Category: NEWS

For KING & COUNTRY To Premiere New Single “Relate” On August 6

4x GRAMMY winning duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist for KING & COUNTRY will unveil their brand new single “Relate,” available everywhere on Friday, August 6. The new track exemplifies for KING & COUNTRY’s ability to write instant earworms while crafting lyrics that hit straight to the heart. Over a bed of synth pads, shimmering guitars, and driving percussion, Joel and Luke Smallbone make an impassioned call to arms for unity – while we all have our differences, we all share the basic human experiences. When we focus on what brings us closer rather than what drives us apart, we can begin to understand each other and “relate” to one another in a profound way. The official music video for “Relate” will premiere on Apple Music also on August 6.

Joel and Luke share in a statement: “’Relate’ is really the ongoing search for compassion and empathy amidst our differences. For us, music has always been about the sense of finding community and connection through the universal language of song. We’re brought together in a beautiful way by that lyric or melody regardless of our backgrounds, differences or where we’re from… As the chorus conveys, ‘I don’t know what it’s like to be you, you don’t know what it’s like to be me, but what if we’re all the same in different kinds of ways, can you relate?’”

Additionally on August 6, for KING & COUNTRY will debut “Relate” to the world with a live appearance on the nationally syndicated morning talk show Fox & Friends. This news follows the announcement of for KING & COUNTRY’s first arena tour in two years with RELATE | The 2021 Fall Tour. The 24-date trek will see Joel and Luke Smallbone return to arenas and amphitheaters to perform BRAND NEW music from their upcoming studio album, along with selections from the duo’s nine No. 1 hits. For more information, click HERE.

for KING & COUNTRY has broken their own industry record with their sixth consecutive No. 1 single, the multi-chart smash hit “Amen.” The chart-topping duo now have FIVE No. 1 hits from their GRAMMY winning, RIAA Gold certified album Burn The Ships, and nine No. 1 hits overall. “Amen” is currently climbing the mainstream charts, reaching No. 15 and 14 on Billboard and Mediabase’s AC charts, respectively. Billboard recently wrote about the duo’s unparalleled success in a Chart Beat piece at the link provided HERE.

Read More

Highlands Worship Globally Releases ‘Prayers To The King’ LP August 13

With a passion to encourage congregational worship, create resources for churches and draw listeners closer to God, Highlands Worship releases Prayers To The King Aug. 13 to digital retail and streaming outlets globally. The 10 songs on the LP were meticulously crafted to create a contemplative, peaceful and worshipful environment to encourage and inspire listeners to connect with God in prayer.

Produced and co-written by Highlands Worship’s Chris Griffin and mixed by Chris Greeley (Bethel Music), Prayers To The King also features nine songs co-written by legendary Hosanna! Music songwriter Lynn DeShazo (“Ancient Words, “More Precious Than Silver,” “Be Magnified,” etc.).

“Our goal with writing songs specifically for the prayer environment is to help create the moment where we can connect with God,” shares Griffin. “The Bible says, ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise [Psalm 100:4].’ Worship can walk us into God’s presence.”

Uniquely written and recorded for the Pray First app created by Church of the Highlands, one of the largest churches in America, the new music is being shared with the world on the app at no cost. Churches and individuals are invited to download the app for free on their devices via the Apple App or Google Play stores. In fact, the open-source app is built so that if churches wish, they may reconfigure the app specifically for their congregations.

“Our prayer is that the playlist of songs in the app is way more than just music— we hope it helps people encounter God in a real way,” continues Griffin.

Along with the app, Highlands Worship has beautifully captured every Prayers To The King song on video. These videos will release in the coming weeks, with select video premieres to be announced soon.

Prayers To The King and the Pray First app are an extension of Church of the Highlands’ annual 21 Days of Prayer that begins Aug. 8 and invites congregants to pray over their church, communities and nation.

“Pray First is a saying that the people of Church of the Highlands use often to remind us that in every situation we should take our burdens to God,” shares Worship Pastor John Larson, who leads Highlands Worship’s team of 1,000+ members and 70+ full or part-time musicians. “Prayer is our first priority, not our last resort. The Bible says that God sees when each sparrow falls [Matthew 10:29]. So how much more does God love and care for us? Our hope is to pray without ceasing; that every moment of our lives is covered by a faith-filled habit of prayer.”

The full Highlands Worship, Prayers To The King track listing follows:

1) Ever Close

2) You’re Coming (Pray)

3) Help Of Heaven

4) Prayer To The King

5) You Can Do All Things

6) Into The Water

7) Control

8) Echoes

9) Let It Fall

10) Even If I Tried

Read More

eOne Celebrates Five Wins At 36rd Annual Stellar Awards

eOne celebrated a powerful night of faith and music at the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which aired on BET on Sunday, August 1st. The Stellar Awards, which taped live on July 10th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, featured several of eOne’s chart-topping artists during its broadcast including Jonathan McReynolds, JJ Hairston and Latice Crawford.

Amongst the 5 Stellar Award wins, eOne cemented the major categories Male Vocalist of the Year and Choir of the Year (full list below). During the telecast Jonathan McReynolds delivered a powerful performance of his #1 single “Grace” and his GRAMMY winning single “Movin On” with Mali Music. JJ Hairston opened the show with his brand-new single “Great Jehovah” – impacting radio now. Latice Crawford, celebrated her new album release, The Cure, on the blue-carpet and she presented an award during the main telecast. Hitmaker, James Fortune, also presented on the main telecast, in celebration of his nomination and #1 single, “Nobody But Jesus (feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith).”

A complete list of Entertainment One’s wins can be seen below:

eOne’s 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners

Category #3 – MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music

CATEGORY #8 – CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music

CATEGORY #9 – PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds, Darryl “LiLMaN” Howell & Rogest “Rosco” Carstarphen, Jr.; People; eOne Music

CATEGORY #12 – CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music

CATEGORY #21 – CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music

Read More

Tasha Layton Soars Into Summer With Second Consecutive Top 10

“Look What You’ve Done,” the latest single from BEC Recordings’ powerhouse vocalist Tasha Layton, is officially one of summer’s biggest hits, landing at #8 on Billboard’s Christian AC Indicator chart this week. Penned by Layton, Matthew West, AJ Pruis and Keith Everette Smith, the track marks Layton’s second consecutive Top 10 single within a year.

“Hearing how ‘Look What You’ve Done’ has ministered to the hearts of listeners has been overwhelming,” Layton shares. “Although the song reflects my testimony, it has resonated as a testimony for so many others as well. For those who have experienced the transforming love of God, it is easy to point out where He has rescued, saved, healed and delivered. It’s an anthem of praise for what God has done and an encouraging proclamation of what He will continue to do. And it is because He proves Himself time and time again that we can trust Him with our hearts and lives. ‘All I can say ishallelujah! Look what You’ve done!’”

One of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of 2020, Layton’s latest release—the three-song Look What You’ve Done EP—bowed last month. Along with the hit title-cut, the project also features “I Got You,” a carefree, windows-down pop anthem, as well as “Brave Heart (Dear Daughter),” a soaring ballad affirming God’s lovingkindness to his children in the face of adversity.

Layton’s breakthrough single, “Into The Sea (It’s Gonna Be Ok),” was among the biggest hits at Christian radio in 2020. Landing in the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Christian AC Monitored and Christian Airplay charts, “Into The Sea” also appeared on multiple year-end charts and earned more than 10 million streams in 2020 alone.

South Carolina native Tasha Layton launched her music career in Los Angeles, quickly becoming an in-demand session singer. She appeared on Season 9 of American Idol and spent four years as a back-up vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry. Layton’s voice has also been heard in productions for Disneyland and Cirque du Soleil, as well as Nickelodeon television, and she has served as an instructor at the National Praise and Worship Institute at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene University.

Read More

Mark Hubbard & The Voices Release First Single In Six Years

Chicagoan Mark Hubbard’s name is synonymous with Gospel choir excellence. The highly respected, celebrated and decorated choir director has created unforgettable performances with musical legends including Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, Melba Moore, Tramaine Hawkins, Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Carr, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Beverly Crawford, Kim Burrell, Karen Clark-Sheard and the late Aretha Franklin, among others. If a majestic constellation of voices is required, Mark Hubbard is the person called to bring them together.

In fact, it was Mark Hubbard who was enlisted by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) Team to assemble the first Gospel choir to perform on the Lollapalooza stage. The 40-person choir he put together – dubbed “Music in the Key of Chicago” – will provide a dose of uplifting sounds at the popular Grant Park event.

Hubbard also has a new single out: “Now Cry Holy,” is a stunning showcase of his ability to weave many voices into one ethereal sound. Featuring his signature ensemble “The Voices,” the song sublimely mesmerizes with every note.

“Now Cry Holy is so special to me for a few reasons,” says Hubbard. “I fell in love with it at my church, New Life Covenant Southeast. The writer of the song was our worship leader and she used to sing it all the time. I loved how it was arranged and how it just arrests all of the senses so that you don’t want to do anything but soak in every moment of it.”

When Hubbard was preparing for an album recording, he asked the songwriter, Valencia Lacy, if he could record it. She agreed. The song was written to have a lead singer on it, but the singer wasn’t available at the last minute. “I had to rearrange the song to accommodate not having a lead singer, and it ended up being perfect,” says Hubbard. “Not having the lead took nothing away and the song really ministers to people the way that we recorded it.”

That was in 2009. “For 12 years, the song has just been sitting,” says Hubbard. “Every time we went to release it there were roadblocks.”

In March of this year, Hubbard was determined to release the song and reached out to his friend Hezekiah Walker for radio support. Hubbard says, “I was confident that this was a song the world needed to hear. With all that we were and still are going through, we need the reminder that God is still holy no matter our conditions. I planned to call on everyone I knew to get support for the record. I was hoping that Hezekiah Walker would play it on his radio show.” Instead, Walker offered him a record deal.

Within hours of that phone call, Hubbard had received and signed a recording contract: “I had no intention or motivation beyond getting my song played on the radio, but this is how God works…he gives you exceedingly, abundantly above what we can ask or think. I am literally brought to tears every time I think about how all of this happened.”

“Mark has been out for quite some time and he has been consistent and dedicated. Even though he has had label deals before, Mark has been working independently for so long that I wanted to help him get his music out since I am in the position to do so. Mark is faithful to the Gospel genre and to the Gospel community, I felt like this was a moment to help him shine,” says Hezekiah Walker.

“’Now Cry Holy’ is the perfect song for this season. It was refreshing for me to hear because we have gotten away from singing about the holiness of God. There are so many catchy slogans and anthems in lyrics now, it felt good to just hear ‘holy is the lamb’ sung so beautifully. It reminded me of the Gospel music I heard growing up,” Walker says.

“Now Cry Holy” is available now everywhere digital music is sold.

Read More

Vashawn Mitchell Hits No. 1 With Joyous Track, “lifted Up”.

GRAMMY® Award nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, VaShawn Mitchell, has marked a new milestone in his career. He claims the top spot on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart for the week ending July 31, 2021, with the joyous, self-penned, “Lifted Up” (VMan Entertainment / Tyscot / Fair Trade Services).

Ironically, the song displaced last week’s No. 1 hit, “I’m Not Ashamed” by Monica Lisa Stevenson and Paul Porter, which was also written by Mitchell.  “I’ve always prayed to God that He would allow me to write, produce, and sing songs that can live a long time and reach the heart and soul of the listeners, so I’m really humbled that both of these songs are resonating with the gospel audience,” he says. 

Mitchell’s recent chart successes are just a couple reminders of his rich cache of compositions.  Many of his fans, may not realize that he wrote the big radio smashes “One More Chance” for Ricky Dillard & New G and Bishop Larry Trotter’s “It’s Only A Test.” Aside from composing many of his own big hit recordings such as “He Got Up” and “Turning Around for Me,” he’s also written songs that have been recorded by Tasha Cobbs Leonard, The  Rance Allen Group, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Smokie Norful, and Maverick City, among others. In the meantime, Mitchell is currently composing  new music and plans to record a live concert album in the fall.

Lifted Up” is Mitchell’s third No. 1 Billboard Gospel Airplay chart hit as a recording artist. He previously reached  the top with  “Nobody Greater” in 2010 and “Joy”  in  2017.

Watch “Lifted Up” (Official Video) below;

Read More

Jamie Grace To Present At ‘The Reset 2021’

UHSM Health Share, a faith-based health care nonprofit founded on Christian beliefs and values and Brittney Moses, a Los Angeles-based content creator and mental health enthusiast, today announced the full lineup of speakers at The Reset 2021.

“We’re elated to share the full list of speakers for The Reset 2021,” said Christopher Jin, President of UHSM. “The event is set to disrupt the norm of traditional health and get serious about faith, mental health and wellness—which are undoubtedly intertwined. With the help of our partner, Brittney Moses, we’re excited to invite you to The Reset 2021 and announce our inspirational speakers.”

The event sponsored by WeShare from UHSM on July 24, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. PDT, will host the following esteemed presenters to explore important topics at the intersection of faith, holistic mental health and wellness.

  • Ashley Abercrombie: author of Rise of the Truth Teller, and the forthcoming Love is the Resistance: Learn to Disagree, Resolve the Conflicts You’ve Been Avoiding, and Create Real Change.
  • Anne Beiler: overcame years of defeat, despair, and depression that kept her stuck in a place of darkness. It was through her pain, however, Anne began twisting pretzel in 1987 and grew a single farmers’ market stand into Auntie Anne’s Inc., the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise.
  • Tony Collier: the founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to hope.
  • Dr. Alison Cook: a psychologist, speaker, and co-author of Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies.
  • Ben Courson: a bestselling author, a TV and radio personality, an international speaker, founder of Hope Generation, and the senior pastor at Applegate Christian Fellowship.
  • Jamie Grace: 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.
  • Christopher Jin: the president of UHSM Health Share. In his role, he leads the organization’s mission to unite a community of believers to help promote Christian standards in healthy living and assists its members in sharing each other’s medical expenses and caring for their emotional, financial, and spiritual needs.
  • Lolo Jones: a highly accomplished athlete in American hurdling and bobsledding, competing in the Olympics three times and securing the title of World Champion three times.
  • Pastor David Kim: a Los Angeles native, Pastor David Kim is the operations pastor at Newstory Church based in downtown Los Angeles. Pastor David serves as the spiritual leader for the UHSM board and serves as the head pastor for the UHSM members.
  • Alex Labson: holds a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and is the creator of @AlmondMilkisNuts on Instagram. She is dedicated to helping people ditch diet culture and find food freedom.
  • Natalie Lawrence: a former college athlete, aims to pursue God both in her everyday life and in her sport as well as encourage others to do the same.
  • Dr. Caroline Leaf: a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist with a Masters and PhD in Communication Pathology and a BSc Logopaedics from the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria in South Africa, specializing in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology.
  • John Lombardo: a Vocalist/MC who has fronted bands of all genres on three continents for nearly 30 years and has hosted events for Fortune 500 companies, including Dish Network, Ray-Ban, Google, Salesforce and Microsoft.
  • Grant Lottering: a Springbok Cyclist and Laureus Sport for Good Ambassador, Lottering’s remarkable comeback from death on July 21, 2013, to conquering the French Alps, Pyrenees and now South Africa continues to astonish the medical profession and audiences alike.
  • Brittney Moses: a mental health advocate in the study and research of psychology at UCLA, with a focus on therapy, prevention, education and treatment for individuals struggling with emotional problems.
  • Dr. Uma Naidoo: a Clinical Scientist, Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based clinical service in Nutritional Psychiatry in the USA.
  • Morgan Harper Nichols: a artist and poet whose work is inspired by real life interactions and stories. Morgan spent the first couple of years of her professional life as a college admission counselor, and then, as a full-time touring singer-songwriter and musician.
  • Dr. Holly Oxhandler: the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and an Associate Professor at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.
  • Anthony Pierri: the pastor of dotChurch Online, a fully online church community that helps people process through deconstruction and move towards reconstruction. Anthony holds a MA in Biblical & Theological Studies from Denver Seminary.
  • Brooke Schasteen-Smith: the Director of Brand, Marketing and Partnerships for Abide the #1 Christian Meditation app. Her experience spans from counseling to church plants to media corporations to now leading 3 business pillars in the tech industry.
  • Dr. Matthew Stanford: the CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston, TX and adjunct professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Methodist Hospital’s Institute for Academic Medicine.
  • Jason Stoll: a Southern Californian pianist, Jason, has been heard all around the country and abroad in solo recitals, as soloist with orchestra, and as collaborative artist.
  • Alexandra Thompson: the founder of Cumberland Counseling Centers, a nonprofit which partners with churches to provide clinical counseling from within the walls of the Church, located in Atlanta, GA.
  • Michelle Williams: a Grammy Award–winning recording artist who rose to stardom as a member of the R&B mega-group Destiny’s Child, considered one of the best female music groups of all time. Her four successful solo albums include Heart to Yours; Do You Know; Unexpected, which spawned the internationally charted single, “We Break the Dawn”; and Journey to Freedom, which featured groupmates Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland on the single, “Say Yes.” Also a talented actress, she debuted on Broadway in Aida then went on to star in productions of The Color Purple, Chicago, What My Husband Doesn’t Know, and Fela! Today, Michelle is passionate about raising awareness around mental health.

In addition to sponsoring The Reset 2021 with Brittney, UHSM established its dedication to mental illness services through its recent announcement of access to behavioral health benefits for all programs except fundamental. Now, members can lean on and utilize non-psychiatric individual, family, and marriage counseling services to help guide them through life’s challenges.

Earlier this year, UHSM also announced its collaboration with Abide, the world’s most popular Christian meditation app. Through Abide, UHSM provided its members with access to unlimited and uninterrupted meditations, topics and guides. Additionally, UHSM partnered with Relevant Magazine, a faith-based publication whose purpose is to share real-life stories that are at the intersection of a Christ-centered life, to spread the word of faith in goodness sake.

Read More

Carrie Underwood Releases Stirring ‘My Savior: LIVE From The Ryman’ Concert DVD

Seven-time GRAMMY Award winner and three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood has just released her first-ever gospel LIVE performance DVD, My Savior: LIVE From The Ryman. The DVD was released internationally by Gaither Music Group in partnership with Capitol Records Nashville with distribution by Capitol Christian Music Group/Universal.

Filmed at the celebrated Ryman Auditorium, known worldwide as “The Mother Church of Country Music,” the performance brings Underwood’s best-selling, critically-acclaimed studio album My Savior (Capitol Records Nashville) to life on that legendary stage with powerful performances of traditional gospel hymns she grew up singing, including “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”

“This is an album I have always wanted to record and I’m thrilled to be able to bring these uplifting, inspirational songs to life in this special way,” says Underwood of My Savior.

Other highlights of the Ryman concert include a duet with CeCe Winans, the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, on the classic hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Singer/songwriter Bear Rinehart, frontman of the rock band, NEEDTOBREATHE, also makes a special appearance, joining Underwood to sing on another traditional hymn, “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.” Southern gospel and harmonica legend Buddy Greene and 10-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally, both of whom played on the album, also appear with Underwood. The DVD also features Underwood’s renditions of the time-honored classics “Because He Lives,” “Just As I Am,” “Victory In Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Softly And Tenderly.”

In addition, Underwood’s performance video for the gospel classic “Because He Lives” released today across digital video platforms. The country music superstar’s powerful rendition of the song coincides with this year’s celebration of the song’s 50th anniversary.

The My Savior: Live From The Ryman TV special will air tonight on UPtv at 9:30pm ET, and again on Sunday, July 25, at 9:00am ET. The special will air over the weekend on networks including DIRECTV, DISH TV, TBN, RFD-TV and more; and it will air in Canada on The Miracle Channel, Vision TV, Hope TV and CTS (Crossroads). The special is also available now on GAITHERTV (Roku/Apple/Amazon) and on the Gaither TV YouTube Channel for a limited time.

The My Savior: LIVE From The Ryman DVD is available for purchase at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Gaither.com, and other national retailers.

Read More

The Experience – Joe Mettle Announces 6th Album

Multiple award-winning Ghanaian gospel singer, songwriter, and worship leader, Joseph Oscar Mettle popularly known as Joe Mettle is set to unveil another power-packed album after serving us with “Wind of Revival”,  “God of Miracle”, “The Encounter”, “Sound of Praise” and “Gratitude” albums.

The Experience is the title of Joe Mettle’s new album. It was recorded live in Accra, Ghana at his annual Praiz Reloaded event on June 27th,2021.

This is the singer’s 6th album and there’s already a redolence of an ecumenical preponderance around its release.

The international gospel minister has already served the populace with 2 songs off the album namely; Yesu Mo and Ye Obua Mi. Ye Obua Mi which is Joe Mettle’s latest release has abruptly become one of the biggest songs in Ghana and is apparently blessing lives across the globe.

The Experience album will obviously augment your love for God upon giving a listening ear. Anticipate!

Watch “Ye Obua Mi” Video below;

Read More

JJ Heller To Release New Childrens Book, “Hand to Hold,” July 20

Every child, whether learning to walk or applying to college, longs for a parent’s love and the promise of security, no matter what may come in the future. Yet parents often find it difficult to fully articulate the extent of their unconditional love.

Billboard-charting singer-songwriter, podcaster, and mother of two JJ Heller gives language to everything a parent feels, hopes, and dreams for their child in her heartwarming read-aloud picture book HAND TO HOLD (7/20/21, WaterBrook). Illustrated by Alyssa Petersen and expanding on the lyrics of Heller’s beloved lullaby “Hand to Hold” (10 million streams and 875k YouTube views), this tender and memorable story is an opportunity for parents to bless their children and reassure them of their boundless love and God’s faithful presence.

Fans of Heller’s contemporary lullabies and other young families will delight in snuggling up together with this sweet bedtime read. As they close out their nighttime routines, little hearts will be anchored in the promise that their parents’ love will hold steady through every season of life.

JJ Heller To Release New Childrens Book, "Hand to Hold," July 20

Heller writes, “If you’re anything like me, you might have a hard time telling your children exactly how you feel about them, and that’s why I wrote this book. It gives language to our love.”

Heller is available for interviews and can speak about:

  • the inspiration behind the song “Hand to Hold” and turning it into a book
  • tips for loving and supporting your kids well (e.g., prayer, empathy, listening, guidance)
  • the tension of parenting—equipping and letting go as little ones grow into adults
  • how writers can give language to thoughts and emotions that are often hard to express
  • embracing and finding inspiration in your child’s sense of wonder
  • her musical journey; how the road blocks helped her find her voice
  • the millions of listeners who have resonated with her songwriting, including foster and adoptive families and families who have children with disabilities
  • how a reality show contestant catapulted her into the public eye

For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JJ Heller is known for crafting hopeful and contemplative songs of peace for the child inside all of us. Her songs and lullabies are heard by millions of listeners every month, and she’s donated over 100,000 copies of her album I Dream of You to hospitals and families of young children. Heller lives in the Nashville area with her husband and two daughters. For more information, visit www.jjheller.com.

@jjhellermusic (48.3k)    facebook.com/jjhellermusic (195k)  @jjheller (12.5k)

Alyssa Petersen has worked in both the animation and illustration industries. She currently enjoys being a full-time mom and working as a freelance illustrator during naptime and after the kids go to bed. She lives in Texas with her husband and two children.

ADDITIONAL PRAISE FOR HAND TO HOLD

“JJ Heller’s words and songs are a big part of our family’s bedtime routines with our children. Now JJ brings her soothing words and rhythmic experience to this beautiful, special children’s book. My children and I love Hand to Hold so very much. The promise of constant support and a soft place to land is just the message they need.”

—Emily Ley, founder and CEO at Simplified

“This dream of a book will enchant and encourage every reader young and old. It’s a beautiful reminder of how comforting and encouraging it can be to have a hand to hold.” 

—Brad Montague, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, creator of Kid President 

“JJ Heller has used her gift of words to create a gift for all of us. This is the kind of book I search the shelves for because it is full of the messages I have tucked away in my heart for my children. A book to read night after night!”

—Heather Avis, narrative shifter and author of Different—A Great Thing to Be!

“So warm and lovely! With her characteristic profound simplicity, JJ Heller has written both a delightful read-along and a memorable blessing from mother to child.”

—Randall Goodgame, creator of Slugs & Bugs music, books, and TV show

“JJ Heller’s ethereal songwriting translates beautifully to the page in this lovely little book. It’s sure to become a bedtime favorite.”

—Amanda Bible Williams, cofounder of She Reads Truth

Read More