[Jonular]

Lauded, award winning David Crowder Band kicks off its second headline tour Oct. 12 in Grand Rapids, MI. The fall leg of the band's The Illuminate Tour traverses the country into 17 states, 20 cities nationally and features critically acclaimed Sparrow Records' artists Something Like Silas and Shawn McDonald. (The Illuminate Tour itinerary is listed below.)

Capturing the attention of such significant media as the New York Times, CNN and more, David Crowder Band is becoming well-known for its engaging live performance, playing over 200 concerts a year. The band will offer fan favorites on The Illuminate Tour, including its Top 10 multi-format hit single, "Open Skies," from its No. 1 selling and current sophomore album, Illuminate.

Produced by the David Crowder Band, as well as Charlie Peacock (dcTalk, Switchfoot), Mitch Watkins (Joe Ely, Abra Moore) and Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World), Illuminate features a free demo version of Propellerhead's Reason 2.5 software (distributed by M-Audio in the U.S.) and is receiving widespread acclaim. Regarded as one of the most unique and talented singer/songwriters of today, Crowder played his "Crowdster Acoustic" on the record and will play it on this tour. The guitar was made for and named after Crowder by premiere guitar maker Tom Anderson Guitarworks.

"We're really excited about the second leg of our Illuminate tour this fall," says David Crowder. "We had such a great time this past spring and are really excited about having Something Like Silas and Shawn McDonald out with us this time. Both are incredibly creative in songwriting and musicianship and will be a fabulous addition to the night."

New San Diego-based Sparrow artist, Something Like Silas joins The Illuminate Tour following the June release of its critically acclaimed brand of alternative rock-worship with Divine Invitation. With its name inspired by a passage in Acts (6:23-34), Something Like Silas is a band of culturally in-tune rockers determined to close the gap between the passionate adoration of Christ and the passionate performance of exciting, moving, artful music. While touring heavily this summer and fall, like David Crowder Band's commitment to the
church it helped found, University Baptist Church, Something Like Silas can still be found leading worship most Sundays for nearly 3,000 people at the emerging church in San Diego called Flood, a ministry they helped found four years ago.

Seattle-based singer/songwriter Shawn McDonald joins the tour following his national debut, Simply Nothing, which released August 10 to critical acclaim. Featuring 12 cuts, all written or co-written by McDonald, CCM Magazine hails Simply Nothing as "...a stunning pop/folk debut. Rarely does any artist's first effort come out of the bin with as much inventiveness, honesty and raw emotion as McDonald's." Autobiographical lyrics reflect McDonald's dramatic journey from substance abuse and drug dealing to a life-changing encounter with Christ that compelled him to begin writing music. The project's first single, "Gravity," is currently climbing both the Christian CHR and AC charts.

The Illuminate Tour follows David Crowder Band's 30-plus-city stint with Michael W. Smith and Mercy Me on the One Nation Tour, which kicked off July 9 and played for tens-of-thousands. Visiting major venues, parks and fairs from the East Coast to West Coast in the U.S. and Canada, the tour began July 9 in Birmingham, AL and wrapped August 22 in Charlotte, NC.

More information on David Crowder Band, Something Like Silas and Shawn McDonald, can be found at www.emicmg.com, or on the artists respective websites, www.DavidCrowderBand.com, www.somethinglikesilas.com and www.shawnmcdonaldmusic.com.

The Illuminate Tour itinerary:

10.12 (2004) Grand Rapids. MI

10.13 (2004) Layfayette, IN

10.14 (2004) Louisville, KY

10.16 (2004) Caswell, VA

10.17 (2004) Anderson, IN

10.19 (2004) Omaha, NE

10.20 (2004) Pella, IA

10.21 (2004) Springfield, MO

10.22 (2004) Wichita, KS

10.23 (2004) Dallas, TX

11.03 (2004) Houston, TX

11.04 (2004) San Antonio, TX

11.05 (2004) Tulsa, OK

11.08 (2004) St. Louis, MO

11.09 (2004) Chicago, IL

11.10 (2004) Memphis, TN

11.11 (2004) Mobile, AL

11.12 (2004) Auburn, AL

11.14 (2004) Chattanooga, TN

11.18 (2004) Baton Rouge, LA

* Tour dates subject to change

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords (www.sixstepsrecords.com) is a young worship label and is a division of Choice Resources, the parent ministry for Passion Conferences. In addition to the David Crowder Band, sixstepsrecords' artist-worshippers include Chris Tomlin (Arriving – releases Sept. 21), Charlie Hall (On The Road To Beautiful) and Matt Redman (Facedown). The label partners with EMI CMG Label Group for marketing, sales and distribution operations.

For more information on the David Crowder Band, click here.