Richard Lynch’s Soulful Tribute to a Classic: “Rest Your Love on Me”

Richard Lynch, a stalwart of traditional country music, is poised to release his deeply heartfelt collection of cover songs, “Pulling Up the Covers,” on July 26th, 2024. The album promises to be a nostalgic journey through some of the most cherished country classics, brought to life with Lynch’s distinct, resonant voice and genuine passion for the genre.

Leading the charge is the first single, “Rest Your Love on Me,” a Barry Gibb-written, Conway Twitty classic, just released on July 5th.

Lynch’s rendition of “Rest Your Love on Me” is a masterclass in emotional delivery and interpretive skill. The song, which originally showcased Twitty’s tender vocal stylings, finds a new home in Lynch’s warm baritone. From the first note, Lynch’s voice exudes a comforting familiarity, wrapping around the poignant lyrics like a reassuring embrace. His interpretation brings a fresh depth to the song, highlighting the underlying themes of solace and unconditional support.

The arrangement stays true to the traditional country roots while subtly enhancing the emotional gravitas of the track. The gentle strumming of acoustic guitars, paired with the soft, melodic hum of the steel guitar, creates a lush backdrop that perfectly complements Lynch’s vocal delivery. Each verse is delivered with a sincerity that feels almost conversational, as if Lynch is directly speaking to the listener, offering a shoulder to lean on and a pocket to hold their worries.

The chorus, with its repeated plea to “Lay your troubles on my shoulders, put your worries in my pocket, rest your love on me awhile,” resonates deeply, showcasing Lynch’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength simultaneously. His voice, rich with experience and emotion, adds layers of meaning to each line, making the listener feel every word as if it were a personal promise.

Richard Lynch’s Soulful Tribute to a Classic: “Rest Your Love on Me”

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“Pulling Up the Covers” is a labor of love for Lynch, featuring carefully selected tracks that have profoundly influenced his musical journey. From Mel Tillis’ “Memory Maker” to Vern Gosdin’s “Till The End,” each song is a testament to Lynch’s unwavering dedication to true country music. This album is more than a collection of covers; it’s a tribute to the songs and artists that have shaped Lynch’s career and a heartfelt homage to the genre he loves.

Lynch’s long-standing career, marked by numerous hits and chart-toppers, both domestically and internationally, has earned him a revered place in the country music community. His collaborations with legendary artists and his tireless work supporting veterans through the Love Tattoo Foundation further highlight his commitment to making a positive impact through his music.

In “Rest Your Love on Me,” Richard Lynch not only honors Conway Twitty and Barry Gibb’s original masterpiece but also stamps his own mark on the song, bringing it to a new generation of listeners with authenticity and heartfelt emotion. This single sets a high bar for the rest of “Pulling Up the Covers,” promising an album filled with timeless classics delivered with the passion and sincerity that only Richard Lynch can provide.

With this release, Lynch reaffirms his status as a guardian of traditional country music, offering a comforting and familiar sound in a rapidly changing musical landscape. “Rest Your Love on Me” is not just a cover; it’s a testament to the enduring power of country music and the artists who keep its spirit alive.

–James Sycamore

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GMA Gospel Committee Presents: An Artist/Songwriter’s Guide to Music Publishing

Missed our first committee webinar? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Join industry veteran Monica Coates as she hosts an insightful one-hour session featuring an incredible panel of Publishing experts in Christian & Gospel music, including:

  • Cee Barrett, Anomaly Music Group
  • Kent Draughon, Capitol CMG Publishing
  • Amaya Martin, Essential Music Publishing
  • Andie Rankin, Essential Music Publishing
  • Dana Soréy, C Bazz Entertainment

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to understand the value of your songs, discover what a publisher does, and find out how to maximize the impact and return on your music.

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Introducing “STELLAR TODAY” The New Magazine For Gospel Music

Today marks the exciting launch of “STELLAR TODAY,” a dynamic new magazine aimed at reinvigorating the landscape of journalism surrounding the gospel music genre. Combining cutting-edge design with insightful editorial content, “STELLAR TODAY” sets out to become the premier destination for those seeking inspiration, information, and a fresh perspective on the gospel music industry and gospel artists.

Featuring a blend of in-depth articles, stunning visuals, and expert advice, “STELLAR TODAY” features updates and insights of over 20 chart topping gospel icons, including CeCe Winans, Tye Tribbett, Pastor Mike Jr., Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee and more!

“We are thrilled to unveil STELLAR TODAY to the world,” said Don Jackson, Founder of Stellar TV and Central City Productions. “Our team, led by Teresa Hairston Jackson as senior editor, has poured their passion and expertise into every page, ensuring that each article not only informs but also inspires our readers to enjoy this publication. Of course, the anchoring information inside surrounds our 39th annual Stellar Awards show, including nominees and schedules for the weekend.”

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One unique aspect of the debut issue of “STELLAR TODAY” is the fact that it offers over 130 pages, but also features two different covers, one with Tye Tribbett and the other with Pastor Mike Jr. The cover subjects were the highest vote-getters from the 2024 Stellar Awards ballots. “STELLAR TODAY” is scheduled to be an ANNUAL publication with a commitment to quality and innovation, the magazine aims to become a trusted companion for readers seeking to connect their passion with increased insight into all things related to gospel music.

“STELLAR TODAY” will be available in both print and digital formats, ensuring accessibility for our global audience. Readers can subscribe online at [stellartoday.com] and order the print magazine or receive the issue straight to their inbox.

The debut issue of “STELLAR TODAY” will be available for purchase July 18-21, during the 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards week.

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Skillet Announce Fall 2024 US Tour With Seether & First-Ever Middle Eastern Tour

GRAMMY-nominated22x platinum, Pandora Billionaires Club members SKILLET are thrilled to announce that they will hit the road this fall with another one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, SEETHER. Well known as two of the rock scene’s biggest acts of the past two decades, the tour kicks off September 17th in Asheville, NC and hits another 17 cities through October 20th.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 12th, at 10am local time, with various pre-sales set to begin on Wednesday, July 10th at 10am local time. Tickets are available via Skillet.com.

We’re glad to be back on the road with our friends in Seether again,” says SKILLET.  “We’ve talked about going out together for a while, but after we played a show together this summer that drew big numbers, we knew it was time.”

Following this tour, SKILLET will embark on their first-ever tour of the Middle East in November. The band will be playing in Turkey, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, and more. All dates are below at at Skillet.com.

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After years of selling out shows across Western Europe, Australia, Japan and more the tour is as thrilling for the band as it will be for its legion of diehard fans:

For years, we’ve received fan mail and messages from our fans in the Middle East and in Europe,” says singer/guitarist John Cooper. “We’re excited we finally get to tour and meet our fans on the road. I can’t say too much yet, but we’ll have new music in the fall and we can’t wait to hear the fans singing along.”

SKILLET SEETHER 2024 TOUR:

  • 9/17/2024 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena
  • 9/19/2024 — Baltimore, MD — Pier Six Pavilion
  • 9/20/2024 — Boston, MA — Roadrunner
  • 9/21/2024 — Bethlehem, PA — Wind Creek Event Center
  • 9/23/2024 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE Outdoors
  • 9/24/2024 — Chicago, IL — Radius
  • 9/27/2024 — Huntington, WV — Marshall Health Network Arena
  • 10/2/2024 — Kansas City, MO — The Midland Theatre
  • 10/3/2024 — St. Louis, MO — Saint Louis Music Park
  • 10/5/2024 — Houston, TX — White Oak Music Hall Lawn
  • 10/6/2024 — Dallas, TX — Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie
  • 10/8/2024 — Lubbock, TX — Lonestar Events Center
  • 10/9/2024 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel ABQ
  • 10/11/2024 — Mesa, AZ — Mesa Amphitheatre
  • 10/15/2024 — Denver, CO — The Mission Ballroom
  • 10/18/2024 — Omaha, NE — Astro Amphitheater
  • 10/19/2024 — Des Moines, IA — Vibrant Music Hall
  • 10/20/2024 — Minneapolis, MN — The Armory

SKILLET MIDDLE EAST TOUR: 

  • 11/4 — Istanbul, Turkey — JJ Arena
  • 11/6 — Astana, Kazakhstan — President Center Concert Hall
  • 11/7 — Almaty, Kazakhstan — Boluan Sholak Arena
  • 11/9 — Tbilisi, Georgia — Mono Hall
  • 11/11 — Pyrgos, Cypress — Monte Caputo
  • 11/12 — Athens, Greece — Floyd
  • 11/14 — Dubai, UAE — The Agenda

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Darlene Zschech Signs With Integrity Music To Release New Album

Darlene Zschech has signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Integrity Music for the release of a special album titled “Testament.” The studio album celebrates the 30-year anniversary of “Shout to the Lord” with 25 fresh takes on legacy releases and five brand-new songs. It will be presented on two EPs releasing over summer 2024, with a full album release on October 11 followed by a 30-day devotional published by David C Cook.

Zschech is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, worship leader, pastor, author, and speaker from Australia who pioneered a fresh movement of worship music in the Church from the 1990s onwards. She has written multiple songs sung in the Church worldwide and in several languages, such as “Shout to the Lord,” “Victor’s Crown,” “In Jesus Name,” and “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Her life’s passion for serving God and people led her to pastor Hope Unlimited Church (HopeUC) alongside her husband, Mark, and initiated HOPE: Global, a non-profit organization bringing hope to people through education in many countries across Africa and Asia.

 “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the next season in Darlene Zschech’s extraordinary ministry,” said Jonathan Brown, Chief Global Officer at David C Cook.“Darlene’s songs have helped lead people all over the world into the presence of God, which stands as a testimony to the craft that she has stewarded over the years.”

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“It is an honor for Integrity Music to continue working alongside Darlene Zschech to further her invaluable contribution to leading the Church in worshiping the King of Kings! We believe that her gift will help many more people to discover the beauty and goodness of God,” said Blaine Barcus, President of Integrity Music.

With this unique album, Zschech was inspired to recreate her iconic worship songs, presenting a collection of studio recordings in a new light, as she explains:

“‘Testament’ means ‘a statement of belief or direction’, or in a legal term, something that serves as ‘evidence of truth, legally binding,’ which so describes the promises of God, His character and His goodness. This has been my heart’s desire over my lifetime – to live in response to the great love of God and His unwavering faithfulness over my life. Really, this is the heart of worship, that the whole of our lives would be poured out for the glory of God. It’s not always easy to choose this kind of life, but obedience when following Jesus is really the only way you’ll ever walk in true freedom. This is my story and the foundation from which ‘Testament’ has been woven together.”

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Presence Music Band Releases “Love Better” To Christian Radio

Presence Music Band, the high-energy pop worship group from Duluth, MN, is thrilled to announce the release of their latest single, “Love Better,” to Christian radio today. Known for their dynamic performances and heartfelt worship, Presence Music Band aims to inspire listeners with their new song.

“Love Better,” written by Leah and Brandon Monson and produced by ZK Productions, encapsulates a powerful message of unity and grace. The song addresses the divisiveness that often plagues society and calls for a collective effort to embody love and understanding. With poignant lyrics that challenge listeners to let love overflow and transform hearts of stone, “Love Better” is poised to resonate deeply with audiences.

Presence Music Band has gained a devoted following throughout the Midwest, performing alongside renowned artists like Brandon Heath, Kim Walker-Smith, Ben Fuller, Cory Asbury, 7eventh Time Down, and Stars Go Dim. Their previous single with KJ-52, “Down in the River,” achieved significant success, receiving airplay on hundreds of stations across eight countries. This track’s widespread acclaim has set the stage for “Love Better” to reach even greater heights.

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“We believe that ‘Love Better’ is an important message for today’s world,” says Leah Monson of Presence Music Band. “In a time when division and discord are prevalent, we hope this song encourages people to lay down their judgments and lead with love, as Christ teaches us. It also reminds us of the grace and truth of the gospel, that God loves us where we are, but He doesn’t want to leave us where we are.”

Presence Music Band’s commitment to their mission is evident in their energetic performances and their dedication to spreading the message of God’s love through music. With “Love Better,” they continue to build on their commitment of impactful worship, aiming to light up a broken world with harmony and grace.

Listeners can tune in to their local Christian radio stations to hear “Love Better” and join Presence Music Band in their mission to love better and transform lives through worship.

“Love Better” is also available on all streaming platforms.

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Rock Springs Worship Spans Generations With New ‘Hymns’ Compilation

On the heels of their widely embraced debut hymns set last year, Georgia-based collective Rock Springs Worship returns August 2 with Hymns Vol. 2. The StowTown Worship release was produced by Rock Springs Church music director Matt Summers and features stirring new adaptations of 10 timeless hymns.

Album opener “I’ll Fly Away” is buoyed by a vibrant pop arrangement, encapsulating the project’s mission to seamlessly blend the past and present in authentic moments of worship. Alongside new renditions of such favorites as “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “God Will Take Care of You,” Hymns Vol. 2 showcases four selections artfully merging hymns and contemporary worship anthems, including a moving take on “Holy, Holy, Holy” with Michael W. Smith’s modern classic “Agnus Dei.”

“Our congregation has been singing hymns since its inception in 1852,” shares Amber Balltzglier, Rock Springs Church worship leader and co-executive producer of Hymns Vol. 2. “As music styles have evolved, we saw the necessity of putting the timeless messages of hymns with contemporary instrumentation to make them more at home in our modern worship experience. I believe the Lord has helped us achieve that goal with Hymns Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.”

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“When we sing hymns, we sing the Truth of God’s Word, and it never returns void,” she adds. “We want generations to hear and know these old songs and connect a memory or experience with God to these words and melodies.”

Hymns Vol. 2 is also highlighted by a guest turn from multi-Dove Award-winning powerhouse TaRanda Greene. Lending her signature vocals to “It is Well with My Soul,” Greene’s ties to Rock Springs Church made her a natural fit for the project.

“I am honored to be a part of this hymns project,” Greene says. “I love the hymns of the Church, and I love the people of Rock Springs. The pastoral and music teams make sure that everyone who walks through the doors of the church has the opportunity to have a personal experience with the Lord.”

“It’s refreshing to add hymns to a modern-day worship service, because they can unite a congregation of all ages, races and backgrounds in a way that no other song can,” she continues. “‘It Is Well’ reminds all of us that we aren’t alone. Even in the darkest of times, the love of God brings us peace and courage to keep moving forward.”

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[Download] Jehovah – Ruth Daniels

Ruth Daniels is out with the video and audio of the masterpiece record ‘Jehovah’.

The inspiration behind the song’s title, “Jehovah,” comes from the artist’s personal experiences and her understanding of God’s goodness and faithfulness in her life.

The song’s lyrics express the artist’s gratitude to God for His unwavering love, provision, protection, and miracles in her life. It emphasizes that God is a God of wonders, and nothing is impossible for Him to do.

Ruth Daniels is a gospel artist and songwriter based in London, United Kingdom.

Ruth Daniels shared the stage with the likes of Muyiwa, among others, at the Explosion 2022, to the glory of God.

Jehovah – Ruth Daniels

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[Download] Hallowed Be Your Name – Paul Etukudo

In quick succession, Gospel singer Paul Etukudo has followed up his earlier release with a new offering titled Hallowed Be Your Name”.

He had released the trendsetting “Over and Done” in March of 2024 to rave reviews and acceptance. This time, Paul Etukudo is taking the unusual route of slowing the tempo down in order to express gratitude unto God.

Coincidentally, the release of the single “Hallowed Be Your Name” is commemorating the singer’s birthday.

“With a grateful heart and a song of praise, I am privileged to witness a new chapter, and a new season of God’s glory and grace. On this very day 7/7/2024, I say to Adonai, “HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME” – Paul Etukudo.

Now available on all digital platforms.

Hallowed Be Your Name – Paul Etukudo

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[Music] Ese – Patience Tumba – Feat. Jayclef Adewale

Kicking off the second quarter with  a heartfelt gratitude is all wrapped up in Ese by Patience Tumba. 

God’s love is poured on us and his mercies are new everyday. God’s love and mercy is not selective, He unleashes his goodness even when we don’t deserve it. 

Ese is simply a song of thanksgiving to God for all he has done and will continue to do. 

Patience Tumba is one of the fast rising female vocal powerhouse from the northern part of Nigeria. Her debut album Unlimited Grace is available on all streaming platforms as well. 

Ese – Patience Tumba – Feat. Jayclef Adewale

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