newsboys have done it yet again. Not only has the band’s No. 1 single, “Born Again,” continued to stay at the top of the CHR charts for the fourth week in a row, but the hit song has also made a new landmark. Since releasing to iTunes just two weeks ago the single has sold close to an astounding 12,000 units, almost 7,000 its first week out. In addition, the first day “Born Again” was available on iTunes, “Born Again” was the No. 1 song on the Singles Chart. “Born Again” is newsboys’ first single from the July 13th CD release of Born Again (inpop records).

A band well-known for their stellar live shows, last week newsboys kicked off its run of headlining 23 major festivals throughout the summer in the U.S. and Canada. Performing at such festivals as last month’s Spirit West Coast in Del Mar, CA, this month’s AtlantaFest and July’s Creation East, newsboys will literally be performing in front of tens of thousands of fans each night.

Staffed with a 13-member street team at every show, this weekend the band will also debut a never-before-seen and jaw-dropping stage set, which the band promises will capture audiences everywhere. The band couldn’t be more excited to get back on the road.

Be sure to catch newsboys live in a city near you this summer by visiting their website. Tour dates are also listed below, but be sure to check out newsboys.com for the most updated schedule and information.

Upcoming headlining tour dates*:

May 30 - Del Mar, CA, Spirit West Coast
June 2 - Kingston, ON, Kingston Gospel Temple
June 3 - Ottawa, ON, Woodvale Church
June 4 - Toronto, ON, Queensway Cathedral
June 5 - Sudbury, ON, Glad Tidings Tabernacle
June 12 - Charlotte, NC, Sonfest - Carrowinds Theme Park
June 16 - Wilmore, KY, Ichthus Festival
June 19 - Stone Mountain, GA, Atlantafest
June 25 - Gaylord, MI, Big Ticket Festival
June 26 - Muskegon, MI, Heritage Landing-Summer Celebration
July 1 - Shirleysburg, PA, Creation 2010 East
July 3 - Salinas, CA, Spirit West Coast
July 5 - Pleasanton, CA, Alameda County Fair
July 9 - Oshkosh, WI, Lifest 2010
July 16 - Wilmar, MN, Sonshine Festival
*All dates subject to change

It’s been a whirlwind of activity for singer/songwriter Jimmy Needham around the release date of his third project, Nightlights. The project’s street date was May 18, 2010 and immediately the album sent fans into the stores and online to buy a copy. For the first time in his career, Needham debuted at #9 on the Contemporary Christian Combined Album Chart with sales that doubled his first two releases. At the same time, Nightlights reached the #1 position on the Digital Album charts.

After the success of Needham’s first two projects, expectations were high for the development of this artist and Needham did not disappoint his fans, radio or media. CCM Magazine proclaims, “The growth curve climbed exactly as imagined…the Houston native’s progression continues at the same impressive rate as before on Nightlights.” Radio is also responding to Needham’s first single from the album, “Yours To Take,” as it’s the highest debut this week at #23 on the Christian AC Indicator chart.

“Jimmy has truly become an artist whose staying power continues to rise with each new release,” says Andrew Patton, GM/VP of Label Operations, Inpop Records. “The growth in sales and continued strong radio airplay shows the consumer base responding and growing with each record. Just spend a few minutes listening to fan comments on the social sites or through digital outlets, and you’ll see for yourself the impact his songs and artistry is having on people.”

Nightlights was produced by Calvin Turner (Marc Broussard) and features twelve new songs written or co-written by Needham, with the thirteenth song being a remake of the pop classic, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).” Millions of fans were treated to a live performance of the new tunes during a worldwide broadcast of Needham’s CD release party in The Woodlands, TX. An upcoming feature in the Houston Chronicle will feature the concert in an artist profile of Needham on May 28th. Needham was in Nashville this week to perform “Yours To Take” live on Nashville’s Fox 17 TN Mornings and then taped “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” on WSMV’s Better Nashville. The show will air on May 28th. The following week, Needham has several interviews on tap that include LifeWay’s Stand Firm Magazine, The Christian Manifesto and CMAddict.com.

Superchick sisters Melissa Brock (left) and Tricia Baumhardt (right) work the crowds at an “Alive Tour” show in McAlisterville, Pa. on Sunday, May 16. The girls set up Superchick’s song “So Beautiful” with a brief introduction to “Operation Beautiful,” an international campaign that encourages women to post anonymous notes with positive messages about self-image in public places for others to find, in hopes of ending “fat talk” and helping women to love themselves just the way they are.

Tricia and Melissa will continue to promote “Operation Beautiful” on their spring and summer tours across the US, Europe, and South America, encouraging fans to join the movement and post notes of their own to help spread love and confidence to women everywhere.

Find out more about Operation Beautiful at OperationBeautiful.com. For a list of Alive Tour dates, visit SuperchickOnline.com.