mountains Move), and Passion (Passion: Take It All). The label partners with Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Music Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations. For more information on sixstepsrecords, visit: www.sixstepsrecords.com.

[Get Connected with Passion]
Website // www.268generation.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/Passion268generation
Twitter // www.twitter.com/passion268
iTunes // smarturl.it/PassionTakeItAll

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Media Contact
Ryan Anderson
the media collective
ryan@themcollective.com
615.591.7989
www.themcollective.com

Amy Grant Pumps Life into “Career-Defining” Songs with First Remix Album In Motion: The Remixes Available Now

“Baby, Baby (Remix)” hits No. 7 on 
Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart

USA Today premieres Mega Mix video

Associated Press lauds Grant’s 
“glow stick tweak to her catalog of hits”
 

Nashville, Tenn. (August 19, 2014) – Six-time GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant pumps life into many of her classic hits with her first remix album – In Motion: The Remixes –available now. The remixed version of her most popular single, “Baby, Baby,” landed at No. 7 this week on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart, continuing to breathe fresh air into the hit that landed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991 for two consecutive weeks.

As Amy Grant continues to blur the lines between genres, USA Today premiered Grant's mega-mix video, featuring her biggest career hits yesterday:

Additionally, media outlets far and wide are offering kind words towards her latest project:

"Amy Grant never has shied away from experimentation and change. Having transformed herself from devout singer-songwriter to upbeat pop star more than 20 years ago, she now leaps from the reflective tone of recent work to the electronic dance music beat of In Motion: The Remixes, which gives a glow-stick tweak to her catalog of hits…"

-Associated Press

"...Grant's repertoire easily adapts to the re-mix concept: Dave Aude's ramped up "Baby, Baby" capitalizes on the sunny energy of the 1991 hit. Similarly, "Every Heartbeat" lends itself well to the hyper-drive of electronic duo Moto Blanco."

-The New York Times

"In Motion proves that positive lyrics set to a wicked beat can provide the juice to quench a raver's thirst."

-ABC News

"Grant has never taken the expected path — and once again creates an unexpected triumph.”

-Houston Chronicle

"Amy Grant may be known for her longevity in Christian and pop music as both a singer and songwriter, but her newest album is pushing the limits…The remix album highlights career-defining songs for Grant while letting listeners see a new side of the classic artist.” 

-Nashville Lifestyles

"If you enjoy dance music and you are a fan of Amy’s music, this is for you. Almost every song features a fun twist while keeping the integrity of the original."

-BeliefNet

As Grant celebrates the release of In Motion: The Remixes, she also prepares to give back in two major capacities.  She will support the American Cancer Society as she teams up with Kellie Pickler for Athena® Bottled Water’s “Eat. Drink. Party Pink.” event to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month in October and join the 72nd Annual Santa Train this November, bringing gifts to families in need in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. 
 

Following Santa Train, Grant will once again hit the road spreading Christmas cheer with husband Vince Gill as they play multiple Christmas performances at the famous Ryman Auditorium in December, as well as co-bill with Michael W. Smith for shows with symphonies in Minneapolis, Dallas and Atlanta. Grant will also headline Christmas symphony dates in Toledo, St. Charles and Cincinatti. For more tour information, visit amygrant.com/tour.

About Amy Grant
Amy Grant's career spans more than 30 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, ten Top 40 pop singles, seventeen Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past couple of decades is assured. Her first studio album in more than a decade, How Mercy Looks From Here, released May 14, 2013 and debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Her first career remix album In Motion: The Remixes is available now.

[Get Connected with Amy Grant]
Website // www.amygrant.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/amygrant
Twitter // www.twitter.com/amygrant

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Media Contact:
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.theMcollective.com 

Mandisa Garners Five Nominations for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards including Artist of the Year

First full length remix album Get Up: The Remixes 
set to release September 16

Mandisa to join Casting Crowns on Thrive Tour this fall

Nashville, Tenn. (August 15, 2014) - Mandisa received five nominations for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards, including Artist of the Year, earning the most artist nominations along with Hillsong United, Lecrae and Matt Maher. The list of nominees was announced yesterday by special guests at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

Along with Artist of the Year, Mandisa was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for her most recent project Overcomer as well as Song of the Year, Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year and Short Form Video of the Year for smash hit "Overcomer," which held the No. 1 spot for twelve weeks on the National Christian Audience Chart.

The 45th Annual Dove Awards will be held at Lipsomb University's Allen Arena October 7 and will air globally on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Next month, Mandisa will release her first full remix album, Get Up: The Remixes, set to debut September 16. The album will feature remixes of her biggest hits including "Overcomer," "Stronger" and "Good Morning," all three of which Mandisa has performed on ABC's Good Morning America. 

The 11-track album puts an upbeat spin on Mandisa's hits, encouraging fans to Get Up and move, whether they want to dance and exercise to the album or just need a little extra motivation to face the day. Get Up: The Remixes follows the success of Mandisa's best-selling and critically acclaimed album Overcomer which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart.

This fall, Mandisa will join Casting Crowns and Sidewalk Prophets in September for 39 stops across the country on the Thrive Tour, along with performances at various events with Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman and Hillsong United. Visit Mandisa's tour page for updated information and dates.

About Mandisa 
With more than 1 million records sold, GRAMMY® winner and and American Idol Season 5 finalist Mandisa is a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world. In less than a year, Mandisa performed her three hit singles "Overcomer," "Good Morning," and "Stronger" on the highest rated morning show, ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA.) Her performance of “Stronger” welcomed the emotional return of beloved morning host Robin Roberts. The NFL also welcomed Mandisa to perform the national anthem during a Sunday night NFL Network game to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month where she was joined by members of the 49ers family who are survivors. Her album, Overcomer, released August 27, 2013 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, with the album's title track holding on to the No. 1 spot for twelve weeks on the National Christian Audience chart as well as the No. 1 position on the Christian/Gospel Core Digital sales chart for several weeks. This year, Mandisa was awarded a GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her best-selling and critically acclaimed project Overcomer. Additionally, “Overcomer’s” songwriters (David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens) won the GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song. 

[Get Connected with Mandisa] 
Website // http://www.mandisaofficial.com 
Twitter // http://www.twitter.com/mandisaofficial 
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/mandisaofficial 
YouTube // http://www.youtube.com/user/MandisaOfficial 

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
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Amy Grant’s “Baby, Baby (Remix)” Hits Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart

Amy Grant to serve as 2014 Santa Train celebrity guest

Amy Grant teams up with Athena® Bottled Water 
to benefit American Cancer Society

Nashville, Tenn. (August 13, 2014) – Six-time GRAMMY® Award winner Amy Grant’s original Billboard No. 1 hit "Baby, Baby" has returned to the charts in a new form. The remixed version of the single broke into the Top 10 this week, landing at No. 8, on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, building buzz for the release of her first remix album In Motion: The Remixes on August 19. GRAMMY®-nominated producer, DJ and remixer Dave Audé put a new spin on the hit, which originally topped the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for two consecutive weeks in 1991.

Watch Amy Grant’s official album trailer here:
http://youtu.be/OdSFsqpzhRw?list=UUUULKbUzmSHJfTAfEUiZZPA

Fans who pre-order In Motion: The Remixes today will receive an instant download of "Baby, Baby (Remix)" and "That's What Love Is For (Remix)." To pre-order, visitsmarturl.it/InMotionTheRemixes. 

Later this year, Grant will be the celebrity guest on the 72nd Annual Santa Train as it makes its journey to bring gifts to Appalachian families on Saturday, Nov. 22. Making 14 stops through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, Santa Train delivers toys and winter accessories to thousands of children and families along the way. Amy will accompany Santa and event sponsors CSX, Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce on the 110-mile trek.

“I’m incredibly excited to be the celebrity guest on this year’s Santa Train,” Grant said. “It’s important to give back to the community, especially during the holidays, and I’m glad I can help.” 

Next month, Amy Grant will also give back to the American Cancer Society. Teaming up with Athena® Bottled Water, Amy will perform at a private, invitation-only event in Nashville, “Eat. Drink. Party Pink.” on September 30 to kick off October as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Also performing at the event is country singer, former contestant on American Idol and Dancing With the Stars, and fellow Athena® Warrior Kellie Pickler. During the festivities, Amy will debut a new song, “Welcome Yourself,” which will later be available for sale on iTunes with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. 

About Amy Grant
Amy Grant's career spans more than 30 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, ten Top 40 pop singles, seventeen Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past couple of decades is assured. Her first studio album in more than a decade, How Mercy Looks From Here, released May 14, 2013 and debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Her first career remix album In Motion: The Remixes is set to debut August 19.

[Get Connected with Amy Grant]
Website // www.amygrant.com 
Facebook // www.facebook.com/amygrant 
Twitter // www.twitter.com/amygrant

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.theMcollective.com 

For more information on Santa Train, please contact:
Leigh Lindsey, McNeely Pigott & Fox, (615) 259-4000, llindsey@mpf.com

WE AS HUMAN Scores Dual Rock Nominations for 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards

Nashville, Tenn. (August 14, 2014) – Atlantic Records/Hear It Loud/Word Records band WE AS HUMAN continue to establish themselves as one of the dominant new forces in the rock music scene with their dual nominations for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  

The band scored a nomination in the Rock Song of the Year Category for their smash hit “Zombie,” which features Skillet’s John Cooper, as well as a nomination for Rock Album of the Year for their self-titled debut WE AS HUMAN. The band was nominated alongside label mates Skillet, as well as RED, Scott Stapp and others. The 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN at 6:30pm CT. 

"It is incredibly humbling to be nominated alongside some of these other amazing artists," said lead singer Justin Cordle. "It's good to know that people still believe in and support rock 'n' roll."

WE AS HUMAN garnered their first major award nomination last year with a nod in the Dove Awards Rock Song of the Year category for “Strike Back.”

Critics and fans alike were blown away by WE AS HUMAN’s explosive entry into rock music last year with the release of their debut, eponymously titled album WE AS HUMAN. Earlier this summer, the band celebrated their first No. 1 single with their hit “Take The Bullets Away (feat. Lacey Sturm)” hitting the top spot at Christian Rock radio. The song is currently racing up the mainstream charts, sitting at No. 11 and about to break the Top 10 on the Mainstream Active Rock Chart.

The band has toured relentlessly since the release of their debut album, hitting the road alongside the likes of Shinedown, Black Stone Cherry, TobyMac, Lecrae, Skillet, Filter, RED and Family Force 5. For more information on upcoming tour plans, visit www.weashuman.com.

45th Annual GMA Dove Award Nominations
Rock Song of the Year
“Zombie” - We As Human, (writers) Justin Cordle, Blair Daily, Skidd Mills

Rock Album of the Year
We As Human - We As Human, (producer) Howard Benson

About WE AS HUMAN:
WE AS HUMAN signed to Atlantic Records via Hear It Loud, a partnership helmed by John Cooper of Skillet, manager Zach Kelm and attorney Todd Rubenstein, in 2011 after they were discovered by Cooper. Made up of musicians Justin Cordle, Jake Jones, Justin Forshaw, Adam Osborne and Dave Draggoo, the band toured heavily at the start of their major label career, performing before sold-out shows on the “Awake and Alive” Tour with Skillet, Winter Jam 2012, “Release the Panic Tour” with RED and the Carnival of Madness Tour in 2013. Their debut album WE AS HUMAN released in 2013 and was declared the “epitome of what rock music is missing these days.” Their single “Strike Back” was a Top 5 hit on the Rock charts and was nominated for the Best Rock Song of the Year for the GMA Dove Awards 2013. The band is currently nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album of the Year for the 2014 GMA Dove Awards.

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Media Contact
Ryan Anderson & Velvet Kelm
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Michael W. Smith Invites Host of A-List Performers to Join Him on New Christmas Record Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, Available September 30

Rolling Stone Country exclusively announces project with behind-the-scenes album trailer
 

Michael W. Smith’s "Spirit of Christmas Tour" set for later this year
 

Nashville, Tenn. (August 12, 2014) - Three-time GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith partnered with Rolling Stone Country today to announce the September 30 release of Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, featuring an all-star lineup of guests – Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Bono and Michael McDonald. 

An acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas is Smith’s fourth Christmas project, following the successful releases of Michael W. Smith Christmas (1989), Christmastime (1998) and It’s A Wonderful Christmas (2007).

“This is the most unique and unusual record I've ever done in my 31-year career. The entire record was sequenced together before we recorded one song," recalls Smith. "Sonically you’re hearing me in a way that you’ve probably never heard me before. At one point it's like Smitty meets Bublé. There’s my granddaughter’s voice singing the song from 'Home Alone,' plus the whole orchestral and symphonic feeling of Christmas, mixed together with all these amazing voices and guests - yet it all fits together in a remarkable way."  

Marking his debut as an album producer, CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas producerRobert Deaton was inspired by Smith’s performance with Jennifer Nettles during the 2013 CMA Country Christmas television program, and suggested to Smith they create a full Christmas recording as co-producers. The two welcomed renowned orchestral maestroDavid Hamilton as a third co-producer, who arranged and oversaw the London Symphony Orchestra’s recordings on the project.

“When we started talking about who could be on this record with him, the list got really narrow really fast," remarked co-producer Robert Deaton. "There’s a difference between a singer and an artist, or a celebrity and an artist. While we were fortunate to have these amazing guests on the record, it all feels like a cohesive piece and you never leave the fact that it’s a Michael W. Smith record. That was important. That, along with working with co-producer David Hamilton, who is the resident genius, was amazing. This entire process has just been phenomenal."

Eager to create a one-of-a-kind project to be played at Christmastime for years to come, Smith and Deaton were inspired by the original Carpenters Christmas album, wanting nostalgia to hit listeners right at the top of the record. Thematically, the album is uniquely divided into three sections, creating an overall arc to the recording. Beginning with the childlike and wintery aspects of the start of the Christmas season, the collection evolves with songs and instrumentations reflecting the true meaning of Christmas with the celebration of family and faith, concluding with what Christmas brought to the world, the birth of Jesus. 

This fall, Smith will bring holiday cheer to audiences across the country as he launches "The Spirit of Christmas Tour." Smith’s long-time friend and fellow GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant will co-bill with him in Dallas, Minneapolis and Atlanta. Tickets for many shows are on sale now. For a full list of tour dates, and ticket information, visit michaelwsmith.com/tour.
 

Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas
1. The Miracle of Christmas
2. It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
3. Happy Holidays/Holiday Season
4. Christmas Time Is Here (feat. Vince Gill)
5. White Christmas (feat. Lady Antebellum)
6. Somewhere In My Memory
7. The Spirit of Christmas (Deck the Halls, Good King Wenceslas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Feels Like Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful)
8. Silent Night (feat. Little Big Town)
9. What Child Is This (feat. Martina McBride)
10. Almost There (feat. Amy Grant)
11. All Is Well (feat. Carrie Underwood)
12. Christmas Day (feat. Jennifer Nettles)
13. The Darkest Midnight (Spoken Word by Bono)
14. Peace (with Special Guest Michael McDonald)
 

About Michael W. Smith:
Michael W. Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 28 No. 1 songs, earned three GRAMMY® Awards, one American Music Award, and more than 40 Dove Awards. Most recently, in honor of ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary, Smith, along with Amy Grant, was honored as “a cornerstone of Christian music,” for his groundbreaking career and significant influence on the genre. Throughout his career, the Contemporary Christian Music artist has had the opportunity to sing for several Presidents and national leaders. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry headed by Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children. So far this year, Smith has released Hymns, his first-ever classic hymns album available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and CrackerBarrel.com, as well as his first studio worship album since 2008, Sovereign, which took a Top 10 spot on the Billboard 200, as well as the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart. His fourth career Christmas album,Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas, will be available September 30, 2014. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

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For hi-res photos, visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wu94fuyiytx341g/AADjNVyqRTvdRez-Oz4UP6-8a?n=126616979

Photo Credit (All, excluding cover art): Ryan Smith

Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com 

Former Flyleaf Singer Lacey Sturm Shares How Faith Saved Her Life in Upcoming Book "The Reason - How I Discovered a Life Worth Living"

Atheist on the brink of suicide finds God and hope 

Nashville, Tenn. (July 31, 2014) - From drug use and suicide attempts to finding faith and purpose, Lacey Sturm gets real in her upcoming book "The Reason - How I Discovered a Life Worth Living," set to hit shelves in October (Baker Books). In her personal story, the former Flyleaf singer shares her journey from atheism to salvation and how she found faith on the day she planned to end her life.

More than another "rock star autobiography," "The Reason" leads readers down the rocky path that led Sturm to the founding of the popular band Flyleaf. Sturm deftly weaves her story in vivid detail while offering poignant insights that speak to the "Why?" behind her struggles. Sturm wrote "The Reason" in hopes that it would speak to those dealing with similar struggles.

Click below to watch "The Reason I Wrote a Book" with Lacey Sturm.

Available October 7th. Preorder online today at: www.Amazon.com www.Barnes&Noble.com www.BakerPublishingGroup.com

At age ten, Sturm began to doubt the existence of a good God when she lost her cousin to abuse. Her young life spiraled out of control as she dealt with her own abuse by letting her anger and confusion guide her into drugs and depression. She gave up on God; her only solace came through tears as she cried herself to sleep each night. As she was lying in bed one night, she decided to end the pain for good and planned to commit suicide the next day. The next morning, however, Sturm got into a screaming match with her grandmother, who tried to force her to go to church. To stop the yelling, she went to church, never anticipating what she would find there - a reason to live.

Sturm dedicates the book "To the one like my teenage self, who is a breath away from finding the beauty of a life worth living. To whoever needs to know that God loves you and has a plan for your life, and though you will die one day, he doesn’t want you to die tonight."

The book's foreword is written by Brian "Head" Welch, co-founder and guitarist for the GRAMMY®-winning metal band Korn and former drug addict. In "The Reason," Welch mentions his own struggle with depression before becoming a Christian and says "A book with this much substance will, without a doubt, live on to change lives for generations."

Here's what others are saying about "The Reason - How I Discovered a Life Worth Living:"

“Fresh. Passionate. Powerful. Lacey Sturm does in "The Reason" what she has done her whole career—she tells the truth, sings the truth, dances the truth. Her story will blow you away, and her heart will touch you.” 
—Chap Clark, Ph.D., author of "Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers"

“In a time where the gulf between sacred and secular seems to grow incrementally, Lacey bridges the gap with her soulbearing candor, raw passion, and prophetic insight.”
—John L. Cooper, lead singer of Skillet

“At its core, Lacey’s story is one of hope. From desperation to redemption to victory, this is an amazing journey that, apart from God, would not be possible.” 
—Michael W. Smith, singer and songwriter 

“Lacey Sturm is a voice of hope to a hurting generation. In her book, you will experience God’s unstoppable heart for you and for those in your life who need a supernatural reset.” 
—Nick Hall, Founder of PULSE Movement
 

"The Reason: How I Discovered a Life Worth Living" is now available for pre-order through Amazon, iTunes and Barnes & Noble.

Sturm is currently in the studio writing and recording songs for her upcoming mainstream solo release. Additional details on the album are coming soon.
 

About Lacey Sturm
In 2002, Lacey Sturm co-founded Flyleaf and led the rock band to international success as its frontwoman. The band's single "All Around Me" went platinum, soaring to the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning recognition as an award-winning song at the 2009 BMI Pop Awards. "All Around Me" was one of many successful Flyleaf songs as numerous other singles landed on Billboard's Alternative, Rock and Christian charts. Sturm left Flyleaf in 2012 to focus on a solo career and has had success outside of the rock band, including performing on Third Day's single, "Born Again," which received GRAMMY® nominations for Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Performance, and which Billboard acclaimed Sturm's vocal performance to be "gorgeous." She is also featured in "Take The Bullets Away," with Atlantic Records recording artist We As Human, currently a top 20 and rising Active Rock hit, while Sturm's song "Heavy Prey" featuring Geno Lenardo appeared on the soundtrack for the 2012 major motion picture "Underworld: Awakening." Sturm now uses her influence to speak out to others about her life-changing faith. Part of The Whosoevers, a youth-focused movement to positively impact today's music, skateboarding and art culture, Sturm also performs and speaks for the RESET Movement, rallying students and young adults to pray for a spiritual awakening in the United States. Additionally, Sturm partners with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to share her message of hope and recorded a song for the association called "Mercy Tree," which can be heard on her website. The song and Sturm's personal story were featured in Billy Graham's 2013 sermon and film "My Hope America - The Cross." She was also a special guest at Graham's 95th birthday party celebrating the short film.

[Get Connected with Lacey Sturm]
Website: http://laceysturm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaceySturm81
Instagram: http://i.instagram.com/ilovejoshsturm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laceysturm
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LaceySturm81

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm & Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Passion Founder and Visionary Louie Giglio Ushers in Advent Season with New Book Available This September, “Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope”

Passion Founder and Visionary Louie Giglio Ushers in Advent Season with New Book Available This September,

“Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope”

Nashville, Tenn. (July 30, 2014) – Founder of the Passion Movement and Passion City Church Pastor and Visionary Architect Louie Giglio will usher in the Advent season this fall with his new devotional and resource – “Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope” (Passion Publishing) – available starting in early September. 

Daily readings of “Waiting Here For You” will offer passages of Scripture, meditations, words of encouragements and prayers encompassing the mindset of “waiting” during Advent season, and will remind readers that waiting is not wasting when you're waiting on the Lord. 

"The season of Advent is a celebration of hope, and 'Waiting Here for You' is a devotional guide filled with hope for everyone who is waiting: waiting on a solution, a diagnosis, a relationship, a breakthrough, a rescue,” says Louie Giglio. “From the beginning, the Christmas story has been one of fulfilled longing. It reaffirms our faith and gives us reason to celebrate the faithfulness and goodness of God. Sadly, the frenzy we call the holiday season is a mad dash of tinsel and toys, driven more by consumerism than anything else, creating a perfect storm of anxiety that can easily cause us to miss God’s voice. Christmas is about waiting and hoping in God. My hope is that this Advent devotion will encourage and fortify your faith so hope may bloom again."

Starting in September, the devotional will be available at key book retailers everywhere and passionresources.com.

About Louie Giglio:

A passionate communicator and leader, Louie Giglio is the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion Movement, which includes the collegiate gatherings of Passion Conferences, Atlanta-based Passion City Church, Capitol Christian Music Group partner sixstepsrecords, and most recently Passion Publishing. The author of “The Air I Breathe” and “I Am Not But I Know I AM,” Louie is widely known for the Passion Talk Series DVD messages Indescribable and How Great Is Our God. As a communicator, Louie speaks for events throughout the U.S. and around the globe. A native of Atlanta and graduate of Georgia State University, Louie has done post-graduate work at Baylor University and holds a Masters Degree from Southwestern Seminary.

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm and Ryan Anderson
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
ryan@themcollective.com
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Skillet’s Explosive Fan Base, The Panheads, Ignite Billboard’s Fan Army Face-Off Tournament

After besting One Direction’s fans, Iggy Azalea’s and Adam Lambert’s, Panheads move into final four
 

Skillet announces 20+ city European fall tour that will take them to continent for the third time in one year

Nashville, Tenn. (July 29, 2014) - Billboard.com said it best when they asked, “Only one question remains: which fan army is the strongest?” as they launched their Fan Army Face-Off, a bracket-style tournament in which various fan armies have squared off to prove that they are unequivocally the loudest voices in the pop sphere. GRAMMY®-nominated and platinum selling rockers Skillet’s fan base, The Panheads, were chosen by Billboard when the music industry’s leading trade outlet rounded up 32 of the most notable fan armies today. Through five rounds, fans themselves have determined which fan armies stride forward or fall by the wayside. 

So far, The Panheads have bested One Direction’s The Directioners (51.67% to 48.33%), Iggy Azalea’s The Azaleans (65.62% to 43.38%) and Adam Lambert’s The Glamberts, (53% to 47%).  Now, in the 4th round, The Panheads are competing against BIGBANG’s The VIPs.

 “Now the world finally knows what we in Skillet have known all along,” remarked lead singer John Cooper, “and that is that the Panheads are the best fans in the world! Their commitment to make their mark and win this thing has been relentless. It’s been amazing to watch them rock!”

Skillet has also recently announced their fall European tour, the band’s third visit to Europe in a year. After joining multi-platinum artists Godsmack and Seether along with Buckcherry and Pop Evil for the fifth Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival in the U.S., Skillet will head to Europe for 20+ tour dates including London, Zurich, Stockholm, Warsaw, as well as multiple dates in Russia, where the band’s popularly is growing exponentially. See full routing information below. 

The fall jaunt follows a summer European run, which saw Skillet rocking multiple festivals throughout the continent, performing for thousands of fans. The summer and fall tours have seen the band gain a solid European following, all subsequent to last fall’s tour supporting Nickelback.

Skillet Fall European Tour (*all dates subject to change, visit Skillet.com for updated info)
October 12 – The Garage, Glasgow, UK
October 13 – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England
October 14 – Islington Academy, London, UK
October 15 – Waterfront, Norwich, UK
October 17 – Trix Hall, Antwerp, Belgium
October 18 – O13, Tilburg, Netherlands
October 20 – Komplex Klub, Zurich
October 21 – Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany
October 25 – Bygningen, Vejile, Denmark
October 26 – Debaser Strand, Stockholm, Sweden
October 28 – Stodola, Warsaw, Poland
October 29 – Loftas Concert Hall, Lithuania, Vilnius
October 30 – Melna Concert Hall, Riga, Latvia
November 1 – Rock Café, Tallin, Estonia
November 3 – Stadium Live, Moscow, Russia
November 4 – Stadium Live, Moscow, Russia
November 5 – Capitoliy, N. Novgorod, Russia
November 7 – Emeritage Concert Hall, Kazan, Russia
November 8 – MTL Arena, Samara, Russia
November 10 – Expo, Novosibirsk, Russia
November 12 – Sport Palace, Ekaterinburg, Russia
November 14 – A2, St. Petersburg, Russia

About Skillet
Over the course of the past few years, GRAMMY®-nominated and platinum selling rock band Skillet has sold more than two million units in the U.S., racked up more than 160 million YouTube views and amassed a diehard following (dubbed Panheads) whose members number more than five million on Facebook alone. Their 2013 release RISE debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Christian charts, which led to No. 1 radio hits for "American Noise,” “Not Gonna Die” and "Sick Of It." RISE also gave Skillet their late night television debut on Conan. RISE follows the band's 2009 blockbuster, Awake, which was certified platinum for sales in excess of one million copies in the U.S. and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. In addition, the record hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, garnered three Billboard Music Awards and spawned four hit singles including the No. 1 Active Rock smash and gold-certified “Awake & Alive,” the gold-certified "Hero," "It's Not Me It's You" and the platinum-certified "Monster." "Monster" lived up to its name, selling more than a million copies and hitting Top 5 at Active Rock radio (the first in a string of multiple Top 5 active rock hits,) while its companion video has generated more than 69 million YouTube views. Skillet was the only active rock band to achieve RIAA Platinum Certification in 2012 and was one of only three rock bands (the other two being Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys) to strike platinum in 2012. Skillet is made up of John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison.

[Get Connected with Skillet] 
Website // http://www.skillet.com 
Twitter // http://twitter.com/skilletmusic 
Facebook // http://www.facebook.com/skillet
YouTube // http://www.youtube.com/skilletband 

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Media Contact
Velvet Kelm
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com