Daywind Music Group, home to top Gospel labels Daywind Records and New Day Records and upstart mainstream bluegrass label Billy Blue Records, is relaunching Thoroughbred Records, a bluegrass Gospel label with historic ties to the genre. Thoroughbred’s first signing is Chosen Road which debuts with a brand-new upcoming album titled Appalachian Christmas featuring the veteran group along with several artist friends including Selah, Point of Grace, and more.

Thoroughbred Records emerged in 1995 as a premier outlet for bluegrass Gospel music. Thoroughbred was home to the incomparable Lewis Family, Hall of Famers in both the bluegrass and Gospel genres, from 1995 until shortly before their retirement in 2009. The Easter Brothers, a Mt. Airy, NC, mainstay in the genre featuring brothers Edd, Russell, and James Easter, followed and were later joined by Chigger Hill Boys and Terri, who joined the label in 2003. Along with these tremendous artists, the label directed attention to the Gospel side of bluegrass during the period of tremendous resurgence of the bluegrass genre following the release of the blockbuster movie, O Brother Where Art Thou through its two-volume collection of Bluegrass Gospel music, O Lord How Great Thou Art, which featured cuts from artists including Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Bluegrass Cardinals, Alison Kraus, Ricky Skaggs, and many more. Thoroughbred culminated its successful initial run with an audio and video collaboration featuring Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Lewis Family, and the Easter Brothers aptly titled We are Family.

In 2018, Daywind Music Group formed Billy Blue Records, a boutique mainstream bluegrass label under the direction of veteran industry creative Jerry Salley. The highly successful label includes Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (recently retired), Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Appalachian Road Show, Authentic Unlimited, and more, and is home to multi-artists projects like IBMA Award winner Country Faith Bluegrass and Grammy nominee Gonna Sing Gonna Shout. The relaunching of Thoroughbred Records fits nicely with Daywind Music Group’s move into the bluegrass genre and will give Chosen Road and other strictly bluegrass Gospel artists their own label home.

A&R and Creative Director of Thoroughbred Records/Billy Blue Records, Jerry Salley, commented, “Christian Hearts with a Musicians’ Mind – that’s what I’m reminded of when I think of The Chosen Road.  Over the years of getting to know this band and it’s founder, Jonathan Buckner, I have been impressed not only with their musical ability, but also their hearts for the God they serve and sing about. I am very excited to launch Thoroughbred Records, our new, all-Bluegrass-Gospel label with such a sincere and exciting group”.

Jonathan Buckner of Chosen Road adds, “As a band, we couldn’t be more excited about the re-launch of Thoroughbred Records, and the opportunity to be a part of the Daywind family. Thoroughbred Records has a rich history in bluegrass and roots gospel music. We grew up listening to the legendary artists that once called Thoroughbred home. We’re honored to become a part of that legacy. Daywind has made such a positive impact on the world through Gospel music, and that is why Chosen Road exists. We look forward to bringing hope through some exciting new music to audiences and listeners very soon.”

Thoroughbred Records will be distributed to Christian retail through New Day Christian Distributors.

Two-time GRAMMY Award winner, multi-GMA Dove Award winner, and multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Zach Williams shares the official music video for “Jesus’ Fault” featuring Walker Hayes. The track is off his recently released and anticipated 15-track project, which is available courtesy of Sony Music/ Provident Entertainment. Listen HERE.

Williams will see his collaboration with fellow platinum-selling country star Walker Hayes hit national country television today. The highly-anticipated official music video for Williams’ “Jesus’ Fault feat. Walker Hayes” makes its TV debut on CMT and CMT Music. The country twinged single comes from Williams’ first album in three years, A Hundred Highways, which was released to critical praise just this past week.

The video for “Jesus’ Fault (feat. Walker Hayes)” airs October 4th on CMT at 6:42am, 7:42am, and 8:39am (EST). CMT Music will be airing the video 8 times throughout the day starting at 6:32am (EST). In addition to the premiere, CMT has given Williams their coveted Times Square billboard, where “Jesus’ Fault (feat. Walker Hayes)” will be played to the “crossroads of the world” at 12 pm and 5 pm (EST).

Jesus’ Fault – Zach Williams Feat. Walker Hayes

A Hundred Highways is Williams’ faith on full display from beginning to end, with each song built on his unchanging love for Jesus. “This record feels more like me than anything else I’ve done,” Williams shares. “It’s the most ‘Zach’ record I’ve made. I wasn’t concerned about if it fits in any certain pocket, I just wrote about my life experiences and the things I’m feeling and living.”

Along with “There Was Jesus,” Williams is also sharing many of his new songs on his current headlining tour. Running through November 20, the Zach Williams Fall ’22 Tour is visiting 36 major markets such as New York City, Colorado Springs, Baton Rouge, Phoenix, and Austin. Additionally, for VIP ticket holders and in partnership with the Salvation Army, for every VIP ticket sold a food box will be given to a family in need in the community, providing enough meals to feed a family of four for an entire week. The Salvation Army partnership will continue through the holidays when he embarks on his I Don’t Want Christmas To End Tour, which runs through December.

Click HERE to find out more and for tickets to both tours, which are on sale now.

Seven-time Stellar Award winner and 2x Grammy-nominated recording artist, VaShawn Mitchell, will be conducting a live recording for his newest album, “Chapter X” at Sound Board at Motor City Casino Hotel on Monday, October 31 at 7pm. This album embarks on the journey of “newness” with a new sound and energy that his fans are going to love!

When asked about this new chapter, Mitchell says, “I’m excited to be in the creative space again to write, sing and produce music that will live in the hearts of listeners around the world. These songs will encourage, empower and uplift both now and for generations to come.”

“Newness”, as he defines, is “an overall recharge from the inside out”. He’s embarked on a new health and wellness plan, he’s exploring new fashion as well as a new sound in his music. “I want my fans to get ready for something completely different and unexpected from me.” After the death of his grandmother, Mitchell admits to falling into a deep depression. “She was my rock…my everything” he says.  Now having grieved the loss of one of his greatest heroes, he knows his fans have missed him, and he is excited to launch this new chapter in the great City of Detroit!

Special guests include:

• Donnie McClurkin – 3x Grammy Award winner, 2 BET Award Winner and Soul Train Award Winner
• Jekalyn Carr – 2x Grammy-nominee and Dove Winner
• Kelontae Gavin – Stellar Award Winner

Tickets are now available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com

GRAMMY, Billboard Music, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning musician and songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard made her debut at the legendary Grand Ole Opry last night for an emotionally reverent three-song performance. The soul-stirring setlist included her 2017 hit “You Know My Name,” 2013 global sensation “Break Every Chain,” and “The Church I Grew Up In,” an offering from her forthcoming album HYMNS (out October 7 via Motown Gospel).

“Playing at the Opry is one of those ‘bucket list’ items that you dream of, but don’t know if you’ll ever get to do,” shares Tasha Cobbs Leonard. “To have the opportunity to not only share my music, but to share Jesus, on such an historic stage is a moment I’ll never forget.”

Ahead of HYMNS release, Tasha Cobbs Leonard also appeared on the Tamron Hall Show to showcase and discuss her new LP, giving a breathtaking performance of “The Church I Grew Up In” that made Tamron erupt in tears and praise. Cobbs Leonard was also joined by her husband, Kenneth, who sat down with Hall for a candid conversation about finding purpose and keeping faith. They also dive into a conversation about how they expanded their family via adoption after struggles with infertility, and balancing their work and home life.

There’s something utterly timeless about Leonard’s extraordinary new album, HYMNS, something at once both warmly familiar and breathtakingly fresh. Captured in front of a live audience of more than 3,000 at The Greenwood Oasis on the campus of New Life Southeast in Chicago, the record is a larger-than-life reimagining of classic hymns of love and grace, one that speaks to our modern world even as it reaches far beyond it. The arrangements are sweeping and cinematic, drawing on worship and gospel and even hints of country, pop, and R&B, radiating an undeniable sense of joy and fellowship at every turn. HYMNS includes a number of guests, including Jennifer Hudson, Kierra Sheard, Mary Mary, The Walls Group, and more.

Pre-order HYMNS here

10-time GRAMMY nominee Tauren Wells announced tonight on social media that his Joy In The Morning fall tour is being postponed due to the impact of Hurricane Ian. Those who have already purchased tickets should be contacted by the ticketing platform for any rescheduled show. See Tauren’s full announcement below and stay tuned for updates.

This week’s devastating impact of Hurricane Ian in Florida necessitates moving dates for my 2022 Joy in the Morning Tour, which was set to launch next week. With the emotional toll from the tragic loss of life, the level of infrastructure damage, and the need for community clean-up over the next few weeks, we and the promoters have mutually determined it is necessary to move these events which, consequently, also means rerouting the entire tour. Some tour dates will remain in fall 2022, but others will necessarily have to move into 2023. We will post frequent updates on the progress of rescheduling the tour. If you already have tickets, the ticketing platform from which you purchased will email you information regarding any potentially rescheduled show.

In the interim, please remember to pray for all of those affected by this heartbreaking disaster. And please help where you can by donating to one of these organizations who are currently on the ground in Florida:

Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/…/hurricane-ian-donations.html/
Convoy of Hope https://convoyofhope.org/disaster-services/ian-response/
Salvation Army https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/…
Ian Response Fund https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ianresponsefl

This week, I AM THEY took to social media to announce that after 14 years of ministry, the band will be parting ways. The announcement followed news earlier in the month that Abbie Parker was leaving the band. I AM THEY is set to head out on their final tour this weekend. The In Between Tour runs through November 12 with a final stop in Michigan. See the full announcement below.

So much to say…but for starters – our hearts are full. Full of love for all of you. Full of thanks for all God has done and continues to do. It has been an incredible journey together. One that has marked our lives forever. We never ever could have seen it coming or known that God would take a single night of worship back in 2008 and call us forward into this full-time ministry. But God’s dreams for us are always greater than our own and we trust that now more than ever. Our story has never been conventional, but our prayer is that it will continue to be devotional. That the banner over our lives and the identity that we each carry forward – whether on or off a stage – would be “They.” That our pursuit would continue to be Him and Him alone.

While we certainly wish we could have made it to see each of y’all out in your own neck of the woods, we really hope to see as many of you as possible out on the stops of this final tour!!

We love you dearly and again are so incredibly thankful for your prayers, kindness, support, love, and grace as we step into what God has next!

– IAT

This week, Grammy, Billboard Music, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning musician and songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard made a network TV appearance. Leonard appeared on the ‘Tamron Hall Show’ for an interview and performance of “The Church I Grew Up In.” This single is featured on her forthcoming album, HYMNS, out October 7.

The new LP finds Cobbs Leonard going bigger and bolder than ever before, reimagining classic hymns of love and grace with a series of sweeping, ambitious arrangements that draw on everything from worship and gospel to country, pop, and R&B. HYMNS was captured in front of a live audience of more than 3,000 at The Greenwood Oasis on the campus of New Life Southeast in Chicago and features a number of guests, including Jennifer Hudson, Kierra Sheard, Mary Mary, The Walls Group, and more.

Nashville-based music, publishing and media brand Gaither Music Group announces its new imprint, Gaither Latino, in partnership with Rudy Peréz. The first release from the new endeavor is from Samuel Adrián, youth leader from Monterrey, Mexico, whose debut single “No Hay Otro Nombre Igual” launches today.

“Gaither Music Group is excited to launch this imprint in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month,” stated Paul Sizelove, president of the label. “For decades we have seen the impacts of Gospel music around the world. Whether through television, touring or today’s online streaming portals, we have experienced the power of music to transcend cultures. We are happy to partner with award-winning producer Rudy Peréz and to come alongside talented artists to record and promote their life-changing messages for the Latino communities in the United States and abroad.“

“It’s a lifelong dream for me to produce faith-based music. My venture with Gaither Music Group to form Gaither Latino is a very special season in my life. Music can heal the wounds that medicine can’t touch. That’s exactly what Samuel Adrián does when audiences listen to him sing! This talented, young youth pastor from Mexico is the first artist on our Gaither Latino label. I’m so excited about the release of his first single, ‘No Hay Otro Nombre Igual’ featuring Jesús Molina, because I know that this song will touch the hearts and will be embraced by people in need of hope all over the world!” says Peréz.

“The name of Jesus is hope and light for the world. The lost find their way; the wounded are healed; the guilty are forgiven; and the orphan finds his home in Christ’s name,” says Adrián. “This song means a lot to me, being one of Gaither Music’s hits; it’s an honor to be able to sing it now in Spanish for the Latin world. I hope you can enjoy my new single ‘No Hay Otro Nombre Igual’ (‘There Is Something About That Name’) that I performed alongside my good friend, the pianist and singer Jesús Molina.”

Stream/download/purchase “No Hay Otro Nombre Igual” here.

More music is forthcoming on the Gaither Latino imprint in 2023.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter and best-selling author Ellie Holcomb will release her new Christmas EP, Sing: Christmas Songs, on November 1st to accompany her latest children’s book, Sounding Joy, which was released earlier this month. Celebrating the recent release of her holiday book and the forthcoming album, Holcomb debuted the original song “Sounding Joy” today. Watch the live acoustic performance.

“My book and album were inspired by the song ‘Joy to the World,’ and it’s an invitation to sing about the hope we have because God put skin on and moved into the neighborhood,” shares Ellie Holcomb. “I hope these songs will invoke dancing in the kitchen while you bake Christmas cookies and storytelling of the very best kind. I hope it will help kids ponder what joy sounds like and the reason we can have joy no matter what we’re facing.”

The Christmas book explores the question of what joy sounds like as the reader travels through beautiful Christmastime scenes in the board book, which is illustrated by Laura Ramos. Likewise Sing: Christmas Songs is an invitation to sing about the hope of the season and features classic and original Christmas songs. Holcomb’s sweet and lovely celebration of Christmas encourages each reader and listener, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat the sounding joy!

Holcomb continues, “Joy sounds like the voices of my friends and family in my home while I’m preparing a meal. It sounds like my kids singing happily in their room together or like carols and bells and laughter and water running. It sounds like It’s A Wonderful Life playing in the background and Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus reading the most wonderful of stories that came true in real life… the magic of knowing we are never alone, and of hearing that message ring true over and over again in all the songs we sing at Christmas. We have a reason to sing, a reason to hope. Love gets the final word. Glad tidings of GREAT JOY!”

Click here to get the book and pre-order the upcoming Sing: Christmas Songs.

Minister Toluwanimee set to release highly anticipated sophomore Album ‘Good & More’ scheduled for release this October 2022.

Following the release of her debut album ‘Deeper’ in 2019, with viral songs like Lord Today, Walking on Waters, and others. Toluwanimee has continued to bless the body of Christ and the world with her songs like Mercy, My God, The answer. The forthcoming album has appearances from powerhouse music group Mr M & Revelation in Thank You, and a special feature on the cover of her popular song ‘Mercy’ with Victor Thompson. 

The album ‘Good & More’ is packed with *13*spiritual songs and psalms that will not just stir up the hunger to worship but build a strong intimacy and fellowship with the Father. Every song points back to a heart filled with gratitude. 

Good & More is a diverse body of work cutting across different languages and genre. Toluwanimee brings in diversity, vocal prowess and unmatched creativity evident in this body of work. Every song is Holy Spirit inspired. 

We believe that as you listen to every song in the album, it will experience the Good and More side of the Father.