New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Jonathan Cain, longtime keyboardist and rhythm guitarist in Journey, co-writer of the No. 1 catalog rock song in iTunes' history, "Don't Stop Believin'," as well as writer of "
Faithfully" and co-writer of "Who's Crying Now," "
Open Arms" and many more international hit songs, releases his first Christmas album, Unsung Noel, Oct. 13 on Identity Records with The Fuel
Music distribution. The album will be available on CD, as a double audiophile vinyl record and at digital retailers globally.
Produced and arranged by Cain and recorded at his state-of-the-art Addiction Sound Studios in Nashville, the 14-track Unsung Noel will take listeners on a journey through classics like "Angeles We Have Heard On High," "Oh Holy Night" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" alongside Matt Redman's "Light Of The World" and 10 brand new songs written by Cain. A video trailer of the new album can be seen now on Cain's Facebook page.
"The music came to me over the course of two recent
Journey tours, and I recorded the entire album during a 10-day break this spring," reveals Cain. "I wrote and arranged most of this album on the road in hotel rooms as we traveled from city to city.
"I was hearing bold music that would lift up the birth of Jesus," he continues. "This album is dedicated to the coming of Christ and the events in scripture that is the core of our Christian belief."
Cain began to lay the foundation for the new Christmas album following the release of What God Wants To Hear, his critically acclaimed solo album that impacted Christian music charts and garnered invitations to perform at such celebrated events as
Liberty University Convocation, North America's largest weekly gathering of Christian students, and at the President's Christian Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C.
Contemplating a Christmas album for years, Cain felt that aspects of the Nativity story have been largely overlooked by writers. "Joseph's Pride" and "Hail Mary" from Unsung Noel, for instance, tell the story from the perspective of Jesus' earthly parents while the album's title track is a new song of praise: "The miracles and mystery of the events of the birth of our Savior should be lifted up and this song celebrates and highlights those sacred times," shares Cain.
We sing unto the Lord the unsung noel
To rediscover glory of His birth
A song for all the ages, echoing His love
To praise the Son of God who walked upon the earth
Playing piano, keys and singing lead vocals on the new album, Cain is joined in the studio by such sought-after musicians as drummer Tommy Harden, bassist
David Labruyere, acoustic guitarist Steven Sheehan, electric guitarist Mike Payne and keyboardist
Howard Duck, as well as the
Grace Church Nashville choir on "
Emmanuel" and "Oh Holy Night."
The full Unsung Noel track listing follows:
01) This Is The
Heart Of Christmas
02) Star Of Bethlehem
03) Emmanuel
04) Angels We Have Heard On High
05) Joseph's Pride
06) It's Only Christmas When
07) Unsung Noel
08) You Shall Call His Name
09) Hail Mary
10) Oh Holy Night
11) You Came To Reign
12) Light Of The World
13) The Night Love Came Down
14) Do You Hear What I Hear
Following the release of Unsung Noel, Cain will release his first book spring 2018, a memoir with Zondervan (title tba). The first book from a member of Journey, Cain will share his personal story and path to faith as well as behind-the-scenes stories of his 36-year career with Journey.
As Cain continues to tour the world with Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time that was ushered into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, fans can keep up with the latest from him at https://jonathancainmusic.com/, Addiction Sound, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Jonathan Cain:
In 1976 Jonathan Cain released his first solo record, Windy City Breakdown. In 1979 he joined the band, The Babys, and in 1980 joined the rock band, Journey, rounding out the songwriting genius behind the defining album, Escape. Cain's signature piano, synth playing and songwriting contributions with Journey, The Babys and Bad English have earned him many Billboard hits, multiple gold, platinum and Diamond-selling records, a Star on the Hollywood walk of fame, a Grammy nomination and the best-selling catalog rock song in iTunes' history ("
Don't Stop Believin'").
Journey was named as the fifth best band in rock history in a 2005 USA Today opinion poll, was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and continues today, selling out arenas worldwide.
About The Fuel Music:
Established in 2008, The Fuel
Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Tennessee, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award nominated, multi-platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com.
