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."

Delirious DVD Press Release

As Delirious? enter their final year together, it is clear that some things have changed very little during their fifteen year stint as one of the most intriguing and innovative Christian bands around. The release of ‘My Soul Sings’ – one of their last ever new projects to be released – arcs back to the days without roadies or fancy suits; the days of the rawest of worship and the loudest of crowds.

A decade and a half ago those gigs were played behind a backdrop of a hundred different sports halls and community centres. And now with the release of ‘My Soul Sings’, suddenly it’s like we’re back at the front of a faceless breezeblock building, all sweat and expectancy and abandonment. Yet there’s one essential difference; ‘My Soul Sings’ was filmed and recorded in front of 12,000 Colombian Christians; a pulsing sea of passionate believers who have soul and aren’t afraid to let it sing out into the night sky.

The tracks included do a perfect job of narrating the journey that Delirious? have been on over the years. ‘Deeper’, ‘History Maker’ and ‘Bliss’ represent the optimism of the early days, while ‘God’s Romance’, ‘Rain Down’ and ‘Majesty’ draw on the band’s middle phase that saw them in search of the very heart of God. ‘Kingdom of Comfort’, ‘Break The Silence’ and ‘My Soul Sings’ add colours from the recent albums; bold splashes of tone and passion that catch everyone up in the praise.

As live DVDs go, this one is up there with the best; a unique view of the beauty, power and chaos that gets unleashed at a Delirious? gig.
CD Tracklisting: Rain Down, God Is Smiling, God’s Romance,Hallelujah,Bliss, Love Will Find A Way, All God's Children, History Maker, Break The Silence, Deeper, Majesty, Kingdom Of Comfort, Stare The Monster Down, My Soul Sing

Yfriday New Album

Yfriday are currently in Chappel Lane studios recording there new album with the working title of ‘Great and Glorious’. Yfriday go on to say "We are so excited about this album which we believe is our strongest yet. The album is being produced and mixed by Sam Gibson (Hillsong, Delirious, Crowded House)". The Official album release and album launch event dates will be released in the next 2 weeks.

Yfriday are looking for Any singers in the North East area who want to be part of a special ‘yfriday choir’ recording session on the 14th February in Newcastle and appear on 2 tracks on the new album, so please email them at mail@yfriday.co.uk

Regarding there 2009 TOUR In October and November of this year they will be on the road with 2 very special guests on the ‘Great and Glorious’ Tour. If you are an organiser and interested in looking into having the tour come to your town please get in touch with them at mail@yfriday.co.uk .

Ruth Floyd plays gigs in Uk

American jazz singer Ruth Naomi Floyd is to play Britain as part of the Heaven In A Nightclub: The Spiritual Roots Of Jazz tour. Organised by the European Christian Leadership Forum, the concerts also feature Bill Edgar (piano) and Adaryll Jordan (saxophone). The concerts take place in Birmingham (24th January), Cambridge (25th), Sheffield (26th), London (27th) and Belfast (28th).

Michael W Smith into Music Hall of Fame

A new batch of musical figures are set to be inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame on 2nd February 2009. The wonderful Acts to be honoured are CCM star Michael W Smith, country music icon Dolly Parton, gospel music's Dr Bobby Jones, Southern gospel producer Lari Goss and veteran gospel quartet The Dixie Hummingbirds.

Paul Colman New Album

Ex Newsboys guitarist Paul Colman has a new album out that Paul says its ‘ The best of Paul Colman album' which will be called HISTORY, the release date is the Jan 27th. The album contains some of the best songs he has ever written as well as a few new songs which he recorded last year. Paul will also release two digital EP's during 2009, the first of which drops the same date as HISTORY on Jan 27 th and is entitled, “If I WAS Jesus”. He will be doing performances throughout America, Canada, Australia and Europe in 2009/10 and these will all be posted regularly in the tour section of his website. Theres will also be a reunion show in April at EASTERFEST in Australia with his band the Paul Colman Trio

The Fray Are Back

The American band The Fray are set to have their self-titled album released on 3rd February. The album will contain 10 tracks and was produced by Mike Flynn and Aaron Johnson, who produced the Denver band's debut album. The first single from the project will be "You Found Me" which is being plugged on an episode of Grey's Anatomy. The album follows the group's 2005 debut, 'How To Save A Life', which was the best-selling digital record since SoundScan began tracking digital albums.

Stuart Pendred On Radio 5

Stuart Pendred will be appearing live on the Eamon Holmes show this Saturday morning (January 10th). He’ll be talking about Benedizioni – his debut solo album; one of the best received hybrid releases of last year. Between 10.30am and 11am Stuart will be telling Eamon about why it is that people seem to love Benedizioni’s fusion of church and classics so much. He’ll be singing the show out too, bringing his usual skills and style to the job.

Stuart’s reasons for recording the album were clear. ‘It has always been a desire of mine to record an album of songs that reflected my personal faith and the way it has shaped my journey through life. The songs on this album, beautifully written by others, have greatly impacted me on that journey. They have encouraged me, challenged me, comforted me, and at various times and in different ways ushered me into the presence of my God – a place of humility, peace, ecstasy, awe, wonder, love and praise.’

Having performed alongside Sting, Lionel Ritchie, Beyonce, Barbara Streisand and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Royal Albert Hall, all over the West End, Twickenham and Stamford Bridge, Stuart’s no stranger to big audiences and decent exposure.
Saturday’s show will be great opportunity to help spread the buzz about this unique project.

Jeremy Camp To Play Festivals In Europe

Jeremy Camp the American pop rocker whose latest album 'Speaking Louder Than Before' is currently America's top Christian music seller, is going to appear in Europe in June. Jeremy Camp will be playing some of Europe's Biggest and Best Music Festivals. Jeremy has been booked to play Frenzy '09 which is held in Edinburgh and Fuel '09 which is held in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Frenzy 09 will be held on the 6th of June 2009.

Watch Everyday Sunday Record

Everyday Sunday are letting fans into there studio sessions via live feed. The Columbus Ohio-based band Everyday Sunday whose last album produced the great track hits "Wake Up! Wake Up!" and "Let's Go Back", are giving ther loycal fans the opportunity to see and hear the band record their fourth studio album. As from the 5th of January the band's myspace features the live video feed. So head on over to there website http://www.everydaysunday.com/ to find out more

New Album for Sanctus Real

After being nominated for a Grammy Award for their 2008 release 'We Need Each Other' Ohio-based rockers Sanctus Real have announced plans to record their follow-up fifth studio album, in Spring 2009. The band have gone on record saying "Our co-headlined tour with Matthew West starts this January, and we're writing for a new record. Hopefully we will be going into the studio sometime this late spring to begin recording." Keep checking back for more news on this album