Two-time GRAMMY Nominee Blessing Offor has announced his long awaited second studio album, Real, which will be released August 8^th.  The 16 songs, including the recently released “Lift Me Up” and “The Morning,” act as a follow up to his Grammy nominated debut album My Tribe (2023).

Working with co-writers including Hank Bently (Crowder, Brandon Lake) and Fraser Churchill (Charlie Puth, Flo Rida) as well as producers including Henrick Michelsen (BTS, Little Mix) and Morgan Taylor Reid (Michael Bolton, American Authors) Real explores darker themes of loss and heartache while still infusing the relentless optimism that courses through Blessing’s veins. Real will be available on August 8^th and is available for pre-save.

“About two and a half years ago life got crazy,” shares Blessing Offor. “I lost a bunch of people, got nominated for GRAMMYs, just so much was happening all at once and it was like whiplash. I started writing this record from that time and I think it hits every emotion, talks about everything. I’m excited to get this out in the world and open this next chapter.”

Late last month, Blessing Offor debuted some of the songs from Real at the inaugural “Read with Jenna Book Festival” in Nashville and spoke with Jenna Bush Hager about the new music. He followed that event with an electric performance at CMA Fest this past weekend, to an overwhelmingly excited audience.

Since the debut of his album My Tribe, two-time GRAMMY nominee and multi-award winner Blessing Offor has established himself as a true artist’s artist with a voice as bright and authentic as his personality. My Tribe debuted in early 2023 and quickly hit Top 20 on THREE Billboard charts.

The album’s lead single, “Brighter Days” became a bastion of mainstream radio, hitting Top 25 on the mainstream AC radio charts with over 150 million views on TikTok and his duet, “The Goodness” with TobyMac became his first #1. Building on his success, Blessing Offor has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Kelly Clarkson and The Jennifer Hudson Show and was named 2023’s Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist and Pandora Artist to Watch.

Real Tracklist:

1.   Real (Offor, Hank Bentley)

2.   Oh Child (Offor, Henrik Michelsen, Bill Maybury)

3.   Lift Me Up (Offor, Morgan Taylor Reid, Fraser Churchill, Pablo Hurtado)

4.   The Morning (Offor, Rita Springer, Dan Muckala)

5.   The Roses (Offor, Dalton Diehl, David Alexander, Midi Jones)

6.   Set It In Stone (Offor, Dan Muckala)

7.   Rise Again (Offor, Edd Holloway)

8.   Where My Feet Are (Offor, Mark Pellizzer, Dominique Sanders)

9.   Jordans (Offor, Hank Bentley)

10. Carry On (Offor, Dan Muckala)

11. The Time It Takes (Offor, Sandra McCracken)

12. Barricades (Offor, David Mescon)

13. Somebody’s Child (Featuring Dolly Parton) (Offor, Joy Williams, Josh Ronen)

14. Crying Out Loud (Offor, Morgan Taylor Reid, Fraser Churchill)

15. Just For You (Offor, JC Stewart)

16. What Tomorrow’s For (Offor, AJ Pruis, Laura Veltz)

Jeremy Rosado has a voice that has captivated the world with performances on both American Idol and The Voice. With every song Rosado introduces, it becomes an instant sensation.

Now is the time to open up his whole heart with the announcement of his album, The Waiting Room, set to release on July 11th. Fans can secure their copy now and receive the new single “Keep Holding On.” Get The Waiting Room and listen to “Keep Holding On” today.

“‘Keep Holding On’ is a song for the person who feels like there is nothing left,” shares Jeremy Rosado. “I wanna make Christian music that is honest about real life and recognizes that sometimes life gets tough. This song is about encouragement and is a reminder to that person that the same God who showed up before will do it again. Miracles are what this song is declaring over every person who hears it.”

The 12-song album features the hit song, “Hero In The Room,” which was released earlier this year. This poignant and very personal song shares his story and resonates with listeners in a mighty way. “Hero In The Room” has garnered more than 1.6 million total partner streams since its release in March, along with over 20,000 creations and 7.3 million views.

His audios now amass more than 10,000 creations per week. Captivating the hearts of millions of online viewers with his music, his monthly streams have nearly doubled since April on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

It is evident that his music has a profound impact on his listeners. Rosado will hit the road with his The Waiting Room Tour, which begins at the end of this month and runs through the summer.

Jeremy Rosado Announces New Album ‘The Waiting Room’ Releasing July 11

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The Waiting Room Tour 

June 28 – Newnan, GA

June 29 – DeLand, FL

July 3 – Anderson, SC

July 13 – Tampa, FL

July 14 – Tampa, FL

July 31 – Taunton, MA

Aug 1 – Hampden, MA

Aug 2 – Brookfield, MA

Aug 3 – Attleboro, MA

Aug 31 – Alexander City, AL

GRAMMY-nominated band MercyMe shared some details about their new project. A new album, due in August 2025, will feature some of their latest releases, like “Oh Death,” and other new music that is on the way.

Recently the band announced “MERCYME LIVE 2025” is slated to continue this fall with nine-time GRAMMY nominee Natalie Grant and newcomer Sam Wesley. The newly announced fall dates will take the group to another 12 cities beginning Oct. 17 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and wrapping Nov. 8 in Topeka, Kansas.

MercyMe Announces New Album Coming August 2025

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The welcome addition to MercyMe’s itinerary comes on the heels of another recent tour announcement that will find the band also embarking on a brief trek this fall with fellow hitmakers TobyMac and Matthew West. The eight-date stint runs from Sept. 25 – Oct. 5.

Alongside a full set from MercyMe, concertgoers also had the opportunity to be a part of a live taping for “I Can Only Imagine 2.” Cast members, including Milo Ventimiglia, Trace Adkins, Sammy Dell and John Michael Finley, were in attendance to film the pivotal scene. Production for the sequel began in March in Nashville. The highly anticipated movie will release in theaters Mar. 20, 2026.

Michael Tait, former frontman of Platinum-selling Newsboys and member of iconic CCM group dc Talk, released a statement this week responding to allegations of sexual misconduct and substance abuse as reported recently by The Roys Report (TRR). The GRAMMY-nominated band Newsboys released a statement last week after news of the allegations surfaced.

You can read Michael’s full statement below. Note that reader discretion is advised.

My Confession
Michael Tait
June 10, 2025

Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true. For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way.

I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it-sin. I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself. While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.

When I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get help. I was not healthy, physically or spiritually, and was tired of leading a double life. I spent six weeks at a treatment center in Utah, receiving help that may have saved my life from ultimate destruction. I have been clean and sober since, though I still have lots of hard work ahead of me.

I’m ashamed to admit that for years I have lied and deceived my family, friends, fans, and even misled my bandmates about aspects of my life. I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives. I was not the same person on stage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday.

I was violating everything I was raised to believe by my God-fearing Dad and Mom, about walking with Jesus and was grieving the very God I loved and sang about for most of my life. By His grace, I can say that for the past six months, I have lived a singular life-one of utter brokenness and total dependance on a loving and merciful God.

I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life. I can only dream and pray for human forgiveness, because I certainly don’t deserve it. I have even accepted the thought that God may be the only One who ultimately and completely forgives me. Still, I want to say I’m sorry to everyone I have hurt. I am truly sorry. It is my hope and prayer that all those I have hurt will receive healing, mercy, and hope from the Merciful Healer and Hope-Giver.

Even before this recent news became public, I had started on a path to health, healing, and wholeness, thanks to a small circle of clinical health professionals, loving family, caring friends, and wise counselors -all of whom saw my brokenness and surrounded me with love, grace, and prayer.

Sin is a terrible thing, taking us where we don’t want to go; keeping us longer than we want to stay; and costing us more than we want to pay. I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing-work I will do quietly and privately, away from the stage and the spotlight.

To the extent my sinful behavior has caused anyone to lose respect or faith or trust in me, I understand, deserve, and accept that. But it crushes me to think that someone would lose or choose not to pursue faith and trust in Jesus because I have been a horrible representative of Him-for He alone is ultimately the only hope for any of us.

King David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 has been my prayer this year: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness….Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me… Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

7x GRAMMY-winner TobyMac, in collaboration with Gospel music icon CeCe Winans, debuts on the Billboard charts this week with a chart topping single, “Oh My Soul (Psalm 103)”.

The song is a remixed version of one TobyMac released earlier this year, off his hit album Heaven on My Mind.  The collaboration hits multiple charts, ranking at No. 1 on the Gospel Digital Song Sales and No. 7 on the Hot Gospel Songs.  Additionally,

the song ranks at No. 45 on the Hot Christian Kirk Franklin Receives ‘Ultimate Icon Award’ At BET Awards 2025, while concurrently hitting No. 14 on the Christian Digital Song Sales.

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“Oh My Soul (Psalm 103)” is TobyMac’s third collaborative remix from Heaven on My Mind.  In 2024, he teamed up with Jon Reddick to record an “extra sweet version” of his Christian Airplay-topping song “Nothin’ Sweeter”. 

Earlier this year, he released a sped-up remix of his song “Heaven on My Mind”, which soared up 14 positions from the original track, going on to hit No. 12 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.  This latest hit marks TobyMac’s first entry to the gospel charts since “Transformed” in 2016—and his first song to top a gospel chart since “Ooh Ahh” in 2010.

Chart-topping, platinum certified singer and songwriter Benjamin William Hastings has just announced his November 2025 ‘At the Heart of It’ tour.  The tour will take him and CCMG’s rising recording artist Jamie MacDonald on eight dates across the US, beginning on November 6.  Tickets are available on his official website, at benjaminwilliamhastings.com.

November 6 – N Little Rock, AR
November 7 – Houston, TX
November 8 – New Orleans, LA
November 9 – Forst Worth, TX
November 11 – Minneapolis, MN
November 13 – Chicago, IL
November 14 – Columbus, OH
November 16 – Nashville, TN

Country music is full of empty nostalgia these days. Pickup trucks, hometown Saturdays, cold beer clichés. It’s all made for playlist consumption, sonic wallpaper for people who don’t want to feel too much. But every once in a while, a song cuts through that. A song that isn’t afraid to tell the hard truth. Cliff & Susan’s “West Virginia” is one of those songs.

It’s a story about a man leaving his wife. That’s been done before. But not like this. There’s no villain here. No cheap drama. No screaming. Just two people who grew up together, got married because it seemed right, and then woke up years later as strangers sharing a house that no longer felt like home. The narrator does what he thinks is the right thing. He leaves.

But what elevates “West Virginia” is the emotional complexity wrapped inside its plainspoken lyrics. Cliff Prowse sings in a voice so steady and clear it’s almost conversational. He’s not crying. He’s not begging. He’s just telling the truth. “It’s gonna hurt at first, but I know it’d be worse if I stayed.”

That’s not just a lyric. That’s adulthood. That’s love after the fairy tale. That’s the sound of somebody walking away not because they want to, but because staying would slowly kill them both.

The brilliance of the title is in its dual meaning. He’s heading west. Away from Virginia. Not just the state. The woman. The life. Maybe even the person he used to be. And that wordplay gives the song its weight. This isn’t about geography. This is about survival.

Musically, the production stays out of the way. That’s a good thing. Nashville producer Colt Capperrune gives the song a wide-open, spacious feel without crowding the emotion. The use of Dolby Atmos is subtle and effective, pulling the listener into the scene rather than dazzling them with studio tricks. Every instrument serves the narrative. Gabe Klein’s keyboard work adds ghostly shadows beneath the melody.

Smith Curry’s steel guitar bleeds sorrow with every note. Lester Estelle Jr. plays the drums like he’s marking time on a ticking relationship. Capperrune also contributes on electric guitar and bass, providing the steady foundation the song needs to stand tall.

And then there’s Susan Prowse. Her background vocals never push for the spotlight. They do something more important. They echo. They linger. They stand just behind the lyric like the memory of someone who isn’t quite gone. It’s one of the most emotionally honest harmony performances I’ve heard in a long time.

The video, shot in the worn bones of the McKinney Cotton Mill, brings another layer of meaning. It’s a space that looks lived in, weathered, barely holding together. It’s the visual version of the relationship at the heart of this song. And it works because it doesn’t over-explain. It lets the setting speak the way the best songs do.

Cliff & Susan have been making music together for years. They’ve played hundreds of shows, opened for legends, run their own label, and carved out a place in the independent music world with nothing but talent and hustle. But “West Virginia” feels like a breakthrough — not because it sounds bigger, but because it feels deeper.

This is the kind of song that used to show up on FM radio back when country and rock still had guts. Think Kristofferson. Think early Steve Earle. Think Bruce Springsteen’s “Independence Day.” Songs that speak to the moment when someone stops pretending and starts living.

“West Virginia” doesn’t raise its voice. It doesn’t need to. It tells the truth. And in an era full of noise, that’s more revolutionary than ever.

–David Marshall

Country singer-songwriter Robert Ross is back with a fresh dose of heartland pride in his latest single, “People Like Me,” released May 16 across all major streaming platforms.

Following the chart success of “Better With Time,” which reached the Top 25 on the New Music Weekly AM/FM Country chart, Ross shifts his spotlight outward in this feel-good, blue-collar anthem tailor-made for summer playlists and small-town celebrations.

With “People Like Me,” Ross taps into the spirit of classic country—straightforward, relatable, and grounded in real-life experiences. The track opens with a catchy, bar-ready hook that immediately sets the tone: “People like you and people like me, we like to drink.”

It’s a line that captures the camaraderie, humor, and no-frills charm at the heart of country culture. But as the song unfolds, it becomes clear there’s more going on than just a good time.

Anchored by twangy guitars, steady percussion, and Ross’s gritty, lived-in vocals, “People Like Me” paints a picture of hard-working Americans who live by simple truths and earned wisdom. The lyrics celebrate those who show up every day—on job sites, behind the wheel, or working the front lines—and find pride in putting in an honest day’s work.

“I’ve always been one damn good hardworking man, and the proof is in the calluses on my hands,” Ross sings in the second verse, bringing listeners right into his world. It’s a lyric that speaks volumes about where he comes from and who he sings for.

But the track doesn’t stop at a celebration of everyday life. Ross also takes a moment to honor those who sacrifice even more, offering a heartfelt tribute to service members and first responders. “We raise our glasses to the ones that save our ass,” he sings with sincere reverence, grounding the song in both celebration and gratitude.

That balance of toughness and tenderness is a signature of Ross’s writing. While the chorus invites a roomful of voices to sing along, the verses take their time, carefully drawing out the story and the soul behind the song. There’s a quiet respect for the people this track is written for, and that respect gives it real staying power.

Production-wise, “People Like Me” is stripped back just enough to let the lyrics and delivery shine. It’s the kind of track you could imagine hearing live at a county fair or blaring through open truck windows on a backroad drive. There’s no overproduction, just solid, confident musicianship and a voice that feels familiar in the best way.

Robert Ross has been building momentum in the country scene with each release, and “People Like Me” is another strong step forward. With its infectious melody, authentic message, and genuine love for everyday Americans, this song checks every box for what makes a summer anthem stick.

But more than that, it highlights Ross’s strength as a storyteller and his ability to connect with listeners who see their own lives reflected in his songs.

At a time when country music is stretching its boundaries and experimenting with new sounds, Ross reminds us that there’s still a place for songs rooted in tradition, community, and character. “People Like Me” doesn’t chase trends—it embraces the tried-and-true themes that have always been at the heart of the genre: pride, perseverance, and a little cold beer at the end of a long day.

Whether you’re clocking in early or winding down late, Robert Ross’s “People Like Me” is the kind of track that feels like home. It’s a toast to the unsung heroes of everyday life—and a reminder that, in country music, the most powerful stories are often the simplest ones.

–Clarence Marks

Christian country singer/songwriter Ben Fuller surprised the Opry audience by inviting Carrie Underwood to join him on stage for their first live performance together, singing their new duet “If It Was Up to Me.” 

The track is featured on Fuller’s forthcoming album Walk Through Fire, set for release on June 6 via Sony Music / Provident Entertainment. He also performed his single “If I Got Jesus” as part of an all-star lineup that included Underwood, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Anderson, Henry Cho, Don Schlitz, and 49 Winchester. The special evening was part of the Grand Ole Opry’s ongoing 100-year celebration.

Both songs are a part of Ben Fuller’s 13-track album, Walk Through Fire, which marks a milestone moment in his journey, both musically and spiritually. The record blends elements of rock, classical, and country, and represents Fuller at his most honest and unfiltered.

GMA Dove Award-nominated collective Elevation Rhythm has debuted on the Billboard US Top Christian Albums at No. 7, with their third studio album, Victory Lap.

The collective, affiliated with notable worship group Elevation Worship through Elevation Church in Charlotte, marked its third studio album on May 23, 2025. Elevation Rhythm’s Victory Lap follows 2022’s Growing Pains and 2023’s This Is the Gospel, the latter charting at No. 46 on the Top Christian Albums.

Victory Lap‘s lead single, “Goodbye Yesterday,” released on May 3, 2024. Featuring Grace Binion, the song has seen notable success, racking up for itself a nomination for Worship Song of the Year at the 13th annual We Love Awards. This week, the song boosts up to a 12-7 peak on the Hot Christian Songs, becoming the group’s first top 10 across any chart. On Christian Airplay, the song ranks at No. 11.

“Goodbye Yesterday” isn’t the only successful song from Elevation Rhythm’s Victory Lap. The album features three more Hot Christian Song chart entries, including the Tiffany Hudson and Abbie Gamboa collaboration “At the Altar” (No. 28 in August 2024), the Joe L. Barnes collaboration “Sing of Your Love” (No. 24 in April 2025), and the album track “Where Oh Where” (No. 32 this week).