Lecrae is scheduled to perform at this year's Rock the Bells hip-hop festival that will also feature veteran acts such as the Wu-Tang Clan and Rakim.

The line-up for the festival was released today along with the dates as Rock the Bells will kick off at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California on Sept. 14 and 15.

"We have curated a multi-generational line-up that includes the best and brightest artists in the genre," said Chang Weisberg, owner and founder of Guerilla Union the company that puts on Rock the Bells. "It's is not great hip-hop music. It's great music, period. It's a collection of artists who represent, respect and recognize everything that Rock the Bells ... has accomplished in its storied history" more >>

A video of a fun-loving married couple from Burbank, Calif., who surprised the Tonight Show's fictional "Pumpcast News" with their made for TV rendition of two hit songs from the 1980s at a gas pump, has turned the duo into the latest Internet stars and revived the popularity of the songs.

The video, published on YouTube last Thursday had been viewed more than 7.5 million times on Monday while Bon Jovi's "Livin on a Prayer" and the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" have been experiencing a bit of a revival because of the couple's act. One YouTube video of "Livin' on a Prayer" is now pushing nearly 60 million views while another of "Sweet Dreams" is closing in on 20 million views.

Actor Tim Stack, who plays a fictional news anchor for the fake news station that only airs on gas station pumps, is usually the one doing the surprising on the "Pumpcast News" segment of the "Tonight Show," but it was the couple, Will and Monifah Sims, who surprised him this time around with their uninhibited show. "Whoever you are, you can make me a star. I'm ready for my spotlight," said Monifah, a fitness trainer, in a clip that began with her husband Will singing to himself at the gas pump, and snowballed into an impromptu and surprising Karaoke show when Stack stepped in and promised a free tank of gas. more >>

Steven Curtis Chapman is running a contest for his latest hymnes/blues album, Deep Roots, where four winners will be receiving the record along with a coupon for a free dinner for two at Cracker Barrel.

The contest, taking place at JesusFreakHideout.com, ends on Saturday May 20 and can be found here.

Chapman's approach to Deep Roots was unique in the fact that the CD can only be purchased in Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and is not available anywhere else besides Amazon and iTunes. more >>

Tim Lambesis, co-founder and lead singer of heavy metal band As I Lay Dying, has been arrested for allegedly trying to hire someone to kill his estranged wife.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department arrested the singer "without incident" Tuesday afternoon after he solicited an undercover detective to commit the murder, a press release from the department states. Authorities received word on May 2 that Lambesis was allegedly soliciting another person to carry out his plot against the Encinitas, Calif., woman, prompting them to immediately launch an investigation.

"The information came to us late last week. We acted quickly on it. I believe that we averted a great tragedy," Jan Caldwell, a sheriff's department spokesperson, told Reuters. Caldwell said she was unable to disclose certain details about the case, including Lambesis' potential motive, because the investigation is ongoing. more >>

Christian hip-hop artist and hurricane Sandy survivor Vinny Jett released a benefit video and song to raise money for the victims of the storm called "Hurricane Sandy, The Homewrecker."

The video, shot in Jett's neighborhood of New Dorp Beach, Staten Island, N.Y., shows the lyricist walking through the streets of destroyed homes and ruined businesses.

Jett told The Christian Post that President Barack Obama visited the exact block the filming took place on, Cedar Grove Ave. Despite his good intentions, Jett said he faced some opposition when he began shooting the video. more >>

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) recognized a star-studded lineup of top Christian music artists at their 35th annual Christian award show in downtown Franklin, Tenn., on Monday night. Among those honored at the historic Franklin Theatre were guitarist extraordinaire Phil Keaggy, singer-songwriter Matthew West and songwriter Ben Glover.

ASCAP's Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, who co-head the group's Nashville membership office, presented the most performed song awards to the writers and publishers on the stage of the newly renovated theater and in front of some of the industry's most notable performers and executives. The list of honored songs included "Carry Me to the Cross" by Kutless, "Trust in Jesus" and "I Need a Miracle" by Third Day, "The Hurt and the Healer" by MercyMe, "The Light in Me" by Brandon Heath, "Good To Be Alive" by Jason Gray, "Love Come to Life," and "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave.

Earning song of the year was "10,000 Reasons," a song that won two Grammy Awards this year and was written and recorded by Matt Redman, who drew inspiration from Psalm 103. Redman was traveling and unable to attend the ceremony, but accepting on his behalf were representatives from publishers Sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music and Worshiptogether.com. more >>