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."

Blues Traveler Releases 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' to Support Salvation Army

In support of The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum rock band Blues Traveler released their take on the Christmas favorite "Go Tell It on the Mountain," with 100% of net proceeds from every download of the song benefiting The Salvation Army.

"After learning all the ways the Salvation Army helps people in need, we wanted to help too," commented Grammy-winning lead vocalist John Popper.  "Their impact on feeding and sheltering people who need it most is undeniable, and we are grateful."

Blues Traveler's rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is now available for purchase through bluestraveler.com or via the iTunes store and on Amazon.

In addition to purchasing "Go Tell It on the Mountain," supporters can contribute to the Red Kettle campaign at one of the more than 25,000 red kettles set up at storefronts nationwide; or they can share their #RedKettleReason and give back online at RedKettleReason.org; or through the Army's text-to-give program by texting the word "KETTLES" to 51555, they can give an amount of their choice to the Red Kettle Campaign. Donors can also volunteer their time through a number of opportunities from ringing a bell to sorting toys to serving food. Information about these opportunities is available at SalvationArmyUSA.org.