(Music Inspired By) THE STORY Featuring 18 New Songs from 24 Artists Including Chris Tomlin, Mac Powell (Third Day), Natalie Grant,
Mark Hall & Megan Garrett (Casting Crowns), Amy Grant and
Francesca Battistelli Delivers Star-Studded Reviews
Debuts at No. 1 on iTunes® Christian & Gospel Album Chart
“The Story Tour” to Launch This December
With a ‘who’s who’ line-up, one might expect nothing less than five-star reviews for the monumental project (Music Inspired By) The Story available nationwide . Such is the case as it released this week debuting at No. 1 on iTunes® Christian & Gospel Album Chart with critics nationwide singing its praises:
“This is the most inspiring and emotionally stirring collection of songs I’ve ever heard. There’s something for everyone: Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Mandisa, Francesca Battistelli, Lecrae and eighteen other artists all brilliantly bring us to the throne room by passionately performing these soul-piercing songs perfectly orchestrated by Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Herms. This is a five star compilation that needs to be heard and experienced.”–NewReleaseTuesday.com
“Nordeman’s songwriting is top-notch, as she handles her storytelling delicately, expounding enough to give dimension without embellishing to fit an agenda. Human struggle with feelings of entitlement, questions of destiny, hope in God’s promises, and the desire to be part of a meaningful framework make these characters accessible even to listeners unfamiliar with the stories.”-Christianitytoday.com.
“Featuring the most beautiful voices in music (Brandon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, Matthew West, Leigh Nash and many more), each and every track paints a sweeping picture of scripture from the perspective of its characters.”-CCM Magazine
“Music Inspired By The Story is an extremely creative idea, …what Nordeman and Herms have created is truly remarkable. One of the better compilations of the year, The Story is well worth diving into.”-Jesusfreakhideout.com
Furthermore, in-depth interviews with the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Nichole Nordeman, who penned all 18 tracks on the musically diverse album, can be found at Yahoo.com , in CCM Magazine and Christianity Today.
This was an experience that Nordeman will never forget: “As a songwriter, being involved in The Story has been, without a doubt, the most fulfilled I’ve ever felt creatively,” says Nordeman. “To be charged with giving Biblical icons a modern voice and then to get a front row seat as those songs are brought to life by such gifted artists, was an honor I could never have imagined. As Bernie and I wrestled with these songs, I was reminded daily, sometimes hourly, that Scripture was meant to live and breathe in our lives. Not as mere history or cultural context, but as bold evidence that God really does long to be the Author of our own pages. This experience has deeply changed my own story, both as an artist and a Christian.”
(Music Inspired By) The Story is the first release from the revolutionary partnership between EMI CMG, Provident Label Group, Word Entertainment, Zondervan, World Vision, Proper Management and CAA. The 2-disc album was built on the foundation of Zondervan’s best-selling Bible, The Story, Randy Frazee’s book The Heart Of The Story and Max Lucado’s Book God’s Story Your Story, and features a top-notch cast Matthew West, Leigh Nash, Mark Hall & Megan Garrett (Casting Crowns), Brandon Heath, Bart Millard (MercyMe), Michael Tait (Newsboys), Blanca Callahan (Group 1 Crew), Lecrae, Nichole Nordeman, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Peter Furler, Mandisa, Todd Smith (Selah), Francesca Battistelli, Mac Powell (Third Day), Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay), Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real), Jeremy Camp, Michael W. Smith and Darlene Zschech. See full track/artist listing below.
Produced by the esteemed Brown Bannister and acclaimed Bernie Herms, all of the 18 new songs Nordeman wrote from a first-person perspective based on principle biblical characters and accounts telling God’s story from Creation to The Second Coming.
“When I first started working on The Story, I made a ‘dream list’ of 24 artists who I wanted to be part of this project,” says Executive Producer Norman Miller. “God showed us tremendous favor, because we ended up with 22 of these 24 artists singing on the record. I believe that Nichole wrote the best lyrics of her life and Bernie matched her every step of the way with wonderful melodies. Brown Bannister and Bernie Herms were the ultimate production team and this has resulted in The Story being my favorite record of all time”.
In support of the album, a new website has launched, www.thestorycd.com where fans can access exclusive video content, the latest breaking news and more.
Additionally, fans can see The Story come to life this December as Lucado and Frazee join multi-platinum selling artist Steven Curtis Chapman, award-winning band Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant and other artists featured on the album will travel around the country on “The Story Tour.” Sponsored by World Vision “The Story Tour” will be a fully produced multi-media experience with the artists performing the album in its entirety and will include stunning visuals to accompany every song projected on a massive screen encompassing the entire stage. See full list of tour dates below.
For more information on (Music Inspired By) The Story, please visit www.thestorycd.com.
(Music Inspired By) The Story Track Listing:
Disc 1
1) CREATION (“I Am”) – Overture
2) ADAM/EVE (“Good”) – Matthew West & Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer)
3) ABRAHAM/SARAH (“Who But You”) – Mark Hall & Megan Garrett (Casting Crowns)
4) JOSEPH (“Bend”) – Brandon Heath
5) MOSES (“It Must Be You”) – Bart Millard (MercyMe)
6) JOSHUA (“Bring Us Home”) – Michael Tait, Blanca Callahan (Group1Crew), Lecrae
7) RUTH/NAOMI (“I’m With You”) – Nichole Nordeman & Amy Grant
8) DAVID (“Your Heart”) – Chris Tomlin
9) DANIEL (“No Compromise”) – Peter Furler
10) ESTHER (“Born For This”) – Mandisa
11) JOB (“Broken Praise”) – Todd Smith (Selah)
2) ADAM/EVE (“Good”) – Matthew West & Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer)
3) ABRAHAM/SARAH (“Who But You”) – Mark Hall & Megan Garrett (Casting Crowns)
4) JOSEPH (“Bend”) – Brandon Heath
5) MOSES (“It Must Be You”) – Bart Millard (MercyMe)
6) JOSHUA (“Bring Us Home”) – Michael Tait, Blanca Callahan (Group1Crew), Lecrae
7) RUTH/NAOMI (“I’m With You”) – Nichole Nordeman & Amy Grant
8) DAVID (“Your Heart”) – Chris Tomlin
9) DANIEL (“No Compromise”) – Peter Furler
10) ESTHER (“Born For This”) – Mandisa
11) JOB (“Broken Praise”) – Todd Smith (Selah)
Disc 2
1) MARY (“Be Born In Me”) – Francesca Battistelli
2) JESUS (“When Love Sees You”) – Mac Powell (Third Day)
3) THIEF (“How Love Wins”) – Steven Curtis Chapman
4) MARY MAGDALENE (“Alive”) – Natalie Grant
5) DISCIPLES (“Empty”) – Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) & Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real)
6) PAUL (“Move In Me”) – Jeremy Camp
7) SECOND COMING (“The Great Day”) – Michael W. Smith & Darlene Zschech
1) MARY (“Be Born In Me”) – Francesca Battistelli
2) JESUS (“When Love Sees You”) – Mac Powell (Third Day)
3) THIEF (“How Love Wins”) – Steven Curtis Chapman
4) MARY MAGDALENE (“Alive”) – Natalie Grant
5) DISCIPLES (“Empty”) – Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) & Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real)
6) PAUL (“Move In Me”) – Jeremy Camp
7) SECOND COMING (“The Great Day”) – Michael W. Smith & Darlene Zschech
“The Story Tour” Dates:
* all dates subject to change
December 1 – Wichita, KS
December 2 – Dallas, TX
December 3 – Tulsa, OK
December 7 – Orlando, FL
December 8 – Atlanta, GA
December 9 – Winston-Salem, NC
December 10 – Va Beach, VA
December 11 – Woodbridge, VA (Washington DC area)
December 15 – Grand Rapids, MI
December 16 – Chicago, IL
December 17 – Minneapolis, MN
December 18 – Kansas City, MO
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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit worldvision.org.
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