[Jonular]

Close to 250,000 fans in 31 cities experienced this summer's "One Nation Tour," featuring Christian music stalwarts Michael W. Smith, Mercy Me and special guest David Crowder Band. "One Nation" achieved several sell-outs during its run, including an Aug. 20 date at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. Passion of the Christ film star Jim Caviezel visited the troupe for several West Coast dates, enjoying with the other artists the special camaraderie that developed during the tour.

"This event showed fans are still willing to break away from busy summer activities to enjoy a family night of music," said Chaz Corzine of Blanton Harrell Cooke and Corzine. "It's been a difficult season for tours, but promoters were successful at getting the word out; media recognized the special combination of people "One Nation" included; and the artists sealed the deal by delivering a great show night after night."

"'One Nation' wasn't a collection of individuals," explained multi-platinum, Grammy and American Music Award-winner Michael W. Smith. "The music represented a lot of collaboration among an amazing group of people. There was an incredible energy among us, one that for me was tremendously inspiring." Smith co-headlined the tour with Mercy Me, the million-plus selling, Gospel Music Association Group and Artist of the Year responsible for the hit "I Can Only Imagine."

"After we finished our set at Radio City, some of the guys in MercyMe decided to make our way to the very top row to see the view," recounts MercyMe's Bart Millard. "We were blown away to see the whole balcony, and everyone in the jam-packed building worshipping with everything they had. I think that was the first time it really hit me how God was using us: to know Christ and to make Him known. To tour with such Godly men like Smitty and The David Crowder Band was a dream come true. In case you didn't know, I have the greatest job on the planet!"

"It was great to be able to bring a night of real worship to the sheds this summer. The impact on the audience was obvious. We'll always remember the summer of '04 as a summer that made a difference in our lives, too," commented Scott Brickell, MercyMe's manager.

Capturing the attention of major media—including The New York Times, CNN and others—the much-lauded David Crowder Band (sixsteps/Sparrow Records) proved again during the "One Nation Tour" it has earned the right to be called one of the most engaging acts performing today. The band tours into the fall in support of its No. 1 selling sophomore album, Illuminate, which features "Open Skies," the current Top 10 R &R multi-format hit single.

MercyMe plans to do various one-off shows this fall, including performances at the National Association of Broadcasters Event in San Diego and one of the Rev. Billy Graham's final crusades in Kansas City this October. The group's current single "Here With Me," from its latest hit record UNDONE, was No. 1 on the Christian AC and CHR and INSPO charts for seven, one and six weeks respectively. It continues to climb the mainstream Adult Contemporary charts, currently at No. 12 with a bullet.

Michael W. Smith recently placed the final touches on his Oct. 26 release Healing Rain (Reunion). This studio album returns the veteran singer, songwriter and producer to his pop songwriting roots. The title track released recently to radio and is being added steadily.

Smith returns to the road Nov. 26 in Winston-Salem, N.C. when he launches his 19-city "Christmastime Tour." Ushering in the holiday spirit with him will be special guests Point of Grace and The Katinas. The tour will close in Smith's hometown, Nashville, Tenn., mid-December.

Over his 20 year career, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 18 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, 3 Grammy Awards and 40 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. In addition, he holds 13 gold and five platinum albums and has been named one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People. In addition to being a celebrated artist, Smith has scored film projects and written 11 books. His tours consistently rank among the largest in the country and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of his current projects is Rocketown—a nightclub for teens in Nashville—serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He is married to Debbie Smith and they are the proud parents of five children.

For further information on Michael W. Smith, MercyMe or David Crowder
Band, please visit their respective websites: www.michaelwsmith.com,
www.mercyme.org and www.davidcrowderband.com.