Brand new Family Force 5 song, "Fever"

Family Force 5 has recently debuted their song "Fever" off their upcoming June 3rd EP release on their MySpace page.

Is it the next "Luv Addict"?

We'll let you decide!

Head on over there to hear the song and let us know what you think!

Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter dies tragically in accident

Steven Curtis Chapman released the following at his website yesterday:

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

Stephanie Smith's "Not Afraid" streets May 27th

Gotee’s pop-rocker Stephanie Smith is gearing up for the debut of Not Afraid this May 27th with rave reviews, major touring, and a new radio single “Renew Me” opening the doors for both her music and message. The release will be available exclusively on iTunes.com and at Smith’s concert dates.

This past weekend, the 24-year old Smith returned to perform at Agape Fest, the original stage that lead her to meeting TobyMac and eventually signing a deal with Gotee Records. Smith was the 2006 winner of her alma mater Greenville College’s talent search, which in return gave her the Agape Fest slot that originally caught Toby’s ear.

2008 is packed out with touring as Smith makes the festival rounds, as well as additional tour dates. Fans can catch performances at Rockfest (6/7), Ichthus Festival (6/12), AtlantaFest (6/21), Music in the Park (7/27), Kingdom Bound Festival (8/4), and Riverstages (9/20 San Angelo TX). Smith is also part of various conferences this year that include One Life of VA (10/20 Vansant, VA), Feedback Conferences (5/22-25 Asheville NC and 8/21-24 Dallas, TX), Secret Keeper Girl Tour (May and August runs www.purefreedom.org), Freedom Experience (various dates Aug-Nov. www.verticalministries.com), and the Asphalt Assault Tour (9/1-20 www.verticalministries.com). She will also join illusionist Brock Gill as part of the Florida-based SuperWow Camps, where nearly 350 individual youth groups attend each week.

Cmcentral.com highlights Not Afraid in a recent review that says, “Opening strong, moments of electronic whomping foretell an edgy momentum… Smith’s fierce vocals lay out restorative encouragement to those uncertain of their own worth.”

The song “Superstar”, also on the debut album release, is also currently being used as part of world-renowned surfer Bethany Hamilton’s GodTube video found at http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ebad92285b39141e40d9 .

Smith, who has a passion for reaching the youth culture, comments, "This is such an exciting time in my life; I don't want to take that for granted."

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.