NASHVILLE, Tenn.—One of Christian music’s leading full-service entertainment management firms, First Company Management is set to wrap 2018 with four new signees to its acclaimed roster. In addition, the agency is celebrating a string of major accomplishments from its top artists, including Newsboys, Ryan Stevenson and Austin French.First Company general manager Mike McCloskey recently announced the signings of worship leader London Gatch; Anberlin frontman Stephen Christian; singer/songwriter Conrad Johnson; and popular blogger and speaker Jordan Lee Dooley to the firm’s management roster.
Stephen Christian has been the lead vocalist of popular alternative rockers Anberlin since their inception in 2002. To date, Anberlin has released seven studio albums and multiple hit singles. Christian, also a worship leader and speaker based in Florida, is currently at work on his BEC Recordings solo EP.
With a solo debut slated for 2019, Conrad Johnson rose to prominence in the former hit duo Chris & Conrad (“Lead Me To The Cross”). He continues to be a sought-after singer/songwriter, worship leader, producer and engineer, contributing to Michael W. Smith’s 2019 GRAMMY®-nominated album Surrounded.
A speaker, blogger, author and social media influencer with an audience of more than 400,000 women, Jordan Lee Dooley is known for her tagline-turned-movement, “Your Brokenness Is Welcome Here.” Dooley’s SHE Podcast launched this fall and reached #2 on iTunes’ overall podcast chart. Her WaterBrook/Penguin Random House book debut is set for spring.
“It’s an incredible honor to serve our growing family of artists and we’re humbled to welcome London, Stephen, Conrad and Jordan to the roster,” said First Company general manager Mike McCloskey. “We celebrate what God has already accomplished through these extraordinary individuals, and we’re excited to walk alongside them for all He has ahead.”
In addition, First Company Management flagship artist Newsboys conclude a banner year highlighted by the return of former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel. Hitting the road as Newsboys United, the supergoup played 100 shows around the country in 2018 and the band was recently honored for career sales in excess of 10 million units. Newsboys United are also set to headline the “Winter Jam 2019 Tour Spectacular” and will hit the road for the first time ever with Michael W. Smith for “Surrounded & United: The Tour” in late spring.
Gotee singer/songwriter Ryan Stevenson ended the year as a Mediabase Christian AC Top 10 Artist of 2018 with three songs on the Billboard Christian Airplay Top 100 of 2018 chart and a Top 10 Billboard Christian AC song of 2018. His consistency at radio was made evident by the fact that Stevenson had two songs on the Billboard Christian Airplay Top 50 chart simultaneously for 31 of the 50 charting weeks and at least one song in that Top 50 for 49 of the 50 charting weeks. Stevenson will be featured on TobyMac’s 2019 “Hits Deep Tour,” alongside Jeremy Camp, Jordan Feliz, We Are Messengers and Aaron Cole.
Singer/songwriter Austin French’s FairTrade Services debut, Wide Open, bowed in September and features the hits “Born Again” and “Freedom Hymn,” as well as “Good Feeling,” which was used in promotion for NBC’s “The Voice.” Named FOX Sports Channel’s September Artist of the Month, French is set to join Casting Crowns’ “Only Jesus Tour” next year. Along with singer/songwriter Zach Williams, French will support the highly anticipated 37-city outing kicking off February 21 in Richmond, Virginia.
First Company Management was established in 1995 by Christian music visionary Wes Campbell. Under the guidance of Campbell and Dave Wagner, the firm’s roster includes GRAMMY®-nominated, Platinum-selling Newsboys; GRAMMY®-nominated Ryan Stevenson; Dove Award-nominated 7eventh Time Down; pop/rock hitmakers Ashes Remain; former Stellar Kart and Audio Adrenaline frontman Adam Agee; and breakout new artist Austin French. In addition, First Company played a significant role in the development of “God’s Not Dead,” one of the most successful faith-based film franchises of all time.
For further information, visit fcmgt.com or turningpointpr.com.