David Crowder*Band to Open 25th Night of Joy, Lifting Curtain on Star-Filled 19-Act Christian Music Event

David Crowder*Band will lift the curtain on the 25th annual Night of Joy with a 7:30 p.m. concert on Cinderella Castle Stage Sept. 7 ... and newsboys will have the honor of blowing a kiss and offering a final "God bless" from the same Magic Kingdom stage late night Sept. 8 as the last of 19 music acts performing during the milestone contemporary Christian event at Walt Disney World Resort.

(Pictured: Multilingual Christian music sensation Jaci Velasquez is just one of the contemporary Christian music acts performing at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World 2007. )

David Crowder*Band and newsboys are among a half-dozen performers who will "play the Castle" during the two-night musical extravaganza that takes place after regular park hours (a special ticket is required for admission). Friday evening, 2006-2007 Dove Awards "Artist of the Year" Chris Tomlin and 2001 "Artist of the Year" Third Day will follow David Crowder to the landmark stage. On Saturday, Salvador opens the show at the iconic stage followed by Christian music's most-honored artist, Steven Curtis Chapman.

But that's just for starters. Three other stages throughout Magic Kingdom will also be alive with Christian music each evening. Here's the complete entertainment lineup (talent, show times and locations are subject to change without notice):

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7, 2007

Artist (Stage) -- Showtimes

BarlowGirl (Fantasyland) -- 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
David Crowder*Band (Cinderella Castle Stage) -- 7:30 p.m.
Jessie Daniels (Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café) -- 9:15 p.m.
Leeland (Galaxy Palace Theater) -- 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Brian Littrell (Galaxy Palace Theater) --10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
Sanctus Real (Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café) -- 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
Third Day (Cinderella Castle Stage) -- 11:30 p.m.
Chris Tomlin (Cinderella Castle Stage) -- 9:30 p.m.
Jaci Velasquez (Fantasyland) -- 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8, 2007

Artist (Stage) -- Showtimes

Steven Curtis Chapman (Cinderella Castle Stage) -- 9:30 p.m.
Flyleaf (Galaxy Palace Theater) -- 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Rachael Hurt (GMA contest winner) (Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café) -- 9:15 p.m.
Kutless (Fantasyland) -- 11:20 p.m.
Mary Mary (Galaxy Palace Theater) -- 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
newsboys (Cinderella Castle Stage) -- 11:30 p.m.
Smokie Norful (Fantasyland) -- 7:30 p.m.
Red (Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café) -- 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
Salvador (Cinderella Castle Stage) -- 7:30 p.m.
Mark Schultz (Fantasyland) -- 9:25 p.m.

The musical diversity that has always been a hallmark continues. Recording artists at the 25th Night of Joy have won GMA Dove Awards in nine different musical genres -- rock, rock/contemporary, urban, pop/contemporary, contemporary gospel, Spanish language, instrumental, inspirational, and praise and worship.

This year's lineup also includes seven acts making their Night of Joy debut -- including Christian music Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin. Other Night of Joy newbies: Brian Littrell, Leeland, Jessie Daniels, Sanctus Real, Red and Flyleaf. With their appearances, the all-time Night of Joy roster grows to 123 acts.

Night of Joy audiences can enjoy not just concerts throughout the park but also popular Magic Kingdom attractions, which are operating during party hours.

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).