Kevin Max & Wife Announce Birth of 3rd Child

Kevin Max's wife Amanda has given birth to their third child, Knightly Christobal Max, who came into the world at 9:23 p.m. on March 24, 2009, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Knightly, who joins big sister London and big brother Wilder, measured 20 inches long and weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz.

"We decided to name our third child, Knightly Christobal, after both of our affection for medieval art and history," said Kevin Max. "But all in all, he is looking to be the most modern of all our children, being of raven black hair and sharp blue eyes. I believe being a father is my greatest artistic accomplishment, and Amanda and I look forward to watching him grow and connect to his older brother and sister."

With dcTalk, Max accrued album sales exceeding 8 million, as well as numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. In recent years, Max has explored his art and his faith with several critically acclaimed solo projects, and live performances worldwide. His recently released EP, Crashing Gates, is available now at iTunes.

New Recording from Kevin Max - Crashing Gates

Kevin Max returns today with his latest recording, CRASHING GATES – an all-new 7-song studio recording that brings Max back to the passionate rock sounds that his fans have come to expect. This will be Max’s first release on the dPulse Recordings label.

"This is where THE IMPOSTER left off,” says Max about the new project. “I view this EP as a more focused collection of songs about the Apocalypse."

Joining with his frequent guitarists Erick Cole and Cary Barlow (of Luna Halo), and producer Jonathan Smith, Max recorded CRASHING GATES during a week of late-night sessions at X Marks the Spot Studios in the Green Hills area of Nashville.

“The process was interesting, more like a band than any other effort I have done, to date,” says Max. “We cut the songs, playing together, and sometimes found ourselves jamming into 10 minute long vamp sections.”

Max and his band will be touring the USA and Europe in support of CRASHING GATES, including upcoming dates in San Antonio, Dallas, Little Rock, Nashville, Bakersfield and Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

"Rock and roll has always been the most interesting music to me, because it is simple and yet undeniably emotional at the same time,” summarizes Max. “I am excited to see how this project connects."

CRASHING GATES - Track Listing:
1. Traveler
2. Baby, I’m Your Man
3. The Saint of Lonely Hearts
4. Future Love Song
5. Out of the Wild
6. Crashing Gates and Passing Keepers
7. Your Beautiful Mind (2009)

“We’re thrilled to be distributing Kevin’s latest work," says Robb McDaniels, Founder and CEO of INgrooves - the distribution partner for dPulse Recordings and Universal Music Group Distribution. "He’s a true musician and INgrooves is proud to have a role in getting his music heard.”

Kevin Max & Joanne Cash to perform at Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival

This November, Starkville, Mississippi will hold its first annual Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival, featuring a symbolic posthumous pardon to Cash, and a line-up of musicians closely associated with the late singer and American icon. The event will be held November 2-4, 2007, and will feature performances by Joanne Cash and Kevin Max, as well as Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives and others.

Johnny Cash fans from around the world are expected to participate in a fascinating part of the Cash story–his experience at the "Starkville City Jail" and his lifelong story of redemption. Johnny Cash was arrested in Starkville, Mississippi, on May 11, 1965, for public drunkeness following a performance at Mississippi State University. He wrote the song, “Starkville City Jail,” and performed it at his legendary San Quentin State Prison concert on Feb. 24, 1969. Cash played at MSU again in 1970 and gave many of the officers involved with his arrest front row tickets to the performance.

The Starkville community decided that it's time to formally recognize the depth and humanity of the Man in Black. As a result, the city of Starkville will issue a posthumous pardon to Cash. Kathy Cash Tittle, the second oldest of the four Cash daughters, will accept the pardon on her father's behalf during the pardoning ceremony on November 3rd. The pardon doesn’t suggest that anyone condoned Cash’s behavior. It symbolically recognizes Cash as an imperfect human who made mistakes but gained insight and wisdom by learning from his indiscretions. It’s not about Johnny Cash getting arrested; it’s about what his life symbolized to so many people — that no matter what happens in life, you can redeem yourself.

The festival will close with a Redemption Service on Sunday, November 4th at 10:00am, featuring performances by Kevin Max and Johnny Cash’s sister, Joanne Cash, singing gospel music that Johnny Cash enjoyed. The service will be held at Lee Hall Auditorium on the MSU campus, and is free to the public.

For more information on the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival, visit the official website at www.pardonjohnnycash.com.

Read our review of Joanne Cash's Gospel here.

Kevin Max will spill The Blood December 26th

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) -- Kevin Max returns December 26th with his latest recording, The Blood - A very personal project that allowed him to step back from his usual rock stylings in favor of a musical exploration of Gospel. This deliberate departure features high profile collaborations with an extraordinary cast, including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, American Idol finalist Chris Sligh, Joanne Cash, Ashley Cleveland and others, including the long-anticipated reunion of dcTalk (featuring Max, Michael Tait and TobyMac)!

"This album was something I have been wanting to accomplish as a singer for many years," says Max. "It is literally going back to my roots in search of the music that resonated with me as a young man, when I was searching for something bigger than myself."

Max is quick to point out that The Blood is not a worship record or classic hymns cover project, but rather "a sensitive and stylized adaption of the music that was at the root of rock and roll, blues and popular culture."

"I remember listening to Elvis, Mahalia Jackson, The Imperials, Andrae Crouch, but it took me years to understand the impact it had on me as a singer and an artist," explains Max. "These songs that I picked specifically related to me that the singer was in need of The Gospel more than The Gospel needing to be sung."

THE BLOOD - Track Listing:
1. The Old Rugged Cross
2. The Cross (featuring dcTalk)
3. Run On For A Long Time (featuring Chris Sligh)
4. Trouble Of The World
5. I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole
6. Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air (featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant)
7. They Won't Go When I Go
8. The Blood Will Never Lose It's Power (featuring Ashley Cleveland, Judson Spence and Kim Keys)
9. People Get Ready (featuring Vince Gill and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary)
10. One Way, One Blood (featuring Joanne Cash)
11. Blood Outro

With dcTalk, Max accrued album sales exceeding 8 million, as well as numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. Their reunion for "The Cross" marks the first recorded reunion of the group since the 2002 single, "Let's Roll." "Hearing the three of us on the same track again was a treat," says Max. "'The Cross' was the perfect anthem for that reunion."

The Blood was produced by fellow recording artist/songwriter/musician Will Owsley (Amy Grant, Shania Twain, Michael McDonald), and features some of Nashville's finest players including Phil Madeira (B3, Organ, National Guitar). John Painter (Horns, HipHop Bass) and Vince Gill on guitar.

Infinity Music Distribution will release the album through a unique partnership with Max's Blind Thief Publishing. An aggressive promotional campaign will include various retail promotions, national television appearances, a radio promo tour and heavy concert touring including a church tour currently being scheduled. The first radio single, "Run On for a Long Time" (featuring Chris Sligh), is going to radio this month.

"Elvis Presley sang gospel music because he needed it in his life, not for fame," reflects Max. "That is precisely the reason i decided to make The Blood. These are songs that I needed to sing, because they fill me with joy."

Kevin Max & wife Amanda's new baby!

Kevin Max's wife Amanda has given birth to their second child, Wilder Liam Max, who came into the world at 7:01pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Wilder, who joins big sister London, age 2, weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce.

The Max family recently relocated to the Nashville area, where Kevin is working on his upcoming album, The Blood, due this fall from Infinity Music Distribution. With dcTalk, Max accrued album sales exceeding 8 million, as well as numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. In recent years, Max explored his art and his faith with several critically acclaimed solo projects, and live performances worldwide.

Visit Kevin online at his website.

Kevin Max's new album

Infinity Music Distribution has partnered with former dcTalk vocalist Kevin Max for his upcoming album, The Blood. This is a very personal project for Max, allowing him to step back from his usual rock stylings in favor of a musical exploration of Gospel.

"The Blood is not a classic hymns cover project or a white/homogenized version of black gospel or soul music, explains Max. "It's a sensitive and stylized adaption of the music that was at the root of rock and roll, blues and popular culture. The Blood is about the story of Redemption and Grace, found only in the salvation story of Jesus Christ. We intend to produce with kid gloves, but also with our hearts on overdrive and our heads in check. There is an extreme sense of respect and sensitivity to the art as we approach the choosing and arrangement of these songs."

Having recently relocated to Nashville, Max is dividing his time between the studio and live concert appearances, including performances in London, England and Paris, France in May. Infinity Music Distribution plans to release The Blood in the fall, surrounded by an aggressive marketing campaign and additional touring.

"We at Infinity Music Distribution are very excited to be in partnership with one of Christian Music's most innovative and gifted artists - Kevin Max," said Brad Mathias, Vice President of Operations at Infinity Music Distribution. "This project and partnership represents the core of our calling, to work with artists who have a clear and distinct message of hope, love and redemption for the body of Christ, and who have the talent, maturity and authenticity to back it up."

With dcTalk, Max accrued album sales exceeding 8 million, as well as numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. In recent years, Max explored his art and his faith with several critically acclaimed solo projects, and live performances alongside artists like Warren Cuccurullo of Duran Duran, Psychedelic Furs and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes. His regular sold out shows at Hollywood's famed Viper Room have drawn capacity crowds, and enticed the likes of Tom Arnold, Christian Slater and Gene Simmons of KISS to check out his live show. Max has made his point loud and clear: He wants to make music that moves everyone.

"It has taken me almost 2 decades to come full circle and realize how much Gospel music has inspired me and influenced my decisions in music," says Max. "Long before there was rock and roll, the blues or country, there was Gospel. I look forward to digging deep into a historical art form that deserves as much attention as any musical genre in existence."

Visit Kevin Max online at his website and MySpace page.