Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
NewSong
View on WikipediaThis article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Key Information
NewSong is an American contemporary Christian music group that was established in 1981, at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia.[1] They have had twelve GMA Dove Award nominations, and one Grammy Award Nomination.
They are also the founders of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular which started in 1995, the United States' largest annual Christian music tour.[2] Winter Jam has artists perform including TobyMac, Hillsong UNITED, Newsboys, Lecrae, MercyMe, and Skillet.[3]
NewSong has provided support for organizations working with abandoned and underprivileged children. For years they worked with World Vision. Then in 2006, the band became involved with Holt International.
The original four members included the current members Eddie Carswell, Billy Goodwin, and former members Eddie Middleton and Bobby Apon.
History
[edit]Early history
[edit]NewSong recorded three custom albums independently. In 1982, they signed on with Covenant Records, and released The Son In My Eyes that year. In 1984, they signed a contract with Canaan Records, a branch of CCM label giant Word Records and released The Word. NewSong continued to stay with Word Records until 1991 when they signed on with DaySpring Records. The next year they released One Heart At A Time, The Best of NewSong, which featured 12 hits from their previous albums. In 1993, they joined up with the Benson Music Group and released All Around The World, which brought four No. 1 hits.[citation needed] In 1993, lead vocalist Eddie Middleton left to pursue a solo career, and Bobby Apon left to spend more time with his family.
In 1994, songwriter Leonard Ahlstrom, soloist Charles Billingsley, musician Scotty Wilbanks, and the lead vocalist from the contemporary Christian band Truth, Russ Lee, joined NewSong. That year NewSong released People Get Ready which brought four No. 1 hits,[citation needed] and featured a re-recorded version of "Arise My Love", which was first recorded by the original group in 1987.
In 1996, Billingsley left to pursue a solo career. In 1997, NewSong released Love Revolution. It featured four No. 1 hits, including "Miracles," which stayed at No.1 on the CCM Adult Contemporary chart for four consecutive weeks.[citation needed]
In May 1999, Apon died. He was recognized on the album Arise, My Love, The Very Best of NewSong. This featured 12 of their previous No. 1 hits. It also included two new songs which became No. 1 hits, "Can't Keep A Good Man Down", and "Jesus To The World (Roaring Lambs)", which was inspired by Christian speaker and author Bob Briner, who died later that year. They also had a third new song, "Like Minded, Like Hearted", which NewSong recorded with Out of Eden of Gotee Records.
Lee left NewSong in 2000. In November, Wilbanks left as well to join the group Third Day, and to produce bands. They were replaced by soloist Michael O'Brien, Steve Reischl, and former Truth member, Matt Butler. Songwriter and electric guitarist Leonard Ahlstrom also left later to help a friend manage a recording label in Florida.[citation needed]
Leading up to 2000, NewSong caught the attention of radio personality, DC Daniel (then, of "Steve & DC") and began collaborating on production ideas for future projects. The partnership led to releasing the album Sheltering Tree, in late 2000.[citation needed]
Breakthrough
[edit]DC, Eddie Carswell and Leonard Ahlstrom penned the bonus track "The Christmas Shoes" for Sheltering Tree, which became a No. 1 mainstream radio hit in a Billboard chart-record three weeks, topping Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart.[citation needed] Shortly after this, Clive Calder shut down the Benson label. NewSong stayed with Zomba Music, on the major Reunion label, and released a full studio Christmas album, The Christmas Shoes, which was nominated in 2003 for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.[citation needed] Along with the title track, the album featured a variety of original Christmas tunes and Christmas classics "O Holy Night". The song's success inspired Christian author Donna VanLiere to write a book based on the song.[4] The book was later made into a TV movie for CBS, called The Christmas Shoes, starring Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, which was released on December 1, 2002.[5]
In 2003, Donna VanLiere released The Christmas Blessing, the second book in the series spawned by "The Christmas Shoes" song. It was later made into a TV movie by CBS. It had an appearance by NewSong, which showed them singing their holiday single "The Christmas Blessing". NewSong also received a Dove Award for Musical of the Year for The Christmas Shoes Musical.[citation needed]
In March 2004, NewSong announced that they were leaving Reunion Records and moving to Integrity Music. In November 2004, NewSong recorded their live worship album and DVD, Rescue: Live Worship at First Baptist Church of Woodstock with Wilbanks joining the group one more time. The album was officially released in May 2005, and the DVD of the concert came out in September. Also in 2005, NewSong was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.[citation needed]
In March 2006, O'Brien left to restart his solo career and Drew Cline was asked to fill in. In September, Eddie Carswell, Matt Butler, Billy Goodwin, and guest artist Drew Cline released The Christmas Hope, featuring traditional Christmas carols, NewSong originals, and three songs to complement the book trilogy by Donna VanLiere. In November, The Christmas Shoes movie was released on DVD. The Christmas Hope, the third TV movie installment of the trilogy, was released in December 2008 by CBS.[citation needed]
In March 2007, Christian solo artist Nate Sallie joined NewSong as the lead vocalist. In April, The Christmas Hope album was nominated for a Dove Award, for Best Christmas Album of the Year.[citation needed] On December 29, 2008, in an email to subscribers of his newsletter, Russ Lee announced that he will be rejoining NewSong as lead vocalist. Consequently, Sallie left in 2009 just before the group recorded its next album Give Yourself Away.[citation needed]
Founding member Eddie Middleton died on August 21, 2021.[6]
Member Timeline
[edit]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Year | Album | Chart positions | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christian | US | US Heat | |||
| 1981 | More Than Music | Independent | |||
| 1982 | The Son in My Eyes | Covenant | |||
| 1984 | The Word | Canaan | |||
| 1986 | Trophies of Grace | Word | |||
| 1987 | Say Yes! | ||||
| 1989 | Light Your World | 34 | |||
| 1990 | Living Proof | 19 | DaySpring | ||
| 1992 | One Heart at a Time: The Best of NewSong | ||||
| 1993 | All Around the World | Benson | |||
| 1994 | People Get Ready | 16 | |||
| 1997 | Love Revolution | 25 | |||
| 1999 | Arise My Love: The Very Best of NewSong | 25 | |||
| 2000 | Live...The Hits | ||||
| Sheltering Tree | 5 | 130 | 2 | ||
| 2001 | The Christmas Shoes | 9 | 113 | 1 | Reunion |
| 2003 | More Life | 10 | 172 | 9 | |
| 2004 | Simply NewSong | Provident | |||
| 2005 | The Very Best of NewSong | Reunion | |||
| Rescue: Live Worship | 10 | 15 | Integrity | ||
| 2006 | The Christmas Hope | 25 | 5 | ||
| 2009 | Give Yourself Away | 10 | 149 | 5 | HHM |
| 2011 | One True God | 1 | 27 | ||
| 2013 | Swallow the Ocean | 3 | 65 | ||
| 2015 | Faithful: Live Worship | 3 | 88 | Integrity | |
| 2016 | The Best Christmas Ever | — | — | HHM | |
| 2018 | Greatest Hits | — | — | ||
| 2020 | Just Jesus | — | — | ||
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US AC | US | US Country | US Christ | |||
| 2000 | "The Christmas Shoes" | 1 | 42 | 31 | 20 | Sheltering Tree |
| 2004 | "When God Made You" | 33 | — | — | — | More Life |
| 2012 | "The Same God" | — | — | — | 25 | One True God |
| 2017 | "I Am a Christian" | — | — | — | — | Just Jesus[7] |
| 2018 | "Down" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Bright" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Glue" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Already Loved" (featuring Tedashii) |
— | — | — | — | ||
| "Shine" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Look Up" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2025 | "Church People" | — | — | — | — | — |
References
[edit]- ^ Jamie: NewSong, Todd Agnew, and Rachel Lampa in the Christmas Hope Tour Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved on August 29, 2007
- ^ "Celerity Entertainment History". vanlierewilcox.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
- ^ "NewSong's Winter Jam Tour Spectacular Roars Into March Passing 225,000 In Paid Concert-Goers". premierproductions.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
- ^ "NEWSONG". cbs.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
- ^ "LISTINGS". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
- ^ The Christian Beat, 08.22.2021 - NewSong Founding Member Eddie Middleton Has Died By Herb Longs
- ^ "Just Jesus by NewSong". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
External links
[edit]NewSong
View on GrokipediaHistory
Formation and early years
NewSong was founded in 1981 at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia, initially as a nine-member ensemble that performed during church services.[7] The group's core originated from four young men—Eddie Carswell, Billy Goodwin, Eddie Middleton, and Bobby Apon—who met through their involvement at the church and shared a passion for music ministry.[8] Starting as a part-time group blending Southern gospel influences, they focused on inspirational songs aimed at youth audiences, gradually expanding beyond local services to performances at other regional churches.[9] A defining moment came on May 1, 1981, when Carswell, Goodwin, Middleton, and Apon performed at a high school assembly in nearby Lakeland, Georgia.[7] Loading their equipment into Goodwin's 1973 Dodge Aspen station wagon, the group delivered a set that resonated deeply, leading to dozens of students committing their lives to Christ during the event.[8] This experience solidified their calling to full-time ministry, prompting the quartet to leave their day jobs and commit professionally to traveling and performing as NewSong, while the larger ensemble supported occasional local appearances.[7] In their early years, NewSong honed their sound through regional tours and independent efforts, releasing their debut label album, The Son in My Eyes, in 1982 on Covenant Records, following independent releases in 1981, which featured original songs emphasizing faith and personal testimony.[10] The group signed with the larger Word Records label in 1984, issuing The Word that year, followed by Trophies of Grace in 1986, as they shifted toward a contemporary Christian style with broader pop and rock elements to reach wider audiences.[3] These initial releases established their reputation in the Christian music scene, with themes centered on grace, scripture, and evangelism, though commercial success remained modest during this formative period.[11]Rise to prominence
Following their formation in 1981 at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia, NewSong began releasing independent albums such as NewSong Alive and All the Best before signing with Covenant Records for their debut label release, The Son in My Eyes, in 1982.[11] The group initially performed Southern gospel-style music as a nine-member ensemble, but by the mid-1980s, they transitioned to a contemporary Christian sound after signing with Word Records in 1984.[12] This shift was marked by the album The Word (1984), followed by Trophies of Grace (1986) and Say Yes! (1987), which helped establish their presence in the growing contemporary Christian music (CCM) scene through radio play and live performances.[3] The late 1980s brought further momentum with Light Your World (1989, Word Records), an album that showcased their evolving soul-tinged pop style and produced the hit single "Light Your World," a call to Christian action that resonated widely on CCM radio.[12] By the early 1990s, NewSong had streamlined to a core quartet and signed with DaySpring Records, releasing Living Proof (1991), before moving to Benson Records for All Around the World (1993), which emphasized themes of faith and global outreach.[11] Their move to Benson Records in 1994 yielded People Get Ready, their highest-charting album at the time, reaching number 16 on the U.S. Christian charts and featuring tracks like "What Goes Around Comes Around."[12] A pivotal milestone came in 1995 when founding members Eddie Carswell and Billy Goodwin launched the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, the largest annual Christian music tour in the United States, which significantly boosted the band's visibility and influence within the CCM community.[3] This period solidified NewSong's reputation for energetic live shows and songwriting focused on encouragement and evangelism, setting the stage for broader acclaim in the late 1990s.[11]Mainstream success and lineup changes
NewSong achieved significant mainstream recognition in the early 2000s, particularly through the crossover success of their single "The Christmas Shoes," released as a bonus track on the 2000 album Sheltering Tree. The song, co-written by band members Eddie Carswell and Leonard Ahlstrom, topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on January 6, 2002, and reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a breakthrough from Christian contemporary music (CCM) audiences to broader pop radio play.[12][7] This success propelled Sheltering Tree to number two on the Billboard Christian Albums chart and number 130 on the Billboard 200, while inspiring a bestselling novel by Donna VanLiere and a 2002 CBS television movie that drew 17 million viewers.[13][14] The band's shift to mainstream appeal was facilitated by a 1993 move to Benson Records, which encouraged a pop-oriented sound, yielding earlier CCM hits like "Light Your World" and "What Goes Around Comes Around." By the late 1990s, NewSong had amassed 17 number-one singles on Christian radio charts, solidifying their status in the genre before the "Christmas Shoes" phenomenon launched annual holiday tours and a Christmas album nominated for a Grammy in 2003. This era of growth coincided with key lineup adjustments, as the group evolved from its Southern gospel roots to a more contemporary ensemble.[1][12][7] Lineup changes in the mid-1990s reflected this transition. In 1993, following the departures of founding members Bobby Apon and Eddie Middleton—who had been with the band since 1981—NewSong added vocalist Charles Billingsley, Russ Lee on lead vocals, Leonard Ahlstrom on keyboards, and Scotty Wilbanks on piano and saxophone. Billingsley left in 1996 to pursue a solo career, replaced by Lee, whose dynamic style helped propel hits like "Hero of These Days." By 2000, as "The Christmas Shoes" gained traction, Lee, Wilbanks, and Ahlstrom departed to focus on solo projects and family, leading to the addition of Michael O'Brien on lead vocals and keyboards, Steve Reischl on guitar and vocals, and Matt Butler on cello and keyboards. These changes maintained the band's core of founders Eddie Carswell and Billy Goodwin while infusing fresh energy that supported their expanding mainstream presence.[12][1][7]Recent activities
In 2021, NewSong celebrated its 40th anniversary as a band, marking the milestone with performances and reflections on their history.[15] Additionally, the band released the single "Love Is Stronger," emphasizing messages of resilience and divine support.[16] Throughout 2024, NewSong participated in the Winter Jam Tour, the Christian music event they co-founded, performing alongside artists such as Crowder, Lecrae, CAIN, and Katy Nichole at multiple venues nationwide.[17] Later that year, they headlined The Very Merry Christmas Tour with special guests Katy Nichole and Micah Tyler, delivering festive performances in cities including Morehead City, North Carolina, and Southaven, Mississippi.[18] In 2025, NewSong continued their involvement with the Winter Jam Tour, sharing stages with headliners like Skillet, Anne Wilson, and Colton Dixon, and debuting new material during live sets.[19] The band released the album Church People in September, which included the singles "Church People" on January 31, exploring community in faith, and "I'm Always Talking To Jesus" on February 21, highlighting personal prayer and connection to Christ.[20][21][22] An official music video for "Church People" premiered in April.[23] As of November 2025, NewSong has announced a Christmas tour schedule for December, including stops in Kokomo, Indiana (December 4), Rome, Georgia (December 5), and Marion, Illinois (December 13), among others.[24]Band members
Current members
As of November 2025, NewSong's current lineup consists of founding members Eddie Carswell and Billy Goodwin, along with Russ Lee, Mark Clay, Nathan Cooley, and Ben Scott.[25] Eddie Carswell serves as a vocalist and primary songwriter, having co-founded the group in 1981 at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia; he is also known for conceptualizing the Winter Jam Tour, a major Christian music event series.[3] Billy Goodwin, the other founding member, handles lead vocals and guitar duties, contributing to the band's songwriting and harmonic arrangements throughout its four-decade history.[11] Russ Lee provides lead vocals and guitar, rejoining the band in 2009 after an earlier stint from 1994 to 2000 and a successful solo career; as a worship pastor, he brings a soulful style to NewSong's performances and recordings.[3] Mark Clay manages bass guitar, a role he has held since the mid-1990s, supporting the band's rhythmic foundation in live and studio settings.[11] Nathan Cooley plays drums, having joined in 2024 and contributing to tours including Winter Jam.[26] Ben Scott joined in fall 2024 as keyboardist and vocalist, bringing his experience as a worship leader and solo artist to the group.[27]Former members
NewSong has experienced numerous lineup changes over its more than four decades, with several key members departing to pursue solo careers, ministry work, or other endeavors, while others passed away. The band's original core included founding members who left early in its history, and subsequent shifts in vocalists and instrumentalists have shaped its evolving sound.[1] The following table outlines notable former members, their primary roles, and approximate tenures:| Member | Role(s) | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Bobby Apon | Vocals, songwriter | 1981–1993 (deceased 1999) |
| Eddie Middleton | Vocals, guitar | 1981–1993 |
| Charles Billingsley | Vocals | 1994 |
| Scotty Wilbanks | Piano, saxophone | 1993–2000, 2004–2005 |
| Steve Reischl | Vocals, guitar | 1999–2002 |
| Michael O'Brien | Vocals | 1999–2006 |
| Clay Crosse | Vocals, guitar | 2002 |
| Drew Cline | Vocals | 2006–2008 |
| Nate Sallie | Vocals | 2007–2009 |
| Rico Thomas | Guitar | 2002–2025 |
| Jake Holman | Keyboards, vocals | 2023–2025 |
Discography
Studio albums
NewSong's studio albums span over four decades, beginning with independent releases in the early 1980s and progressing through major labels in contemporary Christian music. Their output includes 17 full-length studio recordings, showcasing a blend of pop, rock, and worship influences that have defined their sound.[11] The band's early work emphasized inspirational themes and vocal harmonies, as heard in debut efforts like More Than Music and Son in My Eyes. By the late 1980s and 1990s, under Word and Benson Records, albums such as Say Yes! and Love Revolution incorporated more upbeat, radio-friendly production. The 2000s saw a shift toward deeper worship elements with Reunion and HHM labels, evident in More Life and Give Yourself Away. Recent albums maintain this focus on faith and community, with Just Jesus highlighting scriptural devotion and Church People addressing modern church life.[11][32]| Album Title | Release Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| More Than Music | 1981 | Karis |
| Son in My Eyes | 1982 | Covenant |
| The Word | 1984 | Canaan/Word |
| Trophies of Grace | 1986 | Word |
| Say Yes! | 1987 | Word |
| Light Your World | 1989 | Word |
| Living Proof | 1991 | DaySpring |
| All Around the World | 1993 | Benson |
| People Get Ready | 1994 | Benson |
| Love Revolution | 1996 | Benson |
| Sheltering Tree | 2000 | Benson |
| More Life | 2003 | Reunion |
| Give Yourself Away | 2009 | HHM |
| One True God | 2011 | HHM |
| Swallow the Ocean | 2013 | HHM |
| Just Jesus | 2020 | HHM |
| Church People | 2025 | HHM |
Compilation and live albums
NewSong's compilation albums serve as retrospectives of their early career highlights, drawing from their studio output to showcase signature songs in contemporary Christian music. The band's initial compilation, One Heart at a Time: The Best of NewSong, released in 1994 by Benson Records, gathered 10 tracks from their first three albums, emphasizing themes of faith and outreach with selections like "Light Your World" and "Arise, My Love."[11] This was followed by Arise My Love: The Very Best of NewSong in 1999, also on Benson, which expanded to 16 tracks including a previously unreleased song, "Can't Keep a Good Man Down," and collaborations such as "Like Minded, Like Hearted" featuring Out of Eden, reflecting their pop-rock evolution and radio hits.[11] Later compilations like Simply NewSong (2004, Provident Label Group) condensed eight key tracks, including "Rhythm of the World" and "Love Revolution," into a concise overview aimed at new listeners.[11] The 2005 release The Very Best of NewSong on Reunion Records compiled 10 standout songs spanning their mainstream period, such as "The Christmas Shoes" and "When God Made You," capturing their blend of inspirational ballads and upbeat anthems.[33] In addition to compilations, NewSong has produced live albums that capture their energetic performances and worship-oriented live shows. Their first live release, Live...The Hits! (1999, Benson Records), was recorded during a 2000 Independence Day concert before a record-breaking Christian audience, featuring five live renditions of hits like "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" to highlight their stage presence and fan engagement.[11] Shifting toward worship, Rescue: Live Worship (2005, Integrity Music) was recorded in November 2004 at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia, presenting 15 tracks blending originals like "Rescue" with hymns such as "How Great Thou Art," emphasizing intimate congregational worship.[34] Their most recent live effort, Faithful: Live Worship (2015, Integrity Music), includes 13 tracks recorded live, incorporating modern worship elements like "Doxology" and originals such as "Faithful," with a deluxe edition adding video content for a multimedia experience.[35]| Title | Type | Release Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Heart at a Time: The Best of NewSong | Compilation | 1994 | Benson |
| Arise My Love: The Very Best of NewSong | Compilation | 1999 | Benson |
| Live...The Hits! | Live | 1999 | Benson |
| Simply NewSong | Compilation | 2004 | Provident |
| The Very Best of NewSong | Compilation | 2005 | Reunion |
| Rescue: Live Worship | Live | 2005 | Integrity |
| Faithful: Live Worship | Live | 2015 | Integrity |
| Faithful: Live Worship (Deluxe Edition) | Live | 2015 | Integrity |