Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has elevated three key executive staff members. Emily Dashiell has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Commercial Partnerships, Jeff Gunkel has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Market Development, and Carlos Monnaco has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Finance.

“We are thrilled to share the exciting news of Emily Dashiell, Jeff Gunkel and Carlos Monnaco’s well-deserved promotions,” share CCMG Co-Presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy. “Their commitment to the company and their teams has been instrumental in our success and in our relationships with our artists and writers. We know that they will continue to do great things in their expanded roles.”

In her new position as SVP, Commercial Partnerships, Dashiell will oversee the company’s revenue strategies across its entire portfolio. In addition, she will continue to focus on partner activations with DSPs while also guiding the label business across global distribution, eCommerce/D2C, catalog marketing, streaming and playlisting strategy. 

As the former VP, Marketing & Commercial Partnerships, Dashiell was integral to the commercial success of numerous artists, including NF, Anne Wilson, TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong UNITED and Blessing Offor. She originally joined CCMG in 2015 as a Brand Manager to launch the company’s proprietary curator brand, SOZO Playlists.

“I am incredibly honored to step into my expanded role at Capitol CMG! I want to thank Hudson Plachy and Brad O’Donnell for their continued leadership and support,” Dashiell shares. “The future of Christian & Gospel music is robust – and I’m eager to help drive new commercial strategy, bespoke innovation, and accelerated growth for our talented roster of artists.”

Rising from VP, Market Development, to SVP, Market Development, Jeff Gunkel will oversee the areas of market development and digital rights, as well as Re:Think Records, which he helped relaunch in 2018. Under Gunkel’s leadership, Re:Think will continue to honor its mission of coming alongside artists and labels to grow their audience and enhance listener engagement, while keeping ownership in the hands of the artist. Joining CCMG in 2004, Gunkel spent his first 14 years at the company in key roles with CCMG Publishing. His strategic vision and innovative approach have been pivotal in driving excellence throughout his tenure thus far at CCMG.

“I am honored and excited to step into this new role,” Gunkel says. “Christian music has a vibrant future that will be built by artists paving new paths outside traditional industry landscapes. Re:Think is committed to constant evolution, setting its sights on how to meet the needs of artists by growing their reach to impact future generations.”

With his promotion to SVP, Finance, Carlos Monnaco’s responsibilities expand to include oversight of financial planning and analysis, royalty accounting and IT. Monnaco, who previously served as VP, Finance, recently celebrated 18 years with the company. Prior to arriving at CCMG, he held finance and accounting roles across several globally recognized entertainment brands, including The Walt Disney Company, NBC Universal and EMI Music.

“Having served in the music industry for many years now, this opportunity to help steward the legacy of our artists and writers is both humbling and exciting,” Monnaco shares. “I’m grateful to both Hudson and Brad and look forward to keep supporting our creative community as they continue to bring an uplifting message to a worldwide audience.”

Gospel music luminary Marvin Sapp is set to release his 16^th album, Then & Now, on August 30^th. It will be the second album released on Elev8 Media & Entertainment, his independent label.

Recorded live at Valley Kingdom Ministries, Then & Now is Sapp’s 16^th album release. During the evening of the recording, Sapp dazzled the capacity crowd with powerful new songs as well as refreshed favorites from his more than 30-year career in music.

For almost two hours, Sapp – accompanied by a powerhouse band and extraordinary background vocalists – kept the crowd on its feet. The energy in the room was electrifying the entire evening. Then & Now is the culmination of that memorable night: a collection of live music from Marvin Sapp, pristinely mastered for perpetuity.

“I’m really proud of this album; I think it sounds incredible,” says Sapp. “I enjoyed working with some new creatives who helped me bring to life this vision of doing a record that feels like a live Marvin Sapp concert – with some tried and true favorites sprinkled in with new songs. On the back end, I enlisted veteran mixers to ensure a high-quality sound – that’s where the magic happens when it comes to producing a live record. I can only hope that everyone who listens to it is blessed by it, but I had an absolute blast recording Then & Now.

One of the new creatives that Sapp worked with was Curtis Lindsey. Although Lindsey has been a member of Sapp’s band for over a decade, he took the helm as Music Director for this project.

“Marvin Sapp is a legend. I was humbled and honored for him to bring me on as music director. It was a highlight of my career. Recording in my hometown of Chicago, a place that also loves Marvin Sapp, added to the joy of bringing Then & Now to life,” says Lindsey.

Marvin Sapp is known for delivering rich live recording experiences that translate into musical masterpieces. His platinum-selling album Thirsty was recorded live, in addition to Here I Am (2010), You Shall Live (2015), and Chosen Vessel (2020).

Then & Now will soon be added to his masterful “live album” discography.

Pre-sales begin August 23^rd everywhere music is sold digitally and www.marvinsapp.com for physical copies. Fans will also be able to purchase physical copies of Then & Now in any of the 35 cities of the upcoming Reunion Tour.

Acclaimed platinum-selling artist Tenth Avenue North announces their return to touring with their highly anticipated “Invited Tour.” The tour, inspired by their new single “Invited” currently climbing the radio charts, will see the band share music from this exciting new season as well as their fan favorites.

“After a four-year hiatus, we are back and better than ever,” shares founding member and frontman Mike Donehey. “With some new songs and some new players, we are ready to lose our voices with you. Come join us on the Invited Tour hitting stops nationwide this fall.”

With over two decades of nearly two million albums sold, multiple Dove Awards, a Platinum and multiple Gold-certified singles, Tenth Avenue North sensed that God had something else in store for them. A farewell tour was planned in 2020 but disrupted by the global pandemic.

The four years following the break sharpened the band’s focus and God used what they thought was an end to create room for them to experience Him in a new way. Releasing new music and the upcoming tour, Tenth Avenue North is ready to get on the road, bringing along new artist Natalie Layne.

Donehey adds, “We’re beyond thrilled to announce we are bringing new rising star Natalie Layne with us. We caught her set at a festival last year and were blown away by her musical prowess and captivating personality. We guarantee these will be unforgettable nights of new Tenth music and classic Tenth songs you’ve come to love.”

Tickets are on sale now by visiting the band’s site. “The Invited Tour” will feature more than 20 dates and is presented by Compassion International. See the tour dates below.

Aug. 11 – Bloomingdale, IL
Aug. 16 – Norfolk, NE
Sept. 11 – Arlington, TX
Sept. 12 – Waco, TX
Sept. 13 – San Antonio, TX
Sept. 14 – Bells, TX
Sept. 15 – Graham, TX
Sept. 19 – Hopkinsville, KY
Sept. 20 – Greenville, SC
Sept. 21 – Knoxville, TN
Sept. 22 – Rome, GA
Sept. 28 – Melbourne, FL
Sept. 29 – Myrtle Beach, SC
Sept. 30 – Washington, D.C. Museum of the Bible World Stage Theatre
Oct. 1 – Washington, D.C. Museum of the Bible World Stage Theatre
Oct. 3 – Seekonk, MA
Oct. 4 – Manheim, PA
Oct. 5 – Hamburg, NY
Oct. 6 – Rochester, NY
Oct. 16 – Edwardsville, IL
Oct. 18 – Brainerd, MN
Oct. 19 – Mukwonago, WI
Oct. 20 – Ashland, OH

GRAMMY-nominated, 22x platinum, Pandora Billionaires Club members Skillet announced this week their departure from Atlantic Records after 20 years with the label. In an interview with Billboard, frontman John Cooper also revealed new music coming soon through its own imprint (Hear It Loud). Skillet’s brand new single “Unpopular” is set to drop on August 9 with a 10-track album (titled Revolution) slated to arrive on November 1.

“After this long, we’ve learned enough about our audience to know what they want to hear,” Cooper told Billboard. “We have a pretty good handle on that now, so it’s time for us to be pushed out of the nest, or maybe jump out of the nest.”

Cooper said the band never considered signing with another label and one of the factors leading to its move to independent is the ability to make decisions faster.  “There’s not this chain of people that need weigh in on it. The system takes a really long time. Instead, I wrote a song and we recorded it eight days later. That is a huge benefit. With the change in pace of technology and of the industry, that was important to me to be able to make quick decisions.”

Jermaine Bollinger, the award-nominated and chart-topping recording artist from St. Louis, MO, and the primary songwriter and vocalist for CARTUNES is excited to announce the release of his newest single, “Life Is… (ft Jermaine Bollinger and Little Egypt Worship),” to Christian radio. This heartfelt and inspiring track is a standout from his latest LP, Lovely, and is poised to resonate deeply with listeners across the nation.

Jermaine Bollinger, known for his compelling pop melodies and original music that touches on themes of love, hope, family, and life, continues to make waves in the Christian music scene. His ability to craft songs that are both catchy and meaningful is evident in “Life Is…,” a song that blends nostalgia with a message of life’s intrinsic worth.

This release marks a significant milestone for Bollinger, who has recently transitioned from performing cover songs to exclusively showcasing his original material in live shows. This bold move has allowed him to further express his artistic vision and connect with audiences on a deeper level. The change in setlist has not only been well-received but has also opened new doors for his music career, including writing for the pop act CARTUNES.

Produced and written by Bollinger himself, “Life Is…” captures the essence of life’s journey through its evocative lyrics and uplifting melodies. The collaboration with Little Egypt Worship adds a unique and soulful dimension to the track, making it a memorable addition to the Christian AC and Inspirational formats.

Listeners who appreciate the musical styles of artists such as Gavin DeGraw, Ed Sheeran, Babyface, John Mayer, James Taylor, and Jason Mraz will find “Life Is…” refreshingly akin to these influences, yet distinctly original. Bollinger’s signature vocal stylings and lyrical prowess shine through, promising to leave a lasting impact on all who hear it.

As Bollinger continues to garner attention and acclaim, his commitment to creating music that inspires and uplifts remains unwavering. “Life Is…” is a testament to his talent and dedication, offering a timely reminder that despite life’s challenges, it is always worth living.

GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum rock band NEEDTOBREATHE have announced their acclaimed 2009 album The Outsiders will be reissued on CD and vinyl on September 6 through Omnivore Recordings.

Since 1999, NEEDTOBREATHE have quietly emerged as a dynamic force in music, playing arenas and earning nominations for multiple Grammys, and Billboard Music Awards. After releasing two successful independent albums Daylight and The Heat, the band signed with Atlantic Records and released their third album, The Outsiders, in 2009.

The record quickly put them on the map, peaking at #20 on the Billboard 200. AllMusic gave the album four stars, claiming it “offer[s] up another collection of sweeping, reverent rock songs [and] flirts with touches of roots rock and traditional gospel, from the title track’s powerful Southern stomp to the sheer power of Bear Rinehart’s voice.”

Two years later, the band would be on tour as the opening act for Taylor Swift’s Speak Now world tour, as well as performing alongside acts including Tim McGraw and Train. Since the release of this landmark album, NEEDTOBREATHE have reached arena-sized proportions, headlining iconic venues such as Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, and four sold out shows at Red Rocks Amphitheaters in Morrison, CO. The band most recently performed at the 2024 CMA Awards in Austin, TX, with Jordan Davis, whom they also recorded an episode of CMT Crossroads with.

Now, over fifteen years since The Outsiders was released and brought the band to greater heights, NEEDTOBREATHE are re-pressing the long sold-out record for the first time ever on translucent red vinyl.

NEEDTOBREATHE also has upcoming tour dates in the US, Europe, and Canada through October. See tour dates HERE.

Pre-order The Outsiders: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/outsiders

The Outsiders tracklist:

1. The Outsiders

2. Valley of Tomorrow

3. Through Smoke

4. Lay ‘Em Down

5. What You’ve Done To Me

6. Hurricane

7. These Hard Times

8. Stones Under Rushing Water

9. Prisoner

10. Won’t Turn Back

11. Girl Named Tennessee

12. Something Beautiful

13. Garden

14. Let Us Love

“This album is the culmination of life lived and lessons learned. A look back at all the good times and bad, the mountaintops and valleys and all the dreams and aspirations that led me and my family to the days that we dreamed of” ……. Rhett Walker.

His latest album by Rhett Walker, a celebrated Christian rock and country singer, offers a mix of heartfelt lyrics, soulful melodies, and powerful messages of faith and perseverance. Walker’s distinct voice and engaging storytelling shine through tracks that explore themes of hope, love, and life’s journey. With its blend of upbeat anthems and reflective ballads, DAYS THAT WE DREAMED OF continues to showcase Walker’s talent for creating music that resonates deeply with his audience.

The South Georgia native leans into his country/Americana cadence on Days That We Dreamed Of.  His vocal tilt brings his love of America’s favorite genre with lyrics that express his love of Jesus in a bold-faced lyric. Country + CCM is building as evidenced by his peers Zach Williams and Anne Wilson.  Please listen with this in mind.  The outdoorsman who frequents the Duck Dynasty podcasts and is comfortable in a tree stand as well as the pulpit is excited about this release.

As you may or may not know, Rhett has GRAMMY nods, GMA DOVE Award wins and is a father of four and married to his wife that he married as a teen.  Fast forward a few decades and they are living the dream that no one predicted would happen. It resonates through the release.

Track-by-track breakdown of all songs by Rhett Walker:

Somebody Say Amen- “‘Somebody Say Amen’ is about pointing to the goodness of who God is, no matter what you’re facing. Mountain top or valley low, there’s always a reason to say Amen. Our joy is not determined by our circumstances because our joy comes from the Lord. So, to my circumstances, good or bad, I say Amen.”

Young Love- “‘Young Love’ is an anthem for all those who are crazy in love living life to the fullest with their ride or die. For the ones who know when time does what time does and life slows down, you’ll still be falling head over heels for each other.”

‘87 Chevy – “The road of life ain’t always smooth and easy but you learn a lot about who you are looking through that windshield. You also can’t forget to stop and look at that rear view and remember all the life you’ve lived, the places you’ve been and the love that was shared.”

Where I Could’ve Been- “This is my story in song form. The selfish life I lived that broke me. But the peace of knowing the good Lord could’ve left me in the trenches but He pulled me up, dusted me off and gave me a new life.”

Man On the Middle Cross – “This song is such a reminder that grace and mercy have nothing to do with us. There’s nothing we could do to earn it and nothing we could do to deserve it. It is only and has always only been about Jesus, who He is, what He did and the grace that He continues to pour out. Which is why I thank God for the man on the middle cross.”

Days That We Dreamed Of – “I remember 17 years old, baby on the way, scared half to death at what life was gonna throw my wife (April) and I’s way.  Knowing God had it under control, but unsure at what that looked like. We would sit on that back porch and just dream of one day.  20 years later, my family has realized it’s not about the “things” it’s about time spent together.  Moments that turn into memories.  It’s not a future moment, every day can be the days that you dreamed of.”

Look What God Can Do –  “Another reflective song. I was looking back over the years since I first got signed. Singing songs like When Mercy Found Me and what I had seen in life up to that point. Sitting in that writer’s room talking about all the things God was still doing. How He still uses the prodigal.”

Lost and Found- “This song is something that just poured out. I was just sitting in my room and playing guitar and as I started singing, the words just came out. I think people sometimes have a hard time dealing with their faith when things get dark. Sometimes we feel broken and lost, even as believers and that’s ok. Jesus is ok with the questioning of life. This song is a reminder to me that we can bring anything to Him.”

Live It- “I have 4 kiddos. Age 19 down to 6. This is a song that I dedicate to them. All the little things I have learned along the way that I thought I could pass onto them.”

Gave It All- “This is a worship song to me. Just a song of thankfulness for what the good Lord has done.”

Follow along at rhettwalker.com to stay updated on the latest news, tour dates, and exclusive content from Rhett Walker and follow him on socials.

Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-Award winning group Elevation Worship’s latest release, When Wind Meets Fire, tops Billboard’s Top Christian Albums Chart. This is the group’s eighth No. 1 chart debut, the most Top Christian Album No. 1s of any artist.

Speaking with Billboard, Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown said, “We’re so grateful and honored to have this new album hit No. 1. Our hope is that these songs will continue helping people encounter God’s presence just like they have for our church over the past year.”

In addition to the No. 1 album debut, Elevation Worship’s hit song “Praise” continues to resonate with listeners as it entered the 20th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Songs Christian Chart. This is only the ninth song in the genre to reach this milestone in the chart’s history. The song was also nominated for two GMA Dove Awards last week as “Song of the Year” and “Worship Recorded Song of the Year.”

Four dates remain for Elevation Worship’s Praise Party Summer Tour, including seven outdoor major-market shows and three special club-style shows. The tour will conclude with a sold-out show at the historic Ryman Auditorium next week. Praise Party Summer Tour will be followed by Elevation Nights this fall featuring Elevation Worship, Pastor Steven Furtick, and ELEVATION RHYTHM.

The sold-out spring run of Elevation Nights became one of the largest Christian tours in history, averaging more than 11,600 tickets sold each night. Tickets for Elevation Nights are on sale now by visiting ElevationNights.com.

Central City Productions’ highly anticipated annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the “Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” will premiere on the Stellar Network and BET this weekend. Co-hosted by Emmy Award-winning TV personality and comedian Loni Love, alongside Marconi Award-winning radio/TV personality and comedian Rickey Smiley, the 39th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards awarded various categories in a taped telecast on Saturday, July 20.

Other categories were awarded in a Pre-Show nominee gala. The 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on the Stellar Network on Saturday, August 3 at 8PM and 11PM EST and in broadcast syndication from August 10, 2024 – September 8, 2024. BET will air the 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Sunday, August 4 at 8 PM ET/PT.

Tye Tribbett and Jekalyn Carr led in “Stellar Awards” 2024 wins. Tye Tribbett received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and Kim Burrell received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award.

The ceremony included performances by: Chandler Moore, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Anthony Brown and group therAPy, Da’ T.R.U.T.H, Deitrick Haddon, Israel Houghton, Kelontae Gavin, Koryn Hawthorne, Lisa Knowles-Smith, Mali Music, Melvin Crispell III, Rich Tolbert Jr., and Ricky Dillard. Joining the Emerging Artist Stage was Arthur and Friends Community Choir, Jovonta Patton and Wendi Wyatt. Kirk Franklin, Erica Campbell, VaShawn Mitchell, Pastor Mike Todd, JJ Hairston, Maurette Brown Clark, Carvin Winans and Angel Taylor will present on the broadcast.

The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards is Sponsored by Procter & Gamble with Presenting Sponsorship provided by AT&T, State Farm, McDonalds, Disney, Walmart, AFLAC and General Motors. The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Executive in Charge of Production; Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director, Erin Johnson as Talent Producer and Daniel Moore as Music Director.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter and GRAMMY Award-winning TRIBL Music Group artist Chandler Moore drops his highly anticipated sophomore solo album, CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES. Now available worldwide, the album can be purchased and streamed here.

Harkening on the motifs Moore has become known for with Maverick City Music, Moore’s latest solo offering, CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, represents a new chapter in his career and personal life. The eight-track project captures an electrifying live performance that showcases Moore’s unique blend of soul, R&B, and inspirational music and features powerful collaborations with celebrated artists such as Israel Houghton, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Naomi Raine.

CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES is inspired by Psalm 23:2, “He leads me beside still waters.” The deeply personal worship project stemmed from a season of stillness in Moore’s life and the lessons that have come through it. “God has stilled the waters, He’s calmed the noise, He’s shut everything down so that I can see what I need to see and let Him grow me up in ways He needs to grow me up… It’s about being still in your spirit and mind to allow God to speak to you,” says Moore.

Recorded live in May 2024, CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES is a masterful collection of songs that blend Moore’s signature style with a fresh perspective, offering music that resonates deeply with his audience and solidifying his place as a powerful and inspiring force in the music industry.

Moore has collaborated with renowned artists such as Justin Bieber, Tori Kelly, Elevation and Kirk Franklin. His rapid rise in the music world has earned him 5 Grammy Awards, 1 Billboard Music Award, 4 GMA Dove Awards, and 1 Soul Train Music Award, through his dynamic contributions and well-known collaboration with Maverick City Music.

Stream & Enjoy

In support of his new music, Moore performed the album’s premiere track “Lead Me On” on Fox & Friends this morning (Aug. 2) and closed the 39th Annual Stellar Awards, performing “Omemma,” which airs on BET on Aug. 3 (check local listings). “Lead Me On” is currently impacting at CCM Radio and will debut at Gospel Radio exclusively with Urban 1 on Aug. 2.

Fans can catch Moore later this summer and fall as a featured artist on the Kingdom World Tour from Aug. 8 – 26 throughout Africa/Europe, and the Good News Tour that runs stateside Oct. 3 – Nov. 26.

For more information, please visit https://chandlerdmoore.com/.

CHANDLER MOORE: LIVE IN LOS ANGELES Tracklist:

1. I Have A Father

2. Joy

3. What I Needed

4. All

5. Great I Am

6. Omemma

7. Lead Me On