Disney's Night of Joy Line Up Announced

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort has announced the talent lineup for the milestone 25th annual Night of Joy on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8 in Magic Kingdom, with Third Day, Chris Tomlin and David Crowder*Band on the marquee of a nine-act lineup of Christian music artists Sept. 7 followed by newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman and Salvador spearheading a nine-act lineup Sept. 8.

The talent bill, a combination of celebrated Christian music veterans and heralded newcomers, also will include:



Friday September 7, 2007
Third Day
Chris Tomlin
David Crowder*
Jaci Valesquez
Brian Littrell
BarlowGirl
Leeland Red
Jessie Daniels
Sanctus Real

Saturday September 8, 2007
newsboys
Steven Curtis Chapman
Band Salvador
Mark Schultz
Smokie Norful
Kutless
Mary Mary
Flyleaf
GMA Winner

*Gospel Music Winner

, Red, Mary Mary, Flyleaf and Mark Schultz. The Saturday entertainment lineup also will include a Best of Show winner from the GMA's 33rd annual Music in the Rockies event.

Night of Joy, which requires a special ticket, begins at 7:30 p.m. (after regular theme park closing) and continues to 12:30 a.m. Performances will be at several stage locations throughout Magic Kingdom. In addition, Magic Kingdom attractions -- including the ever-popular Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad -- will be in operation.

Advance tickets ($41.95 plus tax for one night, $71.95 plus tax for both nights) are available by calling 407/W-DISNEY or by visiting disneyworld.com/nightofjoy online. Tickets purchased on the date of the event will be $46.95 plus tax if available (Night of Joy is frequently sold out in advance).

Night of Joy began in 1983, and throughout its quarter-century history it has been a showcase for musically diverse talent lineups. 2007 is no exception: Among the 18 national recording acts are performers who have won or are currently nominated for GMA Dove Awards in 10 different musical genres -- rock, rock/contemporary, urban, pop/contemporary, traditional gospel, contemporary gospel, Spanish language, instrumental, inspirational, and worship.

Thirteen of this year's artists are nominees for Christian music's highest honors, to be presented April 25 at the 38th annual GMA Dove Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Among the hopefuls is Steven Curtis Chapman, Christian music's most decorated talent with more than 50 Dove Awards and five Grammy Awards, who will be making his ninth Night of Joy appearance -- equaling the most visits to the Disney stage by any of the 116 Christian music acts that have played the event in its first 24 years.

This year's lineup also includes seven acts making their Night of Joy debut -- including 2006 Dove Award Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin, who has a dizzying nine nominations for Dove Awards in 2007. Other Night of Joy newbies: Brian Littrell, Leeland, Jessie Daniels, Sanctus Real, Red and Flyleaf. Like Tomlin, their reputations precede them, as four have garnered Dove Award nominations in 2007, and two have Dove Awards on their resume.

Night of Joy has played to a combined audience of more than 900,000 guests in its first 24 years.