Sign up for our free newsletter:

Booking company William Morris Agency reported last week that veteran urban trio Out of Eden will be going on an indefinite hiatus after 13 years of recording and touring, "taking a break from the road to pursue other interests and opportunities for 2006." Joey Elwood, president of Gotee Records says that, "The foundation of Gotee was built on the back of [sisters Lisa Kimmey, Andrea Baca, and Danielle Kimmey's] music and ministry. They gave us the courage and desire to 'throw our hat in the ring' and become a label, and while I'm sad that their music career is on hold, I'm equally as thrilled for them in their new endeavors."

Only days after the nominees were announced, newcomer Shawn McDonald was disqualified from the New Artist of the Year category at the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards for failing to meet the criteria to be included in that category. The rules require entrants to only have one album in distribution before being considered. Since McDonald has two—2004's Simply Nothing and 2005's Live in Seattle—he's not eligible for the award. Filling the vacancy as a nominee for New Artist of the Year is Inpop/Aware recording artist Mat Kearney.

Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin and R&B/gospel duo Mary Mary will be heading out on the HERO Tour starting February 28 in Cleveland. Poised to be the hottest ticket of the spring, the trek will hit such major markets as Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit and Washington, DC, among others.

After its first week in retail stores, P.O.D.'s Testify skyrocketed to the top of Billboard's Top Christian and Gospel Albums sales chart and debuted at No. 9 on the publication's Top 200 album chart with 58,000 units sold. The tally is considerably less than the opening figures for the group's 2003 release, Payable on Death, which moved 103,000 copies in its initial week.

Gospel legend Shirley Caesar, EMI Christian Music Group's Billy Ray Hearn and Bill Hearn, and gospel veteran Richard Smallwood were honored with the recording academy's President's Merit Award for their contributions to the advancement of gospel music in an exclusive ceremony Sunday. Hosted by worship artist Martha Munizzi, the GRAMMY Salute to Gospel Music featured performances Kim Burrell, Jonathan Butler, Andrae Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, and Kirk Whalum.

Bono apparently isn't the only humanitarian in U2. Guitarist The Edge is also stepping up to the plate, as evidenced in the Music Rising program, created in conjunction with Gibson Guitars, the Guitar Center Music Education Foundation, and the MusiCares Foundation. To read an Associated Press report on the renowned rocker's philanthropic efforts, click here.

On the heels of Jennifer Knapp's just-released Live album, Gotee Records will be making available two exclusive online EPs. Set for a February 28 bow, the first one is Live (Digital Exclusive EP), a two-song set featuring the live renditions of "Trinity" and "Hold Me Now." A month later on March 28, A Diamond in the Rough (EP) will feature five demo cuts from Knapp's early years, including "Undo Me" and "Into You," plus never-recorded rarities "Return to Me," "Sing Out in Joy," and "Nothing Is Impossible.

Turns out you don't have to catch Mute Math's current tour to pick up a copy of their self-titled debut album after all. They've now made it available to purchase on their page at MySpace.com. Until they find a new record label and distributor to get the album into stores, this is the place to go.

© Andree Farias, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

				Try an Issue of Today's Christian RISK-FREE! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issues are yours to keep, regardless. Give Today's Christian as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!