Rocketown recording artist Michael Olson returns with his sophomore CD, Where Fear and Faith Collide, on Feb. 13, 2007. After playing drums for Michael W. Smith’s summer band dates as well as joining Smith’s current “Christmastime” tour, Olson has already been confirmed as a guest artist on Smith’s Spring 2007 tour. A talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Olson teamed with acclaimed producers Jason Ingram (Bebo Norman) and Nathan Dantzler (Tree63, The Turning) to craft his latest effort.

“Where Fear and Faith Collide is a collection of songs that has come out of a period of huge transition in my life,” remarked Olson. “It seems like circumstantially everything is different for me than it was two years ago. Some changes have been great, and some have been truly challenging. In either case, changes in life beg the question, ‘What are the foundational things that I believe in and how do they apply to these new circumstances?’ We can either allow challenges to define us and back us into a corner of fear, or allow God to use challenges to grow our faith. This record reflects how God has grown my faith over the past few years.”

Since Rocketown’s release of Olson’s 2005 independent debut, the artist has performed on tours with Big Daddy Weave, Ginny Owens and the Gloria Christmas tour in addition to serving in the bands of Smith and Sara Groves. Olson will also be performing on the 18 dates of Smith’s Christmas tour, which started Nov. 24, and is scheduled to hit such major markets as Dallas, Cleveland, Nashville, Atlanta and Minneapolis, among others. Cities and dates for Smith’s Spring 2007 tour, on which Olson has already been confirmed as a guest artist, will be announced soon.

Singles from Where Fear and Faith Collide—“On the Third Day” for AC and “Tell Me Again” for Inspirational radio—will go for adds on Dec. 29. Both songs aptly represent the album’s overall theme, and “Tell Me Again,” which traces God’s work through biblical history by outlining the stories of David and Abraham, features the luminous vocals of INO artist Sara Groves.

Rocketown Records President Don Donahue said, “Helping Michael with the making of Where Fear and Faith Collide has been extremely satisfying to all who participated in the process. From co-writers to players to producers to our staff, we feel this project is one that needs to be heard due to its universal themes and brilliant choruses. I eagerly anticipate audiences and church bodies nationwide experiencing the music in 2007.”

Jim Chaffee, president of Chaffee Management, recently welcomed Olson to his client roster. “I have watched Michael develop as an artist for the past two years,” Chaffee said, “and I have always been impressed with his deep sense of mission, overall extraordinary musicianship and great live performance. Now was the right time to enter into an artist/management relationship because everything is coming together for a very successful release.”

The complete track listing for Where Fear and Faith Collide is as follows:

Songs (all songs written or co-written by Olson except *)
On the Third Day*
If You Can Stop the World
Unchanged
Our First Love
God Is With Us
Tell Me Again
Fear and Faith
Helpless
Everywhere
Drawing Near

For more information and updated tour dates, visit www.michaelolsonmusic.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.