[Mickey]

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) September 16, 2002 – Sparrow/sixstepsrecords’ Chris Tomlin launched his sophomore recording, Not To Us, last week (Sept. 10) amidst rave critical review.

Produced by Matt Bronleewe (Jars of Clay, dcTalk, Natalie Imbruglia), here is what some of the critics are saying:

“Mr. Tomlin has seamlessly blended pop, rock and worship into songs that will work as well on the radio as they will in church. The list of highlights is long…Production, from Matt Bronleewe and Sam Gibson, is crisp; Mr. Tomlin’s melodies and songs are quickly remembered, his voice continues to improve in appeal, and his band sounds sharp throughout. Listen closely - and loudly. If the modern worship movement has a future, this is what it will sound like.” – Dallas Morning News (Reviewer Beau Black rates Not To Us with 4 out of 4 stars, an honor he has not given any other artist this year.)

“Tomlin once again offers some terrific new worship anthems… In fact, every song here is a winner; there’s not a single one in the lot that will have you fingering the "skip" button. Tomlin consistently demonstrates the ability to marry a song’s lyrical concept to a fresh worship-style melody that suits it spot-on perfectly.” – freshreleases.com

“Tomlin’s … taken a few steps out of that safe haven to unleash a more gritty, free-flowing garage rock sound, thanks to an organic backing band…The range of cuts instantly showcases the new influences coming from behind the boards, bringing together the chunky grind of Delirious?, hints of Costello, and the alternative acoustic edge of Jars of Clay…Tomlin moves the listener with his contagious worship…” – ChristianityToday.com

“The writer of some of the most influential songs in today’s church (Forever, We Fall Down, The Wonderful Cross), Chris steps out this fall with a new recording from sixsteps/Sparrow Records. Not To Us offers 10 new songs that are immediate and singable...songs that will move you deep within your spirit.” – grassrootsmusic.com

“Tomlin offers listeners pop- and rock-influenced praise & worship…Musically, the album contains a live sound …it is a strong and accessible collection of songs.” – All Music Guide

“Worship leader, Chris Tomlin, is back with yet another worship album that is sure to be as great as his previous works.” – MWTeens.com.

Tomlin is currently a featured artist on the extensive nationwide Worship God Tour with Rebecca St. James, and is performing on select dates through Nov. 17. He will also perform for college students at over 250 campuses via the Passion '03 Satellite Link Oct. 24.

Performing many of the new songs from Not To Us this fall, Tomlin’s significant fan base is already hearing songs from the new album and expressing their anticipation for the project. A fan at musicforce.com rated Not To Us “5 out of 5” and says, “I haven’t gotten the CD yet, but I just got back from a conference where Chris Tomlin and the group were leading worship. I’ve heard about every song on the CD…All the songs I have heard were great. I know the day this CD comes out I will be buying it.”

One of the premier songwriters of today, Tomlin wrote or co-wrote all the songs on his anticipated recording, Not To Us. The album includes the exceedingly popular “Famous One,” featured on the fall 2001 Passion Experience tour and on the April 2002 Passion release, Our Love is Loud. The recording also features “Wonderful Maker,” co-written by the UK’s renowned and prolific songwriter, Matt Redman (Michael W. Smith, Tree63, Passion Worship Band), and the current radio single, “Enough,” which was serviced to radio July 26 and continues to garner additional airplay every week.

For more information on Chris Tomlin and Not To Us or to obtain tour dates and locations, please visit www.christomlin.com or www.sixstepsrecords.com.

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords is a young worship label and is a division of Choice Resources, the parent ministry for Passion Conferences. Other artists on the roster include Charlie Hall (Porch & Altar) and David Crowder Band (Can You Hear Us?). The label partners with Sparrow Records for marketing, sales and distribution operations.

Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG was founded in 1994. It is the world's largest Christian music company, operating the Sparrow, ForeFront, Worship Together and EMI Gospel labels in addition to EMI CMG Publishing and Chordant Distribution Group. EMI CMG is a unit of EMI Music, the third largest recorded music company in the world.

For much more on Chris Tomlin, click here