After 15 years of bringing fist-pumping, in-your-face rock music to their fans, Thousand Foot Krutch has recorded their first live CD/DVD, Live at the Masquerade, which will release June 7th on Tooth & Nail Records. Recorded on May 28th, 2010, the CD/DVD was shot inside the historical Rexall Place arena in Edmonton; the home of the hockey great Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. Fans can view a clip from the forthcoming CD/DVD at TFK’s Facebook by “Like”ing their page now.

Recording Live at the Masquerade, TFK performed in front of 20,000 fans after Canada’s largest youth event YC Alberta, which boasted record-breaking attendance for this conference (the same conference where Michael W. Smith recorded the Wosrhip DVD). Live at the Masquerade captures all that TFK fans have come to love from their latest release, Welcome To The Masquerade, songs like “Bring Me to Life”, “Forward Motion”, “Fire it Up”, and “Already Home” plus fan-favourites and TFK classics like “Rawkfist”, “Move”, “Falls Apart” and “Puppet”.

Over a year-and-a-half after the release of their critically acclaimed project Welcome to the Masquerade, Thousand Foot Krutch is still sharing hits from this album that has produced three no. 1 Rock singles and three Top 20 CHR singles. TFK also celebrated their 11th career Rock single with “E For Extinction” this past fall. They also were a part of the hit spring tour “Rock & Worship Roadshow” with MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Matt Maher and The Afters.

The pre-order for this Live combo project is available now here. Diehard TFK fans need to check out two of the pre-order options that include the signature white TFK mask and the option to be a part of the Fan Edition release of Welcome To the Masquerade. Fans can take photos of themselves with the TFK mask and upload the images for use in TFK’s Fan Edition. This new Fan Edition releases in the Fall 2011 and will feature three brand new songs along with exclusive packaging.

For more information on TFK, visit their YMZ artist page and follow them on Twitter @officialTFK.

About Thousand Foot Krutch:
Thousand Foot Krutch, started by front-man/songwriter Trevor McNevan, have sold over 750,000 copies to date of their albums Set It Off, Phenomenon, The Art Of Breaking, The Flame in All of Us and Welcome To The Masquerade. The band hit the musical scene with the independent album Set It Off and their album Phenomenon branched into mainstream radio with the single “Rawkfist”. TFK’s albums have garnered 11 no. 1 Christian Rock singles, four Top 25 Active Rock Singles, and five Top 10 Christian CHR singles. They’ve headlined a variety of festivals and have performed with acts Skillet, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Tobymac, Switchfoot to name a few.

In 2009, TFK released their fifth studio album, Welcome to the Masquerade, which has produced three no. 1 Christian Rock singles (“Fire It Up”, “Bring Me To Life”, “E For Extinction”), three top 10 Christian CHR singles (“Forward Motion”, “Already Home”, “Look Away”), one top 15 Active Rock single (“Fire it Up”), as well as numerous TV, film (GI Joe), gaming and sport arena placements including being featured at Super Bowl 2010 as well as ESPN’s use during 2011 NCAA games. The album was touted by media as a “their best”, the “best album of its genre to be released”, and one of the “very best

(L-R) : Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine (third from left) joins in the “Well:Done Celebration” with (left to right) Rich Hoops, Chairman of the Board of Blood:Water Mission; BWM Director Jena Nardella; Governor & Mrs. Bill Haslam; Mike Hamilton, Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee and BWM Board member. Photo By: Keoni K

Blood: Water Mission, the organization that began as the vision of GRAMMY® winning, Platinum® selling Christian band Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine to impact Africa with safe water, had reason to celebrate (May 10th) in Nashville. The concert staging of the “Well:Done Celebration” was held in honour of the successful completion of the 1,000 Wells Project now producing water in communities all over Africa through the work of Blood:Water Mission. The event held at the historic Ryman Auditorium raised over $100,000 (all figures U.S.) Tuesday night and brought praises from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam who was on hand for the celebration.

Jars of Clay band members, surrounded by an all-star assembly of musical friends that included pop group sensation, HANSON, Brandon Heath, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Christopher Williams and Charlie Peacock, filled the air of the historic Ryman Auditorium to capacity with music ranging from familiar best selling hits to the resounding exotic African drum beat of special guest artist Eric Wainaina. Organizational guest speakers from Africa and extensive footage of Blood:Water Mission’s work on the Sub-Saharan field also highlighted the presentation.

Governor Bill Haslam, on hand with Mrs. Haslam, noted in remarks earlier in the evening at a private dinner for organizational donors that his heartfelt support of the ongoing work of Blood: Water Mission pre-dates his current role as Tennessee governor.

As a founder of the organization, Dan Haseltine, surrounded by music and friends beamed from the stage of the Ryman: “The first 1000 wells are only the beginning.”

Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay surrounded with the friends & fellow artists from ‘Well: Done Celebration’ in Nashville. Included in photo are fellow Jars members Charlie Lowell, Steve Mason and Matt Odmark, HANSON, Eric Wainaina and band, Brandon Heath, Charlie Peacock, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, and Blood: Water Mission Director, Jena Nardella. Photo By: Keoni K.

About Blood:Water Mission & The “1,000 Wells Project”

Founded by Multi-Platinum™ GRAMMY® Award winning band, Jars of Clay, the Mission began in 2005 as a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. After discovering the vital link between those living with HIV/AIDS and how their health is compromised with the lack of clean water, Blood:Water Mission launched the “1,000 Wells Project” as a nation-wide effort to provide funds for clean water, hygiene and sanitation to 1000 communities in sub Saharan Africa.

Notes Jars of Clay lead vocalist and Blood: Water Mission founder, Dan Haseltine in talking about the “1,000 Wells Project”, “As I look back and see how far Blood:Water Mission has come – and how many lives have been impacted – I’m overwhelmed. “We celebrate this milestone but do not consider it a place to pause. Knowing this goal was attainable, compels us even more to tell the stories of our friends in Africa: of their villages being turned around due to the present of a functioning water well; of children who can now read and women who have learned a trade and are able to grow their village’s economy, all because they no longer have to walk miles to draw water – what that isn’t even safe to drink. We’re thankful to all who have joined us in this effort and ask you continued support as we continue to look and march ahead for our brothers and sisters in Africa.”

Blood: Water Mission is a non-profit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee established to address the HIV/AIDS and water crises in sub-Saharan, Africa through grassroots efforts. For more information, visit www.bloodwatermission.com.

About Jars of Clay

Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars), and Matt Odmark (guitars), launched its breakout career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it has amassed more than six million in career sales (five Gold®, two Platinum® and one Double Platinum® certification), three GRAMMY® Awards (from eight nominations), an American Music Award nod, six GMA Dove Award nominations, 17 no. 1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honours for song-writing and performing. The band’s GRAMMY®-nominated 10th album, The Long Fall Back to Earth, was followed by the recent release of the compelling and community-minded project, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter. Jars of Clay have headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals, and is currently taking the “Shelter Tour” around the country with Matt Maher, Derek Webb and Audrey Assad.

While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, the group successfully launched the Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band’s debut, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, world-view, and humanitarianism. For more information, please go to the band’s YMZ

Switchfoot performing during last year’s event. All images courtesy Switchfoot.com

The Switchfoot Bro-Am Presented By Hurley will take place on Saturday, June 18th, at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. The surf contest/beach concert is the centrepiece in a weekend full of activities conceived by GRAMMY® winning rock band Switchfoot to give back to their local community and benefit the San Diego and Oceanside chapters of StandUp For Kids, a national non-profit volunteer outreach organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids. The line-up for the concert will be announced soon.

Since its inception in 2005, the Bro-Am has raised more than $400,000 (all figures U.S.) for San Diego-based children’s charities. Last year’s event was the most successful to date, drawing over 7,500 attendees and raising more than $135,000 for the local chapters of StandUp For Kids. While admission to the beach event is free, funds will be raised at an Auction Night Soirée (set for June 16th at a private residence), sponsorships, beach vendors and an after-party held on the evening of June 18th at the Belly Up Tavern in nearby Solana Beach (tickets on sale next week).

“The Bro-Am has been my favourite day of the year ever since we started it back in ’05,” says Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman. “To see our hometown come together to help out a deserving group of kids is an incredible experience. The StandUp Kids are true survivors, unsung heroes who have endured so much. The Bro-Am is our chance to celebrate their journey: a day at the beach with friends, surfing, and a little rock and roll. Last year was our biggest year ever, and we hope to top it again this year.”

David Bakelman, CEO, StandUp For Kids, notes, “StandUp For Kids is again proud to be chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from this year’s Bro-Am. Jon, Tim, Chad, Jerome and Drew show the true commitment of impacting homeless youth in Southern California. They have shown a tireless effort to help homeless youth, one at a time, and are an inspiration to our volunteers and homeless youth.”

San Diego-based Sustainable Waves, which utilizes the renewable energy sources of the sun to deliver 100% pollution-free concerts, will again provide cutting-edge solar-powered sound and staging for the Switchfoot Bro-Am. By using solar power rather than a diesel generator or grid power, the Bro-Am will avoid emitting approximately 1,000 lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere (the equivalent of not driving your car approximately 1,100 miles or the annual sequestration of 66 trees).

Four-person surf teams secure their participation via sponsorship donation to StandUp For Kids. This year’s teams will include riders representing Hurley, Billabong, Surfer Magazine, Transworld Surf, Surf Ride, Jetpilot, AKA and Shaper Studios Surfboards as well as members of Switchfoot. For the second consecutive year, the Bro-Am will also feature a junior division in the surf contest. Rather than a financial donation, the youth teams that collect the most clothing donations will win a spot to compete. The beach day will also feature a nerf surf jousting exposition and an expression session. For additional details about the Switchfoot Bro-Am Presented By Hurley, please visit www.switchfoot.com/c/bro-am.

About Switchfoot

Switchfoot is Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar). The band won their first GRAMMY® award earlier this year for Hello Hurricane, which entered at no. 13 on The Billboard 200 and contained the Modern Rock hits “The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)” and “Mess of Me”. The follow-up to Hello Hurricane, Vice Verses, will be released later this year. Switchfoot just wrapped up an international tour of Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and will launch a 10-city, major market Canadian tour on May 16th. For more information on the tour, visit the YMZ Events listing.

About Standup For Kids

The mission of StandUp For Kids is to end the cycle of youth homelessness. The organization’s volunteers go to the streets in order to find, stabilize and otherwise help homeless and street kids improve their lives by providing and connecting them with lifesaving services. StandUp For Kids has been recognized by both the George W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations and the U.S. Justice Department for the impact and scope of its programs. Charity Navigator recently recognized StandUp For Kids as one of the most efficient and effective non-profits in the United States. To find out more, visit www.standupforkids.org.

About Hurley

“Hurley is a company based on inclusion,” says chairman and founder Bob Hurley. This philosophy applied to Bob Hurley’s early years as a Huntington Beach shaper, working with friends alongside the world’s best athletes to make a better surfboard. It applied to the company’s launch in 1999, when Hurley decided to start a brand that was a true microphone for youth. In 2002, Hurley was acquired by Nike, the largest and most influential sporting brand in the world. Inclusion remains a guiding principle of the company today, where innovative products like Phantom Boardshorts and game-changing events like the U.S. Open of Surfing continue to redefine what is possible in our world. Hurley headquarters are in Costa Mesa, CA with international offices in Sydney, Tokyo, Barcelona and Bali. For more information, visit www.hurley.com.

2011 Team Rio

Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander, Marty Roe and Gene Johnson were on hand last night during the 7th Annual Team Rio Finish Line Party to present Big Brothers Big Sisters with a check for $110,000.00 (all figures U.S.). Team Rio 2011 had over 120 adult runners and 80 Team Rio Kids participants from several local schools.

Olander, Team Rio’s Celebrity Running Captain, accomplished his goal of finishing the half marathon in less than two hours. “This years Country Music Marathon was a day to get it done!,” explains Olander. “The stars had all aligned for perfect weather. My training was impacted by so many people this year it’s makes me think it truly takes a village to raise a 49 year old! I finished at 1:58 and still felt kind of fresh. Life is good!”

It’s not too late to support the team. If you would like to make a pledge on behalf of Team Rio please visit www.teamrio.kintera.org.

About Team Rio:
Team Rio was founded in 2004 by Diamond Rio’s guitarist, Jimmy Olander and Modern Management’s Renee Behrman. Diamond Rio, long-time National Ambassadors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Behrman, a Big Sister and agency Board Member allocated BBBS as the team’s benefactor. In the past seven years over $750,000.00 has been raised for the Middle Tennessee agency. www.teamrio.org

About Team Rio Kids:
In addition to raising funds and awareness for the agency, a main goal of Team Rio Running and Walking for Big Brothers Big Sisters is to promote health and fitness to local kids. The youth team, Team Rio Kids, partners with local schools to teach and encourage a healthier lifestyle and assist the kids with their training for the Kids Marathon. Team Rio Kids will train within their respective schools or with their parents to complete 25.2 miles prior to April 24th when they will complete the last mile of the actual course and cross the official Country Music Marathon finish line. SGT Ken, Team Rio Kids Coach, provides training schedules and health tips in his weekly email newsletters, “SGT Ken Says”.

About Diamond Rio:
Diamond Rio recently won a Grammy® for their 11th album The Reason on Word Records which also garnered the band their first Dove award. Formed in 1984, Diamond Rio features lead singer Marty Roe, guitarist Jimmy Olander, drummer Brian Prout, keyboardist Dan Truman, bassist/harmony Dana Williams and Gene Johnson on mandolin/harmony. The band signed with Arista in 1988 and embarked on one of the most successful careers in country music. The band has sold over 10 million albums earning three Platinum® and five Gold® records and won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year award four times as well as netting two Academy of Country Music Awards in the top Vocal Group of the Year category and thirteen GRAMMY® nominations. When they debuted in 1991 with the hit “Meet in the Middle,” Diamond Rio became the first group in the history of country music to have a debut single reach no. 1. They continued to plac e 32 more singles on the Billboard chart, including “How Your Love Makes Me Feel”, “Norma Jean Riley”, “Beautiful Mess” and “Love a Little Stronger”.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee:
Big Brothers Big Sisters is providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. These improvements help children create better schools, safer neighborhoods, and make healthier choices. In 2010, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee served 2,812 children with a mentor.

The organization depends on investors to help recruit volunteers and reach more children. Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety, and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships.

You can help a vulnerable child beat the odds in Middle Tennessee by going to www.mentorakid.org or calling (615) 329-9191.

Lisbeth Couser of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Renee Behrman-Greiman of Modern Management and Jimmy Olander and Marty Roe of Diamond Rio present a check for $110,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters

Diamond Rio and Team Rio’s Celebrity Running Captain Jimmy Olander crossing the finsih line at the 2011 Country Music Half Marathon

2011 Team Rio Kids group photo

Dove Award-winning band Building 429 celebrates the release of their fifth studio album, Listen to the Sound, this week with a no. 1 CHR single and top positioning on iTunes’ Christian & Gospel Albums chart. The record’s momentum continues to build, as Building 429 trades in a successful spring headlining tour for the “Listen to the Sound K-LOVE and Air1 Listener Appreciation Tour” through late May.

In less than two months, listeners and stations have helped to catapult “Listen to the Sound” to no. 1 at CHR, no. 7 at AC and no. 6 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart. The single peaks in time for street week, as the disc itself debuts at the top of iTunes’ Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

The project’s reach extends beyond radio or retail, as Building 429 debuted music from Listen to the Sound live on its spring headlining tour, which wrapped April 30 in West Virginia. The tour, which additionally featured Revive and Anthem Lights, saw impressive attendance as it made its way cross-country for 20+ dates.

Building 429 is taking its new music out on the road again this month as part of the “Listen to the Sound K-LOVE and Air1 Listener Appreciation Tour”. The special event, which is free to listeners, kicked off May 7 in Knoxville, Tenn. and will visit eight markets, including Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver and Indianapolis. Air1 Program Director, Paul Goldsmith, comments, “We are so excited to show appreciation to our listeners by bringing the sound of Building 429 live in concert!”

Building 429 will alternate the Air1/K-LOVE concerts with CD release events in North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, California, Maine, and Pennsylvania. Beginning early June, the band will continue its promotional efforts via Summer Blast 2011 with special guests Essential Records pop/rock band Royal Tailor and EMI CMG Sparrow artist Samestate. Additional details are forthcoming. For a complete list of tour dates, visit www.Building429.com/tour.

Produced by Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp (Tenth Avenue North, Sanctus Real) and Rob Hawkins, Listen to the Sound, released May 10, 2011, is Building 429′s fifth studio album and debut project on Essential Records. The disc is sonically vibrant and lyrically substantive, with songs that collectively acknowledge life’s struggles, but point to the hope, grace and love of God. For more information on Listen to the Sound, visit the band’s YMZ artist page. The album is available at your local Canadian Christian retailer. If you do not live near a retailer, you can order it here.

About Building 429
Building 429 comprises Jason Roy (vocals), Jesse Garcia (guitar), Michael Anderson (drums), and Aaron Branch (bass). The band is best known for its 2004 breakout hit “Glory Defined”, which was named BMI’s Christian Song of the Year in 2005. That same year Building 429 was also named New Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. The band has since amassed a dedicated fan following, tirelessly playing 150 live shows a year, while developing its own touring brands “Winter Blast” and “Summer Blast”.

Bringing all his musical influences to bear – pop, folk, rock, classical, hymns, and more, See You paints a refreshingly relevant musical palate that frames its message beautifully. With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, the album solidifies Wilson’s place among the finest song crafters of his day.

Wilson stretched himself musically throughout the entire recording process, mastering over 20 instruments outside of the typical grand piano, keyboard, classical, acoustic and electric guitar. Such distinctive instruments consisted of the ukulele, hammered dulcimer and glockenspiel, just to name a few. It was this unique process added to the entire experience of making this record – from days of seclusion writing new songs, to fine tuning every melodic component in studio, that pushed Wilson to a new level of authenticity and creativity in his life’s work.

For this project, Wilson teamed up with sought-after producer Matt Bronleewe (Natalie Imbruglia, Jars of Clay, Selena Gomez) and after months in the studio, the end result is what many are calling a 12-track masterpiece. In its entirety, See You is a vivid collection of songs that focus on the evidence of God at work in people’s lives.

“Something I’ve been learning over the past decade is that when we want to see God, we have to depend less on our physical eyes and more on the Holy Spirit,” says Wilson. “It’s the subtle, still small voice of God.”

“I Refuse”, the first single from the project impacting radio now, evolved as Wilson was reading David Platt’s perspective-shattering book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Simultaneously, the 1000-year flood hit Nashville, devastating entire communities on May 1, 2010, giving Wilson a very personal and real situation from which to draw from as he completed the track.

“Once the flood hit, the temptation was to simply pray and ask God to rally the community and bring other people to help,” Wilson explains. “I was using prayer as an excuse to not do anything myself. But as a Christian that’s not enough. We’re the hands and feet of Jesus; we’re supposed to do something. So that phrase came back to me… I refuse to do nothing.”

Wilson recently wrapped the first leg of the “Story of Your Life Tour” supporting GRAMMY® nominated singer/songwriter Matthew West, and will reunite with West for the spring continuation of that tour.

For more information on Josh Wilson and his newest project, See You, visit his YMZ artist page.

About Josh Wilson:

Singer/songwriter Josh Wilson grew up the son of a preacher in Lubbock, Texas. He signed to Sparrow Records in 2006 and released his major label debut, Trying to Fit the Ocean in a Cup in 2008. The album was met with critical acclaim, hailed by Christian Retailing as “the future of Christian pop” and named among the Top Ten Best Albums of 2008 by GospelMusicChannel.com. Since then he has released numerous no. 1 hits including “Savior Please” and the powerful track “Before the Morning”, which recently landed the no. 4 spot on Billboard’s Year-End Christian Songs chart, while also releasing a sophomore album, Life Is Not A Snapshot and a compilation self-titled record. Now he is preparing to release his third studio album See You on February 8th, 2011. Wilson also attracted national media attention and a breakout viral video when he had travellers at the Newark airport breakout in “Hey Jude” during a six-hour security lock-down.

“Christmas This Year” recently impacted radio and is no. 1 this week at AC Monitored, with over 90 stations playing the single.

The song highlights the female vocals of Sixpence None The Richer’s Leigh Nash, and it is the recent GRAMMY® Award nominee’s first Christmas recording in eight years.

iTunes&Reg; has also announced their “Best Of 2010″ releases and among them is TobyMac’s GRAMMY® nominated album Tonight taking the title for Best Christian Album of 2010.

For more information on TobyMac please visit his YMZ artist page. Tonight and TobyMac’s music video collection Moving Pictures are currently available at your local Canadian Christian retailer. If you do not live near a retailer, you can order it here.

About TobyMac:

With over 10 million in career sales, TobyMac’s first three solo projects received RIAA® Gold® status and GRAMMY® nominations, his live CD/DVD took home a GRAMMY® award in 2009, and last year the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist celebrated his fifth consecutive GRAMMY® nomination for his single “City On Our Knees” that received a nod for Best Gospel song. The track topped the sales and radio charts faster than any of his previous singles, spending eight weeks at no. 1 on the Christian Audience Chart. The single was the first release from TobyMac’s GRAMMY® nominated album, Tonight, which also garnered him the highest sales debut of his solo career with over 78,000 units and a no. 6 Billboard Top 200 debut. The album was also named as iTunes® Best Christian Album of 2010.

Along with sold out tour dates, back-to-back radio hits and being named the GMA Dove Award’s 2008 Artist of the Year and recently nominated for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at the 2010 American Music Awards, the title-track of TobyMac’s latest album was also chosen as the theme song for MLB’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days Spring Training Series and featured on the Golf Channel. In addition, his music has been heard in major motion pictures such as “Hancock”, “Transporter 2″, while also being featured on Fox sports, The NFL network, being selected as the theme song for Fox College Football, WWE’s Fatal 4-Way Pay-Per-View and “Showstopper” was featured in ESPN’s ESPY Award Show and most recently chosen to launch the new season of CBS hit television show CSI: NY.

“We are so excited that Circleslide has decided to partner with Mercy Ministries by donating the proceeds from their song, ‘Looking Up’,” comments Nancy Alcorn, Founder and President of Mercy Ministries. “Our girls were really moved by the song and it was so much fun for them to be a part of recording it. These guys are the real deal and we are so blessed to have their support.”

“This fall we were given the rare treat of witnessing four young ladies graduate from the Mercy Program. All of us, in Circleslide were profoundly impacted by each girl’s story of sadness, shame and ultimate triumph and redemption. We couldn’t be more honoured to partner with a ministry like Mercy!” says Circleslide front-man Gabriel Martinez. “We asked the girls of the program to join us in the studio and add their vocals to our song ‘Looking Up’, a song that celebrates God’s ability to carry us in the midst of our own frailties and weaknesses. It wasn’t about capturing pristine vocal tracks… but letting the girls’ stories resonate in their voices and in the song. We hope more people will hear about the wonderful work Mercy does across the country as a result… and choose to give or get involved.”

Since the band’s debut project, which landed them on Christianity Today’s list of “Best New Artists of 2006,” among other accolades, Circleslide — whose line-up includes front-man Gabe Martinez, lead guitarist <>Jonathan DeAnda, bassist Eric Vickers and drummer Lee Yoder – has toured unceasingly, refining their modern rock ruminations, while keeping their ministry agenda firmly in focus. In addition to shows with Newsboys, TobyMac, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Salvador, Jaci Velasquez and Downhere, the guitar-driven band has headlined everything from clubs to churches and colleges, with plenty of youth camps and outreach events in between – all of which build off the group’s Youth With A Mission beginnings.

Produced by fellow Save the City label-mate Brandon Bee (Stacie Orrico, Lanae’ Hale, Benjiman) Echoes of the Light, is explosive, dynamic and melodic, with choruses that are instantaneously contagious from an initial spin of the album.

For more information on Circleslide and Echoes of The Light, visit the band’s YMZ artist page. The CD is available at your local Canadian Christian retailer. If you do not live near a retailer, you can order it here.

About Mercy Ministries

Since 1983, Mercy Ministries’ free-of-charge, voluntary Christian residential program has served a diverse population of young women from various socio-economic backgrounds, ages 13-28, who have been physically and sexually abused, including victims of sex trafficking as well as those who face life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, drug and alcohol addictions, depression and unplanned pregnancy. Mercy Ministries of America has residential homes in Monroe, LA; Nashville, TN; St. Louis, MO; and Sacramento, CA. For more information on Mercy Ministries and its global affiliates, visit www.mercyministries.com

In addition to all of the proceeds from the sale of the “One Last Christmas” video on www.matthewwest.com, the singer/songwriter is also announcing a benefit concert in Dax’s hometown of Washington, IL on December 30th. The show will be held at Five Points Washington, and will begin at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. Gold circle seating is $20 (all figures U.S.), and general admission will be $10 at the door. For the latest information on the benefit concert, stay tuned to www.matthewwest.com.

To view the video for “One Last Christmas,” visit The Story Of Your Life YMZ album page.

The story also garnered the attention of Lifetime Television who will be featuring Dax’s mother, Julie Locke, as the “Lifetime Remarkable Woman of the Month” as well as posting the video on their website, www.mylifetime.com.

The video was also mentioned in this morning’s edition of RAMP [Radio And Music Professionals] e-newsletter:

Several of our readers told us to watch this video, and, after the tears stopped, we just had to share this unbelievably emotional story with you… and you don’t have to be a parent to be profoundly affected… Little Dax’s life has touched everyone he came in contact with. And his story will affect you too… guaranteed. Now go hug your kids.

West released The Story of Your Life in October of this year. The album was inspired by 10,000 stories he received from listeners nationwide and 20 countries internationally. He then spent two months in a cabin reading the letters, and writing songs based on the stories.

Check out the other songs inspired by stories submitted by fans on The Story of Your Life. The regular and Deluxe Editions are available now at your local Canadian Christian retailer. If you do not live near a retailer, you can order it here.

More information on Matthew West:

GRAMMY® nominated singer/songwriter Matthew West’s discography includes acclaimed releases: Happy (2003), History (2005) and Something to Say (2008). His latest album, The Story of Your Life, was inspired by 10,000 stories from every state in the U.S. and 20 countries. The album released on October 5th, 2010, and garnered attention from CNN Online, Fox News, Billboard Magazine, Country Weekly, American Songwriter and more. The Story of Your Life gave West the largest street week debut of his career selling over 10,000 units the first week landing at no. 3 on Christian Soundscan, and No. 41 on the Billboard Top 200. His songwriting credits include Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio and more.

“We met Bianca when we played at her church,” says Darren Elder, drummer for The Wrecking. “She’s obviously a talented girl and we were thrilled to be able to work with her on this video.”

In addition to releasing their new video, The Wrecking has announced the dates for their second Air 1 Radio national tour. The “Air 1 Freedom Tour” sponsored by the Not For Sale Campaign will kick off on October 29th, 2010 in Shawnee, Kansas. Following on the heels of their successful spring leg of the Air 1 tour that raised over 300 sponsors for Compassion International, The Wrecking will be joined by musical acts Vota, Satellites and Sirens, and Big Kettle Drum.

In addition to their tour dates, The Wrecking will be part of the Global Forum for the Not for Sale Campaign along with Paul Colman and Rachel Lampa. They will play at Rocktoberfest with Bobby Bishop and Prince John, and will share the stage this Saturday with Downhere at a benefit concert for homeless families which will be streaming live on the Steelroots TV show, part of the Inspiration Network.

The Wrecking, made up of members Elder along with his brother Doug (lead vocals/guitar), Joe McCann (keyboard/turntables/vocals) and Karl Andersen (bass/backing vocals), recently wrapped up recording for their new CD, So Much For Love, coming out in stores and on iTunes® in Spring 2011. The “About to Fall” radio single is currently being played on over 300 stations nationwide and another single, “Fire”, is in the top 200 of the College Music Journal radio chart. Both songs are featured on the Limited Edition pre-release EP, The Catalyst, which previews several tunes to be included on their 2011 project. In addition, a separate website for the “About to Fall” single has been set up where listeners from each radio station’s market can share their stories of how music has helped “pick them up after they have fallen.”

The Wrecking’s first national CD, A New Abolition, spawned two successful music videos including the song “In Your Eyes” which was nominated as Gospel Music Channel’s Best Pop Music Video. The band’s single “You Remain” was a top 5 radio hit on Air 1 as well as a popular music video. While the band is serious about music, they are equally serious about making an impact on worldwide atrocities such as child sex slavery and children of war. The Wrecking has been heavily involved with Love 146, International Justice Mission, ChildVoice and other organizations dedicated to helping improve the lives of children across the globe. They are included on the new compilation Freedom CD that benefits International Justice Mission, featuring artists such as tobyMac, Jars of Clay,and MercyMe, among others.

The Wrecking has shared the stage with Sanctus Real, The Afters, Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Ten Shekel Shirt and EleventySeven, along with many others. The band’s cover of U2′s “Get On Your Boots” was named one of the top 50 videos on YouTube, and the band was chosen for the iTunes® Essential Rising Stars-Christian collection.

The “Air 1 Freedom Tour” kicks off in Kansas and will end on the West Coast in California. Dates are listed here with some venue locations to be announced soon. For more information, visit The Wrecking’s YMZ artist page.

About Air 1:

Air 1 is a non-denominational, non-profit, listener-supporter radio network. Air 1 was launched in 1995 with the goal of reaching people young at heart with the message of Jesus through popular alternative music that was hard to find on other radio stations. www.Air1.com

About Not for Sale:

The Not For Sale Campaign is a campaign of students, artists, entrepreneurs, people of faith, athletes, law enforcement officers, politicians, social workers, skilled professionals, and all justice seekers united to fight the global slave trade and end human trafficking. www.notforsalecampaign.org.