Dallas-based singer/songwriter, worship leader and multi-instrumentalist John Marc Kohl releases the official video for “Still (Live).” The recording, live from Dallas, TX, can be viewed below.
In addition, the emotive title-track showcases a Savior who never tires of pursuing His children. “’Still’ was one of the first songs I ever wrote about Jesus,” Kohl recalls. “I remember staying up until 3 am, crying and struggling through the writing of it. I was so angry with myself because of persistent sin in my life, and I felt like I deserved more punishment. I really couldn’t believe that Jesus would still love me after all the messes I’ve made; the wreckage of sin in my life; and the people I’ve hurt. I’ll never fully understand the persistence of His love for His beloved.”
John Marc Kohl is a veteran worship leader, songwriter, and multi-faceted musician dedicated to glorifying God through music. An artist in residence at The Worship Initiative, Kohl and his wife, Lila, reside in Dallas.
Jeremy Rosado, NBC’s The Voice finalist and Capitol Christian Music Group artist, performed his latest single “Believe You Will” on The Kelly Clarkson Show this week. Rosado also spoke about his new record deal, going on tour, and how adopting his daughter at age 21 inspired his latest song.
Growing up in a large Puerto Rican family in the middle of Queens, New York, Rosado got his start singing at neighborhood block parties. At 10 years old, his family moved to Tampa, FL. where he began participating in choir at church and school, later becoming a worship leader and gaining traction in the local music scene. At 21, he was given the opportunity to open for Andrea Bocelli, and finally felt his career taking off, including making it to round 13 and semi-finals on Season 11 of American Idol. It was later that year, however, when he made the biggest decision of his life and decided to take over guardianship of his niece. Rosado spent the next seven years solely focused on being a dad. Once his daughter turned 18 he was ready to get back to music and auditioned for The Voice.
Internationally recognized praise and worship band Planetshakers globally releases its first single of 2023, “Yes And Amen – Live In Manila,” today (Jan. 13) from Venture3Media (V3M). Available now at all major digital and streaming outlets via https://planetshakers.streamlink.to/yesandamen, the song was recorded live by Planetshakers band as 60,000 people attended four back-to-back sold-out events in Manila, Philippines Sept. 8-11 at the 15,000-seat SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Produced by Joth Hunt and written by Hunt, Andy Harrison and Sam Evans, “Yes And Amen” was lifted by a chorus of thousands in Manila joining Planetshakers for this prayerful declaration of faith. Along with the audio, the Deluxe Edition of the single features a live music video that captures this worship experience.
Planetshakers band will lead “Yes And Amen” again this week amidst thousands during the “Show Me Your Glory” Planetshakers Conference in Melbourne, Australia at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Special guest speakers, session details, registration and the history of the convention, as well as details on the conference in Brisbane starting Jan. 20, can be found at https://www.planetshakers.com/conference/.
Along with the new single, Planetshakers’ current, full production live album GREATER and its companion GREATER: Live At Chapel project both released last fall. The chapel album re-crafts GREATER songs in a musically accessible way for smaller gatherings and was recorded by the band on a mountaintop vista near Melbourne, Australia along with Planetshakers Bible College students.
Singer, songwriter and worship leader Patrick Mayberry releases “Easy To Praise” today (Jan. 13) from Centricity Music. Available at digital and streaming outlets globally via https://fanlink.to/easytopraise, the song is also going for adds at radio now.
“As Christ followers, we’ve got a joy that’s anchored deep down in our souls. And while happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes, this joy doesn’t waver,” says Mayberry. “‘Easy To Praise’ is a joy filled party; a worshipful response to all that Jesus has done—how he called us out of the grave, set our feet on solid rock, and gave us a brand new start and his Spirit that lives inside each of us. When I think about it, I can’t help but shout Hallelujah! God truly has made it easy to praise.”
Co-written by Mayberry, Bede Benjamin-Korporaal and Nick Herbert, and produced by Mayberry and Jacob Arnold, “Easy To Praise” is already being featured on Air1. This radio network also premiered the companion, live performance video that can be seen now.
Dynamic entertainer and multiple award-winning artist Ginny Owens releases new music with her EP titled Be Still and Know. Owens became a household name when she was named the Gospel Music Association’s “New Artist of the Year” in 2000.
Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, a degenerative eye condition left Ginny completely blind by the tender age of three. As her vision diminished, her love of music and the piano expanded, and Ginny discovered songwriting as a window into her unseen world. The unique perspectives inspired by her vision impairment have resulted in inspirational lyrics paired with her diverse musicianship to afford her a space on an even more diverse set of stages, including the Sundance Film Festival, Lilith Fair and the White House, and recordings that transcend genre expectations.
Two-time GRAMMY-nominated and nine-time DOVE Award-winning duo Jeff & Sheri Easter are set to release Treasure on Friday, February 10 via Gaither Music Group.
The Gospel music sweethearts share everyday stories of life and love on the 10-track record, produced by Jeff and Sheri and Greg Cole.
“Every album we record begins with an idea or a song, and somehow by the end of the process one to two years later becomes a cohesive message of where we are in life,” said Sheri. “I think this album has illuminated the idea of this Treasure we all carry in our hearts and the desperate need to share it with the world around us. People are hurting, struggling, suffering; and the light God has entrusted to us can make the difference in the darkest of places.”
Treasure features guest performances including The Archers, who lend their voices to “Sunshine on a Cloudy Day” while country singer/songwriter Mo Pitney is featured on the song “Here Comes Jesus.”
Be Still And Know – Ginny Owens
“The older I get, I realize how important words are to songs like ‘Here Comes Jesus,’” says Jeff. “No matter how bad I mess up He loves me anyway.”
The family group The Sound is featured on the recording’s debut radio single, “One Name,” playing now at stations nationwide. Songs from the new recording can be heard on Gaither Radio on Pandora, Gaither Radio on Spotify, Gaither Radio on Amazon and other Gaither playlists as well as Apple Music’s Front Porch Country Gospel playlist. The CD will be featured on the Gaither Storefront at Amazon.
Treasure is distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group and Universal Music. For further information visit Gaither.com.
Treasure Track Listing:
1. One Name (featuring The Sound) 2. Here Comes Jesus (featuring Mo Pitney) 3. How to Love You 4. Fall into Place 5. The Only Way He Knew How 6. No Rock 7. I’ll Speak Love 8. Don’t Waste the Rain 9. The Giving Part of Living 10. Sunshine on a Cloudy Day (featuring The Archers)
Globallyglobally renowned artist TAYA releases new music with a radio version of “All About Jesus.” The track was originally featured on her solo debut album, which released last year.
The world first heard TAYA on UNITED’s #1 worship anthem “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” which spent a record-setting 61 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top Christian SongsChart.
Since then, her voice has become an unmistakable clarion call to worship across the world. During her tenure with UNITED, as well as Hillsong Worship, TAYA has helped steward over 1 Billion global career streams as well as performed live for over 10M people in 12 different countries across six continents.
2022 was quite a year for the award-winning sibling trio CAIN, and 2023 is set to be even busier with new music out next month and their first headlining tour kicking off this spring.
CAIN’s anticipated project Honest Offering, their six-song live worship EP, drops February 24 (Sony Music/Provident Entertainment). The project’s pre-sale begins today (click HERE for more information) and is accompanied by the first single, “Friend In Jesus.” Listen HERE. Also, be sure to view the just-released live video recording of “Friend In Jesus” below.
Honest Offering features the writing of award-winning songwriters and artists including Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Ethan Hulse, Micah Kuiper, Nick Schwarz, Jonathan Smith, and Mitch Wong. Wong also shares his vocals on “Shine On Us” while David Leonard appears on “Blessed Assurance.” Touted as their most personal collection of songs yet, the album was produced by Jonathan Smith, Brad King, and David Leonard and was recorded live at Nashville’s legendary Ocean Way Studio.
Honest Offering is also a project CAIN has been wanting to make since their childhood, especially as teens when the Cain family would host high school Bible studies. “We’d pack so many in our family room and just sing to Jesus,” Madison Cain Johnson shares. Now singing as their careers, the siblings knew it was time to record some of their favorite worship songs along with sharing a few new ones. “Our hearts need this,” Madison says. “It’s something that has been on our hearts to do and I can’t believe we actually got to do it!” Taylor Cain Matz adds, “Everybody’s heart for this is just right. We’re ready!”Logan Cain includes, “This feels different to me than anything we’ve done before. It’s so personal.”
“We hope that this is a time that people can get lost in the songs and really connect with God,” Madison concludes. “That is more than we can hope for, more than people just liking the songs or enjoying themselves. We really hope that people get to encounter the living God.”
The members of CAIN are also ready to embark on their first-ever headlining tour this spring. Joined by Katy Nichole and David Leonard, the “Live And In Color Tour” will kick off in March. Click HERE for more information to find a city, and the assigned tour color, near you!
Honoring the life and legacy of iconic Christian music troubadour Rich Mullins, Platinum-selling, GRAMMY®-nominated trio Point of Grace delivers a stirring new rendition of one of the late singer/songwriter’s most popular and enduring songs, “Awesome God.” Now available on digital platforms, the Fervent Records (Curb | Word Entertainment) track was produced by GRAMMY®-nominated, multi-Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan.
Recorded more than 25 years after Mullins’ untimely death, Point of Grace’s impassioned revival of “Awesome God” showcases the trio’s signature harmonies atop a roots/pop piano-driven arrangement. The song is highlighted by a spoken word interlude from Mullins—a 1990s interview excerpt in which he discusses the Church as the embodiment of Christ to the world. Culminating with a live recording of the anthem’s ubiquitously beloved chorus, sung by the audience at a Point of Grace concert in Ocean City, New Jersey, last year, “Awesome God” will be included on the group’s forthcoming full-length set.
“I think all three of us would agree that ‘Awesome God’ has soundtracked many seasons of our lives, from youth camps to college and beyond—it’s just one of those songs that’s timeless,” shares Point of Grace’s Leigh Cappillino.
“When we asked the audience in Ocean City to sing the chorus a cappella so we could record it for an extended ‘outro’ to the song, we didn’t need to give them the lyrics,” she adds. “The entire room instinctively knew the words, and that’s just another example of how ‘Awesome God’ continues to stand the test of time.”
“Rich’s music and his thoughts on God challenged the Bible Belt bubble I was living in,” says group member Denise Jones. “Jesus loved rowdy folks—people who were rough around the edges—and so did Rich. He inspired me to rethink, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ and ‘How do I love them well?’”
Disciple has released their first new music in over three years with “The Executioner.” The brutally heavy track is now streaming everywhere at https://ffm.bio/disciple. “The Executioner” is the first single from Skeleton Psalms, the band’s upcoming full-length album, due out from Tooth & Nail Records on April 28.
The mainstay rockers also released a music video for “The Executioner,” directed by Joel Burris. With visuals as bleak as the song’s crushing riffs and stark lyrics, the music video provides insight into the song’s themes. You can watch the video below.
“The song is about coming to grips with your flaws, your failures, your shame, your sin,” frontman Kevin Young explains. It’s realizing that no, I don’t want to celebrate anything about what I’ve done in this life. I want to lay my life down in exchange for a better one that God has for me.”
In that context, the executioner is an emissary of a merciful death: the death to self that leads to resurrection.
Young says, “We wanted to do a video that had an executioner in it, a video about really coming to grips with letting go of your life. I think that’s the part of Christianity that’s so beautiful. You get to this place where you’re ready to let go of all that you’ve had, ready to surrender and give yourself to God. We’re always ready to receive from Him. But the moment when we’re ready to surrender everything to Him, that’s the death to ourselves. The idea of laying down my life becomes this beautiful idea, as opposed to a dark and sinister idea. I sing ‘my beautiful executioner.’ This is what I want.”
That concept is illustrated by a death row storyline that leads to a dark end — and a new beginning.
“The Executioner” delivers the signature musical ferocity and spiritual weight that listeners have come to expect from Kevin Young (vocals), Josiah Prince (guitar), Joey West (drums) and Andrew Stanton (guitar). It’s a trademark that carries throughout the songs that comprise Skeleton Psalms, which will be Disciple’s 13th full-length studio album. Thematically, “The Executioner” is the perfect introduction to this new era.
“The three themes you can expect from the album are human depravity, the love, mercy and unconditional love of God and also, ultimately, victory,” Kevin Young reveals.
Fans were introduced to “The Executioner” the same day that Disciple embarked on Winter Jam, the annual 40 city Christian music megatour that will span coast to coast between now and the end of March. A full list of tour dates is available at disciplerocks.com/tour. The band is also offering exclusive Tour Bus Experience packages for Winter Jam’s duration, which can be purchased at tourbusexperience.eventbrite.com.
You can find “The Executioner” on all platforms at https://ffm.bio/disciple, where Skeleton Psalms will also be available to presave.
LEELAND introduce ‘You’re Not Done’, the fourth single from their 2023 album ‘City of God’. The newest song from the Texas-based band is deep in compassion and in hope, filled with the resurrection power of Christ.
‘You’re Not Done’ is driven by defining lyrics: “If you still have breath in your lungs, you’re not done […]” These words dropped into lead singer Leeland Mooring’s lap as he sat at his piano, processing the recent miraculous recovery of a close friend who fought for his life during the pandemic.
As this person was slipping in and out of consciousness, they recalled hearing Leeland’s voice singing assuming someone had one of the band’s CD’s playing though they never were. “I was overwhelmed by the goodness of God and the real struggle we face in the midst of death,”
Leeland comments. ‘You’re Not Done’ doesn’t deny the sorrow and suffering of the human experience, but meets it with the presence of the Author of life. LEELAND’s new catchy single screams hope in the face of defeat, reminding the listener that each breath we are given is proof of God’s good plan of redemption.
‘You’re Not Done’ is an expansive track with slight country-pop accents and an overall sense of healing truth being sung over the Church. “It’s simple, if you are breathing, you are not finished,” LEELAND conclude, “may we be able to say like [the apostle] Paul that to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
