Newsboys Call on Fans to 'Join The Tribe'

Award-winning Christian band newsboys will kick off the New Year with their 35-city "Join The Tribe" tour next month, joined by DecembeRadio, VOTA, and Bread of Stone.

Kicking off on Feb. 20, the tour will support the faith-based ministry Global Tribe (www.globaltribe.com) in its quest to fight physical and spiritual poverty. The tour will also introduce fans to new music from newsboys' upcoming fifteenth studio release, which hits stores May 5, including the album’s title track and debut single, "In The Hands Of God," which will vie for adds at both AC and CHR radio beginning Jan. 23.

Running through mid-April, the "Join The Tribe" tour also marks the return of long-time guitarist Jody Davis, who will return after a five-year hiatus to replace outgoing guitarist Paul Coleman.

"I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends," said Davis, who was a member of the band from 1993 to 2003. "This is a big change in my life, and I’m looking forward to the tour and new record with excitement."

Coleman, who played guitar with newsboys the last three years, will be continuing his solo career and performing shows nationwide in 2009.

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NEWSBOYS CALL ON FANS TO “JOIN THE TRIBE” THIS SPRING

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Jan. 16, 2009—Award-winning supergroup newsboys kicks off 2009 with its 35-city “Join The Tribe” tour in February featuring DecembeRadio, VOTA, and Bread of Stone. Also on the tour is Jody Davis, who has re-joined newsboys after a five-year hiatus.

Kicking off on Feb. 20, the tour will support Global Tribe (www.globaltribe.com) in its quest to fight physical and spiritual poverty. The tour will also introduce fans to new music from newsboys forthcoming fifteenth studio release in stores May 5, 2009, including the album’s title track and debut single, “In The Hands Of God,” which will vie for adds at both AC and CHR radio beginning Jan. 23.

Running through mid-April, the “Join The Tribe” tour also marks the return of long-time guitarist Jody Davis to newsboys. Davis will replace Paul Colman who has retired the band to pursue his solo career. “I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends,” says Davis. “This is a big change in my life, and I’m looking forward to the tour and new record with excitement.” For the most up-to-date tour itinerary, www.myspace.com/newsboys.

With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its two decades together. Known for its amazing live performances and groundbreaking tours, the band continues to sellout festivals and concerts worldwide, satisfying diehard fans and winning new ones in the process. For more information, visit http://www.newsboys.com/.

Classic rock band DECEMBERADIO has been making headlines since its debut initially hit the shelves, garnering a GRAMMY ® nomination, a DOVE Award win for Rock Album of the Year, three DOVE nominations and several hits including Song of the Year nominee “Drifter.” The band’s recent sophomore release was named one of the Top 10 Critics Pick Albums of the Year by ChristianityToday, CCM Magazine and The Gospel Music Channel. DECEMBERADIO is known for their rousing stage performances and gutsy, guitar expertise. Whether opening a NASCAR event with songs like “Dangerous” or filling the AC radio airwaves with hit ballads such as “Find You Waiting,” the foursome has brought a defining sound and energy to the world of Christian music.

Formerly known as Casting Pearls, VOTA is Bryan Olesen, Case Maranville and Scott Rutz. This pop-rock band has had a busy year signing with INO Records and releasing their new self-titled album digitally. Now they are preparing to release VOTA to all stores nationwide on Feb. 10, 2009. Produced by Nathan Dantzler (Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Tree63) the 11-track album exerts high-energy artistic sounds, taking cues from the players’ previous alternative dichotomy and adding dance elements influenced by dance poppers Maroon 5 to ethereal rockers Augustana.

With a unique blend of rock, pop, and worship, Bread of Stone (BOS) is a Christian band based out of Sioux City, Iowa with a sound all their own. Coming from Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, Bread of Stone was formed by two brothers Ben (vocals) and Bill Kristijanto (guitar) and later joined by friends, Jeremi Hough (drums) and Tim Barnes (bass) When asked about the significance of the name “Bread of Stone," they state we are all merely stones that God turns into bread to feed the hungry and that without Him, no one can accomplish good in this downfallen world.

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newsboys Video Podcast Episode 10

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Former Guitarist Returns to Christian Band newsboys

After a five-year hiatus, a longtime member of Christian band newsboys has returned, replacing outgoing guitarist Paul Coleman who moved on with his solo career.

"I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends," said Jody Davis, who was a member of the band from 1993 to 2003. "This is a big change in my life, and I'm looking forward to the tour and new record with excitement."

As a member, Davis had contributed to many of newsboys' greatest hits, including "Shine," "Entertaining Angels," and "It is You." In 2003, however, he had to take time off to care for his daughter, Bethany, who has cerebral palsy.

Regarding Davis' return, Peter Furler, lead vocalist for newsboys, expressed his excitement, noting how much the band had missed Davis.

"Jody is like a brother to all of us, and we have missed him greatly over the last five years," he said in a statement. "It's going to be great to have him back with us."

Meanwhile, Paul Colman, who played guitar with newsboys the last three years, will be continuing his solo career and performing shows nationwide in 2009.

"My three years with newsboys were among the best of my life," he stated. "I learned an immeasurable amount about music, ministry, and life, and am happy to say I left with all our friendships wonderfully intact.

"I always was and always will be one of newsboys' biggest fans," he added. "I am very excited about the return of Jody Davis!"

Davis' return comes months ahead the release of newsboys' next title track and debut single "In The Hands Of God," which will hit stores May 5. It also comes a month before the band is set to embark on a 30-city tour with special guests DecembeRadio, Vota, and Bread of Stone.

The tour, "Join the Tribe," will kick off Feb. 12 in Frederick, Md., and conclude Apr. 26. It is being sponsored by Global Tribe, an organization devoted to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the poor throughout the world.

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Phil Joel from Newsboys on Real Videos

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NEWSBOYS ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF LONG-TIME GUITARIST JODY DAVIS

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Jan. 5, 2009— Guitarist Jody Davis returns to newsboys after a five-year hiatus. Davis, who was a member of the band from 1993-2003, contributed to many of newsboys’ greatest hits like “Shine,” “Entertaining Angels,” and “It is You.” In 2003, he took time off to care for his daughter, Bethany, who has cerebral palsy.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends,” says Davis. “This is a big change in my life, and I’m looking forward to the tour and new record with excitement.”

Peter Furler, lead vocalist for newsboys, is also excited about Davis’ return. “Jody is like a brother to all of us, and we have missed him greatly over the last five years. It’s going to be great to have him back with us.”

Paul Colman, who played guitar with newsboys the last three years, will be continuing his solo career and performing shows nationwide in 2009. “My three years with newsboys were among the best of my life. I learned an immeasurable amount about music, ministry, and life, and am happy to say I left with all our friendships wonderfully intact. I always was and always will be one of newsboys' biggest fans. I am very excited about the return of Jody Davis!”

newsboys will release the title track and debut single, “In The Hands Of God,” from its forthcoming May 5, 2009 project to both AC and CHR radio Jan. 16. The band will also embark on a 30-city “Join the Tribe” tour with special guests DecembeRadio, Vota, and Bread of Stone in February. Additional tour details are forthcoming. For more information, visit www.newsboys.com

Founded in 1999, Inpop Records is home to a variety of artists including newsboys, Superchick, Shane & Shane and Mat Kearney, among others. For more information, visit www.inpop.com.

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Christian Karaoke Game Upgrade Sets Stage for 6-Man Rock Bands

A PC-compatible karaoke game featuring Christian music now has a free downloadable expansion pack that can allow up to six players to start their own Christian rock band.

The recently released JAMPpak for “Heavenly Harmony Gold” allows players to use their Xbox and Playstation 3 USB guitar and drum set controllers with their new PC-based Christian band game. By connecting the guitar and drum set to their Windows-based computer and launching JAMpak, players can jam and sing along with some of today’s top Christian songs.

"As leaders in the development of Christian gaming, we have been working diligently to give consumers the products they have asked for,” Curtis Ratica, president of Cloud 9, reported in an announcement last week.

“JAMpak is the first step in that direction,” he added, “and we are excited to give everyone a glimpse of what the future holds.”

The expansion pack follows the summer 2008 release of the “Gold” edition of Heavenly Harmony, which came out less than a year after the original.

In the game, players sing to their favorite tunes and are rated according to their accuracy with the games' pitch-recognition technology. As their singing skills improve, players unlock clothing options for their characters and move on to bigger and better performance venues. Mini-games further allow the player to improve their singing skills.

“Heavenly Harmony provides features never before found in any computer game, and the fact that it's a Christian-themed game makes it even more exciting,” Rica stated prior to the unveiling of the original game last year. “Never before has there been a singing game that offers the type of feedback this game provides.”

Since the release of the original Heavenly Harmony, Cloud 9 has come out with several expansion packs including “Christmas Classic,” with 20 Christmas songs and carols; “Christian Rock,” with popular Christian artists such as Kutless, Jeremy Camp, Audio Adrenaline, Sanctus Real, This Beautiful Republic and Falling Up; and most recently “Contemporary Christian,” which features songs from artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, Avalon, ZoeGirl, Nicole Nordeman, tobyMac, Newsboys, and Stacie Orrico.

According to an announcement late last year, several more expansion packs may be in the works, including Modern Praise/Worship and Hymns/Gospel.

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