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.

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.

Skillet First Christian Band To Hit No. 1 On Mainstream Rock Chart As "Feel Invincible"

Multi-platinum selling rockers Skillet are celebrating their first #1 single on the Mainstream Rock Chart with their hit “Feel Invincible” off their latest project, Unleashed. The track marks the band’s sixth Top 10 single at mainstream rock radio, and sets them apart as the first act from the Christian genre to top the chart.


Previously, "Awake and Alive" from 2009's AWAKE climbed to #1 on Billboard's Active Rock chart, along with “Monster,” “Not Gonna Die,” “Sick of It” and “It’s Not Me It’s You” all reaching top 10 or higher there as well.

“Feel Invincible” has also been a hit in the sports world, having been used by the NFL's Monday Night Football, Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), WWE during their Battleground Pay-Per-View, TBS’ E-League and Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports Awards. The No. 1 song was also chosen by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for use throughout the entire 2016 football season. The song has been the soundtrack for the opening video montage leading into each week’s syndicated game reaching over 90 million TV households. This is the second time that Skillet and the ACC Network have teamed up. "Feel Invincible" has also been featured in Rock Band, while the video for the single has already been viewed over 17 million times and can be seen here.


Additionally, another track from Unleashed, “Back from the Dead” was featured in WWE’s 2017 launch trailer for the WWE2K17 video game, which released on October 11th.

Crowder Finds His Way to #12 with American Prodigal

Grammy-nominated singer Crowder had a nice opening run on the Billboard charts, with his latest project, American Prodigal, landing at No. 1 on the Christian chart, No. 3 on the digital albums chart, and No. 5 on the top albums Billboard charts. All the while his single, "Run Devil Run," continues to gain mainstream attention.

American Prodigal reached No. 12 on the overall Billboard top 200 chart.  Crowder kicked off the album via a Twitter Music Q&A, exclusive Snapchat content with Spotify, and a performance on "Fox & Friends" on which he performed, "Run Devil Run".

NBC's Sunday Night Football also used "Run Devil Run" during the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers televised NFL match-up.

The video was also showcased by country networks as well, such as GAC, AXS, and the Country Network, among others.

MLB Will Move You with Audio Adrenaline

'Move,' the album-opener from Audio Adrenaline’s May 4 release, Sound of the Saints, has been selected as the opening theme for “MLB Now,” which airs daily on the MLB Network.

A one-hour panel discussion hosted by Brian Kenny, covering breaking news and the game's most recent trends, “MLB Now” features perspectives from baseball journalists, current and former players, managers, sabermetricians and broadcasters. The MLB Network reaches nearly 70 million television households in the United States.

Written by Audio Adrenaline’s Adam Agee along with Seth Mosley, “Move”—an audience favorite in concert—was also featured during the NFL Network’s coverage of the Scouting Combine earlier this year.

Produced by Seth Mosley (Jeremy Camp, for KING & COUNTRY) and Joshua Silverberg (Newsboys, Michael W. Smith), Sound of the Saints builds on the pop/rock foundation and lyrical themes which have hallmarked Audio Adrenaline’s iconic repertoire for nearly three decades.

Natalie Grant, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond To Headline Super Bowl Gospel Celebration

The 16th Annual NFL Sanctioned Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will kick-off Super Bowl XLIX weekend on February 1, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ. American Family Insurance, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will bring together Grammy and Dove Award-winning artists, inspirational leaders and special guests to create an unforgettable evening celebrating faith and football.

Headlining the night will be Natalie Grant, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin and Fred Hammond. Also appearing will be Phoenix-native singer-songwriter Mali Music. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Annually, both active and former NFL players gather to share a mutual love of performing off the field, using their musical gifts to celebrate their faith through song. These athlete and musicians come together inspired to create an extraordinary experience unique to football's biggest weekend.

Over the past sixteen years, Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has brought together amazing performances and special guests including Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, Mary Mary, Kelly Price, The Clark Sisters, Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, and many more.

Since its inception in 1999, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has donated a portion of its proceeds to local and national charities. For the second year, the event will be benefiting the incredible work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Everfound's "Take This City" to be featured on ESPN'S Monday Night Football

ESPN's Monday Night Football is set to feature Everfound's "Take This City (feat. Joel of for KING & COUNTRY)" tonight during the matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants. Game time is 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.

"We are very honored and excited to have our song featured during one of the most watched nights of television! We can't wait for our family, friends and fans to tune in and experience this with us," says lead singer, Nikita Odnoralov.

The placement and video release adds to what has already been a big year for the band, which has included being featured on WinterJam, and a Dove Award nomination for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year alongside label mates Switchfoot and NEEDTOBREATHE. Everfound is currently wrapping up their headline "Take This City Tour" which hit over 30 markets nationwide and is set to appear on the West Coast run of WinterJam 2014 this November.

"Jesus Is Better than the Super Bowl" Top TV Event of the Year Again Showcases Christian Athletes

The Super Bowl has long been an arena in which Christian athletes have shined ranging from Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Shaun Alexander to Reggie White and Kurt Warner.

This year TV's big event will showcase Denver Broncos's Peyton Manning and Seattle Seahawks' quarterback, Russell Wilson.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning doesn't publicly discuss his faith as frequently as some other Christian athletes, but he has said that he wants his actions to speak louder than his words.

The future Hall-of-Famer Manning led his team to a Super Bowl berth by throwing for 400 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. The four-time league MVP has been stellar throughout the season, setting NFL regular season records in both passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55).

But while many people focus primarily on Manning's performance on the field, the part of his life that he has said is most important – his Christian faith – is rarely discussed.

In Manning, the book published in 2001 that he co-wrote with his father, the quarterback shares how he came to faith in Christ in a New Orleans church as a 13-year-old boy, according to an excerpt of the book posted to the Young Conservatives site. His priorities in life, he wrote, have been faith, family, friends and football – in that order.

Russell Wilson will be facing off with Manning in the Super Bowl. Wilson and several of his teammates recently sat down with Mark Driscoll, the preaching and vision pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, to discuss their faith in an interview that was posted to the Resurgence website.

UP Announces New Series Offering Troubled Teens a Second Chance

UP will expand its slate of original unscripted family entertainment when the "Bulloch Family Ranch" premieres Friday, July 19 at 10 p.m. ET, following the season finale episode of "Family Addition with Leigh Anne Tuohy."

"Bulloch Family Ranch" chronicles the dramatic everyday adventures of Julie and Rusty Bulloch, a fun-loving working class couple that juggles multiple jobs to make ends meet.  Together, they are the proud 'parents' of more than 25 kids.  Only two, Amanda and Brodie, are biological.  The rest are teens who have lived at the Bulloch Ranch during various times of dire need.  For almost two decades, the Ranch has served as a place where troubled teens are welcomed with open arms and given a chance to get back on the right track.  Rusty and Julie are committed to giving all their 'kids' a stable, caring, nurturing environment along with the tools they need to become productive adults.

The Bulloch family's ranch has a proven track record for being a springboard to success.  One of their young men, Claude Davis, went from running with street gangs to running on the football field as an outstanding Defensive End for SFU.  Recently, with the continued support of the Bullochs, Davis had a stint on the NFL roster of the New York Jets as a walk-on and is now heading for the CFL.

Over the course of the season, viewers will get an inside look at an extraordinary household and the compelling life stories that unfold within the family.  To be sure, there is never a dull moment when it comes to the Bullochs. Structure, discipline, love, faith, respect, amazing down home cooking and crazy pranks abound in the new original series.

"Rusty and Julie do something that everyone can do – but they actually do it, they go that extra mile," said Showrunner Todd C. Stevens, who also directed "The Osbournes." "They open their hearts, their doors, their fridge... The family does everything they can to give kids the extra boost they need - and they truly get joy out of it."

P.O.D. To Perform During NFC Championship Game

P.O.D. will perform during the halftime show at this weekend’s Falcons vs. 49ers NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Catch P.O.D. performing their hit song, “Higher” this Sunday, January 20th on FOX (game start time: 3PM ET/PT).

Natalie Grant to Perform at Super Bowl Gospel Celebration

Natalie Grant will make her football debut at the 13th Annual National Football League's Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. The show will tape before a live audience at 7:30pm EST on Friday, February 3, 2012  in Indianapolis, IN.

The celebration is hosted by Wayne Brady, current host of CBS' "Let's Make A Deal," and CeCe Winans. Grant will be performing alongside American Idol winner Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and "Players Choice" Wess Morgan, and Verizon's How Sweet the Sound 2011 Overall Winning Choir, Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir.

The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has become legendary for its performances from artists including Patti LaBelle, BeBe Winans, Mary Mary, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Yolanda Adams, Jaci Velasquez, Fred Hammond and many more. NFL Players that have made appearances include Cris Carter, John Elway, Donovan McNabb, Kurt Warner, Tim Brown and Darrell Green, Raheem Morris and many more.

Tickets for the 2012 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration are on sale at superbowlgospel.com. Since its inception in 1999, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has partnered with a charity in each Super Bowl host city. This year, Gary Brackett's IMPACT Foundation has been selected as the event's charitable partner.

Needtobreathe's Oohs and Aahs Used on FOX

Needtobreathe's Oohs and Aahs from their latest, The Reckoning, was used in a promo for Alcatraz on FOX during the NFC Playoffs.

Focus on the Family buys Super Bowl Ad

Focus on the Family will air its first Super Bowl spot during the upcoming Super Bowl game. The 30-second ad will feature Tim Tebow, a former quarterback with the University of Florida's Gators and 2007 winner of the Heisman Trophy, along with his mother Pam.

"Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive," Jim Daly, president of Focus of the Family, said in a written statement on Jan. 15.

Focus on the Family spokeswoman Lisa Anderson would not reveal how much her organization paid for the ad or provide further details about it. But she told CNNMoney.com that the funds were donated specifically for this purpose by unnamed individuals. She said the money did not come from the group's general fund.

CBS, broadcaster of the 2010 Super Bowl game, is charging about $3 million for 30-second spots, according to spokesman Dana McClintock. But CBS would not reveal how much it charged Focus on the Family for their ad.

Another NFL Player Releases Christian CD

NFL Super Bowl winning player Ben Utecht is the starting tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals, but this year’s off-season introduces Utecht as a singer and musician to the world. His self-titled debut album launches today.

“Ben Utecht is a talented football player. He started at Tight End for my team, the Indianapolis Colts, in Super Bowl XLI and helped us beat the Chicago Bears. However, I always thought his real impact would be in Christian music. Ben has a tremendous voice and a passion for music, but more than that, he believes in the gospel message and that comes through when he sings. I believe God is going to use his musical gift in a special way.” says former NFL head coach, Tony Dungy, who was Utecht’s coach for four years.

It'll be interesting to see if he meets the same level of success as his former teammate, Hunter Smith (Connersvine).

Indianapolis Colts Punter Releases Christian CD

Not too many rock bands include Super Bowl champions in their ranks, but Hunter Smith, punter for the Indianapolis Colts, is finding success with his Christian band, Connersvine.

Christian artists on TV

Just a few songs I can immediately think of...

The Afters' "Beautiful Love" theme of MTV's "8th & Ocean", “Until the World" theme for ABC Family's “Beautiful People"
Caedmon's Call's "Ten Thousand Angels" in ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (on heels of the inclusion of alum's Derek Webb's inclusion)
Derek Webb's "Name" in ABC's "Grey's Anatomy"
Disciple's "Game On" in “Best D#$n Sports Show,” NFL’s “Total Axxess,” WWE’s “Cyber Sunday” and Speed TV’s “Speed Report”
Jars of Clay's "Five Candles" in NBC's "Providence" (episode 106), "Show You Love" in The WB's "Summerland"
Jon McLaughlin - "Human" in NBC's "Scrubs" episode "My Conventional Wisdom" as well as CBS'"The Walk-In" of "Ghost Whisperer. "
Kutless' "All Of The Words" in NBC's "Scrubs" episode titled "My Bright Idea"
Mat Kearney's "Nothing Left to Lose" and "Breathe In, Breathe Out" in ABC's "Grey's Anatomy", "Nothing Left to Lose" in CBS' "Jericho", "All I Need" in CBS' "NCIS", and "Where We Gonna Go From Here" in NBC's "Scrubs"
Margaret Becker's "Clay & Water" in NBC's "Providence" (episode 111)
Michelle Tumes' "Life Is Beautiful" in NBC's "Providence" (episode 117)
Needtobreathe's “Shine On” in "Employee of the Month," and MTV's “Newport Harbor”, “We Could Run Away” in MTV's “The Hills”, "More Time" in "P.S. I Love You"
Plumb's music has been heard in TV series (Dawson's Creek, Felicity, ER, Roswell, etc.)
Superchick's "We Live" in "Brothers & Sisters"
TobyMac's "Diverse City" in The CW's "Veronica Mars"

also, see Crossover posts