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Sara Groves, Bebo Norman and Fernando Ortega Team Up For Spring Tour

For the first time ever, three of the industries favorite singer/songwriters, Curb Records’ Fernando Ortega, Essential Records’ Bebo Norman and INO Records’ Sara Groves, join forces for a national tour. The 25-plus-city tour launches April 21 in Chattanooga, TN and hits such major markets as Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Albuquerque, Ft. Worth, Colorado Springs and more.

“I am thrilled about this tour with Sara and Bebo,” says Ortega. “It’s been a long time in the planning. I think the music works together really well, and the band is filled with stellar musicians.”

Fernando Ortega has established himself as one of Christian music’s most popular and prolific singer/songwriters. His music has yielded eight No. 1 radio hits, 12 Dove Award nominations, two Dove Awards and consecutive No. 1 “Inspirational Song of the Year” CRR singles (in 1999 and 2000). His live performances have impacted hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe including sold-out headline tours and special appearances at Billy Graham Crusades, Ann Graham Lotz’ conferences, Praise Gathering and Promise Keepers conferences.

Ortega recently released his twelfth project, which has been met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The self-titled album is Ortega’s first studio project in two years and was accompanied by the release of the first live concert DVD of his career, Fernando Ortega Live In St. Paul.

Bebo Norman, performing independently for three years before signing to Essential Records in 1999, has earned the distinction of being a premier lyricist with accessible music and a personable stage presence.

Looking forward to the tour, Norman states, “I’m excited to be out on the road with two artists that I respect as much as Fernando and Sara. They write songs that speak to my soul, and I’m looking forward to the chance to hear those songs every night.”

Norman's popularity has grown exponentially with the release of his four label titles, including his acclaimed fall 2004 release, Try. Recorded at Nashville’s renowned Sputnik Studios (Jars of Clay, City on a Hill), Try was produced by Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay) and Matt Bronleewe (Michael W. Smith, Natalie Imbruglia) and has already sparked the No. 1 radio hit, Disappear (R & R, CRW). The resulting project is reminiscent of Norman’s intimate and sincere musical style that has sparked critical acclaim from such top media as Billboard, CCM, Relevant and more. Boasting a fiercely loyal following, Norman draws standing-room-only audiences across the country and continues to garner significant media attention, including the covers of CCM, Christian Single, Premier, Believe and Release.

Sara Groves has become one of the most applauded artists in the Christian music industry since her 2001 debut release, Conversations. Receiving rave reviews across the board for each of her recordings and consistently topping year-end reader's polls, she has also garnered album of the year nods from the likes of CCM, Christianity Today online and more.

Sara also gives kudos to her new tour mates, "Fernando and Bebo are amazing songwriters and storytellers, and it will be an honor to share the stage with them. If you want a reprieve from life, I can imagine this concert will be just that, having seen Fernando and Bebo do what they are so good at, inspiring us."

Her latest, The Other Side of Something, released March 23, 2004 and was Groves’ first collaboration with award-winning producer Charlie Peacock. The recording has been lauded by Billboard, BarnesandNoble.com and many others.

Gospel Music Association's 2002 New Artist of the Year nominee, Sara spent 2004 headlining her own tour along with singer/songwriter Joel Hanson (formerly of PFR) and was a featured artist on newsboys’ “Adoration” and “iWorship” tours.