BEC Recordings’ chart-topping singer/songwriter Tasha Layton appeared on Huckabee this past weekend. Layton offered up live performances of her No. 1 hits “Look What You’ve Done” and “How Far.” Watch Huckabee Saturdays 8/7c and again Sundays 9/8c exclusively on TBN.

Songwriter, performing artist, author, and podcaster Mike Donehey is celebrating the release of his second book, Grace in the Gray, today.

The book is available now at local bookstores and online marketplaces. Mike is set to perform a special book release concert live from Nashville tonight (January 17) at 8pm ET that will be streamed below.

Donehey shares about the heart behind his new project below.

Grace in the Gray.

It started with a single comment.

“Mike, I can’t believe the way you disagree with people. It isn’t teeming with anger like I’ve come to expect. Your discourse is brimming with compassion and curiosity. I think I’m learning how to argue by watching you.”

Alright. Maybe it wasn’t those exact words. But it was definitely something close to it.

Funny, because I never would have considered myself a gracious debater. I know I didn’t used to be anyway. I used to have to win. All the time, and at all costs.

But perhaps mercy really is beginning to have its way in me, because over the last few years I’ve begun to wonder which is more important. Is it my position? Or is it my posture? Maybe it’s both. Maybe love without truth isn’t love, and truth without love isn’t truth. Maybe disagreement isn’t the sign that something is wrong with my relationships, maybe it’s the evidence that I actually have relationships in the first place. If everyone in my life agrees with me about everything all the time, maybe that’s just a sign that I’ve only really been in a relationship with myself.

Maybe disagreement doesn’t have to be filled with anger, but could be fueled by love.

Honestly, I didn’t think I’d write another book this quickly, but the pandemic changed a lot for everyone didn’t it? For me, it changed my approach. I quickly realized, pecking away my opinions behind the shield of a screen and a block button, I might have been helping myself feel superior, but I wasn’t helping others feel loved. Now, I’m not saying it’s all about feelings, but I wrote this book, because I began to realize how curiosity and kindness have done more to change my heart than a thousand contentious debates ever could. And maybe that’s also true for how we change the world.

Maybe.
Maybe there really is a more loving way.
Maybe.
Come and see.

My new book,
“Grace in the Gray”
A More Loving Way to Disagree
is finished and…
It can’t come soon enough.

Curb | Word Entertainment’s Sidewalk Prophets is excited to announce their “Songs & Stories Tour,” an intimate acoustic trio experience where fans will hear the group’s hits and stories behind the songs, and well as brand new music. Purchase tickets HERE now.

“This tour is really going to be something special for the audience,” shares Sidewalk Prophets front man Dave Frey. “We can’t wait to get out there and do what we love most, which is using music as a tool to bring people together for God’s glory.”

Fans can expect a special, acoustic trio experience where they will hear stories behind some of their favorite songs, as well as brand new music from the band. Tickets are available HERE now.

This past Christmas, fans created special memories with their families at Sidewalk Prophets’ “Great Big Family Reunion Christmas Tour.” Like past years, each show supported a local individual or organization in need, with an offering collected after the show. 2022’s “Great Big Family Christmas Tour” raised over $50K and to date, the tour has raised over $150K for local individuals and organizations around the country, with a goal to raise over $1M dollars in the coming years.

For “Songs & Stories Tour” tickets and more information, visit www.sidewalkprophets.com.

“Songs & Stories Tour” Dates

A big move for Reach Records is the inclusion of Tedashii‘s single “Get Out My Way” ft Lecrae in Apple’s iPhone 14 “Action Mode” commercial.

The song, selected from his Never Fold album (2019) was played in an advertisement that aired on January 9th during the NCAA National Championship game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Georgia Bulldogs. 

“So I turn on the game, and this happens!!!” shared Tedashii excitedly on Instagram. “The new commercial from Apple for the iPhone 14 features my song ‘Get Out My Way.’ Tell Lecrae we got one lol!”

Picture it. A warm night, June 2004. Four Michigan women known as RiZen stepped on to a stage at Rocketown, a skatepark/youth facility in downtown Nashville.

Their voices exploded and bounced off the cinderblock walls as the quartet zig-zagged the stage with churchy, synchronized choreography that complimented their feverish, youthful approach to traditional gospel music.

One of the songs “View the City” was already a radio hit and now they were shooting a video so fans could see what they’d been hearing on the radio. The video breathed new life into a genre that was being phased out by samples, loops, and auto-tune. It earned them over 100 million radio airplay impressions and a Stellar Award as New Artist of the Year. Sadly, the song has been out of print and off streaming sites for over a decade because of legal disputes, but fans keep requesting it.

So, RiZen (Adriann Lewis-Freeman, Ashley Griffith, Aundrea Lewis, and Kanika Trigg), reunited in 2021 and they are now releasing “View the City (Remix),” via DAF Gospel / Tyscot Records on Friday, January 20^th. “So many times, artists redo the song and it’s not the same as the original that took the nation by storm,” Adriann Lewis-Freeman says of the track that was created by the original producer, Ay’ron Lewis who has also gotten Aretha Franklin and Shirley Caesar in the vocal booth.  

“We sat down and put some extra tunes, some different vocals, and I think it overshadows the old `View the City.’  I know everybody will enjoy it and I know you’ll do the same thing: walk, shout, sing, shout. But most importantly, it represents that RiZen is back together again after 20 years of getting married, raising children, going back to school, taking care of parents that have become ill.

God has allowed us to show the world that whatever you’re going through if you just trust God, what you have put on hold, He will make it relevant again.”

“Let it Go,” a new single from popular Christian rock band Love Like Gravity is set to drop at Christian-rock formatted radio outlets today. The single, written by Billy Pind and produced by Cale Kight, is from the act’s “Break the Silence” album from the LLG Music Group.

The song, Pind says, is about the harm caused by holding on to grudges.

“When you’re not ready to forgive, you’re putting shackles on yourself, crippling yourself, causing yourself more grief. So it’s important that you forgive. Because when you forgive that person, you’re releasing those chains of bondage.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 says to release all bitterness and malice, Pind reminds us, emphasizing the end of the Scripture that reads,” Forgive one another, as Christ forgave you.”

“Let it Go” follows the release of two successful singles from “Break The Silence.” “Grind” hit No. 4 on Christian Music Weekly’s Rock Chart and “Devil’s in the Details” reached No. 2 on the same chart.

“Break the Silence” features band members Kight on guitar and background vocals, Pind on lead vocals, guitar and piano, and Stan Mayo on drums, synths and programming. Tony Palacios and Mark Siegel also contributed performances.

In addition to producing the new single, Kight produced and engineered the entire 10-song album at Big City Sound Studios in Georgia. Tony Palacios mixed the project at The Palace in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Nathan Dantzler mastered the CD at Nashville’s The Hitlab.

“Break the Silence” follows “Chain Reaction,” Love Like Gravity’s sophomore album. The project, released in 2015, produced top singles on Billboard (“Slave,” Top 20; “Chain Reaction,” Top 30), as well as a feature song, “Courage” from the soundtrack of WORD Film’s “Adrenaline” movie.

Let It Go – Love Like Gravity

The band’s self-titled debut yielded three radio hits, including “Stronger (top 15 on Billboard and Top 3 on Christian Music Weekly), “Dig” (No. 1 for six weeks at Christian Radio Weekly) and “Adrenaline.” “Adrenaline” later inspired and was featured in the film of the same name. The song’s YouTube video has close to 500,000 views.

Love Like Gravity is a band that unashamedly shouts out a message of Faith, Hope and Love. With a heart that beats for ministry, always searching for the best balance of depth and accessibility in modern music isn’t easy. However, this band seems to have found the elements to make it work.

Musical independence and a passion for the song crafting itself has led to numerous successes for the band over the past decade. Love Like Gravity has played to thousands as a headlining artist while also sharing tickets with such top industry artists as Kutless, RED, Skillet, Decyfer Down, Disciple and Manafest at events and festivals across the US. Joining forces with Tony Palacios and Jim Cooper (Decyfer Down, Building 429, High Flight Society, etc) as the band’s producers was one of the first big steps forward from the start.

The first two albums found the band’s sweet spot, especially when it came to radio. Between the self-titled debut release and “Chain Reaction,” the band saw five singles chart in the Top 30 on The Billboard Christian Rock charts. The stand out single off the first album, “Stronger,” was named No. 34 in Billboard’s top 75 Christian Rock songs of 2012.

Samuel Adrián, youth leader from Monterrey, Mexico, releases “Dios Es Bueno” (via Gaither Latino) on Friday, January 27. The track marks the third song from Adrián’s forthcoming debut album De Vuelta En Casa, produced by iconic Latin songwriter and producer Rudy Peréz, slated for release on April 7 (Good Friday).

“I wrote ‘Dios Es Bueno’ inspired by the words of King David in Psalm 23. I believe that if we keep in our mind and heart that God is good and faithful in every season of our lives, even in the darkest moments we will experience the inexplicable refuge of God’s peace. I don’t know what your reality is today, but I invite you to listen to this song with a heart receptive to God’s truth. God bless you,” says Adrián.

(“Escribí esta canción inspirado por las palabras del rey David en el Salmo 23, creo que si tenemos presente en nuestra mente y corazón que Dios es bueno y fiel en cada temporada de nuestra vida, incluso en los momentos más oscuros podremos experimentar el refugio inexplicable de la paz de Dios. Te invito a que sin importar cual sea tu realidad hoy, escuches esta canción con un corazón receptivo a la verdad de Dios. Dios te bendice.”)

De Vuelta En Casa is the inaugural project from Gaither Latino, a new JV imprint from Peréz and Nashville-based music, publishing and media brand Gaither Music Group.

Listen to Adrián’s debut single, “No Hay Otro Nombre Igual” (9.30) — featuring renowned Colombian jazz pianist Jesús Molina — here.

Pre-order/pre-save “Dios Es Bueno” here.

Pre-order/pre-save De Vuelta En Casa here.

Stephanie Staples announces Love Broke Through, a new album available worldwide on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Singer/songwriter Stephanie Staples’ songs have stirred hearts and lifted weary souls across the world for over twenty years, and her eighth album is her most mature and polished album to date.

Produced by Jeremy Casella and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, Love Broke Through is Staples’ most collaborative album yet, combining Staples’ soaring vocals, soothing melodies, and contemplative lyrics with a star-studded cast of award-winning musicians and artists, including Phil Keaggy, Nathan Dugger, Dave Cleveland, Blair Masters, Paul Eckberg, Ken Lewis, Matt Pierson, Byron House, Matthew Nelson, and Avery Bright.

Love Broke Through combines Staples’ original songwriting with fresh takes on a few classics.

The album will be formally released at an event on January 21st at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. Staples, who toured in the UK in 2022 after several years off the road, is available for booking.

Love Broke Through – Stephanie Staples

Tony Robbins was accurate when he said “The quality of your life is in direct proportion with the quality of your relationships” and the truth is most sane people only associate with those who add value to their lives. So how do you intend to have quality relationships when you keep behaving in ways that make you unattractive as a person?

If you want your relationships to thrive better, you must stop these behaviours if you’ve been indulging in them:

1. Sharing People’s News Before They Do.

I know you’re super close with them and you can get all giddy and excited or even emotional that you feel the need to quickly share your friends’ news to show your support and care but not everybody likes for their life to be put in the public space. Some people cherish their privacy. 

So before you share the news of your friend’s engagement or the death of their loved one with your community (both online and offline), normalise asking the person(s) involved whether it’s okay to share. 

So that you will not be wondering what offence you committed when your friends stop sharing their news with you.

2. Violating People’s Boundaries.

You don’t always have to understand a person’s boundaries before you respect them. You might not know what people are going through and this includes your friends. 

A lot of people are just trying to get by even though they seem “fine”. So when they tell you a certain thing triggers them and they ask you not to do it, please don’t do it.

Also, be sensitive. Don’t be that person that just opens their mouth “waaaa” and spills out whatever comes to their mind without processing or thinking about the implications of your words.

When you respect people and their boundaries, it says a lot about your character and it makes people have a high regard for you.

3. Asking People For Money Because You Feel They’re Living Life.

When your friend just bought a house or returned from an exotic vacation, that is not the time to ask them for money. You might be tempted to think that they must have money in order to be able to afford that kind of luxury but you should be reasonable enough to know that what they just spent must have taken a toll on their bank accounts. 

Sometimes, they might have had to save for a very long duration of time that you have no idea about. Allow people to enjoy the reward of their hard work in peace. Don’t be a “winch“.That’s why they blocked you from viewing their status on social media (pun intended).

4. Taking Advantage Of Those Around You Under The guise of friendship.

You can fool people for only so long. Eventually, they will see right through you and your intentions. 

Nothing screams toxicity like keeping people around just to manipulate them and use them to do your bidding. Stop abusing people’s children. Relationships are a two-way street. It’s only when you give that you can hope to take. Don’t expect to reap where you haven’t sown.

5. Sharing A Secret Your Friend Told You In Confidence With Your Lover.

This is downright wrong. You shouldn’t be spilling your friend’s secrets to your lover. If they wanted a third party to know, they would have told you in the presence of your spouse. 

I know you tell your spouse everything but do not betray your friend’s trust in the name of “Spilling Tea”. You could ruin years of friendship over an hour of gossip. Remember, your spouse cannot be everything you need them to be and your friends make up part of your support system. So, don’t damage connections that you should be protecting.

If we must have quality relationships, then we must be value adding individuals with quality character traits. We all can do better if we’re willing to put in the work that it takes.

The Toronto-based singer-songwriter is currently on the Roots Music charts with her debut album, “Le Olam.” She is nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s CFMAs.

Based in Toronto, Canada, Alex Krawczyk is known at home and abroad for her chart-topping hits, “There Will be Light,” “Better Days,” and “Turning.” Her 2022 debut album “Le Olam” introduced both fans and critics to her folk-pop blend of songwriting. The album earned Alex a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Now, Alex is releasing a stand-alone single, “A Song for You.” Written by Krawczyk and producer, Robbie Roth, the moving and emotional new single is due for release on January 25th, 2023 on MTS Records.

“A Song For You’ is written in appreciation for the beautiful moments between us that are built on love, respect, compassion, and understanding,” Alex says.  “I am grateful to everyone who participated in this new song, and I hope that ‘A Song For You’ brings some joy and lightness to our world.”

A music video for “A Song for You” has been released in advance of the retail and streaming date.

Alex Krawczyk – A Song for You

Alex aims to create an emotional discourse that beckons her listeners to contemplate different aspects of life. From grief and loss to love and new beginnings, Alex’s music aims to take listeners on an emotional journey that ultimately helps them feel uplifted.

ABOUT ALEX KRAWCZYK:

 With more than 150K Spotify streams of her debut album, “Le Olam,” a #1 US radio airplay chart single, another Top 10 US radio single, and a nod for the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Alex Krawczyk emerged onto the folk music scene in 2022. When she’s not working on her music, Alex devotes much of her time to working with charitable initiatives in her community. Preferring to stay out of the limelight, she continues to write and record new music, continuing to share her journey of hope and healing through song. More details about Alex Krawczyk and her new single can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/alexkrawczykofficial.