PFR
Encyclopedia
PFR was a Christian music
group in the mid 1990s. Although the group disbanded in 1997, they reunited in 2000 and have since recorded two albums, and they continue to play together.
, who was a camp counselor at Camp Shamineau
, a Christian youth camp in Minnesota. In 1991, the band, now known as Inside Out, was signed to Brown Bannister's
newly founded Vireo Records. After signing, Patrick Andrew suggested the band change the name to "Pray For Rain" after a line from a poem. In 1992, the band released Pray For Rain, and gained some attention with the song "Do You Want to Know Love". Shortly after releasing the first album, an existing band (an instrumental group who did soundtrack work) known as Pray for Rain
threatened a lawsuit, leading the band to settle on the name PFR. The first album was reissued with a slightly modified cover to reflect the change.
In 1993, PFR released their second album, Goldie's Last Day, whose title track was inspired by the passing of Patrick Andrew's pet golden retriever. Also that year, the band recorded a cover of "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles
with guitar legend Phil Keaggy
for the various artists tribute CD Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles
. Rumor has it that someone submitted the wrong mix to the label, and the released version unintentionally omits guitar solos by both Joel Hanson and Phil Keaggy. A mix with the guitar solos has never surfaced.
PFR released their third album, Great Lengths in 1994. The album had the band's biggest hit, "The Love I Know", inspired by I Corinthians 13. The Great Lengths tour introduced a new band, Jars of Clay
, who would become one of the most popular Christian groups to date, also enjoying great mainstream success.
Having changed musical direction with each album, PFR moved into an edgier, heavy sound for 1996's Them. While the album was well-received, the band shortly afterward announced that they were splitting up. In 1997, The Late Great PFR was released, a greatest hits
album containing three new songs, with one ("Forever") becoming a Christian radio hit.
Over the next 5 years, the band reunited for an occasional benefit concert
. In 2000, when Mark Nash was working as the A & R director of Squint Records
, the band returned to the studio to contribute to Steve Taylor's
Roaring Lambs project, inspired by the book by Bob Briner. Working on the project inspired the band to sign to Taylor's Squint Records, and record 2001's Disappear. The album did not gain much exposure, however, due to Squint Records selling to another company, which also displaced artists such as Chevelle
and Sixpence None the Richer
. Another casualty of the Squint shakeup was the PFR cover of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" recorded for a 2001 Squint Christmas compilation that was never released. In 2002, PFR recorded a cover of "Livin' Thing", originally by Electric Light Orchestra
.
PFR returned in 2004 with a new full-length release, The Bookhouse Recordings, an album chiefly consisting of PFR classics rearranged, plus three new songs. The Bookhouse Recordings was recorded in one week at the end of August 2004 in Nashville, TN at Mark Nash's studio. This was the first album wholly produced by the band alone, and features the song "Prayer For Beslan," a song mourning the terrorist attacks on a Russian school the same week the band was recording.
The Bookhouse Recordings was released exclusively through Family Christian stores, and was on the FUSEIC label started by Rick Altizer. Altizer now fronts the band Dum Dog Run with Jade Hanson, Joel Hanson's older brother.
Joel Hanson released three solo albums, Broken (2001), Captured (2002) and "What If It Is" (2009). Patrick Andrew formed Eager following the 1997 break-up of PFR, and was signed to Quaestar Mission Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1998, before Eager also disbanded. In 2004, Patrick Andrew released his first solo album, There and Then It's Gone.
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....
group in the mid 1990s. Although the group disbanded in 1997, they reunited in 2000 and have since recorded two albums, and they continue to play together.
History
PFR was founded in 1989 as the Joel Hanson Band by Joel HansonJoel Hanson
Joel Hanson was the lead singer and guitarist for Christian rock band PFR. After the breakup of the band, he went on to a solo career with the albums Captured and Broken. Joel is a songwriter who has collaborated with several artists across the music industry, including Sara Groves, Geoff Moore,...
, who was a camp counselor at Camp Shamineau
Camp Shamineau
Camp Shamineau is a Christian camp located just outside of Motley, Minnesota. Founded in 1958, it has grown to serve thousands of campers every year. It is the official camp of the Evangelical Free Church of Minnesota.-External links:*...
, a Christian youth camp in Minnesota. In 1991, the band, now known as Inside Out, was signed to Brown Bannister's
Brown Bannister
Brown Bannister is a CCM producer and songwriter. Bannister released one album of his own, Talk to One Another, in 1981 on NewPax Records. It was reissued on the Reunion Records Label five years later, featuring a newer recording of the album's final cut, "Create In Me A Clean Heart"...
newly founded Vireo Records. After signing, Patrick Andrew suggested the band change the name to "Pray For Rain" after a line from a poem. In 1992, the band released Pray For Rain, and gained some attention with the song "Do You Want to Know Love". Shortly after releasing the first album, an existing band (an instrumental group who did soundtrack work) known as Pray for Rain
Pray for Rain (Band)
Pray for Rain is a San Francisco, California-based music production company and recording group specialising in film soundtracks, led by St. Louis, Missouri musician Dan Wool...
threatened a lawsuit, leading the band to settle on the name PFR. The first album was reissued with a slightly modified cover to reflect the change.
In 1993, PFR released their second album, Goldie's Last Day, whose title track was inspired by the passing of Patrick Andrew's pet golden retriever. Also that year, the band recorded a cover of "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
with guitar legend Phil Keaggy
Phil Keaggy
Phil Keaggy is an American acoustic and electric guitarist and vocalist who has released more than 50 albums and contributed to many more recordings in both the contemporary Christian music and mainstream markets...
for the various artists tribute CD Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles
Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles
Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles is a tribute album to The Beatles. Released in 1995 on Liberty Records, the album features covers of various Beatles songs, as performed by country music artists. The album cover features artwork by John Lennon.-Track listing:-Chart performance:...
. Rumor has it that someone submitted the wrong mix to the label, and the released version unintentionally omits guitar solos by both Joel Hanson and Phil Keaggy. A mix with the guitar solos has never surfaced.
PFR released their third album, Great Lengths in 1994. The album had the band's biggest hit, "The Love I Know", inspired by I Corinthians 13. The Great Lengths tour introduced a new band, Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
, who would become one of the most popular Christian groups to date, also enjoying great mainstream success.
Having changed musical direction with each album, PFR moved into an edgier, heavy sound for 1996's Them. While the album was well-received, the band shortly afterward announced that they were splitting up. In 1997, The Late Great PFR was released, a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album containing three new songs, with one ("Forever") becoming a Christian radio hit.
Over the next 5 years, the band reunited for an occasional benefit concert
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
. In 2000, when Mark Nash was working as the A & R director of Squint Records
Squint Entertainment
Squint Entertainment was a record label owned by Word Entertainment, started in 1997 and run by musician and songwriter Steve Taylor. Squint pushed Sixpence None the Richer to mainstream success with their single "Kiss Me"....
, the band returned to the studio to contribute to Steve Taylor's
Steve Taylor
Roland Stephen Taylor , is an American Christian singer, songwriter, record producer and film director.-Early life:Taylor, the eldest of three children, was born in Brawley, California. Taylor's father, Roland Taylor, was a Baptist minister. When Taylor was six years old, the family relocated to...
Roaring Lambs project, inspired by the book by Bob Briner. Working on the project inspired the band to sign to Taylor's Squint Records, and record 2001's Disappear. The album did not gain much exposure, however, due to Squint Records selling to another company, which also displaced artists such as Chevelle
Chevelle
Chevelle is an American alternative metal trio that formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The band was originally composed of two brothers and a local friend: Pete Loeffler , Sam Loeffler , and Matt Scott . Matt was later replaced by brother Joe Loeffler...
and Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer is an American rock/pop band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes". The name of the band is...
. Another casualty of the Squint shakeup was the PFR cover of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" recorded for a 2001 Squint Christmas compilation that was never released. In 2002, PFR recorded a cover of "Livin' Thing", originally by Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
.
PFR returned in 2004 with a new full-length release, The Bookhouse Recordings, an album chiefly consisting of PFR classics rearranged, plus three new songs. The Bookhouse Recordings was recorded in one week at the end of August 2004 in Nashville, TN at Mark Nash's studio. This was the first album wholly produced by the band alone, and features the song "Prayer For Beslan," a song mourning the terrorist attacks on a Russian school the same week the band was recording.
The Bookhouse Recordings was released exclusively through Family Christian stores, and was on the FUSEIC label started by Rick Altizer. Altizer now fronts the band Dum Dog Run with Jade Hanson, Joel Hanson's older brother.
Joel Hanson released three solo albums, Broken (2001), Captured (2002) and "What If It Is" (2009). Patrick Andrew formed Eager following the 1997 break-up of PFR, and was signed to Quaestar Mission Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1998, before Eager also disbanded. In 2004, Patrick Andrew released his first solo album, There and Then It's Gone.
Studio albums
- Pray For Rain (PFR) (1992, Vireo)
- Goldie's Last Day (1993, Vireo)
- Great Lengths (1994, Vireo)
- Them (1996, Vireo)
- The Late Great PFR (1998, Vireo)
- Disappear (2001, SquintSquint EntertainmentSquint Entertainment was a record label owned by Word Entertainment, started in 1997 and run by musician and songwriter Steve Taylor. Squint pushed Sixpence None the Richer to mainstream success with their single "Kiss Me"....
) - Bookhouse Recordings (2004, Fuseic)
- Very Best of PFR (2006, SparrowSparrow Records-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
)
Compilation Appearances
- Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles (1995, CapitolCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
) - Roaring Lambs (2000, Squint)
- Lynne Me Your Ears: A Tribute to Jeff Lynne (2002, Not LameNot Lame RecordingsNot Lame Recordings was a Ft. Collins, Colorado, United States based independent record label specializing in power pop releases. The company was started by Bruce Brodeen in November 1994 but it shut down per November 24, 2010. The reasons Brodeen mentioned were a career switch combined with...
)