Press Release
Interface Recording artist MICAH STAMPLEY will release his third CD RANSOMED in stores on November 11, 2008. Stampley's powerful, multi-octave voice was recorded live (with the exception of two songs) late summer at the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia in front of an audience of over 2,000 people. The 17-track (with reprises) project showcases the Houston-based artists' staggering vocal power and sensitivity.
"I believe that God is opening doors for me to do mission work that is in my heart to do, and this CD is allowing me to accomplish that by getting outside of the four-wall structure of the church and compelling man to have the same experience that I have with the Lord," says Stampley. "The CD is a mix of different styles-it is not all contemporary, not all praise and worship, not all traditional-but will appeal to a diverse audience and includes something the older generation will be able to listen to as well as the younger generation. I like to think of it like a pot of gumbo-everyone can dig into the pot and get what they want and need."
The overall meaning behind RANSOMED is to be saved from sin and to focus on a message of freedom, hope and grace.The first single to be released from the CD is "Corinthian Song," the song Stampley performed that won him the Stellar Awards Gospel Talent Search, launching his career in gospel music five years ago. The ballad, written by award-winning and acclaimed V. Michael McKay (Yolanda Adams, Darryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong), was taken from 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, written by the apostle Paul. The lyrics address the struggles and victories that we all go through in life, which may have you cast down but not destroyed, and is a reminder that there is always an escape through the strength that only comes from the Lord.
Stampley, along with his wife Heidi, co-wrote the majority of the songs on the project including the title track, "Ransomed," a lively, upbeat and energetic song about redemption, grace, mercy, and the love of God. "This song was written with the belief that the organization of church has become very commercialized today," states Stampley. "Many of the churches and ministries have forgotten why we are saved and are not focused on reaching the downtrodden. This is a reminder that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Hopefully this song will spark something in the leaders of the church. People's view of Christianity is distorted, so we need to get back to saving souls." Other standout tracks on the CD include "Be Encouraged," a song with a strong "church feel" that Stampley wrote himself before meeting his wife almost 15 years ago, featuring Nakitta Clegg Foxx (of the award-winning Kurt Carr singers). "Speak Into My Life" was one of the songs included on the project that was not written by Stampley, but by his wife Heidi, at a time when she was very sick and did not know if she was going to live, but was reminded that God's Word brings life and deliverance. The song also features special guest vocalists who are near and dear to both Heidi and Micah-their three oldest sons: Brandon, age 14; Micah, age 8; and Adam, age 6. Stampley also re-recorded the gospel classic, "Always Remember," originally written and recorded by gospel legend, Andrae Crouch.
The CD is produced by multiple GRAMMY® and Stellar Award winning producer, KEVIN BOND who also serves as the Director of Worship and Arts over the music department at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church where the CD was recorded. Dubbed "The Million Music Maker," Bond is CEO of his music production company, Bonded Music, and has produced some of gospel music's most recognizable artists including Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Bishop T.D. Jakes and The Potter's House Mass Choir, Marvin Sapp, and host of others. He was even commissioned by Steven Spielberg to produce a song for the PRINCE OF EGYPT soundtrack. His works have garnered an astounding 10 GRAMMY® Awards, 30 Stellar Awards, and numerous other awards.
"He [Kevin Bond] is so easy to work with," expresses Stampley about having worked with Bond on this new project. "He has been a tremendous blessing to us."
Stampley's debut CD, THE SONGBOOK OF MICAH (Dexterity Sounds/EMI Gospel) which hit the music charts as the second highest debut for a Male Gospel Artist in Billboard history, garnered him success including a Billboard magazine critic's pick as "one of Top 10 gospel music artists of 2005" and the online giant, AOL Black Voices' stamp as one of The Top 11 Gospel Geniuses of 2005. In addition, Stampley received two 2006 Stellar Award nominations for "Male Vocalist of the Year" and "New Artist of the Year." In 2006, Stampley's successful sophomore CD, A FRESH WIND - THE SECOND SOUND, was released independently through Interface Records, a venture he started with his wife Heidi. A FRESH WIND was proof of Stampley's staying power, debuting at #6 on the Billboard Gospel Charts, as well as garnering two 2008 Stellar Nominations for "Praise and Worship Album of the Year" and "Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year." "I Believe," the music video from the CD, debuted at #1 on Gospel Music Channel and remained in that position for five weeks and also received a nomination for "Best Soul Video of the Year" by the network.
Stampley, a minister, husband, father of five, musician, businessman and community philanthropist, will promote RANSOMED through a series of planned promotional dates (see tour dates below). For more information on Micah Stampley, please visit www.myspace.com/micahkstampley or www.micahstampley.org.
###
MICAH STAMPLEY TOUR DATES
Date Time Venue City/State
September 19 8:00pm Embassies of Christ Gary, IN
September 20 8:00pm Grace Community Church Houston, TX
September 21 10:45am Cathedral of Faith Nashville, TN
September 21 8:00pm Bobby Jones Birthday Nashville, TN
September 26 8:00pm The Church of Liberty Hartford, CT
Christian Center International
October 5 10:00am Mt. Zion Baptist Church Greensboro, NC
October 5 7:00pm INSP Studios Charlotte, NC
October 14 7:00pm TBN Studio Dallas, TX
October 17 8:00pm Cathedral of Faith Jacksonville, FL
October 18 8:00pm Maranatha Church Los Angeles, CA
October 19 7:00pm Riverside COGIC Riverside, CA
November 2 10:00am Grace Church of Humble Humble, TX
November 7 8:00pm Cook Convention Center Memphis, TN
November 9-10 TBA Atlanta, GA
November 11-12 TBA Atlanta, GA
November 13 7:00pm Bobby Jones Artist Retreat Las Vegas, NV
Retreat Men of Gospel Concert
November 14 7:00pm Grace Church for All
Nations Worchester, MA
November 16 TBA New York, NY
November 23 10:45am Greater Mt. Calvary Washington, DC
December 16 8:00pm TBN-Atlanta Atlanta, GA
