Newsong coming to Western NC

Beginning with the golden voice of band cofounder Billy Goodwin, over the years NewSong has counted some of Christian music’s most talented singers among their number.  Give Yourself Away marks the celebrated return of former front man Russ Lee, and it’s a move that just feels right for everyone.  “Russ was front and center during the years we began cultivating a more diverse live show,” says founding member Eddie Carswell.  “Having him back is a real blessing.  This is the way it’s supposed to be.”
After his initial tenure with NewSong ended in 2000, Russ released three acclaimed studio albums and recorded the evergreen Christian radio hits “Live What I Believe” and “I Smile.”  His solo adventure was both rewarding and challenging. He made mission trips to Iraq, Japan and Germany with the military, and he and his family spent six months serving in developing countries.  “From there, I became worship pastor at my church, appeared at men’s conferences, and continued to develop relationships in the songwriting community.” Russ pauses thoughtfully before quietly adding, “Most importantly, I was able to be at home with my wife, Mary, while she was fighting cancer, which included nine months of chemotherapy.”
As Russ contemplates this latest offering—NewSong’s first release since 2005’s Rescue: Live Worship (Integrity), and its first studio album since 2003’s More Life (Reunion)—he sees it in a historical perspective. “Give Yourself Away reminds me of when we recorded the Love Revolution album,” he says. “Musically, and in every other way, it was a new day. We gained a lot of new fans with that record because we broadened the palette of songwriting and production.  And that’s what we did with Give Yourself Away.”
From the second the music kicks in, there’s no doubt this fresh world of sound is coming to you courtesy of the same band that logged 20 #1 radio hits.  Russ’s signature voice propels the hook-heavy, joy-filled debut single, “That’s What Mercy Is.”  The equally addictive standout, “Too Wonderful,” takes delight in a magnificent Savior as Russ’s voice flows emotively over Charlie’s artful piano stylings and an inviting rhythm track.  The song “Hope,” perhaps more than any other, tips the band’s adventurous hand as NewSong gleefully embraces European modern rock influences.
The band soon moves into emotionally vulnerable territory while assuring “God Hears,” as Russ lovingly reflects on a sovereign, ever-personal God and his wife’s victory over cancer.  Later, the band puts the spotlight on the world’s orphans when Billy, who sings lead on signature classics “Arise My Love” and “The Christmas Shoes,” delivers the endearing “Every Child (Deserves a Home).”
In addition to Russ, Eddie and Billy, NewSong also features multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Matt Butler, guitarist Rico Thomas, bassist Mark Clay, drummer Jack Pumphrey, and percussionist Matt Goodwin.  Just as the major breakout events in the group’s history—including “The Christmas Shoes” chain reaction and the emergence of NewSong’s “Winter Jam Tour Spectacular” as Christian music’s biggest annual tour—have resulted from the band’s unconventional decisions and the seemingly random things that fall into place around those decisions, with Give Yourself Away, this 28-year trend continues in blatant fashion.
In a move reminiscent of innovative gestures by Keith Green and DeGarmo & Key, NewSong is including a free duplicate CD with each copy of Give Yourself Away.”  Says Eddie, “As a means of encouraging our fans to give themselves away, we want them to give those extra copies to friends in need.” NewSong will also be giving away thousands of additional copies through its ministry partner Holt International, which specializes in adoption and child welfare around the world. The flexibility to be able to make such bold moves is so important to the band that NewSong recently founded its own record label, His Honor Music, through which Give Yourself Away makes its bow.
With EMI CMG signing-on as the new label’s distributor, it’s an exciting partnership. “Bill Hearn and the staff at EMI CMG are ready to step outside the box with us in a major way,” Eddie says. “It’s not every day a label decides they’re just going to give away copies of a CD, so I’m extremely humbled by their desire to help us do that.”
NewSong’s ministry mindset resonates when you know that communicating the Gospel message and giving listeners the chance to respond to Christ has been the very heart of what the band has done since its inception. Naturally, that realization begs the question:  Is NewSong, who’s set to perform for nearly 400,000 people in 2010, an evangelism ministry or a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording act?  Answer: Yes to both.
Big Daddy Weave and Francesca Battistelli will also make special appearances at the show.
NewSong will be performing at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts located at 1028 Georgia Road in Franklin on December 12th at 7:30. For tickets or more information, go to GreatMountainMusic.com or call 833.273.4615.

About The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts 
The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts is destined to become one of the premier venues for world-class performances and artists in Western North Carolina and the surrounding areas. The stunning architecture, technical facilities, and impeccable acoustics will attract and maintain the highest professional standards for both the audience and the performing arts.
 
Located in Franklin, NC, the 1,500 seat state-of-the-art center plans to present the finest in performing arts to the community, including passion plays, musical productions, professional drama troupes, dance, choral festivals, recitals, concerts (country, bluegrass, gospel, oldies, pop), and more. The center will nurture the development, understanding, and appreciation of the arts throughout the community and region.