GRAMMY-nominated band MercyMe dropped a reimagined version of their latest single “Then Christ Came” featuring acclaimed worship leader Phil Wickham.
Two years in the making, “Then Christ Came” was originally slated for MercyMe’s tenth studio album, inhale (exhale). However, frontman Bart Millard and his co-writer, David Leonard, didn’t finish the track in time. Yet, knowing it was already a special song, the band included a brief, incomplete demo of the chorus on their latest project.
Recently, Millard revisited the lyrics and finished the song with friends Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham. The song was originally released in June 2022.
“Then Christ Came” ft. Phil Wickham isavailable now.
New England based worship collective VoxMusic today released their first studio Christmas single “The Wait Is Over” to all digital platforms. Centered on the simple yet mindboggling truth that “he chose to be near to us,” the song speaks of both the birth of Christ entering humanity, as well as the reality that with belief, he makes his dwelling now in our hearts.
“For a few years, our team has desired to write a song that embraces the sound and message of Christmas,” said VoxMusic vocalist Joey Silva. “As we started writing this song, we really wanted to speak clearly about God drawing close to his creation and the joy that results in realizing this reality. The arrival of Jesus, fully divine yet born as a baby, the creator entering His creation—that is the reason we celebrate Christmas and the heartbeat behind the message of ‘The Wait Is Over.’”
Mixed and mastered by Chris Bevins (Laura Story, Phillips Craig & Dean, Jaci Velasquez), the new single continues VoxMusic’s history of releasing powerful homegrown worship songs for the broader church and concludes an exciting year that saw the worship group amass over half a million streams amidst the release of their first EP (We Are Ready).
GRAMMY ® award winner, and current double nominee for the upcoming 65th Annual GRAMMY® Awards on February 5, 2023, Chris Tomlin is releasing a deluxe version of his Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Deluxe today with two additional songs, “Gloria” penned by Tomlin, Tyler Hubbard, Dave Barnes, and Corey Crowder and “Emmanuel God With Us” featuring Anne Wilson, which was an Amazon original last year.
“Christmas is my favorite time of the year… I love the traditions, Christmas lights, and most of all I love the music,” shared Chris. “I have always found it interesting that this is the only holiday to have its own genre of music… and I think it is because Christmas started with a song, with the announcement of Jesus’ birth. I am so excited to be releasing “Emmanuel: Christmas Songs Of Worship Deluxe” today.”
Tomlin’s catalog of full-length Christmas albums include: 2021’s Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship, 2015’s highly regarded Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship, and his gold-certified Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship from 2009.
Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Deluxe
1. Emmanuel God With Us 2. Christmas Day (with We The Kingdom) 3. All The World Awaits (Hosanna) 4. Hallelujah (with Blessing Offor) 5. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day 6. His Name Is Wonderful 7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel 8. Hope Of Israel 9. O Holy Night (with CeCe Winans) 10. Crown Him (Christmas) (with Matt Redman) 11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 12. Crown Him (Reprise) (with Matt Redman) 13. Gloria 14. Emmanuel God With Us (with Anne Wilson)
Earlier this week Chris was nominated for two GRAMMY® awards, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “Holy Forever” from his latest record ALWAYS and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for ALWAYS. The multi-platinum, multi-award-winning and previous GRAMMY® award winner Tomlin received the news while on the road for the final leg of the ‘Top 10 Worldwide Tour’ (Pollstar), the “Tomlin UNITED Tour.” In December he is partnering for a one-of-a-kind co-headline tour with MercyMe from December 1-13 on the “Chris Tomlin X MercyMe” Go to christomlin.com for all the dates.
In 2023, Chris will create an intimate concert setting as he travels across the U.S. on “The Stories Of Worship Tour.” In the unique concert experience Chris will lead the attendees in an impactful evening of worship while sharing stories about some of the most influential songs around the world. Tickets for the tour are on sale now at christomlin.com.
New Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) signee Christian Paul knows when to “Walk Away,” as evidenced by his brand new song available across all DSPs today (11/18). Stream the fresh pop track HERE.
Produced by Frequency (Eminem, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg), “Walk Away” is autobiographical in many ways, considering Christian walked away from a mainstream record deal and aspirations of becoming the next Justin Timberlake or Robin Thicke. The Alabama native grew up on a steady diet of Michael Jackson, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Creed, Nirvana and Weezer; but it was his introduction to Jodeci and other R&B legends that made him fall in love with rhythm and blues.
By the time he was 12, Christian had taught himself how to play guitar and was constantly singing. A brief stint in a now defunct boyband gave him his first taste of the spotlight, but it was his incredible falsetto that led to a solo record deal at 19. During his debut radio tour, one night alone in his hotel room he came across a YouTube video in his Recommended List of a pastor “faithfully preaching the Gospel,” and slowly his life began to change.
Feeling like his new values were at odds with his fast-rising road to pop stardom, the soulful singer made the difficult decision to step away from his mainstream label deal. Assuming this was likely the demise of his career, he took an indefinite hiatus from music. After much soul-searching, the now 22-year-old eventually agreed to meet with some interested labels in Nashville and found a new home at CCMG, where he brings his mainstream pop sensibilities and his tender heart for theology to the original songs he’s crafting.
“My pursuit of musical excellence was always a genuine God-given thing, a God-given bent. He just designed me this way, to have these inclinations toward musical things,” Christian shares. “But the call is ultimately submission. It’s a yielding of one’s life to Christ, to be so persuaded by a truth that you conform your very life to it — that’s faith, and that’s what I’m committed to.”
“Walk Away” follows Christian’s introductory song, “Won’t Rain Anymore,” which quietly ushered in his next era, previewing what’s to come with its textured sonics, effortless vocals and an undeniably positive message. Zane Lowe premiered the rainbow-after-the-rain track — also produced by Frequency — on Apple Music, giving listeners a glimpse into Christian’s fresh musical direction.
Christian is currently writing with some of the top songwriters in Christian music — including Paul Duncan, Jonathan Smith, Jason Ingram, and Paul Mabury, among others — while simultaneously working on original songs with producers who have helmed projects for some of the biggest names in pop, hip-hop and R&B.
Trilogy releases “Favorite Time Of Year.” The audio can be heard below. “Favorite Time Of You” is available now.
Originally known as STL3, Stephen, Sierra and Shante Leslie are Washington, D.C.-born singing powerhouses whose first album received a Stellar Award nomination for Youth Project of the Year.
The siblings took some time off to pursue higher education, learn more about the music business and further hone their craft. Now, they emerge with a new name – TRILOGY – and a reverent sound reflective of their flawless harmonies and deep roots in Gospel music.
JJ Heller shares new music with I Dream Of You: CHRISTMAS. The project is available now.
“Yesterday I listened to the whole thing from start to finish because I wanted to remind myself of what you’d be hearing today. I’ll tell you what, I was excited about this album when we first finished it many months ago, but I think I’m even more excited about it now. It’s just stunning.
When I made Unto Us (my first Christmas album) back in 2016, it was like a spark was lit inside me. I absolutely fell in love with singing Christmas music. It felt comfortable, familiar, challenging and inspiring all at the same time. I loved the orchestration, the nostalgia and the children’s choir. It’s what led me down the path of making all of the orchestral I Dream of You records.
It was an absolute joy to revisit Christmas again with this new collection of songs. It was no small feat, that’s for sure. @benshive crushed it again with his absolutely gorgeous arranging and production and my brilliant husband Dave was always there to point us in the right direction.
As usual, all the players were incredible. From brass and woodwinds, to harp and percussion, keys and strings, the @trinityboyschoir with their angelic voices, and @rob_burrell_mixermania mixing like an absolute master, there are just so many insanely talented people lending us their gifts… simply to create this one big timeless gift for you. 🎁
I hope you can hear the love, joy and reverence in these beautiful tracks. I hope they become the backdrop to countless Christmas memories to come. I sure loved singing these songs and I can’t wait for you to sing along with me.” -Heller
David Ashley Trent shares his take on “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.” The official audio can be heard below.
“Might seem like an odd choice for my first official Christmas release but after a deep dive into the story behind the song I realized this was the very song I’ve needed these last few Christmases.” -Trent
Curb | Word Entertainment artist Hannah Kerr adds her warm alto to a traditional arrangement of “Joy To The World.” Kerr’s graceful, piano-led rendition, “Joy To The World (It’s Christmas),” includes an original refrain that sends the song out to the lonely, the anxious, and the forgotten.
The fresh seasonal offering serves as the title-cut of Kerr’s latest three-track holiday single, new for Christmas 2022. “Joy To The World (It’s Christmas)” was arranged by Hannah Kerr and Jason Earley; and produced by Mark Miller.
Kerr also puts her spin on the holiday classic, “Sleigh Ride.” Sticking to a traditional arrangement of the Christmas favorite, Kerr’s elegant vocal glides effortlessly over the bright instrumentation of a jazz trio. “Sleigh Ride” was written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish; and produced by Mark Miller.
Kerr waltzes into the holiday season with her wistful take on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Set against a meandering piano and light percussion, Kerr’s dreamlike version captures the nostalgia of the original classic in a spin-off that’s uniquely her own. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was written Walter Kent, Kim Gannon and Buck Ram; and produced by Mark Miller.
Love & The Outcome release the second in a pair of new seasonal selections. “It’s Still Christmas” speaks to those feeling the weight of loss, heartache, and grief this holiday season.
Acknowledging that Christmas isn’t always the most wonderful time of the year, the mid-tempo track offers a shaft of light on an otherwise dark night, reminding listeners that hope remains even when the holidays find us missing the ones we love.
“It’s Still Christmas” was written by Jodi King Rademaker, Chris Rademaker and Mark Campbell; and produced by Mark Campbell.
