Nashville, TN (July 12, 2021) – RCA Inspiration celebrated four wins and a night of powerful performances as the 36th Annual Stellar Awards returned big with a live show taped in Nashville, TN on July 10th. Hailed as the greatest night in Gospel music, this year’s Stellar Awards brought together a luminous, joyful evening of inspiration, with four wins announced for hit releases from Kierra Sheard-Kelly and Donnie McClurkin. The Stellar Awards weekend also featured appearances from Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Mali Music, and DOE.

Kierra Sheard-Kelly took the stage for two performances, as well as garnering multiple honors for her hit album KIERRA (Karew Entertainment/RCA Inspiration). KIERRA won Contemporary Album of the Year, while the hit song “Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard” won Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year (Dir: James Hairston IV). In addition to her solo performance of “Something Has to Break,” Kierra joined her mother and aunts, who make up the legendary group The Clark Sisters, in their stunning performance of their classic hits, and celebrated their family’s special night at the Stellars, who honored The Clark Sisters with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.

Donnie McClurkin won Traditional Male Artist of the Year for his hit album A DIFFERENT SONG (CamDon Music/RCA Inspiration), and appeared as a presenter. Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) was also a presenter, and Hezekiah Walker performed on the show. Mali Music joined Jonathan McReynolds in performing their hit duet “Movin’ On” (RCA Inspiration/eOne). Mali also joined DOE in hosting the Stellar Awards Chairman’s Nominee Reception and Pre-Show Awards on July 9th.

Phil Thornton, RCA Inspiration SVP and General Manager says: “Congratulations to Kierra and Donnie on their Stellar Award wins, and what an amazing time it was to come together, celebrate live music and honor the incredible impact of Gospel and the messages of hope, faith, and God’s love that all the artists continue to shine a light on. Thank you to the Stellar Awards for a great show!”

Catch the 36th Annual Stellar Awards airing Sunday, August 1st, 2021 on BET at 8 pm EST, with an encore presentation at 10 pm EST. Viewers will also be able to watch the show in national broadcast syndication August 1st through September 5th.

New Lyric Video For “Good To Know” Also Debuts

9 July 2021 – Nashville, TN – Rescue Story Deluxe Edition from Zach Williams officially releases today. The anticipated album offers the original tracklisting, including the GRAMMY®-winning single “There Was Jesus,” and accompanied by newly recorded songs such as “Empty Grave,” “The Struggle,” and “Stand My Ground,” which he performed live at the K-LOVE Fan Awards held in May. Official music and lyric videos are also included in this special deluxe release, such as Williams’ new video for “Good To Know,” which can be viewed here and below. The Rescue Story Deluxe Edition is available at all digital service providers.  

TOURING: Williams’ “The Rescue Story Tour” is officially back hitting 40+ major markets this fall. Joined by CAIN and We The Kingdom, the tour will kick off on September 23 in Columbus, Ohio, and conclude November 28 when Williams, along with CAIN, will wrap the tour with a special hometown show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

Concertgoers will get to hear many of Williams’ popular songs such as his top-charting “There Was Jesus” along with longtime favorites “Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir,” and “Fear Is A Liar,” as well as newer hits “Rescue Story,” the No. 1 single “Less Like Me,” “Stand My Ground,” “The Struggle,” and many more.
Tickets are on sale now for “The Rescue Story Tour” and Williams’ unique VIP Meat & Greet. While many dates are already selling out, be sure to click here for the latest information.

Rescue Story Deluxe Edition tracklisting:
Album tracklisting:
Empty Grave*
Walk With You
Less Like Me
Rescue Story
Stand Up*
Slave To Nothing
Under My Feet
There Was Jesus
Heaven Help Me
Baptized
Face To Face
Stand My Ground*
The Struggle*
Good To Know*
Turn It Over*
Rattle!*
There Was Jesus (piano version)*

*songs not originally featured on 2019’s Rescue Story

Audio/Visual Bundle:
Empty Grave
Walk With You
Less Like Me
Rescue Story
Stand Up
Slave To Nothing
Under My Feet
There Was Jesus
Heaven Help Me
Baptized
Face To Face
Stand my Ground
The Struggle
Good To Know
Turn It Over
Rattle!
There Was Jesus (piano version)
Less Like Me (official music video)
There Was Jesus (official music video)
Rescue Story (Red Rocks performance video)
There Was Jesus (performance video)
Empty Grave (official lyric video)
Walk With You (official lyric video)
Less Like Me (official lyric video)
Rescue Story (official lyric video)
Slave To Nothing (official lyric video)
Heaven Help Me (official lyric video)
Stand My Ground (official lyric video)
The Struggle (official lyric video)
Good To Know (official lyric video)
Turn It Over (official lyric video)

ABOUT ZACH WILLIAMS: Williams is a husband, father, recording artist, and songwriter, and a two-time GRAMMY® winner (Chain Breaker, 2018; “There Was Jesus,” 2021). Along with an additional five GRAMMY nominations, Williams is also a multi-GMA Dove Awards and K-LOVE Fan Awards winner and nominee.

He made history with two consecutive radio No. 1 hits for 35 weeks as a debut artist (“Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir”), and “There Was Jesus,” his duet with Dolly Parton, topped the charts for multiple weeks. Most of all, Williams’ music comes from a place of humility and honesty as his songs are a direct reflection of God’s redemption in his life.

“Chain Breaker,” his record-breaking and RIAA®-certified Platinum single from the album Chain Breaker (RIAA-certified Gold), has impacted millions of people around the world, earning Williams his first GRAMMY nomination in 2017 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, two Billboard Music Award nominations (Top Christian Song, Top Christian Album) and a 2018 American Music Award nomination for Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational. He also received another GRAMMY nod in 2019 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, Survivor: Live from Harding Prison, and in 2020 for “Rescue Story” (Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song). “Old Church Choir” and “Fear Is a Liar” are both RIAA-certified Gold.

Williams performed his RIAA-certified Gold single “There Was Jesus” live with Parton on the 53rd Annual CMA Awards. The song also made the Pandora Top Spins chart for twelve consecutive weeks and named one of Pandora’s top 100 songs across all genres. Additionally, “There Was Jesus” was WAY-FM’s top song of 2020.
He has won six GMA Dove Awards (Artist of the Year; New Artist of the Year; Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, “Chain Breaker;” Pop/Contemporary Song, “Old Church Choir;” Songwriter of the Year/Artist; Recorded Music Packaging, Rescue Story). He was also named Billboard’s 2017 Top Christian Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year and CCM Fan Awards’ Favorite New Artist Of The Year. Apple Music chose him as Artist of the Week (2016), while “Chain Breaker” was the top track of 2016 on iTunes’ Christian Songs chart. Williams has also been awarded by BMI with four Citation of Achievement awards for his singles “Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir,” and “Fear Is a Liar,” recognizing the songs for their national popularity and reach.

For more information, visit ZachWilliamsMusic.com.

The California-Based Artist Releases “Heart Of The Father” Single And Lyric Video Today

25 June 2021 – Nashville, TN – Ryan Ellis, a singer, songwriter, and worship leader, is the newest member to join the Provident Label Group/Sony Music family. Debuting his single “Heart of the Father” accompanied by a lyric video today, an acoustic song session with Essential Worship is also out now, which can be viewed below.

“This song was written in a season where I was really discovering the grace of God and His kindness, patience, and mercy,” Ryan Ellis shares about “Heart of the Father.” He continues, “I was a worship pastor living in a city called Isla Vista, California. The goal behind our ministry was to show the people in the party city that it doesn’t matter where you are or what stage of life you’re in — there’s always going to be the grace and love of God waiting for you. He always accepts us exactly where we’re at, and walks alongside us. I feel like this song shows what it is to be a believer and how we’re called to walk and love people. I hope this song blesses you.”

His name may be new as a signed artist, but Ryan Ellis has been preparing for this moment his entire life. With songwriting talents that have allowed him to pen songs for Matt Redman, Natalie Grant, Meredith Andrews, Steven Malcolm, House Fires, and more, he also wrote Chris Tomlin’s “Resurrection Power,” earning him a GMA Dove Award nomination and ASCAP’s “Most Performed Song” award in 2018.

Accolade, however, is not the fuel of Ellis’s fire. He shares, “I’m a devoted husband and father first. I have a deep love for Jesus and the way that songs draw people in to experience Him, to be inspired and encouraged, and ultimately to let them know that they are loved. Music is the language that everyone can understand, and it’s all I know how to do.”

Prior to partnering with Provident, the San Diego native spent five years serving in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan, yet his gift for artistry had him singing and dancing since childhood. Honing his skills to becoming a founding member of the original Jabbawockeez hip-hop dance crew, it was when he had a personal encounter with Jesus that his life changed and led him to become the Worship Pastor at Isla Vista Upper Room and overseeing Isla Vista Worship.

He eventually released the EP’s Live from the Upper Room II and Kingdom Glory, and in 2019 he dropped a dual album release Lyfe and Rysponse, both a challenge and invitation to listeners to be candid about the struggle yet stand firm in the truth and promises of God. With millions of online streams and a growing amount of listeners, there is no denying the integrity and sincerity found in the songs of Ryan Ellis isn’t falling on deaf ears.
Ellis continues to reside in southern California with his wife and two children. He is represented by maddjett.
Find out more by visiting RyanEllisMusic.com.

40-City Tour Includes Rescheduled Shows From Spring 2020 + New Dates Added

24 June 2021 – Nashville, TN – It was fall of 2019 when multi-award-winning artist and songwriter Zach Williams kicked off his first major headlining and successful run of “The Rescue Story Tour,” and plans were underway to continue into spring 2020. When the pandemic forced tours around the world to cancel, Williams missed the road but used his time to write, record new music, and spend time with his family. And now, he is excited to announce that The Rescue Story Tour is officially back and kicking off this fall. Joined by CAIN and We The Kingdom, this will be a tour not to be missed! Hitting 40 major markets, the tour will kick off on September 23 in Columbus, Ohio, and conclude November 28 when Williams, along with CAIN, will wrap the tour with a special hometown show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

Concertgoers will get to hear many of Williams’ popular songs like his recent top-charting and GRAMMY-winning “There Was Jesus” along with longtime favorites such as “Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir,” and “Fear Is A Liar,” as well as newer hits such as “Rescue Story,” the No. 1 single “Less Like Me,” “Stand My Ground,” “The Struggle,” and many more.

VIP MEAT & GREET: On the tour’s first leg, Williams offered a “VIP Meat & Greet” experience, which he will continue this fall. Held prior to showtime, he will host an exclusive, full-course gourmet meal prepared by his favorite chef, Paul Fields, a world-renowned professional chef from Napa Valley, CA. Attendees also meet with Williams for photos and receive a VIP gift bag that includes a VIP pass, premium concert seats, early entry, and more. Please note, Chef Paul has been working under the highest safety standards and COVID-19 protocols in highly-regulated Napa Valley, CA. He will be implementing those same standards when preparing and serving your food on The Rescue Story Tour.

Tickets are on sale now for “The Rescue Story Tour” and VIP Meat & Greet. While many dates are already selling out, be sure to visit Zach’s website for the latest information. All previously purchased tickets will be honored, but for any refund, please contact the ticket seller directly.

“THE RESCUE STORY TOUR” FALL TOUR DATES*:
Sept. 23 – Grove City (Columbus), OH
Sept. 24 – Hoffman Estates (Chicago), IL
Sept. 25 – Oshkosh, WI
Sept. 26 – Muskegon, WI
Sept. 29 – Meridian, MS
Oct. 1 – Euless (Dallas), TX
Oct. 2 – Houston, TX
Oct. 3 – San Antonio, TX
Oct. 7 – Madison, MS
Oct. 8 – Woodstock, GA
Oct. 9 – Johnson City, TN
Oct. 10 – Knoxville, TN
Oct. 14 – Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 15 – Bowling Green, KY
Oct. 16 – Durham, NC
Oct. 17 – Reading, PA
Oct. 21 – Aiken, SC
Oct. 22 – Spartanburg, SC
Oct. 23 – Birmingham, AL
Oct. 24 – Dothan, AL
Oct. 26 – Savannah, GA
Oct. 28 – Memphis, TN
Oct. 29 – Ft. Wayne, IN
Oct. 30 – St. Charles (St. Louis), MO
Nov. 4 – Loveland (Denver), CO
Nov. 5 – Albuquerque, NM
Nov. 6 – Tucson, AZ
Nov. 7 – Yorba Linda, CA
Nov. 9 – Oceanside, CA
Nov. 11 – Highland, CA
Nov. 12 – Visalia, CA
Nov. 13 – Modesto, CA
Nov. 14 – Sacramento, CA
Nov. 16 – Twin Falls, ID
Nov. 17 – Boise, ID
Nov. 19 – Tualatin (Portland), OR
Nov. 20 – Spokane, WA
Nov. 21 – Billings, MT
Nov. 22 – Casper, WY
Nov. 28 – Nashville, TN
*All dates subject to change; visit his tour page for the latest information

ABOUT ZACH WILLIAMS: Williams is a husband, father, recording artist, and songwriter, and is now a two-time GRAMMY® winner (Chain Breaker, 2018; “There Was Jesus”, 2021). Along with an additional five GRAMMY nominations, Williams is also a multi-GMA Dove Awards and K-LOVE Fan Awards winner and nominee.
He made history with two consecutive radio No. 1 hits for 35 weeks as a debut artist (“Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir”), and “There Was Jesus,” his duet with Dolly Parton, topped the charts for multiple weeks. Most of all, Williams’ music comes from a place of humility and honesty as his songs are a direct reflection of God’s redemption in his life.

“Chain Breaker,” his record-breaking and RIAA®-certified Platinum single from the album Chain Breaker (RIAA-certified Gold), has impacted millions of people around the world, earning Williams his first GRAMMY nomination in 2017 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, two Billboard Music Award nominations (Top Christian Song, Top Christian Album) and a 2018 American Music Award nomination for Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational. He also received another GRAMMY nod in 2019 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, Survivor: Live from Harding Prison, and in 2020 for “Rescue Story” (Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song). “Old Church Choir” and “Fear Is a Liar” are both RIAA-certified Gold.
Williams performed his RIAA-certified Gold single “There Was Jesus” live with Parton on the 53rd Annual CMA Awards. The song also made the Pandora Top Spins chart for twelve consecutive weeks and named one of Pandora’s top 100 songs across all genres. Additionally, “There Was Jesus” was WAY-FM’s top song of 2020.

He has won six GMA Dove Awards (Artist of the Year; New Artist of the Year; Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, “Chain Breaker;” Pop/Contemporary Song, “Old Church Choir;” Songwriter of the Year/Artist; Recorded Music Packaging, Rescue Story). He was also named Billboard’s 2017 Top Christian Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, as well as CCM Fan Awards’ Favorite New Artist Of The Year. Apple Music chose him as Artist of the Week (2016), while “Chain Breaker” was the top track of 2016 on iTunes’ Christian Songs chart. Williams has also been awarded by BMI with four Citation of Achievement awards for his singles “Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir,” and “Fear Is a Liar,” recognizing the songs for their national popularity and reach.

For more information, visit ZachWilliamsMusic.com and on his socials below.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (JUNE 16, 2021) – GRAMMY® Award-winning and multi-RIAA Platinum-selling group Casting Crowns continues to impact listeners with their newest song, “Scars in Heaven.” The impact was seen worldwide as the poignant ballad broke the global fiirst-day streaming record for a Christian song debut on Amazon Music. The song received playlist positioning that included the cover of Amazon Music’s top-performing Christian & Gospel playlist “Divine Sound” as well as featured on the Billboard in Nashville. “Scars in Heaven” is the debut song from new music coming from Casting Crowns.

“Casting Crowns continues to deliver songs that are timely and relevant to their listener’s lives,” shares Terry Hemmings, CEO and President, Provident Entertainment. “Seeing ‘Scars in Heaven’ break records like this with Amazon Music is just another example of the power of the songs that Mark has been gifted with and shared with us over nearly two decades. I’m certain this song will be among the most impactful songs of their vaulted career. It is a great honor to stand with Casting Crowns and the message this band communicates as they release new music in the coming months”.

“Scars in Heaven” was co-written by frontman Mark Hall and Matthew West. Hall was inspired to write this song while watching his mom care for her parents as they passed away.

“Being a pastor and walking people through loss, there is this moment when we are suddenly very aware of their absence,” shares Mark Hall. “When we lose someone, our only faith and comfort must come from the Father. It’s not going to come from this world, because all we see are reminders that we don’t have them. They are with Jesus. They are being held by the hands that bear the only ‘Scars in Heaven.'”

Click below to watch the official music video that has more than has 700k views.

ABOUT CASTING CROWNS: The prolific and chart-topping CCM group Casting Crowns, who hold the position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007, have achieved sales milestones with more than 12 million albums sold. Additionally, they have received numerous RIAA certifications: one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum® album, five RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, seven RIAA Gold® albums, four Gold DVDs, five RIAA Platinum singles, and 12 RIAA Gold digital singles.

Casting Crowns has also been honored with four American Music Awards (out of seven total nominations), a GRAMMY Award® for their 2005 album Lifesong, and eight additional GRAMMY Award nominations. In addition, the group has garnered 18 GMA Dove Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, and 13 total Billboard Music Award nominations. Casting Crowns’ seven band members all remain active in student ministry and tour according to their local church commitments.

The band’s 2018 release, Only Jesus, was met with astonishing success and response. Casting Crowns received their newest RIAA Gold Certifications for their No. 1 songs “Only Jesus” and “Nobody.” This album also produced two No. 1 radio singles, including the group’s 15th career No. 1 radio single, a GRAMMY nomination, a 2019 Dove Award, two 2020 Dove Award nominations, and two Billboard Music Awards nominations for “Top Christian Album” and “Top Christian Song” (“Nobody” ft. Matthew West). The impact of this album almost three years later includes more than 290 million streams life to date.

For more information, visit CastingCrowns.com.

10 June 2021 – Nashville, Tenn –Today, Essential Music Publishing and Essential Worship announced a new partnership with Life.Church Worship and Switch. As the exclusive recording partner for Life.Church Worship and Switch, Essential Worship will represent their songs and catalog recordings.

“Essential Worship and Essential Music Publishing are excited to partner with Life.Church Worship and Switch and bring their music to new audiences around the world,” says Holly Zabka, Sr. VP Essential Music Publishing and Essential Worship. “We know these songs will have a great impact for years to come and we look forward to building something special together.”

Essential Music Publishing, a full-service music publishing company, has become a vital creative community empowering songwriters to reach the world and make an impact with their music. Essential Worship resources churches worldwide and represents artists such as Elevation Worship, Vertical Worship, Red Rocks Worship, and many more.

“We’re humbled that God continues to move through music from the heart of our church,” said Sam Roberts, who oversees worship as part of the Directional Leadership Team at Life.Church. “We’re looking forward to partnering with Sony Music/Provident’s Essential Worship to reach more people with the love of Christ.”
Cassidy Estevez, Ministry Leader of Worship Arts at Life.Church, adds, “We’re excited to see how God will work through this partnership as we continue sharing messages of hope and inspiring listeners to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus.”

About Essential Music Publishing and Essential Worship: EMP is a full-service music publishing company providing publishing rights management and administration, licensing, royalty collection, and payment on behalf of their award-winning songwriters and catalog administration clients. In just a few short years, EMP has become a vital creative community that empowers songwriters whose songs impact the world in various media and multiple genres. Many EMP writers are also accomplished producers and artists, including GRAMMY® recipients Mark Hall of Casting Crowns, Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith, Chuck Butler, Bryan Fowler, and GRAMMY nominees Matt Maher and Mia Fieldes. That list also includes Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury of one sonic society, the production/writing team behind Lauren Daigle’s chart-topping songs, such as the multi-week No. 1 hit, “You Say.”  EMP is also home to Essential Worship, a church and worship leader resourcing platform, and a recording imprint representing artists Vertical Worship, Red Rocks Worship, and SEU Worship. Since its inception, the Essential Worship label and platform has helped launch numerous influential songs onto the CCLI and streaming charts, such as “Goodness of God,” “King of Kings,” ”Battle Belongs,” ”Great Are You Lord,” “Tremble,” “Yes I Will,” and “Graves Into Gardens.” Find out more at EssentialMusicPublishing.com and EssentialWorship.com.

Life.Church Worship is a collective of worship pastors from Life.Church, a multi-site church meeting at 36 physical locations in 11 states and globally at Life.Church Online. As an extension of the church’s mission to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ, Life.Church Worship is passionate about creating worship music that inspires listeners to pursue a relationship with Christ. Following the release of the Death of Death EP and the God So Good live album in 2019, the group released its latest EP, Jesus Is Near, last year. To learn more, visit life.church/worship.

About Switch: Switch is also a collective of worship pastors from Life.Church focused on creating modern music that helps listeners connect with and engage in a relationship with Jesus. Following the success of its first EP, Symphony, Switch was named Billboard’s 2019 Top New Christian Artist, and the title track “Symphony” earned Hot CHR Chart’s #1 Song of the Year in 2019. The group released its debut full-length album, Symphony, in February 2020. To learn more about Switch, visit life.church/switchmusic. 

Zach Williams Receives Two, CAIN Grabs One While Making Their Awards Show Debut

7 June 2021 – Nashville, Tenn – Provident Label Group is proud to announce that two of their artists – Zach Williams and CAIN – walked away with a total of three K-LOVE Fan Awards. Held at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, May 30, and airing on TBN last Friday, June 4, singer/songwriter and multi-award winner Williams received two: Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for the No. 1 hit “There Was Jesus” with Dolly Parton. “Rise Up (Lazarus)” from sibling trio CAIN, who also made their awards show debut, received Breakthrough Single of the Year for their chart-topping single.

Both artists performed during the show – Williams shared his powerful new song “Stand My Ground” while CAIN performed “Rise Up (Lazarus).” CAIN, comprised of Madison Cain Johnson, Logan Cain, and Taylor Cain Matz, also sang backup during Williams’ performance.

The Provident family went into the awards show with an astounding 13 nominations. Matthew West returned as host for the annual event while also performing his top hit “Truth Be Told” with country superstar Carly Pearce. Other appearances and performances were made by Chris Brown of Elevation Worship, Casting Crowns, and Leanna Crawford.

Now in its eighth year, the K-LOVE Fan Awards is the only fan-voted awards show in Christian entertainment, bringing together the biggest names in Christian music, films, sports, books, and more.

About Provident Label Group: PLG is part of Provident Entertainment, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, also home to RCA Inspiration, Essential Worship, and Essential Music Publishing, along with Provident Films. Their artist roster includes Casting Crowns, Zach Williams, Elevation Worship, Koryn Hawthorne, CAIN, Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Travis Greene, Matt Maher, Matthew West, Marvin Sapp, and more. Provident Entertainment operates under the umbrella of Sony Music Nashville. Find out more by visiting ProvidentEntertainment.com. 

MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERES TODAY TO ACCOMPANY NEW SONG

NASHVILLE, TENN. (JUNE 04, 2021) – Today GRAMMY® Award-winning and multi-RIAA Platinum-selling group Casting Crowns released their first brand new song, “Scars in Heaven.” The stirring ballad is available everywhere today. The music video premiered this morning on the band’s YouTube channel, which has more than 1.2 million followers. Casting Crowns also debuted the song live for the KLOVE Fan Awards, which air on TBN tonight as well as today at CMB Momentum for radio programmers in Orlando, Fl. “Scars in Heaven” is the debut song from the forthcoming new studio album, which will release in November. This will be Casting Crowns’ ninth studio album.
Co-written by frontman Mark Hall and Matthew West, Hall began writing this song while watching his mom care for her parents as they passed away.

“Being a pastor and walking people through loss, there is this moment when we are suddenly very aware of their absence,” shares Mark Hall. “The world seems quieter. You realize you’re not going to hear their voice again. And in those moments, you feel the last moments of their life here. You may recall there was pain and there was suffering and there was a tragedy or there was weakness or there were wrong choices and your mind is cluttered with the last thing you remember.”

There has been so much heartache and loss across the globe this past year, and this song will resonate with everyone who has lost someone close either recently or as they remember from years past.
“When we lose someone, our only faith and comfort must come from the Father. It’s not going to come from this world, because all we see are reminders that we don’t have them. So what we’ve got to do is ask God to help us release our ideas of who I knew that loved one was, and I’ve got to start focusing on who they are now. They are with Jesus. They are being held by the hands that bear the only ‘Scars in Heaven.'”

Casting Crowns has continued to impact fans since their debut more than 20 years ago. Most recently, they released their last studio album, Only Jesus, in 2018, with astonishing success and response. With that release, Casting Crowns received their newest RIAA Gold Certifications for their No. 1 singles “Only Jesus” and “Nobody.” This album also produced two No. 1 radio singles, including the group’s 15th career No. 1 radio single, a GRAMMY nomination, a 2019 Dove Award, two 2020 Dove Award nominations, and two Billboard Music Awards nominations for “Top Christian Album” and “Top Christian Song” (“Nobody” ft. Matthew West). The impact of this album almost three years later includes more than 290 million streams life to date.

ABOUT CASTING CROWNS: The prolific and chart-topping CCM group Casting Crowns, who hold the position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007, have achieved sales milestones with more than 12 million albums sold. Additionally, they have received numerous RIAA certifications: one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum® album, five RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, seven RIAA Gold® albums, four Gold DVDs, five RIAA Platinum singles, and 12 RIAA Gold digital singles.Casting Crowns has also been honored with four American Music Awards (out of seven total nominations), a GRAMMY Award® for their 2005 album Lifesong, and eight additional GRAMMY Award nominations. In addition, the group has garnered 18 GMA Dove Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, and 13 total Billboard Music Award nominations. Casting Crowns’ seven band members all remain active in student ministry and tour according to their local church commitments.

For more information, visit CastingCrowns.com.

Nashville, TN (May 27, 2021) – Award-winning artist, actress, and entrepreneur Kierra Sheard-Kelly has teamed up with contemporary Worship group Red Rocks Worship and Essential Worship to co-release their new performance of “Something Has to Break (Live)” (Karew Entertainment/Essential Worship/ Provident Label Group). Delivering an ascending worship experience of her No. 1 hit single, Sheard-Kelly paired up to create this new powerful live performance together with the worship group, whose ministry is based out of the Denver, Colorado-based Red Rocks Church. Releasing the digital single and live video of their performance, “Something Has to Break (Live)” is available via all major digital providers on Friday, May 28th with the video also available via Essential Worship’s YouTube channel.

Recorded live before worshippers at Red Rocks Church, Kierra Sheard-Kelly and Red Rocks Worship make a declaration of strength and faith in God’s constant presence, who is always there to lift us up through our times of worries and doubts. Originally released on her chart-topping hit album KIERRA with a featured appearance from Tasha Cobbs Leonard, along with recording an acclaimed version in a live duet with her mother, Gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard, Sheard-Kelly’s single “Something Has to Break” went No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales chart. Red Rocks Worship has also previously recorded a version of the song which appears on their latest release, Things of Heaven (Where We Come From). Since both artists are a part of the Provident Entertainment family, it was a natural fit to record a version together.  Sheard-Kelly co-wrote the song with Jonathan Smith, Mia Fieldes, and her brother, producer, and songwriter, J. Drew Sheard, II.

In addition to this new performance, Kierra Sheard-Kelly has continued to garner accolades for her sixth studio album KIERRA, recently receiving high honors with eight Stellar Awards nominations for 2021. Recognized across all major categories including nominations for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Something Has to Break (Live)” ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, as well as four other nominations, the 2021 Stellar Awards will be taped on July 10, 2021.  Sheard-Kelly is also the creator of her fashion line Eleven60, acted in the hit 2020 Lifetime biopic movie “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel,” where she portrayed her mother, Karen Clark Sheard, and made a hit debut as an author with the recent April release of her memoir “Big, Bold, and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be.”         

Red Rocks Worship is the expression of a dynamic community called Red Rocks Church, comprised of worshippers, creatives, songwriters, friends, and family all seeking to bring people closer to God. Based in Denver yet with campuses and reach around the globe, Red Rocks Church and Red Rocks Worship exist to make Heaven more crowded. They released their church worship independent debut EP seven years ago, which went No. 1 on the iTunes’ Top Christian and Gospel Albums chart. Since the launch of the group as an extension of the Red Rocks Church in Denver, they have released three full-length albums that have gone beyond their expectations and church walls. Their hit song, “Breakthrough,” has garnered more than 21 million audio streams and allowed the group to reach a broader audience. Red Rocks Worship recently released the first installment of the two-part EP, Things of Heaven (Where We Come From), offering songs for the listener that focus on the here-and-now of the kingdom, reminding worshippers that if the presence of God is here, so is heaven.

Kierra Sheard-Kelly + Red Rocks Worship: “Something Has to Break (Live)” is available Friday, May 28th.
For additional information, visit:
Websites:       
https://www.iamkierrasheard.com/
https://www.redrocksworship.com/
https://essentialworship.com/

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MEDIA CONTACTS:    
Jacinda Chen
W&W Public Relations
[email protected]
Vaughn Alvarez
CR8 Agency
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The 2021 BBMA’s Were Announced Live On Sunday From Los Angeles

25 May 2021 – Nashville, Tenn – Provident Entertainment is proud to announce Elevation Worship‘s double win at the Billboard Music Awards. Elevation Worship was awarded Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Song for “Graves Into Gardens (feat. Brandon Lake).” The BBMA’s, which honor the year’s most successful artists in 51 categories across all genres of music, were announced Sunday live from Los Angeles by dick clark productions and NBC. “It’s an absolute honor to have won two BBMAs,” share Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown. “Receiving these particular awards really shows the reach and impact the songs are having, and we’re so grateful to everyone who’s listening to and being encouraged by our music.” Going into the awards, Provident Entertainment was nominated for 15 BBMA’s. Elevation Worship,  Koryn Hawthorne, and Zach Williams each received three nominations, while Kirk Franklin, Casting Crowns, Kierra Sheard, Tauren Wells, Mali Music, and Marvin Sapp each received one nomination. 

The Billboard Music Awards are based on the chart period of March 21, 2020 through April 3, 2021. “Billboard Music Awards” finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data.

For more than 30 years, the BBMAs have celebrated music’s greatest achievements, honoring the hottest names in music today. Unique among music awards shows, finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard Charts. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.

About Elevation Worship: Elevation Worship is the worship ministry of Elevation Church, a multisite church based in Charlotte, N.C. led by Pastor Steven Furtick. Elevation Worship has produced multiple RIAA Platinum®-certified singles including Christian radio top 5 song “O Come to the Altar” and “Do It Again,” as well as RIAA Gold®-certified singles including “Graves Into Gardens,” “The Blessing,” and “See A Victory.” The group’s album, Here As In Heaven, has also received RIAA Gold certification. They currently have ten songs in the CCLI Top 100 list. Elevation Worship is passionate about producing songs for the local church that connect others to God. Their main priority is to create an atmosphere of worship so people can encounter Jesus in a real and personal way.

About Provident Entertainment: Provident Entertainment, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is home to Provident Label Group, RCA Inspiration, Essential Worship, and Essential Music Publishing, along with Provident Films. The label group is home to an artist roster including Casting Crowns, Zach Williams, Koryn Hawthorne, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, Matt Maher, Matthew West, Marvin Sapp, Tauren Wells, and more. Provident Entertainment operates under the umbrella of Sony Music Nashville. Find out more by visiting ProvidentEntertainment.com.