Steven Curtis Chapman Records Song Thanking President Bush

Steven Curtis Chapman has introduced a new song that you can hear now
free at StevenCurtisChapman.com. The current splash page on the artist's site reads...

"Whether you voted for President Bush and love him, or you've disagreed with all his policies and dislike him... Could we all agree on this? We owe him a sincere thank you.

As the historic Inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama approaches, StevenCurtisChapman.com pauses to thank our outgoing President for his service to our great country. This Thanksgiving weekend, we hope you'll enjoy the new track by Steven written in President Bush's honor."

Tim Myers departs OneRepublic

Tim Myers is departing the platinum-selling mainstream band OneRepublic saying he felt God leading him to go solo.

Within the last year his songs have been heard in many commercials including Target, Saturn, Canon, and Google as well as TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Ugly Betty, Army Wives and movies like The Waterhorse, Marley and Me, and Hotel For Dogs. According to Stereo Truth, in red carpet interviews Tim has said…

My dad has been a pastor my whole life. I grew up in a home where faith was extremely important. I feel like my music is a reflection of God’s impact in my life. I’m definitely unashamed to be a Christian and I’m blessed that he has given me so much success.

Kevin Max will be Crashing Gates

Kevin Max returns December 9th with his latest recording, Crashing Gates, a digital-only release through new label home dPulse Recordings.

"This is where 'The Impostor' left off,” says Max about the new project. “I view this EP as a more focused collection of songs about the Apocalypse."

Stephen Baldwin in Trace Adkins video

In this video clip from CMT, country music star Trace Adkins talks about teaming up with Stephen Baldwin for the music video for Adkins' song, "Muddy Water."



Adkins asked Baldwin, with whom he appeared with on "The Celebrity Apprentice" to play the lead in the video, and insisted with producers on a literal interpretation of the song's lyrics.

Thousand Foot Krutch, Fireflight win Taco Bell Feed the Beat contest

Taco Bell's inaugural "Best of the Beat" winners were announced this week as part of the restaurant's Feed the Beat program.

Of the three bands who won, two are openly Christian bands: Thousand Foot Krutch and Fireflight. Included in the top six was Christian rock band Underoath.

Focus on the Family ceases publication of teen magazines

Focus on the Family ceases publication of teen magazines Brio, Brio and Beyond, and Breakaway. According to the Gospel Soundcheck blog, the last issues will be February 09.

Apparently, the Focus on the Family Board approved a massive budget cut and the magazines were among the casualties. Focus is hoping that another ministry will pick up the magazines and keep them alive, either in print or online.

Third Day to Perform on Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show

Third Day gets ready for its second late night network TV performance in just three months.

The rock band will perform its hit song “Revelation” on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” tonight.

Stephen Baldwin Takes Dare & Gets Tat

Sometimes you have to take unusual steps to get exposure for your product and to get additional work. Stephen Baldwin recently showed off an "HM" tattoo on his upper bicep to Miley Cyrus at a book signing for his new book. The story is that Miley dared him to get the tat, in exchange for a cameo on her hit show Hannah Montana.

While we can't confirm that he'll be appearing on an upcoming episode, Cyrus' appearance should lead to additional book sales.

Fireproof Proves to be a $30 Million Winner

Fireproof remains in the Top 20 at the Box Office (currently #13) and has passed $30 million in ticket sales. Not too shabby for a movie with an approximate budget of $500K.

Hopefully the box office receipts are indicative of this film's impact on our culture and that positive influence will be magnified over time. It's also great to see a movie that effectively uses Christian music so well embraced.

Portable Sounds Goes Gold

Yesterday, TobyMac's Portable Sounds was certified gold by the RIAA. All three of his solo CDs have now gone Gold. He had three Platinum and one Gold with DC Talk.

Red Debuts at #1 on Christian Rock Chart

GRAMMY-nominated RED made R&R history last week as its first radio single “Fight Inside” from its upcoming sophomore album, Innocence & Instinct debuted at #1 on the R&R Christian Rock chart. No one, in the history of the magazine and the chart, has ever accomplished this feat.

Free iPhone Ringtones using only iTunes

I know we're not all fortunate enough to have the best phone ever, but for those who do, be sure to check out this blog that explains how to create free, legal custom iPhone Ringtones using only iTunes.

Sources of Legal, Free Music

There are many sources of legal free music that you can take advantage of to expand your musical canvas. A representative list:

* hearitfirst.com
* iTickets.com
* artist pages on social sites such as purevolume.com, MySpace.com
* Gospelmusicchannel.com
* iTunes (new each Tuesday)
* Amazon.com (new each Tuesday)
* Walmart.com (new each Tuesday)
* Jesusfreakhideout.com
* 20 The Countdown Magazine

Winter Wonder Slam Tour

Relient K and Family Force 5 will be accompanying headliner tobyMac on the Winter Wonder Slam Tour, which kicks off tomorrow in Greenville, South Carolina with stops in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Nashville.

U.S. Marine Corps' Toy for Tots representatives will be on site collecting unwrapped toys at every show.

tobyMac noted he "wanted to put together a diverse tour that rocks in many musical directions but always points to Christ."

Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman wrap up tour with 14 sold out dates

Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith, two GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-Platinum selling artists, joined forces for the “The United Tour” which concluded on November 8. 



Smith and Chapman performed together in 20 major markets with 14 completely sold out shows.

Right Now (We Need One Another)

Grammy®-winning, multi-platinum-selling BeBe & CeCe Winans along with country superstars Vince Gill and Wynonna Judd came together and recorded "Right Now (We Need One Another)" a song they debuted today live in a post-election episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The song is exclusively available on iTunes. The single will also be included on the untitled, anticipated, album by BeBe & CeCe which is sure to be a popular release in 2009.

A better name might have been "Right Now (We Need God), thanks to you Oprah" - in part because of the New Ager's support of Obama.

Smitty Debuts at #19

Michael W. Smith's new live album "A New Hallelujah" debuts on the Billboard 200 at No. 19. There were 11 new entries in the Top 20.

His best charting album came, surprisingly, with 2004's "Healing Rain" at No. 11.

Michael W. Smith joins Sean Hannity's 2009 Freedom Concerts

The concert series begins in August 2009, but the core line up has been announced, and Michael W. Smith will be joining Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood and Oliver North for Sean Hannity's Freedom Concerts. You can buy tickets here.