Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) is celebrating 14 nominations for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards (BBMA), encompassing nods across all divisions of the company, including Capitol Christian Label Group, Motown Gospel, Publishing and Commercial Partnerships. BBMA finalists are determined based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay and social engagement, as tracked by Billboard, the go-to chart guide for music since 1940. This year’s finalists are based on the chart period between March 21, 2020 and April 3, 2021. Hosted by Nick Jonas, the 2021 Billboard Music Awards will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.

“Congratulations to all our writers, artists, labels and partners on their nominations for the Billboard Music Awards,” says CCMG Co-President Hudson Plachy. “We are grateful to partner with these nominees and are thrilled to see them recognized.”

“We are very proud of the incredible roster of artists and writers we represent at Capitol CMG and excited to see them recognized for their efforts,” adds CCMG Co-President Brad O’Donnell. “We join with Billboard in celebrating each of them and their nominations.”

A full list of Capitol Christian Music Group’s BBMA finalists is below.

2021 Capitol Christian Music Group Billboard Music Award Finalists

Top Gospel Artist

Kirk Franklin (Publishing)

Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Label Group & Publishing)

Top Christian Album

We The Kingdom, Holy Water (Label Group & Publishing)

Top Gospel Album

Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Royalty: Live at the Ryman (Label Group & Publishing)

Top Christian Song

Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship, “The Blessing (Live)” (Label Group & Publishing)

Tauren Wells feat. Jenn Johnson, “Famous For (I Believe)” (Publishing)

Top Gospel Song

Marvin Sapp, “Thank You For It All” (Publishing)

Tye Tribbett, “We Gon’ Be Alright” (Label Group

 GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning worship leader Kari Jobes serves 4-track Ep Resurrection  in the spirit of easter.

Earlier this year, Kari Jobe, in conjunction with Premier Productions, announced The Blessing USA Tour. Sponsored by illumiNations and CovidSafeChurch.com and named after Jobe’s GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning hit, Jobe is excited to hit the road for the first time in a year and spend an evening of worship in 22 cities across the U.S. The tour kicks off this month in Pittsburgh, PA.

 Passion shares a live video recording of “The Blessing” featuring Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Fernandhino. The single was written by Jobe, Carnes, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick.

The 2020 GMA Dove Award “Worship Song of the Year” has reached No. 1 at MultiTracks, Praise Charts, Song Select and Planning Center, Worship Together, and No. 11 on the latest CCLI report. Digital platforms have also supported the worldwide momentum as it has been included on Spotify’s US Viral 50 (playlist) and Global Viral 50 playlists in 11 different countries. It was also one of Pandora’s Top 50 Most Thumbed-up songs of 2020. “The Blessing” has been one of the most covered Christian songs on YouTube, with versions representing over 128 countries worldwide.

“The Blessing” has topped the charts in 34 countries and landed Top 5 in 77 countries on Apple Christian and Gospel genre charts. The song has been sung in Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, German, and French cumulatively producing more than 43.2 million YouTube streams as well as successful covers coming from Africa and Southeast Asia.

Watch Video Below

Last February, Elevation Worship invited Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes to Charlotte for a few days to write songs and lead worship together at Elevation Church. Out of one of the songwriting sessions came their hit song, “The Blessing.” Singing it in church just two days after writing it, the song caught on quickly and Elevation Worship, Jobe, and Carnes knew they needed to release the song immediately. The live video of “The Blessing” was filmed during one of Elevation Church’s services and was posted on YouTube just five days after writing the song. In just a year since the video released, it has more than 44.4 million views, and the song has recently received RIAA Gold Digital Single certification. Elevation Worship included the song on their most recent album, “Graves Into Gardens.” “The Blessing” received a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 63rd annual GRAMMY® Awards.

Chris Brown of Elevation Worship notes about the unique growth of this song, “There was a whirlwind of momentum and emotion attached to this song from the day we wrote it to quickly releasing it a week later. And it’s been remarkable to see how God’s used “The Blessing” to encourage people all over the world during such a strange and difficult year. I pray it continues to bring hope to families for generations to come.”

The 2020 GMA Dove Award “Worship Song of the Year” has also reached No. 1 at MultiTracks, Praise Charts, Song Select and Planning Center, Worship Together, and No. 11 on the latest CCLI report. Digital platforms have also supported the worldwide momentum as it has been included on Spotify’s US Viral 50 (playlist) and Global Viral 50 playlists in 11 different countries. It was also one of Pandora’s Top 50 Most Thumbed-up songs of 2020. “The Blessing” has been one of the most covered Christian songs on YouTube, with versions representing over 128 countries worldwide.

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be a part of the journey of this song — from the moment it was written to seeing it impact almost every nation and language across the world in just a few short months,” explains Cody Carnes of the song’s global impact. “I’ve been so encouraged by it in this challenging season of life. Not only by the truth from the scriptures in this song, but also by watching what God can do to bring encouragement and comfort to His people in a season of overwhelming fear and tragedy.”

“The Blessing” has topped the charts in 34 countries and landed Top 5 in 77 countries on Apple Christian and Gospel genre charts. The song has been sung in Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, German, and French cumulatively producing more than 43.2 million YouTube streams as well as successful covers coming from Africa and Southeast Asia.

“This song is very special,” shares Kari Jobe. “I think my favorite thing about the song is hearing my babies sing it around the house. It brings great peace knowing that the very words God said to pray as a blessing still have 100% power today. God is kind and good. I pray this song continues to break through the noise and give a tangible sense of His presence every time it’s played or sung.”

In addition to it being featured on Graves Into Gardens, it is also the title track of Kari Jobe’s latest record “The Blessing (Live).” More than 500,000 copies of the Elevation Worship Records/Essential Worship/Capitol CMG song has truly been a testament of the power of the message during a global pandemic.​​​​​

Kari Jobe, in conjunction with Premier Productions, has announced The Blessing USA Tour. Sponsored by illumiNations and CovidSafeChurch.com and named after Jobe’s GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning hit, Jobe is excited to hit the road for the first time in a year and spend an evening of worship in 22 cities across the U.S.

Also featuring Cody Carnes, the tour will kick off on April 15 in Pittsburgh, and continue on to markets including Dallas, Orlando, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Houston. Tickets will go on sale to the public next Friday, February 19th. For more information and tickets, please visit PlatformTickets.com.

“This past year has been so difficult for a lot of us,” Jobe remarked. “We had no idea that the timing of ‘The Blessing’ would fall at such an incredibly sensitive time for our globe. I have cried so many times as I’ve watched different people all over the world declaring this song over their families, their churches and their nations. It has been so sweet. I’m so thankful that His promises are promises of peace and strength.”

In order to allow for a safe experience for everyone, the tour is implementing socially distanced and/or reserved COVID-safe seating and capacities in each venue. Additionally, tour members will be tested and everyone entering will be temperature checked in addition to other standards and local requirements.

“There have only been a few times where we have gotten to lead this song at a gathering,” Jobe continues, “so we are so excited to finally get to bring this song safely, live and in person to the Church! We are so expectant for these nights of worship and can’t wait to see what God continues to do in your cities. My prayer is that these nights will be filled with God’s presence and that you would walk away reminded that He is always for you and He is always with you.”

Written and released the week before the COVID pandemic hit the globe, Jobe co-wrote the “The Blessing” with her husband and songwriter Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship’s Steven Furtick and Chris Brown.

To say the message behind the song was timely and resonated with thousands is no understatement, as it was the most consumed new CCM song of the year in 2020 and also won for Worship Song of the Year at last year’s GMA Dove Awards. Likewise, the track received a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “The Blessing (Live),” the video for which now has more than 41 million views and was included on Spotify’s US Viral 50, Global Viral 50 playlists and Top 50 Most thumbed-up songs on Pandora.

“THE BLESSING USA TOUR” (all dates subject to change):
4/15/21 – Pittsburgh, PA
4/16/21 – Cleveland, OH
4/17/21 – Lexington, KY
4/22/21 – Jacksonville, FL
4/23/21 – Orlando, FL
4/24/21 – Ft. Myers, FL
4/25/21 – Tampa, FL
4/29/21 – Dallas, TX
4/30/21 – Joplin, MO
5/1/21 – St. Louis, MO
5/2/21 – Jackson, MS
5/6/21 – Tulsa, OK
5/7/21 – Oklahoma City, OK
5/8/21 – College Station, TX
5/9/21 – Houston, TX
5/14/21 – Atlanta, GA
5/15/21 – Cullman, AL
5/16/21 – Knoxville, TN
5/20/21 – Minneapolis, MN
5/21/21 – Cedar Rapids, IA
5/22/21 – Omaha, NE
5/23/21 – Wichita, KS

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-Dove Award Winning worship leader Kari Jobe will be releasing her first new album in three years when The Blessing (Live Album) arrives on October 23rd (Capitol CMG). 

The album was uniquely recorded and captured live this summer during the pandemic without an audience at her home church, The Belonging Co, in Nashville, TN. The Blessing features songs co-written by Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Jacob Sooter, Jonas Myrin, Elyssa Smith, Steffany Gretzinger, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick and Passion’s Kristian Stanfill and Brett Younker. The album was produced by Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Henry Seeley and Jobe.

Several tracks from The Blessing have already been offered as pre-releases, so listeners have been gifted a taste of what to expect on this can’t miss worship experience. The furthest-reaching of these pre-released songs is the title track, which has quickly become the global worship anthem of the year. “The Blessing” was written (by Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship’s Steven Furtick and Chris Brown) and released the week before the world was overcome with the pandemic. “First Love”, “Let The Light In”, “Obsession”, Embers” and “Your Nature” have also been released ahead of the full album.

The fact that the album was recorded live is one of the highlights of the collection. There is just a sense of movement and space in the live sound that accompanies each track. While it may not have the “typical live recording” sound, since there was no audience present, it is clear the band had no reservations about entering into their time of worship. While Jobe’s vocals are dominant and soaring throughout the album, she is joined prominently by Carnes on a few tracks (“Obsession”, “The Blessing”).

“Rest” and “Favorite Place” are two tracks that masterfully incorporate the strings and instrumental moments to allow space and an environment for worshipping and resting in God’s presence. This time allows the listener to enter into that personal space between created and Creator before joining back with Jobe’s vocals and anthemic declarations.

“The Wind” is a musical sequence without vocals that can be described as nothing less than a piece of art that evokes the very title of the piece. Following “The Wind” is “No Fear”, which may have the most timely lyrics of the whole album for this season the world is in.

Right now anything can happen
Right here everything can change
It is time to cast all your care upon Him…Fear not for He is good
Fear not for He is God
Just look to the Savior for He has overcome it all
Fear not for He is good

The songs found on The Blessing (Live Album) all encompass a deep and personal trust and love in God. The lyrics and music come together in a combination that will bring worship to any listening situation. Be sure to pre-save / pre-add this five-star album today!

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-Dove Award Winning worship leader Kari Jobe has released a live performance video of “Heaven Invade”, which can be viewed below. The performance was recorded live at The Belonging Co in Nashville, TN. “Heaven Invade” will be featured on Jobe’s upcoming The Blessing (Live Album) set to drop on October 23rd (Capitol CMG).

“This song is a declaration for the Church. We declare Heaven to come down to Earth commanding every heart and soul to awaken in His presence. Don’t go back to being complacent or quieting your praise based on your circumstances. There is true freedom, healing and never ending joy in His presence. Let Heaven invade your hearts and souls today!” – Kari

LYRICS

See the light breaking through
All the lies with the truth
Hear the sound of the wind
Let the roar of Heaven begin

Can’t stay silent
Can’t stay still
When You show up in power
Glory revealed
Can’t stay silent
Can’t stay still
When I feel the fire
Feel the ground shake

Heaven invade
Heaven invade
There’s freedom in this place
Every heart awaken
Everything is changing now
Heaven invade

Broken hearts on the mend
All depression must end
All the shame and the fear
Run away when You’re here

My heart starts to race
And I can’t contain
The feeling of joy
Being in Your presence
I Can’t help but dance
Can’t help but sing
And I don’t really care what
Anyone thinks

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-Dove Award Winning worship leader Kari Jobe has released a live performance video of “Your Nature”, which can be viewed below. The performance was recorded live at The Belonging Co in Nashville, TN. “Your Nature” will be featured on Jobe’s upcoming The Blessing (Live Album) on October 23rd (Capitol CMG).

“Even when we go through times of disappointment or hopelessness, God is always with us. He has never left us. As we walk through those extremely difficult times, we must continue to trust that His nature is good even if we might not understand. He promises to turn everything for good and make everything beautiful in its time. Break out of disappointment and hopelessness!” – Kari

The Blessing features songs co-written by Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Jacob Sooter, Jonas Myrin, Elyssa Smith, Steffany Gretzinger, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick and Passion’s Kristian Stanfill and Brett Younker. The album was produced by Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Henry Seeley and Jobe. It features 15 tracks including the world-renowned title track. In addition to the audio, more than three hours of worship were captured to create a capstone for worshippers this year.

Watch Video & Download Audio Below

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-Dove Award Winning worship leader Kari Jobe offers new single Embers off heavily awaited album The Blessing (Live Album).

The Blessing (Live Album) is her first new album after three years with the release of The Blessing (Live Album) on October 23rd (Capitol CMG).

In anticipation of the new album, three singles are available this week: “First Love,” “Embers” and “Obsession (ft. Cody Carnes),” along with the pre-order for the album. Despite her deep desire to lead worship with a live audience for this project, the album was uniquely recorded and captured live this summer during the pandemic without an audience at her home church, The Belonging Co, in Nashville, TN.

Listen & Download Below

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-Dove Award Winning worship leader Kari Jobe offers new single First Love (Live) off heavily awaited album The Blessing (Live Album).

The Blessing (Live Album) is her first new album after three years with the release of The Blessing (Live Album) on October 23rd (Capitol CMG).

In anticipation of the new album, three singles are available this week: “First Love,” “Embers” and “Obsession (ft. Cody Carnes),” along with the pre-order for the album. Despite her deep desire to lead worship with a live audience for this project, the album was uniquely recorded and captured live this summer during the pandemic without an audience at her home church, The Belonging Co, in Nashville, TN.