Dogs Go to Heaven and “Other Undisputed Facts” from GRAMMY® Award-winning Mark Lowry Hits the Top of Multiple Charts

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter/comedian Mark Lowry has just released Dogs Go to Heaven (Gaither Music Group), an all-new recording available now on CD and DVD.  The DVD debuted at the #1 spot on this week’s Billboard Music Video chart and on the Christian Music Video chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan.  The audio recording topped this week’s Southern Gospel chart and came in at #5 on the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) chart.

The uplifting collection, filmed LIVE at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN, brings to life moving songs, side-splitting comedy and spiritual truths, including Lowry’s “undisputed knowledge” that dogs go to heaven!

“TOP of the chart??” exclaimed the comedian with laughter upon receiving the news.  “I guess this must have been a slow week for everybody, huh?!  What a way to wake up on a Tuesday!  I’m humbled and I’m so grateful to all of the people who made this happen—‘Q’ Phillips, Matthew Underwood, Troy Collins, Bob Sauer, Gaither Studios and Music Group, First Baptist Church and its choir, the musicians, Capitol Christian Music Group—everyone who had in a hand in it.  I’m glad to be doing what I’m doing, and at my age I’m thrilled to be at the top of anything!”

Both a master of comedy and a master of ceremony, the GMA Hall of Fame member takes listeners on a concert journey with this new release, showcasing his musical prowess and heartfelt stories.  Featuring guest appearances from The Martins, Stan Whitmire, TaRanda and the First Baptist Church Choir, the nationally-acclaimed performer fills the audience with laughter; yet he shares his contemplative side as well with honest, redeeming messages.

One of the most popular touring artists in Christian music, Lowry loves to connect with an audience; and that passion shows on Dogs Go to Heaven.  “That’s why I leave the lights up in the audience,” he explains, “so I can see them. I like to look everybody in the eyes sometime during the night.

“I love it all.  I love the opening when we’re getting to know each other (the audience and me), and I love the conversations on stage between me and The Martins or with whoever happens to be with me that night.  I love walking out in the audience and getting closer to the people. I enjoy introducing ‘Mary, Did You Know?’ (which I will do every night, probably, for the rest of my life…when you only have one hit, you sing it every night!)  And I treasure the serendipitous moments when God shows up, without warning, but very expectedly. We always ask Him to…I love that, and I love the email I receive from people telling me how the concert affected them.”

Lowry’s career has spanned from contemporary Christian music recordings and best-selling comedy videos to his platform as a member of the lauded Gaither Vocal Band for over 20 years.  The co-writer (along with Buddy Greene) of “Mary, Did You Know?” his talents have placed him on the Gaither HOMECOMING Video Series and on world-renowned stages including Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Dogs Go to Heaven is distributed through Capitol Christian Distribution and is available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and www.gaither.com.  Lowry is featured weekly on the Gaither HOMECOMING shows on TV networks including PBS, Dish TV, RFD and TBN, among others; and the new release will be featured in Homecoming Magazine.  For further information about Lowry visit:  www.marklowry.com or www.facebook.com/markalanlowry or @MarkAlanLowry.

Lowry’s current Top 40 radio single “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” (How We Love)—a song made familiar to him by friend and country music legend Loretta Lynn—features American bluegrass and country music group Dailey & Vincent.