Grits new album Reiterate coming July 29

Hip-hop emcees GRITS will release their eighth full-length album, Reiterate, July 29th, a debut of sorts on their own newly launched Revolution Art label. Major distribution to retail for this album and the ensuing label releases will go through the Provident–Integrity Distribution arm, a division of Sony-BMG.

In support of their Reiterate release GRITS will go out on the road for the 30 Day Tour, which will take them nationwide mid-July through mid-August. They also will be hitting the summer festival circuit including Agape Fest, Ichthus Festival, Crossover Festival, Rock The Desert, Spirit West Coast, and the NewSong Festival. Plans for the Art Attack tour are also underway for September where GRITS will be joined by other Revolution Art music acts.

Toby “TobyMac” McKeehan, one of their biggest champions says, “GRITS has changed the face of positive and spiritual hip-hop. They are relevant and have a knack for discovering talent that stretches our industry to places I love seeing it go.”

5-time Dove Award winners and 2-time GRAMMY nominated act GRITS has cracked MTV2’s Top 10 Most Requested and Top 5 Handpicked and received favorable media coverage in the pages of XXL, Spin, Vibe, Billboard, The Source, URB and other major publications and media. Over the course of their ten-year plus career, GRITS has sold over 500,000 albums and shared the stage with the likes of OutKast, Jay-Z, Ice Cube, Skillet, A Tribe Called Quest, and Monica.

The GRITS song “Ooh Ahh” remains a hot commodity as a digital single and has sold over 160,000 downloads to date. The song, from their 2006 release simply titled 7, was also used on the big screen in both “The Fast And The Furious: Toyko Drift,” and “Big Momma’s House 2” featuring comedian actor Martin Lawrence. Rappers Coffee and Bonafide have seen their music grace the movies before with the single “Here We Go” featured in “Something’s Gotta Give” starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, as well as music used in independent films including “Devious Beings”, “Lockdown”, and “Road Dogz”. GRITS’ songs have also been used extensively on television including shows like “MTV CRIBS”, “The Real World”, “Pimp My Ride”, “Tough Enough”, and “Boston Public”.

Revolution Art has a solid roster already in place including Stefan Moss a.k.a The SYNTYST (Scientist), and 18-year old powerhouse JADE.

Krystal Meyers "Make Some Noise" video shoot

(Click on pic to enlarge)

19-year old, pop artist Krystal Meyers will soon have a brand-new music video, accompanying the title-track of her forthcoming album, Make Some Noise, which drops September 16, 2008. Below is an image from the music video shoot, which took place this past weekend, in Nashville, Tenn.

Download the latest single "Shine" at iTunes!


Read our interview with Krystal!

Underoath releasing live DVD

UNDEROATH will release their first-ever live CD and concert DVD SURVIVE, KALEIDOSCOPE May 27 on Tooth & Nail/Solid State. Recorded during the group's fall headlining U.S. trek at numerous tour stops and mixed by Beau Burchell, guitarist for Saosin, the 12-song live CD portion and features nine tracks from UNDEROATH's gold-certified breakthrough album Define The Great Line as well as "A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White," "It's A Dangerous Business Just Walking Out Your Front Door" and "Young And Aspiring"--all off of the group's They're Only Chasing Safety disc. The 65-minute live DVD concert film--shot in its entirety at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA--is presented in 16:9 widescreen and offers fans a glimpse at UNDEROATH's unique stage and lighting set up for an ambient visual and audio one-time-only concert experience. The DVD--which features 14 tracks back-to-back--was shot by Art & Industry and edited by Ryan Gardner of the Audible Diversion Group. The audio was mixed by producer Adam Dutkiewicz, guitarist for Killswitch Engage.

"The footage on the live DVD came out far above our expectations, and Adam and Beau outdid themselves in the audio department," says UNDEROATH guitarist TIM MCTAGUE.

Currently working on the follow-up to DEFINE THE GREAT LINE, the FL-based sextet will release their as-yet-untitled fourth disc on September 2.

Following is the complete track-listing as well as the corresponding city in which the songs were recorded live for the SURVIVE, KALEIDOSCOPE 12-song live CD:

1) Returning Empty Handed (Sayreville, NJ)
2) In Regards To Myself (Buffalo, NY)
3) It's a Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door (Dallas,TX)
4) You're Ever So Inviting (Baltimore, MD)
5) To Whom It May Concern (Boise, ID)
6) A Moment Suspended In Time (Boston, MA)
7) Young And Aspiring (Norfolk, VA)
8) Writing On Walls (Chicago, IL)
9) Everyone Looks So Good From Here (Omaha, NE)
10) Casting Such A Thin Shadow (Baltimore, MD)
11) Moving For The Sake Of Motion (St. Paul, MN)
12) A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black And White (Sayreville, NJ)

Red & MXPX at GMA

(photo caption): Michael Barnes (right), lead singer of GRAMMY-nominated, modern rock band Red, poses with Mike Herrera, lead singer and guitarist of MxPx (Tooth&Nail), during GMA 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. Red is currently on tour with Flyleaf and Seether. For all tour dates and information, visit www.redmusiconline.com or www.myspace.com/dropofred.

Switchfoot song selected for Prince Caspian movie

The multi-Platinum selling rock band Switchfoot has recorded a new original song, “This Is Home,” for the highly anticipated Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media May 16 theatrical release, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The song will be featured during the end credits of the film, and will appear on the Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack CD releasing on May 13.

Switchfoot recently taped a companion music video for “This Is Home” in Los Angeles with director Brandon Dickerson who filmed Switchfoot’s most recent video, “Awakening,” from its current, acclaimed studio album, Oh! Gravity..

“We are so honored to be a part of the Prince Caspian film with ‘This Is Home,’” says Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman. “The Narnia stories have a really special place in my brother Tim and my lives. Our dad used to read these to us at bedtime when we were boys. Our imaginations were shaped on these amazing novels.

“‘This Is Home’ was inspired by the book after re-reading it for the opportunity to write for the film,” continues Foreman. “I am always taken by [C. S.] Lewis' ability to write about the bittersweet beauty in this world; this home we aren’t really made for but is the place we work out our humanity in the midst of our longing for our true home.”

“We are encouraged to continue our collaboration with Walt Disney Studios with the new Switchfoot song ‘This is Home’ for the new Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian film,” says Peter York, EMI CMG Label Group president. “The band continues to create thought provoking music and has been truly inspired by the C. S. Lewis series. It felt like a natural fit, and it’s an honor to continue to work with the Music/Creative team at Walt Disney Studios.”

“Going back to our first Narnia film, ‘The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe,’ Switchfoot was at the top of our creative list of artists whose sound and artistry we felt was a perfect fit,” said Mitchell Leib, President of Music and Soundtracks for Walt Disney Studios. “When approached for ‘Prince Caspian,’ Jon Foreman had a concise read on the story and delivered a stellar, important composition and record, which we feel reflects our film brilliantly. We are proud to have Switchfoot involved and to be working with our friends at EMI CMG once again.”

In conjunction with local market promotions around the film designed to build excitement toward the release of the new “Narnia” movie, EMI CMG Label Group will release “This Is Home” to AC and CHR Christian radio as Red Light Management/Entertainment works the single at mainstream AC and Triple A radio formats. Fans can also see the band debut the song live nationwide tonight (April 23) between 8 – 10 p.m. (ET) on the Gospel Music Channel television network as part of the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards telecast.

Read our concert review of a recent stop on Switchfoot's Up In Arms tour with lots of photographs!

Jump5 members form new pop/rock duo, Guest

Jump5 founding members Brandon and Brittany Hargest recently announced the formation of their new pop/rock venture, guest. The brother-sister duo will make their debut at Gospel Music Week 2008, performing live at B.B. King’s on Tuesday, April 22.

Having dedicated almost a decade to the dance-pop/contemporary tween phenomenon Jump5, which disbanded last fall after selling more than 1.4 million albums, Brandon and Brittany Hargest will continue to pursue their musical passion via a new outlet.

“Jump5 was one of the best experiences of my life…it’s the reason I am who I am today,” says Brittany. “But Brandon and I knew that Jump5 wouldn’t last forever, so about two years ago we came up with the idea of making music together. We both love straight-up, piano-based music, and we were ready for a change.”

Brandon comments, “I have been writing eagerly for the past 6 or 7 years, hoping to be able to perform music that came from us. We are very excited about the opportunity to move on and do what we want as musicians.”

Recently, the duo has been writing with Aaron Rice (TobyMac, Mandisa, Jump5) and Jamie Moore (TobyMac, Ayeisha Woods, Stephanie Smith), among other prominent songwriters. guest will play its new material for the first time live during Gospel Music Week on Tuesday evening, April 22, at B.B. King’s in Nashville, Tenn. An EP release is tentatively scheduled for late summer.

“Our goal is to create music that we enjoy while hopefully entertaining those who want to listen,” says Brandon. As always, we want to continue to reach people with our music, but ultimately, we love what we do, and we just want to play good music.”

For more information and to sample guest’s music, visit www.myspace.com/guestlive.

Brooke Barrett Smith signs with Essential

Essential Records announces the upcoming debut release from newly-signed pop/rock artist Brooke Barrettsmith. The 26 year-old Chicago native has written a collection of uniquely crafted songs, melding her love of musical influences Jeremy Camp, Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson, with passionate lyrics reflecting messages of faith and encouragement. Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless, The Almost) and Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Jackson Waters), Brooke’s self-titled, 10-track album hits stores June 10.

“What immediately got my attention was Brooke’s powerful voice; she sings with a lot of passion,” says Blaine Barcus, VP of A&R for Provident Label Group. “That passion comes from a heart that desires to share the love of Jesus honestly with the world.”

When asked about her album Brooke Barrettsmith says, “I hope these songs inspire listeners to be bold and not ashamed of their faith in Christ because that’s a huge part of my live ministry—clearly sharing the Word of God and encouraging people to know Him better.”

Brooke’s first radio single, “Farewell” is currently impacting Christian radio and its already reaching 140,000 listeners on the CHR format in markets such as Nashville, Tenn.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Ponca City, Okla.. Plus, she’s currently playing shows with GRAMMY-nominated artist Pillar on the “For the Love of the Game” tour featuring Wavorly and Building 429.

Though only in her mid-twenties, Brooke has already dealt with her share of challenges including an early struggle with severe anxiety. As a teenager, she suffered from frequent panic attacks rendering her helpless at times. By renewing her mind in the Word of God daily and leaning on her parents for encouragement, Brooke was gradually able to overcome the attacks. This experience serves as one of the catalysts for writing her debut songs, and she speaks about it to teen and college women at regional events, including Unlimited Hope Women’s conferences. At home, Brooke is a youth group leader at her local church and studies at Moody Bible College.

In 2006, Brooke made it to the Top 40 contestants on Fox TV’s Season Five of “American Idol” (Chris Daughtry, Mandisa, Katherine McPhee). Adept at guitar and piano, as well as a prolific writer, Brooke’s musical heritage runs deep. Both her grandmothers were performers in Chicago, one a Broadway singer and the other an Italian opera singer. Her father, now a non-denominational Bible church pastor, was a professional blues drummer and played venues with legends like Buddy Guy and B.B. King.

For more on Brooke Barrettsmith, please visit www.brookerocks.com and www.myspace.com/brookebarrettsmith.

Delirious announces new drummer

The UK-based, RIAA Certified Gold-selling, globally relevant band Delirious?, having released its most critically acclaimed album so far, Kingdom of Comfort, on April 1, announces its new drummer taking them forward, Paul Evans.

After more than 12 years together as a band, Stew Smith let fans know in February that he would be leaving the quintet that includes lead vocalist Martin Smith, guitarist Stu G, keyboardist Tim Jupp, and bassist Jon Thatcher. Helping the band choose his replacement, Stew said, “Paul is, in my opinion, one of, if not the, best drummer in our scene. He has passion, sensitivity, finesse and power. Most of all I love Paul for his heart, and that is the thing that will be evident when you meet him. He always has time for you, always has time to laugh and joke and these are the qualities you need to survive on the road.”

A natural choice for the band, Evans stepped in for Stew on the band’s tour of the U.S. in 2006, but his history with the band goes back even further. Evans explains, “My earliest memory of Delirious? was back in the days before they were even Delirious?. They used to do their Cutting Edge events in my school hall.”

Evans grew up in Littlehampton [England], and went full time as a drummer in 2004. In just a few years, he has notched a solid resume that includes tracks on over 40 professional albums, including projects by Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Ben Cantelon, Graham Kendrick, One Hundred Hours, Brenton Brown, Cathy Burton and more.

“It’s a real privilege taking over for Stew,” Evans says. “He was a very big influence on me as I was learning; at one point I played exactly like him: the same fills and even buying the same Pearl piccolo snare! I’m going to have to get in shape to play with the same energy that Stew plays with, but I’ll probably stop short of the triathlons though!”

“I’m so proud of the things that Paul has already achieved but I’m more excited about the fresh new dynamics he will bring to Delirious?,” adds Stew.

“There’s nobody else we’d have covering our backs and beats,” says Stu G. “Evans has the skills, the passion and the heart to take us on. We’re looking forward to our future together.”

And Delirious?, currently on tour in Australia, will be touring the world in support of its eleventh studio album, Kingdom of Comfort, an album that questions everything, from cancer to consumerism, “five star” dreams to slums and poverty. It is an album that calls for sacrifice, social justice and love.

More information about the band can be found at www.delirious.co.uk, with even more content available by joining the band’s “Living Room” at www.delirious.co.uk/livingroom.

Read our feature story on Delirious' album Kingdom of Comfort here.

Family Force 5 Revs up for new album!

Family Force 5, just named “Artist of the Year” by Jesusfreakhideout.com’s Reader’s Choice Awards, will hit the road for their 14-city Skeletour and the Rock-n-Roll Champions of the Universe tour. The Maine (Fearless Records) and Ivoryline (Tooth & Nail) will join them on the club circuit that kicks off on April 3rd in Dallas, TX and continues throughout the West coast ending in Portland, OR on April 20th. Full tour date listings and tickets can be found online at http://ymamusicgroup.com/familyforce5/skeletour2b.php

Following on the heels of their smash-success debut Business Up Front, Party In The Back, the next Family Force 5 album is slated for a late summer release. Fans can anticipate a preview of the new songs on the April tour run.

Guitarist Chap Stique says, “We used to always say, ‘if theTransformers became a rock band, it would be Family Force 5.’ But the second record turns it up to 11. Now, we're more like the Delorean from Back to the Future...but the Delorean became a Transformer that slays dragons, travels through time, and kills monsters with mullets!”

With an escalating fan popularity since their 2006 debut Business Up Front, Party In The Back, Family Force 5 has been catapulted onto the music scene with a performance on CBS TV’s The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, two performances on DIRECTV’s CD USA, music video play on MTVU.com, and a win as Yahoo! Music’s “Who’s Next” contest. The band’s freshmen effort has sold over 110,000 copies while racking up two #1 rock radio hits, “Replace Me” and “Love Addict” at Christian radio. The band tours over 200 dates a year including 2006’s Journeys Backyard BBQ Tour, 2007’s Van’s Warped Tour and their Dance, Rawr, Dance Tour where they played 16 sold-out shows and awed over 16,000 people. 2007 was also punctuated with an online Family Force 5 surge including 1,200,000 views of the band’s “Really Real” shows on You Tube, over 200,000 person community on the Family Force 5 MySpace site, and 10,000,000 online music plays. Led by front man and guitarist Solomon Olds (aka Soul Glow Activator), Family Force 5 includes Solomon’s two brothers Jacob Olds (aka Crouton) on drums/vocal, and his twin Joshua Olds (aka Fatty) on bass/vocals. The force of five is rounded out by Nathan Currin (aka Nadaddy) on keyboard and Derek Mount (aka Chap Stique) on guitar.

Jeremy Camp to star in new web series

Award winning entertainment company, Paulist Productions, is pleased to announce its new venture in the rapidly expanding world of internet television with the brand new web series, Tyler’s Ride. Acclaimed Christian singer, Jeremy Camp joins the cast in his acting debut, as Jesse, an aspiring Christian musician and mentor to Tyler, the lead character.

“Jeremy Camp is a natural for the role,” says Father Frank Desiderio, Executive Producer of the series and President of Paulist Productions. “Jeremy was our first choice of all actor/musicians we looked at for the role.”

Also starring Grant Alan, Natalie Wachen and Ker’in Hayden, Tyler’s Ride is the story of 23 year-old Tyler, super-cool, super-senior in college, who is living the dream life in LA. Tyler shows up for his birthday party expecting the keys to a new car; instead, his Dad, “Mr. Tough Love”, kicks Tyler out of the house and cuts off his credit cards. Reality soon hits him square in the face. Then he meets Jesse, a musician with a dream, courage and convictions.

“It was a joy to work with people in the film industry whose purpose is to share their Christian faith and really make a difference in the world,” exclaims Camp. “Tyler’s Ride was a blast!”

Web TV is on the rise with hit shows such as Quarterlife, Prom Queen and Roommates grabbing the attention of teens and parents across the globe. With this market virtually untouched by faith-based producers, Paulist Productions moved into the void and created the Tyler’s Ride series aimed at this demographic.

Desiderio explains, “I’ve been convinced since starting to work in Hollywood that there are lots of creative, Christian artists and a large audience for their work; but, the problem in the past has been connecting the two. Broadband media allows us to bridge the gap between them. Paulist Productions creates entertainment to reveal the presence of God in the human experience. We share God’s good news with new media; we aspire to lead the way in producing internet entertainment that helps people meet life’s challenges.”

YouTube and Axiom TV, a platform that is both family-friendly and technologically sound, will host the program.

Tyler’s Ride will premiere April 22 on YouTube and Axiom TV with new webisodes each week. The series will also appear on the show’s website at www.tylersride.com.

About Jeremy Camp
With sales of over 2 million units, three Gold records, 13 back-to-back No. 1 radio hits, American Music Award nominations and five Gospel Music Association “Dove” Awards, Jeremy Camp’s career is on a steady climb. He has been featured in nearly all major Christian media outlets and has also garnered consistent coverage from publications such as Pollstar, Billboard and R&R. In 2007, Camp branched out of his comfort zone of music and stepped into the world of television, hosting the Gospel Music Channel’s Christmas At Union Station concert series, and is set to make his acting debut on Tyler’s Ride. Camp is currently on the road with the “Boomin’ Beyond Measure Tour” with TobyMac.

About Paulist Productions
Since its inception, Paulist Productions has created projects for film and television that are incisive, illuminating and faith affirming. The company was founded in 1960 by the late Father Ellwood “Bud” Kieser to produce the syndicated series, Insight, which went on to win five Emmy Awards® in its 23 year run. Throughout its history Paulist Productions has won numerous other awards including the Christopher Award, five Gabriel Awards, the Toronto International Film Festival Award, International Film and Video Festival Certificate for Creative Excellence, the Aurora Gold Award and a Special Achievement television that are incisive, illuminating and faith affirming. The company was founded in 1960 by the late Father Ellwood “Bud” Kieser to produce the syndicated series, Insight, which went on to win five Emmy Awards® in its 23 year run. Throughout its history Paulist Productions has won numerous other awards including the Christopher Award, five Gabriel Awards, the Toronto Award in 2002 from CineMedia. Additionally, Paulist Productions has worked with a stellar line up of talent including Carol Burnett, Rod Sterling, Walter Matthau, Ed Asner, Martin Sheen, Jane Seymour, Ron Howard, Michael Crichton, Patricia Heaton and Blair Underwood to name a few. Continually striving to stay cutting edge with today’s media and technology, Paulist is pleased and excited to enter into the world of web-based television with Tyler’s Ride.

For more information about Tyler’s Ride and to preview the trailer, please visit www.tylersride.com.