Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Follow You Tour in town

Grammy nominee and GMA Dove Award-winning Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath and Grammy-nominated progressive rock act Leeland will co-headline the Follow You Tour with a stop in Myrtle Beach Sunday, featuring special guest Francesca Battistelli, recipient of five Dove nominations.

The Follow You Tour introduces new music from Leeland's third album, "Love Is On The Move," and Heath's award-winning sophomore album, "What If We," featuring his Dove Award-winning Song of the Year "Give Me Your Eyes" and Christian AC radio's current No.1 song "Wait And See."

Heath's background is rooted in Christian youth-based organization Young Life, which is grounded in relationships and mentoring. His most current hit list includes Grammy-nominated single "Give Me Your Eyes," spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard's Hot Christian AC radio chart and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart.

Along with offering audiences a night of great music and worship with three of the most popular artists in Christian music today, the tour also engages attendees with a message close to the hearts of these artists: a collective mission to love and serve the poor and broken.

Each night on tour, audiences will hear about Leeland and Heath's travels to Cambodia and will have the chance to respond to each night's worship with sponsorships through Food for the Hungry.

Kicks caught up with Heath for an e-mail interview this week. Here's what he had to share.

Q:Where are you today? How are you spending your time?

A:Today is a busy day. I've got a day off from the tour. I'm picking out carpet for my upstairs bedrooms. I've got a writing session at 11, then a benefit for a local children's clinic tonight. Busy day.

Q: How is the Follow You Tour going?

A:Amazing. We've been blown away by the numbers showing up every night. We've gotten a lot of kids sponsored for Food For The Hungry, which is our sponsor for this tour. I feel like we have achieved and even exceeded the goals for this tour - healthy community being the top priority.

Q:What can fans and others who may be new to your show expect from your upcoming performance in Myrtle Beach? What is a Brandon Heath concert like?

A:You'll hear songs that you might recognize from the radio, but more than that, you'll ll hear the stories behind the songs as well as a lot of collaboration between Francesca, Leeland and myself.

Q:Why did you decide on the Tour name "Follow You Tour?" What is the significance behind it?

A:Leeland wrote a song on his new record that I guest on and we decided that it would be the most appropriate title for the tour that we are co-headlining. It fits the longing of our hearts, too - t o let God lead us where He would have us go.

Q:Congratulations on your American Music Award nomination! How do you feel about your first AMA nomination?

A:Great! I've been a fan of the AMA's for years. Anything that celebrates music and the effect it has on the world, I think is positive. I'm honored to be nominated and honestly it won¹t change anything if I win or lose. I'm right where I need to be.

Q:You're touring in support of your latest Reunion Records release, "What If We." Can you tell me what inspired your songwriting on this album?

A:Relationships. I feel like God is all about relationships, between each other and the relationship we hold with Him.

Q:What message do you hope your listeners/fans receive from your music?

A:I want them to feel connected and loved. That was Jesus' mission anyway.

Q:What else are you working on right now?

A:I'm writing for the next record. So far, so good. Just trying to listen for what I¹m supposed to talk about.

For more on Brandon Heath, log on to www.brandonheath.net

For more on Leeland, log on to www.leelandonline.com

For more on Francesca Battistelli, log on to www.francescamusic.com