Rocketown recording artist Shaun Groves is currently in the studio wrapping up the final tracks for his self-produced, upcoming third album release set for July 12, 2005. Titled White Flag, the new CD reflects Groves’ ongoing role as a co-pastor to college-age students and the recent Bible study series he led on the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes.

Rocketown Records’ President Don Donahue said, “On Shaun's third release, White Flag, we could quickly tell how important it was to let Shaun experience the Beatitudes study and see what came from that. He was not pushed to meet a release date—these songs came as a pure extension of Shaun as a teacher and the wait was well worth the time spent. I think you will agree that White Flag is Shaun’s most cohesive and complete work to date.”

“A white flag is a metaphor for surrender,” said Groves about the album title. “Surrender goes beyond belief; surrender means to give up any notion of competence without God, any allegiance to this world. It means laying down any desire of my own if need be, throwing out practicality and success as motivators and replacing them with a desire to be faithful to the teachings of Christ no matter what. Churches are filled with believers. The mission field, the food shelters, the AIDS clinics and the history of martyrdom are filled with surrendered disciples of Christ. That's what this CD is about. It's about being a surrendering follower of Jesus and not just a believer in Him. How do we get from belief to discipleship? What does that path look like? It begins with giving up.”

For the first time, Groves is taking the helm of this project, serving as producer. He is supported in this effort by long-time band members Dan Strain, James Gregory and Ben Showalter as well as recording/mix engineer Skye McCaskey and executive producer Lynn Nichols (Switchfoot, Amy Grant, Delirious).

“I'm a great admirer of Shaun as a writer and communicator,” said Nichols. “In an industry where most artists tend to only go ankle deep, Shaun dives in! White Flag feels timely both musically and lyrically. So much of modern rock is way too polished and formulated, and alternative is sometimes too raw and uncooked. White Flag is a good blend.”

The first single from White Flag goes for adds April 29, and Groves will be heavily involved in Gospel Music Week 2005 as well as doing 25 promotional dates in May and June to offer his fans a first listen to the new songs. In addition, Groves wrote a weekly column in February and March on CMCentral.com to let fans read about the process of making his third album; the site will also offer the first sneak listen this month of a song from the CD. For more information on Shaun Groves, visit www.shaungroves.com or www.rocketownrecords.com.

Grammy Award-winner Michael W. Smith and former Reunion Records A&R chief Don Donahue started Rocketown Records in 1996 with the goal of building a label around a foundation of great songs and a family atmosphere. Since its launch, Rocketown has garnered commercial and critical acclaim with more than 2.5 million units sold, more than two dozen No. 1 songs and more than 60 Dove Award nominations.