Uptown Records has entered into a partnership with 20x-GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and music icon Kirk Franklin in conjunction with Fo Yo Soul Entertainment and TRIBL Music Group — as announced today. The partnership further accelerates the momentum behind the legendary label’s return and ongoing resurgence as Uptown marks its 40th anniversary.

To celebrate the news, Kirk Franklin unveiled the music video for his latest single “Thank You For Everything” featuring gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters. The video made its broadcast debut live on BET Her.

Uptown Executive and EVP Urban Audience & Artist Relations REPUBLIC Collective, Natina Nimene, commented on the partnership, “No one has shaped gospel and sustained its influence from one decade to the next quite like Kirk Franklin. His impact is transformational and we are honored that he has entrusted Uptown as his partner for this next chapter and the incredible body of work he has planned.”

Phil Thornton, EVP TRIBL Music Group/Insignia Assets added, “Kirk Franklin’s legacy and impact on music and culture are undeniable. At TRIBL, we’re proud to collaborate with Kirk, Fo Yo Soul and Uptown Records to celebrate that legacy while helping amplify the music and vision still ahead.”

KirkFranklin said, “To be a part of the Uptown family is a genuine honor. I feel energized by the entire team’s enthusiasm and support already. It’s a blessing, and I’m beyond thankful and excited for what the future holds. Let’s make history together!”

Stay tuned for more music soon!

Rooted in Uptown’s legendary legacy while focused on the future, the revitalized label is already making waves with releases and breakout moments from Yung Miami, G Herbo, Trap Dickey, rising artist 9B Meechie, and mega-producer ATL Jacob.

Among the label’s recent success stories, Yung Miami is entering a major new chapter as a solo artist. Her 2026 single “Spend Dat” has become a song of the summer, breakout hit, reaching the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earning the No. 1 spot on both Rap Airplay and Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. The track has also generated more than 3 million TikTok creations, reached No. 4 on the TikTok Viral 50, and helped drive more than 200 million total streams across Yung Miami’s music catalog.

With Yung Miami’s solo success adding to the momentum of Uptown’s growing roster, the label continues to build on its historic foundation while championing artists and creators who are shaping what’s next in music and culture.

Christian rock band Ignescent and frontwoman Jennifer Benson are bringing their own connection to the legendary music of Petra to the big screen with the faith-driven feature film Beyond Belief, which opened in theaters Aug. 28 through Iconic Events Releasing.

Beyond Belief – Ignescent

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Ignescent contributes a newly recorded version of Petra’s “Beyond Belief” to the film’s original motion picture soundtrack, giving the Christian rock classic a modern, heavier interpretation while preserving the song’s enduring message of faith and perseverance.

Benson’s involvement extends beyond the band’s contribution. She is also featured vocally on Kingdom Rock’s “Ready or Not,” which appears in the film and on the soundtrack, and makes an onscreen appearance in Beyond Belief as Amy Patti.

For Benson and Ignescent, revisiting “Beyond Belief” was about more than covering an influential Christian rock song. Its message reflects much of the heart behind the band’s own music — trusting God through uncertainty, persevering when circumstances are difficult and choosing faith even when the path forward cannot yet be seen.

“‘Beyond Belief’ connects with me on a very personal level because I know what it is like to walk through a season where freedom and hope can feel out of reach,” Benson said. “God brought me through a mentally abusive relationship and showed me that there was another side to that darkness. My hope is that this song reminds someone who feels trapped, broken or hopeless that God is still there, and He can lead them into freedom even when they cannot see the way forward yet.”

That message also connects with 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” a Scripture Benson identified as central to the song and its meaning.

Set in the 1980s, Beyond Belief follows Andy, a teenage rocker pursuing dreams of musical success while struggling with the loss of his father. After a mysterious voice urges him to “run,” Andy begins a journey that challenges his ambitions, tests his faith and confronts him with questions of purpose, calling and what kind of life he is meant to live.

The film stars Carson Lueders, alongside James C. Burns, Debby Gerber, Ryan Barnes and Libby Smallbone. Produced by Intrigue Films and distributed theatrically by Iconic Events Releasing, Beyond Belief places the music of pioneering Christian rock band Petra at the center of its story.

Petra has sold more than 10 million records during its more than 50-year history, earning four GRAMMY Awards and 10 Dove Awards. Beyond Belief marks the first full-length feature film to prominently feature the band’s songs and has received the official endorsement of Petra founder Bob Hartman and lead singer John Schlitt.

The original motion picture soundtrack further bridges generations of Christian music. In addition to Ignescent’s version of “Beyond Belief” and Benson’s appearance on “Ready or Not,” the collection includes Petra recordings and new music performed by Lueders and other artists featured within the world of the film.

THE 57th ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS ANNOUNCE FIRST ROUND OF PERFORMERS AND PRESENTERS

FOR THE FIRST TIME, GMA INTRODUCES THE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: THE PEACE AND PURPOSE AWARD PRESENTED BY JESUS CALLING

Anne Wilson, Chosen Road, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tauren Wells and TobyMac Confirmed To Perform

Anthony Brown, CeCe Winans, for King & Country, Julie Chen Moonves, Karen Peck, Lisa Knowles Smith & Sarai Rivera Confirmed to Present

Dove Awards Tickets On Sale Now For Tuesday, October 6th, 2026, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

Nashville, Tenn. (September 9, 2026) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is giving fans a first look at the star-studded lineup for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, announcing the first round of performers and presenters set to take the stage for Christian and Gospel music’s biggest night. Performers include Anne Wilson, Chosen Road, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tauren Wells, and TobyMac, while industry icons such as Anthony Brown, CeCe Winans, for KING + COUNTRY, Julie Chen Moonves, Karen Peck, Lisa Knowles Smith, and Sarai Rivera, are among the first presenters announced. Additional performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Additionally, a new honor will be introduced at this year’s GMA Dove Awards:  The Community Impact Award for Peace & Purpose, presented by Jesus Calling. Inspired by the heart of Sarah Young, author of the best-selling book, the award recognizes an organization whose work is creating meaningful, faith-driven impact beyond the music industry. God Behind Bars, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the hope of Jesus to incarcerated individuals and their families, will be the inaugural recipient of the award. Through its ministry, God Behind Bars has created access to worship, community and discipleship for thousands of incarcerated people across the country, helping individuals encounter faith and discover a path toward transformation. Julie Chen Moonves, Emmy Award-winning television personality and longtime host of Big Brother, will introduce and present the honor to God Behind Bars.

The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held October 6th, 2026, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. While Music City Fan Experiences are now sold out, fans interested in attending in 2027. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app Friday, October 9th, 2026, at 7:30pm and 10pm ET and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. An encore presentation will air on TBN and the TBN+ app Friday, October 16th, at 7:30pm and 10pm ET.

The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association in partnership with TPR. Jackie Patillo, Justin Fratt and Tauren Wells serve as executive producers, Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.

There’s a new television show giving music fans a chance to see their favorite Christian artists in a whole new way—cooking up some fun, creative dishes in the kitchen!

Hosted by baking entrepreneur Gigi Butler (Gigi’s Cupcakes), In the Kitchen With Gigi is inviting Christian music artists and other notable guests into the kitchen to cook and share about life and faith together.

So far, episodes include Danny Gokey, Tasha Layton, Zach Williams and more.

The show will air Saturday mornings at 11:00am Central on the Christian Television Network (CTN).

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Christian music fans may get a fun surprise the next time their favorite show cuts to a commercial break. Over the summer, Tropicana released a new commercial campaign featuring “UP!” by Forrest Frank and Connor Price.

Part of Tropicana’s “Give Life Some Juice” campaign, the commercials feature wildlife in a tropical rainforest taking sips of Tropicana and enjoying life. 

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East to West, the first full-length recording in four years from acclaimed worship duo The Wood Drake Sessions, will be available September 25. A multi-faceted exploration of God’s love designed both for corporate worship settings and daily listening, the highly anticipated project was produced by Lucas Morton (Sandra McCracken, Dave Barnes) and features guest turns from Skye Peterson, Andrew Osenga, Caroline Cobb, and Mission House, among others.

With 11 tracks co-penned by The Wood Drake Sessions’ Paul Ranheim and Kirk Sauers, East to West celebrates the fulfillment of love through Jesus’ death and resurrection; God’s comforting presence amidst our fears and struggles; His mercy through us to serve the marginalized and oppressed; and the power of Christ’s love to reshape our views of vocation, finances, relationships, and even death.

“I hope people will sense and rest in the love of God in new and deeply practical ways, discovering that His love was waiting for them in places they never expected,” shares The Wood Drake Sessions’ Paul Ranheim of the album’s overarching intent. “At the same time, these songs aren’t meant to stay trapped in our headphones. When we gather to sing together despite our differences and divides, may we discover how God’s love extends — and so should ours — to those we find undesirable, uninformed, and unlovable. I hope this record brings gospel healing both personally and socially as we behold and believe the boundless love of God.”

Album opener “Surely as the Morning” plots a confident course for the collection with its joyful proclamation of God’s steadfast love in every season. Additional highlights of East to West include the declarative “Doxology Creed,” a fresh expression for corporate worship featuring Mission House; the Andrew Osenga-led “Bless The Lord O My Hands,” an earnest plea for our actions to reflect His love; the thoughtful worship ballad “Working for Good,” showcasing Skye Peterson; and the project’s title cut, “East to West,” a poignant reiteration of the unfathomable depths of God’s love.

“Scripture reveals a love so grand that it compels us to see how His love is present in every facet and complexity of our lives,” says the duo’s Kirk Sauers. “East to West explores the love of God working itself into the experiences of our everyday. It’s a journey of God’s love with us, active through the daily frustrations of work, anxious nights, battles with depression, fear of a fragile economy, and even the thought that sits deep inside our hearts that God might finally ‘kick me out of the house’ for my failures.”

“Our hope with East to West is to use songs as a prism to behold the brilliant spectrum of God’s love, from its most grand expressions to its most intimate details,” adds Ranheim. “Ultimately, this record explores how there is not one square inch of the universe where Jesus doesn’t extend God’s love and the hope of redemption.”

ABOUT THE WOOD DRAKE SESSIONS
Drawing its moniker from the Wendell Berry poem “The Peace of Wild Things,” The Wood Drake Sessions was birthed in 2020 by longtime friends Paul Ranheim and Kirk Sauers. A creative collective seeking to provide inspired and timely worship songs for the Church, The Wood Drake Sessions also offers a variety of resources, including charts, lead sheets, and tutorials to help worshiping communities sing together.

A multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, worship leader, and church planter, Ranheim currently serves as pastor of formation & creativity at Redeemer Longmont in Colorado. A Pacific Northwest native and former train conductor, Ranheim has also worked at churches in Spokane, Washington; Santa Barbara, California; St. Louis; and Nashville, among other cities.

Kirk Sauers serves as music director at Faith Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. His acclaimed solo worship EP, Always and Forever, released in 2015, and as a lauded songwriter Sauer’s compositions have been recorded by bluegrass favorite Lonesome River Band and chart-topping Canadian country artist Jess Moskaluke, among others.

Charizma is perhaps one of Sweden’s most internationally acclaimed Christian rock bands and has, since their inception in Oskarshamn in 1981, moved between rock, hard rock and pop with a clear musical identity. The band was formed by brothers Bo, Göran and Jan Nikolausson, and with their debut album Rock the World (1985), their career took off in a way few could have imagined.

Their success led the band to the clubs on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, tours in Australia and Europe, and including an acclaimed gig at the Greenbelt festival in the UK. During their time in the US, Charizma signed with DHM Management – the same management as Stryper and Holy Soldier – and recorded a music video with producer Jay Torres, known for working with Madonna and Scorpions, among others.

An unexpected path to history

When the brothers’ hometown of Oskarshamn signed a twinning agreement with Pärnu in Estonia – which was then part of the former Soviet Union – Charizma received an invitation to tour the country. Before the tour, the band wrote the song “Join Hands”, a tribute to the friendship between Sweden and Estonia. The song quickly became a national hit and played a significant role in what was later called The Singing Revolution – Estonia’s peaceful liberation from the Soviet Union.

The song “Bless Us, Oh Lord!”, performed during the band’s Baltic Tour in August 1991, also took on strong symbolism. The tour took place just days before the attempted coup in Moscow and the independence of the Baltic states.

Between 1989 and 1992, Charizma performed four tours in Estonia in front of a total of 120,000 people. The success led the state-owned communist record label Melodija to release the album Rocking the World Together not only in Estonia but also throughout the Soviet Union – the first Christian album by a Western band the label had ever released.

New musical direction

When the music landscape changed in the mid-1990s, Charizma took a new creative step. With Johan Mauritzon and Thomas Karlsson in the lineup, the band developed a more acoustic pop and rock sound. Several singles were successful both in Sweden and internationally, including “Waiting (Here for You)”, which reached the top 3 on the Swedish sales chart. The band also participated in the national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest for Estonia (2004) and Poland (2007) before ending their activities after a final concert in Helsinki in 2008.

From their debut in 1985 until 2008, Charizma managed to release five albums, which together reflect the band’s musical journey from the energy of hard rock to a more acoustic pop and rock sound.

40 years later – back on stage

In Oskarshamn, the band’s hometown where it all began, the original members reunited at a sold-out Light of Day charity gala to mark the 40th anniversary of Rock the World. Now there is another unique opportunity to experience Charizma live at Light The Dark.

Light The Dark takes place at Arbis in Norrköping on March 19-20, 2027. Other participants at the festival include Bride, Jerusalem, Altira, Nicke Borg and Crimson Moonlight.

Two-time NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Year and award-winning hitmaker Matthew West will bring the songs and stories of Christmas to eight cities this holiday season on the Come Home for Christmas Live on Tour. Kicking off in Asheville, N.C. on Dec. 10, the tour will pair beloved classics with music that points audiences back to the true reason for the season, offering an invitation to come home to the heart of Christmas.

Presale starts this Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. local time with general onsale beginning this Thursday, Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. local time.

“More than a concert, the Come Home for Christmas Tour has become an annual invitation for all of us to come home to the true meaning of the season,” shares West. “My hope is that these nights will become special Christmas memories that fill our hearts with joy while pointing us back to the true reason we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior. I can’t wait to celebrate this special season with you!”

The eight-date run will follow West’s beloved Come Home For Christmas weekend in Franklin, Tenn., taking place Dec. 3–6. Now in its fifth year, the event continues to draw in fans from across the country for a special time of music, worship and community.

Before the holiday run, West will embark on his 17-stop Jesus Is King Tour. Kicking off on Sept. 10 in Austin, the tour will bring his forthcoming Jesus Is King album, due Sept. 25, to audiences across the country.

On his 14th studio album, West pairs his signature vocal with cutting-edge sonics as he wrestles with one question that cuts to the heart of modern life: Who is Jesus, really? Across 12 tracks, Jesus Is King explores control, uncertainty, redemption and faith, all while returning to the truth at the center of the record: God is in control.

PRE-SAVE/PRE-ADD: JESUS IS KING

Earlier this year, West celebrated his 39th No. 1 song with “Good,” adding to a decorated career defined by West’s rare longevity and impact as a recording artist and songwriter. In addition to being named NSAI’s Songwriter-Artist of the Year twice, West is an ASCAP Golden Note Award recipient, ASCAP Songwriter of the Year nominee and a multi-year ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year winner, with more than 375 songwriting credits to his name.

Come Home for Christmas Live on Tour Dates:

Dec. 10, 2026 in Asheville, N.C. at Harrah’s Cherokee Center

Dec. 11, 2026 in Augusta, Ga. at Bell Auditorium

Dec. 12, 2026 in Savannah, Ga. at Johnny Mercer Theatre

Dec. 13, 2026 in Greensboro, N.C. at Tanger Center – Greensboro NC

Dec. 17, 2026 in Parkersburg, W.Va. at The Warehouse – Church

Dec. 18, 2026 in Louisville, Ky. at The Louisville Palace Theatre

Dec. 19, 2026 in Troy, Ohio at Arbogast Performing Arts Center

Dec. 20, 2026 in Erie, Pa. at Erie First Assembly

GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and one of the most influential voices in Christian music, Chris Tomlin, will celebrate the hope and wonder of the Christmas season with the Good News of Great Joy Tour.

“Christmas started with a song… with the announcement of Jesus’s birth,” said Tomlin. “What better time than this Christmas to gather at the church to worship and celebrate together! My prayer for this Christmas Tour is that we may be reminded that God is near to us… that when everything is stripped away, all the lights, decorations and gifts… that God is with us. I hope you, your family, and your friends will join me and celebrate!”

Presale tickets for the “Christmas With Chris Tomlin: Good News of Great Joy Tour” will be available beginning Wednesday, September 2. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, September 4.

Tomlin launched “Worship Under the Stars” in 2025, creating a unique opportunity for people to gather in celebration of faith and worship in the beauty of creation at hand-selected iconic outdoor locations. The inaugural series included a sold-out concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Pier Six in Baltimore and New York City’s Central Park.

His most recent single “Doesn’t He (Deserve It All),” from his 18^th studio album The King Is Still The King, follows on the heels of the album’s debut single “How Good It Is,” which became Tomlin’s biggest radio debut since 2020. Tomlin has written and recorded some of the most widely sung worship songs in the world, including “How Great Is Our God,” “Our God,” and “Holy Forever.” His music continues to impact generations of worshippers in churches, arenas and iconic venues around the globe.

GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY TOUR: CHRISTMAS WITH CHRIS TOMLIN

Dec 1 Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre

Dec 1 Daytona Beach, FL Peabody Auditorium

Dec 3 Charleston, SC North Charleston PAC

Dec 4 Pensacola, FL Saenger Theatre

Dec 8 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Civic Auditorium

Dec 9 Newport News, VA Ferguson Center for the Arts

Dec 10 Jersey City, NJ Loews Jersey City

Dec 15 Detroit, MI Fisher Theatre

Dec 16 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre

Dec 17 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater

Dec 18 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre

Presale tickets available beginning September 2. General on-sale begins September 4.

For tickets and more information, visit ChrisTomlin.com.

WORSHIP UNDER THE STARS 2026

September 11 — Los Angeles, CA — The Greek Theatre — SOLD OUT

September 12 — Phoenix, AZ — Mesa Amphitheatre

September 13 — San Diego, CA — The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

The gospel music legend John P. Kee closed the 41st anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards program (which aired on the BET cable TV network from Charlotte, NC’s Spectrum Center) with an emotional, soul-stirring medley of some of his biggest, most iconic church classics such as “Show Up,” “Standing in the Need of Prayer,” “Clap Your Hands” and “Oh How Wonderous.” On the finale, Kee traded vocals with his raspy-voiced mentee Zacardi Cortez.

The audience was standing on its collective feet and cheering like they were at a football team. As Kee was preparing to leave the stage, show host Kirk Franklin ran over to him and whispered that Kee couldn’t leave the stage without performing his biggest hit of all, “Jesus is Real.”

Kee laughed and quickly called out to the show’s music director Daniel Moore and asked if the seasoned house band (who have worked with a who’s who such as Mariah Carey and CeCe Winans) knew the song. They did indeed, so on that cue, Kee leaned into his keyboard and extended the medley with a joyous exhalation of “Jesus is Real.” The performance went over so well that Kee has recreated that special moment with “Stellar Medley (Featuring Zacardi Cortez)” (Kee Music Group / Tyscot Records) which is now available for pre-order and will officially release on all digital music platforms on September 18, 2026.

The track will anchor the gold-selling, Grammy® award nominated crown prince of gospel music’s forthcoming album, Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Pt. 2 (Kee Music Group / Tyscot Records), the final and second half of Kee’s live concert retrospective of his greatest hits, Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Pt. 1 (Kee Music Group / Tyscot Records).

The latter earned Kee seven Stellar Award nominations. The projected earned two of them in the categories of Traditional Male Artist of the Year and Traditional Choir of the Year. Kee recently earned his first Mediabase Gospel Airplay chart No. 1 single in years for his festive track, “Church Medley.”