Tim and Steve Archer formed the family band The Archers in the 1970s. (Their sister Janice would eventually join as well.) They were trailblazers in the Christian music industry, which was just starting to solidify itself as a significant commercial force. At the height of The Jesus Movement, The Archers achieved notable success for their covers of songs like musician Andre Crouch's "Jesus is the Answer" and "God's Love." The band remained a commanding presence throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and even into the early 1990s, before retiring. The band is in a select tier of artists who have topped Christian music charts in each of three decades.
The Archers were influential in developing the sound of early contemporary Christian music. "Jesus is the Answer" is a well-known song, widely recognized because many artists have covered it, with The Archers being the first to do so. Andre Crouch gave them this song, and their hit rendition set them up for a long and successful career. Other classics in the band's repertoire include "It Wouldn't Be Enough," "Fresh Surrender," "Pickin' Up The Pieces," and "Make Me An Instrument."
The band's 1991 release, Colors of Your Love, was their final LP of all-new material. It produced the Top 20 hit "Be Our Guest," which was a notable presence on Christian radio in the 1990s. (Not to be confused with the Disney song of the same name released around the same time.) Several other cuts from the album would achieve notable airplay on Christian radio.
Modern fans of Christian music might overlook The Archers' role throughout the decades of Christian music history. However, the band has courageously come out of retirement to revitalize their musical legacy. Over 30 years since their final studio album, the band's original siblings have returned with a brand-new live album celebrating their decades-long ministry. Legacy Live offers fresh arrangements of the band's biggest hits over the past 50 years. It's a landmark achievement that only the most special and enduring of bands can ever hope to produce.
Whether you're discovering these Christian music pioneers for the first time or were there with them when this journey began, this new live album is an excellent opportunity to celebrate this foundational piece of Christian music history.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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