Pillar, one of the most successful Christian Rock bands of all time announced on their social media pages and in e-mail to their fans this weekend that they will be reforming their marquee line up to record their first album in four years, and first for next level record label idefi Music.

“We’re going to be doing a record and are shooting for a summer 2013 release” says Pillar singer Rob Beckley. “It’s going to have that gritty sound but will come from a more mature place lyrically.”

Considered by many to be the band’s definitive line up, founding members Beckley, and Michael “Kalel” Wittig, were joined by virtuoso guitarist Noah Henson for the 2002 release “Fireproof.” The album immediately topped the charts and in the course of selling over 300,000 copies, won two Dove Awards and established the band at the vanguard of Christian Rock. During touring for the album Lester Estelle Jr., a much respected drummer joined the band cementing one of the most musically solid bands of the era. The effort spawned several hit singles including the title track and the band’s signature song “Fireproof.” 

In 2004, the band again topped the charts with the release of “Where Do We Go From Here”. The album immediately shot to number one and included the singles “Bring Me Down” and “Frontline.” 

“What was cool about ‘Fireproof’ and ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ was we were young and touring….those were pretty authentic records,” Beckley says. 

The band’s next full length “The Reckoning” not only furthered the band success but added a Grammy nod for “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.” Their follow-up “For Love of the Game” brought more Dove nominations and hit singles but would be the end of the band’s most successful line-up as Estelle and Wittig departed. 

Beckley says the band is very excited to be back together again.  He says that he’s very thankful for Pillar’s fan base. “We’re going to rally the troops so to speak…what made Pillar successful was not the music but the fans. The Underground Army has been in hiatus for a while and now it’s time to re-enlist,” he says. “One thing we know is that our fans were the driving force behind what we did. We’re really relying on them to support and get the word out about the new record.”

As to idefi, Beckley says he’s happy to be part of a groundbreaking business model. A thought echoed by idefi CEO Brady Deaton. “I am so proud to think that the idefi model gave them another option, one that included staying together and continuing to make great music while getting paid royalties on their music sales from day 1!”

Idefi Music LLC is a web based “all access” record label that allows performers of any age, level of experience or genre to upload music and create a profile for free. Idefi’s mission is to give artists freedom and control. They offer duplication, world-wide distribution, support for recording, help with music video creation and tour support as well as marketing based on a reward point system. Sign up for Pillar updates and get Rob’s single “Value of My Heart” for free at www.pillartour.com.

For more information about Pillar and idefi visit www.idefimusic.com. 

Shawn McLemore proudly shared the news via Twitter of pre-production beginning for the live recording of his wife, Rhonda McLemore in the city of Houston January 2013.

Now if you don’t know Rhonda McLemore, then you must have been sleeping over the past 15 or so years. She has sang with everyone from John P. Kee and New Life to Donnie McClurkin and Pastor Gregg Patrick and The Bridge Project.

McLemore last sung as apart of the duo group ‘Lyric Sings’ with the late Roz McDuffie in 2007. The two powerhouse vocalists were making waves in the Gospel community before Roz McDuffie fell ill with stomach cancer and passed away shortly after.

Over the years Rhonda has remained relevant, in part due to the smash hit single ‘I Am a Witness’ released by first time Gospel artist Pastor Gregg Patrick. The single landed them in the Top 10 on the Billboard Gospel charts.

Highly sought after for background vocals and recording over-dubs, Rhonda is prepared to step into spotlight once again. With another powerhouse vocalist as her husband, you can expect some good tunes from this live recording.

Check out the video below, once you’ve heard her, you too will be a witness!  Listen to the whole video and I guarantee you you’ll be shouting by the end of it!

It’s Here! The long awaited CD from one of Gospel music’s best-loved choirs – Dr. Charles G. Hayes and Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (The Warriors) BACK AGAIN. After fifty years of contributing a rich legacy to the history of Gospel music, BACK AGAIN marks the first release on Dr. Hayes’ own label Cosmo Sounds. “I am excited about our new release. After more than 30 records, you would think this would be an easy task, but we treated this recording like it was our first,” states Dr. Hayes. “We’re back again and being used as God’s vessel. We pray that listeners will experience the presence of God.”

Chart-topping recording artist Jason Gray released his first Christmas project earlier this year and is now scheduled to headline his first holiday tour.  The Christmas Stories Tour will launch November 28^th in Illinois and run through December 9^th in Ohio.  The ten-city tour will feature Gray performing with a full band spotlighting songs from Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy, presenting a deeper story celebrating the birth of Christ, while focusing on the details inside the Christmas narrative.

“This is my first official headlining tour and I’m so excited to bringing my family and friends with me to help tell the Christmas story!,” says Gray.  “I’ve dreamed of a tour like this for years and am so grateful: my sons will be on stage and behind the scenes, my wife will be sharing her passion for serving the poor with World Vision, and my closest musician friends will be making me sound better than I ought to. I’m also excited to bring my new friend Ben Rosenbush out as the guest artist. Ben is an independent artist from Minneapolis and I’m a big fan.  I’m excited to share him with others, as both he and his music are very kind. “

Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy is already receiving strong support with coverage or upcoming coverage from Christianity Today, Phantom Tollbooth, NewReleaseTuesday.com, gmctv.com, Christian Musician, Power Source Magazine and more. JesusFreakHideout.com says, Those looking for something accessible but a little more meaningful than songs about snow and sleigh bells could find a real holiday treasure in this collection. Best-selling author and Pastor Max Lucado added his voice to the accolades, saying, “I love Jason’s voice, his songs, and most of all his heart. This Christmas release is a Christmas gift for us all!” 

For tour updates and Gray’s latest blogs, videos, and information please visit online at www.jasongraymusic.com

Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy Tour Dates: (Subject to change)

11/28 – La Harpe, IL

11/29 – Hot Springs, AR

11/30 – Jackson, MO

12/1 – Aura, IL

12/2 – Weston, IL

12/5 – Rapid City, SD

12/6 – North Mankato, MN

12/7 – Waukesha, WI

12/8 – Zeeland, MI

12/9 – Zanesville, OH

They are five biological brothers from Georgia who have been singing together for many years.  These brothers have been making quite an impact recently in Gospel music with high profile television appearances, tour dates from East coast to West coast, and a music ministry that blends intricate acappella harmonies, beautiful soulful R&B ballads and high energy quartet arrangements.  There are no other groups in Christian music quite like THE WARDLAW BROTHERS.  

The versatile and gifted Wardlaw Brothers have been promoting their forthcoming release GOD’S BEEN THEREand have just inked an exclusive distribution contract with Nashville’s New Day Christian Distributors.  GOD’S BEEN THERE will be released in January 2013 by New Day Distributors, TWB Records (The Wardlaw Brothers own record label located in Vidalia, GA), and with marketing powered by The Bellamy Group.  The CD has already garnered radio success with the urban inspirational single “Somewhere Listening“, has established a quartet fan favorite “Right Now Lord” and has a special tribute to the military “Welcome Home Soldiers” that has become a Youtube video hit.  GOD’S BEEN THERE is produced by Grammy™ Award winning producer Cedric Thompson, Dove Award winning producer Antonio Neal and Martin Luther Wardlaw. 

For more information on TWB, log on to www.TWB5.com. 

Pictured:  Back- Martin Luther Wardlaw, Matthew Beckett (Attorney), Jamie Wardlaw, Carl Wardlaw.  Front- Thomas Rollins (New Day Distribution), Rodney Wardlaw, Tony Wardlaw.

A North Texas pastor was killed Monday by an attacker who rammed a car into a church wall, chased the pastor and beat him with an electric guitar, police said.

Police in Forest Hill, a suburb of Fort Worth, did not say why the unidentified suspect attacked the Rev. Danny Kirk Sr., the founding pastor of Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church.

The suspect, who police used a Taser to subdue, also died a short time after being taken into custody.

Forest Hill Police Chief Dan Dennis said the suspect drove his car into a church wall before noon Monday, apparently on purpose. The suspect got out of the car and began to attack the pastor in the parking lot before chasing him into the church, Dennis said. The church secretary hid and called 911, Dennis said.

Police arrived to find the suspect assaulting Kirk with an electric guitar that they believe was already inside the church, Dennis said. An officer used a Taser on the suspect, handcuffed him and put him in the back of a patrol car.

By then, Kirk had died, Dennis said. A maintenance worker who tried to help Kirk was injured and taken to an area hospital. His condition was unknown.

The car that was crashed into the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church sits in place in Forest Hill, Texas, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 

Dennis said the suspect was found unresponsive shortly after being detained and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Dennis said he didn’t know if the suspect knew Kirk, attended the church or why he might have attacked the pastor.

Hours after the incident, hundreds of people remained outside the church, where crime-scene tape was wrapped around a small statue of Jesus near the wrecked car. Some hugged each other and cried, while others recalled Kirk as a dedicated minister who also had a bubbly personality and knew the all names of the several-hundred church members.

“He really was concerned about our souls,” Montoya McNeil, a member for eight years, said as she wiped away tears. “You looked forward to being here. … I’m not asking God why, because I know where he (Kirk) is, but we won’t get those big bear hugs and those great sermons anymore.”

According to former Forest Hill mayor James Gosey, Kirk started the church years ago in a strip mall before building the red-brick church.

Kirk was also an unofficial volunteer chaplain who occasionally counseled members of a local high school football team, Fort Worth school district spokesman Clint Bond said.

“Our hearts are heavy right now,” said Reginald Wilson, an associate minister at the church.

This is the latest incident involving violence inside a church.  Last week at Creflo Dollars Mega-church, a man opened fire killing one.  

As Hurricane Sandy continues to bring high winds and flooding, Christian music artists are expressing their thoughts and prayers towards those in the path of Sandy.

The 1,000 mile hurricane is responsible for a undetermined amount of deaths in the Northeast and more than 5 million people are without power.

Here are some of the prayers and thoughts from some of the Christian music artists towards affected ones:

OFFICIAL Nicole C. Mullen

Let’s continue to pray for those on the East coast as Hurricane Sandy approaches. Our hearts go out to you!

Sandi Patty

Praying praying for safety to all those in the path of hurricane! 

Sanctus Real

Our thoughts and prayers are with those of you in the path of hurricane Sandy. Stay safe! 

Martha Munizzi

Praying for everyone being affected by the hurricane. I speak protection over you in Jesus name!!

Jason Crabb

Praying for all my friends in the path of the storm Sandy. FATHER, please keep your hand of protection on them!!!

Paul Wright ‏@pauldavidwright

Praying for everybody on the east coast in Hurricane Sandy’s path. Stay safe!

Mandisa ‏@mandisaofficial

PRAYING FOR THE EAST COAST. HAVE MERCY, LORD.

theafters ‏@theafters

Praying for those on the east coast who are in Sandys path!!! Join us in praying hard!!

Building429 ‏@building429

Praying for those in the path of #HurricaneSandy today. Please follow all the warnings and stay safe. Love you guys in the east coast.

Kerrie Roberts ‏@Kerrie_Roberts

Thoughts and prayers for my friends and everyone on the east coast.

Kurt Carr ‏@TheKurtCarr

My prayers are with each and every person that is in the midst of Hurricane Sandy near the Atlantic Ocean! I ask that God protect you and meet all of your needs!

Isaac Carree ‏@isaaccarree

Praying for all the folx in the path of #Sandy!!

PLANETSHAKERS ‏@planetshakers

We are praying for the east coast of the u.s as hurricane sandy approaches.

If your ministry is looking for that big break or just a large platform to minister on, the show America’s Got Talent is looking for you.

The hit show put out an open call today seeking choirs and singers to audition. 

If you’re interested you can click the link below to send your audition tape directly to executive producers.  

On the Drop Down Menu be sure to select TABITHA on the Producers List.

Winners of this years competition will win 1 million dollars! 

Click Here or visit www.agtauditions.com

View the flyer below for the official invitation.  Good luck to you!