By Andy Argyrakis

SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER REUNITES

After amicably parting ways so front woman Leigh Nash could pursue a solo career, Sixpence None the Richer announced its return to touring and the studio. Following a handful of summer festival appearances, the group will unveil The Dawn of Grace (slated to hit stores this fall), comprised of nine familiar Christmas favorites plus two new holiday cuts. This project will be produced by Steve Hindalong (The Choir, City On a Hill), though the band promises another album of entirely new material at the tip of 2009.

SKILLET GONE COUNTRY?

Country Music Television’s latest reality show, “Mobile Home Disaster,” scored some genre crossover points by not only inviting a faith-based band onto the program, but also one with alternative rock origins. While Skillet may not be recording a country album anytime soon, it just so happened to be the favorite band of a family whose house was being renovated as part of the program. Besides going backstage at the foursome’s concert, the children were given a package of Skillet goodies at the end of the show on top of those newly renovated digs from the network.

ARTIST TURNED PRODUCER TURNED AUTHOR

The name Matt Bronleewe may have first found fame as a co-founding Jars of Clay member, but he’s since become a producer for Plumb, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, to name a few. And thanks to his foray into the world of fiction, he can now add author to his resumé, starting with 2007’s thriller Illuminated (Thomas Nelson), followed by the August 12 sequel House of Wolves (which also traces another exciting tale of surrounding main character August Adams).

RUBYZ ON RADIO DISNEY:

After highlighting several faith-flanked acts over the years (from Jump 5 to The Jonas Brothers), Radio Disney is in the midst of giving new iShine act The Rubyz a shot. The group’s contagious cuts “Staring at the Sun” and “Outrageous” are currently being featured as part of the channel’s incubator program, alongside interview clips with the high octane girl group.

Check out this week's ! Album Alert.