She has performed at the biggest festivals across the nation and tours around all the world, yet she was raised on a farm in a small town in Washington. She is an established singer and songwriter and has shared the stage with country superstar LeAnn Rimes. She has even been called a star herself, yet being a star is the furthest thing from her mind.

Introducing Holly Starr, the bright and talented 19-year-old who already has both the understanding of hard work and the comfort on the stage as if she has been doing this for decades. Yet, Holly Starr actually prefers the dirt and grime of her music ministry over the spotlight, and it is this work ethic and authenticity that has led her to record her second full-length CD, Tapestry, scheduled to release October 19, 2010.

Tapestry was produced by one of the industry’s most sought-after producers, Dove Award-winning Rusty Varenkamp (Tenth Avenue North, Meredith Andrews). When Starr was preparing for her second CD, she was introduced to Varenkamp through a friend of a friend and “God’s peace just entered that room,” Starr exclaims. “I walked away thinking, ‘OK, if all my questions and worries and fears about everything that I’m supposed to do next were just solved, that’s the God we serve. That was way too easy, way too powerful!”

The feeling was mutual with Varenkamp, who shares, “Holly’s music and artistry definitely stem from who she is inside. She’s passionate about connecting with the heart of the listener, which makes the production easier so on this record, we’ve tried to balance her conviction for truth with music that is relevant to her audience.”

That authenticity and strong work ethic that easily describes Holly Starr’s music is a term that is easily discovered not only within Tapestry, but in her live performances and in person.

“There are a lot of artists,” shares Bob Lenz, national speaker and founder of Lifest, “but when you get the voice, heart, talent, passion, lyrics, personal connection and presentation hitting on all cylinders you sit up and take notice. Take notice of Holly Starr. I have.”

Starr has already performed at numerous major festivals in her young career, most recently at Lenz’s Lifest as well as at Creation Northwest, held in her home state. She has shared her new songs from Tapestry at these festivals and at other shows held at churches and venues around the country. Tapestry’s first radio single, “Undertow,” is currently at CHR radio with upcoming plans to send to AC stations.

“With this new record, I feel like God has been reminding me to just be real,” she exclaims. “It’s been a journey of Him saying, ‘Be real, Holly! This is really who you are, the story I’ve given you; don’t try to avoid the most truthful lyric or be something you’re not.”

“It’s such a pleasure working with a talented artist such as Natalie,” Benson Curb, vice president of sales at Curb Records said. “Love Revolution, and the music on this album, is great and it’s not a surprise that this has been her biggest sales week ever.”

Released nationwide on August 24, 2010, Love Revolution features Grant’s recently released single, “Human,” which is currently impacting radio with a #25 debut this week at Christian AC, representing the highest new entry and #1 most added song.

“Human,” was performed live by Grant and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks (who co-wrote the song) on the national television broadcast of the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards in April of 2010. The song reiterates the album’s theme of change through the powerful tie that binds us all—our humanity.

Described by Grant as the album of her career, Love Revolution represents musical styles as diverse as her own influences—from soaring ballads like “Power of the Cross” and worshipful songs like “Your Great Name”, to the R&B/funk vibe heard in songs like “Beauty Mark” and “Someday Our King Will Come.” With Grant’s husband, Bernie Herms, at the helm of production, Love Revolution is a cohesive project that speaks to the hearts of listeners, motivating them to be the change that they want to see in their world, challenging each of us to start a love revolution.

Over the past four years, Grant has gained prominence as a major contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, breaking out in a powerful way with her signature song, “Held.” She was awarded the Gospel Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Since 2001, she has released four albums entitled, “Stronger” (2001), “Deeper Life” (2003), “Awaken” (2005) and “Relentless” (2008).

For more information, please visit http://www.NatalieGrant.com and http://www.StartALoveRevolution.com.

Another place where Camp may well be accused of being a little restrained is with the song selection on this album. It wasn’t enough, apparently, for Hillsong to popularize “Mighty To Save”. No, Newsboys included it on their most recent release, and now Camp gives us his interpretation. “Mighty To Save” is a fine worship song, don’t misunderstand me. But when it seemingly turns up on every other new release, the law of diminishing returns begins to kick in. It’s a little like when a great song gets used for a car commercial, and then that car commercial is shown during most every commercial break for nearly every TV show you watch. Enough already!

But “Mighty To Save” is not the only overly familiar song in this track list. The disc also includes “Everlasting God”, “You Never Let Go” and “We Cry Out”. We love these songs; but we mostly love them in church, don’t we? Is it not too much to ask to have the play list in church differ even a little bit from that of our local Christian radio station? Does morning worship really have to sound like a contemporary Christian Top-40 countdown?

To his credit, however, Camp puts a personal spin on many of these recordings. And overall, the disc has the encouraging tone of an evangelistic camp meeting. He turns Tim Hughes’ “Jesus Saves” into the altar call it is meant to be, for instance. He also keeps a laser-like focus on the gospel message. “Not Ashamed” asserts the fact that Camp only glories in what Christ has done on the cross, while “The Way” points to Jesus, in a John The Baptist-y manner, as the only true answer for serious spiritual seekers.

Camp’s contribution in writing and co-writing some of this new CD’s songs, including “Not Ashamed”, “The Way”, and “You Are The Lord”, help keep it from coming off too much like a ‘Camp sings the praise hits’ project. Camp also sounds comfortable and confident throughout, perhaps because he worked again with veteran producer Brown Bannister.

Bannister may be responsible for softening some of Camp’s rougher edges. You may recall how, when he first came out of the gate, he was a little bit like the Seattle’s grunge answer to a worship pastor. Those chunky electric guitar riffs have been subdued little by little over the years, and replaced by the tinkling piano sounds that color “The Way”.

It wasn’t all that long ago that the thought of Brown Bannister producing a BEC CD seemed extremely farfetched. However, if you’re going to create a big sounding worship project, Camp was wise to work with someone who really knows his way around a studio.

Maybe this next statement is just personal wish list material, but it would sure be enjoyable to hear Camp dig his sharp vocals into some more meaty lyrics. He’s, without question, one of Christian music’s finest vocalists. Therefore, he may consider leaving mainstream praise music to artists that know how do sing it, yet little else.

CD RELEASE SHOW
Friday, September 10th, 8 PM
Tipitina’s Uptown: 501 Napoleon Ave. New Orleans, LA

In addition to the excitement of his forthcoming CD, Smith was just named in the Top 3 of the Aloft Hotel’s Project: Rock Star competition. This is a fan voted contest through Aloft’s Facebook page. Smith is enlisting his fans to spread the word and vote daily. Fans can vote once a day at this link after “Like”ing Aloft Hotels on Facebook. Voting ends on September 15th at 11:59 pm ET, and the winner will be announced on September 20th. The winner will be determined based upon a combination of the most fan votes received and the judgment of the Judging Panel.

The grand prize winner will appear at Live In The Vineyard presented by Aloft hotels November 13-15th. Live In The Vineyard is a once-in-a-lifetime event in the foothills of California’s famed Napa Valley. These events take place twice a year over a weekend pairing music, wine and food for an experience not to forget. Amongst the musical royalty performing in November will be the Zac Brown Band, Guster, Neon Trees, KT Tunstall and James Blunt. More information on Live In The Vineyard, click here.

Through in-depth personal interviews with a broad range of subjects, Yellow Roses provides an emotional and sometimes shocking look into the everyday lives of ordinary young women. As those featured in the film share their struggles and heartbreaks, many reveal how they found hope and peace through a closer relationship with their families and God.

Directed by Mike Edwards and produced by Steve Feazel and Karie Hughes, Yellow Roses is based on Feazel’s storyline, “Priceless Value.” The documentary was executive produced by Larry and Kathy Mead; co-produced by J.A. Ted Baer; and written by Joe Ashley. The film features three original music selections written and performed by Ohio-based acoustic rock duo Clay.

“During the filming of Yellow Roses, I was impacted by the honesty and candor of the girls we interviewed,” said Mike Edwards, director. “It showed me the great need for an honest and open discussion about the topics the film deals with. As a director, I am forever changed by the stories we captured and I hope that anyone who sees the film will feel the same.”

“I knew that doing a film about girls coming of age, dealing with the pressures of life, sexually and otherwise, would be different from my experience working on Every Young Man’s Battle,” said Steve Feazel, producer. “The young women in Yellow Roses honestly share their vulnerability and their hope from their hearts and this is why it is such a powerful film.”

With more than 14 years of experience in the areas of filming, directing and editing short films, documentaries and television productions, Mike Edwards has received six EMMY Awards, four ADDY Awards and a TELLY Award. Founder of The 5 Stones Group, Edward’s credits include video content for NBC/Universal, Pepsi, Ford, Sony and Google, among many others.

Steve Feazel is an author, speaker, pastor, producer and Christian comedian. He wrote and executive produced the award-winning documentary, Every Young Man’s Battle, based on the popular book. Karie Hughes is the founder of Passion & Principles and the Director of Prevention for the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Greater Phoenix.

Yellow Roses was produced as part of a faith-based education program that will be marketed to churches, youth groups and community organizations, both in the U.S. and internationally. Also in production is an accompanying DVD, study guide and book, organized into eight teaching units focusing on many of the issues addressed in the film. In addition to the auxiliary products for young women, a teaching/discussion DVD series for young men will also be available.

Yellow Roses is currently available at www.yellowrosesfilm.com, with retail distribution forthcoming.

The album launched with a performance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, a Billboard cover feature and an American Music Award trophy. In addition, the album yielded two GRAMMY nominations in song categories plus the live version of the album, Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage, Backstage, also certified Gold, took home a GRAMMY for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album earlier this year.

The announcement caps a productive summer for the band, as the four-man rock unit finished production, alongside producer Paul Moak, on its upcoming 11th studio release MOVE, set to release on October 19.

“Lift Up Your Face,” the anticipated album’s first radio single, showcases the unmistakable vocals of The Blind Boys of Alabama. The song is not only poignant but is proving its potency as well. Already a multi-format smash, “Lift Up Your Face” is garnering undeniable attention on both the AC and CHR charts with 91 stations spinning by its Aug. 13 add date and touting the most increased spins the weeks of Aug. 9th and Aug. 16th.

Already No. 12 at CHR and No. 15 at AC Monitored, the song is seeing more than 3.5 million weekly impressions and is well on its way to reaching the benchmark set by the band’s previous 27 No. 1 singles. “Lift Up Your Face” is a song of encouragement, and beyond the early radio success, it is a small taste of an album that was written to provide hope for those in the midst of desperate times such as these.

Third Day will finish the summer and enter fall performing at select major festivals throughout the country, leading to the start of the World Vision/AEG Live-sponsored Make A Difference Tour 2010. The tour, which also features Michael W. Smith, tobyMac and New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado, launches September 30, and will hit arenas in 20 cities through the end of October. (For updated tour dates please visit www.ThirdDay.com.)

The debut radio single, “Jesus Saves,” continues to move up into the Top 10 on the National Christian Audience Chart, AC Indicator, CHR and Inspo as well as the Top 15 at AC Monitored. Camp spent his street week with in-store appearances and visiting radio stations sharing the heart behind his project.

Media also praise this project as “a good worship experience for every lover of Christian music” ( Blogcritics.org), having “energy-soaked sincerity that pervades Camp’s work and his live performances” ( GMClife.com), “a truly corporate experience” ( Real Rhapsody), and an “inspiring offering” ( Denver Post).

Reviewers also picked up on the passion behind this personal project: “The heart and humility of Camp that comes through loud and clear that makes this new release a stand out” (GospelMusicUpdate.com), and “Jeremy’s heart for God is evident through the lyrics and passion behind We Cry Out” ( HearitFirst.com).

Camp’s album was also showcased with a 4-star review from ChristianityToday.com in addition to interviews on CNN’s Belief Blog, CBNMusic, The Worship Community, NewReleaseTuesday.com and exclusive videos on HearitFirst.com. Camp also graces the cover of the September issue of CCM Magazine, which went live yesterday.

Additional information on Jeremy Camp available at http://www.jeremycamp.com or at Twitter http://www.twitter.com/jeremycamp.

From the beginning, the artists involved place the focus on the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season. “Give It Away” finds Me in Motion kicking off the proceedings with the key words, “Christmas isn’t really Christmas until we can take all that we are and give it away.”

Jason Gray’s “Love Has A Name” is the lyrical gem on the collection here with lines that make you think much deeper about the Christmas season: “Awake to the baby born in Bethlehem/ the child who can make us all children again/ if we bring him our hearts like a present on Christmas day.” The insightful, imaginative verses break forth into a triumphant chorus that celebrates the birth of Jesus.

Familiar outposts dot the Bethlehem horizon with Christmas staples like “Away in a Manger,” “O Holy Night,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Silent Night” all filed into the order. The best of the bunch is Matt Papa’s emotional take on “Little Drummer Boy” which features interesting string work and an emotional electric guitar punch.

The entire affair isn’t so serious that a good laugh isn’t appreciated at the halfway point with Lanae Hale’s “Starving Artist Christmas.” She admits the fears of the subject from the outset on what it means to write something new about the holidays when “it’s all been done a million times over and over” and that she was already broke before the economy crashed. The song’s a quirky look at the reality of the people and project involved.

All in all, Vol. 2 of the Bethlehem Skyline series is a decent offering of old and new, pensive and joyful, reflective and silly. Not all of it works, but there’s enough here to take root and appreciate as it spins during your Christmas season.

“Sanctus Real’s ‘Lead Me’ is a beautiful reminder for men to stand up and be the husbands and fathers God called them to be,” says Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family. “It’s a message every dad in our culture needs to hear, and I’m glad the song is making a significant impact on the radio.”

“It’s rare to hear a song that penetrates to the depths of the soul, stirs the emotions, reveals the innermost thoughts and seeks help from the only One who has it,” says Dennis Rainey, President and Co-Founder of FamilyLife, a subsidiary of Campus Crusade for Christ International. “‘Lead Me’ does all this and more. It’s a relevant message for marriages and families today. Lead Me is a timeless message that should motivate every married man to stand up and fight for his family by kneeling down to pray.”

“‘Lead Me’ is a prayer song of God’s leadership that every man needs to hear, amazing song!” adds Chris Huffman of Casting Crowns.

“‘Lead Me’ is probably the most intensely convicting and inspiring song I’ve heard on Christian radio in years,” continues Mike Donehey of 10th Avenue North. “I literally wept the first time I heard it. Matt put words to my heart’s cry and for that I’m infinitely grateful.”

Written as a personal confession and prayer by lead vocalist Matt Hammitt, “Lead Me” is proving to be a source of hope even as he and his wife, Sarah, walk through a difficult pregnancy. Parents to Emmy and Claire, the couple is struggling to bring to term their first baby boy, Bowen Matthew Hammitt. Bowen, which means “small victorious one,” is due Sept. 3 and has been diagnosed with a serious heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).

“Knowing Bowen is sick has brought me face to face with the sobering reality that none of us are promised tomorrow and has pulled that nagging ache, the one to make every moment count, straight to the surface of my daily life,” confesses Matt on a blog he and Sarah created to give updates on Bowen at http://bowensheart.com/.

As the Hammitts patiently wait for Bowen to be born, band guitarists Chris Rohman and Pete Prevost are embracing their new roles as first-time fathers. With children born on the exact same day, Chris and Dominique Rohman welcomed Penelope Jane Rohman, and Pete and Melissa Prevost welcomed Bennett Elise Prevost, into their respective families Aug. 11.

Enjoying the time off from touring to spend time with their families, the band members are also gearing up to be the nightly closing band on the 22-city Hungry for Love tour sponsored by Food for the Hungry and featuring Leeland, The Afters and Speaker Palmer Chinchen. The tour begins Oct. 8 in Jackson, TN and travels through 13 states before wrapping up Nov. 21 in Rogers, AR. (See full tour itinerary below)

Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, OH-based Sanctus Real is all about living out their lives as “real” Christians, not only on the stage and as they interact with fans, but in the quieter moments of their lives as husbands, fathers and fellow believers. The band creates compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be Holy (Latin meaning of “Sanctus”).

With eight No. 1 and six Top 5 radio hits, Sanctus Real’s 2006 breakthrough album, The Face of Love, landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart while the band’s most recent release, We Need Each Other, garnered the band a GRAMMY nomination. Pieces Of A Real Heart is the result of the band maturing and growing as songwriters, musicians and individuals, while retaining its aggressive edge and incorporating a more diverse musical palette of instrumentation and themes.

For all the latest Sanctus Real news, including it tour dates, go to www.sanctusreal.com, www.myspace.com/sanctusreal, and www.emicmg.com.

Sanctus Real Hungry for Love tour dates follow:

10/08/10 Jackson, TN Union University www.wigh.afr.net
10/09/10 Poplar Bluff, MO Black River Coliseum www.blackrivercoliseum.com
10/10/10 Parkersburg WV Parkersburg High School Field House
10/14/10 Quincy, IL Morrison Theater
10/15/10 Hoffman Estates, IL Life Changers International Church
10/16/10 Harrison, AR North Arkansas College www.ehbcharrison.org
10/22/10 Macon, GA Harvest Cathedral www.harvestcathedral.com
10/23/10 Pikeville, KY Eastern Kentucky Expo Center www.ichthus.org
10/24/10 Ashland, KY Paramount Arts Center
10/28/10 Pace, FL Immanuel Baptist Church www.wowradio.org
10/29/10 Tallahassee, FL Christian Heritage Church
10/30/10 Panama City, FL Marina Civic Center
11/04/10 Lewiston, ME Vineyard Church www.thelighthouseevents.com
11/05/10 Rochester, NY Roberts Wesleyan College www.kingdombound.org
11/07/10 Trucksville, PA Cross Creek Community Church www.crosscreekcc.org
11/12/10 Willoughby Hills, OH Willoughby Hills Friends Church
11/13/10 Cincinnati, OH The Underground www.theug.com
11/14/10 Collierville, TN Collierville United Methodist Church
11/18/10 Paris TX Calvary Chapel of Paris
11/19/10 Colleyville, TX Compass Christian Church www.trinitytickets.net
11/20/10 tba
11/21/10 Rogers, AR Rogers First Baptist Church

“The Edge of the Divine, is not only on the edge of excellence, it surpasses it. The album reveals a down-to-earth, open and honest soul whose search for mercy, forgiveness, restoration, and healing for her own pain has come to an end at the foot of the cross and at the edge of the divine.-“GospelmusicUpdate.com

“Patty infuses her latest CD with immense vocal heart. Aside from two classically-based tracks, Chance Scoggins produces a surprisingly hip musical aura for the living legend, proving that Patty’s still versatile and relevant even after thirty years in the biz.”- ChristianityToday.com

“Sandi Patty’s voice is as pure and pristine on her latest release as it was on her first. The phenomenal vocalist gives the classic “Sandi Patty” style a bit of a makeover on The Edge of the Divine (Stylos). Longtime fans will enjoy this collection of upbeat songs and soaring ballads produced by Chance Scoggins.”-GMCLife.com

The Edge of the Divine, produced by Chance Scoggins (Point of Grace, Mandisa, Bart Millard), coincides with Patty’s latest book also titled The Edge of the Divine (Thomas Nelson), which released earlier this month. In both projects the five-time Grammy ® Award winner opens up about her painful and public struggles that she has endured throughout her life. Patty is overwhelmed by the amount of support she has been given.

“It touches my heart deeply when people listen not only to the songs by to my heart,” says Patty. “I’m so honored and blessed to be able to sing my story after all these years.”

Patty will continue to share her journey with women across the U.S. at the Women of Faith Conferences, one of the largest gatherings in the world. For the latest information on Sandi Patty and to see a list of tour dates, please visit www.sandipatty.com and follow her on twitter @sandipattyp.