Backed by its strongest blockbuster release schedule in recent years, and motivated by the National Retail Federation’s predictions of jolly holiday retail sales, EMI CMG Distribution will begin shipping its annual Give the Gift of Music promotion to retailers later this month, announced Greg Bays, vice president of sales of EMI CMG Distribution, the leader in the distribution of Christian audio and video music recordings.

10/19/4 Soul Survivor Nationwide Tour

Tim Hughes, the author of worship songs such as “Here I Am To Worship”, “Beautiful One” and “Consuming Fire,” partners with Soul Survivor founder, Mike Pilavachi, on the first ever Soul Survivor Nationwide Tour.  The 11-city tour begins Nov. 22 in Merritt Island, FL and travels to such major markets as Los Angeles, San Jose, Denver (Boulder, CO) and Portland (Newberg, OR).  Presented in association with WorshipTogether, Gospel Light, Media Shout, Yamaha and Shure, Soul Survivor will provide a day of training, resourcing and worship for all involved with church leadership and worship ministry.  With seminars lead by Hughes and Pilavachi, as well as resource and technical training provided by the tour partners, the day will conclude with a night of worship and celebration.

10/7/4 Joe Pace to Speak at Seminars4Worship

Integrity Gospel recording artist Joe Pace will return as a featured clinician during the fall schedule of Integrity Music's popular Seminars4Worship.  A Grammy Award-nominated songwriter, producer and recording artist, Pace will share with worship leaders and ministry teams his experience in leading worship around the globe.  Seminars4Worship will also feature workshops by noted instructors and worship leaders such as Pastor Jack Hayford, Don Moen, Israel Houghton, Paul Baloche and more.  The conferences are slated to take places in or near Pittsburgh, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Charlotte, N.C. and Mobile, Ala.

10/1/4 Festival Con Dios and Food For the Hungry Collaborate

Festival Con Dios and Food For the Hungry recently collaborated on a trip to Bolivia as part of a larger vision to bring child sponsors to the children and communities they help support. Festival Con Dios, a pioneer among Christian music tours, is no stranger to big ideas. The traveling festival has become a cultural event, combining a carnival atmosphere -- complete with inflatable games and stunt shows -- with top artists and a passion for ministry. With the help of Food For the Hungry, Festival Con Dios is taking that ministry in a bold new direction. The two organizations first teamed up last fall to encourage audiences to show their love for the poor by sponsoring a child or going on a short-term mission trip. They raised the stakes with an unprecedented offer: to take a sponsor on an all expenses paid trip to visit his or her child overseas. The eventual plan is to make similar trips a regular event to give concertgoers at Festival Con Dios opportunities to meet the children they sponsor. 

Stacie Orrico Live from Japan DVD

On November 2nd, Forefront Records will release a Stacie Orrico Live from Japan DVD, taped while on tour during a sold out show in Tokyo this past winter.  The tour also sold out in Hiroshima, and saw capacity crowds in Fukuoka, Osaka and Nagoya. At approximately 78 minutes running time, the DVD will feature Orrico live concert footage of hits from both the GENUINE and STACIE ORRICO projects,  including "Stuck," "I Promise," "Genuine," "More to Life" and "Dear Friend." Also included will be two music videos for Stacie's Top 10 mainstream radio hit "Stuck " and top 5 mainstream hit "(there's gotta be) More To Life". 

EMI CMG Label Group Announces Changes

Brentwood, TN-based EMI CMG Label Group announces the enhancement of its artist development department with organizational changes including new position and promotions in Artist Development.