“‘Crazy Love’ is an anthem for people seeking to love God more passionately and our listeners can’t hear it enough.”

- Paul Goldsmith (Air 1 APD/MD)

“The topic of love in songs on our station is really one that our listeners have responded to favorably, and the challenge in this song for our listeners to step out on a limb, be crazy, and see how God responds when you are obedient, coupled with a cool sounding song, is the type of song we want.  Congrats on that HUGE jump to #1, Hawk Nelson!”

- Johnathon Eltrevoog (WONU PD)

SEATTLE, WA…January 11, 2010…As today marks Human Trafficking Awareness Day and January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, BEC Recordings’ The Museum is joining efforts to make strides to help end human trafficking. Starting February 9th, the “Not For Sale Freedom Tour” will kick-off featuring labelmate Rapture Ruckus and The Museum.

The Museum has partnered with Not For Sale to provide a night woven together with music and education – a tour with a purpose.  The Not For Sale Campaign equips and mobilizes Smart Activists to deploy innovative solutions to re-abolish slavery in their own backyards and across the globe ( http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/). With 27 million people enslaved across the world today, The Museum is serious about this partnership.

“We’re so excited for this tour because it’s much more than just a night of enjoying music. We’ve worked for months to partner with Not For Sale Campaign to make sure this is a night with great purpose,” shares The Museum frontman Ben Richter. “Through video, songs & sharing stories of those who have been rescued from trafficking, it’s our hope to awaken the church to a new level of awareness & responsibility to fight trafficking.”

It is through the Not For Sale Freedom tour that The Museum hopes to help people, regardless of their age or life stage, realize everyone has a roll to play to fight trafficking.  Part of that is simply being aware of the products purchased, too often the everyday products bought are helping keep people enslaved.

“We will also encourage young people toward starting student abolitionist groups in their schools or organizations to help build awareness among their peers,” states Richter.  “Another way to make a difference will be to give financially.  Through “28 to Emancipate” people can choose to give $28 a month to end slavery.”

The Museum has also written and recently recorded a special song to raise awareness to end slavery and human trafficking. This single “Not For Sale” will be available for a free download beginning on February 1st on National Freedom Day.  Fans can go to www.TheMuseumIsNotForSale.com to learn more about human trafficking and get the free download next month.

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Not For Sale Freedom Tour Dates (more dates to be announced soon)
Feb 9 – Marietta, GA
Feb 19 – Paducah, KY
Feb 20 – St Louis, MO
Feb 23 – Springdale, AR
Feb 24 – Harrison, AR
March 2 – Crystal Springs, MS
March 4 – Ball , LA
March 5 – Corpus Christi, TX
March 18 – Estes Park, CO

About The Museum:
The Museum is: Ben Richter (Vocals, Guitar) Geoffrey Ashcraft (Guitar) Josh Kirk (Drums, Programming) Chris Brink (Bass).  The band released their label debut “Let Love Win” in the summer of 2010.  The debut was recorded in Nashville, Seattle, and Atlanta with producers Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp (Tenth Avenue North, Brandon Heath, Sanctus Real), Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Hawk Nelson), and Jason Hoard (Shane & Shane, FEE).  For more information and to connect with The Museum, follow the band on Twitter @ TheMuseumMusic and become their fan on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheMuseumMusic.

About Rapture Ruckus:
Fronted by MC Rapture (Brad Dring), Rapture Ruckus debuted in 2002 at New Zealand’s Parachute Festival (one of the largest music festivals in the Southern Hemisphere) breaking the event’s record for highest-selling new act. Rapture Ruckus has continued touring, supporting bands throughout North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.  Already releasing three albums since their 2002 debut, and winning the 2007 New Zealand Music Award for Best Gospel Album, Rapture Ruckus released their music to the United States via BEC Recordings in 2010. For more information on the force that is Rapture Ruckus, visit MySpace.com/RaptureRuckusMusic or Twitter @ raptureruckus.

2010 MEDIABASE AC SONG OF THE YEAR

KUTLESS TOPS THREE BILLBOARD END OF THE YEAR CHARTS
PART OF 2011 WINTER JAM TOUR SPECTACULAR

SEATTLE, WA — December 20, 2010 — Since the 2009 release of their hit worship album, It Is Well, BEC Recordings’ Kutless has catapulted to the top of the charts with their mega-hit song “What Faith Can Do.”  Already a hit single in 2009, the success has carried into 2010 as this single topped the 2010 Mediabase Christian AC Song of the Year.

In addition to Mediabase, “What Faith Can Do” was the No. 2 Billboard Hot Christian Song of the Year.  Kutless was also named the No. 7 Billboard Christian Artist of the Year, and It Is Well was the No. 10 Billboard Christian Album of the Year.

This year “What Faith Can Do” topped five radio formats –CHR, AC Mon, AC Indicator, Inspo as well as spent eight weeks at the top on the the National Christian Audience Chart. The single has also surpassed 220K in digital single sales.  It Is Well is also nearing 200k in album sales. Fans can now purchase the expanded edition of It Is Well, which features three live tracks and two new songs.

Kutless also has two singles currently moving up the charts from their worship project. “Everything I Need” is breaking into the Top 20 on AC Monitored and the National Christian Audience Chart, Top 10 on AC Indicator and Inspo. “Remember Me” is currently in the Top 5 on CHR.

This Christmas season, Kutless also released a new single “This Is Christmas,” which has been charting at AC Monitored, AC Indicator, Inspo and the National Christian Audience Chart.  The song is No. 1 at CMW.  This song is available on the BEC Recordings’ Christmas compilation O Come All Ye Faithful.

After the holidays, Kutless will be heading out on the 2011 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular with Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Francesca Battistelli, Red, Newsong, KJ-52, and more.  The all-star packed tour begins January 8th in Charleston, West Virginia and concludes on April 3rd in Illinois.  For the tour dates, visit here: http://www.hearitfirst.com/winterjam/default.aspx

For more information, go to www.kutless.com or the band’s official YouTube Page http://www.youtube.com/kutless.  Follow the band on Twitter @kutless and become their fan on Facebook: facebook.com/kutless.

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About Kutless
Launched by original members Jon Micah Sumrall (lead vocals) and guitarist James Mead, the band formed first as a modern rock/worship band at Warner Pacific College in Portland in 2000, influenced by Christian rock predecessors such as the Supertones as well as mainstream modern rockers like Staind, Foo Fighters, and Incubus.  Kutless signed to Tooth & Nail/BEC in late 2001 and released its self-titled debut the following year, which went on to become the fastest-selling debut in the label’s history.  Hearts of the Innocent marked the recording debut of the band’s new members, drummer Jeffrey Gilbert and bass player Dave Luetkenhoelter, both formerly of alt-rock band Seven Places. In 2007, Nick De Partee joined the band as the new guitarist after being with the band for over a year as their guitar tech.

This Portland, Oregon-based Kutless has emerged as one of Christian and rock music’s hottest acts. Kutless has played before more than 2 million fans in the past five years.  In 2009, the band was awarded RIAA Gold Certification for their worship-based album “Strong Tower” in addition to Gold Certification for Long-Form video “Live From Portland.” The band has been nominated for multiple Dove Awards, earning its first for the band’s participation on the Special Event Album of the Year, the soundtrack to “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.” Kutless’ music also has been featured in television and film.  The Kutless song “All of the Words” appeared on the NBC hit TV show “Scrubs,” in an episode titled “My Bright Idea.”  Last year, the band’s song “The Feeling” was featured on the Rock Band 2 downloadable track for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii.

HELP-PORTRAIT IMPACTS LIVES WORLDWIDE WITH 2ND ANNUAL EVENT
EVENTS STILL BEING HELD THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

NASHVILLE, TN — December 14, 2010 — A picture’s value was defined around the world with photographers and volunteers uniting for the second annual Help-Portrait event last Saturday, 04 December. Surpassing last year’s numbers, more than 10,574 photographers, volunteers, make-up artists and hair stylists joined together to give, not take, more than 54,526 photos around the world in 46 countries.

These preliminary numbers are set to increase as Help-Portrait events are continuing through the month of December.  Help-Portrait is simple: 1. Find someone in need 2. Take their portrait 3. Print their portrait and 4. Deliver their portrait.

“In our second year of Help-Portrait, we have again seen that the gift of a photograph is far more important than we ever imagined,” shares founder Jeremy Cowart. “It is a complete honor to equip photographers around the world to give portraits to families in need. A picture is worth. We see that more now than ever.”

New this year was an online live stream of the main event day from the creativeLIVE studio in Seattle. As a Help-Portrait event happened in the background, hosts including H-P founder Jeremy Cowart, another high-profile photographer Chase Jarvis and H-P volunteer staff member Annie Downs checked in with H-P organizers around the world via Skype to share their stories.

From Bangalore, India to Ghana, Africa, the language of Help-Portrait crossed cultural and socio-economic barriers. Even Hollywood got in the act. A-list actors Zachary Levi and Yvette Nicole Brown volunteered at a Help-Portrait event in Los Angeles and participated in the live webcast.

Ritz Camera and Chick-fil-A were also major partners of the event donating their resources around the nation.  This week, songwriters Andy Davis, Jason Ingram, Paul Mabury and Chad Cates wrote an original song for Help-Portrait called “I See You.” It’s available for free download at https://www.noisetrade.com/helpportrait#.

Stories from Help-Portrait 2010 can be read on the H-P blog. Photos and videos from the events around the world can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/help-portrait/ Please contact Lori Mahon for b-roll from various locations as well as behind-the-scenes photos.  For more information and to get involved in giving back and changing lives, visit http://www.help-portrait.com.

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ABOUT HELP-PORTRAIT: Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2009 by Nashville-based celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo.  The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and return their dignity.  It is a movement, a shift in photography.  The rapid growth of this organization is a perfect example of Social Media use for good as the community shares ideas and stories through the channels of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogging. Last December more than 41,000 portraits were given by 3400 photographers and over 5000 volunteers were involved.  Help-Portrait became a global movement in 543 locations in 42 countries.

Twitter @help_portrait | Hashtag #helpportrait
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/helpportrait
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/helpportrait

SEATTLE, WA–December 06, 2010– Nearly four months until the release of the debut solo project, Anthem Song, from Aaron Gillespie (former Underoath drummer, front man of The Almost), is already generating a strong buzz amongst his loyal fans.  This album is set to release on Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings on March 8, 2011.  Fans can experience a taste of this album with the debut radio single, “We Were Made For You” (co-written with Paul Baloche), premiering now on Aaron’s Facebook page.

“I’ve always wanted to make a record like this. The Almost is a rock band, and we didn’t want to mix the two styles,” Aaron begins to explain. “I have this desire to see our generation worshipping God. But a lot of the people I get to meet through music—kids with tattoos and swoop over haircuts—don’t think of worship as ‘cool.’ I want them to find a home and a vocabulary to experience this kind of music.”

As a dynamic, outspoken artist in the music scene, Aaron Gillespie isn’t always what one might expect to find in a faith-based performer and such is the case with this project.  Aaron’s strong musical history began at the young age of 14 as a standout drummer and co-founder of the popular metalcore band Underoath, which he amicably left earlier this year.

Aaron recorded Anthem Song in Seattle with versatile producer Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless). Both multi-instrumentalists, they played nearly everything on the album. Co-writers Paul Baloche, Sarah Hart, and Phillip LaRue also helped pen what is largely a very personal record about adoring God, worshiping Him “because He is and because you are; just because you woke up today.”

Much of that outlook was influenced by a mission trip Aaron took to Africa.

“The people in Africa, which I experienced were so happy, so joyful despite their circumstances. They have nothing, but they worship so wholeheartedly,” recalls Aaron. “I went there as a rich American expecting to fix something in their world. But we are the ones who need fixing. I’ve learned that God’s goodness is an anthem that will play forever. Our job is to grab a piece of that song while we are here.”

Be a part of this Anthem Song.  Stay tuned for more announcements with Aaron Gillespie and his solo debut. Follow Aaron on Twitter @AaronRGillespie as well as on his Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AaronRGillespie.

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SEATTLE, WA–December 1, 2010–Tooth & Nail Records’ newest addition, I Am Empire, is readying for their label debut, “Kings,” set for January 25, 2011. Recorded in Nashville, TN with producer Rob Hawkins (Disciple, Fireflight), the dozen tracks features a range of alternative rock songs and styles including the rock single “Brain Damage” that is already charting in the Top 20.  This single is making its debut on the band’s MySpace today ( http://www.myspace.com/iamempire).

This San Jose-bred fivesome had no trouble igniting the local scene since forming in 2008, including dates alongside Flyleaf, Sublime, Deftones, Silversun Pickups, Thursday, Four Year Strong and The Wedding, a pair of charting singles (“You’re A Fake” and “The Elevator”), plus additional acclaim from Alternative Press, AOL’s Spinner and San Francisco’s LIVE105 radio station.  Amongst this success, it was the personal story from front man Austin Lyon’s fractured upbringing that lays the thematic foundation for “Kings.”

“The whole record is about abandonment, particularly the fact that my father is the one who abandoned me,” says the singer/songwriter for I Am Empire (whose moniker is basically a battle cry to be yourself and never feel pressured towards conformity). “We decided to name the record Kings because it signifies the head of a household, and if you’ve been abandoned, you want to look past that person and try to be better when you grow up. The goal is to take up the crown that person left behind and be better than the person who left, which can really apply to any type of relationship.”

The results of Lyon’s writing finds the guitar-charged record split between tracks of justified venting to seasons of spiritual renewal. Cuts like the lead single “Brain Damage,” “Saints & Sinners,” “Heart Attack,” “To the Moon” and “Foxhole” are aggressive examples of anger relief that encourage listeners to never bottle up their emotions, while “Hammers & Anvils,” “Love & Despair” and “Take Me Away” speak of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness.

Between the band’s artistic ambitions, unceasing work ethic, tireless time on tour and thematic reliability, I Am Empire is a perfect match with Tooth & Nail. For more information on I Am Empire, visit: http://www.myspace.com/iamempire and follow the band on Twitter @iamempire

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SEATTLE, WA…November 22, 2010…One year after the release of their critically acclaimed release “Welcome to the Masquerade,” Tooth & Nail Records’ Thousand Foot Krutch celebrates their third No. 1 Rock single from the album and their 10th career Rock single with “E For Extinction,” for the past two weeks. Their CHR single “Look Away” is already climbing the charts as their third Top 20 CHR single from this album.

As their singles continue to climb, TFK has also completed a full touring schedule this fall with their headline tour “Welcome to the Masquerade” presented by Creation Festival: The Tour.

On the heels of their headline tour and their hot singles, TFK also announces their joining the 2011 “Rock & Worship Roadshow” with MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Matt Maher and The Afters.  This tour will begin January 28th and conclude April 9th.  For tour dates and cities, visit: http://therockandworshiproadshow.com.

The past year has been a whirlwind for TFK since the release of their fifth studio album, “Welcome to the Masquerade,” which has produced three No. 1 Christian Rock singles (“Fire It Up,” “Bring Me To Life,” “E For Extinction”), two top 10 Christian CHR singles (“Forward Motion, and “Already Home”), one top 15 Active Rock single (“Fire it Up”), as well as numerous TV, film (GI Joe), gaming and sport arena placements including being featured at the Super Bowl in February as well as ESPN’s use during recent NCAA basketball games.

The album was touted by media as “their best,” the “best album of its genre to be released,” and one of the “very best albums of the year.”  Thousand Foot Krutch was also recently awarded three 2010 GMA Canada Covenant Awards: Rock Song Of The Year (“Forward Motion”), Rock Album Of The Year (“Welcome To The Masquerade”, and Hard Music Song Of The Year (“Bring Me To Life”).

For more information on TFK visit their website ( www.thousandfootkrutch.com) MySpace (www. myspace.com/thousandfootkrutch) Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/thousandfootkrutch) and Twitter – @officialTFK.

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About Thousand Foot Krutch:
Thousand Foot Krutch, started by frontman/songwriter Trevor McNevan, have sold over 750,000 copies to date of their albums Set It Off, Phenomenon, The Art Of Breaking, The Flame in All of Us and Welcome To The Masquerade. The band hit the musical scene with the independent album Set It Off and their album Phenomenon branched into mainstream radio with the single “Rawkfist”. TFK’s albums have garnered 10 No. 1 Christian Rock singles, four Top 25 Active Rock Singles, and five Top 10 Christian CHR singles. They’ve headlined a variety of festivals and have performed with acts Skillet, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Tobymac, Switchfoot to name a few.