Pillar "For the Love of the Game" coming in Feb. 26

Christian Rock leader Pillar will release its fifth-studio album, the big, fun and commanding, For Love of the Game, on February 26, 2008. The buzz is well underway. During the 2007 MLB (Major League Baseball) World Series, the title track was prominently featured during ESPN’’s nightly program, Baseball Tonight. Nearly one month prior to its official add-date at radio, ““For the Love of the Game” was most added at R&R Christian Rock Radio. For the Love of the Game was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was produced by Travis Wyrick (Disciple, Spoken, P.O.D.).

“We love what we get to do!” shares Pillar lead man, Rob Beckley. “We get to say that we play rock ‘n roll for a living. We get to see lives changed. We have a renewed love and focus. With that in mind, making For the Love of the Game was very fun, and very fluent; it just came out. We went into the studio knowing what the album was going to be called and we were able to carry the vision through. We wanted to have a positive, bright, fun sounding record. That was our intent from the beginning. We trust that as people hear this record, God will use it to change lives. That’’s the ultimate fuel for our fire. When someone tells us, ‘‘your music changed my marriage, or brought me closer to God,’ that’s when we know God is using our music, and that’’s what it’s all about to us.”

One track on For the Love of the Game that Pillar is particularly proud of is “Turn It Up.” “It’s a tribute to Christian music,” Rob explains. “Every lyric in that song is an album title or song title from another Christian band, with the exception of two lines. All in all, there are 34 bands represented in that song; bands whose songs have influenced us and impacted us. In preparation for writing and recording For the Love of the Game, I listened to a whole lot of Christian music. Prior to Pillar, I didn’t know the Christian music world existed. Over the last year, I’ve fully come to understand just how well the Christian music world is established. In today’’s music market, Christian bands are starting to set musical standards. Bands like Underoath, for example, are really making a huge impact on the music scene, and that is really cool to me. I want people to know that we are a Christian band. We are proud of who we are!”

The ten-track project comprises the following: “For the Love of the Game,” “Turn It Up,” “Reckless Youth,” “State of Emergency,” “Smiling Down,” “The Runaway,” “Throwdown,” “Get Back,” “I Fade Away,” and “Forever Starts Now.”

Read out interview with Pillar here to learn more about the album.
Read out review of The Reckoning here.

Stephanie Smith Partners with Soles4Souls

Stephanie Smith, Gotee Records’ up-and-coming female pop-rocker, performed her hit song “Superstar” as part of a Soles4Souls shoe donation at The Tennessee School For The Blind.
Soles4Souls staff was on hand to fit each student of the Tennessee School for the Blind (115 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville) with their new pairs of shoes. This is part of a month-long series of donations that will include 25 locations across the U.S. with over 25,000 pairs of new shoes to be given to those in need during this Holiday season.

23-year old Stephanie Smith is already turning heads with an early introduction to her forthcoming debut album Not Afraid by Stephanie Smith, slated for an early 2008 street date. At radio, the first two singles “Superstar” and “Not Afraid” are gaining momentum with growing support weekly. “Superstar” is also available online at the iTunes store. Fans can download the song for $.99 by clicking the link below.



Smith, who has a passion for reaching the youth culture, is also actively involved with the Pure Freedom conferences (www.purefreedom.com) and the Secret Keeper Girl Tours, founded by top-selling youth author Dannah Gresh (And The Bride Wore White/Moody).

"This is such an exciting time in my life; I don't want to take that for granted,” asserts Smith who will be partnering with Soles4Souls through her live concert ticket sales and merchandise sales.

New Fireflight "Unbreakable" Bionic Woman video

Fireflight's new song "Unbreakable" (the title track of their upcoming sophomore album) is now available for your listening and viewing pleasure over at the NBC website.

The band members recently shot a video for the song featuring scenes from the Bionic Woman show. Watch the video here and be sure to rate and comment on it.




Read our interview with Fireflight here.
Read our review of their debut album here.
Click logo below to purchase the song "Unbreakable" at iTunes.

See pics of the band performing live and read a concert review here.

Newsong and Todd Agnew Christmas Tour

Grammy Award-nominated Integrity Music recording artist NewSong, along with critically-acclaimed Ardent/INO singer/songwriter Todd Agnew, will herald the holiday season with “The Christmas Promise Tour.” With special guests Matthew West and Britt Nicole, the tour will also feature Agnew’s acclaimed Christmas musical, “Do You See What I See?”

Kicking-off November 27 in Bolivar, Missouri, “The Christmas Promise Tour” is slated to hit 18 cities, including stops in Cincinnati; Norfolk, Nebraska; and West Columbia, South Carolina, before concluding December 20 in Champaign, Illinois.

NewSong will present selections from their best-selling recordings The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Hope, highlighted by a performance of the group’’s #1 mainstream radio hit, “The Christmas Shoes,” which spawned a best-selling novel by Donna VanLiere and a CBS Movie of the Week. In addition to sets from each artist, NewSong, Matthew West and Britt Nicole will perform several songs together.

Agnew’s musical, “Do You See What I See?” will be featured in the second half of the concert. A retelling of the Christmas story with the singer/songwriter’s original compositions and dialogue, the musical offers personal perspectives from eyewitnesses to Christ’s birth. In addition to Agnew, the cast of “Do You See What I See?” will include NewSong’s Nate Sallie and Billy Goodwin; Matthew West; and Britt Nicole.

For additional information on “The Christmas Promise Tour,” visit www.newsongonline.com, www.toddagnew.com, www.itickets.com, or contact the Greg Oliver Agency via www.goa-inc.com or Turning Point Media Relations, Inc. at 615-261-1818.

“The Christmas Promise Tour”

November 27 Bolivar, MO
November 28 St. Charles, MO
November 29 Cincinnati, OH
November 30 Kinston, NC
December 1 Whiteville, NC
December 2, 3 Concord, NC
December 5 Pascagoula, MS
December 6 Anniston, AL
December 7 Brookhaven, MS (without Todd Agnew)
December 8 Amite, LA
December 9 Pearland, TX
December 10 Brenham, TX
December 14 Moultrie, GA
December 15 Mars Hill, NC
December 16 West Columbia, SC
December 18 Oconomowoc, WI
December 19 Norfolk, NE
December 20 Champaign, IL

Superchick song "Hero" featured in PSA

Superchick’s hit song “Hero” is currently featured in a new public service announcement (PSA) by NBC Universal. The “Green Is Universal” PSA announces the company’s more than 150 hours of environmentally themed content that will encompass all of NBC Universal’s divisions across multiple platforms from November 4-10, including NBC, MSNBC, Bravo and CNBC among others.

In addition to appearing on the NBC Universal television platforms, Universal Pictures will run the “Green Is Universal” PSA as post-roll on its online trailers during the programming week and as ads in theater lobbies.

The “Green Is Universal” PSA pairs major entertainment figures with Superchick’s song including Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”), John Krasinski (“The Office”), Robert Redford (The Sundance Channel), Meredith Vieira (“Today”), Howie Mandel (“Deal Or No Deal”) and Tim Gunn (Bravo).

The PSA can be viewed online at www.inpop.com/video/Superchick/SuperchickGreenPSAtv.mov. The “Green Is Universal” website will be live soon at www.GreenIsUniversal.com.

Avalon welcomes new member & new album: "Another Time Another Place : Timeless Christmas Classics"

Dynamic vocal foursome Avalon welcomes new member Jeremi Richardson to the group. Richardson joins the award-winning artist in time for the release of its ninth studio album, Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics, on Feb. 26.

Originally from Cleveland, Tenn., Richardson and his wife Amy currently reside in Orlando, Fla. where he is a member of the Disney groups Voices of Liberty and Four for a Dollar. He has toured singing and leading worship all over the United States, Jamaica, Bermuda and Israel. His voice can be heard on numerous recordings by Tribe Studios, Jeff Arthur Productions, WiseGuys Productions, Walt Disney Studios, Word Music, Brentwood-Benson, SpiritSound Music, and Integrity Music.

“I have been a longtime fan of Avalon,” says Richardson. “I first saw the group on tour with Crystal Lewis my sophomore year of college. It was that same evening I made the decision to pursue a singing career. I am so honored to be part of the group and look forward to what the future holds for Avalon.”

And in the very near future Avalon will release its latest music offering, Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics, a collection of contemporary Christian music’s most beloved songs. Paying tribute to CCM legends including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Crystal Lewis, among others, the record celebrates those songs which not only have influenced the genre itself but also Avalon and its more than decade-long career.

“These are songs that first made us want to do what we’re doing today,” says Greg Long of Avalon. “So many of these artists impacted us in a memorable way from before we began performing as a group until today.”

Beginning Nov. 13, a three-song preview EP featuring “Another Time, Another Place,” “God Is In Control” and “Thy Word” will be available on iTunes and other digital music outlets. The album’s single, “Another Time, Another Place,” went for ads at Christian Adult Contemporary radio on Nov. 2. The group is also planning a major tour to launch spring 2008. Additional details are forthcoming.

Free Delirious song download "God is Smiling"

The guys in Delirious have a free song (from their upcoming album Kingdom of Comfort, April 2008) available for download. The song is called "God is Smiling", and the guys had this to say about where you can obtain it. According to a recent update:

"The treat is located in a brand new free members-only section called The Living Room. On top of that The Living Room will feature band blogs, galleries, videos with more features being added weekly. All that it takes to get in the room is a simple registration, once that's taken care of members will be right at home.

To get access to the free download go here: http://www.delirious.co.uk/livingroom"

Fireflight's "Unbreakable" now available for download at iTunes

This is the song used in the Bionic Woman Promo ("The List" episode).
(Click banner to go to the store.)

Read our review of Fireflight's "Healing of Harms" here.
Read our interview with Fireflight here.

New Switchfoot song "Rebuild" with Matt Thiessen from Relient K & Dustin Ruth of Ruth

Switchfoot is giving away the song "Rebuild" on their website Switchfoot.com. Here's what lead singer and guitarist Jon Foreman says in part about the song and the download:

"This summer, Matt Thiessen and I began to write a song specifically for our fall tour, the "Appetite for Construction” tour where a dollar from each ticket sold will go to Habitat for Humanity. The song, (written with Habitat in mind) was called "Rebuild." Afterwards, we said our goodbyes and both bands parted ways and drove on down the road. Hours later his bus burned down. After the flames died down, the song and the tour had a much deeper meaning...

"So we came up with this idea, more than just giving a dollar a ticket this tour we've decided to give a song away. We love giving things away whenever we can, our hope is that you do too.

"Download the song, "rebuild" and give your money or your time directly to Habitat for Humanity. That way you don't need to even live in california, you can still help in your own backyard. If you've got extra cash, cool. If not, donate your time instead. Habitat is an incredible organization that has built houses from New Orleans to New Delhi for deserving individuals. After the fires die down we'll need a lot of help in San Diego.

The song features someone from all three bands on tour: ourselves, Matt T. from Relient K and Dustin from Ruth on harmonica. The song means a lot to me and I hope you enjoy it. Now is the time to rebuild. Please join us.

Click here to go to the Switchfoot website.

Click here to read our review of Oh! Gravity.

Inhabited signs with 7 Spin music, "LOVE" to release February 2008

Female-fronted rock band Inhabited finds a new home at burgeoning indie label 7 Spin Music. The group is putting the finishing touches on its sophomore release, LOVE, releasing through 7 Spin Music on Feb. 26.

Comprising Sara Acker (vocals), Marcus Acker (guitar), and Charlie Harper (drums), Houston-based Inhabited exploded onto the Christian music scene four years ago with its independent project Innerview. The band set a whole new standard for indie success, claiming a Top 20 Christian Hit Radio single with “Rescue Me.” The song also made Christian Rock radio’s Top 10.

Inhabited released its debut label project, Revolution, with Fervent Records in 2005. Revolution earned rave reviews from media who hailed frontwoman Sara’s strong vocals, formidable stage presence and genuine heart for youth. The group steadily grew its loyal fan base, while touring alongside popular artists Todd Agnew, Starfield, By The Tree and Jonah33. Today Inhabited continues to re-invent itself, always on the cutting edge of sound and style.

Peter Khosla, president of 7 Spin Music comments, “The quality that most impressed me about Inhabited is its sincere desire to impact youth. The group is also musically talented and works extremely hard at its ministry. The band is an excellent fit with what we’re trying to cultivate here at 7 Spin.”

“We are so happy to be at 7 Spin and are excited that they aren’t afraid to be bold and think outside the box,” says Sara Acker. “They have already been a blessing, and I’m stoked we’re teaming together to get LOVE to the masses!”

Inhabited’s national sophomore project, LOVE, will be produced by industry veteran Monroe Jones (Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Third Day). In stores Feb. 26, the album’s first radio single, “Hush,” written and produced by Marcus and Sara Acker, is currently at No. 22 on Christian Hit Radio. Additional details on the record are forthcoming.

Inhabited is also on the SHOUTfest tour this fall. For an updated tour itinerary or for more information on the band, visit: www.inhabitedtheband.com. Or their myspace page here.

Read our review of an early advance copy (not final version) of LOVE here.