Pictured (l-r) on the Grand Ole Opry® stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium are (l-r) NewSong’s Mark Clay, Jack Pumphrey and Rico Thomas; Francesca Battistelli; and NewSong’s Eddie Carswell, Billy Goodwin and Russ Lee (photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry)
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—One of Christian music’s most influential bands, GRAMMY®-nominated NewSong, recently made their Grand Ole Opry® debut on the stage of Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Performing their multi-format megahit—and one of the most popular modern holiday songs of all time—“The Christmas Shoes,” NewSong was also joined by GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli for a rendition of “The Best Christmas Ever,” the title-cut of the group’s critically-acclaimed 2016 holiday set.
In addition to NewSong’s debut, the Opry’s star-studded evening lineup included country/pop hitmakers Restless Heart; GRAMMY®-nominated bluegrass singer/songwriter Sierra Hull; Warner Bros. recording artist William Michael Morgan; Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy; and Opry members Jeannie Seely and Mike Snider, among others.
Audiences around the country can currently catch NewSong showcasing seasonal favorites during their annual “Very Merry Christmas Tour.” This year’s tour also features GRAMMY®-nominated, multi Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Crowder, as well as Word recording artist Sarah Reeves. Presented by Holt International, “NewSong’s Very Merry Christmas Tour” will hit 12 cities this month before concluding December 17 in Clinton, Tennessee.
About NewSong
With a career spanning more than 30 years, NewSong’s accolades include 20 albums, 20 #1 Christian radio singles, a #1 mainstream AC hit, a GRAMMY® Award nomination and induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, among numerous other achievements. Founders and hosts of Christian music’s largest annual tour, the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, the outing exploded from a single show in 1995 to the world’s #1 first-quarter tour for four consecutive years, according to Pollstar. One of the most beloved bands in Christian music, NewSong’s discography includes such defining songs as “Arise, My Love,” “The Christmas Shoes,” “Rescue“ and “The Same God.”
About the Grand Ole Opry®
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday Night Opry shows through December 13 and Wednesday shows through August 10. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
NewSong and Francesca Battistelli onstage at the Grand Ole Opry®.(photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry)-30-
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