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News Collection Week of 3-20

News 18 Mar 11 By

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Skillet Grabs #1 Spot
“Awake & Alive,” the latest single from Atlantic/Ardent/INO recording group Skillet, has bulleted its way to #1 at Mainstream Active Rock Radio outlets nationwide. Their gold certified album, “AWAKE,” now features a trio of Active Rock and Christian radio blockbusters including the current hit “Awake and Alive,” the RIAA gold certified, top 5 Active Rock and Christian Rock smash, “Monster,” and the just certified RIAA gold hit “Hero,”– with digital single sales from the album now exceeding 1.5 million. “Hero,” which has already received an array of TV placements including the NFL’s Sunday Night Football, NFL Weekend Kickoff promos, ESPN, and more was most recently featured on FOX Sports’ “The Daytona 500: The American Dream,” a one-hour documentary special delivering fresh and never-before-seen footage from self-professed Skillet fan, Trevor Bayne’s historic run to Victory Lane. In reaction to his first #1 single at mainstream radio, lead vocalist and bassist John Cooper commented, “You know, the ride we’ve been on with this album has just been beyond incredible, and to have this song imparticular hit #1 makes it even more so since it’s about living what you believe. For it to have become such a hit, well, it’s just beyond anything I could have imagined.” Additionally, Skillet recently announced the release of a new digital EP. The “AWAKE AND REMIXED” EP will feature alternative versions of songs off “AWAKE” and arrive at all DSPs on March 22nd. Named one of the top 5 20 Hardest Working Bands of 2010 on the popular concert site Songkick, Skillet will then head out on the road for the “Avalanche Tour 2011,” joining Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Art of Dying, and fellow Atlantic recording group Halestorm. The highly anticipated tour begins Thursday, March 24th at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom and then continues through early May.

Memphis May Fire Touring With This Romantic Tragedy
Las Vegas, NV’s This Romantic Tragedy is heading out on The Hollow Tour with headliner Memphis May Fire, as well as Us From Outside and Too Late The Hero starting April 9th. The band’s new album will be released May 10th on Tragic Hero Records. Most bands’ would crumble after the departure of two original members, and the letting go of their front man, but This Romantic Tragedy saw it as another challenge. With their increasing popularity on the west coast, buzz, huge shows and a solid release ‘Trust In Fear’, the band signed to Tragic Hero Records in May of 2009 and shortly following the band re-released their EP, and set out on tour with bands like Confide, Of Machines, Agraceful, and Memphis May Fire. Midway through “The Thriller Tour” the band played a stop in Romeo, Michigan. Already having problems with their current vocalist, it was there they spotted a talented singer as a possible choice for a new vocalist. As the tour stopped in Florida the band had a huge falling out with their singer that forced them to drop off the remainder of the tour and seek for a new vocalist. As soon as the band got home, they went back to work rebuilding what they had with a new foundation, and new members. The band remembered that vocalist from Michigan, and contacted him about the band, and Sean Neumann, became the new vocalist for This Romantic Tragedy. Along with him, came another two new members, Chad Dague screaming for the band, and Evan Eliis, playing bass for the band along with original members, David Diaz on guitar and vocals, Mark Neuhardt, on Drums, and Kyle Huender on guitar. The sextet was once again complete. The band then set out to write new demos and rebuild what they had. With the constant support of Tragic Hero Records, and their management, This Romantic Tragedy went into the studio with Will Putney to record their newest album to be released on May 10th titled REBORN.
Tour Dates:
4/9 – Kokomo, IN
4/10 – Cleveland, OH
4/12 – Toronto, ON
4/13 – Montreal, QC
4/14 – Worcester, MA
4/15 – Allentown, PA
4/16 – Baltimore, MD
4/17 – Greensboro,NC
4/19 – Douglasville, GA
4/20 – Gainesville, FL
4/22 – Shreveport, LA
4/23 – Austin, TX
4/24 – Amarillo, TX
4/26 – Mesa, AZ
4/27 – Los Angeles, CA
4/28 – Lancaster, CA
4/29 – Bakersfield, CA
4/30 – Stockton, CA
5/1 – Las Vegas, NV
5/3 – Albuquerque, NM
5/5 – Oklahoma City, OK
5/6 – Tulsa, OK

Onward to Olympas News
The sophomore album from Onward to Olympas, The War Within Us, is out now! You can pick up a physical CD copy at Hot Topic, FYE, Hastings, our online store, and most indie stores nationwide. Fans and press are both talking about how great this album is and how much OTO has grown from their debut album This World is Not My Home, so make sure to check it out for yourself. Onward to Olympas will be headlining the Young & The Wreckless 2 tour that kicks off next month on the way to Facedown Fest, so make sure to check them out live when they come to a city near you.
Tour Dates:
4/1 – Joplin, MO
4/2 – Oklahoma City, OK
4/4 – Farmington, NM
4/5 – Mesa, AZ
4/8 – Pomona, CA
4/11 – Las Vegas, NV
4/12 – Orangevale, CA
4/13 – Provo, UT
4/14 – Arvada, CO
4/15 – Sioux City, IA
4/16 – Willmar, MN
4/17 – Springfield, IL
4/18 – Tulsa, OK
4/19 – Terre Haute, IN
4/20 – Nashville, TN
4/21 – Little Rock, AR
4/22 – Waco, TX
4/23 – Plano, TX
4/24 – San Antonio, TX
4/26 – Defuniak Springs, FL
4/27 – Fayetteville, GA
4/28 – Macon, GA
5/4 – Crofton, MD
5/5 – Lemoyne, PA

David Benson To Re-release Purpose Of The Cross
Intense Millennium Records is very proud to announce the details of the first of their new releases from their recent signing of Christian Metal artist David Benson! David Benson has signed on with IMR for a multi album deal! Where we will be featuring and bringing back to life some classic reissues remastered and expanded with new artwork and liner notes! The first of these classic reissues will bring you a newly remastered and expanded version of the LONG out of print David Benson album entitled ‘Purpose of the Cross’. Purpose of the Cross was originally released in 1996 independently in a pressing of only 1000 copies, of which, these have been completely long gone for years and have been a really tough collectible to come by for the David Benson fan! Now you will have one more chance to pick up a Limited Edition version of this classic David Benson album as we will only be releasing 1000 copies of this which will soon make even this remastered and expanded edition tough to come by! But wait that’s not all! This expanded version will be coming with three previously unreleased bonus tracks that have never before seen the light of day! In 2002 Mick Rowe of another famous Christian Metal band called TEMPEST would recruit David Benson to sing on what was to become a brand new Tempest album entitled ‘Crushing the Dark Cathedral’. Unfortunately after 3 tracks were written and completely recorded the album would never see the light of day and those three songs would be locked away never to be released to the general public until now!
Intense Millennium Records is proud to be releasing to the world on May 31, 2011 David Benson ‘Purpose of the Cross’ completely remastered and expanded featuring brand new cover art and liner notes from David Benson himself! Get your copy quick before they are once again long gone!
Track Listing:
1) Purpose of the Cross
2) Works
3) Second Coming
4) America Wake Up
5) Shout
6) Give in
7) Holy Psychotherapy
8) Revelation Man
9) We Are One
10) Faith
Demo Bonus Tracks: David Benson (featuring Mick Rowe)
11) Crushing The Dark Catherderal
12) Dark Star
13) Dear Aleister

Biola Announces New Speakers
Tom Halleen, Senior Vice President of Programming and Scheduling for the AMC network, and DeVon Franklin, Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures, will bring their production and programming expertise to the main session of the Biola Media Conference at CBS Studio Center on April 30, 2011. Halleen was a key team member responsible for the successful launch of the Emmy winning “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” series, as well as the record breaking “Broken Trail” and “The Walking Dead.” Halleen has been instrumental in driving AMC’s performance to record breaking levels, achieving the network’s largest audience delivery across all day parts in the network’s 22-year history. Franklin recently oversaw the remake of the summer blockbuster, “The Karate Kid” starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith, “Not Easily Broken,” and “Jumping the Broom” starring Angela Bassett. He was formerly an executive at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and got his start as an intern for Will Smith and James Lassiter. “In the fifteen years I’ve known DeVon, he’s lived his life the same way he makes his movies: with commitment, humility, and a work ethic that demands respect,” said actor/producer Will Smith. “I’m honored to have been a part of his journey from stellar intern to studio vice president — his story is one to be shared with anyone chasing a dream.” Halleen and Franklin join ten newly added workshop speakers including screenwriter for two Jerry Bruckheimer films Bill Marsilli, producer of “Scary Movie” Lisa Blum, director of Fox’s “Sunset Strip” Adam Collis, world-renowned Hollywood Economics lecturer Bobbette Buster, producer of “Like Dandelion Dust” starring Mira Sorvino, Bobby Downes, co-producer of “Mission Impossible III” Arthur Anderson, Co-Founder of the LA Film Festival, Thomas Ethan Harris, former supervising producer for “The Late Show” Dan Rupple, social media strategist Matt Meeks, production executive Susana Zepeda, and BMC host and founder of Cooke Pictures, Phil Cooke.

Owl City Announces Tour Dates
Owl City is back after a long cold winter with a new full-length studio album – All Things Bright And Beautiful – due out May 17th Worldwide on Universal Republic. Produced by Owl City’s Adam Young and recorded at Sky Harbor Studios in Owatonna, MN, All Things Bright And Beautiful features twelve new songs and was mixed by Young along with Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer Jack Joseph Puig whose credits include Beck, Mary J. Blige, Green Day and John Mayer to name a few. All Things Bright And Beautiful is the follow-up full-length studio album to Owl City’s platinum-selling debut Ocean Eyes. Released in July 2009, Ocean Eyes was certified platinum in just eight short months and earned Owl City a slew of critical acclaim (New York Times, Rolling Stone, People, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, etc.). Ocean Eyes’ sales were led by the runaway single “Fireflies” which is currently quadruple platinum in the US. “Fireflies” hit #1 on the Hot 100 twice and found its’ way to the #1 spot in 24 countries around the world – making this a huge International hit song and leading to several sold out worldwide tours – keeping Owl City on the road for over a year and a half. In support of the new album – All Things Bright And Beautiful – Owl City will be kicking off a headlining tour of the World in North America on June 13th at the historic Ryman Auditorium – confirmed dates below.
Tour Dates:
6/13 – Nashville, TN
6/14 – Atlanta, GA
6/16 – Orlando, FL
6/17 – Charlotte, NC
6/18 – Baltimore, MD
6/20 – Montreal, QC
6/21 – Toronto, QC
6/23 – New York, NY
6/25 – Philadelphia, PA
6/26 – Boston, MA
6/28 – Indianapolis, IN
6/29 – Detroit, MI
6/30 – Milwaukee, WI
7/1 – Columbus, OH
7/11 – Kansas City, MO
7/12 – Denver, CO
7/13 – Salt Lake City, UT
7/15 – Seattle, WA
7/16 – Vancouver, BC
7/17 – Portland, OR
7/19 – San Francisco, CA
7/21 – Los Angeles, CA
7/23 – Pomona, CA
7/25 – Houston, TX
7/26 – Dallas, TX
7/27 – Austin, TX
7/29 – Chicago, IL
7/30 – Minneapolis, MN

Foursquare And American Express Reveal Cool New Technology
American Express and foursquare unveiled details of new functionality that delivers a whole new way of redeeming merchant offers within the foursquare app without the need for coupons, special codes or showing phones to cashiers. Debuting with a pilot program at South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi), American Express’ new Smart Offer APIs enable SXSWi attendees and Austin residents to link their American Express® Card accounts to their foursquare profiles from March 11th – 15th to test drive the new foursquare experience for the first time. Following the pilot at SXSWi the companies will be planning the official roll-out of the functionality in the months ahead. The companies’ combined technology powers an industry first: once Cardmembers link their Card accounts to their foursquare profiles, they will be able to redeem foursquare Specials automatically by “loading” the offers to their American Express Card within the app and using that Card at the merchant location. The American Express APIs also enable notifications, so when enrolled Cardmembers use their American Express Card* to pay, they will receive a message indicating that a statement credit will be issued. This eliminates the need for merchants to train their front-line staff to redeem the offers and it also enables them to easily and effectively measure the success of their location-based marketing efforts. American Express has used their APIs for certain merchant programs in the past, but this marks the first time American Express is leveraging the Smart Offer APIs with a third-party partner.

Alamo Drafthouse And Mondo Launch First Video Game
Mondo, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s collectible art shop, can now add game publisher to its description! Mondo is proud to announce the release of their very first mobile game for HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN. The game is available NOW on Apple’s App Store for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad. Independent gaming and films are coming together in one project like never before with the release of Mondo’s Hobo with a Shotgun game. The project’s genesis came out of Fantastic Arcade, last year’s first indie gaming festival that ran as part of Fantastic Fest, the #1 genre film festival in the U.S. ”When we incorporated Fantastic Arcade into Fantastic Fest last year, our mission was to introduce the indie film community to like-minded folks in the indie gaming community. The development of Hobo with a Shotgun is the first tangible project to launch directly from that week and we are thrilled with how it came together. We look forward to many more collaborations between indie gamers and filmmakers in the future,” said Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO. “The Alamo Drafthouse and Mondo have become a regular contributor to our theatrical campaigns whether it be special edition posters, t-shirts, or events. The Hobo with a Shotgun game is one more example of that collaboration and should add a whole other dimension to our marketing efforts,” said Magnet SVP Tom Quinn. The film’s director, Jason Eisener, told Mondo that he wanted something that had the retro look and feel of side-scrolling action games of 1980s-era Nintendo Entertainment System games. “Growing up playing video games in the 80s with my friends has attributed to a lot of my artistic tastes. When creating the world of Hobo with a Shotgun, John Davies (the writer) and I, would look to our favorite video games of the past. Games like ‘Double Dragon 2,’ ‘River City Ransom,’ and ‘Final Fight’ all had worlds we wanted to explore. From their character designs, pumping soundtracks, and color palettes, you can find all those inspirations in our film. Teaming up with the Alamo Drafthouse and Mondo to make an old school side-scrolling video game feels like I teamed up with childhood friends! I can remember saving up my quarters for my next trip to the arcade, and knowing there would be new games to play was always so exciting. I hope this game will draw out these old memories and feelings for everyone who will be playing it,” said director Jason Eisener. Using GameSalad’s signature GameSalad Creator software, developer Perfect Dork Studios and Powerhouse Animation Studios have produced a game with the input of the film’s creative team and its releasing studio, guided and driven by the Mondo and Alamo Drafthouse teams. The game soundtrack features music from the film adapted and “chiptuned” by Perfect Dork Studios’ Billy Garretsen (also Lead Developer of the game).

Brandon Bee Releasing Inside These Walls
Save the City Records is proud to announce the April 5, 2011 release of Inside These Walls, the sterling sophomore CD from critically acclaimed producer/performer/worship leader Brandon Bee. The project builds on the anticipation created by Bee’s 2009 debut, This is the Revolution, and 2010’s stripped down, introspective Surrendered EP. Bee has earned the respect of his peers as a producer by bringing out the best in a long line of established and up-and-coming artists, including Grammy Award nominee/Dove Award winner Stacie Orrico; Juno Award nominee/Island Award winner Matthew James; pop/rockers Amber Pacific, Jaime Jamgochian and Lanae Hale; West Coast rapper Benjiman, 2009 Immerse winner Jake Brothers and indie folk-pop rising star Beth Whitney. Bee most recently produced Circleslide’s exciting 2010 CD, Echoes of the Light. Bee credits being immersed in that creative atmosphere with inspiring his own music to greater heights. “As a producer, I’m constantly pushing artists to stretch themselves and that carries over to me stretching myself whenever I’m creating for one of my own projects in the studio,” Bee explains. “I’m always making sure no two songs sound the same and I gain inspiration by constantly being around an artistic community that’s bringing something fresh to the table.” After spending two years on the road touring in support of This is the Revolution, Bee recognized he had a lot more to say about the Christian journey — a journey we all go through with varying levels of success. “We go through seasons where we live the life and seasons where we don’t, so thank God we are saved by grace,” Bee muses. “Realizing that many of us are going through the same types of things, I decided to make a record about my journey.” To help shape his vision for Inside These Walls, Bee called on the talents of a cadre of fellow songwriters, producers and musicians, including Scott Krippayne (Jordin Sparks’ “This Is My Now”), Carl Cartee (”Glorious Impossible”) and Circleslide frontman Gabe Martinez (”Love Amazing”). Bee called on his own experience and personal testimony of going through seasons of both faith and doubt, acceptance and rejection to create a soundtrack for the journey that is summed up in the metaphoric title cut and embellished by the rest of the songs on the project. Bee’s worship leader roots shine through on “Radiant Sun (Give Thanks to the One),” and worship anthems like “The Everlasting Song” and “Bring Me To Life” could easily be sung in congregational settings on Sunday morning. But Bee is just as likely to encase his pensive, semi-autobiographical lyrics in a grittier wrapper of good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll on songs like “Helpless” and “Bones.” Brandon Bee’s Inside These Walls mirrors life’s journey, with compelling melodies that rise and fall, ebb and flow, aptly reflecting how as believers we all stumble, fall, then get back up again. Regardless of the style of the individual songs, each is autobiographically inspired and soul-baringly honest. “Everybody needs to be reminded that we’re all sinners and we all need a savior,” Bee declares. “My goal with Inside These Walls is that people will look at it as a devotional. For me personally, the process has allowed me to learn more about myself and why I need God, though my hope is that people see less of me and examine more within their own life. Even though my stuff may look a little different from theirs, we’re all going through this walk together.” Brandon Bee’s Inside These Walls will be available April 5, 2011 through Save the City Records and Provident-Integrity Distribution.

Eisley Touring
EISLEY will launch a six-week U.S. headlining tour in late April, supporting their third album, THE VALLEY (Equal Vision Records). The TURNING TIDES TOUR kicks off April 26 in Atlanta, and the run of club dates will also include a set at The Bamboozle Festival in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on May 1 and a headlining slot at Bled Fest in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 28. THE VALLEY debuts this week at #75 on the Billboard 200 Current Albums chart and also hit #5 on Amazon MP3’s Top 10 Album Chart for the week and #3 on Amazon’s New Albums chart. Reviews of the album have been universally positive. The Big Takeover has already declared it “one of the best albums of 2011,” while Creative Loafing Tampa said, “Eisley comes off as more orchestrated, more mature, and more inspiring than ever.” Under The Radar said that “the tunes are imminently enjoyable and the interplay among the DuPrees’ voices is always thrilling.” The Boston Globe wrote, “In almost every Eisley song, there’s something — a turn of phrase or a curl of the melody or a shift of the chords — that doesn’t go quite where you’d expect it to. [There’s a] sense of shining a light into corners to which most acts don’t bother paying attention.” And AbsolutePunk.net said, “Even when I write that ‘The Valley’ is the band’s best album yet, it still feels like a huge understatement – like I’m not giving the album enough credit. Just believe this: ‘The Valley’ is an album that will stick with you.”
Tour Dates:
4/26 — Atlanta, GA
4/27 — Carrboro, NC
4/28 — Vienna, VA
4/29 — Charlottesville, VA
5/1 — East Rutherford, NJ
5/2 — Boston, MA
5/3 — Wilmington, DE
5/6 — Kansas City, MO
5/10 — Tucson, AZ
5/11 — Phoenix, AZ
5/12 — San Diego, CA
5/15 — Los Angeles, CA
5/16 — San Francisco, CA
5/17 — Santa Cruz, CA
5/19 — Seattle, WA
5/20 — Portland, OR
5/21 — Boise, ID
5/24 — Minneapolis, MN
5/25 — Milwaukee, WI
5/26 — Chicago, IL
5/27 — Cleveland, OH
5/28 — Grand Rapids, MI
5/30 — Nashville, TN
5/31 — Birmingham, AL
6/1 — New Orleans, LA
6/3 — Houston, TX
6/4 — Dallas, TX

Rush Of Fools In Studio
One of the most highly anticipated projects of 2011 will be releasing this summer, as Rush Of Fools is in the studio recording their debut CD for eOne Christian Music, a division of eOne Entertainment. At the production helm is renowned mainstream producer, Dennis Herring (Elvis Costello, Counting Crows, Modest Mouse), who flattered the band by requesting to work with them. Rush Of Fools is currently recording at Herring’s Sweet Tea Studio in Oxford, MS and the album is scheduled for a late summer 2011 release. “Working with Dennis is, without a doubt, a dream come true for us,” says Wes Willis, lead singer/acoustic guitarist for Rush Of Fools. “We knew going into this record we wanted a producer and a dreamer who could help us get to the next level musically. Someone who would not just hit ‘record,’ but make it a struggle for us to make THE best record we could. Dennis has pulled the best from us by never, ever settling for anything less than what we all see as the best.” “When looking back, narrowing down our pick for producer takes me about ten years to the past when there was another difficult decision to make…picking a prom date,” says Kevin Huguley, guitarist/vocalist for Rush Of Fools. “A producer’s role is so vital to the DNA of a record, just like your prom date is vital for the pictures your children will one day laugh about. Dennis Herring was the man God wanted us to select as the producer of this record. His ability to pull us musically until it hurts will be, for us, a great blessing that we believe our friends and family will hear on this next release.” Rush Of Fools endured a tumultuous two years since their former record company closed in the summer of 2009, along with an ensuing lawsuit that was resolved in 2010. In December of last year, Rush Of Fools signed with eOne Christian Music and work immediately began on the recording process for the new album. During this season, the band continually kept writing new songs that show a continued growth and maturity from this highly acclaimed group, as the songs focus on staying faithful to God’s plan and a renewing of vision while moving forward in faith. The new project features all new compositions that were written by the band’s main songwriters, Kevin Huguley and Wes Willis, along with the other members of Rush Of Fools (Jacob Chesnut, Jamie Sharpe, Jak Blount) and other high-profile co-writers such as Jason Ingram, Jared Anderson and Trey Heffinger (Echoing Angels).

Lara Landon Breaking Out
While singer-songwriter Lara Landon has not disclosed her New Year’s resolutions, it’s safe to say that taking it easy was not among them. While the music business continues to falter and even established artists are struggling to stay busy, Landon has managed to find one opportunity after another. As 2011 unfolds, Landon will be releasing two new albums, touring heavily and appearing on screen in her feature film debut. Landon is currently on the road with her New Reality Tour, with stops in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Texas and Washington through March 28th. Landon spent much of 2010 on the road, including the Traveling Troubadours Tour (with Carolina Story and Joy Whitlock), Family Life Radio Tour and 20 dates in 22 days on the iLove Christmas Tour benefiting Save the Youth of America. On the heels of the current tour is the spring release of the worship/electronica album New Frontiers from Club Dream Lab. Landon collaborated with DJ Magellan, co-writing and providing vocals for the project. The two had teamed up a few years back for DJ Magellan’s Worship Revolutions album, which was a collection of popular modern worship songs remixed in a dance/ trance/euro style and performed by guest artists including Landon, Tammy Trent, Rachael Lampa, Krissy Nordhoff, B. Reith and others. “Magellan and Lara had such a great experience doing that track together that when it came time for him to work on his project, Magellan’s first thought was to ask Lara to be a part of it,” says the project’s producer Paul Buono. “She was such a perfect fit for the New Frontiers project. I love the emotionality of her voice and her creative expression. She brought a tremendous amount of energy and determined focus, which allowed us to push each other toward some new territory, hence the project’s title. Lara truly believes everything she sings and you can hear that passion in her performances.” As if her music wasn’t keeping her busy enough, Landon has embraced her first acting role as “Lauren” in the upcoming feature film Frontier Boys, which stars multi-platinum country artist Big Kenny (Big & Rich) and Christian music hit maker Rebecca St. James. “This has been an amazing year of new opportunities and doors opening for me,” says Landon. “It’s really a dream come true and I’m trying my best to be a good steward of the opportunities I now have to share God’s love through my music and through my non-profit work.” Landon emerged in 2009 with her debut album, Beloved, which was released by Whiplash Records/Bema Media and distributed by Provident-Integrity Distribution (SONY). Produced by GRAMMY® Award winning producer Michael Omartian (Christopher Cross, Amy Grant, Whitney Houston, Rod Stewart), the album received stellar reviews while drawing comparisons to groundbreaking mainstream artists like Sarah McLachlan, Imogen Heap and Tori Amos. The radio single “Closer” caught the attention of radio programmers, spending five months on Billboard’s Top 50 AC Chart, and the music videos for “Closer” and the title track received airplay nationwide, including rotation on major networks and video shows. Landon also appeared on numerous television programs in support of Beloved, and she was featured in seasonal promotional spots for GMC. Following the earthquake in Haiti, Landon joined Michael W. Smith, Wynonna, Amy Grant, TobyMac and many others to record “Come Together Now,” for which all the proceeds of the single and music video were used to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. Her relationship with Haiti is much deeper than one single evening in a Nashville recording studio. Landon is the co-founder of New Reality International (NRI), a U.S. non-profit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to helping those who are victims of extreme poverty, disease and injustice to access health care, shelter, basic human services and vocational training. Just two months prior to the devastating earthquake, Landon spent a few weeks in Haiti assisting in ongoing efforts there to bring medical aid to a country in desperate need. NRI continues to provide aid to the ongoing relief efforts.

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