News 2008

CompassionArt, the charity founded by Delirious? front man Martin Smith, releases its first album today. The 14 track album features songs written and performed by some of the biggest talents in Christian music. In January, Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin and Darlene Zschech gathered together to write the songs.

Four weeks later several of the artists reconvened at London's Abbey Road studios to start recording the songs. Over the coming weeks the album started to take shape, with additional guest vocalists Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac and CeCe Winans. Each of the twelve original writers nominated a charity to which 1/24th of CompassionArt royalties will go to. The remaining 50 per cent of the funds raised will be distributed among projects that CompassionArt wants to give extra support - such as the Watoto community in Uganda. There, orphaned children are given food, shelter, education and a loving, caring home as they rebuild their lives. CompassionArt will provide funding for a series of music and arts centres that support the world-famous Watoto Children's Choir, as well as offering essential training for those wanting to pursue a future in the arts.

Everyone inolved in CompassionArt, from writers to publishers, managers to copyright administrators, have all waived their fees to make sure that all the money generated by the album goes directly to the charity. The CD also includes a bonus DVD containing a 50 min documentary and PDF downloadable music sheets of each song. In the UK the album is also being distributed by mainstream high street retailer WHSmith. The album is set for release in the USA on 27th January 2009. In addition to the CD a CompassionArt book is also being released. In 'The Art Of Compassion', each of the artists writes a chapter highlighting the key issues of the project and offers discussion on the link between worship and justice, art and action.