Upcoming July Music Releases

Here are just a few of the new CDs you can look forward to in the next few weeks.

Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jesse Hale, Jon Haire make up the band Mikeschair and will release their self-titled debut next Tuesday (July 14). They got their start at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and believe that their mission extends way beyond their music. Hale, the group’s violinist, explains on their Web site: “The music isn’t the full extent of our purpose. We are committing our time, effort and platform to helping those in need—making ourselves available to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

To learn more about this band, including the inspiration for the group’s name, visit mikeschair.com.

To preorder this album, click here.

Melinda Watts, season three winner of Gospel Music Channel’s Gospel Dream, will release her debut album, People Get Ready, on July 28. The first single, “So Good,” is already making waves on Gospel radio. This former high school English teacher was born in New Jersey and hails from Sacramento, Calif., where she started the nonprofit organizations Project Sunday and Heaven’s House to help mentor and minister to young women. This album is her dream come true. “I’ve always had a love of music and I have been singing in church my whole life,” Watts explains. “God’s grace brought me here. A lot of faith in God and remembering that it’s OK to dream even when you feel you can’t.”

To learn more about Melinda Watts, visit her on Facebook.

To preorder this album, click here.

You still have time to preview the new album by legendary Christian rock band Stryper, Murder by Pride, on iTunes.com. Fans can purchase one song at a time until the CD releases on July 21. This album includes a cover of the Boston song “Peace of Mind,” featuring guitarist Tom Scholz. To celebrate 25 years, Stryper will head out in September to 50 cities across the country. The tour is sure to be a walk down memory lane featuring original and current band members—and original yellow and black stage outfits.

For tour dates and information, visit stryper.com and michaelsweet.com.

To preorder this album, click here.