Million-selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Jennifer Knapp was recently featured in the weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal. Knapp kicked-off her nearly 3 month tour with Jars of Clay last night in Nashville to a capacity crowd. The tour will hit key markets including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Her lateest release, “The Way I Am” is her label, Gotee records’ fastest-selling record ever.
Three of the four ladies of the platinum-selling group, Point of Grace, are expecting new babies this fall. Within almost a month of each other, Shelley Breen and Heather Payne will become first time mothers and Terry Jones will deliver her third baby. Their little ones will arrive five to six weeks before the launch of Point of Grace’s new Girls of Grace conferences, which will discuss issues like family relationships, friendships, sex and dating, self-esteem and even fashion with teenage girls. Point of Grace’s story of maintaining career success balanced with nurturing growing families is inspirational. Point of Grace’s upcoming album GIRLS OF GRACE, which highlights the music from their fall 2002 conferences for teenage girls, added one more meaningful element to the mix. As the finishing touch to the album, the four ladies of Point of Grace invited around 30 teenage girls to join them in the studio last week to record the choir portion for the praise and worship songs. With producer Nathan Nockels there to direct the choir and Heather Payne, Terry Jones, Shelley Breen and Denise Jones dispersed throughout the group, they were able to really create a welcome atmosphere for on-going collective worship.
Rebecca St. James is currently taking a six-month break from touring, Rebecca will be taking some time in February and March to hit the road promoting WORSHIP GOD. Fueled by a successful promo tour, a record-breaking pre-sell promotion with Family Christian Store’s website and high anticipation following her previous release, Transform, Rebecca St. James’ newest release, Worship God has cumulated nearly 14,000 first week scans, coming in at #5 on the Current Contemporary Christian Chart and nearly doubling Rebecca’s first week numbers of Transform, her most successful album to date. Rebecca has started the second leg of her highly successful “Wait For Me” tour. After long hours of traveling, early mornings on the radio and numerous media interviews, Rebecca and her crew spent the evenings performing acoustic sets of old favorites and songs from Worship God, as well as Q&A with the audience in front of about 500 people each night. She will be hitting the road with Ginny Owens, Go Fish and Fusebox and will be performing songs from past albums as well as showcasing some of her new worship music. The tour will visit 20 cities throughout the month of March.
Wayne Watson is confirmed to participate in the Pro Am Classic along with 4HIM. Wayne will host Spring Hill Music Group’s late night showcase during 2002 GM week on April 23rd. This year Wayne will partner up with Food For the Hungry performing concerts, doing interviews, and filming videos to aide in collecting sponsorships. Food for the Hungry is an international organization of Christian motivation, committed to working with people to overcome hunger and poverty through integrated self-development and relief programs. Wayne is currently touring in support of his latest self-titled album.
Steve Green and Bob Carlisle recently took part in taping a segment for a special PAX will be airing for Father’s
Day entitled “Butterfly Kisses: Tribute to Dads.” This special will also
feature the likes of such noted celebrities such as Mel Gibson, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kevin Costner and many others.
Amy Grant is wrapping up the recording process this week for her much anticipated new project, Legacy* Hymns And Faith, due in stores May 21st. This collection of classic hymns, including “Fairest Lord Jesus”, “Holy Holy Holy”, and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” will also include a few original songs as well. Longtime friend and producer, Brown Bannister and Amy’s husband, Vince Gill are at the helm as producers.
Toby McKeehan will be appearing on “Saturate,” the debut solo album of Jeff Deyo which releases on March 26th. Deyo, former lead singer of Sonicflood, is releasing the rock/worship album under the Gotee label. McKeehan’s vocals will add a little spice to the background on the rocked-up, modern classic, “More Love, More Power.” McKeehan is currently on the road in support of his solo album.
Audio Adrenaline is working on a new book, tentatively titled, Hands and Feet, after the former #1 hit for them. They are currently taking short submissions from regular people on how God has ministered through their lives. 25 of these personal stories will be featured in this book, published by Thomas Nelson publishers.
