WATCH: LEAVING AUSTIN AND CASSADEE POPE PREMIERE AT-HOME PERFORMANCE OF "AMERICAN AVENUE" WITH FOX NEWS ENTERTAINMENT; APPEAR ON CIRCLE SESSIONS: AT HOME

WATCH: LEAVING AUSTIN AND CASSADEE POPE PREMIERE AT-HOME PERFORMANCE OF "AMERICAN AVENUE" WITH FOX NEWS ENTERTAINMENT;

APPEAR ON CIRCLE SESSIONS: AT HOME 

Nashville, TN... 9/29/20 - BMG/Sea Gayle country trio Leaving Austin and Cassadee Pope recently performed the band's latest, "American Avenue," during an at-home performance for FOX News Entertainment. 

Newly added to Radio Disney Country's playlist, the track has been a big hit for the band since it's release on July 3 and timely performance on NBC's Today Show with Hoda and Jenna. Exclusively premiered by Taste of Country as well, who called it a "silky, pop-friendly love song that captures the spirit of the open road," CMT also premiered the music video, which made the network's 12-pack countdown. More coverage from Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot, WSM's Coffee, Country and Cody, Today In Nashville, Country Note and more soon followed.  The track has held real estate on top country DSP playlists as well including New Boots, Wild Country, Next From Nashville and Breakout Country on Spotify, while Apple Music has playlisted "American Avenue" on Country Risers, SoundCheck and Back Porch Country. 

Audiences were able to get to know the band a bit more when they recorded an episode of Circle Sessions: At Home and found the band discovering what it's like to move to Nashville during a pandemic, fun with fireworks on the 4th of July, back yard BBQs and more. 

Leaving Austin wrote "American Avenue" with Parker Welling and Jordan Sapp, saying it was one of those days where they pulled out a title they had from years ago and explained its story. 

"In the early days we would rehearse on Austin’s family’s raisin farm in their barn. Back then he had this single cab, cherry red Chevy Silverado that we used to pull our trailer full of gear to the farm. We all have memories of those days, driving down that country road, between the vines, where there was rarely another person on the road. There was just something so peaceful and free out there. When we wrote the song we asked Parker to sing the second verse and we knew right then that we had to get a female artist on this song. We brought up Cassadee’s name multiple times, thinking she’d be amazing, and then we ran into her at our BMG Nashville Christmas party in 2019. We chatted about the shows we had played together over the years and then out of pure chance, or maybe the free drinks, we told her we had the perfect song if she’d ever want to sing with us. She listened to it and said yes!"

About what made her say "yes," Pope commented that "As a 90's kid I was automatically in love with this song. Not only that, but it's a complete ear worm. I couldn't get it out of my head and that's always a good sign. So the decision to say "yes" was an easy one to make!" 


ABOUT LEAVING AUSTIN: Hailing from a small farming town of Visalia, CA, and now Nashville residents, Leaving Austin is forging a path in country music that’s solely their own. Comprised of Austin Machado, Davis Forney and Michael Stevens, the trio’s smooth vocals and distinctive songwriting have definitely made them a sought after band in Nashville, regularly writing and recording with some of Nashville’s finest writers/producers. The band has amassed over 10 million streams and released their Southern Gold EP in 2019 after signing a worldwide co-publishing deal under a partnership agreement with Sea Gayle Music and BMG Nashville. The EP featured “Nothing but You," which has garnered over four million streams. 

###

Get Connected with Leaving Austin:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeavingAustin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leavingaustin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leavingaustin                                                                        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LeavingAustinBand
Website: leavingaustinband.com

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

SKILLET RECEIVES 10th BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD NOMINATION WITH VICTORIOUS TUNE-IN FOR BILLBOARD LIVE AT-HOME PERFORMANCE TOMORROW, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 @ 1PM EST

SKILLET RECEIVES 10th 

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD NOMINATION

WITH VICTORIOUS

TUNE-IN FOR BILLBOARD LIVE AT-HOME PERFORMANCE TOMORROW,

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 @ 1PM EST

Nashville, TN....9/23/20 - Mutli-platinum rock band SKILLET has received their 10th  Billboard Music Award nomination with their 2019 project, Victorious, receiving a nod for Top Christian Album.  The show will air October 14th at 8/7c on NBC.

SKILLET is also teaming up with Billboard to raise money for The Red Cross with a Billboard Live At-Home performance tomorrow, September 24 at 1pm EST.   Fans can watch and comment during the event on Billboard's Facebook page.

Skillet recently released their Deluxe project, Victorious: The Aftermath  (Atlantic).  The collection features all twelve original tracks from Victorious, plus eight additional tracks, including two brand new unreleased songs, and 5 reimagined songs.  

Two orignal Victorious tracks are also getting traction as "Legendary" has been tapped once again for the WWE's Monday Night Raw theme song this fall, and "Terrify the Dark" is currently impacting Christian CHR/Hot AC radio. 

Still to come this fall is graphic novel Eden II: The Aftermath, once again pairing Random Shock Studios with Skillet frontman John Cooper and his Eden artist Chris Hunt. Available in both the standard and a limited deluxe edition, Skillet's return to the post-apocalyptic world of Eden, as established in their 2019 graphic novel debut of the same name, is an exciting one for the band as well as their publisher, Z2 Comics. The original book became their best-selling graphic novel of all time. According to Cooper, Aftermath promises "more action, more surprises, more suspense."

ABOUT SKILLET:
On Victorious, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, Pandora Billionaires Club recipients, multiplatinum Wisconsin quartet SKILLET—John Cooper [lead vocals/bass], Korey Cooper [guitar/keys], Jen Ledger [drums/vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar]—write the soundtrack to triumph. An undying spirit humbly asserted and affirmed the band as one of this generation’s most successful rock acts. However, as all classic underdog stories do, it happened quietly under the radar. By 2019, they not only garnered a pair of GRAMMY® Award nods and sold over 12 million albums worldwide, but they also took home a Billboard Music Award for the double-platinum Awake. Its breakout single “Monster” remains “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all-time” with over 3 Billion global audio streams. 2016’s Unleashed bowed at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. Going #1 on Rock Radio, the lead single “Feel Invincible” cracked 150 million global audio streams and went platinum. Meanwhile, the gold-certified Unleashed became their fourth consecutive album to receive either a gold, platinum, or double-platinum status. To date, nine original tunes earned RIAA recognition in tandem with high-profile syncs by everyone from WWE and Marvel to ESPN and NFL. Between selling out arenas on four continents, the group performed on CONAN and graced the pages of USA Today and New York Times, Skillet debuted their first graphic novel, EDEN: A Skillet Graphic Novel with Z2 Comics, which has become the publisher’s best-selling book of all time. 

###

Get Connected with Skillet:
Website: www.skillet.com 
Facebook: @Skillet 
Twitter & Instagram: @skilletmusic

Media Collective Contact: 

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

COLTON & ANNIE DIXON TO APPEAR ON SEASON

PREMIERE OF THE DOCTOR'S, MONDAY, SEPT. 21

Couple Share About their "Miracles," Twin Daughter's Dior and Athens, as well as Dior's Scary Birth and Miraculous Recovery

Nashville, TN....9/18/20 -  This Monday, September 21, American Idol finalist and fan favorite Colton Dixon, along with his wife Annie will appear on the Season Premiere of The Doctor's.  Helping kick off the show's 13th season with new host Dr. Ian Smith, viewers can check local listings here. 

On August 18, the Dixon's welcomed their little "miracles," Dior and Athens.  After about 30 hours of labor and an emergency cesarean section, Dior was born without a pulse.  The couple will share about their experience, leaning on their faith to bring them all through it, and how it has given Dixon a newfound meaning to his current hit song "Miracles."  Following a six week streak at No. 1 on Hot AC/CHR, the song is continuting to make strides each week, currently No. 13 on the National Christian Audience Chart, and AC Monitored, as well as No.12 on AC Indicator.

Dixon will hit the road for the first time since the spring with fellow Atlantic Record's artist Skillet, headed to Texas and Pennsylvania for his first Drive-In concerts.  October 2nd and 3rd will find him at the Circle Drive-In in Scranton, PA., and the Starlite Drive In in Butler, PA.   The following weekend he'll do back-to-back shows in the North parking lots of the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, TX as part of the venue's Tailgate Series on October 9th and 10th. 

ABOUT COLTON DIXON:
Colton Dixon quickly became a household name in 2012 when he was voted a fan favorite and made it to the top seven on Season 11 of Fox's hit show AMERICAN IDOL. His career has been on the fast track ever since, now boasting over 100 million streams across all platforms. Dixon's 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album by a new Christian artist. Dixon is also a Steinway & Sons artist, following in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel. Dixon's sophomore effort Anchor included the most played Hot AC single of 2014, “More Of You," which spent three weeks at No. 1, as well as "Through All of It," his fourth consecutive No. 1 at Hot AC Radio. In 2013, Dixon won a Dove Award for Best Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year, along with two additional nominations. In 2015, Anchor was honored with the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. Dixon received back-to-back K-LOVE Fan Award nominations for Male Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, followed by the release of his third studio album Identity, which included the top 5 single “All That Matters,” whose video was premiered by PEOPLE magazine. His latest, critically-acclaimed, self-titled EP, boasting this hit single "Miracles," is available now. 

###

Get Connected with Colton Dixon:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coltondixon 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coltondixonmusic 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColtonDixonMusicVEVO
Instagram: https://instagram.com/coltondixonmusic/

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

SKILLET'S "EPIC" VICTORIOUS: THE AFTERMATH OUT NOW; BILLBOARD LIVE AT HOME COMING SOON; WWE TAPS "LEGENDARY" ONCE AGAIN FOR MONDAY NIGHT RAW THEME SONG

SKILLET'S "EPIC," VICTORIOUS: THE AFTERMATH OUT NOW, EXCITES FANS,"HELPS EASE STING OF A ROUGH 2020"

Multi-Platinum Rockers Set for Billboard Live At Home Performance September 24, Unveil Lyric Video for New Track, "Dead Man Walking" 

"Legendary" Once Again Tapped as Theme Song for WWE's Monday Night Raw 

NASHVILLE, TN.... 9/16/20- GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum rock bandSKILLET delivered what Cryptic Rock called an "epic" deluxe project, VICTORIOUS: THE AFTERMATH  (Atlantic) last week, exciting fans and media alike, with American Songwriter remarking how they "keep rocking harder," and New Release Today remarking how it "helps ease the sting of a rough 2020."  The collection features all twelve original tracks from 2019s Victorious, plus eight additional tracks, including two brand new unreleased songs, and 5 reimagined songs.  

Of the brand new tracks is "Dead Man Walking," a favorite of lead-singer John Cooper, and for which the band released a 'Marvel-esque' lyric video on theirYouTube Channel today.   

Two orignal Victorious tracks are also getting traction as "Legendary" has been tapped once again for the WWE's Monday Night Raw theme song this fall, and "Terrify the Dark"  is currently impacting Christian CHR/Hot AC radio. 

After wrapping their spring Victorious tour in March, and like the rest of the music world, not doing live shows since then, Skillet is excited to perform for a Billboard Live at Home on Septmber 24, and rock out in Texas and Pennsylvania for their first Drive-In concerts.  October 2nd and 3rd will find them at the Circle Drive-In in Scranton, PA., and the Starlite Drive In in Butler, PA.   The following weekend they'll do back-to-back shows in the North parking lots of the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, TX as part of the venue's Tailgate Series on October 9th and 10th. The shows will also feature fellow Atlantic Record's artist, Colton Dixon.  For for more information about these shows, please visit Skillet.com.

Still to come this fall is graphic novel Eden II: The Aftermath, once again pairing Random Shock Studios with Skillet frontman John Cooper and his Eden artist Chris Hunt. Available in both the standard and a limited deluxe edition, Skillet's return to the post-apocalyptic world of Eden, as established in their 2019 graphic novel debut of the same name, is an exciting one for the band as well as their publisher, Z2 Comics. The original book became their best-selling graphic novel of all time. According to Cooper, Aftermath promises "more action, more surprises, more suspense."


ABOUT SKILLET:
On Victorious, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, Pandora Billionaires Club recipients, multiplatinum Wisconsin quartet SKILLET—John Cooper [lead vocals/bass], Korey Cooper [guitar/keys], Jen Ledger [drums/vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar]—write the soundtrack to triumph. An undying spirit humbly asserted and affirmed the band as one of this generation’s most successful rock acts. However, as all classic underdog stories do, it happened quietly under the radar. By 2019, they not only garnered a pair of GRAMMY® Award nods and sold over 12 million albums worldwide, but they also took home a Billboard Music Award for the double-platinum Awake. Its breakout single “Monster” remains “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all-time” with over 3 Billion global audio streams. 2016’s Unleashed bowed at #3 on the BillboardTop 200. Going #1 on Rock Radio, the lead single “Feel Invincible” cracked 150 million global audio streams and went platinum. Meanwhile, the gold-certified Unleashed became their fourth consecutive album to receive either a gold, platinum, or double-platinum status. To date, nine original tunes earned RIAA recognition in tandem with high-profile syncs by everyone from WWE and Marvel to ESPN and NFL. Between selling out arenas on four continents, the group performed on CONAN and graced the pages of USA Today and New York Times, to name a few. In 2018 alone, the band clocked 1 billion streams. This momentum continues on their 2019 tenth full-length, Victorious. With the bulk produced by Korey and John, it lives up to its name for Skillet as their most triumphant body of work yet. On top of Victorious, Skillet debuted their first graphic novel, EDEN: A Skillet Graphic Novel with Z2 Comics, which has become the publisher’s best-selling book of all time. 

###

Get Connected With Skillet: 
Website: www.skillet.com 
Facebook: @Skillet 
Twitter & Instagram: @skilletmusic

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

PHIL WICKHAM'S "LIVING HOPE" RIAA CERTIFIED GOLD

PHIL WICKHAM'S "LIVING HOPE"

RIAA CERTIFIED GOLD

NASHVILLE, TN....9/16/20 -  One of the biggest songs of Phil Wickham's career,  “Living Hope” was recently certified Gold by the RIAA.   Since it's release in 2018,  the 2019 GMA Worship Song of the Year recipient was a Top 10 radio hit and has been a staple in churches across the world, currently No. 7 on the CCLI chart. 

FairTrade Services recently celebrated with Wickham in Nashville, with President Jeff Mosley remarking, "It is always an honor to partner with great artists who produce great art. Phil fits that bill and adds a layer of impact that has a broad reach. We wholeheartedly congratulate Phil on this recognition of the impact he and this song have had."

“Living Hope may be my favorite song I’ve ever written," Wickham commented.  "I still get excited to sing it in a set. What an honor it is to write and sing song about Jesus that others around the world have made their own. Incredible to see it become a certified Gold song.”

Wickham’s latest new single "Battle Belongs," is available now, and like "Living Hope," was co-written with Bethel Music’s Brian Johnson. The track is a powerful proclamation that in Jesus we stand on the side of a battle that has already been won. 

About Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham is, at his core, a humble and sincere artist who writes songs and worships God using the medium of music. It is with that brush that he paints images of a loving and creative God across the canvases of listeners’ hearts and minds. The evidence of this gift has been apparent on all of his critically acclaimed efforts: Phil Wickham (2006), Cannons (2007), Heaven & Earth (2009), Response (2011), The Ascension (2013), Children Of God (2016), and Living Hope (2018). His RIAA platinum certified single “This Is Amazing Grace” gave Wickham his first career No. 1, holding the top spot on Billboard’s National Christian Audience Chart for 13 consecutive weeks. The honors continued as the single was named Billboard’s 2014 No. 1 Christian Airplay Song of the Year and BMI's 2015 Christian Song of the Year. In 2020, the recipient of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Song of the Year, "Living Hope," was certified Gold by the RIAA. In addition to its success at radio, the song has become a beloved anthem in the modern church, increasing Wickham’s recognition as a gifted artist and songwriter with a true heart of worship. Living Hope along with Living Hope (The House Sessions) are available now.

###

Get Connected With Phil Wickham
www.philwickham.com 
Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube


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

PHIL WICKHAM'S NEW SINGLE, "BATTLE BELONGS," IS AVAILABLE TODAY

PHIL WICKHAM'S NEW SINGLE, "BATTLE BELONGS," IS AVAILABLE TODAY WITH ACCOMPANYING LIVE PERFORMANCE AND LYRIC VIDEOS 

Nashville, TN.... September 4, 2020 - Phil Wickham’s highly anticipated new single "Battle Belongs," is available at all DSPs today. Co-written with Bethel Music’s Brian Johnson, the track is a powerful proclamation that in Jesus we stand on the side of a battle that has already been won.  Also timing with the song's release today is a live performance video, as well as a lyric video, which is available on Apple Music through September 11 and Wickham's VEVO page following. 

"In 2 Chronicles 20, one of my favorite stories in the Bible, a huge army has amassed to come against the people of God," Wickham explains. "Everytime I sing "Battle Belongs," it pumps me up beacuse we know that in anything we might face, our God is bigger.  I hope this song reminds people that He is with us and for us. If we stand firm and hold our position, we will see the salvation of the Lord on our behalf!" 

Listen to Wickham talk more about the song in his Song Story, available on Apple Music through September 7 and via his VEVO page thereafter. 

About Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham is, at his core, a humble and sincere artist who writes songs and worships God using the medium of music. It is with that brush that he paints images of a loving and creative God across the canvases of listeners’ hearts and minds. The evidence of this gift has been apparent on all of his critically acclaimed efforts: Phil Wickham (2006), Cannons (2007), Heaven & Earth (2009), Response (2011), The Ascension (2013) and Children Of God (2016), Living Hope (2018). His RIAA platinum certified single “This Is Amazing Grace” gave Wickham his first career No. 1, holding the top spot on Billboard’s National Christian Audience Chart for 13 consecutive weeks. The honors continued as the single was named Billboard’s 2014 No. 1 Christian Airplay Song of the Year and BMI's 2015 Christian Song of the Year. In 2020, the recipient of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Song of the Year, "Living Hope," was certified Gold by the RIAA. In addition to its success at radio, the song has become a beloved anthem in the modern church, increasing Wickham’s recognition as a gifted artist and songwriter with a true heart of worship. Living Hope along with Living Hope (The House Sessions) are available now.

###

Get Connected With Phil Wickham
www.philwickham.com 
Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube


Media Contact:
VELVET KELM 
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
www.themcollective.com
@themcollective

PEOPLE.COM SHARES EXCLUSIVE FIRST PICS OF COLTON DIXON'S TWINS; PERSONAL STORY OF DAUGHTER'S SCARY BIRTH

COLTON AND ANNIE DIXON UNVEIL EXCLUSIVE FIRST PICS OF TWINS WITH PEOPLE.COM, SHARE PERSONAL STORY OF DAUGHTER DIOR'S SCARY ENTRY INTO THE WORLD 

"We watched and prayed as the doctors and nurses resuscitated our daughter back to life" 

NASHVILLE, TN.... 9/3/20 -  On August 18, Colton Dixon and wife Annie welcomed identical twin daughters Ava "Dior" Dixon and Athens Elizabeth Dixon.  Today, PEOPLE.COM exclusively unveiled the first photos of the little ladies while sharing the story about Dior's scary entry into the world and how Dixon relied on his faith when her arrival didn't go according to plan.

After about 30 hours of labor and an emergency cesarean section, Dior was born without a pulse, and as Dixon noted to PEOPLE,  "In that moment, we had a choice: faith or fear," says the singer. "We watched and prayed as the doctors and nurses resuscitated our daughter back to life."

"After several days in the NICU, Dior was able to join us at home, happy and healthy. That was a great day," he adds. "Life doesn't always happen the way we want it to, but we believe that life is more about the way we respond to things than what happens to us. We thank God and our amazing doctors and nurses for our two little miracles."

Dixon and Annie have shared the pregnancy from day one with PEOPLE (as well as their engagement, wedding and honeymoon), and Dixon says the experience has given him newfound poignancy to his current hit song "Miracles": "To be honest, this recent journey has given the song a whole new meaning to me."   Following a six week streak at No. 1 on Hot AC/CHR, the song is continuting to make strides each week, currently NO. 13 on the National Christian Audience Chart, and AC Indicator, as well as No.14 on AC Monitored 

ABOUT COLTON DIXON:
Colton Dixon quickly became a household name in 2012 when he was voted a fan favorite and made it to the top seven on Season 11 of Fox's hit show AMERICAN IDOL. His career has been on the fast track ever since, now boasting over 100 million streams across all platforms. Dixon's 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album by a new Christian artist. Dixon is also a Steinway & Sons artist, following in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel. Dixon's sophomore effort Anchor included the most played Hot AC single of 2014, “More Of You," which spent three weeks at No. 1, as well as "Through All of It," his fourth consecutive No. 1 at Hot AC Radio. In 2013, Dixon won a Dove Award for Best Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year, along with two additional nominations. In 2015, Anchor was honored with the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. Dixon received back-to-back K-LOVE Fan Award nominations for Male Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, followed by the release of his third studio album Identity, which included the top 5 single “All That Matters,” whose video was premiered by PEOPLE magazine. His latest, critically-acclaimed, self-titled EP, boasting this hit single "Miracles," is available now. 

###

Get Connected with Colton Dixon:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coltondixon 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coltondixonmusic 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColtonDixonMusicVEVO
Instagram: https://instagram.com/coltondixonmusic/

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

JACK CASSIDY DEBUTS FIRST SINGLE, 'RUN AT THE GIANT' TODAY

JACK CASSIDY DEBUTS FIRST SINGLE, 'RUN AT THE GIANT' TODAY

Coming From a Family with a Long History In Show Business, Intimate Song Details Artist's Story of Fame, Personal Setbacks, and Redemption

Nashville, TN.... August 14, 2020 - Jack Cassidy debuted his first single, "Run At The Giant," across all DSP's, today (Fairtrade). Coming from a family with a long history in show business, the intimate song details Cassidy's story of fame, personal setbacks and redemption. The Christian Post premiered the video for the track yesterday, and it will impact at radio on September 4.  

While "Run At The Giant" may be his first single, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter was also a contestant on The Voice in 2017 on Team Alicia Keys and has had music in his blood since the day he was born.  His grandmother (Shirley Jones) was the mother in the Partridge family and an Oscar award winning actress, while his uncles (David and Shaun Cassidy) were both teen pop stars. Cassidy’s parents also have had active careers in show business for many years.

Life wasn’t easy behind the scenes for most of his family, including for his Uncle David in particular, who had a continuous problem with alcoholism which eventually led him to an early death at 67.  Cassidy saw many of his choices leading him in that same direction, consistently battling depression and anxiety which led to a desire to self-medicate and numb the pain, and eventually a severe addiction to cocaine. 

"One night in the midst of an overdose I felt like I was about to have a heart attack," he recalls. "I dropped to my knees and begged God to save me and keep me alive. I firmly believes God was the only reason I got through that night.  I've been sober many years now. The turn was when I really got to know the peace about who God is and I live for that now.  Like the story of David & Goliath in the Bible, with God’s help, the Giant got his butt kicked.  I really hope that when you listen to this song, you will think about its meaning and it can encourage you to defeat the giants in your life."

###

Get Connected with Jack Cassidy:
Twitter
Instagram 
Facebook 


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

MUTLI-PLATINUM ROCKERS SKILLET TO HOST TWO-NIGHT DRIVE-IN CONCERT AT H-E-B CENTER IN CEDAR PARK, TX OCTOBER 9-10

MUTLI-PLATINUM ROCKERS SKILLET TO HOST TWO-NIGHT DRIVE-IN CONCERT AT H-E-B CENTER IN CEDAR PARK, TX OCTOBER 9-10

COLTON DIXON Set to Open Night as Part of Venue's           Tailgate Series

Nashville, TN.... August 11, 2020 -  SKILLET is telling their fans to load up their cars and come rock out for a two-night Drive-In Concert at the North parking lots of the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, TX as part of the venue's Tailgate Series on October 9th and 10th. This is the multi-platinum rockers first ever drive in event, which will also feature fellow Atlantic Record's artist, Colton Dixon.

"It's been tough to not rock out with our fans over the past 5 months, so we are psyched to do two shows in a row in Texas this October," and excited John Cooper said about the shows. "Come rock with us, panheads!" 

SKILLET will offer advance tickets during a presale between 10am-10pm CDT on August 12/13, and can be purchased with the code VICTORIOUS.  The H-E-B Center's presale will launch on the 12th as well, between Noon that day and 10pm on the 13th, with the official on sale starting August 14 at 10am local time via Ticketmaster.com and the H-E-B Center box office. Tickets for both nights can be found here, with individual links for Friday here and Saturday here.  Tickets are per car (not per person) and capacity is limited. Very limited VIP Platinum and Gold packages will also be available for presale. VIP packages will include front row parking in P1 or P2, Q&A with the band, one custom Skillet fleece blanket and one exclusive poster, hand signed by Skillet. This event date is subject to State of Texas and local government guidelines for helping the community stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more event details and safety precautions, visit hebcenter.com.

Pre-ordered food and beverage Cooler Packages are available for $40 to have delivered to your car upon entry. H-E-B Center Tailgate Cooler Packages come in a commemorative cooler bag and can be added to your ticket order upon checkout at Ticketmaster.com.

Fans should also note the new venue safety precautions.  All events at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park will include activation of ASM Global’s “Venue Shield”– an advanced environmental hygiene protocol that will also be deployed in more than 325 ASM facilities around the world. ASM Global, which manages H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, is the world’s leading venue management and services company. Venue Shield reduces physical touch points, increases venue sanitization and cleanliness, and provides various health monitoring guidelines and services.

For more information about the safety guidelines and protocols in place at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park click HERE.

Skillet recently announced the upcoming, September 11 release of their Deluxe Edition project, Victorious: The Aftermath, simultaneously unveiling a pre-sale package that includes the album and their second graphic novel, EDEN II: The Aftermath (9/11/20).

Victorious: The Aftermath will feature all twelve original tracks from Victorious, plus eight additional tracks, including 2 brand new unreleased songs, and 5 reimagined songs.  

Eden II: The Aftermath once again pairs Random Shock Studios with Skillet frontman John Cooper and his Eden artist Chris Hunt. Two editions will again be available; both the standard and a limited deluxe edition.  Skillet's return to the post-apocalyptic world of Eden, as established in their 2019 graphic novel debut of the same name, is an exciting one for the band as well as their publisher, Z2 Comics, as the original book became their best-selling graphic novel of all time. According to Cooper, Aftermath promises "more action, more surprises, more suspense."

ABOUT SKILLET:
On Victorious, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, Pandora Billionaires Club recipients, multiplatinum Wisconsin quartet SKILLET—John Cooper [lead vocals/bass], Korey Cooper [guitar/keys], Jen Ledger [drums/vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar]—write the soundtrack to triumph. An undying spirit humbly asserted and affirmed the band as one of this generation’s most successful rock acts. However, as all classic underdog stories do, it happened quietly under the radar. By 2019, they not only garnered a pair of GRAMMY® Award nods and sold over 12 million albums worldwide, but they also took home a Billboard Music Award for the double-platinum Awake. Its breakout single “Monster” remains “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all-time” with over 3 Billion global audio streams. 2016’s Unleashed bowed at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. Going #1 on Rock Radio, the lead single “Feel Invincible” cracked 150 million global audio streams and went platinum. Meanwhile, the gold-certified Unleashed became their fourth consecutive album to receive either a gold, platinum, or double-platinum status. To date, nine original tunes earned RIAA recognition in tandem with high-profile syncs by everyone from WWE and Marvel to ESPN and NFL. Between selling out arenas on four continents, the group performed on CONAN and graced the pages of USA Today and The New York Times, to name a few. In 2018 alone, the band clocked 1 billion streams. This momentum continues on their 2019 tenth full-length, Victorious. With the bulk produced by Korey and John, it lives up to its name for Skillet as their most triumphant body of work yet. On top of Victorious, Skillet debuted their first graphic novel, EDEN: A Skillet Graphic Novel with Z2 Comics, which has become the publisher’s best-selling book of all time. 

###

Get Connected With Skillet: 
Website: www.skillet.com 
Facebook: @Skillet 
Twitter & Instagram: @skilletmusic

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

MULTI-PLATINUM ROCKERS SKILLET ANNOUNCE SEPT 11 RELEASE OF DELUXE EDITION PROJECT, VICTORIOUS: THE AFTERMATH

MULTI-PLATINUM ROCKERS SKILLET ANNOUNCE SEPT 11 RELEASE OF DELUXE EDITION PROJECT, VICTORIOUS: THE AFTERMATH; 

SIMULTANEOUSLY UNVEIL COMBO PRE-SALE PACKAGE:

 VICTORIOUS: THE AFTERMATH and Graphic Novel,  EDEN II: THE AFTERMATH Available For Pre-Sale Today with Instant Grat Track, "Terrify the Dark Reimagined"

Nashville, TN.... July 24, 2020 -  Today, multi-platinum and GRAMMY-nominated rock band Skillet announced the upcoming, September 11 release of their Deluxe Edition project, Victorious: The Aftermath, simultaneously unveiling a pre-sale package that includes the album and their second graphic novel, EDEN II: The Aftermath (9/11/20). Also available today is the instant grat track for “Terrify the Dark (Reimagined)” as well as its corresponding lyric video.

Victorious: The Aftermath will feature all twelve original tracks from Victorious, plus eight additional tracks, including 2 brand new unreleased songs, and 5 reimagined songs.  Full track listing will be unveiled at later date. 

Eden II: The Aftermath once again pairs Random Shock Studios with Skillet frontman John Cooper and his Eden artist Chris Hunt. Two editions will again be available; both the standard and a limited deluxe edition.  Skillet's return to the post-apocalyptic world of Eden, as established in their 2019 graphic novel debut of the same name, is an exciting one for the band as well as their publisher, Z2 Comics, as the original book became their best-selling graphic novel of all time. According to Cooper, Aftermath promises "more action, more surprises, more suspense."

ABOUT SKILLET:
On Victorious, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, Pandora Billionaires Club recipients, multiplatinum Wisconsin quartet SKILLET—John Cooper [lead vocals/bass], Korey Cooper [guitar/keys], Jen Ledger [drums/vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar]—write the soundtrack to triumph. An undying spirit humbly asserted and affirmed the band as one of this generation’s most successful rock acts. However, as all classic underdog stories do, it happened quietly under the radar. By 2019, they not only garnered a pair of GRAMMY® Award nods and sold over 12 million albums worldwide, but they also took home a Billboard Music Award for the double-platinum Awake. Its breakout single “Monster” remains “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all-time” with over 3 Billion global audio streams. 2016’s Unleashed bowed at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. Going #1 on Rock Radio, the lead single “Feel Invincible” cracked 150 million global audio streams and went platinum. Meanwhile, the gold-certified Unleashed became their fourth consecutive album to receive either a gold, platinum, or double-platinum status. To date, nine original tunes earned RIAA recognition in tandem with high-profile syncs by everyone from WWE and Marvel to ESPN and NFL. Between selling out arenas on four continents, the group performed on CONAN and graced the pages of USA Today and New York Times, to name a few. In 2018 alone, the band clocked 1 billion streams. This momentum continues on their 2019 tenth full-length, Victorious. With the bulk produced by Korey and John, it lives up to its name for Skillet as their most triumphant body of work yet. On top of Victorious, Skillet debuted their first graphic novel, EDEN: A Skillet Graphic Novel with Z2 Comics, which has become the publisher’s best-selling book of all time. 

###

Get Connected With Skillet: 
Website: www.skillet.com 
Facebook: @Skillet 
Twitter & Instagram: @skilletmusic

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

TODAY: CMT PREMIERES "AMERICAN AVENUE" MUSIC VIDEO BY LEAVING AUSTIN Featuring Cassadee Pope

TODAY: CMT PREMIERES "AMERICAN AVENUE" MUSIC VIDEO BY LEAVING AUSTIN Featuring Cassadee Pope

ICYMI:
WATCH: Leaving Austin & Cassadee Pope Perform "AMERICAN AVENUE" on TODAY SHOW with Hoda & Jenna

ABOUT LEAVING AUSTIN: Hailing from a small farming town of Visalia, CA, and now Nashville residents, Leaving Austin is forging a path in country music that’s solely their own. Comprised of Austin Machado, Davis Forney and Michael Stevens, the trio’s smooth vocals and distinctive songwriting have definitely made them a sought after band in Nashville, regularly writing and recording with some of Nashville’s finest writers/producers. The band has amassed over 10 million streams and released their Southern Gold EP in 2019 after signing a worldwide co-publishing deal under a partnership agreement with Sea Gayle Music and BMG Nashville. The EP featured “Nothing but You," which has garnered over four million streams. 


Get Connected with Leaving Austin:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeavingAustin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leavingaustin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leavingaustin                                                                        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LeavingAustinBand
Website: leavingaustinband.com

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

Leaving Austin's "American Avenue" featuring Cassadee Pope is Available Now; Taste of Country, TODAY w Hoda & Jenna, CMT, More On Board to Support

LEAVING AUSTIN'S "AMERICAN AVENUE" FEATURING CASSADEE POPE IS AVAILABLE NOW

Taste of Country Exclusively Premieres Track; 

TODAY with Hoda & Jenna Performance Tomorrow, July 3

CMT to Premiere Music Video Monday, July 6

Nashville, TN.... July 2, 2020  - BMG/Sea Gayle country trio Leaving Austin has officially released their new single "American Avenue."  The track, prominently featuring Cassadee Pope, was exclusively premiered by Taste of Country yesterday, calling it a "silky, pop-friendly love song that captures the spirit of the open road."   "American Avenue" is available across all DSPs now.

It's a big week and then some for the band and the song.  Joined by Pope, the band will make their national morning show debut on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna tomorrow, July 3, followed by the exclusive premier of the music video for "American Avenue" on CMT, Monday, July 6.  Future coverage is also on the way with Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot, WSM Radio's Coffee, Country and Cody, and more.  

Leaving Austin wrote "American Avenue" with Parker Welling and Jordan Sapp, saying it was one of those days where they pulled out a title they had from years ago and explained its story. 

"In the early days we would rehearse on Austin’s family’s raisin farm in their barn. Back then he had this single cab, cherry red Chevy Silverado that we used to pull our trailer full of gear to the farm. We all have memories of those days, driving down that country road, between the vines, where there was rarely another person on the road. There was just something so peaceful and free out there. When we wrote the song we asked Parker to sing the second verse and we knew right then that we had to get a female artist on this song. We brought up Cassadee’s name multiple times, thinking she’d be amazing, and then we ran into her at our BMG Nashville Christmas party in 2019. We chatted about the shows we had played together over the years and then out of pure chance, or maybe the free drinks, we told her we had the perfect song if she’d ever want to sing with us. She listened to it and said yes!"

About what made her say "yes," Pope commented that "As a 90's kid I was automatically in love with this song. Not only that, but it's a complete ear worm. I couldn't get it out of my head and that's always a good sign. So the decision to say "yes" was an easy one to make!" 

ABOUT LEAVING AUSTIN: 
Hailing from a small farming town of Visalia, CA, and now Nashville residents, Leaving Austin is forging a path in country music that’s solely their own. Comprised of Austin Machado, Davis Forney and Michael Stevens, the trio’s smooth vocals and distinctive songwriting have definitely made them a sought after band in Nashville, regularly writing and recording with some of Nashville’s finest writers/producers. The band has amassed over 10 million streams and released their Southern Gold EP in 2019 after signing a worldwide co-publishing deal under a partnership agreement with Sea Gayle Music and BMG Nashville. The EP featured “Nothing but You," which has garnered over four million streams. 


Get Connected with Leaving Austin:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeavingAustin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leavingaustin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leavingaustin                                                                        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LeavingAustinBand
Website: leavingaustinband.com

###

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

SKILLET RELEASES "SAVE ME - REIMAGINED" PRODUCED BY KOREY COOPER

MULTI-PLATINUM ROCK BAND SKILLET RELEASES "SAVE ME - REIMAGINED" PRODUCED BY KOREY COOPER

John Cooper Speaks up for First Amendment with 1 for All awareness effort

Nashville, TN....June 25, 2020 -  Multi-platinum rock band Skillet has recently released "Save Me- Reimagined," a new version of their latest rock single. The track was produced by the band's own Korey Cooper and is now available on all DSPs.

"I am so proud of my wife Korey for this amazing version of 'Save Me,'" commented John Cooper. "It is haunting and powerful. She never ceases to amaze me."

In addition to a new version of the song, "Save Me" also has its own video game, which the band launched in May. In the game, each of the bandmembers (John, Korey, Jen and Seth)  are characters fans can select and play as. Once a character is selected, the characters run through a maze where players are meant to avoid various aspects seen in the "Save Me" music video: the hand (callout to John’s scene), water/poison (callout to Jen’s scene), and fire (callout to John’s scene/smoking hands burning his eyes), which will be floating around chasing them; similar to the ghosts in Pac Man. SKILLET premiered the music video for "Save Me" on their YouTube channel, and hosted a Q&A with over 10,000 fans.  The video had garnered nearly 3.5 million views.

The Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University has recently launched a nationwide awareness effort, the 1 for All Campaign, sharing the critical need nationwide for Americans to know, and practice, our First Amendment rights to free speech, a free press, peaceable assembly, religion and petitioning the government.  

The campaign has rallied some star-studded support to get out the word across the country, including Skillet's John Cooper, who comments about freedom of faith, saying, "I am grateful for the unalienable right  to be able to worship God in a free country without fear of government intrusion.  The First Amendment makes that possible."

Other artists, authors and athletes supporting it include the legendary Loretta Lynn; Rosanne Cash, Kane Brown, Jason Isbell, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker; Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton; and bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Ann Patchett. 

Surveys by the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center indicate that one-third of Americans can't name a single freedom in the First Amendment and that a vast majority have very little understanding of these liberties. To remedy that, the campaign ads direct members of the public to http://1forall.today, where they can learn all they need to know about the First Amendment, including tips on how to help preserve and protect these essential freedoms.

ABOUT SKILLET:

On Victorious, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, Pandora Billionaires Club recipients, multiplatinum Wisconsin quartet SKILLET—John Cooper [lead vocals/bass], Korey Cooper [guitar/keys], Jen Ledger [drums/vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar]—write the soundtrack to triumph. An undying spirit humbly asserted and affirmed the band as one of this generation’s most successful rock acts. However, as all classic underdog stories do, it happened quietly under the radar. By 2019, they not only garnered a pair of GRAMMY® Award nods and sold over 12 million albums worldwide, but they also took home a Billboard Music Award for the double-platinum Awake. Its breakout single “Monster” remains “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all-time” with over 3 Billion global audio streams. 2016’s Unleashed bowed at #3 on the BillboardTop 200. Going #1 on Rock Radio, the lead single “Feel Invincible” cracked 150 million global audio streams and went platinum. Meanwhile, the gold-certifiedUnleashed became their fourth consecutive album to receive either a gold, platinum, or double-platinum status. To date, nine original tunes earned RIAA recognition in tandem with high-profile syncs by everyone from WWE and Marvel to ESPN and NFL. Between selling out arenas on four continents, the group performed on CONAN and graced the pages of USA Today and New York Times, to name a few. In 2018 alone, the band clocked 1 billion streams. This momentum continues on their 2019 tenth full-length, Victorious. With the bulk produced by Korey and John, it lives up to its name for Skillet as their most triumphant body of work yet. On top ofVictorious, Skillet debuted their first graphic novel, EDEN: A Skillet Graphic Novel with Z2 Comics, which has become the publisher’s best-selling book of all time. 

###

Get Connected With Skillet: 
Website: www.skillet.com 
Facebook: @Skillet 
Twitter & Instagram: @skilletmusic

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

That Sounds Fun Network Adds Three New Podcasts

That Sounds Fun Network Adds Three New Podcasts Following May Launch by Popular Author, Podcaster Annie F. Downs
DADVILLE with Musicians Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin Debuts at No. 1 Just in Time for Father's Day; 

BE THE BRIDGE with Latasha Morrison Advocates as Ambassador of Racial Reconcilitaion, Topping Apple Podcast Charts; 

THE NEXT RIGHT THING with Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author Emily P. Freeman Creates Space for Your Soul to Breathe

Nashville, TN....June 16, 2020 - In less than a month since it's launch in May, popular author, podcaster Annie F. Downs' That Sounds Fun Podcast Network is showing signs of significant growth, already launching three shows this month. With Over 25 million downloads of her own "That Sounds Fun" podcast since 2014, Downs' Network is living up to its promise to feature "Fun" Friends and Talent, Original Programming.  To find out more on the network overall, you can visit their new website here. 

"I am incredibly excited about the new shows we are partnering with and helping create," remarks Downs. "This network was built to amplify other voices and I know each of these shows is meeting a need listeners have. We are honored to partner with these hosts and be a small part of the massive good work they are doing in the world, specifically through podcasting."
Just in time for Father's Day, debuting this week at No.1 among Apple's Kids and Family Podcasts, Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin, best known for their individual and very successful careers as musicians and songwriters, are the hosts of the brand new, original podcast, "Dadville." The stories these two have about parenting, and life in general, are (almost) unbelievably funny. The guests that come on the show share their own dad stories and life experiences, and this is the kind of show that every man (and woman) will listen to, enjoy, and feel encouraged by. And laugh. Everyone will laugh. For more info on "Dadville," click here. 

Launched last week, is a best-selling and award winning author, bridge-builder, reconciler, and a compelling voice in the fight for racial justice, New York Times best-selling author Latasha Morrison's "Be The Bridge" podcast. In 2016, Morrison founded Be the Bridge as a non-profit organization equipping more than 1,000 sub-groups across five countries to serve as ambassadors of racial reconciliation. This podcast is another step in cultivating conversations that will hopefully lead to real change. Upon its release the podcast became the No. 1 podcast in Education and No. 13 overall for Apple Podcasts. For more information on "Be The Bridge," click here.

Emily P. Freeman is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, and curious listener dedicated to helping her audience create space for their soul to breathe so they can discern their next right thing in love. "The Next Right Thing" podcast, released weekly, became a part of the network in late May and is a place for the second-guessers, the chronically hesitant, or anyone who suffers from decision fatigue. Because out of the thousands of decisions we all make everyday, chances are a few of them threaten to keep you up at night. This podcast is for anyone in a season of transition, waiting, general fogginess or those who've ever searched "how to make a decision" on the internet. For more information on "The Next Right Thing," click here. 

With over 75,000 downloads of her "That Sounds Fun "podcast already happening two times each week, the new network of course includes Downs' own podcast, as well as "Annie and Eddie Keep Talking," a spin off of her "That Sounds Fun Quarantine" show that began in early March amidst her own self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  With an active, engaged, and extremely loyal audience, Downs' network of influence includes top-tier leaders in film, music, sports, ministry, and publishing. With support from such well-known names as Tim Tebow, Danielle Walker and Samantha Ponder.

To interview one of the hosts from the That Sounds Fun Network or If you want to be on one of the That Sounds Fun Network shows, please email guests@thatsoundsfunnetwork.com


Get Connected with Annie F. Downs:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube


About Annie F. Downs
Annie F. Downs is a best-selling author, highly sought-after speaker, and popular podcast host who has spent a lifetime building relationships and learning what it means to have fun. The author of multiple bestselling books, Annie weaves personal storytelling, humor, and Scripture into everything she does, inviting her fans to join her as she learns what it means to live life to the fullest. 

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

COLTON DIXON PREMIERS "MIRACLES" PIANO TUTORIAL ALONGSIDE FAN CENTRIC "MIRACLES" MATCH UP CONTEST WITH SALEM COMMUNICATIONS

COLTON DIXON PREMIERS "MIRACLES" PIANO TUTORIAL ALONGSIDE FAN CENTRIC "MIRACLES" MATCH UP CONTEST WITH SALEM COMMUNICATIONS

GRAND PRIZE WINNER TO APPEAR IN PERFORMANCE VIDEO WITH DIXON 

"Miracles" Holds Onto No. 1 Spot for Fourth Straight Week on Billboard Hot AC/CHR Chart

American Songwriter Calls Dixon's New EP "a resurgance"

Nashville, TN....June 16, 2020 -  Today, COLTON DIXON premiered a piano tutorial with Salem Communications for his latest hit, "Miracles."  The track, which has held the No. 1 spot for four consecutive weeks on Billboard's Christian Hot AC/CHR chart, is the first single from Dixon's newly released, self-titled EP (Atlantic/Hear It Loud), which American Songwriter recently called a "resurgance" for the artist.  

A two-tiered promotion, the first promo level has fans that view the tutorial the opportunity to enter to win a specialized Colton Dixon merch prize pack. For the second level, fans submit their own covers of "Miracles" here, with the hashtag #coltondixonmiracles for a chance to win an acoustic performance video with Dixon plus the merch prize pack. 

The coveted Grand Prize will afford the winner, who will be chosen by Dixon and Q Management Group, the opportunity to be in a performance video with Dixon as well as a merch prize pack.

ABOUT COLTON DIXON:
Colton Dixon quickly became a household name in 2012 when he was voted a fan favorite and made it to the top seven on Season 11 of Fox's hit show AMERICAN IDOL. His career has been on the fast track ever since, now boasting over 100 million streams across all platforms. Dixon's 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album by a new Christian artist. Dixon is also a Steinway & Sons artist, following in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel. Dixon's sophomore effort Anchor included the most played Hot AC single of 2014, “More Of You," which spent three weeks at No. 1, as well as "Through All of It," his fourth consecutive No. 1 at Hot AC Radio. In 2013, Dixon won a Dove Award for Best Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year, along with two additional nominations. In 2015, Anchor was honored with the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. Dixon received back-to-back K-LOVE Fan Award nominations for Male Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, followed by the release of his third studio album Identity, which included the top 5 single “All That Matters,” whose video was premiered by PEOPLE magazine. 

###

Get Connected with Colton Dixon:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coltondixon 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coltondixonmusic 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColtonDixonMusicVEVO
Instagram: https://instagram.com/coltondixonmusic/

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

TUNE IN ALERT: MERCYME TO PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THIS WEEKEND'S INDYCAR GENESYS 300 RACE ON NBC SPORTS

TUNE IN ALERT: MERCYME TO PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THIS WEEKEND'S INDYCAR GENESYS 300 RACE ON NBC SPORTS

NASHVILLE, TN...June 5, 2020 - GRAMMY® nominated, multiple American Music Award and Dove Award winning band MercyMe will perform the National Anthem to kick off the Indycar Genesys 300 race tomorrow, Saturday, June 6th at 8pm ET at Texas Motor Speedway.  Airing on NBC Sports, the band pre-recorded the anthem to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. 

MercyMe recently released their latest single, "Hurry Up And Wait," in follow-up to their 48th #1 song "Almost Home," which held the top spot on Billboard's AC Indicator, Monitored, National Christian Audience and Mediabase Christian Audience and Christian AC charts for a combined total of 17 weeks.

Currently in the studio, the band plans to release a new full-length project later this year or early 2021.  

About MercyMe:
It continues to be a landmark time for the multi-platinum selling MercyMe. A major motion picture based on the life of frontman Bart Millard who wrote the mega-hit song "I Can Only Imagine” after the loss of his father opened at a remarkable No. 3 at the box office on Mar. 16, 2018 (Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions). Carrying the same name, Millard’s first memoir also released this year followed by the unveiling of I Can Only Imagine – The Very Best Of MercyMe. MercyMe was named Top Christian Artist at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, was the top winner at the fan-fueled K-LOVE Fan Awards including a win for Artist of the Year and just received their eighth AMA nod. The group is the 2018 GMA Dove Award Winner for Artist Of The Year, and since their debut in 2001, GRAMMY® nominated, multiple American Music Award and Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold more than 9 million units in CD, single and DVD sales, garnered more than 47 No. 1 multi-format radio singles and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/Top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC). MercyMe made history in 2014 as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 2 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum and double-platinum in the digital domain. The album containing the hit, Almost There, recently received 4x platinum certification from the RIAA. In 2009, Billboard named MercyMe's "Word Of God Speak" the No. 1 Song of The Decade and the group the No. 1 Artist of the Decade in both the Christian Songs and Christian AC Songs categories, recognizing them as one of the industry's most notable talents. They have sold out venues throughout the US and Canada, including Radio City Music Hall, and have appeared on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, FOX New Channel's FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News and in the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today and more. MercyMe’s eighth studio album, the RIAA Certified Gold Welcome To The New, garnered two GRAMMY® nods and four radio hits. LIFER, their latest chart-topping, GMA Dove Award winning and GRAMMY® nominated album, includes the RIAA certified platinum, GRAMMY® nominated smash hit "Even If” which dominated the Billboard and Mediabase radio charts with a 19-week streak at No. 1. 

Get Connected With MercyMe:
www.mercyme.org
www.facebook.com/mercyme
www.twitter.com/mercyme
www.instagram.com/themercyme
www.youtube.com/user/mercymevideo

###

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

MANDISA DEBUTS NEW SINGLE WITH WORSHIP LEADER JON REDDICK

GRAMMY-WINNER MANDISA DEBUTS NEW SINGLE

WITH WORSHIP LEADER JON REDDICK 

"You Keep Hope Alive" Track, Lyric Video Available Everywhere Today

Nashville, TN.... May 29, 2020 - Grammy-winner Mandisa is debuting a brand new single today with worship leader and Gotee Recording artist Jon Reddick.  "You Keep Hope Alive,"  penned by Reddick, is available through all DSPs everywhere today.   The lyric video is also available now. 

"With everything happening in our world today, the timely message of 'You Keep Hope Alive' is a declaration to our souls that God is still on His throne, and specializes in bringing beauty from ashes," Mandisa says. "My prayer is that God will use this song to remind us, His children, that our hope is alive because our Savior, Jesus, is alive."
Mandisa kicked off 2020 with the release of her first single of the year, "Way Maker." The track was Mandisa's first single to release following her chart topping 2017 album Out of the Dark which featured the radio hits “Unfinished” and “Bleed the Same (feat. Tobymac, Kirk Franklin)."  

ABOUT MANDISA

With more than 1.6 million records sold, GRAMMY® winner and American IdolSeason 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 RIAA Certified Gold hit singles "Overcomer," "Good Morning (feat. TobyMac)" and "Stronger" on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA). “Stronger” became an anthem, creating opportunities such as welcoming the emotional return of beloved morning host Robin Roberts and an invitation to perform the national anthem during a Sunday night NFL Network game to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Her 2013 GRAMMY® award-winning album Overcomer debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart. The album’s title track proved to be a smash at radio and earned the GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song. Mandisa, also a 2-time K-LOVE Fan Awards co-host, debuted her latest chart-topping album Out Of The Dark alongside sharing the moving story of her fight with depression for the very first time on GMA as well. The latest 15 track collection includes notables such as the top 5 hits "Unfinished" and "Bleed The Same (feat. TobyMac, Kirk Franklin)."

ABOUT JON REDDICK

Gotee recording artist, worship pastor and songwriter, Jon Reddick, has a heart for the church and the songs that pour out from congregations into world. Throughout his writing career he’s intentionally composed lyrics that speak about redemption and hope in a way that impacts cross cultural narratives of a generation hungry for healing. Finding hope through music has long been part of Reddick’s makeup. Growing up the son of a pastor and the church pianist in Memphis, TN, music was woven into Reddick’s DNA from the start. During college, he cut his songwriting teeth writing songs for and leading a contemporary gospel group. After his college years, Reddick got into church work, leading worship for a church in Memphis and eventually making his way to Texas. In both places, Reddick leaned in to bridge-building across racial and generational lines, working to bring churches and cultures together under one faith umbrella. “At one of my first jobs in full-time church ministry, I led this generationally diverse choir filled with people ranging from 18 years old to 70 years old. We would fuse hymns and contemporary gospel. I wanted to try and bring people together no matter what theirdifferences were, wanted people to go to church and not just sing songs, but find something they could engage with and have a true experience.I wanted to reach across the lines.”In addition to being a talented musician, Reddick is also a creative visual artist. In a fusion of his artistic and musical sides, one of his paintings is the single cover for his debut song, “You Keep Hope Alive.” After years of leading worship, writing songs for the church and even touring with other artists, Reddick is now ready to pour all of his experience and passion into his own songs. “I just want to be a conduit to help people reconcile themselves with God and each other,” Reddick says. “I want to bring people together. I consider it an honor and a privilege to get to lead people in the transparency of worship.”


Get Connected with Mandisa:

Website // www.mandisaofficial.com 
Twitter // www.twitter.com/mandisaofficial 
Instagram // www.instagram.com/mandisaofficial
Facebook // www.facebook.com/mandisaofficial

Get Connected with Jon Reddick:

Website // https://www.jonreddickmusic.com/ 
Twitter // www.twitter.com/jonreddick
Instagram // www.instagram.com/jonreddick
Facebook // www.facebook.com/JonReddickMusic/

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

COLTON DIXON'S "MIRACLES" HITS NO. 1

COLTON DIXON'S "MIRACLES" HITS NO. 1

Nashville, TN.... May 28, 2020 - Just as his self-titled EP nears the close of it's first week of release after hitting top 3 on iTunes Pop Albums Chart, American Idol alum Colton Dixon's "Miracles" has hit No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Hot AC/CHR chart.  The first single from the EP has been widely praised and noted as "a bombastic, uplifting, humongous pop tune of the kind we’re desperately in need of right now." 

“I’m so grateful to all the stations and listeners for getting this song to number one," Dixon commented. "What an incredible journey the past few months with this song have been so far.  I feel like our country, our world, is in a place where we need hope maybe more than ever. The stories I’ve heard from fans all over about how during this time they’ve been able to see the little things, the little daily miracles God does in a bigger way now, is really why I wrote this song.  Each day, even in the midst of hard times, there is always something we can be grateful for.” 

Dixon and his wife Annie are expecting their first children in just a few months, twin girls. Also included on COLTON DIXON is the first love song he's ever written, dedicated to Annie. Atwood Magazine exclusively premiered what they described as an "achingly honest outpouring," and "a vivid display of love and connection" music video for the song. Referring to the track, Dixon told the outlet, "it feels fitting that this song anchors my new EP release as it shows the journey I’ve not only been on in life, but in music too," adding “I’m so glad we were able to give everyone a bird’s-eye view of my wife, Annie and I’s journey in the new video. Relationships are a gift. No matter the challenges that life brings, one thing that’s certain for us is that we will never stop choosing to love one another." 

ABOUT COLTON DIXON:
Colton Dixon quickly became a household name in 2012 when he was voted a fan favorite and made it to the top seven on Season 11 of Fox's hit show AMERICAN IDOL. His career has been on the fast track ever since, now boasting over 100 million streams across all platforms. Dixon's 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album by a new Christian artist. Dixon is also a Steinway & Sons artist, following in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel. Dixon's sophomore effort Anchor included the most played Hot AC single of 2014, “More Of You," which spent three weeks at No. 1, as well as "Through All of It," his fourth consecutive No. 1 at Hot AC Radio. In 2013, Dixon won a Dove Award for Best Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year, along with two additional nominations. In 2015, Anchor was honored with the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. Dixon received back-to-back K-LOVE Fan Award nominations for Male Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, followed by the release of his third studio album Identity, which included the top 5 single “All That Matters,” whose video was premiered by PEOPLE magazine. 

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Get Connected with Colton Dixon:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coltondixon 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coltondixonmusic 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColtonDixonMusicVEVO
Instagram: https://instagram.com/coltondixonmusic/

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

COLTON DIXON'S "COMPLETELY ADDICTIVE" SELF-TITLED EP OUT TODAY

COLTON DIXON'S "COMPLETELY ADDICTIVE" SELF-TITLED EP OUT TODAY

American Idol Favorite Pens First Love Song, "Can't Quit You," with "Intimate, Achingly Honest" Video Premiered byAtwood Magazine

Livestream Performance at 3pm EST Today to Benefit Recording Academy's MUSICCARES COVID19 Relief Fund

Nashville, TN.... May 15, 2020 - Atlantic Records/Hear it Loud artist, American Idol alum Colton Dixon is debuting his first self-titled EP today. COLTON DIXON is already being called "completely addicitve," and "the sign of an artist that’s comfortable moving into a bolder direction as he evolves as both an artist and a human being.” The EP boasts five brand new tracks all co-written by Colton and some of pop music's biggest names including the late busbee and ROBOPOP. 

Dixon's first single from the EP, "Miracles," noted as "a bombastic, uplifting, humongous pop tune of the kind we’re desperately in need of right now," continues to gain momentum at radio and streams each week, currently at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot AC/CHR chart. 

Also included is the first love song he's ever written, dedicated to his wife of four years, Annie. Atwood Magazine exclusively premiered what they described as an "achingly honest outpouring," and "a vivid display of love and connection" music video for the song. Referring to the track, Dixon told the outlet, "it feels fitting that this song anchors my new EP release as it shows the journey I’ve not only been on in life, but in music too," adding “I’m so glad we were able to give everyone a bird’s-eye view of my wife, Annie and I’s journey in the new video. Relationships are a gift. No matter the challenges that life brings, one thing that’s certain for us is that we will never stop choosing to love one another."  The Dixon's are expecting twins this fall, a story PEOPLE has continued to cover. 

In support of COLTON DIXON, the singer/songwriter will be busy doing numerous online events starting today with a livestream performance to benefit the Recording Academy's MUSICCARES COVID19 Relief Fund at 3pm EST on Dixon's Facebook page.  Tomorrow, Dixon will also conduct a SCENES LIVE SESSION at 10pm EST, which can be viewed here. 

Starting Monday, May 18, Dixon will perform an acoustic version of each song from his new EP, along with sharing stories behind each of them and letting fans in on the writing process of the EP.  Fans can tune in every week night next week at 7pm CST May 18-22 on Instagram Live, @coltondixonmusic.


ABOUT COLTON DIXON:
Colton Dixon quickly became a household name in 2012 when he was voted a fan favorite and made it to the top seven on Season 11 of Fox's hit show AMERICAN IDOL. His career has been on the fast track ever since, now boasting over 100 million streams across all platforms. Dixon's 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album by a new Christian artist. Dixon is also a Steinway & Sons artist, following in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel. Dixon's sophomore effort Anchor included the most played Hot AC single of 2014, “More Of You," which spent three weeks at No. 1, as well as "Through All of It," his fourth consecutive No. 1 at Hot AC Radio. In 2013, Dixon won a Dove Award for Best Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year, along with two additional nominations. In 2015, Anchor was honored with the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. Dixon received back-to-back K-LOVE Fan Award nominations for Male Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, followed by the release of his third studio album Identity, which included the top 5 single “All That Matters,” whose video was premiered by PEOPLE magazine. 

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Get Connected with Colton Dixon:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coltondixon 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coltondixonmusic 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColtonDixonMusicVEVO
Instagram: https://instagram.com/coltondixonmusic/

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

ANNIE DOWNS THAT SOUNDS FUN PODCAST

That Sounds Fun Network Launches Today by Popular Author, Podcaster Annie F. Downs

With Over 24 million Downloads Since 2014, Downs'

Brand New Podcast Network to Feature "Fun" Friends and Talent, Original Programming

Nashville, TN.... May 15, 2020 -  With over 24 million downloads in over 200 countries of her "That Sounds Fun" podcast since 2014, as well as 300,000 engaged readers, fans, and followers every day through her online channels, popular author and podcaster Annie F. Downs announced today that she is launching her own That Sounds Fun Podcast Network.

With over 75,000 downloads of her "That Sounds Fun" podcast already happening two times each week, the network will of course include her own podcast, as well as "Annie and Eddie Keep Talking," a spin off of her "That Sounds Fun Quarantine" show that began in early March amidst her own self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a goal to provide a diverse collection of shows for a variety of listeners, the network is in talks with existing shows to partner with, but also currently developing original programming as well, including DADVILLE, hosted by Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin that will launch this summer.

 "I absolutely love creating the 'That Sounds Fun' podcast episodes," she says, "but I also love the idea of helping others create shows and distribute shows that I know my audience, and many other people, will love and learn from, and share. I couldn't be more excited about launching this new podcast network!"

With an active, engaged, and extremely loyal audience, Downs' network of influence includes top-tier leaders in film, music, sports, ministry, and publishing. With support from such well-known names as Tim Tebow, Danielle Walker and Samantha Ponder.

Get Connected with Annie F. Downs:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

YouTube

About Annie F. Downs
Annie F. Downs is a best-selling author, highly sought-after speaker, and popular podcast host who has spent a lifetime building relationships and learning what it means to have fun. The author of multiple bestselling books, Annie weaves personal storytelling, humor, and Scripture into everything she does, inviting her fans to join her as she learns what it means to live life to the fullest. 

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