Gospel Music Channel takes inside look at Jump5's Farewell concert

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) -- A camera crew from Gospel Music Channel was on hand for JUMP5's farewell concert, which was held December 16th in Nashville, Tennessee. The special feature will air on GMC's The Kitchen Sink on Saturday, January 5th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The final concert was held at Rocketown, Nashville's popular downtown music venue, and featured performances by opening acts pureNRG, Jessie Daniels and Cali - three artists who were also featured on the group's "Hello & Goodbye Tour." Former JUMP5 member Libby Hodges also made a surprise appearance, performing with the group for a few songs.

JUMP5's farewell album, Hello & Goodbye (featuring the Radio Disney hit "Shoot the Moon"), was released in August 2007 by Slanted Records.

Earth, Wind and Fire's Sheldon Reynolds joins Jump5 on stage

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) -- Slanted Records group JUMP5 received a special visit from former Earth, Wind & Fire lead vocalist and lead guitarist Sheldon Reynolds at the Los Angeles area stop of their current North American tour. When the group hit Saint Paschal in Thousand Oaks, California on November 14th, they were joined on stage by Reynolds, who performed the hit Earth, Wind & Fire classic "Shining Star" with JUMP5, who had a hit of their own with the song, which they covered on their 2003 release, Accelerate (Sparrow Records/EMI).

"It was an unbelievable experience," says JUMP5's Brandon Hargest. "That moment will stick with me throughout my musical career."

"It was completely unreal to be on stage with a legend," says JUMP5's Lesley Moore. "The whole time he was up there with us my jaw was on the ground. It was definitely something I will remember forever!"

Adds JUMP5's Chris Fedun, "I am honored to say I shared the stage with such an icon!"

Reynolds is most widely known for his 14 year tenure with the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. During that era, the group received an Image Award for Lifetime Achievement, and Reynolds was nominated for a Grammy Award for the popular song "Sunday Morning," which Reynolds wrote and recorded with Earth, Wind & Fire.

Reynolds left the group to join Experience Hendrix, the family company of Jimi Hendrix, realizing yet another lifelong dream of being involved in the musical legacy of one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Reynolds has also worked as a writer and performer with a number of other well-known artists, such as the Pointer Sisters, Stephanie Mills, Chicago, The Commodores and Paula Abdul. Reynolds' vocal work includes the musical soundtrack from the motion picture Glory, as well as theme music for the hit TV shows Who's the Boss? and Chicago Hope.

In 2004, Reynolds produced the talent-packed CD, Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix, which includes performances from such major artists as Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Musiq, Carlos Santana, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Sting, Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire and many others. He is currently producing the debut album from Victoria White, who recently signed to the Maurice White-owned record label Kalimba. Reynolds and White are both currently touring with jazz great Brian Culbertson's A Soulful Christmas tour. For more information, visit www.sheldonreynolds.com.

JUMP5's new holiday album, Christmas Like This, is available for only $7.99 exclusively through all major digital outlets including iTunes and Rhapsody. Digital distribution for Christmas Like This is through EMI CMG Distribution. The group's official "farewell" album, Hello & Goodbye, was released in October, and they are currently in the middle of a 30+ city North American tour, which kicked off September 7th and runs through the end of the year. The Hello & Goodbye Tour is sponsored by Kingdom Kidz Club and Shoutlife.com, and features performances by Jessie Daniels, Cali, Carried Away, pureNRG, Sammy Ward and Monet (in select cities).

Click link below to order the album from iTunes:

Jump 5 tour

As previously announced, Jump5 will disband at the end of 2007 - but not before hitting the road one last time. Sponsored by The Kingdom Kidz Club and Shoutlife.com, The Hello & Goodbye Tour will take Jump5 to 30 major markets from September through the end of the year, including stops in Houston, Seattle, Evansville, Morristown, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Louisville, Little Rock, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Denver, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, San Francisco and Nashville.

Joining Jump5 on the tour will be Midas Records artist Jessie Daniels, who has scored numerous top 10's at Christian radio with her self-titled debut album, as well as the new teen pop group PureNRG, whose debut CD is currently on the top of the Christian sales chart. Also on the tour is Canadian trio Carried Away, whose sophomore project on Glide Records releases August 28th, and Sammy Ward, who will perform his own material as well as backing Jump5 on an acoustic set - a first for the group.

Jump 5 calling it quits---but not before a Farewell tour

One of Christian music's most successful groups will disband at the end of 2007. But not before embarking on a farewell tour that will take them across the country to say goodbye to fans with an all new live show packed with the group's biggest hits, including early material that hasn't been performed on recent tours.

"The past eight years with Jump5 has been the most amazing experience, but there comes a time when experiences have to end," says group member Brittany Hargest. "We've had a long run, but we have decided that it's time to move on to other things. All of us have started entering our twenties now, and there are many things that each of us want to do. We're all very excited to see what God has in store for us for the next few years individually and as a group."

"We can't wait to get back out on the road for the last time as Jump5 to see all of our incredible fans who have really supported us over the past eight years," adds Brittany. "Seeing every one of them again would make the experience complete!"

Jump5 hit the music scene in 2001, billing themselves as a family-friendly alternative to the PG-13 pop music that was exploding into the marketplace. Siblings Brandon and Brittany Hargest, along with childhood friends Lesley Moore, Chris Fedun and Libby Hodges (who left the group in 2004) quickly became a teen phenomenon, touring worldwide and releasing nine albums on EMI-owned Sparrow Records which collectively have sold over 1.2 million copies.

The group's inspirational lyrics reached out to teens and tweens with positive messages such as good self-esteem, being true to yourself, respecting and accepting others, and enjoying all that life has to offer. But their energetic live shows and undeniable pop hooks also earned the respect of fans of all ages.

Jump5 was one of the first Christian artists to find success in both the Christian and mainstream music industries. The group's non-stop touring had them performing in churches across the country, as well as taking the stage at major venues while touring with such artists as teen pop star Aaron Carter, A*teens, Baha Men and numerous Radio Disney tours. The group also performed for millions on national television with appearances on major outlets including Nickelodeon, ABC Christmas Morning with Regis and Kelly, CBS Early Show and The Disney Channel, to name a few. They performed for President George W. Bush at The White House, and found their songs prominently featured in several major motion pictures, including The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Sleepover, Spy Kids, Ella Enchanted, Ice Princess and Brother Bear, as well as television programs like Kim Possible and Lilo & Stitch, for which they recorded the theme song.

The Jump5 Farewell Tour will be booked by Nashville-based Jeff Roberts and Associates, the group's longtime booking agency. The tour will run through the end of 2007, and dates will be announced in the coming weeks. Some additional projects are also in the works, including a possible "Farewell EP" featuring all new songs and a few select covers.

"We are planning on having a few more surprises before we finish," says group member Brandon Hargest. "And just because Jump5 is coming to an end, doesn't mean that we, as individuals, will be gone. We all want to keep performing, so look out for us in the future!"

Visit Jump 5's website here.