"Anberlin has been able to build one of the most enthusiastic followings online and across the country by remaining faithful to their music and their fans," stated Monte Lipman, President of Universal Republic Records. "They represent the boldest and the brightest on the rock horizon and we welcome them to the Universal Republic family."

Originally from the Orlando area, Anberlin's combined releases have sold more than 350,000 albums through their founding label Tooth & Nail Records, with their most recent album, Cities, debuting on Billboard's Top Albums chart in February of this year at #19. The disc has also soared past the 100,000 indie-sales milestone, fueled by their riveting first single "Godspeed."

Known for an intricately connected digital fan network and relentless touring with top rock attractions such as Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Yellowcard, and others, Anberlin has been hailed for mixing tinges of provocative, hard-edged rock with their own trademark bombast, as well as frontman Stephen Christian's evocative vocal style and searching lyrics.

Recognized in a recent article by a Gainesville, FL scribe as one of the south's more promising rising bands, Anberlin's signature imprint on this summer's popular Warped Tour cast them in the national spotlight as one of the most vital new bands to emerge from the entire indie rock scene. Their much anticipated Universal Republic Records debut is scheduled for a mid 2008 release.

For upcoming tour dates and photos of Anberlin, please go to: www.anberlin.com

after several years of trying to make things work over at Columbia we have officially severed our ties with sony to pursue making music independently.

[SNIP]

We'll have more information for you as things shape up. In the meantime, here are several projects already in the works for the next year:

-four jon foreman solo ep's
(tentatively titled fall, winter, spring, and summer)
-the real sean jon
(a collaboration between jon foreman and sean watkins of nickel creek fame)
-a new switchfoot record in '08
(the first tracks 13 tracks were cut this week!)

See the whole story here.

Read the rest of the item here.

Visit TitleTrakk's profile on myCCM.org

“While revenue in other sectors of the book industry remains flat, YA is booming.”
—Los Angeles Times*

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Teens are reading like never before with books like Eragon and the Harry Potter series fueling the Young Adult market. The growing rate of teenage readers, who want entertaining books that meet their spiritual needs, can now look to Zondervan. In May 2008, Zondervan will launch their Young Adult line with fiction titles by three of the top five selling Christian YA authors: Melody Carlson, Bryan Davis and Bill Myers.

“Book sales to teenagers are booming in the secular market. But there is very little out there for Christian teenagers,” explains Alicia Mey, vice president of marketing for Zonderkidz. “We’re excited to be able to fill this gap with the best authors in the business: Bryan Davis, Melody Carlson, Bill Myers, Robert Elmer, Brandilyn Collins and DJ Reynolds.”

To meet the interests and spiritual needs of a growing youth market, Zondervan will publish in a variety of genres, including chick lit, supernatural, adventure and fantasy for teenagers 12 to 15 years old. Readers can look forward to books by bestselling fiction author Brandilyn Collins. Collins will make her debut in 2009 bringing her trademark “Seatbelt Suspense” to the YA market. Author DJ Reynolds, the author of Scarlet MoonMidnight Pearls, recognized as an ALA 2005 Popular Paperback for Young Adults, will debut in 2008.

By entering this market, Zondervan will bring their family-friendly, Christian values to a group that is searching for the influence of Christ-centered books. In a recent study by the Barna Group, two-thirds of all born-again Christians make a profession of faith before age 18. Zondervan intends to publish ten titles a year to help provide the resources necessary for teenagers making this profession and commitment.

Thanks to the bold Internet strategy unveiled by Salem Publishing, fans of Christian music and media now have more access and more choices -- and more opportunities than ever before to voice their own opinions. With the grand opening of the all-new ChristianMusicPlanet.com, the relaunch of CCMmagazine.com, and the explosive growth of the Christian social network myCCM.org, Salem now has a broader platform to serve the needs of fans of Christian music and media.

“The whole of Christian media offers something for every age and taste, but it’s clumsy for a single brand to try to please everybody,” said Chris Well, Web Content Manager for Salem Publishing. “With CCM, Christian Music Planet, and myCCM.org working in tandem, the user can more easily find a wider range of information about his or her specific interests.”

The new Internet model also allows the company to expand its reach, Well said. “For example, we are launching an aggressive strategy to promote the latest Christian fiction -- to a level no other Christian media outlet is doing, and to a combined audience of more than 100,000 unique visitors a month,” he said. “It’s an exciting time.”

The all-new ChristianMusicPlanet.com has been rebuilt, relaunched, and re-branded to focus on the needs of the core Christian media consumer. Music coverage includes classic contemporary Christian music, adult contemporary, inspirational country, and related styles. The site also spotlights the latest Christian fiction, plus features on Christian lifestyle, finances, and more.

The brand-new CCMmagazine.com, in keeping with the new direction of the historic print publication CCM magazine, has been re-branded to focus on the new voices in modern Christian media, while also embracing artists of faith in the independent community and general market. The site also allows for a much greater level of user feedback, including reader comments, reviews, and grades.

The company opened the doors for its social network myCCM.org last October. Since then, the site has welcomed 7,000 new members, and continues to grow at a pace of more than 1,000 new members a month. The interactive community has already drawn over 1,000 creators of Christian content, including musicians, authors, and independent artists. Among its members are recording artist tobyMac, best-selling author Karen Kingsbury, and  kid favorite VeggieTales.

About Salem
Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: SALM) is a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. Salem Publishing, based in Nashville, publishes CCM Magazine(R), Homecoming(R) Magazine, YouthWorker Journal(TM), Singing News(R) Magazine, FaithTalk(TM) and Preaching Magazine. In addition to its radio properties, Salem owns Salem Radio Network(R), which syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives(TM), a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network(TM), a leading Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing(TM), a leading publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own 98 radio stations, including 61 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company's website, www.salem.cc.