It was one of those mornings… I woke early with a decisive plan of action. I would sneak out of the hotel room, unnoticed, and spend quality time with God. It would be lovely. Quietly tiptoeing through the room, I freshened up in the bathroom, and excitedly headed back to my phone. Except, upon my return, my phone was gone. It wasn’t where I left it. Did my son take it? I checked under his covers. No sight of it. Grr… My phone was my way to solace and The Scriptures. Not knowing how it disappeared between wake-up time and now, I retraced my steps. Did I put it in…

If you’ve spent any time on X (formerly Twitter) in the past few days, you may have seen Christian music fans in an all-out frenzy. No, it’s not a new album drop or a surprise tour announcement—it’s #CCMTournament2025, the fan-run, bracket-style battle to crown the ultimate Christian artist, hosted by Christian music superfan Eric McClanahan (@Ineverglow). Inspired by the madness of March, this grassroots tournament pits some of the biggest names in CCM against each other in head-to-head matchups, with you, the fans, deciding who advances. CCM Magazine has no direct connection to this tournament, but we certainly love following along the drama, the battles, and the crowning of a new champion.…

Patriotic powerhouse Natasha Owens is taking the stage as a featured performer throughout CPAC in Washington, D.C.. this week, where she is premiering her new CPAC-inspired single, “Long Live Liberty.” The official music video released recently. Watch here. On Thursday, Natasha performed the National Anthem prior to Vice President JD Vance taking the stage. And at Friday night’s Ronald Reagan Dinner, she will perform her new single as well as her smash #1 hit “Trump Won” and more. “Matt Schlapp and I have talked about me writing a song for CPAC for over a year,” says Natasha. “CPAC has been a big supporter of mine from the beginning and they…

Inspirational singer-songwriter Gretchen Keskeys has just released Let It Begin, her fifth studio album, through a new partnership with NRT Music and Syntax Creative. Produced in Nashville by GRAMMY-nominated and multiple Dove Award winner Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Point of Grace, NEEDTOBREATHE), Keskeys calls the new album a “celebration of new life in Christ.” “Let it Begin began with a prayer,” says Keskeys. “I write almost every day. Anything and everything God puts on my heart, healing I see and experience, writing inspired by scripture and the Holy Spirit. My files were filled with songs, some just started, some complete, some just an idea. I wanted to take my favorite,…

Curb Records band Sidewalk Prophets is excited to announce their upcoming Looking Up Tour featuring “American Idol” alum, Megan Danielle. Putting their listeners first, the group is also letting fans choose where they perform this year submissions can be made here, now through 4/1. Taking place between 7/17 and 10/31, Sidewalk Prophets will play full band shows at various venues across the country selected by the listeners who live their lives to their music, a tradition that began in 2017 and has since resulted in more than 500 dates played in rooms chosen by the concertgoers themselves. Tour dates will be released once fan-submitted venues have been booked. “We’ve been…

Multi-GRAMMY–nominated, platinum-selling artist Tauren Wells is set to ignite hearts and inspire worship with his upcoming EP, Let The Church Sing, slated for release on March 21, 2025. Building on a legacy of transformative, worship-driven music, Let The Church Sing invites believers everywhere to unite in praise and experience a renewed spirit of community and adoration. Pre-save here. In January 2024, Wells and his wife, Lorna, founded Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas. The church made history by opening its doors to nearly 4,000 people in its first weekend of services, marking the largest first-day church launch in American history. The profound impact of this moment shaped the heart of…

In a full-circle moment nearly two decades in the making, American Idol alum Phil Stacey joins his daughter McKayla Stacey–also an Idol alum–for the release of their heartfelt new song, “More Like Him.” Fans of American Idol may remember Phil Stacey’s unforgettable audition in 2006–the same day his daughter McKayla was born. Fast forward to 2025, and the father-daughter duo has not only shared the Idol stage but is now releasing their first collaboration, a powerful song with a message of love, compassion, and faith. “It’s so special to be able to share an experience like this with your kid,” says Phil, who finished in the Top 6 of American…

BMI will once again celebrate the songwriters and publishers behind the year’s most impactful Gospel music at the 2025 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards. The prestigious event, set for Thursday, April 3, at Flourish Atlanta, will bring together industry leaders and artists for an afternoon dedicated to recognizing the best in Gospel music. BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton will host the private ceremony, where John P. Kee will be honored as a Trailblazer of Gospel for his lasting influence on the genre. “John P. Kee’s music has made a profound impact on Gospel for more than four decades, and his…