U.S. VISA POLICIES IMPACT FORMER HILLSONG MEMBER; "Help Save Ray Campaign" Offers Free CD with Donation

U.S. VISA POLICIES IMPACT FORMER HILLSONG MEMBER;
"Help Save Ray Campaign" Offers Free CD with Donation

MICHAEL W. SMITH WORSHIP AND WORSHIP AGAIN ALBUMS CERTIFIED DOUBLE-PLATINUM AND PLATINUM Pictured (l-r ) are: Jason McArthur, Vice President of A&R, Provident Music Group; Randy Davis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Provident Music Group; Jimmy Wheeler, Vice President of sales, Provident Music Group; Michael W. Smith; Terry Hemmings, President and CEO, Provident Music Group; Chaz Corzine and Greg Hamm, The MWS Group. (NASHVILLE, Tenn.) June 24, 2010 – Michael W. Smith celebrates his first Double-Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his 2001 Worship album and Platinum certification for his 2002 Worship Again album. The Double-Platinum status signifies the distribution of more than 2 million copies of an album or single and Platinum more than 1 million copies. Smith’s career sales approach 15 million with a new album set to release in September. His new single, “Save Me From Myself” goes for adds tomorrow, June 25. Smith has inspired millions with his music, and the RIAA certifications further testify to his popularity and impact as an artist. Throughout his distinguished career, the RIAA has certified 16 of Smith’s projects as Gold with sales of more than 500,000. Out of this list, six were later certified Platinum and one Double-Platinum. About Michael W. Smith (Reunion Records/Provident Label Group): Throughout his 27-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 21 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 44 GMA Dove Awards (in addition to 1 nomination in the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards) and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold, 7 Platinum and 2 Double-Platinum albums for career sales approaching 15 million. Smith, who was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009, has scored several film projects, written 11 books and has been featured by media outlets including, NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, FOX and Friends, Hannity and Colmes, USA Today, NY Times, The Washington Post, LA Times, Newsweek, has been named one of People Magazine's “Most Beautiful People” and has presented multiple times on the GRAMMY® Awards show. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country, and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world. Constantly giving back to the community, one of Smith’s current projects is Rocketown--a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn.--which serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife Debbie Smith are the proud parents of five children. For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.providentpress.com.

Ray Nainggolan

Monday, June 28, 2010

East Bridgewater, MA - July 1, 2010 -- On May 28th, Australian-born Ray Nainggolan (aka Ray & Co) was stopped upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport en route to Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. He was questioned as he passed through customs with AU$3,000 in cash and two guitars. U.S. officials detained him for seven hours and asked hundreds of questions, finally concluding that Ray could not proceed any further into the U.S. due to the nature of his visa. He was traveling under the auspices of a B-1 Visitor's Visa as opposed to a P-1 Entertainment Visa, a non-immigrant visa which allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists and musical groups to enter into the U.S. for a specific event, competition or performance. The leading official determined that Ray would be a burden on the U.S. economy and sent Ray back to Australia the following day.

On the cusp of his U.S. debut release entitled "White Noise Visions" releasing July 27th, Ray was traveling to the U.S. to spend the next three months promoting the album via concert/festival performances, interviews, a video shoot and several other promotional activities. Ironically, Ray spent four years in the U.S. attending college at Gordon College in Massachusetts beginning in 2000 and, thereafter, was afforded the opportunity to move to Australia where he became involved with the Hillsong movement. He was a featured guitarist on the Hillsong Kids albums "Follow You" and "Tell The World."

As a result of what can only be viewed as an injustice based upon the letter of the law and a government official's unwillingness to investigate the matter fully, Chrematizo Label Group joined independent Blue Duck Records and charities Love Can't Be Baht and The Stable Coffeehouse to form the "Help Save Ray Campaign". The purpose of the campaign is to help raise funds on behalf of the burgeoning artist to cover the estimated $3,000 dollars needed to secure a proper P-1 visa and the additional $1,000 to replace the original plane ticket.

Tax deductible donations can be made through the Love Can't Be Baht website (http://www.lovecantbebaht.com/Love_Home.html) or the Stable Coffeehouse website (http://www.matthewsmemorial.com/The_Stable.html). Blue Duck Records is offering a free copy of the 15-track "White Noise Visions" CD to anyone donating $20 or more to support the cause.

For more information on Ray & Co, visit www.rayncomusic.com or www.facebook.com/RaynCo.

About Blue Duck Records:
Blue Duck Records is an artist-friendly independent record label based in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. www.blueduckrecords.com

About Love Can't Be Baht:
Love Can't Be Baht was created to support and defend those who have been victims of human trafficking and to raise awareness about this escalating epidemic. http://www.lovecantbebaht.com/Love_Home.html

About The Stable Coffeehouse:
The Stable Coffeehouse is a non-profit 501(c)(3) ministry of Matthews Memorial Church located in East Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Their "Cuppa Day" program allows patrons to donate the price of a cup of coffee to help others in need. http://www.matthewsmemorial.com/The_Stable.html

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