Wikipedia

Sonicflood

Sonicflood(sometimes stylized asSONICFLOOd) is an Americancontemporary worship musicband fromNashville, Tennessee,that has been touted as "The Fathers of the Modern Worship Movement."[citation needed]The group took the name "Sonicflood", a reference to a line in theBook of Revelation,chapter 19, verse 6.[1]

Sonicflood
OriginNashville, Tennessee,U.S.
GenresModern worship,CCM
Years active1997–present
LabelsGotee,INO,Resonate
MembersRick Heil
Ron Robinson
Phil Snowden
Dango Cellan
Chris Bevins
Past membersSee:Members
Websitewww.sonicflood.com

They released their debut album at a time when such music was gaining commercial success in theChristian music industry.In turn, their success fed the contemporary worship music genre, expanding its appeal.[2]

Since their debut, Sonicflood has sold almost two million albums, and produced top worship hits (often ascovers) including "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever","Resonate "," Cry Holy "and" Here I am to Worship ". In the early years of their existence, the group earned two Dove awards and three further nominations, and one Grammy nomination. Additionally, their eponymous debut took Gold status, and spawned several No. 1 hits on Christian radio.

History

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As Zilch

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The band originally formed in 1997 under the name, "Zilch". Zilch began asdc Talk's traveling band, forming into an independent act in 1997. The initial recording lineup was lead singer and guitaristMark Lee Townsend,keyboardistJason Halbert,bassist Otto "Sugar Bear" Price and drummer Rick May.[3]Zilch released its first album,Platinum,in 1997 onGotee Recordsbut received little publicity.[3]Platinumfeatured a modern rock sound with clear influences from 1960s pop music.[4]One review cited the sound as being similar to that ofAll Star United,[5]and another toWeezerplus pop and hip-hop influences.[6]

This release was not praise and worship music, which the band would soon become known for, but contained more standard fare, including songs on topics like friendship,complacency,[5]and priorities.[6]Overall, the band was characterized as not taking themselves seriously,[7]for instance by including a cover of theSchoolhouse Rock!song "My Hero, Zero",[5]and reflected in the band's name, which was taken from the song bythe same namewritten byThe Monkees.[3]Likewise, the title of the album was a play on their own status as musicians. "We're appointing ourselves superstars with a 'Platinum' album... "Jason Halbert told one reporter," That basically meansZilch!, "[4]Their song "In The Sky" is an answer to two hits at the time,Joan Osborne"One of Us"andDishwalla"Counting Blue Cars",opening with the line,"... she asked if God was just a slob like us, well maybe something there is lacking, "the second verse begins with," Let me tell you all my thoughts on God, cause I just met with Him this morning... "

In early 1998 Mark Lee Townsend stepped down from the role of lead singer and was replaced by then-independent artistJeff Deyo.[8]Zilch would play shows, sometimes ending them with a praise song such as "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High."[9]The band found that playing such music changed the nature of audience interaction with their performance, in positive ways.[9]

Formation of Sonicflood

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"We had misconceptions of what [praise and worship] was... Our idea in the past was that it had to be acoustic guitar, piano, and organ. Now, all of that goes out the window."

Jeff Deyo on praise and worship music[10]

Their label took notice as well, and eventually suggested that the band consider recording a full-lengthpraise and worshipalbum. This idea was initially met with resistance from the band,[9]which was already in the process of recording a second album under the titleMillennium.Eventually, the band agreed to do a praise and worship as aone-off,with no intention of continuing beyond the single album.[9]However, as the recording progressed, the band decided to commit to the project.[9][11]Jeff Deyo characterized the band's name change as a sign of that commitment, saying that it was similar to the story of theconversionofPaul of Tarsus.[9]

Sonicflood began rotating personnel making changes that would heavily impact the future of the band. Otto Price played bass, co-produced, and shared some writing credits on the album, but not wanting to continue touring, dropped out of the core band.[12]Price would eventually take the spot of vice president ofA&RatWord Records.[13]Mark Lee Townsend did similarly, and was listed onSonicfloodas an additional musician. Already an industry veteran, he went on to produce albums forThe OC SupertonesandRelient K,among others. Additionally, he intended to release a second project under the name Zilch. However, despite occasional status updates throughout the first decade of the 2000s, that album is yet unreleased.

Seven Day Jesusguitarist Dwayne Larring and drummer Aaron Blanton became members of the band, bringing their number to four. The original lineup, under which the albumSonicfloodwas recorded consisted of Deyo, Halbert, Blanton, and Larring. Heil, then theBig Tent Revivalbass guitar player, took over on bass guitar in early 1999 and joined as a founding member before Sonicflood began touring, but did not appear on the album.[12]

SonicfloodandSonicpraise

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Sonicflood releasedits debut albumin February 1999. With this release, the band became one of many bands in the burgeoning genre ofpraise and worship music,joiningDelirious?,Hillsong,Matt Redman,and others at a time when the genre was a fast-growing part of theChristian music industry.[14]The album landed onBillboard chartsincluding the Billboard 200, the top 10 Christian albums, and peaking at No. 2 on the Heatseekers Chart.[11]The band would stay on the top 10 Christian album charts well into the year 2000 (for over 72 weeks),[15]and becoming possibly the best known praise and worship band in America.[16]

The release had two No. 1 hits on Christian radio, "I Want to Know You" (written byAndy Park) and "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever" (written byMartin SmithofDelirious?), and several lesser chartingsingles.The latter was probably their most well known song,[17]and would gain an additional Dove nomination the following year, in the "Song of the Year" category. The band garnered threeDove Awardnominations in 2000 and one win, for "Praise and Worship Album". In 1999 the band recorded a live album at theFlevo Festivalbut featuring content from other shows as well.[11]Originally scheduled for a late 2000 release, changes in the band's structure would delay the album until 2001..

In the fall of 1999 the band toured with speakerJosh McDowell.The following Spring Sonicflood joined the "Love Liberty Disco Tour",headlined by theNewsboys.[18]The band also recorded a track for thecompilation albumCity on a HillwithPeter Furleras lead vocalist. This release would take a Dove award for "Special Event Album" in 2001, although by that time the band would bear no resemblance to the one which recorded it.

Sonicflood dissolved throughout the year 2000, citing differences over the vision of the band.[19]Issues that led to the band dissolving included whether the band should return to a more conventional musical strain or continue making praise and worship music[9][19]and how the band should sound.[12]These were complicated by the fact that the band had no true leadership; the original arrangement wasequal ownershipfor each member.[12]In acorporate fashion,this meant that each one had equal say in the direction of the band.[12]By the fall of that year, all members except Heil had departed.[19]Heil took the role of lead singer and began recruiting new members to fill the band's touring obligations and continue making praise and worship music.[20]

By spring 2001,Sonicfloodhad goneGoldand the legal complexities that surrounded the band's name and ownership had been resolved.[21]Sonicpraise,the live album recorded in 1999, was finally released. Similar to their eponymous album, it featured a mix of songs from thatSonicfloodand newcoverswritten by other praise artists.[22]This album earned aGrammynomination for "Best Gospel Rock Album", and the band was on Billboard charts once again.[11]

Under Rick Heil

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With Heil at the helm, the band recruited Tom Michael, Todd Shay and Brett Vargason, each of whom were members of the John Cox Band and David "Moose" Alan, who played keyboards forBig Tent Revival.[11]The band switched record labels, leavingGoteeand partnering with newly formedINO Records.Heil began developing a praise and worship album, designing it similarly to the band's 1999 release, with a mix of covers and original songs.[21]The result of these efforts becameResonate,released in the fall of 2001. Their 2003 releaseCry Holytakes an acoustic rock sound, drawing comparisons toChris Tomlin.[23]

Following the 2005 release ofThis Generation,the band toured internationally, recording their performances along the way.[24]While inMuslim-dominated Turkey the band filmed a music video for their song "This Generation".[25]Sonicflood toured with sponsorship byCompassion Internationalin the Spring of 2006, and continued to tour in Europe in the Summer.[25]These recordings were released asGlimpse: Live Recordings From Around The Worldin fall 2006.[24]As support forGlimpse,the band embarked on a United States tour, with sponsorship from theSouthern Baptist Convention'sInternational Mission Board,and includedmissionariesas speakers.[24]

In 2007, the band appeared onTrinity Broadcasting Network'sPraise the Lordto promote their appearance at an upcomingWorld Harvest Church-sponsored event.[26]Bandleader Rick Heil appeared again the following year, in support ofA Heart Like Yours,telling the story of his healing fromCrohn's disease[27]Heil contracted the disease at the age of 11, and was afflicted with it for 26 years.[28]Heil's case was particularly bad and, he was told,incurable,leaving his only hope for cure inmiracles.While Heil does not profess to have experienced a miracleper se,he does say that "Jesus is the great physician... the healer of the heart, the soul, the mind."[28]

The band went on to record "A Heart Like Yours" in 2008 which has a rock and piano-dominated sound.[29]Then, in 2009 recorded a Christmas album, "When Love First Cried."

In 2009, guitarist Phil Baquie received notice of hismilitaryunit's activation, and orders todeployto Afghanistan in October as part ofOperation Enduring Freedom.[30]Though not yet aUnited States citizen,Baquie is in themilitary reserve,which is a possiblepath to citizenship.Baquie's final album appearance was on their 2009Christmas album,When Love First Cried.

Members

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Current members

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  • Rick Heil – lead vocals, guitar (2000–present (formerly bass guitar withBig Tent Revival)
  • Ron Robinson – lead guitar, vocals, band music director (2009–present) (formerly guitar withEverlife)
  • Phil Snowden – bass guitar (2013–present)
  • Chris Bevins – keyboards, vocals (2013–present) (currently keyboards/vocals and band manager withSalvador)
  • Dango Cellan – drums (2016–present) (also drums withScott Stapp,Fireflight)

Former members

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Lead vocals

Bass guitar

  • Otto Price (1998–1999)
  • Rick Heil (1999–2000) (switched to lead vocals exclusively)
  • Tom Michael (2000–2004)
  • Bryan Willard (2004–2005)
  • Grant Norsworthy (2005–2007)

Drums

  • Aaron Blanton (1999–2000)
  • Brett Vargason (2000–2004)
  • Ben Showalter (2004–2005)
  • Chris Kimmerer (2006–2009)
  • Chris Knight (2009–2013)
  • Derek Wyatt (2013–2015) (formerly drums withKelly Clarkson)

Keyboards

  • Jason Halbert (1999–2000)
  • David Alan (2000–2004) (also inBig Tent Revival)
  • McKendree Tucker (2008–2009)

Guitar

  • Dwayne Larring (1999–2000)
  • Matthew Knabe (1999-2000)
  • Todd Shay (2000–2004)
  • Trey Hill (2004–2007)
  • Jordan Jameson (2004–2007)
  • Phil Baquie (2008–2009)

Timeline

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Discography

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as Zilch

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  • 1997 –Platinum

as Sonicflood

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Awards and nominations

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  • 2000 –Dove Awardfor Praise and Worship Album:Sonicflood
  • 2000 – Dove nomination for New Artist of the Year
  • 2000 – Dove nomination for Rock Recorded Song Of The Year: "I Have Come to Worship"
  • 2000 – Nashville Music Award nomination for Contemporary Christian Album:Sonicflood
  • 2001 – Dove Award for Special Event of the Year:City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise
  • 2001 – Dove nomination for Song of the Year: "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever"
  • 2002 –Grammynomination for "Best Gospel Rock Album":Sonicpraise

References

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  1. ^Dietor-Hartley, Shannon (December 1999). "Album Advice /Sonicflood".Church Musician Today.3(4): 28.ISSN0009-6466.
  2. ^Riddle, Melissa (May 29, 2000). "Modern Worship Music Booms".CCM Update.OCLC22937802.
  3. ^abcPowell (2002). "Zilch".Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music.pp.1065–1066.ISBN9781565636798.
  4. ^abBrown, Bruce A. (September–October 1997). "Bankshots: Zilch".7ball(14): 34.ISSN1082-3980.
  5. ^abcBumgarner, David (September–October 1997). "Reviews:Platinum".7ball(14): 44.ISSN1082-3980.
  6. ^abCrabbe, Betrand (January–February 1998). "Tools / Music / ZilchPlatinum".YouthWorker Journal.19(3): 60, 62.ISSN0747-3486.
  7. ^Taylor, Sean (December 1997). "Reviews /Platinum".CBA Marketplace.30(12): 70.ISSN1092-7239.OCLC36184061.
  8. ^"Who's That Guy?".Zilch Online. January 15, 1998. Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 1998.
  9. ^abcdefgChismar, Janet (December 28, 2001)."Jeff Deyo Traces the Road to and From Sonicflood".Crosswalk.com.
  10. ^Carlozo, Lou (November 1999). "The Latest Craze".CCM Magazine.22(5): 40–42, 44.ISSN1524-7848.
  11. ^abcdeCooksey, G. (2005)."SONICFLOOd".In Pilchak, Angela M. (ed.).Contemporary Musicians.Volume 51.Farmington Hills,Michigan:Gale Group.pp.150–152.ISBN0-7876-8064-8.ISSN1044-2197.
  12. ^abcdeParrish, Robin (2004)."A Conversation with Jeff Deyo".
  13. ^"Word Entertainment Announces Changes to A&R Department".Cmspin.com.
  14. ^McCabe, Ginny (July 1999). "Praise & Worship Music Changing for the Millennium".CBA Marketplace.32(7): 222.ISSN1092-7239.OCLC36184061.
  15. ^"Christian Retail Top Albums".CCM Update.July 17, 2000.OCLC22937802.
  16. ^"Truth Be Told".CCM Magazine.28(3): 9. September 2005.ISSN1524-7848.
  17. ^Moring, Mark (January–February 2001). "'I Could Sing of Your Love Forever'".Campus Life.59(6): 20.ISSN0008-2538.
  18. ^"Sonicflood on tour with the Newsboys".Cross Rhythms(56). April 2000.
  19. ^abcFranklin, Malia; Brasher, Joan (September 4, 2000). "Key Member Exits Spell Uncertain Future for Sonicflood,Burlap".CCM Update.OCLC22937802.
  20. ^"Sonicflood change band line up".Cross Rhythms(60). December 2000.
  21. ^abAkins, Debra; Hendrickson, Lucas W. (May 21, 2001). "Sonicflood Makes Label Jump Following Turbulent Year".CCM Update.OCLC22937802.• Partial reprint:"Sonicflood to sign to Jeff Moseley's INO Music label".Cross Rhythms(63). July 2001.
  22. ^Powell, Mark Allan (2002)."Sonicflood".Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music(First printing ed.).Peabody,Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp.845–846.ISBN1-56563-679-1.
  23. ^Ake, Colin (January 3, 2003)."Cry HolyReview ".Jesus Freak Hideout.
  24. ^abc"*Friday, September 1st, 2006* Sonicflood".Jesus Freak Hideout / The M Collective [Newswire]. September 1, 2006.
  25. ^ab"*Tuesday, January 24th, 2006* Sonicflood".Jesus Freak Hideout / The M Collective [Newswire]. January 24, 2006.
  26. ^Sonicflood (April 16, 2007)."*Monday, April 16th, 2007* Sonicflood".Jesus Freak Hideout.
  27. ^"Healing Touch".Cross Rhythms.September 10, 2008.
  28. ^abFreeman, Huey (May 12, 2006). "Touching His Cloak: Sonicflood musician learns the age of miracles isn't over".Herald & Review.Decatur, IL.
  29. ^Willoughby, Peter (January 18, 2009)."A Heart Like YoursReview ".Cross Rhythms.
  30. ^"SONICFLOOd Guitarist Leaves For Afghanistan".Jesus Freak Hideout. October 22, 2009.
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