First15, the popular daily devotional series that reaches more than 1.6 million people around the world, is excited to announce their new music venture aptly named First15 Worship. They are slated to release their debut EP, The Invitation, on March 19.
Today, the project drops its first single, “Hide And Seek,” along with a lyric video. Click here to listen to the song and the video can be viewed below.
First15 is a daily devotional that seeks to provide believers of all backgrounds with a unique experience with God in the first 15 minutes of their day, leading them to a sincere search to love God and others. Now taking one step further with the launch of First15 Worship, they are offering worship music specifically for the weekday. It is also their desire to collaborate with songwriters, artists, and producers to create songs that are specifically designed for the believer’s daily time in God’s presence.
The Invitation encompasses five songs, with more slated to release in the coming months. The EP was produced by Tanner Moltz, Mckendree Tucker, and Kevin Bean.
THE INVITATION TRACK LISTING: 1. Your Love Is A Well (feat. Rachel Denison) 2. Hide And Seek (feat. Nikki Moltz) 3. Your Love Never Fails Me (feat. Ryan Hall) 4. Build Your Kingdom (feat. Emily Huffaker) 5. Worth It All (feat. Magen Thurman)
During a time when music lovers are longing for a live concert experience, GRAMMY® nominee Tauren Wells felt compelled to release Citizen of Heaven LIVE, which includes 15 audio tracks and 4 videos that were recorded during his album launch event in January 2020 at Lakewood Church in his hometown of Houston, TX.
To pre-save the LIVE album and receive the award-winning, multi-week No. 1 single “Famous For (I Believe)” as well as the title track, Click HERE.
“My favorite thing about creating an album is anticipating what the live versions of the songs will become,” says Wells. “Having a song come alive for the first time in the writing room or the studio is a crazy feeling, but there is a different energy and excitement when the song comes alive in a room full of people! We captured all that fire on this new LIVE album, and it is a full-on heatwave! You’re about to dance, cry, laugh, and worship all at the same time so be prepared. The people in the car next to you are going to be really confused!!”
Citizen of Heaven LIVE Track Listing:
Never Gonna Let Me Go
All My Love
Miracle
When We Pray
There’s Something About That Name (feat. Davies)
All My Hope
Citizen of Heaven Intro
Citizen of Heaven
God’s Not Done with You
Echo (feat. Davies)
Until Grace (feat. Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts)
Known
Like You Love Me
Famous For (I Believe) / Do It Again (feat. Jenn Johnson & Christine D’Clario)
Hills and Valleys
VIDEOS:
Citizen of Heaven
Miracle
Until Grace (with Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts)
Famous For (I Believe) / Do It Again (feat. Jenn Johnson & Christine D’Clario)
Wells is currently on the Toby Mac HITS DEEP TOUR 2021 and will be wrapping up the Spring leg this weekend, with three consecutive nights at the Allen Event Center in Allen, TX. Wells will also be part of the fall leg of the HITS DEEP TOUR 2021. Tickets are currently on sale for the fall tour dates starting October 2nd HERE.
In addition, the Tauren Wells’ Book Club, currently featuring “The Third Option” written by Miles McPherson which focuses on hope for a racially divided nation, continues via IG LIVE on Saturday, March 6th at 10am CST @taurenwells. Don’t miss it!
RCA Inspiration & Provident Entertainment are recognizing Women’s History Month for March, rolling out a slate of releases supporting female artists throughout the month. Highlighting a powerful group of fresh hitmakers, the label kicks off its first release with a double feature on March 5th, pairing the voices of Koryn Hawthorne and R&B artist Queen Naija, on the new track from Koryn Hawthorne, “Speak To Me (Queen Mix)” featuring Queen Naija.
Releasing on March 19th, a new recording between R&B star H.E.R. and Tauren Wells, who have collaborated on her song “Hold Us Together.” Originally a solo song by H.E.R. featured from the Disney+ film Safety, Wells joins H.E.R. to duet on the inspiring new single, in the co-artist release H.E.R. x Tauren Wells “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix).”
Also on March 19th, the album from Kierra Sheard, KIERRA (Deluxe), will be available for pre-order. The deluxe edition will feature five new songs plus the original fifteen songs from her latest hit album.
Releasing on March 26th, comes two tracks from DOE, who pairs up with hip-hop artist Wande, on “Good Now (Remix)” featuring Wande. DOE also releases the solo track “Good Now (Acoustic).”
RCA Inspiration will donate a portion of profits from the above releases for the month of March, partnering with two organizations in supporting their women’s initiatives: Step Up, which empowers young women with college and career-focused mentorship and programming, and Creative Girls Rock, which provides instructional information and inspiration to young women to enhance their creativity and personal development.
Jason Nelson, best-known for his No. 1 gospel ballads “Shifting the Atmosphere” and “Forever,” is showcasing another dimension to his immense talent on the smooth, mid-tempo track, “Residue” (Tyscot / FairTrade). Dueling guitars – including Nelson on Bass – open this R&B-flavored groove about a bright future with no residue of a dark past.
“The blind mark on my soul has been erased,” Nelson testifies. The warm track shows the Baltimore, MD native’s seemingly effortless and soulfully measured tenor that is on par with that of Charlie Wilson or Luther Vandross.
“Residue was inspired by the idea that being in proximity to GOD has a cleansing effect on a person,” Nelson explains. “The song gives insight to how GOD cleans us up when we come to HIM. HE never has the expectation that we are perfect to engage with HIM. He takes us as we are and washes away the residue of the past as we walk with HIM.” Listening Link: https://smarturl.it/residue
“Residue” is Nelson’s first release in three years and he’s planning to release a full album later in the year. “The new album will definitely be a departure from what I’m known for,” Nelson confides. “First, it’s a studio record [He usually does live albums]. Secondly, the record will dig into who I am artistically and musically. We will delve into music that helped to nurture my sound as a singer. It pays homage to Dawkins and Dawkins, Commissioned, and Fred Hammond. All of them played a major role in my musical journey.”
Nelson has been active on the national stage since 2005. Over the years, he’s enjoyed a string of gospel radio hits such as “Shifting the Atmosphere,” “Nothing Without You,” “I Am” and “Forever” that have earned him over 100 million digital streams. He is also Pastor of The Tab (Formerly The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple) in Windsor Mills, MD. He and his wife, Tonya, have two children, Jaelyn Paris and Jason Christopher.
On March 26th, platinum-selling artist and award-winning songwriter Dante Bowe will release what insiders are already calling ‘his most personal recording to date,’ Circles [Bethel Music]. The much-anticipated follow-up to his critically-acclaimed debut, Son of a Father, details his road to self-discovery and lessons learned on his journey from homelessness to hits.
On Circles, Dante combines the simmering spirit of nineties-style R&B with foot-stomping soul and skyscraping gospel. The 13-song collection honors those that helped make him who he is, provides perspective on the struggles he’s faced and sets out to inspire others.
Dante Bowe -Circles
“This past year has really allowed me to reflect,” says Dante. “Stories I’ve been told about my family’s journey gave me an understanding of the role that they’ve played in my life. So, I wanted to explore that on this album – so much that I scrapped two fully recorded projects, to make Circles. To me, it feels that in sharing my own lessons, that others might not only see the importance of their pasts, but see how they can apply what we’ve learned to our futures.”
Following his grandfather’s passing in 2020, Dante became closer than ever to his grandmother. He found comfort and perspective in their conversations and learned about his family, which provided a deeper insight into his formative years. He learned what it was like as family of color, their experiences and their ability to persevere despite the circumstances and he realized how much he was just like them. Dante Bowe has something to say and he courageoulsly bares himself through his musicianship and songwriting on Circles.
Recording artist, songwriter, producer, filmmaker, publisher and award-winning author Andrew Peterson returns to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, bringing his “Easter Monday” to the iconic venue for back-to-back events April 5. Featuring a full band, singer / songwriter Taylor Leonhardt and special guest Skye Peterson, the limited capacity evening presentation is already nearly sold-out and a second matinee has been added.
Peterson is also inviting those not able to attend in-person to join the “Easter Monday” event via livestream from anywhere in the world. The livestream begins at 7:00 pm CT on April 5 with single household and congregation / group tickets available now at andrew-peterson.com/easter-monday. Congregations / groups that order before March 26 will also receive a personalized greeting video from Peterson.
While at the Ryman, Peterson will lead fan favorites from his expansive song catalogue along with a special focus on his highly-acclaimed Resurrection Letters Anthology that includes the Prologue, Volume 1 and Volume 2 album trilogy. Prologue is a collection of five “waiting songs” meant to remind listeners of the gravity of the crucifixion while Volume 1 features his globally-sung call and response anthem for the church, “Is He Worthy,” and begins with the heartbeat of the resurrected Christ, exploring the resurrection itself and its centrality to Christianity. Volume 2 songs delve thematically into the implications of Christ’s resurrection victory over sin and death.
“The Resurrection Letters songs were ten years in the making. I cried more joyful tears during the process of writing and recording them than any others because the subject matter is so very good and beautiful and true,” says Peterson. “It’s my sincere hope that the same feeling will be reflected on this Easter Monday – that you’ll be moved to greater gratitude, greater awe, and greater love for our Lord after dwelling on these songs and singing them with us. He is risen, indeed.”
This year’s “Andrew Peterson’s Easter Monday at the Ryman” concert is being sponsored by ChildFund, a child development organization based in Richmond, VA that is committed to improving the well-being of children in some of the world’s poorest places. The event is also sponsored by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians paying one another’s medical bills, and B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources and a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world.
In addition to his music and touring, Peterson’s novels in his wildly imaginative fantasy adventure series, The Wingfeather Saga, have released in special editions from WaterBrook/Penguin Random House. The six books are available as collector’s hardcovers that include all new illustrations and hand-drawn maps, intrinsic to the classic and imaginative Wingfeather style.
Peterson also released his first adult trade book, Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making. Receiving awards from Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, The Gospel Coalition and more, this memoir of Peterson’s journey shares the intersection of his songwriting, storytelling and vocation, along with nuts-and-bolts exploration of the great mystery of creativity.
Compassion LIVE and Bri Babineaux are excited to announce the virtual album release concert for Babineaux’s soon to be released album The Encounter Continues on February 26th. The new album comes on the heels of The Encounter, a project that embodies worship experiences where believers intimately encounter God.
The exclusive virtual album release concert encompasses fan favorites from The Encounter as well as new music from The Encounter Continues. The event, which will include special surprise guests and a VIP meet and greet with Babineaux, is sure to make fans want to dance, jump, and worship.
“I’m super excited to be doing a live virtual experience of The Encounter Continues with Compassion International!” exclaims Babineaux. The organization is very important to me and I believe partnering with them provides the ability to understand someone else’s situation and the desire to take action to improve or help their lives. I’m truly honored to have them be a part of such a fun night.”
“I can’t wait for my fans to hear the new music and experience what we felt the night of the recording,” Babineuax continues. “I’m also thrilled to have two very special guests who I call sisters to me be part of the experience! I’m telling you it’s going to be AMAZING. You don’t want to miss it! We’re pulling out all of the stops!”
By sponsoring a child with Compassion International, concert goers gain entry to the concert and receive VIP access. VIP access gives fans an exclusive Zoom meet and greet with Bri that will include a Q&A, special song requests, and more.
Tickets are available at www.compassion.com/bribabineaux.
For more information about sponsoring a child, The Encounter Continues Virtual Album Release Concert, or Compassion International, please visit www.compassionlive.com.
ABOUT BRI BABINEAUX
Bri Babineaux burst onto the music scene as a social media phenom and has evolved into one of the most buzzed about artists in Gospel music. The passion and earnestness of Babineaux’s voice have taken the social media stratosphere by storm. Over the past three years, Babineaux has amassed millions of YouTube and Instagram views of her spontaneous worship moments. Babineaux has captured the attention of notable artists like: Rihanna, Brandy, and Drake. Her debut album, “Keys to My Heart,” hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and spawned three charting singles: “Holy Spirit,” “Jacob’s Song” and the Top Ten hit, “I’ll Be the One.” Babineaux also enjoyed notable airplay on the Urban AC/Smooth Jazz radio format with “My Everything.” Babineaux is back with a new album, The Encounter, that she hopes touches listeners, blesses them, and inspires them to have encounters with God. With over half a million followers on Instagram, Babineaux is an influential voice for this generation.
ABOUT COMPASSION LIVE
Compassion LIVE, established in 2014 by Compassion International, provides the highest quality events for families to join together and grow with others in faith. Compassion LIVE partners with impact-making leaders, artists and communicators to produce life-changing events that share the message of faith and impact the church for children around the world. For more information, visit www.compassionlive.com.
Founded in 1952, Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by working exclusively with the Church to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. Compassion partners with more than 6,700 churches in 25 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 1.8 million babies, children and young adults. Compassion’s child sponsorship program has been validated through independent, empirical research.
For more about the ministry, visit compassion.com or follow them on Twitter @compassion.
Stay Connected With Compassion LIVE: www.compassionlive.com www.facebook.com/compassionlive www.instagram.com/compassionlive
The basic function of the church is to be involved in every facet of the life of the believer. This is evidently because the church is where God’s people are taught God’s Word so they can grow spiritually.
But to UK-based Ghanaian Afro-Gospel musician Joseph Matthew, also known as JM, the church today is not living up to its true billing. According to the award-winning musician, the Church has rather become one of the major places causing bountiful traumas for people.
“The Church is one of the places that cause a lot of trauma for people. One of the environments that causes trauma is the church but we are in the church, in the choir, and you are singing and your pastor or senior pastor is constantly talking down on his members .this is actually the dangerous type of trauma people experience in the church. It starts off with acute, then becomes persistent so over the years do you know how many people go through mental health issues in the church,” Matthew said.
He continued, “because your senior pastors talking down on pastors, your church leaders talking down on the youth – constantly, these kids go home and they feel the pressure to perform or to attend to do things …it’s one of the places where you have clicks, you have gangs in the church and then they gang up on people and secretly crashing and breaking them …people don’t even know about all these things all in the name of God.”
Joseph Matthew who is well noted for hit songs such as “Hallelujah”, “Nyame Ye” and “My Story” which has currently earned him a nomination at the 2021 Ghana National Gospel Music Awards made these comments while speaking as a special guest at the ‘I unravel event’- a youth worship night and seminar which was hosted by Anna Efah in London.
Macon, GA — David Frazier has been a principal force in the Gospel music industry for 30 years as a musician, producer, and award-winning songwriter. His hit songs “I Need You To Survive”, “Favor” and “God Is Doing Something Wonderful In Me” are sung around the world in various worship settings by diverse audiences. David is a creative mastermind who has recorded over 100 songs and written five books to date. His musical aptitude, experience, and teachings on worship, arts, and the music industry have established David as one of Gospel music’s most distinguished contributors to the genre.
David garnered a Billboard Top Ten hit with his solo single “God Is Doing Something Wonderful” and has written top ten Hits for many artists including: Ricky Dillard – “Release”; Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir – “Second Chance”, “I’ll Fly Away”, “How Much We Can Bear”, “We Made It”, “Power Belongs To God”, “I Need You To Survive”; Karen Clark Sheard – “Holy Thou Art Holy”; Pastor Shirley Caesar – “Favor”; Bishop T. D. Jakes – “His Presence Is Here”.
“I’ve been blessed to write songs for over three decades and it’s amazing to me just how powerful messages can be through song and music,” David says. “My focus was never to write music to win awards, but to write music to get people from Sunday to Sunday. I have always tried to write music that is very usable and singable for the Sunday morning experience.”
His singable songs have garnered numerous Stellar, Dove, and Grammy® nominations and awards. David’s most recent noteworthy accomplishment is a Grammy® nomination for “Release” recorded by Ricky Dillard. The 63rd Grammy Awards show will be broadcast live on March 14 on CBS. (check local listings for time)
Stemming off the heels of the recent successes of the “Release” single and the Pastor Carlos Kelly Presents BBC Worship 2018 album by Beulahland Bible Church where David is Director of Worship and Fine Arts, David has released his new solo single “Never End”.
“Never End” is a contemporary Gospel song with a lyric and uplifting flow to remind us of the eternal hope and everlasting light of Christ. As we remember His goodness, our song of praise can never end. “Never End” is written and produced by David and co-produced by Raymond Darius Jackson.
“I’m excited to share this song and was blessed to write this less than 30-days ago,” David explains. “The lyrics have a great message with such timely significance.” He continues, “We all are going through so many things right now – Covid-19, job loss, social and racial injustice, and brutal weather, but in the midst of it all, we cannot stop or give in. Our worship and our praise to our God must never end.”
“Never End” is available now on all digital music outlets and is released via David’s independent record label God’s Music, LLC. “Never End” will be impacting Gospel stations and actively going for adds.
The L.A. Times has noted that David is “One of the most recognizable Gospel songwriters of our time.” This is undeniably true as David continues to prove his anointed and appointed position as a chief Levite and significant songwriter in Gospel music. “Never End” is another addition to his catalog of melodies in the lyrical journal God designated David to compose.
Kelontae Gavin celebrates a new milestone with two #1s on the Gospel music radio charts, as his single “Hold Me Close” hits #1 on both the latest Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart and the Mediabase Gospel Chart.
The double #1s for “Hold Me Close” also mark another milestone as Gavin’s first #1 hit single at Gospel radio, following his previous Top 5 hit Gospel radio single “No Ordinary Worship,” which was featured from his debut album The Higher Experience.
“Wow!! I’ve got to give thanks to God for giving me this gift and being able to serve Him and other people with this song. We’ve all been to a place in life where we needed God to hold us close. Whether you’ve experienced a break up or break down, divorce, diagnosis, or heartbreak, I’m asking God to hold you a little tighter. Thank you all for your love and support!”
Kelontae Gavin
“Hold Me Close” Live Video:
Kelontae Gavin has continued to capture attention as a Gospel star on the rise since he first became a viral sensation on YouTube as a teen in 2014, singing the Gospel classic “I Won’t Complain” in high school. “Hold Me Close” is the lead single from Gavin’s upcoming second album The N.O.W. Experience, which is due out Friday, March 5th. The young worship leader, songwriter and musician co-wrote “Hold Me Close” with Marquis Boone, a love letter from his heart to God to get closer to Him.
