Pictured (L-R): Dan Michaels, Fair Trade Services’ SVP of Marketing; Laura Story;
Creative Trust’s Nicole Owens; Jeff Moseley, Fair Trade Services’ President

“Martin and I are both humbled and so grateful to God for this and pray that any attention the song ‘Blessings’ receives will be used by God to bring hope to others who are walking hard roads,” says Story. “Many thanks to all who are celebrating with us, especially to those who helped give this song a platform to minister. May God’s faithfulness be seen in this above all things.”

Currently, Story is on the road as one third of “The 3 in 1 Tour,” pairing some of today’s most popular and acclaimed recording artists—Story, Mandisa and Brandon Heath. Seven of the first 10 shows have sold out since commencing in Florida on February 21, and the tour features the three very unique hitmakers collaborating to bring their celebrated sounds into one highly anticipated live experience. The national tour is a 23-city trek, visiting markets including Orlando, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Houston and St. Louis, and will wrap on April 14. International relief and development organization Food for the Hungry has partnered with “The 3 in 1 Tour” to bring awareness to its efforts alongside Story, Heath and Mandisa. Concertgoers should expect a night where the artists will collaborate on each other’s songs and an experience full of fan favorites. For additional information, please visit www.laurastorymusic.com/tour.

Story is presently at work on a new studio album, set for release this fall. And fans will be able to see Laura perform the new tracks live this fall on a nationwide 35-city tour with Steven Curtis Chapman.

About Laura Story 
Laura Story, a talented worship leader and songwriter known for penning hit songs such as “Indescribable” made famous by Chris Tomlin and the smash inspirational hit “Blessings,” made her music debut in 2008 with her first release Great God Who Saves (Fair Trade Services). Great God Who Saves garnered her four Dove nominations in 2009, at which she took home her first award for “Inspirational Album of the Year.” In 2011, she also nabbed another nomination for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” Her hit single “Mighty To Save” earned a No. 1 Soft AC/Inspo and Top 10 AC hit at Christian radio. Also in 2011, Story revealed 12 new inspirational tracks on her sophomore release titled Blessings. Story teamed up with producer Nathan Nockels (Passion, Philips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace) and delivered a worship project that exudes constant threads of pop energy and singer-songwriter warmth. The title track quickly became a fan favorite, radio smash and multi-award winner upon release of the album. It topped the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart and held the No. 1 spot for 28 consecutive weeks, the album held the No. 1 spot for three consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Overall chart, digital single sales for “Blessings” reached Gold status, the track held the No. 1 spot at Christian AC, Inspo and the National Audience radio charts for multiple weeks, and Story took home the GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Song, the Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song as well as Dove Awards for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Her first book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, released in 2012 and was inspired by her Grammy and Dove Award-winning hit song, “Blessings.” Story will release a new studio album in 2013. For more information on Story, please visit www.laurastorymusic.com.

[Connect with Laura Story]
Website // www.laurastorymusic.com
Facebook //www.facebook.com/laurastory
Twitter // www.twitter.com/LauraStoryMusic

A diverse collection of award winning Christian artists and speakers will come together to share a message of “Hope & Healing” on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, from 6:00-10:00 PM at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Christian artists TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Mandisa, Laura Story, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Building 429 have volunteered to lead the night in worship. Renowned authors and speakers Louie Giglio, Max Lucado, and Mary Beth Chapman will also make special appearances.

The tribute concert is a free event and open to the public. Families and children are invited to share in a night of prayer and music to honor the victims and families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Tickets are available free of charge on ticketmaster.com and at the Webster Bank Arena box office.

"The initial response to the event was overwhelming, with over 10,000 tickets going in just 30 minutes, and since then 2,000 more seats have been opened," commented Kevin Braun of Generation Exodus, the company organizing the event. "I think this speaks to how we as a nation want to honor and show our support to this community."

You must have a ticket to enter the concert. For more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/315827618517428/.

About Louie Giglio:
Louie Giglio is Pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Ga, and the Founder of Passion Conferences, a movement gathering collegiate-aged young people since 1997 in events across the US and around the globe. Most recently, Passion hosted over 60,000 people at Passion 2013 in the Georgia Dome, uniting students in worship and prayer, and raising awareness for modern-day slavery. In 2008, Louie and his wife Shelley led the team that planted Passion City Church, a local community of faith with the DNA of the Passion movement. Their desire is to inspire this generation to live for what matters most. For more information on Louie Giglio and Passion, please visit 268generation.com/3.0.

About Max Lucado:
Since Max Lucado’s first book was published in 1985, his words have become a steady source of encouragement for millions of readers. Max Lucado’s distinctive message of grace has translated into more than 100 million products in 41 languages, including more than 82 million books sold to date. Just about one in ten Americans have read at least one Lucado book. Having served the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, since 1988, Lucado continues preach in that pulpit – even as he has become the most widely read Christian author in the US. Reader’s Digest dubbed him “America’s Best Preacher,” and this preacher’s books have appeared on every major national bestseller list including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and TheNew York Times. Sixteen of his titles have sold more than one million copies each. Lucado has been featured in countless media outlets and national broadcasts, and on ABC’s Good Morning America, Fox News Channel and CNN. For more information on Max Lucado, please visit maxlucado.com.

About Mary Beth Chapman:
Following the tragic death of her adopted daughter, Mary Beth Chapman and her family have gone on to share their story of deep sorrow and renewed hope with the world through interviews with such outlets as People Magazine, Good Morning America and Larry King Live. In the fall of 2010, Mary Beth shared her story for the first time with her book Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope (Revell). This New York Times’ best-selling book was co-authored by Ellen Vaughn, also a New York Times’ bestselling author and an inspirational speaker. Along with her husband, Mary Beth has also co-authored three books for their Shaoey and Dot children's series, and she continues to write a compelling blog found on her website. She has spoken at numerous Women of Faith conferences, as well as appearing with her family on "A Night With the Chapman's" concert tour in the fall of 2010. For more information on Mary Beth Chapman, please visit MaryBethChapman.com.

About TobyMac:
With over 11 million units in career sales, TobyMac's career continues on the fast track, with his most recent project, EYE ON IT, garnering him the highest chart debut of his solo career landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. The album also topped iTunes® Overall and Christian sales charts. TobyMac's previous four solo projects have received RIAA Gold certification and his live DVD, Alive & Transported, is certified platinum by the RIAA and received a GRAMMY® award. In 2012, the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist celebrated his eighth career GRAMMY® nomination. TobyMac has been nominated twice for an American Music Award, winning his first AMA award in the “Favorite Artist in the Contemporary/Inspirational” category this year. His 2009 album, Tonight received GRAMMY® nods for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" and "Best Contemporary Christian Song." For more information on TobyMac, please visit tobymac.com.

About Chris Tomlin:
With eight albums, ten No. 1 radio singles, a GRAMMY® Award and six additional nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, 18 Dove Awards, a platinum and four gold albums to his credit, Chris Tomlin is among the most well-known and influential artists in contemporary Christian music. Referred to by Time magazine as “most likely the most often sung artist anywhere,” Tomlin also has 15 of the Top 100 CCLI songs with 4 of them being in the top 10. ASCAP’s 2007 Songwriter of the Year, Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” was his first No. 1 on the CCLI Top 25, moving to No. 1 after becoming one of the fasting rising modern day hymns in CCLI chart history. In addition to having sold more than 4.2 million albums and over 6 million digital tracks, Tomlin made history as his single “Jesus Messiah” (Hello Love) garnered 97 adds at radio its first week and skyrocketed to No. 1, making it the biggest ever add date in Christian Radio history. In the midst of his record breaking success, and continuing his role as worship leader at Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA, Tomlin continues touring and leading at Passion Conference gatherings across the US and worldwide. His ninth studio album, Burning Lights, will be released on Jan. 8, 2013. For more information on Chris Tomlin, please visit christomlin.com.

About Mandisa:
Three-time GRAMMY® nominee Mandisa’s discography includes True Beauty, It’s Christmas, Freedom, What If We Were Real and her remix EP, Get Movin’ on Sparrow Records. This past fall she performed her hit single “Good Morning” on the highest rated morning show, ABC’s “Good Morning America.” The Season 5 American Idol finalist is also an author with the release of “Idoleyes: My New Perspective on Faith, Fat & Fame.” Mandisa was one of several Idols selected to open Walt Disney World’s American Idol Experience in early 2009. With over 635,000 albums sold, Mandisa’s music and message continues to connect with fans. Her album, What If We Were Real, is her fastest selling album ever, tracking 80% ahead of her previous album and has sold over 230,000 units to date. The album features the breakout radio hits “Good Morning,” “Waiting For Tomorrow,” and the No. 1 AC single, “Stronger.” With widespread media coverage including The Today Show, LIVE! With Regis and Kelly, E!, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, US Magazine, People Magazine and CNN, this American Idol alum and three-time Grammy nominee continues to be a voice of encouragement and truth to women facing life’s challenges. For more information on Mandisa, please visit mandisaofficial.com.

About Laura Story:
Laura Story, a talented worship leader and songwriter known for penning hit worship songs such as “Indescribable” made famous by Chris Tomlin, made her music debut in 2008 with her first release Great God Who Saves (INO Records). Great God Who Saves garnered her four Dove nominations in 2009, at which she took home her first award for “Inspirational Album of the Year.” This year, she is also nabbed another nomination for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” Her hit single “Mighty To Save” earned a No. 1 Soft AC/Inspo and Top 10 AC hit at Christian radio as well, and now, on April 12, Story will reveal twelve new inspirational tracks on her sophomore release titled Blessings. Story teamed up with producer Nathan Nockels (Passion, Philips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace) to deliver a worship project that exudes constant threads of pop energy and singer/songwriter warmth. For more information on Laura Story, please visit laurastorymusic.com.

About Casting Crowns:
Prolific CCM band Casting Crowns achieved sales milestones including one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum album, three RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, six RIAA Gold albums, four Gold DVDs and four RIAA Gold certified digital singles. The band currently holds the position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. The group has also been honored with two American Music Awards (out of six total nominations), a GRAMMY Award for its 2005 album Lifesong, and has received six GRAMMY nominations including three received on Dec. 5, 2012. The band has garnered 17 GMA Dove Awards and two 2012 Billboard Music Awards from four total Billboard Music Award nominations.
Casting Crowns’ seven band members all remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour according to their local church commitments. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall maintains his role as the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. Casting Crowns concluded its 84-city “Come to the Well” tour on May 5 in Houston to an audience of more than 17,000. Across the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 legs, the tour saw 40 arena sellouts, exceeded 370,000 in total attendance and garnered 65,500 child sponsorships through the group’s partnership with Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision. For more information on Casting Crowns, please visit castingcrowns.com.

About Steven Curtis Chapman:
Steven Curtis Chapman has sold more than ten million records including two RIAA certified Platinum albums and eight RIAA certified Gold albums. Along with his five GRAMMY Awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, recorded 47 No. 1 US radio hits including one in each decade since the 1980s, and been awarded 57 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Since his career began in 1987, Chapman has released 17 projects with Sparrow Records.He has performed at the White House and appeared on multiple national programs via CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, FOX News, the Hallmark Channel and E!, including “Good Morning America,” “Larry King Live,” “Fox & Friends,” “Huckabee,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and more. Chapman and his wife Mary Beth created Show HOPE in 2001 after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption and has provided grants to more than 3,350 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. For more information on Steven Curtis Chapman, please visit stevencurtischapman.com.

About Building 429:
Building 429 comprises Jason Roy (vocals), Jesse Garcia (guitar), Michael Anderson (drums), and Aaron Branch (bass). The band first broke through with its 2004 No. 1 hit “Glory Defined,” which was named BMI’s Christian Song of the Year in 2005. That same year, Building 429 was recognized as New Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. The group has since amassed a dedicated fan following, playing more than 150 live shows a year while developing its own touring brands “Winter Blast” and “Summer Blast.” Building 429 has maintained one of its busiest tour seasons to date, kicking off 2012 with a 47-city “Winter Jam” tour, which saw attendance exceeding 500,000, and making appearances at summer festivals as well as international tour dates in Canada, Denmark, Norway and the Philippines. Most recently, the band wrapped a run of newsboys’ fall “God’s Not Dead” tour and Newsong’s “Very Merry Christmas” tour. Building 429 released its fifth studio project, Listen to the Sound, on May 10, 2011, which debuted at the top of iTunes’ Christian & Gospel Albums chart, while its title track hit No. 1 on the CHR chart and Top 5 on Billboard’s National Christian Audience Chart. Follow up single “Made For You” reached Top 5 on the Christian CHR charts, while “Where I Belong” set precedent as the longest-running No. 1 single on the Billboard Christian Audience chart at 15 consecutive weeks. “Where I Belong” was Billboard’s 2012 Christian Song of the Year and Christian AC Song of the Year. In addition, the band was named Billboard’s 2012 Christian Songs Artist of the Year and Christian AC Songs Artist of the Year. For more information on Building 429, please visit Building429.com.

Celebrated Fair Trade Services recording artist Laura Story picked up her first GRAMMY® at yesterday’s awards ceremony, winning “Best Contemporary Christian Song” for her No. 1 hit “Blessings.”  This GRAMMY® win crowns an immensely successful period for the decorated worship leader after she garnered five Dove nominations, a No. 1 hit song and a best-selling sophomore album Blessings in less than a year’s time.

“Blessings,” which was released last year, was in rotation at over 100 Billboard Christian format reporting stations going No. 1 at Christian AC, Inspo and the National Audience charts for multiple weeks. Additionally, the song also held the No. 1 spot on the iTunes® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The critically acclaimed album, Blessings debuted at No. 4 on Soundscan’s Overall chart and has remained one of Christian music’s best sellers to date. 

In addition, Story and her husband, Martin, recently learned they are expecting their first child, due later this year. 

"What an amazing season this has been!" says Story. "Martin and I have been so thankful to find out that we are expecting, and then this GRAMMY surprise was the cherry on top! We are both humbled and so grateful to God for this and pray that any attention the song "Blessings" receives will be used by God to bring hope to others who are walking hard roads. May God's faithfulness be seen in this above all things. Thanks to all who are celebrating with us."

Story’s new single, "What A Savior," is also experiencing success at Christian radio and is currently No. 17 on the Billboard Christian AC chart. Top stations and networks currently playing the song include K-LOVE, WAY-FM, KLTY/Dallas, KSBJ/Houston, Fish Atlanta/Nashville/Sacramento, KTIS/Minneapolis and JoyFM/St. Louis.

Story kicks off the "Girls Night Live Tour" with Mandisa next week in Omaha, Neb. The tour will visit over 30 cities within the next two months and will also feature special guests Anita Renfroe and Jamie Grace in select cities. For more information visit www.girlsnightlive.com

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, the first book by Story, will release March 13 by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing.  The 30-day devotional is based on her song, “Blessings,” and contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.

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About Laura Story: 
Laura Story, a talented worship leader and songwriter known for penning hit worship songs such as “Indescribable” made famous by Chris Tomlin, made her music debut in 2008 with her first release Great God Who Saves (INO Records). Great God Who Saves garnered her four Dove nominations in 2009, at which she took home her first award for “Inspirational Album of the Year.” In 2011, she also nabbed another nomination for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” Her hit single “Mighty To Save” earned a No. 1 Soft AC/Inspo and Top 10 AC hit at Christian radio.  Also in 2011, Story revealed twelve new inspirational tracks on her sophomore release titled Blessings. Story teamed up with producer Nathan Nockels (Passion, Philips, Craig & Dean, Point of Grace) and delivered a worship project that exudes constant threads of pop energy and singer-songwriter warmth. The title-track immediately became a fan favorite as it topped the iTunes ® Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart and held the No. 1 spot for 28 consecutive weeks. For more information on Story, please go to www.laurastorymusic.com 

Award-Winning Worship Leader Laura Story Pens First Book, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, the first book by Dove Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated worship leader Laura Story, will release March 13 by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing. The 30-day devotional is based on Story’s #1 song, “Blessings,” nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.

Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? includes the devotions “He Loves Us Too Much to Give Us Lesser Things;” “When Faith Disappears;” “The Blessed Thorn;” “Giving Endurance a Chance to Grow;” and “How Can We Find Peace Amid Suffering?” Each devotion contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.

Written and recorded by Story, “Blessings” was a #1 hit at Christian AC and Inspo radio last year, in addition to topping iTunes Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The song is featured on Story’s critically acclaimed Fair Trade Services recording, Blessings. Her previous recording, Great God Who Saves, garnered a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year and featured the hit single, “Mighty to Save.” In addition, Story penned the popular worship song “Indescribable,” recorded by Chris Tomlin.

Story is involved in music and women’s ministry at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, where she resides with her husband, Martin. She will be on the Girls Night Live Tour this spring with Mandisa and Britt Nicole. For a complete list of upcoming dates, visit www.laurastorymusic.com.

Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., is a privately held company whose mission is helping people experience the heart of God. Worthy is an independent voice in Christian publishing, managing editorial, marketing, publicity, sales and distribution from its home offices in Brentwood, Tennessee. Worthy focuses on a boutique list of new books each year, crossing a broad spectrum of genres, including fiction, Bible study, current events, devotionals, biography, leadership, specialized Bibles, as well as spiritual and personal growth.

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? ($11.99) will be distributed to retail outlets nationwide by EMI CMG. For further information, visit www.worthypublishing.com or www.turningpointpr.com.