The Choir (alternative rock band)

{{Short description|American alternative rock band}} {{about||the 1960s garage rock band|The Choir (Cleveland band)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = The Choir | image = Choir2017.jpg | caption = The Choir in April 2017. L to R:<br>Dan Michaels, Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty. | landscape = yes | background = group_or_band | alias = Youth Choir (1983-1985) | origin = Orange County, California | genre = Alternative rock, Indie rock, Christian alternative rock | years_active = 1983–present | label = {{flatlist| * Broken * Shadow * Myrrh_LA * Myrrh * A&M * Epic * R.E.X. * Tattoo * The Choir.net * Millennium 8 * Galaxy21 * Word * Curb/Word * Provident/Sony }} | website = {{URL|thechoir.net/}} | current_members = * Derri Daugherty * Steve Hindalong * Dan Michaels | past_members = * Tim Chandler * Mike Sauerbrey * Robin Spurs * Marc Byrd }}

'''The Choir''' is an atmospheric alternative rock band currently comprising Derri Daugherty on guitar and lead vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums and percussion, and Dan Michaels on saxophone and Lyricon. Long-time bass guitarist Tim Chandler died in 2018, and guitarist Marc Byrd was the fifth member of the band between 2005–2014. The Choir's industry accolades include a GMA Dove Award for Alternative/Modern Rock Album of the Year in 1996<ref name="alfonso141">Alfonso (2002), p. 141.</ref><ref name="Dove96">{{cite web |url=https://doveawards.com/awards/past-winners/ |title=Past Winners: The Dove Awards |website=doveawards.com |publisher=Gospel Music Association |last1= |first1= |accessdate=November 6, 2021}}</ref> and a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in 2002.<ref name="Grammy">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/142 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322203326/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/142 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |title=44th Annual Grammy Awards (Nominees) |last=|first=|date=|website=grammy.com |publisher=Grammy Awards |accessdate=December 23, 2022}}</ref>

As of 2026, the band has commercially released 21 full-length studio albums, three EPs, eight live albums, one single-disc compilation album, one retrospective box set, and is still actively recording new material.

==History== ===Southern California period (1983–1993)=== The Choir was originally formed as Youth Choir in the early 1980s by Daugherty and Hindalong. Chandler, who was also the bass guitarist for Daniel Amos, introduced Hindalong to Daugherty, who was the band's roadie and sound man.<ref name="alfonso139">Alfonso (2002), p. 139.</ref> The two quickly became friends, and Youth Choir got its start within the Calvary Chapel Christian punk and alternative music scene,<ref name="alfonso139" /> which also included the bands Undercover, Crumbächer, Altar Boys and 4-4-1.

The band's first official recording was the track "It's So Wonderful," released in 1983 on the compilation album ''What's Shakin''', which also included early work from Undercover, Altar Boys and The Lifters. This song was one of the few times that Daugherty wrote both lyrics and music; as the band developed, the majority of the Choir's lyrical output would come from Hindalong.<ref name= "faris">{{cite magazine |last=Faris |first=T.L. |volume=6 |issue=1 |title=Serious Music: The Choir |url= |magazine=Harvest Rock Syndicate |location=St. Louis, Missouri, USA |publisher=Harvest Rock Publications }}</ref> As Youth Choir, they released their debut album ''Voices in Shadows'' in 1985, with Mike Sauerbrey on bass;<ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), pp. 4-5</ref> their first EP ''Shades of Gray'' followed a year later, when Dan Michaels joined the band.<ref name= "cp9">Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 9</ref>

The Choir made a high-profile move to Myrrh Records in 1986 with their next release, ''Diamonds and Rain''. Dropping the "Youth" from their moniker, they would be known as "The Choir" from that point forward.<ref name="alfonso140">Alfonso (2002), p. 140.</ref> This was followed by three more albums for Myrrh, which featured musical contributions from an array of performers, including Charlie Peacock, Mark Heard, Steve Griffith of Vector and Gene Eugene and Riki Michele from Adam Again. The Choir's lineup also changed. Chandler was the primary bass player through the recording sessions for ''Chase the Kangaroo'', released in 1988; however, Robin Spurs replaced him on the tour for that album, as well as the recording sessions and tour for the band's follow-up, ''Wide-Eyed Wonder'', in 1989.<ref name="cp19">Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 19</ref> When Spurs quit the band during the recording sessions for 1990's ''Circle Slide'', Sauerbrey returned for the remainder of those sessions, and toured with the Choir for two more years.<ref name="conant26">Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 26.</ref> Chandler then rejoined the lineup for the recording of ''Kissers and Killers'', which was later independently released in 1993.<ref name="alfonso141" /> Sauerbrey would not play with the band again; Spurs would rejoin the Choir briefly in 2017, when she performed on the ''Wide-Eyed Wonder'' reunion tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/the-choir-to-perform-classic-wide-eyed-wonder-on-upcoming-tour/ |title=The Choir to Perform Classic Wide-Eyed Wonder on Upcoming Tour |website=ccmmagazine.com |publisher=CCM Magazine |access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref>

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Choir toured extensively within the United States, and was most notably the first band on stage at the inaugural Cornerstone Festival in Chicago in 1984.<ref name="CornerstoneQuotes">{{cite web|url=http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/information/quotes.php |title=What our Friends and Cornerstone Family are Saying |publisher=Cornerstone Festival | access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> They also preceded Bruce Cockburn on stage at the Greenbelt Festival in England in 1986,<ref name= "Stage">{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-steve-hindalong-and-derri-daugherty-from/id1569949936?i=1000568224884 |title= Episode 4: Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty from The Choir |website=Journey to the Stage with Bryan Frazier |publisher=Apple Podcasts |host= Bryan Frazier |date=December 7, 2021 |accessdate=December 26, 2023}}</ref> and opened for Russ Taff on his nationwide tour in 1990.<ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 22</ref> References to the band's tour experiences would remain an ongoing source of lyrical inspiration.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Burning Like the Midnight Sun: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Derri |last=Daugherty |year=2010 |chapter=Invisible |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Steve |last=Hindalong |year=2014 |chapter= Rhythm of the Road |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref> During their Southern California period, the Choir's music was described by the ''Los Angeles Times'' as "magical songs that combine strains of murky psychedelia with pure pop."<ref name="Olathe">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=March 30–31, 1996 |title=Coffeehouse to hear The Choir |newspaper=The Olathe Daily News |location=Olathe, Kansas, USA |publisher=The McClatchy Company |page=C1 }}</ref> ''Billboard'' praised the band for its "dark poetic leanings, effects-laden guitars and strong melodic hooks."<ref name="Olathe" /> Hindalong's lyrics became known for their vulnerability and honesty, particularly about the challenges inherent in romantic relationships and the simple joys of family life.<ref name="alfonso140" />

===Initial Nashville period (1994–2000)=== With much of the contemporary Christian music, or CCM, industry centered in Nashville, Tennessee, the band opted to make a permanent move there.<ref name="alfonso140" /> Daugherty and Hindalong were both married with children, and the Christian alternative music scene in Southern California was no longer as active as it was in its mid-‘80s heyday.<ref name= "SHvod">{{cite interview |last=Hindalong |first=Steve |subject-link=Steve Hindalong |interviewer=Rex Smetzer |title=S2. Ep. 15: The Choir Interview (Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty & Dan Michaels)! |work=AREA 312 Rock & Metal Vodcast |publisher=YouTube |location=Wooster, Ohio, USA |date=June 11, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9aYBEdETfs&t=602s }}</ref> By contrast, the CCM industry had begun flourishing in Nashville in the early 1990s.<ref name="WhoKilled">{{cite web|url=http://theweek.com/articles/555603/who-killed-contemporary-christian-music-industry |title=Who Killed the Contemporary Christian Music Industry? |work=The Week | access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> Soon after the band's arrival, Michaels went into artist management, becoming a successful A&R man in the Christian music industry,<ref>Thompson (2000), p. 123</ref> eventually serving as the Choir's manager as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/christian/10-questions/archive/2747-10-questions-with-dan-michaels |title=10 Questions with… Dan Michaels |publisher=All Access Music Group | access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> Daugherty and Hindalong would musically contribute to, and produce, numerous projects, including the Lost Dogs, and most notably, the ''City on a Hill'' worship music series.<ref name="alfonso141" />

The Choir's first release after arriving in Nashville was ''Speckled Bird'', a reworked version of 1993's independent ''Kissers and Killers'', with five additional songs recorded in Nashville.<ref name= "DMvod">{{cite interview |last=Michaels |first=Dan |subject-link=Steve Hindalong |interviewer=Rex Smetzer |title=S2. Ep. 15: The Choir Interview (Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty & Dan Michaels)! |work=AREA 312 Rock & Metal Vodcast |publisher=YouTube |location=Wooster, Ohio, USA |date=June 11, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9aYBEdETfs&t=602s }}</ref> Their next album, ''Free Flying Soul'', released in 1996, would bring the band their most notable industry recognition to that point, as they were awarded a GMA Dove Award for Alternative/Modern Rock Album of the Year.<ref name="alfonso141" /><ref name="Dove96" /> Five years later, the Choir received a nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards for their album, ''Flap Your Wings'', released in 2000.<ref name="Grammy" /> The album's closing song, "Beautiful Scandalous Night," would subsequently be listed at #100 in the 2006 book ''CCM Magazine Presents: CCM Top 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music''.<ref>Taff (2006), p. 201</ref>

===Journey to independent status (2000-present)=== Despite the belated awards attention, both Hindalong and Daugherty have gone on record numerous times over the years about the limitations of the CCM distribution model,<ref name= "faris" /><ref name="shp1">{{cite interview |last=Hindalong |first=Steve |subject-link=Circle Slide |interviewer= |title=Interview with The Choir: Part One |date=July 1991 |publisher=Crosswalk |access-date=}}</ref><ref name= "cp25">Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 25</ref> the musical and lyrical expectations from record labels,<ref name="synd">{{cite magazine |last=Palmer |first=Dave |title=The Choir |magazine=Syndicate |volume= |issue=39 |date=August 15, 1994 |location=St. Louis, Missouri, USA |publisher=Harvest Rock Publications |page=24 }}</ref><ref name= "cp25" /><ref name="Stage"/> and their rejection of the term "Christian band" to describe the Choir,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kestler |first=Lisa |date=February 16, 1990 |title=''Out and About'': Confused or Not, Choir Works |newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |location=Fort Worth, Texas, USA |publisher=The McClatchy Company |page=D9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brad |date=April 20, 1990 |title=Choir seeks harmony: Alternative band works to shake Christian tag |newspaper=Pensacola News-Journal |location=Pensacola, Florida, USA |publisher=Gannett |page=D1 }}</ref><ref name="Albu">{{cite news |last=Staton |first=David |date=February 16, 1990 |title=The Choir Bears Cross of Being Christian Rock Group |newspaper=Albuquerque Journal |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA |publisher=Journal Publishing Company |page=D9 }}</ref><ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 24</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Wide-Eyed Wonder: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Steve |last=Hindalong |year=2017 |chapter= When She Sees Me |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref> as the band never fit the "Christian music" mold, according to Hindalong.<ref name = "Stage" /><ref name= "TTP">{{cite podcast |url= https://truetunes.podbean.com/e/singing-along-with-the-choir/ |title=Singing Along with the Choir |website=The True Tunes Podcast |publisher=Podbean |host= John J. Thompson |date=July 6, 2021 |accessdate=December 26, 2023}}</ref> "You were either one of two things: you were evangelization or edification,” he explained. “You're either edifying the Body, or getting people saved—one of these two functions. To us, music is not a means to an end. It's not a tool. We're not going to meet your expectations.”<ref name= "TTP" />

Instead, the band soon realized they were primarily interested in writing music about their everyday life experience,<ref>{{cite news |last=Deminger |first=Kathleen |date=January 25, 1990 |title=No robes, no hymns, The Choir brings reflective lyrics and an individual style |newspaper=Lancaster New Era |location=Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA |publisher=Lancaster Newspapers |page=C1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Keyes |first=Bob |date=March 12, 1990 |title=Choir Keeps on Singing |newspaper=Argus Leader |location=Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA |publisher=Gannett |page=12A }}</ref> inspired by the music of bands such as Romeo Void,<ref name= "cp9" /> the Church,<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Circle Slide: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Derri |last=Daugherty |year=2015 |chapter=Circle Slide |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref> and My Bloody Valentine.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Kissers and Killers: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Derri |last=Daugherty |year=2018 |chapter=Gripped |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref> As a result, "we couldn't be sold," Hindalong said. "Whoever promoted the show was not happy with what we did."<ref name = "Stage" /> Daugherty was more measured in his assessment. "In the early days, we did have some promoters that really liked us," he clarified. "They just couldn't make any money off of us. If they can't make a living promoting our show, then they're not going to book us.”<ref name = "Stage" /> This led to the band traveling extensively outside of Southern California,<ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 10</ref> playing anywhere they could be booked, whether a bar,<ref>{{cite news |last=Surkamp |first=David |date=January 4, 1990 |title=The Choir: In Tune with Times |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |location=St. Louis, Missouri, USA |publisher=Lee Enterprises |page=8G }}</ref> a club,<ref name="synd" /><ref name= "TTP" /> a high school auditorium,<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=March 14, 1986 |title=''Enjoy: Your Weekend Entertainment Guide'': Calendar: Music - "Steve Taylor Plus Youth Choir" |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |location=Jersey City, New Jersey, USA |publisher=Advance Publications |page=2 }}</ref> a coffeehouse,<ref name="Olathe" /> or a state fairground.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 6, 1986 |title=Youth Choir concert scheduled for Friday |newspaper=Chico Enterprise-Record |location=Chico, California, USA |publisher=Digital First Media |page=6C }}</ref>

Even when the Choir directly addressed matters of faith in their lyrics, the band's music rarely gained airplay on mainstream Christian radio.<ref name="cp19" /> Instead, their music was limited to the small number of Christian radio shows that played a mix of alternative, rock and metal music for only a few hours a week, often after midnight.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Daugherty |first=Derri |subject-link=Derri Daugherty |interviewer=Dave Trout |title=The Choir (UTR Spotlight Interview) |work=UTR Media |via=YouTube |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA |date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> "How would you care about radio success on a radio station that you, yourself, would not listen to?" Hindalong asked. "We had no chance succeeding commercially, plus we didn't want to say what we were expected to say, at least at that point."<ref name= "EJP">{{cite podcast |url= https://ejesuspodcast.podbean.com/e/christianbanddreams/ |title= Christian Band Dreams \ Steve Hindalong, Brendan Gallagher |website=Electric Jesus Podcast |publisher=Podbean |host= Chris White |date=September 4, 2023 |accessdate=December 26, 2023}}</ref>

In an attempt to broaden the Choir's appeal to Christian audiences, Myrrh had the band open for Russ Taff on his high-profile ''The Way Home'' tour in 1990. “It was a disaster," Hindalong said.<ref name= "EJP" /> "The audience overwhelmingly hated us. You could feel the disdain, you know?"<ref name= "SHvod" /> Daugherty agreed, and added that, "people would come out and lecture us at our merchandise booth: 'We didn't preach enough.' There would be a couple of nights where people would get up and literally take their youth group out."<ref>{{cite interview |last=Daugherty |first=Derri |subject-link= |interviewer=Rex Smetzer |title=S2. Ep. 15: The Choir Interview (Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty & Dan Michaels)! |work=AREA 312 Rock & Metal Vodcast |publisher=YouTube |location=Wooster, Ohio, USA |date=June 11, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9aYBEdETfs&t=602s }}</ref>

Two years later, the Choir made a concerted effort to target a broader audience by recording a collection of demos that they could shop around to mainstream record labels.<ref name="synd" /><ref name="alfonso141" /> After a year and a half of playing clubs—including famous venues like the Troubadour in West Hollywood and CBGB in New York City<ref name="Albu" />—the Choir considered changing their name to Kissers and Killers.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Kissers and Killers: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Dan |last=Michaels |year=2018 |chapter=Love Your Mind |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref> Although three labels expressed interest (I.R.S. Records, Geffen Records and Fiction Records), they ultimately passed.<ref name="cp29">Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 29</ref> "We really believed we had to take that chance,” Hindalong said. “Besides, I just wanted to hear my songs on the radio."<ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 28</ref> Hindalong denied that the band "hated Christian music and would never do it again," and added, "we're not bitter and frustrated; we're just trying to broaden our audience."<ref name="shp1"/>

Therefore, starting with ''Flap Your Wings'' in 2000, the Choir chose to release their music independently on a permanent basis, with the band's following three studio albums also financed by Michaels.<ref name= "DMvod" /> ''Flap Your Wings'' was strategically released just one day before the Choir performed live at the 2000 Cornerstone Festival, and this served as a launching pad for the new release and the band's new status.<ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 32</ref> In addition, the Choir recorded two new live albums at the festival, ''Live at Cornerstone 2000: Plugged'' and ''Live at Cornerstone 2000: Unplugged'', with the former featuring the entire band and the latter an acousticset with just Daugherty and Hindalong. Michaels then created an official website for the Choir, where they could directly interact with fans as well as sell music and merchandise.<ref name="p170">Powell (2002), p. 170</ref><ref name="alfonso141" /> This site was launched at the very time that the internet was becoming a new paradigm for independent artists, as a band with an established fanbase like the Choir no longer needed to tour relentlessly to keep listeners eager for new music.<ref name="flap">{{cite web |url=http://www.thechoir.net/pages/home.html |title=Records: Flap Your Wings |date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312014309/http://www.thechoir.net/pages/home.html |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Although members of the Choir would continue to provide production and musical contributions to artists within the CCM industry, and the band would occasionally address Christian themes in their music, the Choir would be frequently identified as an indie rock band from that point forward.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://gospelmusic.org/news/news-the-choir-to-celebrate-25-year-anniversary-of-circle-slide-on-tour |title=NEWS: The Choir to Celebrate 25 Year Anniversary of Circle Slide on Tour |website=gospelmusic.org |publisher=Gospel Music Association |date=April 7, 2015 |last1= |first1= |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Wills">{{cite web |url=https://williamsonsource.com/choir-celebrates-25-years-lifetime-tour/ |title=The Choir Celebrates 25 Years with Once-in-a-Lifetime Tour |website=williamsonsource.com |publisher=Williamson Source |date=February 15, 2015 |last1=Vissman |first1=Donna |accessdate=November 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.live-production.tv/news/products/choir-stream-concert-live.html | title=THE CHOIR to Stream Concert Live |website=liveproduction.tv |publisher=Live Production |date=July 24, 2014 |accessdate=October 4, 2023}}</ref>

In 2005, after Daugherty and Hindalong had worked with Byrd on a number of other musical projects following the release of ''Flap Your Wings'', the Choir officially added Byrd to their lineup to record ''O How the Mighty Have Fallen''.<ref name= "soul2sh">{{cite interview |last=Hindalong |first=Steve |subject-link=O How the Mighty Have Fallen |interviewer=Chris Coppernoll |title=The Choir |work= |date=January 2006 |publisher=Soul2Soul Ministries |location=Franklin, Tennessee |url= |access-date=}}</ref> The album was also produced by Byrd, and released through Michaels' new Galaxy21 Music imprint, through which all future Choir albums would be distributed.<ref name= "soul2sh" /> In August of that same year, this new five-member Choir played the Broken Records Reunion, a 20th anniversary concert at Mariners Church in Irvine, California, along with 4-4-1, Altar Boys, Crumbächer, and Undercover.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://take2productions.net/artists/brokenreuion/ |title=Broken Records Reunion |publisher=Take 2 Productions | access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref>

====Renewed creative activity (2010)==== After a five-year recording hiatus, the Choir released two full-length studio albums in 2010. In June, the band released ''Burning Like the Midnight Sun'', which received positive reviews. Jeff Elbel, in the ''Chicago Sun-Times'', called the album "a late-career triumph," and remarked that it was the band's "second exceptional album in a row, and its best since 1990's landmark ''Circle Slide''."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/2567574,spin-control-080810.article|title=Chicago Sun-Times - Chicago : News : Politics : Things To Do : Sports |work=Chicago |last1=Eibel |first1=Jeff |accessdate=February 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021073814/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/2567574,spin-control-080810.article |archive-date=October 21, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November, the band released ''de-plumed'', which featured cellist Matt Slocum of Sixpence None the Richer. A collection of acoustic reinterpretations of one song from each of their 12 prior studio albums, it was released shortly after Daugherty and Hindalong embarked on a multi-city acoustic tour as a duo version of the band.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.popmatters.com/133695-the-choir-de-plumed-2496109653.html | title=The Choir Records Acoustic Takes of Old Favorites on 'De-Plumed' |last1=Britt |first1=Thomas |date=November 19, 2010 |website=popmatters.com |publisher=PopMatters| accessdate=December 23, 2022}}</ref>

The Choir's next studio album, ''The Loudest Sound Ever Heard'', was released in May 2012. Later that year, the band toured in celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''Chase the Kangaroo'', playing the album in its entirety, followed by a selection of tracks from ''Loudest Sound.''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.christianmusicarchive.com/news/the-choir-announces-new-album-the-loudest-sound-ever-heard-releasing-may-15th |title=The Choir announces new album "The Loudest Sound Ever Heard" releasing May 15th |website=christianmusicarchive.com |publisher=Christian Music Archive |last1=|first1=|accessdate=December 23, 2022}}</ref> For this tour, the band performed as a trio with bassist Chandler. Then in July, the full lineup of the Choir closed out the final gathering of the Cornerstone Festival, in commemoration of their inaugural 1984 performance.<ref name="CornerstoneQuotes"/>

====Shift to crowdfunding (2013)==== From this point forward, the Choir would use Kickstarter and PledgeMusic as their primary ways of recording and releasing new studio albums, re-releases of older studio albums, and solo work by Hindalong and Daugherty. To date, this funding process has generated three studio albums: ''Shadow Weaver'' (2014),<ref>{{cite web |last=Elbel |first=Jeff |url=https://do312.com/artists/the-choir |title=The Choir: Chicago Shows on Do312 |date=April 7, 2014 |website=do312.com |publisher=Do312 |location=Chicago, Illinois, USA |accessdate= March 10, 2023}}</ref> ''Bloodshot'' (2018),<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-067-the-detroit-gospel-reissue-project-slugs/id969400759?i=1000376602202 |title=Episode 067 * The Detroit Gospel Reissue Project, Slugs & Bugs, The Choir, Manafest, Mercy Me, Daniel Amos, and Harvest Parker |website=Crowdfunding Christian Music: The Podcast |publisher=Apple Podcasts |host=Garrett Godfrey |date=March 22, 2017 |accessdate=December 26, 2023}}</ref> and ''Deep Cuts'' (2021).<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/24-the-choir-eric-peters-natalie-schlabs/id1276187291?i=1000467251262 |title=24: The Choir, Eric Peters, Natalie Schlabs |website=Good Patron – UTR Media |publisher=Apple Podcasts |host=Garrett Godfrey |date=March 2, 2020 |accessdate=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Kickstarter stretch goals have contributed six additional releases: the Christmas-themed ''Peace, Love & Light'' EP (2013), the live albums ''Live and on the Wing in Music City'' (2014) and ''The Livestream Bootleg'' (2015),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ShadowWeaver.asp |title=The Choir, "Shadow Weaver" Review |last1=Rice |first1=Mark |date= May 5, 2014 |website=jesusfreakhideout.com |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref> the "unplugged" ''Kissers and Killers — The Acoustic Sessions'' (2018), the ambient ''Words Spoken and Floating on Clouds'' (2023), and ''7 + 77s = 9: Reinterpretations'' (2024), which features newly-recorded versions of earlier work, including a cover version performed by the 77s.<ref name="bigA">{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/thechoir/p/Cv--WONsymM/?next=%2Fp%2FCxjVEN2tcgx%2F&hl=ja |title=Big. Announcement. |last1=|first1=|date= October 1, 2023 |website=instagram.com |publisher=Instagram: The Choir |accessdate=April 18, 2024}}</ref> Since 2013, the band has remastered and re-released ''Chase the Kangaroo'', ''Kissers and Killers'', ''Free Flying Soul'', ''Circle Slide'' and ''Wide-Eyed Wonder'', following the latter two re-releases with a short tour during which the entire album was played in its entirety. Michael Roe of the 77s filled in on bass for the ''Circle Slide'' 25th anniversary tour in 2015,<ref name= "Wills" /> while former bassist Spurs returned to the band to perform on the ''Wide-Eyed Wonder'' anniversary tour in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/the-choir-to-perform-classic-wide-eyed-wonder-on-upcoming-tour/ |title=The Choir to Perform Classic Wide-Eyed Wonder on Upcoming Tour |website=ccmmagazine.com |publisher=CCM Magazine |access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref> Crowdfunding also generated Hindalong's second solo album ''The Warbler'' in 2016,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bacon |first=Craig |url=https://downthelinezine.com/reviews/steve-hindalong-sings-out-like-neil-young-on-solo-album-the-warbler/ |title= Steve Hindalong Sings Out Like Neil Young on Solo Album "The Warbler" |date=September 2016 |website=downthelinezine.com |publisher=Down the Line |location= |accessdate=December 12, 2023}}</ref> and Daugherty's third solo release ''The Color of Dreams'' in 2018 on Lo-Fidelity Records.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newcomb |first=Brian Q. |url=https://thefirenote.com/reviews/derri-daugherty-the-color-of-dreams-album-reviews/ |title=Derri Daugherty: The Color of Dreams [Album Review] |date=June 27, 2018 |website=thefirenote.com |publisher=The Fire Note |location= |accessdate= December 12, 2023}}</ref>

====Post-Tim Chandler work (2019-present)==== Long-time bassist Chandler died on October 8, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |url=https://gospelmusic.org/news/dove-winning-bassist-tim-chandler-dies-at-58 |title=Dove Winning Bassist Tim Chandler Dies at 58 |date=November 15, 2018 |website=gma.com |publisher=Gospel Music Association |location= Nashville, Tennessee |accessdate= December 11, 2023}}</ref> The following year, the Choir—now a threesome—began releasing non-album singles at the pace of one every other month, starting with a cover of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" and followed by "Mystical World," their first original composition after Chandler's death.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/The_Choir_The_Nashville_alt_rock_veterans_making_singles_not_albums/66646/p1/ |title=The Choir: The Nashville alt rock veterans making singles not albums |website=crossrhythms.com |publisher=CrossRhythms |last1=Cummings |first1=Tony |accessdate=October 28, 2021}}</ref> In March 2021, the Choir shifted to Patreon where they continue to release new tracks exclusively for subscribers, including a 2021 re-recording of "Render Love" for the ''Electric Jesus'' film soundtrack.<ref name= "TTP" /> ''Deep Cuts'', also released in 2021, was the band's first studio album without contributions from Chandler, as bass duties were primarily helmed by session musician Chris Donohue,<ref name= "Stage" /> with two tracks featuring bassist Stephen Mason from Jars of Clay.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Deep Cuts: Band Commentary |title-link= |first=Steve |last=Hindalong |others= |date=2021 |chapter=Hurricane |type=Audio commentary |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |id=|location=Nashville, Tennessee, USA}}</ref> Donohue also played with the Choir on two new tracks recorded for other projects: "The First Time I Saw Eden," a cover of a Randy Stonehill song for the 2022 tribute album ''There's A Rainbow Somewhere: The Songs of Randy Stonehill'',<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |url=https://utrmedia.org/rstribute/ |title=Album Review: Randy Stonehill Tribute |date=April 2022 |website=utrmedia.com |publisher=UTR Media |location=Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA |accessdate= April 25, 2024}}</ref> and "Old Man Winter," for ''A Mercyland Christmas'', part of the multi-artist ''Mercyland'' series of albums led by Phil Madeira.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |url=https://utrmedia.org/cmas2023/ |title=6 Best Christmas Albums of 2023 |date=December 2023 |website=utrmedia.com |publisher=UTR Media |location=Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA |accessdate= April 25, 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, the Choir released a significant amount of new material. In addition to the band's monthly releases to Patreon subscribers, they also released three new studio albums, one EP and one live album. The first of these was the Kickstarter bonus album ''7 + 77s = 9: Reinterpretations'', which was a result of a stretch goal for the second re-release of ''Chase the Kangaroo''.<ref name="bigA" /> The second studio album, ''Patreon Sessions (Unfinished Tracks)'', was a compilation of 12 singles from Patreon made available to non-subscribers.<ref name="apple">{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/patreon-sessions-unfinished-tracks/1775808437 |title=Patreon Sessions (Unfinished Tracks) |website=music.apple.com |publisher=Apple Music |last1=|first1=|date= November 8, 2024 |accessdate=May 27, 2025}}</ref><ref name="spotify">{{cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4T4a5g5AKMXQHsXstWlCIh |title=Patreon Sessions (Unfinished Tracks) |website=spotify.com |publisher=Spotify |last1=|first1=|date= November 8, 2024 |accessdate=May 27, 2025}}</ref> The third and most notable was ''Translucent'', which was the Choir's first ambient instrumental release.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2024/11/21.TheChoirDropsSurpriseNewAlbumTranslucent.asp#:~:text=Translucent%20is%20The%20Choir's%20new,triumph%E2%80%94a%20true%20legacy%20project. |title=JFH News Report: The Choir Drops Surprise New Album! |date= |website=jesusfreakhideout.com |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |location= |accessdate=January 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast |url= https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/45rpm-the-choirs-translucent-ambience/id1468589450?i=1000684447379 |title=@45RPM - The Choir's Translucent Ambience |website=The True Tunes Podcast |publisher=Apple Podcasts |host= John J. Thompson |date=January 17, 2025 |accessdate=January 18, 2025}}</ref> The sole EP, ''Reinterpretations'', was simply an abridged version of ''7 + 77s = 9: Reinterpretations'' released to streaming platforms. Finally, the band released ''Live from District Drugs'', an acoustic performance originally recorded in Rock Island, Illinois in 2012. Both ''7 + 77s = 9: Reinterpretations'' and ''Translucent'' received a physical release; the remainder of their 2024 releases were digital-only.

In October 2025, it was announced that the band would be releasing an album titled ''Dragonfly'', their "most ambitious to date", in 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2025/10/01.TheChoirCelebrates40YearswithAmbitiousNewAlbumDragonfly.asp|title=The Choir Celebrates 40 Years with Ambitious New Album, Dragonfly|website=Jesus Freak Hideout|date=2025-10-21|accessdate=2026-01-13}}</ref>

==Other projects== Each band member has worked on numerous projects outside the Choir.

Daugherty and Hindalong have produced and recorded several worship albums featuring other contemporary Christian music artists, including their own ''At the Foot of the Cross'' series.<ref name="powell168">Powell (2002), p. 168.</ref> ''Volume One: Clouds, Rain, Fire'' was released in 1992,<ref name="powell168"/> and the song "Beautiful Scandalous Night" would later be re-recorded by the Choir eight years later for their Grammy-nominated ''Flap Your Wings'' album. The follow-up, ''Volume Two: Seven Last Words of Christ'', was released in 1995.<ref name="powell168" /> Hindalong would later produce the aforementioned ''City on a Hill'' series of worship albums in the early 2000s.<ref name="powell168" /> The lead single from the initial album, ''Songs of Worship and Praise'', was "God of Wonders," co-written by Hindalong and Marc Byrd; it held the #1 spot on the Christian adult contemporary charts for several weeks,<ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 33</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccmupdate.com/ccmupdate/00_10_23/charts.html |title=October 23, 2000: Charts - Adult Contemporary |date=July 14, 2001 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010714203407/http://www.ccmupdate.com/ccmupdate/00_10_23/charts.html#ac |archive-date=July 14, 2001}}</ref> became one of the most successful worship songs of the early 2000s,<ref name="WhoKilled" /> and was later listed at #11 in the 2006 book ''CCM Magazine Presents: CCM Top 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music''.<ref>Taff (2006), pp. 42-45</ref> ''Songs of Worship and Praise'' would go on to receive a Dove Award in 2001 for Special Event Album of the Year.<ref>[http://www.doveawards.com/history.php "Dove Award Recipients for 2001"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114195042/http://www.doveawards.com/history.php |date=November 14, 2011 }}. Gospel Music Association.</ref>

Daugherty, Hindalong and Michaels have all released solo works, with Daugherty also releasing an instrumental ambient project under the name ''Clouds Echo in Blue''. Daugherty is one-half of Kerosene Halo, a duo project with 77s frontman Roe; they have released three albums to date.<ref>{{cite web |last=Elbel |first=Jeff |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/9/2/18376734/in-the-music-spotlight-kerosene-halo |title=In the music spotlight: Kerosene Halo |date=September 2, 2016 |website=chicago.suntimes.com |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |location= Chicago, Illinois |accessdate= December 12, 2023}}</ref> Since 1991, Daugherty has also been a member of the alternative rock supergroup Lost Dogs, led by Terry Scott Taylor of Daniel Amos and including the 77s' Roe and Adam Again's Eugene;<ref name="powell539">Powell (2002), p. 539.</ref> Hindalong would join the group after Eugene's death.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ruff |first=Steve |url=https://downthelinezine.com/archives/the-genesis-of-the-lost-dogs/ |title=The Genesis of The Lost Dogs |date=January 2009 |website=downthelinezine.com |publisher=Down the Line |location= |accessdate= December 12, 2023}}</ref> In 2023, Hindalong would also join with Slocum, Madeira, Jimmy Abegg and Ben Pearson to form The Ascendants and use Kickstarter to launch their debut album, ''The Fellowship of the Broken''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Griffy |first=Chris |url=https://www.nodepression.com/crowdfunding-radar-seasoned-artists-with-crowdfunding-campaigns/ |title=CROWDFUNDING RADAR: Seasoned Artists with Crowdfunding Campaigns |website=nodepression.com |publisher=No Depression |date= April 20, 2023 |accessdate=December 27, 2023}}</ref> The following year, Hindalong performed live with Sixpence None the Richer, providing percussion on the band's ''We Are Love'' tour to support their ''Rosemary Hill'' EP, which Hindalong produced.<ref>{{cite web |last=De la Garza |first=Natalie |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/review-sixpence-none-the-richer-at-warehouse-live-midtown-19185435 |title=Sixpence None the Richer Brings "We Are Love" to Warehouse Live Midtown |date=October 20, 2024 |website=houstonpress.com |publisher=Houston Press |location= Houston, Texas |accessdate= February 8, 2025}}</ref> Before his death in 2018, Chandler was the bass player for both Daniel Amos and that band's side project, the Swirling Eddies, for many years, pre-dating his work with the Choir.<ref>Powell (2002), p. 226.</ref> Spurs later joined Rachel Rachel and toured with them in the early 1990s.<ref name="McAdie">{{cite web |url= http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Rachel_Rachel_An_all_girl_rock_band_making_an_impact_Stateside/39275/p1/|title= Rachel Rachel: An All Girl Rock Band Making an Impact Stateside |first= Bryan |last= McAdie |work= CR Mag 17 |accessdate= May 12, 2011 }}</ref> Byrd was a member of Common Children, then later he and bandmate Andrew Thompson formed the post-rock band Hammock in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2005/features/mbryd.html|title=A Feature of The Phantom Tollbooth|first=Shari|last=Lloyd|website=www.tollbooth.org|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032805/http://www.tollbooth.org/2005/features/mbryd.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Byrd has also recorded with his wife Christine Glass as Glassbyrd.<ref>Powell (2002), p. 190.</ref> Michaels has recorded saxophone for, and performed on tour with, a variety of other artists including Adam Again, Crystal Lewis and Bryan Duncan.<ref name="conant26" />

==Personnel== '''Current members''' * Derri Daugherty – lead vocals, guitars * Steve Hindalong – drums, percussion, vocals * Dan Michaels – saxophone, lyricon

'''Former members''' * Tim Chandler – bass guitar, vocals * Mike Sauerbrey – bass guitar * Robin Spurs – bass guitar, vocals * Marc Byrd – guitars, vocals

'''Touring musicians'''<ref name="conant26" /><ref>Conant, Palmer (2001), p. 31.</ref><ref name= "Wills" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thechoir.net/the-choir-never-say-never-again-tour-san-antonio/ |title=The Choir Live in San Antonio, TX and Roswell, NM |date=January 21, 2026 |website=thechoir.net |publisher=The Choir |access-date=April 18, 2026}}</ref> * Billy Wilde (''nee'' Bill Sammons) – guitar * Bill Campbell – guitar * Wayne Everett – percussion * Michael Roe – bass guitar, vocals * Matt Slocum – guitar * Justin Cary – bass guitar

'''Timeline'''<ref name="conant26" /> {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:1100 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/2025 # it is best not to use auto-updating timelines as it can cause problems when the graphic updates on a daily basis TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = position:bottom orientation:vertical columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1983 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1983

Colors = id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_guitars id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars,_backing_vocals id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_backing_vocals id:sax value:purple legend:Saxophone,_Lyricon id:drums value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion,_vocals id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:bars value:gray(0.95)

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BarData = bar:Derri text:Derri Daugherty bar:Steve text:Steve Hindalong bar:Dan text:Dan Michaels bar:Tim text:Tim Chandler bar:Mike text:Mike Sauerbrey bar:Robin text:Robin Spurs bar:Marc text:Marc Byrd

PlotData=

width:3 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)

bar:Derri from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/2025 color:lvocals bar:Steve from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/2025 color:drums bar:Dan from:10/01/1984 till:12/31/2025 color:sax bar:Mike from:02/01/1983 till:07/05/1985 color:bass bar:Mike from:05/12/1990 till:10/31/1992 color:bass bar:Tim from:01/01/1983 till:02/01/1983 color:bass bar:Tim from:02/01/1986 till:03/22/1988 color:bass bar:Tim from:01/01/1993 till:10/08/2018 color:bass bar:Robin from:03/23/1988 till:05/12/1990 color:bass bar:Robin from:03/17/2017 till:04/30/2017 color:bass bar:Marc from:02/01/2005 till:02/01/2018 color:guitar

LineData = layer:back color:studio at:10/01/1985 at:04/01/1986 at:10/01/1986 at:03/24/1988 at:03/24/1989 at:10/23/1990 at:03/01/1993 at:03/01/1996 at:07/04/2000 at:04/18/2005 at:06/29/2010 at:11/09/2010 at:05/15/2012 at:11/27/2013 at:04/09/2014 at:06/01/2018 at:07/01/2018 at:04/23/2021 at:03/24/2023 at:10/04/2024 at:11/08/2024 at:11/21/2024 }}

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {{div col}} * 1985 ''Voices in Shadows'' (as Youth Choir) * 1986 ''Diamonds and Rain'' * 1988 ''Chase the Kangaroo'' * 1989 ''Wide-Eyed Wonder'' * 1990 ''Circle Slide'' * 1993 ''Kissers and Killers'' * 1994 ''Speckled Bird'' * 1996 ''Free Flying Soul'' * 2000 ''Flap Your Wings'' * 2005 ''O How the Mighty Have Fallen'' * 2010 ''Burning Like the Midnight Sun'' * 2010 ''de-plumed'' * 2012 ''The Loudest Sound Ever Heard'' * 2014 ''Shadow Weaver'' * 2018 ''Bloodshot'' * 2021 ''Deep Cuts'' * 2024 ''Patreon Sessions (Unfinished Tracks)'' * 2024 ''Translucent'' * 2026 ''Dragonfly'' {{div col end}}

===Crowdfunded bonus studio albums=== * 2018 ''Kissers and Killers — The Acoustic Sessions'' * 2023 ''Words Spoken and Floating on Clouds'' * 2024 ''7 + 77s = 9: Reinterpretations'' * 2026 ''Second Stringers & Benchwarmers''

===EPs=== * 1986 ''Shades of Gray'' (as Youth Choir) * 2013 ''Peace, Love & Light'' * 2024 ''Reinterpretations''

===Live albums=== {{div col}} * 1997 ''Let It Fly'' * 2000 ''Live at Cornerstone 2000: Plugged'' * 2000 ''Live at Cornerstone 2000: Unplugged'' * 2014 ''Live and on the Wing in Music City'' * 2015 ''The Livestream Bootleg'' * 2024 ''Live From District Drugs'' * 2025 ''Live Fall Tour 2011'' (with Kerosene Halo) * 2025 ''Live & A Little Rough: Knott's Berry Farm 1992'' {{div col end}}

===Compilations=== * 1995 ''Love Songs and Prayers: A Retrospective'' * 2001 ''Never Say Never: The First 20 Years'' (8-CD box set of first nine studio releases + unreleased tracks)

===Promotional singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- !scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year !scope="col" rowspan="2"|Single !colspan="3" scope="col" rowspan="1" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album |- ! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| ''CCM''<br />Rock<br /><ref>For peak chart positions of the Choir's Rock singles from 1985-2001, see ''MusicLine, The MusicLine Update and The CCM Update'' Airplay: Rock and CCM Rock charts. *{{Cite journal |last=Mall |first=Andrew |date=March 22, 2018 |title=Archival Research Methods and Music Industry Pedagogy |url=http://www.meiea.org/resources/Proceedings/2018/MEIEA%20Summit%202018%20Mall.pdf |website=MEIEA |pages=81–85 |doi=10.25101/18.24}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| ''CCM''<br />CHR<br /><ref>Powell (2002), p. 171.</ref><ref>For peak chart positions of the Choir's CHR singles from 1986-2001, see ''The MusicLine Update and The CCM Update'' CCM CHR charts. *{{Cite journal |last=Mall |first=Andrew |date=March 22, 2018 |title=Archival Research Methods and Music Industry Pedagogy |url=http://www.meiea.org/resources/Proceedings/2018/MEIEA%20Summit%202018%20Mall.pdf |website=MEIEA |pages=81–85 |doi=10.25101/18.24}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| ''CCM''<br />AC<br /><ref>For peak chart positions of the Choir's Adult Contemporary singles from 1986-2001, see ''The MusicLine Update and The CCM Update'' CCM Adult Contemporary charts. *{{Cite journal |last=Mall |first=Andrew |date=March 22, 2018 |title=Archival Research Methods and Music Industry Pedagogy |url=http://www.meiea.org/resources/Proceedings/2018/MEIEA%20Summit%202018%20Mall.pdf |website=MEIEA |pages=81–85 |doi=10.25101/18.24}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|1985 |"A Million Years" |align="center"|— | — | — |rowspan="2"| ''Voices in Shadows'' |- |"Someone's Calling" |align="center"|8 | — | — |- |rowspan="4"|1986 |- |"15 Doors" |align="center"|5 | — | — |rowspan="1"| ''Shades of Gray'' |- |"Fear Only You" |align="center"|1 | 17 | — |rowspan="5"| ''Diamonds and Rain'' |- |"When the Morning Comes" |align="center"| — | 7 | 11 |- |rowspan="3"|1987 |- |"Kingston Road" |align="center"| — | — | — |- |"Render Love" |align="center"|6 | — | — |- |rowspan="3"|1988 |"Clouds" |align="center"|— | — | — |rowspan="3"| ''Chase the Kangaroo'' |- |"Consider" |align="center"|1 | — | — |- |"Chase the Kangaroo" |align="center"|7 | — | — |- |rowspan="3"|1989 |"Someone to Hold On To" |align="center"|1 | 12 | — |rowspan="4"| ''Wide-Eyed Wonder'' |- |"Wide-Eyed Wonder" |align="center"| — | 10 | — |- |"To Cover You" |align="center"|5 | — | — |- |rowspan="2"|1990 |"Spin You Around" |align="center"| 12 | — | — |- |"Restore My Soul" |align="center"| 3 | — | — |rowspan="2"| ''Circle Slide'' |- |rowspan="1"|1991 |"About Love" |align="center"| 6 | 25 | — |- |rowspan="2"|1994 |"Spring" |align="center"| 2 | — | — |rowspan="2"| ''Speckled Bird'' |- |"Speckled Bird" |align="center"| 7 | — | — |- |rowspan="3"|1996 |"The Ocean" |align="center"| — | 20 | — |rowspan="3"| ''Free Flying Soul'' |- |"Away With the Swine" |align="center"|6 | — | — |- |"Sled Dog" |align="center"|8 | — | — |- |rowspan="1"|2000 |"Hey Gene" |align="center"|9 | — | — |rowspan="2"| ''Flap Your Wings'' |- |rowspan="1"|2001 |"Cherry Bomb" |align="center"| — | — | — |-

!colspan="10" style="font-size: 8pt"| "—" denotes singles that did not chart. |}

===Non-album tracks=== ====Vinyl singles==== * 1985 "I Can't Take It" b/w "Here in the Night (live)" (as Youth Choir) * 2024 "Nowhere Else" (The Choir) b/w "To Cover You" (The 77s)

====Digital singles==== {{div col}} * 2004 "Travelin' Light (demo)" (music download) * 2006 "The Sun Also Rises (demo)" (streaming) * 2010 "Babe in the Straw" (music download) * 2012 "Shadow of the Cross" (music download) * 2013 "Beautiful Girl" (music download) * 2016 "Rhythm of the Road (Reimagined)" (music download) * 2019 "In the Air Tonight" (music download) * 2019 "After All (Reimagined) [featuring Leigh Nash]" (music download) * 2019 "Mystical World" (music download) * 2019 "Kathie's Garden" (music download) * 2019 "Counting Stars" (music download) * 2020 "What You Think I Am (Reimagined) [featuring Leigh Nash]" (music download) * 2020 "The Real WWW" (music download) {{div col end}}

====Patreon-exclusive music downloads==== All songs initially released on a monthly basis to Patreon supporters only. In 2023, the Choir began slowly releasing some of these tracks one at a time under the banner ''The Patreon Sessions'', either by digital download or on streaming platforms.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://downthelinezine.com/blog/2023/02/22/the-choir-announces-the-patreon-sessions-new-song-releases/ |title=The Choir Announces the Patreon Sessions – New Song Releases |website=downthelinezine.com |publisher=Down The Line |last1=|first1=|date= February 22, 2023 |accessdate=February 26, 2023}}</ref> These same tracks were later collected together for the 2024 digital release ''Patreon Sessions (Unfinished Tracks)''.<ref name="apple" /><ref name="spotify" /> Songs made available outside of Patreon are indicated. {{div col}} * 2021 "Render Love (2021 Version)" * 2021 "Alone" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2021 "My Father's Son" * 2021 "One Man Band" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2021 "Let It Ride" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2021 "Wings on Fire" * 2021 "Angry World" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2021 "Old Man Winter" * 2022 "Just Who" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "Billy Wilde" * 2022 "Talk It Out" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "Something in the Way She Moves" * 2022 "Mr. Chandler (Spoken Word)" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2022 "I Don't Want to Cry" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "Centrifugal" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "Sentimental Song (Reimagined)" [Facebook] * 2022 "Snow Angels and Holiday Prayers" [Music download; streaming] * 2022 "Be My Girl" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "The Time Has Come (Spoken Word)" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2022 "We Drive On" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "Mind Your Ways" * 2022 "Summon Your Soul" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2022 "A Matter of Degrees" * 2023 "Heaven" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2023 "Divine Intervention" * 2023 "More Than Words (2023 Version)" * 2023 "Let It Burn" * 2023 "Reach for the Sky" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2023 "Chase the Kangaroo (Reimagined)" * 2023 "I Can't Rescue You" * 2023 "Sylvia's Mother" * 2023 "Your Chair (Live Bootleg)" (Derri Daugherty solo track) * 2023 "May the Buffalo Roam" (Steve Hindalong solo track) * 2023 "Jinglin' on My Mind" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2024 "What Goes Around" * 2024 "It's Good To Be Alive" * 2024 "God in Me" * 2024 "River Bend" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2024 "Sometimes It's Hope" * 2024 "The Ocean (Reimagined)" [''The Patreon Sessions'' music download; streaming] * 2024 "Old Timer" * 2024 "Sweet Time" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2024 "Dr. Who" * 2024 "Circle Slide (Live at Knott's Berry Farm 1992)" * 2024 "Thrill Ride" * 2024 ''A Brief History'' EP ** "Clouds (Live Acoustic)" ** "Midnight Sun (Live Acoustic)" ** "Sentimental Song (Live Acoustic)" ** "The Forest (Live Acoustic)" ** "To Cover You (Live Acoustic)" * 2024 "Come Healing" (with Kerosene Halo) * 2024 "The Parting Glass" [Facebook] * 2024 "Blue Skies (Live at Knott's Berry Farm 1992)" * 2025 "Snake Hook" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2025 "Somewhere Behind Her Eyes" * 2025 "The Greening" * 2025 "Adjacent Zones" * 2025 "The Moon's Reflection" (Derri Daugherty solo track) * 2025 "Whatever Train" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2025 "Midnight Sun (Live Studio Version)" * 2025 "You Bring the Fire Down" * 2025 "Mercy Lives Here (Chill Mix)" [YouTube] * 2025 "The Darkness (Demo Version)" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2025 "You Belong" * 2025 "Silent Night" [Facebook] * 2026 "Better Man" (Derri Daugherty solo track) * 2026 "Blame (Acoustic Version)" * 2026 "What You Think I Am (Kirby Groves Remix)" * 2026 "Still Here, Still There (Demo Version)" (feat. Steve Hindalong) * 2026 "Still Here, Still There (Final Version)" {{div col end}}

===Appearances on other works=== {{div col}} * 1983 ''What's Shakin''' ["It's So Wonderful"] (as Youth Choir) * 1985 ''Broken Samples'' ["Here in the Night"] (as Youth Choir) * 1989 ''The Myrrh Radio Collection, Volume 1'' ["Someone to Hold On To"] * 1993 ''Brow Beat: Unplugged Alternative'' ["Wilderness" (acoustic version)] * 1993 ''Third Wave'' ["Kissers and Killers"] * 1994 ''Can You Dig It?'' ["Kissers and Killers"] * 1994 ''Strong Hand of Love: A Tribute to Mark Heard'' ["Tip of My Tongue"] * 1995 ''Contemporary Adult Music for the 90's'' ["Wilderness"] * 1996 ''Orphans of God'' ["Tip of My Tongue"] * 1996 ''Seltzer: Modern Rock to Settle Your Soul'' ["The Ocean"] * 1998 ''Grab Bag Candy Sampler, Volume 1'' ["Flowing Over Me" (demo version)] * 2003 ''Contemporary Christian Hits: A Collage'' ["Grace"] * 2022 ''There's a Rainbow Somewhere: The Songs of Randy Stonehill'' ["The Last Time I Saw Eden"] * 2023 ''A Mercyland Christmas'' ["Old Man Winter"] {{div col end}}

===Video releases=== * 1989 ''Wide-Eyed Wonder Videos'' (VHS: music videos for "Someone To Hold On To" and "Robin Had a Dream"; 32-minute band documentary) * 1996 "Sled Dog" music video (Enhanced CD: included with bonus content on ''Let It Fly'') * 1996 ''Tattoo Video Hoopla'' (VHS: live performance from Cornerstone '96) * 2016 ''Live and on the Wing in Music City'' (DVD: 2014 live performance included in CD/DVD combo)

===Solo releases by members of the Choir=== {{div col}} * 1991 ''Reveal'' [EP] – Dan Michaels * 1998 ''Skinny'' – Steve Hindalong * 2002 ''A Few Unfinished Songs'' [EP] – Derri Daugherty ** 2015 ''A Few Unfinished Songs (Deluxe)'' (re-release with six additional tracks) * 2003 ''Open Wide This Window'' – Glassbyrd (Marc Byrd and Christine Glass) * 2010 "I Still Believe" [Single] – Derri Daugherty * 2011 ''Clouds Echo in Blue'' – Clouds Echo in Blue (Derri Daugherty) * 2015 "Child in the Manger" [Single] – Derri Daugherty * 2016 ''The Warbler'' – Steve Hindalong * 2016 ''Hush Sorrow'' – Derri Daugherty * 2018 ''The Color of Dreams'' – Derri Daugherty {{div col end}}

==Awards and nominations== {| class=wikitable |- ! Year !! Awards !! Work !! Category !! Result !! Ref. |- | 1990 | 21st Annual Dove Awards |''Wide-Eyed Wonder Videos'' | Best Long Form Video | {{nominated}} |- | 1996 | 28th Annual Dove Awards |''Free Flying Soul'' | Best Modern Rock/Alternative Album | {{won}} | <ref name="Dove96" /> |- | 2002 | 44th Annual Grammy Awards |''Flap Your Wings'' | Best Rock Gospel Album | {{nominated}} | <ref name="Grammy" /> |- |}

==References== '''Footnotes''' {{reflist|30em}}

'''Bibliography''' {{Refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=John Joseph |author-link= |date=2000 |title=Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll |url= |location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=1-55022-421-2}} * {{Cite book |last1=Conant |first1=Andy |title=The Choir: Never Say Never: The First 20 Years |last2=Palmer |first2=Dave |publisher=Galaxy21 Music |year=2001 |location=Brentwood (Nashville, Tennessee), USA |isbn=0-688-12672-3}} * {{Cite book |last=Alfonso |first=Barry |title=The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music |publisher=Billboard Books |year=2002 |location=New York, New York, USA |isbn=0-8230-7718-7}} * {{Cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |year=2002 |location=Peabody, Massachusetts, USA |isbn=1-5656-3679-1}} * {{Cite book |last=Taff |first=Tori |title=CCM Magazine Presents: CCM Top 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music |publisher=Integrity Publishers |year=2006 |location=Brentwood, Tennessee, USA |isbn=1-59145-210-4}} {{refend}}

==External links== * {{official website|1=http://www.thechoir.net}} * {{IMDb name|nm17503469}}

{{The Choir}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Choir, The}} Category:Musical groups established in 1984 Category:Musical groups from Orange County, California Category:Musical groups from Nashville, Tennessee Category:Alternative rock groups from California Category:Indie rock musical groups from California Category:American Christian rock groups Category:Myrrh Records artists