Above The Golden State

Recognized for its uplifting, sweetly melodic alternative CCM, the project centers on the songs of singer and songwriter Michael Watson. Its self-titled debut album appeared on the Billboard Christian chart in 2008. Following a short-lived name change during the mid-2010s, the act resurfaced in 2018 under the title Nations.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Watson assembled the first Above the Golden State record with bass guitarist Chad Howat, drummer Jeremy Lutito, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Steve Wilson. Released by Sparrow Records that same year, the set yielded the Christian Top 30 singles “Sound of Your Name” and “I'll Love You So,” while climbing to number 28 on the Billboard Christian chart. In 2010 the group delivered the Sparrow EP The Golden Rule, which produced another Top 30 entry with “I Am Loved.” The Words Don't Act EP arrived in 2012.

After parting from Sparrow, Watson opted to rename the band Nations to reflect a broader identity as he prepared new material. The crowdfunded Nations album received only limited release in 2013 before being reissued in 2018 under the Above the Golden State banner.