Lauren Daigle Takes ‘Good Morning America’ to Church on Live TV

Lauren Daigle continues to make headlines this year after her new album “Look Up Child” debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart in September, beating out pop artists like Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and Cardi B.

Since then, the Christian artist has appeared on high-profile TV shows like "Dancing With the Stars," "The Tonight Show," and “Ellen."

Though she took some heat for appearing on a show with a gay host and giving a wishy-washy reply to her stance on homosexuality, Daigle continues to live out her calling by spreading the gospel through her ever-growing platform.

Francesca Battistelli Performs with Andrea Bocelli for Worldwide TV Christmas Special

Grammy Award winning artist Francesca Battistelli will appear on the holiday special, "Andrea Bocelli: The Heart of Christmas," which is set to air on TBN December 20 at 8 pm. The holiday program will feature Battistelli singing a duet with the world-renowned classical music icon, along with a duet between Bocelli and his son, Matteo, select Christmas songs and more. "Andrea Bocelli: The Heart of Christmas" was filmed in Bocelli's hometown, Lajatico, in the Italian region Tuscany.

"It was the deepest honor to be given the opportunity to sing alongside such an iconic artist," exclaims Battistelli. "It was truly a dream come true to perform with Andrea Bocelli and in his home country. This was an experience I will certainly never, ever forget!"

TBN's foreign partners in Italy, UK, Canada, Germany, Central America, South America and other regions around the world will air the special on the 20th as well. "Andrea Bocelli: The Heart of Christmas," will also re-air on December 24.

"It's been an absolute joy to welcome TBN viewers into the little church in my beloved birthplace, Lajatico--the exact spot where I discovered, as a child, the power of music as an instrument of prayer," said Bocelli.

Sarah Grace Performs "Amazing Grace" on The Voice

Sarah Grace performed "Amazing Grace" to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun" and played the trumpet on The Voice during live Top 10 performances.

'Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas - Presented By Hallmark Channel' to Air December 3

"Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas -- Presented by Hallmark Channel," a one-hour musical special helmed by the multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter will air Monday, December 3 (8 pm ET). Grant will be joined by husband and fellow Grammy winner Vince Gill, country music and Emmy nominated television star Kellie Pickler and long-time friend, Grammy winner Michael W. Smith for an evening filled with rich performances. Grant will be sharing family Christmas memories and beloved traditions alongside shining a light on the charities that are close to her heart. Among those featured will be Song for Veterans, Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, Appalachian Relief Fund, World Relief and Barefoot Republic, Grant's own camp for kids. The special is a part of the network's #1-rated programming event, Countdown To Christmas.  

Grant recently stopped by the daytime "go-to" destination Pickler & Ben where she performed "To Be Together" from her most recent Christmas album, Tennessee Christmas. Grant will also appear on CMA Country Christmas (Dec. 10 8 PM ABC) and NPR's Tiny Desk Concert alongside being Woman's World December cover girl.
 
Grant and Gill are soon returning to the famed Ryman Auditorium for an unprecedented twelve-night stand of their beloved Christmas at the Ryman. The resonating holiday tradition is annually sold out and only a few tickets remain for this year's run. Tennessee Christmas (2016) marked her first all-new Christmas album in nearly twenty years and includes original offerings like "To Be Together," "December," "Another Merry Christmas" and "Melancholy Christmas."                 

Kymberli Joye Performs "Break Every Chain" on The Voice

Kymberli Joye performed Tasha Cobbs' "Break Every Chain" on The Voice during live Top 11 performances

DeAndre Nico Sings "I Can Only Imagine" on The Voice

DeAndre Nico sang MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine" on The Voice during live Top 13 performances.

It was one of two popular Christian hits last night.

Lauren Daigle Makes Late-Night TV Debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

Following last month's performance on The Ellen Show, fast-rising CCM artist Lauren Daigle made her late-night TV debut Wednesday with a powerful performance of "Look Up Child" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Check out the video of what Lauren called a "personal dream" below.

Additionally, Lauren's song "Rescue" was featured in tonight's episode of ABC's Grey's Anatomy.

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.

Michael Ketterer Places Fifth on America's Got Talent

Influence Music's Michael Ketterer began his journey on the 13th season of America's Got Talent with a shower of confetti unleashed by Simon Cowell's push of the golden buzzer. This week, in the season's live finale, Ketterer finished the competition with fifth place.

​Earlier in the finale show, Ketterer was revealed as the fifth act in the top five, edging out Courtney Hadwin. In the next set of results, it was revealed that Ketterer had finished in fifth place. Cowell spoke to Ketterer over a backdrop of surprised murmurs from the crowd, reassuring him, "You and I are going to continue this relationship, you have been an absolute star." Ketterer walked off the stage with a smile on his face and his arms raised in celebration.

In the package before his final performance in the competition, Ketterer walked into a room where a video was waiting for him. When the video started, he was met with a montage of family, friends, patients, and the family of former patients describing how he has impacted their lives, ending with a heartfelt message from his son. An emotional Ketterer finished the competition with a soulful performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

In the semifinal round, Cowell urged Garth Brooks to write a song for Ketterer. The result was the song "The Courage to Love," which Ketterer performed on the season finale. After he was eliminated, Ketterer announced that he would perform the song with Brooks during a sold-out show at Notre Dame on October 20.                       

Former United Pursuit Artist Michael Ketterer Receives Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent

Former United Pursuit member, current Influence Music member and solo artist Michael Ketterer's America's Got Talent audition. The part-time worship leader and pediatric nurse won the audience with his soulful performance of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody," causing judge Simon Cowell to hit the golden buzzer and automatically advance Ketterer to the live shows.

As the confetti rained down on Ketterer, a husband and father to one biological daughter and five sons adopted from foster care, his family ran out to celebrate with him as Cowell joined him on stage for a hug and words of encouragement: "Something about your voice- I genuinely mean it - is special. Everything was perfect." 

In addition to his place as a solo artist and former member of United Pursuit Band, Michael and his wife recently helped found Influence Music, an independent worship collective and label born out of Influence Church in Anaheim, California, where the Ketterer family now resides. Influence Music's debut album released at the end of May and features several songs from Michael.

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Esterlyn Singer To Star in New HGTV Show

The Esterlyn frontman Luke Caldwell and his business partner Clint Robertson are the focus of the new home improvement show, Boise Boys on HGTV, which premieres Sunday, May 21.

"I love how God directs our lives," Caldwell wrote in a post on social media. "When I first started playing music it was never to be in a band or in front of people. I just loved to worship and be creative in it and doors opened."

 He said the reality show has come about in a very similar way, noting that their remodeling company, Timber and Love, first began as a means to raise money for international adoption.

"I decided to buy a dumpy house, fix it up, and sell it, hoping to pay for the adoption costs." He said. "God gave us the desires of our hearts. From that time I have continued leading worship around the country as well as renovate homes while I was here in Boise, so we kept adopting."


A few years into renovating homes, Caldwell met Robertson (who himself was a runner-up on The Apprentice), and they started Timber and Love, a company they say has been "very focused on making a difference" with their lives and business.

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Lauren Daigle and Reba McEntire To Perform in Country Music Awards

The Academy of Country Music announced additional performers, presenters and an unprecedented number of duos and special collaborations for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards. The special will be broadcast live Sunday, April 2 8:00-11:00 PM/ET on CBS.

The featured collaborations will include 14-time ACM Award winner and 14- time ACM Awards host Reba McEntire and Christian artist Lauren Daigle performing “Back to God,” Tim McGraw and Faith Hill premiering “Speak To a Girl,” and Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban performing their hit single “The Fighter.”

Solo performances include Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts.

Former Anthem Lights' Alan Powell Joins Cast of New NBC Drama

Alan Powell formerly of pop band Anthem Lights will appear in a new NBC show. Powell was one of the band's founding members, but left in early 2016 to pursue another of his passions -- acting.

He made his acting debut by landing the lead role in the 2014 film, The Song, a love story and modern re-imagining of the life of king Solomon. Powell has since appeared in several movies including Out of Ashes, Caged No More, and Where Hope Grows.

Now Powell has landed his first TV role joining the cast of the new NBC drama "Redliners." According to Deadline.com the show "mixes humor, romance and espionage" and "follows a pair of former operatives who get reactivated and drawn into a larger conspiracy while attempting to maintain their undercover lives." Alan will play New York cop Wynn Rhymer.

Believers Make an Impact on The Voice

Season twelve of The Voice premiered on February 27 and again features believers.

- Anatalia Villaranda (@anatalia_v)
- Andrea Thomas (@andrearthomas)
- Brennley Brown (@BrennleyBrown)
- Chris Blue (@Chrisbluelive)
- Hunter Plake (@hunterplake)
- Jack Cassidy (@jackgcassidy)
- Micah Tryba (@MicahTryba)


To be confirmed:
- Nala Price (@nala_price33)
- Mark Isaiah (@Markisaiahmusic)
- RJ Collins (@RJCollinsMusic)
- Savannah Leighton (@thesavleighton)

Season 11 also had believers such as Christian Cuevas. 

Believers found themselves in the Top 40 of season 10 (most notably finalists Hannah Huston & Mary Sarah) though the list wasn't as long as season 9.

In season 9, we noted that Christianity made a comeback on the show culminating with Jordan Smith  as the winner.

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."

Chris Tomlin Performs on Fox and Friends

Singer/Songwriter Chris Tomlin discusses new album and performs Good Good Father.

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.

Crowder Performs on Fox and Friends

Coinciding with the release of American Prodigal,  Crowder performed on FOX & Friends this morning. Immediately following the release of the album and national performance, Crowder’s nationwide “American Prodigal Tour,” featuring Tedashii and The New Respects, will kick-off September through November.

Skillet's "Stars" Video Premieres Exclusively On People

After posting a popular article with the rockers, People.com is premiering the new music video for "Stars" from the band's chart-topping album Unleashed. "Stars" follows the band's chart-climbing track "Feel Invincible"; its music video has gained over ten million views on YouTube to-date. You can learn more about "Stars" by visiting People.com's premiere.

Skillet also has quite a presence during the Fall sports season. "Feel Invincible" opens ACC Network telecasts of ACC football.  It is also scheduled to be featured on ESPN promos for the coming season of NFL Monday Night Football, Major League Baseball and ESPN's 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey programming. WWE's Battleground, TBS' E-League, Rock Band 4 and Nickelodeon's 2016 Kid Choice Sports Awards have already used the track.

Skillet's 'Unleashed' #3 On Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart

Skillet premieres at #3 on the Billboard 200 with Unleashed (62,000 units; 58,000 in pure album sales) — scoring the group its third top 10 album. The act has previously visited the top 10 with two more top five-charting releases: Rise in 2013 (No. 4) and Awake in 2009 (No. 2).


The new set also enters at #2 on the Top Albums Chart, #2 on the Digital Albums Chart, #3 on the Physical Albums Chart, and #7 in Australia.  It's #1 on the Top Christian Albums chart, giving Skillet its third chart-topper.

Skillet's performance on FOX & Friends All American Summer Concert Series will be the broadcast debut of "Feel Invincible." The single has been used by the WWE during their Battleground Pay-Per-View, TBS' E-League and Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports Awards. The song has also been featured in Rock Band. Also, "Feel Invincible" was recently chosen by the ACC for use throughout the entire 2016-football season. The song will be the soundtrack for the opening video montage to lead 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. The video for the single has already been viewed over 7.8 million times.