Coming off a whirlwind year of phenomenal success, NewSong – whose members include Eddie Carswell, Billy Goodwin, Michael O’Brien, Matt Butler and Scotty Wilbanks, enter the next phase of their career with the release of More Life. Bowing at retail on September 9, More Life is a collection of 12 energetic, pop-flavored melodies and powerful ballads that showcase the group’s signature vocal harmonies.
The means of creating this project enlisted the collaboration of Carswell and O’Brien, who wrote on each of the ten original tracks. “When you write with Eddie Carswell, it totally changes everything,” O’Brien explains. “He is a genius at coming up with hooks and ideas. He’s such a talented guy who has a great heart for God and for the music. I would just look over at him and say, ‘Man, thank you for letting me be a part of this.'”
In addition to the ten original tracks, More Life includes a Keith Green remix, “Your Love Broke Through,” and “You Are My King” from the 2003 WOW Worship project.
Slated to go for adds at AC radio on July 11, “Life In My Day” is sure to become their 18th No. 1 radio single.
“This song has great production and killer vocals,” notes Greg Cassidy KHZR/St. Louis. “I would suggest that you crank it up, roll down the windows with this ‘have fun’ summer song.”
“We feel like this is a career defining album for NewSong and really captures the sound and passion that has made NewSong a Christian music favorite.” Adds Troy VanLiere, NewSong manager. “The themes of this album are in line with what NewSong is all about, sharing the power of God with others.”
In promotion of their Sept. 9 release, NewSong is gearing up to hit the road on their 7th annual “Summer Jam” tour. The tour kicks-off in Asheville, N.C. on July 11, 2003, and will stop in 15-plus cities including Fayetteville, N.C., Louisville, Ky., Shreveport, La., New Orleans, La., Peoria, Ill. and Springfield, Mo., among others. A full tour itinerary can be found at www.jamtours.com.
NewSong garnered nation-wide attention with the 2000 release of their poignant Christmas song, “The Christmas Shoes,” originally recorded on the group’s Sheltering Tree album. The song captured the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s AC chart in a record tying three weeks and continued to build momentum in 2001 when NewSong released a holiday album titled The Christmas Shoes. A novella based on the song was written by Nashville author Donna VanLiere, and appeared on the New York Times bestsellers list two years in a row. That was followed by a nationally-televised made-for-TV movie, “The Christmas Shoes,” produced by CBS and starring actors Rob Lowe (“The West Wing”) and Kimberley Williams (Father of the Bride). The television special surpassed its other network competitors and brought in 17 million viewers. In early 2003, the album’s success was capped by a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album” and Dove Award win for “Musical of the Year.”
For up to date information on NewSong, please visit newsongonline.com or reunionrecords.com.
Reunion Records was founded in 1982 and operates as a unit of Provident Music Group’s community of labels, Provident Label Group. Reunion recording artists are distributed through Provident Music Distribution and to the general market through BMG Distribution. Reunion Records is home to Michael W. Smith, NewSong, Kathy Troccoli, Joy Williams, LaRue, Daily Planet and Jill Paquette.
