Award-winning author and songwriter Ellie Holcomb is set to release her fourth children’s book, Spring Sings (B&H Publishing), on February 11th. Holcomb uses her beloved lyrical writing style to encourage young readers to watch as the world slowly wakes from winter – to know that the new life of spring also retells the story of God’s Son.
“This is an Easter book that I hope will resonate with young and old hearts all year long,” shares Ellie Holcomb. “We all know what it’s like to be in the winter seasons, and this book is a reminder that the winter never gets the final word. The book is an invitation to open our eyes and ears to hear the beautiful song that Spring sings to us each year….it’s a song of hope, reminding us that God loves to make all things new! Spring sings with the kind of green that reminds us that death never gets the final word. Love does!”
Illustrated by Laura Ramos (Sounding Joy), Spring Sings is Holcomb’s fourth book in a series. Her children’s books include Who Sang the First Song?, Don’t Forget to Remember, Sounding Joy, and now Spring Sings.
As she has with her other books, Holcomb will simultaneously release a companion children’s album produced by Nathan Dugger. Sing: Spring Songs will be released on March 21st featuring seven songs including five original songs. The project will include the title track “Spring Song,” “Go Now In Peace” by Natalie Sleeth and a bluegrass version of “Christ The Lord is Risen Today.”
Holcomb adds, “It has been one of the JOYS of my life to get to write books that families gather around and fold into that sacred time with their children as they read stories curled up on the couch together. With the music, it is a blessing to send families on their way, singing melodies of hope in their hearts.”
Nationally celebrated Christian radio personalities Dawn Rae May and Steve Hiller announce the official launch of Dawn & Steve+, a new weekday podcast featuring in-depth and revealing conversations with authors, ministry leaders, recording artists and cultural influencers on matters of life, faith and biblical Truth.
Initial episodes feature such diverse guests as bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg; The Voice of The Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton; the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Josh Holland; and Dove Award-winning recording artist, author and actress Nicole C. Mullen.
From April 2020 until August 2024, May and Hiller served as co-hosts of Dawn & Steve In The Morning, Moody Broadcasting Network’s national morning show heard in nearly 50 markets across the country. Combined, May and Hiller’s careers represent almost 50 years of serving the Christian broadcast community.
Joining the duo for the new endeavor is producer Stephen Briggs, who helmed Dawn & Steve In The Morning for two years and also executive produced the award-winning documentaries America and the Israel Effect and Cyrus Nations? UK.
The addition of Dawn & Steve+ marks a significant new offering in the burgeoning faith-based podcast genre and will be available via YouTube, iHeartPodcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Rumble and Podbean, among other platforms. Each episode will be recorded at the team’s new studio in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“Through our initial prayer of, ‘What can we do to serve You today?’ God has brought Dawn & Steve+ to life in ways we were not able to see coming,” says May. “We hope to convey through each episode the Truth that walking with Jesus begins with a relationship with Him because He died for our sins and rose again.
Our heart behind Dawn & Steve+ is that we talk about real life; hear from people who follow Jesus despite the hard and difficult circumstances life brings this side of eternity; and that, together, in the midst of joy and sadness, we can celebrate the Truth that He is always faithful. We also hope that alongside the podcast, our team will find ways to be present in person to offer hands-on help in times of need.”
Celebrated Christian Broadcasting Veterans Launch ‘Dawn & Steve+’
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“68% of Americans consider themselves Christian and 33% could be considered ‘born again,’ however we only have a 4% biblical worldview in this country,” Hiller adds. “It’s my hope and prayer that the Lord would use Dawn & Steve+ to help equip listeners and viewers with practical, biblical insights through engaging conversations, scriptural teaching and real-life stories, encouraging them to apply God’s Word in their daily lives and deepen their relationships with Jesus.”
Newly signed Capitol Records/Capitol Christian Music Group artist Josiah Queen is set to embark on the “My Promised Land Tour” this spring with returning special guest Strings & Heart. Commencing on Mar. 26 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the 14-city stretch will visit major markets, including New York, Chicago and Dallas, before concluding on Apr. 12 in Austin, Texas.
Each evening will blend high-energy anthems with reflective moments, showcasing authentic worship and heartfelt storytelling as the Florida native serves up new songs alongside favorites from his acclaimed, independently released debut, The Prodigal. The headlining trek will follow tight on the heels of Queen’s first international run of tour dates in early March.
“I’m truly humbled and excited to be heading back out on the road on the ‘My Promised Land Tour.’ It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so grateful for the support from everyone who’s been with me along the way,” Josiah Queen remarks. “I can’t wait to share this experience with all of you and connect through the music. I’ve already started praying for every person who comes out that you would encounter God!”
“We’re just so stoked and grateful to be a part of Josiah Queen’s ‘My Promised Land’ tour this spring,” shares Strings & Heart. “We already know this tour is going to be full of passion, and energy, and be an undignified expression of testimony, praise, and worship of a generation on fire for Jesus, declaring who He is, what He’s done, and what He will do. We can’t wait to meet everybody! This is going to be an unforgettable experience.”
The buzzworthy newcomer, named one of Amazon Music’s “Breakthrough Artists To Watch For 2024,” jumpstarted the new year by dropping “Can’t Steal My Joy,” an original collaboration with five-time GRAMMY® winner Brandon Lake. Continuing his unprecedented rise, Queen garnered more than five million combined views on his social platforms in advance of its release as he teased the single, which he co-wrote with Lake, Hank Bentley and Jacob Sooter. He’ll share the song live out on the road this spring.
Jason Nelson, best-known for his gospel gems “Forever” and “Residue,” has nabbed his fifth No. 1 gospel chart hit with “Yahweh,” which features the rising GRAMMY® Award nominated gospel star, Melvin Crispell III. The worship ballad has amassed over 5 million U.S. domestic streams and over 25 million airplay impressions.
The song is No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart for the week ending January 18th and No. 1 on Mediabase’s Gospel Airplay chart for the week ending January 19th.
The track anchors Nelson’s seventh album, You Belong (Jaelyn Song Music/ Tyscot / FairTrade). The album was recorded live at World Overcomers Christian Church in Durham, NC in the summer of 2023. Aside from Crispell, the set features cameos from vocal giants such as Zacardi Cortez, Madison Ryann Ward and Shawn Bigby. The project was Nelson’s first live recording since 2018’s The Answer project.
A Baltimore, Maryland native, 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.
The 2021 studio album Close featured the No. 1 radio smash “Residue” and the Top Ten cut, “All I Need.” The set also featured cameos from R&B music legend Chrisette Michele and Jazz great John Patitucci. Nelson is also Pastor of The Tab (Formerly The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple) in Windsor Mills, MD
CAIN, the sibling trio, announces the upcoming release of their family devotional We’re So Blessed: Forty Days of Devotions and Activities for the Whole Family (K-LOVE Books) on February 18th. The devotional is geared toward helping families recognize God’s hand in daily life and realize how truly blessed they are as children of God.
CAIN is the band of three siblings – Taylor Cain Matz, Madison Cain Johnson, and Logan Cain. Growing up in rural Alabama the Cain family was a unique and beautiful experience that offered many childhood memories, family traditions, and spiritual guidance from their parents.
Today, CAIN travels worldwide to perform its songs and inspire people everywhere, and no song has inspired others like its hit single, “I’m So Blessed.” The impact of this song on listeners of all ages, motivated CAIN to take the song’s central message and craft it into a devotional that can help foster intimacy with God and one’s family.
“If you could have been a fly on the wall in our quaint childhood home, you would have witnessed the beautiful chaos in which we Cain siblings grew up,” share the CAIN trio. “Working on this devotional took us back to our wild childhood full of memories, great laughter, and light.
And every bit of that is due to our intentional, loving parents and pastors, Charley and Shari Cain. We were the direct beneficiaries of God-centered family time, and now—as we’ve grown older, gotten married, and have had children of our own—we feel the challenge of establishing God as the head of our own homes.”
CAIN adds, “Our prayer is that through these daily readings, both our own families and yours can glean from God’s Word together, notice the blessings of God together, and experience memorable moments and conversations together. This devotional is designed to be enjoyed together, and it is written in a way that is attainable and meaningful for all members of the family.”
This devotional follows the group’s first lyrical picture book I’m So Blessed (B&H Publishing) released last year. The CAIN family has grown by two in recent months as Taylor Cain Matz welcomed their second child in October and Madison Cain Johnson welcomed their second just this past weekend. The group will be on the TobyMac Hits Deep 2025 tour that kicks off next week.
Michael Tait made a surprise announcement that after 15 years as frontman of the revered CCM band Newsboys, he has decided to step down and exit the group. Tait, who has been touring since college, said in a statement that he is excited to see what comes next for both himself and for Newsboys.
The band also released a statement thanking Tait for all his years with the group while pledging to keep the heartbeat of Newsboys unchanged and to carry on as planned in the new year. The Newsboys Worldwide Revival Tour 2025 will kick off this weekend as planned.
Newsboys wrapped 2024 with a series of groundbreaking achievements, including new music, record-breaking streaming success, and a full schedule of performances across the country. Newsboys will continue the tour in 2025, bringing the unforgettable experience to additional locations in the United States before embarking on a long-awaited Canadian leg of the tour.
“How Many Times” will impact radio in January, all while Newsboys prepare for the release of Christ and Christ Crucified: Worldwide Edition (EP) and Worldwide Revival (Part One) Deluxe, promising their dedicated fans even more to look forward to this upcoming year.
WieRok Entertainment Group, founded more than a decade ago by Lance & Tammie Wieland with a mission to empower Christian creatives through a range of multi-faceted support services, inaugurates a new era with the launch of WieRok Records. The Franklin, Tennessee-based Christian music label, which will be distributed by Syntax Creative, has signed acclaimed singer/songwriter Sean Rodriguez as its flagship artist.
Known for his charismatic live performances and stylistic diversity, Rodriguez was catapulted into the spotlight as a featured Pre-Jam artist on 2023’s nationwide Winter Jam tour—one of Christian music’s biggest annual outings.
Serving as a children’s pastor and youth leader before turning his focus to music, Rodriguez has released a string of compelling singles to date, including his 2023 pop anthem, “Center Stage,” which has amassed more than 2.5 million streams. His WieRok Records debut EP is slated for release later this month.
Additionally, WieRok Entertainment Group has signed writer and producer Daniel Macal, who also serves as lead guitarist for the Dove Award-winning band Sidewalk Prophets, to an exclusive publishing agreement. Macal joins Karin Simmons and Tyler Moody, along with writer and producer Greg “GREGATRON” Williams, in comprising WieRok’s growing roster of lauded songwriters.
“After many years of working with artists in various capacities, the next right step for us was becoming a full-service record company,” shares WieRok Entertainment Group CEO Lance Wieland. “We are thankful for our distribution partnership with Syntax Creative, which is among the best in the industry, and we’re excited to welcome Sean aboard as we seek to offer an exceptional range of services tailored to bolster him, and other artists we believe in, at every stage of their career.”
“We’re looking forward to this next season of supporting a talented community of Christ-centered creatives and offering a variety of amazing content that reaches a broad audience,” says WieRok Entertainment Group CFO Tammie Wieland. “Thanks to the incredible partnerships we’ve been fortunate to build, we’re able to share messages of hope, faith and unity with the world, and I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead.”
“We open this new chapter grounded in the integrity and intention our company was founded upon more than 10 years ago,” adds Kevin Sparkman, director of marketing and operations, WieRok Entertainment Group. “We’re eager to cultivate meaningful artist relationships and mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with the launch of WieRok Records, while continuing a longstanding mission to foster community in the industry around us.”
Pictured L-R: WieRok Entertainment Group CEO Lance Wieland, CFO Tammie Wieland, and director of marketing and operations Kevin Sparkman
In addition to the newly created label, WieRok Entertainment Group continues to focus on empowering the next generation of Christian creatives through its popular Writes & Bites events, a songwriting initiative launched in 2020.
Writes & Bites has helped rising artists, songwriters and producers achieve remarkable success, including song placements, recording contracts and publishing deals. WieRok’s Franklin, Tennessee, headquarters also houses a state-of-the-art recording studio and hosts regular events for the community in partnership with the Gospel Music Association, Curb | Word, Integrity Music, Rixon Entertainment Group, and Jay Speight of Amplo Records.
Beyond music, WieRok Entertainment Group has been instrumental in various film productions through the years, including providing promotional support for 2016’s Priceless, which starred for KING & COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone. The company also co-produced The Good Fight, a feature film starring John Schneider, which is slated for worldwide streaming distribution this year.
Fair Trade Services announces the promotion of Kai Elmer to the position of Vice President of National Promotion.
After starting his career at Moody Broadcasting Network in Chicago, Elmer joined the Fair Trade team in 2007 as Manager of National Promotion. He has helped champion songs to Christian radio from many artists throughout his time at the label – including MercyMe, Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Micah Tyler, Skillet, Colton Dixon, and more. His role has included breaking new artists to the genre, achieving numerous No. 1 songs, and developing long-standing deep relationships in the radio community.
“We are happy to announce Kai as the VP of National Promotion at FTS,” says company President Darren Elrod. “This is a well-deserved promotion for an individual that truly understands and cares how the ministry of our artists and Christian radio work together to spread the gospel message.”
“It truly is a privilege to serve both our incredible artists and the Christian radio community at large,” says Elmer. “The success we’ve seen over the past few years is a testament to the creativity, hard work, and dedication of the entire Fair Trade team. I love this group of people and couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
“Jesus and Bocephus” is more than just a country song; it’s a heartfelt ode to a life well-lived and a soul gone too soon. In this poignant tribute, Richard Lynch masterfully intertwines themes of friendship, faith, and legacy, creating a piece that resonates with anyone who has lost someone close. The track is Lynch’s love letter to his late friend Tim Bennington, a fellow musician and steadfast believer, capturing both the sorrow of parting and the comfort of spiritual endurance.
At its core, the song reflects a quintessential element of country music: storytelling rooted in deep emotion and unwavering faith. Lynch paints a vivid picture of his friend’s character, honoring the memory of a man who never shied away from his faith. With lyrics like, “He was never ashamed to say the Lord’s name / He prayed to God every night,” Lynch portrays a spiritual devotion that feels both personal and universal, reminding listeners of the enduring power of belief, even in the face of grief.
The juxtaposition of “Jesus” and “Bocephus” in the song’s title symbolizes the tension that lies at the heart of country music—the dance between the sacred and the secular. It’s a nod to the genre’s duality: faith and sin, redemption and rebellion, church pews and bar stools. Lynch understands that life’s most profound moments exist in the spaces between these extremes, and his storytelling reflects this delicate balance with grace and authenticity.
The accompanying music video amplifies the song’s emotional weight, offering a raw and intimate portrayal of Lynch’s grief and gratitude. The imagery feels personal, as if viewers are invited to witness a private moment of remembrance. Lynch’s sincerity shines through each frame, reinforcing the idea that music is a powerful vessel for preserving memories. Through song, Lynch ensures that Tim Bennington’s spirit lives on—a sentiment that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever lost a loved one.
“Jesus and Bocephus” is a song for everyone—the Sunday morning churchgoers and the Saturday night honky-tonkers alike. It speaks to the heart of human experience: the joy of friendship, the pain of loss, and the hope of reunion in a higher place. In a world often divided by belief systems and lifestyles, Lynch finds unity in the shared human need for connection, faith, and storytelling.
Bose Adamson, a talented Nigerian U.S.-based gospel singer, has just released a new song titled “African Praise Medley,” featuring Minister Bukola Bekes. This song is a celebration of African gospel music, combining various traditional African rhythms and praise styles with powerful, worship-focused lyrics to glorify the name of the Lord.
African Praise Medley is indeed a powerful and vibrant gospel track, crafted to glorify and exalt the name of God. Through its energetic rhythms and heartfelt lyrics, the song showcases a rich blend of African musical traditions and contemporary gospel praise.
The song is designed to uplift and encourage listeners to praise God with all their heart, mind, and spirit. The dynamic collaboration between Bose Adamson and Minister Bukola Bekes amplifies the song’s spiritual depth, as both artists bring their unique vocal talents and passion for worship into the mix.
Minister Bukola Bekes, who is featured on the track, is also a respected gospel artist known for her anointed voice and ministry through music. Her collaboration with Bose Adamson brings an added layer of spiritual depth and harmony to the song, appealing to fans of both African and international gospel music.
