1. Mark your calendars and set your alarms! WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS Group of the Year nominees for KING & COUNTRY will be on NBC's Today Show on Wednesday, February 4th, at 10 a.m./9 a.m. Central.
2. Word Records Artist VERIDIA has proven to be a standout at radio and on tour. Now, they're taking that one step further by marching way outside the box to offer one lucky fan a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This week, VERIDIA has launched the Unconventional Prom Dress Giveaway, in which one lucky girl will have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind prom dress designed just for her by VERIDIA's vocalist, Deena Jakoub, who frequently designs performance ensembles for the band. Learn more at VeridiaMusic.com.
3. Vertical Church Band has the #1 Christian album on iTunes, and the Chicagoland collective of worshippers is going to talk about the new album and this season of ministry--and take questions from fans--tonight at 8 p.m. Central on NewReleaseTuesday.com's NRT LIVE Google Hangout show. Watch live at nrt.cc/nrtlive.
4. Hot singles can differ from nation to nation, and in Australia, the #1 song on the Christian radio charts is "Fireblazin'" by Capital Kings. Also, Aussie-born indie artist Charmaine's incredible song, "Empire" clocks in at #7, which comes on the heels of her song "Love Somebody" staying on the charts for months and months.
5. Starting today, Australian worship band Planetshakers is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and although they're putting a conference on there during the day, the Awakening event's night rallies will be free to the people there. Should be an incredible time of encountering Jesus in the island nation.
6. Looking for that perfect Valentine's Day gift in the next couple of weeks? Dave Barnes has you covered. The soulful songster is coming out with an album titled Hymns for Her, releasing just before V-Day, February 10. No stranger to love songs, the new album is likely to be an ode to that special lady out there. It's unclear if there will be actual hymns on the record.
7. Hawk Nelson released their album cover and album title. The cover features the band (including new drummer David Niacaris), covered in some sort of colored powder--we're thinking it's corn starch--that looks like a human splatter paint project. The title of the forthcoming record? Diamonds.
8. Congratulations to Christian artist George Moss, who welcomed a son, Judah, to the world after his wife's marathon labor of 27 hours. He said although it was a super long day, it was the most amazing day of 2015! Welcome, baby Judah!
Quotes (3)
"When you experience grace, it is insanely joyful and makes you want to dance." - Kerrie Roberts
"Jesus is present through the storm, and He is what we need through the storm." - Lindsay McCaul
"No matter how big the moment or how difficult the day, my wife's smile always says, 'You can do it. I believe in you. It'll be okay.'" - Luke Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY
