Former popular bands of the 40-year history of Germany’s Christmas Rock Night will reunite for a one night festival. Artists to appear include Split Level (Adrian Thompson, living in the US, Gary Preston and Rob Craner from UK), plus The Electrics who are actually working on a new album, to be out at the end of this year.
The event will be headlined by the very popular European symphonic metal band HB (Finland), fronted by female singer Johanna Aaltonen:
Seven popular bands from the last 40 years of Christmas Rock Night return to the stage at Haus-Ennepetal (near Düsseldorf) on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Several Christian bands of different styles (ranging from reggae to ska, folk and alternative rock to symphonic metal), will play One More Song – CRN Reunion, which is also the motto of the event, on this special CRN reunion evening. For six of the seven bands, it’s a 100% reunion, coming many years after the group’s initial split.
For this one-time reunion we have; HB from Finland, Split Level, The Electrics and Why? from the UK, Seeker’s Planet from Croatia, Heaven Bound from Germany. We also have Paul Colman from Australia, who has remained throughout as an active artist.
Multi-platinum, six-time GRAMMY-winner Amy Grant anncounced today that she is releasing her first new music in a decade.
During a two-part interview with Craig Melvin on THE TODAY SHOW, conducted in her home this week, Grant excitedly shared that the first track, “Trees We’ll Never See,” will be available across all DSP’s on March 24th and can be save pre-orderd/pre-saved now.
“Trees We’ll Never See” was written by Marshall Altman, who produced her critically-acclaimed album, “How Mercy Looks From Here,” and Michael White. Grant will release another new song this spring, which will be announced soon.
“So much creativity has been put on hold in my life, for all kinds of reasons,” shares Grant when talking about the new music. “Last summer I was asked to sing on a new Cory Asbury song yet to be released. This might be one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. I was so glad they waited for me to heal up and get back to the studio. Inspired by Cory’s beautiful song, Marshall Altman and I started talking about songs that we’ve written recently that affected us. I played him one of mine. He played me one of his. His song was “Trees We’ll never See. I loved it immediately and asked him if I could record it, and within two weeks, both songs were mixed & mastered!”
After taking time to heal from her bike accident last summer, Grant joined Michael W. Smith for their Christmas tour, followed by her annual Christmas at the Ryman residency with husband Vince Gill. Amy’s year culminated in receiving a prestigious Kennedy Center Honor along with U2, George Clooney, Gladys Knight and Tania Leon. This spring, she will be heading to 70 cities across the U.S., excited to share new music and fan favorites.
About Amy Grant: Amy Grant’s career spans more than 40 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million and over 1 billion global streams.
Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past four decades is assured. In 2020, the T.J. Martell Foundation – the music industry’s leading nonprofit to fund innovative medical research focused on treatments and cures for cancer – honored Grant with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award at their annual Honors Gala.
Most recently, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts included Grant as one of their five distinguished Honorees to receive the 45th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. This year Grant is hitting the road and will be performing in 70 cities across the country and releasing her first new music in a decade, starting with the single “Trees We’ll Never See.”
Ben Hemming, at the forefront of the U.K. Rock scene, is set to release new single ‘Holy For A Day’ on March 10th. This will be the third single from a new EP ‘Resurrection’ set for release in the Summer.
Dirty acoustic guitars bleed into a distorted electric riff to create a track full of gritty rock with blues at its core. The track hints at inner turmoil as a sinner tries to be a saint in a world full of temptations.
“The song started with a bluesy riff that is at it’s core and grew from that really. With the lyrics I wanted to weave a story that was in keeping with the tracks vibe and style, a tail of rising up from the gutter and facing up to what it means to be alive in today’s consumer led society.”
Recorded at Masterlink Productions, a studio located in rural Send just outside of Woking, with regular collaborator and producer James Welsh at the controls, it was a return to what is fast becoming a creative hub for Ben Hemming.
“I feel I’ve found a fantastic working environment which on one had enables me to have the confidence to push what I do, as well as providing security and familiarity in the working process.’’
‘Holy For A Day’ is a single that harks back to Ben Hemming’s blues roots while also paving the way for what is to come on his new EP.
In support of FOR KING + COUNTRY’s “What Are We Waiting For?,” the duo’s second Top 10 Billboard 200 charting album (#7), which garnered a Grammy nomination and American Music Award this year, the RIAA Platinum-selling duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist is gearing up for their 31-city 2023 “What Are We Waiting For? The Tour Part II” which starts on March 23.
The U.S. and Canadian circuit will kick off in Honolulu, Hawaii and will continue through May 31 in Vancouver, BC; followed by additional festival/fair performances. Tickets for the tour are available now and can be purchased HERE.
The brother duo made up of Joel and Luke Smallbone just scored their latest #1 Billboard Christian Airplay Chart with “Love Me Like I Am” feat. Jordin Sparks, marking their 13th #1 hit single (and 8th consecutive #1 hit single) on the chart.
Says FOR KING + COUNTRY: “’Love Me Like I Am’ is a song that speaks to God loving us right where we are, and just as we are. The fact that radio (and the fans!) rallied to bring this idea to this world is profoundly moving to us. We’re so grateful to Jordin Sparks for lending her talents in bringing this important message to the world!”
Adds Sparks, “#1 on the Billboard Charts! Thank you For King + Country for having me on this incredible record, and thank you to the radio stations and fans across the country for showing the love!”
Additionally, the Smallbones,with Hillary Scott of Lady A, recently garnered a 2023 Grammy® Award nomination for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song” for their collaborative track, “For God Is With Us”. The song is co-written by the Smallbones, Josh Kerr, and Jordan Reynolds, with the official music video viewed more than 8.9 million times since its 2022 release.
FOR KING + COUNTRY remains one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos.
In addition to their 2023 Grammy nomination, the due celebrated its first-ever American Music Award win for “Favorite Inspirational Artist.” Other career accolades include 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, four Grammy Awards (with seven nominations), and 16 K-LOVE Fan Awards. Their 13 No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing 2 billion career streams and the act’s live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event that continues to wow sold-out crowds around the world.
As plans hits top gear towards the release of his next album project, International worship leader and recording artisteJimmy D Psalmist teams up with ‘Miracle No Dey Tire Jesus’ crooner Moses Blissto deliver a powerful mid-tempo Hills play produced song “This Can Only Be God“.
This Can Only Be God comes after the release of the widely received ‘Wonder Papa’. The new song expresses the great wonders of God. Beyond what seems impossible in all human reasoning. Praise and worship exudes from a heart that had enjoyed the many blessings of God.
Chorus My mouth is filled with laughter And my toungue is filled with singing Though I sowed in tears I rip in Joy ooo This can only be God
Verse 1 When the Lord turned again our Captivity We were like them that dream 2x We are those who are called by the name of the Lord We are made strong By the spirit of God and the word of the Lord We shall do exploit
Chorus My mouth is filled with laughter And my toungue is filled with singing Though I sowed in tears I rip in Joy ooo This can only be God
Verse 2 Truly God has been faithful You showed me love I am grateful Everyday and Night you dey bless oh You no be man you no dey lie oh
The things you do E dey blow my mind This can only be God Kpo ya omemma Oh chukwu na Gloria Ebube dike gbu
For all you have done we lift you Higher higher 3x This can only be you oo Eh eh eh eh
Ah ah ah ah ah ah This can only be God
Eh eh eh eh eh eh This can only be God
This can only be God (This can only be God)
The way you dey Pamper me Jesus (This can only be God)
Many many good things Blessings dey overflow (This can only be God)
Joel Vaughn releases his new song “What I Can’t” Produced by and co-written by Alex Zwart (Mercy Me, Riley Clemmons, Newsboys) and Jonathan Gamble (Danny Gokey, Landry Cantrell, Tauren Wells), “What I Can’t” is a contemporary pop song that deals with our plans vs God’s.
“Sometimes God calls us to make difficult decisions in our lives. We can’t see how everything will turn out, so we must trust Him above everything. That’s easier said than done for most of us but what I have found in my life is that when I do trust him- his plan and purpose come together in a way that I could not have imagined.
Sometimes, we feel like we’re cornered in a situation with no way out but that’s when your faith is tested in a way you never thought it could be. Jesus proves time and time again He is capable and can do what we could not. He stands in the gap for us.
He proved that when He took the punishment for our sin so that we could be made alive in Him- truly settling once and for all that He can do what we can’t. I hope this new song encourages you today.” – Joel Vaughn
Today, 2X GRAMMY®, Dove and Stellar Award-winning artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly has released her highly anticipated seventh studio album, ALL YOURS (RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment).
The chart-topping singer/songwriter continues to create her own powerful dynamic sound on her latest album, an uplifting 12-track project celebrating God’s love, wisdom and finding personal freedom in letting go and trusting God. Featuring the lead single “Miracles” (feat. Pastor Mike Jr.), “Praise Through,” “Making A Way” (feat. Adia), “The Jungle” and more.
Following her 2020 chart-topping album KIERRA, her new album ALL YOURS showcases a thrilling blend of melodies and lyrical candor that bring together Kierra’s versatile talents and love for all genres, from the sounds of gospel to hip-hop, R&B, dance beats, and more.
Co-writing every track on ALL YOURS, Kierra also teamed up on the production and songwriting with some powerhouse collaborators including her brother J. Drew Sheard II, Adia, Pastor Mike Jr., Jekalyn Carr, Anthony Brown, Mali Music, Anita Wilson, Jor’Dan Armstrong, among others.
Kierra says of ALL YOURS, “This album was very special to make. When you radically stand for the Lord, there’s a sound He’ll give you. He will also give you innovation, strategy, and ideas that become game-changers. That’s what He did for me. There’s a song for everyone on this album encouraging them to walk with the Lord.”
Kierra Sheard-Kelly began her professional singing career at age nine, growing up in Gospel music and ministry as the daughter of Gospel icon Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop J. Drew Sheard. She has become a trailblazer in contemporary Gospel and ministry, reaching others and sharing inspiration beyond music as an actress, author, and entrepreneur.
Besides her fashion line Eleven60, and her women’s mentoring and fellowship organization Sister, Kierra will release her second book this spring, The Vibes You Feel: What I’ve Learned about Life and Relationships Through the Holy Spirit, scheduled for release on May 9th. Check out her new album ALL YOURS
UK Gospel Artist, Remilekun has released a new uplifting worship single, “Worthy“.
She shares the inspiration behind the song: “From one generation to another, we learn about Him but far beyond what we learn, we experience an irreplaceable God who alone is truly “Worthy”.
The new single and its lyric video are now available on all streaming platforms.
Seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist TobyMac is officially impacting radio with “Cornerstone (feat. Zach Williams).” The new single, originally recorded for his GRAMMY-nominated album, LIFE AFTER DEATH, launched for adds this past Friday 2/24. The song made its radio debut on Jan. 30 exclusively on K-LOVE as part of a K-LOVE First event.
Out of the gate, “Cornerstone” received 56 adds as Capitol CMG’s most added song of 2023 and the second most added song at Christian Radio this year. The single is currently reporting in the Top 20 on the Billboard Airplay and MediaBase Audience charts. Listen HERE.
TobyMac’s latest single follows a string of previous hits from LIFE AFTER DEATH: “The Goodness (feat. Blessing Offer), “ which became the hitmaker’s 14th No. 1 on Christian Airplay; “Promised Land,” which peaked at No.2 on the AC Indicator and AC Monitored charts and reached Top 5 on Christian Airplay; and “Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight),” which topped five charts and held on to No. 1 at Hot AC for 13 consecutive weeks.
“Cornerstone” remains a personal declaration of hope for the singer and his family in the wake of his oldest son’s passing.
“What are you building your life on? Sometimes we may not even mean to, but we start building on the promises of this world. At times, it can be difficult to navigate.
I wrote this one with my brothers, Brian Fowler and Micah Kuiper. We were tired of the fogginess and wanted to say it out loud… We want to intentionally build our lives in every area on the solid rock. On Christ alone, the Cornerstone. All other ground is sinking sand,” he shares of the message behind the track. “Honored to have my man, Zach, on this one with me. I love this song, and I love Zach’s voice on it. He brought it to a whole ‘notha level.”
TobyMac surprised fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last weekend during a hometown stop on his “Hits Deep Tour” when he invited Williams to join him on stage to sing “Cornerstone” for the packed house. The 32-date trek runs through Mar. 31 and visits the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH. tomorrow. In addition to a full headlining set from TobyMac, the tour also features Crowder, Cochren & Co., Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick and Terrian.
Cornerstone – TobyMac Ft. Zach Williams
Upcoming “Hits Deep Tour 2023” Dates:
2/24 — Eaglebank Arena // Fairfax, VA
2/25 — Eaglebank Arena // Fairfax, VA
2/26 — Chartway Arena // Norfolk, VA
3/2 — Huntington Center // Toledo, OH
3/3 — Taxslayer Center // Moline, IL
3/4 — Now Arena // Hoffman Estates, IL
3/5 — Van Andel Arena // Grand Rapids, MI
3/9 — Cajundome // Lafayette, LA
3/10 — Toyota Center // Houston, TX
3/11 — H-E-B Center at Cedar Park // Cedar Park, TX
Edmonton based popular saxophonist and gospel artist, Simply Gabriel, releases a new gospel album! “Limitless God”.
The 13 track album recently released on digital platforms on, contains such hits songs as “Imela” , “Limitless God”, “Bless his holy name”, “Praise on my lips” amongst others.
His signature saxophone sound was not missing in the self produced album, as you will hear his soulful play in such songs as “Abide with me”, “King of my heart”, “Bless his holy Name”, “Show Dem” and “Peace be still”.
Simply Gabriel has a vast range of musical influences, this reflects on the album. Limitless God caters for the young as well as the old and is guaranteed to bless you as you listen.
