Jay DeMarcus is telling his life story in a new Zondervan book due out in April, Shotgun Angels: My Story of Broken Roads and Unshakable Hope. The memoir gives readers a backstage pass to the unique journey that led DeMarcus from small-town Ohio to some of the world’s largest stages.

“I’m really looking forward to sharing a pretty personal look at my path so far, as that isn’t something I’ve done yet,” said DeMarcus. “In Shotgun Angels, readers will hear never-before-told stories and get a glimpse into what it was like for me coming from Columbus Ohio and my journey to Nashville. My ultimate goal is that the book will encourage people that no matter where they are in their lives, they can find hope, comfort and strength in their faith.”

Set for release April 30, the book rollout will include a major national media launch and a multi-city book tour.

The lineup has been revealed for 2019’s Stagecoach festival, which returns Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28. Luke Bryan will headline Friday, while Sam Hunt will lead the Saturday lineup and Jason Aldean will close out the festival on Sunday.

The festival returns for its 13th year at Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California. The three-day event will also feature performances by Cole Swindell, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Kane Brown, CAM, Lauren Alaina, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels, Tom Jones and more.

“I am so proud to present the Stagecoach 2019 lineup following our record breaking show last year,” says festival Talent Buyer Stacy Vee. “This line up is gigantic! Guy Fieri is coming back! We are going to make the site look even more incredible. The whole team is already working overtime to deliver an unforgettable experience from top to bottom.”

Guy [Fieri]’s Stagecoach Smokehouse is back this year with a new cast of the nation’s finest pit bosses alongside the most celebrated restaurants and BBQ vendors. Guy and friends will be showcasing their pits and rigs and offering taste tests to fans throughout the weekend with live demos. Stay tuned for the full food lineup.

Returning to the festival this year is the SiriusXM Spotlight Stage, which will once again highlight today’s rising stars like Tyler Rich, Travis Denning, Mitchell Tenpenny and more. The Honkytonk Dance Hall also makes its return alongside the latest fan-favorite, Nikki Lane’s Stage Stop Marketplace.

Car camping returns for 2019 with the added option to purchase Companion Camping Parking for additional vehicles. Revisit The Resort this season with full amenities like the internet café, charging stations, General Store, Supermarket Shuttles and on-site pedal cabs. These options and more will be available for purchase, with Travel Packages, Shuttles and the all new Safari Camping Experience available via Valley Music Travel.

Festival passes go on sale Friday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. PDT at stagecoachfestival.com.

 

Songwriter Colby Wedgeworth earned his first ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year honor Monday evening (Oct. 15) during this year’s annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards, held in Franklin, Tennessee. In the past year, Wedgeworth has had five of the most-performed CCM songs, including “Beloved,” “Old Church Choir,” “Unfinished,” “Whole Heart,” and “Word of Life.”

“Thank you to Matthew [West] and Ben Glover for letting someone else win this year,” he quipped. “I grew up on Christian music, and always wanted to do this, so it’s an honor to be working alongside all of you.”

The ASCAP award is just the beginning of a week filled with nominations and honors, as Wedgeworth is also the leading nominee going into Tuesday’s Dove Awards, with eight nominations. In 2017, Wedgeworth’s “The River,” co-written with and recorded by Jordan Feliz, was honored as the ASCAP Song of the Year.

The ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year went to “Even If,” penned by Glover, David Garcia, and Crystal Lewis, and recorded by MercyMe. The track is published by 9 T One Songs, All Essential Music, Capitol CMG Publishing Group, Crystallized, D Soul Music, and Let’s Be Beautiful. Co-writer and five-time ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year Glover performed an acoustic version of the song.

Several members of ASCAP’s leadership team were on hand, including Paul Williams, Michael Martin, John Titta, Beth Brinker, Mike Sistad, and Nicole George-Middleton.

For the 16th consecutive year, Capitol CMG Publishing earned the title of ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year, having earned seven award-winning songs this year, including “Even If,” “Forgiven,” “Live Like You’re Loved,” “Love Broke Thru,” “Oh My Soul,” “The Gospel,”  and “Unfinished.” Capitol CMG Executive Vice President Casey McGinty and his team were on hand to accept the award.

Two special honors went to Twila Paris and the Gospel Music Association. The GMA was honored with the ASCAP Partners in Music Award.

“I get to serve with an incredible group of people,” said GMA’s Jackie Patillo, who noted that more than 1.7 million people watched last year’s GMA Dove Awards. “This is a sweet night for us.”

Twila Paris, who has earned 33 No. 1 hits and has been with ASCAP since 1981, was honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award. Steve Green was on hand to honor Paris, as was trio Selah, who performed a medley of Paris’ signature hits, as well as her classic “How Beautiful.”

A total of 19 most-performed song awards were presented during the show, while invited guests enjoyed additional live performances from Matthew West, Jason Houser and A.J. Pruis (“Broken Things”) and the choir from Dickson, Tennessee’s First Baptist Church (“Old Church Choir”). Loren Patterson, a seven-year-old member of the choir, became an accidental media star when a video clip of her dancing during a performance of “Old Church Choir” went viral.

Other artists in attendance during the ASCAP Christian Music Awards include Ryan Stevenson, David Dunn, David Crowder, Unspoken and Emily Weisband.