Music

Avalon released its “Greatest Hits” album on Tuesday, showcasing 15 songs that helped establish them as one of Christian music’s premier vocal groups.

Also included in Avalon: The Greatest Hits is a new song, “Still My God,” which is currently vying for adds on Christian AC/Inspo radio.

“While some of the faces and sounds of Avalon have changed, one thing has never changed – our desire to sing about Jesus Christ and the difference He has made in our lives,” says Avalon’s Janna Long. more >>

Former “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle has released her first full-length album, Coming Back to You, and received generally positive feedback from reviewers as well as a one-time “Idol” rival.

“Melinda’s CD is incredible,” wrote Phil Stacey on the popular social networking site Twitter.

Doolittle and Stacey were among the top six “Idol” finalists who competed in the sixth season of the popular TV show. more >>

Voting for CCMmagazine.com’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards has begun and will continue through Mar. 31.

Over the next two months, Christian music fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists in a variety of categories including Best Band, Duo or Group, Male and Female Artist, New Artist, Artist, Album, Song, Songwriter, Producer, Tour and Festival, as well as their favorite artists in Hip-Hop, R&B, Hard Music and Worship.

This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards also offers fans the chance to vote on their favorite artist of faith in the general market and to give their input on Most Underrated Artist and Breakout Artist of 2009. more >>

A joint charity album featuring 19 of the most well-known artists in Christian and Gospel music is making its U.S. debut Tuesday, more than two months after releasing to the rest of the world.

More than just a musical masterpiece, CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty is being touted as an effort to engage people everywhere to help end world poverty.

“We are a global community, an underground adventure, a map being drawn as we speak that connects wealth with poverty, art with hope, compassion with despair,” said CompassionArt founder and Delirious? frontman Martin Smith in a released statement. “We have united ourselves as a community of artists and songwriters to give it all away. Please join us by purchasing the album, playing these songs and singing them in your church services.” more >>

Radio & Records recently released their year-end charts to reveal the biggest songs, artists, and labels of 2008.

The following are abbreviated lists of the top Christian songs and artists of 2008:

TOP 5 CHRISTIAN AC ARTISTS
1. MercyMe (INO)
2. Matthew West (Sparrow/EMI CMG)
3. Chris Tomlin (Sixsteps/Sparrow/EMI CMG)
4. Casting Crowns (Beach Street/Reunion/PLG)
5. Jeremy Camp (BEC/Tooth & Nail)

TOP 5 CHRISTIAN AC SONGS
1. “You Are Everything” Matthew West (Sparrow/EMI CMG)
2. “Let It Fade” Jeremy Camp (BEC/Tooth & Nail)
3. “Call My Name” Third Day (Essential/PLG)
4. “God With Us” MercyMe (INO)
5. “You Reign” MercyMe (INO)

TOP 5 CHRISTIAN CHR ARTISTS
1. Skillet (Ardent/SRE/INO)
2. Addison Road (INO)
3. The Afters (INO)
4. NeedtoBreathe (Atlantic/Word-Curb)
5. Sanctus Real Sparrow/EMI CMG)

TOP 5 CHRISTIAN CHR SONGS
1. “Never Going Back to OK” The Afters (INO)
2. “Give Me Your Eyes” Brandon Heath (Monomode/Reunion/PLG)
3. “Those Nights” Skillet (Ardent/SRE/INO)
4. “No Matter What It Takes” Jeremy Camp (BEC/Tooth & Nail)
5. “Call My Name” Third Day (Essential/PLG)

TOP 5 CHRISTIAN ROCK ARTISTS
1. Pillar (Essential/PLG; Flicker/PLG)
2. The Wedding (BraveNewWorld)
3. Skillet (Ardent/SRE/INO)
4. Family Force 5 (Maverick/Mono Vs Stereo/Gotee; Tooth & Nail)
5. Fireflight (Flicker/PLG)

TOP 5 CHRISTIAN ROCK SONGS
1. “Whispers in the Dark” Skillet (Ardent/SRE/INO)
2. “Hello Alone” Anberlin (Tooth & Nail)
3. “Crash” Decyfer Down (INO)
4. “Devastation and Reform” Relient K (Capitol/Gotee)
5. “The Flame in All of Us” Thousand Foot Krutch (Tooth & Nail)

TOP 5 GOSPEL ARTISTS
1. Marvin Sapp (Verity/Zomba
2. Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul; Gospo Centric/Zomba)
3. James Fortune & FIYA (Black Smoke/WorldWide)
4. Beverly Crawford (JDI)
5.Shekinah Glory Ministry (Kingdom)

TOP 5 GOSPEL SONGS
1. “Never Would Have Made It” Marvin Sapp (Verity/Zomba)
2. “Work It Out” Troy Sneed Presents Bonafide Praisers (Emtro Gospel)
3. “I Trust You” James Fortune & FIYA (Black Smoke/WorldWide)
4. “He’s Done Enough” Beverly Crawford (JDI)
5. “Jesus” Shekinah Glory Ministry (Kingdom)

On the Web:

R&R 2008 Year End Charts at www.radioandrecords.com. more >>