BEST POP / CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM

ADORATION: THE WORSHIP ALBUM

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Latest Sparrow Records release marks the band’s

fourth Recording Academy honor and fastest selling album to date

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Soon to go gold, Adoration adds to Newsboys’ total sales of

more than three million records

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CCM Artist of the Year Newsboys’ banner year hails “He Reigns”

#1 Song of the Year in Nielsen BDS and Christian Radio Weekly

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Newsboys launch “Adoration: The Tour” with

 Grammy winner Rebecca St. James, special guest Jeremy Camp, Feb. 12

            Newsboys are on a mission from God, and never has the famous Blues Brothers line been more fitting – or telling.  With total record sales in excess of three million units (and rising), multiple gold records commemorating the achievement, and 22 #1 radio hits spanning a 15-year history, the Australian-American Newsboys (www.newsboys.com) – Australians Peter Furler (lead vocals, guitar) and Duncan Phillips (drums, percussion), New Zealander Phil Joel (bass, vocals), Indiana native Jody Davis (lead guitar, vocals), and Michigan-born Jeff Frankenstein (synthesizers, sounds) – continue to walk the straight line while making headlines.

            The band is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop / Contemporary Gospel Album category for Adoration: The Worship Album, their fastest-selling to date.  Soon to receive a RIAA gold certification, the Sparrow Records release marks Newsboys’ fourth Recording Academy honor, and has already yielded two #1 singles.  Adoration is the strongest album of 2003 in terms of sales and chart positions in the Christian market, with “He Reigns” setting the standard.

            States Furler, “We are so delighted to again be acknowledged by the Recording Academy.  It’s one of the incredible ways that God is confirming His direction  for our lives and music.  Adoration is our first straight-up worship album, and to receive a nomination for it means that people are listening to our music, and in so doing, strengthening their relationship with God.  “

            Named CCM Artist of the Year in the publication’s readers poll, Newsboys’ banner year hails “He Reigns” as the #1 Song of the Year on the Nielsen BDS Year End Christian Playlist, as well as in the Christian Radio Weekly (all formats, determined by impressions).  This lead track from Adoration held the BDS (Broadcast Data System) top spot for 10 consecutive weeks, and repeated its stellar success for 8 weeks on the AC (Adult Contemporary) charts.  For two weeks “He Reigns” was supreme on every AC and CHR chart in the Christian music industry.

            The band’s recently released second single, “You Are My King (Amazing Love)” is already a #1 on the R&R and CRW  AC charts.  Newsboys broke radio records last year with their album Thrive.  Their hit, “It Is You,” remained #1 on multiple Christian radio charts for a total of 12 weeks, which made it the most successful single in the history of the genre’s radio format.  The follow-up single, “Million Pieces,” was #1 for 8 weeks.

            With Grammy ballots due Jan. 7, Newsboys’  continue on Feb. 12, with “Adoration: The Tour,” designed to be a truly unique concert experience – the year’s most promising worship tour.  Joining the band are Grammy winner and fellow Australian Rebecca St. James, and special guest Jeremy Camp, whose debut, Stay, has sold more than 100,000 copies.  Tickets for all 34 dates were released simultaneously in a National On Sale Day marketing campaign supported by radio and online promotions, including a special announcement on Jon Rivers’ K-LOVE Morning Show, which boasts an estimated cumulative audience of 1.5 million listeners in 170+ markets in 35 states.

            Adoration: The Worship Album is Newsboys’ 12^th studio album since 1990, in what continues to be a prolific path for songwriter Furler, who formed the band in the late 1980s.  Furler is also nominated for a second Grammy as producer of “Jeckyl & Hyde, the new album from the Grammy winning group Petra, nominated in the Rock Gospel category.

            Newsboys continue to drive the popularity of Christian music to new heights, attracting national media attention, such as a cover story in Newsweek, and features on ESPN II, USA Today, CNN, CBS Sunday Morning.  They are the first Christian band to release a concert DVD recorded live at the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

            Yes, Newsboys are on a Grammy mission from God, and it just keeps getting better and better.