“John” watched anxiously as his students hungrily devoured meager portions of rice gruel and traditional, plain wheat buns – called “mantou” – during mealtime at his music school in Beijing. A choir comprised of church members throughout the San Francisco Bay Area participate in a concert with musicians from China’s mainland.Earlier, he solemnly apologized to his pupils for not being able to purchase better food. Chinese authorities were constantly monitoring the school. It was no longer safe for donors and patrons to stop by. The situation was growing desperate. During prayer, a student recited the Bible verse from Psalms 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, and my cup overflows.” Reassured by these words, John felt certain that he would see his students mature into China’s newest generation of Christian musicians despite the adversities. […read more]

The newest album release from Dove award-winning Stacie Orrico has been postponed until further notice, according to a recent letter sent to Stacie Orrico Online - a fan site dedicated to the artist.

The newest album from Stacie Orrico, ‘Beautiful Awakening,’ has been postponed for release due to a merger between Virgin Records and Capital Records. The artist has decided to leave her label over the incident.The CD, Beautiful Awakening, was planned to have already been out in stores by now, but because of a merger by her label, Virgin Records, with Capitol Records, Orrico would not be able to release her album properly.

“It’s so common in the record business right now, but albums and artists often get lost in the shuffle, and they don’t get the attention needed to have a good release and successful run,” explained the cross-over female vocalist in the letter. […read more]

The Third Annual Harmony Honors were presented last week, giving awards to many of Southern Gospel Music’s greatest singers. Among all the nominees, the Booth Brothers cleaned up the most, pulling in three top honors including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (”He Saw It All”) and Male Vocalist of the Year (Ronnie Booth). The Harmony Honors, which are presented by the Southern Gospel Music Guild (SGMG), were created “to honor those in the industry, by the industry, for their accomplishments over the past year.” […read more]

Southern gospel and contemporary Christian music icon Bill Gaither will be hosting a new weekly radio program beginning July 9 on Sirius Satellite Radio. Gaither and his wife Gloria have written more than 600 songs, many of which have become popular standards of Christian music, for which they were named ASCAP’s Christian Songwriters of the Century. “Bill Gaither’s Homecoming Radio,” will feature three hours of classics and new music from the southern gospel genre, and will air Sundays on channel 62, The Roadhouse at 9 a.m. ET and again at 9 p.m. ET. […read more]

Award-winning band newsboys have returned to their signature pop/rock sound with their biggest first week in album sales since their “Adoration” release in 2003. Newsboys returns to their original pop/rock sound in their latest album ‘Go.’ The group’s latest album “GO,” released Oct. 31, has sold more than 23,246 copies its first week and is at No. 4 in sales. The album debuted at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

“It’s a great time to be involved in Inpop and newsboys,” said Dale Bray, president of Inpop Records, according to CMSpin. “This is Inpop’s biggest first week sales number in its eight-year history, surpassing our previous record with Superchick’s Beauty From Pain. We are very proud to have partnered with Newsboys on this project.” […read more]

With music sales up and audiences expanding, the nation has recognized the booming Christian pop culture and gospel music popularized among both Christians and nonbelievers. The Gospel Music Channel has been a prime personification of that success in just the two years that it has existed on the television network. Currently, the “all gospel music, all the time” channel is in just under 10 million homes, in over 3,000 cities and towns and is being carried by all but one of the top cable operators.

“It’s got to be one of the fastest growing independent channels ever,” Gospel Music Channel President Charley Humbard told The Christian Post. “It speaks to the passion of the audience and how underserved the audiences are.” But what do most people think when they hear the term “gospel music?” […read more]

Promising Gospel singers had their chance to gain recognition at Kraft’s annual Gospel Talent Search and now young girls will get their opportunity to become CCM’s first “IT Girl” beginning this September. CCM Magazine will be stopping in four cities where Dove Award-winning group Point of Grace will be hosting Girls of Grace Conferences for young girls. Weekend conferences scheduled to give teenage girls inspiration and heart to heart talks on today’s issues will also see the first annual CCM’s IT Girl talent contest. […read more]

Although summer is still in the air, many Christian artists are already jumping into Christmas projects, while some are preparing to release Christmas albums this month. Sandi Patty (pictured left) will star in a Christmas TV special entitled, ‘’A Salute to the Armed Forces'’ this year. Legendary Christian artist Sandi Patty is in the “holiday spotlight” again, following last year’s critically acclaimed Christmas album Yuletide Joy.

In addition to Patty’s Christmas plans, a line of Christian artists and bands are preparing to release Christmas albums and projects in September and October. Artists include Newsong (The Christmas Hope, Sept. 26), Hillsong (Celebrating Christmas, Sept. 26), Moya Brennan (An Irish Christmas, Sept. 26), Third Day (Christmas Offerings, Oct. 10), and Mary Mary (Mary Mary Christmas, Oct. 17). […read more]

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against a suburban school district filed by a Christian rock band banned from playing at a school assembly. U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary said Tuesday that the school was right to cancel the performance because the district could have been perceived as endorsing a particular religion. Members of the band Pawn said in the lawsuit that they were discriminated against and that their free speech rights were violated. […read more]