FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI

Five-Time Dove Award Nominee Nabs AOL Music’s Video Of The Day;  Music Featured On ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” And NBC’s “Biggest Loser”;   Has #1 Single At AC Indicator And CHR, An AC First For A Female Since 2005!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nashville, TN – March 19, 2008 – Five-time Dove Award nominee Francesca Battistelli is having one amazing week. After wrapping up the nationwide 35-city WinterJam tour last Sunday in Nashville, Battistelli continues to be heard everywhere from the world wide web to radio to network television.  

Today, Battistelli’s music video for “Free to be Me” was chosen to be AOL Music’s “Video of the Day”  ( http://music.aol.com). Adding to the huge coverage, her song “It’s Your Life” is currently being featured in the promo for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and also was featured on Tuesday’s episode of NBC’s “Biggest Loser.” 

“Free to be Me” continues to capture top airplay on radio stations nationwide, hitting the top spot on both CHR and AC Indicator. Additionally, “Free to be Me” is the first #1 single from a female at AC since 2005.   This New York City-born singer and songwriter is now readying for the upcoming Dove Awards. She is nominated for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, while her Top 5 hit single “I’m Letting Go” has received Dove Award nominations for Song of the Year as well as Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. Her summer 2008 debut CD, My Paper Heart, is nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.   For the first time, fans have the opportunity to cast their vote for the upcoming Dove Awards with the ability to help choose Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Fan voting is being conducted through the Gospel Music Channel website (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) and at www.doveawards.com. The cumulative fan vote, which is open now and will continue through the live Dove Awards broadcast, will account for one-third of the total vote in these two categories. Visit both sites for more information and most of all, don’t forget to vote for Francesca for New Artist of the Year!   Visit www.Francescamusic.com for her blogs, current tour information, and more.  

Congratulations to Capital Lights for being voted Best New Artist of the Year!!

Also, congrats to Children 18:3 and Addison Road for grabbing the number 2 and 3 slots in that category! We love us some new bands!

Other winners from the Third Coast roster:

Male Vocalist of the Year:

#2 Jeremy Camp, #5 David Crowder

Female Vocalist of the Year:

#5 Natalie Grant

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year:

#1 Jeremy Camp – Speaking Louder Than Before

Most Anticipated Release of 2009:

#5 RED  (PS – you don’t have to anticipate anymore! The album is out! You can buy it HERE! Or HERE!)

Check out the rest of the winners at JesusFreakHideout.com

The Third Coast roster got 28 nominations!!!! Congrats to all!

You can check out the Dove Award website HERE for a complete list of nominees.
Here  are some of our highlights:

Song of the Year:

-”I Will Not Be Moved”; Natalie Grant  – www.nataliegrant.com

-”I’m Letting Go”; Francesca Battistelli, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin — www.francescamusic.com

Male Vocalist of the Year:

-Jeremy Camp — www.jeremycamp.com

Female Vocalist of the Year:

-Francesca Battistelli

-Natalie Grant

Group of the Year:

-David Crowder*Band — www.davidcrowderband.com

-MercyMe — www.mercyme.com

New Artist of the Year:

-Addison Road — www.addisonroad.com

-Francesca Battiselli

-Fee — www.myspace.com/stevefee

-Chris Sligh — www.chrissligh.com

-Tenth Avenue North — www.tenthavenuenorth.com

Rap/Hip Hop Album:

-Grits, Reiterate — www.myspace.com/officialgrits

Rock Album:

-Pillar, For the Love of the Game — www.pillarmusic.com

Pop/Contemporary Album:

-Bebo Norman, Bebo Norman — www.bebonorman.com

-Francesca Battistelli, My Paper Heart

-Natalie Grant, Relentless

Praise and Worship Album:

-Meredith Andrews, The Invitation - www.meredithandrews.com

Thanks for your continuing support of these artists!!

-Team Shack

Check out the website by going to www.TheRockAndWorshipRoadshow.com – there you can find dates, locations, and more artist info. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

We have posted the link below for you to check it out, but here are some highlights!

From Christianity Today:

“For Best Male Artist, it’s now been five years straight for Jeremy Camp, who just released Speaking Louder Than Before, his follow up to 2006′s Beyond Measure. Fans made this another landslide victory, awarding Camp twice as many votes as the runner up, tobyMac….

Meanwhile, longtime fourth place winner Natalie Grant finally makes a leap to the top. For years, she’s been the favorite among Dove Award voters – now she’s the favorite among our readers…

…Given their level of promotion and radio popularity, it comes s little surprise that readers went with Tenth Avenue North, easily the most visible of the new artists in 2008. Nevertheless, this was the closest contest in this year’s voting, with Addison Road and Children 18:3 closely following in second and third, respectively. “

Hooray!!

Best Male Artist – Jeremy Camp

Best Female Artist  - Natalie Grant

Best Group or Band – 4th place – Children 18:3

Best New Artist – Tenth Avenue North, 2nd place – Addison Road, 3rd place – Children 18:3, 5th place – Chris Sligh

Best Album – 4th place – Children 18:3
You can check out the full article HERE. 

Thanks for all your support of our artists! We appreciate you, and are excited to continue bringing readers’ favorites to your area!

_____

Friends and family,
 
As some of you may have heard, our band mate Randy Miller had a large tumor removed from his left chest/shoulder area which has now been diagnosed as Chondrosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer of the bone.  Unfortunately, during the meeting with the specialist at Stanford this week, he was informed that the tumor removed was just the tip of the iceberg.  The tumor is much larger than they originally thought and it extends into his shoulder and arm.  There is also a tumor in his left pelvic area and thigh and still another large tumor located on his right adrenal gland which is possibly another type of cancer altogether.    Due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, Randy should begin chemotherapy immediately but is waiting to hear back from the state as to whether they will insure him.  Until then, he cannot begin the treatment process. Please pray that this process is expedited.

There are immediate and ongoing financial needs for Randy and Kristyn and kids, Connor and Gillian.  These needs can be met by donating to a “Mercy Fund” set up by a non profit organization called The Stirring and currently designated to Randy Miller.  There are a few different ways you can send tax deductible donations to this fund.  One is online at www.thestirring.org <http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRoZXN0aXJyaW5nLm9yZy8=> .  Located to the bottom right of the main page you will see “ONLINE GIVING”.  If you click on this link you will be directed to a secure page where you can set up an online giving account.  Once the account is set up you will see the “MERCY FUND” and be able to send secure donations to the family through this organization.  Tax deductible donations can also be sent in the form of a check to:
 

The Stirring
RE: Randy Miller
3468 Bechelli Lane Suite E
Redding, CA 96002

Any financial support you can give in order to help the Miller’s through this difficult time is appreciated.
 

Thanks for your prayers,
The Myriad

_____

Please be in prayer for Randy and his family! We will continue to keep you updated.

You can watch it HERE.

In addition, Mercy Me has been updating their extremely popular blog relentlessly.  I must say, they are pretty funny, and might just have too much time on their hands.  You can check it out here! Pay particular attention to their  “Cover Tune Grab Bag.”  Did I mention they have too much time on their hands?

1. Why do you like working at TCAA so much?

Well, After being here for almost 7 years, I could write a novel about the many joys of TCAA….but to sum it up — I like working at TCAA because it is a great environment and I’m surrounded by great people who love what they do. And we don’t have a dress code.

2. Why is Shack your favorite agent?

Shack is my favorite agent because he makes me laugh. And sometimes he makes me want to throw things…but most of the time he makes me laugh. And I am impressed by his hard work and his ability to turn any song into a country song.

3. Why is Anna your favorite assistant?

Anna is my favorite assistant because she can give the sass back to Shack when necessary. More importantly, Anna and I are music soul mates. We also find happiness in similar things….flea markets, thrift stores, the fancy grilled cheese at Bongo Java, used bookstores……the list is endless.

4. What is the best thing about working at TCAA?

I like working at TCAA because its feels like I’m coming to work and hanging out with a bunch of friends. We definitely work hard, but we always enjoy each others company and have fun. It’s a great environment to be in and a great group of family and friends to work with.  Oh, wait. The best thing about working at TCAA is being able to work with Shack everyday. (Shack, please make that $100 check you promised payable to Ashley Nothum.)

5. What is most annoying?

Sometimes the boys are…well…boys. Enough said.  And sometimes Shack’s warble of majesty is a little too loud. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a BEAUTIFUL warble, but a loud warble. Like a choir of angels….or a choir of cats in pain…it’s a toss up.

6. If you weren’t working at TCAA, what would you be doing?

Hmmm…good question. Maybe working in the music industry in New York? But, I would probably be getting an art degree and shooting photos for a living… instead of it being a 2nd career (is this where I plug Silent Alarm? COUGH www.silent-alarm.com COUGH).

7. What are your top 5 fave records right now?

1. Brooke Waggoner – Heal For The Honey

2. Sigur Ros – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

4. Cold War Kids – Robbers & Cowards

5. Stars – In Our Bedroom After The War

Thanks to Ashley for her spectacular answers and for making our lives so much easier. Be sure to check out her website www.silent-alarm.com. (Ashley, you can make that $100 check you promised to Anna Rudman.) In the mean time, here is a little sampling of Ashley’s work:

So it’s been a bit, but Charlie Hall is releasing a new record! It’s been a rough go of it the past couple of years for this Passion worship leader. As a bystander who gets to catch up with Charlie on occassion, it has been encouraging to see how solidly he has walked through the ups and downs over the past few years. Now we get to audibly listen to these joys and pains through his new record “The Bright Sadness.”
Check out the bio below…you can also check out some of the music here:

http://www.sixstepsrecords.com/thebrightsadness/

Charlie Hall
The Bright Sadness

Paradox. It is not an easily definable concept. It is suffering mingled with joy; sorrow clasping hands with celebration; brokenness enveloped by unity. It is a bright sadness. It is a concept that is frequently embraced by those contemporary psalmists who march boldly on the cutting edge of change while holding tenaciously to the secure tether of tradition. Though it is the preferred weapon of warriors of worship, for Charlie Hall the paradox of pain and praise is neither a recent phenomenon nor a carefully orchestrated career choice. It is a compulsion driven by a hunger and thirst for the presence of God.

“The human condition may be frail, but God is bursting with life,” Charlie insists. “There is a massive sunrise full of dreams and hopes right beside the obscenity of the cross, and those two things don’t have to be exclusive. There was a time when I felt so human that I didn’t feel like I could belong to God. I didn’t feel like His greatness and my difficulties could fit together. Then He began to show me that my brokenness and messiness fit perfectly with what He came here to do. I was the perfect candidate for mercy and grace and life and hope. In my broken state, He is the Bright inside my Sadness.”

It’s been two years since Charlie’s watershed release, Flying Into Daybreak. It was two years Charlie insists he needed in order to process a faith that has been filtered through the ever-emerging human experience.

“The human experience can be really beautiful or really messy, sometimes at the same time,” Charlie muses. “I try to take those experiences and put them into prayers or statements of faith in terms that don’t deny the experience, but views them through the constant reality of Jesus. This takes time because I am waiting to see what God is showing me about who He is, and those are the things I want to say to Him in a song.”

After two years of documenting his faith and prayers during a period of his life that involved plenty or pain and trials, Charlie Hall is set to burst forth with The Bright Sadness, a thirteen-song retrospective of life as it is and life as it should be.

“I feel like I am merely a symbol of what is happening throughout the Church,” Charlie says. “Through lots of pain and trials over the past two years, God has showed me how to let go of control, to quit trying to always stop the pain, and to let Him work in the middle of it all. Even though I’ve experienced a lot of pain, it doesn’t leave me sad. I’ve learned that it is possible to feel the harshness of life and the brightness of Jesus simultaneously. This is a message that I’ve lived, that I am still living, and I have still been able to cling to Jesus and to write prayers to him.”

Charlie points to the song “Mystery” as a quintessential expression of that revelation.

“I was taking noontime Communion in this Episcopal Church that was around the corner from my office,” he recalls. “We were using the Book of Common Prayer, and it’s got this statement in it regarding the mystery of faith. It says, ‘Christ has died, Christ is risen (present tense), and Christ will come again.’ Amazing! From that came two lines – ‘Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity,’ which would imply that sometimes I feel a little crazy; and ‘Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity,’ which would imply that sometimes I don’t feel all that clear. That’s what Jesus is. He is my sanity. He is my clarity. And that is the hope and mystery of the faith. There is a Christ and a Savior who came to this earth, and died in our place, and He is risen now. But that’s not the end of the story. He is coming back to make everything new again, to redeem it, to make it all fresh and clear again.”

“The Second Alive” is another musical statement of faith that embraces the mysterious leap of faith. “It was written as an invitation to people at the beginning of their faith,” Charlie explains, “but it was birthed out of God speaking to me in the now saying, ‘Here are the things I’m asking you to let go of. These are the things I am asking you to no longer try to control.’ There is a line in the song that says, ‘Take a walk in the burning heart of God,’ because there is so much life and depth and hope in His heart that it is worth letting everything that comforts you go, and jumping into it.”

Charlie uses the graphically titled “Hookers and Robbers” to illustrate the transformative power of Christ. The song tells a tale of a gathering of the vilest offenders imaginable and an encounter with unconditional love. “The song is very descriptive,” he admits. “Crack heads, hookers, robbers, people with smoking guns in their hands – they are all present. And then there is this Savior who comes with an invitation for each one to be renovated and redeemed by the only One who sees them in their most naked state and embraces them just as they are.”

But it is not just those who appear corrupt on the outside that need redemption, Charlie says. Sometimes the outer veneer we create in our own minds requires a wrecking ball.

“There are so many false realms you can live in,” he says. “The Church is real and alive. It is the Bride of Christ. But there is also a form of it that is very plastic, that is just something that is being created out of man’s mind. You can create a false reality of yourself for other people to see and for you to live out of. Those two things, which are built around pleasing the people around you, tear down the reality of living out your faith in light of the reality of Jesus Christ. Those are the two biggest obstacles for me, the biggest difficulties for me.”

Charlie points to the huge rock anthem, “Chain Breaker,” as an invitation and exhortation to both the people of God and to those who are outside of God to allow Him to break off those chains of false reality. “It is something that I keep asking of Him, to loosen me, to take the chains off of me,” Charlie says. “The chorus goes through a list of His attributes. He is heart savior; He is a chain-breaker; He is a renovator; He is a redeemer. His cross literally split history. Because of that we should stand up and applaud.”

While Charlie Hall and his band spend a third of each month playing colleges, churches, theaters, and conferences, he insists his most important time is spent at home, focusing on his family, and embracing the art of living.

“We use music to connect people to God, to give them prayers to sing, and words to use in adoration,” he says. “But my biggest responsibility is to my family. I’m intensely focused on my kids; loving them, growing them, walking life with them, teaching them. Secondarily, I am also trying to cut into the art world in Oklahoma City by growing relationships and helping people grow their art.”

Musically mature and a spiritually sensitive, The Bright Sadness confirms Charlie Hall’s reputation for writing prayer-songs, worship-songs, and musical statements of faith that are intimate, passionate and above all, real.

Be sure to check out the Texas page for updated avails for our artists. Please feel free to contact us here at the office with any questions, or to find out more about these opportunities!

Have a great weekend!