Their Music Is Out of this World

It's safe to say that singer/songwriter Matt Maher’s music is out of this world. His latest album Alive Again orbited aboard space shuttle Atlantis, servicing its final scheduled journey after almost a quarter-century of missions.

Maher’s music has become a staple carry-on item for NASA astronaut, Mike Good, who has officially selected Maher’s song “Alive Again” as one of his “wake-up songs” -- not only reviving Good from an outer space slumber but the rest of the STS-132 and International Space Station crew as well.

This marks the third year in a row that Maher’s music has visited the cosmos. In June 2008 and 2009 Matt’s previous album Empty & Beautiful found its way onto shuttle Discovery for NASA Mission STS-124 with astronaut Ron Garan and aboard Atlantis STS-125 with Mike Good.

Garan carried Jaci Velasquez's album Llegar a Ti with him on a recent trip to space.

Garan flew onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on a recent 14 day mission that included nearly 9 days docked at the International Space Station, 220 miles above Earth. The disc orbited Earth 218 times, traveling over 5.7 million miles and reaching speeds over 17,000 miles per hour (Mach 25).

Following the mission, Garan sent the disc that he had carried into space to Velasquez, along with a Certificate of Authenticity and a photo of Garan holding the CD on board the International Space Station.

"There are so many milestones in my career that I could never have anticipated," says Velasquez. "And this is definitely one of them. To hold this CD in my hands and to know that it's literally been around the world is incredible. I'm so honored."

Throughout her career, Velasquez has sold over 3.5 million albums, garnered 3 RIAA certified Platinum recordings, 3 RIAA certified Gold recordings, 16 #1 radio hits and has graced more than 50 magazine covers.

Full articles here and here.

Stryper to Host Holy Land Tour For Fans in 2011

Platinum-selling rock band Stryper announced today that they will be hosting a 10-day tour of the Holy Land February 12-21, 2011. The once-in-a-lifetime VIP tour will be limited to 150 people. Stryper fans will be able to spend time with the band during this unique travel opportunity, with portions of the trip being filmed for an upcoming DVD.

"Oz, Robert, Tim and I are excited to go to Israel and see first-hand the birthplace of Christianity," says lead vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet. "And to be able to share this experience with some of our fans makes this even more incredible."

The tour will visit the following locations in Israel:
* Caesarea: A city built by King Herod the Great
* Mount Carmel: Where the prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Baal
* Galilee Boat Ride: Where Jesus walked on the water
* Caesarea Philippi: Where the disciple Peter first confessed Jesus as the Messiah
* Nazareth Village: A recreation of a village at the time of Jesus
* Jordan River Baptism: An opportunity for those who wish to be baptized in the Jordan River
* Masada: Where the final Jewish revolt against the Romans took place
* The Dead Sea: A chance to float in the most therapeutic waters in the world
* Pools of Bethesda: Where Jesus healed the man who was lame for 37 years
* Garden Tomb: The place of Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection
* Yad Vashem: Memorial to the Holocaust
* Western Wall Tunnels: 60 feet below the modern city of Jerusalem
* Jerusalem: The City of God
* Mount of Olives: Where Jesus rode the donkey through the Eastern Gate
* Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus prayed before He was betrayed by Judas
* Western Wall: Holiest site in Judaism

Due to limited availability, this trip will sell out quickly. Reservations can be secured for only $300. To register, please contact ari@ihtours.com or 1-877-999-8868 ext 415.

The cost for this unique travel opportunity is $3,299.00 per person, which includes airfare out of Los Angeles, New York or Toronto; hotel accommodations; all buffet breakfasts and dinners; air-conditioned transportation; an English-speaking tour guide and entrance fees to all of the sites. Price is based on double-occupancy and does not include airport tax, tip fee or lunch meals.

For more information, please contact joe@amaral.tv or 1-877-628-2800.

Tenth Avenue North Debuts at #15

On the heels of its hit single “By Your Side” receiving the prestigious Song of the Year honor at this year’s GMA Dove Awards, headliners Tenth Avenue North’s The Light Meets The Dark debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 with first week scans of 21,583.

Anatomy Of A Hit Song

Steve Ford over at Centricity Records asked several decision makers in Christian radio what makes a song a “hit.”

Shaun Groves expands upon Ford's thoughts and effectively argues that Christian hit songs often come from artists who are protagonists in a compelling life story that elicits empathy or admiration. Read here.

Third Day, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith & Max Lucado on Tour

World Vision and AEG Live announce the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and some of the top names in the Christian music industry—GRAMMY® award-winning recording artists TobyMac, Michael W. Smith and Third Day.

AEG Live is producer for the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” and World Vision is the tour sponsor. The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will make a difference for children by helping to raise up sponsors for 25,000 children through World Vision.

Winter Jam Ranks as #2 Tour

The Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is #2 on Pollstar’s 2010 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales “Top 100 Tours” chart, it was recently announced. Second to AC/DC, Winter Jam surpassed sales in excess of 400,000 tickets this year, landing the multi-artist spectacular ahead of tours by such artists as John Mayer, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift for the first quarter of 2010.

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, created by GRAMMY®-nominated NewSong, concluded its 15th year in March with record-breaking attendance. The 44-city tour was hosted by NewSong and featured multi-platinum artist Third Day; internationally-renowned Newsboys; Tenth Avenue North; Fireflight; and guest speaker Tony Nolan.

In addition, Premier Productions, promoter of the Winter Jam Tour, ranks as one of the top 10 promoters on Pollstar’s 2010 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales “Top 50 Promoters” chart. Premier is among the top three US-based promoters on the chart.

Kris Allen Makes Mark on the Charts

The 2009 "American Idol" champ, Kris Allen, is the show's 10th former contestant to reach the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart's top 10, following Kimberley Locke (seven top 10s), Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry (with Daughtry) (four each), Clay Aiken, David Cook, and Carrie Underwood (two each) and David Archuleta, Jordin Sparks and Elliott Yamin (one).

With "Live Like We're Dying" having peaked at No. 3 on Adult Pop Songs and No. 10 on Pop Songs, Allen is the series' first graduate to send a debut single into the top 10 on all three charts.

Buy Jars of Clay EP for a Buck and Help the Nashville Flood Victims

In an effort to help flood victims in Nashville, Jars of Clay has put together an EP with five different versions of their song, "Flood." The EP is available for $1 in the music player on their site and 100% of the proceeds from your purchase will go directly to charities aiding in flood relief efforts in the Nashville community, administered by MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief.

Billboard Loves MercyMe at #3

MercyMe's "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" is the week's second-highest debut, starting at No. 3 with 88,000. It's both the highest charting album for the group and the act's best sales week ever. Previously, MercyMe hadn't gone higher than No. 12, when "Undone" debuted and peaked at that rank back in 2004. And, in terms of sales, "Lovewell's" bow beats the 84,000-start of "All That Is Within Me" back in 2007.

'Classic' Petra Announce World Tour & Recording

According to JFH, the Christian rock band Petra has announced it is back together again with its original lead singer Greg X. Volz, and line-up Louie Weaver (Drums), John Lawry (Keys, Vocals), Bob Hartman (Guitar, Vocals), and Mark Kelly (Bass, Vocals)!

"Petra will be back in the studio this Summer to re-record a CD of previous hits from the records: Never Say Die, More Power To Ya, Not of This World, and Beat the System. Classic songs like "More Power To Ya," "Judas Kiss," "Grave Robber," "Adonai," and "Beat The System" will be revamped with a modern production edge.

In addition, the band will craft some new songs to add to the classic hits on each record, with production scheduled to be completed August 10, 2010."

For the most up-to-date info on the reunion, visit classicpetra.com.

How Much Do Music Artists Earn Online?

There is an interesting and sobering analysis of how little artists make through digital sales and plays on informationisbeautiful.net.