Phil Wickham's "This Is Amazing Grace" was honored with RIAA Gold Certification for both sales and streams of the song off of his 2013 project, The Ascension. The hit single was the most played song on Christian radio for 2014, topping Billboard's 2014 Christian Airplay Song Year End Chart at No. 1. In addition to sales and radio success, the song is No. 2 on the US chart of CCLI, recognizing it as one of the most-often-sung worship songs in the church today.
"I am blown away with how the Lord has used 'This Is Amazing Grace'," says Wickham. "For the song to reach this achievement is such an honor and I'm so grateful."
His project Children of God is expected to release in April 2016.
Wickham is set to tour alongside Newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Mandisa and more on The Rock and Worship Roadshow 2016, presented by Compassion International.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Jordan Smith Dominating iTunes Charts
Think Adele rules the singles charts on iTunes? Think again. Jordan Smith currently owns 4 of the top 10 positions with #1, 3, 5, 9.
Christmas in Action - the Other Present
UP has released its latest 'viral' video that poses a dilemma for kids: a present they desire or a gift for a family member. Which will they choose?
Fox To Air Live Musical Event 'The Passion' Hosted by Tyler Perry
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox will air a two-hour live broadcast of religious musical The Passion to be hosted and narrated by Tyler Perry live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016, and feature "a cast of yet-to-be-announced stars performing a variety of popular music."
Set in modern times, The Passion follows the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth as He presides over the Last Supper, and then is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected. The story will unfold live at some of New Orleans' most iconic locations, culminating in a procession of hundreds carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from Champion Square outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.
The Dutch version has been produced annually since 2011 and has built on its audience every year since.
“The Passion is one of the most exciting and compelling projects that I have ever been involved with,” executive producer Adam Anders said. “I cannot wait to bring the greatest-story-ever-told to life through music, in a way that has never been heard before. To be able to create new arrangements of some of the biggest songs of all time to create a live ‘film score’ is a creative dream for me.”
The Passion also fits in the trend of increased religious fare on TV following the staggering success of The Bible miniseries on History in 2013. However, similar projects the followed (CBS' The Dovekeepers and NBC's A.D. The Bible Continues) pulled in more modest ratings earlier this year.
Set in modern times, The Passion follows the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth as He presides over the Last Supper, and then is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected. The story will unfold live at some of New Orleans' most iconic locations, culminating in a procession of hundreds carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from Champion Square outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.
The Dutch version has been produced annually since 2011 and has built on its audience every year since.
“The Passion is one of the most exciting and compelling projects that I have ever been involved with,” executive producer Adam Anders said. “I cannot wait to bring the greatest-story-ever-told to life through music, in a way that has never been heard before. To be able to create new arrangements of some of the biggest songs of all time to create a live ‘film score’ is a creative dream for me.”
The Passion also fits in the trend of increased religious fare on TV following the staggering success of The Bible miniseries on History in 2013. However, similar projects the followed (CBS' The Dovekeepers and NBC's A.D. The Bible Continues) pulled in more modest ratings earlier this year.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Jordan Smith Performs "Mary, Did You Know" in The Voice Finale
Even the Grinch might shed a tear when listening to Jordan Smith's take on a Christmas classic.
The Voice singer, 22, belted out "Mary, Did You Know?" with raw emotion during Monday night's episode of the singing competition.
True to form, Smith's performance built to a goosebumps-worthy crescendo that had the audience applauding with gusto.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
'Rich in Faith' Brings Young Pastors to Reality TV Spotlight
As a MTV executive, Rod Aissa helped develop "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica." Now at Oxygen Media, believes he's found equally engaging young marrieds who will appeal to today's millennials. However, the couple featured in "Rich in Faith" are pastors, not pop stars.
The reality show features Rich Wilkerson Jr. and his wife DawnChere as they launch a youth-oriented Miami church, Vous, and grapple with balancing work and home life.
"What I liked about it for Oxygen is the overlay of the discussion of faith," Aissa said. "We know from brand research ... that traditional things like family and relationship to God and spirituality are still high on their (the audience's) list."
Rich Wilkerson brings a celebrity connection to the series: He married Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, but the Wilkersons say it's their relationship with God and parishioners that's important, not TV celebrity or its trappings.
"So often it's really easy, especially for people of faith, to sit around and report negatively about the status quo of where our nation is or where entertainment is," said Rich Wilkerson.
"Our idea was to do something that's encouraging, that's positive out there. We want to show people you can have faith, even in this busy, chaotic world we live in right now," he said.
Faith and reality TV have become close companions. A number of shows are based on families for whom religion is a visible part of their lives, including UP's "Bringing Up Bates," in its third season. Others focus on the clergy, among them Oxygen's "Preachers" franchise that started in Los Angeles.
"Preachers of LA" was criticized by some who said the show could foster the inaccurate idea that preachers are in it for fame and wealth.
Hollywood's fascination with pairing reality and faith has dubious roots, said Dave Johnson, a film and TV writer-producer.
"It's like the old circus, with the sideshow tent," Johnson said. "They'll use little people, they'll use Christians, they'll use tattoo people. It's a group of people (industry executives) don't really know or understand or are part of, and think they're interesting to watch."
That's fine, he added, if the show is created and produced honestly, citing "Bringing Up Bates" as an example. He had yet to see "Rich in Faith."
"If they chose someone who is genuine and true, who believes and lives that faith, then the show will reflect that faith honestly," Johnson said.
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The reality show features Rich Wilkerson Jr. and his wife DawnChere as they launch a youth-oriented Miami church, Vous, and grapple with balancing work and home life.
"What I liked about it for Oxygen is the overlay of the discussion of faith," Aissa said. "We know from brand research ... that traditional things like family and relationship to God and spirituality are still high on their (the audience's) list."
Rich Wilkerson brings a celebrity connection to the series: He married Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, but the Wilkersons say it's their relationship with God and parishioners that's important, not TV celebrity or its trappings.
"So often it's really easy, especially for people of faith, to sit around and report negatively about the status quo of where our nation is or where entertainment is," said Rich Wilkerson.
"Our idea was to do something that's encouraging, that's positive out there. We want to show people you can have faith, even in this busy, chaotic world we live in right now," he said.
Faith and reality TV have become close companions. A number of shows are based on families for whom religion is a visible part of their lives, including UP's "Bringing Up Bates," in its third season. Others focus on the clergy, among them Oxygen's "Preachers" franchise that started in Los Angeles.
"Preachers of LA" was criticized by some who said the show could foster the inaccurate idea that preachers are in it for fame and wealth.
Hollywood's fascination with pairing reality and faith has dubious roots, said Dave Johnson, a film and TV writer-producer.
"It's like the old circus, with the sideshow tent," Johnson said. "They'll use little people, they'll use Christians, they'll use tattoo people. It's a group of people (industry executives) don't really know or understand or are part of, and think they're interesting to watch."
That's fine, he added, if the show is created and produced honestly, citing "Bringing Up Bates" as an example. He had yet to see "Rich in Faith."
"If they chose someone who is genuine and true, who believes and lives that faith, then the show will reflect that faith honestly," Johnson said.
read full article
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