Ontario, Canada-bred international rock favorite THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH is joined by Minneapolis’ modern hard rockers New Medicine on the single “Down (2023)” released today (Aug. 18) at digital and streaming outlets globally from Endurance Music Group and The Fuel Music. The track is featured on Thousand Foot Krutch’s first new project in over six years, 

The End Is Where We Begin: Reignited, which includes newly recorded performances from several of the band’s musical peers, morphed with the original tracks from TFK’s hugely successful independent recording, The End Is Where We Begin.

“Already being a massive TFK fan, I was honored to get the call to collaborate,” says New Medicine’s Jake Scherer (aka Jake Rose). “I totally relate to ‘Down’ because I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder about people telling me I would never ‘make it,’ yet here we are. TFK has always been at the forefront of mixing hard rock with hip-hop flows, which fits perfectly with the New Medicine sound. Proud of this collaboration!”

“Down (2023)” follows the debut, SiriusXM Octane added a single from the project released last month, “War Of Change (2023),” which features TFK pairing with Las Vegas-based rockers Adelitas Way. Upon its release, the single landed on such coveted playlists as Rock Hard (Spotify), Breaking Hard Rock, Hard Rock New Songs, New Christian (Apple Music), Rock Arena, Rock and Fresh Rock (Amazon Music), and New Rock Now and New Rock Radio (Pandora).

Additional well-known artists have recorded The End Is Where We Begin tracks on this celebratory Reignited album, re-imagining the songs that have rocked generations of fans for over a decade. The featured artists will be revealed in the coming months.

The roots of this project began in 2012, when TFK took a huge risk, walking away from record label life to release the SiriusXM Octane-nominated “Epic Album of the Year” and Billboard No. 1 selling Hard Rock album The End Is Where We Begin. Launching with the band’s biggest sales debut to date, the five-star acclaimed indie album went on to spark five Active Rock hits and four Christian No. 1s that continue to resonate with the band’s fans. In 2021, the album garnered two RIAA Gold® Single certifications, including for “War Of Change” and “Courtesy Call.”

By mid-summer 2014, The End Is Where We Begin had gathered 215 million YouTube streams alone, while averaging 296,000 plays every day. The success landed TFK’s founder, vocalist, and songwriter Trevor McNevan, bassist Joel Bruyere and drummer Steve Augustine, on the biggest rock festivals of that time nationally, including Rock on the Range and mainstage appearances at Rocklahoma, Carolina Rebellion, and more. Since then, the band has literally received billions of streams.

Pairing theologically rich lyrics with soaring melodies, Peoria, Illinois-based Grace Worship releases its first EP in over three years, Steadfast Love, on Sept. 15. The six-song recording’s title track is available beginning today (Aug. 18) at digital and streaming outlets globally via The Fuel Music at https://slinky.to/SteadfastLove.

Centered on the theme of God’s heart for his people, all the new songs for the EP came out of a song-writing team at Grace Worship.

“We wanted to write songs for the church that help people grasp the inseparable bond God has with us,” shares Grace Worship Director Kevin King. “We worked to include songs that will span generations, drawing from scripture and ancient hymn texts and pairing them with singable melodies put to fresh sounds and arrangements. The album is a celebration of God’s heart and God’s people with brilliant orchestral moments, soaring pop hooks, and vulnerable lyrics.”

King wrote and led the opening, title track of the EP, “Steadfast Love,” which was inspired by Lamentation 3:22-23 and features a full band, choir, and string section. The song also becomes the first live performance music video from the recording. Recorded at Grace Presbyterian Church, the video was premiered this week by Worship Leader at https://worshipleader.com/worship-culture/grace-worship-video-premier-steadfast-love/.

“‘Steadfast Love’ explores the lament of the heart when faced with sorrow, sin, and the devil, and yet points us to cry of the Lord’s love in the midst of it all,” says King.

Along with the title track, the new EP features “Hallelujah Who Shall Part,” which is Grace Worship’s rendition of William Dickinson’s hymn written in 1846, “Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul,” a hymn written by Anne Steel in 1760 with music added by Matt Merker in 2014, and “My Gentle, Lowly Savior,” inspired by themes from Dane Ortlund’s book Gentle and Lowly. It also features “The Twenty Third Psalm,” a poem written by George Herbert in 1633 based on Psalm 23, and “Jesus, Do Not Look on Me,” a new hymn written by Dr. Bryan Chapell and set to the tune of Antonin Dvorak’s “Largo” from the New World Symphony.

“As people take in these songs, we pray they are brought into the true reality, where God loves them more than they love their sin; where shame is defeated and grace abounds; and where praise is a healing balm for the soul because the object of our praise is that safe,” prays King. “All glory to God for the steadfast love He continues to give us through Christ our Lord!”

Bringing classical technique and lush orchestral arrangements into a pop presentation, Grace Worship continues its work of creating songs that unite generations. The new recording reflects a modern musical expression while simultaneously drawing from the 150-year church history at Grace Presbyterian Church. The songs are further meant to remind listeners that there is more hope in Jesus than there is despair in the world.

Steadfast Love follows the worship team’s latest All Glory Be To Christ Christmas offering and its Worship Leader, Worship Musician, CCM, NewReleaseToday and

GOD TV-featured debut EP Christ Be All.

Two-time GRAMMY® nominee Phil Wickham’s highly anticipated new studio album, I BELIEVE, is available today, marking the respected worship leader’s tenth LP in a career filled with songs that have been sung in churches around the globe and streamed billions of times across multiple platforms.

I BELIEVE follows his recent radio hit and 2023 Dove-Award nominated song  “This Is Our God,” which has become one of the biggest songs of Wickham’s career to date.  After taking the track to No. 1 on the Mediabase Christian Audience, Mediabase Christian AC, and Billboard Christian AC charts, Wickham recently released the title track “I Believe” to radio – which is already airing on Air 1 and officially going for ads on September 8.

“There are so many searching for truth, meaning, belonging, purpose, hope, fulfillment, peace, and healing,” Wickham passionately states about his inspiration for I BELIEVE.  “I have found all of these things and more in the person of Jesus Christ. I think the world is desperate to see and hear people full of hope, joy, love, and confidence telling their stories about how Jesus saved and changed their lives; About how He is the best thing they have ever found, and He will be the best thing anyone will ever find.

I’ve never put more time, effort, and prayer into a project, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it!”

I Believe – Phil Wickham

Stream Full Album

Along with a Worship Song of the Year nomination in the 2023 Dove Awards for “This Is Our God,” Wickham was also nominated for Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (Artist), and Song of the Year for his songwriting contribution to both MercyMe’s “Then Christ Came” and Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.”  Earlier this year he led the tally of nominations for the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards when he was again nominated in five categories: Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Worship Song of the Year, Book Impact of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year.  Wickham took home the Book Impact Award for penning ON OUR KNEES.

Kicking off last week with sold-out shows in Charlotte, NC., Norfolk, VA., and Newark, NH.,, Wickham embarked on the “Summer Worship Nights Tour” alongside Brandon Lake, with KB providing direct support on select dates. A full itinerary is included below, along with notes on upcoming shows that have already SOLD OUT.

“Summer Worship Nights” 2023 Tour Dates:

8/10 — Amalie Arena // Tampa, FL

8/11 — Bojangles Coliseum // Charlotte, NC  SOLD OUT

8/12 — Chartway Arena // Norfolk, VA  SOLD OUT

8/13 — Prudential Center // Newark, NJ  SOLD OUT

8/17 — Target Center // Minneapolis, MN

8/19 — Gainbridge Fieldhouse // Indianapolis, IN

8/20 — Santander Arena // Reading, PA  SOLD OUT

8/24 — Bridgestone Arena // Nashville, TN

8/25 — UNO Lakefront Arena // New Orleans, LA

8/26 — AT&T Center // San Antonio, TX

8/27 — Dickies Arena // Fort Worth, TX  SOLD OUT

8/30 — Toyota Arena // Ontario, CA  SOLD OUT

8/31 — Save Mart Center // Fresno, CA

9/1 — Golden 1 Center // Sacramento, CA
9/2 — Viejas Arena // San Diego, CA

For tickets, visit www.summerworshipnightstour.com.

Keep Watch, Dear Lord,” a poignant new single from acclaimed singer/songwriter and podcaster Rick Lee James, is now available on digital platforms. Penned and produced by James with instrumental contributions from Dove Award-winner Craig Adams, the tender piano ballad pays tribute to the care and compassion selflessly administered each day by doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals around the world. 

Inspired by James’ role as a chaplaincy resident at Kettering Health in Ohio, “Keep Watch, Dear Lord” is not only a song of encouragement but an earnest prayer for God to bestow comfort and peace upon those who have embraced a sacred calling to care for the suffering, dying and grieving.

“After a particularly difficult night when I sat by a patient’s bedside and, along with the staff, sang to him as he went home to the Lord, I read part of the Compline Prayer,” James shares of the song’s inspiration. “The prayer begins with, ‘Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night,’ and I thought of all the people who do the kind, compassionate work that takes place in healthcare settings.

Now I sing the song to myself as I do my rounds at the hospital as a way of praying for the staff, for myself, and for all who are working for the sake of others.”

“They aren’t thanked enough for their tireless work, but I have heard many of the nurses at my hospital say to their patients, ‘This is not our hospital; this is God’s hospital.’ I hope ‘Keep Watch, Dear Lord’ will remind each of them—from the custodians to the cooks to the care teams to the techs—just how important and valued they are and that we are thankful for them.”

Daywind Records has announced the addition of 4-time BMI awarded singer/songwriter Scotty Inman to its stellar lineup of artists.

Having spent more than two decades as part of the fan-favorite quartet, Triumphant, Scotty Inman recently announced his intentions to move into a solo career; a decision that will allow him the opportunity to be even more present in the lives of his young family and growing church home. 

It was a decision made with a great deal of prayer and counsel and with the faith that God would open doors as he walked in obedience to His calling.

“With any huge life change such as this, it gives you a moment to step back and evaluate how you want to continue forward, and who is best suited to partner with you along the way,” shares Scotty Inman.  “When I looked at my options for a record label partner, Daywind was a front-runner from the beginning. 

After meeting with their team and sharing my heart on where I feel the Lord is leading me as I step into this new venture full-time, they were immediately supportive of my vision.  I’m excited about what we can achieve together!”

“We are so excited to be walking alongside Scotty Inman on this part of the journey of his illustrious career and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome him into our Daywind Family of artists,” shares Daywind A&R Director Dusty Wells.  “Scotty is no stranger to Daywind, so when our team sat down and listened to his heart and music, we all walked away and said to one another, ‘we want to walk alongside of him and get his music out there.’ 

I love how Scotty has such a pure heart of wanting his music, his life, his story, his faith, his love for family, his friendships along the way, to all point to his relationship with Jesus. 

I’ve known Scotty for 20 plus years, and I am a fan and I admire him for all he has contributed to the ministry and music of Triumphant.   Now, it’s Scotty’s time to step out in this new venture alongside of our team here at Daywind and continue on with what God is doing in his life with his music.”

Scotty’s debut solo project, Anywhere Jesus Is, released in 2022 with an enthusiastic reception from long-time fans and new listeners alike.  The album, produced by Josh Swift (The Isaacs, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver), blends Scotty’s Southern Gospel roots with a Country flair, and features strong themes of faith, family, and life. 

The latest radio release, ‘Anywhere Jesus Is,’ has soared up the Southern Gospel radio charts and currently sits in the Top 10.

In addition to the full album, listeners have enjoyed multiple single releases from Scotty Inman, including a nod to growing up in church in the South, entitled ‘Southern Gospel,’ as well as ‘Hallelujah, You Are Good,’ a collaboration with GRAMMY nominated artist, Joseph Habedank.

The new partnership with Daywind Records has Scotty Inman excited about producing new music very soon. “I’m currently writing new music for a follow up project, and I’m eager to begin working alongside the knowledgeable and experienced team at Daywind to make this project the best yet!”

Daywind Music Group is home to an award-winning roster of artists including Adam Crabb, Blackwood Brothers, Crabb Family, Brian Free & Assurance, Greater Vision, High Road, Jim & Melissa Brady, Joseph Habedank, Karen Peck & New River, LeFevre Quartet, Nelons, The Sound, Southbound, Tim Menzies, Tribute Quartet, and Wilburn & Wilburn.

Daywind is distributed to retail through New Day Christian Distributors and the Orchard, covering all physical, digital, and streaming outlets.

The 54th Annual Dove Awards nominations are in and the list runs deep this year for the Reach Records artists Hulvey, WHATUPRG, Limoblaze, 1K Phew and Lecrae.

The same week his first headline tour launched, Hulvey received a nomination for New Artist of the Year, and a nomination for best rap song of the year for No Longer Bound with Forrest Frank. The celebration for Reach Records continued with first ever nominees WHATUPRG and Limoblaze, each nominated for Rap Album of the Year for “New Hollywood” and “Sunday In Lagos.”

Limoblaze was nominated for Rap Recorded Song of the Year for his hit single with Lecrae and Happi, “Jireh (My Provider)” and 1K Phew was nominated for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for his latest album “As I Am.”

Lastly, Lecrae was nominated for Rap Recorded Song of the Year and Short Form Music Video Concept of the Year for “Spread The Opps” as well as Rap Album of the Year for his latest album “Church Clothes 4.”

As second round voting for the Dove Awards launched today, Lecrae dropped a video message on social media thanking the Gospel Music Nomination for his nominations, and also encouraged voters to support the up and coming artists on his label as opposed to himself.

“I’ve had my time and my moment, but more importantly I’ve seen the work these artists have put into their craft and these projects and singles that have been nominated. They deserve acknowledgement and to be celebrated.”

On the heels of three Stellar Award wins last month, Gospel recording artist Zacardi Cortez has received his first two Dove Award nominations—all for his breakout album, IMPRINT: Live in Memphis, from ZetRoc Entertainment / Black Smoke Music Worldwide.

IMPRINT: Live in Memphis, produced by Morgan Turner, AyRon Lewis, Lucius Hoskins, and Nicholas Humes, has been nominated for Gospel Worship Album of the Year.

The project’s hit single, “You’ve Been Good to Me,” which recently spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, has been nominated for Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year. The song was written by Cortez, Marcus Calyen, Morgan Turner, Kerry Douglas, Alonzo J. Keeton, Tyrone Belle, and Tyrell Belle.

“IMPRINT is the first record under my company, ZetRoc Entertainment,” says Cortez. “I had no idea how it would be received; I just knew what God put on my heart. To now be nominated for two GMA Dove Awards for the album feels incredible!”

“As a 2023 Stellar Awards co-host, it was awesome to watch Zacardi perform and win for the first time,” says Grammy Award-winning Gospel recording artist Jonathan McReynolds. “It’s cool to see he’s been nominated for the Dove Awards as well! On top of us sharing the same birthday (September 17), his vocals are inspiring and the anointing is apparent.”

Cortez, who came home from the 2023 Stellar Awards last month with wins in three categories, including Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Album of the Year for IMPRINT: Live in Memphis, and Praise & Worship Song of the Year for the project’s hit single, “You’ve Been Good to Me,” following earlier nominations from the Grammy Awards and the BET Awards, as well as a 2021 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Award for his No. 1 Billboard hit, “You Don’t Know.”

With seven No. 1 Billboard hits and over 227 million TikTok views, Cortez, known to his fans as Generation Z’s favorite Gospel singer, is poised for further success.

His award-winning album, IMPRINT: Live in Memphis, a thirteen-track collection of down-home, heart-and-soul Gospel songs, features Cortez’s incomparable voice, which combines the power and grit of classic soul singers like Al Green and Donnie Hathaway with the cathartic power of the pulpit.

It is the Houston native’s most poignant and personal project yet and the first for his own ZetRoc label, in partnership with Black Smoke Music Worldwide. The current single from the project, “Lord Do It For Me,” is in the Top 10 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, currently holding the No. 6 spot.

Zacardi Cortez’s Breakout Album Scores His First Two Dove Award Nominations On The Heels Of Three Recent Stellar Award Wins

Stream & Enjoy

https://youtube.com/watch?v=J2rsrpmFe88%3Ffeature%3Doembed

IMPRINT: Live in Memphis, features guest performances from some of Cortez’s favorite singers, including Kim Burrell, Tim Rogers, and Lisa Knowles-Smith. All those sonic threads mesh to weave a mesmerizing collection of modern songs that reflects the passion of traditional Black church music.

“Zacardi’s voice is his imprint,” says Black Smoke Music Worldwide founder Kerry Douglas, who first discovered Cortez when he was just a teenager singing in churches around Houston. “His voice is leaving a mark on the music industry. When people hear it, they know instantly know who it is because no one sounds exactly like him. His God-given talent has left an undeniable stamp on Gospel music.”

Cortez’s riveting vocal stylings and compelling message of faith have connected profoundly with fans around the globe.

In addition to the Stellar Award-winning “You’ve Been Good to Me,” that fascinating combination infuses each of Cortez’s seven No. 1 Billboard Gospel radio hits, including the retro anthem “Oh How I Love You,” the `80s throwback groove “YDIA,“ and “You Don’t Know,” a bluesy plea for divine intervention that ends with an infectious praise team call and response.

“God Held Me (Together),” an emotional ballad which praises the “glue” that God often represents in our lives when all things seem to be going awry, and “One More Time,” featuring Pastor John P. Kee, as well as the acoustic calm of “1 on 1,” which stayed at No. 1 for five weeks.

Cortez, who has released three Top 10 albums—The Introduction (2012), Reloaded (2014), and IMPRINT: Live in Memphis (2022)—has appeared on many on major platforms, including The Stellar Awards, Black Music Honors, P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Reunion Tour and BET’s “Sunday Best.”

IMPRINT: Live in Memphis is the first time I’ve been able to write or be this involved in a project,” says Cortez, who wrote, co-wrote, or arranged everything on the album, alongside ASCAP Award-winning composer Marcus Calyen (Zacardi Cortez) and producers Morgan Turner (Tamela Mann), AyRon Lewis (James Fortune, RiZen, Bryan Popin), Nicholas Humes (Zacardi Cortez), and Lucius Hoskins (Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar).

As a testament to his next-level popularity in the industry, Cortez has also been showing up as a guest soloist on the recordings of other artists, such as Grammy® winners Kirk Franklin and PJ Morton, and Grammy® nominee John P. Kee.

“This record is all of who I am, in all the different styles and ways I love to worship and sing,” says Cortez. “It’s 100% my imprint.”

2023 continues to propel Colton Dixon’s career, most recently receiving a GMA Dove Award nomination for Song of the Year with his massive hit “Build A Boat.” The nod for the 54th annual event follows the song’s K-LOVE Fan Award nomination for Song of the Year and what ultimately became the longest-running No. 1 Mediabase Christian AC song of 2022.

Also featured on Dixon’s April release of his bestselling 7-song EP, CANVAS (Atlantic) is his current single, “My Light,” which continues to impact radio, rising to No. 10 on the Mediabase Activator Chart, and inching closer to such on others, currently sitting at No. 11 on Billboard’s AC Monitored, at No. 12 Mediabase Christian AC, and No. 13 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart respectively.

Earlier this spring, Dixon and Jordan Feliz announced “The Love & Light Tour” coming this fall, and last week they revealed where they’ll be headed (see full listing below).  Kicking off September 28 in Searcy, AR., the tour will hit U.S. 28 cities this fall, also including Dallas, TX., Portland, OR., Denver, CO., Cleveland, OH., and Lancaster, PA.  RSVPs for on-sale alerts and limited VIP Q&A tickets are available at www.coltondixon.com.

Along with touring the festival circuit, Dixon has made several national television appearances this summer, starting with a live appearance of “My Light” on FOX & Friends outside on the FOX Plaza, followed by opening the K-LOVE Fan Awards performing “Build A Boat,” with multi-platinum country star Gabby Barrett.  On June 8, Dixon then appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show performing a special version of “My Light.”

“The Love & Light Tour” (all dates subject to change):

September:

28 – Lions Arena, Searcy High School– Searcy, AR

29 – Abundant Life Christian Center –  La Marque, TX

30 – Hippodrome Theatre – Waco, TX*

October:

1 – Fellowship Dallas – Dallas, TX

3 – Moody Coliseum – Abilene, TX

5 – Without Walls Church – Mesa, AZ

6 – Bonita Valley Community Church – Bonita, CA

7 – Gateway Church – Visalia, CA

8 – Redding Civic Auditorium – Redding, CA

12 – Parkway Christian Center – Grants Pass, OR

13 – Sunset Church – Portland, OR

14 – Christ the King Community Church – Bellingham, WA

15 – Temple Theatre Tacoma – Tacoma, WA

18 – Riverside Baptist Church – Denver, CO

19 – Evangelical Free Church – Grand Island, NE

20 – Countryside Church – Spearfish, SD

27 – First Assembly of God – Montgomery, AL

28 – Earle May Boat Basin – Bainbridge, GA

November:

1 – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center – Shipshewana, IN

2 – Woodlands Church – Plover, WI

3 – Cuyahoga Valley Church – Cleveland, OH

4 – Timothy Christian High School – Elmhurst, IL

5 – St. Lorenz Lutheran Church – Frankenmuth, MI

10 – Harvest Church – Lexington, SC

11 – Charleston Southern University – North Charleston, SC

12 – Unity Baptist Church – Newnan, GA

16 – The Donnell Theater – Findlay, OH

17 – Lancaster Bible College – Lancaster, PA

18 – The Patriots Theater – Trenton, NJ

19 – Word of Life Ministries – Greensburg, PA

*Jordan Feliz not on this date

The Gospel Music Association announced the 54th annual Dove Awards nominees on August 9th extending Daywind Music Group with the prestigious honor of eight nominations. Daywind Music Group continues to make waves as fans and peers recognize the company’s roster of bountiful talent. Nominations were received in song and/or album categories in Inspirational, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass/Country/Roots, and Musical/Choral Collection categories. The balloting results will be revealed at the GMA Dove Awards ceremony in Nashville, TN, on October 17th, 2023. The show will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN app on Friday, October 20th, 2023.

In response to the nominations, Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Records, said, “We are so honored by all the nominations for our creators.  We are so proud of them every day, but to have them recognized by their peers and people involved in the Christian and Gospel music industries is wonderful.”

List of Daywind Music Group Nominations: 

• Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
  “Welcome” – Jim and Melissa Brady
• Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
  “The Keepers” – Karen Peck & New River
• Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
  “Jordan” – Darin & Brooke Aldridge, ft. Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney, and Mark Fain
• Southern Gospel Album of the Year
  Think About There – Greater Vision
  Come On In – Guardians Quartet
• Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
  The Gospel Sessions, Vol I – Authentic Unlimited
  Lost and Found – Southbound
• Musical/Choral Collection of the Year
  Glorious Impossible – (Creators) Sue C. Smith, Lee Black, Russell Mauldin, Johnathan Crumpton, (Arranger/ Orchestrator) Russell Mauldin

RIAA Gold-selling, Dove Award-winning artist Jordan Feliz and Atlantic Record’s chart-topping artist Colton Dixon are teaming up this fall for a special tour. The ‘Love & Light Tour’ is set to kick off on September 28th with a stop in Searcy, AR, and tentatively run through November 19th with a concert in Greensburg, PA. Additional dates are expected to be announced soon. The ‘Love & Light Tour’ is sponsored by Compassion International.