Chynna Phillips releases Christian debut

In the 1990s, Chynna Phillips was among the world’s most recognized pop stars as a member of Wilson Phillips (which also included Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s daughters Carnie and Wendy). With hits like “Hold On,” “Release Me” and “You’re in Love,” the group toured the globe multiple times and sold over ten million albums. Phillips married actor William Baldwin in 1995, and came to Christ in 2003.?

“This is such an important time in my life,” Phillips, a mother of three, said in a press release. “Although I did accomplish a lot of the things I wanted to as an artist and songwriter during all the touring, talks shows and the awards as a member of Wilson Phillips, nothing compares to what I’m doing now. Nothing is more gratifying as a Christian believer than being able to thread my faith and love for Jesus into my music.”

To tackle that task, Phillips joined with Vaughan Penn—whose soundtrack credits include “Gray’s Anatomy,” “Boston Public,” “The Hills,” and tours with Emmylou Harris and Edwin McCain—to form Chynna & Vaughan, the pair will release One Reason on October 6, featuring an updated version of Wilson Phillips’ harmony pop pedigree.

Avalon’s massive makeover

Even through personnel changes over the years, Avalon’s contemporary pop sound has largely stayed the same. But these days, group veterans Janna and Greg Long, plus relatively newcomers Jeremi and Amy Richardson, are looking to an extreme sonic makeover with Reborn (releasing September 15). All Star United’s Ian Eskelin (Krystal Meyers, Stellar Kart, Francesca Battistelli) steps up to the production plate with a much more aggressive approach.

“Over the last three years, we released a hymns record, a covers record and a retrospective record, plus had some members change,” Janna wrote on the group’s MySpace blog. “Between that and the fact that life was just happening right alongside it all, there’s a pivotal change and evolution. Sure, the vocal standpoint is consistent with the Avalon sound, but the rest is much more varied. This is definitely not your mom’s Avalon record!”

Gray goes deluxe

Fans of Jason Gray will have plenty of ways to purchase his Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue CD on September 1. A special edition includes nine bonus cuts, while a deluxe edition features all of the above, plus a hand-crank music box that will play the title track, a T-shirt, and an immediate high quality download for anyone who pre-orders before the street date. Several other “uber-deluxe” options are posted on Gray’s website, including the chance for a living room concert, a song personally written for a fan and even a guided tour from the singer/songwriter in Seoul, South Korea.

Gospel Dream crowns winner

The fourth season of Gospel Dream just wrapped up, with Tony LeBron winning it all. The 33-year-old worship leader from Florida sealed the deal with bilingual performances of Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” andthe church standard “I Surrender All,” which complimented “The Greatest Inspirational Songs of All Time” theme. The entire season will be featured as a marathon on Gospel Music Channel on Saturday, August 8.

Christafari turns twenty

Christafari was not only the first group to break big in Christian reggae, but has also stuck around the longest. This year marks the group’s twentieth anniversary and the celebration begins with the new CD No Compromise, which features fifteen new tracks. As a gift to fans, the band is allowing anyone to download the disc for whatever price they’d like, or get it free after spreading the word to five friends by clicking here.

Ruth runs under cover

Recent Tooth & Nail signee Ruth is finalizing The Covers EP for an August 25 release. The disc finds the alternative rockers interpreting a series of inspiring secular songs, including Coldplay’s “Fix You,” Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” and Mr. Big’s “To Be With You.” The band also dips way back to the past for Buddy Holly’s “Everyday.”