David Wallace Crowder(born November 29, 1971[2]), known professionally by hismononymousstage nameCrowdersince 2012, is an Americancontemporary Christian musicsinger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and author.[3][better source needed]He was the lead singer in the now defunctChristian RockandModern WorshipbandDavid Crowder Band,before he started his solo career in 2012 onsixstepsrecordsandSparrow Recordslabels.
Crowder | |
|---|---|
 Crowder in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Wallace Crowder[1] |
| Also known as | Crowder |
| Born | November 29, 1971[2] Texarkana,Texas,U.S. |
| Origin | Waco,Texas |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals,guitar |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | sixsteps,Sparrow |
| Website | crowdermusic |
He released his first solo album,Neon Steeple,on May 27, 2014.[3]Crowder released his first solo single off the album, "I Am",on November 25, 2013, which rose to the No. 3 position on theChristian Songschart.[4]American Prodigal,Crowder's second solo album, was released on September 23, 2016 and his third,I Know a Ghost,on November 9, 2018. His fourth solo album,Milk & Honey,released on June 11, 2021.
Early life and education
editThis sectionneeds expansionwith: source-drawn detail (parents, siblings, dates of schooling, areas of study, early church affiliations and music activities, etc.). You can help byadding to it.(April 2023) |
David Wallace Crowder was born on November 29, 1971, inTexarkana,Texas.[2]Following high school, he went to college atBaylor UniversityinWaco, Texas.[citation needed]
David Crowder* Band
edit
Crowder was the lead vocalist of the David Crowder Band from 1996 until the group disbanded in 2012. At that time, Crowder started his solo career on theSparrow Recordsimprint,sixstepsrecords.During the band's time together they released sixteen singles through six studio albums, two live albums, fourExtended Plays (EPs)and one compilation album.David Crowder Band(stylized asDavid Crowder*BandandThe David Crowder*Band) was a six-pieceChristian rockandmodern worshipband fromWaco, Texas.Their final album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 charts. They disbanded in 2012, with David Crowder pursuing a solo career under the name Crowder and the rest of the band, except for Mike Hogan, formingThe Digital Age.
| David Crowder*Band | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Waco,Texas,U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1996–2012 |
| Labels | sixstepsrecords,Sparrow,EMI,Capitol CMG |
| Past members | David Crowder
Jack Parker Jeremy "B-Wack" Bush Mike D Hogan Mark Waldrop Jason Solley Taylor Johnson |
Name
editThis section of abiography of a living persondoes notincludeanyreferences or sources.(November 2024) |
Prior to the albumChurch Music,the band preferred not to be referred to as "TheDavid Crowder*Band ".[citation needed]They explained that they preferred to omit the article, and stated that they "may revisit this issue if other groups named 'David Crowder*Band' begin performing,"[This quote needs a citation]and may in fact, should that eventuality occur, insert "The Original" in front of the band's present appellation.[citation needed]As of the release ofChurch Music,however, the band has begun referring to themselves using the article, and explained "we've been at [this] for a while now without incident, so we felt justified in its formal inclusion."[This quote needs a citation]
The band's name is usually rendered with an asterisk, as "David Crowder*Band". In a faux-documentary,[citation needed]while recordingChurch Music,Crowder joked that the asterisk meant, "David Crowder [is about to go insane because Jack Parker continually tries to sabotage the work of the rest of the] band."[This quote needs a citation]
Band history
editThe band began when Crowder realized that almost half of the students atBaylor University,a Christian university, were not attending church. Finding this very surprising he and Chris Seay started University Baptist Church (Waco, Texas) in 1995, while he was still a student. Crowder became pastor of worship at the church and led worship and continued to do so throughout the year. The church's congregation grew, as did the band's lineup.
Crowder began writing songs to incorporate into the worship times at the church and eventually the church released anindependent CD,Pour Over Me,followed byAll I Can Sayin 1998.[citation needed]These CDs brought the band to a wider audience and invitations to festivals and events followed. The band was signed tosixstepsrecords/Sparrow Recordswhen Louie Giglio talked to Crowder about the music and how it could be used more than just at UBC and more worldwide. Although the band toured extensively, they made it a point to be back at their home church UBC inWacoTexas for most Sundays.[citation needed]
Kyle Lake,University Baptist Church's former pastor and also longtime friend of the band, had a strong influence on the band's music in terms of content and inspiration both during his life and after Lake's death.[citation needed]
With their September 2005 release,A Collision or (3+4=7),David Crowder Band explored a new realm of musical diversity. The album houses a mix ofbluegrass,folk,alternative,andworship,woven together with a touch ofelectronic ambience.This release landed them the No. 2 spot on theiTunes Music Storeand the No. 39 spot onBillboard200the second day after its release. The same day as the release ofA Collision,their song "Turkish Delight" was released on theMusic Inspired by the Chronicles of Narniacompilation CD. This song, which is a reference to the magicalTurkish delightinC. S. Lewis's bookThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,has an old-school disco feel.
March 19, 2007, the band officially started recordingRemedy;the band also revealed the album's website, which allowed fans to follow the band via live webcams, and discover more about the album.Ted Nugentmade a guest appearance on the album, on the song "We Won't Be Quiet".Remedywas released on September 25, 2007. The day after its release, it reached No. 4 on theiTunes Music Store.When Mark Waldrop joined the band as the albumRemedywas released, his sidekick Rupert came with him. Rupert is a gnome. During the Remedy Tour the band had up a live web feed on Crowder's Xanga account. The feed had a chat room where fans chatted live with the band and their tourmates. It showed more than half of the tour stops live which included their tour bus, live stage feeds of shows, places the band went, etc. Much of the time the video feed would be on Rupert at different stops. On the final night of the tour Phil Wickham and The Myriad came on stage for a hoe down for the song "I Saw the light". The camera for the feed was on the lid of a ball-cap and was wired into a laptop the band had in a backpack; this equipment was provided by Xanga. The band also used the feed for some time after their Remedy Tour. July 16, 2008, the band announced it would be releasing a live album and DVD titledRemedy Club Tour - Live,The DVD was filmed In NYC and GA.
Crowder's Xanga entry from January 31, 2009, mentioned the preproduction of the band's next studio album. Also on Mike Hogan's MySpace entry from March 4, 2009, he confirmed that actual recording and production had commenced and provided directions for getting to the live webcam feed, which is in a page simply titled "Church Music". The album was titled "Church Music" and was released on September 22, 2009. The first single off the album was a cover ofJohn Mark McMillan's song "How He Loves".Crowder received permission from McMillan to change the words" So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss "to" So heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss ".
The band hosted Crowder's Fantastical Church Music Conference September 30 through October 2, 2010 atBaylor UniversityinWaco, Texas.Other presenters at the conference includedLouie Giglio,Rob Bell,Israel Houghton,Hillsong London,Matt Redman,Jars of Clay,Matt Maher,Leeland,David Dark,Gungor,Derek Webb,andIsaac Wardell.Mark recorded aRapsong for the band titled "Bwack Be Creepin'" for the band's YouTube channel.
February 5, 2011 the band announced the official start to recording ofGive Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]).On May 21, 2011, the band announced through their website that the band will end after the completion of the Fall 2011 "The 7 Tour" and the release of their sixth album.
Later, on July 21, 2011, the band announced that a Christmas album,Oh for Joy,would be released on October 4, 2011. The band stated that they began to recordGive Us Restand subsequentlyOh for Joycame out. Some of the songs in the albumsGive Us RestandOh for Joywere recorded in greenrooms and restrooms during the band's last tour.
The band played their final show at the Passion 2012 Conference on January 3, 2012 at the Georgia Dome.
Crowder has formed a new collective called "Crowder" that made its first performance at the Creation East Festival in June 2012. Parker, Dodson, Bush, and Waldrop have formed a new band, called "The Digital Age",and run a recording studio in Waco, Texas. David Crowder is still signed with Sparrow Records and sixstepsrecords under Capitol CMG. He is now making music under the name" Crowder. "
Unusual Instrumentation
editThe band often incorporated unconventional instruments and elements into their music, many of which were created by the band's drummer Jeremy Bush. He modified aSpeak & Spellfor the song "I Can Hear the Angels Singing (...Andeverandeverand...)", and used a robot drummer, named Steve 3PO, for use in "Church Music", a silver box with blue lights and switches for "Can You Feel It?", and a MOTMmodular synthesizerused by Hogan. He also manufactured a seven square-foot MPC style-MIDI controller for the bandFamily Force 5.
A guitar-shaped controller from theGuitar Herogame was used in "... neverending...". According to Crowder, the controller was transformed to a MIDI instrument. Jeremy "B-Wack" Bush programmed the controller such that each of the buttons were put into USB Overdrive, an application for reading signals off of USB devices. The buttons were programmed to each specific chord in the song "...neverending...". Once the buttons were programmed and sent to USB Overdrive, the results were put in toAbleton Liveas a MIDI note programmed by the band. There were 12 samples in the controller.
Hogan often played turntables and played electric violin with guitar effects. ASmule"I Am T-Pain"iPhoneapp is used on "The Nearness".[citation needed]On incorporating bluegrass into the band's repertoire, Crowder stated that the banjo was something he had previously wanted to avoid "at all costs".
The band often recorded their albums in a barn behind Crowder's house.[citation needed]
Solo Career (2013-present)
editCrowder released his debut solo studio album on May 27, 2014,Neon Steeple.The lead single, "I Am", released on November 25, 2013, charted at No, 3 on theBillboardChristian Songschart.[4]"Come As You Are" achieved aGrammynomination in 2015 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.[5]
His second solo album,American Prodigal,was released September 23, 2016. The first single, "Run Devil Run", was released on June 18, 2016.[6]"Forgiven" was the second single released.
On September 19, 2018, Crowder announced a third solo album and released the first two singles, "Red Letters"and"Wildfire".The album,I Know a Ghost,was released on November 9, 2018.[7]
Crowder's fourth studio album, titledMilk & Honeywas released on June 11, 2021. The album is supported with the three singles, "Good God Almighty","In the House",and"God Really Loves Us".The album features appearances fromHulvey,Dante BoweandMaverick City Music.[8]
Beginning in January 2024, Crowder began touring in Jam Nation's Winter Jam Tour with Christian artistsCAIN,Katy Nichole,andNewsong.[9]
Crowder announced his new albumThe Exileon April 5, 2024, after dropping a new single "[DASH]" featuringTobyMac.The album was released on May 31, 2024.[10]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [11] |
US Christ. [12] |
UK C&G | ||||
| Neon Steeple | 9 | 1 | — | |||
| American Prodigal | 12 | 1 | — | |||
| I Know a Ghost |
|
43 | 2 | — | ||
| Milk & Honey |
|
59 | 1 | 10[15] | ||
| Milk & Cookies: A Merry Crowder Christmas |
|
— | 29 | — | ||
| The Exile |
|
102 | 1 | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. | ||||||
Other albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [11] |
US Christ. [12] |
US Rock [16] |
US Folk [17] | ||
| iTunes Session |
|
172 | 9 | 50 | 9 |
EPs
edit| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [12] |
US Rock [16] | ||
| Neon Porch Extravaganza |
|
11 | 39 |
Singles
editAs a lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Bub. [18] |
US Christ [19] |
US Christ Air. [20] |
US Christ AC [21] |
US Christ Digital [22] | ||||
| "I Am" | 2013 | — | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | Neon Steeple | |
| "Come As You Are" | 2014 | — | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | ||
| "Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)" | 2015 | — | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | ||
| "Run Devil Run" | 2016 | — | 22 | 26 | — | 6 | American Prodigal | |
| "My Victory" | — | 12 | 7 | 12 | 10 | |||
| "Forgiven" | 2017 | — | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | ||
| "Back to the Garden" | — | 45 | — | — | — | |||
| "All My Hope" (featuringTauren Wells) |
— | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|
Non-album single | |
| "Red Letters"/"Wildfire" | 2018 | — | 9 | 8 | 11 | 5 |
|
I Know a Ghost |
| — | 43 | — | — | — | ||||
| "Let It Rain (Is There Anybody)" (featuringMandisa) |
2019 | — | 10 | 6 | 6 | 13 | ||
| "I'm Leaning on You" (featuringRiley Clemmons) |
2020 | — | 19 | 15 | 16 | — | ||
| "Night Like This" | — | 47 | — | — | — | |||
| "Good God Almighty" | 2021 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
Milk & Honey |
| "In the House" | 19 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | |||
| "O Holy Night" (withPassion) |
— | — | 46 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "God Really Loves Us" (withDante BowefeaturingMaverick City Music) |
2022 | — | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | Milk & Honey | |
| "Grave Robber" | 2023 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | The Exile | |
| "[DASH]"(feat.TobyMac) | 2024 | — | 36 | — | — | — | ||
| "Somebody Prayed"[23] | — | 14 | — | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. | ||||||||
As a featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [19] | |||
| "Testify" (Social Club Misfitsfeaturing Crowder) |
2019 | 46 | Mood // Doom |
| "Home" (Tedashiifeaturing Crowder) |
— | Never Fold | |
| "My Jesus" (Anne Wilsonfeaturing Crowder) |
2021 | — | My Jesus |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. | |||
Promotional singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ. [19] |
US Christ. Digital [22] | |||
| "He Is" | 2021 | 30 | 11 | Milk & Honey |
| "Milk & Honey" | 37 | — | ||
| "The Anchor" | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. | ||||
Other charted songs
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ Digital [22] | |||
| "This I Know" | 2013 | 14 | Neon Steeple |
| "My Beloved" | 2014 | 25 | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. | |||
Music videos
edit| Title | Year | Album | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I Am" | 2014 | Neon Steeple | |
| "Come As You Are" | Watch | ||
| "Run Devil Run" | 2016 | American Prodigal | Watch |
| "Forgiven" | 2017 | Watch | |
| "Back to the Garden" | Watch | ||
| "Prove It featuringKB" | Watch | ||
| "All My Hope(featuringTauren Wells) " | non-album single | Watch |
Awards
editGMA Dove Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | "Come As You Are" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| "Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)" | Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Come As You Are" | Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| Neon Steeple | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | Won | ||
| 2017 | "Run Devil Run" | Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| American Prodigal | Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Run Devil Run | Short Form Video of the Year | Won | |
| 2018 | "All My Hope" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | "Red Letters" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| "Wildfire" | Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Won | |
| I Know a Ghost | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Red Letters | Short Form Video of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2021 | "Good God Almighty" | Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2022 | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Higher Power" (featuring Hulvey) |
Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Won | |
| Milk & Honey | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | Nominated |
Notes
edit- ^"All My Hope (featuring Tauren Wells)" is a non-album single. However, the original version of "All My Hope" did not feature Tauren Wells, and can be found onAmerican Prodigal.
Books
editDavid Crowder has authored two books:
- David Crowder,Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi,NavPress,2005.
- David Crowder with Mike Hogan,Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass),Relevant Books,2006.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Van Pelt, Doug (November 1, 2007)."Left of Center: David Crowder Band".CCM Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon January 7, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
- ^abcChristian Music Review (October 27, 2007)."Artist Profile (David Crowder*Band)".Christian Music Review. Archived fromthe originalon October 22, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 8,2014.
- ^abZandi, Ian (November 22, 2013)."Crowder Announces Neon Steeple".Indie Vision Music. Archived fromthe originalon January 8, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 8,2014.
- ^abBillboard(December 5, 2013)."Christian Songs: December 14, 2013".Prometheus Global Media.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
- ^"Video Exclusive: Christian Artist Crowder Confirms That He's Still Very Much Alive (and Making Music)".Billboard.
- ^"Grammy® Acclaimed Crowder to Release" American Prodigal "Sept. 23".Patheos.June 16, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
- ^"Crowder - I Know A Ghost - Amazon.com Music".Amazon.RetrievedSeptember 19,2018.
- ^MILK & HONEY — Crowder,retrievedApril 16,2023
- ^"Winter Jam '24".RetrievedJanuary 23,2024.
- ^"Crowder Releases New Collaboration With TobyMac + Announces New 'Exile' Album".CCM Magazine.April 5, 2024.RetrievedApril 22,2024.
- ^ab"Crowder Chart History: Billboard 200".Billboard.RetrievedJune 11,2024.
- ^abc"Crowder Chart History: Christian Albums".Billboard.RetrievedJune 11,2024.
- ^abcd"Music | David Crowder Store".RetrievedJune 22,2019.
- ^abcde"American certifications – Crowder".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedMarch 28,2023.
- ^"Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company".Official Charts Company.June 21, 2021.RetrievedJune 21,2021.
- ^ab"Crowder Chart History: Top Rock Albums".Billboard.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
- ^"Crowder Chart History: Americana/Folk Albums".Billboard.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
- ^"Crowder – Chart history (Bubbling Under Hot 100)".Billboard.RetrievedMarch 8,2022.
- ^abc"Crowder – Chart history (Hot Christian Songs)".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 21,2017.
- ^"Crowder – Chart history (Christian Airplay)".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 21,2017.
- ^"Crowder – Chart history (Hot Christian AC Songs)".Billboard.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
- ^abc"Crowder – Chart history (Christian Digital Song Sales)".Billboard.RetrievedJune 17,2019.
- ^devops (January 2, 2013)."Hot Christian Songs".Billboard.RetrievedOctober 14,2024.