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Get Real: Blessing Offor Turns Pain and Joy Into Art
“Nashville is really community oriented,” Blessing Offor told me, leaning back with the kind of unhurried confidence you only get from someone who’s lived in a lot of places but knows where they belong. “People tend to be a lot more open handed. And I’m sure in LA, if you got plugged into the right community, they would tell you the same thing. But I’ve experienced that in Nashville like I’ve never experienced anywhere else.” Community is at the center of Blessing’s new record Real and his overall message as an artist. It is not a clean and neat story. It is not all joy, and it is not…
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Lydia Laird: Finding Worship in the Wounds
From the moment Lydia Laird sat down with me for our CCM Magazine conversation, I knew this wasn’t going to be a surface-level interview. I’ve always admired her vulnerability, the way she doesn’t just write about the sunny days but invites listeners into the dark valleys and shows them how to look for light. “You’ve always been bold about addressing anxiety and depression in your music,” I told her, “but you also manage to hold space for joy and healing. How do you keep creating from that place?” She didn’t hesitate. “I don’t know that there’s like a black and white answer to that. I think on this side of…
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The Rocky Valentines’ Royal Bloodline
Sorting through new releases can be exhausting. The CCM Magazine inbox fills up daily with press releases and pitches. But if it says Velvet Blue Music, I stop and listen. I trust the label. They know how to deliver the full package. Music that matters, and a reason to actually own it. “It’s just really real to me. It came together at the right time when I needed something to go right.” Charles Martin knows how to write a song. It’s in his blood. His dad is Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. His uncle? Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. Together, those two helped define what “Christian indie rock” even was. A rebellion in…
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Be You & Be Free & True
Please them. I must be who they want me to be. That’s what I thought, anyway, during this period of my life. Rail-thin, I hadn’t the faintest idea of who I was or what I was called to… I just knew happiness seemed to be: a. keep you happy b. make you like me and, c. don’t fail at it. If you were a happy person, I’d morph and be happy (even though I was miserable inside). If you valued service, I’d serve you (even though I might whine on the inside). If you wanted me to be funny, I’d try that (and walk away feeling completely unknown). Once, a…
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Nicole C. Mullen Inspires with New Book ‘It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing, Sharing Courageous Stories of Faith and Godly Decisions’
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Millions have been blessed by the powerful voice of Dove Award–winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Nicole C. Mullen. Her prolific career, from background singer to global success as a solo artist, has earned Nicole a spot in the Christian Music Hall of Fame. She wrote and recorded her most popular song, Redeemer, in 2000. And this year, Nicole expands her writing repertoire with the release of It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly Decisions (September 2, 2025, Esther Press, an imprint of David C Cook). It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing unpacks the stories of a host of heroes of the faith,…
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No Rules, Just Joy — MercyMe’s Wonder & Awe
MercyMe’s new album Wonder & Awe is exactly what its title promises—a joyful, genre-bending ride that feels both familiar and completely unpredictable. For a band that broke out with the heart-wrenching ballad I Can Only Imagine, they could have easily settled into repeating the formula that brought them decades of success. Instead, they’ve continued to carve out their own space as a group that doesn’t take themselves too seriously, loves to make people dance in the street, and isn’t afraid to follow whatever musical rabbit trail inspires them in the moment. The result is a record where you truly can’t guess what’s coming next. It all begins with an a…
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The 70s Come Alive: Can You Believe This Jesus Music Reunion Lineup in Alabama?
This week, the Christian music world said goodbye to one of its most beloved pioneers, Chuck Girard — a founding member of Love Song and a key voice in the 1970s Jesus Movement. His passing has stirred a wave of renewed interest in the music he helped bring to life, reminding us of the timeless melodies and heartfelt lyrics that shaped an entire generation of believers. If you’ve ever wanted to experience those songs, and more from that era, performed live by some of the very artists who made them famous, we’ve got an unforgettable night you won’t want to miss. This fall, Huntsville, Alabama will play host to a…
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CCM Magazine Relaunches with Steven Curtis Chapman Cover Reveal
Newly relaunched CCM Magazine is proud to announce the first new cover story in years, featuring Christian music icon Steven Curtis Chapman. CCM Magazine, the preeminent voice of the Christian music scene, is back and reimagined under new ownership and the cover story kicks off a brand-new era for the storied music brand. CCM Magazine co-editor Logan Sekulow sat down with Chapman for a heartfelt trip through memory lane, as Steven opens up about the role the magazine has played in his journey, and reflects on the legacy of his music, faith, and fans. “This is more than a celebration it’s the return of something timeless,” says co-editor Amanda Sekulow.…
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Colton Dixon Announces Fall Tour Alongside Danny Gokey and Mac Powell
Award-winning, GOLD-selling artist Colton Dixon has announced his fall tour plans and will be joining Danny Gokey, Mac Powell and Ryan Ellis on the IGNITE tour hitting 20 cities this October and November. Tickets are on sale now, with routing listed in above graphic. Last week, Dixon released his brand new single and lyric video for “The Love I Have For You,” which is getting early traction and support ahead of its August 22 impact date from multiple stations adding including K-LOVE, WayFM, WONU/Chicago, YesFM/Toledo, OH, WJTL/Lancaster, PA, WBHY/ Mobile, AL, CurrentFM (WJLZ)/Norfolk, VA, 88.3 Life FM (KAXL)/Bakersfield, CA and Pulse FM (WHPZ)/South Bend, IN. In addition to new music,…
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Britt Dene Joins NRT Music Roster
NRT Music proudly welcomes worship artist Britt Dené to its roster of emerging voices, announcing the August 8 release of her acoustic reimagining of “Getaway” by TAYA. The stripped-down version of the powerful worship anthem follows the studio version, which first appeared on Britt’s debut EP All I Need, released in May 2025. Britt Dené’s fresh take on “Getaway” highlights her heart for intimate, spirit-led worship. “To me, this song feels like the voice of God speaking,” Britt shares. “He is all-knowing–He created me from every ounce of my DNA, so He knows my thoughts, feelings, and actions. And still, He wants a real, authentic relationship. ‘Getaway’ is that invitation…
