Leon Eric Brooks III, better known by his stage name Kix Brooks, is an American country music artist, actor, and film producer best known for being one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn and host of radio's American Country Countdown. Prior to the duo's foundation, he was a singer and songwriter, charting twice on Hot Country Songs and releasing an album for Capitol Records. Brooks and Ronnie Dunn comprised Brooks & Dunn for twenty years, then both members began solo careers. Brooks’ solo career after Brooks & Dunn includes the album New to This Town.
Brooks & Dunn is an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of songwriter and record producer Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were solo recording artists, having charted two solo singles apiece in the 1980s. Brooks also released an album for Capitol Records in 1989 and wrote hit singles for other artists.
Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia in 1991. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and Billy Wilkins. The band's name is a reference to the biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day following his crucifixion. The band was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 19, 2009. They have sold over 7 million albums in the United States and had 28 number one Christian album chart radio hits. Their fans are known as "Gomers" after a song on their second album about Gomer.
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2006.
Lifesong is the second studio album by American Christian rock band Casting Crowns, released on August 30, 2005 by Beach Street Records and Reunion Records. Produced by Mark A. Miller, Lifesong was the follow-up to the band's self-titled debut album. Although the unexpected success of the first album led to tremendous demand for new music from Casting Crowns, lead vocalist Mark Hall was advised by Steven Curtis Chapman and Mac Powell not to worry about commercial expectations. Lifesong, which has a pop rock and adult contemporary sound, focuses on challenging believers and indicting piousness and hypocrisy in the Christian church. Worship themes are also prominent in the album.
Mac Powell, originally from Clanton, Alabama, is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and musician who formed the Christian rock band Third Day with guitarist Mark Lee, with both of them being the only continuous members of the band prior to their disbandment in 2018. Powell also delves into country music, having released several independent country albums. As of 2021, he continues his career in Christian music as a solo artist.
Matthew Joseph West is an American contemporary Christian musician and singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums and is known for his songs "More", "You Are Everything", and "The Motions". He was nominated for five Dove Awards in 2005, two of which were for his major-label debut album, Happy. West won the 2013 American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist.
Jason Crabb is a 2-time GRAMMY® Award-Winning Christian music singer and musician. He was previously the lead vocalist for the group The Crabb Family.
The Fight of My Life is the ninth Gospel album by Kirk Franklin on GospoCentric Records.
Revelation is the ninth studio album by American Christian rock band Third Day, released on July 29, 2008. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who had decided to work with the band after rock singer Chris Daughtry drew attention to lead singer Mac Powell's vocal ability. Although they were initially uncomfortable working with Benson, Third Day achieved a positive working relationship with Benson, who felt that their different religious beliefs made them challenge each other in a way reflected in the record.
The Sound is the fifth studio album by American duo Mary Mary. It was released on October 21, 2008, by Columbia Records. A concept album suggesting an FM radio broadcast experience, the project was produced by Warryn Campbell.
"Building Bridges" is a song written and originally recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Larry Willoughby, co-written with Hank DeVito. Willoughby's version peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1984.
The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was 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. James, Matthew West, and Lisa Kimmey.
"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 February 2008. It was 2008's 14th most played song of the year on Christian contemporary hit radio.
Jason David Ingram is an American Christian music producer and songwriter. He has been a songwriter for many Christian artists, including Bebo Norman and Point of Grace.
Until the Whole World Hears is the fourth studio album by American Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Released on November 17, 2009, the album was produced by Mark A. Miller and features a sound that has been described as 'pure American rock', 'soft adult contemporary', and 'CCM'. Lyrically, the album discusses Christian subjects such as God, Jesus, and salvation, with several songs being reinventions of classic hymns. Until the Whole World Hears sold over 167,000 copies in its first week, Casting Crowns' highest sales week to date, and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. In the United States, the album ranked as the 37th best-selling album of 2010 and the 137th best-selling album of 2011; it ranked as the first and third best-selling Christian album in those years, respectively. It has sold over 1.1 million copies and been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Country Strong is a soundtrack album for the film of the same name. It was released by RCA Nashville on October 26, 2010. It is preceded by two singles: the title track, performed by the film's star Gwyneth Paltrow, which was released on July 26, 2010, and "A Little Bit Stronger", performed by Sara Evans and released on September 27, 2010. In addition to Paltrow, the film's co-stars Garrett Hedlund, Tim McGraw and Leighton Meester all sing on the soundtrack, which also features country music stars Lee Ann Womack, Hank Williams Jr., and Faith Hill, among others. The album has sold 479,000 copies in the US as of February 2013. A follow-up album Country Strong , was released on December 21, 2010, originally as digital download only. The second album has sold 36,349 in the US as of January 2011.
"You Reign" is a song written and performed by Christian rock band MercyMe. The song was co-written by Bart Millard, Barry Graul, and Steven Curtis Chapman, and was released as the second single from their fifth studio album, All That Is Within Me.
"Lift Up Your Face" is a song recorded by the Christian rock band Third Day and featuring vocals from The Blind Boys of Alabama. Written by Mac Powell and composed by Third Day, Bo Rinehart, and Bear Rinehart, it was released to Christian AC and CHR radio on July 11, 2010 as the lead single from Third Day's 2010 studio album Move. "Lift Up Your Face" is a southern rock song with influences from blues and gospel, possessing a shadowy and edgy sound accompanied by distorted guitars. Dark and soulful vocals are also present, while the lyrics convey a message of encouragement and hope.
"Low" is a song written by Morgane Hayes, Stephanie Lewis and Shane Stevens. It was first recorded by American country artist Sara Evans. It was released as a single in 2008 via RCA Records and issued on the soundtrack for the film, Billy: The Early Years. The song became a minor hit on the Billboard country songs chart and received positive reviews.
