Daywind Music Group released 11 full-length projects in 2021 resulting in numerous awards, chart-topping singles, and critical acclaim for its albums, solidifying Daywind’s leading position in Southern Gospel and Bluegrass Gospel music.

Dusty Wells, director of artist and label relations for Daywind, states, “I am so proud of our artists, songwriters, and team, who work closely together to get the music out to a world so desperately needing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its themes of love, peace, strength, and hope. What they have written, recorded, and shared in concerts and through media breathed life into so many hurting folks during a difficult time in our history. I am humbly amazed at God’s faithfulness and goodness. I cannot wait to see what 2022 will bring.”

2021 brought the following accolades for the talented roster of artists and songwriters at Daywind Music Group:

Dove Awards:
Change Is Coming – Joseph Habedank – Southern Gospel Album of the year
“My King Is Known by Love” – Crabb Family – Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“If God Pulled Back The Curtain” – Nelons – Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
Songs for the Times – The Isaacs – Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year

GRAMMY Award Nominations:
Songs for the Times – The Isaacs – Best Roots Gospel Album

Singing News #1 Songs (Monthly) of 2021:
“Great God Almighty” – The Sound
“Made Right” – Karen Peck & New River (co-written by Karen Peck-Gooch)
“I’ve Been Washed Clean” – Greater Vision
“Goliath” – Joseph Habedank (co-written by Joseph Habedank and Sue C. Smith)
“Practice What You’re Preaching” – LeFevre Quartet (co-written by Lee Black)
“First Church of Mercy” – The Sound (co-written by Aaron Wilburn and Lee Black)
“I Call It Home” – Tribute Quartet
“Start With Well Done” – Greater Vision
“Religion Isn’t Working” – Joseph Habedank (co-written by Joseph Habedank)
“The 99” – LeFevre Quartet (co-written by Marty Funderburk and Christina DeGazio)

Power 50 #1 Songs (Weekly) of 2021:
“Hallelujah Homecoming” – Wilburn & Wilburn (co-written by Jason Cox)
“The Wilderness” – Isaacs
“Practice What You’re Preaching” – LeFevre Quartet (co-written by Lee Black)
“Goliath” – Joseph Habedank (co-written by Joseph Habedank and Sue C. Smith)
“I Call It Home” – Tribute Quartet
“How Good Does Grace Feel” – Brian Free & Assurance (co-written by Jason Cox and Sue C. Smith)
“What A Day” – Legacy Five
“Messiah Overcame” – Karen Peck & New River (written by Alley Horner)
“My King Is Known By Love” – Crabb Family (co-written by Jason Cox)
“Grace Ain’t Fair” – Nelons (co-written by Jason Clark)
“The 99” – LeFevre Quartet (co-written by Marty Funderburk and Christina DeGazio)
“The Book” – Karen Peck & New River (co-written by Karen Peck-Gooch)
“What the Cross Really Is” – Brian Free & Assurance

Bluegrass Gospel #1s:
“Don’t Tune Him Out” – The Whites
“Hear Jerusalem Calling” – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
“When He Calls My Name” – Alan Bibey & Grasstowne (co-written by Alan Bibey)
“He’s Gettin’ Me Ready” – Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Other Daywind Music Publishing #1s:
“I Wish I Could Tell You” – Guardians (co-written by John Darin Rowsey)
“The God I Know” – Erwins (co-written by Jason Cox)
“Keep On Keepin’ On” – Ernie Hasse & Signature Sound (co-written by Lee Black and Sue C. Smith)
“How Saved I Am” – Triumphant (co-written by Jason Cox)

If 2021 is any indication of great music and ministry from the Daywind Music Group roster of talent, get ready for a strong 2022, with powerful new music coming from such iconic artists as Karen Peck & New River, Greater Vision, Tribute Quartet, The Sound, LeFevre Quartet, a live DVD from Southbound, and more.

Multi-platinum selling performer and award-winning songwriter Dante Bowe has had arguably the most powerful year of his career and is closing out the season with top ten placements on three different Billboard Year End Charts. He is No. 9 overall for Top Gospel Artist, No. 4 for Top Male Gospel Artist, and No. 4 on Top New Christian Artists.

From the release of his deeply personal sophomore album, circles, via Bethel Music, to sold out performances, KLOVE Nominations, and multiple DOVE Award wins Dante’s incredible year culminates with three GRAMMY Award nominations in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category, a record that no other artist has achieved since the field was created in 2015.

Earlier this year, Dante released his sophomore album and Bethel Music label debut, circles.  The incredibly personal album quickly shot to the top of the charts, debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The lead single, ‘joyful,’ reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales and No. 3 on Hot Gospel Songs, making it the highest solo charting position of his career, and earned him a GRAMMY Nomination.

The follow up single, ‘family tree,’ premiered on BET marking his first televised debut. Next spring, Dante will join four-time GRAMMY Award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY on the road for the ‘What Are We Waiting For? – The Tour.” The 33-date trek will make stops in arenas throughout the United States beginning on March 31^st in Southaven, MS before traveling through Chicago, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and more then wrapping in Franklin, TN on March 22^nd. More information about the dates and tickets can be found HERE.

This Wednesday, December 22, Tomlin wrapped up an impressive 2021 with a performance of “Christmas Day” from Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship on Good Morning America.

At the top of 2022, Tomlin is set to embark on a co-headlining tour with Hillsong UNITED. Anticipated to be the biggest Christian music concert tour of the year, the Tomlin UNITED Tour will welcome thousands of fans each night to worship together and experience songs that have shaped modern faith today. Sponsored by illumiNations, the live worship experience includes 33 dates across the U.S. Tickets for the Tomlin UNITED Tour are on sale now at christomlin.com.

Jesus Calling Podcast episode #283 featuring Award-winning gospel group The Isaacs is out now. The brand new episode entitled When You Don’t Feel Joyful, God Still Sees You At Christmas: Steve Wariner and The Isaacs discusses how God can be found in both celebration and sorrow.

The Isaacs, one of the featured guests on the episode, know a little bit about what leaning on God looks like, and how He shows up not only in the Christmas songs and celebrations we hear and see at Christmas, but through times of confusion, doubt, pain, sickness and sorrow.

The Isaacs share how they plant seeds of hope in their audience, and how faith is at the core of everything they do saying, “Praising God is the key to joy and life and happiness.”

Click here to listen to the podcast

Stellar Awards 2021 “Artist of the Year”, Billboard chart topper, and the only gospel artist to score a slot on Billboards “Top 50 Adult R&B Year End Chart”, Pastor Mike Jr. and family will host an inspirational feature of The McClure Family Christmas Special Christmas morning on My68.

Filmed in the intimate setting of his home, Pastor Mike shares personal stories surrounding parenting, his pandemic experience, hope for the future and much more!

“We want to just to let you into our world…”says McClure. “No hair and makeup, no celebrity stuff. It’s just us on an average night, kickin’ it with the boys.”

The McClure Family Christmas Special will also highlight exciting musical performances, humor and a few surprise guests welcomed to join in on the fun. It’s sure to be one you won’t want to miss! The special will air December 25th at 11:00am CST and can be streamed from the Rock City Birmingham Instagram page (@ therockcitybham).

Maverick City Music made extraordinary headlines again this week as their single “Promises” hits #1 on Billboard’s Christian Gospel Airplay chart.

The song was released on May 3, 2021, as the second single to their debut live album, Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1 (2020). Written by Aaron Moses, Dante Bowe, Joe L. Barnes, Keila Alvarado, Lemuel Marin, and Phillip Carrington Gaines, “Promises” speak of the faithfulness of God all throughout history.

Maverick City Music has also recently released their brand-new Christmas EP, A Very Maverick Christmas – featuring holiday favorites and original songs. A Very Maverick Christmas is available now wherever music is sold and streamed digitally.

A Very Maverick Christmas was recorded live at Atlanta’s historic Paradise Baptist Church (started by a slave). The brand-new Christmas EP features a celebration of Maverick City Music’s original songs and beloved holiday favorites. A Very Maverick Christmas features signature vocals from Naomi Raine, Chandler Moore, Lizzie Morgan, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Ryan Ofei, Tianna Horsey and more; plus offers an all-star lineup of collaborations featuring the voices of: Natalie Grant, Todd Galberth, Melvin Crispell III, Isaac Carree and more.

Mexican-American Christian recording artist MŌRIAH (Smallbone) is set to mark her first television performance this week. MŌRIAH will perform a special rendition of “Feliz Navidad” on ABC’s Good Morning America on Christmas Eve, Friday December 24. The performance will feature her husband, Joel Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY. “Mark your calendars, we can’t wait to celebrate from our casa to yours,” MŌRIAH shared on social media.

Earlier this month, MŌRIAH released a new EP and visual album titled Live from the Quarry. Made up of honest and transparent lyrics, MŌRIAH drew inspiration for the album from her own personal experience with friendships, faith, personal insecurities and worth. 

The new album centers on contentment. Like many, MŌRIAH experienced an array of emotions in 2020—feeling angry, hurt, scared, insecure and remorseful at times. Yet all of those phases were necessary steps on her journey to a greater sense of calmness and gratitude. In addition to the EP, featuring the live recordings, the visual album will give listeners an intimate experience of the recording experience.

On the 26th of December from 10:00am⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ at the Police College Ground, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, we shall raise our voices in grateful praise to The King of kings (Isaiah 24:14 NIV).

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Bring your friends and loved ones and come praise God like never before.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ It’s going to be a spirit-filled event you’ll never forget.

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣It’s absolutely free. You don’t have to pay to praise.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

All Covid-19 protocols will be duly observed. 

No face mask, no entry.

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#CITY1051FM #PITC2021 
#YouDontHaveToPayToPraise
#Christmas
#ChristmasConcert
#PraiseConcert

Six-time Grammy-winner Amy Grant and Platinum selling Curb | Word Entertainment recording duo for KING & COUNTRY appeared on CBS News Sunday Morning this past Sunday, December 19. Called the “stars of Contemporary Christian music,” Grant and the Smallbones reflected on the music industry as part of a promo for the recently released The Jesus Music movie.

This special appearance follows extensive press coverage for the film’s original October 1 release, including from the Associated Press, Billboard, The Catholic Faith Network, The Christian Post, CBN, Crosswalk.com, FORBES, Good Christian Fun podcast, Keep the Faith, LA TIMES, Patheos, Pureflix, Relgion News Service and much more.

With a coveted “A” Cinema Score, a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a plethora of coverage from a wide range of press and critics, The Jesus Music, released by Lionsgate, and the latest hit directed by the Erwin brothers, is available on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital now.

Multi-platinum selling performer and award-winning songwriter Dante Bowe has broken the record for the greatest number of simultaneous nominations in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category at the 64^th GRAMMY Awards. His nominations include solo singles “Voice of God” and “joyful.” as well as a nod for songwriting on Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music’s “Wait On You.” Since the creation of the category in 2015, no other artist has achieved this status as a multi-nominee.

In addition to his solo nominations, Dante contributed to a Best Gospel Album nomination with Maverick City Music for Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album with Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music for Old Church Basement. The 64^th GRAMMY Awards will air live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on January 31, 2022 at 8 pm EST/5 pm PST on CBS and Paramount+.

Earlier this year, Dante released his sophomore album and Bethel Music label debut, circles.  The incredibly personal album quickly shot to the top of the charts, debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The lead single, ‘joyful,’ reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales and No. 3 on Hot Gospel Songs, making it the highest solo charting position of his career. The follow up single, ‘family tree,’ premiered on BET marking his first televised debut.

Next spring, Dante will join four-time GRAMMY Award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY on the road for the ‘What Are We Waiting For? – The Tour.” The 33-date trek will make stops in arenas throughout the United States beginning on March 31^st in Southaven, MS before traveling through Chicago, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and more then wrapping in Franklin, TN on March 22^nd. More information about the dates and tickets can be found HERE.