American Idol finalist and Atlantic Record’s recording artist Colton Dixon is closing out 2023 on multiple year-end Billboard and MEDIABASE charts.  Overall Dixon was MEDIABASE’s fifth most-played artist (Christian impressions) and sixth most-played for Christian AC. 

Billboard counted him their ninth top Christian airplay artist, while the massive multi-format No. 1 hit “Build A Boat (Feat. Gabby Barrett)” landed at No. 6 on the MEDIABASE Christian Impressions chart and No. 10 on its Christian AC chart.

The 2023 success follows both a K-LOVE Fan Award and GMA Dove Award nomination for Song of the Year for the track that was the longest running No.1 Mediabase Christian AC song of 2022.

Before the year ends, however, Dixon has kicked off December in a big way with his new “Home For Christmas” single and tour. Hitting eleven U.S. cities this fall, and also featuring Jason Crabb on eight of the stops, with Cade Thompson on the remaining three, Dixon is performing Christmas favorites, and his brand-new single, which is available now. 

In the midst of the tour, Dixon also stopped by the OPRY to perform “We Three Kings” with Hollyn as a part of Tommee Proffitt’s lauded THE BIRTH OF A KING event.

Most recently, Dixon made an appearance on The Paula Faris Show chatting about  American Idol, millenial dads and career setbacks, which hit just as The Tennessean featured him on their front page, reflecting on career highs and lows and more.

Earlier this year Dixon released his bestselling 7-song CANVAS EP featuring the top ten single, “My Light,”  which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show. 

As fall rolled in he made his NFL debut with a stunning performance of the National Anthem for defending Super Bowl champs, The Kansas City Chiefs, while amid his fall run with Jordan Feliz for their “The Love & Light Tour.” 

Dixon expects to be announcing 2024 tour plans soon.  To stay up-to-date on all touring plans, visit ColtonDixon.com.

Congratulations to Taya Gaukrodger (née Smith)! Taya and her husband Ben welcomed their first child into the world on October 20th at 8:15AM. Bo Benaiah Gaukrodger weighed in at 9lbs at birth and measured 22.5 inches.

“Big hands, big feet & a good set of lungs,” Taya shared on social media. She continued, “God has been beyond kind —Bo is such a joy-filled little boy, Ben is the most incredible Dad and I’m forever ruined in the best way ha. It is all a gift, thank You Jesus.”

Taya also shared some insight into baby Bo’s name in a longer post below. Congratulations Taya and Ben!

Growing up with a common surname, my parents were quite intentional in selecting our first names, so much so that we each grew up knowing the origin and meaning behind our own.

Fast forward to 3 years ago, Ben & I started discussing kids names as we needed to start the convo early because he liked traditional names and my name is Taya so yeah 

As we laughed and baulked at each others suggestions we decided to stop and ask God for a name, and left it at that.

Not long after, I woke up one morning with a strong prompting to google the word “BO” in Hebrew, spelt exactly like that. This has only happened one other time.

And it read,

‘ Bo (בֹּא‎—in Hebrew) the command form of “go,” or “come.” ‘

In the Bible, names located people, identifying what was going on at the time and were then powerfully spoken over individuals again & again each time their names were called – both good and bad.

Children are a heritage from the Lord and we believe they’re to stand on their parent’s shoulders going further than we did, in all the ways. I was a tad hesitant about what the Lord would ask of our son especially because Ben and I have some pretty crazy stories to tell of Gods leading & faithfulness,

But I see Gods kindness in Bo’s name.

That before his first breath, we were to remember that ultimately he belongs to the Lord.

Whatever God asks of him through his life, we are to encourage obedience to the Lord in all things, reiterated each time we say his name.

He is to be a man under authority, the authority of Almighty God 

It is an honour to be your parents Bo, we love you beyond X

Appalachian Christmas, the 2022 holiday offering by acclaimed Thoroughbred Records artist Chosen Road, recently garnered the #14 position on Billboard’s 2023 Year-End Bluegrass Albums chart, representing year-to-date sales of all bluegrass albums in 2023.

The bestselling recording, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart last year, joins releases by such icons and genre leaders as Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Nickel Creek, and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss in the Top 15.

“Appalachian Christmas represents a milestone for our band,” said Jonathan Buckner, founding member, Chosen Road. “We had been performing our annual Appalachian Christmas Tour for eight years but had never recorded any of the music. Last year we decided to capture in the studio the songs we had been sharing on the road.

We love taking our listeners on a musical journey to our Appalachian home during the holiday season, and we pour our hearts and souls into every note. We are thrilled the album has been listed as one of the top bluegrass albums of 2023, alongside some of our musical heroes. It’s an honor we will never forget.”

“Our entire team at Thoroughbred/Billy Blue Records is so grateful for the opportunity to work with and represent the music of Chosen Road,” said Jerry Salley, A&R/Creative Director, Thoroughbred/Billy Blue Records.

“The first time I heard Appalachian Christmas, I knew it was a special project, created and recorded by a talented band of Christian brothers. We are blessed to count them as members of our label family and congratulate them on this wonderful accomplishment.”

Chosen Road recently performed selections from Appalachian Christmas on RFD-TV’s “Market Day Report” and WSM Radio/Circle Network’s “Coffee, Country & Cody.” The award-winning ensemble is currently bringing their Appalachian Christmas Tour to audiences across the country.

Housefires, the worship movement that is made up of hundreds of diverse performers from all over the country, partnered with The Recording Academy for its Positive Vibes Only series. Today (12.4), through the series, the music collective shares a video performance of its song “We Give You The Highest Praise.”

Housefires Featured In Recording Academy’s Positive Vibes Only Series

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The song is a standout on Housefires’ recently released album, ‘How To Start A Housefire Part III,’ which is the third part of a multi-album series that reflects the group’s mission to create “an atmosphere of overwhelming unity” (Forbes).

‘How To Start A Housefire Part III’ was produced by GRAMMY-winning producers Jonathan Jay and Norman Gyamfi and features ten breathtaking tracks that uplift and inspire listeners. Listen here: housefires.lnk.to/howtopartiiiPR

Gospel Music Hall of Famers the Gaither Vocal Band have once again proven their excellence by securing a nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards. The nomination is for their critically acclaimed album Shine: The Darker the Night the Brighter the Light (Gaither Music Group), available everywhere via Capitol Christian Music Group and Universal Music.

Founded by gospel music legend Bill Gaither, the Gaither Vocal Band has consistently delighted fans and critics alike with its dynamic performances and deeply meaningful lyrics for decades. Currently comprised of Gaither, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles, and Reggie Smith, the quintet is known for its harmonious blends and spiritually uplifting music that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide.

The band’s newest album, Shine: The Darker the Night the Brighter the Light, produced by Gaither and Gordon Mote, offers new renditions of “The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference,” “Right Place, Right Time” and “Make Me an Instrument” and sees the Gaither Vocal Band joining forces with contemporary Christian hitmakers CAIN to deliver a new twist to the worship hit “Rise (Lazarus).”

Combining smooth blends and catchy melodies with messages of redemption and encouragement, the album is accompanied by a full-length, performance DVD (available for purchase here) and a TV special airing across multiple TV networks.

This honor marks the Gaither Vocal Band’s 13th GRAMMY nomination, with two previous wins. It comes on the heels of the group’s GMA DOVE Award nominations for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year (“Jesus, What a Lovely Name”) and Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (“There Is a Mountain”).

The quintet–a longtime benchmark vocal group–is known for its numerous radio hits, including the most recent Top 5 single “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.”

The group is releasing five new performance videos to celebrate the Christmas season, including “Gloria,” “Emmanuel/This Changes Everything,” “Come and See What’s Happenin’,” “Home for the Holidays” and “Fear Not.” They can be viewed on the Gaither Music TV YouTube channel (over three million subscribers) and all digital video platforms.

The Gaither Vocal Band continues to tour extensively and to share their music and message with fans around the globe via their recordings, LIVE performances, and TV specials. They are featured regularly on the Gaither Music TV YouTube channel, on the Gaither Facebook page (over two million subscribers), on Gaither Radio on Amazon, and on Gaither Radio on Pandora where fans can also access the Gaither Vocal Band Legacy mode. 

Their influence in the world of gospel music continues to inspire generations with their timeless melodies and messages of faith.

All recordings by the Gaither Vocal Band are distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group and Universal Music. For further information visit Gaither.com.

Shine: The Darker the Night the Brighter the Light Album Track Listing:

• Shine (The Darker The Night, The Brighter The Light)
• Grateful!
• Make The Morning Worth The Midnight
• Love ‘Em Where They Are
• Right Place, Right Time
• The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference
• Revival Broke Out
• Rise Up (Lazarus) – featuring CAIN
• If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side
• May The Words Of My Mouth
• Make Me An Instrument
• Fully Alive
• Lion Of Judah

Centricity Music’s Billboard Chartbreaker and 2023’s Gospel Music Association New Artist of the Year Katy Nichole performed for the first time on FOX & Friends this morning (Dec. 1) kicking off the celebrated morning show’s All American Christmas Concert Series this season. Singing her rendition of the classic “O Holy Night” on the show, Nichole sings more holiday favorites on a Christmas tour with Tauren Wells and Jordan Smith launching in Cincinnati tonight (Dec. 1) and before hitting the road Jan. 12 with Winter Jam ’24, Christian music’s biggest arena tour.

“A beautiful performance from Katy Nichole. How about that voice, she is unbelievable!” exclaims FOX & Friends Co-host Ainsley Earhardt following her performance, and calling Nichole “…a top-charting singer putting faith in the spotlight.”

After a clip of Nichole’s “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” video played to set up her appearance on the show, Earhardt lauded the single as “one of the best songs out there right now” and gave Nichole the opportunity to share the story of her path through anxiety and depression to health and wholeness.

“I mean it when I say, Jesus changed my life,” shared Nichole in response. “I’ve had two back surgeries and the first one didn’t do exactly what it was supposed to do, but the second one was where the miracle happened. I was very depressed after the first, so depressed that I hit a place where I wanted to end my life. Thankfully, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Hold on, I’m not done yet.’ And I believed that voice. If I hadn’t believed that voice, I would not be standing here right now.”

Following her national morning show debut, Nichole will be featured on an upcoming FOX & Friends Weekend show performing her RIAA Certified Platinum, BMI Christianand K-LOVE Fan Award-winning single “In Jesus Name (God of Possible).” The biggest song this decade after it held at No.1 for 20-weeks on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, the song is both featured on her Jesus Changed My Life album and the deluxe version of the recording that is set to release March 15, 2024. Along with all the original album’s songs, Jesus Changed My Life Deluxe contains seven additional tracks, including four never-before-released originals.

Nichole continues to release songs filled with the unabashed honesty and impeccable artistry that have made the 23-year-old one of Christian music’s fastest-rising talents. Realizing her second and third-straight No. 1 songs with “God Is In This Story” and the Recording Academy-featured “Hold On,” Katy has also been nominated for an American Music Award, performed twice on the Grand Ole Opry and shared the stage with Jeremy Camp, Matthew West, CAIN and more.

GRAMMY-winning multi-platinum group Casting Crowns will extend its  Casting Crowns 20^th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience this coming spring, a final opportunity for fans to experience this very special anniversary event.

Celebrating a milestone 20-year career, the band will be joined on tour by a live orchestra. Presented by Compassion International, the 20-city spring leg of the tour begins on April 4, in Norfolk, Va., and will make stops in Greenville (SC), Nashville, New York, Chattanooga, Fort Wayne, Birmingham, Savannah, Atlanta and Shreveport, among others. The tour will end its run in Baton Rouge, La., on May 10.

On Wednesday, Dec. 6, a special fan pre-sale will go live at 10 a.m. local time and run through Thursday, Dec. 7, 10 p.m. local time. General on-sale begins Friday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. local time. Ticket options include a special 20^th Anniversary Premium ticket which offers the best seats in the house, pre-show access to the VIP Lounge with complimentary beverages and snacks, a band drop-in appearance at the VIP Lounge, an exclusive premium gift, souvenir laminate, early entry/access to merch shopping, and an exclusive merch discount.

This milestone anniversary tour commemorates two decades of Casting Crowns’ expansive repertoire of chart-topping albums, featuring hit songs like “Scars In Heaven,” “Only Jesus,” “Nobody,” “Praise You In This Storm,” “East To West” and many more.

“This special anniversary tour is a way to celebrate all that God has done so far, and we wanted to do something different,” says Casting Crowns lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall. “We’ll be bringing an orchestra, creating some really special, unique moments, sharing stories from our journey together, and playing the songs you’ve enjoyed from us since the beginning. We hope you will come out and celebrate and join us on the final run of this special 20th Anniversary Tour!”

The 20^th Anniversary Spring Tour announcement comes on the heels of the band’s brand new theatrical release, a documentary film entitled HOME BY SUNDAY, the remarkable story behind the band’s 20-year journey. The film, distributed by Sony Music Entertainment, released on Thursday (Nov.30) with limited screenings in North American Theaters. Casting Crowns has also released Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years, a special-edition album featuring reimagined versions of the biggest songs of the band’s storied career with featured collaborations.

THE CASTING CROWNS 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR – SPRING 2024
Dates and venues subject to change without notice. 
APRIL
4 – Norfolk, VA – Chrysler Hall
5 – Greenville, SC – Peace Center
6 – Evans, GA – Columbia County Performing Arts Center
9 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
11 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre
12 – Williamsport, PA – Community Arts Center
13 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
14 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
18 – Chattanooga, TN – Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
19 – Fort Wayne, IN – TBA
24 – Dayton, OH – The Schuster Center
25 – Plymouth, MI – NorthRidge Church
26 – South Barrington, IL (Chicago) – Willow Creek Community Church
27 – Charleston, WV – Clay Center
30 – Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre

MAY
2 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theatre
3 – Asheville, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville
4 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
9 – Shreveport, LA – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
10 – Baton Rouge, LA – River Center Theatre

A debut signee on GRAMMY-winner Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s TeeLee Records, Anna Golden has proven she’s a powerhouse vocalist to watch in the worship music scene. This December, she’ll join GRAMMY-winning Christian music staple Chris Tomlin for a run of Christmas shows across the U.S. Kicking off next Thursday, December 7th, in Williamsport, MD, “Christmas with Chris Tomlin” will visit churches in Detroit, MI; Holland, MI; Louisville, KY and Albuquerque, NM.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased, here: christomlin.com/pages/tour

Golden released her album, ‘Church,’ earlier this year. The new record is full of healing testimony as Golden takes listeners on a journey to reviving a love for the church. Listen to the new record, here: annagolden.lnk.to/churchPR

Anna Golden and Chris Tomlin Tour Dates:

Thurs., Dec. 7 | Experience Gateway | Williamsport, MD

Fri., Dec. 8 | Apostolic Church of Auburn Hills | Detroit, MI

Sat., Dec. 9 | Central Wesleyan Church | Holland, MI (SOLD OUT)

Sun., Dec. 10 | Southeast Christian Church | Louisville, KY

Fri., Dec. 15 | Calvary Church | Albuquerque, NM

Sixstepsrecords / Capitol CMG’s Passion music debuts a new single today (December 1). “He Who Is To Come” featuring Passion’s Kristian Stanfill and GRAMMY-nominated worship leader Cody Carnes is now available.

We pray that as you hear this song, it lifts your eyes up and reminds you of the hope we have in Jesus. He is coming again to make all things new! -Passion Music

The Passion team is gearing up for their 2024 Conference for Young Adults, happening January 3-5, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Integrity Music celebrates Dwan Hill’s song “Mansion” debuting at No. 29 on Billboard’s Top 100 Hot Songs (Gospel Airplay) this past week. Dwan was featured in a Billboard Magazine article that highlighted 10 First-Timers on the Billboard charts.

The Grammy and Dove Award-winning Nashville-based artist is already an established songwriter on Billboard’s charts, but “Mansion” landed him his first entry under an artist billing.

Hill has written six songs that charted on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs, including Cece Winans’ 12-week 2021 No. 1 “Believe for It.” “Mansion” features Evvie McKinney and was released by Integrity Music in March 2023.

Dwan Hill’s “Mansion” One Of Billboard’s Top 100 Hot Songs

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