CANTON JUNCTION LAUNCHES NEW CHAPTER WITH ADDITION OF CASEY RIVERS AND RYAN SEATON

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Award-winning Difference Media recording artist Canton Junction announces the beginning of a new chapter with the addition of lead vocalist Casey Rivers and baritone Ryan Seaton. Rivers and Seaton join Canton Junction founding members Matthew Hagee and Tim Duncan to round out the acclaimed quartet, following the departure of Aaron Crabb and Shane McConnell. The group’s highly anticipated sophomore recording is slated to release in August.
“It is a very exciting time for Canton Junction as we welcome Casey and Ryan to the family,” said Matthew Hagee. “We believe the incredible musical gifts of these two men, along with their heart for people, are a perfect match for what Canton Junction is all about—and where we are headed in the future. We continue to be thankful for the contributions Aaron and Shane made to the group, as we prepare to embark on this new leg of our journey.”
Casey Rivers has had successful careers in both gospel and country music, sharing stages with such legendary figures as Loretta Lynn and Kenny Rogers. He was runner-up to Chris Young on USA Network’s Nashville Star in 2006, and went on to achieve notoriety as a solo country artist. Rivers also served as lead vocalist for southern gospel trio Beyond The Ashes from 2008 to 2012.
Ryan Seaton was a member of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound from 2003 to 2009, during which time the group received a GRAMMY® Award nomination and three Dove Awards. Seaton’s 2010 solo debut, The Stage Is Bare, garnered two Dove Award nominations. His critically acclaimed follow-up recording, Prisoner Of Hope, released in 2013.
Since their debut in 2012, Canton Junction has quickly become one of southern gospel music’s most sought-after quartets. The self-titled Canton Junction featured the #1 singles “Hold On” and “Sweeter As The Days Go By,” and garnered a 2013 GMA Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year. Last year, the group received the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Southern Gospel New Traditional Quartet.
Difference Media is a division of Cornerstone Church, founded and pastored by John Hagee. The label features some of the leading names in Gospel music including Aaron & Amanda Crabb, Canton Junction, Matthew Hagee, Tim Duncan, The Cornerstone Sanctuary Choir, Ricardo Sanchez, John Hagee and The Hagees. A non-denominational evangelical church with more than 20,000 active members, Cornerstone Church is home to John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts Pastor Hagee’s radio and television teachings throughout America and to more than 190 countries around the world. The ministry also operates GETV, a 24/7 online television and video on-demand broadcast of sermons and original programming, as well as music videos and performances by Difference artists (getv.org).
For further information, visit differencemedia.org or turningpointpr.com. Follow Canton Junction on Twitter @cantonjunction.

MATTHEW HAGEE EMBRACES A NEW SEASON MARCH 18

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Leading pastor, author and recording artist Matthew Hagee takes center stage for A New Season, his March 18 Difference Media/Capitol Christian Distribution solo debut. Produced by Michael Sykes (Oak Ridge Boys, Gaither Vocal Band), the project features 11 Inspirationally-focused country selections.

Highlights of A New Season include the debut single, “I Don’t Want To Get Adjusted”; the Hagee co-penned songs “This Ain’t Nothin’” and “My Nomination”; and “That’s Jesus,” which was co-written by Hagee’s father, internationally-renowned evangelist Pastor John Hagee. The project also showcases a new arrangement of the beloved classic “The Day He Wore My Crown,” featuring guest contributions from Larry Stewart and David Innis of legendary country group Restless Heart.

“I constantly am trying to encourage people that God is a God of new beginnings and second chances,” Hagee says of the project’s theme. “Regardless of what they’ve gone through, if they’re breathing, God’s got better things in store. It’s a new season. There’s something better waiting for everybody.”

Executive pastor of the 20,000-member Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he preaches alongside his father, Matthew Hagee is the author of Shaken, Not Shattered (Charisma House). A husband and father of four, Hagee is a member of the Dove Award-winning Southern Gospel quartet Canton Junction and also records and tours with his family’s vocal group, The Hagees.

Difference Media is a division of Cornerstone Church, founded and pastored by John Hagee. The label features some of the leading names in Gospel music, including Aaron & Amanda Crabb, Canton Junction, Matthew Hagee, Tim Duncan, The Cornerstone Sanctuary Choir, John Hagee and The Hagees. A non-denominational evangelical church, Cornerstone Church is home to John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts Pastor Hagee’s radio and television teachings throughout America and in more than 190 countries around the globe. The ministry also operates GETV, a 24/7 online television and video on-demand broadcast of sermons and original programming, as well as music videos and performances by Difference Media artists.

A New Season, distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution, will be available March 18.

For further information, visit differencemedia.org or turningpointpr.com.

CANTON JUNCTION’S ‘BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN’ TO BENEFIT THE DREAM CENTER

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Dove Award-winning Difference Media artist Canton Junction will donate proceeds from their recording, “Back On My Feet Again,” to The Dream Center, a multi-faceted urban ministry impacting the people of Los Angeles. The group’s music video of the song will premiere on GodTube.com Thursday, November 7, and will be viewable at JHM.org and DreamCenter.org beginning November 8. Featured on Canton Junction’s full-length CD and DVD, Show Me Your Way, “Back On My Feet Again” is currently available at iTunes.com.

“We wanted to use ‘Back On My Feet Again’ to draw attention to the great work of The Dream Center,” said Pastor Matthew Hagee of Canton Junction. “The message of restoration and hope is what The Dream Center is working on 24 hours a day, seven days a week—helping one life at a time to get back on their feet again.”

“This song has ministered to so many of our people to refuse to stay down and choose to embrace second chances,” said Pastor Matthew Barnett, founder of The Dream Center. Established in 1994, The Dream Center is a volunteer driven organization that finds and fills the needs of over 50,000 individuals and families each month. The Center provides mobile hunger relief and medical programs, residential rehabilitation programs for teens and adults, a shelter for victims of human trafficking, transitional housing for homeless families, foster care intervention programs, job skills training, life skills counseling, basic education, Bible studies and more.

Comprised of GRAMMY®-nominated singer/songwriter Aaron Crabb; award-winning bass vocalist Tim Duncan; singer, pastor and author Matthew Hagee; and acclaimed vocalist Shane McConnell, the members of Canton Junction have collectively garnered numerous Dove Awards and multiple GRAMMY® nominations, among other accolades and honors.

Difference Media is a division of Cornerstone Church, founded and pastored by John Hagee. The label features some of the leading names in Southern Gospel music, including Aaron & Amanda Crabb, Canton Junction, Matthew Hagee, Tim Duncan, The Cornerstone Sanctuary Choir, John Hagee and The Hagees. A non-denominational evangelical church with more than 20,000 active members, Cornerstone Church is home to John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts Pastor Hagee’s radio and television teachings throughout America and to more than 190 countries around the globe. The ministry also operates GETV, a 24/7 online television and video on-demand broadcast of sermons and original programming, as well as music videos and performances by Difference Media artists (getv.org).

For further information, visit differencemedia.org or turningpointpr.com. Follow Canton Junction on Twitter @cantonjunction.

CANTON JUNCTION ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF SHANE MCCONNELL TO ACCLAIMED LINE-UP

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Difference Media recording artist Canton Junction announces the addition of celebrated vocalist Shane McConnell to its acclaimed lineup. McConnell joins Matthew Hagee, Aaron Crabb and Tim Duncan, to round out the popular quartet.

“Shane is a remarkably talented and incredibly gracious individual, who greatly complements the idea that Canton Junction is where good things come together,” said Matthew Hagee, who also serves as executive pastor, Cornerstone Church. “We are extremely blessed to have him and look forward to what the future holds for Canton Junction.”

“I’ve enjoyed all the opportunities I’ve had in the studio through the years, but now as a member of Canton Junction, I’m especially looking forward to being able to interact with live audiences,” McConnell said. “I’ve always loved quartet harmonies, but I also have a heart for praise & worship, so Canton Junction seems like a great home for me. I believe it’s going to be a fun journey!”

McConnell has been a highly sought after Nashville studio vocalist since 1998, having performed on recordings by Garth Brooks, Wynonna, Kenny Rogers, Steve Green, Sandi Patty, Andy Griffith and Bill Gaither, among countless others. In addition, his voice has been heard on recordings for Walt Disney World and SeaWorld. Since 2006 he has been part of the Gaither Homecoming family, performing on Homecoming videos, live events and studio projects.

Since the release of its self-titled debut last year, Canton Junction has quickly become one of the leading groups in southern gospel music. The recording features the #1 single, “Hold On,” and the current single, “The Son Shines Down On Me.”

Difference Media is a division of Cornerstone Church, founded and pastored by John Hagee. The label features some of the leading names in Southern Gospel music, including Aaron & Amanda Crabb, Canton Junction, Matthew Hagee, Tim Duncan, The Cornerstone Sanctuary Choir, John Hagee and The Hagees. A non-denominational evangelical church with more than 20,000 active members, Cornerstone Church is home to John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts Pastor Hagee’s radio and television teachings throughout America and to 245 countries around the globe. The ministry also operates GETV, a 24/7 online television and video on-demand broadcast of sermons and original programming, as well as music videos and performances by Difference Media artists (www.getv.org).

For further information on Canton Junction or other Difference Media artists, visit www.differencemedia.org or www.turningpointpr.com.

Photo: (l-r) Canton Junction’s Shane McConnell, Aaron Crabb,
Matthew Hagee and Tim Duncan

CANTON JUNCTION DEBUT CD RELEASE AVAILABLE NOW!

NASHVILLE, TN (September 4, 2012) – DIFFERENCE MEDIA is excited to announce that the highly anticipated self-titled debut CD of CANTON JUNCTION is now available! The quartet, consisting of Aaron Crabb, Tim Duncan, Matthew Hagee and Michael Sykes celebrated the release on a live telecast of CELEBRATION with MARCUS & JONI LAMB on DAYSTAR TELEVISION NETWORK on release day, September 4, 2012.

The group’s name, Canton Junction, “where good things come together” literally means: the crossroads of different subjects or regions into one gathering point. That definition perfectly describes exactly what happened when these four musical forces collided. Aaron Crabb, Tim Duncan, Matthew Hagee and Michael Sykes are four very different individuals who came from varying musical backgrounds and geographic locations, yet the moment they began singing together they stood on common ground.

The debut release is a two-disc set featuring twenty tracks of both new and classic material and is also representative of many roads merging into one. The influences you will hear range from timeless hymns to contemporary tunes ... from southern gospel to big band. Among the group’s repertoire are time-tested songs of the church, fresh new songs written out of their own experiences, as well as songs you may have heard, but not like this.

Canton Junction started somewhat spontaneously, in preparation for special music at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. But after that first Sunday morning performance and the subsequent television broadcast, the response they received was overwhelming. After years of making music individually, these four men knew the harmony they had experienced – literally and figuratively - was out of the ordinary. They had to keep singing.

The two-disc set is available now at all retail outlets and online digitally. Additionally, it is available at www.JHM.org by clicking here.
Connect with Canton Junction by following them on Twitter @CantonJunction or liking them at http://www.facebook.com/CantonJunctionMusic. For more information about Difference Media, visit www.DifferenceMedia.org.

Canton Junction at the Jordon River Canton Junction Sings On The Banks Of The Jordon River

NASHVILLE, TENN. (April 5, 2012) - Canton Junction, the brand-new quartet consisting of Matthew Hagee, Aaron Crabb, Michael Sykes and Tim Duncan, recently returned from an amazing trip to Israel. The group performed at the Jordon River, in Jerusalem, and prior to a speech from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Members Aaron Crabb and Tim Duncan were moved and shared their thoughts. “There’s something very special about touring Israel," commented Aaron Crabb. "It doesn’t feel like just a place to visit. It feels more like home!” Bass singer Tim Duncan shared, “It stirred a hunger inside of me that makes me want to experience more of God.”
Canton Junction records for Difference Media Group based in San Antonio, TX .Difference Media Group, led by Vice President and producer Michael Sykes, was formed by Matthew Hagee to reach the world through the powerful message of gospel music.
Connect with Difference Media on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DifferenceMediaGroup.