For over a decade, singer-songwriter Randall Goodgame has set the song bar high with his insightful singer-songwriter records, his knack for the craft affirmed by the list of thoughtful songwriter peers who have recorded his songs – Jason Gray, Caedmon’s Call, and Ginny Owens.
Tonight, the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out in 42 categories, as well as 4 special awards, with Hillsong UNITED taking home 5 honors, including the coveted “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year” trophies. Switchfoot and Skilletjoined Hillsong UNITED as multiple winners of the evening. Co-hosted by Lecrae and MercyMe’s Bart Milliard, the awards drew a record attendance at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University. The entire show will be broadcast exclusively on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on Sunday, October 12.
For the contemporary Christian radio station out of Humble, Texas, risk is an essential part of the station’s identity. In fact, as Tammy Johnson explains, if employees are not taking risk, then they are failing in their job performance. As the head of KSBJ’s exciting endeavor entitled NGEN, Tammy knows firsthand how important the culture of risktaking is at KSBJ.
Though Contemporary Christian music legend Steven Curtis Chapman and singer-songwriter radio darling Jason Gray released their major label jumpstarts twenty years apart – Chapman’s First Hand (Sparrow) debuted in 1987; Gray’s All the Lovely Losers (Centricity) in 2007 – the thoughtful-pop fan favorites are matched by best-selling discographies, strings of radio hits and humanitarian hearts, investing in the lives of families worldwide through Chapman’s Show Hope adoption advocacy organization and Gray’s personalized partnership with child sponsorship mainstays, World Vision. In an exclusive conversation for the GMA, Steven and Jason talk songs, each other, and joining forces on tour this fall to celebrate Chapman’s eighteenth studio recording – The Glorious Unfolding – releasing October 1 (Reunion/Provident).
She is an independent music darling. Her songs have received Top 20 radioplay, landing her discography on the Christian and folk music sales charts and placements on multiple television shows, including a celebrity cover of her song, “When I’m With You,” by Jennifer Love Hewitt’s “Riley Parks” character on Lifetime’s The Client List. And her latest LP, Dream of You, is nominated for a 2014 Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year, alongside gospel music legends Michael W. Smith and Sandi Patty.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announces more presenters and performers to appear at the 45th Annual GMA Doves Awards (www.doveawards.com). Current nominees set to appear are for King & Country, 1 Girl Nation, Ellie Holcomb, Tedashii, David and Tamela Mann, Al and Lisa Robertson of Duck Dynasty and Sandi Patty. The Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, October 7 at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.; set to air on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on October 12, 2014. For Dove updates and breaking news, please visit the Gospel Music Association’s social networks.
Ten years ago, Building 429 released its major label debut, spawning a string of high-profile tours, a GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, and BMI’s Christian Song of the Year for their multi-format number one track, “Glory Defined”. Last year, new Centricity band, Unspoken, debuted a Top 10 radio single, earned Top Christian Song of the Year honors from iTunes, and performed alongside industry staples like Sanctus Real and Big Daddy Weave.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announces multi-Dove Award winning powerhouses Bart Millard of MercyMe and Lecrae as co-hosts for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com). The Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN and will air on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
When Eddie DeGarmo recently announced his upcoming retirement as the President of Capitol CMG Publishing, it cast a shadow far beyond the walls of his employer. DeGarmo, after all, has been a key figure in every phase of the Christian music industry – from Grammy-nominated artist to record label founder. Consequently, many will feel his absence.
Twenty years is a high mark for any label, but for an independent like Gotee Records, it’s a monumental achievement. Yet Gotee is an atypical label with an artist roster built on genre pioneers and a penchant for pushing the envelope. Their risks have been oft rewarded, and co-founder Joey Elwood says caving in to industry fears is still his primary concern.
The worlds of rap and rock have long been intertwined. A mutual admiration society of sorts, cross-collaborations and blended musical incorporations blur genre lines. And the past decade has produced watershed industry and fan recognition, transforming gospel rap and rock platforms from faith-based niches to mainstream successes. On the heels of Seventh Day Slumber’s latest LP release, We are the Broken (VSR Music Group), band frontman Joseph Rojas joins Grammy-nominated gospel hip-hop artist/songwriter/ professor FLAME for a conversation about the opportunity of artists of Christian faith in both genres to proclaim a message to the masses through music.
Since his debut record released on Capitol CMG ten years ago, 2013 American Music Award winner Matthew West has steadily nurtured a captivated following through his storytelling brand of songwriting. A tribute to his main craft, West’s songs have been recorded by legendary Country music acts like Rascal Flatts and Diamond Rio. Since MIKESCHAIR made its dorm debut ten years ago, writing and recording songs from their Belmont University perch, Mike Grayson and crew have cultivated a national fanbase and widespread industry acclaim for their songwriter pop/rock – garnering the band numerous Dove Award nominations and hit singles. Recording together for the first time on MIKESCHAIR’s recent release, All or Nothing (Curb), Matthew and Mike chat about music past and present in this exclusive Full Circle conversation.
As the lead singer for the Diamond-selling alternative rock band Creed, Scott Stapp catapulted to worldwide musical celebrity. But in the peak of his career, Stapp found himself on the brink of disaster. Resurrecting his spirit and career through a deep spiritual conversion and faith-based solo discography, the Grammy-winning rocker topped the Christian Rock charts last fall with the autobiographical lead single, “Slow Suicide,” from his latest LP – Proof of Life (Wind-up Records).
Ed Leonard was born for this. As the son of Daywind founder Dottie Leonard Miller, Ed has witnessed first-hand the company’s growth from a start-up in a garage to a multi-faceted cornerstone in the Christian music industry over the last 27 years.
Montell Jordan became a household name in 1995 with his smash R&B single, “This is How We Do It,” resulting in a slew of gold and platinum records and international tours. Two years later, Ross King requested the song be played for his first date dance with the woman who would become his wife. Nearly two decades later the R&B star-turnedworship leader sang one of King’s songs as a benediction to his sermon resulting in a face-to-face cowrite with the independent Texas singer-songwriter and a musical friendship in the making. For this exclusive Full Circle conversation the mutual admirers chat about songwriting, worship music and their respective musical journeys.
The era of the music video is often referred to in past tense, when MTV actually played music videos and artists could become as known for their visual creativity as their songwriting. A major success for Mandisa recently showed that the music video is still alive and well.
Andrew Peterson expected to meet his goal and perhaps even exceed it. What he didn’t expect was the tidal wave of support, appreciation and community he felt after his recent Kickstarter campaign for a new novel as the end result capsized the initial target. Andrew has built a sizable fan base after 15-plus years as a singer-songwriter, the development of the acclaimed Christmas tour “Behold the Lamb of God” and his Christy Award-winning Wingfeather Saga series of young adult fantasy novels. It’s not surprising, then, to see an seasoned artist turn to crowdfunding for a new project.
Having just celebrated her first Grammy nomination, ten Stellar nominations and multiple Dove Award wins for her watershed record, Best Days (TillyMann Music), while prepping her upcoming television venture with husband and comedian, David Mann – a cooking show called Hanging with the Manns, Tamela Mann juggles her professional roles of singer, songwriter, speaker and actress with seeming ease. Bryan Popin wears his own share of hats, having written songs for celebrity acts like ‘NSYNC, collaborated with a diverse roster of artists like Chaka Kahn and Martha Munizzi, and now releasing his debut artist-driven urban-worship project, You Can Make It (eOne Worship) – featuring vocal guesting by none other than Mrs. Mann.
