The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the “Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, is set to premiere on BET, Sunday, August 6th at 8/7C.

Audiences can also look forward to powerhouse performances by Kirk Franklin, Charles Jenkins, DOE, Dottie Peoples, Isaac Carree, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Naomi Raine, Natalie Grant, Maranda Curtis, Pastor Mike Jr., Tim Bowman Jr. & Faith City Music, Bishop S.Y. Younger, Zacardi Cortez and more. Presenters for the evening include Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Lady Tramaine Hawkins,  Brian Courtney Wilson, Erica Campbell, Isabel Davis, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, Jason Clayborn, NOTKARLTONBANKS, Shirley Caesar and Travis Greene. 

CeCe Winans will receive the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award, recognizing her exceptional talent and enduring impact. 

Reverend Dr. Milton Biggham will be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifetime dedication to spreading the uplifting message of Gospel music. Additionally, Dr. Bobby Jones will be presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions and influential career.

Multi-Grammy Award-winning duo for KING & COUNTRY made a milestone announcement this week. The Curb | Word Entertainment recording artists have shared the release date for their second feature-length film. ‘Unsung Hero’ is tagged as The Dramatic True Story of an Immigrant Mum and Her Family and will debut in theaters on April 26, 2024, via Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company.

‘Unsung Hero’ will mark the directorial debut of Joel Smallbone and also credits producer Luke Smallbone. Joel Smallbone will star in the film as their father (David) and other confirmed cast members include Kirrilee Berger, Jonathan Jackson, Lucas Black, Candace Cameron Bure, Terry O’Quinn, and Hillary Scott.

The release information was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. More information is expected soon and fans can sign up for updates at unsungheromovie.com.

“Many of you have heard our family’s story over the years, but never quite like this- after a devastating financial loss in Australia during the 90s, our Mum and Dad made an incredibly courageous leap to pack up their six kids (with one on the way) and 16 suitcases to move halfway across the world in hopes of a new beginning in the United States,” the duo shared about the upcoming film.

“This is a film about our Mum and motherhood, family and miracles, sacrifice and faith… A film for YOU…It’s been a pretty outrageous undertaking these last few months, but it’s a story we’re incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to share it with you.”

For KING & COUNTRY’s first feature film, titled Priceless, opened in theaters in October 2016, received positive reviews and feedback from audiences, and was the #1 independent film during its launch weekend.

GRAMMY-nominated, RIAA Certified Gold-selling alternative metal band RED releases its first full-length studio recording in three years, RATED R, Sept. 29 from RED ENTERTAINMENT / The Fuel Music. The album can be pre-ordered/saved now via https://slinky.to/RatedR while the lead single, “Surrogates,” premiered on this week’s SiriusXM Octane Test Drive and is available beginning today (Aug. 4) at digital and streaming outlets globally via https://slinky.to/Surrogates.

Consistently pairing sophisticated instrumentation with hard-hitting songwriting, dynamic performances, and grippingly personal lyrics, RED’s evocative artistry takes center stage on its eighth studio album, RATED R. The follow-up to 2020’s chart-topping DECLARATION, the first release on their own independent label.

The thought-provoking new album finds the band tackling several resonant and relevant topics amidst centering on the ideological and interpersonal divisions, confrontations, and suffering of modern society.

“We’re examining how there’s almost no authentic human interaction and empathy anymore,” guitarist Anthony Armstrong explains. “People jump online to be and say whatever they want. They talk without listening, and it results in bullying and violence. Plus, we lose so much by focusing 24/7 on technology instead of stripping away everything that doesn’t matter and seeing how beautiful and healing it is to live with only what’s necessary.”

Bassist Randy Amstrong agrees: “Traditional family values and systems are broken and it’s causing chaos. Kids are forced to do active shooter drills at school, and it breaks our hearts. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people, and we’re definitely seeing that. There’s also the notion that we learn by suffering and making the wrong decisions. As philosopher Meister Eckhart stated: ‘The soul does not grow by addition but by subtraction.’”

These sentiments influenced the sequencing and meta qualities of RATED R, as well as the album cover that represents the fake, almost plastic versions of humanity.

“It’s RATED R for RED and we always try to be a bit provocative to get our audience thinking about how our records look and what they’re called,” says Randy.

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With “Surrogates” kicking things off with noise from news reports, symbolizing how overwhelming the media can be, the single will also become the first video from the album, drawing upon the band’s film past. The band heads to Utah later this month to do the filming.

“RED fans will love how ‘Surrogates’ builds upon the story we’ve been telling since our second LP (2009’s Innocence & Instinct). We’re going back to the 1890s Old West because it’s the prequel to the entire series,” Anthony explains.

Behind the scenes, RATED R is notable for two major changeups: Anthony taking over production duties from longtime partner Rob Graves and the addition of drummer Brian Medeiros officially joining the Armstrong brothers and inimitable singer Michael Barnes.

“Rob was busy with his solo project, so he gave us his blessing to try a different route,” Anthony reveals. “That said, we’ve absolutely kept the classic RED formula of symphonic elements, piano-driven atmospheres, heavy yet melodic guitarwork, and deep-seated and robustly delivered messages.”

This fall, and well into 2024, RED will be taking its hits, fan favorites, and RATED R music on an extensive international tour. The first leg of the tour begins in the U.S. on Sept. 8 in Joliet, IL, and traverses 25 cities across 16 states before wrapping up at The Masquerade in Atlanta on Nov. 19.

Following a second string of U.S. dates in the winter/spring, RED is set to rock 135,000+ Graspop Metal Meeting festivalgoers from the mainstage in Belgium next summer with plans to hit additional festivals before traveling to 26 European cities in the fall of 2024.

“We released DECLARATION a month after the pandemic shutdowns began, so we never got to properly tour it. With RATED R, we can. What’s really cool is that we’ll be headlining and offering the complete RED auditory and visual live experience for the first time in years!” exclaims Anthony.

With RATED R, RED delivers a visceral and valuable statement. “This is our chance to reach people and inspire them with our music and what we stand for. We want people to take responsibility for change,” sums up Randy.

GRAMMY-winning, multi-Platinum-selling group Casting Crowns will celebrate the band’s 20th Anniversary this fall. In anticipation of the album, Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years, two songs were released today: “All Because of Mercy,” which is the next radio single, and the RIAA Platinum-selling reimagined hit song, “East to West,” featuring Ben Fuller.

“It is crazy to even think about the last 20 years. In 2003, we were just the youth band from our church in Atlanta,” shares Casting Crowns lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall. “I still remember the world taking a chance on our song, ‘If We Are the Body,’ and how we soon learned that the church can handle the truth when it is spoken in love.

And that is what we’ve been doing ever since – ministry in our churches and speaking truth in love. We can’t wait for everyone to hear the band and fan favorites reimagined with some of our friends on this new album.”

The milestone anniversary album will feature 21 songs and 21 guest artists who have taken a Casting Crowns song and re-recorded them in their own reimagined versions. The album will include chart-topping songs like  “Voice of Truth,” “Nobody,” “Praise You In This Storm,” and “Who Am I” as well as songs re-recorded by the group themselves.

Casting Crowns will be revealing all of the guest artists and songs via their social media accounts over the course of the next several weeks. This commemorative collection will be a beautiful way to honor the band’s impactful career.

The new single, “All Because of Mercy,” follows the long history of 15 No. 1 radio singles on Christian radio. The message of the song follows in line with the band’s purpose of speaking the truth in love to the church.

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Hall adds, “The message of ‘All Because of Mercy’ is really simple. The only reason I belong to the Father, the only reason I can pray, the only reason I can rest and have peace is because of what God has done and the finished work of Jesus. When I’ve been reminded that the reason I belong to God is because of what He did through Jesus, I can come to Him in any condition and in any situation.

It is all because of Jesus and all because of His mercy.”

Casting Crowns will also embark this fall on the “Casting Crowns’ 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience.” The band will be joined on tour by a live orchestra for this one-of-it’s-kind concert experience.

Presented by Compassion International, the 20-city tour begins on Sept. 28, in Albany, N.Y., and will make stops in cities across the country including Boston, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Tulsa, Austin, San Antonio, San Diego, and Tucson, among others.

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In partnership with Transparent Productions and Integrity Music, award-winning songwriter, artist, and worship leader Matt Redman launches WOR/TH, a unique series aimed to equip and encourage songwriters, worship leaders, musicians, pastors, and worship teams.

Created by Redman to come back to both the heart and the mind of worship, the first of the WOR/TH series will kick off as a one-day worship and theology seminar on Wednesday, October 25 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C.

The day will consist of Redman instructing the art of songwriting alongside Pat Barrett (“Build My Life,” “Good Good Father”) and Jason Ingram (writer of “King of Kings,” “Great Are You Lord”), two of the church’s most prolific songwriters. Additionally, W. David O. Taylor, Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and author, will be teaching theology.

“These days, I think it’s possible to present a really good argument that Worship music has taken some ground when it comes to relevance, production levels, and creativity,” Matt Redman shares. “But when we look at the lyrical content of our songs, and in particular the weightiness of what we’re saying, I’m not sure we measure up quite as well. I think this is the most crucial battle right now in worship music.

We simply can’t allow the glory of Jesus to be diluted down in our songs – we’ve got to fight for something purer, and deeper.

When we get it right – writing and choosing songs that are biblical, poetic, and relevant – the truth of what we sing will have a transformative effect on the singing Church. This is the heart behind WOR/TH – a series of gatherings pursuing healthy, honoring, and helpful theology in our worship music. I would love to see these rooms filled with songwriters, worship leaders, pastors, and musicians who share that same passion.”

Held in the Museum of the Bible’s state-of-the-art theater, Redman adds, “I’ll be joined by my friends Pat Barrett and Jason Ingram – two of the most prolific worship songwriters of this generation. We’ll also be joined by W. David O. Taylor – a leading academic mind in the area of worship theology.

All of this and the opportunity also to explore the uniquely inspiring environment of the Museum, I’m beyond excited for these events and really hope they can be a reckoning force for the glory of our God.”

A special pre-sale for the inaugural seminar begins this Friday, August 4 at 10 am local time (pre-sale code: WORTH). The general on-sale date will kick off on Monday, August 7. All seminar tickets include entrance to the museum.

More ‘WOR/TH’ events will follow in 2024, both around the USA and abroad. For more information, please visit worthworship.com.

Syntax Creative is excited to announce their new partnership with GRAMMY-nominated and thirteen-time Dove Award winning songwriter, Cindy Morgan and her recently launched, Roho Records. The Nashville-based songwriter’s  upcoming project will be a series of singles in anticipation of her new album, The Sounds of Jubilee.  

The lead single, “Jubilee,” was released on July 14th, and the next single, “TAME,” will be available everywhere August 11th.

Tracks from The Sounds of Jubilee compliment the stories and characters of her recently released novel entitled, The Year of Jubilee. The novel is a lyrical coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the turbulent South in the early 1960s.

“Cindy Morgan is a wellspring of creativity,” said Timothy Trudeau, Syntax Creative CEO. “Her songs are like fine art. So it’s no surprise that she wrote an entire book and then wrote a soundtrack to accompany it. I look forward to watching her develop Roho for years to come.”

“Being from a musical background, I just couldn’t imagine not including music as a part of the novel,” Morgan stated. “which is what prompted me to create a soundtrack that was inspired by the main characters of the book and a song from each of their perspectives, to surmise their journey in the novel.”

This partnership between Roho Records and Syntax Creative aspires to build upon the skilled songwriter’s prolific career to bring new music to established fans and new audiences alike and to continue telling stories that connect with those who hear them.

In addition to “Jubilee,” songs like  “The Day Elvis Died,” “How Could I Ask For More,” and many more are also available to stream everywhere.

“Cindy is an exceptional storyteller–both in her novel and her lyrics,” said Syntax Creative Marketing Coordinator, Erin Moorman. “She truly transports the listener–and reader–to a different place. I can’t wait to see where she takes us next.”

Chris Tomlin, touted by Time Magazine as the “most often sung artist in the world,” is celebrating the 21^st #1 radio single of his career with the Grammy-nominated song “Holy Forever.” 

The song is on the top of both Billboard’s Christian Airplay and AC charts as well as both MediaBase’s Christian AC and Christian Audience charts this week. Chris wrote the song with Jenn Johnson and Brian Johnson of Bethel Music, Phil Wickham, and Jason Ingram.

“I really don’t know what to say right now… I remember over 20 years ago being told that radio wouldn’t play worship music. So, to fast forward to today and not only have another number one radio song but to have the ongoing opportunity to help give people a voice to worship God through radio, through streaming, through live events, and through songs being led in the church… is something I will never take for granted,” Chris shared with Billboard. 

“I could never have imagined the doors and opportunities God would open up and I am so excited, and expectant for what’s to come next. Thank you radio for all you have done and all you continue to do…”

Chris Tomlin Celebrates 21st Career #1 Radio Single With Grammy-Nominated “Holy Forever”

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=IkHgxKemCRk%3Ffeature%3Doembed

In additional good news, Chris has added to his headline touring calendar a powerful weekend of worship with We The Kingdom and Tasha Layton on September 7, 8 and 10.

Chris recently launched the ticket on sale for his 12-city “An Evening of Worship” tour scheduled for this fall with concerts already sold-out in San Diego and Sacramento. Singer/songwriter Pat Barrett, signed to Chris’ Bowyer & Bow record label, is the special guest opening the tour.

Chris Tomlin 21 Career #1 Radio Singles:

“Holy Forever”

“Who You Are To Me”

“Home”

“Jesus”

“Good Good Father”

“Noel”

“He Shall Reign Forevermore”

“At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

“Jesus Loves Me”

“Whom Shall I Fear”

“I Lift My Hands”

“I Will Follow”

“Our God”

“I Will Rise”

“Jesus Messiah”

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

“How Can I Keep From Singing”

“Made To Worship”

“Holy Is The Lord”

“Indescribable”

“How Great Is Our God”

September Shows:

September 7              Phoenix, AZ   Arizona Financial Theatre

September 8              Tucson, AZ    Tucson Arena

September 10            Reno, NV        Reno Events Center

“An Evening of Worship” Tour:

October 26                 Fort Lauderdale, FL

October 27                 Tampa, FL

October 28                 Myrtle Beach, SC

November 2               Hampton, VA

November 3               Vienna, VA

November 4               Buffalo, NY

November 9               Covington, LA

November 10             Houston, TX ** Pat Barrett not on this date **

November 11             Dallas, TX ** Pat Barrett not on this date **

November 16             San Diego, CA

November 17             Sacramento, CA

November 18             San Jose, CA

“An Evening Of Worship” is nationally promoted by Transparent Productions and will benefit “Food for the Hungry.”

Centricity Music’s singer/songwriter, Billboard Chartbreaker Katy Nichole was singing in her church choir long before 150+ million people around the world heard her 2022 Dove Award-nominated, K-LOVE Fan Award-winning “In Jesus Name (God of Possible).” The track became the biggest hit this decade on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, crowning the list for a record-breaking 20 weeks, and is now RIAA Certified Gold®.

With her relationship to both music and God inextricably intertwined along her path through anxiety and depression to health and wholeness, Nichole’s debut single, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” launched a breakout year that found her nominated for an American Music Award, co-hosting and performing on the GMA Dove Awards Pre-Telecast and realizing her second-straight No. 1 with “God Is In This Story.”

Co-written and produced by Grammy-nominated Jeff Pardo, the songs spent 44% of 2022 at No. 1 at radio and topped six 2022 Billboard year-end radio and sales categories. Releasing her full-length debut album Jesus Changed My Life earlier this year, this 11-track odyssey is filled with the unabashed honesty and vocal clarity that have made the 23-year-old one of Christian music’s fastest-rising artists.

Nichole’s third single from the album, “Hold On,” launched with a remarkable 34 out-of-the-box radio adds. The Recording Academy (GRAMMY Awards) featured song and companion K-LOVE premiered video highlights this artist’s personal story of holding on in her darkest moment.

Top 5 and headed to the top of the radio charts now, “Hold On” points to a bigger picture beyond what you can see in the moment; beyond the pain, beyond the struggle.

“I know firsthand what it means to be broken and desperate,” reveals Nichole. “However, I have also experienced the beauty and wonder of God redeeming and breathing life into situations that seemed utterly hopeless. I want my music to speak truth and shine a light for those going through dark times.”

Sharing her music live for tens of thousands while on tour, Nichole hit venues across the country with Jeremy Camp, Matthew West and CAIN, plus returned to the Opry stage April 4 after making her Grand Ole Opry debut last year.

Being featured now on The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, Katy has also sang to a worldwide livestream audience via a packed arena at Chris Tomlin’s “Good Friday Nashville” event, performed at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, was featured on Universal Orlando Resort’s “Rock the Universe,” and performs at all the major festivals, fairs and more this summer. This fall she re-joins CAIN for a 33-city tour launching Sept. 20 in Baton Rouge, LA.

Katy Nichole’s Record-Breaking Debut Single “In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)” Is RIAA Certified Gold

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GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Ryan Stevenson will be spotlighted on two of the world’s most prestigious stages in August. The “Eye of the Storm” hitmaker is set for his Grand Ole Opry debut on the heels of his first-time performance at Colorado’s renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Stevenson is among a lineup of top Christian artists taking the stage for the 3rd Annual “K-LOVE Presents Live at Red Rocks.” The sold-out event, slated for August 1-2 at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, will also include performances from Zach Williams, We The Kingdom, CAIN, Anne Wilson, MercyMe and Jeremy Camp, among others.

On August 25, Stevenson will make his debut on the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. The evening’s live show, performed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House and broadcast around the globe, will also feature appearances from ‘90s country chart-topper Deana Carter, Opry member and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, and country newcomer Zach Top, with other performers to be announced.

In support of his Opry debut, Stevenson will be featured on WSM Radio/Circle Network’s “Coffee, Country & Cody” national morning show on August 25, and he will appear on August 23 on “Today in Nashville,” which airs throughout Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky on Nashville’s NBC affiliate.

These upcoming musical milestones follow Stevenson’s fourth full-length Gotee set, ABLE, which was released in April. A celebration of his identity in Christ, the album showcases such playlist favorites as “Closer,” depicting a watershed moment in Stevenson’s understanding of grace; and the title-cut, a soul-stirring testimony of God’s faithfulness. In addition, the standout track “Carry Me” is Stevenson’s passionate plea for God’s fatherly tenderness, written in the wake of wrestling with fear, uncertainty, and feelings of rejection.

Awakening Foundation announces award-winning artist and songwriter Matthew West extends his “My Story Your Glory Tour” into this fall. Sponsored by Altrua and World Vision, the tour, which kicked off this past spring, will visit 20 additional markets throughout October and November.

A special pre-sale event for discounted tickets begins tomorrow, August 1 at 12pm ET and runs through August 3. General tickets will go on sale Friday, August 4 at 12pm ET. A special VIP ticket experience is also available that includes early entry and a meet-and-greet photo with Matthew West. 

You don’t want to miss this tour as West, who is renowned for his impressive songwriting and storytelling abilities, will share songs from his latest album, My Story Your Glory, along with many other favorites such as “The God Who Stays,” “Truth Be Told,” and “Hello My Name Is.” He will be joined by Micah Tyler (“I See Grace,” “People Like Us,” “AMEN”) whose humor and undeniable stage presence will have you laughing, dancing, and singing along.

“The spring leg of the ‘My Story Your Glory Tour’ was such a special experience, I can’t wait to do it again this fall!” Matthew West shares. “This time, I’ll be joined by my good buddy and incredibly talented artist, Micah Tyler. These nights will be filled with worship and storytelling fueled by the message that we are here for a greater purpose and that God has a plan for the stories of our lives. I’ll be playing lots of songs, old and new, and I can’t wait for this fall tour to begin!”

Mark your calendars, gather your family and friends, and get ready to experience faith, fun, and inspiration like never before.

“MY STORY YOUR GLORY TOUR” FALL SCHEDULE:

Thu, Oct. 19 – Connection Point Church, Jackson, MO
Fri, Oct. 20 – Citygate Church Forest Park, Cincinnati, OH
Sat, Oct. 21 – LexCity Church, Lexington, KY
Sun, Oct. 22 – The Naz Church, Grove City (Columbus), OH
Thu, Oct. 26 – Highland Park Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals (Florence), AL
Sat, Oct. 28 – Mosaic Church, Clarksville, TN
Sun, Oct. 29 – R.J. Reynolds Memorial Auditorium, Winston-Salem, NC
Mon, Oct. 30 – First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC
Thu, Nov. 2– Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, KY
Fri, Nov. 3 – Liberation Church, Richmond, VA
Sat, Nov. 4 – New Leaf Event Center, Conneaut (Erie), OH
Sun, Nov. 5 – Lakeview Church, Indianapolis, IN
Thu, Nov. 9 – Peckville Assembly of God, Blakely (Scranton), PA
Fri, Nov. 10 – Eastpoint Christian Church, South Portland, ME
Sat, Nov. 11 – Valley Chapel, Uxbridge, MA
Sun, Nov. 12 – State Theatre Center For The Arts, Uniontown, PA
Thu, Nov. 16 – Abba’s House, Hixson (Chattanooga), TN
Fri, Nov. 17 – Calvary Baptist Temple, Savannah, GA
Sat, Nov. 18 – Calvary Christian Center, Ormond Beach, FL
Sun, Nov. 19 – Samford University Wright Center, Birmingham, AL