Award-winning Tenor DAVID PHELPS Tops Sales Charts

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–GRAMMY®-nominated, classically trained tenor David Phelps topped the sales charts this week with his all-new recording, Freedom (Gaither Music Group). Produced by Phelps and mentor/friend/gospel music legend Bill Gaither, the new release landed at #1 on the Southern Gospel Albums chart and at #10 on the CCM Albums chart, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In addition, Phelps’ previous release, Classic (Gaither Music Group), hit the #2 spot on the Southern Gospel Albums chart, while the Classic DVD topped the Christian Music Video chart and came in at #3 on the Billboard Top Music Video chart.
Phelps, who wrote or co-wrote nine songs on the new release, describes, “…This is a snapshot of where I am on my journey…it’s real life and faith — not the absence of trouble, just the ability to be led through it by our loving Savior. For me, these songs are like the rings of a tree telling its story: some years were plentiful; some were dry; in the end they speak of life.”
Those songs of life underscore Phelps’ ability to bring music to life and showcase his award-winning, three-octave range. The recording includes gospel standards such as “Ain’t No Grave,” “When the Saints Go Marching In” and a signature recording of “We Shall Behold Him”; yet one of the songs taking audiences by storm is the Phelps-penned “Ghost Town (Freedom).”
“The central theme of Freedom emanates from the title song, ‘Ghost Town (Freedom),’” explains Phelps. “I began writing the era-based lyric in the verses and was amazed how the metaphor of Christ painted itself…it’s about why He did what He did: freedom!’ So much of our spiritual lives (and the songs on this project) are spent searching for or trying to cling to freedom.”
The recording features Phelps’ anticipated powerhouse vocals along with musicianship from a who’s who of Nashville talents including Gordon Mote, Chris Rodriguez, Danny O’Lannerghty, Greg Ritchie, Sam Levine, David Davidson and Jack Jezzro among others. The orchestrations were penned by Phelps, Mote, Steve Mauldin and Kristin Wilkinson. The rest of the Gaither Vocal Band — Bill Gaither, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb and Todd Suttles – were on hand to perform some of the project’s background vocals.
Freedom is distributed through Capitol Christian Distribution and is available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and www.gaither.com.

Crabb Family Release on Billboard Top 200

Together Again Tops National Sales Chart

Crabb Family's New Recording Lands on the BILLBOARD Top 200, Contemporary Christian and Southern Gospel Charts

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—February 17th, 2012—Together Again (Gaither Music Group), the all-new studio recording from the multiple award-winning Crabb Family, hit shelves and online stores this week, taking the #1 position on the southern Gospel sales chart according to Nielsen SoundScan. The ten-song release, produced by lead singer and GRAMMY® Award-winning solo artist Jason Crabb, landed the #6 position on the contemporary Christian sales chart in addition to landing at #123 on the BILLBOARD Top 200 list.

“This is really an encouragement to us,” stated Jason. “As a family, to be back in the studio and back on stage for a limited run has been a blast. To see others embrace us and get excited about new music from us, well, that is an honor and it inspires us. We are all doing what we do today because of the support of countless friends and fans over the years. We are reminded yet again of their encouragement and love to us. We appreciate them so much.”

“We are pleased to see such a strong response to the new Crabb Family release,” stated Barry Jennings, president of Gaither Music Group. “This family created something special years ago that clearly remains significant to their many fans who keep coming back for more.”

An extensive tv and media campaign surrounding the new release began earlier this month on networks including GAC, GMC, RFD, FamilyNet, TBN, CTS, CTN, Vision TV, Grace, Legacy, FFE, Miracle and Airtime.

Together Again is available digitally and at retail stores everywhere. It is distributed exclusively by EMI CMG Distribution. For further information regarding The Crabb Family, visit www.thecrabbfamily.com.

About The Crabb Family
Siblings Jason, Adam , Aaron, Kelly and Terah, known as The Crabb Family, took the Christian music industry by storm in the 90’s with their signature brand of country-tinged Gospel, live stage band and powerhouse musical arrangements. The Crabb Family took home 11 GMA DOVE Awards, garnered three GRAMMY® nominations, and blurred the lines between Christian music genres with recordings and nominations ranging from bluegrass to black Gospel.

Their family blends became a hit on platforms varying from the Gaither HOMECOMING stages and “The Grand Ole Opry” to the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Carnegie Hall. Their downhome appearances, highlighted by songs written by the group’s original founder Gerald Crabb, made them a household name in the southern Gospel music community and a “new favorite” across several genres. Heralded by the industry and fans alike, the group produced numerous Top 10 hits and 16 number one hits.

"JOYFUL NOISE" SOUNDTRACK DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD SOUNDTRACK CHART

Soundtrack Features New Music Performed by Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Kirk Franklin, Keke Palmer, Karen Peck and Others

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 18, 2012) –– WaterTower Music’s soundtrack to Alcon Entertainment’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ Joyful Noise debuts this week at #1 on Billboard’s Soundtrack Chart, #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart, #2 on Billboard’s Christian chart, #2 on the Billboard Independent Current Albums chart, and landed a Top 20 debut on Billboard’s Top Current Albums chart.

The soundtrack features performances by Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Oscar® nominee Dolly Parton; Oscar® nominee, Grammy® and Golden Globe Award winner Queen Latifah; BET and NAACP Award winner Keke Palmer; 11-time Singing News® female vocalist of the year, three-time Grammy® nominee and three-time Dove nominee Karen Peck; and seven-time Grammy®, 35-time Stellar, 12-time Dove, five-time NAACP, and two-time BET Music Award winner Kirk Franklin. Five-time Grammy®, six-time Dove, two-time Stellar Award winner Mervyn Warren produced and arranged the Joyful Noise soundtrack.

Parton, who penned three new songs for the collection, recently performed two of those songs on national TV: “From Here to the Moon and Back” on the Late Show with David Letterman, and “Not Enough,” a duet with co-star Queen Latifah, on NBC’s Today Show.

The third song Parton wrote, “He’s Everything,” is also on the soundtrack, which includes the film’s stars performing renditions of memorable songs originally recorded by a wide range of artists: Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Sly & the Family Stone, Usher, and Stevie Wonder.

The collection also includes tracks by some of the finest acts in gospel and R&B. Grammy winner Kirk Franklin wrote and takes the vocal reins on his jubilant new song “In Love,” and award-winning gospel vocalist Karen Peck creates harmonic gold on “Mighty High.”

Dolly Parton and Mervyn Warren will be featured on Sirius XM’s “The Bob Edwards Show” on Friday, January 20, 2012.

ABOUT THE FILM
Oscar® nominees Queen Latifah (“Chicago,” “Hairspray”) and Dolly Parton (“Steel Magnolias,” “Nine to Five”) star in Alcon Entertainment’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Joyful Noise,” a funny and inspirational story of music, hope, love and renewal.

The small town of Pacashau, Georgia, has fallen on hard times, but the people are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition. The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies now threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill (Latifah), stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow (Parton) thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old. Shaking things up even more is the arrival of G.G.’s rebellious grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan). Randy has an ear for music, but he also has an eye for Vi Rose’s beautiful and talented daughter, Olivia (Keke Palmer), and the sparks between the two teenagers are causing even more friction between G.G. and Vi Rose. If these two strong-willed women can put aside their differences for the good of the people in their town, they—and their choir—may make the most joyful noise of all.

Starring with Latifah and Parton are Keke Palmer (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Courtney B. Vance (“Extraordinary Measures”), Jeremy Jordan (Broadway’s “Bonnie and Clyde”), and Kris Kristofferson (“Dolphin Tale”). Rounding out the main cast are Dexter Darden, Angela Grovey, Paul Woolfolk and Jesse L. Martin.

Alcon Entertainment presents a Farrell Paura Productions/O.N.C. Entertainment Production, “Joyful Noise,” being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film opened nationwide on January 13, 2012. www.joyfulnoisethemovie.com

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out debut at #8 on Billboard’s Top 10 Bluegrass Album Chart

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
hit #8 this week on Billboard Magazine’s Top 10 Bluegrass Album Chart with
their new album, PRIME TYME. Not only have retail sales been impressive, but
the album and first single have topped the radio charts as well.  The single,
“If Your Heart Should Ever Roll This Way Again,” hit #1 this month on
Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine’s Top 30 Hot Singles, climbed to #8 on
Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 30 Songs, and debuted on Power Source
Magazine’s Top 35 Songs, with the album making its debut on the Bluegrass
Unlimited Magazine’s Top 15 Album chart this month.

Radio host and music critics agree PRIME TYME has set the standard for quality
bluegrass music saying……

“Among bluegrass artists, there aren't many superstars, but Russell Moore &
IIIrd Tyme Out are certainly among them.  PRIME TYME is absolutely stunning in
its musicianship, harmony, song selection, and just all-around quality.  It may
be the best IIIrd Tyme Out disc ever!” Kyle Cantrell, SiriusXM Radio,
Bluegrass Junction

"Now, in their 20th year as a first-rate bluegrass band, one would expect that
Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out would produce a stellar anniversary CD. There
isn't a word in the English language that means 'beyond stellar' but as soon as
we have one, we'll apply it to their newest recording - PRIME TYME. In the
meantime, we'll have to be satisfied with words like: 'stupendous', 'colossal',
'brilliant', and 'astounding'. We congratulate Russell, Steve, Edgar, Justen,
Wayne and all the folks at Rural Rhythm Records. Here's a salute to the next 20
years!" - Brian McNeal, Prescription Bluegrass Radio

“Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out’s PRIME TYME proves once again why this band is
a consistent award winner.  Refreshing interpretations of songs on this
recording will make it one of your favorites.” Bob Webster, WAMU’s Bluegrass
Country, Stained Glass Bluegrass

"With PRIME TYME, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out demonstrate why they have led
the charts since the band first started 20 years ago. I'm not sure if this was
the meaning behind the title, but it also makes clear that they are in their
prime." - John Lawless, Bluegrass Today

“For many years now, IIIrd Tyme Out has been one the most enjoyable - and most
awarded groups in Bluegrass Music. After hearing their latest disc, I see no
reason why either of those distinctions should come to an end anytime soon.  I
can tell you this album is proof that Bluegrass Music is in some mighty fine
hands!” - Chuck Dauphin, Music News Nashville

“Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme definitely has the edge in PRIME TYME. This
recording is chock full of outstanding music.” - Jim Fisher, WGCS Down Home

As the band celebrates their 20th anniversary, they continue to receive top
awards and accolades as evidenced by Russell Moore’s win as the 2011
International Bluegrass Music Association’s MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR – his
fourth award in this category.  He is also a 6-time winner of the SPBGMA -
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR award.  IIIrd Tyme Out is no doubt one of the top
awarding-winning bands in bluegrass, receiving over 50 Industry Awards during
their impressive career including:  7-time winner of the IBMA - VOCAL GROUP
OF THE YEAR; 5-time winner of the SPBGMA - VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, plus
many more.

For more information on Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out’s special collector’s
album, PRIME TYME, plus upcoming tour dates, please visit IIIrdTymeOut.com.

The Award-winning Isaacs Release All-new Studio Recording Why Can't We

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—November 1st— Gaither Music Group celebrates today’s release of Why Can’t We, the all-new, studio recording by the award-winning Isaacs. Produced by group member and acclaimed producer Ben Isaacs, the new release, which was recorded in Nashville, follows the group’s previous recording Naturally, which remained in the Top 10 BILLBOARD Bluegrass Chart for over 71 weeks following its debut.

Group member Sonya Isaacs Yeary and husband, Jimmy Yeary, along with group member Becky Isaacs Bowman, penned nine of the songs for this release. One of those new songs, penned by the Yearys with songwriter Ben Hayslip, is “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” the current hit country single by country star Martina McBride.

“I was writing with Ben Hayslip and Sonya,” recalls Jimmy, “and Sonya had this idea of writing about her mom's (Lily’s) story of surviving breast cancer. We threw around some thoughts as to how we’d approach it. We decided to let Lily tell her story, so we put her on speaker phone, and she just really told her story in detail. We based the song on that. It took us about three hours to write it. It can be difficult to put the word ‘cancer’ in a song, but we wanted to talk about breast cancer specifically and some of the hardships that come with that. We started writing it with no notion of what would happen with this song. We just loved writing it and getting it on paper. Then we got the call that Martina had heard it and loved it.”

Lily Isaacs and Becky Isaacs Bowman appear alongside Katy Couric, Sheryl Crow, Robin Roberts and Hoda Kotb, among others, in McBride’s video for the song.

“Sometimes when you record songs, what works in the studio may not translate to an audience,” explains Becky. “When we started writing for this record, we really had that in mind. The more that you are transparent about yourself, the more your audience can identify with you. We wanted to share our stories of survival and victories, so we wrote songs that dealt with things that we want to be transparent about in concert.”

For Becky that includes the song "Waiting in the Water," a song based on the Bible story of the blind man who had an encounter with Jesus and who was told to go to the pool and wash. “It was a two- mile journey to that well according to commentaries,” Becky describes, “and Jesus wasn’t about showmanship; but for some reason, He told the blind man to find his way to the water. I think Jesus wanted to see how strong the blind man's faith was and how obedient he was. Jesus would be waiting in the water.

“Some people are instantly healed,” continues Becky, who was diagnosed herself for ten years with a rare case of Crohns' disease causing inflammation to her eyes and nerve endings, “and some people have to take a journey of faith. I prayed and prayed for healing and felt hopeless so many times. I felt that, like the blind man, I would have to take a step of faith and believe that He would be ‘waiting for me in the water.’ This song is my healing story, and I have found that I can talk to people in a hopeless stage, whether it’s from a long-term illness or something else, because I have been there.”

The Isaacs continue their vulnerability on the release with the song "Why." “I think we are sometimes afraid to ask ‘why’ because we don’t want to question God,” explains Becky, “but when you look at David [in the Bible] and all of his mistakes and questions, you see that in the end God called him ‘a man after His own heart.’ I don't think God minds us asking questions. Sometimes they come from the heart...that is what God wants--a heart for Him. We all make mistakes like David did, but it's not how you start the race; it's how you finish the race with God.”

Why Can’t We also includes the cover tunes “I Still Trust You,” “Hallelujah Turnpike” and “I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary.” The group created a rendition of “I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary” to perform at the Tribute to the Songs of Bill and Gloria Gaither event that was held this year at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The audience as well as Bill Gaither liked it so much the group knew it would be featured on the new recording.

“We like to put our twist on songs to make them sound like us,” says Ben. “You can copy others, but the things that make an impression in most any kind of music are the things that have been different. It’s ok to get the basics from inspiration; but from that, you need to be an original and find what makes a song sound like you.”

The group did just that with the bluegrass tune “Hallelujah Turnpike,” a song they were asked to learn for a tv special/tribute they were doing for the legendary Lewis Family. “We thought it was a fun song and down to the styling of the fiddle, we tried to emulate Buddy Spicher, really creating a tribute to The Lewis Family legacy.

“We thought it was time for a true ‘Isaacs’ band record,’” continues Ben, “I really like the title cut that says, ‘If God can forgive, then why can't we?’ People may forgive, but we don’t often forget, and we find it hard to let go. Musically, I think the track marries this song perfectly...sometimes you only get close to that during a recording.”

The Isaacs have a long history, however, of doing more than “getting close” while creating moving music. The group has received a GRAMMY® nomination, three GMA DOVE Award nominations including a win for Bluegrass Album of the Year and a 2011 nod for Christmas Album of the Year (Christmas, Gaither Music Group), two IBMA Award nominations, an ICM nom and an SPBGMA Award. They have also received fan award nominations for Band of the Year, Song of the Year, Favorite Mixed Group and Instrumentalist of the Year (Sonya); and Ben has won two IBMA Awards as a producer.

Why Can’t We is available everywhere Christian music is sold and is being distributed at retail and digitally through EMI CMG Distribution. The new recording will be positioned heavily at retail throughout the fall and winter alongside other Gaither Music Group releases and will be aired as part of a direct tv campaign on networks including GAC, RFD, INSP, GMC, TBN, FamilyNet, CTS, CTN, TCT, TLN, Airtime 1, GMTN, Grace, Legacy, Miracle and Vision.

For further information regarding The Isaacs, please visit www.TheIsaacs.com