Baylor Bands
Baylor's influence in contemporary Christian music continues today, in part through bands and artists such as these:
David Crowder Band // David Crowder's time as a Baylor University student in the 1990s laid the groundwork for what would merge into a music-amplified college awakening called the Passion movement. In 1996, Crowder and Chris Seay started University Baptist Church, a young, predominantly college-aged congregation with Crowder as its music leader.
By 2002, the six-man worship band had a national record deal. Crowder and his bandmates have since won seven Dove Awards, including Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year, Praise & Worship Album of the Year, and twice for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year. The band also has a 2005 Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.
After 15 years, the David Crowder Band has announced plans to dissolve in 2012 as members pursue differing career paths.
CURRENT LINEUP: David Crowder, att.; Jack Parker, BBA '96; Mike Dodson, BA '99; Mike Hogan, BA '00; Jeremy Bush, att.; Mark Waldrop, att.
Robbie Seay Band // Baylor alumnus Robbie Seay moved to Houston after his Baylor years and created his own band to lead worship for his brother Chris' downtown Houston church, Ecclesia.
In addition to leading Sunday worship on a regular basis, the band also tours and records. The Robbie Seay Band released its first recording in 1997; "Song Of Hope," off the group's second album, reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Christian music charts. The group's latest CD, an independent effort titled Rich & Poor, was released this fall.
CURRENT LINEUP: Robbie Seay, att.; Matthew Kidd; Ryan Owens; Michael Lisenbe
Dutton // Formed initially as University Baptist Church's backup band for the times the church's regular worship leaders, the David Crowder Band, was on the road, Dutton eventually found a calling outside the Waco church.
Named for the street on which UBC is located, in 2007 Dutton moved to the Metroplex to become the worship band at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. A year later, the group released the first of its three albums to date.
CURRENT LINEUP: Logan Walter, BA '07; Shane Wilson, BBA '04; Nathan Jennings. BBA '03; Brian Patterson, BA '08; Josh Hicks
Addison Road // Offered a good-paying gig to play a youth event, Baylor students Jenny Chisholm and Ryan Simmons quickly formed a band. The group continued after the performance, moving to Dallas after its members graduated from Baylor.
The alt-pop band created three self-produced CDs before signing with Christian label INO in 2007. In 2009, the group was nominated for a Dove Award as New Artist of the Year.
CURRENT LINEUP: Jenny Chisholm, BA '03; Ryan Simmons, BA '02; Ryan Gregg, BA '03; Travis
Lawrence, BA '02; Richard Scott
David Phelps // The Baylor music major led the Baylor Religious Hour Choir during his time at the university before graduating in 1992 to become artist-in-residence at First Baptist Church in Hurst.
He joined the Gaither Vocal Band in 1997, the start of a long-running relationship during which the group earned two Grammy Awards and four Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, and has performed with the group ever since but for a brief spell away between 2006-08. As a solo performer, Phelps, BM '92, has sung at Carnegie Hall as well as for President George W. Bush, appeared on national television, and has five solo albums to his credit.
Shaun Groves // After finishing his degree in music composition, Groves, BM '97, took a job with a Nashville music publisher and began to pursue songwriting and performing. The single "Welcome Home" from Groves' first album in 2001 led the Christian charts, and Groves earned six Dove Award nominations, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year.
Groves toured with such heavyweights as Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay and Bebo Norman, but in time began to feel a different call. Today, he still sings and performs, but his focus is on his role as a writer and spokesman for Compassion International, a ministry that addresses the needs of children in poverty around the world.