Delirious drummer Stew Smith announced on the official site that he intends to leave the band as of May 2008. Tired of the demands from touring, he plans to spend more time with his family and church while pursuing work with a new creative agency. Smith has played an integral role not just as the drummer for Delirious, but also as an art designer for the band. "I am so excited for Delirious," said Smith in his official statement. "A fantastic future lies ahead of them and I will continue to be very much involved, both as a friend and creatively."

Michael W. Smith will be the musical guest at the National Prayer Breakfast and a family dinner to be hosted afterwards, both in Washington D.C. on February 7. Following the breakfast, Smith will make an appearance at Walter Reed Hospital to spend time with wounded soldiers and perform song for them. In other news, Smith will attend the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony February 10, where he's in the running for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

Looking for a way to say "I love you" to that special punk rocker in your life? Hawk Nelson is offering free valentine cards online in PDF format for fans to print and express themselves with. The promotion heralds the forthcoming release of the band's Hawk Nelson Is My Friend album, releasing April 1—hopefully they don't have any April Fool's gags planned.

Might Michael W. Smith and U2 be leaving their respective labels, Provident and Interscope? Fox News.com is reporting that both are rumored to be in talks with Live Nation, a concert promoter that would handle the release of their CDs. If it happens, Smitty and U2 would be following the example of The Eagles, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, and Radiohead in seeking alternative means for distributing their music outside of record labels.

Without missing a beat, the Jonas Brothers are hard at work on their third album, which they expect to release July 8 via Hollywood Records. Nicholas Jonas told Billboard.com that the as-yet-untitled disc contains influences from the likes of The Beatles, Elvis Costello, and The Rascals, among others. Meanwhile, the trio is enjoying box-office success as part of the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Tour movie.

Kevin Max will hit the road this month for an extensive radio and retail tour, followed by The Blood Drive, a headlining concert tour that will run through the end of the year. Max is currently in Texas filming the lead role for the upcoming Serendipitous Films motion picture The Imposter. Max will play Johnny C, the lead singer of a faith-based, chart-topping band whose personal demons—drug addiction and ego—send him on a downward spiral until he loses everything that's meaningful in his life.

Modern-rock five piece Sanctus Real scored its sixth No. 1 single with "We Need Each Other," the title track off their anticipated February 12 release. In addition, band members launched www.sanctusreality.com, a blog site dedicated to giving fans an inside glimpse into the lives of the band, including its brushes with celebrity, high-speed driving, gaming abilities, and hobbies. The band will join Third Day on tour beginning March 6 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Modern hymn writers Keith & Kristyn Getty will embark on an international tour for much of the spring, with planned appearances in places as diverse as London, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and other U.K. cities. In addition, the duo is expected to go to India with author Philip Yancey for five live dates in November. In Christ Alone, the Gettys stateside debut, released last year.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson will hit the road with friends Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn, Ben Shive, and others for the Resurrection Letters Tour, which will support Peterson's album of the same name to be released in spring 2008. Click here for dates. In other news, Peterson will make his debut as a novelist this March with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (WaterBrook Press), a fun and fast-paced fantasy novel for "readers of all ages."

© Andree Farias, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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