Absolutely Gospel announced the nominees for the 2023 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards, which will take place on April 18, 2023.

Artists and songwriters who call Daywind Music Group home dominated many top categories, including Song of the Year (8), Album of the Year (5), Progressive Single (7), Bluegrass Artist (6), Musician (6), Artist Songwriter (5), Professional Songwriter (4), Fan Favorite Artist of the Year (4), and more. 

Karen Peck & New River and Joseph Habedank led all artists with a phenomenal 10 nominations each this year, including Song of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year nominations or both. 

The Sound came in right behind them, earning 8 nominations, in categories including Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Other artists receiving multiple nominations include The Guardians Quartet (6), Brian Free & Assurance (7), Jim & Melissa Brady (6), The Nelons (6), Greater Vision (4), High Road (3), Southbound (2), Chosen Road (2).

Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Music Group, states, “We are so honored by the nominations our artists and songwriters received for the 2023 AGM Awards. Our creators are family, and to see them recognized in this way for their wonderful God-honoring works is both humbling and thrilling at the same time.”

The 2023 Absolutely Gospel Awards celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Capitol Theater in Lebanon, Tennessee at 6:00 p.m. Tickets will be available to purchase soon.

Daywind Nominees:

• Song of the Year
  • “All the Praise” – LeFevre Quartet (T.R. Collins, M.Neale)
  • “Answer Is Jesus” – Karen Peck & New River (K.P.Gooch, L.Black, K.T.West)
  • “Child of the King” – Joseph Habedank (J.Habedank, D.Clark, D.Koch)
  • “God Is Real” – The Sound (J.Mills, L.Mills, R.Mills, S.C.Smith, B.Weeks)
  • “Not For Long” – Guardians Quartet (K.P.Gooch, J.D.Rowsey, S.C.Smith)
  • “He’s Got a Way” – Southbound (C.Brown, J.Braselton, S.J.Elbe)
  • “Looks Like Jesus” – Brian Free & Assurance (with Jimmy Fortune) (S.C.Smith, K.T.West, B.White)
  • “That Heavenly Home” – Tribute Quartet (J.W. Acuff)
• Album of the Year
  • 2:22 – Karen Peck & New River (W.Haun)
  • Come On In – Guardians Quartet (J.D.Rowsey, W.Haun)
  • God Is Real – The Sound (B.Weeks)
  • Meet Me At the Cross – Brian Free & Assurance (R.Free)
  • Think About There – Greater Vision (G.Wolfe, T.Ivey) 
• Breakthrough Artist:
  • Chosen Road
• Male Vocalist
  • Jim Brady (of Booth Brothers/Jim & Melissa Brady)
  • Joseph Habedank
  • Levi Mills (of The Sound)
  • Bill Shivers (of Brian Free & Assurance) 
• Female Vocalist
  • Becky Isaacs Bowman (of The Isaacs)
  • Melissa Brady (of Jim & Melissa Brady)
  • Karen Peck Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River)
• Male Group
  • Brian Free & Assurance
  • Guardians Quartet
  • The Sound
  • Tribute Quartet
• Female Group
  • High Road
• Mixed Group
  • Jim & Melissa Brady
  • Karen Peck & New River
  • The Nelons
• Songwriter (Artist)
  • Lee Black (of Legacy Five)
  • Jim Brady (of Booth Brothers/Jim & Melissa Brady)
  • Karen Peck Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River)
  • Joseph Habedank
  • John Darin Rowsey (of Guardians Quartet)
• Songwriter (Professional)
  • Jason Cox
  • Wayne Haun
  • Sue C. Smith
  • Nathan Woodard
• Producer
  • Ricky Free
  • Wayne Haun
  • Ben Isaacs (of The Isaacs)
  • Trey Ivey
• Musician
  • Autumn Nelon Clark (of The Nelons)
  • Sarah Davison (of High Road)
  • Matthew Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River)
  • Jacob Mills (of The Sound)
  • Josh Singletary (of Tribute Quartet)
  • Gerald Wolfe (of Greater Vision)
• Traditional Single
  • “Not For Long” – Guardians Quartet (K.P.Gooch, J.D.Rowsey, S.C.Smith)
  • “Not My Will” – Tribute Quartet (A.Walker)
• Traditional Recording
  • Come On In – Guardians Quartet (J.D.Rowsey, W.Haun)
  • Think About There – Greater Vision (G.Wolfe, T.Ivey)
• Progressive Single
  • “Answer Is Jesus” – Karen Peck & New River (K.P.Gooch, L.Black, K.T.West)
  • “Child of the King” – Joseph Habedank (J.Habedank, D.Clark, D.Koch)
  • “God Is Real” – The Sound (J.Mills, L.Mills, R.Mills, S.C.Smith, B.Weeks)
  • “He’s Got a Way” – Southbound (C.Brown, J.Braselton, S.J.Elbe)
  • “Liar, Liar” – Brian Free & Assurance (J.Cox, J.Habedank, J.Tomlin)
  • “Scars In Heaven” – The Nelons (J.M.Hall, M.West)
  • “Welcome” – Jim & Melissa Brady (J.Brady, M.Farren, T.Wood)
• Progressive Recording
  • 2:22 – Karen Peck & New River (W.Haun)
  • I Feel Like Singing: Live at Daywind Studios – Angie Primm & Friends
  • Meet Me At the Cross – Brian Free & Assurance (R.Free)
• Southern Roots Single
  • “Children Sing” – The Nelons (J.Clark,  T.Wood)
  • “Faith, Hope, & Love” – High Road (K.Bearfield, S.Davison, K.T.West)
  • “Give Him What You Got” – The Isaacs (S.I.Yeary, R.I.Bowman)
  • “Make It Count” – The Sound (K.T.West, J.Cox, R.Mills)
• Southern Roots Recording
  • God Is Real – The Sound (B.Weeks)
  • Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman (B.I.Bowman, B.Isaacs)
• Special Event Project
  • 30th Anniversary Celebration: The Live Experience – Greater Vision
  • I Feel Like Singing: Live at Daywind Studios – Angie Primm & Friends
  • Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman (B.I.Bowman, B.Isaacs)
  • We Need a Little Christmas – The Nelons (J.Clark)
• Southern Music Video
  • “Looks Like Jesus” – Brian Free & Assurance (with Jimmy Fortune) (B.Free)
  • “The Keepers” – Karen Peck & New River (C.Baucom)
  • “Scars In Heaven” – The Nelons (C.Baucom)
• Fan Favorite Artist of the Year
  • Jim & Melissa Brady
  • Joseph Habedank
  • Karen Peck & New River
  • Tribute Quartet
• Bluegrass Artist
  • Appalachian Road Show
  • Chosen Road
  • Darin & Brooke Aldridge
  • Donna Ulisse
  • Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
  • Marty Raybon & Full Circle

Sixstepsrecords/Capitol CMG’s Passion has released their newest song, “I’ve Witnessed It,” which debuted at Passion Conference last month.

For more than two decades, Passion has continued to unite students in worship, prayer and justice, gathering a generation ignited for the fame and renown of Jesus.

Led by Passion’s Melodie Malone, the song connected immediately with more than 30,000 students in attendance across two events over the New Year holiday. Click here to listen to the truth in this anthem “I’ve Witnessed It.”

“We don’t often use the word ‘witness’ in our everyday vernacular, and it is my hope that we reinstate a bit of the meaning it carries in this song,” shares Passion’s Melodie Malone. “Eugene Peterson says ‘a witness is never the center but only the person who points to or names what is going on at the center…’ If that is true then not only are we all witnesses but it’s why we were created — to give praise and honor and glory to the only one worthy of all of it, Jesus Christ.”

This year’s conference was held in two locations. The first gathering in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX at Dickies Arena, followed by Passion’s home base in Atlanta, GA at State Farm Arena. In addition to today’s release of “I’ve Witnessed It,” the live performance video from Atlanta has premiered on YouTube. Click below to watch this powerful performance captured.

Malone continues, “We sing to remind our souls of the character of the one we worship and to help resuscitate a faith in desperate need of hope.”

I’ve Witnessed It – Passion

Ushering in the writing, recording and leading of some of the most recognizable and unforgettable worship anthems of this generation, Passion has two RIAA Gold Certified Singles (“Even So Come” and “One Thing Remains”) and more than 3.2 billion global streams. Following the release of this new song, Passion will have a new live album that was recorded during both events releasing March 2023.

Gotee Records’ Cochren & Co. has released their sophomore album, Running Home. This album follows the acclaimed debut project, Don’t Lose Hope (2021), that produced the hit songs “Church (Take Me Back)” and “One Day.”

Helmed by singer/songwriter and worship leader Michael Cochren and joined by his wife Leah, Cochren & Co. is back with a strong 10-song project that features hope-filled lyrics and timeless melodies. Click here to listen to Running Home.

“The debut album was a process of exploring all of my musical influences and life experiences and finding out how that melting pot could create a sound unique,” shares Michael Cochren of Cochren & Co. “It was kind of like figuring out how to build a ship, and how to push it off the shore and over the waves. Now with this sophomore album, I feel like we were on the open sea with a clear heading. I knew where I wanted to take this album. I really wanted the songwriting on this album to be personal, to openly share stories and struggles in a way that people can feel a connection to, and ultimately feel like there’s peace available in the highs and lows.”

RUNNING HOME – Cochren & Co.

Cochren & Co.’s sophomore project features the 2022 Top 15 Billboard Christian Airplay & AC radio single, “Thank God For Sunday Morning,” which has amassed over 10 million streams in less than a year and was listed as one of K-LOVE’s 22 Songs that Defined 2022. The title track and debut radio single from the project is already being played on 40 stations including national networks SiriusXM’s The Message and starting today on K-LOVE. The song is also the No. 1 song on AmazonMusic’s DivineSound which includes Cochren as the featured artist. Other songs on the album “Be There For You” are included on Spotify’s Top Christian & Gospel playlist, where Cochren is this week’s featured artist, and “The Final Say (feat. Josh Baldwin)” on AppleMusic’s New in Christian playlist.

Cochren & Co. is back again this year on the TobyMac Hits Deep Tour that features CROWDER, Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick and Terrian. Click here for tour dates and tickets.

Family trio CLINE serves up an original worship anthem with “Worthy One,” available today, 2/3. The group — consisting of brothers Garrett and Darrick Cline and Garrett’s wife, Jacquelyn — enlists the help of Curb recording artist Mo Pitney for this congregational-friendly selection that finds Jacquelyn and Pitney harmonizing.

Both a vertical offering of praise and a personal testament to the transformative power of Christ at work in our lives, “Worthy One” follows a string of new releases from CLINE, including “Anchor” and “Refuge.”

“Worthy One (feat. Mo Pitney)” was written by Mo Pitney, Garrett Cline, Jacquelyn Cline, Darrick Cline, and Curt Gibbs; and produced by Curt Gibbs.

Worthy One – CLINE X Mo Pitney

Listen to the track HERE.

Grammy Nominated and internationally renowned artist collective Bethel Music has released a new song from their upcoming album, “Holy Forever.”

The powerful piece is a reminder and recognition of the power and holiness of God and is a reminder to turn attention away from ourselves and to the God who stands above all things.

Captured live in the heart of the Redwoods of Northern California, Come Up Here embodies everything that Bethel Music stands for musically, lyrically, and visually. With the breathtaking Redwood Forest as a backdrop, Come Up Here, is an invitation to look up and take in the full magnificence of the celestial evergreens and reflect on the beauty of God’s glory.

The stunning cinematography paired with songs that move the soul to respond make this project the most extraordinary endeavor Bethel Music has ever taken on.

The hope is that as each song is heard, the presence of the living God takes over whatever space the listener is in, and that they are able to encounter Him in a way never thought possible. Come Up Here will be released on March 17^th and is available for pre-save HERE.

Holy Forever – Bethel Music Feat. Jenn Johnson

This spring Bethel Music will embark on a series of worship nights throughout the US and Europe/UK. These dates will feature new songs from Come Up Here as well as the well-known anthems sung in churches around the world which Bethel Music has become known for.   Join Brian Johnson, David Funk, Paul McClure, Hannah McClure, and featuring Amanda Cook for the US dates and David Funk, Bethany Wohrle, and Zahriya Zachary for the European/UK dates in a night of worship, ministry, and encounter unlike anything Bethel Music has done before. Tickets are now on sale HERE.

Come Up Here Worship Nights

• 4/18 – Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theater
• 4/19 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
• 4/21 – Columbus, OH – 2H – Palace Theatre
• 4/22 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
• 4/23 – Grand Rapids, MI – Devos Performance Hall
• 4/27 – Clearwater, FL – Countryside Christian Center
• 4/28 – Lakeland, FL – Family Worship Center
• 4/29 – Orlando, FL – Faith Assembly of God Orlando
• 5/1 – Mobile, AL- Mobile Civic Center
• 5/2 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre
• 5/3 – Dallas, TX – Texas Trust Theatre
• 5/19 – Zurich, Switzerland – ICF Conference
• 5/21 – Kempten, Germany – bigBOX ALLGÄU
• 5/23 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – RTM Stage
• 5/25 – Flekerroy, Norway – ØYGOSPEL Conference
• 5/27 – West Sussex, UK – Big Church Day Out

Today, multi-award-winning and platinum-selling artist UNITED releases an expanded edition of their latest album “Are We There Yet?” featuring a collection of songs about journey – exploring the challenges, heartache, and magnificence of this life of faith.

The 21-track project represents the first time the group was able to gather together as a band after two years of distance to bring the songs to life.

It includes new versions of “Chariot,” “‘Know You Will,” and “Have Mercy On Me Now,” among other favorites from UNITED’s 2022 release, as well as brand-new video content. Listen to the expanded edition of “Are We There Yet?” here.

When reflecting upon the release, UNITED considers that “There are times in life where we don’t even have the breath to whisper, spun into a cruel chaos winding the life from within us. There are times in life where it’s easy to look around and shout our gratitude and declare that God is good.

And there are times in life where both realities co-exist. Life is beautifully plaited with light and dark, and grey. But through it all, we are still here, hanging onto the promise we read of in Philippians, that He who began a good work in us will complete it! ‘Are We There Yet?’ embodies the feeling of ‘all this future.’”

UNITED recently wrapped their multi-city co-headline Tomlin UNITED tour, performing for packed arenas in major markets around the nation. Heralded as one of the biggest Christian music tours of 2022 with 34 dates in total and a quarter million attendees, the Tomlin UNITED Tour provided an intimate night of worship, where fans joined together to experience some of the biggest songs that have shaped modern faith today.

Are We There Yet? – Hillsong UNITED

Disciple released “Promise to Live” on February 1, the second song from forthcoming album Skeleton Psalms (slated for April 28). You can find “Promise to Live” on all major streaming services: https://disciple.ffm.to/promise.bio

“The idea for ‘Promise to Live’ was birthed out of an old message I used to give,” Disciple frontman and founder Kevin Young shares. “It’s the idea that we all are in this world together, and are all in recovery together, from the trauma of this world and this life. We’re not fighting alone. We’re fighting together. We make this promise to God and to each other: to not give up. To not lose hope. To not give up fighting. To live for the most precious gift we have, which is life.”

In conjunction with that concept, Disciple has launched a social media campaign inviting fans to share about why they promise to live, using the hashtag #IPromiseToLive. The band has been resharing some of the responses.

“Ever since I’ve been saved, I’ve always remembered two things, my promise to live and that Christ is with me always. His promise.” — Ethan

“I Promise to live to beat the anxiety, depression, sadness and anger that I’ve endured this past year to the point where I felt like I couldn’t breathe… that God has a purpose for that pain.” — Megan

“I promise to live after battling Triple Negative Breast Cancer and enduring 6 months of chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation and 5 surgeries.” — Sally

Promise To Live – Disciple

“I promise to live because my anxiety, self doubt, depression and wrong impressions I leave are not me.” — Katie

“I promise to live by fighting for my life keeping God and my sobriety as a number 1 priority.” — Cassidy

“I ‘Promise to Live,’ because I know God isn’t finished with my life yet.” — Thomas

The social media outpouring continues to solidify Disciple’s role as a crucial voice of encouragement in struggles with mental health and suicidal thoughts. As an expressive and emotional midtempo rock track with soaring gang vocals, “Promise to Live” follows in the footsteps of precious career-defining songs like “After the World,” “Invisible” and “Erase.”

“Promise to Live” follows “The Executioner,” which released last month to instant fan and media acclaim. Disciple is playing “Promise to Live” as part of their set on Winter Jam, where they are playing all 40 dates coast to coast this winter. You can view their full tour schedule at disciplerocks.com/tour.

A new version of Steven Curtis Chapman’s current single, “Don’t Lose Heart,” is set to release February 17 (Provident Label Group/Sony Music) and features Mitchell Tenpenny. The two artists shared the song live this past Friday night when Chapman made a surprise appearance during Tenpenny’s sold-out Ryman show.

Chapman, the most-awarded artist in Christian music history, was inspired to write “Don’t Lose Heart” through his own journey in the shallowed valley of grief and loss that he and his family have traveled.

The song’s upbeat honesty and truth have quickly connected with listeners, including No. 1 hitmaker and Riser House/Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville artist Tenpenny, whose mother is currently battling breast cancer.

Steven Curtis Chapman To Release New Version Of “Don’t Lose Heart” Feat. Mitchell Tenpenny

Stream & Enjoy

“This is one of those God-orchestrated stories,” Chapman says. “I met Mitchell while filming my I Am Second video. It led to a collaboration version of ‘Don’t Lose Heart’ that we hope will encourage anyone who needs to hear it!” Check out the brief video below that shares more about their collaboration on the song.

Upon its release in late 2022, “Don’t Lose Heart” was the most-added song at the radio for three straight weeks and is currently top ten on multiple charts. 

The single is the first from Chapman’s latest album, Still, which as he relates, “Is a celebration and a musical journey through much of what has been stirring in my heart and soul over these last few years.”

Fans will get to hear “Don’t Lose Heart” along with more songs from Still and many of his past hits when Chapman hits the road this spring on his 24-city “Still Tour.” Kicking off March 2 in Springfield, Missouri

A new single, “No Bad Days” (featuring PEABOD), is being released today by legendary rapper KJ-52 to Christian Hip-Hop and Christian Rap-formatted radio outlets. PEABODY, who appears on the record, is a popular Seattle-based hip-hop singer/songwriter and producer who is signed to the Centricity label.

“No Bad Days,” written by Jonah Sorrentino (aka KJ-52), PEABODY, and AJ Jenkins, who also produced the project, is from KJ-52’s “Still Standing” album. The new collection of music was inspired by Hurricane Ian, which devastated Southwest Florida in September 2022.

“My city of Cape Coral was dead center for this Category Four Hurricane, the largest hurricane to ever hit the state of Florida, and myself and my family experienced this catastrophic event first hand,” KJ-52 shares.

Stream & Enjoy

“Emerging afterward to a damaged house and nearly having a telephone pole on my roof, I realized that we were ‘still standing.’ We lost power, water, electricity, internet, and lives in my community, but as a local pastor, I knew that this was the time for the church to arise! The following weeks have been spent serving the community with the love of Christ in tangible ways, such as food, water, repairs, and much more.

“This project is inspired by those stories and is intended to bring much-needed hope, joy, and relief to a community that is ‘still standing.’”

KJ-52, who is based in Cape Coral, Florida, is a Guinness world record holder in freestyling and has garnered six Dove Award wins to date, including taking home honors for song of the year for “Do Yo Thang” and “Never Look Away” and multiple albums of the year wins for “Five-Two Television,” “KJ-52 Remixed,” and “It’s Pronounced Five Two.”

Monique, the award-winning gospel artist, recently released the visuals of her Praise Medley from her amazing “Monique Live In Concert“.

The energy in the room was contagious and the joy was tangible. It was truly an extraordinary experience that celebrated the power of God and His ability to call us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

The visuals of her Praise Medley will take viewers back to the moment, allowing them to experience the joy and energy of the live performance. Monique’s powerful lyrics and soulful melodies will be sure to lift spirits and get viewers in the mood to praise.

Relive the moment and enjoy the live Praise Experience from Monique and her Praise Medley. Get ready to feel the energy, raise your hands in worship, and give glory to God.

Praise Medley – MoniQue Ft. Mike Abdul

Watch Video Below;