[Jonular]

One of the premier songwriters of today, sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records' Chris Tomlin, makes radio history with his first two radio singles from his current, widely acclaimed recording, Arriving, as the album's sales continue to soar.

Known for writing "Forever," "We Fall Down," "The Wonderful Cross," "Famous One" and more anthems sung by millions of people each week in churches around the world, Tomlin's radio single "Indescribable," which held the No. 1 position on multiple charts last fall and was released July 21, 2004, continues to be one of the most played songs at Christian radio. More than seven months since its release, the song maintains its Top 10 position on multiple charts this week as Tomlin's second single from Arriving, "Holy Is The Lord,"
simultaneously lands in the Top 10 for the third straight week, moving up to No. 3 and No. 4 on the CRW and R & R AC charts respectively. ("Indescribable" lands at No. 7 on Billboard's Hot Christian Singles and Tracks chart and No. 9 on R & R's AC Top 30 chart this week.)

"In my 15 years of radio programming, I have not seen an artist with two songs in the top 10," notes Grant Hubbard, EMI CMG Label Group vice president, national promotion. "It's quite an accomplishment and we are amazed at the support of Chris with our radio partners."

As his radio hits and church favorites continue to reach millions of people, hundreds of thousands are responding, driving faster sales of Arriving CDs now than when it first released Sept. 21. Arriving debuted at No. 1 on the Praise & Worship, No. 3 on the Top Current Contemporary Christian and No. 39 on the Billboard Top 200 sales charts. Tomlin's fastest selling recording to date, Arriving re-entered the Billboard Top 200 two weeks ago at No. 141, moved up to No. 133 last week and is No. 124 this week, while simultaneously landing at No. 1 for the first time on the Top Christian Albums sales chart. More than 250,000 units of the recording have been shipped to date to retail.

"We are excited to see the growth of Chris Tomlin with Arriving," says David Crace, EMI CMG Label Group sr. vice president, artist development and marketing. "The growth in sales is up 162% from his last release and the church is using his songs as a resource more than ever before. Moreover, we believe true discovery is taking place on the road with the strategic touring opportunity we have had with Steven Curtis Chapman. We are experiencing the rewards of Chris and sixstepsrecords' team commitment to remaining faithful at what they have been called and gifted to do."

As the momentum for the single and the album continues, thousands of people are also experiencing Tomlin on the current All Things New tour with Steven Curtis Chapman and Casting Crowns. The successful 70-city, six-month tour, which began Oct. 21, has scored numerous Billboard top concert grosses.

"Tomlin can take Rock 'n' Roll and vertically integrate an experience with the Almighty," says John Huie, Creative Artists Agency agent. "He offers a unique experience that is becoming a major draw at venues across the country."

Tomlin is also receiving kudos from the music industry with three GMA Music Award nominations, including a Praise & Worship Album of the Year nod for Arriving. The recording further received a mention in USA Today for its sales success, was given a four-out-of-four star review by Knight Ridder News Service and was a top pick for favorite worship album of the year by ChristianityToday.com.

Rooted in Passion's collegiate movement that the New York Times calls "Christian Music's New Wave," Tomlin has released his first book in February, The Way I Was Made. Additional Chris Tomlin information, tour dates, etc., can be found at www.christomlin.com, as well as at www.sixstepsrecords.com and www.emicmg.com.

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords (www.sixstepsrecords.com) is a young worship label and a division of Choice Resources, the parent ministry for Passion Conferences. In addition to Tomlin, sixstepsrecords' artist-worshippers include David Crowder Band (Illuminate, "Sunsets & Sushi"), Charlie Hall (On The Road To Beautiful) and Matt Redman (Facedown). The label partners with Sparrow Records for marketing, sales and distribution operations.

For more information on Chris Tomlin, click here.