Please join us in extending our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers to the family of Jason (Jay) Weaver, who passed away on January 2nd, 2022 from complications related to COVID-19.

“I’m so sorry to bring this news, but I’m also excited to celebrate where he is right now,” Mike Weaver shared in an emotional message posted on social media a few hours after Jay passed away.

Readers may remember that the CCM community has joined together in prayer for Jay’s health and healing a few times over the last few years. In August 2021, Big Daddy Weave’s bass player was hospitalized in the ICU for complications related to dialysis treatments. And in 2016, Jason underwent bilateral foot amputations and numerous procedures to curb a serious leg infection.

Mike Weaver continued, “You guys have seen him walk the uphill battle and you guys have helped carry him through so much…The Lord used him in such a mighty way out on the road for so many years. And anybody who has come into contact with him knows just how real his faith in Jesus was.”

“I believe that although COVID may have taken his last breath, Jesus was right there to catch him,” Mike added. “My heart’s broke[n] for my family here but also for Jay’s family in Florida. But we all just really wanted to thank you for walking with us through so much, you know, for so long.”

Mike concluded, “The prayers for healing can turn into prayers of thanksgiving now that Jay is in God’s presence. We will all deal with the heartache as it comes. There is that broken part in being in this broken place until the day that we are going to step through and see what Jay is seeing.”

Jay is survived by his wife Emily and their three children, Makenzie, Madison and Nathan.

Set to release on January 7, 2022, the widely-acclaimed Gospel music quartet The Ball Brothers bring their lush harmonies and signature style to their soul-stirring rendition of the Gaither-penned classic “I’m Free.”

Since their formation in 2006, The Ball Brothers have rapidly made their mark in Christian music by creating a blend of musical styles—melding together new and old with tight, four-part harmonies. The powerhouse vocal group is globally celebrated for hand-picking and performing Gospel songs of hope and encouragement from a variety of genres, making “I’m Free” both a quintessential and timeless addition to their music catalog. “I’m Free” has been recorded and performed by other beloved Gospel greats including Lynda Randle, the Gaither Vocal Band and the Booth Brothers.

“The very first time we heard ‘I’m Free,’ we fell in love with how the lyrics and harmony blended together to paint a vivid picture of the freedom found in Christ,” says the group’s co-founder and lead singer Daniel Ball. “I didn’t realize when we first learned this song that these words were penned long before I was born. Somehow, it felt as if someone was telling my story. Now, all these years later, we keep going back to this classic song because it means more now than when we first heard it. The message is a timeless truth that can’t be fully understood until you’ve experienced true freedom.”

The song will be featured on the Gaither Music TV YouTube channel (over 2.3M subscribers) and on the Gaither Music Facebook page (over 1.3M followers). It will be available on all digital streaming platforms and will be featured on Gaither playlists including Gaither Classics, Gaither Quartet Favorites, Gaither Good Things and more. “I’m Free” will be heard on Gaither Radio on Pandora and made available on Gaither Radio on Amazon.

The just-concluded Concert Simpli Praise that took place at Muri Okunola Park on Sunday, the 26th of December was a huge success and we are super proud.

The Gospel Concert which was organized by Simpli Mi homes, Her Royal Highness Edna Ubebe, MD/CEO  of the leading real estate company, and produced by Yaw Naija Production had the likes of Gospel Musicians; Tope Alabi, Eben, Beejay Sax, Ada Ehi, Bukola Bekes, Akpororo, and many others performed beautifully and God’s presence was indeed present at the Live Concert.

The Simpli Praise Concert had so many celebrities, families, friends, and people from the general public gathered to praise and worship God for a wonderful and blessed year as it was a free event.

Edna Ubebe is also the founder of the Edna Ubebe Foundation, an organization that works for the social development and integration of underprivileged persons, vulnerable youths, children, widows, and the aged in our communities in Nigeria.

This year she gave grants of Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000) to over 200 Widows  that are hardworking and needs support and empowerment to start their individual businesses

Her Royal Highness Edna Ubebe said that the Simpli Praise Concert which started in 2020 with a second edition this year will hold yearly henceforth as it will be a way to worship and praise God for the successful business year.

Also reacting to the success of the concert is the Producer Steve  Onu (YAW) who added that being a Nigerian is stressful enough but we just have to be thanking God.

We look forward to making the concert bigger and better.

Photos From Simpli Concert 2021: 

Off the twelve-track album from Manus Akpanke tagged ‘Jesus Only ‘released in 2021, he shares the official video to track nine-tagged Holy Spirit.

The song has its focus on the promise of the Holy Spirit which has been fulfilled and He is our guide never leaving us.

The official video of the song was shot by Ibozi films and is available below for your streaming pleasure. Don’t forget to share and bless someone out there too.

Watch Video Below; 

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.