(Nashville, Tenn.) April 18, 2000 - Essential Records announces the August 22nd release of City on a Hill - Songs Of Worship And Praise. Produced by Steve Hindalong, City On A Hill is a community collaboration of musicians, artists and authors including many of the most visible talents in Christian music today. The audio project includes both solo and collaborative efforts from Jars of Clay, Sixpence None The Richer, FFH, Caedmon's Call, Third Day, The Choir, Gene Eugene and Sonicflood with Peter Furler of the Newsboys. A companion book, City On A Hill - Reflections On Our Spiritual Journeys, is scheduled to release simultaneously with the audio and features selected artists' and authors' perspectives on their faith.

"Never before have so many artists joined together, and collaborated together, with one purpose - worshipping God. It's been amazing to see how these different groups have embraced the idea of working with each other," said Robert Beeson, President, Essential Records. "Also, in an era when it seems we are all doing tribute records to inspiring and wonderful people who have gone before, it's great to see artists partnering together in community to make a record that pays tribute to God alone."

"Our concept of 'community,' is one that takes the emphasis off of the particular artist who may have their name on the song, and places it where it belongs, in worship and exaltation of God," explains Hindalong. "City on a Hill allowed us the opportunity to join the talents and hearts of these artists in such a way that I think God was truly glorified within that unity."

Artists collaborated during the recording sessions to produce some of the more poignant moments on the project, and an orchestral ensemble provides a rich, emotive sound for the production. Among the joint efforts were performances by Sixpence None the Richer (Leigh Nash) and Jars of Clay (Dan Haseltine) on "With Every Breath." Nash also sang "Precious Jesus" with The Choir, while Third Day (Mac Powell) and Caedmon's Call (Cliff and Danielle Young) joined forces for "God of Wonders." Third Day also partnered with the late Gene Eugene on "I Remember You" less than a week before Eugene's death. Eugene is also supported by all of the artists on "Marvelous Light."

The book will be published by CCM Books/Harvest House a division of CCM Creative Ventures. Each segment of the book will include a photo of the artist/author, quotes and an essay/testimony from that particular artist's experience. Included are Hindalong, Haseltine, Nash, Powell, Dale Baker (Sixpence), Christine Glass, Terry S. Taylor (Daniel Amos), Derek Webb (Caedmon's Call), Kim Thomas (Say So), Derri Daugherty (The Choir), Peter Furler (Newsboys), Charlie Peacock, Tom Howard (arranger/strings), Julie Miller and Marc Byrd (Common Children).

Three noted visual artists are also lending their creative talents to City On A Hill. Kim Thomas, also of the group Say So, was commissioned to design an original painting for the album and book covers. In addition, she has painted inside textures for the complete recorded package. Sixpence None The Richer drummer, Dale Baker, is also a noted photographer and will be contributing candid and studio shots to the book packaging. Photographer Kristin Barlowe will be shooting each artist for the record packaging.

A City On A Hill worship event is planned for the CBA International Convention in New Orleans in July. Plans are also currently in the works for a number of the artists from the album to participate in a late 2000 touring event in 10 - 15 cities nationwide. Long-term touring concepts include a City On The Hill worship event in Jerusalem in 2001.

For more information, contact:
Rick Hoganson
Hoganson Media Relations
ph/fax: 615-641-1052/2816
Hoganson@Prodigy.net

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Nashville-based Essential Records was founded in 1992 and specializes in providing relevant pop, alternative and modern music. The label's artist roster includes Third Day, FFH and Caedmon's Call. Essential Records, and its affiliated labels, Watershed Records and Sub(Lime Records, are distributed through Provident Music Group and through partnerships with mainstream parent company Zomba.