GOSPELMUSIC.ORG

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE

JANUARY 2016

WHAT’S INSIDE

Q&A with Passion Conference Co-Founder Shelley Giglio

Celebrations and News

Radio Movement

Appearances in Film/TV

Top Adult Cont. Songs

Top Gospel Songs

Top Rock Songs

Overall Chart Toppers

INDUSTRY Q&A: Passion Conference Co-Founder Shelley Giglio

By Lindsay Williams

2016 marks the 19th year of Passion Conferences, and

for the first time ever, this year’s event was held in three different locations simultaneously. Thousands upon thousands of 18 to 25-year-olds packed Atlanta’s Philips Arena and Infinite Energy Center as thousands more filled Houston’s Toyota Center over the course of the three-day conference, Jan. 2-4. Thanks to technology that allowed various portions to be live streamed between venues, every attendee was able to hear music from sixsteps’ stable of artists (Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman,

Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, etc.), as well as Hillsong

UNITED and Rend Collective, and messages from well-known speakers like Christine Caine and Ravi Zacharias, among others. Ahead of Passion, Shelley Giglio—who heads up the conference and sixstepsrecords with her husband Louie—sat down with us to discuss the core vision of Passion Conferences, why worship music is here to stay and how the Church needs to make space for more women in leadership. (Continued...)

Shelley Giglio Photo Credit Lee Steffen

Syntax Creative inked a distribution deal with Vineyard Worship, which will find the company distributing Vineyard’s next two releases: All Things Rise (Jan. 1) and Anchor Studio Sessions (Jan. 15). Vineyard Worship is the musical arm of Vineyard Church, which includes 2,500 congregations around the world.

Christian jazz pianist and former Brooklyn

Tabernacle Choir member Caleb Collins performed songs from his new holiday album, Christmas, at the New

York Stock Exchange’s 92nd annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony Dec. 3.

Rend Collective’s

Patrick Thompson

married girlfriend Jude Lacey Nov. 28.

Chris Tomlin made his

Grand Ole Opry debut Dec. 4, while Laura

Story stood in the

legendary “circle” for the first time Dec. 8.

Legacy Five announced Josh Feemster

as their newest member, following he departure of tenor Gus Gaches.

Sonya and Jimmy Yeary

(The Isaacs) welcomed their second child,

Gaitlyn Solomon Yeary,

Dec. 8. Gaitlyn weighed in at 8 lbs., 10 oz. and 21” long, making 4-year-old Ayden a big brother.

Brian Free & Assurance announced the departure of bass singer Jeremy Lile.

“This Is Amazing Grace,” co-written and recorded by Phil Wickham, received RIAA Gold Certification.

Matt Maher’s hit single, “Lord, I Need You,” received RIAA Gold Certification.

Movement

CELEBRATIONS AND NEWS

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE JANUARY 2016

LaBreeska

Hemphill,

beloved matriarch of

gospel singing family The

Hemphills, passed away Dec. 9 at the age of 75.

Urban worship collective LIVRE’ performed at the MBK Entertainment Holiday

Concert, alongside R&B sensation Brandy at New York’s B.B. King’s Dec. 15. The group is slated to release its debut album, Jericho: Tribe

of Joshua, in February.

Music industry veteran and former Capitol CMG

Publishing Creative Director John J. Thompson was selected to serve as the Associate Dean of Trevecca University’s new School of Music and Worship Arts.

Jeremy and

Adie Camp

celebrated 12 years of

marriage Dec. 15.

GOA is now exclusively booking bestselling authors, entrepreneurs and twin brothers David and Jason

Benham.

Rend Collective bassist

Stephen Mitchell announced his engagement to girlfriend Lenea Olson Dec. 17.

Independent label StowTown

Records announced its foray into the Christian marketplace with the signings of former Avalon founding member Jody McBrayer and worship leader Charles Billingsley

who will release new projects in February and March respectively.

Hope Bowling,

15, became the youngest artist to ever earn a Singing News

No. 1 when The Bowling

Family’s “One Glorious Moment of Faith” reached the top of the chart.

Bill and

Gloria

Gaither

celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary Dec. 22.

WAY-FM announced the addition of four new Operations Directors: Mike

Russell joined WAY-FM Louisville. Paul Van Sickle

joined WAY-FM Portland. Aaron Traylor joined WAY-FM Nashville, and Dan Raymond

joined WAY-FM Denver.

Mike Gallagher’s Salem

Radio talk show was extended through 2018.

Stephens Media Group

named Chad Bradley Program Director of KXOJ2 (Tulsa).

EMF San Antonio Promotion

Manager Roy Flores exited.

Salem named Kevin Isaacs

GM for their Cleveland cluster of stations.

Longtime Milwaukee Christian broadcaster Vic Eliason, 79, passed away Dec. 5 after a battle with cancer.

WAY-FM South Florida Community Impact Director Joshua Evans exited.

As of Jan. 4, “Life with

Lisa Williams” will be syndicated nationally thanks

to a partnership between Christian FM and Cure

International.

David Brock has joined KVNE/

KGLY (Tyler) as Production Director and On-Air Host.

“Life Issues” with Brad Mattes,

President of Life Issues Institute, has been awarded the 2016 National Religious

Broadcasters (NRB) Impact Award. The award will be

presented at NRB’s annual convention held in Nashville in February.

Longtime LeSEA broadcaster Peter Sumrall, 62, passed away Dec. 5 of a heart attack.

Doug Hannah joined

Christian FM for middays.

Radio Movement Provided by HisAir.net

Colton Dixon appeared on “FOX & Friends” Nov. 13 and performed his song “Limitless.”

Michael W. Smith made his

third appearance on “CMA Country Christmas” when he performed alongside Martina

McBride Dec. 3 on ABC.

Tina Campbell (Mary Mary)

and husband Teddy appeared on “Steve Harvey” Dec. 9.

Following a year-long hiatus, “Celebration of Gospel” will air Jan. 31 on BET. The No. 1 rated gospel music special will be hosted by Academy Award® and Golden Globe®

nominated actress Taraji

P. Henson (“Empire”) and will feature performances by Yolanda Adams, Erica

Campbell, Tamela Mann,

Tasha Cobbs and more.

Canton Jones joined the cast

of “Preachers of Atlanta.” The first episode is set to premiere Feb. 3 on Oxygen.

Movement

RADIO

APPEARANCES IN FILM/TV

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE JANUARY 2016

2016 GRAMMY® Nominees

Social Media

MOST FOLLOWED ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK

Marcos Witt

Hillsong United

Skillet

Casting Crowns

Don Moen

Hillsong Worship

Mary Mary

Chris Tomlin

TobyMac

5,683,851

5,485,524

5,193,290

4,546,550

4,258,069

4,012,740

3,782,723

3,189,093

2,909,544

MOST FOLLOWED ARTISTS ON TWITTER

Kirk Franklin

Lecrae

Hillsong United

Marcos Witt

Chris Tomlin

Kari Jobe

TobyMac

Mary Mary

Michael W. Smith

1,077,440

1,060,349

1,055,608

998,202

880,182

621,782

562,979

545,547

533,954

Congratulations to all of this year’s GRAMMY® nominees. The 58th annual GRAMMY® Awards will be held

Feb. 15 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS from 8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m ET/PT.

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

PERFORMANCE/SONG

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN

MUSIC ALBUM

BEST GOSPEL

PERFORMANCE/SONG

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM

Francesca Battistelli, “Holy Spirit”

Crowder, “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)”

Matt Maher, “Because He Lives (Amen)”

Third Day feat. All Sons & Daughters, “Soul on Fire”

TobyMac feat. Mr. Talkbox, “Feel It”

Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, “Worth [Live]”

Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy?”

Travis Greene, “Intentional”

Israel & New Breed feat. Yolanda Adams, “How Awesome Is Our God [Live]”

Brian Courtney Wilson, “Fighting For [Live]”

Karen Clark Sheard, Destined to Win (Live)

Dorinda Clark-Cole, Living It

Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live

Israel & New Breed, Covered: Alive In Asia [Live] (Deluxe)

Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two

The Fairfield Four, Still Rockin’ My Soul

Karen Peck & New River, Pray Now

Point of Grace, Directions Home (Songs We Love, Songs You Know)

Jason Crabb, Whatever the Road

Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be

Matt Maher, Saints and Sinners

TobyMac, This Is Not a Test

Chris Tomlin, Love Ran Red

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE JANUARY 2016

Date: 1/6/2016BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report

ADULT CONTEMPORARY PROVIDED BY CMTA

2 12

4 14

6 16

8 18

10 20

Big Daddy Weave My Story Lauren Daigle First

Jordan Feliz The River Stars Go Dim You Are Loved

TobyMac Feel It / ft. Mr. Talkbox Phil Wickham This Is Amazing Grace

Chris Tomlin At The Cross (Love Ran Red) Matt Maher Because He Lives (Amen)

Matthew West Grace Wins MercyMe Greater

RANK RANKARTIST ARTISTSONG TITLE SONG TITLE

1 11MercyMe Flawless Lincoln Brewster There Is Power

3 13Casting Crowns Just Be Held Chris Tomlin Good Good Father

5 15Jeremy Camp Same Power Third Day Soul On Fire

7 17Francesca Battistelli Holy Spirit Josh Wilson That Was Then, This Is Now

9 19Passion/K.Stanfill Even So Come Hillsong United Touch The Sky

This Month’s Top Twenty

Date: 1/6/2016BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report

GOSPEL PROVIDED BY CMTA

2 12

4 14

6 16

8 18

10 20

Kirk Franklin Wanna Be Happy Charles Jenkins/F.C. War

Tim Bowman Jr. I’m Good Tasha Cobbs Jesus Saves

Casey J I’m Yours Deon Kipping Place Called Victory

Byron Cage Like No Other J.J. Hairston/Y.P. You’re Mighty

Todd Dulaney The Anthem Maurette B. Clark King Oh King

RANK RANKARTIST ARTISTSONG TITLE SONG TITLE

1 11Travis Greene Intentional Anita Wilson You Love Me (Best Of My Love)

3 13Anthony Brown/GT Worth Israel/New Breed How Awesome Is Our God

5 15Marvin Sapp Yes You Can Erica Campbell I Luh God / ft. Big Shizz

7 17Brian C. Wilson Worth Fighting For John P. Kee Level Next

9 19Kim Burrell Thank You Jesus Kirk Franklin 123 Victory

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE JANUARY 2016

Date: 1/6/2016BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report

ROCK PROVIDED BY CMTA

2 12

4 14

6 16

8 18

10 20

XXI Say It Again Artifex Pereo The Straight & Winding Way

Matty Mullins Come Alive Owl City Verge / ft. Aloe Blacc

Truslow Hurrican Family Force 5 Glow In The Dark

KB Feat. Mattie I Believe Lecrae All I Need Is You

Vesperteen Shatter In The Night Hearts Like Lions I’m Not Running Away From...

RANK RANKARTIST ARTISTSONG TITLE SONG TITLE

1 11For Today Broken Lens Attalus Sirens

3 13Graceful Closure Chasing Fears Twenty One Pilots Stressed Out

5 15Devil Wears Prada Planet A P.O.D. This Goes Out To You

7 17Red Jumpsuit Appa. It Was You Red Yours Again

9 19Ongoing Concept Amends Children 18:3 Afterall...

This Month’s Top Twenty

Date: 1/6/2016BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report

OVERALL PROVIDED BY CMTA

2 12

4 14

6 16

8 18

10 20

Big Daddy Weave My Story Josh Wilson That Was Then, This Is Now

Jeremy Camp Same Power Stars Go Dim You Are Loved

Lincoln Brewster There Is Power Third Day Soul On Fire

TobyMac Feel It / ft. Mr. Talkbox Phil Wickham This Is Amazing Grace

Chris Tomlin Good Good Father Natalie Grant Be One

RANK RANKARTIST ARTISTSONG TITLE SONG TITLE

1 11Jordan Feliz The River Passion/K. Stanfill Even So Come

3 13Casting Crowns Just Be Held Chris Tomlin At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

5 15MercyMe Flawless Lauren Daigle First

7 17Matthew West Grace Wins MercyMe Greater

9 19Francesca Battistelli Holy Spirit Matt Maher Because He Lives (Amen)

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE JANUARY 2016

How has your vision for Passion

evolved through the years?

Shelley Giglio: There’s a whole new group of 18 to 25-year-olds every year in life, so you’re never really with the same people. It’s always changing; it’s always evolving. All my friends love the fact that they prayed when they were a student that someday their kid would get to come to this, and sure enough, 19 years later, we’re still standing, which is crazy and such a privilege. But what’s cool about Passion is that it’s the same and it’s completely different. It’s the same in its core… At its core, Passion is really just trying to say, ‘There’s another alternative of a way to live, and we’re giving you that option early in your life so that you can see that the trajectory of your life can actually be on a different track and you can be a difference maker in the world. You can leave a legacy that’s far greater than yourself.’

How have you seen that message play

out in the lives of these students?

Giglio: Those students who felt that moment and have responded to that message are now all over the world in major jobs, major families, living big lives, but living in such a way that they know and understand that ‘this isn’t all about me. Everything doesn’t revolve around me. I’m not at the core of my life, but instead, Jesus is.’ And there’s a way to live like that, and now we have a whole legacy of people who are actually living that out, so it’s a beautiful thing.

When you started this 19 years ago,

did you ever dream it would have

such a huge impact?

Giglio: In some ways, we’re surprised He would use us. Yes, is the answer to that. But are we surprised that He’s doing what He’s doing? No. Because He’s just doing what He said He would do. So for me it’s like, Of course, He did! Now,

the fact that I get to stand here as close as I do and watch Him do it, that’s an

unbelievable privilege. I can’t believe that part of it. But I can believe that He has been faithful to who He says He is.

You wear a lot of “hats,” as the head

of sixstepsrecords, the co-founder

of Passion, a day-to-day manager

and with your continued involvement

in leadership at Passion City Church.

How do you view your “job”?

Giglio: I feel like my role is an industry role, but I don’t see my job as an industry job. I see my job as a ministry job…because what I’m really here to do is to challenge both myself and the people I’m around to rise up to the greatest possibility in our life, and that is that God could actually take and use our life for something that matters… I’m not on the stage with [our artists] singing new songs and leading the Church, but I am playing a super vital role in helping them get to the place where they can. And so, it does have an industry title, but it’s really a ministry job.

You are one of a very small number

of female managers in our industry.

Do you feel like there’s a need for

more women in leadership roles?

Giglio: I think the Church sometimes has lagged behind [the corporate world]. Some of that is in teaching and just trying to figure out what roles are important for women to have, but a lot of that is just women have felt like they don’t have opportunities in ministry to really use their lives for something they think is important, and so they’ve gone culturally to some other atmosphere to try to contribute. I think it [would be] amazing if the Church would rise up and see all these women as resources for really changing the world and sharing the gospel in every form…and if they would open the doors wide enough for women to be able to use their gifts

GETTING TO KNOW SHELLEY GIGLIOFAVORITE RESTAURANT

IN ATLANTA: Superica (www.supericaatl.com) (“It’s by our famous Atlanta chef who is opening more amazing restaurants than you can fathom. His name is Ford Fry, and it is some

of the best ‘Mex-Tex’ you will ever have in your life.”)

FAVORITE

VACATION SPOT:

California (“Beautiful weather all the time. Beaches, sunshine and happiness.”)

SONG YOU CURRENTLY

HAVE ON REPEAT:

Adele’s “Hello” (“I’m literally obsessed. It’s so good. I’m like, How could

someone sound like that?

I don’t understand.”)

ARTIST THAT MADE

YOU FALL IN LOVE

WITH CHRISTIAN MUSIC:

Amy Grant (“We’re very similar in age. I think she’s maybe two years older than me. So when she was 16 and making records, it was a phenomenon to me.”)

GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE JANUARY 2016

[and] be able to use them within the Church… [In the music industry], I would love for there to be women at every level, whether that’s sitting in a boardroom full of people running a record label or sitting in a studio with artists making music.

Worship music has really

transformed the Christian music

industry in the last decade or

so—taking over radio, dominating

sales. Do you see that trend

ending any time soon?

Giglio: Worship is one of those things that transcends all time and space… And I think the more of it that we can grab on earth and say, ‘This is our eternal destiny and we have the privilege to do it now,’ the better we’re going to be. So do I think it’s going to end? Never. Are people always going to play it on the radio? I hope so, because I feel like our eternal plan is worship.

Why do you think worship

has become so central to the

Christian music industry? What’s

shifted in the past 10 years?

Giglio: I think we’ve done a great job of teaching people that worship is a lifestyle and that it’s not just a song, and so all of a sudden we’re not just singing about God, we’re singing to

Him. It feels really normal because we’ve created a lifestyle where our whole life can be used as worship. I don’t know that 15 or 20 years ago as many of us understood that. I think it’s a multi-layered thing that kind of broke open the window for the songs of God to really infiltrate the Church, and that’s who listens to Christian radio.

With the constant changes in how

people consume music and now

with the big push to streaming,

do you feel the effects of all of this change—either negatively

or positively?

Giglio: I’ve been around for so long, I think I’ve seen several evolutions of music and the way it’s consumed and purchased and stolen—we’ve seen it all. I think the main thing is that in the back of my heart and mind the whole time has been to be a resource to people. I really believe that resources—whether that’s music, books, talks, whatever—follow ministry. When you’re ministering to people, it’s easy for them to want whatever resource you’re offering. And because I believe that’s so important, I’m going to continue to minister to people my whole life; and if I can resource them in any form for them to have something that helps them tangibly take next

steps or just have courage to live in whatever circumstance they’re in, then it’s my privilege… So for me, it’s like my ultimate thing isn’t the way I give you the music. My ultimate thing is what can we give you to help you live here on earth successfully? What can we do to resource you? And as long as that’s our priority, I think it doesn’t matter the form… It’s going to change six more times in my lifetime, and I pray I’m here close enough to watch it. But I’m not fearful of that. I’m excited, because it’s just another opportunity to say to people, ‘If you consume differently, then we’ll make it available to you that way.’

In reality, don’t you agree that

there are actually more ways

than ever before for people to

experience and discover music?

Giglio: That’s right. Life is going to become tighter and tighter in that way, and the world is going to become smaller and smaller. We have the privilege, honestly, to affect the whole world with the things that we do today, and it should really inform the way we live.

Passion will head back to the

Georgia Dome for one mega-

gathering in 2017. For more

on Passion Conferences, visit

www.268generation.com.

Each year, Passion releases a live album that captures the new songs written specially for the annual conference. This year, instead of a live project, they released a studio record for the first time ever. Passion: Salvation’s Tide Is Rising

released digitally Jan. 1 ahead of the conference and features brand-new cuts from Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Crowder, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and more. While physical copies will be available Jan. 29, at press time the digital version currently sits at No. 3 on the overall iTunes chart, bested only by new releases from Adele and Justin Bieber.