SKILLET SLAMS INTO 2010 WITH NO. 4 MAINSTREAM RADIO HIT, SHINEDOWN TOUR, MORE WWE AND MASSIVE SALES

January 13, 2010

**Atlantic/Ardent/INO rock outfit SKILLET has slammed into 2010 following an incredibly successful 2009 with their best selling project, AWAKE:

-Already over 300k in scans in just 20 weeks (more than double that of the GOLD selling COMATOSE), AWAKE was a critic and fan fave last year, Amazon.com’s best selling Christian CD of 2009, and now boasts the No. 4 mainstream Active Rock single in the country with “Monster,” which was also AOL Music’s No. 4 mainstream rock song of last year.

-“Monster” has proven to be just that for Skillet, with fans purchasing so many digital copies over the holiday, their sales increased almost 300%.
In addition to all the success “Monster” is having, their No. 1 Christian rock and CHR track, “Hero,” has been creating a great buzz as well:

-‘Hero” will be used in the upcoming trailers and promos for the new Twentieth Century Fox film, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” which stars Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman and is based on the best-selling book by Rick Riordan.

-“Hero” has been used all season long by the NFL in their, Sunday Night Football and NFL Weekend Kickoff promos.

-The WWE will use the song once again as the official theme song for WWE’s Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View on January 31st. “Hero” was
also a featured as part of the soundtrack to the WWE’s Tribute To The Troops TV Special, which aired just before Christmas on NBC. Skillet was promoted alongside other contributing artists including Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, and Nickelback. WWE programming reaches nearly 16 million people per week in the U.S., and WWE.com
currently averages 14 million unique visitors worldwide monthly, providing more than 28 million video streams.

-In follow up to their fall AWAKE & ALIVE tour, which, due to numerous sell out shows made Pollstar’s Concert Pulse’s Top 50 tours
for the fall, Skillet will hit the road with mainstream rockers Shinedown and Puddle of Mudd for the Sound of Madness 2010 tour beginning January 21st in Providence, RI.

- In March and April Skillet will co-headline the AWAKE TONIGHT tour with TobyMac for one of the most anticipated tours of the spring for the Christian concert arena. Tour dates will be announced soon.
For tour dates go to http://www.skillet.com

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Skillet’s latest, AWAKE, continues to propel the incredible momentum the rock outfit has going for them with a blockbuster debut at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200, selling over 67,000 units and peaking at No. 1 on iTune’s “Top Albums” chart and “Top Rock” chart within 24 hours of its release. Since 2006’s breakthrough RIAA Gold certified project “Comatose,” Skillet has toured with the likes of mainstream megastars Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether and Flyleaf, and headlined a slew of major Christian festivals, all followed by solo tours that ranked within Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours. Along the way, the two-time Grammy®-nominated alternative rockers also scored seven consecutive number one Christian radio singles, a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” and a 2009 nomination for Artist of the Year. Along with a trio of singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, a pair of BMI Songwriting Awards, and being chosen as Reader’s Poll favorites on several top ccm websites, they also released their first ever concert CD/DVD combo pack “Comatose Comes Alive.”

For more information on Skillet, go to: www.skillet.com and/or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic

Matthew West Gets Grammy Nod; Give This Christmas Away "Most Added" at Christian Radio!

MATTHEW WEST GARNERS FIRST GRAMMY NOD
Singer/Songwriter Nabs Nomination for Best Gospel Song


(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Dec. 2, 2009—Sparrow Records singer/songwriter Matthew West garnered his first GRAMMY Award nomination tonight, announced during "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," aired live on CBS from Club Nokia in Los Angeles. West received a nod in the category of Best Gospel Song for his long-running radio hit, “The Motions.”

West is in good company with fellow artists Third Day, TobyMac, Israel Houghton, and Mary Mary, also nominated in the field. He comments, “This is the icing on the cake to what has been an incredible year thanks to the song ‘The Motions.’ It’s been overwhelming how people have responded to the song and its message, and I am grateful for having been able to connect with listeners on that level. This is my first GRAMMY nomination, and for an artist/songwriter, there is no greater recognition.”

“The Motions,” from West’s 2008 studio release Something to Say, held the No. 1 position on both the Christian AC radio chart for 14 consecutive weeks and the Soundscan Christian Digital Chart for 15 weeks. Something to Say debuted on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian Retail Chart at #10, while West was the best-selling Christian artist on iTunes the week of its release. The album’s debut single “You Are Everything” additionally peaked at No. 1 on Christian AC radio and was the most played Christian song of 2008.

West’s current single “Give This Christmas Away,” written and recorded for the new VeggieTales DVD Saint Nicholas – A Story Of Joyful Giving, released Nov. 27 and is the “Most Added” song this week at Christian radio. West will perform “Give This Christmas Away” live with Amy Grant on the Fox News Channel’s “Huckabee” Saturday, Dec. 5, re-airing Sunday, Dec. 6. West and Grant will give an encore performance of the song Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 on the network’s “Fox and Friends” Christmas special.

In keeping with the “Give This Christmas Away” theme, West released a gift book this holiday through Tyndale Publishers, aptly titled 101 Ways to Give This Christmas Away. The book, along with the Something to Say Christmas Edition featuring “Give This Christmas Away” and three new acoustic recordings, are now available in stores. For more information on Matthew West, visit www.matthewwest.com.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Jan. 21, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. A complete list of nominees is available at www.grammy.com.

Kevin LeVar nominated for 2009 GMC Video Award

Kevin LeVar's video "A Heart That Forgives" (found on reel #71) has been nominated in the Praise & Worship category of the 2009 GMC Video Awards. Visit the link below to vote!

http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/gmcva

Da' T.R.U.T.H., Canton Jones, & Marvin Winans Jr., Join Viktory On The Tour Of The Year!

Additional Information
Viktory recently released his new project entitled "Son of the King", the new project combines stellar production along with some of the hottest Christian hip hop artist today including Marvin Winans Jr., Canton Jones and Lisa Kimmey of "Out of Eden".

With the "Son of the King" Album Viktory (a Chicago native) has made great strides in expanding his platform for ministry. First, by reaching the #2 position in a June issue of Ebony Jet Magazine also by delivering a superb performance at his recent album release in front of a crowd of over 1100 spectators.

Viktory, a businessman, family man and Ordained Minister, born to a 16 year old mother on Chicago's hardened south side. He has seen life times in his 27 years. From the sudden murder of his best friend, to the loss of his 3rd child, Viktory's faith has been tested and solidified.

He's made it his life's mission to see the fulfillment of his call to ministry. He currently serves as Armor Bearer working with the pastor of his local church where he uses Christian Hip Hop music as an outlet for his message of hope, love, and triumph through Jesus Christ.

His music has been acclaimed by the music industry's best. "He's among the best and brightest" exclaims Eli Davis personal manager for the platinum selling Anthony Hamilton. "He's what the games missing" says FirstBorn accomplished producer with production credits for Neyo, The Game, and Flo Rida.

The youth group leader, bible study teacher, and creator of the new web sensation VIKLIFE.COM, an online Christian network complete with news, videos, and music has been courted by a myriad of top tier Christian & secular record labels. When asked about his decision to sign with his own upstart record label he states, "I want to be free to hear and move with God. I have a burden to see people touched and affected in a new and real way".

After achieving Deans List status at his local college, Viktory decided that he would tie his business skills into his ministry. Today, he functions as Co-Owner of Dreams on Screen video productions, Pencilworx Design Group, and Founder/Owner of VikLife.Com. Three of today's brightest businesses.

Viktory has accomplished quite a bit as an independent Christian Hip Hop Artist, starting with his the featured artist on his latest album "Son of the King", Canton Jones, Marvin Winans Jr., and Lisa Kimmey of Out Of Eden together one album is a feat within itself. Adding sugar the Kool-Aid, he's released a superb video, "On Fire", 2 months before the albums release that came out of the gates to 10,000 online views in 2 days and ranked in the top 100 videos on YouTube.

The anticipation approaching the release date was very hard to ignore, banner ads, e-blasts, word of mouth, and sheer excitement dominated the days approaching Tuesday, June 16th. It overflowed when the public learned that Viktory's album had reached as high as #6 within the first 2 days of release on the iTunes US Christian & Gospel Sales Chart, out pacing Mary Mary, Third Day, and Israel Houghton.

To add icing on the cake, Viktory's album release party boasted a concert line up that reads like an Urban Gospel All Stars Compilation album. The live stream set a new record for visitors on www.dasouth.com, the urban/hip hop site that hosted the stream, as well as over 1000 guest in attendance. Viktory appears poised to make a real impact on Christian hip hop and music business alike.

What's truly exception about this movement is the fact that there is no machine backing Viktory, he is a truly independent act leaning on his Faith.


"When talking about Urban Christian Culture, my aim is to help develop the infrastructure and assist in establishing a standard of excellence in the genre both spiritually and professionally, I love Christian Hip Hop and I love God's people, I just want to see good things happen", says Viktory.

When asked about his goals for 2009, he responds with, "I'm just following Jesus Christ. I call myself Viktory because I know as long as I am in Christ, no matter what trials I endure, in the end, I win."

"God has done it all, I am more thankful to God than you know. I'm excited about the future. God is good!" - exclaims Viktory.

Support the project by Viktory called "Son of the King" on iTunes, or on the web at ViktoryLive.com and viklife.com.

GOSPEL MUSIC COMMUNITY UNITES IN SUPPORT OF GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION, RAISES MORE THAN $350,000

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Fisk Jubilee Singers, MercyMe, Kirk Franklin, Booth Brothers, Natalie Grant, and More Come Together for 'Concert of the Decade'

Godbeat.com, HearItFirst.com and 316Networks.com Partner to Offer One of the Largest Christian Concerts Ever Streamed Online

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - October 13, 2009 - An unprecedented gathering of Christian and Gospel music's premier artists and industry leaders united on Monday (10/12) for a concert to celebrate their musical legacy and support the mission of the Gospel Music Association (GMA), the non-profit trade organization which has championed Christian music for more than 45 years.

The musical event lived up to its billing as the "Concert of the Decade" with performances by Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Kirk Franklin, Point of Grace, Jason Crabb, Martha Munizzi, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms and the Booth Brothers. Brown Bannister, five-time Dove Award-winning Producer of the Year, produced the concert, which was staged at the Loveless Café Barn in Nashville.

GMA Board of Directors chairman Ed Leonard (president of Daywind Music), welcomed the near-capacity crowd of more than 350, plus an online audience of close to 10,000, to the fundraising dinner and concert, created in response to financial needs the GMA has, owing in part to the economic recession. "While tonight we've come together to help the GMA navigate through some immediate challenges, this assembly also offers us a unique blessing to renew the commitment to our community, and to build a GMA that is relevant for the future."

Also appearing onstage as segment hosts were author/pastor David Nasser; Premier Productions President Roy Morgan; and GMA Executive Committee member Eddie DeGarmo (president of EMI CMG Publishing). Special guest U. S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), co-founder of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, spoke to the importance of the advocacy the Gospel Music Association offers for its members.

The concert culminated with industry-leading Dove winners Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant singing "Friends," followed by a stirring finale featuring the evening's entire lineup leading the classic worship song "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)."

Sponsors and partners of Concert of the Decade included Platinum Sponsors World Vision, Compassion International and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus the Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Opryland Resorts and Convention Center, De Lux Productions, iTickets and the Gospel Music Channel. All performing artists and show producers donated their time, expenses and purchased the tickets to the event. *See below for a complete list of sponsors and partners.

Websites Godbeat.com and HearItFirst.com, in partnership with video platform provider 316Networks.com, offered a live web broadcast of the event, making it one of the largest Christian concerts ever streamed online.

The Concert of the Decade and dinner was staged at the Loveless Barn, the new intimate performance venue added to the Loveless Café restaurant on Highway 100 in Nashville.

For more information on supporting the Gospel Music Association or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the Gospel Music Association directly at 615-242-0303.

*Sponsors and Partners:

Platinum Sponsors
World Vision
Compassion International
Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gold Sponsors
SoundExchange
SunTrust Bank

Silver Sponsors
Avenue Bank
Harry Fox Agency
National Music Publishers Association
Regions Bank

Event Production Team
Executive Producers - Eddie DeGarmo & Scott Brickell
Show Producers - Brown Bannister & Steve Gilreath
Production Manager - Scott De Vos
Production Assistant - Lauren Roman

Event Service Providers
Blue Nova Designs
Classic Party Rentals
De Lux Productions
Garden Delights
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Grand Ole Opry
Hemphill Brothers
Nashville Event Lighting
I-MAG Video
Sound Check
Sound Image
TLS, Inc.

Promotional Partners
The A Group
Digital Nashville
Guitar Praise
Gospel Music Channel
Highland Software
iTickets
Premier Productions

Kevin LeVar Hits #1 at Gospel Music Channel with “A Heart That Forgives”

2009's Breakout Artist Launches Campaign to Inspire One Million Acts of Forgiveness


(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – The phrase Let's Come Together isn't just the title of Kevin LeVar & One Sound's national debut via GGM/Habakkuk/Universal Music Christian Group, but it's the prophetic description of the one year period since the album's release in September 2008. Landing at #22 on the BILLBOARD Top Gospel Albums Chart upon its release, the relatively unknown artist's ministry began to break down boundaries relating to culture, race, geographical association and musical styles, finding a wide audience that was ready to receive the messages of hope and healing that the singer/songwriter had been waiting to share.

LeVar quickly found the support of Gospel Music Channel, where his debut music video “You Are Not Alone” received heavy airplay and received a 2008 Gospel Music Channel Video Award nomination (“Best Soul Video”). The follow-up video for the new single “A Heart That Forgives” shot to #1 this week after only a month in rotation. The video, which was produced in Nashville by Feature Productions (Canada), received it's World Premiere on the top-rated network, which featured LeVar as this month's “Listen Up” featured artist. The video has also received a 2009 Gospel Music Channel Video Award nomination – this time in the “Best Praise & Worship Video” category.

The powerful message behind “A Heart That Forgives” has started a movement to inspire one million acts of forgiveness. The Heart That Forgives Campaign will kick off in 2010, with the goal of restoring families, repairing friendships, strengthening communities and empowering people through the simple act of forgiveness.

“At some point or another, we all have been hurt and in many cases, that hurt has not been released,” says LeVar. “Relationships, communities, hope and health have all suffered at the hands of unforgiveness. This campaign encourages all to trust in God for the strength to let go of bitterness and hurt, forgive from the heart, and live totally free from the pain of the past.”

The Heart That Forgives Campaign will be holding Forgiveness Rallies and Concerts throughout North America in 2010. An interactive website will be launched providing a safe place for visitors to “Forgive and Live” – taking an active step to let go of the hurts, bitterness, grudges and pain they've been holding on to.

The music video and live performance footage of “A Heart That Forgives” will be included on an expanded edition of Let's Come Together which will be re-released by GGM/Habakkuk/Universal Music Christian Group in late 2009. The multimedia project will also feature additional live video performances, the music video for “You Are Not Alone” and the bonus cut "Forgive and Live," which is the theme song for The Heart That Forgives campaign.

Over the past 12 months, LeVar has appeared on such programs as BET's Bobby Jones Gospel, Hour of Power (from the Crystal Cathedral), Lesea Broadcasting's Live From Studio B, Daystar's Celebration, Babbie's House, Atlanta Live, 100 Huntley Street, TBN's Praise the Lord, TCT's Alive and Rejoice!, INSP's Camp Meeting and many more. He's also had prominent performances at the NBA All-Star Weekend, Super Bowl XLIII, Civil War Memorial, 9/11 Memorial in Washington DC, Expolit Latino Christian Conference, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Stellar Awards Gospel Brunch, Rosa Parks Breakfast, The Dream Center (Los Angeles and New York), Bishop TD Jakes' The Potter's House (Dallas) and Israel Houghton's Deeper Level Conference to name a few.

Kevin LeVar has been nominated in a stunning 9 categories (First Ballot) for the 25th Annual Stellar Awards, including : Group/Duo of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year , Urban/Inspirational Single of the Year and Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year. The general public can vote online through October 3rd at www.thestellarawards.com. The 25th Annual Stellar Awards will be held on January 16, 2010 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.