Artist Resource Services (ARS) Welcomes New Additions, The Craguns, The Allens, & Sharon Walker
Nashville, TN (September 5, 2023) – Artist Resource Services (ARS), the label services arm of New Day Christian Distributors, welcomes three new artists to its family: The Craguns, The Allens, and Sharon Walker.
The Craguns
The Craguns are a dynamic family group, comprised of husband and wife, Jordan and Elena Cragun, Ray Cragun (Jordan’s Father), and Savannah Cragun (Jordan’s Sister). In 2013, after Ray retired from pastoring and Jordan having just left another nationally known group, God started aligning all the pieces for the family to reunite in a powerful way for something they had always dreamed of doing: touring together in full-time Gospel music.
“We are so excited to be partnering with ARS/New Day in taking the music of The Craguns to the world,” says Jordan Cragun. “We have put our heart and soul into this new album, Monday Faith, and want nothing more than to encourage as many people as possible with these uplifting songs. We are absolutely thrilled that the first-class team at ARS/New Day will be distributing this music to the market.”
Their new project, Monday Faith, was produced by Trey Ivey (Greater Vision/Mylon Hayes Family) and Scott Williamson (Joseph Habedank) and will be released on September 15. The first single, “Been with Jesus,” arrived at radio September 1.
The Allens
For the past 25 years, The Allens have traveled the world sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to hundreds of thousands of people. Their music has been streamed in over 135 countries and their music videos have been viewed more than 5 million times.
In 1996, Todd Allen was pastoring a church in Waterford, MI, when he heard the call to full-time evangelistic ministry. He and his wife, Michelle, sold their home, purchased a motorhome, and began preaching and singing all over the United States. Today, four of their eight children travel with them, continuing their legacy of full-time ministry.
“The Allens are beyond excited for the release of our newest project, Kingdom Come, which will be released on October 28. The entire ARS team is incredible at what they do,” says group member, Josh Allen. “It has always been our desire for God to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our music, and we believe that partnering with ARS will help us do just that!”
At the heart of their ministry, The Allens operate a non-profit organization in Uganda, Africa. Hope’s Cry International is a Christian-based aftercare center for survivors of human trafficking. The mission of HCI is to empower leaders to create communities where trafficking cannot exist.
Sharon Walker
Sharon Walker calls herself a “wife, mother, singer, musician, and lover of Jesus,” and that last line shines on her debut project Always. Produced by Geron Davis (“Holy Ground”), this project is set to release on October 20. Always is comprised of Walker singing joined by fan-favorites such as Aaron Crabb, Karen Harding, Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Becky Isaacs Bowman, and more.
“The songs on this project are not just lyrics and melodies I’ve recorded. These are things I’ve lived and are literally part of my DNA. Not only did I personally write some of the songs, like the title song “Always,” but my son wrote one of the songs, and my children sang with me on this project,” says Walker. “One of my greatest joys is that I also was able to record a song my mom wrote. Although she went to be with Jesus before it was finished, she did get to hear the song before she passed. We included songs written by dear friends and had many “family/friends” to sing on the project as well. It’s just like life. It takes a village! Thanks to Artist Resource Services for allowing me to continue my heritage and helping me share the songs that are the testimony of my life.”
Sharon has also found an unlikely following on social media when one of her videos recently went viral. She now has over 157,000 followers on Facebook alone.
First single, “God Can’t Do Anything,” written by Wayne Haun, Joseph Habedank and Geron Davis, releasing to radio in January 2024.
Dusty Wells, Director of National Account Sales for New Day Christian Distributors, and advisor for Artist Resource Services, says, “I love what ARS (Artist Resource Services) does to help take great artists and their music to a new level in our industry. This talented group of artists have all been making music, sharing their hearts, and touching lives with their music for many years. Now is the perfect time for the team at ARS to step in and walk alongside them while getting their music out there. We are thrilled and excited to see what God is going to do with the music of The Craguns, The Allens, and Sharon Walker.”
“We are honored that each of these artists has entrusted us with their music and allowed us to join their teams,” states Jaquita Lindsey Jenkins who manages ARS on a day-to-day basis. “I am always excited to see how God uses each of these unique ministries! I’m grateful to be a part in helping each of them grow in every way possible.”
Founded in February 2022, Artist Resource Services is the label services division of New Day Christian Distributors. The ARS team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Christian music field for guidance in any area desired by artists. Services provided include album song selection, studio recording and production, photography, artwork and graphic design, artist merchandise, media services including radio and promotion, marketing, streaming promotion and distribution, physical distribution, and more. Appalachian Road Show currently serves as a label services provider for GRAMMY® nominated and Grand Ole Opry members, The Isaacs, GRAMMY® nominated Tim Menzies, Jordan Family Band, Westward Road, and more.
