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Category: NEWS

John Cooper’s Second Book ‘Wimpy Weak And Woke’ Coming Nov. 14

John Cooper, lead-singer of 17x platinum rock band Skillet, author of best-selling book “Awake & Alive to Truth,” and host of the popular Cooper Stuff podcast, is ready to tell America how “truth can save us from Utopian destruction,” in his forth-coming second book, “WIMPY, WEAK AND WOKE,” coming this fall on November 14th, and Cooper during his radio show yesterday about the book, which is already being heralded by numerous notable media personalities, authors, podcasters and theologians – see below for full quotes.

“The increasing conflicts in America today are often referred to as a ‘culture war,’ but what is truly happening is an age-old war between gods. It’s a winner-takes-all battle between the living God and the false god of Man,” comments Cooper. “This book uncovers the philosophies behind utopian dreams that become dystopian nightmares, and presents a positive vision for how we can thrive and flourish. The false promises of Man lead to destruction; God’s ways lead to life, and that’s the message I want to share in this book.”

Cooper’s debut, best-selling book, Awake & Alive to Truth, has had over 10 printings and won the Book Impact Award at the 2021 K-LOVE FAN AWARDS. His podcast, Cooper Stuff, continues to grow rapidly as well with over four million downloads and more than two million YouTube views. 

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT “WIMPY, WEAK AND WOKE”:

“John Cooper is a heroic truth-teller and voice of inspiration and hope during peak madness in our world. I thank God for those wise enough to hear what he has to say — and who will actually do something about it in their own lives!”
-Eric Metaxas, #1 New York times bestselling author, tv/radio host

“John Cooper’s critical and timely message rings once again like a voice crying in the wilderness. “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! Prepare the way of the Lord!” That Kingdom of Truth and Grace arrived like a hurricane 2,000 years ago in the person of Jesus Christ, and its continued capacity to revive and reshape the world today hinges on bold and faithful messengers like Cooper. Like another ‘Son of Thunder,” John seems made for this kind of work- smashing idols and building altars. This book will show you how to do both.”
 Kirk Cameron, actor and author

“As the frontman for the Christian rockband Skillet, John Cooper likes things loud. But he is not just a loud voice. He is a thoughtful voice, a reflective voice, an uncompromising voice, a prophetic voice. If you listen carefully, you might just hear God speaking truth and wisdom through him.”
-Dr. Michael Brown, Author, theologian, and host of the Line of Fire broadcast

“The Apostle Paul told believers in Ephesus, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). John Cooper gets what Paul described: We live a world in which seductive, powerful voices “call evil good and good evil” (Is. 5:20). In Wimpy, Weak, and Woke, Cooper confronts the soul-wrecking narratives of progressive culture. He unleashes a clarion call to go from being weak and woke to awake—alive to the God whose truth alone can set us free and lead us into abundant spiritual life. It’s a brash invitation to anchor our lives to biblical truth, no matter how hard the winds of cultural compromise might blow.”
Adam R. Holz, Director of Plugged In, Focus on the Family’s entertainment and technology review ministry

“John Cooper’s message in Wimpy, Weak, and Woke is an essential call for a beleaguered and chaotic culture. With the lie of moral relativism continuing to take hold, Cooper is a consistent, powerful, and indispensable voice pointing people back to eternal Truths that can heal the human condition. Beyond that, he astutely pinpoints where we’ve gone wrong while directing people to the biblical truths needed to make our paths straight. Truly powerful stuff.”
-Billy Hallowell, Journalist/Author

“John Cooper is where woke goes to die! This book will help you defeat woke so liberty and the gospel can flourish.”
-Frank Turek, apologists, author, and host of the radio show CrossExamined

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Anna Golden Featured As Guest On ‘In-Joy Life’ Podcast

Today, powerhouse vocalist Anna Golden sits down with NaSHEville founder and Lemons On Friday author Mattie Jackson-Smith on the In-Joy Life podcast to discuss her days in show business as a child, her ministry career, her new album ‘Church’ (8.11) and more.

Golden discusses the following with Jackson-Smith:

  • The mental health and body image struggles she dealt with as a kid in show business
  • The emotions she felt being placed in charge of a multi-site worship team at the age of 17
  • How she re-discovered her safe space in the church despite past church hurt
  • Going through the 5 stages of grief while creating her new album ‘Church’
  • Creating health in an unhealthy community
  • How random acts of kindness led her family to the church

Golden grew up spending her time in and out of LA audition rooms before leaving prospects of fame behind to pursue full-time ministry. Her career changed forever when she was handpicked as the debut signee to GRAMMY-winner Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s TeeLee Records label.

Golden combined therapy and faith to heal from painful experiences within her ministries. She delivers her healing testimony on her new album ‘Church,’ delivering soaring vocals to proclaim her love for her community across ten anthemic tracks.

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Anne Wilson Enters New Chapter With ‘Rebel (The Beginning)’ Available Sept 29

PLATINUM-certified, GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter Anne Wilson announces three all-new tracks coming Friday, Sept. 29 packaged together as REBEL (The Beginning) to launch her new chapter fusing the Country and Christian genres.

Featured in the brand-new three-pack is the title track “REBEL,” Christian radio single “Strong” and Country radio single “Rain In The Rearview.” As a trailblazer in the cross-genre space, Wilson will release dual singles at Christian and Country radio with add dates of 9/29 and 10/9, respectively.

A loud-and-proud anthem in tribute to the original counter-culture, “REBEL” finds Wilson taking a different sort of “against the grain” approach. Weary but never broken, Wilson lifts spirits with “Strong” – an epic power ballad that leaves listeners feeling ready to face whatever challenge comes next.

With emotions gathering like a distant storm, Wilson belts her eyes-to-the-sky anthem “Rain In The Rearview,” determined to leave the destruction of the past far behind and chase a fresh start.

“I am beyond excited to share brand new music with the world!!! After writing a ton over the past several months, this is just the beginning of a journey towards the next chapter,” shares Wilson. “Getting to release a song to both Country and Christian radio is beyond a dream come true for me.

These songs mean so much to me and truly describe the season of life I’ve been in this past year. I hope when people hear these three songs that they’ll feel what I feel. Heart, hope, Jesus, strength, faith and the courage to move forward even if the path ahead is uncharted. Here’s to all that’s next!”

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REBEL (The Beginning) tracklist:

1. “REBEL” (Anne Wilson, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo)

2. “Strong” (Anne Wilson, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo)

3. “Rain In The Rearview” (Anne Wilson, Matthew West, Zach Kale, Jaren Johnston)

Just last week, Wilson celebrated her debut single “My Jesus” earning certified PLATINUM status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her momentous week extended to making her debut award show performance at the 15th Annual ACM Honors at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Joining Jordan Davis to perform Song of the Year, “Buy Dirt,” the performance was made in tribute to UMG Nashville’s former Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan.

Wilson will take her new music on the road as she embarks on her first-ever headlining My Jesus Tour with special guest Josh Baldwin. The 20-stop tour kicks off Thursday, Sept. 28 with a sold-out show in Houston, Texas and spans nationwide this fall with stops in major cities including Austin, Atlanta, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Earlier this summer, Wilson released  “Seventh of June,” a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to her beloved late brother Jacob. She secured yet another Dove Award nomination for her 2022 Christmas project, The Manger, recognized in the category of Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year at the upcoming 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards. 

The recent Dove recognition adds to her already impressive collection of Dove honors which includes 2022 wins for New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded song of the Year for “My Jesus.”

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For KING & COUNTRY And Sarah Reeves Featured At Live In The Vineyard 2023

Live In The Vineyard (LITV), the highly anticipated music event presented by Visit Napa Valley, is poised to make its return to the picturesque landscapes of Napa Valley, California, from November 1-3, 2023. This annual gathering promises an unparalleled fusion of music, wine, and culinary excellence, all set against the stunning backdrop of Napa Valley’s vineyard-dotted hillsides.

Spanning three unforgettable days, LITV will host a remarkable array of performances from a diverse lineup, including acclaimed acts like Tori Kelly, for KING & COUNTRY, Brent & Zach from Shinedown, Charlotte Cardin, CIL, Patrick Droney, Gareth Dunlop, Jackie Evancho, Ilsey Juber, Jonah Kagen, Lawrence, Mariangela, Emmy Meli, New West, Ava Della Pietra, Sarah Reeves, Zach Seabaugh, and Craig Stickland.

Producer, songwriter, and philanthropist Linda Perry will also be making a special appearance at the event. Perry first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band 4 Non Blondes in the early 1990s and has since continued to make her mark on the music industry. She has written and produced hits for artists like Christina Aguilera (“Beautiful”), Pink (“Get the Party Started”), and Alicia Keys, among many others. Perry’s genre-defying talents make her a perfect fit for LITV’s diverse and influential lineup, showcasing her ability to create unforgettable songs across musical styles such as pop, rock, R&B, and soul.

The event will undoubtedly deliver an extraordinary auditory experience, celebrating influential songwriters and top artists across multiple genres such as Pop and Hot A/C.

Bobbii Jacobs, Co-founder of Live In The Vineyard and President of FF Entertainment, expressed her excitement, saying, “LITV has always been about crafting a unique, intimate experience where music enthusiasts can connect with their favorite artists in a remarkable setting. This year, we’re raising the bar yet again, curating a lineup that promises to captivate and inspire.”

Each year, Live In The Vineyard elevates the attendee experience by hosting main events across Napa Valley’s most renowned wineries and locales. The festivities kick off with the Welcome Reception at the elegant Chandon, followed by an exclusive VIP Luncheon at Charles Krug. The mainstage concerts promise to be unforgettable experiences at the historic Uptown Theatre, while the event wraps up in style with a Send-Off Brunch at Calmere. In addition to the main events accessible to all LITV attendees, exclusive VIP performances are slated to occur at select wineries across the Napa Valley.

Known as one of the most exclusive and sought-after events across the country, LITV gives attendees intimate access to recording artists, premier Napa Valley wineries, and renowned chefs during a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.

The 3-day event brings together music supervisors, radio programmers, DSP curators, label executives, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups, and more from around the country to celebrate and hear brand new music by today’s most successful artists as well as the most popular emerging artists in a unique arrangement. What sets LITV apart from other events is the exclusivity, the intimacy, and tailored curation, and the stunning vineyard-filled hillsides and world-class wine and culinary features that Napa Valley offers.

LITV is a private event and only open to invited industry guests, including music supervisors, radio programmers, label executives, corporate partners, and sweepstakes winners. National radio promotions are aired around the event where fans can enter for a chance to win. Fans can get more information on where and how to enter by going to the LITV official website.

In 2022, Visit Napa Valley, the destination marketing organization for Napa Valley, embarked as the official title sponsor for both LITV and LITV Goes Country, committing to a 3-year partnership with the event. Visit Napa Valley recognizes and emphasizes that music plays a unique role in the canvas of experiences available in Napa Valley. By aligning with Live In The Vineyard, Visit Napa Valley continues promoting the region as a premier destination for music enthusiasts and travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and rich culture of Northern California.

Throughout their over 15-year tenure, LITV and LITV Goes Country (held each year in April) have brought some of the biggest names in music to Napa Valley, which has benefited and boosted tourism and has provided continuous support for the community. Event organizers are committed to supporting the community that has become home to these events.

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NF Announces Second Leg Of The Hope Tour

Today, chart-topping, multi-Platinum rapper/producer NF announced the second leg of the HOPE TOUR, spanning the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand, and produced by Live Nation.

The tour begins at HBF Stadium in Perth on February 2, 2024 – the first of five Australian shows – and visits Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on February 11. A series of 22 U.S. dates will follow, beginning with a May 8 show at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. The tour makes a stop at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena in his home state of Michigan on May 14, then heads to the East Coast and southern states, wrapping up in California with shows at Viejas Arena in San Diego (June 6), the Kia Forum in Inglewood (June 7) and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (June 8). See below for full itinerary.

Presale registration for first access to tickets launched today at nfrealmusic.com/tour. For the U.S. dates, fans of NF are being asked to register ahead of tickets going on sale to help block bots, reduce resale and get more tickets directly into the hands of real people who want to attend the show. Fans can register now until Sunday, September 24. Once registration closes, fans will be randomly selected to receive a code that grants them access to the Registration Presale on Wednesday, September 27.

A limited number of tickets will be available during a general onsale starting September 29, at 10:00 AM local time at nfrealmusic.com/tour while supplies last.

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Hailed by Billboard as “one of the world’s biggest rappers,” NF is one of the most consumed artists of our time, generating over 40 billion combined global streams worldwide and selling over half a million tickets to date. After his extensive 2023 North American tour, which sold over 250,000 tickets, NF embarked on a sold-out European tour, which concludes on October 15 at Eventim Apollo in London.

NF is touring in support of HOPE – his third studio album to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts. HOPE also topped the album charts in New Zealand, The Netherlands and Switzerland and took the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 as well as the album charts in Australia, the UK, Canada and Norway.

HOPE has amassed over one billion combined global streams to date. The title track was recently certified Gold by the RIAA – one of 23 new certifications. Earlier albums The Search and Perception, which topped the Billboard 200, are now certified 2x Platinum while the 2017 single “Let You Down” is 8x Platinum.

Clash Music praised HOPE as an “often thrilling return” and “perhaps his most personal document yet.” The album features guest appearances by Cordae on “CAREFUL” and Julia Michaels on “GONE.” The New York Times spotlighted “MOTTO,” and noted, “in his early career, NF sounded as if he was internalizing all the pressures of the world, but now he sounds free and calm, dismissing those same pressures with a shrug.” Praising the “soul-baring highlight” “HAPPY,” NME said, “he documents his ongoing mental health journey with brutal, utterly unbridled honesty.” As part of the “NME In Conversation” series, NF delves into a wide range of topics that include HOPE, fatherhood and collaborating with Julia Michaels

HOPE TOUR DATES:

AUS + NZ

2.2 Perth, AUS – HBF Stadium

2.4 Melbourne, AUS – John Cain Arena

2.7 Brisbane, AUS – Brisbane Entertainment Centre

2.9 Sydney, AUS – Qudos Bank Arena

2.11 Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena

US:

5.8 Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum

5.10 Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center

5.11 Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse

5.12 St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena

5.14 Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

5.15 Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena

5.16 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

5.18 Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

5.19 Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

5.21 Hershey, PA – GIANT Center

5.22 Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena

5.24 Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena

5.25 Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena

5.26 Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

5.28 Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena

5.29 Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC

5.31 Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center

6.1 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

6.2 Austin, TX – Moody Center

6.6 San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena at San Diego State University

6.7 Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

6.8 Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center

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Grace Graber Gives Voice To Social Media Burnout With “Superficiality”

Grace Graber is voicing the world’s social media burnout with her sassy latest single “Superficiality,” now available on all major streaming platforms at, and going for radio adds through PlayMPE on September 28. “Superficiality” is a timely commentary on the falseness demanded from digital society.

“I’m someone who constantly has social media fatigue,” Grace Graber admits. “Social media consumes so much of my time. It makes me feel so much less than my life, like I’m not doing enough. Social media points out the inadequacies of being a normal human, like if there is nothing to post about today, then you failed.”

It’s a poignant message from the singer, who has become known for a following on Instagram who eagerly watches her honest takes on mental health, music and life. Graber continues, “It’s wonderful to share my life with people who are far away, but the risk and what I lose from that is, essentially, my love of real life. Unfortunately, I’ve fallen in love with social media and not what will truly satisfy me, which is real life — life with Jesus. And so I think this just pokes at how ridiculous that is. I want to grow, and I want to learn from that.”

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Although the song’s message is deeply pertinent to Grace Graber’s own life, she didn’t actually pen the song herself. For the first time, she’s releasing a song that was pitched to her by other songwriters. James and Joelle approached Grace with the song, knowing that she could pull off the punchy pop-punk princess vibe that the track required.

“I think we were all just in a place where we wanted to say how done we are with the upkeep of portraying perfection,” songwriter James Stevens reflects. “This song kind of allowed us to say that in a self-reflective way that hopefully everyone can relate to.

The best part of this write for me is that while Grace has the talent to deliver this song, like the rockstar that she is, in the short time I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve learned that she’s truly authentic, personable, fun and real. So I truly think that Grace is someone who can represent this message just as well as she rocks it with her voice.”

Joelle Einerson echoes those sentiments, adding, “It’s easy to point out the phony in others, but actually realizing the phony inside of yourself? That’s a whole different thing. Change starts with self-awareness. I think everybody has a chance every decade of their lives to shed a whole new level of artificial. But I think that if the youth could recognize that early on, they could save a lot of heartache in the long run. They could be inspired to live a more authentic life that’s more true to themselves and true to God.”

“The reason that we thought Grace would be the perfect for this song and really rewrote it with her in mind is because Grace has used her voice and her platform to reach out to those in the fray,” Joelle concludes. “She’s continuously been an advocate for mental health and authenticity, and she really is the perfect voice for this message.”

The song’s deceptively light sound and rock-solid subject matter required equally balanced visuals. With the world currently talking a lot about what it means to be authentically, powerfully yourself following the Barbie movie, Grace Graber knew that “Superficiality” needed to be set in Barbie-esque visuals.

“There’s just something about all this pink happening right now where I couldn’t deny my love for pink! And so I bought this dress and I booked a photo shoot with my dear friend Austin Markham, and they had pink lights at the studio. There is some mirror stuff that we’re using in the music video, like, ‘hey, look, in the reflection, what do you see?’ It just all kind of meshed together.”

Although both the visuals and the fact that she’s singing a song she didn’t write are new for Grace, the result is a striking statement piece.

“Overall, I think this song is just magical and a moment of relief for me and my artistry,” Grace says. “It’s a moment of saying it how it is, while keeping the sound the same. I feel like everyone will enjoy and connect with this.”

You can stream “Superficiality” now on your platform of choice

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CAIN Releases Title Track From Upcoming Project

Leading up to the October 13 release of their upcoming album, Jesus Music, the award-winning sibling trio CAIN drops the song of the same name today.  Accompanied by a uniquely created music video, “Jesus Music” celebrates the songs of many artists who have not only impacted and influenced CAIN but have created life-changing and unforgettable songs about Jesus.

“We make music for Jesus because of the heroes who showed us how,” Taylor Cain Matz, Madison Cain Johnson, and Logan Cain share collectively. “Our new song includes the titles of some of the greatest songs we’ve ever known – and now we get to celebrate that kingdom impact together.” Check out the video below, featuring artists such as Mac Powell, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Ben Fuller, and MercyMe’s Bart Millard.

The Jesus Music album will offer 11 new songs, with four that have previously been released, including “Any More,” “Windows Down,” “WWJD,” and today’s title track.

The group is sharing many of their new songs, along with fan favorites such as “Rise Up (Lazarus)” and “I’m So Blessed” on their 33-city Live & In Color Tour, which just kicked off earlier this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Presented by World Vision and promoted by Premier Productions, songwriter and artist Katy Nichole along with GRAMMY® nominee singer, songwriter, and producer David Leonard are on the tour, which will run through November.

Taylor Cain says, “We were inspired to name the tour Live & In Color because wearing matching colors has become part of our tradition. We want the audience to join us in wearing the chosen color for each night and together we create a family experience for everyone!”

Every tour stop is guaranteed to bring fun and entertainment as well as ministry, worship, and a chance to encounter the presence of God. To stay up to date on their tour dates and to find out more about CAIN,

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Mark Roberts Takes Leap Of Faith With ‘Come Alive’

Veteran singer-songwriter and band leader Mark Roberts has announced the release of his new album, “Come Alive”. Available today wherever music is sold. Produced by GRAMMY and Dove Award winner Tom Hemby, the album is Roberts’ first foray into Contemporary Christian Music.

Long before he started making music, Roberts had to overcome a string of childhood setbacks. A bone disorder in his right leg caused him to wear a brace, alongside a built-up shoe on the left for three painful years, each accompanied by a laundry list of activities the doctor said he would never complete. It was understandably hard to fit in and bullying became a regular occurrence, so music became a companion and comfort, especially classic Christian artists such as The Imperials during the Russ Taff era, Amy Grant and Andraé Crouch.

As he grew up, he also thankfully grew out of those ailments, being able to run, jump, climb and ride the bike he was told he never would, while praying he could one day reach the world through music, just as those iconic influences have done for decades.

“After many attempts and falls, I went astray, impatient, and started singing for me,” Roberts recalls. “Miles and miles, room after room, stage after stage, tears and years, and doing what everyone wanted me to do. I enjoyed awards and applause, but was cold and alone. Empty. It was all a blur. I was still doing what everyone told me I could not do, but there was still something missing.”

In spite of it all, the pieces finally fell into place in a manner so beyond his wildest dreams, only God could have orchestrated such a master plan. “I was recording in yet another attempt to make something happen when I met a guy who was tracking with us that day. He asked me if I had any other recordings with me that I had done and I had a Christmas/Thanksgiving song. Upon listening to it, he said to me, ‘that’s it! That’s what you’re supposed to be doing.’ He added that if I ever decided to go in that direction, he would help me all he could and produce me.”

Unbeknownst to Roberts, the offer came from none other than GRAMMY and Dove Award-winner Tom Hemby, who just so happened to be not only be the guitar player for The Imperials during the Russ Taff era, but married to Deanna Hemby, Amy Grant’s assistant.

“It would be years before I found that out,” he explains. “I would have to give up on me and give in to God before He would give me the answer to my prayer. Tom is my producer and my photo shoot was done at Amy Grant’s farm, which is my miracle circle. Only God could do that, so now I will do what God tells me I can do through Him.”

And that’s exactly what Roberts did throughout his new album “Come Alive,” featuring ten inspirational tracks which all evoke the classic days of CCM, yet are firmly planted in radio-ready sounds of today.

The uplifting title track is just one of the faith-fueling anthems that point to the increased authenticity of this already seasoned artist, who will be the first to admit feeling like he was swimming against the current pursuing such a drastic lane change later in life, but was nonetheless reminded God’s timing was truly perfect upon receiving a demo to “It’s Not Too Late (To Start Over Again).” There’s also “Teach Me,” which could also be considered Roberts’ precise prayer for restoration that he continues to play during daily devotionals, plus uplifting covers of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Bread’s “Everything I Own.” Yet it’s the opening cut, “Running Home,” that could very well be the defining soundtrack to his lifelong testimony, in addition to being a personal favorite.

“I spent my life running after the wind on the road, trying to find my door and an opening somewhere that all makes sense,” he recalls. “I guess every musician can say that. ‘Where do I get in? Where do I make a mark?’ But at the time, I was aimless. I just wanted to be a part of music, and now I have a true, specific reason to be there, and that’s to shine a light…All of these songs are gifts that describe my path, not just mine, but the process of a Christian life and a relationship with Jesus.”

Adds Roberts, “My hope is that the listeners will receive what I prayed for long ago, that I could share music that would heal people, help people and let them know they are not alone.”

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MercyMe’s “To Not Worship You” Hits No. 1 & “Almost Home” Goes Gold

GRAMMY-nominated band MercyMe’s latest single, “To Not Worship You,” has hit No. 1 on four different Billboard and Mediabase charts. The song is the second No. 1 from their latest best selling project, ALWAYS ONLY JESUS, following the Dove Award-nominated Song of the Year track, “Then Christ Came.”

About the song, lead singer Bart Millard said, “I think with this song, I better realize what being still and knowing that He is God means. A lot of times when we have doubt or we’re questioning stuff, I think ultimately it’s because we’re not stopping and remembering who God really is. When you take the time to remember who God is, then it’s easy to ask, ‘who are we to not worship him?’”

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Additionally, another one of MercyMe’s No. 1 songs, “Almost Home,” (inhale/exhale) has also been certified Gold by the RIAA, bringing the band’s certification tally to total 15 gold, platinum and multi-platinum singles and albums.

Tour season soon will be in full swing for the band this fall as well as they kick off the “Together Again Tour,” hitting 16 cities in October with past tourmates Crowder and Andrew Ripp, followed by a November, twelve-city co-headline run with TobyMac and also featuring Zach Williams. 

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Casting Crowns To Share Stories Behind Band, Songs & Ministry In New Film ‘Home By Sunday’

Sony Music Entertainment, Provident Films and Trafalgar Releasing today announced the release of HOME BY SUNDAYthe remarkable story behind the journey, music and ministry of GRAMMY-winning, multi-Platinum-selling group Casting Crowns. Coming exclusively to North American theaters, with limited screenings beginning Nov. 30, HOME BY SUNDAY takes audiences on a worshipful experience 20 years in the making.

Casting Crowns is known worldwide for its poignant songs of truth. Arguably one of the most successful CCM artists in the last two decades, since the release of their debut self-titled album in 2003, the band has sold more than 13 million albums worldwide, earned 15 career No. 1 singles and received numerous awards, including one GRAMMY, 18 GMA Dove Awards, four American Music Awards and two Billboard Music Awards.

Yet despite the many accolades, to Mark Hall, Casting Crowns’ lead singer and songwriter, his most important title is “youth pastor.” Through 20 years of touring and recording, the band has been faithful to always be “home by Sunday” to keep their local church commitments.

“We’re no different than the other people sitting next to us at church. They go out every week and do what God’s gifted them to do, and they use their gifts to reach the world with the Gospel in their way,” said Melanie Hall, Mark Hall’s wife who also leads the band’s tour operations.

“Mark always says if you want to stay humble, go play in front of thousands of people Saturday night and then show up on Sunday morning, walk in for church and get snubbed by a middle schooler who says, ‘So, why weren’t you at my game last night?’” 

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From their beginning days as a youth group band to the inspiration behind one of their most beloved songs and a near-life-ending diagnosis, HOME BY SUNDAY gives a behind-the-scenes look into the mission and mindset that has driven Casting Crowns for the last two decades. 

“What I love about this documentary is that it is not just a Casting Crowns origin story, but really a telling of how Casting Crowns’ songs have been woven into peoples’ individual stories over the last 20 years,” said Holly Zabka, president of Provident Entertainment. “These songs have walked with people through sorrow and celebration, rescue and redemption…always pointing to Jesus. That is the real story of Casting Crowns.”

In addition to the HOME BY SUNDAY theatrical event on Nov. 30, Casting Crowns is also releasing 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 band will also embark on their 20th anniversary tour starting on Sept. 28 in Albany, New York. The tour will visit theaters in 20 markets this fall and features a live orchestra.

“From their humble beginnings to the challenges they’ve overcome, we are excited to showcase Casting Crowns’ musical evolution, the stories behind their meaningful lyrics, and the unwavering faith that has been the cornerstone of their artistry,” said Kymberli Frueh, SVP for Programming and Content Acquisitions for Trafalgar Releasing. “This documentary is our way of celebrating Casting Crowns’ impact and expressing our gratitude to the fans who have supported them throughout the years.”

HOME BY SUNDAY is distributed by Sony Music Entertainment. It is produced and directed by Gregory Smith (ENDS OF THE EARTH).

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