Chris Tomlin. Photo: Robby Klein.

Grammy-winner Chris Tomlin and author Max Lucado will host Good Friday Worldwide on Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. CT.

Good Friday Worldwide with Tomlin and Lucado, will air on TBN and will simulcast with radio partners K-LOVE, Air1, and over 30 additional radio stations across the country. The television broadcast alone will be seen and heard in over 32 countries.

For the second straight year, the show will feature a message from Lucado and worship led by Tomlin along with Pat Barrett and We The Kingdom.

“This is a moment aligned by God to touch millions of lives,” says Tomlin. “One of the effects of this season and quarantine has been that the face of worship has changed. We aren’t going to a physical church every Sunday. We aren’t gathering in person with our community each week. We have been challenged to find new ways to not only engage ourselves and our families, but also our community in worship. What I know is that the heart of worship hasn’t changed, and I am so grateful for Max Lucado, K-LOVE, the other partnering radio stations, TBN and all the people involved for being willing to come together to help deliver a message of hope and remind us the meaning and power of worship. This is a unique moment in time and there is an opportunity for this to be one of the most impactful Easter weekends we will ever experience in our lifetime.”

“Seldom have we needed a Good Friday as we do this year,” says Lucado. “We’ve been tested, challenged and stretched. We need a refreshing return to the One who surrendered all on our behalf. Please join Chris, friends and me as we gather at the foot of the cross.”

In the spirit of Good Friday, Nashville, and its history of surprise guests, the program will also feature an unannounced award-winning musical guest.

Pictured (L-R): Lady Luck Songs’ founder and songwriter Kim Penz, Bobby McLamb (Mixtape Music Group), Davis Corley, Ashley Mascroft (Mixtape Music Group), Nicole Wyatt, and Hailey Steele

Roger Springer and Hailey Steele have signed exclusive publishing agreements with Lady Luck Songs.

Springer has co-written singles including Mark Chesnutt’s  “I Might Even Quit Lovin’ You,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Let It Rain,” and “Thank God for Believers;” Sammy Kershaw’s  “Matches;” Love and Theft’s “Dancing in Circles;” Randy Travis’ “T.I.M.E.;” and George Strait’s “I Ain’t Never Seen No One Like You,” among many others. He received an ASCAP Country Award as the co-writer of “Let It Rain” in 1998.

Steele began performing at an early age, sharing stages with country legends including Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. She moved to Nashville at 19. Steele’s co-writing credits include Raelynn’s “Boyfriend,” Gwen Sebastian’s “Small Town Soul,” and Kalie Shorr’s “Fight Like a Girl,” among others. The singer-songwriter just released a new single, “American Spirit,” co-written with Caitlyn Smith.

Springer and Steele join the company’s songwriter roster which includes Davis Corley, Maks Gabriel, and company founder, Kim Penz.

In other company news, Nicole Wyatt has been retained as an independent song plugger for Lady Luck Songs, and the company will provide administration and song-pitching services for Mixtape Music Group. After collaborating for the past two years, Lady Luck Songs and Mixtape Music Group have formalized a partnership. Lady Luck is now handling all pitching and administration services for Mixtape’s songwriter roster, which includes Bobby McLamb, Darrel Rae, Landon Magee, Chloe Lawson, and John Pate.

“We are thrilled to welcome Roger and Hailey, both big and inspiring talents, and look forward to facilitating their continued successful creative journeys,” says Penz, Lady Luck Songs Founder. “And Nicole’s experience and passion for songs will be a big asset for our fast-growing company.”

Country lifestyle network Circle has been awarded Best Streaming TV Platform at the 2021 Digiday Video and TV Awards, which recognized the best companies and campaigns using video to modernize media and marketing.

In what was declared the most competitive category, Circle came out on top next to players like Samsung TV Plus, Tubi, Atmosphere and Local Now.

Since launching in January 2020, Circle’s programming and media partnerships has grown the network’s reach to nearly 150 million potential viewers around the world. The network’s Opry Live series, a one-hour series featuring Grand Ole Opry performances, began on March 14 and has since reached 55 million views from over 100 countries. The series earned the No. 1 spot across all genres on Pollstar’s Top 100 Livestreamers chart in 2020.

The panel of Digiday judges shared that, “Circle saw the need for a one-stop-content shop for country music fans that didn’t really exist anywhere else—serving fans who want to access the best audiovisual content in country music’s past and present. With the lack of concerts, backstage passes and intimate shows in 2020, Circle doubled down on bringing country to the fans, keeping the flame of finding new music burning bright—and keeping the connection between artist and audience alive for when stages are filled with music again.”

Circle also made the 2021 Digiday Video and TV Awards shortlist for Best Facebook Watch Show on behalf of Opry Live, as well as for TV Executive of the Year on behalf of Circle GM, Drew Reifenberger.

“We could not be more proud to be recognized by Digiday as the Best Streaming TV Platform of 2021. Throughout the pandemic, we have stayed committed to delivering high-quality content that connects a global, growing country music fan base to their favorite country music artists,” says Reifenberger. “Although this past year has presented its fair share of challenges and obstacles, the response that we have received from our audience has been tremendous and encouraging. The honor of receiving this award represents a major milestone in our growth.”

Anna Vaus

Singer-songwriter Anna Vaus released the lead single from her sophomore EP today (March 26), “Girl In A Bar.”

“I had the idea for the title ‘Girl in a Bar’ after having a dream that I dated Harry Styles and he broke up with me—very normal, it’s fine. I was lucky enough to write and produce it with Luke Laird, who is one of my heroes. This song is so special to me and I am so psyched for it to be out in the world now.”

Vaus’ upcoming EP was co-produced with Laird, and finds the Poway, California native blending refreshing hooks and unmistakably relatable lyrics.

“I’m guilty as charged when it comes to writing about where I come from,” she says. “It’s made me who I am. So many different experiences have shown me the ups & downs, the lights & darks of growing up. Although I haven’t turned all of those into songs, the ones I do are the truth.”