Selah (group)

Selah is a contemporary Christian vocal trio consisting of Todd Smith, Allan Hall, and Amy Perry.

Group history

1997–2004: Original lineup

Selah was originally formed by brother and sister, Todd and Nicol Smith (now Nicol Sponberg), along with friend Allan Hall. The group quickly gained success with the release of their first album, Be Still My Soul, in 1999. They became known for transforming old Christian hymns into a more modern style and with their powerful voices and beautiful harmonies. Todd and Nicol, who spent their childhood in Subsaharan Africa, brought many African elements to their songs as well. They are as comfortable singing in Kituba, as they are in English. Todd gives credit for his music career to his missionary upbringing. "I've been singing in front of people since I was three," he said. "My parents are missionaries. When we came back to the United States, we had to visit each church that sponsored us. That was a good training ground." They also did well-known covers of already-famous songs such as "You Raise Me Up" by Secret Garden and "Bless the Broken Road" by Marcus Hummon. Selah went on to win a Dove Award for their debut album.

Their second album Press On was released in 2001, and also won a Dove Award, along with many nominations for individual songs in the album.

In April 2000, Nicol Smith released her self-titled solo debut on Curb Records. She met and married Greg Sponberg in 2003. Nicol Sponberg released her second solo album, Resurrection (Curb Records), in 2004. The single "Crazy In Love" crossed over to the secular Adult Contemporary charts while songs like "Safe" continued to earn her airplay on Christian radio. Todd also produced a solo album, Alive, in 2004.

2005–present

Nicol left the group in 2004 to pursue a solo career, and for most of 2005 Melodie Crittenden sang with the group.

The 2006 Bless the Broken Road album was a project that teamed original Selah members Allan Hall and Todd Smith with a wide variety of guest singers.

After auditioning 15 female vocalists, Amy Perry became a full-time member based on her vocal abilities and spirituality. Allan Hall also began to get a more active singing role, from originally being the band's accompanist.

Hope of the Broken World, was released on August 23, 2011, with Curb Records. Smith recorded the solo song "Broken Praise" on the various artists compilation album Music Inspired by "The Story" and the album won the "Special Event Album of the Year" on the 43rd GMA Dove Awards in 2012. He performed the song on the awards show. Smith wrote a song called "I Will Carry You" after Audrey Caroline died. "I Will Carry You" is dedicated to the memory of Audrey Caroline Smith.

In 2014, Selah released You Amaze Us. The title track debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Soft AC chart, becoming the first song in the history of the chart to do so. "You Amaze Us” spent a concurrent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Soft AC chart.

In 2014, Amy Perry and Allan Hall also released solo albums: Glory All Around (Perry) and Work of Love (Hall).[citation needed]

Key people

Todd Smith

James Todd Smith (who goes by Todd Smith) is an American singer and founding member of Selah. He remains an original member since its founding in 1997.

Smith grew up the son of missionaries in Zaire, Africa (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in a home built by his grandparents, who had been missionaries to the continent since the 1930s. His grandfather worked as a dentist in the United States before moving to Zaire. Smith's father was born in Africa, but later moved to Detroit, Michigan. Both Smith's grandparents died in Africa. Smith's family home burned to the ground when he was five. After the fire, his father felt a call to the mission field of Africa. Smith's father moved his mother, three siblings, and himself from Detroit, Michigan, to Africa. His family remained there for the next eight years. Smith has remarked that he never questioned his Biblical teaching. Smith gives credit for his music career to his missionary upbringing. "I've been singing in front of people since I was three," he said. "My parents are missionaries. When we came back to the United States, we had to visit each church that sponsored us. That was a good training ground." Smith is married to Angie Smith and they have four daughters. They had one other daughter named Audrey, who was born in April 2008 and died a few hours later due to cardiac issues. Angie has written two books, I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy and What Women Fear: Walking in Faith that Transforms.

Selah was originally formed by brother and sister, Todd and Nicol Smith, along with friend Allan Hall. Smith also worked on a solo project. His debut album Alive was released on August 10, 2004, with Curb Records. The album steered from the common sound Selah offered, better known for well integrated harmonies, singing hymns and melodic ballads. A passion for the sound of rock music was more of what Smith had in mind when working on this album. Bands such as Boston, Foreigner, Journey, and Genesis influenced the sound in Alive. This has been his only solo release to date.

Smith continues to work with Allan Hall and Amy Perry, current members of Selah.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles

Other appearances

• Grace, Jim Brickman: "Be Thou Near to Me"
• Church in the Wildwood: Cherished Hymns, Gaither Homecoming: "Take My Hand, Precious Lord/Just a Closer Walk With Thee"

Dove Awards and nominations

External links