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Sidewalk Prophets

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Sidewalk Prophets
Sidewalk Prophets in 2013
Sidewalk Prophets in 2013
Background information
OriginAnderson, Indiana, U.S.
GenresContemporary Christian music, pop rock, indie rock
Years active2003-present[1]
LabelsWord
Members
  • David Frey
  • Cal Joslin
  • Daniel Macal
  • Ben Young
Past members
  • Shaun Tomczak
  • Justin Nace
  • Ben McDonald
  • Chris Jordan
  • Chris Koboldt
Websitesidewalkprophets.com

Sidewalk Prophets is an American contemporary Christian music band from Nashville. Their album These Simple Truths contained the single "The Words I Would Say" which is also featured on WOW Hits 2010 and WOW Hits 2011. The group won the 2010 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.

Sidewalk Prophets was currently composed by David Frey on lead vocals, Cal Joslin on bass & backing vocals & Daniel Macal on lead guitar & backing vocals

Background

[edit]

The band was formed by lead singer Dave Frey and rhythm guitarist Ben McDonald when the two were attending Anderson University in Indiana. A demo they recorded was taken without their knowledge to a campus recording contest, which earned them a performance slot. That in turn, led to radio program directors and record labels, and a chance encounter with Audio Adrenaline's Will McGinnis gave Dave the chance to sing in front of 20,000. The group landed a deal with Word Records after meeting with a record label executive and a showcasing themselves at Lancaster Christian Academy in Smyrna, Tennessee.[2] It also features lead guitarist Shaun Tomczak, bassist Cal Joslin, and drummer Justin Nace. Tomczak left the band in January 2014 to spend time with his family, and Daniel Macal joined the band to take his place.[3] Nace announced he was about to leave the band in 2015, then Ben Young joined the band and took his place. Other past members of the group are guitarist Chris Jordan and bassist Chris Koboldt.

They have toured with Jeremy Camp and Audio Adrenaline on the strength of independent albums, then rode the popularity of their first Word Records release, These Simple Truths, to a Dove Award for New Artist of the Year[4] and a nomination for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. "The Words I Would Say" reached No. 3, "You Can Have Me" entered the Top 20, a Christmas single, "Hope Was Born This Night", reached the Top 10, and "You Love Me Anyway" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Singles chart.[5] The band has also toured in the Rock and Worship Roadshow with MercyMe and Francesca Battistelli among others,[6] and received another Dove nomination for Group of the Year in 2011.[7]

Their next album, Live Like That was produced by Ian Eskelin who also produced "The Words I Would Say". The record is a tribute to the band's fans, some of whom were selected through a contest to sing background vocals.[citation needed] The band also solicited photos of people their fans admire and want to be like for use on the cover.[citation needed]

In December 2017, they announced a 40-city tour the Something Different Tour (in 3D) for early 2018 with special guests Bonray.[8]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Title Album details Chart positions
US
[9]
US
Christ.

[10]
US
Heat.

[11]
Sidewalk Prophets[1]
These Simple Truths
  • Released: August 25, 2009
  • Label: Word
15 5
Live Like That
  • Released: March 27, 2012
  • Label: Word
83 3
Merry Christmas to You
  • Released: September 24, 2013
  • Label: Fervent
177 8
Something Different
  • Released: August 28, 2015
  • Label: Fervent/Word
144 4
Looking Up
  • Released: February 14th, 2025
  • Label: Curb/Word
TBA

EPs

[edit]
Title Details
You Love Me Anyway
  • Release Date: June 15, 2007
  • Label: Independent

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ.

[12]
US
Christ
Air.

[13]
US
Christ
AC

[14]
US
Christ
Digital

[15]
2009 "The Words I Would Say" 3 3 9 These Simple Truths
2010 "You Can Have Me" 16 16 50
"Hope Was Born This Night" 8 4 Come Now Our King
2011 "You Love Me Anyway" 1 1 11 These Simple Truths
2012 "Live Like That" 2 2 4 Live Like That
2013 "Help Me Find It" 2 2 12
2014 "Keep Making Me" 7 4 4 9
"Hope Can Change Everything"
(with Francesca Battistelli, Jeremy Camp,
Jamie Grace, Matt Maher, and Bart Millard)
14 21 10 non-album single
2015 "Save My Life" 17 12 11 Live Like That
"Prodigal" 14 9 10 28 Something Different
2016 "To Live Is Christ" 26 18 27
2017 "Come To The Table" 11 4 5 12
2019 "Smile" 21 16 13 22 The Things That Got Us Here
2020 "Chosen" 32 26 18
2021 "I Believe It Now" 35 25 24
2024 "Hurt People (Love Will Heal Our Hearts)" Looking Up
"Come to Jesus"
"Unbelievable
(with Ben Fuller)"
"Looking Up
(with Megan Danielle)"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart


Promotional singles

[edit]
Year Single Chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ.

[12]
2020 "Real to Me" The Things That Got Us Here
"Don't Sweat It"
"The Comment Section"

Other charted songs

[edit]
Year Song Chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ.

[12]
2010 "Hope Was Born This Night" 8 Come Now Our King
2013 "Because It's Christmas" 6 Merry Christmas to You
"O Holy Night" 36 non-album single
2014 "What a Glorious Night" 6 Merry Christmas to You
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Members

[edit]

Current Members

[edit]
  • David "Dave" Frey - lead vocals (2003-Present)
  • Cal Joslin - bass, keyboards, double bass, backing vocals (2006-Present)
  • Daniel Macal - lead guitar, backing vocals (2014-Present)
  • Ben Young - drums (2015-present) [citation needed]

Former Members

[edit]
  • Ben McDonald - guitar, dulcimer, background vocals (2003-2021) [citation needed]
  • Justin Nace - drums, precussion (2005-2015)
  • Shaun Tomcsak - lead guitar, backing vocals (2010-2014)
  • Chris Jordan - lead guitar, backing vocals (2004-2008)
  • Chris Koboldt - guitar, backing vocals (2003-2004)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
GMA Dove Awards
Year Award Result
2010 New Artist of the Year Won
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (These Simple Truths) Nominated
2011 Group of the Year Nominated
2013 Song of the Year ("Live Like That") Nominated[19]

Tours

[edit]
Sidewalk Prophets performing on The Rock and Worship Roadshow in 2011

The Sidewalk Prophets have toured the United States and other countries with many famous acts including Jeremy Camp, Stellar Kart, and Audio Adrenaline[20] before being signed to Word Records and appeared on the 2010 and 2011 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular sharing the stage alongside Tenth Avenue North, Newsboys, and Third Day.

They also toured on the Rock and Worship Roadshow 2010 with MercyMe, Francesca Battistelli, David Crowder Band, Remedy Drive, Fee, and Family Force 5. In 2013, they toured along with TobyMac and Red in the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular.

The 2013 tour included many dates with Matthew West. The tour concluded on November 18, 2013. Also, on the tour was American Idol alum Jason Castro.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sidewalk Prophets". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  2. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets coming for musical ministry". The Coos Bay World. February 25, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  3. ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.sidewalkprophets.com/news/new-bus-cast-3182014-saying-goodbye-saying-hello-cruising-mom-road-again%7Ctitle=News%7Cwebsite=www.sidewalkprophets.com%7Caccess-date=February 22, 2018}}
  4. ^ "Past Winners | The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards". doveawards.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Rock & Worship Roadshow 2010". www.newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "2011 Dove Award Nominations < Music News | CBN.com". www.cbn.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Announce The "Something Different Tour (in 3D)" With Special Guest Bonray". December 9, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  9. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Top Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  11. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  14. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Sidewalk Prophets Album & Song Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "American single certifications – Sidewalk Prophets – The Words I Would Say". Recording Industry Association of America.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Sidewalk Prophets – You Love Me Anyway". Recording Industry Association of America.
  18. ^ "American single certifications – Sidewalk Prophets – Live Like That". Recording Industry Association of America.
  19. ^ "Dove Awards Nominations Announced Today | The 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards".
  20. ^ Fryberger, Scott (August 22, 2009). "These Simple Truths review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
[edit]
Awards
Preceded by GMA's New Artist of the Year
2010
Succeeded by