I.P.O. Records/Thompkins Media Group partnership signals creative and personal rebirth for award winning singer/songwriter John Mandeville and legendary industry executive T.C. Thompkins FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Award winning singer/songwriter John Mandeville has just struck a partnership to have his I.P.O. Records debut “We Belong To Heaven” released in conjunction with Thompkins Media Group/Sony RED. Mandeville is of course no stranger to the charts, topping the adult contemporary, Christian and gospel categories numerous times after penning and producing tracks for the likes of Avalon, 4HIM, Point of Grace, Tammy Trent and a slew of other superstars, grabbing 6 Gold Records in the process. His partner at Thompkins Media Group(T.C. Thompkins) has a legendary resume as well, logging in top executive positions at Stax Records, Capitol Records, ABC Records and CBS/Epic Records (where he served Regional Director, National Director and Vice President of Promotions, developing the esteemed likes of Sade, Luther Van dross and Michael Jackson across his blockbusters “Off the Wall” and “Thriller”, the latter of which is the largest selling CD in history topping 40 million units). Not only does the pairing provide a creative renaissance for both industry heavy-hitters, but also a personal rebirth. In a strictly artistic sense, “We Belong To Heaven” is an ambitious inspirational pop undertaking, that’s just as likely to resonate with fans of Sting as Steven Curtis Chapman or Chris Tomlin, characterized by stirring instrumentation and an even more empowering lyrical undercurrent. And Mandeville certainly means every word of his life changing story that began with an attainment of industry accolades and notoriety, followed by a major label record deal opportunity at the tip of the 2000s that eventually fizzled with corporate restructuring and sent the artist’s life into a tailspin of addiction and marital problems. “This project really wrote itself as a result of what I was living through, it was meant to be a monument of change for my family, sort of like David wrote the Psalms,” he recalls of those initial sessions. “This was the turning point, the line in the sand, to see all the drama come to a close”. It was my chance to find my heart and return to a place of hope, while also returning to the heart of who I am as an artist.” Though it may have originally started as a private lament turned proclamation, “We Belong To Heaven” soon caught the ears of the veteran Thompkins, who was so moved by what he heard that he reached out to Mandeville via MySpace, struck up an immediate friendship and eventually offered his professional support of the project. “I was immediately attracted to his music for the sake of the art and message, even though my background wasn’t in Christian music,” Thompkins confirms. “But I know artistry when I see it, and between the style of his arrangements and the message, I was hooked.” Besides both Mandeville and Thompkins’ extraordinary opportunities to share their real-world stories of redemption, the timing couldn’t be more applicable for We Belong To Heaven to find a widespread national release, which in light of the country’s current economic crisis, is a rock solid reminder that themes of hope and harmony are all the more alive and thriving. “Its interesting timing in the sense that the times are forcing people back to a different understanding of what prosperity and personal peace really mean,” notices Mandeville. “This record is a message of total surrender to whatever God has in store for your life, as opposed to building all your treasures around material wealth.” But more than any past or present music industry accolade, Mandeville’s primary sense of pride surrounds his family life. He hopes that these songs will be just as empowering to those in need of reconciliation right now as they were when he wrote them from the lowest point of his own existence. “It’s been a process of walking step by step to put my marriage back together, coming out of an addictive life, and giving my family vision and purpose,” he adds. “I didn’t really intend to get back into the music business, but after a long detox from the industry, over a period of about 18 months I picked up my guitar, wrote and sang about 35 songs that came down to these, while pulling a few from a catalog I had written previously. For the most part, the songs on this project were all written in response to impossible circumstances in my life, but God showed up for me and I have no doubt He will for listeners as well.” REVIEWS: "John Mandeville's new album We Belong to Heaven is entirely accessible pop/rock worship...infectiously hopeful and full of insight." - Christianity Today “…an honest confession of despair turned to hope.” - Worship Leader "We Belong to Heaven is easily one of the most delightful surprises of the year." - Lifeway.com "K-Love, we have your next chart-topper." - The Phantom Tollbooth "We Belong To Heaven…will allow Mandeville to finally receive the accolades he deserves." - Soul-Audio.com "Those who appreciate the intrinsic merits of catchy, well-written pop/rock...should find Mandeville's freshman project very much to their liking." - TitleTrakk.com “John Mandeville, not to be confused with the 14th-century author of the same name, is ostensibly a Christian rocker…But if those kinds of boundaries didn't exist, his music would find a comfortable home nestled between the work of, say, Matthew Sweet and Tal Bachman…he's adept at combining jangly, folk-rock guitars with sugar-coated power-pop hooks and is possessed of a clear, bright voice perfect for his highly melodic tunes. Oh, and he also sings about God.” - Muze.com “Not Just a P&W Act.” - Hollywood Jesus