Jonathan McReynolds performed “White Christmas” on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The track is from his first ever Christmas EP Red And Green, which dropped earlier this year.
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Fair Trade’s new artist Megan Woods has made an explosive entrance into CCM with her debut No. 1 single, “The Truth.” She was recently announced as one of Pandora Artists to Watch 2025: The Pandora Ten. This exclusive list identifies a group of ten emerging artists across all genres that Pandora believes will break through in the coming year.
“Pandora prides itself on being a platform that listeners can turn to for discovering new music, and year after year the platform continues to successfully identify the rising stars across all genres,” said Steve Blatter, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Music Programming at SiriusXM and Pandora in the release announcing the Pandora Ten.
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Woods’ single is the largest debut single launch in several years, already hitting No. 1 on multiple Christian radio charts. The song written by Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, and Woods, also captured significant social media attention when released resulting in more than 650K new followers on socials and nearly 60 million views. Fans will be able to catch her singing her No. 1 song and new music on the Big Daddy Weave tour this spring for more than 30 dates beginning in February.
Angel Studios, the innovative platform that empowers creators to crowdfund, create, and distribute films series globally with full creative control, is streaming ‘for KING + COUNTRY’s A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE | The Cinematic Concert Experience!” The four-time Grammy-Award winning brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone filmed their largest tour to date in front of a sold-out arena crowd of 12,000+ in Houston, Texas.
This Christmas concert already boasts a 98% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes from its groundbreaking theatrical release, launching in early December as one of the top 30 highest-grossing concert movies of all time, and is now available for streaming, exclusively on the Angel Studios App and at Angel.com.
“In this Christmas spectacular, the Smallbone brothers lead audiences on a sonic journey that blends the sights and sounds of the season with musical mastery, heartwarming storytelling, and the dazzling production that for KING + COUNTRY is famous for,” said Jared Geesey, Chief Distribution Officer at Angel Studios.
“Filmed during their largest ‘A Drummer Boy Christmas’ tour, this festive phenomenon features never-before-seen live performance footage and breathtaking views that will be a magic experience for your family and loved ones this spiritual season.”
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Directed by Joel Smallbone and Kadin Tooley and produced by Josh Walsh for WalshWorks Productions, “A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE” was originally to be released early in December as only a 5-day Fathom Event. Demand surged, and after a $2.2M opening, the film pushed to a 15 day-run. Now, through the end of 2024, “A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE” will be streaming exclusively on the Angel App and at Angel.com.
Since 2012, for KING + COUNTRY has been an anchor artist for Christian radio. The platinum-selling duo has achieved over 2 billion career streams, and have been awarded four GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, and 17 K-LOVE Fan Awards.
“This is my incomplete Christmas album,” singer Bryan Andrew Wilson laughs. “It’s been in progress for years. I’d do a part of a song and leave it and come back to finish it 2 years later.” Aside from running a church, studying for a master’s degree, and working as an Atlanta educator, Wilson has been caretaker to several relatives. “My mother who set the standard for our family holidays died of cancer.
I took care of her those last few months. My former road manager died of COVID, and I took care of her funeral. My spiritual mother Duranice Pace died suddenly and several other people. It’s been a lot, and I wasn’t always in a Christmas spirit, but we finally finished some of the songs this year that we started years ago.
Jingle Jams opens with the slow jam, “The Best Gift.” Wilson wrote the song with producer Darryl Pearson whose resumé includes productions with Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Mya, Drake, and Sam Smith. The next track “Jingle Bell Swing” is a Chicago-styled stepper’s track produced by Judah Sealy who has enjoyed No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz charts. Next up is Wilson’s Motown cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles’ 1963 gem, “Christmas Everyday.”
On the second half of the album, Wilson takes the listener to a Pentecostal church. He opens this section with the quasi-classical song he co-wrote with Blake Wesley Pace, “Greatest Gift of All.” It features Wilson’s full-throated tenor against the majestic backing vocals of the Washington, D.C.-based group Roderick Giles & Grace (who backed Wilson on his 2016 Billboard No. 1 gospel hit, “Overflow”) and the celestial string orchestration of Yoed Nir (Judy Collins, Regina Spektor).
Then, Wilson saunters over to New Orleans for “The Savior Has Come” that features the Grammy Award winning Rebirth Brass Band (who have collaborated with the likes of Trombone Shorty, Jon Batiste and Harry Connick Jr.) who bring a Bourbon Street marching band and a rickety church pew together for a festive celebration of the savior’s birth.
On the bluesy “A Wonderful Child,” Wilson is joined by 90-year-old gospel music legend Dorothy Norwood and vocal dynamo Darrel Wallsof the Grammy Award nominated, The Walls Group) for a gutbucket rumination on the birth of Christ.
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The album closes with the funky, percussive “He Brought Joy” that Wilson says is a nod to the godfather of soul James Brown’s church roots. “I have five more songs that I didn’t want to rush, so we’ll finish those in the new year and reissue the whole thing as a complete album in 2025,” Wilson adds. “The songs that didn’t make it are cool songs, I think. I can’t wait to finish them and reintroduce this project next year.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Bryan’s entrance on the music scene when the then- ten-year-old sang a dynamic rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” with the Mississippi Children’s Choir back in 1994 for Malaco Records. Wilson’s dramatic high notes and note-bending made the song and instant success that’s earned him millions of YouTube and TikTok views in the digital era. “That song seems to go viral every few months,” Wilson laughs. “It’s pretty amazing how that happens.”
Sarantos’ new single, “God Doesn’t Make Mistakes,” is a moving testament to the power of faith, God’s sovereignty, and the beauty of redemption. Rooted in raw honesty, the track speaks to the struggles of doubt and brokenness while affirming God’s unwavering love and purpose in our lives.
From the opening lines—“Yesterday you found yourself screaming / At a God you didn’t believe in”—Sarantos sets the stage for a story of wrestling with belief. The lyrics reflect a deeply relatable struggle: feeling abandoned by God in moments of pain, only to discover His presence in hindsight.
The chorus serves as the emotional and spiritual anchor, declaring: “The Architect of Fate / Knows what it takes / Love is a choice / He doesn’t make mistakes.” It’s a powerful reminder that God’s plan, even when unclear, is perfect, and His love is constant.
Musically, “God Doesn’t Make Mistakes” complements its spiritual message with a stripped-back, reflective arrangement. Gentle acoustic guitars, light percussion, and subtle keys provide a worshipful atmosphere, letting Sarantos’ words and heartfelt delivery shine.
His vocals carry a sincerity that feels like a prayer—honest, vulnerable, and full of hope. In the bridge, “His story isn’t finished yet / His voice always echoes through the canyons of our soul,” Sarantos beautifully captures God’s promise to never leave or forsake us, even when we feel lost.
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What makes this song stand out is its bold and biblical truth: God doesn’t make mistakes. Romans 8:28 tells us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,” a promise Sarantos weaves throughout the song. Life’s hardships, doubts, and heartaches may cloud our vision, but God is always at work, shaping us for His glory and our good.
“God Doesn’t Make Mistakes” isn’t just a song—it’s a testimony. For anyone struggling with doubt, loss, or feeling unworthy, this track is a comforting reminder that God’s love is steadfast. Through faith and trust, we come to see that He is the Architect of our lives, and every moment—no matter how painful—has a purpose in His perfect plan.
–Art Johnson
With simple yet profoundly powerful lyrics and a captivating melody, “Light Come” is both a prophecy and a declaration of the truth of our identity in Christ: that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Recorded live with an intimate gathering of passionate worshippers “Light Come” is a catalyst for revival.
Arise, shine! For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you – Isaiah 60:1
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LYRICS
I am the light of the world
The salt of the earth
A chosen generation
To show forth His praise
(Repeat)
Aye Aye (Aye Aye)
Aye Aye (Aye Aye)
Aye Aye (Aye Aye)
Light come
I am light (I am light)
I shine bright (I shine bright)
For the Spirit of the Lord
Is at work in my life
(Repeat)
Purist Ogboi wraps up her musical year with the release of “Lion And The Lamb,” a heartfelt song of adoration proclaiming the greatness of our Lord Yeshua. This soul-stirring worship anthem is a timely reminder of God’s sovereignty and love, inspiring listeners to lift their voices in praise.
Produced by the renowned Evans Ogboi for Simplicity Records, UK, “Lion And The Lamb” is now streaming on all major platforms. Complementing the release, the official music video is now available to watch on Purist Ogboi’s YouTube channel.
Join Purist Ogboi in declaring the greatness of the Lion And The Lamb with this anointed release.
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Lion And The Lamb – Lyrics
The Lion of Judah
The Lamb that was slain
Be all blessing, glory, honour and power
The One who holds all power, El ‘Elyon
We hail You Lion and the Lamb
We hail You Lion and the Lamb
Elohim 3x
Curb Records artist Stars Go Dim launches its next musical chapter with “Mama Don’t Lie (Alright),” out today.
Stars Go Dim celebrates every new day on “Mama Don’t Lie (Alright).” Frontman Chris Cleveland takes his mama at her word when she tells him everything will be OK. Settling into a retro groove, the pop throwback acknowledges both a universal feeling that life is heavy and an inescapable rush of joy that comes in knowing the sun will rise again tomorrow.
The colorful horn-laden original is the lead offering from Stars Go Dim’s forthcoming studio project, set to bow next year. Cleveland self-produced the album’s debut single and penned the selection with a vibey piano assist from Mark Heimermann.
“‘Mama Don’t Lie (Alright)’ is the first song from the new record, and it’s on purpose, because when you put this on, man, it makes you feel something. I’m so excited about this one. It’s the first one I wrote for the record,” Cleveland shares. “The cool part about this song is that the intro — the very first thing you hear — is a voice memo of the first chords of this song.
I took them straight from a text my co-writer, Mark Heimermann, sent me. So, as this song comes on, you’re going to hear the very first thing I heard when I began to write and think about this record. I hope you love ‘Mama Don’t Lie (Alright).’”
The introductory single leads an all-new 11-song LP coming from Stars Go Dim in 2025 and marks a fresh musical era for Cleveland.
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GMA Dove Award-winning hip hop duo Social Club Misfits partners with GRAMMY- nominated artist Ryan Ellis on a new song. “Pray” is now available to stream.
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An intimate, rootsy ballad that brims with nostalgia and quiet beauty.
Cory M. Coons’ “The Morning Drive” isn’t just a song; it’s a window into a moment—an ode to life’s simplest yet most profound connections. Coons, already celebrated for his warm brand of roots-flavored melodic rock, steps further into a stripped-down Americana landscape here, crafting a delicate and emotive ballad that feels like an open letter to both time and love.
Self-produced and performed entirely by Coons himself, the single reflects his decades-long expertise and deep personal artistry, but more importantly, it feels *human*—grounded in the kind of understated beauty you only find when an artist writes from the heart.
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Lyrically, “The Morning Drive” resonates like a beloved Polaroid pulled from a dusty keepsake box. Coons captures a tender routine—those early morning drives shared with his daughter along Ontario’s St. Lawrence Seaway. Lines like “Her tiny eyes still softly closed” and “The sun will rise / Down the old nine mile” paint images so vivid you can almost feel the cool morning air on your face.
There’s something universal here, a bittersweet familiarity in celebrating fleeting moments of connection before they slip away into memory.
The chorus carries a quietly soaring tenderness: “I treasure every moment / And cherish every mile / The time with you, my little girl / And the morning drive.” Coons refrains from over-sentimentality, instead letting the lyrics breathe with soft-spoken grace, a testament to his maturity as a songwriter.
Musically, “The Morning Drive” finds power in restraint. The acoustic guitar carries the song with a gentle, steady rhythm, complemented by subtle symphonic touches that shimmer like morning light breaking over the horizon. The arrangement, minimal and unhurried, allows Coons’ warm, weathered vocals to take center stage.
It’s here that his roots and Americana influences come into full bloom—think the reflective storytelling of Gordon Lightfoot or James Taylor, but with the kind of homespun charm reminiscent of John Prine. Each note feels intentional, each pause imbued with quiet meaning, mirroring the contemplative pace of the song’s subject matter.
In producing the track himself—playing every instrument, mixing, and mastering—Coons achieves a raw authenticity. This isn’t polished for radio gloss; it’s tender, tactile, and deeply personal, an extension of his craft and a reflection of an artist proud to stand alone in his truth. The song’s intimacy feels as though it was born in that “Summer Kitchen,” written in those same predawn hours, lingering long after the last note fades.
“The Morning Drive” carries a subtle magic—a reminder that beauty lives in life’s small rituals and the roads we travel with those we love. For anyone who has ever cherished a quiet drive, a fleeting morning, or the weight of time’s passage, this song strikes like an emotional ripple.
Cory M. Coons may have over 30 years in the industry, but with tracks like this, it’s clear his music still comes from a place of humble wonder. “The Morning Drive” is a love letter to memory, and in listening, we’re reminded to treasure the moments that define our days, no matter how small.
For Fans Of:
– Gordon Lightfoot
– John Prine
– James Taylor
– Bruce Cockburn
Final Thoughts:
On “The Morning Drive,” Cory M. Coons reminds us that the most beautiful songs don’t need to shout they just need to feel. This is music for quiet mornings and long drives, for those who find magic in simplicity and love in the passing of time. A rootsy gem from an artist who continues to write from the heart.
–Jamie Cutler
