ForeFront Records
Encyclopedia
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music
record label
founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key
, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI
in 1996
from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group
.
In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD compilation to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. The album was titled Ten: The Birthday Album and featured songs from several of their artists at the time. Some of the songs were remakes of older songs done by new bands.
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key
Dana Key
Dana Key was an American Christian rock guitarist, singer, and producer who was co-founder of the Christian rock group DeGarmo and Key with keyboardist Eddie DeGarmo, best friends since the first grade...
, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in 1996
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group
EMI Christian Music Group
EMI Christian Music Group is a subsidiary of EMI which contains its Christian music record labels, and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee...
.
In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD compilation to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. The album was titled Ten: The Birthday Album and featured songs from several of their artists at the time. Some of the songs were remakes of older songs done by new bands.
Former
- Audio AdrenalineAudio AdrenalineAudio Adrenaline was a Christian rock band that formed in the late 1980s at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. During the band's 17-year existence, they were awarded two Grammy awards, multiple Dove Awards and they released 17 number one singles. They were regular performers at the...
(Retired) - Michael Anderson
- The Benjamin GateThe Benjamin GateThe Benjamin Gate was a South African Christian band formed in 1998 following the motor vehicle accident and subsequent death of a mutual friend and fellow musician, Benjamin Herbert...
(Disbanded) - Big Tent RevivalBig Tent RevivalBig Tent Revival was a five-time Grammy-nominated Christian blues rock band. They began in 1991 and disbanded in 2000. They did extensive touring in the U.S. and abroad and they were featured at the Harvest Crusades. Their music was known for catchy riffs, distortion, and softer acoustic...
(Disbanded) - Bleach (Reformed, working on new music, currently independent)
- ClearClear (Christian band)Clear was an American CCM group from Cambridge, Minnesota.Clear formed in the summer of 1997 and released two albums on Ardent Records, in 1998 and 2000. Their 2000 release Follow the Narrow hit #33 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart in 2000...
(Disbanded) - Code of EthicsCode of Ethics (band)Code of Ethics was a primarily 90's band that wrote and performed many genres including New Wave and pop.-History:Code of Ethics formed in the early '90s with Barry Blaze and Eric Switzer. The duo released Visual Paradox as a self-published project, which was later picked up by indie label R.E.X....
(Active, on Razzbarry Records) - Considering LilyConsidering LilyConsidering Lily was an American CCM group popular in the late 1990s.The group was founded by Serene Campbell and Pearl Barrett, who are sisters, in the United States in 1991, though both were born in New Zealand...
(Inactive) - DeGarmo and KeyDeGarmo and KeyDeGarmo & Key was a Christian Rock group that started professionally in 1978. The primary members were Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key. Eddie played keyboards and sang background vocals , while Dana played lead guitar and did the majority of the lead vocals. Other members included Tommy Cathey on bass...
(Inactive) - dc TalkDc TalkDC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
(Hiatus) - DizmasDizmas-Band history:Nick Aranda, Clayton Hunt, and brothers Zach and Josh Zegan began playing together as teenagers in 1998 while attending Desert Christian High School in Lancaster, California. They were later joined by Jon Howard, who is from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania....
(Hiatus) - Eddie DeGarmoEddie DeGarmoEddie DeGarmo is an American Contemporary Christian music recording artist, keyboardist, producer and singer. Became best friends with guitarist/lead vocalist Dana Key since the first grade, DeGarmo co-founded the Christian rock group DeGarmo and Key in 1978...
(Inactive) - Eli
- End Time Warriors (Inactive)
- Mark FarnerMark FarnerMark Fredrick Farner is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lead guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad, and later as a Contemporary Christian Musician.-Early life and career:...
(Active) - GrammatrainGrammatrainGrammatrain is a grunge rock band from Seattle, Washington who were active in the Christian rock industry in the 1990s. After disbanding in 1998, the group reunited as a secular act in 2009 and released their third full length album entitled "Imperium" the following year.-History:Singer/guitarist...
(Reunited) - GuardianGuardian (band)Guardian is an American Christian hard rock/metal band. The band released six studio albums, three additional albums in Spanish—and toured extensively worldwide...
(Inactive) - Holy SoldierHoly Soldier-Background:The band was originally formed in early 1985 by bassist Andy Robbins and guitarist Jamie Cramer. The band gained a strong local following before signing. Holy Soldier was initially noted for their strong evangelical focus, although they regularly played to secular audiences. For a time...
(Active) - Larry HowardLarry HowardLawrence Rayford Howard is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played four seasons with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves .-External links:...
- IonaIona (band)Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge....
(Active, on Open Sky RecordsOpen Sky RecordsOpen Sky Records is the company used to record and distribute the music of Iona. The record label is normally referred to as Open Sky.- Artists:* Iona* Dave Bainbridge* Donockley/Bainbridge* Bainbridge/Fitzgerald...
) - Karthi
- Kevin MaxKevin MaxKevin Max Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk...
(Active, on dPlus records) - Dana KeyDana KeyDana Key was an American Christian rock guitarist, singer, and producer who was co-founder of the Christian rock group DeGarmo and Key with keyboardist Eddie DeGarmo, best friends since the first grade...
(Inactive) - Lil iROCCLil iROCC WilliamsJustin Williams is an American rapper and actor. Williams began his career using the stage name Lil iROCC Williams, but eventually dropped the "Lil". His name is often stylized multiple ways, including Irocc, iROCC, irocc, and iroCc.Williams is a Christian, which is heavily reflected in his lyrics...
(Active, with Jus Rock Records) - Geoff MooreGeoff MooreIn 1988, Geoff Moore and the Distance released their first official album together, entitled A Place to Stand. They also recorded Foundations in 1989 for Sparrow Records. After a while, they jumped to Forefront Records and recorded Pure and Simple in 1990.They followed in 1992 with A Friend Like U...
(Active, with Rocketown RecordsRocketown RecordsRocketown Records was an independent record label which was started in 1996 by Michael W. Smith. The dream was to create a new, independent Christian record label that wouldn't follow the rules of the modern music business. In the fall of 1995, Michael W. Smith met with Don Donahue, who was, at...
) - The NormalsThe NormalsThe Normals were an Christian alternative rock band formed in 1998 by Andrew Osenga, Mark Lockett, and Clayton Daily. The name of the band honors their hometown of Normal, Illinois. The band's lineup also included B.J. Aberle, Cason Cooley, Mike Taquino, and Steve Hindalong...
(Disbanded) - PAX217PAX217PAX217 was a Christian Alternative rock band from Orange County, California. The band's music was well known in the underground Christian scene at the time for its unique sound and optimistic lyrics. The name comes from "Pax" which is Latin for "peace" and the Bible verse Ephesians 2:17. The...
(Disbanded) - PhilmontPhilmont (band)Philmont is an American pop-punk influenced Christian rock band based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. They were signed to Forefront Records / EMI CMG until Spring 2010. Their debut album, Attention, was released on August 25, 2009...
(Active, currently unsigned) - RazeRaze (Christian pop group)Raze was a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Christian pop group formed by vocalists Donnie Lewis, Ja'Marc Davis, J.D. Webb, and Mizzie Logan. They are perhaps best known for their song "Always and Forever", found on their premier album Power....
(Disbanded after member pleaded guilty to sexual offenses on a minor) - Rebecca St. JamesRebecca St. JamesRebecca St. James , is a Christian pop rock singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actor. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. In 1993 she was signed to the record label ForeFront Records and released her major label debut a...
(Active, with Beach StreetBeach Street RecordsBeach Street Records is a part of Reunion Records under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 2003 by Mark Miller, lead singer of the country band Sawyer Brown....
/Reunion RecordsReunion RecordsReunion Records is a Christian music record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee and operating under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982 by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton.-History:...
) - Satellite SoulSatellite SoulSatellite Soul is a critically acclaimed Alt-Country / Folk Rock band from Kansas. Their sound has developed and matured over the years from jangly roots rock to a hard cutting Alt-Country sound. They were formed in 1996 while living in Manhattan, KS and played extensively in the Midwest as an...
(Active, on Underdog Records) - Serene and Pearl (Changed name to Considering LilyConsidering LilyConsidering Lily was an American CCM group popular in the late 1990s.The group was founded by Serene Campbell and Pearl Barrett, who are sisters, in the United States in 1991, though both were born in New Zealand...
, currently inactive) - Seven Day JesusSeven Day JesusSeven Day Jesus was a Christian rock band formed in Huntington, West Virginia in 1994. The group disbanded in 1998, but they reunited for one concert in 2004.-Band history:...
(Disbanded) - Peter Shambrook
- SkilletSkillet (band)Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
(Active, on Ardent RecordsArdent RecordsArdent Records, often shortened to "Ardent," is a Memphis record label founded by John Fry in 1959. Ardent of the 1960s and 1970s featured pop music acts and was distributed by Stax Records from 1972 until 1975. It is best remembered today for Big Star, whose first two albums, released in 1972...
/INO RecordsINO RecordsINO Records, also known as Fair Trade Services, is an American record label based in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, specializing in Contemporary Christian music . It is distributed through Sony Music Entertainment, and was owned by Integrity Media until June 2011. When Integrity Media sold its assets...
/Atlantic RecordsAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
) - Smalltown PoetsSmalltown PoetsSmalltown Poets is a Christian rock band formed in 1996. It was formed in Atlanta, Georgia by high school friends Michael Johnston , Danny Stephens , and Byron Goggin , along with Nashville musicians Kevin Breuner , and Miguel DeJesus .Smalltown Poets achieved recognition with their eponymous...
(Hiatus) - Pete StewartPete StewartPete Stewart is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer from Washington state. He is the lead singer and guitarist of Grammatrain, was the lead singer for The Accident Experiment, and is the former guitarist of Tait....
(Active) - Steve Wiggins
- Stacie OrricoStacie OrricoStacie Joy Orrico is a Contemporary Christian and R&B singer-songwriter and occasional actress. In 1998, she signed to ForeFront Records when she was 12 years old, and recorded her first album Genuine , which sold 13,000 in the first week of release.After her first album she signed to a new record...
(Inactive, searching for label) - TAITTait (band)Tait is a Christian rock band formed by Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk and the lead singer of Newsboys since 2010.- Pre-formation of Tait :...
(Hiatus) - This Beautiful RepublicThis Beautiful RepublicThis Beautiful Republic was an American band signed to ForeFront Records in November 2006. They are best known for their song "Right Now". The group appeared on the Christian television show The Logan Show on December 9, 2006...
(Disbanded)