http://grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/ en tim@grafmartin.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-10T14:48:38-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/be_part_of_something_extraordinary/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/be_part_of_something_extraordinary/#When:13:48:38Z Join Graf-Martin Communications Inc in it’s efforts to help increase funding for research so that one day they will find a cure and make a difference in the life of people with multiple sclerosis. As a team we are doing the Kitchener - Waterloo MS Walk 2010 on April 18, 2010. Please feel free to make a pledge or donation for the cause. Thank you for your consideration of this cause. Why We Walk Funds raised through the MS Walk will help people with MS in a number of ways. Proceeds of the event will support the MS Society’s national research program, as well as provide services to local people living with MS and their families. You are making a difference in the fight to end MS. The Mission for the MS Society of Canada To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life. 2010-03-10T13:48:38-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/brenton_brown_cd_review_and_blog_event/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/brenton_brown_cd_review_and_blog_event/#When:20:12:33Z Dear Music Lovers: Further to our announcement about his recent release, we have decided that It’s time for a music blog event. You get a copy of Brenton’s latest CD in exchange for posting a review of it on your blog. Are you interested? For more information about Brenton Brown, click here. Participation in the blog tour is easy, but is is only open to those in Canada. *Please contact us by end of day February 28th if you would like to participate. 2010-02-24T20:12:33-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/historical_fiction_march_blog_event/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/historical_fiction_march_blog_event/#When:21:26:43Z Hello Canadian Bloggers: It’s time for another blog event! Are you interested? Revell A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin (Historical Fiction) Scattered Petals by Amanda Cabot (Historical Fiction) The Promise of Morning by Ann Shorey (Historical Fiction) Bethany House Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr (Historical Fiction) Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller (Historical Fiction) You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Participation in the blog tour is easy. *Please reply by end of day February 28th indicating which book(s) you want to review.This will be an opt-in offer. If you are interested in being a part of this blog tour, please contact us for more details. 2010-02-23T21:26:43-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/the_most_popular_worship_songwriter_you_may_have_never_heard_of/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/the_most_popular_worship_songwriter_you_may_have_never_heard_of/#When:17:31:57Z Brenton Brown releases “ADORATION” tomorrow Feb 23 Modern worship songwriter/artist Brenton Brown releases his full-length album, Adoration, Feb. 23 from Kingsway North America. Initially released in the UK under the title, Because of Your Love, the album has never been released in the US or Canada and has since been repackaged and expanded. It features a brand new song, “A Thousand Stars,” a new version of “Adoration,” a remix of “Amazing God,” and re-recordings of Brenton’s classic congregational favorites “Holy” and “All Who Are Thirsty.” Modern worship songwriter/artist Brenton Brown may be the most popular worship leader you have never heard of.  Brenton has five CCLI’s Top 100 songs that are being sung by millions in churches all around the world, as well as played in concert venues and recorded on albums by an acclaimed group of artists, such as Chris Tomlin, Rebecca St. James, Lincoln Brewster and Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely (familiar anthems as “Lord Reign in Me,” “All Who Are Thirsty,” “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)” and “Everlasting God,” which was honored by ASCAP as one of the most performed songs in the USA in 2007 across all genres, marking the first time that a worship song has been recognized with such an honor). “Jude [Brenton’s wife] and I had been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and the scriptures in Isaiah 40 took on a significance I never dreamed I’d have to understand,” recalls Brenton. “The chorus of ‘Everlasting God’ was inspired by the ‘punch line’ of Isaiah 40 – God is everlasting, unfailing, unflagging. There is no limit to his strength and energy. More than that, this powerful, always-strong God has compassion and mercy on those who call on Him. He lifts us up when we are weak…an enormously comforting and sometimes challenging truth that we have been able to hold on to.” “Adoration,” which is being released to radio this month, is an encouragement from Brenton to always hold onto hope in the Lord, no matter the circumstances. The song is Brenton’s expression of hope having gone through the painful loss of a stillborn baby girl, Gracie, and the terror of nine months of pregnancy before the eventual joy with the healthy birth of his daughter, Bella. Raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Brenton attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes scholar studying political, philosophical and theological coursework before discovering a new style of worship spearheaded by the Vineyard Church and eventually participating in the movement’s first recordings led by worship leader Brian Doerksen, Come Now Is The Time and Hungry.  Brenton also co-produced two Vineyard UK recordings, Surrender and Holy, and was worship pastor at the Oxford Vineyard, UK.  Brenton now resides in Malibu, CA as his songs reverberate around the world.  In addition the songs mentioned above, Brenton has written such modern classics as “Your Love is Amazing,” “Holy” and “Humble King.” 2010-02-22T17:31:57-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/kingsway_north_america_launched/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/kingsway_north_america_launched/#When:00:48:21Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New David C. Cook music division developed (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) Publisher and distributor David C. Cook has recently made a significant investment into the world of worship music in acquiring Kingsway Music. While the UK division will remain in Eastbourne, England, the newly established North American office will be opening in Colorado Springs, CO in March. Steve Nicolle, Director of Music & Media at David C. Cook Distribution Canada will be heading up this new Kingsway division. Kingsway North America has been developed to more effectively serve the North American church with music. “Bringing worship music into our publishing mix fits very well with David C. Cook’s corporate vision of equipping the church worldwide. It enables us to incorporate excellent music to our already-strong curriculum lines, and bring a whole new dimension of resources to the church” says Nicolle. For more than thirty years, Kingsway UK has produced excellent worship music from well-known artists like Delirious?, Tim Hughes and Matt Redman. While these artists received a warm welcome in Canada and the USA, some of the best worship songwriters from the Kingsway Music list went largely unknown. As a prime example, Brenton Brown may be the most popular worship leader that you’ve never heard of. With five of his songs in the CCLI top 100, millions of people sing his songs in churches across the continent every week. Brenton’s work includes “Lord Reign in Me,” “Your Love is Amazing,” “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)” and “Everlasting God,” which was honoured by ASCAP as one of the most performed songs in the USA in 2007 across all genres, marking the first time that a worship song has been recognized with such an honour.  Nicolle elaborates, “While many of our songwriters have not toured North America, their songs have traveled. Outside of North America, people know these songwriters by name. Here, their songs were recorded by other well-known recording artists. Directly overseeing and investing in our work in North America means that we can bring these top-notch songwriters themselves to the forefront so that both the songwriters and their songs are recognizable in churches. We need to help North Americans catch up on who the writers of the songs are, connecting them with their stories.” In addition to bringing exposure to their already established artists, Kingsway North America is investing in developing home-grown talent. Canadian Ben Cantelon (from Christian Life Assembly, Langley, BC)  will have his new album, Running After You, launch on March 23rd. Nashville-based artists Chris McClarney, Kelly Minter and Miriam Webster all have albums releasing in 2010. Kingsway North America will release twenty-five to thirty new albums yearly. Canadian distribution is through David C. Cook Distribution Canada. American distribution is through EMI Christian Music Group. ### For interviews, album review copies or further information, please contact Ellen Graf-Martin, Graf-Martin Communications More information on Kingsway Music is available at:  www.kingsway.co.uk or www.yourmusiczone.com Kingsway artist press shots & cover art are available at: www.kingswaypresskit.com More information on David C. Cook Distribution Canada is available at: www.davidccook.ca Kingsway North America New Album Release Listing Winter / Spring 2010 Street Date Artist Title Format 26-Jan-10 Prague Symphony Orchestra Symphony Of Praise 3CD 26-Jan-10 Chris McClarney Introducing Chris McClarney CD 9-Feb-10       Various Artists 24/7 Exit Music CD 23-Feb-10 Various Artists The Power Of The Cross 2CD 23-Feb-10 Stuart Townend Introducing Stuart Townend CD 23-Feb-10 Roy Fields Rain Down CD 23-Feb-10 Brenton Brown Adoration CD 23-Mar-10 Kelly Minter Introducing Kelly Minter CD 23-Mar-10 Ben Cantelon Running After You CD 23-Mar-10 Delirious? 2-4-1 Glo / Mezzamophis 2CD 23-Mar-10 Delirious? 2-4-1 King of Fools / Live & In The Can 2CD 23-Mar-10 Delirious? 2-4-1 Cutting Edge One & Two / Three & Four 2CD 20-Apr-10 Eoghan Heaslip Introducing Eoghan Heaslip CD 20-Apr-10 Various Artists The Best Hymns Album In The World Ever 3CD 20-Apr-10 Miriam Webster Made Me Glad CD 20-Apr-10 Matt Redman Ultimate Collection CD 18-May-10 Worship Disciple In Christ Alone 2CD 18-May-10 Delirious? Farewell CD/DVD       2010-02-11T00:48:21-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/on_ctv_and_on_radio/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/on_ctv_and_on_radio/#When:15:46:20Z I (Ellen) had a great time with CTV’s Brent Hanson and a panel of three other guests taping the TV program “What’s Your Point?” this week! It was a new experience to be part of a show where you are encouraged to argue with the other guests! We discussed controversial issues like: -Should Steve Fonyo have been stripped of his Order of Canada honour? -What do you think of the proposed Ashley Madison ‘have an affair’ ads on Toronto Transit? -Is it right that local hospital employees are getting six-figure payouts when they’re fired? If you’re in the Southern Ontario area, tune in to CKCO at 6:30 Saturday evening! The show had a great surprise ending, so be sure to watch right through! PS – Saturday is a big day for me - I’ll be co-hosting The Drew Marshall Show this Saturday! You can listen in online at www.drewmarshall.ca or on Joy1250 AM in the GTA On Saturday evenings at 6:30 p.m., CKCO broadcasts What’s Your Point?, which features a four-member panel debating current issues, and is hosted by Brent Hanson. 2010-02-05T15:46:20-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/february_blog_tour/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/february_blog_tour/#When:18:26:44Z It’s time for a February blog tour offering. It will take place February 21-27. Do you have a blog? Are you interested? Bethany Fiction Beguiled by Deeanne Gist, J. Mark Bertrand (Mystery Fiction) Hunter’s Moon by Don Hoesel (Suspense Fiction) Revell Books A Mom’s Ultimate Book of Lists, 100+ Lists to Save You Time, Money, and Sanity by Michelle LaRowe (Non-Fiction) Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson (Contemporary Fiction) Anything but Normal by Melody Carlson (YA Fiction) Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith (Biblical Fiction) You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates, and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Participation in the blog tour is easy: * Please reply by end of day February 3rd indicating which book(s) you want for review. This will be an opt-in offer. If you are interested in being a part of this blog tour, please contact us. 2010-01-28T18:26:44-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/five_love_languages_canadian_blog_tour/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/five_love_languages_canadian_blog_tour/#When:19:56:51Z We are pleased to offer a blog tour for the month of February for the bestselling book: The Five Love LanguagesOver 5 million copies of the book have been sold, it has been one of the longest titles on the New York Bestsellers list, and its popularity (and sales) has increased incrementally year over year. This book has a new cover design and it is being re-released with the other books in the series also with new cover designs. It has helped millions of people in their professional and marriage relationships. The Five Love Languages first released in 1992, rocketed to the top spot of the New York Times bestseller list. If you have a blog and you are interested in being a part of this blog tour, please be sure to contact us. * Please reply by end of day Sunday January 31st. There are limited numbers of copies available for review so if we run out, it will be first come, first served. 2010-01-26T19:56:51-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/welcoming_our_new_staff_addition_julie_warkentin/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/welcoming_our_new_staff_addition_julie_warkentin/#When:03:03:57Z As we continue to grow here at Graf-Martin Communications, we’re pleased to announce the addition of Julie Warkentin to our team! Julie Warkentin will be our new Marketing Assistant and Special Markets Consultant. In this role, Julie will provide support for our marketing and publicity campaigns and will be assisting ministries, organizations and other special markets customers across Canada in selecting the best available resources from Baker Publishing Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers as well as other sales initiatives. Customer Service has been at the core of every position Julie has ever held. In both non-profit and corporate environments, she has learned to assist clients and her co-workers in getting the job done effectively and efficiently. She spent 11 years at R.G. Mitchell Family Books and RGM Distribution in a variety of roles including Inside Sales, Retail Management, Administration, and Supervision. She is working toward her Business Diploma at Conestoga College on a part-time basis. 2010-01-20T03:03:57-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/five_love_languages_-_which_one_is_yours/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/five_love_languages_-_which_one_is_yours/#When:23:14:06Z We’re having fun promoting Dr. Gary Chapman’s ”Five Love Languages” book. It is undeniable that Dr. Chapman has discovered something that is resonating with people! Over 5 million copies of the book have been sold, it has been one of the longest titles on the New York Bestsellers list, and it’s popularity (and sales) has increased incrementally year over year. It has helped millions of people in their professional and marriage relationships. Do you know what your love language(s) are? If not, you can take a short assessment to find out on his brand new website. After you finish the assessment, post your findings as a comment below, and you’ll be entered in a draw to win a copy of the book!* *Rules: The giveaway is only open to those with a Canadian mailing address. One entry per person. Real names must be used. The entry closes on Jan 22, 2010 at 8pm ET, the drawing will be conducted at random. There will be more than 1 winner but there will be limited quantities. Winners will be contacted using the email address that is part of comment posting process (but that is kept non-public). QUESTION: In what ways do you think understanding and practicing the 5 Love Languages will change your relationships? 2010-01-11T23:14:06-05:00