OCP (Oregon Catholic Press) has welcomed contemporary Christian artist and worship leader, Thomas Muglia to their roster. The 23-year-old Arizona native is preparing to make his label debut with his forthcoming album I Have A Father, slated for release on February 25, 2022. Pre-order for the full-length project is live, and with each pre-order, the listener receives four instant gratis tracks in addition to a bonus song “You’re Not Done” given on the day of album release.

Produced by Paul Moak (Matt Kearney, Third Day, Martha Wainwright, Matthew Mayfield) and recorded in Moak’s iconic studio The Smoakstack in Nashville, Tenn., industry executives have taken note of the American Idol Alumni who has an extensive catalog of over 300 worship songs. I Have A Father will take listeners on the young artist’s very personal prayer journey with each song being a monumental moment in his spiritual walk.

“Recording this album was a songwriter’s dream,” says Muglia. “To come out to Nashville with all these songs and be able to produce them in the way that feels most natural and most authentic. Music is a tool for communication, it’s a way that we can share a message that people otherwise might not be willing to hear. We can take all these musical elements together with lyrics to make a succinct and focused message. When we do that with scripture or with our prayers, it becomes this powerful force, and that’s why I love to create music.”

Born with moderate to severe hearing loss, Muglia grew up in a musical family and quickly learned how to feel, play, and read music at a young age. Under his dad’s leadership in the Church, he began playing and singing for the congregation. Through his teen years, Thomas spent his spare time playing renditions of his favorite pop songs in school talent shows or coffee shops. It wasn’t long after, in Campus Ministry during college, he discovered a passion for honest songwriting and music that speaks to the heart. In 2019, Muglia recorded his first independent album The Return and not long after that, he was sought after by OCP to publish some of his songs, which quickly expanded with him being signed to the publishing company and the creation of I Have A Father.

“The music of Thomas Muglia originates from a faith that is lived and expressed in a way that is mature beyond his years” shares Tom Booth, Associate Director of Contemporary Music at OCP.“ All 11 of these songs were culled from a list of over 30, and honed for months through a joyful, yet painstakingly intentional process that will bear fruit for many years to come. Both the casual listener and the intense worshiper will discover a wellspring of encouragement and insight in both the lyrics and musical arrangements. Plainly said, Thomas Muglia is the real deal.”

I Have A Father will showcase Muglia’s prayerful and heartfelt songwriting combined with powerful melodies and dynamic instrumental textures. His lyrics strive to reflect honestly on all aspects of a relationship with God and the Christian walk of faith.

“I hope this album brings the message forward to someone, so that they can hear it and relate to it. In this case, it’s to be drawn into a relationship with God.”

Double-Platinum selling, award-winning singer/songwriter Cory Asbury is planning to hit the road this spring. Asbury recently announced on social media plans for his Songs + Stories Tour 2022.

The tour will feature special guest Patrick Mayberry. Tickets are set to go on sale Today Friday (February 4). A partial tour itinerary is below. More information will be available at coryasbury.com.

Songs + Stories Tour 2022
March 24 — San Antonio, TX
March 25 — Waco, TX
March 26 — Houston, TX
March 27 — Houston, TX
April 1 — Colorado Spring, CO
April 2 — Gillette, WY
April 3 — Casper, WY
April 5 — Idaho Falls, ID
April 7 — Denver, CO
April 8 — Las Vegas, NV
April 9 — Santa Fe, NM
April 10 — Artesia, NM

Premier Productions and Elevation Church announce a new Elevation Nights Tour featuring Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick. Elevation Nights 2022 will continue to bring the powerful worship experience of Elevation Church into arenas across the country this spring.

After the success of the Fall 2021 Elevation Nights Tour, Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick are back to lift your spirits with a message of faith, hope and love.

“Our first time out with Elevation Nights was really special because we were able to just hold church service each night, only amplified A LOT,” says Chris Brown of Elevation Worship. “Having Pastor Steven bring a word that encourages our faith and getting to worship all together again makes these nights much more than a concert.”

Audiences can sign up for the exclusive pre-sale now at elevationnights.com. Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, February 9th at 10:00 a.m. local time.

“We are so excited and expectant for another round of amazing nights of ministry with Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick,” says Premier Productions VP of Global Touring Jonathan Roberts. “Elevation Church were some of the first groups to go out and fill up arenas in the Fall of 2021, and it’s reflective of the impact their ministry has made and continues to make. It’s all for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom and bringing the hope of Jesus to the masses. We are honored to partner with them.”

This tour is a full worship experience as Furtick preaches and Elevation Worship leads some of their hit songs including “Graves Into Gardens,” “RATTLE!,” “Do It Again,” “The Blessing” and others. The eight-city arena tour will kick-off on April 26 in Chicago, Ill., and will stop in Grand Rapids, Mich., Indianapolis, Ind., Columbus, Ohio, Washington DC, Reading, Pa., and Newark, N.J., before the final show on May 5 in Boston, Mass.

GRAMMY® Award-nominated rock band NEEDTOBREATHE have announced an intimate acoustic tour of North America in support of their latest critically acclaimed studio album Into The Mystery. The 26-city Into The Mystery Acoustic Tour will kick off on April 18 in Winnipeg, MB, and wrap on May 22 with two back-to-back shows in Knoxville, TN. Patrick Droney will provide support on all dates. Pre-sale tickets will be available to The Insiders Fan Club beginning tomorrow, February 4 HERE, and general on sale begins next Friday, February 11 at 10:00am local time HERE.

“The success of the acoustic tours over the years has been one of the biggest surprises of our career,” shared NEEDTOBREATHE frontman Bear Rinehart. “The intimacy and conversation that takes place in these beautiful theaters has been a pretty magical experience for us as a band. So much of our music was written and recorded acoustically in a living room, and with two new albums to pull from, we want to bring that experience to you again.”

NEEDTOBREATHE’s latest studio album Into The Mystery is available now via Elektra Records HERE. The album debuted in the Top 10 across three Billboard charts and received praise from Rolling Stone, Billboard, People, American Songwriter, and more. Leading into release, the band performed Into The Mystery’s lead single “I Wanna Remember” alongside Carrie Underwood at the 2021 CMT Music Awards. NEEDTOBREATHE also delivered unforgettable performances on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Late Late Show with James Corden, and ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration.

Following the album’s release, the band unveiled the accompanying documentary “NEEDTOBREATHE: Into The Mystery”. The film intimately chronicles the group recording the album, while quarantined in a historic house-turned-recording studio in remote Tennessee in fall of 2020. “NEEDTOBREATHE: Into The Mystery” is available on demand (including iTunes / Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video) now via Greenwich Entertainment. Watch it HERE.

NEEDTOBREATHE celebrated the album’s release with their massive Into The Mystery Tour. The 38 city trek included their fifth consecutive sold out show at Denver, CO’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and first-ever headline performance at Nashville, TN’s Bridgestone Arena. Returning to the road with a purpose, the band donated $1 from each ticket sold to For Others. In total, over $1.1 million was generated in support for the organization, which endeavors to address the country’s foster care crisis. NEEDTOBREATHE will once again be partnering with For Others on their upcoming Into The Mystery Acoustic Tour. Additionally, the band closed out 2021 by hosting NEEDTOBREATHE & Friends One Night Only Supporting OneWorld Health. The event raised over $1.4 million for OneWorld Health, which will provide sustainable, affordable, and accessible healthcare in East Africa and Central America.

Stay tuned for more from NEEDTOBREATHE soon.

NEEDTOBREATHE INTO THE MYSTERY ACOUSTIC TOUR DATES
April 18, 2022 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
April 20, 2022 – Edmonton, AB – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
April 21, 2022 – Calgary, AB – Southern Jubilee Auditorium
April 22, 2022 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
April 24, 2022 – Spokane, WA – First Interstate Center for the Arts
April 25, 2022 – Boise, ID – Boise State University – Morrison Center
April 26, 2022 – Eugene, OR – Hult Center for the Performing Arts – Silva Concert Hall
April 28, 2022 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre
April 29, 2022 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 01, 2022 – Midland, TX – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
May 02, 2022 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
May 04, 2022 – New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theatre
May 05, 2022 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
May 06, 2022 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
May 07, 2022 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre
May 09, 2022 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
May 10, 2022 – Ames, IA – Stephens Auditorium – Iowa State Center
May 12, 2022 – Fort Wayne, IN – Sweetwater Pavilion
May 13, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
May 14, 2022 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Theater
May 15, 2022 – Evansville, IN – Victory Theatre
May 17, 2022 – Grand Rapids, MI – Fountain Street Church
May 18, 2022 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Mainstage Theater
May 20, 2022 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
May 21, 2022 – Charleston, WV – Clay Center for Arts & Sciences
May 22, 2022 – Knoxville, TN – The Tennessee Theatre*

*Performing two shows

About NEEDTOBREATHE
Since 1998, NEEDTOBREATHE have quietly emerged as a dynamic force in rock music, topping the charts, selling out historic venues, and generating hundreds of millions of streams to date. The band have gathered one platinum single, four gold singles, and a gold album. Along the way, “Multiplied” notched their first GRAMMY® nomination. Simultaneously, they performed to sold out crowds at arenas and amphitheaters coast to coast. In addition to garnering two nods at the Billboard Music Awards, they’ve attracted acclaim from People, Rolling Stone, Forbes, and many more. In 2020, they sowed the seeds for rebirth with Out of Body. It bowed in the Top 5 of three Billboard charts and reeled in acclaim. Within weeks of its release, the quintet—Bear Rinehart [vocals, guitar], Seth Bolt [bass, vocals], Josh Lovelace [keys, vocals], Randall Harris [drums], and Tyler Burkum [guitar]—stole away to an old historic house in Columbia, TN where they lived together, ate together, laughed together, and recorded together for three weeks in the fall of 2020. They returned home with their eighth album and documentary Into The Mystery [Elektra Records]. It’s the kind of record that could only be made by a band who has been through it all and still has enough faith to keep encouraging one another. It’s NEEDTOBREATHE. For more information visit https://www.needtobreathe.com/

Singer/songwriter, and new Centricity Music signee,  Katy Nichole swiftly turned into a viral sensation thanks to her debut single, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible).” Becoming a soundtrack for millions on TikTok and Instagram before being released to digital and streaming outlets internationally last week, the song was penned in the midst of a global health crisis and found its genesis in Katy’s own story of suffering, hope and healing.

Sharing her unwavering belief in God’s ability to heal and the power of prayer, Katy’s debut single is connecting with audiences around the world who are looking for healing and restoration in a weary and anxious world. In just a few short months following her post of the “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” chorus on TikTok, the song had been heard more than 80 million times. The chorus was inspired by one of Katy’s multiple journal entries that proclaims, “I pray for your healing / That circumstances would change / I pray that the fear inside would flee / In Jesus name / I pray that a breakthrough would happen today / I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name.”

Enlisting David Spencer and Grammy®-nominated songwriters Ethan Hulse and Jeff Pardo to help her finish the song, Katy says, “This song is one of the greatest gifts God could ever give me. I want to be a good, faithful servant to the Lord. I’m just grateful to be His vessel.”

“Katy is a special and rare combination of vocalist and songwriter all wrapped in an incredible story of God’s faithfulness,” says John Mays, Senior Vice President of A&R, Centricity Music. “That story is woven through every song and every step of her journey in some way, and we feel privileged and excited to now become some part of the work God is so obviously doing through her life and music.”

“Katy’s story is such a reflection of God’s grace in her life. It permeates every song she writes and every song she sings,” says Steve Ford, who stepped away from his role as General Manager of Centricity Music to manage Katy Nichole, as well as Centricity Music band Unspoken. “There is such authenticity and originality in her art that I wanted to be involved in any way I could.”

“We met Katy around a year ago and were impressed with her love for God and the hard work she’s shown to pursue this calling,” says Jeff Roberts, Founder, Jeff Roberts Agency. “She’s an incredibly gifted young writer with the talent to translate those songs to the live environment. She’s also surrounded by a great team, and we’re looking forward to where the Lord leads this journey in the years ahead.”

Prior to writing “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” Katy was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent surgery to straighten her spine, which led to persistent post-surgery pain that sent her into a bedridden mental and emotional spiral. Three years later, Katy went back in for an operation to essentially remove the metal rods and screws that had been placed in her back.

“I go into the second surgery, and I come out of it, and the smoke cloud of depression was gone. I encountered the Lord in that moment,” Katy remembers. “When I got my X-rays after surgery, my spine was actually straighter than when the rods had been in it. So when I say that God can do miracles, I mean it, because I’ve seen it.”

Serving as both an ambassador for the Shriners Hospitals for Children® and as a volunteer for Musicians On Call, her healing has also emboldened her to be an advocate for others facing health challenges. It’s further given her a new direction for her music—and her life.

“There’s no story that doesn’t matter to God. Every story was written by Him, and He’s the greatest author of all time,” Katy declares. “God’s healed me, so I know He can heal someone else. I’m going to share my story and hope it will encourage others to go and share theirs.”

While her first single is a worshipful anthem ready-made for roomfuls of people to sing, it only reveals one facet of this multidimensional artist who is working on her debut album now, again drawing from her journal and well of life experiences.

For all the latest Katy Nichole music, news and more information, go to https://katynichole.com/, TikTok (210.3K followers, 2M likes), Instagram (98.3K followers) YouTube and Facebook.

About Katy Nichole:

Long before TikTok was even a social platform, Katy was singing in her church choir. By 14, she was writing songs and leading worship. Her relationship with both music and God is inextricably intertwined with her path to health and wholeness. At the invitation of Josh Havens, lead singer for The Afters, Katy began leading worship at The Grove in Phoenix, AZ, where Havens serves as a Worship & Arts Pastor. Havens saw something in Katy she couldn’t even see in herself at the time. She began writing, recording and posting her music online, which eventually led to her making a move to Nashville and landing a label home with Centricity Music.

About Centricity Music:

The No. 1 Billboard Top Christian Albums Imprint for three consecutive years, Centricity Music is an independent Christian music company based in Franklin, TN. Founded in 2005 with a commitment to artist development and stylistic diversity, its artist roster includes Andrew Peterson, Apollo LTD, Brandon Heath, Chris Renzema, Coby James, Cross Point Music, Jason Gray, Jonny Diaz, Jordan Feliz, Katy Nichole, Lauren Daigle, North Point Worship, Patrick Mayberry, PEABOD and Unspoken. Providing label and publishing services, Centricity is a family-owned organization, and they like it that way. The committed work of its staff and artists has yielded successes such as Grammy Awards, Billboard Awards, Dove Awards, K-Love Fan Awards, and multiple Gold and Platinum Albums and Singles. For more Information on Centricity Music, visit https://centricitymusic.com/.

In response to recent, growing allegations towards hip hop artist GAWVI regarding harassment and lewd behavior, Reach Records has announced that they will no longer be working with the artist. He has also been dropped from the label’s upcoming WE ARE UNASHAMED TOUR. 

Check out their announcement below:

“Due to behavior that is inconsistent with our core values we have ended our professional relationship with GAWVI.  

This was a tough decision for us because of the level of complexity and because we invest in our artists not just for their talent, but also as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is something we have been processing for over a year and have wrestled with what would be the right way forward. New details that have been provided to us made us realize today’s decision was necessary. We also want our actions to be a reflection of love, care and concern for those who fail and those who are affected by our failures. 

Each of us needs God’s grace and we invite you to pray for the families and individuals whose lives are being impacted. This is not a chance to throw anybody away. We continue to hope for restoration to be the outcome.

— Reach Records”

Integrity Music is delighted to introduce you to a brand new project, the  FAITHFUL podcast! The Word of God is filled with voices of mothers, daughters, sisters and wives and each of their stories shows us different sides of God’s love and faithfulness that is still true for us today. On the weekly FAITHFUL Podcast, you will hear poets, songwriters, authors, and storytellers dive into these ancient stories to learn more and share about their own stories in the process. FAITHFUL women lead the way to show other women that you have permission to create, live, and think creatively for yourself. LISTEN HERE

The FAITHFUL Project is a collaboration between David C Cook, Integrity Music, and Compassion International in support of efforts to release vulnerable girls from poverty around the world.LEARN MORE

Discover the incredible women of the Bible in a fresh, new way, and learn how their stories shape the lives of women today.

Atlanta-based record label, Pebble Street Records proudly signs a new artist to their roster, Pastor Michael Lampkin. Lampkin, both a talented pianist and vocalist is known for finishing as a Top 3 Finalist on Season 5 of BET’s Sunday Best. In 2020 he released his First Ep “The Right Time” featuring notable songs, “Better” and “The Fight is Over.”

Pebble Street Records was founded and launched by E. Dewey Smith at the end of 2021 and already experiencing expansion! When asked about signing his new artist, E. Dewey had this to say,

“I became familiar with Michael Lampkin as a contestant on ‘Sunday Best’. When I heard his voice I knew immediately that he was special! We developed a brotherhood almost four years ago and I’ve been working on signing him to the label for quite some time! He will be a mainstay in the Gospel Music industry for years to come! I’m absolutely overwhelmed with excitement about the music that we will produce together.”

Spotify is excited to be casting a spotlight on the vibrant sounds of the rapidly-expanding Christian and Gospel music scene and the diverse array of artists inspiring a new generation of fans with the newly rebranded Top Christian & Gospel Playlist!

The tapestry of Christian and Gospel artists today is expansive and diverse – from the dynamic gospel singer/songwriter and worship leader Chandler Moore, to the enlightening Christian hip hop star KB, to the influential Grammy winning producer and songwriter Brooke Ligertwood, plus the inspirational gospel artist and speaker Jekalyn Carr and mystifying Spanish language singer/songwriter and worship leader Christine D’Clario.

Previously titled Top Christian, the goal of the newly rebranded Top Christian & Gospel Playlist is to capture the full spectrum of the music that shapes the broad genre, showcasing these captivating artists and their genre-spanning collaborations, while offering fans a destination to discover new artists and enjoy the hits from their favorite stars.

To celebrate the playlist refresh, some of today’s new guard of Christian & Gospel stars (Chandler Moore, KB, Jekalyn Carr, Brooke Ligertwood, Christine D’Clario, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, and For King & Country) teamed up with Spotify to share their thoughts on the music that has inspired their lives in the special video above.

Chart-topper Maranda Curtis will release a powerful new album with DIE TO LIVE, available for pre-order now. Unveiling the album cover for DIE TO LIVE, available with the album pre-order are two instant grat tracks, “Lazarus” and “Run.” Comprising fifteen tracks in total, DIE TO LIVE will be released on Friday, February 18th, 2022.

Maranda Curtis recorded her DIE TO LIVE album live in Toronto, Canada, and wrote on twelve of the tracks. The chart-topping singer/songwriter behind the #1 Billboard Gospel albums The Maranda Curtis Experience, Vol.1, and the live album Open Heaven: The Maranda Experience – which garnered seven Stellar Award nominations – presents an album of hope and facing adversity on her latest project. Shining a light to persevere with strength and faith, the acclaimed worship leader brings her powerhouse vocals to her live performances on DIE TO LIVE, creating a captivating live experience of praise and worship in the midst of personal trials, after dealing with the loss of her mother in 2019. Among other standout inspiring tracks include “Freedom Song,” “To Know Me,” “Live Again,” “Overcome,” and the title track “Die to Live,” with Curtis teaming up with songwriting collaborators Phillip Bryant, Bart Orr, Justin Savage, Rich Tolbert Jr., Ernest Vaughan, Don Moen, and more.’

Maranda Curtis shares about her new album, “This is my most vulnerable body of work so far, as it was born out of the most heartbreaking period in my life. I poured out my grief, my loneliness, my pain, and discovered the peace, contentment and hope that only God can give. My prayer for the listener is that they experience true healing, and know that in every situation there is a Savior who they can run to.”

Maranda Curtis has continued to be a force in her music and worship, bringing her ministry around the world in song and sharing the stage with John P. Kee, Kurt Carr, Youthful Praise, among others.