The Waiting

Among the premier rock outfits in Christian music, The Waiting distinguishes itself through sharp songwriting and instrumental command, with Todd Olsen’s guitar work and Brad Olsen’s steadily more authoritative vocals emerging as particular strengths. The Olsen brothers, both New York natives, relocated to Atlanta during childhood and later pursued higher education in the same city. At their father’s urging they cut initial demos that became the 1991 release Tillbury Town. After recruiting Clark Leake on bass and Brandon Thomspon on drums, the band refined its sound and secured a deal with R.E.X., resulting in the 1995 album Blue Belly Sky, widely regarded as a landmark blend of rock and worship. Tracks such as “Mercy Seat” performed strongly on Christian radio, prompting Sparrow to sign the group for its third album, The Waiting, issued in 1997. That project yielded three number-one Christian radio singles along with Grammy and Dove nominations—one of which recognized the standout track “Hands in the Air”—and led Sparrow to reissue Blue Belly Sky with bonus material to bridge the release schedule. Following intensive rehearsal, the band selected material for Unfazed (1998) from roughly forty songs developed alongside outside writers. The sonically expansive album held the top spot on the Christian charts for six weeks; its single “Speak” received airplay on mainstream rock stations yet made little commercial impact. Even so, the record earned strong notices, including coverage in Billboard, while the group itself matured into one of the most precise and cohesive ensembles in its field.