Meredith Andrews weds Jacob Sooter

Word recording artist, Meredith Andrews, weds Jacob Sooter, keyboard player for Jeremy Camp, on May 24th in North Carolina. Meredith and Jacob are both on staff at Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. Meredith’s debut album The Invitation released April 29 and her first single, “You’re Not Alone,” is currently climbing the charts. The couple met last year at GMA.

Michael W. Smith to record live worship CD June 20

Michael W. Smith is busy preparing for his next project; a live worship CD to be recorded June 20 at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the free event will start promptly at 7:30 PM. Lakewood Church is located at 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027.

Respected as a pop artist, composer, author and worship leader, Smith’s first two worship projects, Worship and Worship Again, garnered fans in the millions, worldwide. The upcoming album, Smith’s 21st, will be recorded with the African Children’s Choir as he leads worship for a group that is expected to exceed 15,000 in attendance. His song list will include familiar worship songs as well as new songs Michael has written especially for this project.

Title and release dates for the CD will be announced in coming weeks.

Throughout his 25-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 20 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, 3 GRAMMY Awards (from 13 nominations) and 42 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and 5 Platinum albums, 33 No.1 radio hits, and has been named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. Smith has also scored several film projects and written 11 books. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of his current projects is Rocketown -- a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. -- which serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He is married to Debbie Smith and they are the proud parents of five children.

For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, including tour itinerary, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.reunionrecords.com.

Read our review of Michael's CD Stand here.

Krystal Meyers song "Shine" released to radio

Pop artist Krystal Meyers made some big noise this week, as “Shine,” the first single from her September 16, 2008 release, Make Some Noise, received 9 CHR adds by its first week at radio. Meyers shares the inspiration behind the song that is making fast-impact. “That’s my favorite song on the record and it’s so fun to play live,” enthuses Meyers. “Recently, I’ve really learned that I have to be excellent in all that I do. I need to use the talents and opportunities that God has given me, to the fullest extent possible. The line from the song that says ‘nobody’s going to get in the way of my shine,’ definitely sums up what this song is about. I’m blessed to be on this exciting journey, and I’m not going to let anything get in the way of my shine.”

Download "Shine" at iTunes!


Read our interview with Krystal here.

Big Daddy Weave releasing What Life Would be Like July 22

Celebrating a decade together as a band, Fervent Records’ Big Daddy Weave will release its fifth studio project, What Life Would Be Like, July 22.

While their previous and highly acclaimed album, Every Time I Breathe, was recorded to encourage people to view every moment as a chance to live in response to the greatness of God, What Life Would Be Like celebrates that response. Songwriter and frontman Mike Weaver further explains that the album’s content, including a cover of Phil Collins’ classic, “Another Day In Paradise,” was greatly influenced by a recent visit to poverty-stricken villages in Ecuador.

“God used that trip to re-ignite the fire in us as a group,” says Weaver. “We haven’t been the same since we got back. There is a passion that hasn’t been there before, and we know we will never see the potential unleashed as long as we hang on to our old ideas of what life and ministry and being the church is, rather than letting God just come and ‘be’ in us. I think the Lord really broke our hearts over who He loves, and that’s everybody.”

Because of Big Daddy Weave’s involvement with World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization that helps communities worldwide overcome poverty and injustice, the organization secured a grant that will provide poor villages $14 for every What Life Would Be Like CD sold. Fervent Records, along with other corporate entities, have partnered under the grant to help World Vision purchase and distribute food, water, clothing and medical supplies globally. The initiative will be supported at Christian retail and via an online campaign.

The first single and title track, “What Life Would Be Like,” has already gained momentum in just its second week at radio, claiming a total of 28 adds on stations across all formats.

What Life Would Be Like is produced by Big Daddy Weave member Jeremy Redmon, who also produced the band’s Fields of Grace, What I Was Made For and the 2007 album, Every Time I Breathe.

Media Statement from Nicol Sponberg & Selah

Gregory Luke Sponberg, infant son of Curb recording artist Nicol Sponberg and her husband Greg, passed away Tuesday, May 27, at the family’s home in Georgia. The 2-month-old died in his sleep, apparently of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Nicol (formerly of Selah) and Greg also have a 2-year-old daughter, Summer. The family is grateful for your prayers and support at this time. Condolences can be sent to:

Sponberg Family
PMB 186
8161 Hwy 100
Nashville, TN 37221
sponbergfamily@gmail.com

Ayiesha Woods "Love Like This" streeting later this summer

With an amazing string of successes with her 2006 debut, Gotee Records’ GRAMMY- nominated singer/songwriter Ayiesha Woods is poised to release her next musical installment with Love Like This, set to street late Summer 2008.

Love Like This features 11 songs produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Mandisa) and Jamie Moore (CeCe Winans, TobyMac). Song titles include “Love Can't Wait,” “Because of You,” “Love Like This,” “New Beginnings,” and “One Day,” as well as “Transparent,” “Fight,” “Never Give Up,” “Refine Me,” “Take Me There,” and “Love Is Alive.”

Along with the first single “Love Can’t Wait” going for adds at both CHR and AC radio formats in June, Woods will be highly visible in the upcoming months. Woods is slated to perform at Creation East, Lifefest, Creation West, Life Light Festival, Music Boat Cruise 2008, Girls Get-A-Way Cruise 2008, and various other spot dates. A favorite on the Women of Faith and Revolve tour circuit last year, she will again join the cast for five dates this summer.

Woods has merited popular and critical acclaim for her power-packed Gotee debut Introducing Ayiesha Woods. The album garnered Woods a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album”, as well as nabbing an additional nod in the Dove Awards “New Artist Of The Year” category. CCM Magazine followed Woods’ career as one of three emerging musical talents for 2006 in their “Band Wagon” column, and MTU.com’s URGE service (www.urge.com) picked Introducing Ayiesha Woods in their 2006 TOP 10 year-end list for Inspirational music. Her hit single “Happy” was also used an ad campaign for the DVD release of the Russell Crowe film, A Good Year. Musically inclined since childhood, Woods has seen her share of accolades including a 2004 “Producer of the Year” award from the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, and a Marlin Awards’ “New Artist of the Year” and “Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (Female).”

Family Force 5 New EP "Dance or Die"

On the brink of a highly anticipated sophomore release, Family Force 5 revs up with brand new material on iTunes, including both a three-song EP Dance or Die available this coming June 3rd, as well as Blingin’ Blogs Volume 1, a collection of 12 audio blogs with over 70 minutes of content available May 27th.

The Dance or Die EP will include three new songs available for .99cents each on iTunes. Fans will also be able to pick the packaged album up at tour dates beginning with the Warped Tour this summer. Blingin’ Blogs Vol. 1 will go for $5.99 on iTunes and offers a collection of 12 blogs with over 70 minutes of the world according to Family Force 5.

The upcoming sophomore album from Family Force 5 is slated to street Fall 2008, with 10-plus songs. In the meantime, fans can catch a preview of new music and their explosive live show on summer tour dates including Ichthus Festival, Alive Festival, Creation East, Kings Dominion, Rock The Desert, Power Light Festival, Lifelight Festival, and 40 cities nationwide on the Warped Tour running June 21st- August 17th.

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."