Beyond The Ashes first Canadian Concert Appearance

Vertical Sky MEDIA RELEASE                                                          Beyond The Ashes Impacts Canadian Audiences        Nashville, TN (July 16th, 2014) – Beyond The Ashes made their very first Canadian concert appearance last month.  The group, who has traveled and sang all across the United States, had yet to take their ministry across the border until now.  The trip proved to be an amazing success and the guys look forward to many more opportunities to visit and sing in the Great White North. Concert promoter, Richard Daniel, of the Henley Christian Music Festival expressed,  "I have never seen a better first set by a Southern Gospel group. Their harmony was impeccable, their stage presence was welcoming, their instrumentation was spot-on, and their love for the Lord was truly sincere.  They blessed us with 55 minutes of music during their first set alone." But, the story gets more interesting.  Daniel continues, "As the first set was wrapping up we experienced a power outage and the alarms went off!  It’s never a dull moment at the Henley.  With the safety of those in attendance at hand, we were forced to evacuate the building until we could determine the root cause of the electrical outage and the reason the fire alarm sounded.  Turns out an electrical line had come down in the vicinity and affected quite a number of homes and buildings…one being ours."   However, that didn't stop Beyond The Ashes.  Everyone came back in and the concert continued.  Even with no power in the building, the group ministered with an intimate acoustic set around an antique piano.   Daniel concludes, "And the Lord was there.  I had someone approach me and shared they felt the second set was better than the first. I didn’t think that was possible!  Two sets, two completely different feels, one amazing God!  Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to host Beyond The Ashes and for allowing us to continue to steward this ministry for your Glory and Praise."    Beyond The Ashes' tenor singer and ministry leader, Anthony Facello, shared, "We had an absolutely fantastic first tour to Canada.  The scenery was beautiful and more than that the people greeted us with warm hearts and spirits of expectation.  We are already scheduled to return in 2015 and we can't wait."  Baritone, Tyler Vestal, adds "I loved going to Canada for the first time.  The people were so warm and friendly and loved the style music we did.  I cannot wait to go back next year." To learn more about Beyond The Ashes or to schedule them for your church or concert event, visit www.beyondtheashesonline.com.  Like them on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/beyondtheashes and follow them on Twitter at @beyondtheashes1.     Vertical Sky  www.verticalskyonline.com verticalsky@comcast.net

Vertical Sky Announces Good Changes

Vertical Sky Announces New LAUNCH Strategy

Nashville, TN (September 16th, 2013) In the ever-expanding and changing era of Gospel music radio airplay, Vertical Sky is thrilled to announce a new service for Christian music artists called LAUNCH.

What is LAUNCH? Launch is a radio airplay service, offered by Vertical Sky, geared to send and service Christian music in the genre of Southern Gospel and Bluegrass to the strongest and most comprehensive list of airplay outlets available today. Those include individual stations, networks, syndicated programs, internet radio, and satellite radio programming. After months of research and preparation, the company is thrilled to be ready to help artists do what matters MOST; Get their music HEARD.

LAUNCH is not just a download service. It is a truly AIRPLAY focused service where music will be sent to stations, either by hard copy radio disc and/or download, according to the preference of the station.

Vertical Sky will provide additional perks during the LAUNCH, by first helping choose the right single for radio (which affords the artist’s music the best opportunity for success), setting add dates, striving for adds on those dates, and expansion of airplay opportunities. Additionally, each artist using LAUNCH will have a personalized E-Card download sent to nearly 700 stations, placement on the Vertical Sky website, and placement on Vertical Sky’s exclusive SOUNDCLOUD fan listening page.

This new approach to radio promotion and servicing was born out of years of experience in radio promotion by company founder and president, Donna King. Donna expresses, “I love my radio friends and my artists. More and more, over the years, I have seen that my wonderful charting stations are overwhelmed and inundated with people vying for a TOP spot. I have also seen the emotional pull this effort has on my precious artists, often draining their hopes and dreams, when, all the while, they are doing an excellent job in serving God and reaching people. While I understand the need for an artist’s music and ministry to be validated by chart success, I truly believe this can happen in ways that honor GOD and the efforts of those artists and radio stations. Both entities work hard to do the right thing in the right way. Chart success, and, most importantly, airplay success will happen with good music and strong lyrical content. I am able to testify to that from personal experience. These radio stations listen to their audience and to the heart of GOD. While I understand the LAUNCH approach won’t be preferred by everyone, I think many artists will benefit from this service and will feel grateful to avoid the monthly promotion payments following the launch of a single that leave them wondering if it is making a difference or not. This is a huge leap of faith for Vertical Sky but I believe it will lead many people to a really great place in their radio efforts. I have to be obedient to God. This decision is, for me, an act of obedience. This is not to say that I feel the traditional method of radio promotion is wrong. I think in some cases, and at some times, it is needed (like when a single has traction and needs a boost). I just don’t believe that it is right for everyone, every time.”

In addition to Vertical Sky’s LAUNCH, Donna is excited to be able to spend more time working with ministries on staging and vocal training, as well as her GREAT loves, which are writing and producing music. She, along with her husband, Zane, will begin touring on a limited basis as well.

For more information about Vertical Sky, visit www.verticalskyonline.com.

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Pictured: Donna King

Casey Shepherd Of Beyond The Ashes Weds Lisa Di Virgilio

Nashville, TN (July 23th, 2013) – StowTown Records' artist Beyond The Ashes is happy to share the news of the marriage of baritone singer, Casey Shepherd, to Lisa Di Virgilio.

The couple married last month in a beautiful ceremony in New York where they first met and fell in love.

And where did they meet? They met in New York. Casey saw Lisa, for the very first time there, on television where she was a TV reporter on the news! He went on to send her an email expressing how gorgeous she was. He never expected a reply but, low and behold, he got one. That reply led to a first date which went on to lead to a lifetime of love.

Casey expresses, "The moment I met Lisa, I knew she was the one. Our wedding day could not have been more perfect. We are looking forward to all that life will bring as we share this journey together. We are truly blessed!"

The couple have made their home Nashville, TN where they felt it was best to live, as Casey travels and sings fullltime with Beyond The Ashes.

Browders Get Another #1

Nashville, TN (May 17, 2013) Radio Promotions Vertical Sky is pleased to announce that “Praise You In This Valley” by the Browders has grabbed the number 1 spot for the month of July on the Singing News chart.
Written by group member Matthew Browder, “Praise You In This Valley” has been blessing people all across this nation as the Browders have been ministering with it in every service.
Sonya Browder singer and keyboard player said “We are so excited, because “Praise You In This Valley” is the third number one song from this album, 'The Message'. It's also the last song we are releasing from this CD. The best thing about having a number one song is that so many, many people hear the message of what you are singing about.”
Matthew Browder continued “In addition to three number one songs, this CD had recorded four other Top Ten songs on the charts.”
Be looking for the Browders brand new CD release around August 6th. The new CD is packed with original songs penned by the Browders.
The Browders recently won Breakthrough Artist of the Year in the AGM Music Awards.
David Browder stated “We are just amazed at the blessings God is bestowing on us lately.”
You can learn more about the Browders at http://www.thebrowders.com , or on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Browders-Friends . You can E-mail the Browders at sonya@thebrowders.com .

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About The Browders
From their beginning traveling together as a family in a Dodge Omni car, to a successful music ministry with national hits, The Browders of Hiltons, Virginia are one of the most exciting groups to step on stage in many years. This family group consists of Tommy Browder, his sons, Matthew and David, and Matthew’s wife, Sonya. They travel year round, keeping a full concert schedule as well as holding revivals across the country. One of their most captivating qualities is that The Browders play much of their music live with Tommy on acoustic lead, David on bass, Matthew on rhythm guitar and Sonya on piano. They also write most of their own music.

In recent years, they have been steadily expanding and improving their ministry for the glory of God. They have enjoyed Singing News charting success with original songs like “Stand Up For Jesus” (peaked at #7, in top 20 songs of the year), “Waitin’ On My Change” (#14) and many others. With the release of their highly-anticipated, “The Message” recording came a milestone—their first #1 radio single, “Message of the Cross”. They are currently performing songs from that recording as well as their hits and most-requested songs.

Though things change throughout the years, their mission has remained the same—to bring hope to a lost and dying world and to encourage and challenge believers. They’re real and they’re anointed. We hope that in the near future you are able to attend or host a Browders’ concert to experience how God is working through this team.

VERTICAL SKY ANNOUNCES NEW HOME ON THE WEB

Nashville, TN (May 3, 2013) – Vertical Sky's President & CEO, Donna King, is thrilled to announce the company's new home on the web, verticalskyonline.com.

The new website will serve Vertical Sky's partnering radio stations, all of the artists associated with the company, and all of the fans who love the artists.

Donna King shares, "It's hard to put into words what a privilege it is for Vertical Sky to represent so much GREAT music from so many wonderful artists in Gospel music. And, to have the opportunity to introduce that music to the world through the dedicted radio stations across the globe, who sacrifice so much to share this message of hope, is a complete joy! I cannot thank Ike LaFontaine enough for his excellent work in creating our new home on the web. I hope everyone enjoys the features offered there and I pray the services extended to our sweet radio friends will make their lives a little easier."

Vertical Sky's home on the web offers chart updates, twitter feeds, news snippets, a special radio download log in page (password protected for radio only), an artist page (which links to all their great artists' homes on the web), and a listening page, where fans can hear all the single releases that have recently arrived at radio via Vertical Sky.

Be sure to visit the new site today and let Vertical Sky know how you like it on their FACEBOOK or TWITTER page.

Vertical Sky
www.verticalskyonline.com

The Dominion Agency Adds The Akins To Their Talent Roster

Waynesville, NC (March 11, 2013) – Christian music’s premiere booking agency, the Dominion Agency, is very pleased to announce the signing of Crossroads Music Group artist, the Akins, to their outstanding talent roster.

Michael Davis, Owner and President of the Dominion Agency, expresses he and his company’s absolute confidence in this wonderful addition; "The Akins - stellar musicians and vocalists, evangelists with a positive message, number one songs and Godly family. In other words, Christ-centered ministry all-in-one. A perfect fit for our Dominion Agency family!"

The Akins have celebrated numerous hit songs across many Christian music charts around the world, but their first #1 Singing News chart topper (and its title) truly reflect the heart of this dynamic family ministry. The name of that song, “I Want My Stage To Be An Altar.”

“25 years ago God called me to leave my job and to start a full time music ministry,” shares David Akin, ministry leader of the Akins. “A few years later, being on the road so much, I began to miss my family. I began to beg God to give my family and me something that we could do together to make a difference in this hurting world. In all of my dreams I never imagined that He would hear my prayers and do what He’s done with our family. I have also prayed for years that God would put someone in my life to help me with our booking. I believe that Michael Davis, president of the Dominion Agency is that man. He is a wonderful Godly man who I believe has the ability to move our family and ministry to new heights and opportunities. We are all so thankful for this tremendous opportunity and look forward to joining him and the Dominion Agency to deliver the good news of Christ through our music all over the world.”

Chris White, co-owner and executive at Crossroads expresses, “I have been in this business a long, long time and I’ve rarely seen an artist come along with more talent in one family than the Akins. They can do it all! They play, sing, and communicate their music and they do every bit of it with excellence. We are proud they are a part of the Crossroads family and we're really glad to see them working with the Dominion Agency, so, even more people can experience the deep and effective ministry of the Akins.”

To learn more about the Akins, visit theakinsonline.com. You can like them on Facebook at facebook.com/theakins, follow them on Twitter at @theakins, and watch their videos at youtube.com/theakinsvideos.

The Dominion Agency is part of a family of stellar talent agencies including-
* Dominion Agency
* Mountain Top Talent
* Blue Ridge Artist Agency

To learn more about all of the artists who call the Dominion Agency home, visit dominionagency.com. To schedule the Akins or other wonderful artists with the agency, call 828-454-5900 or email scheduling@thedominionagency.com.

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Photo Above: The Akins, along with Chris White (Crossroads Music Group) and Michael Davis (Owner and President of Michael Davis and Associates,
home to the Dominion Agency).

Mercy's Well To Be Featured Artist On The Gospel Greats Christmas Edition This Weekend

MERCY'S WELL To Be The Featured Artist On The Gospel Greats CHRISTMAS EDITION with Paul Heil This Weekend

Nashville, TN (Dec. 6th, 2012) – Powerful trio, Mercy's Well, will be the featured artist on this weekend's edition of The Gospel Greats with Paul Heil. The award-winning syndicated featured program will air at various times on radio stations throughout the country, and on Sirius/Xm's Enlighten, the weekend of Dec. 8-9, 2012.

Songs from their brand new CHRISTMAS recording, BETHLEHEM SKY, produced by Donna King, will be featured. There will also be special interview segments with Brad, Greg, and Kyle, of Mercy's Well. The new recording includes Christmas classics and brand new, original Christmas music.

You won't want to miss this special time with Paul Heil's The Gospel Greats and Mercy's Well.

For more information about this show, including other artists included on this special Christmas edition, visit http://www.thegospelgreats.com/next.htm. To find a station airing The Gospel Greats near you, click on the station finder located on The Gospel Greats website.

To learn more about Mercy's Well or to schedule them for your music event, visit www.mercyswell.com. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mercyswellonline and on Twitter @Mercys_Well. You can purchase the new CD, BETHLEHEM SKY, as well as many other recordings from the trio, on their website, from Springside, and on iTunes.

Vertical Sky Welcomes Sheri LaFontaine To Radio Team

Nashville, TN (Oct. 3, 2012) Donna (Beauvais) King has always been a visionary, but, with every dream she’s had, she’s learned God’s dreams are even bigger. Such is the case with the expansion of her company, Vertical Sky. The company is thrilled to welcome Sheri LaFontaine to the radio promotion and publicity team.

Sheri will be relocating to Nashville, TN from Holland, OH, where she is currently the morning show co-host on Christian radio station WPOS. She will work, side by side, with Donna in radio promotion and press, and assist in other areas, as the need arises. This will be a great benefit to the company, but more importantly, that benefit will be felt directly by artists and record companies working with Vertical Sky.

Donna expresses, “I knew an addition was becoming inevitable, but I also knew I had to wait for just the right person for the job. My artists and the record companies I work with need and expect a strong team at Vertical Sky. When I learned Sheri was seeking a job in Nashville that would fit her qualities and her career path, I immediately had my answer. Sheri brings every level of experience necessary to be excellent in this role. She is an outstanding musician/singer/songwriter, is very familiar with our music, is experienced in radio programming, and is an all around wonderful people person with a heart of gold. I am SO excited to welcome her to Vertical Sky!!”

Vertical Sky’s Volume Four-October 2012 compilation disc and download will be shipping to radio the week of October 15th. For radio service, email verticalsky@comcast.net. For more on Vertical Sky, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/verticalskyonline or on twitter @theverticalsky.

Jessica King to be Featured Artist on The Gospel Greats This Weekend

Nashville, TN (July 11, 2012) – Dove nominated solo artist, Jessica King, will be the featured artist on this weekend's edition of The Gospel Greats with Paul Heil. The award-winning syndicated featured program will air at various times on radio stations throughout the country, and on Sirius/Xm's Enlighten, the weekend of July 14-15, 2012.

Songs from her latest recording, THE BEST OF JESSICA KING: WORK OF HEART, will be featured, as well as some heartfelt interview segments with Jessica. The featured album includes hit songs of the past like "Keep Me In Your Will" and "Come Spring," along with some brand new and powerful songs, such as "I'm Coming Home," and the current single now playing on radio stations around the world, "Can't Dream Big Enough."

You won't want to miss this special time with Paul Heil's The Gospel Greats and Jessica King.

For more information and to find a station airing The Gospel Greats near you, go to http://www.thegospelgreats.com/next.htm.

To learn more about Jessica King or to schedule her for your music event, visit www.jessicakingmusic.com. You can find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jessicakingmusic and on Twitter @jessicakmusic. You can purchase her new CD on her website and on iTunes.


Vertical Sky
www.verticalskyonline.com
verticalsky@comcast.net

BEYOND THE ASHES NOMINATED FOR TWO GMA DOVE AWARDS

GROUP RECEIVES NODS FOR NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR & CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR

Nashville, TN (Feb 22, 2012) –Powerful vocal trio, Beyond The Ashes (BTA), is overwhelmed with gratitude with news of two prestigious DOVE AWARD nominations. The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced the nominees at a press conference held in Atlanta, GA this morning. The announcements were hosted by comedienne extraordinaire, Chonda Pierce.

The trio's DOVE AWARD nominations include NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR and CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR, "What I Have I Give," written by Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, and Depp Britt. The nominated song is from the album, Treasures Unseen, produced by Haun on Vine Records.

Group members Anthony Facello, Casey Rivers, and Kellan Monroe are beyond blessed by all God is doing in their ministry. These nominations have "almost" left them speechless, but BTA owner and tenor singer, Facello, tried to sum up the emotions as he shared; "We are stunned, overwhelmed, and absolutely thrilled with this tremendous news. The last 12 months have been quite a rollercoaster as we experienced successes and, also, some tough trials. The best part has been seeing souls trust Christ and lives changed forever. The hardest parts are tests of faith in moving forward, like when our bus caught on fire and we lost just about everything inside, including the transporation itself. But, what GOD has proven, and continues to prove over and again, is, HE IS FAITHFUL. There is no trial He doesn't understand and there are no victories more important than the spiritual ones we encounter as we continue to press on and serve Him in this ministry. Knowing we have received these nominations only fuels our desire to take it to the next level in this ministry and to really pray that accolades like a DOVE nomination (and, if it comes, a DOVE AWARD) will only open more opportunity to reach out to the hearts of hurting and lost people. WOW...THANK you everyone!"

The news of the nominations follows so many other incredible areas of growth for this talented group of guys, including their recent and first top 10 song, “The Coming Of The King.” Their new single, “Whenever We Pray,” is poised to be another chart busting hit. Both songs can be found on Treasure Unseen.

To learn more about Beyond the Ashes, visit beyondtheashesonline.com. You can find them on Facebook at facebook.com/beyondtheashes and on Twitter @beyondtheashes1. You can also see them on YouTube at youtube.com/user/BeyondTheAshesTV.

The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place April 19 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. The award show is produced by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) to offer the most comprehensive platform of music celebrating Christian and Gospel music.

The Gospel Music Association has been the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community since 1964 and is dedicated to celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. GMA members include agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio and record company executives, retailers, and songwriters.

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Photo Above: Beyond The Ashes- (top to bottom) Kellan Monroe, Anthony Facello,
and Casey Rivers

HELP IN A TIME OF NEED for Beyond The Ashes...

Nashville, TN (August 4th, 2011) – There are so many precious servants of GOD with so many needs. In turn, all of us, even those who are in need themselves, can do something to help someone else. It may be prayer. What a valuable commodity that is...! It may be a donation to a financial need that is bigger than people, but not too big for God.

For those who hadn't heard, group members and road crew of the vocal trio, were awakened in the middle of the night this past weekend by a bus fire, while parked and asleep for the night in the WALMART parking lot in Marshfield, MO. The bus, an MCI tour bus, and its contents are severely damaged, but everyone in the bus miraculously escaped without injury. The group has learned that, while the bus itself is insured, all of the contents were not. This presents an overwhelming financial loss and creates a hinderance in their ability to continue ministering as they had before this fire. With that, would you consider what you are able to do to help Beyond The Ashes get beyond this loss and be able to reach more hearts with the love of Jesus through their music and ministry. Maybe you can pray. Quite possibly you can give (even a small amount or maybe a large amount). Whatever you can do, we are appreciative of your help and enocuragement. To bless this group by helping with the financial need visit their website and click the link to donate via PAYPAL.

Here are more details to the incident last weekend:

Close friend and ministry advisor, Dusty Wells, was traveling with the group. He expressed that he awoke to the smell of smoke. He feels sure that God woke him from His sleep. He was able to get everyone safely off the bus. Road manager, Rob Estep, immediately called 911. The fire department arrived quickly to extinguish the fire and check on the health of the bus' occupants.

Anthony Facello (group's founder and tenor singer) shares, "We are grateful beyond words for GOD's protection over us through this very scary and emotional experience. We have, once again, seen His Hand of faithfulness to us. Certainly the name of this group, Beyond The Ashes, takes on a more powerful meaning than ever today. Although we know we face serious challenges as a result of the physical losses associated with this event, we are overwhelmingly glad to be safe and well, and we are trusting God through this trial. Please remember us in prayer as we work through the details of the situation. A special thanks to every one for your words of encouragement and your prayers."

Again to donate to BTA's fire recovery fund, you can visit their website and click the link to donate via PAY PAL.

To learn more about Beyond the Ashes, visit www.beyondtheashesonline.com. You can also visit their My Space at www.myspace.com/beyondtheashesonline or follow them on Twitter (@beyondtheashes1) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-The-Ashes/61861448534).

Thank you for your prayers and consideration.