Fireflight
Encyclopedia
Fireflight is an American Christian rock
band formed in Eustis, Florida
in 1999. The band is signed by Flicker Records
. They have played in Shoutfest, Revelation Generation
, and have been featured on The Scars Remain tour with Disciple
, Family Force 5
, and Decyfer Down
. While touring, they wrote their second album, Unbreakable
(2008), and released their first single off the album "Unbreakable". They performed at Winter Jam
2010 and released their third full-length album For Those Who Wait in February. On December 1, 2010, they were nominated for their first Grammy award.
s Justin Cox and Glenn Drennen had gone to school together. Glenn had the idea to start a band with his wife Wendy (bassist) and Justin. They were then in need of a singer. Glenn and Wendy went to Glenn's younger brother's graduation and heard Dawn Futch (later Dawn Michele
) (lead singer) sing during the service for it; they asked her to be in the group and she agreed to it. The band was looking for a drummer at this point, and through a mutual friend they met Phee Shorb, who agreed to play drums.
The name "Fireflight" was suggested by Dawn Michele shortly before they did a small performance at a church. The name Fireflight has no meaning, as suggested by the band in an interview with Jesus Freak Hideout
.
They independently released the album Glam-Rok, which was produced by guitarist Justin Cox, in 2002. They followed it up with the 5-track EP
On the Subject of Moving Forward in 2004 before they were signed to the major record label Flicker Records
.
The album was a hit, peaking at #37 on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums chart. The song "You Decide", featuring Josh Brown
of Day of Fire, was the top request at TVU music television in August 2006. It was the second most played song on Christian Rock radio stations according to the September 1, 2006 R&R
magazine airplay chart, #11 on the R&R Christian Hit Radio charts on October 23, 2006, and #1 on the Christian Radio Weekly chart. On Billboard's chart, it peaked at #27 on the Hot Christian Singles chart and it finished in the Top 25 of 2006 for the network radio station Air1.
Their second single to rock radio, "Waiting", had reached #1 R&R and CRW Christian Rock chart, and stayed there for 3 consecutive weeks during the month of February 2007. They concurrently released the songs "It's You", "Star of the Show", and "Attitude" to Christian Hit Radio stations.
During another extensive year of touring, the band was experiencing an emotional roller coaster while writing their album "Unbreakable". Dawn describes on their Myspace how stressful and intense writing the album was:
television series. "Unbreakable" is the title song from their album released in March 2008. The single rose to the number one spot on CRW and R&R's Christian Rock charts seven weeks after its release. The band's third number one rock song was the most added song on Christian Hit Radio radio stations in February 2008. It ended 2008 as the 14th most-played song Christian CHR
radio according to R&R magazine's
Christian CHR
chart.
The band played at Winter Jam 2010.
The video for the song "For Those Who Wait" was nominated for a Dove Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards
.
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band formed in Eustis, Florida
Eustis, Florida
Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,106 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 19,129. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
in 1999. The band is signed by Flicker Records
Flicker Records
Flicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
. They have played in Shoutfest, Revelation Generation
Revelation Generation
Revelation Generation is an annual Christian music festival in Frenchtown, New Jersey. The festival was first held on August 13, 2005, but is currently annually held on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.-Philadelphia Stage:...
, and have been featured on The Scars Remain tour with Disciple
Disciple (band)
Disciple is a Christian metal / rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee, formed in 1992.-History:Disciple was formed in 1992 by high school friends Kevin Young, Brad Noah, and Tim Barrett. The band released their first CD, What Was I Thinking in 1995...
, Family Force 5
Family Force 5
Family Force 5 is a Christian crunk rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. They consist of Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds, Jacob "Crouton" Olds, Joshua "Fatty" Olds, Nathan "Nadaddy" Currin, and Derek "Chap Stique" Mount...
, and Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down is a Rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina. Up until 2002–the year that Chris Clonts joined the band–they went by the moniker Allysonhymn . Following Clonts' arrival they switched to the current name, Decyfer Down...
. While touring, they wrote their second album, Unbreakable
Unbreakable (Fireflight album)
Unbreakable is the third full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight, but second full-length to be released on Flicker Records. The album was released on March 4, 2008 on Flicker Records.-Background:...
(2008), and released their first single off the album "Unbreakable". They performed at Winter Jam
Winter Jam Tour Spectacular
Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, also referred to as simply Winter Jam , is an annual American music tour featuring Christian rock, Christian rap, and contemporary Christian music bands, stunt and/or comedy performances, and a speaker. It is the United States' largest annual Christian Music Tour...
2010 and released their third full-length album For Those Who Wait in February. On December 1, 2010, they were nominated for their first Grammy award.
Early years
GuitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
s Justin Cox and Glenn Drennen had gone to school together. Glenn had the idea to start a band with his wife Wendy (bassist) and Justin. They were then in need of a singer. Glenn and Wendy went to Glenn's younger brother's graduation and heard Dawn Futch (later Dawn Michele
Dawn Michele
Dawn Michele is the lead singer of the American Christian rock group, Fireflight. She was born in 1980 in Orlando, Florida. Her group has been signed to Flicker Records. Michele has played in Shoutfest, Revelation Generation, and have been featured on The Scars Remain tour with Disciple, Family...
) (lead singer) sing during the service for it; they asked her to be in the group and she agreed to it. The band was looking for a drummer at this point, and through a mutual friend they met Phee Shorb, who agreed to play drums.
The name "Fireflight" was suggested by Dawn Michele shortly before they did a small performance at a church. The name Fireflight has no meaning, as suggested by the band in an interview with Jesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout is a Christian music website. The website specializes in reviewing, previewing, and selling Christian albums. The website is known for its album reviews, independent music, artist interviews, concert dates and ministry through devotionals and prayer...
.
They independently released the album Glam-Rok, which was produced by guitarist Justin Cox, in 2002. They followed it up with the 5-track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
On the Subject of Moving Forward in 2004 before they were signed to the major record label Flicker Records
Flicker Records
Flicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
.
The Healing of Harms
After years of touring (it is estimated they play 140 shows every year), they released their major label debut album The Healing of Harms in 2006 with two #1 singles "You Decide" and "Waiting".The album was a hit, peaking at #37 on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums chart. The song "You Decide", featuring Josh Brown
Josh Brown (musician)
Joshua Brown is the lead singer of Christian rock band Day of Fire, and was the lead singer of Full Devil Jacket until 2001. He was a featured vocalist on Fireflight's hit song "You Decide" from their album The Healing of Harms....
of Day of Fire, was the top request at TVU music television in August 2006. It was the second most played song on Christian Rock radio stations according to the September 1, 2006 R&R
R&R (magazine)
R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes...
magazine airplay chart, #11 on the R&R Christian Hit Radio charts on October 23, 2006, and #1 on the Christian Radio Weekly chart. On Billboard's chart, it peaked at #27 on the Hot Christian Singles chart and it finished in the Top 25 of 2006 for the network radio station Air1.
Their second single to rock radio, "Waiting", had reached #1 R&R and CRW Christian Rock chart, and stayed there for 3 consecutive weeks during the month of February 2007. They concurrently released the songs "It's You", "Star of the Show", and "Attitude" to Christian Hit Radio stations.
During another extensive year of touring, the band was experiencing an emotional roller coaster while writing their album "Unbreakable". Dawn describes on their Myspace how stressful and intense writing the album was:
“It almost felt like things were out of control,” says Dawn. "We’d gone through a difficult year as a band with a lot of emotional ups and downs. We basically lived together in a van while writing the new album, and that put us in a pressure cooker. All the stresses were magnified because you’re completely out of your comfort zone, and it really does crank up the intensity of the writing. We poured all of our hope, sorrow, anger, dreams and fears into the music."
Unbreakable
Fireflight debuted clips of its single "Unbreakable" in promos for the new Bionic WomanBionic Woman (2007 TV series)
Bionic Woman is an American science fiction television drama created by David Eick, under NBC Universal Television Group, GEP Productions and David Eick Productions that aired in 2007...
television series. "Unbreakable" is the title song from their album released in March 2008. The single rose to the number one spot on CRW and R&R's Christian Rock charts seven weeks after its release. The band's third number one rock song was the most added song on Christian Hit Radio radio stations in February 2008. It ended 2008 as the 14th most-played song Christian CHR
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
radio according to R&R magazine's
R&R (magazine)
R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes...
Christian CHR
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
chart.
The band played at Winter Jam 2010.
For Those Who Wait
Fireflight's third full-length album entitled For Those Who Wait was released on February 9, 2010. They recently shot music videos for both "For Those Who Wait" Which came out June 1 on their official Youtube channel and the lead single "Desperate". The "Desperate" video was unveiled on February 9 to coincide with the release of the new album. The album has peaked at #5 on Billboard Hot Christian Albums, and is their highest charting CD. Desperate was once a #1 single on christianrock.net and on BDSradio.com's Christian Rock chart, and it peaked at #3 on the Christian CHR chart on the same website. The next single to be released was "For Those Who Wait". The video for the title track was released in May. On November 25, 2010, Fireflight's band trailer was stolen. It contained approximately $80,000 worth of equipment and merchandise. FireFlight was nominated for Best Rock/Rap Gospel Album for the 53rd Grammys; they lost to Switchfoot. The band's original drummer Phee Shorb left the band in February 2011 to become a Christian speaker; he was replaced by Adam McMillion.Now
The band annouced via Facebook that their new album would release in March 6th, 2012. The album is called "Now" and its leading track is "Stay Close", released in the Winter Jam Tour 2011.Band members
- Dawn MicheleDawn MicheleDawn Michele is the lead singer of the American Christian rock group, Fireflight. She was born in 1980 in Orlando, Florida. Her group has been signed to Flicker Records. Michele has played in Shoutfest, Revelation Generation, and have been featured on The Scars Remain tour with Disciple, Family...
- lead vocals - Justin Cox - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals, keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Wendy Drennen - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Glenn Drennen - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Adam McMillion - drums
Albums
- 2002: Glam-rokGlam-rokGlam-rok was the first full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight. This album was released before Fireflight was associated with Flicker Records.-Track listing:#"Static Equilibrium " - 3:29#"911" - 4:20#"Reflections" - 4:26...
– independent - 2006: The Healing of HarmsThe Healing of HarmsThe Healing of Harms is the first non-independent studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight in 2006. The album was Fireflight's first release on Flicker Records...
– Flicker RecordsFlicker RecordsFlicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
– #37 Top Christian Albums, #48 Top Independent Albums - 2008: UnbreakableUnbreakable (Fireflight album)Unbreakable is the third full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight, but second full-length to be released on Flicker Records. The album was released on March 4, 2008 on Flicker Records.-Background:...
– Flicker Records – #10 Top HeatseekersTop HeatseekersTop Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... - 2010: For Those Who Wait
- 2012: Now
Singles
- "You Decide" (2006)
- "Waiting" (2006)
- "It's You" (2007)
- "Star of the Show" (2007)
- "Attitude" (2007)
- "UnbreakableUnbreakable (Fireflight song)"Unbreakable" is a song by Christian rock band Fireflight from their second album, Unbreakable. It was released in November 2007 as the album's lead single, receiving television promotion on the NBC network that month. The song soon became popular on Christian rock radio, charting at number one in...
" (2008) - "Brand New Day" (2008)
- "The Hunger" (2008)
- "You Gave Me a Promise" (2008)
- "Stand Up" (2009)
- "Desperate" (2009)
- "For Those Who Wait" (2010)
- "All I Need To Be" (2010)
- "What I've Overcome" (2010)
- "Stay Close" (2011)
Music videos
- "You Decide" (2006)
- "UnbreakableUnbreakable (Fireflight song)"Unbreakable" is a song by Christian rock band Fireflight from their second album, Unbreakable. It was released in November 2007 as the album's lead single, receiving television promotion on the NBC network that month. The song soon became popular on Christian rock radio, charting at number one in...
" (2008) - "Desperate" (2010)
- "For Those Who Wait" (2010)
The video for the song "For Those Who Wait" was nominated for a Dove Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards
42nd GMA Dove Awards
The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 20, 2011 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The show will be broadcast on gmc on April 24, 2011. It will be hosted by Sherri Shepherd from The Newlywed Game....
.
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Dove Awards of 2009 The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 23, 2009 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2008. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Rebecca St... |
Artist of the Year | |
| Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("The Hunger") | ||
| Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Unbreakable Unbreakable (Fireflight song) "Unbreakable" is a song by Christian rock band Fireflight from their second album, Unbreakable. It was released in November 2007 as the album's lead single, receiving television promotion on the NBC network that month. The song soon became popular on Christian rock radio, charting at number one in... ") |
||
| Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Unbreakable Unbreakable (Fireflight album) Unbreakable is the third full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight, but second full-length to be released on Flicker Records. The album was released on March 4, 2008 on Flicker Records.-Background:... ) |
||
| 2010 | Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("You Gave Me a Promise") | |
| 2011 | Short Form Music Video of the Year ("For Those Who Wait") | |