Brandon Heath give me your eyes

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GMA HONORS BRANDON HEATH WITH FOUR DOVE AWARDS NOMINATIONS

(Nashville, Tenn.) Feb. 20, 2009—Hitmaker and recent double GRAMMY-nominee, Brandon Heath is honored today with four nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards including Male Vocalist of the Year. Once again, Heath appears in the Song of the Year category, this time for co-writing his blockbuster, GRAMMY-nominated song “Give Me Your Eyes,” which spent 14 weeks at No.1 # 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart. This week, the megahit song spent a 27th week as the No. 1 download on iTunes Christian Song Chart, holding for 7 months, since its release July 2008.

Heath is also nominated in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song category for performing and writing “Give Me Your Eyes,” and for his recording of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day” on Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack, in the Special Event Album category.

Following the news, Heath said, “I’ve had one of the most exciting years of my life. I thank God everyday that I get to do what I love and make a difference in the world. I accept these nominations as a huge honor from my peers. He adds, “To be nominated for male vocalist is a big surprise! I was excited to see Give Me Your Eyes up for Song of the Year. I think that song has shocked us all.”

Dan Keen, vice president of ASCAP, commented on the momentum surrounding Brandon’s music, “Brandon continues to build on his amazing launch as a new artist, with his win last year as New Artist of the Year, and now today with several more Dove nominations, including Male Vocalist and Song of the Year. Keen continues, “The thing that makes Brandon stand out from other great artists, is that he writes hit songs. “Give Me Your Eyes” is one of the most performed songs of the year, and really impacted our culture in a great way, with its timely message. I couldn’t be happier for Brandon.”

Dove Awards will be handed out Thursday, April 23rd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN and broadcast live nationwide on Gospel Music Channel.

About Brandon Heath:
Brandon Heath was recently spotlighted in the Sunday edition (2/8), of The New York Times as a GRAMMY-nominated newcomer “that shouldn't be allowed to slip through the cracks.” Heath released his breakthrough sophomore album, What If We in 2008, featuring the No.1 song “Give Me Your Eyes.” The project followed Brandon’s debut album Don’t Get Comfortable (2006), and first chart-topping radio song, “I’m Not Who I Was,” nominated for Song of the Year at 2008 GMA Dove Awards, and contributing to his win in the New Artist of the Year category. Off stage, Heath seeks opportunities to merge his public platform with his heart for community regularly working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially volunteering for many other human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath is a respected songwriter in the Nashville music community and first began writing at age 13.

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Pop-rock plus faith paved Brandon Heath's way to fame

The religious recording acts who'll perform today, Feb. 22, at Scope as part of Winter Jam 2009, including tobyMac, Hawk Nelson and Brandon Heath, look and sound as hip and trendy as mainstream pop-rock artists. The message, of course, is different.

As Heath tells it, when large crowds of teens and twenty-somethings flock to concerts such as Winter Jam, his primary responsibility is to be honest.

"I don't want to stand in front of them and for one minute believe I'm better than they are. What they need to see is that

everybody's kind of in the same boat. For those who do not know Jesus, if they come to a show and I was to stand up there and act as though I've got it all together, I don't think that would be a very accurate picture of a Christian's life. We certainly don't have it all together. We have a God that forgives. I want to portray onstage that people are loved by God."

Heath, 30, grew up in Nashville, known as Music City for its vibrant country music culture. It is also home to the Gospel Music Association. But Heath knew nothing of Nashville's music scene until he was in high school.

"My mom was a hairdresser, and my dad was a police officer. When I got to high school I had friends whose parents were in the music business. To me it was, like, 'Man, you can actually make money making music?' "

Heath received his first guitar as a Christmas present at age 16. At the same time, he found his faith and started performing in a men's group at church. A pop and country music producer named Dan Muckala also attended the church and noticed Heath's musical abilities.

"We were meeting at his house, and he said, 'If you ever want to record, let me know.' I checked into Dan to see who he was working with, and he was working with LeAnn Rimes and some other people. So I thought he must be legitimate. It was Dan who developed me as an artist and took me to a couple labels, and we got a deal."

Muckala produced both of Heath's albums: "Don't Get Comfortable" (2006) and "What if We" (2008). The full-length albums were released on Reunion Records. On the strength of his singles "I'm Not Who I Was," "Don't Get Comfortable" and "Give Me Your Eyes," Heath has become a success. He won the 2008 Dove Award - presented by the Gospel Music Association - for new artist of the year and received nominations for songwriter of the year, song of the year ("I'm Not Who I Was") and pop/contemporary recorded song of the year. He was also nominated for two 2009 Grammy Awards - best gospel song ("Give Me Your Eyes") and best pop/contemporary gospel album ("What if We"). Though he didn't win a Grammy, he is pleased with his popularity.

"It was an indication that maybe I was doing something right. It's always a shot in the arm to get an award, but for me I just love making music and feeling like I'm making a mark on the world. Doing something as public as being a recording artist has its challenges, but I love what I'm doing, knowing I'm making a difference in people's lives by sharing my testimony."

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brandon heath again!live winter jam 2009 love never fails

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Brandon Heath Noted By NY Times As An Artist You Shouldn't Miss

The NY Times noted Brandon Heath recently as a Grammy nominee who shouldn't be allowed to slip through the cracks or get lost in the overwhelming number of artists that were up for awards yesterday.

Heath didn't win in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (the award went to CeCe Winans) or Best Gospel Song (that one went to Kirk Franklin), but that shouldn't dampen his spirits. Last April, he scored a Dove nomination for Songwriter of the Year and a win as New Artist of the Year. His sophomore album What If We, which released last August, debuted at or near the top of Christian music charts.

In addition to his chart topping music success, Heath is a worship leader at The Loft church located in The Woodlands, just north of Houston.

Brandon Heath is currently on the Winter Jam tour, and joins Third Day for the Revelation tour. For more, visit Brandon Heath's website.

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Brandon Heath and Tenth Avenue North to Perform at The Home Foundation Fundraiser with Natalie Grant and Phillip LaRue

Brandon Heath and Tenth Avenue North to Perform at The Home Foundation Fundraiser with Natalie Grant and Phillip LaRue: Brandon Heath and Tenth Avenue North will volunteer their time and music on Feb. 17 at Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theatre to raise money and awareness for The Home Foundation. The Home Foundation is a non-profit organization which works to fight human trafficking, specifically those affected by sexual trafficking. Funds raised from this event will go to support The H.O.M.E.S project to help support faith-based shelters across the U.S. dedicated to the restoration of trafficking victims. Brandon and Tenth Avenue North will be joined by Natalie Grant and Phillip LaRue. Tickets for this event can be purchased through the Belcourt ticket office. To learn more about The Home Foundation please visit: www.thehomefoundation.net.

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Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes” Tops Radio and iTunes Charts

Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes” Tops Radio and iTunes Charts: Brandon Heath’s powerhouse hit “Give Me Your Eyes” hits No. 1 at R&R’s AC-Monitored chart for its 14th week. The song is also No. 1 on iTunes Christian Top Songs chart for its 21st week and the popular music video for “Give Me Your Eyes” sits at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Top Music Videos chart. For more information on Brandon Heath, please visit: www.brandonheath.net.

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Winter Jam '09 fills Crown with joyful noise

In an evening that featured breakdancing, beatboxing and rock ’n’ roll, it was clear that Saturday’s Winter Jam concert at the Crown Coliseum was not your father’s youth ministry event.

The performance, headlined by 2008 Gospel Music Association Artist of the Year tobyMac, brought in close to 9,000 fans of contemporary Christian music, the majority of whom braved windy and chilly weather by standing in line for at least an hour before the 6p.m. start time. The coliseum’s parking lot was packed with church vans and buses of all shapes, sizes, and — in testament to Winter Jam’s mass appeal — denominations.

A high-energy, fast-paced affair, Winter Jam proved why it’s the largest annual Christian music tour.

The evening began quickly with songs from up-and-coming Christian artist Francesca Battistelli, whose angelic vocals and infectious smile carried her piano-pop sound into the hearts of the appreciative audience.

Immediately afterward, NewSong, the founders and host of Winter Jam, took to the stage, further energizing the already-on-its-feet crowd. Led by Billy Goodwin, the quartet performed several fan favorites, including “Blessed Be Your Name,” “Arise, My Love” and “Psalm 40.”

“We sing not just because we like to sing,” Goodwin explained to the crowd. “We sing because we’ve experienced the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Amen!”

It would be a night filled with “amens,” as Winter Jam deftly mixed music and message to spread the gospel.

“It’s great to see so many young people responding not just to the music,” said Francis Kinley, “but to the message.”

The 43-year-old school teacher said she traveled from South Carolina to see the concert with her husband, Roy.

“It makes my heart glad that so many teenagers and young people can come to know God this way — and it doesn’t hurt to have a great time while doing it,” Roy added.

There were plenty of good times to be had. Hawk Nelson, the night’s next act, brought an incredibly active stage show that bordered on a Blink-182 level of energy.

The quartet took the stage to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and they weren’t kidding. Lead singer and guitarist Jason Dunn had the crowd — especially its female members — on its feet, clapping and singing.

A rollicking and rockin’ number, “Bring ‘Em Out” was a crowd favorite that surged with exuberance. It probably provided the evening’s closest equivalent of a mosh pit on the front row.

The band also performed “Let’s Dance” and “Ancient History,” both of which were favorites of Anna Salazar. The 17-year-old came to Winter Jam with other members of her church, though she’s not a member of a youth group — yet.

“This is a lot of fun,” Salazar said. “But I like how they talk about living for God and they’re not talking down to us. It makes me think about church differently.”

That can only be good news for Winter Jam organizers and pastors alike. If not, then the several hundred in attendance who pledged their lives to Christ Saturday has to be a good sign that Winter Jam is accomplishing its goals. And it was only the third night of the 10-week tour.

Special guest speaker Tony Nolan led the evening’s outreach efforts, balancing his message of redemption with moments of levity.

“You can’t text message or e-mail God,” Nolan said. “But the good news is that God’s already texted us; the Bible is the biggest text message in the world!”

After Nolan spoke and an offering was passed, Brandon Heath, 2008 GMA New Artist Of The Year, performed. Heath’s mix of rock and acoustic on songs such as “I’m Not Who I Was” and “Give Me Your Eyes” provided additional highlights in an evening already filled with them.

And then tobyMac, decked out in purple and black and sporting a clever fedora, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. accompanied by air raid sirens, a trio of singers, two guitarists, a drummer and a DJ.

“All of you Jesus freaks scream!” tobyMac yelled before tearing into “One World.” The crowd uproariously responded as told, making quite the joyful noise.


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