Two-time Dove Award winners By The Tree have made a name
for themselves with their ability to mix passionate worship with catchy
rock/pop melodies. Since signing with Fervent Records in 2001, the group,
which includes Chuck Dennie (vocals, guitars), Ben Davis (bass, keyboards,
vocals), and Aaron Blanton (drums, percussion, vocals), has released
a record each year and show no signs of slowing down!
When Dennie started the band back in 1997, he did not
intend to make a big music career out of it. However, as the group began
to lead worship at numerous churches, retreats, and camps across the
south and southwestern United States, their fan base grew by leaps
and bounds. This led to the release of two independent albums which
sold over 30,000 copies. In no time at all, record companies began seeking
them out and the band eventually chose Fervent Records as their home.
Invade My Soul, the band's first release through Fervent,
found great success in the Christian market, winning Dove Awards for
Modern Rock/Alternative Album and Recorded Song. The band soon began
touring with Christian music icons, The Newsboys, Delerious, and Jeremy
Camp, and released two more albums in 2002 and 2003, bringing their
total sales to 150,000 records.
The busyness of life, though, soon caught up with Dennie
who, at this point, found himself feeling a little out of touch with
God. Through all the excitement and success, he felt as though he had
lost track of what the band was doing and why. After some time, Chuck
felt God leading him back to the place where it all began - true, heartfelt
worship, for himself and for the band.
In June of 2004, By The Tree released Hold You High, their
fourth album with Fervent. It has become a very special record to them
all, as it has reclaimed and reinvigorated the foundation on which they
began.
By The Tree Records:
Passion For Jesus '99 (1999)
Shoot Me Down (1999)
Shoot Me Down (2000)
Invade My Soul (2001)
These Days (2002)
Root (2003)
Hold You High (2004)