(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) March 9, 2009 - After 22 years and more than 2000 shows, newsboys frontman Peter Furler will no longer front the band in concert. Michael Tait will be touring with the band as lead singer with Peter making special appearances throughout the year.

Peter will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings.

Michael has been on the road with the band over the past weeks working alongside Peter in what has been a positive and enjoyable experience for both parties.  It has been a graceful process that both Peter and Michael have worked through as they prepare to make the change in the coming weeks.

Peter states, “newsboys to me has always been a mission, and I entrust Mike, Jeff, Jody and Duncan to continue all that is in store for us as a band. I’m looking forward to focusing on the band’s studio career and spending time in my own bed after many years in a tour bus and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road.”

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Inpop/Aware/Columbia Records singer-songwriter Mat Kearney will release his third studio project, City of Black & White, on May 19, 2009. Following the success of Nothing Left To Lose, Kearney returns with an album of evolved sound and a world of new experiences.

Winding down a whirlwind five years on the road as a new artist, Kearney recently settled into his new hometown of Nashville, TN. It is there that he found the songs for City of Black & White, opening up the writing process to friends and local musicians, crafting songs such as “Fire and Rain,” “Here We Go” and the album’s lead single, “Closer To Love,” going for adds at Christian AC and CHR radio on March 20.

“Inpop first discovered Mat Kearney in 2004, and it is thrilling to see how far Mat has come,” says Shara Katerberg-Hsu, director of marketing for Inpop Records. “Due to our partnership with Aware/Columbia, City of Black & White will be available in Christian retail stores as well as in mainstream and digital outlets, with Inpop handling all Christian market radio promotions, publicity and marketing.”

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Inpop Records artists Article One and Newworldson both received 2009 Juno Award nominations, as announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) during a media conference held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal Oak Hotel on Tuesday. The label mates were recognized in the same category, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year - Newworldson for Salvation Station and Article One for Colors and Sounds.

The Juno nod marks Newworldson’s second nomination in this category, its first for independent release Roots Revolution (2007). “It’s such an honor to be acknowledged by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences,” said Mark Rogers of Newworldson. “To be nominated two years in a row is really fantastic! Congratulations to all the nominees in this category!”

Article One’s Matthew Piche also commented, “We all grew up watching and following the Juno Awards, so to be a part of such a prestigious Canadian event is truly incredible. Colors and Sounds is our best album yet, and we are very proud to be nominated alongside such great artists as Starfield, Downhere, Newworldson and Life Support.”

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