Jars Of Clay leave Essential, launch Gray Matters Records

CCM STARS Jars Of Clay are to leave Essential Records to launch their own record label, Gray Matters under the Nettwerk Music Group umbrella. Jars Of Clay's Stephen Mason told Billboard, "Having our own imprint will give us the opportunity to be more spontaneous and more prolific in how much music we kick out." The first Gray matters release will be a Christmas collection, due 17th October, which Jars will support via a Christmas tour with Third Day. Mason said the band also plan to record a soundtrack for a documentary a friend is making about the African village of Lwala.