Capitol CMG artist and songwriter Anne Wilson releases her full-length debut, My Jesus, today (Apr 22). The album’s title track catapulted Wilson up the Billboard Christian Airplay chart in 2021 making her the first female artist to debut at No. 1 on the chart as well as the longest-running No. 1 song on the chart for 2021.
Amidst the whirlwind of the last year, Wilson’s maintained her southern charm and hopes her genuine love for others shines through on her debut album. Each song on the album, co-written with songwriting heavy-hitters like Matthew West, Mia Fields, Jonathan Smith, Jeff Pardo, Emily Weisband, Ben Glover, and more, is specifically crafted, a moment-in-time snapshot of Wilson’s self-discovery as she walks a new and unplanned life road.
“This record was written over the last two years of my life and is a collection of songs that each mean different things to me,” shares Anne Wilson. “Every song is a different side of me as an artist – country, worship, and radio – songs that speak to the masses and songs that speak to specific people or seasons. I feel like God placed this calling over my life to minister to those who’ve lost someone and are hurting. With these songs, I want to speak life and joy to people walking through pain and loss.”
Celebrated worship artist Phil Wickham shares new music with his latest single titled “Worthy Of My Song” and can be streamed below. “Worthy Of My Song” is available now.
Last month Wickham shared Hymn of Heaven (Acoustic Sessions), a12 track collection re-imagining songs Wickham shared in 2021 in a new, intimate, stripped-down setting.
Brazilian worship leader Ana Paula Valadão joins forces with REVERE and Oni Music to release ‘Te Adoramos,’ a special Portuguese version of the song ‘We Adore You’.
Written by Ana Paula with Corey Voss and Dee Wilson, this song draws people to contemplating the One who is worthy. The beauty of nations joining together in worship, driven by REVERE, is expressed yet again through the new single. ‘Te Adoramos’ is out everywhere, and a live music video is available.
Up-and-coming pop rock band Right Hand Shade continues to impact the Christian music scene with the release of their studio single and music video Hindsight. Arising from the band’s experience emerging from the challenges of the pandemic and a change in the lineup, songwriters Matt Jones and Taylor Specht penned the song to share about their common experience of gaining understanding, wisdom and perspective of an event after it has happened. The lyrics are a hopeful reminder of gaining this perspective: “Hindsight, if only I knew then what I know now, but He’s turning it around and giving foresight, I was blind but now I see Him, working behind the scenes.”
The track is a celebratory reminder of the promise found in Romans 8:28: Our Heavenly Father works all things together for our good. Lead singer Matt Jones explains the heart behind the song: “When we’ve given all we’ve got, pushed beyond our own strength, and find ourselves in that quiet place, if we’re willing to be still and listen, those are the times our Creator loves to show up and meet us. He’s been pressing on our hearts that our past mistakes do not have to determine our future steps. Maybe we couldn’t see it then, but He was always working behind the scenes, working EVERYTHING out for our good. That’s who He is.”
Staying true to their surf-rock/pop-rock roots, the band capitalizes on the signature Beach Boys-esque vocal layers they have become known for, built around a hooky electric guitar riff and short vocal line that we’re all familiar with: “Hindsight’s 20/20.” Combining plenty of tight rhythmic patterns and heavy synth bass, smoky and powerhouse vocals, adventurous production, and a contagious grounding acoustic guitar, Hindsight packs a relevant punch, perfect for our times. Produced by Chris Hoisington (Kevin Max, Paul Baloche), and recorded by Eric Anderson at Old Bear Records in New York, the single is the follow-up to the band’s second studio album Rise. Like the album, Nashville’s Evan Sieling mixed and mastered the single at The Cottage. The band, which is comprised of Matt Jones (lead vocals, keys), Taylor Specht (lead guitar), Nick Dunfee (rhythm guitar, bass) and Kevin Donovan (drums, bass) knew they had found something special at the studio, setting in motion more collaboration with the team on a series of new singles to be released throughout the upcoming year.
Videographer Dylan Levernoch of Apex Media NY rounded out the creative team by producing and directing the music video for Hindsight. Shot over three days at three different locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the video tells the story of the song through four individual vignettes and creative use of black & white and color sequences of the full band. The video promises to capture the hearts of RHS fans with its fresh visual appeal.
For nearly six years, the New England-based pop rock band has leaned full-throttle into their gifts, performing on stages across the country. Right Hand Shade has managed to build a loyal following and unite Christian music lovers through their music. Hindsight continues to strengthen their position as one of the fastest growing Christian acts in the Northeast. You can find Hindsight on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and their website.
Ahead of their highly anticipated EP ‘Here’s To The One We Love’ out on May 27th, ICF Worship release ‘Faithful God,’ the last single from the collection of songs that have been teasing the new project. This catchy praise song focuses on declaring the truth about our God’s character; His unconditional love and the promise of His presence are at the forefront of the lyrics. The motif centers around the inexhaustible nature of God and inspires us to never stray from Him.
‘Faithful God’ articulates ICF Worship’s passion to encourage the body of Christ to praise God even in turbulent times. They exhort the listeners, “our only appropriate response is to praise Him”. With their ultimate single before the release of ‘Here’s To The One We Love,’ the Swiss collective packs in straightforward and profound lyrics into positive vibes and catchy melodies.
GRAMMY Award-winning rock band Switchfoot released a lovelytheband remixed version of “I Need You (To Be Wrong)” which is available now to download or stream. This track is from their interrobang album, whichdropped last year.
“We had no idea what to expect when we passed the track off to them to play with and what came back exceeded our wildest dreams,” Switchfoot shared on social media about the new remix. “We can’t wait for you to hear what they’ve done with this track, it will surprise you and give your day a lift in the best way possible!”
Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter and trailblazing worship artist Cheri Keaggy returns with What I Know To Be True June 3. Co-produced by Keaggy and GRAMMY, Dove and ASCAP Golden Note Award-winning guitarist/vocalist Phil Keaggy, What I Know To Be True features 15 songs penned by Cheri Keaggy.
“This new album marks the first time I have co-produced with my uncle, Phil Keaggy,” Cheri Keaggy says. “He has been so supportive through the years, playing on a few of my projects and inviting me to perform with him. Because these songs are so personal and close to my heart, Phil was the right person to help bring them to life.”
“This record celebrates life’s joys and sorrows, and the seasons God walks us through,” she continues. “Three-and-a-half years ago I received a call from my sister that my father had taken his life. None of us could have imagined he would make that choice. For a long time, I couldn’t think about writing or recording again. But we grieve not without hope, and my journey has been framed through the lens of the Hope I have in Jesus.”
“This new music is proof of how God heals broken hearts,” Keaggy adds. “A transformation has happened and continues to happen as I place my life in His hands, trusting that He is good. He is writing a bigger story.”
“Yours To Keep,” the project’s first single and video, was co-written by Cheri Keaggy and Phil Keaggy. The guitar-driven melody, both fresh and familiar, provides the perfect setting for lyrics that remind listeners of God’s ever-present invitation to experience the fullness of His love.
What I Know To Be True also features “He Can, He Does,” a keys-backed declaration of victory which Keaggy penned after speaking at a women’s conference and reading and praying over the honest confessions which many left at the altar. The joyful “So Much More,” buoyed by Phil Keaggy’s ukulele accompaniment, is an infectious expression of praise, while “That’s What Babies Bring (Oliver’s Song)”—composed by Keaggy as a gift to her daughter before the birth of her firstborn son—is a track she hopes will resonate with mothers and grandmothers everywhere.
The project’s emotional cornerstone, “It Hurts To Say Goodbye To You (Psalm 116:15),” is the first song Keaggy wrote after the sudden death of her father, and in turn, that she shared at his memorial service. While the pain of loss is palpable, the lyrics both celebrate the gifts of her father’s life and express the hopeful “hallelujah” of what is yet to come.
Since the release of her self-titled 1994 Sparrow Records debut, Child of the Father, Cheri Keaggy has been writing and performing songs that have helped listeners around the world give voice to their worship of God. She has released nine albums; garnered nine #1 singles; and was honored with a Dove Award in 1998 for Special Event Album of the Year for God With Us: A Celebration of Christmas Carols and Classics. Her signature songs include “My Faith Will Stay,” “Make My Life An Altar,” “Open My Heart” and “You, Oh Lord, Are My Refuge,” while her “In Remembrance Of Me” and “There Is Joy In The Lord” have been sung in churches around the globe. She has also spoken at women’s events and conferences across the country.
The dynamic, multicultural youth ministry of Planetshakers Church, planetboom, releases its fourth album, You, Me, The Church, That’s Us – Side B, today (Apr 22) to digital and streaming outlets globally from Venture3Media (V3M).
The diverse youth culture at planetboom that represents at least 60 nationalities translates the mission of Planetshakers Church into eclectic music that creates a unique space for an international audience to find an intimate sense of belonging as part of the church family.
Side A was recorded at the planetboom conference held April 2021 and in Planetshakers’ Melbourne studio. The combination of tightly crafted studio arrangements and live worship creates a dynamic record that ranges from big, broad statements about the church family, to intimate, personal moments between individuals and God. Side B of the album was recorded at the latest planetboom conference held earlier this year (Jan. 10) in Melbourne. The new music adds to the linear fashion of the tracklist, and is meant to move listeners directly from the Side A, soul soaking last track, “Selah Moment,” into the next phase of worship.
Alternative, independent DIY artist Alex Henry Foster and his band The Long Shadows will worldwide livestream all new music via his website and Facebook during the Live From Echo Mountain Studio event Saturday, April 23 beginning at 5:00 pm ET. The first time streaming from his studio in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Foster’s pre-recorded concert will benefit Music Saves UA, a Rolling Stone-featured non-profit fundraising project created to provide immediate humanitarian help to those who need it most right now in Ukraine.
All the new songs debuted during the livestream, including featured track “All the Violence in the World,” will be direct-to-vinyl lathe-cut and offered as a collectors limited edition LP first to Foster’s SFCC The Club members starting today (April 20) and then to everyone on April 22. All proceeds from this edition, along with other merchandise created around this event, will benefit Music Saves UA.
“We will be teaming up with our dear friends from the Music Saves UA organization in order to contribute to their humanitarian help and relief efforts towards the Ukrainian people’s most urgent needs,” says Foster. “Being united for human rights for all and the dignity of every individual does not only make a real difference in someone’s life, it is also a way to stand against all forms of tyranny, whatever it may be and wherever it may take place.”
Alex Henry Foster
Along with his website and Facebook, this meaningful and unique Live From Echo Mountain Studio livestream will be simultaneously seen on several partnering outlets’ Facebook pages, including Prog Magazine (UK), Visions Magazine (DE), MOWNO(FR), MyRock (FR) and Post Rock Community.
Following his livestream, Foster is set to honor the legacy of Lou Reed, bringing his own signature, dense sonic texture to a cover version of “The Power of the Heart” releasing May 6 to digital and streaming outlets everywhere from Hopeful Tragedy Records. The Prog Magazine-featured song was recorded at his Virginia studio along with a grandiose orchestration captured live in his Quebec-based The Upper Room Studio. Along with a four-minute radio-ready mix, there is an eight-minute-27-second version of “The Power of the Heart” included with the single and a lathe-cut vinyl, silkscreen-printed, signed and numbered limited-edition version.
Playing the new music and fan favorites while on tour, Alex Henry Foster & the Long Shadows return to Europe for a 27-city, 10-country Not All Wonders Have Been Losttour, including select encore appearances in markets played in 2021.
Rolling Stone, Paste, American Songwriter-featured Alex Henry Foster (AHF) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, author, producer and composer from Montreal and currently living in Virginia. He is perhaps best known as the frontman of Juno Awards nominee and Post-Rock / Noise band Your Favorite Enemies (YFE). In 2018, Foster launched his debut solo album Windows in the Sky, which hit No. 1 multiple times on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, staying in the Top 40 on the chart for a full year after its release. Last year, he released the live triple-vinyl / double-CD and concert film Standing Under Bright Lights amidst international critical and commercial acclaim and featuring the singles “The Son of Hannah,” “Winter Is Coming In” and “Summertime Departures / Sometimes I Dream.”
Using his music and lyrics to bring something greater than ourselves, and sharing from personal experiences about depression, dreams, grief and hope, Foster is a former street gang member who has become a fierce human rights advocate. He has teamed with Amnesty International for several campaigns, established the non-profit group Rock N Rights in 2004 and created The Hope Project following the Japanese Tsunami of 2011.
A recurrent contributor to the Canadian Musician Magazine, among others, he also published the book A Journey Beyond Ourselves in 2017, is the co-owner of Hopeful Tragedy Records along with his bandmate Jeff Beaulieu, is co-founder of The Upper Room Studio and is the founder of the conceptual creative group The Fabrik. A baseball fanatic and a counterculture kook, Foster also has two dogs and likes to simply be called Alex.
Provident Films announces their movie, “Blue Miracle,” won the Epiphany Prize, Movieguide’s most inspirational film award. Commonly referred to as “The Christian Oscars,” the Movieguide Awards’ 30th annual show aired this past Sunday, April 17, 2022, honoring the best family-friendly movies and TV shows of the previous year.
“I’m so encouraged that movies infused with strong biblical content continue to make waves in theaters and on streaming,” says Movieguide Founder and Publisher Dr. Ted Baehr.
“Blue Miracle” was selected as the Epiphany Prize as “Most Inspiring Movie of 2021” because it makes it clear that works and superstition cannot bring miracles, only God’s loving grace can.
“The main theme of the movie to me is found in Scripture, where it says true religion is those who take care of widows and orphans,” shares Trey Reynolds, “Blue Miracle” producer and VP of Provident Films. “It’s kind of a modern-day story of how God’s heart is close to orphans and the most vulnerable in our society. It was a beautiful story of how God intervened and turned a really bad situation into something good.”
“Blue Miracle” tells the incredible, true story of Casa Hogar, the Mexican boys’ home that entered the world’s biggest fishing tournament to save their orphanage. The prize-winning film stars Dennis Quaid (“I Can Only Imagine,” “Soul Surfer”), and was released as a Netflix Original on May 27, 2021.
The film quickly became the second most-streamed movie in the world according to FlixPatrol.com, a website that provides daily VOD charts for 362 streaming platforms in 123 countries worldwide. The film is available exclusively on Netflix in over 190 countries worldwide and available in over 30 languages.
