David Crowder Band is MSN’s Artist of the Year 2006

Nashville, TN. - sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records’ David Crowder Band has been selected as MSN’s Artist of the Year 2006. After being named July 2006’s Artist of the Month, the band was nominated alongside INXS, Prince, Christina Aguliera and Kenny Chesney for Artist of the Year. After leading on Dec. 21 with 77% of the more than 270,000 votes, the final tally gave the David Crowder Band the deciding vote as MSN noted, “They've single-handedly redefined what contemporary Christian music should sound like…and earned your vote for 2006's Artist of the Year.”

During the voting period, MSN also lauded David Crowder Band, saying, “While Crowder is unafraid to make direct and straightforward pledges to his savior, he seems extremely restless creatively and tries his hand at any style that suits him. Even Crowder's fans in the Christian music community had to be blown away by the album A Collision or (3+4=7), a literate, pensive and complicated album about death. It won the Dove Award for Best Rock Album, andhas even secular fans wondering what’s up next.”

“Part of the beauty of Crowder's appeal is his passion to be in conversation with all of humanity, not just the narrow band that reflects the average Christian music listener,” says Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords’ founder and popular speaker/author. “His whole approach risks the known and norm, while seeking to give voice to everyone longing for a connection with the Creator. We are happy to partner in such a venture as we continue to make the story of Christ's redemption accessible to all people.”

“David Crowder Band has always done a great job of meeting their fans where they live – and a lot of them live online,” notes Peter York, EMI CMG Label Group president. “The band excels at conveying their message to the world through this creative and interactive environment. It continues to cultivate loyalty and deepen their relationships with their fans. This recognition by MSN.com and the show of support by their fans is just one more in a string of successes for the David Crowder Band in the world of digital media.”