CAIN, the sibling trio comprised of Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain behind the multi-week No. 1 single “Rise Up (Lazarus)” release the official music video for “I’m So Blessed” today (July 15).
The track was featured on their first full-length album, Rise Up, which released last year.
On Septebmer 9, 2022, six-time GRAMMY winner Amy Grant will revisit her critically acclaimed 1997 album, Behind The Eyes, exactly 25 years to the day of its original release, with a very special project: Behind The Eyes (25th Anniversary Expanded Edition). Featuring the twelve tracks from the original album completely remastered, plus 18 bonus tracks, b-sides, demos and two brand new reimagined tracks by producer Keith Thomas, the album will be available digitally as well as a triple-vinyl package with expansive narratives from Amy and producers Keith Thomas and Wayne Kirkpatrick (track listing below). For a limited time, the vinyl package will also be signed and numbered by Amy. Digital Pre-Add or Pre-Save is available HERE and the Vinyl pre-order available exclusively at AmyGrant.com, and fans can look forward to multiple digital singles that will be released ahead of street date.
“Snapshots of life…that’s what these songs are,” Grant recalls. “Rediscovering so many unreleased tracks was like finding an old roll of undeveloped film 25 years after taking the pictures!”
Twenty-five years ago, Amy Grant released one of her most critically acclaimed albums, Behind The Eyes. The album was a landmark release showcasing the singer-songwriter side of Amy and was one of the most honest and vulnerable grouping of songs in her award-winning catalog. Behind The Eyes was Grant’s twelfth studio album and upon release, debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Christian albums chart and No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and spawned two top 10 hits with “Takes A Little Time” and “Like I Love You”. 2022 marks the first time the original album and the 18 bonus tracks will be available on vinyl.
Melanie Penn releases her sixth studio album with the long-awaited music video for the feature track, “Follow You.”
The beautiful and unique video began as a concept from Aaron Craig, the founder of We Are Films, who is also Penn’s long-time cinematographer and video producer. He suggested filming the video in Iceland and Penn was immediately on board. The two-day shoot embraced the vivid contrasts of climate and geography, while sparkling glaciers, rugged mountain ranges and hot geysers made an impactful background for the video. When you add in Penn’s beautiful vocals and lyrics, it really becomes a work of art.
“I’m so excited to bring you a video that was months in the making. From the start, we knew we wanted to capture a journey through the wilderness—something all of us can relate to from the last two years,” said Penn. “May this video bring you a painting in motion for ‘Follow You,’ and bring you comfort as you follow where God leads you.”
Melanie shares more about the music video in our Exclusive interview earlier this month: Exclusive: Melanie Penn Encouraging Listeners To Jump Into Life With ‘More Alive Vol. 2’
Red Street Records announces the new single from Consumed By Fire, “First Things First,” is out now (click HERE to listen), marking it their first since signing with the label. A music video also drops today, which can be viewed below. More songs are slated to release this fall, leading up to an EP release in early 2023.
Consumed By Fire is brothers Caleb, Josh, and Jordan Ward, a Southern pop and rock band combining their church roots with an array of musical influences. When they weren’t leading worship at their parent’s church during childhood, they were singing songs from James Taylor, Amy Grant, Bob Seger, Russ Raff, or The Eagles and they began to find their own musical sound. Now, after years of making music and touring the globe, the band is finding renewed motivation for their lifelong dedication to sharing God’s grace far and wide, taking up the mantle of their father’s heart for ministry – a major factor in the band’s renewed focus came from losing their father earlier this year. As their inspiration, he encouraged them in songwriting, musicianship, and a deep love for the Gospel.
“For us, this new music is our chance to carry on Dad’s legacy in a personal way,” Jordan says. “We’re able to take the things he taught us from scripture and everyday life and share it with others through our music and our shows. This is our opportunity to carry that torch for him.”
Preparing for their new EP brought out songs more personal and honest than ever before, such as “First Things First,” the piano-driven ballad echoes the band’s newly rooted commitment to put God first, despite what’s happening around them.
“Writing ‘First Things First’ spearheaded the creation of a new direction for us,” Jordan adds. “Every record you make is sort of a chapter of your life. In this chapter, everything we thought we wanted and were geared up for, we’re saying we surrender all those things. We’re saying, Lord, we want what You want. It’s a prayer of surrender, especially after losing our dad. We just want to surrender our dreams and our hopes to the Lord.”
Jordan concludes, “As kids, we were young and passionate, full of fire. Now that we’re adults, we’ve seen a little bit. Road years are like dog years and it’s easy to become jaded and cynical. But working on this new project, it’s like the Lord was waking us up. We’re living out ‘consumed by fire’ in a brand new way.”
Multi-GRAMMY® nominated artist, songwriter, and worship leader Cody Carnes has just released a new studio song, “Be Glad,” available everywhere today. Along with the new song, a lyric video debuted today as well for “Be Glad” (See below).
The new song was co-written by Carnes, Chris Davenport, Steven Furtick, and Jason Ingram, and it was produced by Aaron Robertson and Austin Davis.
“‘Be Glad’ is a song straight from scripture and full of joy and praise,” shares Cody Carnes about the inspiration behind this new track. “Psalm 118 says, This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and BE GLAD in it! There can be a lot of reasons to choose anything other than gladness. It’s easy to find a reason to be sad, angry, frustrated, or hopeless. But the Bible says we have a reason to BE GLAD today. Jesus has saved us and redeemed us. His mercies were brand new when you woke up this morning. So put on some gladness and worship the Lord today! I hope this song helps you do that.”
Following his popular 2021 song, “Firm Foundation (He Won’t),” Carnes will be releasing his first-ever live-recorded album. Earlier this month, he was joined by his band and special guests Kari Jobe, Leeland, Natalie Grant, Benjamin Hastings, and David Leonard for a powerful two-night recording at Belonging Co. in Nashville for his upcoming release. More details will be announced soon on the forthcoming project.
In 2017, Carnes released his label debut project and has since gone on to co-write numerous songs that have become anthems for listeners and established himself as a songwriter for this generation. His last studio album, Run To the Father (2020), earned him his first GRAMMY nomination. Carnes was also a co-writer on the global hit, “The Blessing,” which was nominated for a GRAMMY as well as won the 2021 GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year and 2020 Worship Song of the Year. He has also co-written recent songs such as Hillsong Worship’s “Hope of the Ages” with Reuben Morgan, Sean Curran’s “Shake The Dust Off” with Curran and Brandon Lake, and featured on multiple tracks off the most recent Passion release, Burn Bright.
Carnes and his wife Kari Jobe will be joining the highly attended Elevation Nights tour with Elevation Worship. Check out the dates and markets at this link.
German worship band Outbreakband release their new single ‘Oase’, translating in English as “Oasis”. Their vision seeks to reawaken a passion for the Lord and for worship in the youth of Germany and bordering German speaking countries, which ‘Oase’ expresses lyrically and musically.
The single is bright and energetic, featuring multiple synths, an electric drive, and an overall fresh summery feel.
With underlying water sounds as a nod to the title, ‘Oase’ expands on the metaphor of God’s presence as a place of rest and refreshing amid life circumstances.
It’s a song of faith and a reminder of our belonging to a caring and life-giving God. Mia Friesen, who co-wrote the new song with Stefan Schöpfle, adds that “the song has such a beautiful musical lightness [as an invitation] to come into the lightness that God has for us and look for the oases [in his presence].” Outbreakband’s deep conviction and experience of Christ’s abounding life as well as their crisp sound shine through ‘Oase’. “Oase” is available now.
Christian music group Newsboys recently returned from a two-week European tour with Franklin Graham, playing arena shows in Sheffield, Liverpool, and Cardiff. Immediately following the UK run of shows, the group released their most recent single “Jesus Did” which is now available on all music streaming platforms. Currently on their Summer tour in the U.S., the “God’s Not Dead” singers are set to visit multiple fairs and festivals across the country over the summer before kicking off their Fall tour across the United States and New Zealand. Upcoming tour dates listed below, with Fall dates and lineup to be announced. Click here to view full schedule.
Newsboys also recently attended the Momentum Conference 2022. The life-changing experience equipping Christian radio leaders occurred in Orlando in June. The band attended an event hosted by Capitol Christian Music Group, where artists on the CCMG roster and radio professionals from across the country were able to gather for the first-time post-pandemic.
Amidst a busy travel season, the band has not slowed down in the studio. The release of “Jesus Did” in May kicked off a series of music releases that the band has in store for the rest of the year, with the next release anticipated for the late July.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
Matt Maher, a multi-award-winning performer and composer, has released a new song called “Only Good Will Grow,” which features Brian Elmquist. “Only Good Will Grow” will be performed live, along with many of his past songs, during his 2022 tour.
With plans to tour Europe with Rend Collective followed by appearing at numerous summer and fall festivals, more tour dates continue to be added, so be sure to visit his tour page for the latest information.
Munday Martin has released “Super Jesus,” his third single from his sophomore album which will drop in December 2022. “Super Jesus” is available now to download/stream.
Munday Martin was promoted as the best up and coming artist in Nashville Tennessee by Nashville‘s biggest rock station recently, and without question is certainly making waves in the Christian and secular music industry with his retro rock vibe reminiscent of the 80s and 90s.
“Super Jesus” is a song I wrote one day on electric guitar singing in front of my two kids and my wife. The kids loved it and the melody was catchy enough to make it a quirky song that both adults and kids will love. I can see the kingdom of darkness trying to infiltrate the youth today and I wanted to offer a song that can point them to the light of Jesus Christ. An animation music video is in the works for it right now. – Munday
Producer John Mark Painter (DC Talk, The Grits, Steve Taylor, Fleming and John) added synthesizer ear candy that kids will love to make it a fun techno experience dipping our inspirations into “Devo” and “Men Without Hats.” Post punk as it gets, the song, under two minutes long in the tradition of punk, gets the point across quickly.
Every town is in despair and the only one that can save the town and give you power to be free is Super Jesus. Prepare to smile! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s SUPER JESUS! Corny? Perhaps. But not to a child or one with a childlike heart. This song is Munday’s kiss blown to the cheeks of Jesus with no shame saying “Thank you my Master for saving me in my youth at age 6 in Stamford Ct.”
The Guardians Quartet is releasing its brand-new single, “Not For Long,” today, looking to build on its tremendous run of #1 songs at Southern Gospel radio. Its debut album on Daywind Records, Come On In, releases on July 29, 2022. Co-produced by group member, John Darin Rowsey, and the incomparable Wayne Haun, the long-awaited album invites the listener into God’s presence both lyrically and musically.
Guardians Quartet’s founder, Dean Hickman, says, “The Guardians Quartet stands amazed at our journey over the last 10 years. We are thankful to have been blessed beyond measure as we embark upon another tremendous opportunity that God has provided in our new relationship with Daywind Records. Special thanks to Ed Leonard, Dusty Wells and Kyle Johnson, and the entire team at Daywind for their demonstrated superior leadership in our genre.”
Daywind A&R Director, Dusty Wells, adds, “The Daywind team is absolutely thrilled to have The Guardians Quartet join our family of artists. We are so blessed and honored to share their incredible new music with the world. I, personally, have been a fan of Dean, John Darin, Pat, and Scott for years, and I’ve always admired their anointed music, talent, and heart for ministry.”
Added Wells, “The new album, Come On In, is a project people will play over and over and over and includes songs that will both encourage and challenge. I love the songs they have brought to us, and I know the listener will as well. John Darin Rowsey and Wayne Haun have taken the production to a whole new level. Welcome to the Daywind family, The Guardians Quartet! COME ON IN!”
“Come On In is an invitation to the listener to take some time to push the cares of the world outside and let God speak to your heart. There is something for every aspect of life. Our prayer is that people will experience joy, healing, and restoration,” states John Darin Rowsey, album co-producer, songwriter, and group member.
As the summer heats up, so does the touring schedule for The Guardians Quartet.
“Not For Long” will be available immediately on all digital and streaming platforms, with the album, Come On In, dropping on July 29, 2022.
