Tyler, Texas-based pop/rock band Luminate releases its first full-length national debut, Come Home, today from Sparrow Records. Already receiving widespread acclaim, the band may best be described as passionate, stirring and worshipful as Luminate’s songs express hope and encourage listeners to seek the redemptive purpose of God in their lives.

Produced by Paul Moak, Ed Cash and Ben Glover, the band’s Come Home opens with the compelling lead radio single and title track that has received significant national and regional airplay, and includes “Healing In Your Arms,” which releases to radio Feb. 18.

“This song focuses on my personal fear of failure; the fear of imperfection,” says Luminate lead vocalist Sam Hancock. “We are all created for a specific purpose and can’t let our regret or bitterness keep us from that purpose. No matter what we are struggling with or how the enemy tries to manipulate and attacks us, Christ can deliver us from any addiction, struggle, or sickness as we pursue our purpose in Him with a passion. There is healing in the arms of Christ.”

The album continues with a set of worshipful, emotion-filled songs that draw from personal journeys of overcoming fear (“Hope Is Rising”), fighting apathy (“Innocent”) and finding hope, peace and purpose in Christ (“New Beginnings”).

The resulting album has sparked Rhapsody to name the band the No. 1 Christian/Gospel pick of 2011 (www.rhapsody.com), Houston Chronicle to laud, “The future is looking bright for Luminate with its first full-length album, Come Home,” and Gospel Music Channel, JesusFreakHideout, NewReleaseTuesday.com and more to name the band one to watch in 2011:

“Hoping to shed new light on how believers can put our love into action, Luminate is an ambitious pop/rock act that has toured non-stop and recorded three projects before even signing a record deal….they’ve just continued to up their game with songs that are still undeniably catchy and inherently hopeful as they explore the complexities of loving our fellow man in ordinary, day-to-day living.” – Gospel Music Channel (www.watchgmctv.com)

“True to their moniker, Luminate casts a flood of light on their identity, revealing a dynamic force that has undergone substantial growth since the release of their self-titled EP just a few months earlier. The Tyler, TX-based band’s Britpop/alt-rock approach to modern worship lives with a synergy that keeps them from being lumped with all of the other acts that cropped up on the heels of the David Crowder Band’s success in the late 2000’s. The interplay between Sam Hancock’s stirring vocals and Cody Clark’s guitar blast tells a living, breathing tale of redemption.” – All Music Guide

“If you like OneRepublic, The Afters, Chris Tomlin and Brandon Heath, then you’ll really enjoy this new band…this album delivers in all of the categories that generally make an incredible album: top notch music, personal, introspective and challenging lyrics and passionate vocals…I consider Luminate the ‘next big thing’ based on this excellent album, an early contender for one of my top albums of the year.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com

“Hooky anthems, solid pop production, and ambient touches make up the musical DNA of Luminate's full-length debut, but it’s frontman and songwriter Sam Hancock’s worshipful lyrics that bring the heart and soul. This talented new band is one to watch in 2011!” – Jesusfreakhideout.com

“Luminate's Come Home has a string of tunes that will inspire anyone looking to start the New Year strong. The title cut is an open invitation to return to what we know is true in our world when we combine God's truth that he will never fail us even when we don’t feel a situation is fixable.” – The Huntsville Times

Formed organically in 2005, Luminate (meaning, to shine light into darkness) began non-stop touring with its first appearance at Cornerstone Festival in 2006. In 2007, the band met an A&R representative from Sparrow Records at the festival, which eventually led to Luminate signing with the label in March 2009. Having toured the country with well-established acts like Superchick and Sanctus Real, Luminate is gearing up for a spring 2011 tour with Big Daddy Weave and Chris Sligh. Upcoming tour dates follow:

Date City Venue
Feb 12, 2011 Kingwood, TX THE LOFT @ KINGWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Feb 18, 2011 Bossier City, LA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Feb 19, 2011 Bossier City, LA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Feb 20, 2011 Bossier City, LA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Feb 26, 2011 Tyler, TX GREEN ACRES BAPTIST ONE-TEN STUDENT CENTER

Feb 27, 2011 Tyler, TX GREEN ACRES BAPTIST ONE-TEN STUDENT CENTER

March 6, 2011 Kilgore, TX CORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP

March 26, 2011 Findlay, OH PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

April 2, 2011 Weatherford, TX NORTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

April 9, 2011 Picayune, MS PICAYUNE AUDITORIUM - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

April 15, 2011 Cuyahoga Falls, OH COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

April 16, 2011 Huntington, WV NEW BAPTIST CHURCH - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

April 28, 2011 Ottumwa, IA BRIDGE VIEW CENTER - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

April 30, 2011 Gillette, WY FAMILY LIFE CHURCH - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

May 1, 2011 Spearfish, SD COUNTRYSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour

May 6, 2011 Randleman, NC RANDLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL - Big Daddy Weave Spring Tour


For all the latest on Luminate, including a new video blog series on its YouTube channel where each band member shares what “Coming Home” means to them, see these links:

www.facebook.com/luminate
http://www.luminatemusic.com/
www.myspace.com/luminate
www.youtube.com/luminateband
www.twitter.com/luminateband
www.twitter.com/samluminate
www.twitter.com/dustinluminate
www.twitter.com/aaronluminate
www.twitter.com/dustyluminate