Derek Webb
Derek Webb |
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Derek Walsh Webb (born May 27, 1974 in Memphis, Tennessee) is an American singer-songwriter, and a former member of the band Caedmon's Call.
As a member of the Houston, Texas-based Caedmon’s Call, Webb has seen career sales approaching 1 million records, along with 10 Dove Award nominations, three Dove Award wins (1998 Modern Rock Album of the Year for their self entitled Caedmon's Call and 2001 & 2003 Special Event Albums of the Year for their contributions to the City on a Hill albums)[1], a Billboard Music Video Award nod, and six #1 Christian radio hits.
In 2003, Webb left Caedmon's Call to pursue a solo career. Since his departure, he has released three studio albums as well as a live album and a DVD. While these have been less commercially successful than his work with Caedmon's Call, Webb has had more of a free hand to shape his work to be exactly how he wants it.[2]
Webb was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in Klein, Texas, but currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, fellow singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken. They are members of City Church East, a Presbyterian Church in America congregation in east Nashville.[2]
They are also members of the Square Peg Alliance, a group of 13 musicians and friends who have grouped their efforts together in order to help increase one another's success.
Caedmon's Call
Caedmon's Call was formed in 1993 with four original members (three of whom still remain), Cliff Young, Danielle Glenn, Todd Bragg, and Aaron Tate. Aaron Tate, however, never intended to tour with the band, and was included in a songwriting capacity only, sharing those duties with Derek Webb. Webb also joined the band early on, though it is notable that he did not even meet all the band members until after they had played their first show together.
In June 1994, the band released their first album, My Calm // Your Storm, originally a cassette-only demo recording. It was re-printed twice the same year with different cover art each time. In 1996 the band signed with now-defunct Christian label Warner Alliance, producing their self-titled release.
After the collapse of Warner Alliance in 1998, Caedmon's Call signed to Essential Records, where they released 40 Acres (1999), Long Line of Leavers (2000), In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship (2001), and Back Home (2003). Notably, Webb did not provide any songwriting for these last two albums, despite having been a primary songwriter for the band prior to their release.[3] [4]
In 2003, after the successful release of Back Home, Webb left the band to pursue his solo career. The following year, Caedmon's Call released Chronicles 1992-2004 (2004), a best-of collection of the band's work, which included work by Webb.[5]
Solo career
His first solo album, She Must and Shall Go Free (2003) is notable for causing controversy in Contemporary Christian Music circles; some Christian retailers refused to stock the album for its use of "strong" language.[6]
One of the songs that was the basis for controversy was Wedding Dress where Webb compares Christians who seek fulfillment in things outside of Christ to a person committing adultery. [6] An introspective tune, Webb writes that "I am a whore I do confess / I put you on just like a wedding dress".
Another song that generated controversy was Saint and Sinner where Webb wrote" "I used to be a damned mess but now I look just fine, 'Cause you dressed me up and we drank the finest wine". The word 'damned' was removed from the final version of the album, at the request of two major Christian retailers.[6]
Following the release of She Must and Shall Go Free, Webb embarked on a national tour in which he actually played his concerts in the living rooms of fans. This provided the opportunity to have greater interaction with his listeners. He went on to release a live album from his "House Tour", entitled The House Show (2004). [7]
His second solo studio record, I See Things Upside Down (2004), generated mixed reviews. All marketing to the typical Christian music stations used by his first solo album and his albums with Caedmon's Call was stopped, though the album still has explicitly Christian lyrics. In comparison to Webb's previous work, this album has what's been referred to as an "experimental" style to it, and has been compared to the music of Wilco in that respect. Webb has stated that I See Things Upside Down, "was doing away with people's expectations in order to free me up to do what I wanted."[2]
Following the release of I See Things Upside Down, Webb released a live concert DVD, How to Kill and Be Killed (2005).
His third studio album, titled Mockingbird (2005), was released on December 26 2005. The album touches on subjects such as politics, social justice, and war. Webb has stated that he tackled these subjects to stimulate discussion and engage people to bring about changes in what he sees as some of the greatest problems the world is facing today. [8] [2] In order to broaden this discussion to people less inclined to purchase his album, beginning September 1, 2006, Webb is offering Mockingbird for free on the website FreeDerekWebb.com, where it is available for download until December 1, 2006. [9] [10]
Discography
Studio albumsCaedmon's Call
Solo
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Other albumsCaedmon's Call
Solo
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Notes and References
- ^ Gospel Music Awards: Awards History. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ a b c d Farias, Andree (2006-01-16). "An Unfiltered Webb." Christianity Today. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Breimeier, Russ (2001). "In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship." Christianity Today. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Breimeier, Russ (2003). "Back Home." Christianity Today. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Breimeier, Russ (2004). "Chronicles." Christianity Today. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ a b c Janke, Michael (2003-04-20). "A Wedding Dress Story." CMCentral.com. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Heikoop, Jessica (2003). "Derek Webb (2003) Interview." Renown Magazine. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ "Derek Webb: Mockingbird" (PDF). Press Release. 2005-10. The Media Collective. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Underwood, Ryan (2006-09-14). "Can You Make Money Giving Away CDs?" Tennessean.com. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Boucher, Geoff (2006-10-10). "Pirating Songs of Praise." LATimes.com. Retrieved 2006-11-06.