Bob Carlisle

Bob Carlisle's initial forays into music took place during the 1970s, when he contributed to numerous vocal sessions, although his prominent pop-chart breakthrough arrived only in 1997. A solo path finally opened for him in 1993 with gospel-infused pop/rock that carried understated soul touches. Prior to that point he had performed alongside several pioneering Jesus Music groups, among them Allies, while also supplying background vocals for Bryan Duncan, Vince Ebo, Sandi Patti, and Petra; after those experiences he joined Sparrow Records in 1993, and his self-titled debut album surfaced before the year ended.

Carlisle moved to the Diadem label by 1996, releasing Shades of Grace, which earned strong gospel attention thanks to the track “Mighty Love.” The next year brought an unforeseen crossover moment when “Butterfly Kisses” climbed the pop charts; the project was repackaged and reissued that spring as Butterfly Kisses, reaching the top of the pop album rankings, after which Stories from the Heart appeared in 1998. During the same year he also put out Butterfly Kissess & Bedtime Prayers, whose follow-up arrived in early 1999, and Nothing But the Truth came out twelve months later.