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Serious Fun is the second studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Billy Sprague , released on October 6, 1986 by Reunion Records. The album is produced by Reed Arvin. Serious Fu n is an upbeat fun album with a serious message, hence the name of the album. The album's title can be heard on the opening track and lead Christian CHR single "Rock the Planet," which is about the power of faith to change the world. The album's final track "Better Days" is about Sprague's trip to his high school reunion, meeting and catching up with friends, remembering the names and places where he used to hang out and reminiscing. More hit songs include the ballad "A Heart Like Mine" and the contemporary pop/rock track "Love Has No Eyes." Studio musicians and songwriters contributing on Serious Fun include Chris Eaton , Keith Thomas, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Chris Rodriguez, Jim Weber, Billy Crockett and BeBe Winans among others. Serious Fun was originally available on vinyl and cassette tape only and is currently out of print. It is available for sale digitally by way of Sprague's website www.billysprague.com . You can also listen to the album on YouTube posted below this article. NOTE: Serious Fun contains an activity where you can connect the dots on the album cover and a word puzzle on the album sleeves and cassette j-cards, where you can find words associated with the album, such as song titles, names of everyone involved on the album and Sprague's favorite things. Track listing 1. Rock the Planet (Billy Sprague, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Chris Rodriguez) -3:32 2 Love Has No Eyes (Wayne Kirkpatrick) -4:39 3. YMISIM (Billy Sprague, Jim Weber) -4:52 4. A Heart Like Mine (Wayne Kirkpatrick) -3:46 5. Invisible Hand (Billy Sprague, Jim Weber) -4:15 6 Phantom Living ( Billy Sprague, Chris Rodriguez, Ralph Henley) -4:38 7. Out of the Blue (Billy Sprague, Bill Hughes, Dave Bradstreet) -3:48 8. Centered On You (Chris Eaton) -4:08 9. Better Days (Billy Sprague, Jim Weber) -4:55 Radio singles 1986 "Rock the Planet" -#18 Christian CHR 1986 -1987 "A Heart Like Mine" -#3 Christian AC 1987 "Love Has No Eyes" -#2 Christian CHR 1987 "Out of the Blue" -#31 Christian AC Previous release: What a Way To Go  (1984) Next release: La Vie (1988) Listen to the album Serious Fun here:

What a Way To Go is the debut studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Billy Sprague . It was released on November 1984 by Reunion Records, originally distributed by Word Records. The album was produced by CCM musician, artist and label mate Michael W. Smith . What a Way To Go is a contemporary pop/rock album with Smith contributing on production, songwriting, playing keyboards and providing backing vocals throughout the album, along with Sprague's skills on the acoustic guitar, songwriting and vocals and other studio musicians. His early Christian radio hits include "Heavenly Father," "Jude Doxology" and the title song. Sprague also recorded "How Could You Say No," a song later recorded and charted by pop folk singer Julie Miller in 1990. What a Way To Go was originally available on vinyl and cassette tape only and is currently out of print. It is available for sale digitally by way of Sprague's website www.billysprague.com . You can also listen to the album on YouTube posted below this article. Track listing 1. What a Way To Go (Billy Sprague, Wayne Kirkpatrick) -4:07 2. Don't Give Up (Billy Sprague, Jim Weber) -3:53 3. Heavenly Father (Billy Sprague, David Parks) -3:30 4. Never Be the Same (Billy Sprague, Michael W. Smith, Chris Eaton, Mike Hudson) -4:56 5. I Believe (Ron Downey) -4:40 6. Secret Heart (Billy Sprague, Michael W. Smith) -4:28 7. How Could You Say No (Billy Sprague, Mickey Cates, Brown Bannister) -3:39 8. Take My Heart (Billy Sprague, Michael W. Smith, Justin Peters) -4:49 9 Jude Doxology (Michael W. Smith) -2:05 Radio singles 1985 "Jude Doxology" -#30 Christian AC/CHR 1985 "Heavenly Father" -#8 Christian AC 1985 "What a Way To Go" -#22 Christian AC Next release: Serious Fun (1986) Listen to the album What a Way To Go here:

Yo Kidz! is the eighth studio and first children's music album by Christian singer -songwriter Carman . It was released in the fall of 1992 by Everland, a Word Records label that specializes in children's music. Subtitled "heroes, stories and songs from the Bible," Yo Kidz! features Carman singing songs made for children in a contemporary way with dialog segments and also features a character named Lawrence the Kat (voiced by Michael-Anthony Taylor) who joins Carman at his neighborhood. The album contains the Christian radio hit ballad "Somewhere Within the Heart" with CCM singer -songwriter Cindy Morgan . Morgan also provides lead vocals on the chorus of the track "I Will Go Where You Will Go." Yo Kidz! peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 1993, Carman won his first competitive Dove Award for Children's Music Album of the Year at the 24th GMA Dove Awards. Carman has won previous Dove Awards in the long form music video categories. It was produced by Christopher Harris and Ron Krueger, with Krueger writing the dialog. Track listing 1. Downtown One Night... (dialog) -2:41 2. Hall of Faith (rap by Scat Springs) (David Mullen, Anthony Miracle) -3:14 3. Man, Are You For Real? (dialog) -0:39 4. The Cat Vibe (featuring Lawrence the Kat) ( Carman Licciardello, Michael- Anthony Taylor) -2:37 5. That's How I Get the Gang (dialog) -0:43 6. Joe Is a Hero (Joseph) (lead vocal chorus by Howard Smith) (Carman Licciardello, Mike Hill, David Mullen, Anthony Miracle) -4:09 7. Like Boyz in the Pasture (dialog) -0:39 8. Sling Bang Boom (David) (lead vocals by Michael-Anthony Taylor) (David Mullen, Anthony Miracle) -3:20 9. There's a Place for Me? (dialog) -0:18 10. Somewhere Within the Heart (duet with Cindy Morgan) (Carman Licciardello, Michael-Anthony Taylor, Gary Oliver) -4:58 11. Daniel and the Dangerous Dudes ( David Mullen, Anthony Miracle) -3:28 12. A New Life in a New Place (dialog) -1:01 13. I Will Go Where You Will Go (Ruth) (lead vocal chorus by Cindy Morgan) (David Mullen, Anthony Miracle) -3:57 14. Havin' Second Thoughts About This (dialog) -0:35 15. Are You the One? (John the Baptist) (rap by Scat Springs) (Carman Licciardello) -4:35 16. Hey, Look Who's Back! (dialog) -1:35 17. Peter Walked on the Water ( Carman Licciardello, Gary Oliver) -2:56 18. I Felt Like One a' Those Bible Heroes Myself (dialog) -2:54 19. Turned On, Sold Out, Hooked on Jesus (lead vocals by Michael-Anthony Taylor) (Carman Licciardello, Michael-Anthony Taylor, David Mullen, Ron Krueger) -3:21 Accolades Dove Award -Children's Music Album of the Year ( Yo Kidz! ) Radio singles 1992 "Somewhere Within the Heart" with Cindy Morgan -#1 Christian AC Previous release: Addicted to Jesus  (1991) Next release: The Absolute Best  (1993) (compilation album)

My Refuge is a 2002 album by Christian rock singer -songwriter Margaret Becker . After her time on her former label Sparrow Records, Becker released this collection of her favorite songs plus some new songs. Mostly a stripped-down affair, these recordings are songs that she has done on her acoustic shows as a request by the fans. Becker originally released My Refuge independently in 2002, but in 2003 it was re-issued as Just Come In on Cross Driven Records and was distributed by Provident Music Group. Becker herself produced the album and had asked some of her musician friends, who toured with her, to join in to record the project. Due to a limited number of copies made, the album is currently out of print. Track listing 1. You're Worthy (Margaret Becker, David Edwards) -2:59 2. Feel It All (Margaret Becker, Robbie Nevil) -5:39 3. Say the Name (Margaret Becker, Charlie Peacock) -4:48 4. Hear All Creation (Margaret Becker, Keith Getty) -3:42 5. Clay and Water (Margaret Becker, Tanya Leah Roman) -4:11 6. All I Ever Wanted (Margaret Becker) -4:52 7. My Refuge Be (Margaret Becker, David Edwards, John Hartley) -3:30 8. Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (May This Journey) (Margaret Becker, Keith Getty) -4:00 9. Poor in Paradise (Margaret Becker, Lowell Alexander) -3:35 10. Just Come In (Margaret Becker) -4:18 11. No Height, No Depth (Kristyn Lennox, Keith Getty) -3:40 Previous release: What Kind of Love (1999) Next release: Very Best of Margaret Becker (2006) (Sparrow Records compilation) AUDIO NOT AVAILABLE

Anointed is a contemporary Christian music/gospel duo from Columbus, Ohio, known for their strong vocals and harmonies, featuring siblings Steve Crawford and Da'dra Crawford Greathouse, along with former members Denise "Nee-C" Walls (who left the group in 2001) and Mary Tiller (who left in 1995). Their musical style includes elements of R&B, pop, rock, funk and piano ballads. The group has won seven Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards and three Grammy Award nominations. The members of Anointed all came from single-parent households and when the group first recorded, ranged in age from 19 to 23. As such, they considered it part of their ministry to set positive role models for young people, especially young urban African-Americans. Notably, they all pursued college educations while recording, proclaiming a "stay-in-school" message alongside their more evangelistic exhortations. They have also striven to overcome racial barriers in Christian music, however telling CCM Magazine in 1999 that they try to bring three diverse audiences together: young, conservative whites who like Christian pop, young, liberal African-Americans who like urban music and older, moderate African-Americans who like gospel. In 1993, Anointed released their debut album Spiritual Love Affair and won them an audience of fans who love upbeat R&B music and earned a Stellar Award for Best New Artist. Two years later, The Call was released and would go on to become their best selling album to date, and to this day it is one of the best selling and popular contemporary Christian albums of the 1990s. The album won three Dove Awards, a Stellar award and a Grammy nomination. Mary Tiller left the group afterwards and the quartet was reduced down to a trio with the next album Under The Influence in the fall of 1996. After the release of the group's self-titled fourth album in 1999, an extended tour followed. This was probably one of the most exciting, yet demanding times for the group. Nee-C Walls was the second member to leave Anointed, leaving the siblings Steve and Da'dra Crawford as a duo. In 2001, the sibling duo headed for the studio to produce what would be their first brother and sister project. If We Pray was released early fall 2001. However, in 2002, because of transitions in the label, Anointed requested to be released from their deal and they and Word Records amicably parted ways. Following this, the duo was signed on to the Sony Urban label and Now Is The Time was released on April 5, 2005. Since 2006, Steve and Da'dra have been part of the praise and worship team at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. In the 2010s, Anointed, as a duo, released stand-alone singles and the siblings have released solo albums. More information on Anointed at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anointed_(band) Discography Spiritual Love Affair (1993) The Call (1995) Under the Influence (1996) Anointed (1999) If We Pray (2001) The Best of Anointed (2003) (compilation album) Now Is The Time (2005)

Virtues is the second studio album by the Christian rock band Allies . It was released in 1986 and is the second and final album on Light Records. The album is produced by Dino Elefante and Randy Thomas. Virtues have some key moments in their career as a band and as individual members. Great maturity in the writing, from the almost anthemic rock tracks such as “On With the Fight” (co-written by Bryan Duncan ) and “In America” to sensitive ballads like “Prayer for the Children” and “Somebody Told Me You Were Crying.” The track "Jacque Remembers" was the first on a series of songs that Bob Carlisle wrote about his family. The track is about Carlisle's wife named Jacque. A decade later Carlisle co -wrote about his daughter Brooke on her 16th birthday called "Butterfly Kisses" and became the biggest hit of his solo career. Virtues debuted and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. This is the last album to feature Sam Scott on keyboards as he left the group after its release. And also the last album to feature the band in military outfits as it hurt them as a band and hindered their purpose as to what their identity is as a band. Virtues was reissued and remastered on CD in 2021 by Girder Records. Track listing 1. Hardened Hearts (Sam Scott, Michael Hodge) -4:43 2. On With the Fight (Sam Scott, Bryan Duncan) -3:43 3. If You Believe (Randy Thomas) -3:44 4. Harmony (Bob Carlisle, Michael Carey) -4:09 5. Pray for the Children (Sam Scott, Michael Hodge) -4:53 6. In America (Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas, Sam Scott) -3:37 7. Jacque Remembers (Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas) -3:57 8. Somebody Told Me You Were Crying (Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas) -3:09 9. Let's Fall in Love (All Over Again) (Bob Carlisle, Eric Rosse) -4:44 10. Runnin' Out of Time (Bob Carlisle, Sam Scott) -4:15 Personnel Allies: Bob Carlisle -lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar Randy Thomas -guitar, guitar synthesizer, backing vocals Matthew Chapman -bass guitar, backing vocals Jim Erickson -drums Sam Scott -keyboards, backing vocals Radio singles 1987 "If You Believe" -#6 Christian CHR Previous release: Allies  (1985) Next release: Shoulder to Shoulder  (1987)

God Fixation is the seventeenth studio album by the Christian rock band Petra , released on April 21, 1998 by Word Records. The album is produced by John and Dino Elefante and is executive produced by founder Bob Hartman. It is Petra's first new regular album since 1995's No Doubt and features a brand new personnel line-up. Joining lead singer John Schlitt, drummer Louie Weaver and bassist Lonnie Chapin are guitarists Pete Orta and Kevin Brandow. Special guest musicians include Jeff Roach on keyboards, John Elefante on backing vocals and founder Hartman on guitar among others. God Fixation is a departure from the arena rock of the late 1980s to mid 1990s, where the sound on this album is more alternative rock and that the new band members worked closely with Hartman with the music and lyrics focusing on the modern sound. Although the album got mixed reviews because of their modern mellow rock sound, Petra did earn a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album at the 41st Grammy Awards. God Fixation peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Track listing 1. If I Had to Die for Someone (Bob Hartman, Lonnie Chapin, John Elefante) -4:39 2. Hello Again (Bob Hartman, Brian Wooten, John Elefante) -3:40 3. A Matter of Time (Bob Hartman) -3:24 4. Falling Up (Bob Hartman, Pete Orta, John Elefante) -4:25 5. Over the Horizon (John Elefante, Pete Orta, Chelsea Brandow) -4:37 6. God Fixation (Bob Hartman, Lonnie Chapin, Pete Orta, John Elefante) -2:54 7. Set for Life (Bob Hartman, John Elefante, Brian Wooten, Kevin Brandow) -3:55 8. Magnet of the World (Bob Hartman, John Elefante) -3:44 9. Shadow of a Doubt (Bob Hartman, John Elefante) -3:27 10. St. Augustine's Pears (Bob Hartman) -3:48 11. The Invitation (Bob Hartman, Kevin Brandow) -4:29 Personnel Petra: Bob Hartman -guest guitarist on all tracks John Schlitt -lead vocals Lonnie Chapin -bass guitar, backing vocals Louie Weaver -drums Pete Orta -lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals Kevin Brandow -guitars, backing vocals Radio singles 1998 "If I Had to Die for Someone" -#35 Christian AC Previous release: Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus (1997) Next release: Double Take (2000)

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Kimberly Lynn Hill (born December 30, 1963 in Starkville, Mississippi) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter and guitarist. Hill attended Mississippi State University where she participated in volleyball and track and field. She also played in a band that featured Clark Leake, future member of the Christian rock band The Waiting. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she signed her first record deal with Word Records' Reunion label and has released three Christian albums. Hill temporarily left Christian music in 1994 to pursue a career in country music. Her country track and music video for "Janie's Gone Fishin'" was the most viewed video on CMT (Country Music Television). Hill returned to Christian music in 1997 with a new passion. At the time, she has served as worship leader for women's conferences sponsored by the American Evangelical Protestant organization Focus on the Family. Hill was married to former Auburn University football player Rob Shuler. While married, the couple produced two sons: Benji Shuler (former member of the Christian Pop trio 3for3) and Graham Shuler (former Stanford Cardinal football player). Hill and Shuler later divorced. As of 2021, Hill is co-owner (with Paulette Wooten) of The Treehouse, a women's retreat property in North Carolina. She and Wooten formed the musical duo Wooten Hill and produced the four-track extended play (EP) Is It Alright in 2020. Wooten Hill recently released a new digital single, "Mercy Now," in 2025. Discography Kim Hill (1988) Talk About Life (1989) Brave Heart (1991) So Far So Good (1994) Testimony (1995) (Reunion Records compilation album) The Fire Again (1997) Renewing the Heart Live: Hymns and Songs of Worship (1998) Arms of Mercy  (1998) Signature Songs (1999) (Benson Records compilation album) Renewing the Heart Live: For Such a Time As This (1999) Hope No Matter What (2002) Surrounded by Mercy (2003) (live worship album) Real Christmas (2004) Broken Things (2006) Surrender (2007) Christmas Back to You (2011) Sing (EP) (2014) with Wooten Hill: Is It Alright (EP) (2020)

Wes King (born January 20, 1966) is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter, photographer, and musician. Born in 1966 and raised in Winder, Georgia, King experienced trauma as a child when his cousin was murdered and he was hospitalized for depression. After picking up the guitar at the age of 14, King wrote his first songs two years later. After studying the Bible at Covenant College in Georgia, he relocated to Franklin, Tennessee and began his career in Christian music. King started as a songwriter and co-wrote songs on Kim Hill 's 1989 sophomore album Talk About Life , especially his lone composition "Snake in the Grass" and co-wrote "Somebody Say Amen" for David Mullen's 1989 debut album Revival . King went on the road as a part of Kim Hill's band playing acoustic guitar and vocals. He signed on to Reunion Records as a recording artist in 1990 and released his debut album The Ultimate Underlying No Denying Motivation . King's second album Sticks & Stones was released a year later. In 1993, King released his third album The Robe , which is considered a breakthrough album featuring the title song and "I Believe" as Christian radio hits. That same year, King participated as a songwriter and artist on the youth-leaning praise and worship project Songs From the Loft co-writing four songs with Amy Grant . King released his fourth album Common Creed in 1995, continuing his commercial pop sound from The Robe with more hit songs like the title song, "The Love of Christ" and "Life is Precious." After his time on Reunion Records ended, King signed with Sparrow Records for his next album A Room Full of Stories in 1997. The album is more autobiographical and a return to the acoustic roots of his first two albums but has retained some of the commercial pop sound of his last two releases. "Remember" and "Simplify" were his final Christian radio hits. That same year in the fall, King collaborated with fellow musicians and songwriters Phil Keaggy and Scott Denté of Out of the Grey for the mostly instrumental Dove Award winning album Invention . King took a break from recording albums focusing on songwriting and as a guest musician on other artist's albums and projects. He co-wrote the song "This Is Your Time" with Michael W. Smith for his album of the same name and won a Dove Award as a songwriter for Song of the Year in 2000. King returned to recording for his 2001 release What Matters Most on Word Records' Word Artisan label. In 2005, King was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent many months of extremely difficult treatments and years of side-effects. King is now cancer free and is feeling well enough to spend time in his studio again, although he has not released an album of new material since. More information on Wes King at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_King Discography The Ultimate Underlying No Denying Motivation (1990) Sticks & Stones (1991) The Robe  (1993) Common Creed (1995) A Room Full of Stories (1997) Signature Songs (Benson Records compilation album) (1999) What Matters Most (2001) Collaboration albums/projects Songs From the Loft (1993) Invention (1997) (with Phil Keaggy and Scott Denté)

Tonio K (born Steven Michael Krikorian on July 4, 1950 in Palm Desert, California as the son of Armenian immigrants) is an American singer - songwriter who has released eight critically acclaimed releases (seven full-length albums and one extended play). His songs have been recorded by Al Green, Aaron Neville, Burt Bacharach, Bonnie Raitt, Chicago, Wynonna Judd and Vanessa Williams, among many others. His song "16 Tons of Monkeys," co-written with guitarist Steve Schiff, was featured in the 1992 Academy Award-winning short film Session Man . He worked with Bacharach and hip-hop impresario Dr. Dre on Bacharach's At This Time, which won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Recording in 2005. As a teenager, Krikorian, along with friends Alan Shapazian, Steve Olson, Nick van Maarth, and Duane Scott formed a Surf-Funk/Psychedelic-Punk band called The Raik's Progress, which recorded a single for Liberty Records, released in 1967. Known for their Dadaist-inspired between-song routines, one reviewer described their performance while opening for Buffalo Springfield at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium as being like “the Three Stooges playing strip poker with Iggy and the Stooges (Jud Cost, Santa Clara, CA).  A full-length album by the band, Sewer Rat Love Chant, was issued on Sundazed Records in 2003. In the early 1970s, Krikorian recorded two albums with Buddy Holly's backing band, The Crickets. Along with the Raik’s van Maarth, the group consisted of founding members J.I. Allison and Sonny Curtis, plus Ric Gretch (Blind Faith, Traffic) and Albert Lee (Eric Clapton). Remnants (1973) and Long Way from Lubbock (1974) were produced by long-time Cricket and Holly cohort, Bob Montgomery. In 2004, Krikorian reunited with the Crickets for a track on their star-studded (Eric Clapton, Graham Nash, Phil Everly) album, The Crickets and Their Buddies, singing lead on the Holly classic, "Not Fade Away." In 1977, his Crickets tenure having run it's course, Krikorian was asked by someone at A.S.C.A.P. if he had sought a publishing deal . What's that? asked K. That's where you write songs and they give you money--in advance--to own and exploit them. Sounds great! Where do I get one? said senor K. Several appointments were arranged, the first with Jon Devirian of Chappell/Intersong (pre-Warner Bros.). Devirian listened to K's (1/4 inch reel-to-reel) demo tape, got as far as "The Funky Western Civilization," stopped the tape and asked (just like in a talented-bumpkin-goes-to-Hollywood-and-makes-it movie, which it pretty much was) what do you want? Krikorian signed with Intersong and began demoing songs in their studio. Jon D. (who was soon to become K's first manager) began "shopping a deal" for him as a recording artist. Signed by record executive Bob Buziak to Irving Azoff’s Full Moon/Epic label, Krikorian officially "went solo" with Life in the Foodchain  in 1978. Adopting the moniker, Tonio K., a reference to the writings of Kafka and Thomas Mann, he was hailed as America’s answer to Britain’s Angry Young Men (Elvis Costello, The Clash) and the “funniest serious songwriter in America.” The record was produced by Rob Fraboni (The Band, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker) and featured a supporting cast that included Earl Slick, Garth Hudson and Albert Lee. It was also the first Pop/Rock record to feature the percussive sounds of an AK-47 firing live ammunition. The album garnered much critical acclaim, most famously from Steve Simels at “Stereo Review” who proclaimed it "the greatest album ever recorded" and established K. as an artist to watch (Dave Sleger, All Music Guide; Simels, Stereo Review). K.’s follow-up album, Amerika, was released in 1980 by Full Moon (this time via Clive Davis’s Arista Records). Filled with literary and political references, the album was hailed as “Punk for academics” and once again pronounced by Simels to be “the greatest record ever recorded” (as was every ensuing Tonio K. disc). Unfortunately, critical acclaim did not lead to commercial success and it was at this point that K. reports he “committed suicide for the first time.” After a move to Capitol Records in 1982, K. recorded La Bomba, a live-in-the-studio extended play produced by Carter (Motels, Tina Turner, Paula Cole). Recorded in the famous Capitol Studio B, it featured K.’s touring band: George “Geo” Conner (guitar), Alphredo Acosta Alwag (drums), and Eric Gotthelf (bass). Tonio K. next released Romeo Unchained on What?/A&M Records. Hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as “the best Bob Dylan album since Dylan himself lost interest in the Pop song form,” the album landed on numerous critics’ Top 10 Albums of the Year lists. Recorded during 1985 and 1986, it was produced, variously, by Rick Neigher, Bob Rose (George Harrison, Julian Lennon) and T-Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, Wallflowers, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss). The musicians on these recordings included Neighor (on many instruments), Rose, Burnett, Peter Banks (Yes), David Mansfield, David Miner, David Raven, Tim Pierce, Tim Chandler, and Rob Watson. CCM Magazine ranked Romeo Unchained as one of the 100 greatest albums in Christian music in 2001. Notes From The Lost Civilization , again on What?/A&M, followed in 1988. Produced by Tonio K. and David Miner (Elvis Costello), with T Bone Burnett serving as Executive Producer, the all-star cast of supporting musicians included Burnett, Booker T. Jones on Hammond B-3, Jim Keltner, Raymond Pounds and Alec Acuña on drums and percussion, James Jamerson, Jr. and David Miner on bass, and Charlie Sexton and Jack Sherman on additional guitars. The video for the single, “Without Love,” marked Tonio’s first airplay on MTV. Olé was Tonio K.’s final record for A&M. Recorded in 1989 and 1990, it didn’t see release until 1997 on Gadfly Records. (The reasons for this are well documented in the liner notes to the CD.) It was produced by T Bone Burnett and David Miner with a core band consisting of Marc Ribot, Booker T. Jones, David Raven and Bruce Thomas. Additional guitarists included Jack Sherman, Charlie Sexton, Rusty Anderson, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo and The Replacements’ Paul Westerberg. The refusal of A&M to release the record at the time precipitated, in Tonio’s words, “my second suicide.” Although Olé was K.’s last major label recording, several other compilation and live CDs have been issued (see discography below). Tonio K. continued as a performing singer/songwriter into the 1990s but gradually withdrew from live concerts and focused more on crafting songs with and for other artists. His publishers over the years, in addition to Jon Devirian, have been Rick Neighor (Welk Music/Polygram), Kathleen Carey (Universal), Jolene Cherry (Cherry/Warner-Chappell) and Steve Lindsey (Blotter/Windswept/Bug). His biggest commercial success, “Love Is,” was co-written with long-time collaborator John Keller and recorded by Vanessa Williams. It was a #1 Pop and AC (Adult Contemporary) radio single and one of the most-played songs of 1993. (K. has been quoted as saying that his first choice for vocalist on the song was the famously gruff-voiced Tom Waits.) He also co-wrote, with Bob Thiele, Jr. and John Shanks, the Bonnie Raitt AC hit, “You.” Tonio and close friend Charlie Sexton have written many (mostly unreleased) songs since Sexton first recorded K.’s “Impressed” and “You Don’t Belong Here” on his debut album, Beat So Lonely, in 1985. “Graceland (Never Been To),” opening track to the Quentin Tarantino and Tony Scott movie True Romance, is one of their more notable, albeit obscure, cuts. K was also involved in writing six songs on Sexton’s Arc Angels debut on Geffen Records. He also co-wrote with Sexton for his Under the Wishing Tree release on MCA. Tonio K is almost certainly the only person to have written lyrics for both Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Burt Bacharach. In addition to many years of collaborating with Bacharach, Tonio co-wrote eight of the nine vocal tracks on the aforementioned Grammy-winning CD, At This Time. Tonio K. film credits include “Nobody Lives Without Love,” co-written with musician/writer/producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock) and featured on the multi-platinum-selling soundtrack to Batman Forever; the quasi-Disco semi-hit, “I’m Supposed To Have Sex With You,” from the Carl Reiner film Summer School; “Stop The Clock,” co-written with Burnett for the early Vince Vaughan/Joaquin Phoenix/Charlize Theron vehicle, Clay Pigeons; and the above mentioned “Graceland” from True Romance. Tonio K.’s first known “cover” was a song called “Hey John,” recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1972, but never released. In addition to the cuts mentioned above, he was written with and for Brian Wilson, Al Green, Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters, Tanya Tucker, Diane Schuur, Percy Sledge, Phoebe Snow, Jules Shear, The Runaways, Patty Smyth, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Italian superstar, Richard Cocciante. Recent covers include songs by Irma Thomas ("What Can I Do?" co-written with Burt Bacharach) on her Rounder Records CD Simply Grand and several songs co-written with pedal steel prodigy Robert Randolph for his CD We Walk This Road , produced by Burnett. Tonio K's most recent release was a songwriting collaboration with Bacharach, before Bacharach's passing, titled Original Demos in 2017 featuring songs written by both of them and performed by various studio musicians. It was only sold in Spain with a limited number of copies sold. Discography Solo releases: Life in the Foodchain (1978) Amerika (1980) La Bomba (EP) (1982) Romeo Unchained (1986) Notes From the Lost Civilization (1988) Olé (1997) Rodent Weekend '76-'96 (Approximately) (1998) Yugoslavia (1999) Tonio K and 16 Tons of Monkeys: Live (2001) Original Demos (with Burt Bacharach) (Spain only limited release) (2017) As a band member: Remnants (with The Crickets) (1973) A Long Way from Lubbock (with The Crickets) (U.K. only live release) (1974) Sewer Rat Love Chant (with The Raik's Progress) (2003)

Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife duo John Cooper (lead vocals, bass guitar) and Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) along with Jen Ledger (drums, co-lead vocals) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar). The band has released twelve studio albums, three extended plays and two live albums. Two of which, Collide and Comatose , received Grammy nominations. Skillet has four Gold albums. Of those Gold albums, Comatose , has sold a million copies and Awake has sold over two million copies by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Their singles, like "Rebirthing," "Hero" and "Feel Invincible," have sold millions in download sales and more than a billion streams combined on music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Skillet went through several lineup changes early in their career, leaving founder John Cooper as the only original member remaining in the band. They are known for a relentless touring schedule, which garnered them a top five ranking in the Hardest Working Bands of 2010 by Songkick.com. More information on Skillet at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skillet_(band) Discography Skillet (1996) Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998) Invincible (2000) Ardent Worship: Skillet Live (2000) Alien Youth (2001) Collide (2003) Comatose (2006) Comatose Comes Alive (2008) Awake (2009) The Early Years (1996 -2001) (2010) iTunes Session (digital EP) (2010) Awake and Remixed EP (2011) Rise (2013) Unleashed (2016) Feel Invincible Remix EP (2017) Victorious (2019) Dominion (2022) Revolution (2024)