America’s worship leader Chris Tomlin is returning to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this Friday, April 7 for his seventh annual Good Friday Nashville concert. The event will expand to a global audience through a live stream on YouTube and Facebook beginning at 7 pm Central. 

Since its inception in 2017 Good Friday Nashville has continued to be a record-setting night with sold-out concerts, smashing attendance records as the largest ticketed Christian concert in the history of the venue and reigns as the longest-running annual charity-related concert at Bridgestone Arena. In 2020 and 2021 the concert became a virtual event due to the pandemic allowing worldwide distribution through television and radio partners reaching 32 countries around the globe.

Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado will return to deliver an Easter message this year. During each of the previous Good Friday Nashville concerts, Chris has surprised attendees by inviting special guests like Rascal Flatts, Lady A, We The Kingdom, Lauren Daigle, Hillsong UNITED, and others.

This year Blessing Offor and Jenn Johnson (Bethel Music) will perform with an additional surprise appearance expected.

Good Friday Nashville is promoted by Awakening Events, who encapsulate the very spirit of this night. Good Friday Nashville is presented by K-LOVE, Air1, The Fish, and WAY-FM.

Worship leader/songwriter Justin Lynn has been named Songwriter of the Year in the 20th annual ChristianSongwriting.com competition. The contest, sponsored by CM United, is the longest-running Christian songwriting contest in existence. Lynn won the competition with a song titled “In the Fire.”

Lynn was selected by an elite panel of judges that included Clay Crosse, 4-time Dove Award-winning artist, and songwriter; John Katina, lead vocalist, and songwriter for Gotee Records recording artist.

The Katinas; Chrissy Conway Katina, vocalist and songwriter for Sparrow Records recording artist ZoeGirl; and Cale Kight, lead guitarist and songwriter for Love Like Gravity and a songwriter/artist with multiple Billboard charting hits.

In addition to the title, winning the competition earns Lynn numerous prizes and opportunities, including premium international radio promotion, press release writing and distribution, and artist development and consulting.

Each year, the ChristianSongwriting.com contest names quarterly winners, with all first-place quarterly winners becoming eligible to be selected as the annual songwriter of the year.

A full list of winners, including quarterly winners, is below:
20th Annual Songwriter of the Year – Justin Lynn

1st Place Winner (1st Qtr) – Colin Reger
2nd Place Winner (1st Qtr) – Courtney Young
3rd Place Winner (1st Qtr) – Mark Boucot

1st Place Winner (2nd Qtr) – Justin Lynn
2nd Place Winner (2nd Qtr) – Cristian Lebron
3rd Place Winner (2nd Qtr) – Ricardo Pigari

1st Place Winner (3rd Qtr) – Lance Schmidt
2nd Place Winner (3rd Qtr) – Rob Nightingale
3rd Place Winner (3rd Qtr) – Katlyn Crawford

1st Place Winner (4th Qtr) – Arielle Nichole
2nd Place Winner (4th Qtr) – Amanda Joy Powell
3rd Place Winner (4th Qtr) – Curtis Ray Kokenos

The annual competition runs from January through December. The 21st Annual Songwriting Content currently is underway.

Judges for the 21st Annual Songwriting Contest are Clay Crosse, John Katina, Cale Kight, and Paul Wright, singer/songwriter and recording artist formerly on Gotee Records.

The award-winning country musician with hits on national and international charts has now recorded a new song for the film titled “Kim Kahana: The Man Who Changed Hollywood.”

Richard Lynch, the renowned country music star has written and recorded an original song for the upcoming film ‘Kim Kahana: The Man Who Changed Hollywood.” Written by Lynch and Kenny Day, the new song, “Right Where He Ought to Be” is featured prominently in the film, which is expected to hit theaters later this year. 

Richard Lynch is known for his classic, traditional style of country music, and this song is no exception. The track features rich vocals and a powerful melody that perfectly captures the story and spirit of the movie. The song tells the story of film legend Kim Kahana, who rose to fame as an actor, stuntman, and action choreographer.

“Kim Kahana was an incredibly talented and influential figure in Hollywood, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to create a piece of music that pays tribute to his legacy,” says Richard Lynch. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this amazing project and look forward to sharing this song with the world.”

Mr. Kahana’s wife Sandy said, “The song tells the whole story about (Mr. Kahana)…..it’s as if Richard knew him all his life–the way he wrote the song.”

The movie, ‘Kim Kahana: The Man Who Changed Hollywood’, tells the story of Kahana’s remarkable life, from his early days as a martial arts expert and stuntman to his rise as a successful action choreographer, who made a permanent impact on the film industry. The moving film aims to tell the inspiring story of Kahana’s legendary career. 

The film stars Award-winning actor James Duval.

ABOUT RICHARD LYNCH:

Over the past 4 decades, Richard Lynch has compiled a long list of country hits and chart-toppers on both domestic and international sales and radio airplay charts. Richard has been in Billboard Magazine, Taste Of Country, The Boot, CCM Magazine, Country Music People, Maverick, and countless others.

He has also appeared on WSM Radio Nashville, RFD TV, Fox TV, and more. He has recorded popular duets with legendary artists like Ronnie McDowell and Leona Williams, as well as Grammy Winner, Rhonda Vincent. Lynch is the owner of Keepin’ It Country Farm in Waynesville, OH, and co-founder of Love Tattoo Foundation which assists veterans. 

The Award-winning, chart-topping HeIsTheArtist releases “Under The Influence of Love (Acoustic Soul)” on Friday, April 7^th, 2023.

With the release of his #1 Christian radio chart single, “Boom (DooWop Version)” featuring a silky smooth intro by Take 6’s Joel Kibble, HeIsTheArtist solidified himself as one of today’s most exciting artists on the Christian R&B/Dance scene.  Always inventive and eclectic in style, HITA’s music has had mass appeal.

In addition to his own original tracks, he has covered secular artists and interpreted their lyrics with a Christian message.  This unique approach has resulted in his music being streamed more than 1 million times on Spotify.

“Under The Influence of Love (Acoustic Soul)” is his latest offering, out on Good Friday, April 7th.  it is The EP features covers and creative interpretations of popular radio-friendly tunes by Chloe x Halle, Kelis, Erykah Badu, and more. The EP showcases HeIsTheArtist’s smooth vocals and impeccable arrangements.

HeIsTheArtist says, “Regardless if you are battling with drug addiction or are even in a toxic relationship, this body of work is meant to serve as a reassuring guiding force, that God will take care of you during your darkest hours if you have faith in Him.”

HeIsTheArtist is a Fall 2022 Finalist in the World Songwriting Awards, for his song, “God Is on My Mind,” also on the EP.

About:

Heistheartist (He Is The Artist) is an American Christian singer-songwriter from Central Islip, NY. Formerly a secular neo-soul singer signed to “Bentley Records” under his biological name “LeeMann Bassey,” Heistheartist discovered that his true calling was with the Lord after hearing an inspiring sermon by TD Jakes online one day.

That day he was inspired to teach the world about the Lord like TD Jakes did with his Sermon but through music.

The chart-topping singer-songwriter released the single today.  It’s the 2^nd single from a forthcoming album.

Jeremy Parsons, texas singer-songwriter releases his new single “Humanity” today. The song is a heartfelt plea for unity and understanding in a time of division and strife. It’s the 2^nd single from his forthcoming album and the follow-up to his #11 UK iTunes chart single, “Tickin’.”

Parsons says, “The lyrics emerged from looking at the world, choosing to slip into madness because of uncertainty and lack of patience…it was all the racism and brutality in general that occurred, which was and still is mind-boggling to me. It should’ve been an awakening to show us how little progress we’ve made in 60 years and how much further we still have to go.”

He continues, “I had a lot of time to think about my life and career around the time I was writing all these songs. For instance, the earliest part of my career was my most successful by industry standards and opinions.

Although it was a great start, I did not like the energy and people I was surrounded by. It always felt gross and like the focus wasn’t on making art. It was about this constant need to be relevant but unwilling to adapt. It was excruciating to watch. I decided then and there that I would always follow the creative current.”

“Humanity” continues Parsons’ creative journey, and it is available now on all digital platforms.

ABOUT Jeremy Parsons: 

San Antonio’s Jeremy Parsons’ 2017 album release, “Things I Need To Say” propelled the prolific singer-songwriter onto the national and international stage.

With introspective songs like “Burn This House Down” and “After All These Years” and innovative, award-winning music videos like “Why Is the Bluebird Blue” and “Making Things Up as I Go,” Parsons put himself on the radar as one of roots music’s brightest new artists.

2021’s “Things To Come” continued Parsons’ string of success. The album was recognized as one of Blues and Roots Radio’s Best of the Year.

Singles like the title song, as well as “Tragedy,” “Something Other Than You Are” and “Good Ole Days,” hit the top of international iTunes sales charts, as well as charting on national radio airplay charts in the US and abroad. Spotify streaming totals for both albums have surpassed 1 million! 

The chart-topping singer, songwriter, musician, and influencer recently experienced severe hearing loss and insomnia.  She releases her new single “All Things” on Easter Sunday.

After gaining more than 1 million social media followers, numerous Top 10 iTunes chart hits, and over 200K Spotify streams of her music, Stephanie Lee aka Lady Redneck had to put her skyrocketing career on hold.

Lady Redneck, the gifted singer, songwriter, musician, and social media influencer suffered a severe loss of hearing, which led to insomnia, depression, and a question about whether she would be able to continue her life’s passion without her ability to hear.

On her April 9^th single release, “All Things,” Stephanie returns full-force, proving that, with God, she can INDEED do ALL THINGS.  The Easter Sunday release date could not be more appropriate, as Stephanie is paying tribute to Christ’s resurrection with her very own “rebirth” of sorts.

Stephanie explains, “Last year, I lost a huge part of my hearing while shooting guns at a range and not having protection over my ears when someone fired.  I started going to a homeopathic doctor for acupuncture, chiropractics, and herbs. It ended up messing me up.

I stopped sleeping and didn’t sleep for like 8 days straight! I ended up getting super sick! I am FINALLY starting to feel better.  I only went to 3 sessions but have given up on it, which is sad because I actually had hoped it would work. Trusting in Him….”

“All Things” will be available for streaming and download on all major music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

ABOUT LADY REDNECK:

Stephanie “Lady Redneck” Lee is a Christian country artist from Dallas, Texas. Her high-energy performances and fun, tongue-in-cheek songs are making the world sit up and take notice of this blonde bombshell.

Though she doesn’t look the part, her small-town roots and quirky personality have earned her the “Redneck” name that she proudly displays. She writes from the heart. Her songs are true-to-life and based on her real, honest moments and stories.

Stephanie Lee was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, and raised until she was 12 years old, in a little town called Howe, Idaho, population of 23. Before junior high, her parents moved to the BIG CITY of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Stephanie Lee played in the family band, Dusty Boots, which performed all over the northwest.

She grew up playing the guitar, piano, bass, fiddle, mandolin, and drums. The family sold 40,000 CDs during their career. Now, Stephanie is doing her own thing, releasing her own songs and earning the respect of both fans and the industry’s toughest critics.

Two-time GRAMMY-nominated band, We The Kingdom appeared on Fox & Friends on Palm Sunday. They performed “Jesus Does” for the “Faith & Friends” concert series, which showcases some of the biggest names in Christian music leading up to Easter.

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Singer/multi-instrumentalist Blessing Offor made a network TV appearance today! Blessing performed his hit song “Brighter Days” on ABC’s GMA3 on April 4. The song is a featured single on his full-length debut, My Tribe – now available everywhere. 

My Tribe became the BIGGEST STREAMING DEBUT from a solo male artist at Capitol CMG during launch week. See Blessing Offor live on tour with Zach Williams through May 12.

Blessing Offor Performs On GMA3

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It’s been two years since Red Rocks Worship released their acclaimed album, Things Of Heaven, and they are now more than ready to share new music with the world. Today, the Denver-based worship collaborative drops their latest song, “Good Plans,” along with announcing their new album, titled Ascend, which will release on July 14, 2023. A pre-order for the album also begins today.

Preparing for more than a year to create Ascend, Red Rocks Worship member Tyler Roberts shares, “For us, it’s been a year of pruning, of laying down pride and chasing God, and searching for what worship is and what it looks like to really go after the Lord and enter His gates with praise.

Every single song on the album has a story behind it that means something to all of us. We titled it Ascend, which is found right in Psalm 24, stating, Who can ascend the mountain of God, who can be in the presence of the Lord.”

“Good Plans” is the album’s first single to release. A live video for the song can be viewed below. Inspired by Psalm 23, “It became the focal point of every word that we wrote for that song,” worship leader Kory Miller explains. “I’m really excited for this song to release. It feels like a major personal revelation that turned into a corporate revelation for our church.”

Red Rocks Worship will be able to share their music live on May 19 at Night Of Worship With Red Rocks Worship in Mesa, Arizona, as well as on their album’s release day at Drylands Student Conference in Carlsbad, NM. Be sure to visit their tour page for the latest dates.

Gospel music superstars Tamela & David Mann and Dr. Bobby Jones were celebrated today at the 2023 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards held at Flourish in Atlanta, GA. The awards show paid tribute to the best in the Gospel music community and honored BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and the top 25 Gospel songs of the previous year.  BMI’s President & CEO, Mike O’Neill and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton hosted the event.

The inspirational luncheon began with a celebration of music and joyful worship with Jonathan McReynolds, Chandler Moore and Kirk Franklin performing a medley of three of BMI’s award-winning songs, “Grace,” “Jireh” and “Kingdom,” before moving to the event’s main honorees and award-winners.

As a Trailblazer of Gospel Music honoree, Dr. Bobby Jones was saluted for his legendary career, mentorship of the next generation and his tireless contributions to the genre.  The tribute performances honoring Jones’ legacy kicked off with The Company singing “What a Friend,” followed by a beautiful rendition of “Bring it to Jesus” featuring Beverly Crawford.

Tamela and David Mann were celebrated as BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music for their exceptional success in the genre and beyond, both as stellar songwriters, artists and actors. The musical tributes to The Manns kicked-off with Zacardi Cortez and Anaysha Figueroa-Cooper giving a moving performance of “Now Behold the Lamb,” followed by Lisa Knowles-Smith who gave a powerful rendition of “Take Me to the King.” After accepting the honor and thanking those who have helped the husband-and-wife team along the way, Tamela Mann surprised the audience with an explosive performance of her mega-hit, “Change Me,” which spent 23 weeks at number one on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Chart.

Throughout the event, BMI saluted the Top 25 most-performed Gospel songs of the previous year, leading up to the coveted BMI Gospel Song of the Year, which went to “Believe For It” written by CeCe Winans and Mitch Wong (APRA). The song spent 12 weeks at the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Chart and garnered multiple accolades including two GMA Dove Awards and a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year was a tie between Dante Bowe and Jonathan McReynolds for each writing two of the most performed Gospel songs of the previous year. Bowe was honored for “Joyful” and “Promises” and McReynolds for “Brighter” and “Grace.” BMI’s Gospel Publisher of the Year went to Be Essential Songs for having award-winning songs “Brighter,” “Jireh,” “Promises” and “Something Has to Break,” among its repertoire.

During the ceremony, the late legendary soul singer/songwriter Otis Redding was honored with four BMI Million-Air Awards, a distinction that recognizes songwriters whose works have achieved the rare feat of surpassing one million broadcast performances on radio. Originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in the 1960’s, the songs were “Sweet Soul Music” (4 million performances), “Hard to Handle” (7 million performances), “Respect” (7 million performances) and BMI’s Song of the Year in 1968, the incomparable “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” (12 million performances).  Attending the ceremony were members of Redding’s family, including his wife Zelma and their daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, who accepted the honors on behalf of her father and the Otis Redding Foundation.

Additional performances included a special tribute to the late singer/producer/choir director Kevin Lemons, who was known for his work with Donald Lawrence and the Company, and his own dynamic group known as Kevin Lemons and Higher Calling.  Members of Higher Calling hit the stage for a soul-stirring performance of “Perfect Peace” accompanied by Donald Lawrence and The Company. Other award-winning songs performed throughout the evening included “Just Like God” by Evvie McKinney, “Great” by Kelontae Gavin and “Wonderful is Your Name” by Melvin Crispell.