|PIC1|Best-selling Christian band Newsboys recently inked a deal with American Athletics to launch their own line of Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes.

The joint venture is the first time the shoes have been branded with a Christian music artist’s logo.

Chuck Taylors have become a cultural icon, donning the names of legendary bands including Black Sabbath, The Doors, Grateful Dead, The Who, Ozzy Osbourne, and now newsboys.

An exclusive partnership developed by Bernard Porter (PCG Nashville) and Robert Michaels with Newsboys manager Wes Campbell and American Athletics owner Gary Church made this opportunity a first for the Christian music industry.

“American Athletics has placed shoes on the feet of Mel Gibson, Whitney Houston, and the likes of Bob Dylan,” says Church. “But I personally have never been involved with a group as excited to wear Chucks as Newsboys. Great group ... great shoe. Both are All Stars.”

“The opportunity to be associated with Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars is exciting,” says Newsboys manager Wes Campbell. “I have personally worn them for years. Newsboys is a great choice to break into this market. We launched the shoes on Newsboys' current The Way We Roll Tour, which kicked off October 1 in Greensboro and will run through mid-November.”

Newsboys branded Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars will be available in red, black, blue, and pink, in either low or hi tops. Shoes can be ordered online only via a special link on newsboys home page at www.newsboys.com