Clevershoppers.com

05/18/2007
INO RECORDS PROMOTES DAN MICHAELS TO SVP OF MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS
INO Records President, Jeff Moseley, recently announced the promotion of Dan Michaels from VP of Promotions to Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Promotions. Michaels is a 20-year veteran of the Christian music industry and has been with INO since 2000.

“I am happy to announce Dan Michaels promotion to SR. VP of marketing and promotions,” says President of INO Jeff Moseley. “Dan has proven himself to be an excellent executive and his experience overseeing radio and new media will dovetail nicely with his expanded role as SR. VP. I am excited that he will be providing leadership in new areas that will benefit the company and our artist partners.

Michaels will oversee marketing, radio promotions, digital/new media marketing and publicity for the INO artist roster including MercyMe, P.O.D, The Afters, Chris Rice, PC&D, Skillet, Darlene Zschech and Sandi Patty among others.

“It is so important to build great relationships with people you work with and to have someone like Dan Michaels on your team is definitely a plus,” says Zach Kelm, President of Q Management Group (Skillet, Decyfer Down, and Nevertheless). Michaels has not only been an important asset to my team, but has also been a wonderful friend to us. I am thrilled about his promotion, it could not have happen to a nicer person.”

Casting Crowns Set To Release Third Studio Album “The Altar and the Door” on August 28

Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-winning band Casting Crowns announces the release of its highly-anticipated third studio album, The Altar and The Door, on August 28. Casting Crowns’ new project follows its two Platinum-selling albums (Casting Crowns and Lifesong), two RIAA-certified live DVD projects (Live from Atlanta and Lifesong Live), plus numerous awards and sell-out tours, further positioning this act as Contemporary Christian music’s best-selling artist for the last two years.

As the Gospel Music Association’s reigning Group of the Year (for the past three years), Casting Crowns is committed to the same ideals that have carried them to this tremendous level of success. They are determined to remain ministry-focused whether on the road, or in their Atlanta-area local churches where each of the band members serve on staff or as laypeople, including lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall who still holds his post as youth pastor at his home church.

The Altar and The Door is based on this real-life ministry experience with real people, real life struggle, and the faith that overcomes. Not only does the project’s title appear as a track on the album, but the concept has emerged as an overall theme running throughout the record.

“At the altar, everything makes sense,” says Hall. “When we’re in the church and spending time with God, we know what we’re supposed to do and how to live. Everything is black and white. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out. Everything gets gray again. It’s like we have these two lives, and the Christian life is the journey between the altar and door—trying to get the things you’ve got in your head, into your hands, into your feet, and into your life. This album is all about that journey of realization, the struggles we encounter and the victory of seeing it as possible.”

The first radio single from The Altar and The Door is scheduled to hit radio airwaves in June followed by widespread media coverage starting late summer leading up to the band’s headlining “The Altar and The Door” Fall Tour presented by Aquasis with special guest Leeland, and introducing John Waller.

Over its three-year career, Casting Crowns has been honored with a GRAMMY Award, two American Music Award nods and now 12 Gospel Music Dove Awards. Casting Crowns has been the most played artist on all Christian radio formats combined, with six consecutive No.1 AC radio hits, and the group has sold more than 2.5 million albums to date. Lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall has been a student pastor for 16 years and currently serves on staff at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. Casting Crowns claims the distinction of being the fastest CCM artist in its career to have its first two albums certified Platinum, and only the second in RIAA history ever to achieve it (the other being Jars of Clay). The band recently made a trip to North Korea, as the only U.S. band invited to play at the April Art Friendship Festival.

For more information, please visit CastingCrowns.com.

Beach Street Records, an imprint of Reunion Records and Provident Label Group, was launched by Mark Miller, founder and frontman of the multi-platinum country music act, Sawyer Brown. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s Provident Music Group is one of the world’s leading Christian music companies. Provident Music Group operates under the umbrella of Sony BMG Nashville.

05/08/2007
DEREK WEBB BECKONS PEACE WITH THE RINGING BELL
Leading the Christian music industry with radical new ideas, INO singer/songwriter Derek Webb again turns heads with his fourth solo project, The Ringing Bell, released May 1.

As the title suggests, The Ringing Bell, is a collection that sounds clearly through the noise of the day, beckoning some, and warning others. It’s a call to meaningful conversations and it’s a great time. It injects songs into the cultural bloodstream that will move listeners to reflection and action while moving their feet.

“I felt like there was more to say about the subject [peace], “ says Webb. I wanted to get further into the nuances of it. This is too important of a moment historically to not say more about the idea of peace. It’s right in my face at all times if I claim to be at all concerned with anything that Jesus ever said.”

As Webb’s album became available to the public last week, the innovative songwriter is once again giving his fans a way to experience his music (and more) via electronic communication. After giving away over 80,000 free download of his Mockingbird album online last fall, Webb recently launched, The Ringing Bell.com, a place where fans and friends can go to hear some of the songs from the project, or place an order receiving the album and a bonus book. The book is a 96-page limited edition graphic novel, featuring complete lyrics and original artwork inspired by the record.

Reviews have been pouring in praising Webb’s latest effort, including publications such as; Paste Magazine, HM Magazine, CCM, Relevant, Christian Music Today, and many more.

Here is a taste of what the media is saying:

“At just 30 minutes, The Ringing Bell is extremely short. But who cares when Webb continues to quickly churn out substantial songwriting? He’s become this generation’s Dylan and Keith Green combined.” –Christian Music Today

“The Ringing Bell is a perfectly concise pop statement from an artist whose auspicious moment is right now.” –Paste Magazine

“The Ringing Bell is fresh, candid and just good, old-school rock & roll. Webb’s pushed boundaries before, but this time, he just might have pushed his way into the must-have summer playlist of new fans, old fans and any Beatles’ fan on the planet.” –CCM

No stranger to controversy, Derek releases his inner John Lennon and strips away our false conceptions about real world Christianity. –CBN.Com

“The Ringing Bell is another stellar record in the career of one of the best things Christian music has going for it. –jesusfreakhideout.com

Easily Webb’s most musically accessible album, The Ringing Bell may mirror his past albums in modest sales, as many of Jesus’ followers have a hard time swallowing the truth about our own failings. Don’t make that mistake. This album is essential listening. –Christian Musician

To check out the latest news on Webb, go to www.derekwebb.com , and be sure to check out www.theringingbell.com .