AristoVision - Christian Music Video Promotion

DEAS VAIL LENDS A HAND TO FACELESS INTERNATIONAL

2010-04-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

DEAS VAIL LENDS A HAND TO FACELESS INTERNATIONAL
(www.facelessinternational.com)

BAND WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL TOUR WITH COPELAND AND GEARS UP FOR VANS WARPED TOUR ’10

BIRDS & CAGES OUT NOW

As one of Alternative Press Magazines “100 Bands You Need To Know”, Deas Vail is making their mark, just off a sold out tour with Copeland the band takes a short break from the road and holds up in a Arkansas loft to begin writing new songs as they look forward to a summer trek with the Vans Warped Tour.
Deas Vail lends their time, help and support to Faceless International (www.facelessinternational.com). Faceless International aims to defend the plight of exploited people worldwide who have gone faceless and unknown for far too long. The purpose behind Faceless is to put a face on the many people in our own country and around the world who have gone faceless, or unknown, for so long. Everyday in our own country, people pass by many who are struggling. Each day around the world, people ignore the plight of millions who have no food, no clean water, no education or even no freedom.

”Our major involvement as a band is educating ourselves so that we can continue to educate others and helping in any practical way we can. During the Copland tour we collected toiletry items for a safe house for women who had be rescued from trafficking in the US. Deas Vail has a passion for seeing an end to modern slavery and trafficking.

The items collected for the house are a practical way to help ease the needs that the staff have so that they can focus more on the women there. We will be involved in other projects like these in the future with Faceless” – Deas Vail
Deas Vail is: Wes Blaylock - Vocals, Keys, Laura Blaylock - Keys, Synth, Kelsey Harelson - Drums, Andy Moore - Guitar and Justin Froning – Bass.
See them live:

Vans Warped Tour 2010
8/1 Canterbury Park Minneapolis, MN
8/2 Sandstone Amphitheater Kansas City, MO
8/5 Race City Speedway Calgary, Alberta
8/7 Utah State Fairgrounds SLC, UT
8/8 Invesco Field Denver, CO
8/11 Pomona Fairplex Pomona, CA
8/12 Sleep Train Amphitheater Sacramento, CA
8/13 Idaho Center Amphitheater Boise, ID
8/14 The Gorge George, WA
8/15 Washington County Fairgrounds Portland, OR

www.deasvail.com
http://www.myspace.com/deasvail
twitter.com/deasvail
www.monovsstereo.com

AristoMedia Group Celebrates its 30th Anniversary

2010-04-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Company’s longevity built through diversity of services, recent expansion

(Nashville, TN – April 26, 2010) When Jeff Walker started The AristoMedia Group in 1980, the compact disc was still in development, the World Wide Web was a decade away and the digital download hadn’t revolutionized the music industry yet.

“No one could have predicted our industry would be where we are today when I started this company thirty years ago,” says Walker. “I’ve witnessed so many changes over the last three decades – I’ve seen the industry turn completely upside down, in fact – that change seems to be part of the norm, now. Digital technology has permanently altered our business, and a lot of that change is positive, but it sure has made things interesting these last few years!”

Walker started Nashville-based The AristoMedia Group in April of 1980 as a singular PR firm, but over three decades the company has developed into a multi-faceted media, marketing and promotion company that houses a half-dozen specialized departments. These divisions include Aristo P.R. (publicity and PR) AristoVideo (video promotion and marketing), AristoWorks (new media), AristoVision (Christian video promotion), Marco Promotions (secondary radio promotion) and Marco Club Connection (dance venue marketing).

Walker also operates a domestic and international consulting business, Jeff Walker & Associates, founded a digital label, GMV Nashville, in 2007 and most recently, established a video content and EPK distribution service called DownCast in 2009.

“The last five or six years have been particularly challenging, but the positive result of that has been another period of expansion within the company. Our club department, Club Connection, has really grown with many recent Country chart-toppers featuring more dance-friendly material, and our digital label has filled a niche for a number of artists where a traditional label doesn’t suit their needs. DownCast is our most recent addition, and we’ve just expanded that service to include distribution for book new release materials ,” says Walker.

Senior VP of Promotion and Marketing, Craig Bann, has witnessed many changes in the industry as well during his more than 20 years with AristoMedia.

“Now more than ever, it’s a time to be proactive in the music industry,” Bann says. “The digital landscape continues to even out the playing field between established and emerging artists, and as a result, many new media and marketing opportunities have been created.”

Walker’s efforts to promote international Country artists in the U.S. have facilitated the company’s expansion as well. Born in Australia, Walker has tirelessly advocated the globalization of Nashville-based music. AristoMedia has hosted its own annual global showcase in conjunction with the CMA’s Global Artist Party for the past several years as a prelude to the CMA Music Fest in June each year. The company also publishes a digital, quarterly international newsletter that is distributed to more than 7,500 recipients worldwide.

As The AristoMedia Group celebrates its 30th birthday in the music business this month, Walker remains characteristically upbeat.

“When times are tough, sometimes being opportunistic is the best thing you can be,” Walker says.

The AristoMedia Group is located at 1620 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37211. Contact the company at 615.269.7071 or visit www.AristoMedia.com for more information.

Gotee Records’ Relient K: The First Three Gears (2000-2003) Hits Retailers This Week

2010-04-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

Band Kicks Off “The Spring Tour” with Paramore on April 26

NASHVILLE, Tenn...April 23, 2010... Relient K’s 51 song, three-disc set, Relient K: Thehttp://e2ma.net/go/6657162924/208174568/212365079/1405366/goto:http://www.relientk.com First Three Gears (2000-2003), became available at retail stores and digital retailers worldwide on Tuesday April 20, just days before the band opens for Paramore on “The Spring Tour.”

With a whopping 51 songs, including five rare bonus tracks, the compilation is a three-disc set of the first three Relient K albums, RELIENT K, THE ANATOMY OF THE TONGUE IN CHEEK (GOLD EDITION/RIAA certified gold), and TWO LEFTS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT BUT THREE DO (GOLD EDITION/RIAA certified gold), and includes hits like “My Girlfriend,” “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” “Chap Stick, Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry” and more. Digital outlets such as Amazon and iTunes® will additionally include three music videos ("My Girlfriend," "Chap Stick, Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry," "Pressing On").

After returning from a recent string of dates in Japan, “The Spring Tour” with Paramore and Relient K will kick off in Knoxville, Tenn. on April 26 and wrap in mid-May.

Relient K’s current single “I Don’t Need A Soul” is currently No. 4 on the Christian Rock radio charts, with "Therapy" going for adds at the Christian CHR format on April 23.

Relient K has been making the real thing since 1997, when Thiessen and Hoopes formed the band in high school. In the decade since, they’ve released five full-length albums (three are certified Gold), five EPs and a Christmas record. They have toured the globe, and racked up several hit singles, a Grammy nomination, two Dove Awards and performances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’ Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The Los Angeles Times has praised Relient K for “its smart blend of punk pop and power pop, weaving together influences as diverse as the Beach Boys, Blink-182 and Fountains of Wayne” while Spin noted, “Few bands play punk-influenced modern rock as proficiently.”

For the most current tour dates and all information on Relient K, please visit:

www.relientk.com
www.myspace.com/relientk
www.twitter.com/relientk

###

Apr 26 2010 7:00P Knoxville Civic Coliseum Knoxville, Tennessee

Apr 28 2010 7:00P John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, Virginia

Apr 30 2010 7:30P Trump Taj Mahal - Mark G Etess Arena Atlantic City, New Jersey

May 1 2010 1:30P Meadowlands Sports Complex East Rutherford, New Jersey

May 3 2010 7:00P The LC Amphitheatre Columbus, Ohio

May 4 2010 7:00P DeltaPlex Grand Rapids, Michigan

May 6 2010 7:00P Rockford MetroCentre Rockford, Illinois

May 7 2010 7:00P i Wireless Center Moline, Illinois

May 8 2010 7:00P WestFair Amphitheatre Council Bluffs, Iowa

May 10 2010 7:00P The E Center of West Valley Salt Lake City, Utah

May 12 2010 7:00P WaMu Theatre Seattle, Washington

May 15 2010 7:00P Rabobank Arena Bakersfield, California

May 16 2010 7:00P The Joint Las Vegas, Nevada

Deas Vail Wins!!!! Thank YOU!

2010-04-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you guys for all of your support of Deas Vail. We pulled a win - on Good Friday of all days!

Step by Step on Web Banner Posting

2010-03-17T13:14:00.001-07:00

To post the supplied web banners on your Myspace page, just follow the instructions below. You can also post to blogs and more by copying and pasting the html code provided.

#1) Check your email and click one of the links provided:

#2)The link will open up a tab in your web browser that will look like the one below. Simply click inside the box and highlight all of the content then copy the selected content. (on a PC you can hold down "control" & "a" to "select all" on a mac use the apple key & "a". You can then right click to copy):

#3) Sign into your myspace account and click on "Edit Profile". If you have a band page go into the "Musician Details" section. If you just have a regular page you can go into the "About Me" or "Interests" tabs, click "edit":

#4)Paste the code into whichever section you would like it to appear in. This can be done by right clicking and selecting "paste":

#5)It will preview the section, click submit:

#6) View your profile and you should see your lovely web banners! You can repeat the process and put as many codes (one after another) in the same space and you will see your banners line up one on top of the other!

MICHAEL W. SMITH GATHERS A COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS TO RECORD “COME TOGETHER NOW” TO BENEFIT HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

2010-02-19T07:37:00.000-08:00

Come Together Now - Music City Unites For Haiti from Provident Label Group on Vimeo.

A Children’s Choir of More than 250 Elementary School Students – Including 14 from Haiti - Joined Artists Wynonna, Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mandisa, Matt Maher,
Lee Greenwood, Phil Stacey, TobyMac, Travis Cottrell, Darwin Hobbs, Restless Heart, Point of Grace, Brandon Heath, Margaret Becker, Michael Tait, Kevin Max, The Newsboys, Ashley Cleveland, The Katinas, Kirk Sullivan, Meredith Andrews, Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, Everlife and More

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) January 28, 2010 – Yesterday at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum,
GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist, Michael W. Smith gathered a who’s-who list from the music
community to record “Come Together Now.” The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan – and
produced by Bryan Lenox – was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.

“The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help,” shares Smith. “We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work
through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. It’s incredible to be part of something that is going to help
so many people.”

In addition to lending their voices in song, several artists also recorded PSA’s for The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse for use in upcoming months.

Contributing artists include: Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amber Hezlep, Anthony Moreino, Anthony Skinner, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, B. Reith, Brady Toops, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Byron Chambers, Calvin Nowell, Charmaine, Chris McClarney, Chris Sligh, Chuck Girard, Dana Jorgensen, Darwin Hobbs, David Mullen, Don Poythress, Donovan Tea, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Greg Jennings, Hillary McBride, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jasmine Sagginario, Jason Baird, Jason Dunn, Jimmie Allen, Jody Davis, John Ford Coley, John Schlitt, Joseph Martino, Julia Ross, Justin Rivers, Kate Lazar, Kate Schettler, The Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lara Landon, Lanae Hale, Lannie Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Mandisa, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall and Megan Garrett of Casting Crowns, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Melinda Doolittle, Meredith Andrews, Michael Cavallo, Michael Olson, Michael Tait, Michael Tash, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, The Oak Ridge Boys, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Rachel B. James, Reco Hight, Restless Heart, Ruben Mundo, Russ Mohr, Sarah Ross, Sarah Sadler, Selah, Shannon Cochran, Shawn Cavallo, Stephanie Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Terrence James, TobyMac, Tommy Coomes, Travis Cottrell, Trey Heffinger, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier. (Artist list subject to change.)

The song will be made available for sale soon, with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts to Haiti. More details
on the song’s release date are forthcoming.

About Michael W. Smith: (Reunion Records/Provident Music Group):
Throughout his 27-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 21 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 44 GMA Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and five platinum albums for career sales approaching 15 million.

Smith, who was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009, has scored several film projects, written 11 books and has been featured by media outlets including, NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, FOX and Friends, Hannity and Colmes, USA Today, NY Times, The Washington Post, LA Times, Newsweek, has been named one of People Magazine's “Most Beautiful People” and has presented multiple times on the GRAMMY Awards show. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country, and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world.

Constantly giving back to the community, one of Smith’s current projects is Rocketown--a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn.--which serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife Debbie Smith are the proud parents of five children. For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.providentpress.com.

MICHAEL W. SMITH JOINS DOZENS OF NASHVILLE ARTISTS FOR “COME TOGETHER NOW” MUSIC CITY UNITES FOR HAITI RECORDING PROJECT

2010-02-18T07:25:00.001-08:00

“Come Together Now” Single Available at All Digital Retailers,
Music Video Debuts This Week

NASHVILLE, TENN. (February 18, 2010) – Artistic communities around the world continue to come together in efforts to aid the island nation of Haiti after the devastating earthquakes of January 12, 2010. Music City has done its part with the recent collaboration of the biggest names in Nashville’s own Country, Christian and Gospel music communities.

Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist Michael W. Smith gathered a community of Nashville-based artists on January 27 at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studio to record “Come Together Now” – a song written by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan – to benefit Haiti relief efforts.

Released under the banner Music City Unites For Haiti (Various Artists), and with the studio’s, artists’ and musicians’ time all donated, proceeds from the single will go to designated charity and relief work through Samaritan’s Purse and American Red Cross.

The single is now available at all digital retailers.

Bringing aid and relief efforts to Haiti is a personal mission for Michael W. Smith, who has already traveled to the island with Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational evangelical Christian humanitarian organization, in the wake of the earthquake, and whose wife Debbie has done missionary work in the nation in the past.

“I’m deeply grateful to Michael for all his efforts to help those suffering in Haiti,” shares Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse. “Every artist and every individual who can use their talent and ability to shed light on those in need, when it’s all added together, it makes a huge difference. My prayer is that God will use this song and video to touch the hearts of this nation to give generously to the people of Haiti.”

The music video for the song will be released by Aristo Media this week. Please visit www.AristoVideoPromo.com for more information.

In addition, “Come Together Now” will be the lead track for the March 2nd Healing4Haiti, a full album project featuring songs by artists including Israel Houghton, DecembeRadio, Kari Jobe, The Afters, Hawk Nelson, Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley, Canton Jones, Lincoln Brewster and Mary Mary. For more information on the album, please visit: www.samaritanspurse.org.

Artists part of “Come Together Now” Music City Unites for Haiti include:
Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amy Grant Vince Gill, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Chris McClarney, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Sligh, Don Poythress, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jody Davis, John Schlitt, Kate Lazar, Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lee Greenwood, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Meredith Andrews, Michael Tait, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Restless Heart, Selah, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Veronica Petrucci, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier.

About Michael W. Smith: (Reunion Records/Provident Music Group):
Throughout his 27-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 21 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 44 GMA Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and five platinum albums for career sales approaching 15 million.

Smith, who was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009, has scored several film projects, written 11 books and has been featured by media outlets including, NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, FOX and Friends, Hannity and Colmes, USA Today, NY Times, The Washington Post, LA Times, Newsweek, has been named one of People Magazine's "Most Beautiful People" and has presented multiple times on the GRAMMY Awards show. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country, and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world.

Constantly giving back to the community, one of Smith’s current projects is Rocketown--a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn.--which serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife Debbie Smith are the proud parents of five children. For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.providentpress.com.

# # #

For more information, please contact:
Jacquelyn (Marushka) Luttrell
Vice President, Public Relations, Provident Music Group
Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
Ph: 615-261-6439 pr@pmgsonymusic.com

About AristoVideo: A division of The AristoMedia Group, AristoVideo has built a 25-year history of marketing artists through visual mediums, including music videos, EPKs, liners and interview features, which are serviced to television, closed-circuit and Internet outlets across the globe. Visit www.AristoVideoPromo.com for more information.

For radio servicing of “Come Together Now” please contact Andrew Patton at andrew.patton@pattonhouseentertainment.com

Kevin LeVar Nominated in Two Categories For Dove Awards

2010-02-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Please help us support Kevin in the Dove Awards
voting on the first ballot. He is on the ballot for two categories:

New Artist of the Year

Inspirational Song of the Year ("A Heart That Forgives")

The official list of eligible entries is located
online at www.doveawardsvoting.com

Abandon Kansas New Video "Close Your Eyes" Released Today

2010-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

ABANDON KANSAS DEBUT VIDEO CLOSE YOUR EYES LAUNCHES TODAY EXCLUSIVELY ON ABSOLUTEPUNK.NET
http://img.ymlp18.com/loriincali_AKImageCropped_2.jpg
Today, Gotee Records and the band Abandon Kansas proudly released a video for the song CLOSE YOUR EYES. This is the first video from the band’s “We’re All Going Somewhere” EP, and is available to view at AbsolutePunk.net as an ABSOLUTExclusive.

To view the video, please click here - http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1539041

Filmed in Atlanta by director by Nathan Corrona, the video explores creative film styles while bespectacled lead singer Jeremy Spring croons “Close Your Eyes, then we’ll start to see….”

"This was our first music video, and we weren't sure what to expect,” explains Spring. “The director took the phrase "you don't answer to time" from the second verse and ran with it. We used a lot of organic special effects on the timing that really enhance the song.

“We are so happy with the way the video turned out, and are even more excited to partner with AbsolutePunk for the premier.”

CLOSE YOUR EYES has also been added to Paste Magazine’s “Songs for Haiti” Compilation. 100% of the funds contributed through “Songs for Haiti” will be spread among three charities active in the relief effort: Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross and Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. For more information, please see http://songsforhaiti.org

Upcoming February tour dates:
Feb 11 – Manhattan, KS
Feb 12 – Wichita, KS
Feb 13 – Kansas City, MO
Feb 18 – Minneapolis, MN
Feb 19 – Wausau, WI
Feb 20 – Mankato, MN
Feb 21 – Cedar Falls, IA
Feb 25 – Waco, TX
Feb 26 – Plano, TX
Feb 27 – Houston, TX
Feb 28 – Austin, TX

www.abandonkansaslovesyou.com
www.gotee.com

SKILLET SLAMS INTO 2010 WITH NO. 4 MAINSTREAM RADIO HIT, SHINEDOWN TOUR, MORE WWE AND MASSIVE SALES

2010-01-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

January 13, 2010

**Atlantic/Ardent/INO rock outfit SKILLET has slammed into 2010 following an incredibly successful 2009 with their best selling project, AWAKE:

-Already over 300k in scans in just 20 weeks (more than double that of the GOLD selling COMATOSE), AWAKE was a critic and fan fave last year, Amazon.com’s best selling Christian CD of 2009, and now boasts the No. 4 mainstream Active Rock single in the country with “Monster,” which was also AOL Music’s No. 4 mainstream rock song of last year.

-“Monster” has proven to be just that for Skillet, with fans purchasing so many digital copies over the holiday, their sales increased almost 300%.
In addition to all the success “Monster” is having, their No. 1 Christian rock and CHR track, “Hero,” has been creating a great buzz as well:

-‘Hero” will be used in the upcoming trailers and promos for the new Twentieth Century Fox film, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” which stars Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman and is based on the best-selling book by Rick Riordan.

-“Hero” has been used all season long by the NFL in their, Sunday Night Football and NFL Weekend Kickoff promos.

-The WWE will use the song once again as the official theme song for WWE’s Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View on January 31st. “Hero” was
also a featured as part of the soundtrack to the WWE’s Tribute To The Troops TV Special, which aired just before Christmas on NBC. Skillet was promoted alongside other contributing artists including Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, and Nickelback. WWE programming reaches nearly 16 million people per week in the U.S., and WWE.com
currently averages 14 million unique visitors worldwide monthly, providing more than 28 million video streams.

-In follow up to their fall AWAKE & ALIVE tour, which, due to numerous sell out shows made Pollstar’s Concert Pulse’s Top 50 tours
for the fall, Skillet will hit the road with mainstream rockers Shinedown and Puddle of Mudd for the Sound of Madness 2010 tour beginning January 21st in Providence, RI.

- In March and April Skillet will co-headline the AWAKE TONIGHT tour with TobyMac for one of the most anticipated tours of the spring for the Christian concert arena. Tour dates will be announced soon.
For tour dates go to http://www.skillet.com

###
Skillet’s latest, AWAKE, continues to propel the incredible momentum the rock outfit has going for them with a blockbuster debut at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200, selling over 67,000 units and peaking at No. 1 on iTune’s “Top Albums” chart and “Top Rock” chart within 24 hours of its release. Since 2006’s breakthrough RIAA Gold certified project “Comatose,” Skillet has toured with the likes of mainstream megastars Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether and Flyleaf, and headlined a slew of major Christian festivals, all followed by solo tours that ranked within Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. Along the way, the two-time Grammy®-nominated alternative rockers also scored seven consecutive number one Christian radio singles, a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” and a 2009 nomination for Artist of the Year. Along with a trio of singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, a pair of BMI Songwriting Awards, and being chosen as Reader’s Poll favorites on several top ccm websites, they also released their first ever concert CD/DVD combo pack “Comatose Comes Alive.”

For more information on Skillet, go to: www.skillet.com and/or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic

Matthew West Gets Grammy Nod; Give This Christmas Away "Most Added" at Christian Radio!

2009-12-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

MATTHEW WEST GARNERS FIRST GRAMMY NOD
Singer/Songwriter Nabs Nomination for Best Gospel Song

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Dec. 2, 2009—Sparrow Records singer/songwriter Matthew West garnered his first GRAMMY Award nomination tonight, announced during "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," aired live on CBS from Club Nokia in Los Angeles. West received a nod in the category of Best Gospel Song for his long-running radio hit, “The Motions.”

West is in good company with fellow artists Third Day, TobyMac, Israel Houghton, and Mary Mary, also nominated in the field. He comments, “This is the icing on the cake to what has been an incredible year thanks to the song ‘The Motions.’ It’s been overwhelming how people have responded to the song and its message, and I am grateful for having been able to connect with listeners on that level. This is my first GRAMMY nomination, and for an artist/songwriter, there is no greater recognition.”

“The Motions,” from West’s 2008 studio release Something to Say, held the No. 1 position on both the Christian AC radio chart for 14 consecutive weeks and the Soundscan Christian Digital Chart for 15 weeks. Something to Say debuted on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian Retail Chart at #10, while West was the best-selling Christian artist on iTunes the week of its release. The album’s debut single “You Are Everything” additionally peaked at No. 1 on Christian AC radio and was the most played Christian song of 2008.

West’s current single “Give This Christmas Away,” written and recorded for the new VeggieTales DVD Saint Nicholas – A Story Of Joyful Giving, released Nov. 27 and is the “Most Added” song this week at Christian radio. West will perform “Give This Christmas Away” live with Amy Grant on the Fox News Channel’s “Huckabee” Saturday, Dec. 5, re-airing Sunday, Dec. 6. West and Grant will give an encore performance of the song Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 on the network’s “Fox and Friends” Christmas special.

In keeping with the “Give This Christmas Away” theme, West released a gift book this holiday through Tyndale Publishers, aptly titled 101 Ways to Give This Christmas Away. The book, along with the Something to Say Christmas Edition featuring “Give This Christmas Away” and three new acoustic recordings, are now available in stores. For more information on Matthew West, visit www.matthewwest.com.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Jan. 21, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. A complete list of nominees is available at www.grammy.com.

Kevin LeVar nominated for 2009 GMC Video Award

2009-10-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Kevin LeVar's video "A Heart That Forgives" (found on reel #71) has been nominated in the Praise & Worship category of the 2009 GMC Video Awards. Visit the link below to vote!

http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/gmcva

2009-10-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Da' T.R.U.T.H., Canton Jones, & Marvin Winans Jr., Join Viktory On The Tour Of The Year!

2009-10-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

Additional Information
Viktory recently released his new project entitled "Son of the King", the new project combines stellar production along with some of the hottest Christian hip hop artist today including Marvin Winans Jr., Canton Jones and Lisa Kimmey of "Out of Eden".

With the "Son of the King" Album Viktory (a Chicago native) has made great strides in expanding his platform for ministry. First, by reaching the #2 position in a June issue of Ebony Jet Magazine also by delivering a superb performance at his recent album release in front of a crowd of over 1100 spectators.

Viktory, a businessman, family man and Ordained Minister, born to a 16 year old mother on Chicago's hardened south side. He has seen life times in his 27 years. From the sudden murder of his best friend, to the loss of his 3rd child, Viktory's faith has been tested and solidified.

He's made it his life's mission to see the fulfillment of his call to ministry. He currently serves as Armor Bearer working with the pastor of his local church where he uses Christian Hip Hop music as an outlet for his message of hope, love, and triumph through Jesus Christ.

His music has been acclaimed by the music industry's best. "He's among the best and brightest" exclaims Eli Davis personal manager for the platinum selling Anthony Hamilton. "He's what the games missing" says FirstBorn accomplished producer with production credits for Neyo, The Game, and Flo Rida.

The youth group leader, bible study teacher, and creator of the new web sensation VIKLIFE.COM, an online Christian network complete with news, videos, and music has been courted by a myriad of top tier Christian & secular record labels. When asked about his decision to sign with his own upstart record label he states, "I want to be free to hear and move with God. I have a burden to see people touched and affected in a new and real way".

After achieving Deans List status at his local college, Viktory decided that he would tie his business skills into his ministry. Today, he functions as Co-Owner of Dreams on Screen video productions, Pencilworx Design Group, and Founder/Owner of VikLife.Com. Three of today's brightest businesses.

Viktory has accomplished quite a bit as an independent Christian Hip Hop Artist, starting with his the featured artist on his latest album "Son of the King", Canton Jones, Marvin Winans Jr., and Lisa Kimmey of Out Of Eden together one album is a feat within itself. Adding sugar the Kool-Aid, he's released a superb video, "On Fire", 2 months before the albums release that came out of the gates to 10,000 online views in 2 days and ranked in the top 100 videos on YouTube.

The anticipation approaching the release date was very hard to ignore, banner ads, e-blasts, word of mouth, and sheer excitement dominated the days approaching Tuesday, June 16th. It overflowed when the public learned that Viktory's album had reached as high as #6 within the first 2 days of release on the iTunes US Christian & Gospel Sales Chart, out pacing Mary Mary, Third Day, and Israel Houghton.

To add icing on the cake, Viktory's album release party boasted a concert line up that reads like an Urban Gospel All Stars Compilation album. The live stream set a new record for visitors on www.dasouth.com, the urban/hip hop site that hosted the stream, as well as over 1000 guest in attendance. Viktory appears poised to make a real impact on Christian hip hop and music business alike.

What's truly exception about this movement is the fact that there is no machine backing Viktory, he is a truly independent act leaning on his Faith.

"When talking about Urban Christian Culture, my aim is to help develop the infrastructure and assist in establishing a standard of excellence in the genre both spiritually and professionally, I love Christian Hip Hop and I love God's people, I just want to see good things happen", says Viktory.

When asked about his goals for 2009, he responds with, "I'm just following Jesus Christ. I call myself Viktory because I know as long as I am in Christ, no matter what trials I endure, in the end, I win."

"God has done it all, I am more thankful to God than you know. I'm excited about the future. God is good!" - exclaims Viktory.

Support the project by Viktory called "Son of the King" on iTunes, or on the web at ViktoryLive.com and viklife.com.

GOSPEL MUSIC COMMUNITY UNITES IN SUPPORT OF GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION, RAISES MORE THAN $350,000

2009-10-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Fisk Jubilee Singers, MercyMe, Kirk Franklin, Booth Brothers, Natalie Grant, and More Come Together for 'Concert of the Decade'

Godbeat.com, HearItFirst.com and 316Networks.com Partner to Offer One of the Largest Christian Concerts Ever Streamed Online

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - October 13, 2009 - An unprecedented gathering of Christian and Gospel music's premier artists and industry leaders united on Monday (10/12) for a concert to celebrate their musical legacy and support the mission of the Gospel Music Association (GMA), the non-profit trade organization which has championed Christian music for more than 45 years.

The musical event lived up to its billing as the "Concert of the Decade" with performances by Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Kirk Franklin, Point of Grace, Jason Crabb, Martha Munizzi, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms and the Booth Brothers. Brown Bannister, five-time Dove Award-winning Producer of the Year, produced the concert, which was staged at the Loveless Café Barn in Nashville.

GMA Board of Directors chairman Ed Leonard (president of Daywind Music), welcomed the near-capacity crowd of more than 350, plus an online audience of close to 10,000, to the fundraising dinner and concert, created in response to financial needs the GMA has, owing in part to the economic recession. "While tonight we've come together to help the GMA navigate through some immediate challenges, this assembly also offers us a unique blessing to renew the commitment to our community, and to build a GMA that is relevant for the future."

Also appearing onstage as segment hosts were author/pastor David Nasser; Premier Productions President Roy Morgan; and GMA Executive Committee member Eddie DeGarmo (president of EMI CMG Publishing). Special guest U. S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), co-founder of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, spoke to the importance of the advocacy the Gospel Music Association offers for its members.

The concert culminated with industry-leading Dove winners Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant singing "Friends," followed by a stirring finale featuring the evening's entire lineup leading the classic worship song "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)."

Sponsors and partners of Concert of the Decade included Platinum Sponsors World Vision, Compassion International and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus the Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Opryland Resorts and Convention Center, De Lux Productions, iTickets and the Gospel Music Channel. All performing artists and show producers donated their time, expenses and purchased the tickets to the event. *See below for a complete list of sponsors and partners.

Websites Godbeat.com and HearItFirst.com, in partnership with video platform provider 316Networks.com, offered a live web broadcast of the event, making it one of the largest Christian concerts ever streamed online.

The Concert of the Decade and dinner was staged at the Loveless Barn, the new intimate performance venue added to the Loveless Café restaurant on Highway 100 in Nashville.

For more information on supporting the Gospel Music Association or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the Gospel Music Association directly at 615-242-0303.

*Sponsors and Partners:

Platinum Sponsors
World Vision
Compassion International
Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gold Sponsors
SoundExchange
SunTrust Bank

Silver Sponsors
Avenue Bank
Harry Fox Agency
National Music Publishers Association
Regions Bank

Event Production Team
Executive Producers - Eddie DeGarmo & Scott Brickell
Show Producers - Brown Bannister & Steve Gilreath
Production Manager - Scott De Vos
Production Assistant - Lauren Roman

Event Service Providers
Blue Nova Designs
Classic Party Rentals
De Lux Productions
Garden Delights
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Grand Ole Opry
Hemphill Brothers
Nashville Event Lighting
I-MAG Video
Sound Check
Sound Image
TLS, Inc.

Promotional Partners
The A Group
Digital Nashville
Guitar Praise
Gospel Music Channel
Highland Software
iTickets
Premier Productions

Kevin LeVar Hits #1 at Gospel Music Channel with “A Heart That Forgives”

2009-10-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

2009's Breakout Artist Launches Campaign to Inspire One Million Acts of Forgiveness

(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – The phrase Let's Come Together isn't just the title of Kevin LeVar & One Sound's national debut via GGM/Habakkuk/Universal Music Christian Group, but it's the prophetic description of the one year period since the album's release in September 2008. Landing at #22 on the BILLBOARD Top Gospel Albums Chart upon its release, the relatively unknown artist's ministry began to break down boundaries relating to culture, race, geographical association and musical styles, finding a wide audience that was ready to receive the messages of hope and healing that the singer/songwriter had been waiting to share.

LeVar quickly found the support of Gospel Music Channel, where his debut music video “You Are Not Alone” received heavy airplay and received a 2008 Gospel Music Channel Video Award nomination (“Best Soul Video”). The follow-up video for the new single “A Heart That Forgives” shot to #1 this week after only a month in rotation. The video, which was produced in Nashville by Feature Productions (Canada), received it's World Premiere on the top-rated network, which featured LeVar as this month's “Listen Up” featured artist. The video has also received a 2009 Gospel Music Channel Video Award nomination – this time in the “Best Praise & Worship Video” category.

The powerful message behind “A Heart That Forgives” has started a movement to inspire one million acts of forgiveness. The Heart That Forgives Campaign will kick off in 2010, with the goal of restoring families, repairing friendships, strengthening communities and empowering people through the simple act of forgiveness.

“At some point or another, we all have been hurt and in many cases, that hurt has not been released,” says LeVar. “Relationships, communities, hope and health have all suffered at the hands of unforgiveness. This campaign encourages all to trust in God for the strength to let go of bitterness and hurt, forgive from the heart, and live totally free from the pain of the past.”

The Heart That Forgives Campaign will be holding Forgiveness Rallies and Concerts throughout North America in 2010. An interactive website will be launched providing a safe place for visitors to “Forgive and Live” – taking an active step to let go of the hurts, bitterness, grudges and pain they've been holding on to.

The music video and live performance footage of “A Heart That Forgives” will be included on an expanded edition of Let's Come Together which will be re-released by GGM/Habakkuk/Universal Music Christian Group in late 2009. The multimedia project will also feature additional live video performances, the music video for “You Are Not Alone” and the bonus cut "Forgive and Live," which is the theme song for The Heart That Forgives campaign.

Over the past 12 months, LeVar has appeared on such programs as BET's Bobby Jones Gospel, Hour of Power (from the Crystal Cathedral), Lesea Broadcasting's Live From Studio B, Daystar's Celebration, Babbie's House, Atlanta Live, 100 Huntley Street, TBN's Praise the Lord, TCT's Alive and Rejoice!, INSP's Camp Meeting and many more. He's also had prominent performances at the NBA All-Star Weekend, Super Bowl XLIII, Civil War Memorial, 9/11 Memorial in Washington DC, Expolit Latino Christian Conference, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Stellar Awards Gospel Brunch, Rosa Parks Breakfast, The Dream Center (Los Angeles and New York), Bishop TD Jakes' The Potter's House (Dallas) and Israel Houghton's Deeper Level Conference to name a few.

Kevin LeVar has been nominated in a stunning 9 categories (First Ballot) for the 25th Annual Stellar Awards, including : Group/Duo of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year , Urban/Inspirational Single of the Year and Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year. The general public can vote online through October 3rd at www.thestellarawards.com. The 25th Annual Stellar Awards will be held on January 16, 2010 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

2009-10-02T14:18:00.001-07:00

THIS FALL MERCYME INVITES YOU TO SPEND
“AN EVENING WITH MERCYME” ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
FEE, TENTH AVENUE NORTH AND JONNY DIAZ

October 2, 2009…Nashville, TN… Multi-platinum and GRAMMY® nominated band MercyMe is inviting fans to spend “An Evening with MercyMe” this fall, as they visit auditoriums and churches across America.

For each night of the tour, audiences will be entertained not only by the award-winning band as they perform hits to include “Finally Home,” “You Reign,” “Word of God Speak,” “Homesick,” and of course “I Can Only Imagine,” but some special guests as well. Worship band FEE and new artist Jonny Diaz will be taking the opening spots for the month of October, while GMA’s New Artist of the Year Tenth Avenue North and Jonny Diaz will join forces to open the shows in November. The tour begins October 9 in Jackson, MS and concludes November 22 in Johnson City, TN (full tour listing below).

For more information on ”An Evening with MercyMe” please visit www.mercyme.org.

###

MERCYME
Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 5 million units in CD and DVD sales, including “Almost There”, nearly triple platinum, “Spoken For,” which is approaching platinum sales, and the RIAA Gold certification for “Undone,” the MercyMe Live DVD, and “Coming Up to Breathe.” Their latest, “All That Is Within Me,” entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at No. 15 and sold an impressive 83,626 units, the most they’ve ever sold in a project’s first week.

MercyMe is one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 21 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2008 the band was named R&R’s Christian AC Artist of the Year, and as one of the industry's most notable talents, MercyMe has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more. For all things MercyMe, please visit: www.mercyme.org .

FEE
From national worship conferences to local youth group meetings, Fee has brought a new level of abandon and talent to rock worship, gifting today’s church with riveting songs of praise. Known for amazing live performances and the No. 1 hit "All Because of Jesus" plus "Glorious One," and Christmas song “All Creation Sing (Joy To The World),” Fee continues to inspire the church musically with this all-new release of soon-to-be modern classics. The band has been associated with some of today’s most forthcoming faith-based events including Passion, 7:22 and Catalyst conferences. Fee released their debut INO project & GMA Dove nominated We Shine in September 2007. The band’s hit single “All Because of Jesus” also garnered the No. 10 spot on R&R’s AC Songs of the Year. Fee Front man Steve Fee was also selected to lead worship at the 92nd annual Indianapolis 500 chapel services in 2008, the biggest event of the Indy Car Series. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Steve Fee, Matt Adkins, Heath Balltzglier and Brandon Coker still lead worship at the North Point Community Church.

JONNY DIAZ
Singer, songwriter and storyteller Jonny Diaz (pronounced dye-az) released his fourth project, More Beautiful You, May 5th - which is actually his first CD release with INO Records. Following in the footsteps of his 3 previous independent projects, More Beautiful You reveals his inspiring lyrics and catchy melodies and instrumentation. Through his songs, the listener will instantly hear a heart that is passionate about reaching his generation with the message of God's love, forgiveness, and grace. The project's first single, "More Beautiful You," was co-written by Diaz and reached #1 at radio, holding the spot for 3 weeks in a row. The song, which was also made into a music video, aims to tell women they were created by God with a specific purpose in mind and continues to generate a huge buzz at radio across the country!

Diaz is consistently on the road performing at churches and conferences and has also had the opportunity to perform at some of the largest Christian music festivals in the country. He has opened in concert for Steven Curtis Chapman, Bebo Norman, MercyMe, and many other top Christian acts.

www.JonnyDiaz.com

TENTH AVENUE NORTH
With one listen to Tenth Avenue North’s unique brand of intellectual, melodic pop-rock, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his band mates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. Band members are as much teachers as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior.

Named GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year (2009), Tenth Avenue North was the best-selling and most played new Christian artist of 2008, scoring three No. 1s at radio and crossing the 100,000 sales mark with its debut Over and Underneath (5/20/08) in just seven months. The band – Mike Donehey (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar) – has toured extensively over the last year in support of Over and Underneath (now nearing 180,000 total album sales), and recently wrapped an impressive run of shows on its very first headlining tour- “Inside and In Between”. Tenth Avenue North is one of the few debut bands that have experienced enough momentum to headline its own tour with only one album under its belt. www.tenthavenuenorth.com

Tour Dates for “An Evening With MercyMe

October with FEE and Jonny Diaz
9-Oct Friday Jackson, MS FBC Jackson
15-Oct Thursday Plymouth, MI NorthRidge Church
16-Oct Friday Bowling Green, KY Hillvue Heights
18-Oct Sunday Akron, OH Akron Civic Theatre
23-Oct Friday N. Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Ctr.
24-Oct Saturday Dothan, AL Dothan Civic Center
25-Oct Sunday Montgomery, AL Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church
29-Oct Thursday W. Monroe, LA FBC West
30-Oct Friday Fort Walton Beach, FL Emerald Coast Conference Ctr.

November *w/ Tenth Avenue North, Jonny Diaz
5-Nov Thursday Omaha, NE Bellevue Christian Ctr.
6-Nov Friday W. Des Moines, IA Lutheran Church of Hope
7-Nov Saturday W. Des Moines, IA Lutheran Church of Hope
8-Nov Sunday Valparaiso, IN Valparaiso Nazarene Church
12-Nov Thursday Midland, TX Stonegate Fellowship Church
14-Nov Saturday Austin, TX Austin Music Hall
15-Nov Sunday Mercedes, TX Rio Grande Valley
19-Nov Thursday Louisville, KY Valleyview Baptist Church
20-Nov Friday Knoxville, TN Knoxville Christian
21-Nov Saturday Dayton, OH Far Hills Community Church
22-Nov Sunday Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall Civic Ctr.

Kevin LeVar Nominated for 9 Stellar Awards!

2009-09-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Kevin LeVar has been nominated for 9 Stellar Awards including:

Group/Duo Of The Year
New Artist Of The Year
Producer Of The Year
Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year
Contemporary Male Vocalist Of The Year
Contemporary CD Of The Year
Urban/Inspirational Single Or Performance Of The Year
Music Video Of The Year
Praise And Worship CD Of The Year

Get your vote on by going to http://ccptv.onlinects.com/vote2009_grp1.asp.

Hip Hop Artist Easop Releases Digitally On iTunes, Amazone, Rhapsody & Others

2009-09-16T13:04:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release
San Francisco, Ca.

Hip Hop Artist Easop Releases Digitally On iTunes, Amazone, Rhapsody & Others

San Francisco based LOD Music, home to street gospel artist, Easop announces digital distribution deal with Executive Music Group and the digital release of his classic album, “The Time Has Come,” on Tuesday Sept. 8.

Tuesday, September 8th saw the digital release of Easop’s classic album thru all major digital music retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, and others just to name a few. This deal also makes Easop’s music available thru all major mobile carriers like AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, and others as well.
“The digital era has changed the way we get music to the buying public, so I’m excited to be partnered with a company that will help get our past and future releases to all digital outlets”, states Easop. “At the click of a button you can have ringtones of my music that weren’t available before.”

The Time Has Come is a timeless classic from Easop, which features such songs as the in your face “Out Tha Box” to the touching story of “Somebody Loves You”. This album has also been re-mastered for a cleaner sound for it’s digital release as well. LOD Music and Easop look forward to getting their message and style of music out for the glory of GOD and the advancing of HIS Kingdom. This album is a must have in anyone’s collection.

In 2010, you can expect to hear a slew of new music from Easop and the release of his second album, “Back for The First Time”. For more info you can visit www.easopmusic.com. You can also follow Easop via Twitter at www.twitter.com/easop and Facebook at www.facebook.com/easop.

Contact: LOD Music
Email: info@lodmusic.net

2009-09-02T09:38:00.001-07:00

Album, Autograph & More from Robert Pierre!

2009-08-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Buy Identity and Get an Autographed Poster!

Robert Pierre and MusiChristian.com have teamed up to bring you a special offer just in time to end your summer off with a bang! For a limited time, when you buy Robert Pierre's Identity for the low sale price of $7.97, you also will receive an autographed poster as a bonus! Just remember, please hurray as this is for a limited time and supplies are limited.

Click Here to buy Identity at MusiChristian.com!

A Summer FULL of Fun!

Robert Pierre has had a busy summer enjoying time spent across the country on his radio tour and spending time with family and friends. Did you miss reading Robert's latest blogs…no worries! Stop by RobertPierre.com and let Robert know how YOUR summer has been.

Click Here to read Robert's blogs!

Pre-Order New B.Reith Album "Now Is Not Forever"

2009-08-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

CCM RADIO MAGAZINE FEATURES "STORY BEHIND THE SONG SPECTACULAR"

2009-07-15T07:16:00.001-07:00

Don't miss our special one-hour "Story Behind the Song Spectacular." This week, we'll be spotlighting the stories behind some of your favorite songs from Tenth Avenue North, Josh Wilson, Mandisa, MercyMe, Sanctus Real, Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, newsboys, Building 429, Jonny Diaz and more. Tune in every Saturday and Sunday night at 8 p.m. CST to hear CCM Radio Magazine. Log on to TodaysChristianMusic.com to listen live. And be sure to check out the "Story Behind the Song" section at CCMmagazine.com to watch exclusive live performances of your favorite songs.

Help Put Flynn Adam into MTVU's Regular Rotation!

2009-07-13T09:02:00.001-07:00

Music Videos Up 17% Vs. Year Ago

2009-07-01T09:15:00.001-07:00

CMT CELEBRATES MOST-WATCHED SECOND QUARTER EVER AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS

Music Videos Up 17% Vs. Year Ago

Network Up 14% in Total Day and 13% in Primetime Vs. Year Ago

NASHVILLE – July 1, 2009 – Coming off ratings wins for premieres of the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS and THE SINGING BEE series debut, CMT has wrapped its most-watched second quarter ever among total viewers. According to Nielsen Media Research, the network increased total viewers for both total day (+14%) and primetime (+13%) when compared to the same quarter in 2008, and second quarter was CMT’s most-watched quarter since 2006. In addition, the network increased viewers among adults 18-49 for total day (+6%) and primetime (+9%) over last year.
The 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiered June 16 as the highest-rated telecast of the year, followed by THE SINGING BEE, which became the network’s highest-rated series debut ever.
Music video hours have also increased on the channel, with ratings up +17% versus the same quarter last year among total viewers, and up +14% among adults 18-49. Music videos air weekdays from 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, ET, and weekends from 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., ET. In addition, video streams are up +23% for CMT.com for second quarter when compared to the same quarter last year.
This ratings success preludes a full slate of music programming for the network this summer, including new episodes of CAN YOU DUET and THE SINGING BEE, along with brand new episodes of CMT’s music performance series, INVITATION ONLY. INVITATION ONLY featuring Darius Rucker premieres this Friday, July 3 at 11:00 p.m. ET; upcoming episodes include Brad Paisley and Reba McEntire.

Visit CMT's press-only Web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.

CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 88 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

Jonny Diaz Goes #1 With Impactful Single "More Beautiful You"

2009-06-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Breathecast.com:

Radio Support Continues To Swell Across The Board

"More Beautiful You," the single by INO Records' recording artist Jonny Diaz (pronounced "DYE-az"), has topped the charts. This week, the hit song claims the #1 spot on the AC Indicator Charts (according to Radio & Records Music Tracking/Billboard). This is the first single released from Diaz's fourth recorded project, More Beautiful You, his very first with INO Records.

"I've been blown away at how God is choosing to use this song," exclaims Diaz over the song's top chart position. "I really can't take any credit for its success, but I am thankful that He is using me as a vessel to share this extremely important message."

Radio support continues to grow across the board for "More Beautiful You" with new adds at AC from K-LOVE Radio Network, American Family Radio, WGTS / Washington, DC, KTSY / Boise, ID, and CHR stations KDUV/ Visalia, CA, & WJLZ / Virginia Beach, VA.

Co-written by Diaz, the song aims to tell women they were created by God with a specific purpose in mind and continues to impact listeners of all ages. In addition, "More Beautiful You" has not only been taking over the radio airwaves but is also a huge hit on the internet and television, thanks to its unique music video. Premiering the first week in June on the Spirit Network and currently can be viewed online at Tangle.com (http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c767af658b0bc8e8197f), the video showcases how girls of all ages compare themselves to the "perfect" pictures of celebrities and models in magazines and on the internet. The viewer sees this video story unfold through a mother and daughter being doted on by makeup artists and hair stylists, ending with the message that touched up photos and a lot of makeup don't matter. What matters most is to embrace who God made you to be.

Celebrating the emerging success of "More Beautiful You," station programmers and talent have been happy to share their thoughts, as well as their listeners', about this hit song:

Susan O'Donnell of KSBJ / Houston, TX - "I can tell you 'More Beautiful You' hits to the heart of parents thinking about their daughters, and the messages about beauty she is getting even in their preteens. But, we've also heard from women who are in tears because the beautiful message is one that speaks to the heart of most women. Many of them struggle constantly with the child's need to know they are beautiful even now as a grown woman when they haven't felt it for along time."

Caryn Cruise of KXOJ / Tulsa, OK - "We receive requests for 'More Beautiful You' ALL the time! Women, no matter how old or young have really connected with it because it answers the question we're all wondering - am I beautiful and do I have value? The answer is YES! Thanks Jonny!"

Marisa Lykins of WYLV / Knoxville, TN - "It's important for girls to hear strong Godly women say that we don't need to look to the world for our identity, that who we already are, the way we already are, is more than enough... but its just as important if not more so that we hear that message from Godly men. The most powerful change comes I think when men themselves also get the chance to hear that message. Speaking God's truth into the lives of women, 'More Beautiful You' is also speaking the challenge of this truth into the lives of other men. A challenge to understand that how we women see ourselves first is through the reflection in their eyes - and when that reflection is shining back God's perfect love and acceptance to who we are, we finally allow ourselves to be loved fully by our Heavenly Father the way He intended! Thank you for speaking such precious and life changing truth Jonny Diaz!"

Morgan Smith of SOLUTION FM / Bangor, ME - "The culture we live in is full of negative influences on a woman's self esteem. From magazine covers to unreal 'reality' shows we are made to feel like we need to be physically perfect in every way if we ever want to be loved. 'More Beautiful You' from Jonny Diaz is a very powerful reminder to women and girls of all ages that life is about more than beauty. God created us to be exactly who He wants us to be. It's one of our most requested songs. From teenage girls to the fathers of young girls ... people are paying attention to this song!"

Ayiesha Woods chosen as Gospel Music Channel's Listen Up Artist of the month!

2009-06-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

Click below for more info!

The End Is Not The End only $1.99 Today Only at AmazonMP3

2009-06-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=2308002&blogID=495321971

Congrats to our National outlet and friend, Control Track!

2009-06-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

CONTROL TRACK HONORED WITH THE VIDEOGRAPHER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

ORLANDO, FL -- Control Track was honored with the Videographer Award of Excellence for their Chistmas Card show for the 2009 international awards competition that recognizes outstanding achievement in video productions. There were about 1,800 entries from throughout the United States and several other countries in the 2009 competition.

The Videographer Awards is one of the most coveted awards in the video industry. Over the past 13 years, thousands of production and communication professionals have entered their best and most creative work. The goal of the Videographer Awards is to identify and recognize the video artisans who excel in the scope of their own environment. Winners range from network news operations to local cable access...from large production companies to freelancers...from international advertising agencies to student producers.

Winners were selected from 166 categories under the headings of television productions, video productions and new media. The Award of Excellence was awarded to those projects that the judges deemed were written, produced, shot and/or edited
in an exceptional manner.

The Videographer Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (www.amcpros.com). The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, media production and free-lance professionals who have entered AMCP programs. The Advisory Board oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges and sets standards of excellence.

In 1996, Alan Rasmussen was moved to help hurting teens through the art of Christian Music Video. He recognized music as a form of positive communication for youth, so he set out to share the love of Christ through televised Christian music.

Control Track was birthed out of his home in Orlando. Control Track airs six days a week with one new episode per week, combining music videos and celebrity interviews oriented around faith in God. The show first aired on a few local stations, but can now be seen on the Dish Satellite Network, Sky Angel Satellite Network, and local television outlets in the South.

Who would have guessed thirteen years ago that a man with a dream working out of his home could pull together a few friends, a few cameras, and reach the world?

I AM TERRIFIED Coming To Your Town?

2009-05-20T13:36:00.001-07:00

Craving an interview? Dying to know what makes these guys tick? Let me know, I'll make it happen!

May, 29 2009 06:00 PM - THE UNDERGROUND SEA W/ CHANGE TODAY&LOTS MORE!!!!
600 S.Lewis Street, New Iberia, Louisiana - $12

May, 30 2009 06:00 PM - New Hope World Outreach Center W/ Spoken!
2600 Coteau Rd, Houma, Louisiana 70364 - FREE

June, 6 2009 08:00 PM - The Cornell Gym
300 N. 7th St., Cornell, Illinois 61319 - Free

July, 11 2009 08:00 PM - Antioch Church
5400 Bell Forge Ln, Antioch, Tennessee 37010 - Free

July, 25 2009 08:00 PM - Magnolia Christian Center
92 Highway 79 N, Magnolia, Arkansas - Free

August, 8 2009 08:00 PM - TBA
1790 Bee Creek Road, Branson, Missouri - Free

August, 15 2009 02:00 PM - Purple Door Festival
925 Roundtop Rd., Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339 -

August, 28 2009 08:00 PM - 24/7 Building
7700 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma - Free

Behind the Song "More Beautiful You"

2009-05-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, if you haven't heard this song yet, you should. It's called "More Beautiful You" by rising artist Jonny Diaz. Great song, great message - www.myspace.com/johnnydiaz.

Check out this video that lets you in on Jonny's 1st wedding anniversary, and why he wrote the song "More Beautiful You".

Reel 68

2009-05-19T13:44:00.001-07:00

Hey All!

Rachel here with the exciting news you've all been waiting for - news of a new reel! Reel #68 was mailed out just last week and features a great range of videos. This new reel contains videos from Country legend Tracy Lawrence, CCM sweetheart Robert Pierre, and rising rock phenomenon I Am Terrified.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - good, bad or otherwise - on these 3 clips, so let the feedback begin!

Rachel@aristomedia.com
615-269-7071x 131

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2009-04-24T12:51:00.001-07:00

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GMA Week - Day 5/final day

2009-04-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well y'all, i'd be lying if I said I wasn't exhausted. GMA Week has had some really great moments and very few - if any - bad ones. Still, the constant seminars and networking and lectures from 8-5 followed by showcases each night from as early as 6 to as late as midnight has plum tuckered me out.

Today began right about 8:30 with the final seminar - a round table discussion with an incredible panel discussing the triumphs and struggles they have had as mainstream artists crossing over to the Christian market and vice versa. It was a very interesting discussion with participants including Amy Grant, Marty Roe from Diamond Rio, Dan Haseltine with Jars of Clay, Brian Littrell (formerly of the Backstreet Boys), and many others equally awesome.

It was interesting to hear how much flak they took for trying to expand their audience in both cases. Christians are accused of selling out to make more money, and Mainstreamers are accused of not being pure or genuine enough. To me it's all a little ridiculous because to me it seems like it is a no-brainer that the creative souls behind these artistic creations would want to share their passion with as many people as possible - not because of money or for shock value, but because they love what they are doing and they want other people to enjoy it too. I don't know, call me a new aged, liberal youngster, but it seems to me music is music and regardless of the genre - rap, pop, country (Christian or Mainstream) - people should just enjoy the message, spirit and intent behind the music, not focus on how they can dissect it, twist it to fit or go against their own agenda, or try and put it into one nice tidy little box. I mean if people are being moved by the music and inspired to do great things and become great people, then isn't that what is important?

Anyway, that's pretty much what the panel was discussing too and it was a great experience to see all of these artists from such a wide range of musical styles tied together by the common thread of creating music to glorify the Lord.

With that let me close and say that I've really enjoyed my time here at GMA Music Week and I am glad that I got to experience this incredible Gospel Music Festival here in Nashville.

GMA Week - Days 3 & 4

2009-04-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all,

I'm combining these two days into one little post not because they weren't each amazing enough to warrant their own post, but honestly because I'm running out of time here where this will be relevant and I want you all to be able to read it!

Monday and Tuesday were great. I spent a good chunk of time on these two days meeting up with a few of my television outlets and really getting to know them and their shows. It really brought a whole new depth to the work that I do - being able not only to read an email of what is going on, but to really see the looks on my programmers faces when they discuss what it is that they do and why they do it. I got to sit in and watch The Revolution TV record an interview with Group One Crew. I know i've been saying this a lot, but it really was incredible. Kat (my programmer and host of the show) has such a way of interacting with these people, and the band themselves were just so honest and open and hilarious. It was a great time. I also got to see Kat and her husband Jorge and the excitement they have for not only their work, but for their family. After a lot of trials and struggles Kat and Jorge are due for their very first born child this August. She of course had the glow about her and they both had a little twinkle in their eye as they met various people and shared the news. It was awesome to get to be there with them.

I also met up with Robert Mitchell of Soundbooth TV in New York who just has SO MANY amazing projects going on. He's executive producer on the show Soundbooth, is directing Christian music videos, he's planning a youth event in NYC, and is even working on translating his show and his website into Japanese as he is expanding his viewership internationally. And best of all, he is just the sweetest man you'll ever met. It's really exciting to see such wonderful things coming in to fruition for such a devoted and compassionate man.

Alan Rasmussen, of Control Track in Florida, and I enjoyed some conversation, some music, and some cheesecake together as well :) He had something like almost 60 interviews to get filmed in this short week, yet he still managed to make time for me. Alan has been doing great work with his show and seems to know just about everyone there is to know in the business. It was a learning experience for me and a fun one at that.

So in short, I loved meeting up with my outlets and I did also get to see some really neat showcases including a lunch show featuring Mandisa and Bart Millard of MercyMe. They introduced some newer acts as well as some veterans of the industry all of whom performed admirably. I think my favorite performance of that luncheon was Canton Jones. The poor man did not get as much crowd participation as he should have as many of those attending were of an older persuasion and didn't quite get into it. Still he was working the stage, and was all energy and excitement - it was a great performance.

I think that about wraps that one up! Be sure to check back for the final day!

GMA Highlights - Day 2

2009-04-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!

Well I had planned to blog at least at the end of every day -- little did I know how BUSY I would be. If any of you have not yet had the pleasure of coming down for GMA Week I would highly encourage you to do it soon. It's an amazing experience - so many different walks of life all brought together by one common thread - glorifying the Lord. That being said, let me let you all in on what might have been my favorite day of GMA Week so far - Day 2, Sunday.

Let me start off by saying that I am Catholic (all you Bill Ballinger's out there, please reserve judgment for the Lord) ;) . Not only am I Catholic, but I was raised as a Catholic, living in a small town outside of Chicago. All of that is to say that the way that religion was represented to me growing up is very different than the way I've come to experience it since living in Nashville. Back home religion isn't talked about as much, or in such depth. You are what you are and really it rarely comes up in conversation. And when you go to church its much like study hall in junior high - you arrive, you sit down quietly, you don't talk, you sing the same organ-based melody 4 times (calling it 4 different songs), and you don't raise your hand unless you have to go to the bathroom. Thus, you may be able to understand that I was a bit apprehensive, and - yes, I'll say it - even dreading attending the 1.5 hour long non-denominational church service, just a tiny bit. I figured I would be in a room with hundreds of people I don't know who would be trying to get me to raise my hands and sing out loud and jump up and down which is something I am not comfortable doing in my time of worship. Not to mention I couldn't imagine what could be talked about for a full hour and a half (our services are usually a solid hour, and half the church - myself NOT included - leaves right after taking communion cutting it down an extra 15 minutes).

Well anyway, I decided to get over myself and put on my non-judgmental cap and headed out the door. I arrived a few minutes early and found my spot. Matt Redmen lead the worship and it was enjoyable - he had great music, lyrics I could connect with, and while a few people threw their hands up in praise, no one was glaring at me or pressuring me to do the same. I swayed a bit to the music, but that was about it. Following Matt's set, founder & director of Passion Conferences,Louie Giglio, got up to speak. He read from a girl's journal and showed a real life example of how her life was turned around by becoming a Christian after many events - one of which was hearing the song "Mighty To Save" for the first time (you can find the whole story at http://sue-n-flower.blogspot.com/2008/08/passion-ashleys-journal.html). After Louie concluded this incredibly inspiring, heartbreaking story Matt came back out to close the service. At this point I was getting that big lump in my throat like you do when you would cry, but don't want a room full of strangers to look at you. Anyway, I was just WAITING for Matt to come on and play "Mighty To Save", a song which I myself love to pieces, and which would have been the perfect ending to the service. He didn't. He played some other song, which I don't remember the name of. It was still nice, still a great song, but not exactly the release and relief I had been expecting. THEN just as the song was coming to an end they did a seamless transition into "Mighty To Save" and this Catholic, uptight, mid-western girl started belting it out as loud as she could as a tear or two rolled down her face. It was incredible. I only wish you all could have been there to share in the experience as well. Unbelievable.

The service was followed by a lunch and performance at 3rd and Lindsley (a popular venue in Nashville) where I saw Jars of Clay perform live for the first time. I was blown away by them as well. They were funny, honest, and their performance was flawless. In short, the whole day was an incredible event that I was blessed to get to participate in.

~Rachel

GMA Week - Day 1 highlights

2009-04-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well y'all. Today was my very first day of my very first GMA Music Week here in lovely downtown Nashville. The weather was kind and we had a gorgeous sunny day. The day kicked off bright and early for me with a welcome seminar at 8:45am. I pretty much went from 8:45am - 4:15pm in seminar after seminar with a few short breaks in between to eat some food and such. The seminars flew by and were jam packed with so many great pointers on what I can do to continue to grow as a Christian and promoter.

It's been a blast so far, I've met some really neat people - a lot of people who are in charge of setting up Christian music festivals in their home towns. It's pretty amazing how dedicated these people are to their communities and churches. I was also able to meet up for a brief moment with one of my favorite AristoMedia connected artists - Kevin LeVar who will be playing a few showcases later this week. Kevin and his manager Shondale are just SO sweet and they have a new project on the verge that sounds ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. I don't want to spill the beans, but I'll just tell you it has to do with one of my favorite Kevin LeVar songs - A Heart That Forgives. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, trust me...I'll let you know :)

I did also catch up with a few wonderful TV programmers. Alan with Control Track in Florida and Kat & Jorge from The Revolution TV. And i'll be chatting them up even more later on this week. There are a lot of amazing showcases lined up for the next few days...I'll keep you updated and let you know what rocked and what fizzled.

Have a great weekend!
~Rachel@aristomedia

B.Reith & Missi Hale in concert

2009-03-20T14:07:00.001-07:00

Hey all, I just wanted to tell you all about the awesome B.Reith concert I saw the other night. It was a pretty neat setting - he played at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville which a few of you might be familiar with. It's a pretty intimate little club, so everyone can see the singers every move which is neat, but also allows very little room for error.

B. however has this talent (which I admire) of being completely human on stage, but not making it awkward. It's strange for some people it works and they can come off as being quirky or funny while other people (like your truly) tend to have it come off as being clumsy or unprepared. For example there were a few times when he would get nervous playing his guitar in front of such a large group of people (he usually writes his music to his guitar, but has someone else play in concert) and he'd have to stop and shake off the nerves, make a quick joke and start again. Each time something like that happened he was able to tell a personal story about why it was happening that really allowed the audience to connect with him.

There were a few really neat parts of the show altogether - my favorite being whenever he would start a song off with the words "I haven't finished this song yet, so we'll see how it goes" which would ultimately lead to a hilarious freestyle that you were sure he had to have planned before hand. Only the details were so specific to what was going on right then and there that you knew he had to be making them up on the spot.

The best part by far though was the very end where they did an extended version of Rain Down (you can hear the original track on his myspace page). It was incredible. The sound both instrumentally and vocally was so crisp and intense, the lyrics touched my heart, everyone had their hands up in the air in praise. At the end of it I felt that release and inspiration that I used to feel after a really great church service. It's been a long time since I've had something have that effect on me. Oh and towards the end of the number the follow up act, Missi Hale, came on to lend some vocals as well and she was INCREDIBLE. Check her out when you get the chance. I am sad that you all weren't there because neither of those myspace tracks do any justice to the performance that was given on Tuesday. Just awesome.

~rachel@aristomedia

2009-03-17T14:04:00.001-07:00

Hey all, check this out and be sure to VOTE!!!

Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship

2009-02-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I found another story today that touched my heart and thus wanted to share with you.

This story comes out of Dekalb, IL - not too far from where I grew up. It's times like these that make me proud to be a human being (proud to be from the midwest!), and proud to be a Christian. It also gives me hope for our future. I think we could all stand to learn a lesson from these folks:

Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship

Check out this great new site

2009-02-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

I found something neat today that I wanted to share with you all.

I've been hearing about the controversy of text and picture messaging come up a lot, both on the radio and through co-workers with young children. It seems that with all of this new technology arising, childhood seems to be ending prematurely for a lot of kids. They start using their cell phones to text and picture message friends and boyfriends/girlfriends - a method of communication which is hard for parents to keep tabs on.

Well, while doing some updating and researching artists today on Myspace, I stumbled across a website that I thought was really really cool. Funnily enough it is called www.thatsnotcool.com.

Sponsored by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, with the tagline "Your cell phone, IM, and social networks are all a digital extension of who you are. When someone you're with pressures you or disrespects you in those places, that's not cool", this website is dedicated to helping young kids and teens find a way out of pressured situations created by this new technology. The best part about it I think is the way that they go about it, using "Call out cards" which are comical, honest, effective, and dare i say "hip".

I think you should all check it out - especially those of you who program children's shows, or have children yourself. I am trying to figure out a way that AristoMedia will be able to work with this campaign. I'll let you know as things progress, but in the mean time let me know what you think!

~Rachel@aristomedia

Cleaning Out My Closet

2009-02-03T09:40:00.001-08:00

Hey all!

Rachel here in a slightly frustrated state because I am going on the 15th week of promotion for these reel 64 clips and am STILL having trouble tracking down a few people. Thus, with a new year coming around I figure now is as good a time as any to start cleaning out my closet (aka my call book of outlets).

Over the next month or so I will be going through my call book and weeding out any outlets who have failed to keep up with constant communication. This is a bittersweet event for me. Bitter in the fact that I love talking with all of you guys and you produce great shows so i'd hate to lose you. Sweet in the fact that it will make my job a lot easier and a lot less stressful. You see no matter how great the shows are, if they don't give me information as to which videos they are playing, they don't do me any good because my clients won't know that their video is being played. So even if they are airing it 15 times a week, if I don't know it doesn't help. That's why we put this 2 week communication clause in the contract every outlet signs when they fill out the Outlet Application. Sorry if I seem to be unloading on you all, its been a stressful week both professionally and personally.

In conclusion, 80% of my outlets are completely wonderful and chances are if you are reading this you are in that 80% :) And it is my hope that the other 20% will come around before I have to stop servicing them. Thanks for listening, y'all :)

~rachel@aristomedia

HOH in the HOUSE :)

2009-01-27T12:53:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

Rachel here, feeling a bit under the weather today. I seem to have caught a cold and its taking me a few days to kick it. I took half the day off today to sleep in and am feeling much better, but still not 100%.

Anyhow, just writing to update you all and let you know that House Of Heroes will be in the offices this Thursday the 28th! It's a last minute little thing, but I'd still like you guys to be involved.

SO, if you have any specific questions you want answered, or any favors you'd like to call in, email me - rachel@aristomedia.com.

Take care, rest easy!

~rachel@aristomedia

Awww, isn't he sweet?

2009-01-23T10:42:00.000-08:00

House Of Heroes Update!

2009-01-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

7 weeks as the #1 viewer voted video on TVU network, not to mention Top 10 earning on Steel Roots and Most Requested - two Nationally airing viewer requested video shows. Nice!

You should check out their site! The House Of Heroes myspace page is one of my favorite stops on the internet. Visually speaking it is one of the best laid out myspace pages I've seen. Very colorful and not too busy. You can easily listen to so many amazing tracks off of their new album The End Is Not The End. In fact they've gained more than HALF A MILLION plays on "In The Valley Of The Dying Sun" already. That is amazing! To put that in perspective, that is more than double Michael W Smith's "A New Hallelujah", ten thousand more than Hawk Nelson's "Friend Like That"and just about on par with Leeland and Toby Mac's latest singles. But my favorite part are these neat little boxes that they update regularly to tell their fans what they are upto. It's great. Send all of your viewers to check it out:

www.myspace.com/houseofheroes

Did I mention they are still on tour? Check out the dates below and let me know if you'd like them on!

Upcoming Shows
Jan 29 2009 7:00P
Visible School w/Seabird Lakeland, Tennessee
Jan 30 2009 6:30P
The Union w/Seabird Naperville, Illinois
Feb 5 2009 7:00P
The Plaza Theater w/Seabird Orlando, Florida
Feb 6 2009 9:00P
1982 Bar w/Seabird Gainesville, Florida
Feb 7 2009 7:30P
Murray Hill Theater w/Seabird Jacksonville, Florida
Feb 9 2009 8:00P
5 Points Pub w/Seabird 16+ Columbia, South Carolina
Feb 10 2009 6:00P
The Channel w/Seabird Greenville, South Carolina
Feb 12 2009 7:00P
Madison Theater w/Seabird Covington, Kentucky
May 2 2009 5:00P
Agape Festival Greenville, Illinois
Jun 18 2009 2:00P
Alive Festival Canal Fulton, Ohio
Jul 2 2009 3:00P
Cornerstone Festival Marietta, Illinois
Aug 14 2009 5:00P
Purple Door Festival Lewisberry, Pennsylvania

2008-11-10T09:28:00.001-08:00

Wow guys, I apologize. I am not keeping up as well as I should be here. Here is what you've been missing ;)

Just this morning, B.Reith came into the office to make some thank you calls to those of you who have supported his video "Awe-Struck" thus far. He was very kind, and fun to interact with. He's a very busy man and just had to run to make it to Toby Mac's rehearsal. B. will be doing some video reporting over the next few weeks and I'll be sure to include the link once its up so you all can check it out.

Aside from that a lot of my time has been spent doing promotions. Trying to make everyone aware that Rush Of Fools only has a few more weeks of promotion left, so trying to get all of those adds in. I am also editing some video to try and give you all a bit more insight into B. Reith and House of Heroes. Some outlets have been hesitant to play B's video because it doesn't have a blatently Christian message. I totally understand that. You want to put out a good message to your young viewers. However I don't want anyone to see this and pass on B as an artist. He is a man of God and Toby Mac stands firmly behind him. While this song in particular is not focused around purely Christian lyrics, some of his others are and you should check them out - www.myspace.com/breith. We hope to get more videos from him in the future.

The House of Heroes video has also been struggling due to the somewhat graphic content toward the end of the video, but the song has a great great message and I think it's vibe can really reach a younger crowd. I hope to get a shortened version of the "behind the song" video to show you all soon.

That's it for now folks. We do have some cool videos on the horizon. Keep an eye out and you should see a new Christmas video from Relient K, as well as possibly new videos from INO!!

Vote for Kevin on GMC's website!

2008-10-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

First off, I want to thank you for supporting Kevin's video "You Are Not Alone" on your wonderful programs.

I just wanted to pass along the information that "You Are Not Alone" has been chosen as one of the top 5 Soul videos in Gospel Music Channel's Top Spins video contest! So, if you enjoy the video, you can show your support by visiting www.gospelmusicchannel.com/topspins, scrolling down to the Soul category and voting for Kevin. Fans can vote once per day until the competition closes.

You can also text GOSPEL 52 to the following number: 72648 (remember the space between gospel and 52). There is no extra charge for voting, however standard text message rates do apply.

A Day In The Life (A Mile In My Shoes)

2008-09-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who are curious and don't already know, here is a lil bit of info on what it is that I do here as a Video Marketing Representative at AristoMedia.

The whole process starts out by my boss Craig or I tracking down some artists that have put out new videos - often times the labels will approach us, but we like to continue to be actively searching anyhow. From there we have to contact the appropriate person at that record label and try and strike a deal for us to distribute and promote the video. If the record label chooses to have us promote the video, we then agree to track where and how often the video is being played, and put all of that info into one report every 3 weeks (for the extent of 2-4 reports). That's where you guys come in!

You guys have all by now heard me talking about tracking for this INO reel. This is why it is so important. These days you may notice video content has slowed down. This is because since digital distribution like Napster and iTunes and such have come into play, the music industry has been losing money. Now with the shifting economy, there is even less money to spread around than before, and record labels are being very careful about where they allocate said money. Thus, fewer music videos are being produced, and of those that are being produced, only a fraction are being distributed as deeply as they should be. For instance, many record labels are deciding to take distribution and promotion on themselves and end up only servicing videos to the Gospel Music Channels of the world. Now, while there is absolutely nothing wrong with Gospel Music Channel (I love those kids, they are one of my outlets, too!) it does leave all of the awesome Regional shows out of luck.

"What's this all got to do with me?" you may be asking at this point. Well, what we are trying to do is catch some of these big fish record labels (like INO, cough cough) and show them the value of all of our regional shows. We do that by showing them our tracking reports of how many households you guys hit and how many extra spins you guys are giving these vids. Then they will see how great you all are and what a value you are to their artist, and they'll have no other choice than to give us more videos!

BUT here's the other problem...INO is just testing the waters and doesn't want to invest a lot of their money yet, unless they KNOW that it will be worth it. So they sign on for a deal of 2 reports. That gives me 6 short weeks to try and get a hold of my 145+ outlets and get them to commit to playing these videos. That is not a lot of time at all!! Especially considering that you guys plan a lot of episodes in advance AND that even if I just sat on the phone all day and was able to reach everyone , I still wouldn't be able to get through all those calls in a day. And of course, you guys are very busy too and so you can't always answer the phone or respond to emails right away - i get that. Then add on that in those 6 weeks I am also working on trying to schedule interviews, plus making ecards, plus working some of the Country and Rock videos as well. Whoo!

So all of this is to say, I hope you understand that I'm not just calling all the time to bug you. The information that I ask for is important because you guys are important. And while it's a lot to do, it's a lot of fun because you guys make it all worth while. Getting to talk and chat with you, seeing how awesome you guys are and how much work you put into your shows. It really is incredible.

So there you have it. There is a bit of insight into what I do, and I am ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS happy to hear more about what you guys are doing, so never be afraid to share, and never be afraid to tell me if there is something I could do to make things easier on you. Cause I am here for you guys. On a side note, I do intend to get a blank DVD out to you all soon so you can burn me some copies of your show and give me some REAL insight into your magic.

Thanks all, have a good one.
~Rachel@aristomedia

A Mile In My Shoes...coming soon to a blog near you

2008-09-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I was going about my regular work day - creating e-cards, making phone calls (or "smiling and dialing" as my bosses like to call it) and doing my best to make sure that everything on my ever-expanding list is getting done. All of the sudden, i felt the need to blog.

On pretty much a daily basis I like to try and think about what it is that you guys are doing. Several of you I know have full time jobs in addition to running the video show (this I understand as my last year and a half of school was spent bouncing from all day classes to internship to waiting tables). So I try and be mindful of that as I go about my day and I try not to call too many times in any given week or couple of weeks, and I try to really understand what all you guys have to deal with when putting together a show. Some of you run talk shows and use the music videos as fillers, some of you have other formats of videos you use in addition to those Christian videos supplied by AristoMedia, and I consider all of this before I call and ask for tracking updates (just so you know). All of that being said I thought you guys may like a little insight into what it is that I do. So my next blog will feature a little more about that. I'd do it right now, but this blog has already become two paragraphs and it would be a ton to read all at once.

So that's all. Keep an eye out. I should be posting in the next few days. Oh, and hey guys? Thanks for reading. I really appreciate that. Bernard from 11th Hour in Connecticut called me the other day and brought up something I had mentioned in my blog and it made me super happy just to know that people were paying attention. So thanks, Bernard! and thanks to all of you out there reading. Feel free to drop me a comment or an email anytime.

With Love,
~rachel@aristomedia

In Stores Today!

2008-09-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

Last night was Kevin LeVar's CD Release party!! His album "Let's Come Together" is now available in stores everywhere, isn't that exciting?

While I unfortunately wasn't able to fly to D.C. to attend, I was able to watch streaming online from kevinlevartv.com. That concept was really really neat. They had a live chat so that people like myself could type in and feel a little more like we were actually there. They had people watching from all over the world!! Kevin's performances were phenominal and I really enjoyed it. God Glorified Music was also kind enough to give a shout out to us here at AristoMedia and that was neat to see and hear. I hope some of you got that e-blast i sent out and were able to watch as well. I know Virgil Taylor from Virgil Taylor's Music Machine in Maryland had RSVP'd - I hope you enjoyed it Virgil!

Anyway, that is all for now, just wanted to throw a quick update to ya. There'll be more soon!

~Rachel@aristomedia

2008-09-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

Well hello there, internet world. Long time, no see!

It has been crazy here lately, and I love it because it keeps me on my toes and makes time just fly by. Please forgive me if I've just showered you with emails, this INO reel is just a great opportunity for us to start gaining more major clients so I'm covering all bases.

We also recently met with some reps from Gotee records, that seemed to go well, but I have not heard anymore about it just yet. Furthermore, we are trying to get this Natalie Grant "I Will Not Be Moved" video out to you all, but the other vids that may or may not get on that reel to go with it are slowing us down a little bit. We are contemplating sending it off on its own, but won't know for sure what is going on until later next week.

Personally this week has been a little rough on me. I put in my 2 weeks notice at my other job. So I will only wait tables at the glorious Outback Steakhouse until the end of september. It is a little sad because the people I work with over there are all so much fun and I've been there over a year and a half now. But, it had to be done. Aside from that, we also had to put my puppy to sleep today. I say puppy, but she was 15. I've had her for the majority of my life and it is really sad to have to say goodbye, especially because I can't be there (in Illinois) to say it in person. But she is very old and was in a lot of pain, so that is for the best as well.

All and all though, I am certainly doing well, so I shouldn't complain. I hope you all have a great weekend, and I will be a little more up beat next time around. ;)

--Rachel@aristomedia

Aristo Goes Digital?

2008-08-29T11:24:00.001-07:00

Wow, so I have been sooooo busy lately guys, I'm sorry I'm a little behind on the posting. We have a lot of new and exciting things coming up like a new method of reel delivery called an FTP site where we can create login info for all of you wonderful programmers and you can log in and download the videos right from the web!

That means no more lost reels, damaged reels, or not being able to convert - it will all be so fast and easy!! We are also hoping it can help bring some costs down for our artist clients too, thus getting us even more great videos. BUT, we are still in the research stage right now, so I need for all of you who are reading this to give me a call and/or send me an email to let me know whether or not you would be able to use this new format. I plan to send out an eblast today to get all the specs (file type, dimensions, etc), but the way this month has been going I'm not making a promise that it will get out today.

I just seem to have so many different un-related, but sort of related things flying at me from every direction (which is actually very energizing and exciting, but also hectic) so please do not be afraid to call or email me every week or so and remind me of what it is you are requesting from me. Take a lesson from Bill Ballinger with Hot Gospel Tracks in California who will NOT let me forget that he wants the new Natalie Grant video ;) I love ya, Bill! But seriously, that way, you can be sure I am not ignoring you - because I'm not - and that one I will promise.

Well, time to get back to the daily grind. Have a great Labor Day Weekend, y'all!

~rachel@aristomedia

Visits Galore!

2008-08-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

Well guys, I have had a very exciting couple of weeks. I was recently visited by Kevin LeVar and his wonderful management team - Donna Jenkins and Shondale Bostick of God Glorified Music. They were all SO, SO sweet and we had a great time (Pictured left to right here you have Shondale, myself, Craig (my boss), Kevin, and Donna).

We also did get some work done ;) Kevin will be in the D.C, Virginia area through the end of the month and some of you may have already gotten an email from me about that. Kevin is an amazing person and a very talented artist. You can see clips of him performing live at www.myspace.com/Kevinlevar. Kelly Fountaine with Gospel Music Channel had the luck to actually see him perform live and could not stop raving about how talented he was and how blessed she was by his worship.

He is looking for some wonderful people like yourselves to talk with, so anyone interested, please let me know.

ALSO

Pettidee and his manager/wife Chloris were in the office today. They are so sweet and so funny! Pettidee is a cut up, but he is also very serious about his work. This new video "All Alone" means a lot to him and it is very close to his heart. Pettidee was doing ministry work in Africa when he was made aware of all the injustices going on in that area. So he pulled out all of the stops and made a video to shed some light and bring some help to these people. He is very grateful to all those who support him and help his cause by having the courage to air such an edgy video, thus he spent a good couple of hours today trying to get a hold of some of the programmers that aired it in the first round of promotion.

He is super excited to come back and do it again after the next round, so keep those adds coming!

I don't have time to go into all the details of these last few wonderful weeks, but I feel blessed to have been in both Pettidee and Kevin's presence. They are men of honor and you just really feel renewed being around them. Time to head back to making some calls before I go home!

Talk to you soon!
~rachel@aristomedia

Happy Birthday Pettidee

2008-08-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

There is a very important event coming up that we definitely want you to be a part of. On August 14th, it will be Pettidee's Birthday! Come by his MySpace or send him an email at fanmail@soldiersound.com to wish him a Happy Birthday! I know he would love to hear from those who share this and keeps him in their prayers. Thank you and we appreciate the love.

God bless,

Soldier Sound Representative

MICHAEL W. SMITH AND STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN

2008-08-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

TEAM UP FOR THE FIRST TIME ON “THE UNITED TOUR”
Tour Brings Two of Christian Music’s Most Influential Artists
Together For Performances In More than 20 Major Markets This Fall

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) August 5, 2008 – Two GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-Platinum selling artists, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, join forces for the “The United Tour” which kicks off October 9 in Columbus, Ohio and concludes in St. Augustine, Florida on November 8.

This unique tour showcases two of Christian Music’s most recognized and beloved artists. Together, Chapman and Smith have garnered a staggering eight GRAMMY ® awards, 96 Dove Awards, 77 No. 1 singles and more than 30 Gold and Platinum albums. The idea for the tour came together shortly after Chapman and Smith spent time together in the UK working on the “Compassionart project” that brought more than 10 of Christian Music’s most revered singers, songwriters and worship leaders together to write and record a collection of songs, for charity.

Both artists will perform music from their current and upcoming albums: Chapman’s This Moment (10/23/07) and Smith’s A New Hallelujah (10/28/08). This also marks the first tour for Chapman since his family’s loss of their daughter Maria.

Pre-sale tickets for this landmark tour are available now on each artist’s fan-sites: www.michaelwsmith.com and www.stevencurtischapman.com. In addition, Smith’s long-time ministry partner, Compassion International (www.compassion.com) and Chapman’s adoption ministry Shaohannah’s Hope (www.shaohannahshope.org) will benefit from the tour. (For further information on how to support either cause, please visit their respective websites.)

“THE UNITED TOUR” Fall 2008
*Dates, markets and venues subject to change without notice.

OCTOBER
Thursday October 9th Columbus, OH Palace Theatre
Friday October 10th Cincinnati, OH Aronoff Center
Saturday October 11th Roanoke, VA Civic Center Auditorium
Tuesday October 14th McMurry, PA South Hills Bible Church
Thursday October 16th Myrtle Beach, SC The Beach Church
Friday October 17th Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Centre
Saturday October 18th Spartanburg, SC Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Sunday October 19th Birmingham, AL Wright Center
Tuesday October 21st Paducah, KY Carson Center PAC
Thursday October 23rd Tulsa, OK Spirit Bank Events Center
Friday October 24th Omaha, NE Holland Center
Saturday October 25th Waukegan, IL Genesee Theatre
Sunday October 26th Merrillville, IN Star Plaza Theatre
Wed October 29th Lowell, MA Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Thursday October 30th Rochester, NY Auditorium Theatre
Friday October 31st Bethesda, MD Music Center at Strathmore

NOVEMBER
Saturday November 1st Albany, NY Palace Theatre
Wednesday November 5th Ft. Lauderdale, FL Broward Center
Thursday November 6th Sebring, FL FL Community College
Friday November 7th Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
Saturday November 8th St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre

For further information on Shaohannah’s Hope the adoption ministry of Steven Curtis Chapman, please visit: www.stevencurtischapman.com.

For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, including tour itinerary, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.reunionrecords.com.

It's just like Barney used to sing....

2008-07-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

"She's my sister. I love my sister."

I'm taking a break from the usual work related update, to let you in on a little bit of me as a person, not as a Video Marketer.

As a recent transplant into Nashville, it is nice to come back from work and have it really feel like home. That is just one of the many reasons why I love that my baby sister has come to visit for a few weeks. Even though she eats all of my food, drinks all of my juice, and leaves her socks all over the house :) we have a great time together and I know that she'll always be there for me - and I her. It will be sad to take her back home this weekend, but at least we have the memories!

Little bit of Levar

2008-07-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I know you have heard me talking about this new reel featuring Kevin Levar and Pettidee. Well... I started mailing it out today!! We did experience a small delay in getting 63 out to y'all - BUT it will be worth the wait because we have added on another video. Flame's "Joyful Noise" will now accompany Pettidee's "All Alone" and Kevin Levar's "You Are Not Alone".

We'll also be sending out reel 62 aka "The INO reel" very shortly. You may ask "...but Rachel, why is 63 coming before 62?" Well my very perceptive programmers, you see what happened was that we had expected to get the INO reel out a little quicker than we were actually able to. Reel 63 came in ready to go, so rather than hold on to 63 waiting for reel 62 to go out first, we decided to start sending out 63 today in order to get as much material in your hands as soon as possible! (whoo that was a lot of number usage for one paragraph!)

If you simply can't wait for your new reels to arrive - check out this video blog from Kevin Levar. It's a personal, honest, and moving Q&A session.

Have a great day!

~rachel@aristomedia

A Trip to the Library

2008-07-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

You know, ever since I was a little little girl I have always loved going to the library. I loved to read, but even better was the smell of the old books. There was just something about them that felt safe and comfortable. My favorites were the old hardcover books with the gold writing imprinted on them - they made the stories feel even more majestic somehow.

Flash forward to 20ish years later and here I am again, making trips to the library - only this time instead of searching for hardcover books in the public library, I am perusing through hard cased videos in the AristoMedia library. It still has the same sort of excitement though - stumbling across old songs and artists that I've loved for years. Music has always been a passion of mine and it is almost mind blowing to see that the videos I've been loving and singing along to since I was a child are all here and were more than likely brought to me by the place I am now working - AristoMedia.

All this is to say, this week I am searching through our stacks and stacks of videos and pulling out some older reels that have been requested by programmers. I am also working to get our online tracking system set up, so if you would like to try it out, send me an email and I will set you up with a login and password!

Well, duty calls! I must return to my beloved library. I hope you all had a safe and wonderful Independence Day weekend!

JULY IS HERE!

2008-07-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hello all out here in the blogosphere. Just wanted to give you a weekly update of what is going on with AristoVision...

This week I am finishing up the very last St. Louis Family Church report. (I was trying to have finished it on Friday, but I went out of town). My trip back home this weekend went fabulously, by the way. I got to wish my dad a happy 55th birthday, and see my best friend walk down the aisle where I cried like a little girl. If you knew me, you'd know that doesn't happen much....at least not in public, but then again that Richard Gere in "Shall We Dance?" gets me every time. : )

Aside from all of that, we are working on Reel 62, and plan to get it out to all of you lovely programmers very soon. It will consist of a new Pettidee video "All Alone" as well as a new piece from Kevin Levar entitled "You Are Not Alone". While the titles of the songs may contradict each other, each video makes a powerful statement. I think you will like them very much.

Keep me updated on any spins you may have for reel 61, and enjoy your weekend!!

Have a happy, safe, and fun 4th of July. God bless.

~rachel@aristomedia.com

Like what you see - tell me! rachel@aristomedia.com

2008-06-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

It is also possible that we may get him on an Outlet Tour - specifically to get you guys across the country some time with him (interviews, co-hosting ops, etc). So any of you that have any interest, please let me know.

Pettidee

DATE & TIME	CITY, STATE	VENUE	TICKETS	INFO
6.20.08	Houston, TX	"All Eyes on Me" Achievement Awards Pre-Show Kick-Off Party		more info
6.21.08	Houston, TX	"All Eyes On Me" Workshop		more info
6.21.08	Houston, TX	"All Eyes On Me" Red Carpet Event"		more info
6.21.08	Houston, TX	7th Annual "All Eyes On Me" Achievement Awards		more info
9.20.08	Stone Mountain, GA	Youth Gospel Entertainment Awards		more info
11.23.08	Tampa, FL	Starship I Yacht Dinner Cruise		more info

Buzz, Buzz Buzz

2008-06-26T10:13:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I am a busy little bee today. I'm trying to get everything done before I head out of town for the weekend. I'm working on getting Pettidee's tour schedule posted, so any of you wanting interviews, or special events co-hosted can let me know!

This blog is under construction (it was created only this morning), but I hope to be able to keep you all updated on the inner-workings of the AristoMedia Christian Video Promotion Department - lovingly referred to as AristoVision, which is a whole lot easier to say, fyi.

I hope to have updates for you as soon as next week. So y'all come back now, y'hear?