Geoff Moore
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Geoff Moore (born c.1961 in Michigan) is a Contemporary Christian music artist and songwriter.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early years
Moore was born in Michigan in 1961. He began singing while he was at Taylor University, when he stood in for the lead singer of his roommate's band. Newly married, he moved to Nashville soon after college. He was able to break into the music industry with the assistance of Michael W. Smith, when the two met in the clothing store where Moore worked. He signed a publishing contract with Paragon Music and sang on demo recordings for extra money.
During the mid-1980s, Moore recorded three albums released on the Power Discs label, including Where are the Other Nine?, Over the Edge and The Distance. When he was signed to Sparrow in 1987, he put together a backing band called "The Distance" to continue with his career'.
[edit] The Distance
In 1988, Geoff Moore and the Distance released their first official album together titled A Place to Stand. They also recorded Foundations in 1989 for Sparrow. After a while, they jumped to Forefront Records and recorded Pure and Simple in 1990.
They followed in 1992 with A Friend Like U. This album would garner them their first real radio hit with its title song. This started their most prolific period with the Grammy winning albums Ev-O-Lu-Tion in 1993 and Home Run in 1995. This albums produced hits like "Evolution…Redefined", "Life Together" and "Home Run". They were nominated to four Grammys.
In 1995, Benson released a compilation of hits from Moore’s first solo albums titled The Beginning Years. And in 1996, the band released a compilation of hits from Moore and the Distance. One CD of the latter contained a live performance from Rome, Georgia, also recorded for Z Music Television.
In 1997, they hit back with Threads, which is considered one of their most serious and mature albums. However, the following year, Moore decided to break up the band and continue solo.
[edit] Solo Again
In 1999, Moore released his eponymous solo album to much critical acclaim. He followed it in 2002 with A Beautiful Sound.
Moore has returned to live in his native state, where he enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. He and his wife Jan have been married for 22 years, and have two sons and two adopted daughters.
Near the end of 2005 he released two new studio albums independently. Called Every Single One Part One and Part Two, the albums are a combination of original songs and re-recorded classics from the now out of print Forefront albums with The Distance.
Moore's latest solo project Speak To Me, released on April 3, 2007 on Michael W. Smith's Rocketown Records label
[edit] Trivia
- Since 1985, Moore has been a spokesman for Compassion International, a Christian organization which gives long term support of children living in poverty around the world. He has also become an advocate for adoption. The Title track to the Every Single One CD's is about Compassion and their worldwide mission.
- Because of Geoff Moore's close friendship with fellow Christian singer and songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman, they've co-written several songs together for most of their respective albums.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo
- Where are the Other Nine? (1984)
- Over the Edge (1986)
- The Distance (1987)
- A Place To Stand (1988)
- Familiar Stranger: the Early Works of Geoff Moore (1995)
- Geoff Moore (1999)
- A Beautiful Sound (2002)
- Every Single One Part I (2005)
- Every Single One Part II (2005)
- Speak To Me (2007)
[edit] With The Distance
- Foundations (1989)
- Pure & Simple (1990)
- A Friend Like You (1992)
- Evolution (1993)
- Home Run (1995)
- The Early Years (1995)
- Greatest Hits (1996)
- Threads (1997)
[edit] The Distance Members
- Roscoe Meek - guitars (19?? - 1995)
- Geof Barkley - keyboards, vocals (19?? - 1998)
- Gary Mullett - bass guitar (19?? - 1998)
- Greg Herrington - drums (19?? - 1994)
- Chuck Conner - drums (1995 - 1998)
- Joel McCreight - guitars (1996 - 1998)
- Dave Oliver- 198?-1989?
