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.”