P.O.D. Dance Onto Billboard Top 10/ Christian Soundscan At # 1
(4/16/2008)Multi-Platinum rockers P.O.D. are back to reclaim their place atop the rock scene with their INO/Columbia Records debut, When Angels & Serpents Dance. The disc nabs the #9 spot on this week's Billboard Albums Chart and #1 on the Contemporary Christian SoundScan chart. This marks P.O.D.'s fourth Top 10 release. "Satellite" (2001), "Payable On Death"(2003) and "Testify" (2006) also debuted in the Billboard Top 10 when released. In addition, P.O.D. have landed the coveted #1 spot on iTunes Rock album chart this past week.
Lead vocalist Sonny Sandoval says: "After 16 years of being in P.O.D., the loyalty of The Warriors continue to make us look good. We are truly grateful and blown away to see another Top 10 debut."
The San Diego quartet's renewed vigor is evident throughout When Angels & Serpents Dance. From the searing guitar which kicks off the hard-rocking first single, "Addicted," and the striking and poignant, "End Of The World" (complete with gospel choir); to the album's most ferocious track, the savage "God Forbid," the disc has been receiving rave reviews in both the CBA and General Market:
The Oakland Press says: "The band deliver their most mature and ambitious outing to date. It's a fresh start to P.O.D. rather than merely returning to the good old days."
The disc also received an impressive 2 1/2 stars from USA Today and the band's hometown San Diego Union Tribune quipped: "It's during the softer moments, such as the questioning acoustic ballad "Tell Me Why" and the meticulously layered "Rise Against," that P.O.D. best demonstrate its new maturity, dynamic range and emotional and musical depth."
CCM magazine boldly stated that "If this amazing album doesn't get the music world's attention upon its release, there just might have to be a revolution," while Aspiring Retail remarked, "P.O.D. reemerge as aggressive as ever, but have a more mature, passionate pulse, purposed to please their passionate fan base. "When Angels and Serpents Dance" displays an impressive range in this13-song collection."
When Angels and Serpents Dance (produced by Jay Baumgardner: Evanescence, etc.) is ultimately a record of P.O.D. in 2008. "As far as P.O.D. goes it's always for the moment," Sandoval says. "I just kind of go through it and whatever the song brings out in us that's it. There's a lot of passion on this record."
Indeed, When Angels and Serpents Dance is the sound of a rejuvenated band: passionate, aggressive and with a message for our times.
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P.O.D. Announces Hard Rock Cafe Tour Beginning March 25th
(3/7/2008)The lineup that P.O.D. to multiple platinum success with "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown" and "Satellite" (featuring "Youth of a Nation," "Alive," "Boom," and "Satellite") is back with their INO/Columbia Records debut, "When Angels and Serpents Dance" on April 8, 2008.
Prior to the release, the band will take part in Hard Rock Café's month long charity drive for Musicians on Call and perform at various Hard Rock Café's throughout the country. On Tuesday, March 18 there will be an album listening event at Hard Rock locations in Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia and San Francisco. These listening parties will have a voluntary $5 donation to the Musicians on Call charity and a register to win drawing for various P.O.D. items.
Beginning March 25, P.O.D. will criss-cross the country to perform live in 8 markets at various Hard Rock Café venues including a special hometown show on April 7 in San Diego the night before the CD is released in-stores. The Hard Rock shows will give P.O.D. fans a chance to be up close with the band in the intimate setting of the Hard Rock Café venues. The San Diego show will be broadcast live over the internet on ALL ACCESS Warrior Pass. This will allow fans to have access to exclusive footage, witness the hometown performance and a chance to interact with the band and other fans. P.O.D. will also be special guests on Rockline Radio show on Monday April, 7 before the Hard Rock performance that same evening. Hard Rock Café Club shows:
March
25 Hollywood, CA @ Universal Studios
27 Orlando, FL - THQ Superslam Raw vs Smackdown
at House of Blues. (Not part of Hard Rock tour)
28 Miami, FL - 401 Biscayne Blvd.
29 Washington DC - 999 E. Street N.W.
31 Chicago, IL - 63 W. Ontario
April
1 St. Louis, MO - 450 St. Louis Union Station
2 Denver, CO - 500 16th Street Mall
3 Phoenix, AZ - 3 South 2nd Street
7 San Diego, CA - 801 4th Avenue
"When Angels and Serpents Dance" (produced by Jay Baumgardner: Evanescence, etc.) is ultimately a record of P.O.D. in 2008. "As far as P.O.D. goes it's always for the moment," Sonny says. "I just kind of go through it and whatever the song brings out in us that's it. There's a lot of passion on this record."
Indeed, "When Angels and Serpents Dance" is the sound of a rejuvenated band: passionate, aggressive and with a message for our times.
P.O.D. in 2008:
Wuv (Drums)
Sonny (Vocals)
Traa (Bass)
Marcos (Guitar)
www.payableondeath.com
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Pillar's For The Love Of The Game Debuts At No. 71 On Billboard
(3/6/2008)GRAMMY-nominated, rock band Pillar's fifth studio album, For the Love of the Game, which hit stores on Feb. 26, 2008, debuted on the Billboard Top 200 album chart at No. 71, while coming in at No. 4 on the Christian (overall) album chart. Pillar's For The Love Of The Game is big, fun, infectious rock and roll that further solidifies Pillar's position as fearless leaders in the Christian Rock world. The Dove Award-winning rockers are currently enjoying the ninth, Pillar-headlining tour, the "For the Love of the Game" Tour, sponsored by World Vision, TVU and RadioU. The full tour line-up is: Pillar, Building 429, Wavorly and introducing Brooke Barrettsmith. All dates are listed below and additional dates are still being added. For the most up-to-date schedule, and to view and download the latest, band-created Pillar Tour Podcasts, visit www.pillartour.com.
Pillar's game is definitely on. Since the fall of 2007, the band has earned its first GRAMMY nomination (Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for The Reckoning), made it into the top 100 of the Billboard Top 200 album chart, had its music played on numerous ESPN sports programs (SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and College Gameday), achieved its ninth No. 1 radio single ("For the Love of the Game"), and is currently rocking its ninth headlining tour.
Catch Pillar's "For the Love of the Game" Tour in one of the following cities:
*Tour dates, cities, and venues subject to change without notice
Wednesday, 3/5 Sherwood, AR Mercy's Cross Church
Thursday, 3/6 Walnut Ridge, AR Williams Baptist College
Friday, 3/7 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Christian Center
Saturday, 3/8 Prestonburg, KY Mountain Arts Center
Monday, 3/10 Millvale, PA Mr. Small's Theatre
Thursday, 3/13 Springfield, IL iWorship Center
Friday, 3/14 Orion, MI The District Venue
Saturday, 3/15 Cincinnati, OH The Underground
Sunday, 3/16 Van Wert, OH Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio
Wednesday, 4/2 Carlsbad, NM Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center
Thursday, 4/3 Mesa, AZ Mesa First Assembly of God
Friday, 4/4 Garden Grove, CA Crystal Cathedral Gym
Saturday, 4/5 Salinas, CA First Presbyterian Church
Sunday, 4/6 Merced, CA Yosemite Church
Tuesday, 4/8 Vallejo, CA Church on the Hill
Thursday, 4/10 Medford, OR South Medford High Auditorium
Friday, 4/11 Seattle, WA Freemont Studios 1
Saturday, 4/12 Vancouver, WA The AC at Crossroads Community Church
Sunday, 4/13 Spokane, WA The Service Station
Wednesday, 4/16 Great Falls, MT University of Great Falls, McLaughlin Centre
Friday, 4/18 Greenwood Village, CO Orchard Road Christian Center
Since Pillar's Dove Award-winning debut Above in 2001, the band has tallied nine No. 1 radio singles, 12 top five hits, a GRAMMY nomination, three Dove Awards, nine national headlining tours, covers of numerous national magazines and album sales approaching one million. For the Love of the Game (Feb. 26, 2008) is the band's fifth, full-length studio project. Pillar is: Rob Beckley, vocals; Lester Estelle, drums; Noah Henson, guitar; and Kalel, bass.
Find more information at www.pillarmusic.com and www.myspace.com/pillar.
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Dove Awards Live On GMC Get A Lift From Above Thanks To DirectTV
(2/28/2008)The Dove Awards, gospel music's biggest night of the year featuring artists from every style of Gospel/Christian music coming together for a night of music and celebration, just got bigger thanks to Gospel Music Channel's new agreement with the nation's leading satellite television service provider DIRECTV, Inc announced this week.
With DIRECTV launching GMC nationwide on March 19 on channel 338, GMC's live April 23rd telecast of the 39th Annual Dove Awards will now be seen in nearly 40 million GMC households, including the cable operators carrying GMC in virtually every major television market. The Dove Awards have aired in national syndication recently, but have not been broadcast live since 2002.
The Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the nation's first and only 24/7 all-Gospel/Christian music television network, will present the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards live on Wednesday, April 23 from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. (ET), followed by two back-to-back re-broadcasts that evening. The American Bible Society is the presenting sponsor of the 2008 telecast and the designated charity of the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
Gospel Music Channel (www.GospelMusicChannel.com) is dedicated to the rich history and contemporary sounds of Gospel/Christian music and its many different genres and artists. From rock to rap, country to soul, southern to hip-hop, Gospel Music Channel crosses cultures and generations. From the soulful sounds of CeCe Winans and Aretha Franklin to the country roots of Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw, and the contemporary stylings of Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin and Natalie Grant and everyone in between, the Gospel Music Channel's got it all. The network's program schedule features artist biographies, music specials, live concerts, and hosted music videos for the entire family.
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Pillar's For The Love Of The Game Available 2/26/08
(2/25/2008)GRAMMY-nominated, rock band Pillar's highly-anticipated, fifth studio album hits stores tomorrow, Feb. 26, 2008, just days after the start of the rock leaders 3-month, ninth headlining tour, the "For the Love of the Game" Tour, sponsored by World Vision, TVU and RadioU. The full tour line-up is: Pillar, Building 429, Wavorly and introducing Brooke Barrettsmith. All dates are listed below and additional dates are still being added. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit www.pillartour.com. To view and download the latest, band-created Pillar Tour Podcasts, go to www.pillartour.com.
Of Pillar's release of For the Love of the Game, and the start of the band's ninth headlining tour, Pillar lead vocalist, Rob Beckley, exclaims. "We are so glad to be back on the road, interacting with our fans, sharing hope to all through the love of Jesus Christ and performing these brand-new songs. With the release of For the Love of the Game on Tuesday (2/26/08), that is just further reason to be thankful and excited for what we love to do. It's a great feeling to be carrying big production on this tour, and going back to our roots of putting on a great show for our fans. This really is the most fun we've had since Pillar began!"
Pillar's game is definitely on. Since the fall of 2007, the band has earned its first GRAMMY nomination (Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for The Reckoning), had its music played on numerous ESPN sports programs (SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and College Gameday), achieved its ninth No. 1 radio single ("For the Love of the Game"), and has started its ninth headlining tour.
Word Records artist Building 429 debuted in 2004 with "Glory Defined," a song that hit No. 1 on eight different charts and became BMI's 2005 Song of the Year for Christian music. The band received four Dove Award nominations and was named the GMA's "New Artist of the Year" in 2005. Building 429 has toured with Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Jeremy Camp and BarlowGirl, among others, and frontman Jason Roy acted as a spokesperson for 2004's Redeem the Vote, with appearances on "Fox News Live," CNN and ABC's "Nightline." The band's third full-length record, Iris To Iris, released in May 2007. For more information, visit www.building429.com.
Wavorly burst onto the national scene in 2007 with their Flicker Records debut, Conquering the Fear of Flight. The highly-acclaimed album is a sprawling modern rock masterpiece. It blends elements of alternative, classic progressive, indie and hard rock with highly literate lyrics, a boldly imaginative use of strings and a sublime sense of melody. Go to www.wavorly.com for further information.
Christian rocker Brooke Barrettsmith captivates audiences with her passionate vocals and straightforward lyrics about faith and relationships. Growing up a pastor's daughter in Chicago, Brooke first started singing in church with her siblings. Since then, she has shared the stage with artists such as Toby Mac, Audio Adrenaline, Jeremy Camp and Steven Curtis Chapman. As a top 40 finalist on "American Idol Season 5" in 2006, Brooke has been championed by local Chicago TV and print outlets and has received hometown support performing at various local events including White Sox games. Brooke's debut album on Essential Records will be released in June. Visit www.myspace.com/brookebarrettsmith for further information.
Catch Pillar's "For the Love of the Game" Tour in one of the following cities:
*Tour dates, cities, and venues subject to change without notice
Monday, 2/25 Sioux Falls, SD Southern Hills United Methodist Church
Tuesday, 2/26 North Platte, NE Community Playhouse
Thursday, 2/28 Tulsa, OK The Otherside
Friday, 2/29 Fort Worth, TX The Door
Saturday, 3/1 San Antonio, TX Tri-Point Club
Sunday, 3/2 Weatherford, TX The Church in Peaster
Tuesday, 3/4 Joplin, MO The Foundry Music Theatre
Wednesday, 3/5 Sherwood, AR Mercy's Cross Church
Friday, 3/7 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Christian Center
Saturday, 3/8 Prestonburg, KY Mountain Arts Center
Monday, 3/10 Millvale, PA Mr. Small's Theatre
Thursday, 3/13 Springfield, IL iWorship Center
Friday, 3/14 Orion, MI The District Venue
Saturday, 3/15 Cincinnati, OH The Underground
Sunday, 3/16 Van Wert, OH Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio
Wednesday, 4/2 Carlsbad, NM Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center
Thursday, 4/3 Mesa, AZ Mesa First Assembly of God
Friday, 4/4 Garden Grove, CA Crystal Cathedral Gym
Saturday, 4/5 Salinas, CA First Presbyterian Church
Sunday, 4/6 Merced, CA Yosemite Church
Tuesday, 4/8 Vallejo, CA Church on the Hill
Thursday, 4/10 Medford, OR South Medford High Auditorium
Friday, 4/11 Seattle, WA Royal Brougham Pavilion – Seattle Pacific University
Saturday, 4/12 Vancouver, WA The AC at Crossroads Community Church
Sunday, 4/13 Spokane, WA The Service Station
Friday, 4/18 Greenwood Village, CO Orchard Road Christian Center
Since Pillar's Dove Award-winning debut Above in 2001, the band has tallied nine No. 1 radio singles, 12 top five hits, a GRAMMY nomination, three Dove Awards, nine national headlining tours, covers of numerous national magazines and album sales approaching one million. For the Love of the Game (Feb. 26, 2008) is the band's fifth, full-length studio project. Pillar is: Rob Beckley, vocals; Lester Estelle, drums; Noah Henson, guitar; and Kalel, bass.
Find more information at www.pillarmusic.com and www.myspace.com/pillar.
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Tooth & Nail Records, BEC Records & Solid State Records Dove Nominees
(2/17/2008)Hailing from the West Coast, Tooth&Nail Records, BEC Recordings & Solid State Records were represented among the nominees announced on Thursday, February 14th in Nashville, TN for the 39th Annual Dove Awards, which will be held on April 23rd and televised live on the Gospel Music Channel. Among those nominated, included multiple nominations for Jeremy Camp (two Song of the Year nods); KJ-52 (two nods from his hit release "Yearbook"), and a nomination for rockers MxPx marking their return to T&N since their debut in 1994. For a complete list of nominations visit the Gospel Music Association press room (gospelmusic.org).
Tooth & Nail Records, an independent label headquartered in Seattle, Washington, was founded in 1993 as a means to give independent artists a forum to creatively express positivity through music. Over the course of the label's 15-year history, Tooth & Nail has been home to bands such as Blindside, The Juliana Theory, the OC Supertones, and many others. Today, a new regime of bands are infiltrating the mainstream, including Mae, Dead Poetic, Further Seems Forever, Anberlin, mewithoutYou, Emery, Thousand Foot Krutch and many others.
BEC Recordings, partner label with Tooth and Nail Records, was founded in 1997 and located in Seattle, WA. BEC Recordings is home of key industry artists like three-time RIAA Gold certified Jeremy Camp and the acclaimed rock band Kutless, hip-hop dominator KJ-52, punk-rock favorites Hawk Nelson, and recently signed Bebo Norman.
Solid State Records was formed as the popularity in the rock genre of Tooth & Nail Records sky rocketed. Bands like Strongarm, Overcome, Zao, Living Sacrifice and Training for Utopia were quick to join the roster, making the label an instant source of credibility. Most recently, bands like Norma Jean, Underoath, Demon Hunter and August Burns Red have developed into Solid State's most successful and promising groups as they have evolved and matured with the label.
Category and nominees are:
SONG OF THE YEAR: "Give You Glory"; Jeremy Camp; Thirsty Moon River Publishing (ASCAP)
RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG: "Wake Up"; The Yearbook; KJ-52 featuring Toby Morrell; Jonah Sorrentino, Toby Morrell, Aaron Sprinkle; BEC Recordings
INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG: "Give Me Jesus"; Beyond Measure; Jeremy Camp; Public Domain; BEC Recordings
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM: The Yearbook; KJ-52; KJ-52, Aaron Sprinkle; BEC Recordings
ROCK ALBUM: Secret Weapon; MXPX; Aaron Sprinkle; Tooth & Nail Records
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM: Music Inspired By The Motion Picture Amazing Grace; Avalon, Jeremy and Adie Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder, Bethany Dillon, Natalie Grant, Jars of Clay, Martina McBride, Shawn McDonald, Bart Millard, Nichole Nordeman, Smokie Norful, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Chris Tomlin; Brown Bannister, Matt Bronleewe, Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, Jeremy Camp, Ed Cash, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hammond, Bernie Herms, Jars of Clay, Martina McBride, Bart Millard, Ed Seay, Christopher Stevens, Marty Stuart, Paul Worley; Sparrow Records
CHRISTMAS ALBUM: Christmas From the Realms of Glory; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman, Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp; BEC Recordings
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING:
Cities (Anberlin); Invisible Creature; Ryan Clark, Parker Young; Tooth & Nail Records
The Fiancee (The Chariot); Invisible Creature; Ryan Clark; David Stuart; Solid State Records
Rival Factions (Project 86); Invisible Creature; Don Clark; Dave Hill, Jerad Knudson, Shane McCauley; Tooth and Nail Records
Secrets Keep You Sick (The Fold); Invisible Creature; Don Clark; Chris Strong; Tooth and Nail Records
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO: "Falls Apart"; Thousand Foot Krutch; Travis Copatch; Jeremy Sullivan; Dignity & Shame; Tooth & Nail Records
LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO:
777; Underoath; Michelle Caputo, Shannon Hartman; Michelle Caputo, Shannon Hartman; Art and Industry; Solid State Records
Live From Portland; Kutless; Carl Diebold; Michael Sacci; Jupiter Project; BEC Recording
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Pillar Attends 50th Annual Grammy Awards In Los Angeles
(2/15/2008)GRAMMY-nominated, hard rock band Pillar attended the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 10. Upon arrival to the GRAMMY red carpet, Pillar interviewed with numerous media outlets, including: Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, XM Satellite Radio, Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition, among others.
Since Pillar's Dove Award-winning debut Above in 2001, the band has tallied nine No. 1 radio singles, 12 top five hits, a GRAMMY nomination, three Dove Awards, eight national headlining tours, covers of numerous national magazines and album sales approaching one million. For the Love of the Game (Feb. 26, 2008) is the band's fifth, full-length studio project. Pillar is: Rob Beckley, vocals; Lester Estelle, drums; Noah Henson, guitar; and Kalel, bass. Find more information at www.pillarmusic.com, www.myspace.com/pillar and www.pillartour.com.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, pleasevisit www.grammy.com.
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Dove Awards To Be Seen Live On Gospel Music Channel
(2/14/2008)Gospel Music Channel, the nation's first and only 24/7 all-gospel/Christian music television network, will become the exclusive television home for the GMA Dove Awards in a multi-year agreement announced today by John W. Styll, president/CEO of Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Charles Humbard, founder and president, Gospel Music Channel (GMC).
The Dove Awards, gospel music's biggest night of the year featuring artists from every style of gospel/Christian music coming together for a night of music and celebration, will be seen live across the country on GMC beginning with the 39th Annual Doves on Wednesday, April 23 at 8 p.m. (ET). The Dove Awards have aired in national syndication, but have not broadcast live since 2002. Gospel Music Channel also announced today that The American Bible Society will be the presenting sponsor of the 2008 telecast, with an option to remain through the length of the agreement. The American Bible Society is also the designated charity of the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
"Gospel Music Channel is the perfect partner for GMA and the Doves. We share a similar approach to presenting gospel music to the world and the Dove Awards is GMA's primary vehicle in that endeavor," said Styll. "With their ever-increasing distribution, we are excited to grow the profile of the Dove Awards as the channel grows."
"Gospel/Christian Music's biggest night now has a dedicated home on gospel/Christian Music fans' favorite television network," commented Humbard. "Our relationship with the GMA dates back to the launch of Gospel Music Channel, including our licensing of the Dove's library from which we produce our popular Best of The Doves series, and this is a natural next step. The Dove Awards live telecast will be a centerpiece of GMC's schedule for years to come and we'll build programming, marketing and PR events around it to elevate it even further."
Dr. Paul Irwin, President and CEO of The American Bible Society added, "The American Bible Society is honored to be in partnership with the 39th Annual Dove Awards and the Gospel Music Channel. Both of these organizations help support the Christian music industry and present the life-changing message of the Bible through song."
In addition to the television network agreement, nominations for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards were announced today at a press conference hosted by Dove and GRAMMY-winning artist Michael W. Smith and host of Gospel Music Channel's weekly original series The Kitchen Sink, Elle Duncan. Nominated for the Dove Award for Artist of the Year are Casting Crowns, The Clark Sisters, Natalie Grant, Point Of Grace, Skillet, tobyMac and Chris Tomlin. Mark Hall of Casting Crowns led the diverse field with six nominations (Casting Crown also had four nods). Other multiple nominees include David Crowder*Band, Jeremy Camp, Ernie Haas & Signature Sound and Ricky Skaggs. The complete nominations list is at www.doveawards.com.
The 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be handed out at the Nashville's famed Grand Ole Opry House. While the awards are the purpose of the show, music performances will definitely share center stage at the Dove Awards, showcasing some of gospel music's hottest and most diverse artists. In addition to the live broadcast, GMC will present back-to-back encore broadcasts that night and additional re-airings following.
About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.
About GMC:
Gospel Music Channel (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the nation's first and only 24/7 television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is gospel/Christian music. GMC is one of the fastest-growing cable channels in television today; the network doubled availability in 2007 alone and is now carried in all ten of the top ten markets, and 23 of the top 25.
About American Bible Society:
Since 1816, The American Bible Society has made the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford so all people may experience its life-changing message. For more information, visit www.Bibles.com.
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P.O.D. Releases New Album And Inks Deal With INO/Columbia
(2/7/2008)The lineup that took P.O.D. to multiple platinum success with The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and Satellite (featuring "Youth of a Nation," "Alive," "Boom," and "Satellite") is back to reclaim their place atop the rock scene with their INO/Columbia Records debut, When Angels and Serpents Dance on April 8, 2008. In fact, for a limited time, the band is providing a free download of the title track, along with a a digital video of same song on their site (www.payableondeath.com <http://www.payableondeath.com> ).
"Our fans are excited and we're having a lot of fun," says vocalist Sonny Sandoval. "After four years Marcos is back in the band and we've got new music. Things are exciting again. When the four of us are in a room making music it's definitely right and Marcos brings that passion for music into the band."
The quartet's renewed vigor is evident throughout When Angels and Serpents Dance from the searing guitar which kicks off the hard-rocking first single, "Addicted" and the striking and poignant, "End Of The World" (complete with gospel choir); to the album's most ferocious track, the savage "Like Old Times." "Like Old Times" was the first song written by the reunited incarnation of the quartet. "I think that was the first riff Marcos showed us." Sonny says of the song.
"It's just great to get back to basics and give it another whirl & tap into our souls." says an inspired Marcos. "This band is a supernatural experience to me! It has literally surpassed many of my vivid dreams...I'm blessed and excited to reconnect with family & friends. I hope to pursue & establish the passion that began in 1992 with 4 brothers who just followed God, dreams & our music."
But as Sonny pointed out earlier, this is P.O.D. four years later; and more for the classic lineup. The band that recorded 1999's platinum The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and 2001's triple-platinum Satellite has changed. "Age has a lot to do with it, getting older. I'm married with kids now and we're not 18 in the garage anymore playing hardcore punk. We don't sound like those guys down in the garage," he says.
Does this mean that P.O.D. has gone soft? Hardly. P.O.D. is just showing its range. There is a slightly softer side which comes through in the album's versatility. From the politically charged ballad "Tell Me Why," (a poignant track in which Sonny asks in the chorus, "Why must we fight, why must we kill in the name of what we think is right?"); to the bluesy hard rock feel at the outset of "Rain Everyday," through to the pop-awareness in the chorus in the infectious "Shine With Me," the band is finding that fans are responding positively to the different sound, which Sonny believes will give P.O.D. a chance to expand their already diverse live concerts.
As has always been the case with P.O.D. the band looked to those that inspired them rather than the hot artist of the moment for guests on the album. "That's what we do on our records, we bring in people that influenced us." Joining in the fun was Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies, who guests on the track "Kaliforn-Eye-A," and The Marley Sisters (the daughters of Bob Marley), who lend their vocal prowess to what Sonny calls "Our reggae track (I'LL BE READY)." Helmet's Paige Hamilton sings on "God Forbid," which Sonny calls "probably our heaviest song."
When Angels and Serpents Dance (produced by Jay Baumgardner: Evanescence, etc.) is ultimately a record of P.O.D. in 2008. "As far as P.O.D. goes it's always for the moment," Sonny says. "I just kind of go through it and whatever the song brings out in us that's it. There's a lot of passion on this record."
Indeed, When Angels and Serpents Dance is the sound of a rejuvenated band: passionate, aggressive and with a message for our times.
This is P.O.D. in 2008:
Wuv (Drums)
Sonny (Vocals)
Traa (Bass)
Marcos (Guitar)
A national tour will follow the release of When Angels and Serpents Dance . Cities and Dates to be announced soon
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Pillar Announces 'For the Love of the Game' Tour Dates
(1/31/2008)GRAMMY-nominated rock band Pillar has unveiled dates for its 3-month, "For the Love of the Game" Tour, sponsored by World Vision, TVU and RadioU. Christian music's leading rock band will kick-off its ninth headlining tour in Palos Heights (Chicago), Ill. on Feb. 22, 2008. Named for Pillar's upcoming album, which will hit stores Feb. 26, 2008, the full tour line-up is: Pillar, Building 429, Wavorly and introducing Brooke Barrettsmith. All dates are listed below and additional dates are still being added. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit PillarTour.com.
Pillar has started 2008 in an awesome way: earning its first GRAMMY nomination (Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for The Reckoning), having its music played on numerous ESPN sports programs, achieving its ninth No. 1 radio single ("For the Love of the Game"), and gearing up for the release of its fifth album (For the Love of the Game) and ninth headlining tour.
Pumped about his band's ninth headlining tour, Pillar lead vocalist, Rob Beckley, exclaims, "I have never been so excited to get out on a tour! Over the last 10 years we've been on the road a lot, doing numerous headlining tours and we've had the privilege of playing in many types of venues, and for different types of crowds. This is going to be the most fun we've had on stage in our decade of touring – guaranteed!"
Word Records artist Building 429 debuted in 2004 with "Glory Defined," a song that hit No. 1 on eight different charts and became BMI's 2005 Song of the Year for Christian music. The band received four Dove Award nominations and was named the GMA's "New Artist of the Year" in 2005. Building 429 has toured with Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Jeremy Camp and BarlowGirl, among others, and frontman Jason Roy acted as a spokesperson for 2004's Redeem the Vote, with appearances on "Fox News Live," CNN and ABC's "Nightline." The band's third full-length record, Iris To Iris, released in May 2007. For more information, visit Building429.com.
Wavorly burst onto the national scene in 2007 with their Flicker Records debut, Conquering the Fear of Flight. The highly-acclaimed album is a sprawling modern rock masterpiece. It blends elements of alternative, classic progressive, indie and hard rock with highly literate lyrics, a boldly imaginative use of strings and a sublime sense of melody. Go to Wavorly.com for further information.
Christian rocker Brooke Barrettsmith captivates audiences with her passionate vocals and straightforward lyrics about faith and relationships. Growing up a pastor's daughter in Chicago, Brooke first started singing in church with her siblings. Since then, she has shared the stage with artists such as Toby Mac, Audio Adrenaline, Jeremy Camp and Steven Curtis Chapman. As a top 40 finalist on "American Idol Season 5" in 2006, Brooke has been championed by local Chicago TV and print outlets and has received hometown support performing at various local events including White Sox games. Brooke's debut album on Essential Records will be released in June. Visit MySpace.com/brookebarrettsmith for further information.
Catch Pillar's "For the Love of the Game" Tour in one of the following cities:
*Tour dates, cities, and venues subject to change without notice
Friday, 2/22 Palos Heights, IL Harvest Bible Chapel
Saturday, 2/23 Minneapolis, MN Club 3 Degrees
Sunday, 2/24 Ashby, MN Destiny Center
Monday, 2/25 Sioux Falls, SD Southern Hills United Methodist Church
Tuesday, 2/26 North Platte, NE Community Playhouse
Thursday, 2/28 Tulsa, OK The Otherside
Friday, 2/29 Fort Worth, TX The Door
Saturday, 3/1 San Antonio, TX Tri-Point Club
Sunday, 3/2 Weatherford, TX Faith Family Fellowship
Tuesday, 3/4 Joplin, MO The Foundry Music Theatre
Friday, 3/7 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Christian Center
Wednesday, 3/12 Prestonburg, KY Mountain Arts Center
Thursday, 3/13 Springfield, IL iWorship Center
Friday, 3/14 Orion, MI The District Venue
Saturday, 3/15 Cincinnati, OH The Underground
Sunday, 3/16 Van Wert, OH Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio
Wednesday, 4/2 Carlsbad, NM Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center
Sunday, 4/6 Merced, CA Yosemite Church
Friday, 4/11 Seattle, WA Royal Brougham Pavilion – Seattle Pacific University
Saturday, 4/12 Portland, OR New Hope Community Church
Sunday, 4/13 Spokane, WA The Service Station
Find more information at PillarMusic.com and MySpace.com/pillar.
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