Singer-songwriter Jennifer Knapp, who rose to fame with a series of best-selling albums on Gotee Records in the '90s and disappeared from the music scene after her 2001 release, The Way I Am, has announced a return to music.

The Pillar frontman talks about the new sounds of Confessions (releasing Sept. 22 on Essential Records/Provident Music), working with a new producer and a unique element to its live shows.

When you approached this new record, what were some of the things you wanted to accomplish musically and lyrically?

New Reunion Records' duo Chynna and Vaughan visited the Christian Retailing offices on Friday, Sept. 11. The duo, comprised of Chynna Phillips (formerly with pop group Wilson Phillips) and Vaughan Penn, told the story of their musical partnership and shared background on the songs from their Oct. 6 release, One Reason.

Pictured, from left, are Phillips, DeWayne Hamby and Vaughan.

For those of you who remember the huge success of Mark Schultz's previous songs in both the Christian and mainstream markets with story-songs like "He's My Son," "Letters From War" and "Walking Her Home," you will be happy to hear that he is releasing a new album, Come Alive, Aug. 25. The album from Word Records is the first release from the artist in three years. The CD is already creating buzz for the soon-to-be-released single, "He Is," which Schultz was inspired to write because of two separate families' battles with cancer.

Guest songwriters Bart Millard and Barry Graul of MercyMe, Matthew West, Joy Williams and Bernie Herms (music producer) add their collaborations to the album.

Along with news of the forthcoming album is word of a fall tour, starting Sept. 10 in Decatur, Ill., featuring Point of Grace. To find out if the tour is coming to a city near you or for more background on the upcoming album, visit Schultz's Web site.

In early June, Sparrow Records and Steven Curtis Chapman sent out a call to his listeners for pictures to submit for a special Father's Day video of his song, "Cinderella." Listeners were asked to send father/child pictures for use in slideshow videos, which are featured below.

Also, on Father's Day, the Huckabee show on Fox News will be re-airing portions of a video interview with Steven and his wife Marybeth on Sunday evening at 8 pm EST and 11 pm EST. The couple discuss issues of faith and family following the tragic loss of their youngest daughter Maria Sue in May 2008.

I can’t imagine when a music artist cuts a CD that he or she ever imagines the far-reaching impact it could have or the distance it might travel.

If you would have told worship leader Matt Maher that his CD Empty & Beautiful (Essential Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution) would be played during a NASA mission in space one day—not only once, but twice—he probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Some of gospel music's biggest stars are participating in A Gospel Tribute to President Barack Obama ($12.99, ATF Records/Central South Distribution), releasing June 9. The disc will include selections from Donnie McClurkin (“King Inside of Me”), Israel Houghton (“Send Me to the Nations”,” Jerard Woods (“I'm Gonna Make It”) and William Murphy (“Changes”).