"An Evening with Jeremy Camp and Band - Live Unplugged” with special guest Mainstay will hit North American Cities this fall

In follow up to his very successful fall 2006 tour, co-headlining WinterJam, sold out shows at House of Blues locations across the country this past spring, and headline spots at major summer festivals, Award-winning and 2 million-plus-unit-selling artist Jeremy Camp is pleased to announce his fall 2007 tour,  “An Evening with Jeremy Camp and Band - Live Unplugged” with special guest Mainstay.  Hitting nearly 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada, tickets will be available for pre-sale on July 7th to members of the Jeremy Camp fan club (fans can sign up at http://www.jeremycamp.com by 7/5).  Tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 14th. 

In what will surely be a special time during each concert, Camp has decided to let the audience be a part of each evening as he fields questions from the audience during intimate Q&A sessions.

“My fans are such a huge part of what I do – they make it possible,” comments Camp. “Therefore I just thought it would be great to get to know them better and also continue to make the evening very relaxed and personal.”

“An Evening with Jeremy Camp and Band - Live Unplugged” Tour Schedule
*All dates subject to change
09/20/07 Troy, MI 
09/22/07 Akron, OH 
09/21/07 Lansing, MI 
09/27/07 - 9/30/07 Canada 
10/04/07 Burlington, NJ 
10/07/07 Williamsville, NY 
10/11/07 Lafayette, LA 
10/12/07 New Orleans, LA 
10/13/07 Texarkana, TX 
10/14/07 Decatur, TX 
10/18/07 Savannah, GA
10/19/07 Jacksonville, FL 
10/20/07 Alpharetta, GA
10/21/07 Knoxville, TN 
10/25/07 Springfield, MO 
10/26/07 Lincoln, NE 
10/27/07 St. Joseph, MO 
10/28/07 Danville, IA 
11/01/07 Baltimore, MD 
11/02/07 Morgantown, WV 
11/04/07 Pittsburgh, PA 
11/08/07 Bloomington, IL 
11/09/07 Bloomington, IN 
11/10/07 Ft. Wayne, IN 
11/11/07 Tipp City, OH 
11/15/07 TBA 
11/16/07 Hixson, TN 
11/17/07 Greenville, SC 
11/18/07 TBA

Tour Line-Up Features Rockers Sanctus Real & Female Music Prodigy Bethany Dillon & Chapman sons, Will Franklin & Caleb Join His Band

As he puts the finishing touches on his sweet sixteen studio album with Sparrow Records, GRAMMY© Award winning singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman is announcing his fall 07 and winter 08 tour.  The nationwide tour of 50+ dates will be featuring Sanctus Real and Bethany Dillon.
 
The yet to be named tour, which will be in support of Chapman’s upcoming fall release, will kick off on September 20th in Grand Rapids, MI and will close the year on November 16th in Nashville, TN.  A spring leg will resume with the same stellar line-up.  Special guest band members include Chapman’s sons Will Franklin (Drums) and Caleb (Guitar), who recently earned their keep and band roles with their dad during the recent Winter Jam tour.  Although music and touring is becoming a family affair and balancing act for Chapman and sons, education will continue to be priority while on the road as it did this spring.  In addition to playing for his dad, Will Franklin just recently filled in for Jeremy Camp’s band as well as continues to do session work when time allows. Meanwhile, Caleb Chapman continues to write songs and will likely make a step out guest vocal on his dad’s upcoming studio release.
 
Prior to heading out in the fall, Chapman will be crossing overseas to Asia.  He will be doing extensive work with his family at the local orphanages as well as other Shaohannah’s Hope orphan related efforts.  Chapman will also take time to play two events in the Philippines (June 29 and 30) and perform as a part of the amazing Hillsong Conference in Australia (July 4 and 5).
 
“I’m so glad the Sanctus guys and Bethany accepted my invite to join me on this tour.  I love their music, songwriting, and their hearts for Jesus.  I’m also humbled at the chance to again get out on the road and share the new music that God has given me.  There’s a modern edge to the music, what I hope is a fresh and compelling theme across the songs.” Chapman says.  “My passion in writing, recording and touring continues to be to know God and make Him known, and that’s what each night on this tour is going to be about. That’s our prayer.”  Steven also mentions, “I’m not sure words can express how truly excited I am to have the chance to share the stage with my boys.  It’s a true career highlight and a dream come true for this proud Dad.”

“Getting to know Steven on the Winter Jam Tour this year was a highlight of the tour for us,” says Sanctus Real frontman Matt Hammitt. “He has been a huge blessing and inspiration, not only from a career standpoint with all that he has accomplished, but because of the kind of person he is on and off stage. We are all really excited to be a part of this tour and anticipate great things to happen in our own lives, and for those that attend this tour!”
 
"It's such an extreme privilege to have the opportunity to minister alongside of such sweet, wonderful people!” shares Bethany Dillon.  “Steven's heart for creating a night that really welcomes the Spirit of God has ALREADY taught me so much, just from hearing him share his vision for the upcoming tour... and there couldn't be a more genuine, humble group of guys than those in Sanctus Real. I can't wait for people to come and experience what the Lord has for this tour and for them to enjoy what I know will be a very unique night of worshipping and loving Jesus as a body!"

9/20 Grand Rapids, MI 
 9/21 Chicago, IL 
 9/22 Evansville, IN 
 9/23 East Lansing, MI 
 9/26 Dallas, TX 
 9/27 Tulsa, OK 
 9/28 Kansas City, MO 
 9/29 Wichita, KS 
 10/4 Des Moines, IA 
 10/5 Champaign, IL* 
 10/6 Anderson, IN* 
 10/7 Akron, OH 
 10/18 Aiken, SC 
 10/19 Raleigh, NC 
 10/20 Woodbridge, VA 
 10/21 Williamsport, PA 
 10/26 Phoenix, AZ 
 10/27 Los Angeles, CA 
 10/28 Yorba Linda, CA 
 10/29 Sacramento, CA 
 10/30 San Francisco, CA 
 11/1 Portland, OR 
 11/2 Tacoma, WA 
 11/3 Spokane, WA 
 11/4 Missoula, MT 
 11/9 Hartford, CT 
 11/10 Boston, MA
 11/11 Syracuse, NY 
 11/13 Lancaster, PA 
 11/14 Pittsburgh, PA 
 11/15 Asheville, NC 
 11/16 Nashville, TN
 
*ALL DATES TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Please visit Steven Curtis Chapman www.stevencurtischapman.com for the most updated tour information.

Word Records’ award winning, multi-Platinum group, Point Of Grace, announces its 16-city Christmastime tour in support of their critically acclaimed project, Winter Wonderland.

Launching Nov. 29 in McMurray, PA and running through Dec. 17, the Winter Wonderland tour features melodies from the all-girl group’s holiday CD of the same name, including “All Is Well,” the celebrated song as performed by Point Of Grace’s Heather Payne on the annual Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Christmas tours in years’ past. Other favorites includes “O Little Town Of Bethlehem,” “Jingle Bells” and a special “Santa Medley,” among others. In addition to the renowned harmonies of Point Of Grace’s Payne, Shelley Breen, Denise Jones and Leigh Capillino, the Winter Wonderland tour will feature special guest Scott Krippayne.

The Winter Wonderland tour includes visits to the following cities:

Nov. 29   McMurray, PA

Nov. 30   Lancaster, PA

Dec. 1    Charlottesville, VA

Dec. 2    Lodi, NJ

Dec. 3    Williamsville, NY

Dec. 6    Overland Park, KS

Dec. 7    Denver, CO

Dec. 8    Amarillo, TX

Dec. 9    Richardson, TX

Dec. 10   Houston, TX - Second Baptist

Dec. 12   Nashville, TN

Dec. 13   Waukee, IA

Dec. 14   Grand Rapids, MI

Dec. 15   Saginaw, MI

Dec. 16   Baltimore, MD

Dec. 17   Souderton, PA

For more information on Point Of Grace and Winter Wonderland, visit www.pointofgrace.net and www.wordrecords.com.

Skillet to Release COMATOSE on October 3rd
Hot on the heels of 2003’s best-seller Collide, which launched SKILLET meteorically into the mainstream with the hit single “Savior,” touring with Three Days Grace, Salvia, Shinedown, and 12 Stones, plus a prestigious nomination at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, Atlantic/Lava and Ardent/SRE will unleash COMATOSE on October 3rd, 2006.

“We’ve been proud of where we’ve been in the past, but I feel like this is our strongest record,” notes vocalist/bassist John Cooper, citing the band’s recent completion of the COMATOSE sessions at Chicago Recording Company (Smashing Pumpkins, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly) with producer Brian Howes (from famed Canadian TVT band Closure and Hinder’s hit CD) and mix maestro’s Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Hoobastank, Bon Jovi, P.O.D.) and David Bottrill (Tool, Staind). “There are so many different influences where it won’t just be about rock audiences or metal audiences. I think there’s something here for everybody and it’s our most mass appeal record.”

With COMATOSE it seems Skillet’s struck gold yet again, building off the refined musicianship found on Collide and taking it to even more jaw dropping extremes. The lead single “Rebirthing,” the first single for both Mainstream and Active Rock (8.21) and Christian CHR and Rock radio (8.14) formats, is a complex but accessible amalgamation of piercing strings, jarring guitars, humongous power chords and neck snapping reactions calling all to come alive in Christ. In sharp contrast, but equally compelling are “The Last Night,” “Say Goodbye” and “Yours to Hold,” all oozing with ethereal orchestration and insanely infectious sing-a-long potential.

While such selections are sure to storm the radio, COMATOSE has several examples of Skillet flexing its experimental muscles, adding several piano based and progressive periods. A careful dissection of “Whispers” unveils nods to the current prog crop via the channels of Yes, while “Better Than Drugs” (focusing on an eternal destiny rather than earthly gain) is a delightfully schizophrenic barnburner sure to tip the decibel scales in one of the disc’s most aggressive displays. “The Last Night” takes a more delicate twist, pitting John’s vocals with his wife Korey Cooper as her keyboards glide with chilling cadence.

“It’s a new era for both Atlantic and Skillet,” exclaims Andy Karp, head of A&R for Atlantic Records. “It’s the first record where we’ve really been one on one with the band and it’s the latest step in our unique journey together. I’ve been at the label seventeen years and we’re known for having so many great rock n’ roll bands: Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Yes, Bad Company. There really aren’t a lot of labels that have that kind of pedigree for rock acts and Skillet is yet another in the long line of great bands.”

Aside from Skillet’s musical strides, Cooper’s songwriting has expanded to cover a vast range of topical territories, some of which follow spiritually and socially conscious thought processes, while others vulnerably mirror his personal life and struggles. “The Last Night,” talks about someone considering suicide after living life in despair and not having support from their parents. Rather than calling it quits, a supportive friend reminds of God’s unconditional love and they’re eventually talked down from that ledge. Even closer to home for Cooper is “The Older I Get,” which picks up after his mom passed away, tracing the rocky relationship he had with his dad and the eventual forgiveness they reached.

Naming the record COMATOSE further cements those expressions, hoping to rev up listeners to break beyond the mundane, get on track with their relationships (here on earth and with the Creator), while charging forward with hope.

“John has written the best songs he’s ever written and there’s been such an evolution on all levels for the band,” Karp continues. “Sonically we set out to create a combination of electronic elements, orchestration and a melodic approach and Skillet’s managed to hit all of those three exactly on target, raising up its game to yet another level of excellence.”

But more than composing a disc with killer compositions, Cooper hopes this disc’s deeper meaning of awakening will strike a chord on all levels with listeners. To the church specifically, it’s a reminder that life’s focus needs to be reaching out to others while stepping aside from denominational squabbles, self-absorption and even negative technological influences.

“COMATOSE as a concept is meant to challenge people to invest in the relationships around them,” Cooper sums up. “In traveling around so much, especially in the last couple of years, we’re aware of people needing and hurting more than ever before. We want these songs to start the wheels in motion for believers and non-believers alike to change that cycle for the better.”

2006-08-01

Road Home Concerts Jason Truby of POD Joins the Denver Guitar Festival
NIPP & Road Home Concerts are thrilled to announce the addition of Jason Truby of POD to the Sept. 23 "DENVER GUITAR FESTIVAL" at the Ogden Theatre The event features Phil Keaggy along with guests: Dave Beegle, Ashley Cleveland, Kenny Greenberg, the Beegle/Keaggy Jam Band and Ian Keaggy (Phil's son). For complete info go to: http://www.nipp.com/show/detail/4002 for 2PM workshop & http://www.nipp.com/show/detail/4001 for 6PM show.

Jason Truby is an American guitarist. He began his career in 1989 when he formed thrash/death metal/metalcore band Living Sacrifice as their lead guitarist. He left Living Sacrifice in 1997 to spend time with his family. However, in 2003, P.O.D. needed a new guitarist after former band member Marcos Curiel was kicked from the band in a bitter controversy, but claimed to have resigned for reasons unknown. Truby was available at the time to assist them by playing guitar as a temporary replacement to record their hit single, "Sleeping Awake," and would become a full-time member soon afterward. The band released their first album with Truby (Payable on Death) in November 2004, which was the first time the band discarded their rapcore style, which in turn faced much controversy. It went on to sell just over one million records worldwide. The second album the band released with Truby was Testify, which was released early 2006. Truby typically plays Gibson Les Paul Standards live and in the studio. On his solo acoustic album entitled String Theory (2004), however, Truby recorded 24 instrumental tracks, using a total of 19 different acoustic guitars. His main influences in music are Coldplay, AC/DC, and the legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy.

Check out a 2004 interview with Jason Truby: http://www.gibson.com/Whatsnew/pressrelease/2004/jul15a.html

2006-07-31

Breukelman Kubista Group Newsboys, Casting Crowns among 100+ Performers @ LifeLight Christian Music Fest
The 2006 LifeLight Christian Music Festival looks to be the best yet, with Casting Crowns, Newsboys and Audio Adrenaline among the more than 100 artists performing on six stages. The largest, free outdoor Christian music festival in the country will be held Labor Day weekend, September 1-3, at Wild Water West in Sioux Falls, S.D. Last year’s festival had a four-day attendance of 275,000 people from all over the country and organizers expect at least that many over three days this year.

The festival kicks off September 1 at 12:30 p.m. and that evening’s main stage lineup includes Phillips, Craig & Dean, Rebecca St. James, Audio Adrenaline and Pastor Rick Warren, best-selling author of “The Purpose Driven Life.” On Saturday, September 2, festival-goers will experience Superchick, Kutless and 2006 GRAMMY-Award Winning Casting Crowns. September 3, the final night of the festival, will see international evangelist Luis Palau, Jeremy Camp and the Newsboys take the main stage.

Other festival artists and speakers include Stephen Baldwin, Stellar Kart, Sanctus Real, Skillet, Mark Schultz, Leeland, Casting Pearls, Tree 63, Go Fish and many more. For a complete schedule, go to http://www.lifelightfest.com/festival/stages/lifelightstage.html.

The LifeLight Christian Music Festival is in its ninth year and is annually held at the 160-acre festival grounds of Wild Water West in Sioux Falls, S.D. The six stages each bring a different genre of artists: mainstream, hard rock, coffeehouse, Southern Gospel, children’s and seminars. In addition to the music, this year’s festival will have an extreme skateboarding exhibition, countless food and merchandise vendors, camping and an all-city worship service on Sunday morning.

Founded in 1998, LifeLight Communications is a faith-based, non-profit organization that facilitates numerous concerts, movies, mission trips, and other events by partnering with churches, businesses and other ministries. The LifeLight Festival, held annually on Labor Day weekend, is their largest event, drawing 275,000 people over four days last year. For more information, please visit http://www.lifelightfest.com.

2006-07-27

Biscuit PR Hundred Year Storm New Album and Tour Dates
It’s Only A Month Away!
In just a short month, on August 22, Hundred Year Storm's Floodgate Records / East West debut Hello from the Children of Planet Earth will be hitting the shelves – but right now, you can pre-order the albums at Smart Punk! http://smartpunk.com/product.php?item_id=18373 All pre-orders come with an exclusive hand-printed poster.

And if you’re in the Austin area, make sure you stop by the album release shows – and on August 20th the band will be having an album release BBQ in true Texas fashion. So get some good music, and some good food as well!

Tour with Gasoline Heart
After some shows around Texas, the HYS guys are heading to Florida to hit the road with Gasoline Heart! Check out the tour dates section and hope to see you at a show near you.

Hometown Video
HYS just filmed their first music video to “Yesterday We Had It All” and it’s going to be incredible. Jeffrey Travis (www.dosgringos.us) headed up the creative team and Michael Morlan was the Director of Photography. The shoot was even covered by Soundcheck Magazine, so make sure you pick up the September issue to get all the good behind the scenes info on the video! Jeffrey Travis was just written up in the Austin Chronicle – if you want to check it out, hop over to: http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2006-05-26/screens_feature.html

HYS Rocks the Logan Show
Did you catch the guys on the Logan Show a few weeks ago? Head over to www.loganshow.com and watch the guys rock it in the media section of the website. Good stuff.

Tour dates:
Dates with Gasoline Heart = ^
July
Sat July 22nd Grand Prairie, TX at the Logos Center
Fri July 28th - Austin, TX at Great Hills Baptist

August
Thurs 17 Corpus Christi, TX at Cole Park
Fri 18 Fredericksburg, TX at The Boy's and Girls Club
Sat 19 Austin, TX at The Uprising
Sun 20 Austin, TX - CD Release Party
Tue 22 Marble Falls, TX at The Young Life Building
Wed 23 Houston, TX at Fitzgerald's
Thurs 24 Memphis, TN at The Complex
Fri 25 Pensacola, FL at The Belmont ^
Sat 26 Orlando, FL at Backbooth ^
Sun 27 Sarasota, FL ^
Mon 28 Lakeland, FL at Lillian’s ^
Tue 29 Bradenton, FL at The Front ^
Wed 30 West Palm Beach, FL at Ray's Downtown ^
Thurs 31 Jacksonville, FL at Murray Hill Theatre

September
Fri 01 Charlotte, NC at Tremont Music Hall
Sat 02 Virginia Beach, VA at Relevant Concerts ^
Sun 03 Woodbridge, VA with Apex Booking
Tues 05 Kingsport, TN at The Fire Escape
Wed 06 Marietta, GA at Swayze's
Thurs 07 Fayetteville, TN at The Basement
Fri 08 Memphis, TN at Newby's
Sat 09 Beebe, AR at Communiblast
Sun 10 TBA
Mon 11 Bartlesville, OK at The Warehouse

2006-07-26

The {m} Media Collective Decyfer Down Returns to #1 with Life Again; Tour Dates Announced
SRE Recording’s rockers Decyfer Down are again at the top of the Christian Rock Chart with their current single “Life Again.” It is clear this band is here to stay hitting the No. 1 slot for the second time in a matter of weeks.

While Decyfer Down accelerates their success on the charts and rocks crowds across the country at major festivals, they are ready to kick off their West Coast fall run with the “Accelerate Tour” along with NEVERTHELESS, Red, and ZeroTheory. See below for the schedule of the tour, which begins August 6. To check out more about Decyfer Down, log onto http://www.decyferdown.com, http://www.myspace.com/decyferdown or http://www.srerecordings.com.

ACCELERATE TOUR
August
8/6/06 Accelerate Tour Sacramento, CA
8/7/06 Accelerate Tour Yuba City, CA
8/8/06 Accelerate Tour Modesto, CA
8/11/06 Accelerate Tour Scottsdale, AZ
8/12/06 Accelerate Tour Surprise, AZ
8/14/06 Accelerate Tour Sierra Vista, AZ
8/15/06 Accelerate Tour Mesa, AZ
8/16/06 Accelerate Tour Phoenix, AZ
8/17/06 Accelerate Tour Tucson, AZ
8/18/06 Accelerate Tour Camp Verde, AZ
8/20/06 Accelerate Tour Fernley, NV
8/25/06 Accelerate Tour Great Falls, MT
8/27/06 Accelerate Tour Emmett, ID
8/29/06 Accelerate Tour Grants Pass, OR

2006-07-25

The {m} Media Collective Phillips, Craig & Dean are Singing at the Top of Their Lungs
Taking a deep breath and singing with their passionate, classic three-part harmonies, INO Records’ artist Phillips, Craig, & Dean prepare to release their 11th studio project aptly titled Top of My Lungs on September 26. This release follows the widely successful worship trilogy Let My Words Be Few (2001), Let Your Glory Fall (2003) and their highly acclaimed Let the Worshippers Arise (2004). Once again produced by Nathan Nockels (Watermark, Downhere), Top of My Lungs bridges the praise and worship music with a more eclectic, progress musical palette.

“Top of My Lungs represents the kind of praise and worship we want to be a part of, the kind of worship that holds nothing back,” states Randy Phillips. “All the songs of this album inspire that kind of worship. Great songs compel you to sing—fresh, deep, magnificent and strong lyrics about the goodness of God, they beg you to sing them as loud and with as much passion as you can.”

Singing together for more than 15 years, PC&D have released 10 albums, 18 No. 1 singles and sold more than 2 million records. To say the least their music has impacted many throughout the years, and it continues to resonate with the audiences far and wide. Seeing God continue to use their gifts they love and reaching people in a tangible way bring joy to the trio, which is reflected on the new release.

“Most of our songs come from real life experiences,” explains Dan Dean. “We sing to engage the church, to meet people where they live. God has allowed us to reach out people who are going through difficult places in their lives. We choose songs that will bring the reality of Christ into those places.”

Top of My Lungs is filled with sweeping, powerful anthems such as the opener “Your Name” written by Paul Baloche that is already infusing into worship at churches across the country to the symphonic “Saved the Day,” a resurrection song penned by Michael Neale. The project is also rounded out with a guest appearance on “Tis Sweet,” which features Dean’s daughter and son and Phillips’ daughter, along with guitar work that lends to a more live, raw sound.

“On every album you want to stretch a little bit, sonically, to move forward, so that was certainly a goal,” Shawn Craig says. “We’d toyed with the idea of doing a hybrid, more of the signature ballads and fun songs we used to record, but the more we dug into it, the more we found ourselves going back to praise and worship. We see the power of praise, the avenue it creates to people’s hearts, in preparing them to hear God’s word. It’s just a very personal thing to us.”

Although they are steeped in their musical ventures, these three continue to remain active senior pastors at their respective churches in addition to packed personal lives. Randy Phillips and his wife began a new church in 2005 in Austin as well as hosting his own show, The Awakening on TBN. Shawn Craig recently was appointed senior pastor after finishing his Master of Divinity in April 2005 and will be married in November. Dan Dean just turned the big 5-0 and is celebrating his 30th anniversary with his wife Becky.

For more information on Phillips, Craig, & Dean go to http://www.phillipscraiganddean.com.

2006-07-20