Lara Landon’s sophomore project, Overcome, released on her own Wise Sam label. Co-produced by the artist in cooperation with Mitch Dane, Steve Wilson and Brian Hitt, the album is available from New Day Christian Distributors (phone: 800-251-3633; fax: 800-361-2533).

Who is Lara Landon as an artist?

The music that I write is just an extension of who I am in everyday life. Just like all believers, I have some really hard times and some great moments, and music for me is an expression of that. I try to make music that I would like to hear, music that is really honest and stylistically close to what I grew up loving—folk, musical theater, pop, classical.

Award-winning Canadian band Newworldson was the first group signed to Inpop Records’ founder Dale Bray’s new label, Platinum Pop. Lead vocalist Joel Parisien discusses the new album, Rebel Transmission, releasing April 17 and distributed by New Day Christian Distribution.

How would you describe the music on Rebel Transmission?

Uplifting pop music with an obvious nod to ’60s soul and old school rock ’n’ roll.

Part of the music business for three decades, Don Moen, singer-songwriter and former Integrity Music executive, releases his next album, Uncharted Territory (EMI CMG Distribution), March 27, 2012, under a different label, in:ciite Media.

Why did you title this album Uncharted Territory? 

In December 2007 I felt compelled to pursue a new direction in my ministry, which led to my resignation as an executive from Integrity Music after serving there for over 20 years.  Essentially, I left everything that was secure and familiar to me—job, friends, church, doctors, schools, and moved to a new city where nothing was familiar.  I struggled with fearful thoughts and loneliness, wondering if I had made a mistake putting my family at risk to pursue this new direction. Uncharted Territory was birthed as a result of my honest searching to find God in all the chaos.  I realized that many people find themselves in uncharted territory every day due to circumstances that are beyond their control, like the loss of a job, divorce, sickness or the death of a loved one, and I was determined to find a way to “sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land” (Ps. 137), offering sincere and honest worship, even through the toughest times. This album is probably the most vulnerable project I’ve recorded, and yet each song reinforces the truth that “God is faithful.”

Since GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist Jaci Velasquez recorded 2008’s Love Out Loud on her own Apostrophe Records label, she began co-hosting radio’s “Your Family Friendly Morning Show” with Doug Griffin and has moved to Inpop Records (EMI CMG Distribution) for new album Diamond. She and husband Nic Gonzales, of the band Salvador, have two sons. She is also currently appearing in two films, The Encounter and Jerusalem Countdown. 

Mark Hall, lead singer of top Christian band Casting Crowns, talked with Christian Retailing about the band's October 2011 release from Beach Street Records, Come to the Well. Listen in as Managing Editor Christine Johnson talks with Hall about songs such as the theme for the new movie Courageous as well as Hall's favorite on the release, "Already There."
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Denver Bierman, leader of Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, talks with Christian Retailing about the horn band's August 2011 release from GFK Records, Groovy. Listen in as Managing Editor Christine Johnson talks with Bierman about songs such as "Man Gave Names to All the Animals" and "Sunday School Swing."

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