GRAMMY Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members, The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their hit song “Thank God For Kids,” which was released in November 1982. Written by Eddy Raven and produced by Ron Chancey, The Oak Ridge Boys included the song on their 1982 album, Christmas. The single went on to reach number three on the Hot Country Songs for Billboard and has continued to be a fan favorite throughout the years, being played at nearly every Oak Ridge Boys show since being recorded.

“There are a number of songs in The Oak Ridge Boys’ repertoire that fans insist on hearing,” shares Joe Bonsall. ”One of those is obviously “Elvira,” and another one is “Thank God For Kids.” It is hard to imagine a set list without It. Eddy Raven wrote it and William Lee Golden’s heartfelt rendition always makes for a special moment!”

The Oak Ridge Boys continue their Christmas concerts this year at Gaylord Opryland Resort to celebrate the holiday season at home with their 32-show residency as part of the resort’s 39th annual ‘A Country Christmas’ event. The Oaks’ ‘Christmas in Tennessee’ Dinner Show runs through December 25, 2022, and features a delicious holiday meal prepared by the resort’s culinary team followed by the Oaks and their band performing Christmas classics, new favorites, and many of the timeless hits that have shaped their legendary career. This year’s residency is sponsored by AARP Tennessee. For more information on ‘Christmas in Tennessee’, visit www.ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com.

“It is such an honor to have our Christmas show back at Gaylord Opryland in 2022 for the THIRD year in a row,” Bonsall continued. “Nobody does Christmas like Gaylord Opryland, and our dinner shows have become a part of their tradition over the last few years! Our show is much different than last year, but Santa promised to be there every night and he never disappoints. We hope you will plan to join The Oak Ridge Boys over the holidays this year for a gourmet dinner and a show that has been honed over decades of Christmas tours.”

The group— Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban—are best known for their iconic and multi-platinum hit “Elvira,” along with “Thank God For Kids” and other chart-toppers like “Bobbie Sue,” “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” and “American Made.” The Oak Ridge Boys have achieved a decorated career, winning five GRAMMY Awards, and multiple CMA, ACM, and Dove Awards for their crossover brand of pop, country, and gospel music that spans multiple generations. The Oak Ridge Boys became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 2011 and achieved arguably country music’s highest honor in October 2015 when they were inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame.

In a major step to multiply its ministry impact across all areas of outreach, David C Cook has promoted award-winning creative director Jason B. Jones into the newly created role of Vice President, Creative. In this new position, Jones will lead a cross-functional team of creatives and marketers to expand David C Cook’s global influence through Integrity Music and David C Cook’s publishing and curriculum arm.

“Jason has a unique ability to create at the highest level and translate that creativity into wide-reaching, meaningful impact,” said Jonathan Brown, president of Integrity Music. “Over the past six years, I’ve personally seen Jason’s care and intentionality in the way he leads others. I have no doubt that in this next season of his career he will continue to foster a culture of imagination and elevate the overall ministry of David C Cook and Integrity Music.”

In his role at Integrity Music, Jones has become one of the leading music resources for the global church and has served on the David C Cook senior leadership team by providing insight and guidance in aligning vision and direction for visual communications and creative services. Jones joined Integrity Music in 2015 as Senior Director of Visual Communications, quickly building an innovative team largely responsible for growing and supporting an international roster of worship and gospel artists. During that time, Jones was credited with a variety of important accomplishments, including a GMA Dove Award®and multiple nominations. A proven team leader and inspirational creative executive, Jones brings 17 years of industry experience working with other labels and artists in similar capacities, including TobyMac, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Michael W. Smith, and Kari Jobe.

Before immersing himself in Christian music, Jones worked as Creative Director for Tyemill, a Seattle-based tech company, where he focused on user interface design and execution for e-commerce game-changers such as Bonobos, Warby Parker, Baublebar, Rent the Runway, among others. In 2005, he co-founded Otterball, an internationally award-winning design agency focused on branding and web marketing for recording artists.

“I am humbled and excited to work alongside this expanded team, and thankful for the opportunity to help innovate and grow our ministries,” shares Jones. “I’m eager to dive into this new role and ready to further cultivate a culture of market-leading creative development.”

The No. 1 Billboard Top Christian Albums Imprint for three consecutive years, Centricity Music has a banner year in 2022, receiving RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications for Lauren Daigle and reaching the top of the radio charts four times led by songs from Brandon Heath, Jordan Feliz and Katy Nichole.

Billboard Chartbreaker Nichole went from being virtually bedridden due to her scoliosis to becoming one of the brightest new stars of 2022. She released her fist single Jan. 26, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” which went on to become the biggest song this decade on the Hot Christian Songs chart, holding 20-weeks at No. 1. Her second single, “God Is In This Story,” spent another three weeks atop that chart. The success is highlighted in this week’s Billboard Year in Music, the No. 1s issue with Nichole topping six categories, including: Top Christian Female, Top Christian New Artist, Christian Airplay and Christian Digital Song Sales.

Nominated for an American Music Award and a Dove Award (co-hosting and performing on the GMA Dove Awards Pre-Telecast) plus winning a K-LOVE Fan Award and making her Grand Ole Opry debut, Katy was also featured on the K-LOVE Christmas Tour 2022 and wrapped up successful tours with Jeremy Camp, Matthew West and more.

Signed to Centricity Music in 2021, five-time GRAMMY-nominated, eight-time Dove Award-winning Brandon Heath released his first full-length album on the label, Enough Already, April 22. The acclaimed album sparked the No. 1 Billboard Christian AC radio hit, “See Me Through It,” and features eight more tracks that find Heath addressing faith-shaping questions and collaborating with multiple award-winning producers and songwriters.

RIAA Gold-selling, Dove Award-winning pop recording artist and songwriter Jordan Feliz reached radio’s top position on multiple Billboard charts with his celebratory “Jesus Is Coming Back.” The song is featured on the 18-track deluxe version of Feliz’s acclaimed, third full-length album Say It from Centricity Music. The album combines pop, gospel and soul along with some of Feliz’s most transparent and personal lyrics to date.

Two-time GRAMMY Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist Lauren Daigle has her GRAMMY Award-winning crossover hit, “You Say,” the longest-running No. 1 song of any genre on the weekly Billboard Hot charts, certified 5x-Platinum by the RIAA. Her second full-length album, Look Up Child, is also certified Platinum while her latest radio single and sixth No. 1, “Hold On To Me,” is RIAA certified Gold.

With the label’s continued success comes organic growth within Centricity Music, which announces three new hires. Tyler Osswald is named Digital Marketing Manager and Sarah Shinn joins as Marketing Manager, Radio. Camy McArdle comes on board as Sr. Manager Finance / Business Affairs.

Bodie offered a powerful cover of a CCM classic during the Live Finale of NBC’s singing competition show The Voice on Monday, December 12th.

You can view his live performance of Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude” below. To find out if Bodie wins this season, tune into The Voice tonight at 8pm ET on NBC.

Last week, two-time GRAMMY Award winner Lauren Daigle, through her organization The Price Fund, wrapped up her season of fall giving with donations of $100k to New Orleans’ Ellis Marsalis Center, Roots of Music, NOCCA, KidSmart, and Young Audiences of Louisiana presented at her sold-out holiday performances at New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre. The concerts, which have become an annual tradition for Daigle, provided the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance that music charities can bring to underserved communities by allowing several children and young adults to perform on stage. In addition to the New Orleans organizations, Daigle presented funds to Roots Music, Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music, and Notes for Notes at her holiday concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and 42Strong, Colorado Healing Fund, Music Health Alliance, Agape School and Greater Good Music earlier this fall, bringing The Price Fund’s Fall total of $681,000.

“I’m truly moved and inspired by the passion and commitment that I’ve seen from every single person involved with all of these organizations – not to mention the tireless and seemingly endless work done by their volunteers,” said Daigle. “The thousands whose lives they touch each and every day, not only provides light and hope for so many in need, it sets an example for all of us to follow and shows us what we do mean to each other.”

Through its partnerships and outreach The Price Fund, established by Daigle in 2019, is designed to provide care for both children and the elderly as well as those in need. She is committed to investing her time and actively works to heal through various means, including work with at-risk youth. Through donations made via ticket sales, merch, and streaming Daigle has distributed over $2.2 million to 37 nonprofits around the world.

For more information about The Price Fund visit: http://thepricefund.org/

Since the release of her GRAMMY Award winning, platinum certified album Look Up Child, Lauren Daigle has reigned on the Billboard Charts. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Top 200 Albums chart making Daigle the first female artist to simultaneously hit the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian Billboard Album Charts. After spending 100 weeks at No. 1, Look Up Child, also holds the record for the greatest number of weeks at the top of any individual album chart. In addition, the GRAMMY Award winning crossover hit, “You Say,” became the longest-running No. 1 song of any genre on the weekly Billboard Hot charts at an incredible 132 weeks and was recently certified 5x-platinum by the RIAA. Daigle has earned seven Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, ten GMA Dove Music Awards and sold-out concert venues all over the world

Tune in Monday morning to catch 2022 Kennedy Center Honoree Amy Grant on CBS Mornings.  Grant’s segment, an in depth interview with Vlad Duthiers, is the first among the five Honor profiles on the program.  CBS Mornings airs between 7-9am each weekday.

The Washington Post also recently profiled Grant, the first contemporary Christian music star to receive a Kennedy Center Honor.

Grant accepted her honor last weekend during the taping of the annual broadcast and a weekend of events filled with family and long-time friends.  She recently posted a video recap on her socials, commenting:

“I’m still processing the whirlwind weekend at the Kennedy Center Honors. Somewhere in the telling of each of our stories and accomplishments, with laughter and tenderness, through the lens of friendship and connection, we all experienced the unifying impact of the ARTS in its many forms. Hats off to the Kennedy Center team for curating such a spectacular event that created a lifetime of memories.”

The Kennedy Center Honors will air December 28th at 8pm ET on CBS.

I AM THEY shared a recorded live stream of their final concert, which can be viewed below. The band announced earlier this year (Sept 30) that they would be parting ways after fourteen years of ministry together.

“For those who may have missed it, or want to watch it again and again, here is the link to the recorded live stream of our final show! Thank you all for ur love and support,” the group posted on social media.

Dj Maj, of TobyMac’s Diverse City Band, returns for another New Year’s Eve live stream on December 31st at 8 PM EST/ 7 PM CST. Throughout the 2020-21 global pandemic, Dj Maj served to curate virtual dance party experiences for homes across the globe. This interactive experience invited viewers to participate via live dance cam through the Zoom platform.

“It’s like clockwork. Every year since 2020 my social media DMs are filled with sporadic requests for another NYE party,” shares Dj Maj. “It seems like a combination of nostalgia and a genuine desire for connection with like minds. Such a special time.  So, here we are again.”

The set list includes a combination of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) and positive top 40 remixes. This season’s theme, Raviv (Rave & Revive) is a continuation of Maj’s desire to inspire the message of mental & emotional health through these performances (See www.djmaj.com/gethelp).

The fun starts at 7 pm (CST), on December 31st, 2022. Visit www.thefamdp.com for ways to watch and participate in the live dance cam. 

Award-winning Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist Natalie Grant puts a spiritual stamp on “You Will Be Found” from the celebrated musical-turned-movie Dear Evan Hansen. Enlisting the help of acclaimed singer/songwriter Cory Asbury, Grant’s moving version of the hope-filled ballad is available today (12/16) — listen HERE.

“The first time I ever heard this song, I was so overcome with how it just made me think of the message of the Gospel. The lyrics immediately made me think of the love of Jesus and how it has the ability to find every single one of us. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, there’s never a moment that you are so far gone that the love of God can’t find you,” Grant says. “I feel like I have the opportunity, not only to let the love of God find me, but to then let the love of God shine through me so I can carry that light and that love to so many people who need to know the message that no matter who you are, when you’re broken and on the ground, you will be found.”

“You Will Be Found (feat. Cory Asbury)” was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and produced by Grant’s husband, Bernie Herms. The track has become an anthem for those struggling with anxiety and depression, and Grant prays her rendition will provide a source of encouragement and peace for listeners as she points to the ultimate hope found in Jesus in the midst of a busy holiday season.

The nine-time GRAMMY nominee will wrap the 2022 “K-LOVE Christmas Tour” alongside Danny Gokey, Brandon Heath, Tasha Layton and Jon Reddick this weekend as the multi-artist outing makes final stops in Texas and Arkansas.

With a mission to bring together talented musicians from all around the world, Harmony Dreamers is a unique musical endeavor led by Byron Lee Scott. With their latest album, featuring a roster of diverse musicians from different fields of expertise, the band raced to the top of the UK iTunes and airplay charts with two singles.  “I Come From Earth” currently sits at #2 on the UK Talk Radio airplay chart, while the “Nashville Jam mix” of the song reached #12 on the country sales chart.  Now, Harmony Dreamers have announced an emotional new single, “Without You.” With a release date of December 16th, 2022, the single is an ode to people who will be celebrating the 2022 holiday season without a loved one. The emotional single aims to infuse listeners with hope, while also letting them know that someone out there is going through the same situation.

Scott says, “The more I listen to this song, ‘Without You,’ with the upcoming holidays, it just tears me up, the timing. Two people very close to me, my older brother and my adopted son, just broke up with long time live-in partners, just within weeks. When I worked on the cruise ships, it was not uncommon during the holidays for people to be grieving and trying to find peace.”

He further added, “There were certain healing songs I played for them that they still message me about years later, even though I only knew them for 15 minutes.”

Watch the lyric video for “Without You” (available on December 16^th)

Although Scott plays many instruments throughout their debut album, this is the first release on which he plays all of the instruments and performs all vocals.

Harmony Dreamers’ sensational debut album, “I Come From Earth,” is a truly global record in both outlook and execution. The new studio project of prolific songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Byron Lee Scott, it offers a timely message of worldwide unity with contributions from an array of top-flight musicians from every continent, including 20 international backup singers.  Ultra-melodic, rich in cultured harmonies, gorgeous orchestrations, and gentle psychedelia, Harmony Dreamers has earned comparisons to timeless greats including Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Steely Dan, and Crosby Stills & Nash.  “I Come From Earth” melds diverse influences with a lyrical through-line of connection, togetherness, and optimism.  For more information, please visit http://www.harmonydreamers.com