Derek Webb
Encyclopedia
Derek Walsh Webb is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...

 who first entered the music industry as a member of the band Caedmon's Call
Caedmon's Call
Caedmon's Call is a Contemporary Christian band which fuses traditional folk with world music and alternative rock. They are composed of Cliff Young , Danielle Young , Derek Webb , Andrew Osenga , Garett Buell , Jeff Miller , Todd Bragg , and...

, and later embarked on a successful solo career.
Webb graduated from Klein High School
Klein High School
Klein High School is a public high school located in Klein, Texas, approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. It serves grades 9-12 in the Klein Independent School District.-History:...

 in Klein, Texas
Klein, Texas
Klein is an unincorporated community in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Houston within north Harris County, Texas, United States, bordering on Houston to the South and Tomball to the North. It is named after Adam Klein, a German immigrant whose best-known great-great-grandson is singer Lyle...

 in 1992. He was active in Young Life
Young Life
YoungLife is a worldwide, non-profit, Evangelical Christian organization. YoungLife consists of many branches of ministry , but most commonly the name "YoungLife" refers to the outreach arm of the organization directed toward high school students...

 and spent a month working at Young Life's Frontier Ranch in 1999. As a member of the Houston, Texas-based Caedmon’s Call, Webb has seen career sales approaching 1 million records, along with 10 GMA Dove Award nominations and three Dove Award wins and six #1 Christian radio hits.

In 2003, Webb left Caedmon's Call to pursue a solo career. Since his departure, he has released six studio albums (his latest being instrumental), a live album, two compilation albums, a covers project, two DVDs and an EP (with his wife, Sandra McCracken
Sandra McCracken
Sandra McCracken is an independent singer-songwriter. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and fellow singer-songwriter Derek Webb.-Background:...

). 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.

On May 22, 2007, it was announced that Webb had re-joined Caedmon's Call, writing and recording for their album, entitled Overdressed, and would be joining the band on their subsequent tour.

Webb currently resides in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...

, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...

 with his wife, fellow singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken
Sandra McCracken
Sandra McCracken is an independent singer-songwriter. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and fellow singer-songwriter Derek Webb.-Background:...

.

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 who also played lead guitar.

In June 1994, the band released their first album, My Calm // Your Storm
My Calm // Your Storm
My Calm // Your Storm is the first release from Caedmon's Call. It has been issued at least three times with different covers, of which the one shown is the third...

, 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
Warner Alliance
Warner Alliance was a Contemporary Christian imprint of Warner Music Group. Its operations were suspended in 1998. Artists on the label included Billy & Sarah Gaines, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Caedmon's Call, Donnie McClurkin, First Call, Wayne Watson, Take 6, Mid South, and the Worldwide...

, producing their self-titled release. Peaking at 110 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

, the album went on to win the GMA 1998 Modern Rock Album of the Year.

After the collapse of Warner Alliance in 1998, Caedmon's Call signed to Essential Records, where they released 40 Acres
40 Acres
40 Acres is the 1999 release from Caedmon's Call and made the band known to a wider, and even international, audience. The album explores the way God's redemption intersects with the places and ways people live their daily lives. The album was recorded at The Castle, Franklin, TN with engineers...

(1999), Long Line of Leavers
Long Line of Leavers
Long Line of Leavers is a studio album from Caedmon's Call. It was recorded at the following studios:*The Bennett House - Franklin, TN *The Farm - Marvin, NC...

(2000), In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship
In the Company of Angels
In the Company of Angels is a studio album from Caedmon's Call. This more than any other previous album by this band features songs of worship.Recorded at:*Sunrise Studios - Houston, TX *Second Studios - Houston, TX...

(2001), Back Home
Back Home (Caedmon's Call album)
Back Home is the fifth major album release from Caedmon's Call.- Track listing :# "Only Hope" – 2:54# "You Created" – 3:27# "Walk with Me" – 4:19# "Hands of the Potter" – 3:51# "The Emptiest Day" – 3:51# "The Kingdom" – 4:30...

(2003). All of these albums were moderately successful, peaking at 61, 58, 72, and 66 respectively on the Billboard 200. Notably, Webb did not provide any songwriting for In the Company of Angels or Back Home, despite having been a primary songwriter for the band prior to their release. During this time period, Webb also contributed to City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise
City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise
City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise is the first in the City on a Hill series of compilation albums by popular CCM musicians...

(2000) and City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia
City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia
City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia was released in 2002. The album is the second in the City on a Hill series of compilation albums by popular CCM musicians...

(2002), both as a member of Caedmon's Call and as a solo artist, which respectively garnered the GMA 2001 & 2003 Special Event Album of the Year awards.

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
Chronicles 1992-2004
Chronicles 1992-2004 is the first major collection of this band's work. Caedmon's Call go from strength to strength and change with each studio outing. This survey's the progress to date. Not just a selection of prior studio albums, there is included throughout live reworkings...

(2004), a best-of collection of the band's work, which included work by Webb. Most recently, Caedmon's Call has signed onto INO Records, and Webb to rejoined the band for their album, Overdressed
Overdressed
Overdressed is the eighth major studio release from Caedmon's Call, released in August 2007. It features collaboration with former member and successful solo artist Derek Webb...

.

Solo career

His first solo album, She Must and Shall Go Free
She Must and Shall Go Free
She Must and Shall Go Free is the first solo studio album from Derek Webb following his 2003 departure from Caedmon's Call. It is notable for causing controversy in Contemporary Christian Music circles; some Christian retailers refused to stock the album for its use of "strong" language.One of the...

(2003) is notable for causing controversy in Contemporary Christian Music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...

 circles; some Christian retailers refused to stock the album for its use of "strong" language.

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. 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.

Following the release of She Must and Shall Go Free, Webb embarked on a national tour in which he 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
The House Show
The House Show is a live album from Derek Webb from his House Show tour, following the release of his first solo album, She Must and Shall Go Free....

(2004).

His second solo studio record, I See Things Upside Down
I See Things Upside Down
I See Things Upside Down is the second studio release from Derek Webb since his departure from Caedmon's Call for a solo career. Recorded at The Smoakstack, in Nashville, TN ....

(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
Caedmon's Call
Caedmon's Call is a Contemporary Christian band which fuses traditional folk with world music and alternative rock. They are composed of Cliff Young , Danielle Young , Derek Webb , Andrew Osenga , Garett Buell , Jeff Miller , Todd Bragg , and...

 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
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...

 in that respect. Webb has stated that the album "was doing away with people's expectations in order to free me up to do what I wanted." Following the release of I See Things Upside Down, Webb released a live concert DVD, How to Kill and Be Killed
How to Kill and Be Killed
How to Kill and Be Killed is a live concert DVD from Derek Webb's tour following the release of his second studio album I See Things Upside Down.-Setlist:# I Want A Broken Heart# Thankful# Saint And Sinner# Reputation# Medication...

(2005).

His third studio album, titled Mockingbird
Mockingbird (album)
Mockingbird is the third release from Derek Webb since his departure from Caedmon's Call for a solo career.Produced by Cason Cooley, the album touches on subjects such as politics, social justice, and war...

(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. In order to broaden this discussion to people less inclined to purchase his album, beginning September 1, 2006, Webb offered Mockingbird for free on the website Free Derek Webb (no longer exists), where it was available for download until December 8, 2006. Over 80,000 free copies of the album were downloaded during this time.

On January 30, 2007, Webb released two EPs, each containing the same ten songs from earlier in his solo career, including pieces from each of his three solo studio albums. One Zero (Acoustic)
One Zero (Acoustic)
One Zero [Acoustic] is an album from Derek Webb containing new acoustic recordings of ten previously released songs. It was released the same day as One Zero , containing the same ten tracks remixed differently.-Track listing:...

,
contains acoustic reinterpretations of the songs, and is available in stores only. One Zero (Remix)
One Zero (Remix)
One Zero [Remix] is an album from Derek Webb containing tracks of ten previously released Derek Webb songs remixed by engineer Will Hunt...

makes use of the original recording sessions for each of the songs, but has been remixed by engineer Will Hunt. This more experimental record is available only online.

Webb's next project, The Ringing Bell
The Ringing Bell
The Ringing Bell is the fourth release from Derek Webb since his departure from Caedmon's Call for a solo career, released in 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Derek Webb.# "The End" – 1:34# "The Very End" – 3:02...

was released on May 1, 2007. Before the release date, it was available for pre-order at TheRingingBell.com in a deluxe edition which included a 96-page graphic novel inspired by the album. Those who pre-ordered the deluxe edition of the album were also able to immediately download it in its entirety.

On 12 May 2009, Webb sent a message to his email mailing list stating that his next album Stockholm Syndrome was deemed too controversial for his record label to release. "It seems I've finally found the line beyond which my label can support me, and apparently I've crossed it," Webb writes. "[A]t this point we're not sure when the record will come out and in what form. The majority of the controversy is surrounding one song, which I consider to be among the most important songs on the record …. [B]ecause of various legal/publishing issues we're having to be rather careful with how we do what we're going to do next.".

Derek's solo release Stockholm Syndrome was released on his website, derekwebb.com, on July 7, 2009 as a digital release. He has also made physical copies of both the edited and unedited versions of the CD available by September 1, 2009.

Business ventures

While on tour supporting Mockingbird, Webb noticed that attendance at his shows had increased dramatically after he had made Mockingbird available for free online. He explains that for a niche
Niche market
A niche market is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact...

 artist, the value of word-of-mouth recommendations greatly exceeds that of the money earned from online music sales, even noting that he sold more albums after it had been made available for free. Therefore, in May 2007, in response to the success of the free distribution of Mockingbird, Webb teamed up with music industry veterans Mark Nicholas, David McCollum, and Brannon McAllister to form NoiseTrade.com. The site allows users to download music for free from independent artists who use the service.

The site will provide a market for an ostensibly mutually agreeable "trade": the consumer will get music for free, in exchange for making "noise" about the artist by sending emails to friends to let them know about the music. (Alternatively, the consumer may pay the price s/he deems fair.) The consumers may also use the site to find new and different kinds of music at no cost, utilizing user recommendations and forums to learn of new artists. The artists will also be able to use the ZIP code information collected to help book shows in areas with larger numbers of fans and potential fans.

Other projects

During the 2008 Republican primaries, Webb officially endorsed Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...

's candidacy for United States president. He later caused some controversy during the 2008 presidential election when he, in Patrol Magazine, encouraged his readers not to vote if they felt like they were choosing between the lesser of two evils. He also released the article as an audio track in a free redistribution of his Mockingbird album.

Studio albums

Caedmon's Call
  • 1994: My Calm // Your Storm
    My Calm // Your Storm
    My Calm // Your Storm is the first release from Caedmon's Call. It has been issued at least three times with different covers, of which the one shown is the third...

  • 1995: Just Don't Want Coffee
    Just Don't Want Coffee
    Just Don't Want Coffee is a 1994 EP by Caedmon's Call.-Track listing:# "Close of Autumn" - 4:56# "Not the Land" - 5:05# "April Showers" - 4:05# "I Just Don't Want Coffee" - 5:57# "Forget What You Know" - 4:49# "Another Ten Miles " - 5:21...

  • 1997: Caedmon's Call
    Caedmon's Call (album)
    Caedmon's Call is the first major release from Houston, Texas based outfit Caedmon's Call. It was recorded at Nickel & Dime Studios in Avondale Estates, GA .-Track listing:# "Lead of Love" – 3:58...

  • 1999: 40 Acres
    40 Acres
    40 Acres is the 1999 release from Caedmon's Call and made the band known to a wider, and even international, audience. The album explores the way God's redemption intersects with the places and ways people live their daily lives. The album was recorded at The Castle, Franklin, TN with engineers...

  • 2000: Long Line of Leavers
    Long Line of Leavers
    Long Line of Leavers is a studio album from Caedmon's Call. It was recorded at the following studios:*The Bennett House - Franklin, TN *The Farm - Marvin, NC...

  • 2001: In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship
    In the Company of Angels
    In the Company of Angels is a studio album from Caedmon's Call. This more than any other previous album by this band features songs of worship.Recorded at:*Sunrise Studios - Houston, TX *Second Studios - Houston, TX...

  • 2003: Back Home
    Back Home (Caedmon's Call album)
    Back Home is the fifth major album release from Caedmon's Call.- Track listing :# "Only Hope" – 2:54# "You Created" – 3:27# "Walk with Me" – 4:19# "Hands of the Potter" – 3:51# "The Emptiest Day" – 3:51# "The Kingdom" – 4:30...

  • 2007: Overdressed
    Overdressed
    Overdressed is the eighth major studio release from Caedmon's Call, released in August 2007. It features collaboration with former member and successful solo artist Derek Webb...

  • 2010: Raising Up the Dead

Solo
  • 2003: She Must and Shall Go Free
    She Must and Shall Go Free
    She Must and Shall Go Free is the first solo studio album from Derek Webb following his 2003 departure from Caedmon's Call. It is notable for causing controversy in Contemporary Christian Music circles; some Christian retailers refused to stock the album for its use of "strong" language.One of the...

  • 2004: I See Things Upside Down
    I See Things Upside Down
    I See Things Upside Down is the second studio release from Derek Webb since his departure from Caedmon's Call for a solo career. Recorded at The Smoakstack, in Nashville, TN ....

  • 2005: Mockingbird
    Mockingbird (album)
    Mockingbird is the third release from Derek Webb since his departure from Caedmon's Call for a solo career.Produced by Cason Cooley, the album touches on subjects such as politics, social justice, and war...

  • 2007: The Ringing Bell
    The Ringing Bell
    The Ringing Bell is the fourth release from Derek Webb since his departure from Caedmon's Call for a solo career, released in 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Derek Webb.# "The End" – 1:34# "The Very End" – 3:02...

  • 2009: Stockholm Syndrome
  • 2010: Feedback
  • 2011: Untitled Forthcoming Album


Other albums

Caedmon's Call
  • 1997: Limited Edition Tour EP
    Limited Edition Tour EP
    Limited Edition Tour EP is a 1997 limited edition EP by Caedmon's Call, released to coincide with their major tour of 1997.-Track listing:# "Bus Driver" – 5:11# "Lead of Love" – 3:58# "Center Aisle" – 5:47# "Not the Land" – 5:05...

  • 1997: The Guild Collection Vol. 1
    The Guild Collection Vol. 1
    The Guild Collection Vol. 1 was a limited edition release to Guild members. This has become sought after outside the fan community.-Track listing:# "Stupid Kid " - 3:58# "Open Letter" - 4:46# "Not Enough" - 3:33# "Bus Driver" - 5:01...

  • 1997: Intimate Portrait
    Intimate Portrait
    Intimate Portrait is a 1997 limited edition EP by Caedmon's Call, released to coincide with their major tour of 1997. It is an enhanced CD with video footage.-Track listing:# "Bus Driver" – 5:12# "April Showers" – 4:05# "Truth" – 5:53...

  • 1998: The Guild Collection Vol. 2
    The Guild Collection Vol. 2
    The Guild Collection Vol. 2 was a limited edition Caedmon's Call release to Guild members. This has become sought after outside the fan community. The guild is the groups subscription fan club and its releases have been sought out on the second hand market...

  • 2000: Songs from the Guild
    Songs from the Guild
    Songs from the Guild was a short release featuring outtakes from the first three "Collections from the Guild", by the band Caedmon's Call.-Track listing:* Disc - Total time 11:49...

  • 2001: The Guild Collection Vol. 3
    The Guild Collection Vol. 3
    The Guild Collection Vol. 3 was a limited edition release in the series "Collections from the Guild", by the band Caedmon's Call.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 0:55# "Hope To Carry On" – 2:57# "Two Of A Kind" – 0:38# "Famous Last Words" – 3:38...

  • 2004: Chronicles 1992-2004
    Chronicles 1992-2004
    Chronicles 1992-2004 is the first major collection of this band's work. Caedmon's Call go from strength to strength and change with each studio outing. This survey's the progress to date. Not just a selection of prior studio albums, there is included throughout live reworkings...


Solo
  • 2004: The House Show
    The House Show
    The House Show is a live album from Derek Webb from his House Show tour, following the release of his first solo album, She Must and Shall Go Free....

  • 2005: How to Kill and Be Killed
    How to Kill and Be Killed
    How to Kill and Be Killed is a live concert DVD from Derek Webb's tour following the release of his second studio album I See Things Upside Down.-Setlist:# I Want A Broken Heart# Thankful# Saint And Sinner# Reputation# Medication...

    (DVD)
  • 2007: One Zero (Acoustic)
    One Zero (Acoustic)
    One Zero [Acoustic] is an album from Derek Webb containing new acoustic recordings of ten previously released songs. It was released the same day as One Zero , containing the same ten tracks remixed differently.-Track listing:...

  • 2007: One Zero (Remix)
    One Zero (Remix)
    One Zero [Remix] is an album from Derek Webb containing tracks of ten previously released Derek Webb songs remixed by engineer Will Hunt...

  • 2008: The Ampersand EP
    The Ampersand EP
    Ampersand EP is a duet album by husband and wife singer-songwriters Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken released on February 14, 2008.-Track listing:# "Valentine" - 4:08# "When The Summer's Gone" - 3:28# "Watch Your Mouth" - 4:22...

    (with Sandra McCracken
    Sandra McCracken
    Sandra McCracken is an independent singer-songwriter. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and fellow singer-songwriter Derek Webb.-Background:...

    )
  • 2009: Paradise Is a Parking Lot (DVD)
  • 2010: Democracy Vol. 1
  • 2011: Democracy Vol. 2
  • 2011: TN EP (with Sandra McCracken
    Sandra McCracken
    Sandra McCracken is an independent singer-songwriter. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and fellow singer-songwriter Derek Webb.-Background:...

    )


External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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