Christian music news: FIREFLIGHT DEBUTS THE HEALING OF HARMS JULY 25

Latest christian music: (NASHVILLE, Tenn.) May 10, 2006 - Flicker Records' modern rock band Fireflight readies its national debut, The Healing of Harms, set to release July 25.
Produced by Skidd Mills (Saliva, Fighting Instinct, Skillet, Dirty Americans, ZZ Top), the record is a collaboration of varied musical tastes and influences. Fireflight defines the record and its sound as containing hints of emo-core, modern rock and progressive metal, tied together by soaring vocals and memorable melodies.
Lead vocalist Dawn Richardson's lyrics are selfless and direct, reflecting Fireflight's mission to emphasize its music and vision beyond itself, mainly by its lyrics. The Healing of Harms speaks to those facing insurmountable odds, needing answers after falling in harm's way. Issues of self-worth, respect and inner beauty are all themes that resonate in the hearts of Fireflight members.
"Finally, the doors are opening," says Richardson. "It really feels like God has given us these opportunities so that we can help reach those who are wounded, those who need this music. Fireflight wants to write music that people can feel, make records that are universal enough to stand the test of time, and stay genuine and honest-or die trying."
Comprising Richardson, Wendy Drennen (bass), Glenn Drennen (guitar), Justin Cox (guitar) and Phee Shorb (drums), Fireflight formed five years ago in Orlando, Fla. A fixture of the local rock scene, Fireflight is familiar to national music audiences as well. Its self-released EP, "On The Subject of Moving Forward," also produced by Wisner, sold thousands of copies independently. Additionally, Songwriters Showcases of America named Fireflight "Band of the Year" in 2004.

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Christian music news: Fireflight

Latest christian music: The Healing of Harms is one part testimony and one part inspiration to those who are alone. It also speaks to those facing insurmountable odds and needing answers after falling in harms way. Its an album that exposes pride, gossip, guilt, and shame and then reciprocates by answering it with humility, love, forgiveness and hope.
Birthed from the small music-starved town of Eustis, Florida, just outside Orlando, this debut record is the culmination of five years playing shows and waiting patiently for the right opportunity. But this project would not have been possible without the EP they released two years prior appropriately titled On The Subject of Moving Forward. That project is what led them to sign with Flicker Records (Pillar, Kids in the Way), who will release the bands first national album.

A mutual love for bands like The Juliana Theory, Zao, Def Leppard, and Skid Row was their initial point of connection musically, but the bands members soon found that their similarities ended there. They each had a different idea about how the music should take shape. While most bands find musical compromise difficult, Firefights sound, as well as its resiliency, was established in democracy. The band has found that sharing ideas and control is its success secret. Lead vocalist Dawn Richardson explains, It works best when you put the group goal above the individual. You can hear it in our music. We dont sound like much else out there right now because we all come from different places, and our sound meets somewhere in the middle. The remainder of the band agrees, comprising Wendy Drennen (bass), Glenn Drennen (guitar), Justin Cox (guitar, background vocals) and Phee Shorb (drums).
Hints of emo-core, modern rock, and progressive metal permeate the record and its style as defined by Fireflight. This is all wrapped in a package tied together with soaring vocals and memorable melodies. However, Fireflight wants its music and vision to be emphasized beyond themselves, doing so mainly through lyrics.
Richardsons lyrics are selfless and direct, a reflection of the bands mission as a whole. On Myself, she vocalizes the need for an individual to deny their own will, You woke me up and made me learn to love more than myself / You took my hand before I knew there was more than myself. On You Decide she emphasizes that faith is not based on a relationshipwith others but with God; Fiction and reality collide / Faceless and so busted up inside / Youve been searching / Youve been crying out / Will you be destroyed by all your doubt?
Its You additionally delves deep into the emotional hole that exists in many young people. Instead of basing self-image on a comparison to media imagery that pushes immodesty, sex and outer beauty, it pushes the listener to distance themselves from pop-cultural reference points as a whole, I wish that I could break all the mirrors in my mind / The ones that lie to me and steal away my pride. It is these topics that Fireflight, Dawn and Wendy especially, hope to convey to its female listeners. Issues of self-worth, respect and inner-beauty are all themes that resonate in the hearts of Fireflight. Dawn explains, We meet so many young women and teenage girls that feel insecure about who they are on the outside. We want to remind them that they are Gods beautiful creation and that He has a plan for their lives. There is humility present in much of the lyrical content that is both needed and refreshing.
Having waited patiently since 1999, the band is now preparing to make a run at national recognition and a larger platform to share its message. Fireflight has already shared the stage with Skillet, Kutless, Emery, Anberlin, and Disciple to name a few. An upcoming national tour with labelmate Kids in the Way and appearances at 12 major Christian music festivals this summer are just a hint of what is to come. And though its goals are large, the band is committed to remaining unified no matter what. The obstacles and many years invested have prepared Fireflight to keep its head grounded and to continue to make music that inspires, mends, and revitalizes.
Finally, the doors are opening, says Richardson. It really feels like God has given us these opportunities so that we can help reach those who are wounded, those who need this music. Fireflight wants to write music that people can feel, make records that are universal enough to stand the test of time, and stay genuine and honest or die trying.

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Christian music news: Fireflight: Healing of Harms

Latest christian music: Produced by James Paul Wisner, the record is a collaboration of varied musical tastes and influences. Fireflight defines its sound as containing hints of emo-core, modern rock and progressive metal, tied together by soaring vocals and memorable melodies. Lead vocalist Dawn Richardson's lyrics are selfless and direct, reflecting Fireflight's mission to emphasize its music and vision beyond itself, mainly by its lyrics.
The Healing of Harms speaks to those facing insurmountable odds, needing answers after falling in harm's way. Issues of self-worth, respect and inner beauty are all themes that resonate in the hearts of Fireflight members. "Finally, the doors are opening," says Richardson. "It really feels like God has given us these opportunities so that we can help reach those who are wounded, those who need this music. Fireflight wants to write music that people can feel, make records that are universal enough to stand the test of time, and stay genuine and honest-or die trying." A worthy goal, right?

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Christian music news: Fireflight Named Gospel Music Channel's 'Listen Up' Campaign

Latest christian music: Orlando-based rock band Fireflight has been named Gospel Music Channel’s first Listen Up artist of the month, adding to the recent flurry of media activity surrounding the launch of the band’s highly-acclaimed sophomore album Unbreakable. Throughout April on GMC, fans will experience 360 degrees of access to Fireflight through customized on-air spots, a world premiere of the anticipated “Unbreakable” music video on March 29, plus online exclusive interviews, performances and special features. Other appearances include a performance on the network’s weekly series “The Kitchen Sink,” and Fireflight will rock its own Front Row Live installment of GMC’s nightly concert series airing early summer.

Paul E. Butler, Vice President of Business Development for GMC, states, “We’re so excited to be launching this campaign with Fireflight, and its label Flicker Records. Fireflight is an emerging artist, with great label support, an active and passionate fan-base, making great records. These are the types of artists we want to support through Listen Up and introduce to our viewers.”

Also amplifying Fireflight’s profile this week is the Billboard magazine feature story titled “Big Breaks for Fireflight,” on stands now (March 29 issue). The album debuted at No. 10 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and No. 15 on Top Christian Albums, while the title track, which initially debuted in promos for NBC’s “Bionic Woman,” is No. 23 this week on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. The hit also jumps up to No. 5 this week on R&R’s CHR chart.

Gospel Music Channel (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the nation’s first and only 24/7 all music television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel can be seen in nearly 40 million homes around the country on various cable systems and on DIRECTV. GMC’s Listen Up— mirrored after successful programs such as VH1’s “You Oughta Know” and MTV’s “Buzzworthy”— showcases emerging artists extensively across the network’s television and on-line platforms, as well as at key industry and network events.

Fireflight debuted nationally with 2006’s The Healing of Harms (Flicker Records) which delivered two No. 1 rock singles “You Decide” and “Waiting.” The band’s break-out follow up album Unbreakable released March 4 to stellar 5-star reviews and the title track secured the No. 1 spot at Christian rock radio for 4 weeks. Fireflight’s music has been featured on NBC’s “Bionic Woman,” E! Entertainment’s “Style Network” and in music-video reels at both American Eagle and Journey’s stores across the country. For more than eight years, Fireflight has remained tireless road warriors on the concert circuit averaging 140 shows a year. Fireflight is: Dawn Richardson, lead vocals; Justin Cox, guitar; Glenn Drennen, guitar; Wendy Drennen, bass; and Phee Shorb, drums.

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DOVE AWARDS NOMINATE FIRST-TIME NOMINEE FIREFLIGHT FOR “ARTIST OF THE YEAR”

Fireflight (Nashville, Tenn.) Feb. 20, 2009—Nominations were announced today for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards. Orlando-based rock band, Fireflight sent waves through the industry with its recognition in the prestigious category of Artist of the Year, a huge accomplishment for any artist, but even more for a modern rock band, and first-time Dove nominee. After eight years together as a band, these nominations cap off an overwhelmingly successful 2008, launched by the debut of its hit song, “Unbreakable,” on the NBC network promos for “Bionic Woman.” Over the last 12 months, Fireflight has scored two No.1 singles at Christian Rock radio and was named Taco Bell’s “Best of the Beat” winner by the restaurant’s fan-voted contest.
Fireflight was recognized in three additional categories— Unbreakable, the band’s second major label release, was nominated for Rock/Contemporary Album, and its two chart-topping Rock radio singles were recognized; “Unbreakable,” the project’s title track and first single is up for Rock/Contemporary Song, and “The Hunger” received a nod in the Rock Recorded Song category. As the writers of these two nominated songs, the five individual band members are additionally honored with the opportunity to take home Dove statues for their writer contributions in these categories.
Lead singer Dawn Richardson, reacted to the news from the inside of the band’s mini-bus. She said, “Two words, BLOWN AWAY! We are just so honored to be nominated for the first time, and we are completely floored to have been chosen in 4 categories, especially Artist of the Year! We’re in great company, and really amped to represent ROCK this year in the Artist of the Year category.” She adds, “We thank God, He was our true source of strength for this album.”
John Styll, President of the Gospel Music Association, commented on Fireflight’s outstanding showing in this year’s nominations. “To be included in the Artist of the Year category means they had to be overwhelmingly excellent. It’s
a testament to the band’s hard work this past year. Not only musically, but also connecting with and mobilizing its fans.”
For the first time, fans have an opportunity to vote for the winner of Artist of the Year along with New Artist of the Year. Fan voting, which will be conducted through the Gospel Music Channel website (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) and at www.doveawards.com, will open on Feb. 26, the same day online voting opens for GMA members. The cumulative fan vote, which will continue through the live Dove Awards broadcast, will account for one-third of the total vote in those two categories.

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