Caedmon's Call

Emerging from the CCM scene, Caedmon's Call blend folk-rock textures with adult alternative rock sensibilities. The Houston, Texas-based ensemble—Cliff Young on vocals and rhythm guitar, Derek Webb on lead guitar and vocals, Danielle Glenn supplying vocals, Aric Nitzberg on bass, Todd Bragg at the drums, Randy Holsapple on organ, and Garett Buell handling percussion—came together at Texas Christian University during the summer of 1992. Aaron Tate participated in the initial formation but exited soon afterward, though he maintained a songwriting partnership with Young. Following local performances, the group launched tours across southern college campuses and cultivated a loyal audience among young Gen-X listeners.

The band issued its first self-released album in June 1994 and followed with a second independent record in August 1995. Each of those releases surpassed 10,000 copies sold and reached listeners in Canada and the U.K. alongside the United States. Their grassroots momentum and live performances prompted Musician magazine to name Caedmon's Call among the top unsigned acts in America. Warner Bros. responded by signing the group in 1996; the label then issued the Don McCollister-produced major-label debut, titled Caedmon's Call, in spring 1997. Three years later the band delivered Long Line of Leavers, which, despite favorable fan response, prompted the members to seek greater creative autonomy.

In 2001 the group recorded In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship, whose strong Christian-market performance generated its highest sales figures to date. After the album earned several Dove Award nominations, Caedmon's Call chose to self-produce and completed Back Home in 2002. Released the following spring, that album preceded founding member Derek Webb’s departure for a solo career, after which the band toured with Jars of Clay in support. The 2004 anthology Chronicles 1992-2004 appeared alongside the new collection Share the Well, while In the Company of Angels II: The World Will Sing arrived in March 2006. Later studio efforts Overdressed (2007) and Raising Up the Dead (2010) reunited Caedmon's Call with former member Webb.