T Mac on the Big Screen

Toby is coming to the big screen on Monday, June 9! He will only be there one day so make sure you get your tickets. If you want more information or to see if he's coming to a theater near you, check out www.thebiggerpicture.us/tobymac/.

Third Day on Billboard Magazine Cover!

Third Day has graced the cover of Billboard Magazine as the first ever Christian band to do so! Fans can pick up the June 7th edition of the magazine for the feature story, or check out ThirdDay.com to view the article in a PDF file. The article comes just in time for the band's upcoming July 29th album release of Revelation.

For more on Third Day, check out www.thirdday.com.

RED on MTV2

Red, whose brand-new music video “Already Over” started airing on MTV2 last Saturday, is seeing the video get immediate reaction on the network. You can check out Red's video at www.mtv2.com.

For more info on Red, check out www.dropsofred.com.

Jonah 33 Says Goodbye

Rock band Jonah 33 has called it quits. Vocalist Vince Lichlyter recently addressed the band's end with fans while announcing a brand new solo project called "Helium." Below are Lichlyter's words on Jonah33's breakup and the future for him and the other guys...

"As most of you know, Jonah33 is no longer…that season has ended. However, it is exciting because new seasons are beginning not just for me but for other members too. Below, I have shared with you why Jonah33 has ended and some of the new seasons for the members in the band. Check it out. If you have questions for me let me know by emailing me at heliumlaunch@gmail.com, and I will try to answer them and post the answers in a new blog. I am on the road with Ginny Owens and Farewell June playing some of my latest so check out the tour dates and come by if we are playing in an area near you!

Jonah33 decided to call it quits mainly because there is one solid principle in the Kingdom, and that is that everything operates in seasons. The season for Jonah33 had come to end. There are many details that need not be mentioned, but overall, we all felt like it was time. The ship had "run its course" if you will. It seemed like odd timing as we had just released The Heart of War, our 3rd album, but it just seemed natural. Of course, in perspective of God's timing, we all had other things to go to, so it was just confirmation that it was the right move. We met SO many people over the past 8 years, too many to count, that supported us, believed in us and loved us, and for that, we will always be in debt. Words cannot describe what they mean to us.

I decided to launch a solo project called Helium because I find that with everything I write, ultimately, I am trying to bring people back to God. We all know that if you let a balloon go filled with helium, it will continue to ascend. That's my desire and passion. That everything I do will cause people to always turn back towards Him.

Stage Collapses During Starfield Concert

One of the staff from Jesus Freak Hideout reported in about a terrible accident that happened at a Starfield concert in Abbotsford, B.C, Canada. JFH's Karen M, moderator of their forums wrote in about how her son Michael experienced the disaster first hand when the floor of the church showcasing the Starfield show (with Bethany Dillon and Shane and Shane) collapsed into the basement. Here's Michael's own account of the tragedy...

"There was an area in front of the stage where kids were jumping and dancing. The lights on the stage started swaying and then they fell toward the audience. The floor collapsed and sank and we fell into the basement below. I landed sort of weird and I hurt my knee and hip. Once I realized I was alive and pretty much OK, I knew I had to help, so I asked what I could do. Me and another guy were lifting pews off people. There were people with blood running down their faces and they were moaning and holding their head. Because the water manes broke, water was gushing everywhere and it looked just like a scene from a movie. It was completely surreal."

CBC News also reported on the accident. Starfield made this announcement today in response to what happened...

"As you may have heard by now, there was a serious accident at our concert last night, and many young people were injured. At this moment, we are consumed with concern and compassion for those who were injured, especially for those who were described to be in serious condition. Our hearts are with them. We ask that you join us in prayer for them. As a less important side note, none of the members of our tour were injured in the accident. The band would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of encouragement and support that we are receiving."

Joy Electric Talks About New Album

Joy Electric has a new album coming May 27th, My Grandfather, the Cubist. The brains behind the programming, Ronnie Martin, discusses the project...

"Finishing an album is a whirlwind. Last minute changes, last minute songs, last minute mixes... it's not done until you get it back from the mastering plant, and even then there might be problems... as there was with this one! Everything gets worked out in the end, but you have to learn to let go and be content with what you have before you. The alternative is...well... toiling incessantly, nitpicking excessively, and finding any excuse not to finish. At some point you have to say "enough! there's always the next one..."

I'm still too close to the record to give a balanced overview, but I will say that I'm fairly happy with most of it. It feels like the realization of something I've been pursuing for far too long and finally a sound I'd like to grow from and develop further. It's unabashedly melodic, and probably more so than any record I've done, which sounds funny to say. What I mean is that most of the musical parts are comprised of melody lines rather than sound effects or dischordant electronic textures, which is an idea I've never consciously pursued to this extent because I really like texturing. It reminds me of some of the early songs and it's hard to believe that it took me this long to be able to make an entire record in the manner with which this one was made. The question always comes back to: will anyone notice or care about the confounded method? Of course not, but for me it's about establishing my own set of challenges and then trying to accomplish them...however long it takes. Breathe out now, Ronnie, breathe out...."

1. Victorian Intuition / Father Winter Replies
2. Rudimentary Animation
3. Draw for Me, M.C. Escher
4. Four Gone Pierre (or What Electricity Made)
5. The First Time I Loved Her it Was Here
6. I Recall the Telephone Booth
7. On Being Principally Utopian
8. Whether By Horse, or Horseless
9. Only Copernicus
10. Prelude to Cubism
11. My Grandfather, the Cubist
12. Cubism Interlude

A Word From Anberlin About Their Album

Anberlin has a new release looming, singer Stephen Christian had the following to say about the album's title, New Surrender...

Hey guys, Stephen wrote a description on the album title, check it out below:

we will all come to the point in our life where we have to admit that we
feel defeated, that something has conquered us.
we must change, not because we want to, but because we desperately
have to. we can not take life in its current suffocating state, even to
admit such desperation shows that we are feeling deserted,
wandering the barren desert,
a shell of our former selves.

it is only up from here, it is impossible to sink any lower into ourselves
or our circumstances.
but we can be salvaged, a deliverance.
no vice can stand, no fix can take.
the thorn in the side can be removed,
but you have to be willing to admit and surrender.
surrender your habits,
your lifestyle,
your past,
your present,
and your future.
this is your new surrender.
the new surrender.

new surrender.

A Member of Showbread Says Goodbye

Not only is Showbread's double album project Anorexia Nervosa being released May 13th... but one of their own is saying goodbye. Here is the announcement...

As many people have already heard, John Giddens (aka JG) has decided to leave Showbread.

Living in a van, being poor and sleeping on floors for six years makes people go a little crazy. JG has decided to leave behind the life of the traveling circus in order to pursue some kind of normalcy (a "real" job, a family, etc.)... On april 6th, John was present for the filming of a Showbread music video, which was his last activity as a member of the band.

John has been part of the insanity that is Showbread since 2003… He's seen and experienced more bizarre and wonderful things than a lot of folks, and here is where he takes a bow and rides into the sunset.

There were no bitter words and no regrets; JG knew his time was up, as did we. We love him like a brother and remain dear friends to the end.

Showbread exists because of a very personal and divine calling to bring something strange and beautiful into the world. The entity that is Showbread is much, much bigger than any one person participating in it at any time… Showbread is about a very personal truth that is very real to us and manifests itself in the form of bizarre music... not about a band member or "keytar". We'll miss JG on the road dearly, but we know his decision is in the best interest of himself as well as the band.

This is the most exciting time for Showbread… we have completed our best work ever and God is preparing us to unleash it on the world by rebuilding and strengthening us. Believe me when i say this is the best place the band has ever been, creatively and spiritually... We will very much appreciate the loving support of the Raw Rock community.

In the mean time, we'll have someone else along playing synthesizers on the YOU CAN'T SAVE YOURSELF tour, which begins, may 16th…

Both of the new records come out in a little over a month…

Jars Speaks on Recent Album...

Jars of Clay have released their first ever official hits compilation, entitled Greatest Hits. Guitarist Steve Mason reflects on the project, while looking to the future...

"Hey friends –

You’re friend Steve here. We have some exciting news for you. Just released to the masses is the new collection of songs they call the "Jars of Clay Greatest Hits." I am a bit in shock that we’d ever have something like this released, but it returns us to gratitude for all of you that have listened, followed the band, and come out to the shows…further encouraging us to make more music! It’s a story that continues into its 15th year.

We’ve tried to get the highlights – the songs you’d hear on the radio, and most importantly…include a newly recorded song! We wrote "Love Is A Protest" as a hopeful signpost in our musical journey. That’s what we want to continue to be about in all that we do.

Now, it should be noted that these albums are typically released at the end of a recording career. This is certainly not the case! We’re headed into the studio in April/May of this year to begin a new full length album. Stay tuned for more fun..."

For more info on Jars of Clay, check out www.jarsofclay.com.

NeedToBreathe Has a New Music Video

Saturday, April 5 marked the world premiere of NeedToBreathe’s highly-anticipated video "Washed By The Water" on JCTV’s monthly Top 10 countdown show Xtreme Video Zone.

Currently a Top Ten radio hit, "Washed By The Water" now has over 2 million audience impressions weekly. From their sophomore release The Heat, "Washed By The Water" is the follow-up to the group's recent No. 1 single, "Signature Of Divine (Yahweh)."

For more info, check out www.needtobreathe.net or www.myspace.com/needtobreathe

A Word From Peter Furler From Newsboys

It's a long way to the top when you want to rock'n'roll - and sometimes when you get there it's not quite what it seems. That's been the experience of Newsboys' frontman Peter Furler who told of how he had many times battled thoughts of wanting to do something else, despite achieving fame and fortune. The Newsboys are in Melbourne to launch Victoria's biggest Christian music festival, REZFEST 08, at the Point Cook Homestead this Sunday and Monday.

It seems an eternity from the days when Furler was working on construction sites to make a buck - and buy musical equipment. Furler remembers all too well the days of scrounging through the leftover bins of Hungry Jacks or Burger King or living on $1 meals in the US when they were trying to find their way. And even now after selling almost seven million albums, there are days when, after travelling 900 miles to a festival they have played 20 times before, they wonder why they are doing it.

"I think for us it is for the love of it - and the fact that we have got nowhere else to go," Furler said frankly of his lack of 'back-up' employment options. "Many times we have had thoughts of wanting to give up," he said.

There have been plenty of low points along the way, including the tragic death of a former band member in a motorbike crash (Kevin Mills) and the sickness of the daughter of one of their most popular guitarists (Jody Davis). There's also been times when Newsboys have been hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt as they tried to put on big shows in the aftermath of 9/11 when far less people were venturing out, given the climate of fear.

Furler credits his early days in Australia spending hours in a church practicising the drums for helping to build the tenacity and discipline to get him through the tough times. He remembers only too well eating the communion bread and wine as he practised in the locked church after the morning service until when people arrived for the evening service. The lessons from his days as a lifesaver also helped build character.

"I really think that instilled in me something - that discipline of getting up at 4.30am in the morning," he said. "It taught me that what you put into something is what you get out of it," he said.

For more on the Newsboys, check out www.newsboys.com.

Flyleaf is Set to Perform at the Final Four

Saturday, April 5, the Pontiac Garage at the Final Four® will energize both fans of music and basketball with performances by numerous popular artists, including Belton, Texas-born alternative metal band Flyleaf and Austin-based rock band Meridianwest. It will also be home to The World’s Largest Pep Rally featuring cheerleaders, mascots and pep bands.

Our nation’s military will be honored with a military salute and flyover and, for the third year in a row, Pontiac’s pre-game predictor—the Pontiac Virtual Final Four—will pit four elite gamers against each other in the ultimate showdown in college hoops gaming skill. The day culminates with viewing of the Men’s Final Four semifinal games, which will be broadcast by CBS and KENS-5 on giant video boards at The Big Dance.

For more on Flyleaf, check out www.flyleafmusic.com.

Skillet Gets Ready For Comatose Tour

Skillet just performed before over 300,000 fans on Winter Jam and are ready to headline their COMATOSE TOUR starting next week on March 27th in Minneapolis.

Hitting approximately 30 cities, including New York City,’s Grand Ball Room and Chicago’s House of Blues, the tour will also feature Thousand Foot Krutch and special guest Decyfer Down, running through May 11, 2008.

Tour dates are listed below and more info can be found at skillet.com and myspace.com/skilletmusic.

Hawk Nelson Continues Going Green with a New Album Coming!

On April 1st, Hawk Nelson fans will be heading to the nearest store if they haven't already pre-ordered the forthcoming studio release, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend. Since February 27th, fans on the West Coast have been able to get a small sample of the upcoming album on the popular "Hawk Nelson Green T Tour," which sold out to three West Coast venues.

In addition to three sold-out dates, the tour has had more than 31,000 in attendance and over 6,700 Green T bundle purchases. The Green T bundle is for the avid Hawk Nelson fan that wants an up-and-close experience at the concert. With each ticket purchased, the fan will get an official Hawk Nelson Green T, which will be a special edition numbered shirt. So far the fans love the Green T concept.

Hawk Nelson Is My Friend releases April 1st. Go to the official Hawk Nelson website for more tour details and upcoming dates for the Green T tour that continues until May 4th. You can also check out their MySpace for more updates.

Jeremy Hit's 14th Number One Single

Jeremy Camp's recent AC single "Let it Fade" from Beyond Measure has just hit the top on AC Indicator. "Let it Fade" went to No. 1 on both CHR and AC formats. This marks Jeremy's 14th No. 1 lifetime single and the 5th No. 1 single from Beyond Measure.

Jeremy is finishing up the BOOMIN' BEYOND MEASURE tour with TobyMac, which has been a huge success across the country hitting both coasts.

For more info on Jeremy Camp, check out myspace.com/jeremycamp.

Jeff Deyo Has Run In With Police

Kevin Max and worship leader Jeff Deyo, recently wrapped up filming for The Imposter, and Jeff had this on-set story to share with his Worship City Ministries readers today...

"When we were filming the making of one of 'Grand design's' music videos for 'The Imposter' movie, we had a run in with the police! I was up on a bridge singing (lipsyncing for the video) with a railroad track below. The band members were all playing their instruments on large individual piles of rock and dirt directly under the bridge - a very cool setting.

The cameras had been up on the bridge shooting close-ups of me, but now they and the entire crew were all on the ground beneath the bridge shooting the wide shots of me singing on the overpass with the band underneath. That meant all the cars on the bridge couldn't see any cameras, actors or crew except for me, and had no reason to think I was filming a movie.

So, I was singing and going for it with emotion and everything, but the cars could only see me waving my arms and talking to myself. So, about 5 minutes after I finished shooting that scene, up rolled a police car with its lights flashing. Yes, you guessed it - they had gotten calls from some people driving by saying there was a crazy, suicidal maniac on the bridge! Wild stuff! Thankfully, the mayor of that town had rolled out the red carpet for us and knew we were shooting. So, the police believed us when we told them our story.

For more info and even more pics, check out featurette.blogspot.com, theimpostermovie.com

Third Day Loses Brad Avery

Third Day guitarist, Brad Avery has decided to leave the band to pursue other projects after a run of thirteen years with the band. Third Day has no intentions of replacing Avery at this time, and has already begun touring as a quartet. The band's other original guitarist, Mark Lee, comments...

"Third Day and Brad Avery have made the very difficult decision to part ways.

We appreciate Brad’s many contributions to the band's career to date, including his work on our forthcoming album, but the time has come for us to follow our separate paths.

He has been an important part of Third Day for the last 13 years as we've traveled the world together and performed over 1,000 concerts. We will miss him as a band member but he will always remain our brother and our friend. Brad is a wonderful person, gifted songwriter and talented musician. We trust that God has amazing plans for his future."

For more info on Third Day, check out www.thirdday.com.

Jon Foreman's Third EP is Coming Soon!

Although Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman's first two EP's Fall and Winter only hit retail shelves just over a month ago, his third EP, Spring, has already been mastered. Foreman talks about the next release that features two Switchfoot songs as well as his band's next studio project...

"Spring is mastered... yeah! Feels so good, I hope you fine folks dig it! Here's the set list:

1.March (a prelude for spring)
2.Love Isn't Made
3.In My Arms
4.Baptize
5.Your Love Is Strong
6.Revenge

Also, been writing with Tim for the next SF. Shocking stuff... The studio should be finished soon can't wait to start this thing up!
And last but not least, it looks like "The Real Sean Jon" might actually be coming out in the next few months! (it's a side project I'm doing with Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek. so fun...) Anyhow, we'll see, Sean and I are squaring things up now.
That's the news!...
peace, jon"

Addison Road Is a Huge Success

Addison Road, received monstrous feedback when over 167,000 people downloaded their current single “All That Matters” from the March 18th self-titled release. Addison Road garnerd top five success this week on the CHR Chart with “All That Matters” at No. 4 and climbing swiftly.
The band continues to build their mobile fan base through Mozes, promoting it at live shows as well as over the phone! To hear an exclusive message from lead singer Jenny or to join their mob, text ADDISONROAD to 66937.

For more info on Addison Road, check out www.addisonroad.com or www.myspace.com/addisonroad.

Sanctus Makes a "Dirty" Music Video

In a recent Sanctus Real podcast, the band comes to the harsh realization that "dirty" music sells. Although they might misinterpret "dirty" in a literal sense for the sake of comedy, the band has decided to sell the prop album in the humorous new video to benefit the charity Mocha Club (MochaClub.org). Here's the band's blog about the video and auction...

"After watching this year's Grammy's, Sanctus Real has come to the conclusion that apparently, people love dirty cds. So in the spirit of dirt and mud, to sell their new album, the guys did the very worst thing they could do... they made a 'dirty version' of it.
Here is your chance to win the one and only 'dirty version' of We Need Each Other used in the latest podcast with Matt and Mark.

All you have to do is go to the auction and place a bid. The winner will receive the ONLY official copy of their 'dirty version.' You'll receive it in mail exactly as you saw it in the podcast.
Here's the best part...all proceeds go to MOCHA CLUB, an organization we've partnered with that helps bring relief to the people of Jach Darfur in the Sudan. So go to the auction here, and good luck bidding! "

For more info on Sanctus Real and to see their webcast of their "Dirty" music, check out http://www.sanctusreal.com/.

L.A. Symphony Get First Dove Nomination

After 10 years of rocking the underground urban world, L.A. Symphony gets its first Dove award nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Album courtesy of the Gospel Music Association. Currently, they are being recognized for their critically acclaimed remixes and rarities collection, Unleashed.

"It's great to be recognized," says Joey the Jerk. "It's like someone finally saying, 'We hear you, and we like what you have to say.'"

UNO Mas adds, "Thanks for the nod! It is truly unexpected -- especially for this album -- but we'll take it!"

Unleashed is up against records by Group 1 Crew, KJ-52, John Reuben and GRITS. The Doves will be released during the awards ceremony on April 23, 2008, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. You can watch live on the Gospel Music Channel.

Fireflight Goes Number One!

Fireflight has the No. 1 Christian rock song in the country for a third week with “Unbreakable,” the first single and title track off the highly-anticipated sophomore album releasing March 4. The band’s new hit nailed the top spot after only seven weeks since its release to radio and remains No. 1 on both R&R’s and CRW’s Rock charts, while coming in as the most-added song of the week on R&R’s CHR format at No. 14.

The band’s current radio success adds to the buzz already created by the NBC network in November 2007, with “Unbreakable” selected as the anthemic promotional soundtrack for primetime TV show “Bionic Woman.” This marks Fireflight’s third career No. 1 song on the rock format.

Lead singer Dawn Richardson says, “I hope this song continues to inspire listeners at radio to overcome a defeated mentality and find power to remain strong amid the landscape, not allowing fear to hold us back from having victory over the things that used to control us.”

Drummer Phee Shorb adds, “It’s cool to have radio support so quickly, even before the album releases, and to know that fans believe in the song and are connecting with the message of Unbreakable.”

Justin Cox, guitarist, notes, “We are so grateful to our fans and thank them for requesting the new song. ‘Unbreakable’ couldn’t be No. 1 without our loyal fans!”

The chart-topping song is also being featured on the Gospel Music Channel cable network this month. The network recently covered the band’s music video shoot for “Unbreakable” and is currently highlighting the making-of the brand new music video. The preview piece can be viewed at: www.gospelmusicchannel.com/videos/exclusive.

For more info on Fireflight, check out www.fireflightrock.com or www.myspace.com/fireflight.

Jars Of Clay Has Greatest Hits Album

Tracing a career path that features both millions of records sold and millions of lives touched, Jars of Clay’s new Greatest Hits compilation showcases songs that have become favorites of fans around the world, as well as the brand-new track “Love Is The Protest” and is being released to stores April 1st.

Jars of Clay Greatest Hits features digitally remastered tracks and kicks off with the massive international hit “Flood,” which propelled the band into the forefront of public awareness. The project goes on to chronologically chart the band’s willingness to tackle issues both musically and lyrically, simultaneously showing vulnerability (on songs like “Frail,” “I Need You,” “Like A Child”) and strength (“Crazy Times,” “Show You Love,” “Work”).

With the brand new track “Love Is The Protest,” Jars of Clay points toward a vital and vibrant future for the band, flexing that creative muscle that 15 years of making music together provides. “We wanted to write a rock ‘n’ roll song that brought light to what it means to err on the side of love rather than judgment,” Haseltine says.

Jars of Clay Greatest Hits Track Listing:

1. Flood
2. Love Song For A Savior
3. Like A Child
4. Worlds Apart
5. Crazy Times
6. Frail
7. Unforgetful You
8. I Need You
9. Show You Love
10. Amazing Grace
11. God Will Lift Up Your Head
12. Dead Man (Carry Me)
13. Work
14. Love Is The Protest (NEW)

For more info on Jars of Clay, check out www.jarsofclay.com.

Mainstay Vocalist has Update

Mainstay vocalist Justin Anderson survived a severe head-on collision in December, thankfully walking away with some injuries, but also his life. Anderson has given an update on his condition, as well as the news of the band's success at radio and a planned break from the road...

"I just wanted to write an update to let the peoples know how I am doing after my recent car accident. The long and short of it is, I am GREAT! I am also in a GREAT deal of pain! :0)

My osteopath says that I have a lot of inflammation in my spine and that the ligaments are torn up. My back is healing, and with physical therapy and some more time, I hope to get back to normal. In the meantime, sleeping is hard, lifting stuff over 20 lbs. is pretty impossible, and I make a lot of "old-man-noises" when I get out of chairs or bend over. Needless to say, I am pretty useless right now!

But, I really am SO happy to be alive and walking and able to function. I can't say enough how grateful I am for God keeping me on earth and providing for me in this hard time. It makes me think off the countless fatal crashes and scenarios He has kept me safe from, especially in a band that has driven and flown hundreds of thousands of miles these past few years! It makes me grateful for the little things, like laying in bed at night - it sounds stupid, but I have realized how much I take the simple things for granted. Simple things like being able to walk, or the gift of sight, or tasting food, or having working appendages. I guess just find myself noticing things like that now, and it makes me realize how self-absorbed and petty I can be.

Mainstay was planning on taking a break from the road as of the new year, and now after the accident, it appears this break will be somewhat indefinite. As I am recuperating I have been writing songs like crazy, and enjoying that process, which remains my favorite part of music. That is a process that I don't think I could ever stop, Lord willing. Which brings me to my next point...

Our single "Believe" is number up to 5 this week! I want to say a personal thank you to all the radio people and music listeners who made this possible. What an honor! It has been so fun to do interviews lately, and I am so thankful for all the support of this song at radio! More importantly than numbers though, are all the stories that people have been sending in. Let me take this opportunity to say how blessed and humbled I am to hear about the numerous testimonials of heartache, struggle, pain, and loss, and how this song has resonated or helped people in their lowest times. So many people have sent in stories or encouragements that have made me realize why I do music.

I am so blessed that our music can be a part of God encouraging people and drawing them closer to Him in their sorrows. With that, I say a humble, "thank you" to everyone who has supported this song and this record. We wrote the whole thing in the hopes of speaking into people's lives, especially in the hard times, so it is a tremendous encouragement to hear such affirmation of that happening!

Thanks again everyone for your prayers for me in this interesting time of my life, and for all your personal encouragements and affirmations! I really, really appreciate the prayers and concern... they make me feel warm and/or fuzzy inside.

God bless you all!
Justin"

For more on Mainstay, check out www.myspace.com/mainstay.

Fireflight Shoots New Music Video For "Unbreakable"

Fireflight recently shot a high-intensity music video featuring car crashes, tragic characters and the band’s commanding live performance of its current radio smash “Unbreakable. Fireflight’s music video will premiere on various cable networks in February.

Shot inside a commercial steel warehouse by Ruckus Film in east Nashville, the “Unbreakable” video is the first in town to use the RED ONE camera technology. Having four times the resolution of a High Definition camera, RED ONE is being called Ultra High Definition. “Unbreakable” is the first single and title track off Fireflight’s anticipated March 4 sophomore album release, and is currently ranked the No.3 song in the country on Christian Rock radio.

“Fireflight is an incredible performer and the band gave 100% on each and every take,” said director Wes Edwards. He adds, “The set was so fun and relaxed that it never felt like work. And on top of all that, the footage looks killer.”

The band’s new hit song has been creating tremendous momentum for the forthcoming album. In November 2007, “Unbreakable” was promptly selected by the NBC network as the anthemic soundtrack for the promo spots of primetime TV show “Bionic Woman.” The spots aired during Nov. sweeps, and extended into the promotion of NBC’s entire Wednesday night lineup.

For more info on Fireflight, check out www.fireflightrock.com or www.myspace.com/fireflight.

Download P.O.D's New Song FREE

The title track from P.O.D.'s new album When Angels & Serpents Dance is up at PayableOnDeath.com as a FREE download!

Fans can now pre-order When Angels & Serpents Dance and get "The Warrior Wall" - a booklet/Poster included with the album, that has your name printed on it! Orders must be sent in my March 16th when ordering it from MusiChristian.com!

Hawk Nelson Replaces Drummer

Hawk Nelson has undergone yet another member change. Drummer Aaron Tosti has exited and the band has already a replacement set up for their upcoming "Green T Tour." Bassist Daniel Biro announced the change...

"So this is the New Year... and honestly I can say that I'm really looking forward to 2008. One of the most significant events is the welcoming of a Mr. Justin Benner to the band. He is one swell fella, and he is already a familiar face with Hawk Nelson. Justin was out on the baseball tour with us last year, playing drums for The Send. He is quite the drummer, and sometimes I wonder if he was taught from Carter B himself, the drummer of the Dave Matthews Band... It saddens me to see Aaron move on. The Skwido. He is a great friend and that is never gonna change. We wish him the best with everything and know we'll probably see some rocking records produced by A. Tosti in the future. Does anyone remember the time Aaron threw Jason off the front of the stage at that show? "Flop!" Hey, i know change isn't always fun... but sometimes it's inevitable and a wise man once said "Change is O.k.". We hope you can all welcome Justin with us to the band and make him feel welcome. He's really probably the nicest guy out of all of us and I might be getting a little jealous. Can't wait to see you all at a show,

Daniel"

Third Day Kicks Off Spring With a Bang

Third Day is busy pulling together the final touches on the projects that will kick off its year: an upcoming studio album release and the spring leg of its 2008 live tour.

Third Day welcomes exciting young bands Sanctus Real, DecembeRadio and Revive to its spring tour, beginning March 6 in Charleston, SC and spanning 20 shows within a month’s time frame.

After taking a break from the road for much of the back half of 2007, Third Day enters the concert arena reenergized, and together with the presence of three vital and powerful new bands will make the evening’s entertainment and message combination that much more potent.

“We were able to see these bands play last summer and were blown away with their hearts, energy and music,” says Third Day bassist Tai Anderson. “Our fans are in for a very exciting time on the Third Day Live tour this spring.”

For more on Third Day, check out www.thirdday.com.

Vote For Britt Nicole On MusicFaith.com

Britt is up for several awards at Musicfaith.com! Vote for her for the New Artist of 2007, Album of 2007, and Breakout Artist of 2008!

For more info on Britt, check out www.brittnicole.com.

Boomin' Beyond Measure

Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp along with special guest Matthew West are all Boomin' Beyond Measure.




www.myspace/tobymac or www.myspace/jeremycamp.

NeedToBreathe Is Presented With Gold Plaques

NEEDTOBREATHE was recently presented with gold plaques by the Word Label Group promotions team after their song, "Signature of Divine (Yahweh)," remained at #1 for four consecutive weeks (CHR). The song was released on the band's sophomore album The Heat last Fall.

Also, NEEDTOBREATHE's "More Time" is featured on the P.S. I Love You soundtrack and is currently the most downloaded song from the album.

For more info about NEEDTOBREATHE, check out www.myspace.com/needtobreathe.

Grey Holiday Goes To Ecuador To Work On Film Project

Grey Holiday will spend Jan. 26 through Feb. 1, 2008, in Ecuador, working on a film project with Ethnographic Media, a video magazine designed to explore, discuss and act upon the stories and social issues of the current day.

The film they will be shooting while there is entitled The Grandfathers, which will tell the story of a tribe in Ecuador that formerly had a 60% homicide rate, resulting in few people of the tribe ever having a grandfather. Today, that fact is slowly changing, especially as more and more of tribe come to know Jesus, and that's the other side of the story to be told. The guys in Grey Holiday, Matt, Josh, Steven and R.T., will be completely hands-on during the making of the film; helping with the film crew, being interviewed on-site for their reaction to what is going on around them, and performing their song, "Where You Want Me," in a venue that is conducive to the film's look and feel.

For more info on Ethnographic Media, and the release of The Grandfathers, check out www.egm.tv.

Third Day Is Playing For The Troops

Third Day will soon trek to the Persian Gulf and perform for service members as part of a USO/Army and Air Force Chaplains entertainment tour. On its first USO tour, the five member band will spend quality time with troops, mesmerize military audiences with high-energy performances and express their heartfelt gratitude. The band will also meet and shake hands with deployed military personnel, and share personal stories of life, family and encouragement.

For more info on the tour, visit www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment.

Sixpence None The Richer Is Back!

Leigh Nash has announced that Sixpence None The Richer is back and recording for a 2008 EP release with a plan for a tour in April! In a blog that was mixed with the sad news of Leigh's father's recent passing and the joyful news of the popular teaming of her and Matt as, Nash stated...

"...I met up with Matt [Slocum] (Sixpence band mate) for coffee. He got married back in May and had been in Italy for 6 months. I was looking forward to seeing him and hearing about their travels! While he was away, we had both been thinking about the band and what we had all those years and what we took for granted. We were missing each other and the gift that I believe God gave us- I knew before that the two of us were more powerful than one of us alone, but it was becoming more obvious as time ticked by. We realized we were on the same page and decided to make Sixpence None the Richer records for the next 2,000 to 3,000 years!!!! Seriously- as long as we can :) We are in the middle of making an EP right now that will be available soon! We also have a tour planned beginning in April. Yay!!! These things started happening almost immediately after we decided to start up the engines again. Amazing! I am so thankful and excited for the future. There is a Sixpence myspace page in the works and many details to come about the tour, EP etc very soon..."

Sarah Kelly Has New Album

Sarah Kelly is ready for an April 1st release of her third album Born To Worship.

Born To Worship features 10 songs of what Kelly is calling “edgy, passionate worship” and chronicles her own personal survival story from self-hate and abuse.

“This album is a returning to my roots,” says Kelly. “As a child, way before I started dealing with self hate and ultimately falling into a series of abusive relationships, I wrote passionate, abandoned worship songs. Now I am freshly on the other side of those deadly addictions and have much to worship and praise about. My life has come full circle back to my first love as if I was truly Born To Worship. And now, because of my life experiences, there is a new depth, joy, and a revelation of the meaning of ‘grace’.”

For more info on Sarah Kelly, check out www.sarahkelly.com.

Hawk Nelson Gets Fans To Go Green

In anticipation of Hawk's third studio project titled HAWK NELSON IS MY FRIEND, which releases April 1st, fans will get a chance to purchase a special bundle through Music Today starting January 16th that will include a concert ticket, pre-order of the new CD, and special edition green t-shirt. This special offer will be for those rabid fans that want to be on the frontlines of this upcoming headline tour featuring Hawk Nelson and special guest Run Kid Run.

To purchase this bundle that is specially priced at $30, fans just need to go to HawkNelson.com and buy tickets to the Green T Tour in their respective city. With each ticket purchased, the fan will get an official Hawk Nelson Green T, which will be a special edition numbered shirt. Fans then wear the shirt on the day of the concert and receive upgraded admission and an entrance to an exclusive listening party with the band---but only if the fan wears the Green T. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets early, as they are only available to a limited group in each city.

The concept for their headline tour came from the upcoming album title and highly popular green t-shirt with the words Hawk Nelson Is My Friend. The t-shirt has been a part of the bands merchandise from day one and has become a staple with their fans. Hawk Nelson wanted to not only account their success to their loyal fanbase with the album title, but to give them a special tour with significance of the Green T.

For more on Hawk Nelson, check out www.hawknelson.com.

Lori Leaves Skillet!

Longtime Skillet drummer Lori Peters has stepped out of the band. Founding member and frontman John Cooper reports on their newest member, Jen Ledger...

"Hey Panheads! We are out on tour bringing the rock to Winter Jam and loving it! Thanks to all of you who have already come out and supported us!!

I am writing an email to let everyone know about a change in the life of Skillet. Some of you already know, or have been speculating that Lori our drummer is no longer with Skillet. Unfortunately, this is the case. Lori told us about two months ago that she feels that it's time for her to come off of the road and start a new chapter in her life. We are of course going to miss her!! I wanted to let you all know sooner but the task of finding another drummer and getting prepared for this tour right on top of Christmas was overwhelming. On top of that, Lori was finishing up the year and helped us train a new player so it was a bit premature to make any announcement.

Lori's last show with us was New Years Eve where we rocked it out together for one last time! She is going to miss all of the loyal fans who have been so supportive of the "coolest chick drummer ever!"

Lastly, we wanted to wait to make this announcement after we had a new drummer in place so there would not be those who think that Skillet is over. We are far from it! So as you know know we are losing an awesome girl drummer, and replacing her with another awesome girl drummer! We will let you guys know more about the new member soon, but for now, her name is Jen Ledger; she just turned 18; and she is looking forward to rockin your faces off!

As always, stand and be strong,
John Cooper"

For more on Skillet, check out www.skillet.com.

KMax In New Film

Kevin Max announced today further details about his acting gig in the upcoming indie film, The Imposter. He writes...

"So... the countdown has begun for me.... next week monday I begin filming in Dalla/Ft. Worth... Don't know how I feel about that quite yet... But I am sure all will turn out well... some things that haven't been writ in the minimal press that is out there... I am to be a character named Johnny C (the last name is never given), in a band called Grand Design... Johnny is a bit of a rogue with an addiction problem... But he is a talented musician... and a good person underneath it all... and the heart is the issue in this film... not many scripts I have seen that deal with Christian culture like this one... obviousy they chose me because I fit the rebel status... But I think even more than that, I went on a journey that defines me... Johnny C does the same, and realizes the hard way that he needs to Believe, instead of just singing the words... the basic script deals with his downward spiral out of the Christian music scene, and into an underworld of street thugs and drug dependency... many different cameo appearances by people along the way, try to help him, and subtley bring him to a bigger understanding of who he is... my favorite scene so far is his confrontation with his father, an inflated Evangelist type, who sees success and big numbers as the goal... it is very illuminating as to our times... I won't go too deep with the plot here, because I think Serendipitous Films might not appreciate it... But I will let you know that my friend Troy Baker (Commanche Moon- coming out on tv this Jan 8 with Val Kilmer and Karl Urban) is producing and acting... Russ Taff plays a small role that will, I am sure, be a much talked about scene... Kerry Livgren from the group Kansas plays a character named Proff, who is a music veteran type, giving advice to James, the other main band leader in Grand Design... James is also played by a Christian Music billboard name, but I will not let the cat out of the bag yet... Let's just say, he is the perfect, opposite end character to my Johnny C... and no it;s not Toby Mac... haha... more on this later, and probably a lot of blogging when I am inbetween set times... peace to all of you. KM"

For more on Kevin Max, check out www.kevinmax.com.

Skillet Starts 2008 Right

After an amazing 2007, Skillet will hit the road on Winter Jam later this week, and has recently announced plans to rock even more cities when they launch their Spring headline COMATOSE TOUR on March 28th. Hitting approximately 30 cities, the tour will also feature Thousand Foot Krutch and run through May 11, 2008. Tour dates will be announced soon and will be posted at www.skillet.com and www.myspace.com/skilletmusic.

Family Force 5 Starts Heartsupport Tour

Family Force 5 gears up for the 22-city heartsupport tour, a partnership with heartsupport ministry, offering hope and practical resources to those struggling with addictions. The tour begins January 17th in Abilene, Texas and will also feature musical guests Falling Up, Spoken, and This Beautiful Republic.

HeartSupport (www.heartsupport.com), a new organization started by Craig Gross (XXXchurch.com) and Jon Bell (Author Rob Bell's brother), offers an online community for people who are dealing with addictions, self-injury, depression, eating disorders, and suicide. The ministry believes everyone has a unique life story, that there is strength in numbers, and that others have walked down the same path before. Each stop on the tour run will feature Jon Bell Emceeing the show with HeartSupport videos in between music sets. Bell will give a private talkback session as well, offered during the first musical set to leaders of teens and college students alike, which aims to heighten awareness of the issues and give resources on how to deal with each struggle. HeartSupport will also set up a “Your Story Confessional” booth on site where concert attendees can go and share their personal stories and struggles.


HEARTSUPPORT TOUR DATES
01/17/08 7:00PM Beltway Park Baptist Church 4009 Beltway South Abilene, TX 79606
01/19/08 7:00PM El Paso County Coliseum 4100 E. Paisano El Paso, TX 79905
01/22/08 7:00PM Hillside Christian Church 6100 Soncy Road Amarillo, TX 79119
01/24/08 7:00PM Tri-Point Club 3322 N. St. Mary San Antonio, TX 78212
01/26/08 7:00PM Muscle Shoals High School 1900 Avalon Avenue Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
01/29/08 TBA Carolina Theatre 310 South Greene Street Greensboro, NC 27401
01/31/08 7:00PM The Foundry Music Theatre 3405 S. Hammons Blvd Joplin, MO 64804
02/02/08 8:00PM Club Ice 10301 Hwy 45 South Ft. Smith, AR 72916
02/06/08 7:00PM Miracle Place Church 2080 Main Street Baker, LA 70714
02/07/08 7:00PM Temple Baptist Church 1508 Haardy St. Hattiesburg, MS 39401
02/08/08 7:00PM Temple of Praise 432 Mack Smith Road Rossville, GA 30741
02/10/08 7:00PM Richland Bible Church 8643 Gull Road Richland, MI 49083
02/12/08 7:00PM Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene 1000 N. Entrance Avenue Kankakee, IL 60901
02/13/08 8:00PM Willoughby Hills Friends Church 2846 SOM Center Road Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
02/14/08 7:00PM Elida Fieldhouse 101 E. North Street Elida, OH 45807
02/15/08 8:00PM Spring Arbor University 106 East Main Street Spring Arbor, MI 49283
02/16/08 8:00PM Executive Inn Rivermont One Executive Blvd. Owensboro, KY 42301
02/17/08 6:30PM Eagle Lake Convention Center 1006 Eagle Lake Drive Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
02/19/08 7:00PM Club 3 Degrees 113 N 5th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403
02/20/08 6:30PM The Encounter 201 East First Street Duluth, MN 55802
02/21/08 7:00PM Bethel Evangelical Free Church 2702 30th Ave SW Fargo, ND 58103
02/24/08 7:00PM Harvest Church 1235 Wicks Lane Billings, MT 59105

Newsboys Named Artist of the Year in Australia

Australia's national Christian music charts, The Rock Across Australia (TRAA), named contemporary Christian music named the Newsboys 2007 Artist of the Year, and recipient of the Song of the Year honor for "Something Beautiful". This is first time newsboys has earned TRAA honors.

In 2007, the internationally acclaimed pop-rock quartet spent 13 weeks atop TRAA with "Something Beautiful," written by newsboys'; lead singer Peter Furler and guitarist Paul Colman.

For more on the Newsboys, check out www.newsboys.com.

Showbread Helps Out in Orphanage in Ecuador

Passionate about helping others in need and using their platform to encourage others to do the same, Tooth and Nail band Showbread is heading to Ecuador in later this month to spend two weeks at the Casa De Fe orphanage in Shell, Ecuador. This is part of a new partnership with the newly formed organization, Faceless International.

This trip is a follow up to the bands previous trip to Calcutta, India that was taken last January, also with Faceless International. During the Calcutta trip, members from Anberlin, Showbread, Classic Crime, and Hundred Year Storm learned about the grave injustice of human trafficking and modern day slavery.

“For most of us, the absolute horror of human trafficking is an illusory concern. It is simply so far away and so unreal that our mind cannot develop a case for its urgency,” says Showbread frontman, Josh Dies. “For most of us, the poverty that lies elsewhere in the world is only a commercial on television or a photo that Bono puts on Oprah. As George Romero presented it in one of his films, we sit in a centralized palace, ignoring the horrible truth that surrounds us, acting as though it isn't there at all. But it is there, breaking down our doors.”