The band currently consists of vocalist Dawn Michele, Glenn and Wendy Drennen, guitarist and bassist respectively, and guitarist Justin Cox (who left in 2013 but rejoined in 2019). They have released seven studio albums and have played in tours, including ShoutFest, Revelation Generation and Winter Jam. The band has also been featured on the Scars Remain tour with Disciple, Family Force 5, and Decyfer Down. Their fourth full-length album For Those Who Wait (2010) was nominated in the 2011 Grammy Awards.
Their most recent album, Who We Are: The Head and the Heart, was released in October 2020.
History
The band initially formed when Glenn Drennen started a band with his wife Wendy and school friend Justin Cox. While attending a graduation service for Glenn's little brother, Glenn and Wendy heard Dawn Futch (later Dawn Michele) singing during the service. They asked her to be in the group and she agreed. Through a mutual friend, the band met Phee Shorb.
The name "Fireflight" was suggested by Dawn Michele shortly before they did a small performance at a church. The name has no meaning, as suggested by the band in an interview with Jesus Freak Hideout.[6]
They independently released the album Glam-rök, which was produced by Cox, in 2002.[1] They followed up with the five-track EPOn the Subject of Moving Forward in 2004 before they were signed to the major record label Flicker Records.[1]
After years of touring, Fireflight released their major label debut album The Healing of Harms in 2006 with two No.1 singles, "You Decide" and "Waiting".[7] The album peaked at No.37 on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums chart.[1] 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, No.11 on the R&R Christian Hit Radio charts on October 23, 2006, and No.1 on the Christian Radio Weekly chart. On Billboard's chart, it peaked at No.27 on the Hot Christian Singles chart,[1] and it finished in the Top 25 of 2006 for the network radio station Air1.
Their second single, "Waiting", reached No.1 R&R and CRW Christian Rock chart and stayed there for three consecutive weeks during the month of February 2007. The band 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. Michele described how stressful and intense writing the album was:
It almost felt like things were out of control. 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.[8]
Fireflight debuted clips of the single "Unbreakable" in promos for the new Bionic Woman television series. "Unbreakable" is the title song from their album released in March 2008.[9] The single rose to the number one spot on CRW and R&R's Christian Rock charts seven weeks after its release.[10] The band's third number one rock song was the most added song on Christian Hit Radio radio stations in February 2008.[10] It ended 2008 as the 14th most-played song Christian CHR radio according to R&R magazine'sChristian CHR chart.[11] The band played at Winter Jam 2010.
Fireflight's fourth full-length album entitled For Those Who Wait was released on February 9, 2010. They shot music videos for both "For Those Who Wait", which came out June 1 on their official YouTube channel, and the lead single "Desperate". "Desperate" was unveiled on February 9, 2010, to coincide with the release of the new album. The album peaked at No.5 on Billboard Hot Christian Albums and is their highest-charting CD. "Desperate" was once a No.1 single on christianrock.net and on BDSradio.com's Christian Rock chart, and it peaked at No.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.[12] FireFlight was nominated for Best Rock/Rap Gospel Album for the 53rd Grammys; they lost to Switchfoot. In February 2011, the band's original drummer Phee Shorb left the band to become a Christian speaker; he was replaced by Adam McMillion.[4]
The band released their fifth album, Now, on March 6, 2012, which became their most chart-topping and fastest selling album, reaching No. 1 on the Contemporary Christian Charts.[13] Its leading track, "Stay Close", was released in the Winter Jam Tour 2011. The band released a music video for "Stay Close" on YouTube on their official Vevo account. The album has sold more than 40,000 copies as of July 15, 2012.
In early 2014, Fireflight announced that they had asked and been granted a release from their recording contract and were launching a Pledgemusic campaign to raise money for their sixth studio album, to be released independently.[14] On June 25, 2014, it was revealed that the title of the new album would be titled Innova.[citation needed] On September 5, 2014, it was announced that Innova would be released May 5, 2015.[15] On March 3, 2017, they released RE•IMAG•INNOVA, an EP with reimagined selections from Innova.[citation needed]
Guitarist Justin Cox rejoined the group in 2019.[16] The band's seventh album, Who We Are: The Head and the Heart, was released on October 23, 2020.
Sanctus Real is an American Christian rock band formed in Toledo, Ohio, in 1996. The group is composed of Chris Rohman, Mark Graalman (drums), and Dustin Lolli. The band is best known for their number one singles "Lead Me", "Forgiven", "Whatever You're Doing", "I'm Not Alright", "Don't Give Up", "We Need Each Other", "Everything About You", and "The Fight Song". Since 2002, they have released five albums through the Sparrow Records label, an independent EP This Is Love, and "Changed" on Framework Records.
The Beautiful Letdown is the fourth studio album by alternative rock band Switchfoot, released on February 25, 2003, by RED Ink Records, and later re-released through Sony Music. It marked the band's first release on a major label and their first release with keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas. The album was produced by John Fields and Switchfoot and recorded over a span of around two weeks; all songs on the album were written either in part or entirely by lead singer Jon Foreman.
Beauty from Pain is the fourth album released by the band Superchick. This is the first CD the band has released with an official drummer, Brandon Estelle. Christian rapper and hip-hop singer tobyMac appears in the song "Stories ", which is also heard on his CD Welcome to Diverse City.
Joshua Brown is an American singer who is best known as the lead vocalist of Christian rock band Day of Fire. He was also the original lead vocalist of Full Devil Jacket and was a featured vocalist on Fireflight's hit song "You Decide" from their album The Healing of Harms.
Search the City was an American rock band from Detroit, Michigan who released two EPs and two studio albums.
Addison Road was a Christian alternative pop/rock band from Dallas, Texas. The band was signed to INO Records in 2007 and released its self-titled debut album, Addison Road, on March 18, 2008. Its songs "All That Matters" and "Sticking With You" were the ninth and fifteenth most-played songs on R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for 2008. On August 1, 2012, the band announced that after 10 years it would complete its time as a band. Lead singer Jenny Simmons is pursuing a solo career.
The Heat is the second studio album by American Christian rock band Needtobreathe, released on August 28, 2007, under Atlantic/Word Records. The album reached No. 164 on Billboard's Top 200 and No. 2 on the Top Heatseekers charts. The first single from the album, "Signature of Divine (Yahweh)", reached No. 1 on R&R's Christian contemporary hit radio chart, and was the No. 14 most played song in 2007 on the same radio format. "Washed by the Water" was the sixth most-played song on R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for 2008. The Heat was GMA Dove Award-nominated for "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year", as well as "Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year" for the song "Signature of Divine (Yahweh)".
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.
The Healing of Harms is the second full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight in 2006. The album was Fireflight's first release on Flicker Records. "Waiting", "Liar", and "Serenity" previously appeared on the band's first EP On the Subject of Moving Forward.
"Signature of Divine (Yahweh)" is the first single released off the album The Heat by Christian rock band Needtobreathe. It was released in the summer of 2007. The song was nominated for the "Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year" Dove Award for 2007.
"Washed by the Water" is a 2007 song by the Christian rock band Needtobreathe from their second studio album The Heat. It was released as a radio single at the end of 2007, becoming a No. 1 hit in the spring of 2008. It was the sixth most-played song on R&R's Christian CHR chart for 2008.
Ordinary Dreamers is the second full-length studio album by Christian hip hop band Group 1 Crew. It was released on September 16, 2008, through Fervent Records. The album charted at No. 15 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. The album was produced by Chris Stevens. The first single from Ordinary Dreamers was the song "Keys to the Kingdom", released in mid-2008.
"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.
Over and Underneath is the first major label studio album from Christian pop rock band Tenth Avenue North. It was released on May 20, 2008, and peaked at No. 130 on the Billboard 200 in April 2009. The album features two No. 1 singles: "Love Is Here" and "By Your Side". It has been certified Gold status selling over 500,000 copies.
Confessions is the sixth album, from the Christian rock band Pillar. The album was released on September 22, 2009, by Essential Records.
For Those Who Wait is the fourth full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight. The album was released on February 9, 2010 on Flicker Records.
Move is the tenth studio album by the Christian rock band Third Day. Released on October 19, 2010, the album was the band's first after guitarist Brad Avery left Third Day. The band wanted the album to be a departure from the modern rock stylings of Revelation (2008), intending to show more of their southern rock roots. Third Day chose to work with producer Paul Moak on the album and recorded it at their own studio, feeling it offered them more creative freedom. Primarily a southern rock album, Move also has significant influence from gospel music.
Now is the fifth full-length studio album released by Christian rock band Fireflight released on March 6, 2012 on Flicker Records. It is their fastest selling and highest charting album to date. As of July 15, 2012 the album has sold more than 40,000 copies.
"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.
Innova is the sixth studio album by Fireflight. The band independently released the album on May 5, 2015. This album was funded by a crowdfunding project. Fireflight worked with Geoff Duncan, Joshua Silverberg, Rusty Varenkamp, and Kipp Williams in the production and writing of this album, with vocalist Dawn Michele being the only band member to contribute compositions.
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