The band began when Crowder realized that almost half of the students at Baylor University, a Christian university, were not attending church. Finding this very surprising he and Chris Seay started University Baptist Church (Waco, Texas) in 1995, while he was still a student. Crowder became Pastor of worship at the church and led worship and continued to do so throughout the year.
The church's congregation grew, as did the band's lineup. Crowder began writing songs to incorporate into the worship times at the church and eventually the church released an independent CD, Pour Over Me, followed by All I Can Say in 1999.These CDs brought the band to a wider audience and invitations to festivals and events followed.
The band was signed to sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records when Louie Giglio talked to Crowder about the music and how it could be used more than just at UBC and more world-wide. Although the band toured extensively, they made it a point to be back at their home church UBC in Waco Texas for most Sundays.
Kyle Lake, University Baptist Church's former pastor and also longtime friend of the band, had a strong influence on the band's music in terms of content and inspiration both during his life and after Lake's death.
With their September 2005 release, A Collision or (3+4=7), David Crowder Band explored a new realm of musical diversity. The album houses a mix of bluegrass, folk, alternative, and worship, woven together with a touch of electronic ambience. This release landed them the No. 2 spot on the iTunes Music Store and the No. 39 spot on Billboard 200 the second day after its release. The same day as the release of A Collision, their song "Turkish Delight" was released on the Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia compilation CD. This song, which is a reference to the magical Turkish Delight in C. S. Lewis's book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, has an old-school disco feel.
March 19, 2007, the band officially started recording Remedy; the band also revealed the album's website, http://www.remedyiscoming.com/ , which allows fans to follow the band via live webcams, and discover more about the album. Famously controversial rock musician Ted Nugent made a special guest appearance on the album, on the song "We Won't Be Quiet".
Remedy was released on September 25, 2007. The day after its release, it reached No. 4 on the iTunes Music Store. When Mark Waldrop joined the band as the album Remedy was released, his sidekick Rupert came with him. Rupert is a gnome.
During the Remedy Tour the band had up a live web feed on Crowder's Xanga account. The feed had a chat room where fans chatted live with the band and their tourmates. It showed more than half of the tour stops live which included their tour bus, live stage feeds of shows, places the band went, etc. Much of the time the video feed would be on Rupert at different stops. On the final night of the tour Phil Wickham and The Myriad came on stage for a hoe down for the song "I Saw the light". The camera for the feed was on the lid of a ball-cap and was wired into a laptop the band had in a backpack; this equipment was provided by Xanga. The band also used the feed for some time after their Remedy Tour.
July 16, 2008, the band announced it would be releasing a live album and DVD titled Remedy Club Tour - Live,The DVD was filmed In NYC and GA.
Crowder's Xanga entry from January 31, 2009, mentioned the preproduction of the band's next studio album. Also on Mike Hogan's MySpace entry from March 4, 2009, he confirmed that actual recording and production had commenced and provided directions for getting to the live webcam feed, which is in a page simply titled "Church Music". The album was titled "Church Music" and was released on September 22, 2009. The first single off the album was a cover of John Mark McMillan's song "How He Loves". Crowder received permission from McMillan to change the words "So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss" to "So heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss".
The band hosted Crowder's Fantastical Church Music Conference September 30 through October 2, 2010 at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Other presenters at the conference included Louie Giglio, Rob Bell, Israel Houghton, Hillsong London, Matt Redman, Jars of Clay, Matt Maher, Leeland, David Dark, Gungor, Derek Webb, and Isaac Wardell. Mark recorded a Rap song for the band titled "Bwack Be Creepin'" for the band's YouTube channel.
February 5, 2011 the band announced the official start to recording of Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]). On May 21, 2011, the band announced through their website that the band will end after the completion of the Fall 2011 "The 7 Tour" and the release of their sixth album.
Later, on July 21, 2011, the band announced that a Christmas album, Oh for Joy, would be released on
October 4, 2011.
The band stated that they began to record Give Us Rest and subsequently Oh for Joy came out. Some of the songs in the albums Give Us Rest and Oh for Joy were recorded in green rooms and restrooms during the band's last tour.
The band played their final show at the Passion 2012 Conference on January 3, 2012 at the Georgia Dome.
David Crowder is still signed with Sparrow Records and sixstepsrecords under Capitol CMG. He is now making music under the name "Crowder."
Parker, Dodson, Bush, and Waldrop have formed a new band, called "The Digital Age",and run a recording studio in Waco, Texas.
The Heights
David Crowder Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He enables me to go on the heights
And I am not afraid
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
Where are the greener pastures
Where are the quiet waters
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
You are my quiet waters
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
In this beautiful and powerful song by David Crowder Band, the chorus repeats the phrase "The Sovereign Lord is my strength" multiple times, giving emphasis to the idea that God is the source of our strength to conquer whatever obstacles life may throw our way. The verses contrast this divine strength with the longing for greener pastures and quiet waters, alluding to a difficult, arduous journey. However, with God as our strength, we need not fear climbing to the heights, for we are not alone in the journey.
The imagery of the heights is eloquently used to describe the challenges and goals of our lives. Mountains and peaks symbolize challenges that seem impossible to overcome, and the heights suggest the places of growth, learning and development that we reach as we journey through our lives. The lyrics suggest that we need not fear the heights, for we are supported by our Lord, who helps us walk on treacherous terrain.
In conclusion, this song is a reminder that it is our faith in God that provides us with the strength to conquer our fears and climb to great heights. It is our faith that helps us endure the difficult journey, and it is our faith that guides us to the greener pastures and quiet waters of peace, comfort and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
I rely on God's power for strength and guidance
He enables me to go on the heights
God gives me the ability to reach new heights and overcome obstacles
And I am not afraid
With God by my side, I have nothing to fear
Where are the greener pastures
I am searching for a better place in life, a place of peace and contentment
Where are the quiet waters
I am in need of rest and renewal, seeking a place of calm and tranquility
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
My trust and confidence remains in God, He is my rock and support
Contributed by Carson J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.