Synth-pop pioneer Owl City received his first RIAA Diamond certification for his groundbreaking 2009 debut single “Fireflies,” signifying sales in excess of 10 million units.

The memorable mega-hit milestone track “Fireflies” is the second-ever Dance/Electronic song to be certified Diamond by the RIAA. The track is featured alongside the 1x Platinum single “Vanilla Twilight” on Ocean Eyes, Owl City’s 2x Platinum July 2009 sophomore album on Republic Records.

Listen to Owl City HERE

Owl City’s career boasts six RIAA-certified titles to date, a tally that also includes the 2x Platinum 2012 collaborative single with Carly Rae Jepsen, “Good Time,” a song that reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In addition to these key career achievements, Adam Young has also cultivated a wide-ranging recording career steeped in synth-pop, disco, indietronica, European electronica, and a score of other genres — in essence, forging a veritable bouillabaisse of influences into an original sound, all his and Owl City’s own.

Owl City’s multi-generationally appealing music has also graced a number of animated films and their respective soundtracks, among them being 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph and 2013’s The Croods.

More recently, April 2022 saw the digital release of “All Star (Owl City Remix),” Owl City’s bold re-imagining of Smash Mouth’s iconic 1999 hit single. Earlier this month, Owl City released a new single, “Kelly Time.” To listen to “Kelly Time,” click HERE. For more information on all things Owl City, visit owlcitymusic.com and facebook.com/owlcity.

This week, double-Platinum selling, award-winning singer/songwriter Cory Asbury announces his latest tour, The Pioneer Tour, with Riley Clemmons as the tour opener.

Dates and cities are found below. In his announcement, Asbury also teases the tour will include never before heard songs with a new record coming soon! Tickets will be available this Friday (Jan 27) 10AM local time at coryasbury.com.

March 24 – Virginia Beach, VA
March 26 – Prestonsburg, KY
March 28 – Greensboro, NC
March 30 – Tysons, VA
April 1 –  Branson, MO
April 4 – St. Louis, MO
April 6 – Jacksonville, FL
April 7 – Pensacola, FL
April 8 – Orlando, FL
April 13 – Nashville, TN
April 14 – Anderson, IN
April 15 – Lafayette, IN
April 16 – Pittsburgh, PA
April 20 – Greenville, TX
April 21 – Paducah, KY
April 22 – Shipshewana, IN
April 23 – Wabash, IN

The Gray Havens announce the inaugural Zion Caravan Tour.

On March 22, The Gray Havens embark on their inaugural Zion Caravan Tour with friends Antoine Bradford, John Mark Pantana and LOVKN.

“The Zion Caravan tour concept has been in discussion for a while and we are glad to finally launch,” states Artist Garden Entertainment‘s Keith Stancil. “The Gray Havens, Antoine Bradford, John Mark Pantana and LOVKN have all built significant followings as indie artists without the help of radio or major record labels.

While there is cross-pollination across the four artists‘ fan bases, we anticipate the Zion Caravan tour will draw and connect larger audiences and ultimately grow the indie touring footprint in Christian music. These artists are making an impact with fantastic music and their streaming numbers reveal a significant fan base hungry for this kind of tour.”

The Gray Havens‘ David Radford says “I can’t wait for this tour. I want it to be special. It’s a grand experiment in a lot of ways and I hope it’s just the 1.0 of future Zion Caravan Tours to come. But I’d love for you to come and be a part of the first one with us – and of course our fellow artists, John Mark Pantana Antoine Bradford and LOVKN“

International Justice Mission has signed on as the tour sponsor.

Tickets for the tour are now available through Ticketswag and TheGrayHavensMusic.com.

Zion Caravan Tour Dates
March 22 – Waco, TX
March 23 – Houston, TX
March 24 – San Antonio, TX
March 25 –  Austin TX
March 26 – Dallas/Forth Worth, TX
March 29 – Columbus, OH
March 30 – Grand Rapids, MI
March 31 – Chicago, IL
April 1 – Minneapolis, MN
April 2 – Kansas City, MO
April 13 – Atlanta, GA
April 14 – Raleigh, NC

Tribute Quartet, releases their highly-anticipated Daywind album, Always Grace, on January 27th.  Comprised of Gary Casto, Josh Singletary, Gus Gaches, and Ian Owens, Tribute Quartet is one of the most dynamic and sought-after male quartets in Gospel music with five #1 songs to their credit in the last two years.

Lead vocalist, Gary Casto shares, “Over 38 years, I’ve had the distinct privilege to record many powerful songs. In my opinion, the ten songs we chose on this latest effort, Always Grace, are no exception. Each track instills joy and encouragement in the listener (no less, we, as Tribute) and speaks to the heart of what matters in life. It’s no less than an honor to be trusted with a message that transcends all walks of life and gets to the point: ‘It’s always grace that sustains us. It’s always grace that keeps us. It’s always grace that galvanizes our faith in the Source of the grace we walk in, daily’.”

Baritone vocalist and pianist, Josh Singletary adds, “We’ve all heard songs about grace. We’ve all heard countless sermons and lectures regarding grace. The topic of grace, at times, sadly, seems to ring monotonous. But, the fact of the matter remains: you wouldn’t be alive, right now; I wouldn’t be breathing, right now; no one would experience peace, joy, love, mercy, hope, or, suffice it to say, blessings of any kind, if not for the grace of a Holy God. We would never have the unbelievable advantage imparted to the world to even whisper about He who offers this grace. What a message to attempt to communicate!”

Dusty Wells, director of Artist and Label Relations for Daywind Records, comments,

“All of us at Daywind Records are so proud of Tribute Quartet.  What an incredible opportunity and blessing it is to have Gary, Josh, Ian, and Gus, as part of the Daywind family.  This new project, Always Grace, is one of their best yet and is certain to be one of your favorites.  I love how these guys take such special care when picking the songs, and they make certain that each song is a ‘heart’ reflection of where they are on the journey and what they are seeing and hearing from their many fans and friends who come out to see them live.”

CLICK HERE to listen to the multi-award-winning and multi-Dove Award-nominated group Tribute Quartet’s new album, Always Grace. Make sure to see Tribute Quartet live, as they are currently on tour.

Tribute Quartet live, as they are currently on tour.

Author and singer/songwriter Ellie Holcomb has achieved the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Bronze Award for selling more than 100,000 copies of her debut children’s book, Who Sang The First Song, (B&H Publishing, 2018). The book hit the ECPA juvenile bestseller list and was a finalist for the 2019 Christian Book Award in the children’s category.

Illustrated by Kayla Harren, Who Sang the First Song? is an engaging board book with whimsical art, where Holcomb asks a childlike question and answers with a lovely lyrical tale that shows young readers that God our Maker sang the first song and created us all with a song to sing.

Holcomb has also authored two additional children’s books, Don’t Forget To Remember, and most recently her Christmas book, Sounding Joy, which landed at No. 4 on ECPA’s Christian Juvenile Bestsellers, Christmas 2022 list. With each of these children’s releases, she has simultaneously released original music with their own EPs. She also won the GMA Dove Award for “Children’s Album of the Year” in 2020 for her album, Sing: Remembering Songs. In addition, she has released a bestselling devotional, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness, which was released in 2021.

This year, she is kicking off the year with a new song, “Bones,” with her husband Drew Holcomb that was released this month. This precedes their “Drew & Ellie Residency Tour” that kicks off on February 9th hitting markets such as Atlanta, Dallas, New York City, Knoxville and Seattle. Tickets are on sale here.

About Ellie Holcomb: 

For eight years, Ellie recorded and toured full-time with her husband’s band, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, before stepping off the road when her first child was born. Her solo debut, As Sure As The Sun (2014), landed her a Top 10 hit and a GMA Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year.” Her critically-acclaimed sophomore LP, Red Sea Road, followed in 2017.

In subsequent years, Holcomb has released three children’s books – each with a companion EP of original music written specifically for kids. The second of which debuted at the top of the Billboard Kids chart and earned her a Dove Award for “Children’s Album of the Year,” in 2020. In 2021, she released her third full-length solo project, Canyon, to much acclaim as well as earning her a second Top 10 radio single with the song, “I Will Carry You.”

Her first adult book and devotional, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness, has spent many months on the ECPA Bestseller list. For more information visit: ellieholcomb.com 

Micah Tyler makes his book debut with today’s release of Walking Free: Taking Small Steps To A Big God (K-LOVE Books). Full of encouragement partnered with daily devotionals, it is Tyler’s hope that Walking Free will be a guide to help its readers set out on a path to a free and meaningful life. New York Times’ bestselling author, podcaster, and speaker Annie F. Downs wrote the foreword.

To celebrate its release, Tyler will appear tonight at the Mardel Bookstore in Beaumont, Texas for a special performance and book signing. Find out more HERE.

Walking Free: Taking Small Steps to a Big God wasinspired byTyler’s hit song of the same name. Within its pages, he applies Scripture and Biblical wisdom in his teaching alongside personal stories along with questions for both personal reflections and group discussions. It is also Tyler’s desire to support and encourage believers to experience the mercy and mission of a closer connection with God and to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus, regardless of external circumstances.

He shares, “I want to invite you on a 42-day journey as we take small steps away from the things of this world and all the empty promises it offers and walk toward the good things of God and the knowledge of knowing Jesus more deeply and meaningfully. We’ll take these steps together, working toward trusting the Lord because we don’t follow each other, we follow Him. As we walk this journey, we want to celebrate God’s love for us, discovering the heights that His freedom brings into our lives. Some steps will be beautiful and some will be difficult, but this road will lead somewhere amazing. One step at a time!”

He Reminds Me, the highly anticipated third Christian recording from GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso Tim Menzies, is set to bow March 3 (New Day Christian Distributors). Showcasing a dozen selections all penned or co-penned by Menzies—one of Nashville’s most prolific songwriters—He Reminds Me was produced by Ben Isaacs (The Isaacs, The Oak Ridge Boys) and features collaborations with some of bluegrass and Gospel music’s leading names.

Among the album’s standout tracks is “The Church,” a tender ballad honoring the eternal impact of a humble country congregation. With vocal contributions from The Isaacs’ Ben Isaacs and multi-GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Award-winning artist Ricky Skaggs, the song holds a deeply personal meaning for Menzies.

“My wife grew up in the church, but I did not become part of the church until later in my adulthood, so this song is based on observing my wife’s family through the years,” Menzies explains. “Ben and Ricky were both raised in the church and have beautiful voices that blend and fit the track perfectly. Having them sing on ‘The Church’ felt like a divine idea, and it’s been a complete blessing to me as well.”

Further highlights of He Reminds Me include lead single “On My Father’s Side,” a poignant look at Jesus as both the Son of Man and Son of God; “What Are You Waiting For,” a timely invitation to surrender featuring bluegrass/Gospel icons The Isaacs; toe-tapper “Sanding Off The Edges,” showcasing GRAMMY-winning modern bluegrass trailblazers Rhonda Vincent and Union Station’s Dan Tyminski; and the album’s emotive closer, “One More Reason,” with GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Jason Crabb and Ben Isaacs. He Reminds Me also includes contributions from acclaimed country singer/songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard, as well as Menzies’ wife, Brenda, who is featured on three tracks.

“Every guest vocal and musician on this album has a distinct sound that complements the lead vocal, collaborating to convey the specific message of each song,” Menzies shares. “Our Savior Jesus says in Matthew 18:20, ‘For where two or three come together in my Name, there am I with them.’ When fellow disciples share our God-given creative gifts in His Name, His presence is undeniable. And when we sing together for His glory, I know His presence is also felt by the listener.”

“The Bible fundamentally informs my songwriting, and as a result, many of the songs on He Reminds Me function like parables,” Menzies adds. “The album has themes of God’s grace and the availability of the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who seek Him, while also recognizing that the time to choose Jesus as Lord and Savior and gather others unto Him is now.”

Colton Dixon’s “Build A Boat” has truly found an anchor at radio. No. 1 for 10 weeks, the track was also the longest running No. 1 Mediabase Christian AC song of 2022. On January 27th, a brand-new version of the song,“Build A Boat (feat. Gabby Barrett)” will be available, featuring MULTI-PLATINUM and award-winning Country star Gabby Barrett.  Pre-save the track HERE.

“I respect Colton’s creativity as an artist and was already a big fan of ‘Build A Boat’ before he reached out to collaborate,” shares Barrett. “These lyrics really hit me, and it’s such a blessing to be a part of this new version and to be able to honor our Lord in this way.”

Equally excited to have Barrett join him on what’s become the biggest song of his career, Dixon commented, “I’m so honored to have a fellow American Idol alum, Gabby Barrett, join me in spreading the message of faith and perseverance through my song ‘Build A Boat’- what a great way to kick off the year!”

Dixon will be touring across the U.S. this spring on his “Build A Boat Tour” featuring Jordan St. Cyr and special guests Apollo LTD.  Hitting approximately 35 cities, the tour will kick off March 10th in Bedford, NH. Initial tour dates are listed  here with more being added soon.  Tickets are now on sale at ColtonDixon.com.

All is set as prolific female Nigerian gospel music diva and Praise/Worship leader Ernieola Olusoga hosts the seventh (7th) Edition of Word, Worship & Warfare event (WWW 7th Edition).

Sharing her thoughts behind this event, the “Count Enough” crooner says, “Gloreeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy! Are you ready to PRAYYYYYYY?? Christ Jesus is ready and glorified.”

“This is a community of creative believers and kingdom burden bearers coming together to Worship & Praise in songs, declare God’s word, receive God’s word and War (Pray) in the spirit!!!” – Ernieola Olusoga concludes.

The event is to be graced by top Nigerian gospel minstrels that include, Gideon Mba, JT Bakare, Shola Okodugha, Babz Carpenterz, Dare Justified, Funmi Sax, Emeka Madubata, Judikay, Amarachukwu Onoh, Ifeanyi Kalu, Emeke Akorin, Tobi Walker.

Details of this Meeting are highlighted below;

Date: 29th of January, 2023.

TIME: 4 pm prompt

#WWW007 Carpet: 3 pm prompt

Venue: Solution Arena 156, Ikorodu road, Onipanu, Lago

Lecrae is heading on the road for “The Final Church Clothes Tour!” The tour kicks off on March 17th in Orlando, FL, and then travels to 26 cities across The South, Midwest, and East Coast ending May 14th in Massachusetts.

The tour branded “The Final Church Clothes Tour” pays homage to and closes out his Church Clothes mixtape series. On November 4, 2022, he released Church Clothes 4, the last mixtape in the series, and filmed two music videos: “Spread The Opps,” and “Still In America.” The 13-song album featured appearances from Andy Mineo, WHATUPRG, nobigdyl, Jon Keith, A.I. The Anomaly, and Jordan L’Oreal.

The mixtape series embraced Lecrae’s “righteous but ratchet” side. “I’m a child of hip-hop. I grew up with rap music, and God transitioned and transformed me when I became a believer! After that, people felt I didn’t belong in hip-hop anymore,” he explained. “The Church Clothes mixtape series helped them understand there’s a place for artists like me. If Wu-Tang can spit the 5 percent gems, Kendrick can talk Hebrew Israelites, and Ice Cube and Lupe can declare their Islamic faith, why is there no space for Christian hip-hop artists? So, the first Church Clothes (released in 2012) was about me getting mine off and spitting what’s in my heart.”

Elevation Rhythm and Doe will be joining Lecrae on the tour! For the tour dates and cities, please see the flyer below. Tickets are available now at https://lecrae.com/tour