Christian Artists Create "Inspired By" Soundtrack for Slave Abolition Film

|PIC1|Top Contemporary Christian musicians will record modern day versions of hymns for the "Inspired By" soundtrack of Amazing Grace, a Samuel Goldwyn Films/Roadside Attractions/Bristol Bay Productions film.

The Music Inspired By The Motion Picture Amazing Grace soundtrack will be released 23 January 2007 to both the general market and CBA stores in the US.

Amazing Grace, opening in theatres 23 February 2007, stars Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) as William Wilberforce, the man who championed the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

His life was also an astounding spiritual and moral quest, and he is an inspiration to millions to this day. Elected to Parliament at age 21, Wilberforce led a diverse coalition of believers in a decades-long struggle to end the lucrative but dehumanising slave trade. Wilberforce was aided by slave trader-turned abolitionist Rev John Newton (Albert Finney) and by his spirited wife and political compatriot Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai).

Directed by acclaimed director Michael Apted (Coal Miner's Daughter), Amazing Grace tells an inspiring story of how one man can change the world.

"It's an honour for EMI CMG Label Group to be involved in this important project with Walden Media and the team of Bristol Bay Productions," EMI CMG Label Group President Peter York talks at length about the record label's involvement. "This is a story that resonates in the hearts of artists pertaining to the historical significance of the life and legacy of William Wilberforce. The music of the "Inspired By" soundtrack and the film celebrate our past and those who walked bravely before us. It uses a historic platform to engage us in issues we must face currently in the world as a community of faith."

"Conceptually the hymns for the Amazing Grace CD were chosen because they were all close to the heart of Wilberforce," says Lindsay Fellows, Vice President of Motion Picture Music for Anschutz Film Group and its subsidiaries Bristol Bay Productions and Walden Media. "Music was at the very soul of his life and our goal was to bring this music back into the lives of a new generation of music fans. As they did on the Narnia 'Inspired By' CD, the EMI CMG Label Group team and artists have delivered world class talent and a vision to this project."

Rev John Newton authored the poem "Amazing Grace" that became the world famous hymn we know today, a hymn whose new version is a central aspect of the "Inspired By" soundtrack. Chris Tomlin, the 2006 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Award-winner for Artist of the Year, was asked to write a new verse to the song which he sings along with the Wilberforce University Choir. The final version on the album also includes a resurrected verse that was a part of Newton's original poem, but left out of more recent hymnbooks.

"I was completely floored when they asked of all people - me - to write a new verse for one of the most sacred and recognised hymns of all time. At first I wasn't so sure I wanted to mess with it," Tomlin admits. "But after researching the song, I discovered the famous hymn has withstood previous additions. Even the famous last verse 'when we've been there 10,000 years' was written 100 years after Newton wrote the poem. The song has inspired generations of believers, and I hope that it continues to live on long after I'm gone."

Other highlights on the soundtrack are Country Music Award-winner Martina McBride's powerful version of "How Great Thou Art," and selections from Grammy Award winners Jars of Clay and Steven Curtis Chapman, Gospel music stars Smokie Norful and Kiki Sheard, best-selling group Avalon, GMA 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant, and Bart Millard of the platinum-selling group MercyMe.

Rounding out the artists contributing to this spiritual soundtrack are two-time GMA Award-winning Female Vocalist of the Year Nichole Nordeman and the innovative David Crowder, who duets with legendary Marty Stuart on the track "Rock of Ages". Rising stars Shawn McDonald and Bethany Dillon also duet on the original song "All Creatures Of Our God And King," as well as hit-maker Jeremy Camp and his wife Adrienne (Adie) on the track "It Is Well".

Directed by Michael Apted, Amazing Grace stars Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Youssou N'Dour, Ciaran Hinds, Michael Gambon, and Albert Finney.

The film was written by Academy Award® nominee Steven Knight, executive produced by Jeanney Kim and produced by Terrence Malick, Edward Pressman, Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, and Ken Wales. Amazing Grace is a presentation of Bristol Bay Productions in association with Ingenious Film Partners. Amazing Grace will be released in the United States by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions on February 23, 2007.