RCA Inspiration, one of the premiere labels in Gospel and inspirational music, congratulates Mali Music (K Approved Enterprises/RCA Inspiration) on his first GRAMMY Award win. Announced during the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, Mali Music won Best Gospel Performance/Song as a co-performer in the Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music #1 hit song “Movin’ On” (RCA Inspiration/eOne). Mali Music, who’s also a co-writer on the soulful track (credited as Kortney Jamaal Pollard), garnered this GRAMMY win on his fourth career nomination, following three prior nominations across Traditional R&B, Urban Contemporary, and Gospel categories.

Also during the Premiere Ceremony, Kierra Sheard (Karew Entertainment/RCA Inspiration) made a featured appearance in the all-nominee special performance that kicked off the show. In the musical tribute to Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” celebrating the classic song’s 50th anniversary, the three-time GRAMMY nominee sang in the star-studded lineup that comprised twenty of this year’s nominees across Jazz, Latin, R&B, Gospel, Rock, Instrumental and other categories.

Phil Thornton, SVP and General Manager or RCA Inspiration says, “Congratulations to Mali Music on his GRAMMY win! It’s an honor to celebrate his creativity and incredible work as an artist this past year. Congratulations also to Jonathan McReynolds on his GRAMMY win, who we have the pleasure of working with as a label partner with his Life Room Label on the artist DOE. And kudos to Kierra Sheard and all the nominees on their amazing performances in the opening tribute number.”

R&B singer-songwriter and producer, PJ Morton, has scored a Grammy® Award for his first-ever inspirational music album, Gospel According to PJ (Morton Records/ Tyscot), in the category of Best Gospel Album. The award was revealed during the pre-telecast of the 63rd annual Grammy® Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mexican Music vocalist, Lupita Infante, announced the winner of the category and Morton accepted it virtually.

The all-star set features performances from gospel music legends such as Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Commissioned, and The Clark Sisters, among others. The first radio single “All in His Plan” – featuring Mary Mary and Le’Andria Johnson – peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. The current single, “Repay You,” features J Moss, and made its Top 30 Gospel Airplay debut last week. Listening Link: https://smarturl.it/ukr2ld

While this is Morton’s third Grammy win (out of 14 career nominations), it’s the first victory for Tyscot Records. The 45+ year old label has earned nominations in the past for artists such as the Rance Allen Group, and Anthony Brown & group therAPy. “We are excited about this win,” says Tyscot President, Bryant Scott. “It’s an excellent album and we’re very proud of it and PJ Morton.”

Photo Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Tim Timmons and Integrity Music are excited to announce the release of his latest album, HERE. Officially dropping April 16, the album pre-order is now underway and offers the single, “No Other Gods,” as an instant grat.

“No Other Gods” is one of eight tunes to be featured on HERE. Songs such as “This Is The Day,” You Never Let Go (ft. Tammi Haddon),” and “Roar” have previously released as singles over the past months.

“I have named this record HERE for many reasons,” explains the singer, songwriter, and worship artist. “The whole point of this record is to give us songs that we get to pray all week long. I write songs because I want to pray these things. And I need things to be praying in the chaos of my week and in the mundane.”

Timmons continues, “I think if I was going to put a practice or theme to the songs on this record, it would really be ‘What am I giving my attention to? What do we give our worship to all week long?’ It’s about aligning and re-aligning our hearts to Jesus. I hope each of these songs will help you align and re-align your attention to Jesus all week long.”

Sharing more behind the latest single “No Other Gods,” he says, “We are all made to worship something, but there’s a fine line between attending to something and idolizing something. The first commandment that we learn is that there are no other gods above and before God. As I look back on my life, it’s felt a little bit like ‘you will worship me or else,’ but it’s really an invitation for an abundant life. There are no other gods before God because they simply don’t work.”

Tim Timmons has been releasing new music with Integrity Music since 2020. He debuted his first project in 2013 with Cast My Cares followed by 2015’s Awake Our Souls. He has been writing songs for himself and for other artists, including a GRAMMY nomination for co-writing MercyMe’s “Even If.”

All of his songs – Timmons calls them prayers – have stemmed from personal experience after spending the previous 15 years leading worship in Orange County, California. He is now based in Nashville, with the past nine years touring full-time around the world.

Last February, Elevation Worship invited Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes to Charlotte for a few days to write songs and lead worship together at Elevation Church. Out of one of the songwriting sessions came their hit song, “The Blessing.” Singing it in church just two days after writing it, the song caught on quickly and Elevation Worship, Jobe, and Carnes knew they needed to release the song immediately. The live video of “The Blessing” was filmed during one of Elevation Church’s services and was posted on YouTube just five days after writing the song. In just a year since the video released, it has more than 44.4 million views, and the song has recently received RIAA Gold Digital Single certification. Elevation Worship included the song on their most recent album, “Graves Into Gardens.” “The Blessing” received a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 63rd annual GRAMMY® Awards.

Chris Brown of Elevation Worship notes about the unique growth of this song, “There was a whirlwind of momentum and emotion attached to this song from the day we wrote it to quickly releasing it a week later. And it’s been remarkable to see how God’s used “The Blessing” to encourage people all over the world during such a strange and difficult year. I pray it continues to bring hope to families for generations to come.”

The 2020 GMA Dove Award “Worship Song of the Year” has also reached No. 1 at MultiTracks, Praise Charts, Song Select and Planning Center, Worship Together, and No. 11 on the latest CCLI report. Digital platforms have also supported the worldwide momentum as it has been included on Spotify’s US Viral 50 (playlist) and Global Viral 50 playlists in 11 different countries. It was also one of Pandora’s Top 50 Most Thumbed-up songs of 2020. “The Blessing” has been one of the most covered Christian songs on YouTube, with versions representing over 128 countries worldwide.

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be a part of the journey of this song — from the moment it was written to seeing it impact almost every nation and language across the world in just a few short months,” explains Cody Carnes of the song’s global impact. “I’ve been so encouraged by it in this challenging season of life. Not only by the truth from the scriptures in this song, but also by watching what God can do to bring encouragement and comfort to His people in a season of overwhelming fear and tragedy.”

“The Blessing” has topped the charts in 34 countries and landed Top 5 in 77 countries on Apple Christian and Gospel genre charts. The song has been sung in Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, German, and French cumulatively producing more than 43.2 million YouTube streams as well as successful covers coming from Africa and Southeast Asia.

“This song is very special,” shares Kari Jobe. “I think my favorite thing about the song is hearing my babies sing it around the house. It brings great peace knowing that the very words God said to pray as a blessing still have 100% power today. God is kind and good. I pray this song continues to break through the noise and give a tangible sense of His presence every time it’s played or sung.”

In addition to it being featured on Graves Into Gardens, it is also the title track of Kari Jobe’s latest record “The Blessing (Live).” More than 500,000 copies of the Elevation Worship Records/Essential Worship/Capitol CMG song has truly been a testament of the power of the message during a global pandemic.​​​​​

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:

1. Never Gonna Let Me Go 
2. All My Love 
3. Miracle 
4. When We Pray 
5. There’s Something About That Name (feat. Davies)
6. All My Hope 
7. Citizen of Heaven Intro
8. Citizen of Heaven 
9. God’s Not Done with You 
10. Echo (feat. Davies)
11. Until Grace (feat. Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts)
12. Known 
13. Like You Love Me 
14. Famous For (I Believe) / Do It Again (feat. Jenn Johnson & Christine D’Clario)
15. Hills and Valleys

VIDEOS:

1. Citizen of Heaven 
2. Miracle 
3. Until Grace (with Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts)
4. 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.

Visit: www.rcainspiration.com

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 26^th, 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.