Newsboys Celebrate 10 Million in Career Sales

Platinum-selling Newsboys were honored at their Nashville tour stop earlier this week for total career sales in excess of 10 million units. During a VIP reception at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena, FairTrade Services president/founder Jeff Moseley recognized the band's prolific achievement and rare accomplishment within the genre. Since forming in Australia more than three decades ago and arriving in America in 1987, Newsboys have released 23 recordings and are heralded as one of Christian music's most iconic bands.   
 
Moseley also announced a full-length Newsboys United recording, set for release next year. The FairTrade Services project will showcase Newsboys' current lineup--Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis--along with former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel. The supergroup has performed to numerous capacity crowds around the country since reuniting earlier this year. Showcasing "all the hits... under one roof... for one tour," the "Newsboys United Tour" is set to play a total of 100 shows in 2018. 

 
Additionally, Newsboys United performed fan favorite "He Reigns" during the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, broadcast earlier this week on TBN. The band was also recently announced as headliners of the multi-artist Winter Jam 2019 Tour Spectacular--Christian music's largest annual tour and one of the biggest first quarter outings in the world. Newsboys United are set to take the Winter Jam stage beginning January 11 in Jacksonville, Florida, delivering a string of the biggest hits from their three-decade career. 
 
One of the most influential bands in Christian music history, Newsboys have amassed eight Gold® certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four Grammy nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. Their 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.

TobyMac's 'The Elements' Charms Critics and Debuts Top 5

TobyMac has once again taken the top spot on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart and debuted Top 5 on Billboard's Top Albums Chart with his latest studio recording, The Elements. Being described as "brave," "compelling" and "fresh," media has taken notice of the latest from the 7X Grammy winner.

"It's electronic arena rock sounds right in step with the millennials in Twenty One Pilots or Imagine Dragons." -- USA Today & The Tennessean

"The Elements is a true work of musical art. It is raw, authentic and powerful." -- Digital Journal

"The new record features his signature catchy hooks, but adds a reflective and slightly somber tone, the result of his experience the past few years."- Guideposts

Among the most talked about tracks on the record is "Starts With Me" centered around racial unity. Tennessean called it "overt," Music Row notes it as "the most arresting on the album" and CBN called it a "powerful one." "Scars" which he shared with Billboard upon the announcement of The Elements was "closest" to him, has also been one of the most asked about on the project -- including from CCM which noted him as the innovative music man.

Lauren Daigle Appears on The Ellen Show

Lauren Daigle appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform "Still Rolling Stones" from her new album Look Up Child.

"So much love for these people... so many others not in this photo that worked hard all day to make @theellenshow happen! Love all you guys so much! Couldn't do this without you," Lauren shared to social media alongside a photo with her band after the performance. 

Debuting at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, Lauren released her sophomore album Look Up Child earlier this fall. Lauren is currently on the road for her first headlining theatre tour in support of Look Up Child. The tour is slated for 40 stops throughout the next few months, wrapping up in March at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

Chris Tomlin Becomes First Christian Artist to Reach Billion Streams Threshold on Pandora

During an exclusive album preview event in Nashville this week for loyal Pandora listeners, Chris Tomlin was recognized as the first Christian artist to reach the Billion streams threshold on Pandora and was presented with their Billionaire award. Chris is one of only a handful of artists in any genre to reach this benchmark. To date, Chris has 1.8 Billion lifetime spins and averages 4.5 million streams per week. Chris spoke with the Associated Press about the recognition, view it here.

"I'm so honored to represent this amazing genre of music that features so many incredible artists," said Chris. "What this 'billion' honor reminds me of is that every week there are billions of people who gather together in worship. Anywhere there is dirt on this earth people are worshipping God. I'm so thankful to be a part of that."

"The level of Chris Tomlin's performance on Pandora is extremely rare and exceptional in the Christian/Gospel genre, with 1.8 BILLION lifetime streams, 2.6M unique listeners and 20M+ streams each month," says Melissa Chalos, Programming Curator, Christian/Gospel Music | Pandora. "Fifteen of the Top 100 worship songs sung in churches around the globe have his name on them, and 8 of his 11 album releases have reached No. 1. We are excited to welcome worship artist Chris Tomlin to the Pandora Billionaire's Club and to acknowledge the millions of fans engaging with his music here on Pandora. It's our loyal Pandora listeners who determine which artists become Billionaires, and we honor them and their pick in Chris."

Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus Launches Christian Music Label

Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus has launched his own Christian music label, Red Street Records. The first two signees to the label were also announced today: new artist Lauren James, a worship leader at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and iconic CCM group Avalon. 

Marking "the next chapter" for the band, who recently welcomed new member Dani Rocca alongside Jody McBrayer's return after a 12-year absence from the group, Avalon is back in the studio and working on new music. The monumental press conference was live-streamed on Avalon's Facebook page, which you can check out below for a powerful acoustic performance from the group.

While Jay DeMarcus is largely known for his involvement with country superstars Rascal Flatts, his roots are deeply planted in Christian music. DeMarcus was part of Dove-nominated band East to West in the late 1980s before the group disbanded in the early 90's. Even during his time in Rascal Flatts, Jay has continued to stay connected to the Christian music industry, producing records for artists like Jason Crabb and The Martins, in addition to country legend Reba McEntire's recent gospel album. 

"I kind of feel like everything I've done up to this point in my life has led to this one moment," Jay shared today. "Christian music was such a huge foundation for me, even as a kid growing up. Before there was ever a Rascal Flatts, I started out in Christian music with East to West, and I've always felt like every time I would come back into the Christian music genre and produce records, I always felt like I was coming back home to a degree. It's always been in my heart, when the timing was right, to do something on my own."

As owner and CEO of Red Street Records, DeMarcus, alongside general manager and producer Don Koch, will produce albums for both Avalon and Lauren James. 

TobyMac Celebrates Sixth Consecutive RIAA Gold Certification

Two weeks before TobyMac's The Elements hits, the 7X GRAMMY® winner is unveiling the newest single "Scars," a track that is admittedly close to the artist. Processing life as a believer, husband, father and artist fueled the cultivation of his upcoming album, available Oct. 12. 

TobyMac was honored with the RIAA certification for his sixth solo gold record - the Grammy winning THIS IS NOT A TEST - in his hometown of Nashville. The honor comes two weeks before the multi-platinum selling artist drops The Elements, his first new album in three years. 

The Elements boasts TobyMac's biggest song in six years, "I just need U." along with the current radio favorite "Everything" which is currently No. 3 at Hot AC, No. 9 at AC Indicator, No. 8 at Christian Airplay and No. 12 at AC Monitored.