With a groundbreaking three-decade career boasting chart-topping recordings and genre-defining hit singles, GRAMMY® nominated, Dove Award-winning Christian music trailblazers Point of Grace were recently honored by fans, family and fellow artists during their annual Circle of Friends Weekend in Franklin, Tennessee.

The 30th anniversary celebration featured video tributes from Little Big Town, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith, among others, while Centricity Music senior vice president of A&R John Mays—a former Word Records executive instrumental in Point of Grace’s launch and subsequent success—presented plaques to group members Shelley Breen, Leigh Cappillino and Denise Jones commemorating major milestones in the vocal ensemble’s career to date.

Since the release of their watershed self-titled debut in 1993, Point of Grace has become one of the Top 10 best-selling artists in the history of Christian music. With 27 #1 singles—including 24 consecutive chart-topping hits, a number unmatched by any artist in any genre—Point of Grace’s 22-album discography includes two Platinum and five Gold-certified projects, as well as 8 million career album sales, among numerous other accomplishments.

Further adding to their accolades, Point of Grace’s latest set, Turn Your Eyes (Songs We Love, Songs You Know) Volume II, recently took home the Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year.

Debuting in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart following its release in April, the Fervent Records (Curb | Word Entertainment) project was produced by Cindy Morgan and features Point of Grace’s signature take on a range of Christian music classics and new selections, including Rich Mullins’ iconic “Awesome God” and the roots/pop original “At The Table.”

“It’s been a wonderful journey so far,” shares Point of Grace founding member Shelley Breen. “Sometimes onstage I become overwhelmed with gratefulness that God has allowed us to continue to travel and sing for 30 years. We have all matured so much—not only in age but in faith—and we’re more convinced than ever that nothing is better than singing about Jesus.”

“Although we’ve loved reflecting and celebrating, we couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come,” says Point of Grace’s Leigh Cappillino. “We’ve been writing new songs with some dear friends, and we’re eager to share those with the world soon. The next chapter for Point of Grace has begun!”

Capping a milestone year, Point of Grace is currently bringing their “Gloria: The Christmas Tour” to 11 cities across the country. Hosted by Andrew Greer with very special guest Mark Schultz, the popular holiday outing has already played to multiple sold-out crowds.

Kicking off last month in Troy, Ohio, the tour stops in Waco, Texas; Deland, Florida; and Columbia, Tennessee, among other locations, before concluding December 19 in Augusta, Georgia.

Earlier this month, Point of Grace took their signature sounds of the season to the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock, performing at an event hosted by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The trio was also recently featured as part of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove’s “Christmas at The Cove” concert series in Asheville, North Carolina.

Soul-inspired pop singer/songwriter, worship leader, accomplished pianist, and producer Natalie Layne is named by Pandora in its 2024 Pandora Ten Artists To Watch campaign. This annual program highlights 10 of the most promising new recording artists. Previous years’ lists have featured success stories like Dua Lipa, Post Malone, The Kid LAROI, and Tate McRae.

Following this month’s announcement, Pandora is set to support the 2024 Pandora Ten Artists To Watch on socials and its platform editorially throughout the year. Additionally, this subscription-based music streaming service owned by Sirius XM Holdings is featuring Layne today (Dec. 8) on a Times Square billboard located in New York City on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets.

“From note one, Natalie Layne grabs your attention and keeps it with bullseye lyrics, infectious melodies, and riveting performances,” declares Pandora’s Melissa Chalos, Assoc. Director of Programming, Christian/Gospel. “And the fact that she’s practically a virtuoso on the keys makes her a true unicorn and the most compelling new artist in Christian music.”

Along with her six-song Centricity Music debut EP, Amen, which features the NewReleaseToday.com-featured hit radio single and CBN “Studio 5”-premiered video “Amen,” Layne has also re-recorded new piano and vocal versions of the EP.

Her Amen (At The Piano) releases Dec. 15 and is available at digital and streaming outlets globally via https://fanlink.to/AMENatp.

Inspired by the simple kindness of a neighbor waving and smiling as they passed in her neighborhood, Layne co-wrote the title track with hit-making songwriters Benji Cowart and David Spencer.

“Amen,” as well as the whole album’s sonic direction, is meant to be as welcoming as a friend and as cohesive as that of a seasoned artist, with the messages behind the music stemming from her personal experience.

Matthew West invites you to ‘Come Home For Christmas’ with a concert special set to air on December 22 at 7 pm CT on TBN. Filmed December 2 at Belmont’s Fisher Center in Nashville, TN, West performed a slew of classic holiday hits, his original tunes “Come Home For Christmas” and “Because of Bethlehem,” and was joined by his daughter, Lulu West, for a stunning duet of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

West, who is “in his ‘Michael Bublé season’” (The Tennessean), hosted his second annual Come Home For Christmas Weekend welcoming hundreds of fans from around the world to celebrate the season.

“Because of Bethlehem” was inspired by New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado’s book of the same title. Featuring West’s uplifting vocals, “Because of Bethlehem” serves as a reminder of the promise of God’s love by sending us His son, Jesus, and the bona fide reason for the season.

Wrapping up an impressive 2023, West was honored with ASCAP’s prestigious Golden Note Award, presented to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Prior winners include Garth Brooks, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Reba, Jay-Z, Usher and more.

Additionally, he celebrated another milestone success – he notched his 30th number-one song as an artist-songwriter combined.

Dubbed by Billboard as “one of Christian music’s most prolific singer-songwriters,” he most recently released MY STORY YOUR GLORY. Composed of 22 tracks, the first part of the double album, MY STORY, embodies the countless stories fans have shared with the songwriter over the years as well as personal experiences, while the second part, YOUR GLORY, marks the first official Gospel worship album.

The 5x GRAMMY nominee is currently on his COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Tour. Just announced, that he will hit the road beginning in February for his DON’T STOP PRAYING 2024 TOUR with special guest Cochren & Co.

American Idol finalist and Atlantic Record’s recording artist Colton Dixon is closing out 2023 on multiple year-end Billboard and MEDIABASE charts.  Overall Dixon was MEDIABASE’s fifth most-played artist (Christian impressions) and sixth most-played for Christian AC. 

Billboard counted him their ninth top Christian airplay artist, while the massive multi-format No. 1 hit “Build A Boat (Feat. Gabby Barrett)” landed at No. 6 on the MEDIABASE Christian Impressions chart and No. 10 on its Christian AC chart.

The 2023 success follows both a K-LOVE Fan Award and GMA Dove Award nomination for Song of the Year for the track that was the longest running No.1 Mediabase Christian AC song of 2022.

Before the year ends, however, Dixon has kicked off December in a big way with his new “Home For Christmas” single and tour. Hitting eleven U.S. cities this fall, and also featuring Jason Crabb on eight of the stops, with Cade Thompson on the remaining three, Dixon is performing Christmas favorites, and his brand-new single, which is available now. 

In the midst of the tour, Dixon also stopped by the OPRY to perform “We Three Kings” with Hollyn as a part of Tommee Proffitt’s lauded THE BIRTH OF A KING event.

Most recently, Dixon made an appearance on The Paula Faris Show chatting about  American Idol, millenial dads and career setbacks, which hit just as The Tennessean featured him on their front page, reflecting on career highs and lows and more.

Earlier this year Dixon released his bestselling 7-song CANVAS EP featuring the top ten single, “My Light,”  which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show. 

As fall rolled in he made his NFL debut with a stunning performance of the National Anthem for defending Super Bowl champs, The Kansas City Chiefs, while amid his fall run with Jordan Feliz for their “The Love & Light Tour.” 

Dixon expects to be announcing 2024 tour plans soon.  To stay up-to-date on all touring plans, visit ColtonDixon.com.

Congratulations to Taya Gaukrodger (née Smith)! Taya and her husband Ben welcomed their first child into the world on October 20th at 8:15AM. Bo Benaiah Gaukrodger weighed in at 9lbs at birth and measured 22.5 inches.

“Big hands, big feet & a good set of lungs,” Taya shared on social media. She continued, “God has been beyond kind —Bo is such a joy-filled little boy, Ben is the most incredible Dad and I’m forever ruined in the best way ha. It is all a gift, thank You Jesus.”

Taya also shared some insight into baby Bo’s name in a longer post below. Congratulations Taya and Ben!

Growing up with a common surname, my parents were quite intentional in selecting our first names, so much so that we each grew up knowing the origin and meaning behind our own.

Fast forward to 3 years ago, Ben & I started discussing kids names as we needed to start the convo early because he liked traditional names and my name is Taya so yeah 

As we laughed and baulked at each others suggestions we decided to stop and ask God for a name, and left it at that.

Not long after, I woke up one morning with a strong prompting to google the word “BO” in Hebrew, spelt exactly like that. This has only happened one other time.

And it read,

‘ Bo (בֹּא‎—in Hebrew) the command form of “go,” or “come.” ‘

In the Bible, names located people, identifying what was going on at the time and were then powerfully spoken over individuals again & again each time their names were called – both good and bad.

Children are a heritage from the Lord and we believe they’re to stand on their parent’s shoulders going further than we did, in all the ways. I was a tad hesitant about what the Lord would ask of our son especially because Ben and I have some pretty crazy stories to tell of Gods leading & faithfulness,

But I see Gods kindness in Bo’s name.

That before his first breath, we were to remember that ultimately he belongs to the Lord.

Whatever God asks of him through his life, we are to encourage obedience to the Lord in all things, reiterated each time we say his name.

He is to be a man under authority, the authority of Almighty God 

It is an honour to be your parents Bo, we love you beyond X

 Iconic Christian rockers Seventh Day Slumber drops a reimagined version of “In The Bleak Midwinter.” The song originally debuted on the band’s 2022 album A Merry Rockfest Christmas. This new version of “In The Bleak Midwinter” has been remixed, remastered, and re-released.

Seventh Day Slumber Reimagines “In The Bleak Midwinter”

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Capitol CMG’s rising artist Stephen Stanley debuts new music with “Whatever It Takes.” You can hear the song below. “Whatever It Takes”

Stephen Stanley Debuts “Whatever It Takes”

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Derek Minor and Canon release “Bands.” The official lyric video is below.

Derek Minor & Canon Release “Bands”

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1K Phew officially announces the release date of his Collaborative Album with Zaytoven, “Pray For Atlanta.” Coming January 19th, 2024, you can pre-order/pre-save now and listen to his latest single “Favorite Trapper” ft: Atlanta Hip Hop legend, Young Dro, and 1K Pson.

This is the second single from the Grammy-winning producer Zaytoven and rapper 1K Phew this year following the release of “On Fire” in October. “Favorite Trapper,” features Young Dro, acclaimed for the double-platinum hit “Shoulder Lean” following his signing with T.I.’s label, and 1K Pson, from the 1K Famo collective.

Collectively, the four artists represent deep roots for their hometown Atlanta, and bring their unique flavor to the energetic record.

1K Phew Drops “Favorite Trapper” Ft. Young Dro & 1K Pson

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Today, New Zealand group Equippers Revolution releases their second track from their upcoming 2024 album.  The song, titled “Forevermore” was produced in Auckland by David Darby and Joshua Huirua and co-written by David Darby, Joshua Huirua, Rachel Stevens, Kenan Stephenson. 

The devotional’s lyrics mixed with it’s pop sound will surely encourage you as you sing along.

”Forevermore is a song about remaining in Christ, and declares that we are His forevermore” –  Kenan Stephenson, Equippers Revolution

Equippers Revolution Releases New Track “Forevermore”

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