2023 Line-Up
Artists/Speakers/Instructors subject to change.
Known for honest songs that tell personal stories of freedom in Christ, Big Daddy Weave fans have long admired the band for their real-life, real-person openness. With songs like “My Story,” “The Lion and the Lamb,” “Overwhelmed,” “Redeemed,” and from their current album, “Alive,” “I Know,” and “All Things New,” Big Daddy Weave has become one of the most beloved bands in Christian music.
Millions have taken their anthems of Jesus’s chain-breaking love as their own and sung along to songs about the radical act of redemption. The men of Big Daddy Weave, Mike Weaver (lead vocals, guitar), Jeremy Redmon (guitar, vocals), Joe Shirk (saxophone, keys, vocals) and Brian Beihl (drums), found themselves needing those themes of comfort and assurance at the beginning of 2022. Founding member and Mike’s brother, Jay Weaver, went to be with the Lord on January 2, 2022.
In the first few days, the group wondered how they could go on. After Jay’s funeral and testimony after testimony of how Jay and the group have been used, the question became, how could we not go on?
Colton Dixon quickly became a household name in 2012 when he was voted a fan favorite and made it to the top seven on Season 11 of Fox’s hit show AMERICAN IDOL. His career has been on the fast track ever since, now boasting over 100 million streams across all platforms. Dixon’s 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album by a new Christian artist. Dixon is also a Steinway & Sons artist, following in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Harry Connick, Jr. and Billy Joel. Dixon’s sophomore effort Anchor included the most played Hot AC single of 2014, “More Of You,” which spent three weeks at No. 1, as well as “Through All of It,” his fourth consecutive No. 1 at Hot AC Radio. In 2013, Dixon won a Dove Award for Best Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year, along with two additional nominations. In 2015, Anchor was honored with the Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. Dixon received back-to-back K-LOVE Fan Award nominations for Male Artist of the Year in 2014 and 2015, followed by the release of his third studio album Identity, which included the top 5 single “All That Matters,” whose video was premiered by PEOPLE magazine. His latest, critically-acclaimed, self-titled EP, boasting the hit tracks “Miracles”, “Devil Is A Liar,” and “Made to Fly” is available now, along with his latest single, “Build a Boat.”
Singer/songwriter Anne Wilson knows the healing power of music firsthand. The lyrics of Hillsong Worship’s “What A Beautiful Name” became a lifeline for the Lexington, Kentucky native after her brother was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 23. Although she spent much of her childhood behind a piano, Wilson sang in front of an audience for the first time at her brother’s funeral. It was at that moment that she realized what she was born to do. A video of her moving performance organically circulated, eventually landing her a record deal. With a mesmerizing voice and a visible hunger for Jesus, the 20-year-old relies on personal journal entries and time spent in nature for songwriting inspiration.
Wilson’s introductory track, “My Jesus”—which she co-wrote with Jeff Pardo and Matthew West—is a warm invitation to experience her Savior in the same intimate way she knows Him. She released a debut three-track single—also titled My Jesus—for Capitol Christian Music Group in early 2021 and followed it up with a live EP, My Jesus (Live in Nashville). Her song, “My Jesus,” charted on the Spotify Viral 50, Shazam Top 200, and Rolling Stone Top 25 Trending charts. Her story was also featured with the Religion News Service and The Washington Post. She made her Opry debut on the iconic stage in September 2021. Wilson was featured in Billboard Magazine as the October 2021 Chartbreaker artist, and Wilson's “My Jesus” received a 2022 Billboard Music Award for “Top Christian Song” of the year. Her debut album, My Jesus, released April 22, 2022.
22 year-old Aaron Cole started rapping when he was just three years old. Since then, he’s garnered the coveted Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, held back-to-back #1 singles on the Billboard Christian HOT AC/CHR chart and has had multiple sync uses including promos for ESPN and Fox Sports. His songs have also been featured in the Netflix original series, “On My Block” among other prominent sync placements. Named “One of 5 Top Gospel Artists to Watch” by Essence Magazine, Cole’s musical journey included releasing six independent projects prior to his signing with Gotee Records. The Bristol, VA, native was then introduced to multi-GRAMMY-award-winning producer and artist TobyMac, who has been working with him ever since.
“Aaron Cole is where it’s going, He’s a natural,” TobyMac said. “He wakes up and breathes songs that are culturally relevant, but ever aware of the spiritual. He just gets it. He has a deep love for God and a love for people that organically works its way into the lyric. The Lord has blessed him with a deep well of talent, yet he grinds like he’s ungifted. That’s a rare combination that I will lock arms with anytime, anywhere.” Cole hasn’t stopped pursuing his dream. This latest releases, "4," “Only U Forever (feat. Terrian)” & "Like You (feat. Tauren Wells & TobyMac)" certainly add more songs to his growing catalog of impactful music.
Although he’s still a new artist, James has already notched a No. 1 song on Billboard’s Christian Hot AC/CHR chart as a contributing writer on Courtnie Ramirez’s track, “Who We Are.” Moreover, he’s also scored a Top 5 hit on the same chart with “Born Ready,” a song on which he serves as the lead artist, co-writer, and co-producer. James is no doubt a triple threat.
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The North Carolina native’s rare talent is set to be further showcased throughout 2021 across a trio of mixtapes, each possessing its distinct sound. With the first EP, James will unveil a set of pop jams. Additional releases will shine a spotlight on his acoustic sensibilities, rooted in his masterful guitar skills, as well as his more artsy, experimental side—the side that isn’t afraid to tinker in the studio.
Joseph O’Brien first gained prominence by appearing on Season 13 of the show “America’s Got Talent.” Currently residing in the Nashville, TN area, his goal is to create music that inspires believers to be counter-cultural and authentic about their faith. He was signed to Gotee records by TobyMac and long-time Christian music executive Jess Chambers-Loper.
Joseph’s debut single will be going to radio in January 2023 and will be followed by an extensive national tour. Also, everyone should be aware, he likes dolphins, disc golf, and pickleball. It’s important to him that you know that.
Genre bending artist Lathan Warlick was awakened to his creative purpose one life-changing day after coming face-to-face with a 45-caliber pistol. He self identifies as a “positive artist,” who reflects on his upbringing in a rough neighborhood, and has gained a transformative perspective as a Christ-follower, husband, and father in his
songwriting. The Jackson, TN rapper and viral music sensation first gained attention through social media -1.7M followers on TikTok and 86,000 on Instagram – by creating videos of himself on his iPhone in his car, adding his own rap verses to popular songs like “Holy” by Justin Bieber, “The Box” by Roddy Rich, and “Hello” by Adele.
His videos caught the attention of country singer Granger Smith, who asked Warlick to add a rap verse to his song, creating a powerful remix of “Thats Why I Love Dirt Roads.” Lathan has accumulated over 16.5M streams across hiscatalog to date.