Nashville, TN – Word/Warner Bros. Recording Artist and Platinum Selling Vocal Group, Point of Grace, receive two Inspirational Country Music Award nominations for Entertainer and Vocal Group. This is the group’s second year to be nominated in the vocal group category. They won their first ICM Award for Vocal Group in 2009. The 16^th annual ICM Awards will be held at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tenn. on October 14.

Throughout their sensational career, Point of Grace has released eight studio albums including their latest, No Changin’ Us, which was released in March. No Changin’ Us, produced by GRAMMY award winner Nathan Chapman, is the group’s first album to expand into the mainstream country market – combining their Inspirational roots with a refreshing country sound. Since forming 19 years ago, the two-time GRAMMY® nominees have sold more than 6.5 million albums, won 10 prestigious Dove Awards and earned 24 consecutive No. 1 singles (27 total including radio staples “Steady On”, “The Great Divide” and “Circle of Friends”), a feat unmatched by any artist in any genre.

There haven’t been a whole lot of new female vocalists hitting the charts that have really grabbed my attention lately. That is except for Francesca Battistelli! After getting my hands on her album “My Paper Heart”, I’ve continued to enjoy her music and all of the songs on the album. I don’t seem to be the only one that continues to appreciate her talent more and more.

Nashville, TN – Fervent Records’ GRAMMY-nominated artist and reigning Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Francesca Battistelli is on top of the world right now with her debut album My Paper Hearttopping the overall Christian/Gospel Album Chart for four weeks in a row, making her the highest selling female artist in the genre in five years. This album features the hit singles “Beautiful Beautiful,” “I’m Letting Go,” “It’s Your Life” and the record-breaking smash hit “Free To Be Me” that held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Christian/AC Radio chart for 10 consecutive weeks. Not to mention, all four singles have sold well over 100K digital downloads each with “Free To Be Me” already nearing 300k downloads. In addition to all of these phenomenal milestones, Francesca and husband Matt are expecting the birth of their first child in October.

“I’m so incredibly thankful to my fans and Christian radio for all of these unbelievable blessings that I have cherished this year,” said Battistelli. “Without your support, none of this would be possible. It’s amazing to see what God has done in such a short time. Thank you!”

And, all of the support has definitely paid off for Battistelli. Released in 2008, her album has had the longest run to No. 1 for a female artist in Billboard Christian Album Chart history, a testament to her continually growing fan base and infectious pop soul sound that has been featured on such popular TV shows as ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, NBC’s The Biggest Loser, FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance and MTV’s The Hills. Luckily, fans will not need to wait much longer for new music. Battistelli is currently in the studio writing and recording for her much anticipated sophomore album, expected to release early next year.

If you’ve only heard her super-hit song “Free To Be Me” you’re missing out and I’d encourage you to pick up the complete album as soon as you get the chance.

Featuring all-stars Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, this new seasonal DVD tells the story of Saint Nicholas, the world’s greatest giver, and introduces Nicky the Pepper, the first new VeggieTales character in five years. Bonus features include an original new song by critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew West, “Give This Christmas Away,” performed by West and Grammy Award-winning artist Amy Grant.

“VeggieTales Christmas releases are fan-favorites and Saint Nicholas is sure to become an evergreen title,” said Greg Fritz, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Big Idea. “A national cross-promotion with Operation Christmas Child and extensive radio play of the featured song by Matthew West with Amy Grant will build great awareness of the timely message of giving.”

For the family, here’s a Christmas cookie recipe from VeggieTales and a coloring sheet for the kids to enjoy.

I love VeggieTales, it’s always good to see them continuing to release more videos and family friendly entertainment to the market.

Oz is in the news recently because he married Annie Lobért in Vegas last week. Annie Lobért is known for her ministry, Hooker’s for Jesus.

Source: Hookers For Jesus Annie Lobért marries Stryper’s Oz Fox in Vegas

Image: Stryper.net

I recently received this email update from Derek Webb about the release of his new album and challenges with his label.

friends-

this is turning into a bigger deal than we expected.  as a result, we’re having to temporarily _pull everything online down (can’t explain now).  and to be on the s_afe side, i’m going to pe_rsonally go offline while we sort this out.  i re_ally shouldn’t use my twitter account for now either so _don’t expect any updates there.

make no m_istake, our trouble with the label over content i_s very real, and not as simple as one word; we’re back_ed into a corner.  but we have applied all of our creative resources to th_is, working furiou_sly to create something that we believe not only subverts any leg_al issues but should also be a _pretty wild ride.

so this will be the l_ast email for a while.  we’ll t_ry to lea_k information via a new tw_itter account, @ssyndrome.  you’re o_n your own so start payin_g attention.  i’l_l see you _on the o_ther side-

derek

Not sure what the deal is with all the _’s in the message. But there you go.

UPDATE: Visit the Bloggable Music Network for more details on this issue. It’s all code and secret stuff. I feel like I’m living through an episode of LOST or something.

Kevin Max’s wife Amanda has given birth to their third child, Knightly Christobal Max, who came into the world at 9:23 p.m. on March 24, 2009, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Knightly, who joins big sister London and big brother Wilder, measured 20 inches long and weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz.

Mark Weber is also just started his Christian Music Daily Facebook group and is trying to get to 1,000 fans as quickly as possible. He’s always been a great resource for news and events in the CCM world.

Here’s your chance to grab a free MP3 of "My Deliverer" from her new album "Freedom".

You can also listen to more of Mandisa and her amazing vocals from her new album using the music player below.

Mandisa – Freedom

Mandisa is also following in the example of Big Daddy Weave front man, Mike Weaver’s quest to lose 90 in ’09, and working to shed some weight in 2009. Mandisa is shooting for 100lbs by the end of April. Let’s keep her in our prayers and encouragement as much as possible.

Huge news in the Christian Music industry as it was announced that Michael Tait, from dc Talk fame, will be the new front man for epic Christian music group, the Newsboys.

Michael Tait will be stepping into lead singer for Newsboys while Peter Furler stepping down from their touring schedule. Peter will remain actively involved with the band in song writing and studio work as they continue to produce some great music and impact the world and spread the mission to all of their fans.

Michael Tait had this to say about the opportunity:

“For years dc Talk and newsboys have been family and thus shared the same loyal and adoring fans,” says Michael Tait. “When I received the initial call from newsboys to consider joining the band as lead singer, I was speechless! I immediately sought wise counsel and flooded the heavens with endless prayers for insight and vision, and I soon received a clear and definite peace. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to perform my first show as newsboys’ frontman to an audience of 12,000 people. I was completely wrapped in love and support by newsboys’ fans, who are clearly the best fans on the planet. Now I know this is exactly where I belong in this new and wonderful moment in my life’s history. This is a definite highlight of my career and for my 20+ years of walking with Jesus, and I am humbled, proud and privileged to call myself a newsboy.”

This is so exciting for me. They’ll be in Indianapolis on April 4th, I’ve got to figure out a way to make it to that concert for sure!

Read the full story on Newsboys website and HearItFirst.com

I’m a big fan of twitter so when I get the opportunity to connect with more Christian musicians and groups that are also on twitter I immediately follow them.

After receiving an email from Casting Crowns today that gave me all their twitter names it was like another Christmas in January.

• Casting Crowns (band) – http://www.twitter.com/castingcrowns
• Mark (lead vocals) – http://twitter.com/markhallcc
• Juan (guitar/vocals) – http://twitter.com/6stringhero
• Melodee (violin/vocals) – http://twitter.com/MelloDee
• Megan (piano/vocals) – http://twitter.com/MeganGarrett
• Hector (guitar/vocals) – http://twitter.com/seetoe5
• Chris (bass) – http://twitter.com/chuffybass5
• Andy (drums) – http://twitter.com/BaLdWuNDa

All the members of Casting Crowns also do a great job of keeping us in touch with a variety of blogs they write as well.

Mark Hall, Melanie Hall, Casting Crowns Girls, Casting Crowns Guys, Casting Crowns Crew and Casting Crowns News Updates

Loads of information and plenty of opportunity to interact and get to know the group even closer.

Here’s the top 10 songs this week, half their listing of the Top 20.

1. Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes
2. tobyMac (Feat. Kirk Franklin & Mandisa) – Lose My Soul
3. Jeremy Camp – There Will Be A Day
4. Chris Tomlin – Jesus Messiah
5. Big Daddy Weave – What Life Would Be Like
6. Steven Curtis Chapman – Yours
7. Downhere – Here I Am
8. Casting Crowns – Slow Fade
9. 33 Miles – One Life to Love
10. Michael W. Smith – A New Hallelujah

I absolutely love the song "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath, and tobyMac’s music always lifts my spirits and gets me moving.