Switchfoot Disbanding?

Switchfoot recently celebrated 20 years together as a band this year, and now the guys are announcing "For the first time in twenty years, we are taking an extended break...As this year ends, we're entering into a new season, a season of home." Drummer Chad Butler wrote in a blog entry on the band's website this week.

The band posted a handwritten copy of the blog post announcement on their Facebook page. "It has been an honor to be YOUR band. These are YOUR songs, not just our own. Thank you. Truly. You have no idea how much you've inspired us through the years."

"We are brothers, sons, husbands, fathers, and for now, we are home. We're embracing this new season with open arms and excitement, strengthening the roots that have made us who we are. We do have a few shows already scheduled for next year that we will play but beyond that we will be off the road for the foreseeable future...this hiatus is a celebration of where we've been together. Thank you for being such a huge part of our journey."
 

Skillet's Feel Invincible Certifiable Gold

Skillet’s album Awake was recently certified double platinum by the RIAA, one of only two Christian artists to receive this distinction in the last decade. That album spawned the double-platinum single “Monster” and that song earned the distinction of being the most-streamed rock song of 2015. The videos from the Awake are collectively approaching a HALF OF A BILLION views on YouTube.

Skillet will hit the road on twelve-week arena tour starting January 5, 2018 headlining the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular.

2017 has been a landmark year for Skillet. The band dominated the Billboard Year End charts for 2017 landing at #1 on the Christian Streaming Songs Artists (have held the #1 spot since the charts inception in 2014); #1, #4, #6, and #10 on the Christian Streaming Songs (have held the #1 spot since the charts inception in 2014), #7 Rock Streaming Artist, and #11 Rock Streaming Songs as well as numerous others.

The debut single from Unleashed, “Feel Invincible,” was recently certified gold by the RIAA. The song went to #1 on the Active Rock charts and the video for the song has been viewed over 67 million times on YouTube. The WWE, NFL, MLB, World Cup Of Hockey, Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Sports Awards and Rock Band 4 also used the song in various promotions.

Peter Furler and Phil Joel to Rejoin Newsboys for Tour

Next year Newsboys will welcome back to the stage former bandmates Peter Furler and Phil Joel for the “Newsboys United Tour,” showcasing “all the hits…under one roof…for one tour.”





Along with a headlining set led by frontman Michael Tait and longtime members Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis, Newsboys United will see Furler and Joel join the group for many of the most popular hits of the band’s three-decade career. The “Newsboys United Tour” will also feature special guest Word Worship recording artist Zealand, which is founded and fronted by Joel.


Hitting more than 40 cities in the spring—including Los Angeles, Houston, Minneapolis, Dallas and Orlando, Florida—tickets for the “Newsboys United Tour” will be available tomorrow, December 14, via an exclusive Spotify presale campaign. Regular presales are slated to begin December 15, with general ticket sales on December 18. For a complete list of “Newsboys United Tour” cities and dates, visit newsboys.com.

“We’re so excited for Peter and Phil to join us on the road next year,” said Newsboys’ Michael Tait. “Taking the stage with two men who indelibly shaped the history of this band will be an unforgettable experience for us all. We can’t wait to share these special moments with our fans as well.”

“I’m stoked to reunite with the Newsboys,” said Peter Furler. “It’s going to be brilliant to jam with the lads once again.”

“We’re so excited for Peter and Phil to join us on the road next year,” said Newsboys’ Michael Tait. “Taking the stage with two men who indelibly shaped the history of this band will be an unforgettable experience for us all. We can’t wait to share these special moments with our fans as well.”



One of the most influential bands in Christian music history, Newsboys have sold more than 8 million units and amassed eight Gold® certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. Comprised of Michael Tait (lead vocals), Jody Davis (guitar), Jeff Frankenstein (keys) and Duncan Phillips (drums), Newsboys’ current signature songs include “We Believe,” “He Reigns,” “Miracles” “Born Again” and their Platinum®-certified mega hit, “God’s Not Dead.” The latter inspired one of the most popular Christian film franchises of all time, PureFlix’s God’s Not Dead and God’s Not Dead 2, both of which included appearances by the band.

Switchfoot Collaborates with Lauren Daigle

Switchfoot recently released a re-imagined version of their single "I Won't Let You Go" as a beautiful collaboration with Lauren Daigle. I first discovered it prior to the airing of Mully in its limited run in theatres.

Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman shrared on Instagram: "@lauren_daigle has one of the most beautiful voices on the planet. She visited our studio to write some tunes and collaborate a few months back...WARNING: listen in a safe place where you can quietly shed tears of joy. You're amazing, Lauren!" Foreman posted the cover for the single, along with a link for a temporary free download of the song.

The idea for the collaboration began at Switchfoot's BRO-AM event, an annual benefit concert for homeless and at-risk youth in San Diego, when the band persuaded Daigle to sing with them on stage. Several songs were thrown in the mix while they were deciding which song to sing together, but in the end, "I Won't Let You Go" was chosen.

"For me, when I wrote that song, I was thinking of Love Himself -- the transcendent maker of time and space -- singing 'I won't let you go' to me. To be able to hear somebody else singing those lyrics -- and Lauren's voice is so amazing -- it felt like a beautiful chance to kind of enter into the song in a different way," Foreman said about the collaboration.

Lauren described the experience on her YouTube channel, "As we were singing the song all together, there was just such a feel in the air... the guys were just so encouraging about all of it and they said, 'Hey, would you like to come jump into the studio next week and we can record this just for fun?'... I think as the time unfolded, as the experience unfolded, we realized, whoa, this has the potential to be something a little bit more than just us messing around in the studio." She continued, "I just loved their openness to collaborate. It was so much fun! There was so much excitement in the room that we just had to share it with all of ya'll."

Casting Crowns Celebrates Selling 10 Million Albums!

Casting Crowns celebrated their 10 million albums sold achievement last week with industry friends and family in downtown Nashville. The group joins a small and elite group of Christian artists as they surpass 10 million albums sold. 


"It is amazing to see how God has used a group of ordinary youth and worship pastors who wanted to write songs for our church. Now, 14 years later we still write songs for our church but are blessed how God has taken these songs across the world. I always say that a song can change someone's day, but only God can change someone's life. That is what I hope we are able to do - help change someone's day but also be the body that God can use to help change someone's life. We just want to keep writing and singing songs as long as God gives them to us.”
- Mark Hall, Casting Crowns frontman

Lauren Daigle Featured on 'Blade Runner 2049' Soundtrack

Lauren Daigle's original song "Almost Human" appears on the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack.

Daigle's management was contacted by record label Alcon Sleeping Giant, requesting her talents. Lauren had just finished telling her management team of her desire to eventually write a score for a film, when they chuckled and told her the news. "I started laughing because timing is not something I take for granted; I see it as fingerprints." Daigle wrote in a lengthy Facebook post about her experience. After accepting and flying to LA, it took Lauren and a writing team only two days to finish the song. "There is a moment in the writing room that I wait for, the moment where I can feel God breathe on something," Lauren said of her writing experience. "In the first day of writing, it seemingly wasn't there. I left feeling like that was my life or death, my yes or no. I knew we had to tweak some things. The next day, I went in to complete the song lyric and lay down the vocal. For me, I was still waiting. Back and forth, sitting still, walking in circles. And then, the last lyric came. We ran around the room like children. It was the moment the 'yes' showed up. The breath was there filling the words on the page and equipping my soul for territories I have never known."

Lauren described her heart behind the song and how she drew on some deep, redemptive themes from the movie to bring it to life: "We, as humans, long for hope. We long for love. We long for value. I was walking through a time where I needed to be reminded of those same things. Not because of what I do. Not because of successes. Not because I have a voice or people telling me I'm valuable. But because of whose I am and who I am. If this whole world changes, am I still whole in the end? Although, I had never seen Blade Runner 2049, I was told the synopsis of the story during the writing session. I didn't have an acting role in the film, but I had the opportunity to become a sonic actor, to tell a story of searching and questioning through sound. I dove in, relating to the emotions and feelings of each character. When it came time to act my scene, the pen and paper became the backdrop where lyrics evolved into life. I embraced the idea of what it felt like to never meet your full potential, to strive for something you could never attain, and long for what you could never have. We, as humans, can be tossed aside and undervalued even while giving life your hardest fight, your best effort. This is where I see my need for something greater. This is where I see my need for God to give me the hope I long for, the love I'm desperately wired for, and the value my identity searches for."

Needtobreathe and Zach Williams on TV

As heard on TV...

Needtobreathe's "Feet, Don't Fail Me Now" is being used in Wrangler commercials.

Zach Williams' "Old Church Choir" was used today during Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN.

Faith Artists Already Making an Appearance on The Voice

Season thirteen of The Voice premiered on September 25 and again features believers.

- Ashland Craft (@ashlandcraft)
- Brooke Simpson (@brookesimpson)
- Lucas Holliday (@lucasholliday)

Season 12 included:
- Anatalia Villaranda (@anatalia_v)
- Andrea Thomas (@andrearthomas)
- Brennley Brown (@BrennleyBrown)
- Chris Blue (@Chrisbluelive)
- Jack Cassidy (@jackgcassidy)
- Micah Tryba (@MicahTryba)

Season 11 also had believers such as Christian Cuevas. 
Believers found themselves in the Top 40 of season 10 (most notably finalists Hannah Huston & Mary Sarah) though the list wasn't as long as season 9.

In season 9, we noted that Christianity made a comeback on the show culminating with Jordan Smith  as the winner.

Lauren Daigle Surprised with Gold

Marking the achievement of 500,000 units sold, Daigle’s single “Trust In You” was given RIAA certification in May 2017; her single “How Can It Be” garnered the same recognition in November 2016. This milestone achievement of two Gold singles coming from a debut album (which also went Gold) is unprecedented for a female CCM artist. 

Daigle expressed how this honor resonates with her not just professionally, but personally: 

“’Trust In You’ and ‘How Can It Be’ are two songs I often return to when I feel in the thick of difficulty. They remind me of a grace that outruns any mistake, any amount of shame that arises in this race. They remind me to life my eyes to the one most Sovereign,” Daigle expressed. “I’m so honored that so many people have been impacted by these truths just as I have. There is nothing like singing these songs live with an audience that’s singing louder than myself. I’m grateful to see the unending response and thankful for all of the support. It continues to stun me!”

for King & Country Strike RIAA Gold Three Times!

for KING & COUNTRY have struck gold as the Recording Industry Association of America has certified the group’s current album Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong Gold, signifying sales of 500,000 albums. In addition, for KING & COUNTRY’s single, “The Proof Of Your Love,” from the band’s debut album Crave, and “Fix My Eyes,” the first single from Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong were also certified Gold by the RIAA.
 
for KING & COUNTRY is the only artist in Christian music to receive both a Gold album and two Gold single certifications from the RIAA this year.

Top 50 Christian Artists Currently on eMusic.com

eMusic.com can be a cost affordable way to augment your music library.  The hitch: the majority of the artists are independent.  Here are our current 50 favorites in no particular order.

Thousand Foot Krutch
Delirious?
Disciple
Kutless
Stryper 
Guardian
Manafest
Newsboys
Fireflight
Superchick
The Choir
Relient K
Jars of Clay
Stephen Christian
7eventh Time Down
Philippa Hanna
Pillar
Starfield
Sonicflood
Planetshakers
Jaci Velasquez
Rend Collective 
Brooke Fraser
newworldson
Dogs of Peace
Phil Keaggy
Holy Soldier
Adam Again
Shout
Danny Gokey
Holly Starr
Capital Kings
Beckah Shae
The Katinas
The Union of Sinners and Saints
Anthem Lights
Peter Furler
KB
Mark Schultz
newsong
Michael English
Crystal Lewis
Cindy Morgan
Clay Crosse
John Elefante
Ginny Owens
Kevin Max
Stu G
Michael Sweet
Martin Smith
Liaison

Plus a few bonus ones:

Tim Miner
Charlie Peacock
Marc Martel
Magdallan

Jason Crabb to be Inducted Into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

Jason Crabb will be honored by his home state of Kentucky when he is inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2018. He will be honored alongside fellow inductees Billy Ray Cyrus, David "Stringbean" Akeman, Dale Ann Bradley,  Jackie DeShannon and Bobby Lewis. The induction ceremony will be held May 11, 2018. 

The 2018 class will join an elite roster of individuals including Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Florence Henderson, Rosemary Clooney, Wynonna & Naomi Judd, Steven Curtis Chapman, Clarence Spalding, EXILE, and many more.

Francesca Battistelli's 'Holy Spirit' Certified Gold

Francesca Battistelli, was recently honored for her second RIAA-Certified Gold record for the Grammy Award winning "Holy Spirit."

"Holy Spirit," from Battistelli's album If We're Honest, spent an impressive 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot at Christian radio and was the No. 2 most played song of 2015 at Christian AC Radio.

Hawk Nelson Song Used in Jumanji 2 Trailer

The music from Hawk Nelson's Just Getting Started is used in the first half of the new Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle trailer.  The movie stars Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Kevin Hart.

dc Talk Attends U2 Show With OneRepublic

TobyMac, Michael Tait and Kevin Max attend ed U2's Joshua Tree Tour in Tampa, FL and also spent part of the night hanging out with the members of OneRepublic.

The Joshua Tree Tour commemorates the 30 year anniversary of the release of U2's career-defining album The Joshua Tree, a project which deeply influenced countless contemporary musicians--including dc Talk.  OneRepublic's lead singer Ryan Tedder was influenced by the album, but his influences also included dc Talk. Ryan Tedder grew up on Christian music through the 90s.

All of the artists shared photos to Instagram throughout the night, including capturing Ryan Tedder's spot-on impression of Kevin Max singing "What If I Stumble."

A post shared by Kevin Max (@sirkevinmax) on Jun 14, 2017 at 7:58pm PDT

A post shared by Michael Tait (@michaeltait) on Jun 14, 2017 at 9:07pm PDT

A post shared by TobyMac (@officialtobymac) on Jun 14, 2017 at 5:33pm PDT

Esterlyn Singer To Star in New HGTV Show

The Esterlyn frontman Luke Caldwell and his business partner Clint Robertson are the focus of the new home improvement show, Boise Boys on HGTV, which premieres Sunday, May 21.

"I love how God directs our lives," Caldwell wrote in a post on social media. "When I first started playing music it was never to be in a band or in front of people. I just loved to worship and be creative in it and doors opened."

 He said the reality show has come about in a very similar way, noting that their remodeling company, Timber and Love, first began as a means to raise money for international adoption.

"I decided to buy a dumpy house, fix it up, and sell it, hoping to pay for the adoption costs." He said. "God gave us the desires of our hearts. From that time I have continued leading worship around the country as well as renovate homes while I was here in Boise, so we kept adopting."


A few years into renovating homes, Caldwell met Robertson (who himself was a runner-up on The Apprentice), and they started Timber and Love, a company they say has been "very focused on making a difference" with their lives and business.

Read more

The Voice Semi-Finalists Perform Songs from Mercyme, Tamela Mann

During NBC's The Voice semi-finale, eight artists took the stage and Christian music was well represented.

Team Blake's Aliyah Moulden closed out the night by bringing the audience to their feet with her performance of Mercyme's "I Can Only Imagine." Coach Blake commented that the performance displayed her growth since the beginning of the show and made her a great example of a "model Voice contestant."

Team Alicia's Chris Blue aimed for a spot in the finale with a soulful performance of Tamela Mann's "Take Me to the King."

Winter Jam #4 of All World Tours

Once again ranking among the biggest first quarter tours in the world, the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular brought its 2017 Eastern U.S. run to a close earlier this month. Christian music's largest annual tour landed at #4 on Pollstar’s “1Q YTD Worldwide 2017 Ticket Sales Top 100 Tours” chart, it was recently announced, ahead of tours by such artists as Twenty One Pilots, Drake and Guns N' Roses.

Hitting a total of 46 cities from January through April, Winter Jam played to more than 27,000 people at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, marking not only one of the tour’s largest crowds to date, but the last concert ever at the historic venue. In addition, sellouts continued at St. Louis' Scottrade Center; Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis; Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas; and the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, among numerous leading arenas. 

Showcasing 10 Christian music artists, Winter Jam featured Crowder, Britt Nicole, Tenth Avenue North, Andy Mineo, Colton Dixon, Thousand Foot Krutch and NewSong.  The tour was also highlighted by a special appearance from “Duck Dynasty” television star Sadie Robertson, as well as a message from acclaimed author, speaker Tony Nolan.

An array of special guest artists and athletes appeared in various cities during Winter Jam’s first quarter outing, including Matthew West, Lauren Daigle; “Duck Dynasty’s” Willie & Korie Robertson; “American Idol” alum Danny Gokey, Francesca Battistelli, Jordan Feliz, Zach Williams, Atlanta Braves great Otis Nixon; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley; and Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher.

“This has been such a special year for Winter Jam,” said Eddie Carswell, tour creator and NewSong founding member. “The fantastic lineup, the packed arenas and the special guests who joined us made it an incredible tour, but the best part—as always—is seeing so many people come to Christ through this ministry each year.”

MercyMe's LIFER Hits No. 10 on Billboard Top 200

MercyMe's LIFER debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Billboard Christian Album Charts. Throughout its release week it reached as high as No. 2 on the overall iTunes and Amazon Music Charts. LIFER also pulled in No. 1s internationally, garnering the highest chart placement on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums Chart in India, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Italy. The GRAMMY nominees latest chart topper follows a string of top releases for the band, including the RIAA Gold Certified Welcome To The New.

MercyMe appeared on FOX & Friends to perform their hit single 'Even If' the day after the album dropped.

Tauren Wells To Open for Lionel Richie's All The Hits Tour with Mariah Carey

Tauren Wells is the opening act for Lionel Richie's upcoming tour, All The Hits, with very special guest Mariah Carey. Hitting the biggest arenas in 22 markets across the U.S. and Canada, the tour will kick off July 21 and run through September 5 wrapping in Seattle, WA. 

Wells could not be more excited for this momentous opportunity to be part of Lionel Richie's tour and share his music with thousands of concertgoers. "I'm ecstatic to be added to a tour with such music icons," he exclaims. "It's an amazing opportunity God has provided for me to share some of my new music, and I'm grateful to my team for working so hard on my behalf to make dreams like this a reality."

2017 has already been off to a great start for Tauren Wells. Along with the release of his debut EP Undefeated, he also performed at a special fundraising event in support of the 21Strong Foundation held during Super Bowl week with numerous current and former NFL players in attendance. This spring Wells will appear on the B413 No Filter Live Tour and is slated to perform at the KLOVE Fan Awards, and in June he will join the lineup of artists set to perform at KTIS Radio's Joyful Noise 2017 festival.

Lauren Daigle and Reba McEntire To Perform in Country Music Awards

The Academy of Country Music announced additional performers, presenters and an unprecedented number of duos and special collaborations for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards. The special will be broadcast live Sunday, April 2 8:00-11:00 PM/ET on CBS.

The featured collaborations will include 14-time ACM Award winner and 14- time ACM Awards host Reba McEntire and Christian artist Lauren Daigle performing “Back to God,” Tim McGraw and Faith Hill premiering “Speak To a Girl,” and Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban performing their hit single “The Fighter.”

Solo performances include Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts.

"Break Every Chain" is Golden

Motown Gospel is celebrating the gold certification of “Break Every Chain,” the ground-breaking single by Tasha Cobbs.  The award was granted by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to commemorate sales of more than 500,000 units.

Cobbs received a gold plaque Saturday in Las Vegas during a surprise presentation by Ken Pennell, President of Gospel Music for Capitol Christian Music Group. “With the changing climate of the music industry it’s rare that we have the opportunity for moments like this in gospel,” Pennell said. Speaking before a crowd of artists, songwriters, and industry executives at the Motown Gospel-ASCAP Morning Glory Breakfast, Pennell elaborated, “While many in our marketplace are still hesitant to embrace streaming, Tasha’s growing streaming presence enabled us to carry her music to audiences around the world and to cross this important threshold.”

Named by Billboard Magazine as the Most Streamed Gospel Artist and Top Female Gospel Artist of 2016, Cobbs is currently at work on new music for her upcoming project "Heart. Passion. Pursuit."

Former Anthem Lights' Alan Powell Joins Cast of New NBC Drama

Alan Powell formerly of pop band Anthem Lights will appear in a new NBC show. Powell was one of the band's founding members, but left in early 2016 to pursue another of his passions -- acting.

He made his acting debut by landing the lead role in the 2014 film, The Song, a love story and modern re-imagining of the life of king Solomon. Powell has since appeared in several movies including Out of Ashes, Caged No More, and Where Hope Grows.

Now Powell has landed his first TV role joining the cast of the new NBC drama "Redliners." According to Deadline.com the show "mixes humor, romance and espionage" and "follows a pair of former operatives who get reactivated and drawn into a larger conspiracy while attempting to maintain their undercover lives." Alan will play New York cop Wynn Rhymer.

Believers Make an Impact on The Voice

Season twelve of The Voice premiered on February 27 and again features believers.

- Anatalia Villaranda (@anatalia_v)
- Andrea Thomas (@andrearthomas)
- Brennley Brown (@BrennleyBrown)
- Chris Blue (@Chrisbluelive)
- Hunter Plake (@hunterplake)
- Jack Cassidy (@jackgcassidy)
- Micah Tryba (@MicahTryba)


To be confirmed:
- Nala Price (@nala_price33)
- Mark Isaiah (@Markisaiahmusic)
- RJ Collins (@RJCollinsMusic)
- Savannah Leighton (@thesavleighton)

Season 11 also had believers such as Christian Cuevas. 

Believers found themselves in the Top 40 of season 10 (most notably finalists Hannah Huston & Mary Sarah) though the list wasn't as long as season 9.

In season 9, we noted that Christianity made a comeback on the show culminating with Jordan Smith  as the winner.

Skillet Song Featured in Marvel Comic Video

Skillet appears to be building a relationship with Marvel Comics lately, first appearing on their podcast This Week in Marvel a few weeks ago, and now teaming up by lending one of their songs to a comic trailer.

Marvel released a video trailer for the new five-part Monsters Unleashed! series. The video plays out like an emergency news broadcast and features Skillet's "Back From the Dead" as an appropriate backdrop throughout.

The series of crossover comics features a storyline where an army of classic Marvel heroes, including the X-Men and the Avengers, are forced to unite so they can battle a slew of Marvel monsters that are attacking Earth. The first issue, published Jan. 18, pits the heroes against an invasion of creatures called Leviathons. Four issues in the series are currently available.

Lead singer and Marvel fan John Cooper told Billboard that the band's involvement with Marvel is "truly one of the best moments of Skillet's career."

Nation's Largest Christian Retailer is Shutting Down: Family Christian Stores Announces Closure

“Despite improvements in product assortment and the store experience, sales continued to decline," said Chuck Bengochea, the company's president.  "We have prayerfully looked at all possible options, trusting God’s plan for our organization, and the difficult decision to liquidate is our only recourse.”

At its height, Family Christian Stores represented over 30% of physical sales for many Christian music releases. The retail chain's dominance in the Christian book and music market began to steadily decline with major retailers like Wal-Mart adding key Christian releases to their shelves, along with the launch of iTunes in 2001 and the growing presence of online retail led by Amazon.

NewReleaseToday's roots are closely tied with Family Christian Stores. Its founder, Kevin McNeese, started the site in 2002 while managing music marketing at FamilyChristian.com. "It was such an incredible time," recalls Kevin. "But I could certainly see the beginnings of the shift. Between Napster's quick rise and fall, Apple launching the iPod and iTunes and major retailers beginning to latch onto our biggest products, the writing was on the wall."

The nation's largest Christian retailer, Family Christian, is closing after 85 years.

The non-profit company, employing more than 3,000 people in 240 stores in 36 states, said in a brief statement that the retailer had been facing declining sales since filing for bankruptcy protection in 2015 and had no choice but to shut down.

Needtobreathe To Open For Faith Hill and Tim McGraw On Spring Tour

Needtobreathe announced that they will be opening for country stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on a few dates of their Soul2Soul Tour this spring.

They are set to open for Tim and Faith on April 20 in North Charleston, April 21 in Birmingham and April 22 in Atlanta. Openers for the rest of the tour include Ben Rector, Rachel Platten, Cam and many more.                                

Reba McEntire to Release Christian Album

Reba McEntire prepares to release Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope on February 3, 2017. For an entertainer with an illustrious career that has elicited 35 No. 1 singles, over 56 million albums sold worldwide, prestigious industry awards, lead acting roles and brand endeavors, new is a rarity - yet an art form she has perfected.

From the set of her forthcoming music video for "Back To God," Reba revealed details about her influences, upbringing and lifelong help from her guardian angels that lead to this collection. The double-disc project highlights traditional hymns of "faith" throughout the first 10 songs while more contemporary tracks of "hope" round out the back half.

"SING IT NOW was the perfect title for this album because the message and melody throughout the song connects the dots between the traditional hymns I grew up on and new music that has been uplifting for me in challenging times," said Reba.

Reba let her heart and friends help guide the song selection, which includes the first tune she ever sang in public, "Jesus Loves Me," a former Reba co-star's suggestion of "Oh Happy Day" and an introduction from a close associate to "From The Inside Out." She collaborated with Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood on "Softly and Tenderly".  Reba co-produced the album with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts in his home studio and Doug Sisemore.

"Music conjures up great memories and goes hand and hand with us McEntires," said Reba. "Mama, Susie and Alice even came into the studio with me to record 'I'll Fly Away,' all of us gathered around an old hymnal straight from the Chockie church."

Ellen DeGeneres Cancels Kim Burrell's Performance After Singer's Sermon

Ellen DeGeneres won't allow Kim Burrell to appear on her talk show after the gospel singer refused to apologize for a sermon in which she referred to gays and lesbians as perverted.

Video of Burrell preaching at Houston's Love & Liberty Fellowship Church was circulated online last week stirring up controversy.

In the video, Burrell is heard saying, "That perverted homosexual spirit is a spirit of delusion and confusion and has deceived many men and women, and it has caused a strain on the body of Christ."
Burrell addressed her remarks in a Facebook live video.

"We're not in a war against flesh and blood. I came on because I care about God’s creation and every person from the LGBT and anything else, any other kind of thing that is supporting gay… I never said LGBT last night. I said S-I-N and whatever else falls in the sin was preached."

Burrell and singer Pharrell were to perform a song from the movie "Hidden Figures" Thursday on the show. Pharrell posted on Instagram that "I condemn hate speech of any kind," making no specific reference to Burrell.

The openly-gay talk show host tweeted, "For those asking, Kim Burrell will not be appearing on my show."