Toby Mac, Mary Mary & CeCe Winans win at Grammy Awards

The 51st Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles on 8th February. Winners in the Christian/Gospel categories were: Best Gospel Performance: Mary Mary "Get Up" (from 'The Sound'); Best Gospel Song: Kirk Franklin "Help Me Believe" (from 'The Fight Of My Life'); Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album: Toby Mac 'Alive And Transported'; Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: CeCe Winans 'Thy Kingdom Come' Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: Kirk Franklin 'The Fight Of My Life'.

New Band Members fo Phatfish

Phatfish have announced the addition of two new band members. "Jos Wintermeyer and Ben Hall have joined Phatfish. Both of them play guitar. Both of them can sing. They're already proving to be a massive asset to the band - and Jos has married Lou's sister. So we're keeping it in the family as much as we can! And between them they bring the average age of the band down considerably - which can't be a bad thing!"

Soul Survivor... Best Ever

The Sixth release in the Best Worship Songs 3CD packages, Kingsway are to release 'The Best Soul Survivor Worship Album. . .Ever'. This is going to be released in March, the project features worship leaders Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Ben Cantelon, Phatfish, Hillsong United, Paul Oakley, Onehundredhours, Martyn Layzell, The 29th Chapter, Heat and many others. Keep checkign back for more details.

Michael W Smith New Live DVD

Michael W Smith will release his new project 'A New Hallelujah: The Live Worship DVD' and will be out around March. The DVD is the companion to Smith's recent worship album, 'A New Hallelujah'. The CD/DVD was recorded live in Houston last summer infront of 12,000 people, The DVD/CD includes a 250-voice choir and has special guests the African Children's Choir and Israel Houghton. The DVD captures the powerful experience of the evening's worship in high-definition." The 90-minute long project features all 13 songs from 'A New Hallelujah' plus four new tracks and behind-the-scenes bonus footage.

Moya Brennan Tour

As the voice, heart and soul of Clannad - and dubbed the First Lady of Celtic Music – Moya Brennan’s forthcoming tour, in support of her recent live album ”Heart Strings”, is an essential event this March.Drawing on Moya’s solo, instrumental and Clannad repertoire, the Heart Strings UK Tour showcases bothher skill at crafting evocative moments with her trademark intimacy and power, and her prodigious band’sskilful musicianship."I'm always thrilled to tour in the UK. Over the years, the audiences have been really enthusiastic infollowing the development of Clannad and, more recently, my solo shows. I'm very fortunate to havesuch a talented band so I can promise a great evening for all. With all the years of recording and playinglive there's a huge selection of songs to choose from but I think I've picked a set which covers both theold and the new. Of course, there will be Clannad songs but my solo work will get a good airing and theband always fly away in the instrumental numbers! I'm very excited and can't wait till March." Tickets available at www.moyabrennan.com

HEART STRINGS UK Tour
March 2009
13 March Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre
14 March Ilfracombe, Landmark Theatre
15 March Swindon, The Arts Centre
17 March Gateshead, The Sage
18 March Bath, Komedia Theatre
19 March Cardigan, Theatr Mwldan
20 March Aberdare, Coliseum Theatre
21 March Stoke-on-Trent, Bethel City Church
22 March Brighton, Komedia
24 March Milton Keynes, The Stables
26 March London, Union Chapel
27 March Worcester, Huntingdon Hall
28 March Taunton, The Brewhouse
29 March Winchester, Theatre Royal

Big Church Day Out

Below is part of the press release for the massive event the Big Church Day Out Event.

TheBigChurchDayOut will be something special. (Sun May 24th 2009)Sure it will be a great festival alternative; with one of the last ever UK appearances from Delirious as well as Michael W Smith, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Yfriday, Cathy Burton, Lou Fellingham and the much celebrated Kings Chamber Orchestra. There will also be a few words and thoughts shared from Steve Chalke and Jamie Haith (Alpha). And the location – the beautiful country home of Wiston House in Steyning, West Sussex – will be a perfect backdrop for a perfect family day out, but the secret goes beyond the sounds and sights.The huge support from many national organizations, including Alpha, helps explain the reason behind the event’s appeal.

TheBigChurchDayOut offers an excellent opportunity for building relationships and strengthening connections between the Church and anyone wanting to know more.There'll be plenty put on for all ages to get stuck into, including a prayer tent run by the 24-7 Prayer Team, a B-stage for younger bands, and the J24-7 kids team offering a program for the 5-11's. There'll also be locally produced food available, country walks, and cups of tea on the lawn with the orchestra offering a gentle serenade! TheBigChurchDayOut can’t help but raise a smile whenever it is mentioned. So check out there website to find out more http://www.bigchurchdayout.co.uk/

Flatfoot 56 working on third album

CHICAGO-based punk folk band Flatfoot 56 are about to go into Absolute Sound studios in Houston, Texas to begin work on their new as yet untitled album (their third). Overseeing the project is producer/engineer Johnny Rioux of Street Dogs. Said the band's singer Tobin Bawinkel, "We are all very excited about the new material. With the combination of having newer and more mature music, coupled with working with Johnny Rioux as producer, we are expecting to put out a record that not only carries the Celtic traditions we have become known for, but also take what we do in a direction that is harder-hitting and more intelligent."