For King and Country’s Joel Smallbone is ready to take the next step in leaving his mark on the music industry.
Smallbone has announced on Instagram that he will be running for a songwriter/composer seat on the Recording Academy’s Nashville Board.
In his message he says, “From my earliest memory, my whole life has been oriented around music, and if there’s an opportunity to give back in any way, lift up others in the ways I’ve been lifted, id be honored.. 🙌🏽
With that said, I’m eager, humbled, and passionate about the prospect of serving and would be thrilled at your consideration.”
CMB has officially presented this year’s finalists for the CMB Special Awards and the CMB Station of the Year Awards.
Each of these awards will be presented on Friday, May 30 during the CMB Awards Dinner at Momentum. You can check out the full list of finalists right here.
Special Award Finalists
INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT
Fred & Paul Jacobs • Jacobs Media Strategies
Brian McIntyre • Executive Director, Olivet Nazarene University
Mike Prendergast • Owner, Mike Prendergast Consulting
Johnny Stone • Afternoon Co-Host, WGTS 91.9
Lisa Williams • Network Talent Coach, Northwestern Media
Following a record-breaking on-sale date on Monday, Mar. 24, “Summer Worship Nights” 2025 continues to see unprecedented demand from fans for the third consecutive installment of the popular co-headlining bill helmed by multi-GRAMMY® nominee Phil Wickham and five-time GRAMMY® winner Brandon Lake, who are both set to release new albums this year.
Making room for even more concertgoers, the chart-topping acts have added a second night in Dallas on July 27 and have also modified production in select cities to accommodate in-the-round seating. Venues in Cincinnati, Nashville, Austin, Dallas (night one) and Phoenix have already been adjusted to a 360-degree setup in order to increase capacity. In addition, most markets are offering an option to pair tickets and hotel accommodations via Ticketmaster Travel.
“I’m absolutely thrilled by the response to the ‘Summer Worship Nights’ tour already. It’s such a gift to be hitting the road again with my good friend, Brandon Lake — what a joy to partner in leading people into the presence of God,” Wickham shares. “I’m believing with all my heart that the Lord is going to move in powerful ways in every room we gather.
There’s nothing like seeing the Church come together — different stories, different backgrounds — but all singing under one banner, the banner of Jesus. Can’t wait to worship with you all this summer!”
“I’m blown away by the response to the ‘Summer Worship Nights’ tour,” Lake adds. “It’s been insane to see how many of y’all are hungry to worship and encounter Jesus together. I’m so pumped to be hittin’ the road again with my brother, Phil Wickham — what a gift to run with friends who carry the same heart for revival. I’m believin’ for God to show up in a powerful way every single night. These aren’t just concerts… They’re gonna be holy moments, ya’ll!
Presented by leading promoter TPR., the 12-stop U.S. outing will begin July 17 in Pittsburgh and end Aug. 3 in Los Angeles. The well-known duo will then cap what is sure to be a successful run by taking “Summer Worship Nights” overseas for the first time this year, performing a collaborative set at London’s Big Church Festival on Aug. 24. Emerging artist Josiah Queen will provide direct support across all North American “Summer Worship Nights” tour dates.
Provident Entertainment’s new signee Megan Danielle has released a cover of Brandon Lake’s hit single “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” Danielle posted “so blessed to be able to cover this amazing song!” The song debuted as #1 on the Christian/Gospel Songs Chart, #1 on the Christian/Gospel On-Demand Audio Streaming and Christian/Gospel On-Demand Overall Streaming charts, as well as #1 on the All-genre Digital Song Sales chart.
It is with heavy hearts and treasured memories to announce the passing of Huey P. Williams, the beloved lead singer of the legendary Gospel group, the Jackson Southernaires. He died peacefully at his home in Smithdale, MS on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Huey came from great music stock. He was the older brother of Frank Williams – founder of the award-winning Mississippi Mass Choir, and of Melvin, Doug and Leonard Williams of the acclaimed Williams Brothers.
“My big brother Huey, in my eyes, was in a league of his own,” said Doug. “He possessed a signature voice that was unmistakably his own. His music ministry touched so many lives in such a positive way over the years. He had a big personality, but such a humble spirit. Huey was the epitome of a people’s person, a man that loved everybody and never met a stranger. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. That’s why so many people from across the country gravitated to him and loved him dearly. His presence will be sorely missed, but his undeniable legacy will live on forever.”
When Huey was asked about retiring, he said, “My answer to that question is, how do you give up on God? How do you give up on Gospel? How do you say, ‘I’m going to retire?’ It’s like a good marriage, until death do us part.” And Huey was faithful to the end.
A musical celebration will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 6PM at Fernwood MB Church, 3176 Fernwood Road, McComb, MS 39648, followed by a celebration of life on Saturday, March 29, 2025, 1:00 PM, with viewing from 11:00AM – 1:00 PM.
Viral sensation Maddi Jane is making a splash in the Christian pop space with her new single, “Almighty” – a collaboration with Nashville’s hit songwriting collective and influencer hub, The Song House, and their new faith-based division, The Soul House.
“Almighty” has been added to Spotify’s editorial playlist “All New Christian and Gospel” (350k saves) and shouted out on socials for New Music Friday by both the GMA Dove Awards and Capitol CMG Publishing alongside artists like Bethel, Newsboys, Tedashii, Josiah Queen, Blake Shelton, and Chris Tomlin.
“Almighty is such a fun, energetic, empowering song inspired by my love for sampling, worship music, and old school hip-hop,” says Maddi Jane. “I feel led to finally incorporate my deeper beliefs into my artistic creations this year.”
“Almighty” is Maddi Jane’s first release since her 2024 EP, Sorry Attempts at Love, which was released following her successful run on Season 25 of NBC’s The Voice.
With a cumulative fanbase of over 3 million, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter rose to stardom as a young girl after a viral YouTube cover, and quickly appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Garnering hundreds of millions of views and gaining international attention at just 11 years old, Maddi Jane rapidly became a childhood phenomenon.
Having accumulated over 105 million streams, over 3 million followers, and an astonishing 500 million views on YouTube alone, Maddi Jane released her debut album, RAPHA, in August 2022 which received editorial consideration from Spotify “Created by Women” and Apple Music “New in Pop.” She sold out her SXSW debut and was cast for The Voice shortly thereafter. Season 25 premiered in February 2024.
Maddi Jane continues to land high-profile sync placements including Love is Blind, Vanderpump Rules, Real Housewives of Miami, Real Housewives of Orange County, Married At First Sight, Married to Medicine, Cribs, and more.
The Church Comedy Tour returns this summer! Join Jaron Myers, Shama Mrema, and Mike Goodwin as they bring their sharp and hilarious stories to the church building you know and love. Tickets will go on sale April 1st at 10 AM local time.
“Going on The Church Comedy Tour with Jaron and Mike last year was a blast, and I can’t wait to run it back this summer,” shares Shama Mrema. “Get ready to laugh your (insert whatever non-offensive term you use to describe your rear end) off!”
Side-splitting humor echoing through the vaulted ceilings and stained glass gives new meaning to “holy laughter.” It’s a night where the humor is clever, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the jokes are so good they might just save your soul.
Jaron Myers adds, “I’m so excited to head back out on The Church Comedy Tour this summer! Last year’s tour was so much fun with Shama and Mike, I can’t wait to do it again. Bring your family, extended family and I’ll see you at church near you this summer!”
Don’t miss out on this divine comedy experience—come for the laughs, stay for the community, and leave with a spirit lifted higher than a church steeple!
“What’s a better way to kick off summer than with a tour?!” Mike Goodwin says, “I’m stoked to be traveling to new cities with Jaron and Shama and ready to have some hilarious nights! I hope you are too.”
Over the weekend, Cochran & Co. joined the Fox News Faith & Friends Concert Series to share his song “Money Can’t Buy.” The band’s performance was part of the network’s Faith and Friends series leading up to Easter.
As a follow-up to his No. 1 song “Counting My Blessings,” recently being RIAA Certified Gold, Seph Schlueter is headed out on his first headline tour!
Concertgoers can catch Schlueter and special guest Jamie MacDonald on the Counting My Blessings Tour next month with several of his shows already selling out. He will also perform at two historical locations in August as part of the K-LOVE shows at Red Rocks Amphitheater and The Beacon Theater in New York City.
The 13th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards, hosted by Jaci Velasquez, is set to make history on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Franklin, TN, with the exciting addition of two powerhouse presenters—Kathie Lee Gifford and Danica McKellar. These beloved personalities join an already incredible roster of celebrated artists and presenters for an unforgettable night of faith, music, and inspiration.
Gifford and McKellar bring their own unique influence to the stage. Danica McKellar, known worldwide for her role as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, has captivated us with her acting for four decades, most recently with her yearly Christmas movies, first on Hallmark and now on Great American Family channel.
A relatively new believer, McKellar loves to share her passion for the Lord on her social media channels, inspiring others with her journey of conviction and encouragement. She is proud to be starring in her first faith-forward movie this Fall, Grounded, on Great American Family channel.
Kathie Lee Gifford, a legendary television host, author, and singer, has long used her platform to share messages of faith and hope. From her iconic partnerships with Regis Philbin and Hoda Kotb to her work alongside Christian music greats like Danny Gokey, Kathy Trocolli, and Bebe Winans, Gifford’s dedication to faith and collaboration in music makes her a perfect fit for the We Love Christian Music Awards stage.
This year’s ceremony will feature a dynamic lineup of performers, including TERRIAN, UNSPOKEN, HANNAH KERR, SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER, JOSH WILSON feat. JJ HELLER, SARAH KROGER, JEFF DEYO formerly of SONICFLOOD, JORDAN MERRITT, NCS COLLECTIVE feat. COBY JAMES, GRACE GRABER, and CODY TOWELL.
Alongside Gifford and McKellar, the show will feature presenters from across the Christian music world, including SANCTUS REAL, MICHAEL SWEET of STRYPER, RACHAEL LAMPA, SEAN RODRIGUEZ, CONSUMED BY FIRE, and DEON. Broadway and Hallmark/Great American Family star LAURA OSNES and reality TV star MITCHELL KOLINSKY (Farmer Wants a Wife) will also present.
76 artists were nominated in 22 categories, and after more than 28,000 fan votes were collected, the winners will also be announced.
As the countdown to April 8 begins, the 13th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards promises to be a night filled with powerful performances, heartfelt moments, and a celebration of faith-driven music that continues to inspire generations.
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