Some things never change. One of them is the unmistakable rock vocal power of John Schlitt. At 75 years old, Schlitt is still bringing the heat, the grit, and yes, the high notes. This is not studio smoke and mirrors either. I’ve heard John live, both solo and with Petra in recent years, and it is genuinely remarkable. The voice is still there, the conviction is still there, and the fire has not dimmed. This week marked something many fans honestly never thought they would see, a brand-new studio album from one of the most iconic bands in Christian rock history, Petra. Hope arrives more than 20 years after the band’s last full-length studio…

Christian hip-hop artist DJ Noble officially premiered the music video for his single “Tips” on January 1, extending the impact of the record with a visually compelling and community-driven release that blends music, testimony, and culture. The “Tips” music video amplifies the song’s core message–challenging listeners to navigate doubt, reject deception, and ultimately recognize Jesus as Lord–through raw visuals, authentic conversations, and real Kingdom voices. Framed as both a creative statement and a cultural moment, the video reinforces the heart of the single while offering deeper context behind the message. Directed by Will Thomas, the video features clips from DJ Noble’s interview with Ryan Righteous of Trackstarz, woven seamlessly into…

CCM Magazine has revealed Reach Records artist 1K Phew as the cover story for January. The Atlanta-based rapper who blends trap production with faith-based storytelling sat down with CCM Magazine for an extended interview, and taped exclusive in-studio performances that will be available exclusively on CCM’s YouTube and at CCMMagazine.com. “Being on the cover of CCM Magazine is wild to me,” says 1K Phew. “To be here now feels like a God dream! This ain’t just about me, it’s about joy, faith, and bringing people together. I want people to laugh, feel something real, and remember that the party doesn’t stop when you’re walking with purpose. I’m grateful for the…

NRT Music is thrilled to announce that several of its artists have been nominated in the 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards, the fan-driven celebration of the most impactful and inspiring voices and songs in Christian music. Nominees span both established and emerging talent, showcasing the diversity and creativity shaped by faith this past year. NRT Music nominations include NCS Collective and Clark Beckham “Mystery” Nominated for Worship Song of the Year Presence Music “Found in the Hurt” Nominated for The Next Big Thing award Psalms Of David “He Loves You” Nominated for The Next Big Thing award SAPHIRE “Here At The Table” Nominated for The Next Big Thing…

The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards returns with a refreshed vision, expanded categories, and a renewed focus on the songs that defined the past year. Voting is now open at https//nrt.cc/WLA14Vote, where fans can choose the winners in all 13 categories through Friday, February 20. Winners will be revealed during the WLA14 Winners Announcement Special, airing Sunday, March 22 at 8PM EST 7PM CST on YouTube, giving fans everywhere a shared experience. This year places special emphasis on song-driven categories, with the addition of COUNTRY/ROOTS SONG OF THE YEAR, and the return of DANCE/REMIX SONG OF THE YEAR and MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR. With an overwhelming number…

Christian rock legends Petra have unveiled the official track listing for their brand new studio album, HOPE, set to release in 2026. This marks the band’s first project of all-new material in over 20 years, since 2003’s Jekyll and Hyde. The track titles suggest the band is still looking to live up to their name and bring a healthy dose of classic rock stylings. You can view the track listing below 1. Filthy Lucre 2. Kiss the Coals 3. Oxygen 4. Skin in the Game 5. We Rejoice In Hope 6. Miracle Maker 7. There Will Still Be A Dawn 8. Thorns 9. Looking Back 10. Deliver Us The lead…

Heaven’s Metal Magazine, which celebrated its 40th year in 2025, has released its second back-in-print edition this year, including a sure-to-be-controversial list of “The Top 25 Christian Metal Albums Since 2010.” The respected magazine published a “Top 100 Christian Metal Albums of All Time” list when it released its 25th Anniversary issue. “We did not want to tackle that beast of a project again,” said Editor Doug Van Pelt, “so we decided to just pick up where we left off.” Human Code, featuring George Ochoa of Deliverance, Recon, and Worldview fame, won the coveted spot of #1 with its 2024 release, Break the Silence. “Honored to be considered,” said Ochoa.…

Richard Smallwood, an eight-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, classically trained composer and gospel recording artist, died on Tuesday, December 30th at 1236 AM at the Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He died of complications of kidney failure. He was 77. Over the last five decades, he’s written some of the biggest songs of the gospel music genre such as “I Love the Lord” which was remade by Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir for 1996’s The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack and Boyz II Men’s 1997 album, Evolution, closed with a song “Dear God” that included a refrain of it. “Total Praise” was covered by Destiny’s Child on their 2007 acapella track,…