The nominations have been announced for the 41st Annual Dove Awards show. The awards show will be in Tennessee at the Grand Ole Opry on April 21, 2010.

Hosts will be Natalie Grant and Bart Millard. Visit the Dove Awards website for more information and the list of nominees.

I was excited to see the nominees for New Artist of the Year because of the talent represented. A few of the artists I haven’t had the opportunity to hear their music, but Brian Courtney Wilson, Crystal Aikin, and Kari Jobe are favorites of mine.

Crystal Aikin and her powerful voice won the hearts of gospel music fans when she won Sunday Best, and Brian Courtney Wilson’s debut album has heart touching gospel songs that gospel fans have grown to love.

New Artist of the Year
Crystal Aikin
Bluetree
Jonny Diaz
Kari Jobe
Revive
Sidewalk Prophets
Brian Courtney Wilson

Song of the Year

“Born To Climb”; Jeff & Sherri Easter; Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; Bridge Building Music, Psalm Singer Music, Hefton Hill Music (BMI)

“By Your Side”; Tenth Avenue North; Essential Publishing

“Free To Be Me”; Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli; Word

“God Is There”; Diamond Rio; Marty Roe, Jimmy Olander, Bernie Herms; Ole, Warner Chappell, Word Music

“I Will Rise”; Chris Tomlin; Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Jesse Reeves; worshiptogether.com Songs, sixsteps Music, Spirit and Song.com, Vamos Publishing, Thank You Music

“Let The Waters Rise”; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Mike Grayson, Ben Glover

“Revelation Song”; Phillips, Craig & Dean; Jennie Lee Riddle; Jennie Lee Riddle, Gateway Create Publishing, Integrity’s Praise Music

“Somebody Like Me”; Jason Crabb; Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs; 2009 Sweet Summer Music, Kobalt Songs, Crosstown Uptown Music, Major Bob Music, Upsurge Music (ASCAP)

“Two Hands”; Jars of Clay; Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark, Jeremy Lutito, Gabe Rushchival; Dudie Music, Chigostick Music, Bridgebuilding, Pogostick Music

“Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along”; Karen Peck & New River; Stephen Hill; Christian Taylor Music (BMI), Dingo Bat Music (BMI)

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jeremy Camp

Jason Crabb

Michael English

Brandon Heath

Donnie McClurkin

Smokie Norful

Bebo Norman

Mark Schultz

Female Vocalist of the Year

Francesca Battistelli

Karen Peck Gooch

Natalie Grant

Heather Headley

Mandisa

Dawn Michele

Laura Story

Group of the Year

Casting Crowns

Gaither Vocal Band

Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir

Jars of Clay

NEEDTOBREATHE

Skillet

Tenth Avenue North

Artist of the Year

Francesca Battistelli

Casting Crowns

Jason Crabb

Jars of Clay

Mary Mary

Skillet

tobyMac

Producer of the Year

Ed Cash

Ian Eskelin

Wayne Haun

Bernie Herms

Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year

“America”; America; Tracy Edmond; Tracy Edmond, Ken White; Curb Records

“End Of My Rope”; Five-Two Television; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino, Aaron Sprinkle; BEC Recordings

“Go On”; The Forecast EP; B.Reith; Brian Reith; Gotee Records

“Lost”; The Big Picture; Da’ TRUTH; Emmanuel Lambert Jr, Freddy Washington Jr; Cross Movement Records

“Movin’”; Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Group 1 Crew, Jeremy James, Byron Chambers, Christopher Stevens; Fervent Records

Rock Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

“Bring Me To Life”; Welcome To The Masquerade; Thousand Foot Krutch; Trevor McNevan, Steve Augustine, Joel Bruyere; Tooth & Nail

“Fight Inside”; Innocence & Instinct; Red; Jasen Rauch, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur, Bernie Herms; Essential

“Hero”; Awake; Skillet; John L. Cooper, Korey Cooper; Atlantic, Ardent, INO Records

“Mess of Me”; Hello Hurricane; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman, Tim Foreman; Credential Recordings

“Mystery of You”; Innocence & Instinct; Red; Jasen Rauch, Anthony Armstrong, Rob Graves, Jason McArthur; Essential Records

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

“Always”; Hello Hurricane; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman; Credential Recordings

“Can’t Take Away”; MIKESCHAIR; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Mike Grayson, Jason Ingram; Curb Records

“How He Loves”; Church Music; David Crowder*Band; John Mark McMillan; Sparrow Records/sixsteps Records

“Lay ‘Em Down”; The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records

“You Gave Me A Promise”; Unbreakable; Fireflight; Dawn Richardson, Justin Cox, Glenn Drennen, Wendy Drennen, Phee Shorb, Rob Hawkins; Flicker

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

“City On Our Knees”; Tonight; tobyMac; Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore, Cary Barlowe; ForeFront Records

“Free To Be Me”; My Paper Heart; Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli; Fervent Records

“Let The Waters Rise”; MIKESCHAIR; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Ben Glover, Mike Grayson; Curb Records

“My Deliverer”; Freedom; Mandisa; Chad Cates, Jason Walker, Tony Wood; Sparrow Records

“Until The Whole World Hears”; Until The Whole World Hears; Casting Crowns; Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Jason McArthur, Roger Glidewell; Beachstreet

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

“Hold On To Jesus”; Live At Oak Tree: Austins Bridge; Austins Bridge; Justin Rivers, Jason Baird; Daywind

“Hosanna”; You Deliver Me; Selah; Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche; Curb Records

“Jesus Saves”; Jesus Saves Live; Travis Cottrell; Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt; Indelible Creative Group

“Since The World Began”; Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship; Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Mac Powell; Mac Powell, Trevor Morgan; Reunion

“The Only Hope”; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; BEC Recordings

Urban Recorded Song of the Year

“Avaylable”; The 2econd Coming; Kortney “Mali Music” Pollard; Kortney “Mali Music” Pollard; Dedicated Music Group, Sound Walk

“Close To You”; Still; BeBe & CeCe Winans; BeBe Winans; B & C Records, Malaco

“Just Love”; Just Love; Brian Courtney Wilson; Brian Courtney Wilson, Jermaine Williams, Mark Spears; Spirit Rising Music, Music World Entertainment

“Just Wanna Say”; The Power of One; Israel Houghton; Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, Tommy Sims; Integrity

“You Never Let Me Down”; Image of a Man; Marvin Winans Jr; Marvin Winans Jr, Rodney Jerkins; M2 Entertainment, Central South Distribution

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

“Always Remember”; Greatest Hits; Men of Standard; Andrae Crouch; Muscle Shoals Sound Gospel, Malaco

“Don’t Do It Without Me”; Don’t Do It Without Me; Bishop Paul S. Morton; Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Chavone King, Rod Lumpkin II, Cambrell Poitier, Nadine T. Moss, Kingdom Glory Publishing BMI, Psalmic Flow Productions ASCAP; Light, Tehillah

“How I Got Over”; How I Got Over; Vickie Winans; Vickie Winans; Destiny Joy Music, Central South Distribution

“Justified”; Smokie Norful Live; Smokie Norful; Smokie Norful; EMI Gospel, TreMyles Music

“Oh Happy Day”; Oh Happy Day; Queen Latifah; Edwin Hawkins; Vector Recordings, EMI Gospel

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

Song; album; artist; writer; label

“Awesome God”; Love Unstoppable; Fred Hammond; Fred Hammond, Alan “Snoop” Evans, Ericka B. Warren, Verity

“Dear God”; Smokie Norful Live; Smokie Norful; Smokie Norful; EMI Gospel, TreMyles Music

“Every Prayer”; The Power of One; Israel Houghton (with guest Mary Mary); Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, Dayna Caddell, Ricardo Sanchez; Integrity Music

“So Good”; People Get Ready; Melinda Watts; Melinda Watts, Freddy Washington Jr; Razor & Tie

“Souled Out”; Souled Out; Hezekiah Walker & LFC; Ester Bullock, Nate McNair; Verity

“The Power of One”; The Power of One; Israel Houghton; Israel Houghton, Ricardo Sanchez; Integrity Music

“Wait On The Lord”; We Are All One (Live In Detroit); Donnie McClurkin; Donnie McClurkin; Verity

Worship Song of the Year

Song; writer; publisher (awards given to writer and publisher)

“Alive Again”; Matt Maher, Jason Ingram; EMI CMG Publishing

“Hosanna”; Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown; Integrity Music

“I Will Rise”; Chris Tomlin; Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Jesse Reeves; worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music,Spiritandsong.com Publishing, Vamos Publishing, Thank You Music

“New Song We Sing”; Meredith Andrews, Jason Ingram, Keith Everette Smith; Word Music, Peertunes, J Ingram Music, Grange Hill Music

“Revelation Song”; Jennie Lee Riddle, Gateway Create Publishing, Integrity’s Praise Music

Dove Awards in Album Categories are given to the Artist and Producer, if other than the Artist.

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

Five Two Television; KJ-52; KJ-52; BEC Recordings

Now Is Not Forever; B.Reith; Brian Reith, Bryan Lenox, Jamie Moore, Sal Oliveri, Michael Gungor; Gotee

Reiterate; Grits

The Big Picture; Da’ TRUTH; Emmanuel Lambert, Freddy Washington Jr; Cross Movement Records

Thrilla; Delmar “Mr. Del” Lawrence; Mr. Del; Dedicated Music Group

Rock Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

Awake; Skillet; Howard Benson; Atlantic, Ardent, INO Records

Constellations; August Burns Red; Jason Suecof; Solid State Records

Crash; Decyfer Down; Paul Ebersold; INO Records

Innocence and Instinct; Red; Rob Graves; Essential

Searchlights; Abandon; Christopher Stevens; ForeFront Records

Welcome To The Masquerade; Thousand Foot Krutch; Aaron Sprinkle, Trevor McNevan; Tooth & Nail

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

Church Music; David Crowder*Band; David Crowder*Band; Sparrow Records/sixsteps Records

Confessions; Pillar; Rob Graves; Essential Records

It Is Well; Kutless; Dave Lubben, Kutless, Brown Bannister; BEC Recordings

Love & War; BarlowGirl; Otto Price; Fervent Records

The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Rick Beato, NEEDTOBREATHE, Jim Scott, John Alagia; Atlantic Records

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

Come Alive; Mark Schultz; Shaun Shankel, Brown Bannister, Bernie Herms, Paul Mills; Word Records

MIKESCHAIR; MIKESCHAIR; Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp; Curb Records

Speaking Louder Than Before; Jeremy Camp; Brown Bannister, Jeremy Camp; BEC Recordings

The Long Fall Back To Earth; Jars of Clay; Jars of Clay, Ron Aniello; Essential, Gray Matters

These Simple Truths; Sidewalk Prophets; Ian Eskelin; Fervent Records

Inspirational Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

A Grand New Day; Women of Faith Worship Team; Chance Scoggins; Myrrh Records

Fearless; Phillips, Craig & Dean; Bernie Herms; INO Records

Jesus Saves Live; Travis Cottrell; Travis Cottrell; Indelible Creative Group

Live At Oak Tree: Aaron & Amanda Crabb; Aaron & Amanda Crabb; Paul Corley, Tre Corley, Norman Holland, Michael Turner, Shannon Lancaster; Daywind

You Deliver Me; Selah; Jason Kyle, Todd Smith, Alan Hall; Curb Records

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

50 Years: It’s Been Worth It All; Dorothy Norwood; Dorothy Norwood, Derrick Lee; Malaco

Fall On Me; Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; Jerry Peters, George Dean, James Bullard; MCG Records

Shout! Live; Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue; Mike Farris, Joe McMahan; INO Records

Stepping Up & Stepping Out; Clarence Fountain, Sam Butler and The Boys; Jim Tullio, Clarence Fountain, Sam Butler; Tyscot Records, One Entertainment

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

America; Tracy Edmond; Eric Morgeson, DJ Butcher; Curb Records

Audience of One; Heather Headley; Keith Thomas, Cedric Thompson; EMI Gospel

Love Unstoppable; Fred Hammond; Fred Hammond; Verity

Smokie Norful Live; Smokie Norful; Smokie Norful, Jason Tyson; EMI Gospel, TreMyles Music

Souled Out; Hezekiah Walker; Donald Lawrence, Clarence Singleton, Hezekiah Walker; Verity

Praise & Worship Album of the Year

Album; artist; producer; label

A Grand New Day; Women of Faith Worship Team; Chance Scoggins; Myrrh

Alive Again; Matt Maher; Paul Moak, Christopher Stevens; Essential

Awaken The Dawn; Keith & Kristyn Getty; Phil Naish; Getty Music

Church Music; David Crowder*Band; David Crowder*Band; Sparrow Records/sixsteps Records

Jesus Saves Live; Travis Cottrell; Travis Cottrell; Indelible Creative Group

Short Form Video of the Year

Title; artist; director; producer; production company; label (award given to artist, director, producer if other than artist)

Beautiful Ending; Barlowgirl; Tim Morgan; Rocky Farm Pictures; Fervent Records

Free To Be Me; Francesca Battistelli; Andy & Jon Erwin; Dan Atchison; Alabama Production Group; Fervent Records

Hero; Skillet; Dan Atchison; Andy & Jon Erwin; Revolution Pictures, Inc.; Atlantic, Ardent, INO Records

Live Life Loud; Hawk Nelson; Etypical; Kayvan Ghavim; Etypical; BEC Recordings

Lose My Soul; tobyMac featuring Kirk Franklin, Mandisa; Danny Yourd; Danny Yourd, Steve Hoover; Endeavor Media; Forefront Records

Monster; Skillet; Andy & Jon Erwin; Dan Atchison; Revolution Pictures, Inc.; Atlantic, Ardent, INO Records

Too Bright To See; Underoath; Anders Foreman; Popcore Films; Tooth & Nail, Solid State

Wait and See; Brandon Heath; Eric Welch; Tameron Hedge; Broken Poet Productions; Reunion

Long Form Music Video of the Year

Title; artist; director; producer; production company; label (award given to artist, director, producer if other than artist)

45 Days (Documentary w/music); Demon Hunter; Cale Glendening; Don and Ryan Clark; Solid State

A Gospel Journey; Oak Ridge Boys; Doug Stuckey; Bill Gaither, Barry Jennings, Bill Carter; Gaither Television Productions; Gaither Music Group

A New Hallelujah: The Live Worship DVD; Michael W. Smith; Steve Gilreath; Steve Gilreath; Reunion

Faith + Hope + Love; Hillsong Live; Luke Irvine, Magdalene Phillips; Hillsong Music; Hillsong Music, Integrity Music

Live At Oak Tree: Austins Bridge; Austins Bridge; Graham Bustin; Paul Corley, Tre Corley, Norman Holland, Michael Turner, Shannon Lancaster; Oak Tree Studios; Daywind

Live Revelations; Third Day; Andy and Jon Erwin; Dan Atchison, Jonathan Erwin, Andrew Erwin; Essential

THE IMPOSTER, STARRING KEVIN MAX (DC TALK), JEFF DEYO (SONICFLOOD) AND KERRY LIVGREN (KANSAS), IN STORES FEBRUARY 23

STORY OF MUSIC AND REDEMPTION RECEIVES EARLY PRAISE

DALLAS, TX – Pure Flix Entertainment (The Wager, Sarah’s Choice) is happy to announce the release of THE IMPOSTER on DVD, February 23, 2010. THE IMPOSTER is distributed through EMI/CMG Distribution to CBA retail outlets nationwide.

Starring Kevin Max (dc Talk), Jeff Deyo (formerly of Sonicflood), and Kerry Livgren (Kansas, AD), THE IMPOSTER tells the story of a popular Christian rock band, Grand Design, whose lead singer, Johnny C (Max), is spiraling out of control. After his wife and band mates discover his secret life offstage, Johnny C’s life begins to fall apart. Coached by his mentor Proff (Livgren) and a crazy homeless man Tom Wright (World Trade Center, Barbershop), he begins a journey back home to rebuild what is left of his family and home life.

Written and directed by Daniel Millican, THE IMPOSTER was a story that needed to be told. “This movie was made for the church,” explains Millican. “I find the closer I pull to Jesus, slowly the masks come off and masquerades end. Hopefully this movie will help viewers choose to find their identity in Jesus.”

THE IMPOSTER’s story of redemption has struck a chord already in early reviews.

Tollbooth.org - The Imposter shines in showing personal issues also exists in the Christian world and not all attempts to reclaim faith by the fallen have a happy ending. The overall message is truthful and grounded in reality – faith saves and provides for an abundant live if you work at your faith and your lifestyle. Also rising above the norm for a current period Christian film is the acting and soundtrack. The Imposter is worth seeing for these reasons and for the message it successfully provides.

Christian Music Zine – Final assessment – Thumbs Up!

Christian Cinema - 4 out of 5 stars

Dove Foundation - It’s truly a faith-based story about making correct choices in life, recovery and redemption with valuable lesson for all. Dove Foundation Approved

The DVD, which includes bonus featurettes including “Unmasking The Characters”, Full Music Videos of “Believe (In An Act)”, “Empty”, “Carry On Wayward Son”, and Study Guide Scenes will be available at all major Christian stores on February 23, 2010.

For more information or media resources for THE IMPOSTER, visit: www.pureflix.com/imposter

ABOUT PURE FLIX ENTERTAINMENT:

Pure Flix Entertainment, LLC (PFE ) produces, distributes, acquires and markets Christian and family-friendly film properties. Pure Flix Entertainment unites some of the most respected and successful members of the Christian film community with the objective of positioning itself as the industry leader for the production and distribution of high quality, inspiring movies and television programs, while doing so with integrity. Media in the form of entertainment and education owns a sure path to how people think about life. Impacting how they think can impact how they live and the choices they make. And because the human mind thinks in pictures, we believe that film is a powerful social and spiritual influence. For these reasons, our work and passion is the profitable production and distribution of inspiring, Christian and family values based forms of media. Mission Statement: transforming the human spirit through values based entertainment. For additional information please go to www.pureflixentertainment.com.

ABOUT EMI CMG DISTRIBUTION:

Billboard Magazine’s annual Top Christian Music Distributor since 1995, EMI CMG Distribution was founded in 1994 to serve as the main distribution outlet for EMI CMG’s owned and distributed labels to the US Christian and general retail marketplace, and the international Christian marketplace. In addition to distributing EMI CMG fully-owned labels, which include EMI CMG Label Group’s Sparrow, ForeFront, and Credential imprints, as well as EMI Gospel and Worship Together, EMI CMG Distribution has exclusive distribution agreements with Tooth & Nail/BEC, Creative Trust Media, EE-Taow Records, Gaither Music Group, Green Hill Productions, Hal Leonard, Inpop, Just Me Music, Madacy Entertainment, Spring Hill Music Group, Troubadour for the Lord, Universal Music Group, VSR Music Group, Anchor Bay Entertainment/Starz, Cloud 9 Games, First Look Studios, Genius Products, GT Media, Guardian Studios/Bananas, Kelly’s Filmworks, PureFlix Entertainment and Third Day Games. EMI CMG Distribution is a division of EMI CMG, a unit of EMI Music, part of EMI Group (www.emigroup.com); one of the world’s leading music companies. www.emicmgdistribution.com

SEATTLE, WA…February 16, 2010…After three records that received international acclaim including huge success in Japan, Juno nominee Manafest (aka Chris Greenwood) returns to partner with BEC Recordings for his March 30th release, “The Chase.”  This fourth studio project is Manafest’s most aggressive and sonically evolved record to date.

“I’m really stoked to have this record teamed up with BEC Recordings again,” shares Manafest.  “This is a full on rock record with a more mature sound.  I am still on the chase and living out my dreams everyday with this new release.”

“The Chase” is produced by Adam Messinger (Chris Brown, JoJo, Justin Bieber) and features eleven tracks of gritty guitars, aggressive rhymes fusing rock and rap styles.  The album can be pre-ordered on Manafest’s MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/manafestca) as well as the new song “No Plan B” can be heard.  The debut radio single “Avalanche” will be impacting Rock on March 12th and CHR radio on April 2nd.

Over the past seven years, Chris Greenwood has used the moniker Manafest to organically build his fan base playing hundreds of shows on three continents.  In 2006, Manafest released “Glory” from which the rock anthem “Impossible,” featuring Thousand Foot Krutch’s Trevor McNevan, became a global hit.  This release dramatically increased his record sales 5x over.  In 2008, Manafest followed up with “Citizens Activ,” which catapulted success garnering multiple TV placements and his overall presence in the US and internationally. Contact Lori Mahon for interviews and review copies.

“The Chase” Track Listing:
1. No Plan B
2. Fire In The Kitchen
3. Supernatural
4. Every Time You Run
5. Bring The Ruckus
6. Avalanche
7. Married In Vegas
8. Renegade
9. The Chase
10. Better Cause Of You
11. Breaking Down The Walls

]]> http://godbeat.com/featured-artists/manafest-teams-up-with-bec-recordings-for-release/feed http://godbeat.com/featured-artists/the-sonflowerz-release-my-heart-is-alive-on-itunes http://godbeat.com/featured-artists/the-sonflowerz-release-my-heart-is-alive-on-itunes#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:57:08 +0000 Jeff http://godbeat.com/?p=3517

New Single is the Result of the Popular Christian Duo Accepting a Live On-Air 60-Minute Songwriting Challenge

(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) — Sister duo Elissa and Becca Leander, better known as The Sonflowerz, began their musical collaboration in church, while leading worship for their youth group. Eleven years later, The Sonflowerz are one of the most promising acts in Christian music. Their latest single, My Heart is Alive, is available now at iTunes.

My Heart is Alive came together in a non-traditional way, says Becca. We were in Nashville recording an interview with a station that had flown in from Holland, and they challenged us to write a song in one hour from text messages that they had received live while on the air.

We really were inspired by one particular title, continues Elissa, that reminded me of how Christ coming into our lives is the beginning of something new, something that changes our whole lives, and it just makes us come alive. So we got into the back room and Becca and I put together the first version of our song My Heart is Alive and played it live for Holland.

Unable to get the song out of their heads, the girls headed back into the studio and finished the song. The resulting recording is now available at iTunes, and its headed to Christian radio in the near future.

After winning Best Overall Vocal Group and Vocal Duo of the Year at Gospel Music Associations Music in the Rockies in 2007, the Christian music industry began to take notice of the duos original acoustic worship style.

Their latest studio album, All Over the World, has landed four #1 radio singles and was produced by six-time Dove Award-winner, Don Koch (Bob Carlisle, Fred Hammond, 4HIM). The album is available in stores everywhere from Provident-Integrity Distribution (a unit of SONY Music Entertainment).

The Sonflowerz have toured extensively throughout the U.S. and U.K,, playing on the main stage at Christian musics largest festivals and opening for the likes of Third Day, Needtobreathe, Sara Groves, Sanctus Real and many others. The group will be touring throughout 2010, including dates as the featured music act on the 2010 LifeWay Conference Tour with author/speaker Vicki Courtney.

For more information, visit the official website at www.sonflowerz.com.

Dove-nominated “Artist of the Year,” Fireflight readies for the release of its third album this week, titled For Those Who Wait, on Feb. 9, as the dynamic first single “Desperate” hits No. 1 at Christian Rock radio, and moves up to No.14 on the CHR format. With its stunning new 10-song collection, Fireflight exceeds expectations, following its 2008 breakout sophomore album Unbreakable, which delivered two No.1 singles at Rock and launched Fireflight’s music into new realms, including the NBC network, ESPN’s Winter X Games and voted Taco Bell’s “Best of the Beat,” ultimately landing its prestigious Artist of the Year nomination at the Dove Awards in 2009.

While securing its fifth career No.1 song at radio, on the eve of its new album release, Fireflight also receives high marks as the editorial staff at leading music web site Jesusfreakhideout.com votes For Those Who Wait as its No.1 “most anticipated album of 2010,” topping the staff’s list of the 25 new projects “we’re plain stoked about.”  The site’s feature story includes staff reviews of Fireflight’s new project, saying:

“Upon hearing “Desperate,” one of the strongest tracks of their career, I couldn’t be anything but excited about the release of Fireflight’s third album. From the 30-second clips found on their MySpace site, the rest of it sounds just as promising as the first single. If the clips are any representation of what is to come with the record, it will surely be the best album of their career.” - Matthew Watson

“Fireflight dazzled us with 2008’s Unbreakable, proving their longevity and variability as CCM artists here to stay; their third outing, For Those Who Wait, will test the quintet on their reliability as a solid rock act, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see the unfolding result this Winter” -  Roger Gelwicks

“With two very satisfying albums now on the band’s resume and terrific songs paving the way for Fireflight’s third release, it doesn’t seem that mediocrity is in the band’s vocabulary.” - Nathaniel Schexnayder

With For Those Who Wait, Fireflight offers hard-rocking urgency and emotion, and unveils the band’s thickest groove yet, showcasing lead singer Dawn Michele’s powerful vocals. The album’s transparent lyrics continue a defining trait for Fireflight’s songwriting, issuing an awareness of God’s magnificence amidst personal weakness.

“This album is filled with even more personal stories of our own, our families, friends, and our fans,” relates Michele. “It’s our lives, our hearts, and our pain just poured out.” She adds, “For Those Who Wait is a maturation in understanding that sometimes you don’t appreciate why you’re on the path that you are. A lot of times, we get bogged down thinking about things that we’re waiting for. And when we do that, we totally miss out on what’s happening in-between now and our goal. God has times of waiting in our lives because He has something for us to learn. Hard things that happen, that throw us off of our plan, can become the most important things in our lives because God will take them and use them to shape our character and who we are.”

Musically, drummer Phee Shorb puts it, “For Those Who Wait sounds as good as I’ve always hoped we could sound.”

Fireflight is currently playing to an average of more than 9,000 fans a night in arenas across the nation as part of the WinterJam Tour. For tour dates, and more on Fireflight, please visit www.fireflightrock.com, www.myspace.com/fireflight or www.providentpress.com.

Tour Will Be Produced By MaxxLIVE, Patton House Entertainment And Will Be Sponsored By World Vision

Nashville, TN (February 10, 2010) —- Kanopy Tours announces the upcoming Bloom Tour 2010 that features Margaret Becker, JJ Heller (who has the Top 15 hit in the country with “Your Hands”) and friends. The tour will run April – May and will provide an intimate evening of story and song from the heart of Becker, while showcasing the talents of Heller and friends. The tour is being produced by MaxxLIVE and Patton House Entertainment, with World Vision sponsoring the dates. Tour dates will be announced soon.

“I’m excited to get to be a part of the Bloom Tour with JJ Heller,” says Becker. “I think it’s going to be a blast to be on stage with her as we get to connect with our friends, both new and longstanding, who share our love for music and helping people. When I’m asked to be a part of something that helps people in need, which is exactly what this tour is doing through World Vision, then that’s something I really do want to be a part of!”

“I have such a passion for excellence in the live show arena,” says Andrew Patton, President, Patton House Entertainment. “Tying this group of musicians together with the MaxxLIVE team is going to be exciting and rewarding.  We have had the pleasure of producing a number of tours in the past and this one should be one of the finest.”

With an illustrious career that spans twenty-three years and garnered eighteen albums, more than two dozen #1 singles, multiple Dove Awards, four Grammy nominations and seven Songwriter of the Year Awards, Becker, who has performed in front of over three-million people and sold over 2.8 million records, remains one of the most respected singer/songwriters in the Christian industry. Not one to rest on her laurels, Becker continues to receive accolades as her latest project, “Gift Of Love,” which was co-written with David M. Edwards, has been nominated for Choral Project of the Year from Worship Leader Magazine.  Since her debut in 1987, Becker’s professional, personal and spiritual growth has also allowed her to expand into other creative areas.  Over the years, Becker has contributed essays to a number of Christian publications, contributed to various women’s magazines, authored three books, has been a recording producer for such artists as Kelly Minter, Rita Springer & Ginny Owens, opened her own publishing company and is a much sought-after public speaker. Becker has served as an ambassador/artist for World Vision the past seventeen years, and was their first artist-associate in the successful artist associates program and in being such, has helped to shed light on the relief  to the less-fortunate provided by World Vision.

JJ Heller has skyrocketed to fame with her latest single, “Your Hands,” which was debuted on the Fox Network show, So You Think You Can Dance, and is currently #14 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart. The song is from Heller’s third project, Painted Red. Heller began her music career in the spring of 2003, and 6 years and 3 albums later her acoustic-folk sound and heartfelt lyrics have netted the Nashville-based artist a loyal following. Heller is married to songwriter, Dave Heller, who is the co-writer of her hit single and in December 2008 they welcomed their first child, Lucy Love.

For more information on Bloom Tour 2010 please visit online at www.kanopytours.com.