Trio Inks Exclusive Agreement with New Day Christian Distributors
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Nearly 50 years since the release of Fresh Surrender, a watershed album of the Jesus Music movement that proved pivotal in launching the Contemporary Christian genre, GRAMMY Award-winning sibling group The Archers return to the spotlight with “Legacy Medley,” out today from New Day Christian Distributors.
Recorded live at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin, Tennessee, “Legacy Medley” was produced by Tim and Cynthia Archer and co-produced by Steve Archer, Michael Blanton and Janice Archer Cruse. Revisiting five timeless selections, “Legacy Medley” highlights “Give Us This Day,” from the GRAMMY-winning compilation The Lord’s Prayer; the Andraé Crouch-penned “It Won’t Be Long”; fan favorite “Make Me An Instrument”; “I Never Knew Love,” from the group’s GRAMMY-nominated album Spreadin’ Like Wildfire; and the 1979 classic “Pickin’ Up The Pieces.” Bringing The Archers’ captivating familial harmonies and defining pop sound back to the forefront for a new generation, “Legacy Medley” also serves as a tribute to God’s unwavering faithfulness in the lives of group members Tim Archer, Steve Archer and Janice Archer Cruse.
“I wrote ‘Pickin’ Up The Pieces’ during a particularly difficult season in my life,” Tim Archer recalls. “And while standing onstage all these years later, having recently gone through treatment for oral cancer and not knowing if I would ever be able to sing again, I was living that song as I sang it. That rough and raw emotion you hear is real.”
Janice Archer Cruse says, “‘Legacy Medley’ is a reminder of what has inspired us from the beginning—Jesus and the life change He brings to every situation. Nothing is ever more important than Him and His ability to guide and anoint the why and how of our music.”
“As you listen to ‘Legacy Medley,’ you’ll hear themes of prayer, hope, life, love and repentance,” Tim adds. “No matter what we’ve done, or how broken we’ve become, He’s right there offering hope and love with open hands. I hope this music will encourage listeners to make Christ the center of their lives.”
Pictured Standing (L-R): Kyle Johnson and Ed Leonard, New Day Christian Distributors;Michael Blanton, Blanton Entertainment; and Dusty Wells, New Day Christian Distributors.
Seated (L-R): The Archers’ Steve Archer, Janice Archer Cruse and Tim Archer.
“Legacy Medley” marks The Archers’ New Day Christian Distributors debut, following a freshly inked exclusive agreement with the industry bulwark. “It’s such an honor to be working with New Day Distribution,” states Steve Archer. “They are the best! Thank you, Ed Leonard, for believing in our music, and when you have Dusty Wells on your team, that’s just the beautiful icing on the most delicious cake!”“We are absolutely thrilled here at New Day Distribution to announce our partnership with the award-winning group The Archers,” says Dusty Wells, director of artist and label relations, New Day Christian Distributors. “This powerful medley brings many of their timeless hits to life once again with such heart, soul and excellence. It’s an honor to help bring this music—rich with legacy, ministry, and impact—back into the hands of listeners everywhere. I’ve been a fan for years and I’m so very excited that our team here at New Day gets to help present this amazing music from Tim, Steve and Janice—The Archers.”
ABOUT THE ARCHERS
Comprised of siblings Tim Archer, Steve Archer and Janice Archer Cruse, The Archers quickly rose to international acclaim for their signature harmonies, cutting-edge pop production and commitment to proclaiming the Gospel. Pioneers of the Jesus Music movement of the 1970s, The Archers were the first artist to record Andraé Crouch’s “Jesus Is The Answer,” a genre-defining anthem beloved around the world. Their celebrated discography—which has amassed sales in excess of a million units—also includes such classics as “It Wouldn’t Be Enough”; “Fresh Surrender”; “Pickin’ Up The Pieces”; and “Make Me An Instrument.”
The Archers garnered a 1981 GRAMMY Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for their contribution to the Reba Rambo and Dony McGuire album The Lord’s Prayer. In addition, the trio made history as one of the first Christian artists ever to perform at the GRAMMY Awards, taking the stage in both 1981 and 1982 during the nationally televised broadcast.
Along with landmark appearances on The Mike Douglas Show and The Jerry Lewis Telethon, The Archers sold out Hollywood’s Universal Amphitheatre; were invited by President Jimmy Carter to perform at The White House; toured with beloved entertainers Pat Boone and BJ Thomas; and headlined concerts at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the LA Coliseum, among many other leading venues. As Contemporary Christian genre leaders, the group performed at the historic EXPLO ’72 in Dallas, and by 1975 The Archers had appeared at nearly every significant Jesus festival in North America and had toured extensively in Europe.
ABOUT NEW DAY CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTORS
New Day Christian Distributors is an independent distribution company started in 1981 by industry veteran Dottie Leonard Miller. New Day exclusively distributes to Christian retail Curb/Word, Fair Trade, WEA, Centricity, ADA, Integrity, Daywind, Reach, Gotee, Bethel, TillyMann, GoDigiPath, Tyscot, Venture3 Media, Malaco, Tooth and Nail, Red Street, Getty Music, Fuel, Nashville Label Group, New Day, and many other independent labels and artists. In addition to music, New Day represents a wide array of gift, toy, book, Bible, DVD, apparel, and church supply products from major companies in the United States and around the world.
For further information visit:
thearcherslegacylive.com, turningpointpr.com or newdaychristian.com.
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