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.
I love you guys!| Posted January 15, 2012
I will miss you so much! Your music videos, your rockumentaries on youtube, EVERYTHING. I've been growing up with your music, and God has richly blessed me through it. God bless!
music target| Posted January 14, 2012
Guys please pray that the word of God in you will keep burning like a fire in your bones and you will not keep quite. Our youths need to listen to this music and know the truth.
Classic.| Posted January 12, 2012
Your live shows are going to be sorely missed. Especially the moments when you bust out the guitar hero on stage. Thanks for being an inspiring band. <3
David Crowder and his Band...| Posted January 12, 2012
make good music. I love them. I have been on a concert and they make very good music. My favourite song, its probably "Here Is Our King".