Can Beyond the Mask Uncover the Secret of God's Not Dead?

After a successful campaign in theaters across the U.S., producers have just pacted with Freestyle Releasing to distribute Beyond The Mask on June 5 for traditional, weeklong runs. The film stars John Rhys-Davies (Killing Jesus, The Lord Of The Rings). The same co-writer of the faith-based phenoms Fireproof and Courageous, Stephen Kendrick, also co-wrote this film.

Freestyle Releasing also distributed God’s Not Dead on behalf of Pure Flix last March to great success. On a $2M budget, they earned a hefty $60.7M gross.

The agreement with Freestyle comes after producers have already pre-sold more than $470K before bowing in theaters this past Monday. Each showing of the $4M-budgeted film played for one night only in each theater. So far, they have played on 365 screens in all 50 states. On Monday, when Beyond The Mask opened on 181 theaters, it had taken in $242K, which translated into a per screen average of $1,300.

The film was co-written by Kendrick (Courageous, Fireproof) and Paul McCusker. It co-stars Kara Kilmer (Chicago Fire) and Andrew Cheney (Seasons Of Grey).

The production, marketing and distribution of Beyond The Mask has been completely grassroots. They started off with a Kickstarter campaign in 2011, raised the money, produced the picture and then worked out a deal with Gathr to help distribute the film. They marketed through churches, social media, home-schooling communities, and with volunteers from across the country.

And this one has a bit of a twist in that it is a period piece. Beyond The Mask follows a leading mercenary for the British East India Company who was double-crossed and is on the run in the American colonies. Working to redeem his name and win back the affections of the woman with whom he’s never been fully truthful, he hides behind a new mask in hopes of thwarting his former employer. As his past life closes in on him, he must somehow gain the trust and the help of his beloved Charlotte — as well as Ben Franklin — while he races against time to defuse a plot of historical proportions. It is being marketed as “a faith-based adventure celebrating grace, liberty and the true freedom that can only be found in Christ.”

“What would I do if we had a huge success? The first thing that comes to mind is creating more films to spread the hope and word of the Gospel and bring stories to families who can enjoy watching them together,” producer Aaron Burns said.

Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton and Husband Place Third in The Amazing Race

After being in first place for much of the season, Bethany Hamilton and her husband ended in third place.

She speaks about her future plans including a Kickstarter-funded "Surfs Like a Girl" film.

Thousand Foot Krutch's "Oxygen: Inhale" Is a Breath of Fresh Air in Top 10

Thousand Foot Krutch's latest release "Oxygen: Inhale" debuts at #7 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.  Simultaneously, it lodges in at #2  on the Top Current Rock Albums chart (just behind the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack at No. 1), No. 6 on the Top Internet and No. 1 on the Top Christian/Gospel Albums charts. The recording also spent most of last week at No. 1 on the iTunes Rock chart and hit No. 5 on the iTunes overall Albums chart. The fan funded album gives TFK their highest ever position on the Billboard charts.

 Driving the successful debut in part is the recording's lead single, "Born This Way," which hits No. 34 at Active Rock this week. NASCAR and SEC colleges also crank up the song's volume on ESPN through mid-December as the single continues to roar up the radio charts. The song further picks up well-over a quarter-of-a-million views and 4,000+ likes on YouTube pushing TFK's YouTube channel views to over 1,100,000 last month alone, a record for the band.

Lead singer Trevor McNevan has this to say about the new record:  "We wanted to make a raw rock record. We decided to strip away all the background sounds and popular over-production, so that what you hear are just the instruments and the voice."

"To me, the words are as important as the melody," McNevan says. "The song has to say something important, to connect with the audience on a deeper level. I had this image of prostitutes, addicts, business men/women, people from all walks of life, holding up a sign that reads 'Breathe Through Me.' Love includes everyone. We were called to love one another, help and support one another, and to walk through life together."

Crowdfunding Replacing Labels?

Many articles have been written on the impact of crowdfunding on entertainment.  Has crowdfunding begun to replace labels in the Christian market?  Below is a partial list of artists who've gone this route in recent years:

Artists who have been on labels fairly recently, but are now cutting out the middleman with crowdfunding:
Thousand Foot Krutch (Kickstarter)
Jars of Clay (PledgeMusic)
Disciple (Kickstarter)
Manafest (PledgeMusic)
Fireflight (PledgeMusic)
Jimmy Needham (Kickstarter)
Audrey Assad (Kickstarter)
Abandon (Kickstarter)
Hawk Nelson (Kickstarter)
Mike Farris (Kickstarter)
Seabird (Kickstarter)
33Miles (Kickstarter)
Beckah Shae (Kickstarter)
Anthem Lights (Kickstarter)
The Monks (Kickstarter)
Gungor  (Kickstarter)
The Vespers (Kickstarter)


John Elefante (Kickstarter)
Steve Taylor (Kickstarter)
Guardian (Kickstarter)
Bryan Duncan (Kickstarter)
The Choir (Kickstarter)
John Schlitt (Kickstarter)
Out of the Grey (Kickstarter)
Crystal Lewis (Kickstarter)
Bloodgood (Kickstarter)
Michael Roe (Kickstarter)
Big Tent Revival (Kickstarter)
Pillar (Kickstarter)
Carman (Kickstarter)
Daniel Amos  (Kickstarter)
Christafari (Kickstarter)
OC Supertones (Kickstarter)
Natalie LaRue (Kickstarter)
Cherri Keaggy (Kickstarter)

Fresh off labels:
Warren Barfield  (Kickstarter)
Scott MacIntyre (Kickstarter)
Chris Sligh (Kickstarter)
Robbie Seay Band (Kickstarter)
Children 18:3 (Kickstarter)
The Sonflowerz (Kickstarter)
Benjamin Dunn (Kickstarter)
Samestate (Kickstarter)
Sevenglory (Kickstarter)
Tal & Acacia (Kickstarter)
Above the Golden State (Kickstarter)
After Edmund (Kickstarter)

Did we forget anyone?

Beckah Shae Aims To Raise Generation Of "Champions"

Beckah Shae is preparing to raise a generation of champions with her brand new electronic dance album Champion, available nationwide on May 6. The dance/pop release features award-winning and multi-platinum selling artists such as Israel Houghton, Crystal Lewis, Eric Dawkins, Canon and T-Bone.

In addition to collaborating with chart toppers, on her eighth studio album the singer/songwriter co-wrote with mainstream heavy hitters Crystal Nicole (Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Rihanna) and Eric Dawkins (Justin Bieber, Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera). With the help of Shae's husband and constant production collaborator Jack Shocklee, the 15-track record is sure to appeal to fans of music favorites tobyMac, Group 1 Crew or Capital Kings.

"I am a worshipper at heart and ultimately my desire is for my music to sow seeds into others and have them bear fruit sometime down the road." says the urban artist. "But with this record, we took a different approach. We got so much feedback from the Destiny album, saying how much everyone loved the dance tracks and were looking for more upbeat music, so the fans asked and we listened ... Champion was born!"

Inspired by Hebrews 12:2 to remind believers to keep their eyes firmly planted on Jesus, the one and only Champion of our faith, Shae wanted to encourage listeners to be a Champion for God, for others and themselves. Having personally battled with eating disorders, poverty and a broken family, Shae has overcome her war with low self- esteem and has embraced the person God created her to be and is determined to see others to join her in this triumph.

"My family was so poor growing up, we were always moving around, so I had to start over every time," says Shae, mother of two. "With each adjustment period, I've always felt misunderstood and misjudged, something that has carried on into my adult life and even career. Rising above the past rejection and false perceptions of industry folks and peers, God has always remained persistent and consistent in being faithful and secure in my life. Progress has been slow, but now we are seeing the fruition of my rooted trust in Him.

Now, I'm extremely passionate about helping others see themselves the way God sees them, no matter what season of difficulty they're going through, 'when God is for you, who can be against you?' and that is what I want listeners to walk away with after listening to Champion."

Earlier this year, music lovers were teased with the release of two singles, "Turbo Style" and "Incorruptible." Eager to please and share more music, Shae asked her fans to join her in the album making process and in just two weeks raised more than $40,000 on Kickstarter to help launch Champion.

Peter Furler Band and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil to Co-Headline Spring Tour

Today, Steve Taylor announced to his Kickstarter campaign backers that Peter Furler Band and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil will co-headline a Spring tour, called The Perfect Tour. Both bands are releasing new albums this spring as well, starting with Peter Furler Band's 'Sun and Shield' on March 11 and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil's to follow sometime in April. The Spring tour will launch April 26 and run until May 25.

Earlier today, the Jesusfreakhideout.com staff also announced their 8th annual "Highlighting" picks in which they select their most anticipated projects of the new year, and both bands placed high on the list.

Stephen Baldwin Set to Star in a new Kickstarter-funded Sitcom, Rock And A Hard Place

Grammy-winning vocalist John Schlitt is set to join actor Stephen Baldwin in a new sitcom, Rock And A Hard Place, slated to go into production in the Spring. The faith-based television project features Schlitt in the role of John, the maintenance man at Solid Rock Church, where Baldwin's character is the pastor.

The sitcom, which has reached its initial Kickstarter goal to produce the pilot, is currently in Phase Two as the production team strives to make a "reach goal" of $100,000. The deadline for contributions is 9 p.m. E.T. Thursday, January 16.

The story line centers around Baldwin's character, Pastor Darren Keaton, who has a young daughter, a live-in mother-in-law, a slowly declining congregation in a northern Illinois church. When Pastor Keaton learns he has become the new owner of Hard Knocks, the bar directly across the street from his church home, Solid Rock Church, he suddenly finds himself between "a rock and a hard place." The pastor questions how his congregation will respond, how the church elders and staff will treat him, and how a devoutly religious man pastoring a church can possibly be allowed to own a bar? Pastor Darren finds he must look up for the answers, even more now than ever.

"Rock And A Hard Place is a comedy sitcom extravaganza," Baldwin says. "It's an outside the box, kooky, funny, Christian comedy of a heightened quality."

Joining Baldwin and Schlitt in the cast are Braxton Cosby (Bill Cosby's nephew), Eddie Steeples (My Name is Earl), and actress Lindee Link (Christian music singer Twila Paris' cousin). Grammy nominee Bryan Duncan wrote and performed the theme song for the new TV project. Darren Marlar is the series creator, producer, writer and also acts in the show.

Carman Announces 60-City Tour After Raising More Than $200K on Kickstarter

Carman, the popular recording artist and Christian evangelist who revealed a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, shared with fans that he has surpassed the $200,000 goal for his Kickstarter campaign to launch a new record, music video and tour.

"Christian music pioneer Carman launched a Kickstarter campaign April 19 with the goal to raise $200,000 for his first new album and music video in over 10 years. Remarkably, Carman not only reached his goal in 25 days, but also exceeded that goal, raising over $233,000 so far," reads a statement from his media team.

The statement went on to claim that Carman's fundraising campaign was "the second most funded music project ever on Kickstarter," although a member of Kickstarter's communications team was unable to verify the apparent feat.

Carman's campaign, which still has 32 days to go before the project is considered funded, has attracted more than 2,500 backers.

80s Christian Music Pioneer Carman Finds Success on Kickstarter

With 16 RIAA Certified Platinum and Gold albums and videos, over 10 million albums sold, Carman plans to record an album and video of all new music for the first time in over 10-years. Remarkably, it was a death sentence by doctors that paradoxically revived this entertainer's creative spirit through his fans.

In March of this year, Carman was diagnosed with terminal, multiple myeloma cancer, a cancer of the blood that affects the body's bone marrow, and was given a three to five year life expectancy by doctors. Stunned and initially devastated by the news, Carman's spirit was soon lifted up by the overwhelming love and support received by tens of thousands of fans after posting the news on his Facebook page. Turning the death sentence into a renewed vision and hope for the future, Carman is not only determined to fight the cancer, but is also well underway to his first independent, fan-funded new album and music video through Kickstarter.

Launched April 19, Carman's Kickstarter campaign has already become one of the most successful Christian music campaign ever for Kickstarter. Raising more than $158,000 to date, the campaign donations are on target to reach Carman's $200,000 goal by his June 18 deadline. Fans are able to donate as little as $1 up to several thousand dollars with commensurate gifts of appreciation from Carman once the campaign is fully funded and the album and music video are recorded and released. See http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/886460906/new-carman-album-and-music-video for all the details.

"I'm so excited about this incredible opportunity we all have through Kickstarter to make something happen as a team and a family," says Carman to his fans. "Cancer pronounced a death sentence, but you have been life to me, rallying me back into the fight and praying me back to my feet. As one fan said on my Facebook page, 'Look at what Jesus did in three years.' So as for you and me, with this new project and us working together, the next three years are going to be a blast."

In addition to the new music, Carman is determined to not let cancer detract from doing what he does best, sharing the hope of the gospel to live audiences. Touring from coast-to-coast, Carman shares his hit songs alongside his most recent offering, "The Flag," a compelling anthem that weaves the Pledge of Allegiance into a melodic and inspirational message of pride in America. "The Flag" concept video can be seen now at http://youtu.be/4QDxqlP3Fn0.

John Elefante of Kansas Fame Returns with New Album

John Elefante is back with a new solo album, "On My Way to the Sun" to be released May 7th.

The 4 time Grammy Award winner is best known for his time as the lead vocalist for the multi-platinum rock outfit Kansas. And fans will be delighted to find that the opening track, "This Is How The Story Goes," reunites Elefante with former Kansas bandmates Rich Williams and David Ragsdale.

"Lyrically, I have more inside me that I need to say, more I need to express and convey than ever before," says Elefante of what just may be the most personal project of his career. One of the album's highlights is the song, "This Time," which tells the story of a young teen's divine encounter at an abortion clinic that ultimately leads her to save her baby. The somewhat autobiographical song touches close to home for Elefante, whose adopted daughter was rescued from abortion.

"This is one the easiest songs I have ever written," says Elefante. "I was able to put myself in the place and time where my daughter was so close to being aborted. It was so divinely vivid to me because this story was meant to be told. I don't know all of the fine details but I do know that on that day God said, 'No! You're not taking this one - This Time.'"

In addition to Kansas and his solo work, Elefante's extensive resume includes writing and performance contributions on more than 100 albums that shaped popular American music. In 1993, Elefante and his brother Dino founded The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, which quickly became the largest recording studio in the southeast and an instant draw for such top acts as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Natalie Grant, Amy Grant, Keith Urban, Third Day, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and many more.

Thousand Foot Krutch Charts at #14 With Indie Release

Thousand Foot Krutch's biggest debut ever hits No. 14 on Billboard Top 200, No. 1 on multiple Retail Charts and sales tracking 72% ahead of last CD.

Announcing their independence from label life last year, TFK raised money through Kickstarter, then released  its seventh studio album, The End Is Where We Begin, to not only wide critical acclaim, but also its biggest sales debut ever. Since its release last week, the album reached #6 on the iTunes® Top 10 Albums chart, climbed to #2 on the iTunes Rock chart (No. 1 in Canada) and earned the #8 spot on the Rock Singles Chart while capping the week with it highest ever chart position on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 14 with 23,659 albums sold, marking a 72% sales jump over the band's previous best-selling album, Welcome to the Masquerade. The album also landed at No. 1 on the Hard Rock Billboard charts.

The new CD has already had song placements on ESPN (NASCAR, NCAA basketball), WWE and EA Sports NHL 2013 releasing this fall.

The new album is a testament to the bond the band has with its fans. Thanks to the TFK armies across the globe, who helped fund the album through Kickstarter and allowed the band to self-release, TFK has achieved their greatest successes to date.

"Since day one we've actually been uncomfortable with the term 'fans' because these people mean so much more to us," says TFK front man Trevor McNevan. "They're the friends and family of the band, so to speak, and I think they've grown to trust us over the years, which is something that's been built between us and not manufactured."