Archive for June, 2007

Point of Grace, one of the most notable and successful female groups in Christian music history, is set to release its first new studio project in three years.

The award winning and Platinum-selling Word recording artist will release its 11th studio project, How You Live, nationwide on August 28, 2007. The highly-anticipated project is the first new studio release in almost three years from the group. The recording promises to return the group to its musical roots, communicating a message that builds on a 15-year legacy.

After performing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans and selling over five million albums, Shelley Breen, Leigh Cappillino, Denise Jones and Heather Payne deliver a compelling collection of songs that invite the listener to examine their priorities and take stock of their lives on How You Live.

“This record is a constant reminder for us to celebrate life — to celebrate it in the good and to celebrate it in the bad,” says Cappillino. “It urges us to walk along those paths with our friends and family, as well as with strangers and to recognize God’s goodness in all things. My hope is this record will motivate people to be captivated by God.”

For 15 years, Point Of Grace has built an unprecedented career, delivering songs of substance. While the groups’ lovely voices and soaring harmonies have entertained, its songs have illuminated the complexities of the human spirit and spurred listeners toward closer relationships with each other and with God. In the process, the group has taken the church by storm, winning eight Dove Awards, two Grammy nods and garnering two platinum and five gold records as well as 29 No. 1 singles, 24 of which were consecutive.

"We are honored to get to serve Point of Grace in the calling that they have had on their lives through music,” says Rod Riley, Sr. VP of Marketing, Word Label Group. “Their music has been an inspiration to so many people over the years and this record continues their calling in a vibrant way.”

With producer Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Building 429, Steven Curtis Chapman) at the helm, How You Live unites Americana musical influence with the classic vocal sound that has made Point Of Grace one of the world’s most identifiable groups in any genre. The first single, “All the World,” is a perfect example of the signature harmonies that have defined the group since its early days at Arkansas’ Ouachita Baptist University. The song’s upbeat message urges believers to look beyond their immediate circles to spread the gospel and “shine their light for everyone to see in all the world.”

For years, the Point Of Grace members have never ceased to be a positive impact on this generation and culture, ever mindful of their position as role models to young women around the world (their Girls of Grace conferences alone draw tens of thousands each year and continue to grow). They have been obedient to God in using that platform to uplift and encourage other believers and share news of His mercy within a hurting world. Through it all, they also made personal choices, each marrying and having children, learning along the way to deftly juggle family and faith with ministry and music – making them even more relatable to their fans.

In support of How You Live, Point Of Grace will perform on July 10th at The International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta, Georgia and will embark on a national promo tour later this summer. A national tour is also scheduled to kick off on the heels of the group’s upcoming album release in the Fall of 2007, followed by the annual “Winter Wonderland” Christmas tour. The group will also kick-off its new season of nationally recognized Girls of Grace conferences, with an unprecedented launch in February, 2008.

Word Records is a part of Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb Company. The artist roster heralds some of today’s top Christian music performers and songwriters including Point Of Grace, Mark Schultz, Building 429, Nicole C. Mullen and Stellar Kart. The Word Label Group leads the industry with over 50 years of music-making history.

For more information, visit www.pointofgrace.net, www.girlsofgrace.com, www.wordrecords.com and www.myspace.com/pointofgrace.

DIRECTV, the nation’s leading satellite television provider, adds a burst of patriotism to the programming line up with Songs of Praise for America, a musical celebration in honor of our nation’s birthday. Hosted by NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip and Dove Award-winner Natalie Grant, the special will debut June 30 and run throughout the 4th of July holiday on DIRECTV’s exclusive and inspirational Channel 103.

A follow-up to the tremendously popular Songs of Praise series debut last year, Songs of Praise for America will take viewers on a musical celebration surrounding the 4th of July. During the 60-minute special, DIRECTV viewers will be treated to Michael W. Smith’s performance of There She Stands, Nicole C. Mullen’s rendition of Freedom, and Mark Schultz singing Letters from War. The special will also include inspirational performances from the USMA Cadet Glee Club, Prestonwood Baptist Church Choir and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Throughout the program, viewers will watch everyday citizens share their memories of the holiday, and what it means to be Americans.

“We’re celebrating the 4th from sea to shining sea with performances from the nation’s most inspirational artists and choirs,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “We’ve got Darrell Waltrip, Natalie Grant and some of the nation’s finest servicemen to celebrate this great nation, and we’re letting our customers join in the spectacular with an unprecedented five-day broadcast.” Songs of Praise for America is part of an ongoing DIRECTV initiative to present more family-friendly and faith-based programming to DIRECTV subscribers.

The special will air alongside Sunday Masses from Notre Dame on DIRECTV’s Channel 103. Songs of Praise for America is produced by DIRECTV Original Entertainment in conjunction with Propeller Consulting and Triple Horse Entertainment for broadcast exclusively on DIRECTV and is available at no additional cost to all DIRECTV subscribers. For more information on the artists and choirs performing in Songs of Praise for America, please visit our website at www.directv.com/songsofpraise