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John Mehler (born August 27, 1948, in Long Beach, California) is a drummer for Love Song, Spirit of Creation, Noah and other bands.
Mehler graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969 and soon thereafter moved to Salt Lake City with two musician friends, Chuck Fraher and Jay Truax, to form Spirit of Creation. While Mehler was a member of Spirit of Creation the group opened for some of the more popular groups of the day including Three Dog Night, Spirit and the Grateful Dead. [1] In the summer of 1970 he joined Chuck Girard and Tommy Coomes in Love Song, one of the pioneers of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Mehler has worked with artists as far ranging as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Lee Ritenour, Richie Furay and Phil Keaggy. [2]
Mehler's solo album Bow and Arrow was a pioneering work in the Contemporary Christian Music scene. The album is currently hard to find and is out of print.
CCM magazine says,
"John Mehler's musical contributions have graced the "fine print" of more Christian albums than just about anyone I can think of. As a member of Love Song (one of ccm's foundational bands), his distinct style as a drummer was to have as dramatic an influence on the sound of many early Christian bands as Ringo Starr did on the British bands that followed in the wake of the Beatles. As a session player on countless records, John brings to the drums a unique musicality thoroughly individual yet always complementary to the sound of the artists he's accompanying." [3]
Randall Evan Stonehill is an American singer and songwriter from Stockton, California, best known as one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. His music is primarily folk rock in the style of James Taylor, but some of his albums have focused on new wave, pop, pop rock, roots rock, and children's music.
Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and stylistically rooted in Christian music. Originating in the United States, it was formed by those affected by the 1960s Jesus movement revival who began to express themselves in other styles of popular music, beyond the church music of hymns, gospel and Southern gospel music that was prevalent in the church at the time. Initially referred to as Jesus music, today, the term is typically used to refer to pop, but also includes rock, alternative rock, hip hop, metal, contemporary worship, punk, hardcore punk, Latin, electronic dance music, R&B-influenced gospel, and country styles.
Petra is an American music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres and was, for many years, regarded as the "world's most popular Christian rock band". Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock". Though it disbanded formally in 2006, incarnations have played reunion shows in the years since and released two albums in November 2010, and in November 2017. In 2013, it reformed with a new drummer, Cristian Borneo, and recorded a new song titled "Holy is Your Name", before going back on tour.
Jon Robert Gibson is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumental musician, and record producer. Originally a blue-eyed soul singer, he switched from secular music to contemporary Christian music in the late-1980s.
Benny Ray Hester is an American musician, singer, songwriter and recording artist. He is perhaps best known for his songs "When God Ran" and "Nobody Knows Me Like You", and for producing the groundbreaking tween/teen music-driven sketch comedy and dance television series Roundhouse on Nickelodeon. Hester received a television Cable Ace Award for the song "I Can Dream" and a collection of nominations for writing and producing a featured original song for each weekly episode of Roundhouse during its successful four-year run. He has written and recorded more than 25 number one and top ten songs.
Sonicflood is an American contemporary worship music band from Nashville, Tennessee, that has been touted as "The Fathers of the Modern Worship Movement." The group took the name "Sonicflood", a reference to a line in the Book of Revelation, chapter 19, verse 6.
The Archers were an American contemporary Christian music group. They were originally brothers Tim and Steve Archer, Fred Satterfield, Nancye Short and Billy Rush Masters. After Masters and Short departed in 1977, sister Janice Archer joined. They enjoyed greater longevity than most of the pioneering CCM artists, recording chart hits in the decades of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Their hits included, "Jesus Is The Answer", "Little Flowers", "It Wouldn't Be Enough" (Aldridge), "Fresh Surrender", "Stand Up!", and "Heaven In Your Eyes". Former Maranatha! Music artist and CCM pioneer Erick Nelson defined The Archers' role in the development of contemporary Christian music as representing one-half of a convergence: traditional vocal groups like The Archers got hipper while the hippie rock groups got more mellow—eventually both evinced the polished, commercial sound that would be identified as stereotypical contemporary Christian music.
Diamonds and Rain is the third studio release, and second full-length studio album, from alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1986. It is the first release under the band's new moniker after dropping "Youth" from their name.
Wide-Eyed Wonder is the fifth studio release, and fourth full-length studio album, from alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1989. This would be the first studio album with new bass guitarist Robin Spurs, and would mark the band's first attempt to target the mainstream market.
Chuck Girard is an American musician, considered a pioneer of Contemporary Christian music. He moved to Santa Rosa, California in his early teens, becoming a band member of the Castells and later the surf-rock band The Hondells.
Love Song was one of the most prominent Jesus music bands, and one of the first Christian rock bands. They released two studio albums—Love Song (1972) and Final Touch (1974)—and one live album—Feel the Love (1977)—before disbanding. They subsequently released Welcome Back in 1994, remastered versions of the three early albums and Love Song: The Book of Love as a box set in 2010.
4-4-1 are an alternative-pop Christian rock band who played primarily in the 1980s. 4-4-1 consisted of lead singer/guitarist John McNamara, drummer Steve Giali, lead guitarist John Giali and bassist/keyboardist Glenn Holland.
Charles Christopher Sligh is an American singer, songwriter, producer and pastor who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, finishing in tenth place. He has released 14 albums since 2001 as a solo artist, with his band Half Past Forever or with his former church's musical entity, Shoreline Music. He also starred in October Baby.
The Generous Mr. Lovewell is the sixth studio album by Christian rock band MercyMe. Released in May 2010, the album is a concept record revolving around a fictional, allegorical character, 'Mr. Lovewell', and the overall theme of love. Produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala, the album met with positive critical and commercial reception. The album sold over 88,000 copies its first week and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Christian Albums chart.
Redemption is the eleventh and, to date, final studio album by the Christian rock band White Heart. It is their second and final album on Curb Records. Following the departures of lead guitarist Brian Wooten, bass guitarist John Thorn and drummer/percussionist Jon Knox and following up their 1995 album Inside, the group is now reduced to the trio of lead singer Rick Florian and White Heart founders Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl and has once again stylized as Whiteheart for this album. The trio has brought in studio musician friends to fill in the rhythm section and have made what critics are calling a redefining album. Redemption is produced by Smiley and Gersmehl with production assistance by Richie Biggs. The album debuted and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
On the Altar of Love is the sixth official album release from contemporary Christian music band downhere. The album won the 2012 Juno Award for Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.
Love Come to Life is the seventh studio album by Christian contemporary Christian music band Big Daddy Weave. The album released on April 17, 2012 by Fervent Records and Curb Records. The album was produced by band member Jeremy Redmon. The album has charted on Billboard 200 and Christian Albums charts at Nos. 68 and 8, respectively. The song that was released as the lead single from the album was "Love Come to Life," which peaked at No. 6 on the Christian Songs chart, and the second song was "Redeemed," reached No. 1, becoming their second song to achieve the feat.
Welcome to Daylight is the second studio album by contemporary Christian music band Luminate, and was released by the label Sparrow Records on August 28, 2012. The album has charted on Billboard Christian Albums chart at No. 30 and on the Heatseekers Albums chart at No. 23. The first single from the album is "Banner of Love", which has had chart success on its own.
My Only Rescue is the second studio album by contemporary Christian music band The Museum. It was released on August 28, 2012 through BEC Recordings. The album was produced by Pete Kipley.
Royal Tailor is the eponymously named second and final studio album from Christian pop rock band Royal Tailor. It was released on October 22, 2013 by Essential Records, and was produced by Chuck Butler, Aaron Lindsey and Christopher Stevens. The album was well received by Christian music critics, and is Royal Tailor's highest charting release to date.