Canyon Hills Worship releases the new radio version of their single “On and On” (DREAM Worship) today. The Seattle-based worship team teamed up with North Point Worship’s Clay Finnesand and Brandon Coker to create a beautiful song about God’s faithfulness.

The radio version is also coupled with the original five minute plus original version of “On and On” in multitrack form. It is available at all digital retail and streaming outlets today.

“On and On” was recently sent out to radio and has garnered early success with stations like KCMS/Seattle, WA and WONU/Chicago, IL showing their early support. Now, with over 15 adds in 3 weeks, the group saw its first song debut on the Billboard National Airplay chart at #45. The group is eager to see the blessing of “On and On”’s message get to everyone.

“On and On” has also seen support from their retail community as it has been added to Spotify’s New Music Friday Christian and WorshipNow playlists, editorial features on Apple Music, New Christian Music Now on Pandora and SOZO’s Top Christian Hits.

“On and On” is available now.

Best known as a Christian music powerhouse with five studio albums under her belt, Natasha Owens is taking a stand with her upcoming album, American Patriot. Produced for Radiate Music by GRAMMY-nominated and multiple Dove Award winner Ian Eskelin, the new album will be available everywhere on July 1, 2022.

Owens exploded onto the Christian Music scene in 2016 and quickly found herself touring with Christian Music’s most iconic artists, including Michael W. Smith and Jason Crabb. Her sophomore album, We Will Rise, was named “Inspirational Album of the Year” at the 2018 We Love Christian Music Awards, which led to a deal with Nashville-based Radiate Music and extensive media coverage including appearances on Fox News, HLN, Newsmax and more.

With American Patriot, Owens is taking a new direction and offering up a bold, proud, powerful concept collection that bridges an unwavering love of country with the themes of faith and family that have always played a significant part in her artistry.

“The definition of a patriot is ‘a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors,’” says the Texas-native. “Put the word ‘American’ in front of it and it describes me perfectly. I’m proud to be a patriot…I love this country so much. I can’t look at a flying flag without tearing up. It’s the same way for me when I see a cross. We owe everything to God for saving us on the cross. But we owe all of our freedom to the military men and women. Freedom is the most expensive thing we own, and most of us, including me, have not earned it. Every year, our society keeps moving further away from God and further away from patriotism. America, even with all of its flaws, is still the greatest and place on earth. I just thought it was time to help people remember what makes this land so great. I’m just so thankful to be an American.”

That stance is evident throughout the new album, which is full of anthems that combine a contemporary pop sound, live strings, and a cast of all-star collaborators. The album kicks off with “America First,” a subtle tip of the hat to America First Policy Institute. Says Owens, “What is wrong for the President of the United States to say he wants to put Americans first? I am all about giving to other countries, but at the end of the day, I want my president or my elected official to be looking out for me, us, the American people, American children, American veterans and American homeless first. And if they can’t say ‘America First,’ then they don’t deserve to lead.”

The album is also sure to get attention for the pro-life anthem, “Stand For Life.” “This one was written for the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group, for every pro-life organization and pro-life person,” explains Owens. “It’s just a declaration that I stand for life, boldly in front of God and the whole world. Hopefully it will give others enough courage to stand up, vocalize and fight for the cause. Life is precious. Life starts at conception. An embryo is not a clump of cells. It is a miracle from God. Everything that has a heartbeat is alive.”

The new collection of songs also includes “Freedom Is The Song,” “Prayer For America,” and the soaring ballad, “Broad Stripes, Bright Stars,” as well as powerful new renditions of iconic standards: “God Bless America,” “My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee,” “America The Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless The U.S.A.”

Owens has been making regular appearances on the conservative circuit in recent months, including frequent visits to Mar A Lago and a main stage appearance at CPAC 2022 in Orlando, performing the national anthem for the largest and most influential annual gathering of conservatives in the world. She also performed for nearly 50,000 at this year’s Hero’s Honor Festival alongside Toby Keith and Craig Morgan.

“My plan is to blaze a trail and spread as much hope as I can,” says Owens. “I would love to sing to as many veterans, military soldiers and police officers as I can, to let them all know how much appreciation I have for them. There are so many people that feel the way I do. These soldiers need to hear that. They do not always hear appreciation. I sang at a Hero’s Honor Festival and I cannot describe to you the feeling that I had when I saw the tears and smiles on the faces of our veterans. It gave me such fulfillment.”

Owens’ path to a successful music career is unique, rooted in agonizing heartache and unbelievable tragedy. Twelve years ago, her father died suddenly while cleaning his guns when one misfired, placing a bullet in his chest. She somberly recalls. “I downward spiraled into depression and almost didn’t make it. I was in a battlefield of the mind and a fight for my life. God gave me the opportunity to walk a road of music to help give people hope and encouragement, that they could make it and that God would get them through. I am a living example of that. I wouldn’t be alive today if God had not crossed my path when he did.”

“Each album has been another chapter of my recovery. From making it through, to rising above, to being a warrior and standing on a firm foundation for Christ, I have been very vocal about being a proponent for mental health. I feel like this is just an expansion of my ministry. Solders are true warriors physically on the battlefield. But service to this country creates scars. They come back home physically, but then the real battle starts, from PTSD, to physical disabilities to pure brokenness. They try to be strong and they try to hold it in, but the battlefield in their mind rages. Society and the church has failed in the mental health arena. For so long, it has been a taboo to really talk about it. And the church is so faith-based that they just say, ‘well, you don’t have enough faith’ or ‘you just need to pray more.’ There are circumstances that paralyze us so much that we are lucky to get between breath to breath. We are just in survival mode. Jesus is the way out. I am a survivor, so I have to say things in such a way that people can feel the empathy. Then I can show them my friend Jesus.”

Adds Owens, “A portion of all proceeds generated by American Patriot will go to support, pay tribute, and invest directly into our servicemen and women — and to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten.”

Pre-save or pre-order American Patriot: https://ffm.to/patriot

Multi-talented singer songwriter Blessing Offor will be making his national television debut today, Monday, June 20th, performing his hit track “Brighter Days” on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show. The Nashville-based, Nigerian-born artist recently released the Brighter Days (Live Sessions) EP, featuring intimate live versions of tracks from his debut EP Brighter Days. The Kelly Clarkson Show airs on NBC, check local listings for time. To listen to Brighter Days (Live Sessions), click HERE.

A testament to its widespread appeal, “Brighter Days” is currently a Top 5 hit, slotting in at a cool No. 2 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart. With its lively colors, heartfelt scenarios, and message of optimism, the “Brighter Days” music video can be seen HERE.

Filled with thought provoking lyrics alongside his powerful voice and expert musicianship, Blessing’s debut EP Brighter Days is full of infectious optimism that jumps right out of the speaker. Blessing’s ability to bring emotion to life is apparent, and each song acts as a window into his extraordinary story. The seven-song passage takes us through the layers of Blessing’s character as he takes his life experiences and turns them into foot stomping revelations.

https://youtu.be/vtaFQwqnkkM

The youngest of six siblings, the Nigerian-born singer/songwriter immigrated to the United States with his uncle at the age of six. Born blind in one eye, Blessing’s parents sent him to the United States in an effort to restore his vision, though unfortunately he lost his complete eyesight by age 10. Gravitating towards the piano before losing his vision, Blessing’s school teachers helped nurture his talent, and he soon found himself at Belmont University honing his craft in Music City. Hints of pop, Motown, and soul flourish across Blessing’s music as he sings of optimism, hope, and finding silver linings in dark clouds. Blessing’s seven song EP Brighter Days is out now via Chris Tomlin’s Bowyer & Bow imprint in partnership with Universal/Capitol Christian Music Group.

The 2022 BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Juneteenth UNITYFEST concert, co-presented by the Robert Randolph Foundation (@therrfound) was held in Brooklyn, NY.

A national multi-cultural experience united diverse voices and communities, in commemoration and celebration of Juneteenth and Black culture, featured performances from multi-award winning gospel artist, Tye Tribbett (@tyetribbett), legendary vocalist, Deborah Cox (@deborahcox), Grammy-award winning gospel singer, Israel Houghton (@israelhougton), inspirational R&B singer, Mali Music (@malimusic), and six-time Grammy-nominated steel pedal-guitarist,Robert Randolph (@robertrandolph).

The event was hosted by actor and comedian Barry Brewer (@barrybrewerjr) and made possible by a phenomenal list of sponsors and partners, including Heal America, Levitt Foundation, and LiveOne as the official streaming partner.

To view the Juneteenth UNITYFEST live stream, please click here.

The Festival season will continue this Friday, June 24 with Latin Grammy-winning  artist  Fonseca (@fonescamusic), and neo-traditionalist ensemble, La Cumbiamba eNeYé (@lacumbiambany).

BRIC, a Brooklyn-based leading arts and media institution, hosts the 44th annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! festival at the Lena Horne Bandshell at Prospect Park, with live, free and in-person performances, which kicked off June 8, 2022 and runs through August 6, 2022 For more information on the artist lineup, RSVPs and more, visit http://bricartsmedia.org/bcb.

GRAMMY-winning group Maverick City Music joins NPR Tiny Desk for a soul-stirring, hand-clapping concert, backed by 10 choir members, 2 sets of keys, drums, guitar, and bass –– all squeezed in for one of the first Tiny Desk concerts to return to the office. 

“The NPR production staff was buzzing because we had not recorded such a large ensemble in our office in more than two years” says NPR. For the finale, the genre-blending music collective is joined by 16-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin, who Maverick City Music released collab album Kingdom Book One with last week.

This is the continuation of an exciting week for Maverick City Music, who are nominated for the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel/Inspiration Award — for their record-breaking hit “Jireh” — at the upcoming BET Awards. They will be performing during the awards show on Sunday (6.26), make sure to tune in.

Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin are currently headlining arenas on their ‘The Kingdom Tour,’ which ranked at No. 6 on Pollstar’s Live 75 this week, shattering multiple records since the 37-date trek kicked off earlier this month. Fans can purchase tickets to the nearly sold-out tour HERE.

Sunday Mornin’ Country held up on their promises to be the best ticket in town, blending top Country artists and fan-favorite Gospel music performances. The 40th Annual Anniversary event brought attendees together for a time of celebration and inspiration, along with great entertainment for the whole family. The incredible show was hosted by the longtime supporter of the ministry event and legendary Country Music and Rock -n- Roll Hall of Fame member, Brenda Lee on Sunday, June 12th on the Grand Ole Opry stage making history with the best-attended show on the books. Mark your calendars now as next year the event will once again take place on the Sunday at the end of one of the biggest music festivals in Nashville on June 11, 2023.

“Sunday Mornin’ Country is not only a great experience for the audience, but it’s also a great experience as a performer! Having a chance to share the stage with so many legends was a true blessing. I can’t thank them enough for letting me be a part of the program,” shared performer Alex Miller.

“We truly are blessed to produce this event each year. Our team has worked for many months to put together a program that has garnered rave reviews from performing artists and fans alike. The program was full of great songs and wonderful moments and we have seen a show in a long time that included as many standing ovations as our 40th-anniversary show. We can’t wait until next year!” exclaimed producers Lynn Fox and Melanie Walker.

“I really enjoyed accompanying my friend John Berry during his performance at the Sunday Mornin’ Country event this year. It was great catching up with Brenda Lee and Charlie McCoy, who I have had the honor of working with,” stated Steve Dorff.

Extraordinary performances for the 40th Anniversary held something for everyone with a lineup of acclaimed artists and spectacular performances. Some of the exceptional highlights included Alex Miller singing “I’m Gonna Sing,” John Berry accompanied by Steve Dorff on his standing ovation performance of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Brenda Lee joining Joanne Cash Yates during the introduction to “I’ve Got Jesus In My Soul” and Charlie McCoy performing “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Additional heartfelt, soul-touching and masterful productions included:
The Country Chorale-featuring-Troy Richardson and David Smith “Unclouded Day”
The Country Chorale-featuring-Linda Grimes and Keith Ital “When The Morning Comes”
National Anthem-Nikki Headley “Star Spangled Banner”
Music City Strings 40 Years of Sunday Mornin’ Country
Tennessee River Boys “When Heaven Crumbles”
The Country Chorale-featuring-Judy Gilbert, Bev McCann and Mark Thomas “One Day At A Time”
T. Graham Brown “Wine Into Water”
Makenzie Phipps “The Old Rugged Cross”
Music City Quartet “Only Here For A Little While”
Dianne Sherrill “Have A Little Talk With Jesus”
Chris Golden “Can I Get A Witness”
Nadine from Larry’s Country Diner “Comedy”
Melanie Walker “Get Up In Jesus Name”
Special Military Tribute-The Fox Brothers-with special guests-René Jones and The Color Guard  “God Bless The USA”
LuLu Roman “That’s The Man I’m Looking For”
Adam Warner “Someone God Can Use”
Cowboy Joe and The Babcocks “Brand Of The Cross”
Holly Watson “It Is Well”
Todd Tilghman “Blood, Sweat & Her Tears”
Joanne Cash Yates and The Country Chorale “Just As I Am”
All Artists and The Country Chorale “I’ll Fly Away”

“Sunday Mornin’ Country is one of my favorite things to be a part of each year. It reminds me of my childhood; going to church, being with old friends, meeting new friends and sharing the songs of my childhood,” said event host Brenda Lee. “I was honored to be invited to host the 40th-anniversary show again this year at the Grand Ole Opry House.”

Past years’ performers have included the talents of Jeannie Seely, John Berry, Skeeter Davis, Roy Acuff, Lynn Anderson, Jason Crabb, Chris Young, Jimmie Wayne, The Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Freddy Hart, Grandpa Jones, Charlie McCoy, Vestel Goodman, Paul Richey, Marty Raybon, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Rhonda Vincent, The Whites, Tammy Wynette, Brenda Lee, Linda Davis, Jean Shepard and many others.

Sponsored by the Nashville-based nonprofit, Music City Christian Fellowship, the concert wraps up the week at the conclusion of CMA Music Fest each year, leaving fans and guests with an uplifting memory of Nashville. Sunday Mornin’ Country is the longest-running country/gospel event during the music festival.

A band that has become synonymous with dynamic live performances, two-time GRAMMY-nominated group We The Kingdom will hit the road on a headline tour this fall, We The Kingdom LIVE with Cory Asbury. The 22-date trek is set to kick off on Thursday, September 29, stopping in cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville and more through November.

We The Kingdom recently released “Miracle Power” (5.27 via Capitol Christian Music Group), the first track off the group’s sophomore studio album, which marked the band’s biggest street week streaming debut for a single to date. It will go for adds on radio this Friday, June 24.

The multi-generational group is currently opening for Crowder on his My People Tour, which is happening now throughout the Southeast. Additionally, they’ll perform at fairs and festivals across the country this Summer. Tickets for We The Kingdom’s Ryman Auditorium date (11.5) are already on-sale, and additional dates on the We The Kingdom LIVE with Cory Asbury tour will go on-sale this Friday, June 24 at wtklive.com.

Named Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year at the 2021 Dove Awards, We the Kingdom is comprised of brothers Ed Cash and Scott Cash, Ed’s children Franni Rae Cash Cain and Martin Cash, and close family friend Andrew Bergthold, who all came together as musicians during a life-changing Young Life experience. Since making their debut in 2018, the group has garnered continuous praise, earning their very first RIAA-certified GOLD Single for ‘Holy Water’, the group’s first No.1 hit, in just a few years as a commercial band.

We The Kingdom’s team includes Roundtable Management, Capitol Christian Music Group and Shore Fire Media. ‘We The Kingdom LIVE with Cory Asbury’ is produced by Premier Productions.

We The Kingdom LIVE with Cory Asbury Tour Dates

Thu., Sep. 29 | Countryside Christian | Tampa, FL

Fri., Sep. 30 | Northland Church | Orlando, FL

Sat., Oct. 1 | FBC Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sun., Oct. 2 | Florida Theater | Jacksonville, FL

Fri., Oct. 7 | Texas Trust CU Theatre | Dallas, TX

Sat., Oct. 8 | Houston, TX^

Sun., Oct. 9 | Tobin Center | San Antonio, TX

Fri., Oct. 14 |CrossCity Christian Church| Fresno, CA

Sat., Oct. 15 | Capitol Christian Center | Sacramento, CA

Sun., Oct. 16 | Calvary Community Church | Los Angeles, CA

Thu., Oct. 20 | Lake City Church | Spokane, WA

Fri., Oct. 21 | Rolling Hills Community | Portland, OR

Sat., Oct. 22 | Eugene FBC | Eugene, OR

Sun., Oct. 23 | Overlake Church Redmond | Seattle, WA

Thu., Oct. 27 | Hoyt Sherman Place | Des Moines, IA~

Fri., Oct. 28 | Willow Creek | Chicago, IL

Sat., Oct. 29 | The Lerner | Elkhart, IN

Sun., Oct. 30 | Wings Event Center | Kalamazoo, MI

Thu., Nov. 3 | Ovens Auditorium | Charlotte, NC

Fri., Nov. 4 | Alabama Theater | Birmingham, AL

Sat., Nov. 5 | Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN*

Sat., Nov. 6 | Coca-Cola Roxy | Atlanta, GA

*Tickets Available Now

~Tickets on-sale June 29

^Tickets on-sale July 1

GRAMMY-winning group Maverick City Music and 16-time GRAMMY winner Kirk Franklin joined The View to commemorate Juneteenth, delivering a powerful rendition of “Kingdom” alongside 10-year-old viral sensation Jordan Hollins.

https://youtu.be/GqhzocZjb1A

This is just the beginning of an exciting week for Maverick City Music and Franklin, who are both nominated for the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel/Inspiration Award — Maverick City for “Jireh” and Kirk Franlin for “We Win” — at the upcoming BET Awards. They are set to perform during the show on Sunday (6.26), and they will also join NPR’s Tiny Deskon Friday (6.24) as part of Black Music Month.

Maverick City Music and Franklin are currently headlining arenas on their ‘The Kingdom Tour,’ which ranked at No. 6 on Pollstar’s Live 75 this week, shattering multiple records since the 37-date trek kicked off earlier this month. The tour continues tonight in Grand Rapids, MI, before heading to Columbus, OH, and St. Louis, MO, through the end of the week. Fans can purchase tickets to the nearly sold-out tour HERE.

Urban Life Worship have been greatly impacting the worship landscape in the German-speaking world with their versions of international worship songs.

After covering influential songs by worship leaders like Brooke Ligertwood and Phil Wickham to Maverick City Music’s ‘Jireh’, Urban Life Worship release a new single as part of this collection called ‘Schaffe Raum’. This new song is their version of Community Music’s ‘Make Room’.

Watch Schaffe Raum – Urban Life Worship Video Below

Ian Yates’ sixth album, released in two parts – Part 1 (June 24th 2022) and Part 2 (Sept 30th 2022), ‘Between The Joy And The Sorrow’ is a collection of honest songs of living in the tension of life’s joys and sorrows.

Musically, Yates found inspiration in a number of singer/songwriters including 70’s folk singer Nick Drake, Foy Vance, Alexi Murdoch, Bob Dylan and the ‘Nebraska’ album from Bruce Springsteen. Many of the songs are stripped back musically focusing on the lyrical content.

Yates says, “I wanted to write really honest songs, I’ve always tried to write songs of truth and authentic songs of hope. These songs are born out of the last two years as we’ve navigated this pandemic. Throughout this time I have come back to a simple trust in God. Often, I found myself disappointed with the things I’d seen, I found myself getting frustrated and lost in the opinions of people, the many perceptions of God, the incorrect prophecies, the politics and politicians. But at the end of the day, I’m only responsible for myself and I had to look at myself and say, am I living a life of true devotion and worship? Am I living the way of Jesus? There’s a lot of strong voices out there and am I listening to God’s voice? Over the last 2 years I’ve felt like I’ve been living in the tensions of God’s faithfulness and provision yet facing struggles and wrestling with the things I’d seen. My prayer is that these songs bring hope to those who have been disillusioned and remind those who have been disappointed that there is a light in the darkness, there is a Father who loves his children.”

Ian is a Christian worship leader and songwriter from Liverpool, UK. He leads musical worship at his home church Bootle Elim and is part of Elim Sound, the national worship department for the Elim movement. Ian is married to Kate, they have 3 young children, Jackson, Elijah and Abiah.