Christmas Rock Night

The German Fesitval Christmas Rock Night which is set this year to take place on 5th and 6th December in Ennepetal near Dusseldorf, Germany, has a very strong line up of North American bands. The lineup include Kutless, Disciple, , Day Of Fire, Haste The Day, Project 86, Fireflight and Thousand Foot Krutch on Saturday. Other bands to play are Everyday Sunday, Breaking The Silence, HB and [dweeb]. For More information click there website here

CompassionArt Album Released

CompassionArt, the charity founded by Delirious? front man Martin Smith, releases its first album today. The 14 track album features songs written and performed by some of the biggest talents in Christian music. In January, Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin and Darlene Zschech gathered together to write the songs.

Four weeks later several of the artists reconvened at London's Abbey Road studios to start recording the songs. Over the coming weeks the album started to take shape, with additional guest vocalists Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac and CeCe Winans. Each of the twelve original writers nominated a charity to which 1/24th of CompassionArt royalties will go to. The remaining 50 per cent of the funds raised will be distributed among projects that CompassionArt wants to give extra support – such as the Watoto community in Uganda. There, orphaned children are given food, shelter, education and a loving, caring home as they rebuild their lives. CompassionArt will provide funding for a series of music and arts centres that support the world-famous Watoto Children's Choir, as well as offering essential training for those wanting to pursue a future in the arts.

Everyone inolved in CompassionArt, from writers to publishers, managers to copyright administrators, have all waived their fees to make sure that all the money generated by the album goes directly to the charity. The CD also includes a bonus DVD containing a 50 min documentary and PDF downloadable music sheets of each song. In the UK the album is also being distributed by mainstream high street retailer WHSmith. The album is set for release in the USA on 27th January 2009. In addition to the CD a CompassionArt book is also being released. In 'The Art Of Compassion', each of the artists writes a chapter highlighting the key issues of the project and offers discussion on the link between worship and justice, art and action.
Click Compassionart for more info
News borrowed from Delirious.org.uk

'Love Will Find A Way' Enters UK Singles Chart At Number 55

The final ever Delirious? single, 'Love Will Find A Way' entered the official UK Singles Chart at number 55 on 23rd November. This was the bands 10th and final UK single before Delirious? comes to an end in 2009. Taken from their recent 'Kingdom Of Comfort' album, the single was available in High Street record stores, online, and for download from iTunes.

In the past 11 years Delirious? have now achieved 10 'Top 75' chart singles, with their biggest hit being 'See The Star' which reached number 16 in 1999. Delirious? described Love Will Find A Way as a "Time to celebrate and send one last anthem out into the charts". Whilst the final single was unable to recapture the height of the bands success of the late 90's, it sees the band going out in a way representative of their phenomenal career.

Unlike almost any UK Christian band that has gone before them, Delirious? have pushed the boundaries between secular and Christian music. Their ability to produce music that fits into two such contrasting markets will be their lasting reptuation. Continually achieving chart positions for singles that have had absolutely no backing from radio, large scale marketing schemes or major record labels can be seen as an unprecedented success.

Gentleman Take On Mainstream

Sheffield Rock Band The Gentleman who played some of the biggest Christian Summer Festivals these last few years while also having a lot of positive feedback with their 2006 Authentic album 'Smile Back At Me', have moved into the mainstream. A single, "Push Back", will be released in February, The band will shortly be shooting a video at The Leadmill in Sheffield.The band's next album is expected to be released in sometime in April. As well as a music video shoot, there is a concert being planned to be recorded live as part of an EP which will be available at some stage as bonus material.

Final Delirious? Single 'Love Will Find A Way' Released Today

Delirious? have today (17th November) released 'Love Will Find A Way' as a single in the UK. This will be the bands 10th and final UK single before Delirious? comes to an end in 2009. Taken from their recent 'Kingdom Of Comfort' album, the single is available in High Street record stores and online from Townsend Records. The single will also be available from iTunes later this week.

Three different physical versions of the single are available. CD 1 contains the single's Radio Edit and the song 'Mothers Of The Night'. CD 2 contains three different versions of Love Will Find A Way, including an acoustic version and a remix. A DVD single is also available which includes the Love Will Find A Way video and an Electonic Press Kit (EPK) promoting the Kingdom Of Comfort album. The single's video is made up of live footage recorded at two large outdoor UK gigs earlier this year, Ultimate Event at Alton Towers and The Frenzy Festival in Edinburgh.

All three formats can be ordered for a combined price of just £4.99 from Townsend Records, with sales counting towards the final chart position which should be announced on Sunday (23rd Nov). In the past 11 years Delirious? have achieved 7 Top 40 singles, with their biggest hit being See The Star which reached number 16 in 1999. Delirious? have described Love Will Find A Way as a "Time to celebrate and send one last anthem out into the charts".

Courtesy of: http://www.delirious.org.uk

WH Smiths have some Compassionart

COMPASSIONART are pleased to announce that WH Smith will be stocking the CompassionArt album in most of their 486 stores across the country from the moment of its release on November 24th.

This remarkable album offers up a brand new soundtrack for all those wondering just how far art and compassion can go to solving some of the world's most pressing issues of injustice. The fourteen tracks all follow the compass of grace, hope, faith and take up the Biblical mandate for God's people to put the gospel into action. Featuring a bonus DVD that documents the creation of the project, CompassionArt is not only a good deal for those who buy it: 100% of its proceeds will be given to a range of 16 initial projects, each carrying out excellent work around the world.

The brain - and heart - child of Martin and Anna Smith, CompassionArt has already created a stir, even before the album and book (The Art of Compassion – Hodder & Stoughton UK) have been released. Such is the hunger for a new era of worship that engages with the world as we see it, beyond the pews, that CompassionArt is sure to be a hit from High Street to High Church.
To Pre Order the CD from Survivor.co.uk records click here

Steven Curtis Chapman Song Demo

A few days ago, Steven Curtis Chapman had the opportunity to visit the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. He's been fortunate to have the chance to meet brave men and women military personnel there, both the wounded and the medical staff.

Two Fridays ago, Steven met Corpsman Thomas McBride. He had been wounded in action in Afghanistan and tragically had lost part of his leg. Steven was deeply moved by this man and the sacrifice he had made for this country. In response and with gratitude to Corpsman McBride and all who have served America, Steven penned a new song, "Thomas McBride." During this week that marks Veterans Day 2008, Steven is making available, via streaming audio, this simple demo he recorded of the new song. Click here to Listen