John Berry. Photo: Wyatt Culler

John Berry has recorded a new album of Gospel classics that have inspired him throughout his life. Find My Joy is due out on March 25 via Gaither Music Group’s Gaither Gospel Series.

His rendition of the classic “I Surrender All” is available now, and a second track, “How Great Thou Art,” will be released March 4.

Berry delivers timeless standards, such as “How Great Thou Art,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” and “I Surrender All,” as well as several new songs on the project. His performance of “Something Bigger Than Me” includes the 60-piece Utah Symphony Orchestra, arranged by Larry Herbstritt and conducted by producer Steve Dorff, with piano from award-winning studio musician and artist Gordon Mote.

The project’s title track was written in September 2020 by Dorff and Jack Cassidy. When Dorff played the song for Berry, he immediately connected with the message. He had been through a hard season physically, emotionally and mentally–battling throat cancer and navigating the touring impacts of the pandemic. Hearing and recording the song was part of his journey to find joy again. 

“I love the opportunity I have had to create new music, and it is awesome to look back here at the beginning of a new year and see that for 10, 20, 25 years I have had new music to share. Amazing!” shares Berry.

“Gaither Music Group is honored to partner with John and his team for this special recording,” says Paul Sizelove, president of Gaither Music Group. “John has impacted countless people with his songwriting, performances and radio hits. He has developed a brand of faith and family that brings uplifting entertainment as well as encouragement to listeners, and we are excited to introduce his renditions of these timeless songs on the Gaither platforms.”

Find My Joy Track List:
1. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Traditional arrangement by Steve Dorff / John Berry
2. I Surrender All – Traditional arrangement by Steve Dorff / John Berry
3. Find My Joy – Steve Dorff / Jack Cassidy
4. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Traditional arrangement by Steve Dorff / John Berry
5. It Is Well With My Soul – Traditional arrangement by Steve Dorff / John Berry
6. Something Bigger Than Me – Steve Dorff / Marty Panzer
7. How Great Thou Art – Stuart K. Hine
8. Blessings – Laura Story
9. Blessed Assurance – Traditional arrangement by Steve Dorff / John Berry
10. Live Like You – Steve Dorff / Jack Cassidy

Parker McCollum. Photo: Courtesy of True Public Relations

Parker McCollum has entered the top five country streaming songs this week. The singer-songwriter’s current single, “To Be Loved By You,” comes in at No. 4 with 5.3 million streams, according to MRC data.

Securing the top spot on the top country streaming songs for another week is Walker Hayes‘ “Fancy Like.” The track boasts 6 million streams this week, contributing to a staggering 336 million streams RTD. The Monument recording artist also snags No. 3 as “AA” gains 5.7 million streams. “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) falls to No. 2 with 5.7 million streams. Cody Johnson round out the top with “Til You Can’t” adding 5 million streams this week.

On the albums chart, Morgan Wallen continues to have the most consumed country album this week as Dangerous: The Double Album earns 41K in total consumption (1.4K album only/50 million song streams), according to MRC data. Taylor Swift holds steady in the second spot with Red (Taylor’s Version) gaining 25K in total consumption. Hayes’ Country Stuff: The Album falls to fourth with 17K. Luke Combs claims the remaining two spots: What You See Is What You Get in third with 17K and This One’s For You in fifth with 15K in total consumption.

Trisha Yearwood officially welcomes Lauren Alaina as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo

Lauren Alaina was officially inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (Feb. 12) by her friend and mentor Trisha Yearwood.

Yearwood surprised Alaina before their performance of Yearwood’s classic “Walkaway Joe,” introducing her husband Garth Brooks to the stage to play guitar for them.

“What I have gotten to observe in knowing you for the couple of years I have known you is how genuine you are,” Yearwood shared. “I think country music is in good hands. You are exactly the kind of artist that the Opry loves, and wants and looks for. Usually when someone gets inducted they say ‘it’s on behalf of all the members of the Grand Ole Opry,’ and I’m going to say that, but I also want to say every single person from the house band, to the crew, to who is parking cars, everybody tonight says how deserving you are and it’s about time. So on behalf of myself, all the members of the Opry, the crew and everyone who is associated with the Opry, you are now officially a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Miss Lauren Alaina.”

Lauren Alaina. Photo: Chris Hollo

“Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of this moment,” said Alaina. “Both of my parents raised me with an appreciation for country music and all that it is, and all of the people who have come before me. I just want to say I promise to do everything I can to represent country music. I promise to represent this family well. I have felt like family here as long as I remember. Everyone at the Opry has always made me feel like family so for me to finally be officially in is the biggest dream come true of all time. Most little girls dreamed of their wedding; I dreamed of this. God Bless you guys and God bless country music.”

The Opry was the first major stage Alaina played just a week after she was named runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol, making her Opry debut on June 10, 2011. She has appeared on the hallowed stage more than 50 times since.

EJ Gaines

Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has promoted EJ Gaines to Sr. VP Marketing/Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel.

Gaines has served as Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel and Vice President of Marketing at CCMG since 2018, prior to his position as Motown Gospel’s Vice President of Marketing. He reports to Capitol Christian Music Group Co-President Hudson Plachy.

In his new, expanded role, Gaines’ responsibilities include overseeing the marketing and brand development for many Capitol CMG artists, while also maintaining his role and responsibilities as co-executive director at Motown Gospel. Most recently, he oversaw the marketing campaigns for Harry Connick Jr.‘s award-winning project, Alone With My Faith; Tori Kelly’s Grammy winning Gospel album, Hiding Place; and Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s acclaimed Royalty: Live at The Ryman.

“I’m thrilled for EJ and this well-deserved promotion,” shares Plachy. “EJ is an important part of the senior leadership team at CCMG and he has taken on increased responsibility to serve our artists across the company. He brings unique experience and energy to the artists and partners we serve at CCMG.”

“EJ is an excellent executive who embodies our company’s mission,” echoes Co-President Brad O’Donnell. “We’re very thankful to have him on our team and believe he will do great things in his new role.”

Previously, Gaines was an entertainment attorney and artist manager, helping to guide the careers of numerous Grammy award-winning and chart-topping artists, including Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, Donald Lawrence, William McDowell, and Jonathan McReynolds. He began his career at Jive Records and Verity Records, before becoming an executive assistant to Platinum-selling Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin.

“I’m thrilled to serve our artists, writers, and label team in this greater leadership capacity,” Gaines adds. “It’s an exciting time of forging new paths for our company, and I’m so fortunate to work with the best in the business as we continue to impact the world with our music.”