Winter Jam Crowned Top First Quarter Music Tour

Landing at #2 on Pollstar's newly published "2018 1Q YTD Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 100 Tours" chart, the Winter Jam 2018 Tour Spectacular takes the top spot of all music tours on the chart. Following the #1 tour "Disney On Ice," Winter Jam ranks ahead of first quarter tours by such superstars as Bruno Mars and Blake Shelton. 

Christian music's largest annual tour, Winter Jam hit 46 cities across the country from January through March, boasting a total of 17 sold-out shows, including capacity crowds at Philips Arena in Atlanta; St. Louis' Scottrade Center; and Kansas City's Sprint Center, among other leading venues. 
 
This year's Winter Jam Tour Spectacular was headlined by Platinum-selling and Billboard Music Award-winning rockers Skillet and showcased Kari Jobe (featuring Cody Carnes); Building 429; popular comedian John Crist; KB; tour creators and hosts, NewSong; Dove Award-winning chart-topper Jordan Feliz.

Hollyn joined Winter Jam for a 12-date stint in March, along with a variety of one-night-only special guests--this year including Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols;  Matthew West; Grammy-winning Francesca Battistelli; and ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and his wife, former FOX News anchor Elisabeth Hasselbeck, among others. 

TobyMac Announces 2017 “HITS DEEP Tour” After 2016 Tour Finishes in Top 35 Worldwide

Announced on K-LOVE/AIR1, TobyMac shared the diverse line-up for his 2017 "HITS DEEP Tour" including Mac Powell from Third Day, Matt Maher, Mandisa, Capital Kings, Ryan Stevenson and Hollyn who will join him in over 30 arenas across the U.S.

The first venture of this unique partnership with TobyMac, K-LOVE/Air1 and Awakening Events was Spring of 2016-resulting in sold-out shows in 26 out of 29 markets. TobyMac's 2016 "HITS DEEP TOUR" visited arenas nationwide, including stops at Los Angeles' The Forum, Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena, Phoenix's Talking Stick Resort Arena, San Diego's Viejas Arena, Portland's Moda Center, Seattle's KeyArena, Denver's Coliseum and Kansas City's Sprint Center, which garnered 12,229 ticketed attendees alone.

According to Pollstar, the 2016 "HITS DEEP Tour" was the biggest tour in Christian music and ranked in the top 35 tours in the world.

Through a partnership with Food for the Hungry, concertgoers sponsored over 15,000 children, providing food, a better education, clean water and medical treatment.

"It's an amazing partnership that we have with K-LOVE/Air1, Awakening Events and Food for the Hungry, it takes us where I think our music should be-in the heart of our cities in the biggest arenas in town," explains TobyMac. "I always get excited when it's time to create the 'HITS DEEP Tour' line-up. We come together backstage - which leads us to a beautiful night on stage. A night deep in hits, that aims to hit you deep. A night where everybody is invited to the party!"

Known for his dynamic live show, the HITS DEEP LIVE CD/DVD (Nov. 18) will feature a full live album and concert video of 16 songs recorded on his highly acclaimed and sold-out "HITS DEEP Tour." This will be his first live album in eight years. THIS IS NOT A TEST, the American Music Award's winner latest LP, continues to have an unstoppable year earning a Grammy Award, a Billboard Music Award nod, three upcoming GMA Dove Award nominations and two back-to-back No. 1 hits at Christian radio, "Backseat Driver" and "Move (Keep Walkin')" with tour dates across Europe, Canada and the U.S..

dc Talk Reunites... And the Announcement Sparks Controversy

To the excitement of fans, iconic band dc Talk announced a reunion and performance by group members TobyMac, Michael Tait and Kevin Max.   However, the announcement received backlash as it became clear that it may only be for a performance aboard the Jesus Freak Cruise, departing from Miami on July 11, 2017. Marking the first time in 16 years fans will be able to see the band perform, the cruise will travel to the ports of Nassau, Bahamas and Half Moon Cay (Private Island). TobyMac and the Diverse City Band, Newsboys, Kevin Max, Finding Favour, Capital Kings, Ryan Stevenson and Hollyn will perform alongside dc Talk on the Jesus Freak Cruise line-up. Tickets will be available for purchase on May 16, 2016 by visiting JesusFreakCruise.com.

The band demonstrated their sense of humor with the following tweet:

PR team's response after reading your tweets. #dctalk #jesusfreakcruise pic.twitter.com/RL6uspKY64

— dc Talk (@dctalkofficial) May 11, 2016