Pray for Rain (1992)

Pray for Rain is the debut studio album by the Christian rock band PFR. It was released by Vireo Records, a subsidiary label of Sparrow Records, on July 27, 1992. The 10-track album features their early blend of melodic pop-rock and strong vocal harmonies, and includes notable songs like "You Lord," "Let Go," and the title track, "Pray for Rain." Their rock single "Do You Want to Know Love" was their first number one hit on the Christian Rock chart. It was produced by former Imperials member and musician Jimmie Lee Sloas and Bobby Blazier.

The band initially formed as the Joel Hanson Band before signing to Vireo Records and changing their name to "Pray for Rain." Shortly after releasing this debut album, an existing instrumental band that scored films forced a name change via a threatened lawsuit. To avoid the legal dispute, the band settled on the acronym "PFR," and subsequent pressings of the debut album were reissued with updated cover art (as shown above).

Pray for Rain debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 1993, PFR won their only Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 24th GMA Dove Awards, beating out Petra, White Heart, Geoff Moore & The Distance and Hoi Polloi. That same year, the band earned their only Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.

Track listing

All songs written by Joel Hanson, except where noted.

1. You Lord -3:58

2. Do You Want to Know Love -3:17

3. Let Go -3:48

4. Didn't He -4:22

5. My Time -4:12

6. Pray for Rain (Joel Hanson, Patrick Andrew) -4:20

7. Home Again -3:53

8. Stay (Patrick Andrew) -3:39

9. Forest (music by Joel Hanson, words by William Breen) -3:33

10. On and On -2:51

Personnel

PFR:

Joel Hanson -lead vocals, guitars

Patrick Andrew -lead vocals on track 8, backing vocals, bass guitar

Mark Nash -drums

additional musicians:

Jimmie Lee Sloas -bass guitar on track 4, backing vocals on tracks 1, 2 and 5,

keyboards

Blair Masters -keyboards

Carl Marsh -fairlight strings

Phil Madeira -B-3 organ

Eric Darken and Bobby Blazier -percussionists

Matt Pierson -fretless bass on track 10

Accolades

Dove Award -Rock Album of the Year (Pray for Rain)

Radio singles

1992 "Do You Want to Know Love" -#10 Christian CHR

1992 "Let Go" -#12 Christian AC

1992 -1993 "Pray for Rain" -#8 Christian CHR

1993 "Home Again" -#13 Christian CHR

Next release: Goldie's Last Day (1993)

Watch the music video of "Do You Want to Know Love" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNiqiH-8kuA