12 Stones signs with Executive Music Group for August release

It’s been four years since 12 Stones last released a full-length album, but the wait for fans of the New Orleans-based rock band is nearly over. Executive Music Group recently announced the August 23rd release of Only Human and the title track is currently being serviced to radio.

“We are very pleased to have signed to Executive Music Group,” leader singer Paul McCoy said in a press statement. “We felt they had our best interest at heart with wanting to get our music back to all our fans worldwide not only in the rock world but our fans in the Christian community. We appreciate all our fans and our main priority is to make sure our music is available to all who support us.”

In nearly 12 years of existence, 12 Stones has sold over two million albums in the U.S., and has scored radio hits with songs such as “Broken,” “Far Away,” “Lie To Me” and “Adrenaline.”

For more information on the new album and upcoming tour dates, check out the band’s official website here.

Brandon Heath and Britt Nicole team up for fall tour

After a successful touring stint with TobyMac this past winter, Brandon Heath will hit the road again in the fall to promote his January release Leaving Eden. This time, Heath will headline a nearly 40-city jaunt across the country in such markets as Cincinnati, Houston, Dallas, Knoxville, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle and Denver.

Heath, a two-time Dove Award winning Male Artist of the Year, will be joined by Britt Nicole whose songs have recently been featured in the film Soul Surfer and TV shows such as “The Biggest Loser, “The Hills” and “Drop Dead Diva.”

For the full tour schedule, visit Brandon Heath’s official website here.

You can also learn more about Britt Nicole’s music at her website here.

Cornerstone Festival brings together groundbreaking Christian artists

The annual Cornerstone Festival will be hosting a special evening on Thursday, June 30th, appropriately called “Jesus Rally” in celebration of the many artists who laid down the foundation for the Christian music industry throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Featured artists will include Petra’s original lineup, Barry McGuire, Daniel Amos, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Rez Band, The E Band, Servant and Sheep. While many of these performances will take place on the main stage, there will also be additional shows and panel discussions throughout the grounds.

“I’m personally very excited to be back playing at Cornerstone,” Greg X. Volz said in a press release. “It’s been 25 years since I last played the fest with Petra, but I have to admit that I’m thrilled to be playing with The E Band again. We haven’t played together in 40 years, and it seems fitting that Cornerstone is the reason to reunite.

Cornerstone Festival 2011 will take place June 30th through July 3rd at Cornerstone Farm outside of Bushnell, Ill. For more information, go to the official website by clicking here.

Join Whole Notes tomorrow for a music review of Superchick lead singer Tricia Brock’s solo debut The Road.