LARA LANDON
The first artist signed to well-respected industry executive Robert Beeson's label, Advocate Entertainment, Lara Landon is definitely going to leave her mark on the music industry! After writing songs for four years and playing piano for twelve, Lara packed up her belongings and moved from southern California to Nashville at the age of nineteen without knowing a single person or having any idea how to pursue a career as a musician. But within a year, she had made coveted connections with many of the city's musical veterans, and she began writing with award winning songwriters like Christa Wells (Held, Natalie Grant) and Tiffany Lee of Plumb. Much in the vein of Sarah McLachlan and Tracy Chapman, Lara writes from the darker shades of her personality. Between her voice and her piano, she perfectly executes the music that she hopes will reach into other peoples lives and show them the love that God has for them. Produced by Michael Omartian, Lara's debut album, Beloved, releases in August.

ALAKRITY
Alakrity’s refreshing brand of honest high-energy pop punk is equal parts entertainment and expression. Although chock full of sweat, jokes, and pogo the band’s music is methodically executed while always careful to not overshadow their message. The members’ Christian worldview permeates their lyrics at every turn, never hanging ashamed but also never forcing the listener’s hand. Continuing to hone their skills while simultaneously expanding their reach, the band has been hard at work performing for a wide variety of audiences. 2007 saw them take home the grand prize in the Launchpad competition, a statewide battle of the bands for high school musicians. The band also delivered memorable, enthusiastic performances at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Shoutfest Ohio, Cornerstone California, and the Rock for Life summer tour. Having performed alongside such artists as MxPx, Eleventyseven, Kids in the Way, Olivia the Band, The Fold, Audio Adrenaline, Run Kid Run, Falling Up, Everyday Sunday, and A Dream Too Late, Alakrity is poised to quickly find center stage among today’s hottest Christian bands. A full length album is following up last year’s EP, You Are Here, and hits streets later this year. Produced by Dan Needham (Everlife), the album features a special guest appearance from Petra’s, John Schlitt, on a cover of the song Beyond Belief.

NEWFIRE
Driven by thick acoustic guitars, tight harmonies, and organic contemporary sensibilities, this Oklahoma-based husband/wife duo is creating a grassroots blaze with their own blend of “new-grass” music. The unique musical approach of Jonathan and Allison Firey is epitomized by the alchemy of contemporary pop stylings assimilated with home-style folk/bluegrass instrumentation and worshipful melodies and lyrics. This self-titled national debut was produced by Michael Boggs (FFH) and releases June 3rd. Jonathan is a world-class guitarist whose credits include tours and recordings with Phil Keaggy, Dennis Jernigan, FFH, Junior Brown, Charlie Hall and others. In 2006, he released a 3-CD instrumental project through Madacy Entertainment titled, Prayerful Moods. Allison is an accomplished vocalist and actress with stints in touring companies, dinner theaters and summer stocks over the past eight years. A heart for both the churched and the unbeliever, NewFire’s vision is to bring hope and healing to the people of God and salvation to the lost through the ministry of music.

HOPESTRANDS
Hopestrands is a community-centered cause oriented online apparel shop launching in May. A non-profit organization itself, Hopestrands’ goal is to bring awareness — and funding — to missions and charitable organizations. Community members are able to design a shirt and submit it to the site for other members to vote on. The winning shirt is printed and all proceeds from the sales go to the cause the designer has chosen. Hopestrands also hosts a monthly artist auction, featuring a package with an autographed track jacket, cd and band t-shirt from that month’s artist… again, all proceeds go to the organization of the artists’ choice.

THE WASHINGTON PROJECTS
Celebrating a jaw-dropping spread of radio singles, press acclaim and prominent appearances throughout the early 2000s as breakout group Souljahz, brother and sister duo, Je’kob and Rachael Washington have rebounded from record label red tape and reemerged as The Washington Projects. The twosome unveiled their debut album, Commanders of the Resistance, online last November and in stores nationally in March. Throughout the fall and spring the duo has been traveling the country on the Dare2share Tour with Hawk Nelson, Sanctus Real and Stellar Kart and will be performing at several festivals throughout the summer, including main stage at Creation Northeast and Northwest.

Drew Cline
Drew Cline signed on last summer as the lead vocalist for award-winning group NewSong, but he has actually been writing, performing and producing for many years.  In 2000, his vocal group AS IS won the GMA's Academy of Gospel Music Arts International Spotlight in Estes Park, CO.  From there he went on to do session vocals for many of CCM's top producers, including Brown Bannister, Michael Omartian, Phil Naish and others, and recorded commercial projects for NBC's "Today Show", CMT, HGTV, Chevrolet, Ford, Yamaha and Kohls.  In addition, Drew has traveled the country leading worship in churches such as Saddleback, Willow Creek and Charles Stanley's First Baptist in Atlanta, as well as serving as worship pastor at his home church in Franklin, TN.  Drew teamed with three-time Grammy award winning producer Phil Naish to record his solo worship debut, Way of Life, releasing this May and featuring guest vocals from Russ Taff and Christy Nockels.  Drew is a powerhouse vocalist with a distinctive and emotional voice.  When you meet him, though, you'll soon realize that his heart for God is even stronger than his voice.