In their days at Baylor University, David Crowder, Jack Parker, Jeremy Bush, Mike Dodson and Mike Hogan recognized the disconnect between the church and the disenchanted, twenty-something generation, and sought to bridge the gap. And so, they helped found University Baptist Church in 1996, a community that thrives and grows today. It was as worship leader of this church that David Crowder began to write the bulk of the band's songs; songs which celebrate the goodness and nearness of God, as well as ask the corporate and intimate questions of his community. "This is where our songs get legs under them," Crowder says.
The music of the David Crowder Band brought to light the needs of a "whole new group" of worshipers, a group vastly bigger than the UBC community. Their first, independent recording, All I Can Say struck a chord with a fast-spreading base of "fringe folk": a group that Crowder describes as being "a little on the outside; they have trouble connecting with what's going on with the Christian culture or climate." The band's raw lyrical honesty and innovative, yet catchy alt-pop sound created fans out of the churched and unchurched alike. And it was this original, yet accessible appeal that opened the doors into the world of the modern worship movement.
As a revolution of worship music spread throughout the world one CD at a time, the David Crowder Band found themselves moving from the fringe into the heart of the Church via their involvement with the Passion projects and gatherings. Songs such as "You Alone," "O Praise Him (All This For A King), "Our Love is Loud" and more have become anthems for countless churches, college-aged people and youth groups. With all the traveling and exposure to various worship environments, the band was developing its voice; a voice marked by an uncanny ability to absorb the needs and joys of the people, and letting the reflections be heard through song.
It was with this voice that 2002's Can You Hear Us? was born. The project was a cry of just how much rescue we all constantly need and have. It was about asking tough spiritual questions without inhibition. The project was immediately embraced by the masses: over 6200 copies of Can You Hear Us? were sold in its first week at retail, making the David Crowder Band Sparrow Records' biggest selling debut artist ever. At the 2003 Dove Awards, the song "Our Love is Loud" was nominated for Best Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year, and "Passion: Our Love is Loud" was nominated for Special Event Album of the Year.
Following the success of its debut, the band's 2003 sophomore release, Illuminate, launched to unprecedented critical acclaim and grabbed the No. 1 position on the SoundScan retail sales charts. As Illuminate resonated across the nation and beyond, David Crowder Band racked up seven more GMA Music (Dove) Award nominations, was featured on CNN and in the New York Times, and joined Michael W. Smith and Mercy Me for a major market national tour followed by its own and first-ever headline tour.
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 of bluegrass, folk, alternative, and worship, woven together with a touch of electronic ambience. This release landed them the No. 2 spot on the iTunes Music Store and the No. 39 spot on Billboard 200 the second day after its release.
Remedy was released on September 25, 2007. The day after its release, it reached No. 4 on the iTunes Music Store. Their next album was titled Church Music and was released on September 22, 2009. The first single off the album was a cover of John 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".
On May 21, 2011, it was announced through their website that the band would end after the completion of the Fall 2011 "The 7 Tour" and the release of their sixth album. The band played their final show at the Passion 2012 Conference on January 3, 2012 at the Georgia Dome.
Parker, Dodson, Bush, and Waldrop formed the band The Digital Age and run a recording studio in Waco, Texas. David Crowder now makes music under the name Crowder.
Final album is a beautiful work of art| Posted January 31, 2012
DCB has certainly thrilled its fans with a final album that is truly a work of art in every sense of the word. Each song is a perfect fit for the project. They outdid themselves and we are blessed to be on the receiving end of it.
Your breaking up| Posted January 27, 2012
It is so disapointing that you all are going your seprate ways. But thank you for all you've done! Ya'll are amazing!
Creativity and Classics Combined| Posted January 25, 2012
I love DCB! They are somehow able to put creative spins on Hymn-like songs. Everyone always says quit while you are a head. That is certainly what DCB has done-but not before changing the face of CCM forever.
End of an Era| Posted January 18, 2012
DCB has had a huge influence on the Christian music scene, not to mention my own life. I'm glad they decided to put things to rest - all good things must come to an end - but I wonder where they will go now? Each member has so much to offer, I hope that we'll still see them around.
The most creative| Posted January 18, 2012
One of the most creative music group that Christian music ever witnessed. Everyone will definitely miss DC*B
The Taste of Crowder Chowder| Posted January 17, 2012
Though not one of my all-time favorite bands, every once and a while David Crowder and his gang serve up something that both surprises and tingles my music taste buds. Some of his songs on the album "Church Music" for example. And one of my favorites, the song that goes on forever ... and ever ... and ever ... and ever ... ;)
David Crowder can be fun and quirky as well as reverent and worshipful. That, coupled with his unique vocals (and hair style), may be what makes him one of the top artists in the Christian pop contempory genre.