Nashville — One of Christian music’s most highly regarded and successful bands, NewSong, is slated to bring their “A Very Merry Christmas Tour” to Clements Baptist Church in Athens at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Headlined by the Grammy-nominated group known for their No. 1 mainstream radio hit and holiday classic, “The Christmas Shoes,” the tour will also feature Fervent recording artist Big Daddy Weave and special guest Fervent/Reprise singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli.

Tickets are $10 general admission and $20 Gold Circle (which includes a backstage pass).  Children ages 8 and under are admitted free.  Tickets are available at Clements Baptist Church or at LifeWay stores in Huntsville and Florence.  For further information, visit www.clementsbaptist.org.  

NewSong will present selections from their acclaimed Christmas recordings, “The Christmas Shoes” and “The Christmas Hope.”  The group’s 2001 multi-format hit, “The Christmas Shoes,” was nominated for a Grammy Award and has become a standard at both Christian and mainstream radio each holiday season.  The song also inspired the New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Donna VanLiere, as well as the top-rated CBS television movie, “The Christmas Shoes,” based on the book.

NewSong’s 28 years in music have yielded 17 albums; 20 No. 1 singles; and a Grammy Award nomination, among numerous other achievements.  The band’s most definitive recording to date, “Give Yourself Away,” releases this month on their new label, His Honor Music (EMI CMG Distribution).  Marking the official return of acclaimed vocalist Russ Lee to the group, the project is also NewSong’s first collaboration with one of Christian music’s most renowned producers, Charlie Peacock.  In January NewSong will host Christian music’s largest annual tour, the

Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular, which will hit 44 cities and will feature some of the top artists in the genre.  For further information on the band, visit www.newsongonline.com.

Big Daddy Weave hit the spotlight in 2002 when One and Only debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top Five, the highest debut for a new artist that year. Garnering its first No. 1 hit with “Audience of One,” the band now has a total of five No. 1 singles and six top 5 hits.  Still comprised of all original members, Big Daddy Weave releases its first Christmas album, Christ Is Come, this holiday season.  Produced by the band’s own Jeremy Redmon, the 10-song CD provides holiday classics and original songs, including the soldier-themed single, “I’ll Be Brave This Christmas.” For more information on Big Daddy Weave, visit www.bigdaddyweave.com.

New York City-born singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli released her debut, My Paper Heart, last year.  The project boasts the multi-week and multi-format #1 hit, “Free to be Me,” which has earned Battistelli the distinction as the most added female artist and new artist in Christian radio history. She was nominated for five 2009 GMA Dove Awards, including Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. Battistelli’s music has been featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and NBC’s “Biggest Loser,” among other programs.  For additional information on Francasca Battistelli, visit www.francescamusic.com.

For a complete list of dates and further information on NewSong’s “A Very Merry Christmas Tour,” visit www.newsongonline.com or contact Turning Point Media Relations, Inc. at (615) 261-1818.