1997年成立的By The Tree,1999年出了两张“independent, self-produced CDs”。真正受到更多人关注和赞赏,要到2006的单曲碟《World On Fire》,以及其前的《Hold You High 》。配合全球巡演宣传,单曲《Beautiful One》更是广为人知。
By the Tree is a two-time Dove Award-winning contemporary Christian rock group.
Overview
Ben Davis, Kevin Rhoads, Chuck Dennie, and Aaron Blanton, backstage at the 2001 Dove Awards.By the Tree was founded in Weatherford, Texas in 1997 by Chuck Dennie and Bala Boyd.
As with most aspiring musical groups, By the Tree got their start playing a series of small venues — predominantly churches — throughout the southern and southwestern United States. Their near-constant touring cultivated a sizeable fan base.
In 1999 they released two independent, self-produced CDs, which they sold at their concerts. By 2001, these two CDs had sold a combined 30,000 units, which more than recouped their production costs, and additionally brought them to the attention of the Gospel music industry.
The band eventually signed with Fervent Records, part of the BMG music publishing company. Their first national U.S. commercial recording was Invade My Soul. The album charted in the Billboard Top 40 in the Contemporary Christian and Independent categories. The album eventually went on to win two Dove Awards: The album itself won Best Modern Rock/Alternative Album, and the album's title track won Best Recorded Song.
The band has gone through numerous lineup changes since signing with Fervent. [(Singer)]/[(guitarist)] Aaron Blanton joined the group prior to the recording of Invade My Soul, replacing Samuel McKern as the drummer. Chuck Dennie remained lead vocalist and guitarist until 2005. Bassist Ben Davis joined in 2002 for the recording of These Days. Original member Kevin Rhoads left the band shortly after the release of These Days and was replaced by Charlie Goddard, who left the band in 2003 to join Jeff Deyo's band.
By the Tree has released four albums under the Fervent label, and they remain one of the more popular acts in Contemporary Christian music.
Chuck Dennie now lives in Lufkin, Tx with his wife Joanne.
Current members
Aaron Blanton (vocals/guitar)
Ben Davis (bass/keys/vocals)
Dustin Sauder (lead guitar/vocals)
Eric Green (drums)
Former members
Cameron Tucker – drums and percussion (On "Passion For Jesus '99" and "Shoot Me Down")
David Canington – keys (On "Passion For Jesus '99" and "Shoot Me Down")
Betsy Caswell – vocals (On "Passion For Jesus '99" and "Shoot Me Down")
Kevin Rhoads – vocals, guitar
Samuel McKern – drums
Charlie Goddard – vocals, guitar
Rocky Presley – bass
Chuck Dennie – vocals, guitar
Garrett Goodwin – drums
Dan Castillo – bass
James Putnam – bass