Rising Christian Artist Among Billboard's Best Bets for 2007

By Kevin Jackson, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, January 13, 2007

John Waller, Beach Street Record’s newest artist, was recently listed among the “Top Ten Faces to Watch,” according to Billboard magazine’s “2007 Best Bets” issue.

The only Christian artist included in the top-ten list covering all genres of music, Waller is expected to do well and has the backing of other acclaimed artists.

“When one of country music's veteran hitmakers and one of the Christian community's most successful artists team up to introduce a new act, expectations run high,” notes Deborah Evans Price in Billboard. “And singer/songwriter John Waller meets and exceeds those expectations with thoughtful songwriting and a compelling voice.”

Waller was discovered by Mark Hall, lead singer of Grammy award-winning worship group Casting Crowns, at a youth rally. Hall was immediately impressed. This led to Waller’s signing under Beach Street Records which boasts Casting Crowns as their headliners. Waller now becomes the third artist signed to Beach Street.

Previously the frontman of indie band According to Wayne, the “new artist” has experience in music. He also currently serves as the worship pastor at Southlink Church in Lone Tree, Colo., and the debut album, The Blessing, actually takes songs that were originally written for his home church.

Waller’s CD is scheduled for release on Mar. 6, and it includes a title track in which he sings with Hall. Radio stations are anticipating it to be the album’s first single.