Hosted By NewSong and Presented By Holt International—

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Christian music’s largest annual tour, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular, will hit 44 cities beginning in January and is slated to feature some of the top artists in Christian music.  Hosted for the 15th consecutive year by GRAMMY-nominated NewSong, the Tour will also include multi-platinum Reunion recording artist Third Day; internationally-renowned Inpop recording artist Newsboys; Dove Award-winning Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; acclaimed Flicker recording artist Fireflight; and guest speaker Tony Nolan.

Winter Jam 2010 will kick-off January 8 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, stopping in Atlanta; Cincinnati; Oklahoma City; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; Wichita, Kansas; Nashville, Tennessee; Champaign, Illinois; and Des Moines, Iowa, among other cities, before concluding March 28 in Louisville, Kentucky.  Admission is $10 at the door, and in addition to the main show artists, the Tour will include a Pre-Jam Party with Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre and Revive.

“Our vision has always been to bring together great music, the Gospel message, and a low admission price in some of the biggest venues in the country,” said Eddie Carswell, NewSong founding member and Winter Jam creator.  “We want families and youth groups to enjoy a night of top-notch entertainment that serves a greater purpose.”

“This year’s Winter Jam line-up is a great mix of some of the most respected artists in Christian music along with some of the brightest new acts,” said Roy Morgan, owner, Premier Productions, producer of Winter Jam.  “We are honored to continue our partnership with NewSong for another year of excellent music and ministry.”

The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular ranked among the largest tours in the world, according to Pollstar’s First Quarter Attendance Chart.  Earlier this year Winter Jam received the GMA Impact Award, which is presented to “the non-artist individual or organization that has made the most significant impact on the gospel music industry over the last two or three years.”  In addition, Winter Jam 2009 was voted both “Concert of the Year” by Gospel Music Channel viewers and “Best Tour” in the CCMmagazine.com Readers’ Choice Awards.

Presented by Holt International, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is also sponsored by the American Bible Society, HearItFirst.com, Camp Electric, Premier Christian Cruises, All Access Merchandising, Texas TransEastern, Xtreme Conferences, and Wayne E. Bailey Produce.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
One of Christian music’s most highly regarded and successful bands, NewSong’s 28 years in ministry have yielded 17 albums; 20 #1 singles; and a GRAMMY Award nomination, among numerous other achievements.  NewSong’s most definitive recording to date, Give Yourself Away, is slated to bow November 24 on the band’s new label, His Honor Music (EMI CMG Distribution).  Marking the official return of acclaimed vocalist Russ Lee to the group, the project is also NewSong’s first collaboration with one of Christian music’s most renowned producers, Charlie Peacock.

With 27 #1 singles, multi-platinum selling rock band Third Day has played to sold out arenas around the world and earned numerous GRAMMY, Dove and American Music Awards.  Their current CD, Revelation, captures the complexities of the Christian walk and features collaborations with Robert Randolph, Chris Daughtry and Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely.

Achieving phenomenal success in two decades together, the Newsboys have earned five gold albums, sales exceeding 6 million records, 25 #1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards and Grammy nominations.  Known for their groundbreaking tours, they have become one of the industry’s most iconic acts.

Recipient of the 2009 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, one listen to Tenth Avenue North, and it’s obvious they have a gift for expressing truth in a way that educates, enlightens, and entertains.  Their songs echo the heart of the human condition and the Hope of the risen Savior. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make Him known.”

From the band known for the smash hit “Unbreakable,” Fireflight’s latest effort, For Those Who Wait, once again delivers Dawn Michele’s soaring vocals and the band’s signature melodic rock.  The album will be available everywhere in February.

Tony Nolan’s passion is “helping people get connected to God’s great love and salvation.”  As a tour pastor for various Christian artists, Tony has experienced over 100,000 public professions of faith in Christ. An innovative Gospel communicator, he uses his wacky humor to help people connect with God in a life-changing way.

For further information and a complete list of Tour dates, please visit www.jamtour.com.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Acclaimed Canadian singer/songwriter Matt Brouwer received two Covenant Awards—including Fan Choice Artist of the Year—at the 2009 Covenant Awards held Friday in Calgary, Alberta.  The Awards were presented during GMA Canada’s Music Week.

“To receive the Fan Choice Artist of the Year Award is an amazing honor,” Brouwer said.  “There are days when, as musicians, we wonder if anything we are doing is reaching people at all. To have my friends and fans rally to vote in this way is so cool and I am deeply grateful for the show of support.”

Brouwer also received the Covenant Award for Folk/Roots Song of the Year for  “The Other Side.”  With appearances by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, “The Other Side” is featured on Brouwer’s latest studio recording, Where’s Our Revolution.

“Being recognized for your work is always an encouragement, but winning in these two categories both held special significance for me,” said Brouwer.  “‘The Other Side’ is a song I wrote in tribute for my older sister Sandra who passed away a few years ago. In attempting to honor her life, and her impact on me as a person and musician, I could never have dreamed that the song would be recorded with Vince Gill and Amy Grant (one of my sister’s heroes), or that it would be honored with a Covenant Award. It’s a reminder in my family of the legacy Sandra left behind and another chance to honor her memory.”

Where’s Our Revolution, Brouwer’s third studio recording, was produced by GRAMMY Award winner Michael Omartian.  Re-released in August as a Deluxe Edition by Universal Music Christian Group/Fontana, the recording features 12 new songs written or co-written by Brouwer.  The project includes the #1 singles “Beautiful Now” and “Come Back Around”; “I Shall Believe” and other bonus selections; as well as exclusive video content, including a free download of the “I Shall Believe” video.

Now residing in Houston, Brouwer debuted on Reunion Records and scored a hit with the single “Water.”  His recent work has included more radio success with the singles “I Shall Believe,” “Surrender” and “Father I Adore You.”  In addition to national and international touring, Brouwer is an Artist in Residence at Woodlands United Methodist Church in Houston.

For further information, visit www.mattbrouwer.com.

STRYPER TO PERFORM ON NATIONAL TELEVISION SHOW “DAYTIME” ON TUESDAY, OCT. 27

(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – Stryper will give an unplugged performance on the popular nationally syndicated TV morning show DAYTIME on Tuesday, Oct. 27 (check local listings). Vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox will perform an acoustic version of “Peace of Mind” from their new album Murder by Pride, as well as their classic hit song “Soldiers Under Command.”

DAYTIME airs daily in more than 200 markets. To find where the show airs in your area, click here. Previous celebrity guests include Tim McGraw, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, Donald Trump and many more.

For more information, visit www.stryper.com and www.daytimeonline.tv.

About Stryper
Stryper’s latest album, Murder by Pride, was released in September 2009. The band is currently on a 50-city 25th Anniversary Tour of North America, which will be followed in early 2010 with an international tour.

In 1984, Stryper broke onto the scene with their debut EP Yellow and Black Attack, and have since gone on to sell 8 million albums and tour the world spreading an inspirational message through their branded sound of rock songs, heavy guitars, and pristine harmony vocals. The group’s unprecedented 1986 album To Hell with the Devil was the first Christian album to go platinum and was named one of the “100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music” by CCM Magazine. Stryper was also the first Christian band to get airplay on MTV, where they had several hit videos, including the #1 “Most Requested” videos “Free” and “Honestly.”

SWITCHFOOT LAUNCHES NEW ALBUM WITH HEADLINING TOUR, PERFORMANCE ON “JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE”

BAND WILL COLLECT GOODS FOR LOCAL FOOD BANKS ALONG TOUR ROUTE

HELLO HURRICANE, THE BAND’S SEVENTH FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, RELEASES NOVEMBER 10th ON CREDENTIAL/lowercase people, ATLANTIC RECORDS;

PRE-ORDER UNDERWAY

SWITCHFOOT TAPPED BY VERIZON WIRELESS FOR

NATIONAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

SWITCHFOOT will kick off its fall headlining tour in San Diego on November 8 for 94.9’s Anniversary Bash. The band will then appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” performing on the outside stage on November 12^th.

The tour will feature SWITCHFOOT playing Hello Hurricane in its entirety, followed by fan favorites from its previous records. The band will be collecting donations for local food banks along the tour route, so fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to the concerts. (See below for tour itinerary and a list of food banks that will receive donations.)

SWITCHFOOT is also launching a new website, http://www.theworldyouwant.com , which will spotlight goodness, beauty, and truth in everyday life. Fans are invited to contribute stories about people they know who are making this world a better place. The band will read some of these contributions from stage during the tour.

Recorded with producer/bassist Mike Elizondo (Rilo Kiley, Eminem, and Pink), Hello Hurricane is the group’s seventh full-length album and its first on Atlantic Records. Lead single “Mess of Me” is getting airplay at Modern and Active Rock radio stations and is climbing the Modern Rock radio chart. “The Sound,” another track from the album, has been tapped by Verizon Wireless for its national ad campaign for the BlackBerry® Storm™ 2.

Fans who pre-order Hello Hurricane will immediately receive a free download of “Mess of Me” and four videos. They have five pre-order options to choose from: the standard CD edition; deluxe CD/DVD edition with approximately 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage and studio performances; vinyl with CD; the Collector’s edition (Hello Hurricane CD, deluxe DVD, an additional CD with studio outtakes and more, limited edition poster and 84-page hardcover book); and the digital download edition. The deluxe CD/DVD and Collector’s edition are also available at Christian retailers nationwide. For additional information or to pre-order, visit ITunes or the band’s web site http://www.switchfoot.com . Fans can also enter to win a “flyaway” contest through the WAY-FM radio network to meet and surf with the band in San Diego. For more details, visit www.morningswithbrant.com .

At the end of October, SWITCHFOOT – comprised of Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) – will take the stage for Yahoo! Music’s new live concert program, “Maximum Performance Guitar Hero 5.” Jon and Chad will be featured in an upcoming episode of “Road Trip Nation” airing on PBS stations in November. Check local listings or watch the episode at http://www.roadtripnation.com/watch/ anytime after its November 5^th debut on KLCS TV in Los Angeles and Orange County. MySpace will premiere Hello Hurricane the week before its release and the band will be interviewed on “The MySpace Music Feed” on Monday, November 9^th.

SWITCHFOOT is the subject of an upcoming Rolling Stone “In the Studio” feature and will be on the cover of Relevant Magazine’s November/ December issue. Jon has also penned two articles recently: his piece on charity in your own backyard will be in the November issue of Alternative Press and he’s written on the nature of heroism for The Huffington Post.

He also recently participated in filming an innovative online game called “The Climate Challenge,” for Oxfam ( http://www.oxfamamerica.org/music ). “When you play the game, you will feel the urgency. We have to start acting now on climate change. There is literally no time to waste,” says Foreman. The game will launch in late October at http://www.theclimatechallenge.org .

Hello Hurricane, SWITCHFOOT’s first studio album since 2006’s Oh! Gravity, which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200, acknowledges life’s storms while managing to find an element of hope in them. The band tracked more than 80 songs at its self-built home studio before narrowing it down to the 12 that appear on the new album. (Fans can check out the four-minute trailer, “The Making of Hello Hurricane,” at http://www.switchfoot.com .)

THE HELLO HURRICANE TOUR:

Date City/State Venue Food Bank

11/8 San Diego, CA E.C Performing Arts Center N/A

11/11 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy Theatre L.A Regional FB 11/13 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch St. Mary’s FB Alliance 11/14 Tucson, AZ The Rock Community FB of Tucson 11/16 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom Regional FB of Oklahoma 11/17 Dallas, TX House of Blues North Texas Food Bank 11/18 Austin, TX The Parish Capital Area Food Bank 11/20 Houston, TX Warehouse Live TBA 11/21 New Orleans, LA The Parish Second Harvest FB 11/22 Nashville, TX Exit In Second Harvest FB 11/24 Atlanta, GA The Loft Atlanta Community FB 11/27 Anaheim, CA House of Blues Second Harvest FB 11/28 Ventura, CA The Majestic Food Share

12/3 Charlotte, NC Amos’ Southend TBA 12/5 Richmond, VA The National - WDYL Snowball N/A

12/7 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live TBA 12/8 New York, NY The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza Bowery Mission

12/9 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club TBA

# # #

Make sure you visit Check out the new CD and all the other awesome things on their site!

Thanks guys for making this concert available!

Sugarland, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mary Mary, Jars of Clay, Chris Tomlin, Israel Houghton & Skillet Among Finalists for 2009 Gospel Music Channel Music Video Awards

Viewers to Select Best Gospel/Christian Music Videos in Rock, Pop, Country, Soul, Hip Hop, Contemporary and New Praise & Worship Categories

ATLANTA, Oct. 21  Sugarland, Jars of Clay, Francesca Battistelli, Canton Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Marvin Winans, Jr., Sara Evans, Brandon Heath, Point of Grace, Mary Mary, tobyMac, Skillet and Israel Houghton are among the nominees as Gospel Music Channel (GMC) honors the most popular music videos of the year across all genres of Gospel/Christian music in its annual Gospel Music Channel Video Awards (GMCVAs). COMPLETE LIST BELOW.

Viewers can go to GMC’s web site ( www.gospelmusicchannel.com/gmcva) to cast votes for their favorite videos in seven categories: Rock, Pop, Country, Soul, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Praise & Worship (a new category in 2009). The winning videos in each of the seven categories become eligible to win “GMC Video of the Year,” which will be selected by a GMC Blue Ribbon Committee. The 2009 GMCVA winners will be announced in a one- hour television special to premiere on GMC on Saturday, January 2, 2010.

Nominated videos will be seen on GMC’s new weekday morning series Joyful Noise Café (Mon-Fri mornings) and other GMC video programming blocks (Soulful Voices, Rock Block, Hype & Glory, One Voice Worship) beginning today.

GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2009 NOMINEES

Contemporary
More Beautiful You - Jonny Diaz
Wait And See - Brandon Heath
None Like You - Javen
Just Wanna Say - Israel Houghton
Free To Be Me - Francesca Battistelli
Two Hands - Jars Of Clay

Country
I Wish - Point Of Grace
Somebody Said A Prayer - Billy Ray Cyrus
Low - Sara Evans
My Hallelujah Song - Julianne Hough
Up To Him - Tracy Lawrence
Love - Sugarland

Hip Hop
Don’t Waste Your Life - Lecrae
G.O.D. - Canton Jones
Beautiful Morning - GRITS feat. Pigeon John
My Lane - Dre Murray
Goin’ Outta Control - Kaboose
Back Man - big AL

Rock
Comatose Comes Alive - Skillet
The Difference - Philmont
Hard To Believe - VOTA
Death of Me - Red
Blue - Manic Drive
Fight For Your King - Corpus Christi

Pop
Lose My Soul - tobyMac feat. Kirk Franklin & Mandisa
In Your Eyes - The Wrecking
Arise (Stand Up) - Shachah
Get Up - Mary Mary
Go On - B. Reith
Time For A Change - 21:03

Praise & Worship
Rain On Us - Earnest Pugh
I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin
I Trust You - James Fortune & FIYA
Everything Glorious - David Crowder Band
A New Hallelujah - Michael W. Smith
A Heart That Forgives - Kevin LeVar

Soul
You Never Let Me Down - Marvin Winans, Jr.
Tell The World - Amos Saint Jean
It Ain’t Over - Maurette Brown Clark
The Goodness - W.H.A.T.
Happy - Tim Rogers & The Fellas
It Ain’t Over - Claude Deuce

Gospel Music Channel
( www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the fastest- growing network in television and can be seen in 45 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Give Yourself Away, the 18th recording from GRAMMY-nominated NewSong, is slated to bow November 24 on the group’s new imprint, His Honor Music, which is distributed by EMI CMG.  Marking the official return of acclaimed vocalist Russ Lee to the group, the project is also NewSong’s first collaboration with one of Christian music’s most renowned producers, Charlie Peacock.

“EMI CMG is very honored by our new partnership with NewSong,” said Bill Hearn, President and CEO, EMI CMG. “NewSong has made a tremendous impact in people’s lives over the years with great songs and their vision for ministry.  We share their heart for seeing lives changed through powerful music and the wonderful experience of their live events.”

In another first for the band, every Give Yourself Away CD includes a free copy of the recording to be given away.  NewSong hopes the initiative will enable twice as many people to be impacted by the music, as fans put into action the project’s main theme.

Featuring 10 selections, Give Yourself Away is hallmarked by NewSong’s message-driven songs and signature tight harmonies, set against a modern pop backdrop.  Highlights of the album include the debut single, “That’s What Mercy Is,” penned by Eddie Carswell and Matthew West; “Too Wonderful,” written by Carswell and Sanctus Real’s Matt Hammitt; and the Carswell and Peacock-penned “Thousand Steps”; among others.  The project also features an 11th track, the bonus “Every Child (Deserves A Home),” inspired by NewSong’s partnership with adoption and child welfare agency Holt International.

“Give Yourself Away is one of the most exciting records we have ever made,” said NewSong’s founding member Eddie Carswell. “We’re thrilled to have Russ back, and working with Charlie was an honor.  Plus, it’s not everyday a label decides they’re just going to give away copies of a CD, so I’m extremely humbled by our relationship with EMI CMG and their desire to help us spread the gospel.”

NewSong is currently headlining the “Give Yourself Away Tour” with special guests Bluetree and Chynna & Vaughan.  Before concluding November 15 in Corinth, Mississippi, the Tour will hit a total of 20 cities, including Jacksonville, Florida; Decatur, Illinois; Forsyth, Missouri; and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

One of Christian music’s most highly regarded and successful bands, NewSong’s 28 years in ministry have yielded 17 albums; 20 #1 singles; and a GRAMMY Award nomination, among numerous other achievements. The annual “Winter Jam Tour Spectacular,” which was created by the band, has grown to become one of the largest tours in all the music industry.  Hosted each year by NewSong, Winter Jam saw more than 335,000 attendees with 69,700 decisions made for Christ in 2009.  NewSong’s now-classic 2001 ballad, “The Christmas Shoes,” was a #1 hit at mainstream AC radio and inspired the top-rated CBS television movie of the same name.

For further information, visit www.newsongonline.com.

Centricity Music Launches THE BETHLEHEM SKYLINE TOUR

Second Annual Christmas Tour Features Centricity Artists: Downhere, Jason Gray, Lanae’ Hale

Nashville, TN (October 20, 2009) —- Centricity Music will launch its second annual holiday tour in support of their highly popular Christmas project, Bethlehem Skyline. So far, seven dates have been announced with additional bookings forthcoming. Currently, the tour launches on December 5th and ends December 20^th with stops in Minneapolis, Detroit, St. Louis, Omaha, Green Bay and Wilmington, North Carolina. Centricity artists to be featured on the tour include; Downhere, Jason Gray and Lanae’ Hale. The concert combines a fresh blend of Christmas classics with original compositions for an intimate evening celebrating Christ’s birth.

“The guitars are tuned, the scarves are on, the alpine air is cold, the mugs are warm, life is good and God is best,” says Jason Germain of Downhere. “As we are soon to undertake our second run at a full blown Christmas tour, I’m looking forward to the buzz and spontaneity this type of performance can generate in the Centricity ‘family’ atmosphere. It seems like everyone kind of lets loose a little more which enables us to take some more risks with instrumentation and stage banter, as the community element of our music shines through when we are celebrating together.  It’s just fun.  I’m also looking forward to the sincerity this can bring to the more introspective songs. Come on out.  It will be a toast to the maker of all good things.  It’s Christmas!”

Labelmate Jason Gray chimes in, “One of the things I love most about Christmas is how it can wake up a sense of childlike wonder in even the most scrooge-like among us. And for those of us who long to return to childlike faith, there’s no better way to get there than to return to the manger. I’m grateful to be joining my friends Downhere and Lanae Hale again – they’ve become like family and it will be good to spend another Christmas with them.  I hope they get me something good!”

Upon its release in 2007, Bethlehem Skyline generated tremendous response from Christian press and radio, with over 60 reporting stations (including the AC, INSP and CHR formats) playing one or more songs from the project. The album also introduced “How Many Kings,” the hit song for Downhere that peaked at #4 on the Christian Adult Contemporary chart at Radio & Records. Jim Epperlein, Program Director for XM 32 The Message exclaims, “How Many Kings by Downhere is destined to become a Christmas Classic. It’s that GOOD!” And Titletrakk.com says, “A skyline can be defined as a kind of fingerprint of a city, as no two skylines are alike. To experience a fresh blend of classic carols and original compositions, follow the star to Bethlehem Skyline.”

For more information on the Bethlehem Skyline tour please visit www.centricitymusic.com.

Centricity Music is an independent recording and publishing company based in Bellevue, Washington and Nashville, Tennessee. The company’s mission is to nurture the gifts and expand the influence of Christian artists around the world. Centricity Music’s artist roster includes Jaime Jamgochian, Downhere, Circleslide, Jason Gray, Daniel Kirkley, Lanae’ Hale, Andrew Peterson, High Valley, Matt Papa, Sixteen Cities

and Me In Motion.

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Tour Dates: (subject to change)

12/5 - Twin Oaks Middle School, Prior Lake, MN (Minneapolis)

12/6 - Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Weston, WI (Green Bay)

12/11 - Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, La Vista, NE    (Omaha)

12/12 - Cross Point Assembly of God, Paola, KS   (Kansas City)

12/13 - Willott Road Community Church, Saint Peters, MO (St. Louis)

12/16 - Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton, MI (Detroit)

12/20 - Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC