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Hardcore outfit Underoath posted the biggest weekly sales numbers of its career when its third album, Define the Great Line, scanned more than 97,000 copies its first week out of the box. The set came in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart, besting albums by Madonna, Keane, Field Mob, Guster, and Counting Crows. Of all the units sold, less than 5,000 were sold by Christian retailers. The album is also the highest Billboard debut ever by a band in the Tooth & Nail Records roster.

Christian pop star Michael W. Smith was named Vice Chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Council exists to acknowledge the volunteerism efforts Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. To learn more about the Council, visit the USA Freedom Corps website.

Mark Hall, lead vocalist and chief songwriter for supergroup Casting Crowns, is set to release his first book, Lifestories: Finding God's "Voice of Truth" Through Everyday Life with co-writer Tim Luke on August 29. Published by Provident Books, the book takes a look at the lives, events and experiences that served as inspiration for many of Hall's beloved songs.

Modern blues guitarist Jonny Lang is gearing up for the September 19 release of Turn Around, his fourth album with A&M Records and the first to also be available at Christian retail outlets. Produced by Ron Fair (Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Vanessa Carlton), the album is being described as "thoroughly spiritual," as well as "a personal expression of [Lang's] faith." "My Love Remains," a new song off the album, was co-written by Lang and Christian music favorite Steven Curtis Chapman.

On August 8, Rocketown Records will release If You Want Me To: The Best of Ginny Owens, a retrospective chronicling Ginny Owens' career. In addition to landmark songs such as "Free," "If You Want Me To" and "Remember Me," there are two new songs—a re-recording of "Wonderful Wonder" and "Open Arms"—as well as a cover of U2's "40" recorded alongside electronica act Apt.Core.

Praise-and-worship leader Integrity Music recently announced the launch of GlobalWorshipNow.com, an online community that will bring local congregations together to pool resources and content. These churches share the common vision to equip the global church with songs and resources being birthed from their music services.

Up-and-coming S.R.E. band Decyfer Down just released its first album End of Grey last month, but that hasn't deterred the band from having its music played by the pros: The NBA, the MLB, the NHL and the NCAA have all featured the song "Break Free" at various on-site and televised games, with an estimated 9,671,200 audience impressions. This summer the group is hitting all the major summer festivals, and later in August, it will embark on the Accelerate Tour alongside newcomers Nevertheless and Red.

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