Alternative, post-rock’s Alex Henry Foster impacts album sales charts worldwide with his live triple-vinyl / double-CD and concert film Standing Under Bright Lights following its release April 16. In its first week available at digital and streaming outlets everywhere from Hopeful Tragedy Records, the recording hit No. 4 in Canada (No. 1 iTunes Top Albums), debuted at No. 6 in Australia and reached No. 13 in the UK. The album also landed at No. 18 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists and No. 31 on its Current Album Sales charts while fans also quickly depleted the vinyl collector’s boxes available at his label’s store.

From Montreal and now residing in the highlands of Virginia, Foster’s full production, 11-piece band concert Standing Under Bright Lights was recorded live in front of a sold out Club Soda (July 2019) while Foster headlined the Montreal International Jazz Festival. The concert was named one of the top five events not to be missed by Canada’s national TV/Radio broadcaster CBC. Originally set to release October 8, 2020, which would have been his late father’s birthday, Foster decided to utilize the extra time the worldwide pandemic would give him to produce the recording and concert film.

With Rolling Stone labeling the album’s lead single, “The Son of Hannah,” “simply fascinating,” and the Montreal Gazette hearing “a remarkable buzz around the world with his challenging alternative rock,” Foster’s Standing Under Bright Lights has garnered acclaim across the globe. Along with an NRT Now “Next Big Thing” podcast interview, Foster has been recently featured by Prog Magazine, ICI Premiere (CBC), Louder Than War, BrooklynVegan, Between The Grooves, PAN M 360, FYI Music News, TVK, Rebel Noise, All Rock, Mr. Vinyl and many more.

Along with lead singles “The Son of Hannah” and “Winter Is Coming In” that have received hundreds of thousands of plays across numerous playlists, Standing Under Bright Lights features every song from Foster’s debut solo album, Windows in the Sky, which hit No. 1 multiple times on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, staying in the Top 40 on the chart for a full year after its release. The songs from this celebrated album were re-invented for the live recording as the band performed along with a movie projection produced by Foster. Almost 2 hours and 30 minutes long, the concert at which Standing Under Bright Lights was recorded is now considered among the best concerts throughout the 40 years of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Playing the new music and fan favorites on tour, Foster and his band are preparing to tour internationally with 23 dates in Europe set to begin next month, pandemic allowing.

Recently awarded Gold & Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) – to certify over a million albums sold of “Awaken My Love”, his critically acclaimed collaboration with superstar Childish Gambino (who made history as the first rapper ever to win Record of the Year & Song of the Year – 62nd Annual Grammy Awards), Brent Jones has now been inducted into the Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder’s powerhouse station KJLH 102.3 FM

“What an honor to be inducted with Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, and Donnie McClurkin into the Hall of Fame!” says Brent Jones

Featured in the blockbuster DreamWorks movie “Trolls World Tour” (starring Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick & Mary J. Blige), coveted admission into the Screen Actors Guild, a hit song collaboration “Time” with pop star Ariana Grande, and a recent Billboard #1 plaque for his contributions to the Trolls World Tour movie soundtrack, 2020 has been quite the year for gospel star Brent Jones!

Singer/songwriter extraordinaire, who’s pioneering work with his urban group Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb set the stage for Kirk Franklin and urban contemporary gospel, JDI artist Brent Jones’ upcoming new CD “Nothing Else Matters” is the highly anticipated follow-up to “Open Your Mouth and Say Something”, which topped the Billboard charts for over 54+ weeks, earning widespread critical acclaim and multiple award nominations including the 2019 Dove Award and 2019 Stellar Award.

In the latest episode of Trevor Talks, a podcast hosted by Christian mental health advocate Trevor Tyson, 2x GRAMMY-nominated Artist, Jamie Grace, discusses mental health, music & life.

Jamie Grace is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD, and anxiety at a young age, Jamie actively advocates for joy, wellness, and mental health through the lens of music, film, and faith.

An entertainer at heart, she regularly creates fresh content, including new music and weekly videos and episodes of The Jamie Grace Podcast.

“I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to figure out the line between my clinically diagnosed anxiety and my character flaws and emotional weaknesses—and how in the world I should recover,” Jamie writes. “It’s the moments when we feel like everything is crumbling before us and completely falling apart that faith proves just how powerful it can be.”

In her new book, Finding Quiet, combines Jamie’s true story with practical life lessons that have helped her learn to let go, release herself from comparison, navigate relationships, find purpose, and much more. She vulnerably shares her lowest moments of pain and self-doubt, and leads readers through her journey in search of freedom, found in the quiet moments.

When she isn’t touring, Jamie lives in Southern California with her husband, Aaron, and daughter, Isabella Brave.

Listen to the full podcast episode HERE.

Stephen Stanley, who joined the Capitol CMG family just last year, drops his self-titled debut EP today. This self-taught multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter has a profound mission to create music that gives an immediate emotional impact, and he is ready to now share these new songs with the world. 

It was in December when the world was first introduced to Stephen Stanley with his debut single “No Hopeless Soul,” which to date has received four million global streams and 317K music video views. His current single, “Lifeline,” released in March with an astounding 628K streams as of press time, can be heard on numerous playlists such as Spotify’s Top Christian and New Music Friday Christian, Pandora’s New Christian Music Now, and Apple Music’s Best New Songs, among others. Additionally, his new music video for “Oasis” also drops today, making its debut with YouTube. The video can be viewed here and below.

Track listing:
1. Oasis
2. Listen
3. No Hopeless Soul
4. Lifeline
5. Heal

Inspired by rock bands from the 70’s and 80’s that he listened to with his father, Stephen Stanley’s style reveals a depth of talent that comes from years of devotion to his craft. Hailing from McDonough, Georgia, Stanley learned to play a guitar his mother gave him at nine years old after he suffered from a jet skiing accident that left him deaf in his left ear. Uncovering a remarkable gift for music and melody, by 13 he was playing piano and drums in addition to writing songs and leading worship at the church where his father served as a pastor. Ever since, he has honed a distinct and dynamic voice as a musician, artist, and songwriter, bringing both raw emotion and a profound sense of purpose to everything he creates.

“My whole life I’ve known that I wanted to be in the Christian music world, but it took me a few years of writing to figure out exactly what I wanted to say,” he shares. “At some point I started to use my songs as a way to talk about mental health, and about how God has helped me to get through things like anxiety and depression. The way I write now is to try to be as introspective and open about what I’m feeling as I possibly can, with the idea that it will hopefully translate to other people who are going through something similar.”

As he continues to create music, one of his main intentions is to infuse hope and compassion into the musical landscape, especially at such a chaotic moment in time. “I feel like my generation wants to try to change the world, and we’re slowly learning that it’s not that easy,” Stanley says. “I really believe that love—and specifically the love that God offers—is the answer to so many of the problems we’re dealing with right now, whether it’s hatred or injustice or lack of unity. I hope my music helps to remind people of that, and helps them to feel a little uplifted and encouraged whenever they get overwhelmed.”

To find out more, visit StephenStanleyMusic.com and his bio and social links below. He is managed by Just Management and booked by Jeff Roberts & Assoc.

GRAMMY Award-nominated Crowder tops the Billboard Hot Christian Songs Chart with “Good God Almighty,” a track on his forthcoming ‘Milk & Honey’ album due Friday, June 11th via Capitol Christian Music Group/sixstepsrecords. This is Crowder’s first-ever No. 1 on this particular chart, a spot Lauren Daigle has predominantly owned for the last 125 weeks.

Listen to “Good God Almighty” here: crowder.lnk.to/almighty

Crowder is a three-time Dove Award Winner and three-time GRAMMY nominee who is armed with RIAA Platinum and Gold Certifications, more than 1 billion global streams and more than 2.5 million followers on social media.

“The Cross (remastered),” a new single from Timothy Davis, goes for adds today to Christian AC-formatted radio outlets. A video for the single, which previously was released to all digital outlets, is available on YouTube.

Davis, a bi-vocational pastor who also is an evangelist, worship leader, songwriter and musician, wrote and produced “The Cross. The song, Davis says, was inspired by the powerful film, “The Passion of the Christ.” “(The movie) made an indelible mark on my heart,” he says, adding that it took the recording artist years before he could record and produce the single. “I just kept seeing The Cross standing in the crossroads of our lives where everyone would have to make a choice sooner or later to serve Jesus and bow at the foot of The Cross in surrender or go into another direction and lose their soul forever.”

“But God reminded me that this symbol of suffering was also a symbol of power and that it still has the power to save even in the darkest times of our lives when we think all hope is lost,” he says. “I truly believe that everyone will see this Cross and the scars on Jesus’ body on that great day when we stand before Him to give an account for our lives spent on Earth. “I’m so thankful for all He’s done for me and giving me salvation almost 30 years ago,” says Davis. “The Cross has never lost or will never lose its power!”

“The Cross” follows the release of Davis’ single, “Run to You.” “Run to You” debuted at No. 1 on CRC Weekly and hit the No. 5 spot on CRC Monthly.

Three years after giving his life to Christ in 1990, Davis began writing songs of personal struggle, victory and worship as he sat in front of the piano. As he answered the call upon his life to be a minister, God would lead him to share his music and ministry with multiple audiences. As a ministry leader, Davis has held multiple events through the years, including outside crusade events, festivals, youth conferences and revivals. He has shared the stage and worked with popular Christian artists, such as Ginny Owens, Jared Anderson and Sonic Flood.

Christian hip-hop artist Hulvey is making waves in the music industry as his debut album, Christopher, landed at No. #8 on the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums Chart, #19 at Rap Albums Chart, just one week since its release. Already the record has garnered almost 4 million streams across all DSPs.

Christopher is a 12-track project that features guest vocals by two time Grammy award-winning artist Lecrae, pop sensation SVRCINA, fellow labelmate Andy Mineo and Atlanta-based rapper BigBreeze. Pushing musical influences aside, the new music pouring out of Hulvey lyrically and sonically, reveals his true authentic self; embracing his hip-hop and pop background.

The 22-year-old who has quickly become one of Christian music’s rising acts, has come a long way since scrubbing toilets in Publix grocery market. In Christopher, Hulvey’s lyrics take listeners on his life journey from being an adolescent teen in high school, to seeing the importance of community and mentorship and the freedom and deliverance he has found through his Christian faith.

Christopher is the follow up full- length project to his EP BRKNHRT. that was released in 2020 giving listeners a taste of what to expect from the breakout artist and it immediately garnered him national praise. Pandora named him Christian Artist to Watch in 2020, his tracks ‘Higher’ and ‘Real Love’ from Hulvey Vol. 1 and Hulvey Vol. 2 were featured on VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta in 2020 and ‘Cold Blooded’ was featured on ABC’s hit show The Rookie.

Listen to Playlist Below;

Carrie Underwood just wowed at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The 38-year-old singer took the stage on Sunday, to perform a gospel medley in Nashville, Tennessee, at the 2021 ACMs.

For the unforgettable performance, Underwood turned to her March 2021 album, My Savior, and performed a medley of those gospel hymns.

Belting out a few of iconic gospel classics, including “Amazing Grace,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art,” Underwood stunned with her spotlight-stealing appearance.

At one point in Underwood’s performance, she was joined by CeCe Winans for a duet of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” which the pair collaborated on for Underwood’s recent album.

Dolly Parton introduced the performance in a pre-recorded message, who marveled, “I am so pleased and proud to introduce my dear friend, Carrie Underwood.”

“I have always admired Carrie’s incredible talent, but I am just as impressed with her personal qualities– her compassion, kindness, generosity, and, most of all, the powerful faith that we both share,” Parton said. “Now, her performance tonight speaks to that faith in a medley from her new gospel hymns album, My Savior, which I know is a true passion project for her.”

It was a sweet introduction for one of the night’s biggest highlight performances.

ET’s Rachel Smith recently spoke with Winans, and the songstress said getting to collaborate with Underwood was like a “divine connection” that resulted after years of watching Underwood’s career bloom.

“I met Carrie years ago when she first won American Idol. I heard her on American Idol, of course, she’s amazing. But then we both sang at the White House. I think it was Christmas at the White House,” Winans recalled. “I got to hear her up close and personal and I was just like, ‘Whoa, this girl can really really sing!’”

As for recording their duet of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Winans said, “It was fun, because she’s amazing.”

“I got a chance to go in and kind of just do my part, because she had really had already done hers. And when I finished she changed some things and I just love it,” Winans recalled. “It’s a beautiful song.”

Underwood was nominated for the Video of the Year award at this year’s ceremony, though that trophy went to Kane Brown. Last year, Underwood made ACM Awards history when she became the first woman to win Entertainer of the Year three times.

Accomplished Singer/songwriter, JOKIA (Jokia Music/Darkchild Gospel), celebrates reaching #1 on Billboard’s National Gospel Airplay Chart with the celebrated and cross-genre single, “Yahweh.” “Yahweh” marks Jokia’s first #1 single as an independent artist on her own label, Jokia Music, exclusively distributed by Darkchild Gospel. “Yahweh” is lifted from her forthcoming EP due second quarter 2021.

Promoted at gospel radio by Jerome Hunt, founder of By Any Means Necessary, the song “Yahweh” (meaning: He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists) is a catchy mid-tempo song that effortlessly reels the listener in, giving them an instant faith boost. “Yahweh” serves as a reminder to all during these unpresented times to not give up or lose hope in your faith. Jokia’s next single, “Let Him In” will be available Summer 2021.

“Don’t give up on what God called you to do, even if it doesn’t go the way you planned. His plans are greater than ours,” shares Jokia.

Killeen, Texas’ native Jokia (often stylized JOKIA) sound is stylish, heartfelt, and precise in a way not often heard in the era of ubiquitous autotune. Prior to the digital release of “Yahweh”, Jokia offered a soul-stirring performance of the song at Marquis Boone’s 2015 Discovered conference that landed her a demo recording deal. Since then, and with much dedication to her craft and devotion to God, Jokia’s ministry continues to gain visibility, amazing opportunities and platforms to minister through music.

Founder of Darkchild Gospel, Fred “Uncle Freddie” Jerkins, shares: “When I first heard “Yahweh” I knew that it had the potential to be the #1 song in the country and didn’t hesitate for DarkChild Gospel to join forces with Jokia Music to make this song available to the world.”

CEO of By Any Means Necessary, Jerome Hunt, shares, “Jokia is an amazing artist/person with an amazing song! It’s my passion at By Any Means Necessary to work with new independent artists to help them achieve what God has placed in them. I’m extremely excited for her!”

Watch Video Below;

For more information on Jokia follow her on social media by using the handle @JokiaMusic; and on the web at her clothing-line website, God Sent.

Anna Golden, an emerging worship artist and songwriter, announces her debut project Peace: The Album will release May 21. With its pre-order beginning today, her song “Doubt” is offered as an instant grat. A live performance video for the track also drops today and can be viewed below.

At only 24 with her debut album ready to impact the world, the music scene is not a new one for Anna Golden. She began her career as a showbiz kid, the youngest of four talented siblings. Her childhood was spent in Los Angeles audition rooms, earning consistent work with mainstream entertainment outlets, including Radio Disney.“My siblings—John, Liz, and Josh—are involved in mainstream music or acting,” Golden explains. “I started in the mainstream also, but at 15 I remember having a moment with my parents where I told them the attention was too much pressure for me.”

That conversation led her to her passion—worship ministry. “I loved leading worship because none of the attention was on me,” she says. “All the glory is directed to God.”

Becoming a member of her church’s youth worship team, Golden began leading worship and by 18, she was in charge. She started recording and releasing her own worship songs independently, which led her to an unexpected opportunity with Tasha Cobbs Leonard in 2017 who invited her to sing on her album. Soon after, Golden ended up becoming a background vocalist and serving alongside Cobbs Leonard in her local church.Cobbs Leonard eventually launched her own imprint, TeeLee Records, in association with her longtime label Motown Gospel, a division of Capitol CMG, and Anna Golden became the first signed artist.

“A major part of my assignment is to be a bridge, connecting people from all cultures and experiences through worship by bringing awareness to the presence of God,” shares Tasha Cobbs Leonard. “Anna Golden is a testament to that calling and is a relevant, necessary voice to this generation. Her influence has already crossed barriers and built bridges culturally and I expect her impact to be explosive quickly. I’m excited to play a role in introducing her music and ministry to the world through TeeLee Records.”

In March 2020, Golden caught the internet’s attention when she—joined by sister Liz Golden and pop superstar Selena Gomez— uploaded a stripped-down cover of the worship anthem “The Blessing” to Instagram, while in self-isolation in Los Angeles. It instantly gained massive attention and helped launch her song “Peace” to critical and consumer acclaim. Starting as a private expression from her own experiences, “Peace” quickly turned to a musical balm that she knew would speak to the waves of anxiety and depression of so many. At press time, the song has already amassed 4.4 million global streams LTD.

And soon the world will get to hear Peace: The Album, an innovative 16-track project featuring two sides – one live, one studio – showcasing Golden’s versatility as she weaves congregational worship to her refreshing new take on worship music.

Anna Golden is at the forefront of a new wave of artists who are redefining the sound and style of worship music, both inside and outside of the church. “I believe that music is a beautiful translator to anything that the Lord wants to say to someone,” she shares. “My mission when I’m leading worship is to extend what has been extended to me—the power that’s in worship, the warfare that’s in worship, the peace.”

“Doubt (Live)” is available now to download or stream.