Archive for May, 2006

(Nashville, TN) May 31,2006: Award-winning Sparrow Records’ band Starfield received unprecedented first week sales for its critically acclaimed sophomore recording, Beauty in the Broken.  The album not only received a 100% sales increase over their 2004 self-titled debut, but also landed the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Inspirational chart.  With fully 20% of its sales attributed to scans from digital service providers such as Napster, SonyConnect and iTunes, Beauty in the Broken also claimed the No. 15 spot in iTunes’ Alternative Top Album chart and No. 54 on the overall Top Album chart amidst such acclaimed bands as Coldplay, Keane, Goo Goo Dolls and Madonna.

“The strength of the Beauty in the Broken debut has been achieved by reaching Starfield’s generation through not only traditional retail, but the gaining popularity in digital sales,” says Bryan Ward, Sparrow Label Group’s Director of Artist Development. “Starfield is meeting their generation where they live: online.”

With a five star rating on iTunes, Starfield’s fans are enthusiastically receiving the new album. “Starfield is an amazing band with heart for worship,” says one iTunes buyer. “This album is a great reflection of that heart and their desire to encourage the hearts of our generation to live devoted to God…definitely a great follow-up to their first album.”

For the first time, Starfield’s generation also has the ability to download the band’s songs as ringtunes for their cell phones.  Downloading information can be found at www.StarfieldOnline.com.
 

As the retail and digital sales success mounts for the band, Starfield’s first radio single, “My Generation,” is rapidly ascending the charts.  After receiving the most adds on the R&R Christian Rock chart last week, the song broke into the Top 20 this week and continues to climb.  A multi-format hit, the songs simultaneously debuted this week in the Top 30 on the R&R CHR chart.  Revealing a desire to offer something relevant to the band’s listening audience, Starfield recently appeared live on the nationally syndicated Total Axxess radio show reaching millions in over 90 radio markets.
 

As “My Generation” climbs the charts and sales soar, Beauty in the Broken continues to receive critical acclaim:

Ø " Beauty in the Broken is something to be reckoned with, strong lyrics, incredible music, worshipful and rocking, stuff you want to blare out of your car window so the world can hear! " inthepursuitofgod

Ø “Beauty in the Broken is stunning from beginning to end. Clearly pointing the way to God not only through their lyrics, these guys also become worshipful simply in the way they rock. This is an album not to be missed.” –Infuze Magazine

Ø “The album gives fans a lot to be happy about and points listeners towards a steady focus on God. Beauty in the Broken is a pretty strong release for the group and should be well received by fans of modern worship music.”-CMCentral.com

Ø       “The songs on the project offer lots of catchy melodies, plenty of intricate guitar stylings, and lyrics that focus on the Creator.” –thenoize.net
 

Playing over 200 dates a year, the band has gained a loyal following.  Most recently fans traveled from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other surrounding states to attend the Starfield and Delirious? concert at the Nokia Theatre in New York City. The band prepares for the same intensity of tour dates in 2006 in support of the new release and will take part in Youth Specialties Conferences, Dare 2 Share events, select LifeWay camps and more.  For the latest tour updates and additional information, please visit www.starfieldonline.com.
 

Nashville, TN - Legendary guitarist and songwriter, Grammy nominee and Dove Award winner Phil Keaggy recently shared his music and stories with Monica M. Schmelter, host of the popular daily television program “Bridges.” During the “Bridges” episode, Keaggy spoke about his latest instrumental album JAMMED! and performed “Thank You For Today,” a new song from his upcoming vocal album tentatively scheduled to be released this fall, as well as “Salvation Army Band” from his True Believer project. The show will air at 9:30 a.m. CST on June 2, 2006 in the Nashville, Tenn. market. A repeat of the program will broadcast at 6:30 p.m. CST. CTN stations in the Knoxville, Tenn.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Dubuque, Iowa; Columbus and Macon, Ga. markets will air the episode at a later time, and viewers are encouraged to check their local listings for the exact date and time in their area or visit http://www.ctnonline.com.

Keaggy’s latest project, JAMMED!, which releases on July 4, 2006, is an instrumental album spanning three decades of his work which he co-produced along with Bill Deaton (Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Michael W. Smith) and Lynn Nichols (Newsboys, Shaun Groves, Twila Paris). The CD showcases Keaggy’s amazing God-given talent, blending the genres of rock, blues and funk with hints of fusion and jazz. The album also features many of his longtime friends and collaborators-all of whom are renowned musicians in their own right-including drummer Keith Carlock (Sting, Steely Dan), former WhiteHeart bassist Anthony Salee, BlackHawk drummer Mike Radovsky, bassist Spencer Campbell (Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers) and drummer John Sferra, who co-founded the legendary band Glass Harp with Phil Keaggy in 1970. The CD’s production notes, penned by Keaggy himself, reveal the thoughts and personal stories behind each of these tracks giving listeners an inside look at this virtuoso and his boundless mastery of the guitar. In fact, ChristianityToday.com says that JAMMED! is "a clear display of talent from one of CCM’s most gifted musicians."

JAMMED! will be available on and distributed through TAG Artist Group. For more information on Phil Keaggy, JAMMED! and his upcoming vocal album, visit http://www.philkeaggy.com.

Whenever an artist from another musical genre records an album for the Christian market, it’s generally met with a little skepticism. Some people tend to question motive and intent and wonder why they haven’t been singing for the home team all along. Well, one listen to Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell’s Reunion album, Welcome Home, should silence critics. He paved the way for this release last year with his chart-topping remake of Michael English’s “In Christ Alone,” a Dove-nominated track off the WoW #1s album.

Truth be told, Littrell’s solo debut album couldn’t come at a more critical time for Christian pop music. In response to album sales trends, almost every record label has now turned its attention away from new adult contemporary pop artists. Most, but not quite all. Reunion Records, which launched in the early ’80s with future AC pop giants Michael W. Smith and Kathy Troccoli, may be the genre’s last great champion. The label recently signed AC pop fave Cindy Morgan and brought us her first album in five years, Postcards, and then in March introduced young AC talent Ana Laura via her self-titled debut. With other labels all but abandoning the genre, Reunion Records is in a prime position to fill the expanding void.

Enter Brian Littrell. His new disc may not only fill the void, it might single- handedly resuscitate the embers of AC pop. Welcome Home is filled with powerful songs that linger with the listener long after the CD has finished. “Wish” is a beautiful ballad that speaks of how wonderful it would have been to see Jesus as He was growing up, living out His calling and fulfilling God’s plan. “We Lift You Up” is a vibrant worship song with a soulful edge. “Jesus Loves You” is a stunning a cappella number featuring Take 6. It also includes an adorable intro and outro from Littrell’s 3-year-old son Baylee. (OK, I’m a mom, so I loved this!) “Angels and Heroes” is an amazing song about the complexities of our human nature, but the most emotionally riveting moment on the album is the poignant “Gone Without Goodbye.” The first verse describes a mother holding a photo of her son and searching for him in the aftermath of Sept. 11. It’s an incredible song, and Littrell delivers a beautiful performance, wringing every drop of emotion from the lyric without ever becoming maudlin.

Welcome Home showcases Littrell’s skills as a songwriter as well as spotlights his amazing voice. He has the warmth and passion of a Sunday morning worship leader tempered with the pop sensibilities of a seasoned artist who, with the Backstreet Boys, has sold an astonishing 75 million records. It’s a perfect combination. People are always asking which male artist has the voice, writing skills and integrity to follow in Steven Curtis Chapman’s and Michael W. Smith’s footsteps. In listening to this wonderful album, it’s obvious Littrell is the perfect artist to carry the torch.

Provided by CCM Magazine