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Blake Whiteley Joins NRT Music
NRT Music is thrilled to announce the signing of Christian hip-hop artist Blake Whiteley, bringing his inspiring and faith-driven music to a broader audience. Kicking off this exciting new partnership, Blake is releasing his powerful new single, “BIG KING,” out now. “BIG KING” is an uplifting anthem that speaks to God’s favor. It reminds listeners that faith and prayer bring real results. With energetic rhythms and dynamic lyricism, Blake delivers an inspiring message of divine blessing and purpose. Blake Whiteley, a rising force in Christian hip-hop, first made waves with his 2017 album Break Thru, which debuted at #4 on the iTunes hip-hop chart and gained significant traction in the…
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Curb Records Welcomes Carly Ann Taylor
Curb Records is excited to welcome Christian music artist Carly Ann Taylor to its artist repertoire. “I am beyond stoked to be starting my career with the amazing team at Curb Records, the result of a series of events that truly only God could have orchestrated,” shares Taylor. “My prayer is that God will use my music to reconcile hearts back to Him, help people realize safety and rest in the Lord through worship music, and guide others to praise wholeheartedly no matter the season of life they may be in.” As a life of dysfunction surrounded her, Taylor was introduced to music at a young age, clinging to it…
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Sarah Kroger Releases Acoustic Sessions
Integrity Music recording artist Sarah Kroger strips back handpicked selections from her acclaimed 2024 full-length album for A New Reality (Acoustic Sessions). The six-track recording is available today across all digital platforms listen here. Kroger intentionally chose specific offerings from her latest LP that organically shine in a congregational setting. This gives worship leaders a resource that allows these songs to be presented in the way they were originally crafted–with minimal production and raw, heartfelt praise. The multifaceted singer, songwriter, and worship leader will celebrate the EP’s release this evening with a special Lenten Worship Night alongside Matt Maher at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of…
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BREAKING: Bleach Announces Reunion Show
This isn’t just a “Super Good Feeling”—one of Christian rock’s most beloved bands is back, at least for one night. Bleach has officially announced a long-awaited reunion show as part of the Furnace Fest 2025 lineup, hitting the stage on Saturday, October 4. For those who grew up screaming lyrics in sweaty youth group vans, this is the comeback moment we’ve all been praying for. CCM Magazine reached out to the band for comment. As always, Bleach was prompt, encouraging, and deeply inspiring. Guitarist Milam Byers shared: “We couldn’t be more excited for an exclusive reunion set at Furnace Fest this October. Chad Johnson has been a dear friend for…
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Chris Tomlin Resurrects 1,800-year-old ‘First Hymn’
In what could actually be considered a historic moment Grammy-Award winner Chris Tomlin and renowned songwriter Ben Fielding have resurrected an extraordinary artifact—the oldest known Christian hymn. Discovered in the Egyptian sands of Oxyrhynchus in 1918, the artifact known as “P.Oxy 1786” is an astonishing 1,800-year-old hymn containing both ancient lyrics and original musical notations. These sacred words have now been reborn into an epic, powerful worship anthem titled “The First Hymn.” LYRICS: “Let all be silent: The shining stars not sound forth, All rushing rivers stilled, As we sing our hymn To the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, As all Powers cry out in answer, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Might, praise,…
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Heart Over Art: Curb Record’s VP of A&R on Calling, Creativity, and the Future of Christian Music
“I was just a part of a band.” That’s how Jonathan Mason, now Vice President of A&R and Publishing in the Christian division of Curb Entertainment, sums up the unlikely start of his journey into the music business. For someone now shaping the careers of artists like Big Daddy Weave, Meredith Andrews, Sidewalk Prophets, and newcomers like Lloyd Nicks, Matthews, and Carly Ann Taylor, it’s a reminder that calling often starts quietly. “We were together about ten years,” Jonathan says of that early worship band. “In that band, I became a manager, became a booking agent—kind of became all things music business—and had no idea that it was leading me…
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Winners Announced in the 13th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards
The 13th annual We Love Christian Music Awards lit up Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, TN, on April 8, 2025, with an unforgettable evening of celebration, worship, and high-energy performances. Honoring the best in Christian music across 22 categories, this year’s ceremony spotlighted industry veterans and emerging talent, showcasing the rich diversity and depth of Christian music. The evening kicked off with a star-studded red carpet event, covered by national and local media outlets that included Getty Images, CCM Magazine, Christian Television Network, and The Tania Joy Show. NewReleaseToday streamed live from the carpet, interviewing presenters, performers, and a host of attending artists, capturing all the excitement leading…
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Swine & Dine: Catching Up with One Bad Pig Founder and Christian Punk Pioneer Paul Q-Pek
A few years ago, I found myself at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk entertainment district just as a late-afternoon thunderstorm came rolling through. We took refuge inside a packed Margaritaville. While I’m a parrot head to my core, I never imagined that would be the place I’d bump into one of my favorite guitar players from a pioneering Christian punk band. Paul “Q-Pek” Ciupek helped redefine Christian music in the 90’s, and here he was casually strumming an acoustic on Jimmy Buffet’s back porch. What an amazing day. In the late 80’s, when skateboarding became a huge part of American youth culture, I too had a skateboard. What I lacked however was…
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Wait—Is This a Star Wars Reunion or a Jesus Movie?
Okay, hear me out. What if I told you the most unexpected Star Wars reunion of the year isn’t happening in a galaxy far, far away—but instead, in the most powerful story ever told? Angel Studios’ new animated feature King of Kings hits theaters April 11, and while it’s an awe-inspiring, heartfelt retelling of the life of Jesus through the eyes of Charles Dickens and his son, there’s something else buzzing beneath the surface—something that had this Star Wars fan doing double takes all throughout the cast list. They didn’t just cast a few familiar voices. They assembled a Force-level roster. Let’s start with Oscar Isaac, who voices Jesus. Yes, that Oscar Isaac—Poe Dameron from the sequel trilogy. From Resistance…
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Here Comes the Son: Top 9 Beatles Songs by CCM Artists
In March 1966, John Lennon sat down with journalist Maureen Cleave for what seemed like just another interview. Little did he know, his next words would ignite one of rock music’s biggest firestorms. “Christianity will go,” Lennon declared boldly. “It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I know I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now. I don’t know which will go first – rock & roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.” Lennon wasn’t out to spark a scandal—he was just speaking his mind.…