GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Walker Hayes released his highly-anticipated Country Stuff The Album, available everywhere on January 21. Including rising single “AA,” recent release “Drinking Songs” and smash hit “Fancy Like,” Hayes continues to deliver on his second full-length album via Monument Records. Download/Stream Country Stuff The Album HERE.

The 13-song project showcases why fans love Hayes’ music. Featuring his signature witty lyrics, sticky melodies and autobiographical storylines, he doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Hitting on sobriety, loss, love and country fun, the album was produced by Hayes with Joe Thibodeau and Multi-GRAMMY Award winner Shane McAnally.

“Country Stuff The Album is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it,” says Hayes. “Every song on this album is a piece of who I am. I’m grateful I get to put out music that is 100% me, and that really is about my life. I hope people can relate in some way.”

You can catch Hayes on the third hour of Good Morning America on 1/21 where he will debut new track “Life With You” and talk about the new album. Tune into ABC at 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT. Next week, Hayes will be on Good Morning America again on 1/26 to talk about what release week felt like, and share a performance of smash hit “Fancy Like.” Tune into ABC on 1/26 at 9:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. CT.

In conjunction with the album release, Hayes will launch 13 hand-drawn and animated NFT’s celebrating each track via Solo Music. Each NFT will be available for auction starting at 12 p.m. CT on Friday, 1/21 through 12 p.m. CT on Monday, 1/24. For more information visit https://www.solomusic.io/collections/walkerhayes

Country Stuff The Album Track Listing:

1. Drinking Songs
2. AA
3. Life With You
4. U Gurl
5. DeLorean
6. Fancy Like
7. Craig (feat. MercyMe)
8. What You Don’t Wish For
9. Country Stuff (feat. Jake Owen)
10. I Hope You Miss Me
11. Briefcase (feat. Lori McKenna)
12. Cry
13. What If We Did (feat. Carly Pearce)

Hayes will kick off his headlining tour, The Fancy Like Tour, in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Jan. 27, 2022.

10-time GRAMMY Award nominee, Tauren Wells, received his first-ever NAACP Award nomination in the “Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song” category for “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix),” his 2021 duet with H.E.R. The single also earned a GRAMMY Award nomination for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song”. The hit track highlights a timely and empowering message, encouraging listeners to hold on to hope in the midst of darkness. Wells shares the nomination honor with the genre’s heaviest hitters, including Kirk Franklin and Cece Winans.

Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African-American perspective, the 53^rdNAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television + streaming, music, literature, and podcasts. The NAACP Image Awards are set to take place on Saturday, February 26th.

Faith Artist Agency has added Rockfest Records’ The Protest and BEC Recordings’ Lion & Bear to their roster of premier Christian artists.

These talented acts are joining a lineup that already includes Christian music mainstays like Kutless, Disciple and Remedy Drive. For Faith Artist Agency owner Brandy Wahlman, the additions fit perfectly in line with the agency’s mission.

“Lion & Bear bring a beautifully creative sound that’s different from any other on the roster. The Protest are road warriors who have established themselves as one of the strongest artists on the Christian rock scene with their high-energy shows and a message of hope,” Brandy shares about the recently signed additions. “We are grateful to be able to partner with some of the best artists in Christian music, and we are looking forward to serving these two new artists!”

The booking agency will also begin representing The Whosoevers founder Ryan Ries and media personality Trevor Talks, both solely for festival appearances.

Although each with their personal passions and visions, each of the artists on FAA’s roster embody the goal of seeing hope, healing and change brought into individual communities through the hope of Jesus Christ. That’s the vision that the agency was founded on, one that continues to allow them to offer the most impactful events possible.

Nashville-based Big Future Music Group’s President Ryan Wesley Smith announces the label has entered into a joint venture with Truss Records, led by Tyrus Morgan effectively immediately.  I AM THEY will be the debut act and first release for the venture.  The group just kicked off their 2022 tour as part of the popular WINTER JAM TOUR SPECTACULAR across the US.

Big Future Music Group President Ryan Wesley Smith says, “We are honored and thrilled to bring the talents of I AM THEY into our universe, along with the launch of Truss Records with our dear friend Tyrus Morgan. To have I AM THEY as our debut signing is exciting. Their hearts, professionalism and unbelievable presence is paramount in developing key components of a burgeoning entertainment company. Couple that with a unique and viable message of hope in their well-written songs–this is exactly our mission for Big Future.”

In a few short years, I AM THEY has racked up unprecedented numbers on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes and YouTube. Today, I AM THEY is considered one of the hottest acts on the scene.  With numerous award nominations, including the GMA Dove Award for “Best New Artist”, and several coveted major tour billings, the band is poised for a strong and steady climb.

Truss’ Tyrus Morgan states, “What an honor to be able to support I AM THEY through our new label imprint with Big Future Music Group. This band has always been able to write songs that speak straight to the heart, and we are excited to dream with them and bring even more of their signature sound and heart for God to the world.”

Matt Hein of I AM THEY adds, “We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Big Future Music Group and Truss Records! Through the years, our band has been fortunate to be paired with, and championed by, some of the truest, most supportive and talented creators on the planet. The team at Big Future passionately holds this bar high and, as we step into this next season together, it is our prayer that God would take I AM THEY further and deeper into ministry.”

I AM THEY is managed by Co-Lab Management, booked by Jeff Roberts & Associates and is on Big Future Entertainment Group/Truss Records. The group plans to release a new single this quarter along with a brand new worship project.

TOUR DATES:
01/07 – Charleston, WV (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/08 – Columbus, OH (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/13 – Augusta, GA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/14 – Tampa, FL (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/15 – Jacksonville, FL (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/16 – Atlanta, GA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/20 – Evansville, IN (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/21 – Hoffman Estates, IL (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/22 – Des Moines, IA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/23 – Little Rock, AR (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/27 – Peoria, IL (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/28 – Indianapolis, IN (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/29 – Lexington, KY (Winter Jam Spectacular)
01/30 – Ypsilanti, MI (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/04 – Mobile, AL (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/05 – Knoxville, TN (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/06 – Charlotte, NC (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/10 – Wichita, KS (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/11 – Kansas City, MO (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/12 – Tulsa, OK (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/17 – Fort Wayne, IN (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/18 – Grand Rapids, MI (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/19 – Nashville, TN (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/20 – Tupelo, MS (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/25 – Columbia, SC (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/26 – Greensboro, NC (Winter Jam Spectacular)
02/27 – Roanoke, VA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/04 – State College, PA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/05 – Cincinnati, OH (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/06 – Southaven, MS (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/11 – Greenville, SC (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/12 – Birmingham, AL (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/13 – Saint Charles, MO (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/17 – Reading, PA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/18 – Norfolk, VA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/19 – Raleigh, NC (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/20 – Louisville, KY (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/24 – Springfield, MO (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/25 – Bossier City, LA (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/26 – Oklahoma City, OK (Winter Jam Spectacular)
03/27 – Allen, TX (Winter Jam Spectacular)

Big Future Music Group is home to Abby Robertson, Chris August, Stillman, Will Edwards, Bayside Worship and I AM THEY with Truss Records.

RCA Inspiration and Provident Entertainment celebrate three NAACP Image Awards nominations for album and song releases in the Gospel/Christian categories. Recognizing these inspirational collaborations released in 2021, chart-toppers Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music (K Approved Enterprises/RCA Inspiration), H.E.R. and Tauren Wells (Provident Entertainment), and Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) each garnered nods for the upcoming 53rd NAACP Image Awards.

Nominated in the category of Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album is the duet project released by hit-makers Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music, featuring their live performances on Jonny x Mali: Live in LA (Life Room Label/K Approved Enterprises/MNRK/RCA Inspiration). Nominated in the category of Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song, are: the co-artist collaboration by hit-makers H.E.R. and Tauren Wells, who recorded the uplifting single “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)” (RCA/Provident Entertainment), and hit-maker Kirk Franklin, for his song “Overcome 2021” (Fo Yo Soul/RCA), released on Apple Music in June 2021 for its exclusive “Juneteenth 2021 Freedom Songs” Playlist.

The 53rd NAACP Image Awards will air live on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 8 PM/7C on BET.

Gold-selling, Dove Award-winning pop recording artist and songwriter Jordan Feliz is set to release Say It (Deluxe) worldwide on March 11 via Centricity Music. The 18-track deluxe version of Feliz’s acclaimed, third full-length album Say It features a never-before-released remix and two new songs, “Stained Glass” and “Best Thing.”

The deluxe also features the celebratory CBN News, Studio 5–premiered “Jesus Is Coming Back” and its remix version featuring both GRAMMY Award-winning Mandisaand Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG artist Jonathan Traylor. The song follows Feliz’s No. 1 radio single “Glorify” and the Parade-premiered multi-format Top-10 track “Next To Me” to become the third radio hit from Say It. Breaking into the Top 20 on the Billboard NCA Monitored chart along with Most Added status, “Jesus Is Coming Back” points to the hope of Christians around the world, giving voice to those longing for a home other than ones built on earth.

With CCLI SongSelect, MultiTracks and PraiseCharts offering worship leaders resources for the song, “Jesus Is Coming Back” sets the tone for Say It as the opening track. Co-produced by Jordan Mohilowski and Feliz’s longtime collaborator Colby Wedgeworth, the album combines pop, Gospel and soul along with some of Feliz’s most transparent and personal lyrics to date.

In addition to the aforementioned singles, Say It (Deluxe) further includes an alternate version of “Next To Me” along with a remix of the song featuring Dream Records artist HGHTS. Like on the album release, the deluxe version also includes a “Glorify” remix featuring seven-time GRAMMY winner and multi-Platinum selling artist TobyMac and Gotee Records artist Terrian, as well as a remix of the song featuring two-time Grammy-winning, multi-Platinum-selling hip hop recording artist Lecrae along with Reach Records’ Hulvey.

The full Say It (Deluxe) track Listing follows:

01)  Jesus Is Coming Back

02)  Next To Me

03)  Wounds

04)  Glorify

05)  Real Me

06)  When I Say My Prayers

07)  Only Love

08)  Stars In My Sky

09)  Another World

10)  Say It (feat. Aaron Cole)

11)  Glorify (feat. TobyMac and Terrian)

12)  Glorify (feat. Lecrae and Hulvey)

13)  Wounds (Alternate Version)

14)  Stained Glass

15)  Best Thing

16)  Next To Me (HGHTS Remix)

17)  Next To Me (Alternate Version)

18)  Jesus Is Coming Back (feat. Mandisa and Jonathan Traylor)

Performing “Hallelujah, Our King” in the special, Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers, which became a top box office hit in theaters over the holidays, Feliz also takes his new music and bevy of hits and fan favorites on tour. He performs at Rock The Universe 2022 on Jan. 28 and joins Matthew West for a dozen concerts beginning March 24 in Lubbock, TX and ending April 10 in O’Fallon, IL. See the tour trailer at https://youtu.be/ewqlOQm_ABo.

Beyond Desperate is an annual worship and intercessory meeting, which started since 2014 by Desperate Worshipers (Dewmusik Int’l), it is targeted towards revival of territories.

Acclaimed singer/songwriters and leading corporate worship influencers Shane & Shane are set to release Worship In The Word, an all-new recording for children and families, January 28. In addition, the project is the impetus for a 10-episode streaming series of the same name, which will be available beginning January 25 from RightNow Media.
 
Worship In The Word was produced by the duo’s Shane Barnard and features 10 newly-penned songs inspired by Scripture. One of the album’s first singles, “Come And See (Psalm 66)”—an engaging invitation for Christ to be exalted on the highest mountain and praised in the lowest valley—introduces a worship collection readily accessible for all ages, yet chiefly designed to help children learn about and experience God in a deeper way.
 
“Now more than ever, with the onslaught of information overloading us, we wanted to create authentic songs and compelling resources families can use to worship and study the Word together,” Shane Barnard shares. “Our ultimate goal is to see kids and families develop a hunger for God’s Word and a desire to worship Him, growing deeper in love with Jesus.”
 
Faith-based streaming platform RightNow Media will premiere a 10-episode Worship In The Word series January 25. Featuring an in-depth look at one selection from the album in each episode, viewers can watch Shane & Shane’s recording of the track while learning from unique teaching and interview segments about the song.

“The prerequisite for admittance into Christ’s Kingdom is humility, a childlike faith,” Shane Everett explains. “Our desire is to train children up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6), but we also want to remind adults, parents, and older siblings that Jesus references children as examples of His ideal followers.”

Expanding Shane & Shane’s mission—the Colossians 3:16 directive to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”—Worship In The Word marks the duo’s debut Kingdom Kids release. A compilation of resources for children and families, Kingdom Kids is part of Shane & Shane’s The Worship Initiative equipping ministry.

Worship In The Word follows last year’s Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Vol. 1, Shane & Shane’s first original release in more than six years. The 13-song album was named among The Gospel Coalition’s “Best Christian Music of 2021.”  

Shane & Shane are founders and leaders of the Dallas-based The Worship Initiative. The equipping ministry offers a library of hundreds of popular worship songs; team training materials; instrument tutorials; and song-based devotionals, among many other offerings. The Worship Initiative has released more than 30 albums to date, and its unique community of artists, songwriters and theologians seeks to be a catalyst for musical and spiritual growth in the Church.

BBC One talent show judge and award-winning gospel singer, Muyiwa Olarewaju, awarded OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020
Star of Songs of Praise’s Gospel Choir of the Year competition given the honour in recognition of his service to music.

BBC One talent show judge, radio host and award-winning British gospel singer, Muyiwa Olarewaju, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020. The vibrant performer is known to television audiences as a star of Songs of Praise’s Gospel Choir of the Year.  He has been hugely instrumental in popularising the gospel music genre on a global scale by mixing traditional gospel music with elements from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia, with soul, R&B and pop.

Given the honour for his service to music, Muyiwa has brought his unique style to music fans around the world as he’s toured with legends such as Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey. He has worked alongside superstars Bob Dylan  and Lauryn Hill.

Prince William handed the OBE medal to Muyiwa at the event on the 12th of January 2022.  A delighted Muyiwa, said:  “I am honoured to be the first in my genre to receive such a wonderful recognition of my work and dedication over such a long period of time.

“I’m incredibly passionate about gospel music and playing a part in the genre reaching as wide an audience as possible. When you pour your heart into your passions, you do so because you love what you do and want to make an impact in not only your own life, but the lives of others. So to be recognized for it as well, especially on such a large scale is a great feeling.”

Muyiwa is the station director of the country’s best known gospel radio station Premier Gospel, which has an audience of 1.3 million listeners nationwide and he presents the popular flagship programmes Gospel Tonight and Worship Tonight to an audience of 500,000. He has also won numerous awards, including Best Presenter Oasis Awards; Best Radio Show and Best Contribution to Gospel Music at the Gospel Music Awards.
In addition, he is host of the TV show Turning Point, which has an estimated audience of 70 million globally.

Today, on Friday, January 14th, Five-time Grammy nominated artist, Dante Bowe, will bring “Joy” to the Tamron Hall Show with an exclusive interview to discuss his humble beginnings and historic Grammy nominations, along with an exclusive performance of his fresh, feel-good anthem, “joyful.”  For a complete list of air times and affiliate channels, please view HERE.

“joyful,”the lead hit single from multi-platinum recording artist Dante Bowe’s sophomore album, circles, 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 Bowe’s career. Bowe wrote his sophomore album, ‘circles’ that reflects on the death of his grandfather and the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, and the album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart

Date Bowe has had arguably the most powerful year of his career, making history as the first artist to have the greatest number of simultaneous nominations in both Gospel & Christian genres with 3 solo and 2 group Grammy award nominations for the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards including Best Gospel Performance/Song twice for “Voice of God” and “joyful,” Best Gospel Performance/Song for “Wait on You” with Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music; Best 5 Gospel Album with Maverick City Music for Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album with Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music.

Dante Bowe closed out the season with top ten placements on three different Billboard Year End Charts, hailed as the Top New Gospel Artist of 2021–No. 9 overall for Top Gospel Artist, No. 4 for Top Male Gospel Artist, and No. 4 on Top New Christian Artists. Known for his distinctive raspy vocals, Bowe won his first Dove Award at the 52^nd GMA Dove Awards for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “joyful.” The award-winning songwriter made history with “joyful” again and became the first artist to have his song chart on both the Billboard’s Gospel Airplay and Christian Song charts, bridging the gap between Gospel and CCM formats. Recently seen at the 49th American Music Awards red carpet, Bowe has been featured in Variety, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight and Vogue Magazine’s Fashion Round-up.

Bowe is set to embark on his firstSpring 2022 tour, ‘What Are We Waiting For? – The Tour,” as a solo artist with four-time Grammy award winners & Pop Sensations, For King + Country. Dante Bowe is the one to watch, and he is unstoppable.