Ian Eskelin (born October 17, 1969), is a

record producer A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...

, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member and lead singer of the Grammy-nominated

Christian rock Christian rock is a form of rock music that features lyrics focusing on matters of Christian faith, often with an emphasis on Jesus in Christianity, Jesus. This music is typically performed by Christians, Christian individuals. The extent to whi ...

band

All Star United ''All Star United'' is a Christian rock band that was formed by solo artist Ian Eskelin in 1996. The band is known for clever and sometimes sarcastic lyrics, as they frequently use their songs as vehicles to lampoon perceived excesses in Wester ...

, and president of recording and publishing company Radiate Music. He won the

Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards ceremonies presented annually and have been held in Nashville, Tennessee exce ...

for "Producer of the Year" in 2011 and 2008, and was nominated for the same award in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Eskelin also has received multiple Dove and Grammy nominations for his songwriting and production work working with artists such as

Francesca Battistelli Francesca Battistelli (born May 18, 1985) is an American Christian singer and songwriter. She was originally an independent artist and had released an independent album, ''Just a Breath'', in 2004. Her first studio album on Fervent Records, '' M ...

"Holy Spirit",

7eventh Time Down 7eventh Time Down (pronounced "Seventh Time Down") is an American Christian rock band. Their debut album, '' Alive in You'', was released on . Background The band is from Mount Vernon, Kentucky. They have released five full-length albums and ...

"God Is on the Move",

Sidewalk Prophets Sidewalk Prophets is an American contemporary Christian music band from Nashville. Their album '' These Simple Truths'' contained the single "The Words I Would Say" which is also featured on '' WOW Hits 2010'' and '' WOW Hits 2011''. The group ...

Chris August Christopher August Megert (born March 20, 1982), known professionally as Chris August, is an American Contemporary Christian musician. August began recording as a secular musician before switching to Christian music. His song " Starry Night" rea ...

, and

Hawk Nelson Hawk Nelson was a Canadian Christian pop-punk band from Peterborough, Ontario. Formed in 2000, the band has released eight studio albums. Bassist/backing vocalist Daniel Biro was the band's only founding member to remain throughout their entire ...

to name a few. As an artist and writer Eskelin has had more than fifty Top 10 singles in the United States, including 25 No. 1 charting songs. He has additionally had international No. 1 songs in various countries including Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Ian's songs have been licensed for use on major networks including

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

FOX Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears; a pointed, slightly upturned snout; and a long, bushy tail ("brush"). Twelve species ...

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

and feature films.

Biography

Eskelin was born in

Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the List of cities in Missouri, third most populous city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County, Missouri, Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 censu ...

, where he attended Eugene Field Elementary School. While attending high school in

Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 United ...

, he was a DJ and dance music artist, playing keyboard for a local band that opened for

C+C Music Factory C+C Music Factory was an American musical group formed in 1989 by David Cole and Robert Clivillés. The group is best known for their five hit singles: " Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)", " Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)", " Things ...

and

Information Society An information society is a society or subculture where the usage, Content creation, creation, information distribution, distribution, manipulation and information integration, integration of information is a significant activity. Its main drive ...

. He started attending Wheaton College, where he roomed with

Rob Bell Robert Holmes Bell Jr. (born August 23, 1970) is an American author, speaker, playwright, musician and former pastor. Bell founded Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan, and pastored it until 2012. Under his leadership, Mars Hill ...

. During this time, Eskelin released a rave record under the name "Zero" (1992), and also recorded under the name "Brand New Language", which released an independent tape as well as an album with Wonderland Records (1993). He briefly joined the band

Code of Ethics Ethical codes are adopted by organizations to assist members in understanding the difference between right and wrong and in applying that understanding to their decisions. An ethical code generally implies documents at three levels: codes of b ...

before releasing a second solo album under the name "iAN", titled ''Supersonic Dream Day'' (1994). In 1997, Eskelin formed the power-pop band

Awards and nominations

1998 Grammy Awards The 40th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 25, 1998, at Radio City Music Hall, New York City. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Performers * Will Smith – Men In Black/ Gettin' Jiggy Wit It * R. K ...

- nominated for Gospel Rock Album - ''

'' (artist, producer writer) * 1998 Dove Awards - nominated for Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the Year - "La La Land" (artist, producer, writer) * 1999 Dove Awards - nominated for New Artist of the Year * 2007 Dove Awards **won for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("

Me and Jesus "Me and Jesus" is a song by the Christian band Stellar Kart, from their album '' We Can't Stand Sitting Down''. It was released as a single on July 26, 2006. The song spent seven weeks as a number-one single and was the eleventh-most-played song ...

" by

Stellar Kart Stellar Kart was an American Christian pop punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, signed to Inpop Records and Capitol Records. The band released their first album, '' All Gas. No Brake'', in February 2005. Most of their singles have been accepted exc ...

) **nominated for Producer of the Year, Song of the Year ("Me and Jesus"), and Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (''

We Can't Stand Sitting Down ''We Can't Stand Sitting Down'' is the second studio album by the Christian pop punk band, Stellar Kart. The album was officially released on July 25, 2006 under Word Entertainment records. The song "Me and Jesus" won the 2007 Dove Award for " ...

'' by Stellar Kart) * 2008 Dove Awards - won for Producer of the Year * 2009 Dove Awards - nominated for Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("I'm Letting Go" by

), Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("Shine Like the Stars" by Stellar Kart), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (''

Daylight Is Coming ''Daylight Is Coming'' is the first non-independent album from Christian rock band Remedy Drive. The album was released on August 26, 2008, on Word Records. It peaked at No. 119 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and No. 5 on the Hot Christian Albums. O ...

'' by

Remedy Drive Remedy Drive is an American alternative rock band founded in 1998 in Lincoln, Nebraska. They are now based in Nashville. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist David Zach, alternating bassists Philip Zach and Dave Mohr, and alternatin ...

and ''

Expect the Impossible ''Expect the Impossible'' is the third studio album from the Christian pop punk band, Stellar Kart. It was released on February 26, 2008 under Word Records. Awards The album was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year ...

'' by Stellar Kart), Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year ('' My Paper Heart'' by Francesca Battistelli), and Special Event Album of the Year (''Your Name'') * 2010 Dove Awards - nominated for Producer of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (''

These Simple Truths ''These Simple Truths'' is the first major-label studio album by the Contemporary Christian music band Sidewalk Prophets. It was released by Word Records on August 25, 2009. It features the hit radio singles " The Words I Would Say" and " You Love ...

'' by

) * 2011 Dove Awards **won for Producer of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Beautiful Beautiful" by Francesca Battistelli) **nominated for Song of the Year ("Beautiful Beautiful") * 2012 Dove Awards - nominated for Producer of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (''

Hundred More Years ''Hundred More Years'' is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Francesca Battistelli. It was released on March 1, 2011, through Fervent Records, Curb Records, and Word Entertainment. It peaked at No. 16 on the US ''Billboard ...

'' by Francesca Battistelli), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year ('' Crazy Love'' by

), and Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Crazy Love" by Hawk Nelson) * 2013 Dove Awards **nominated for Producer of the Year **nominated for Country Album of the Year (" A Thousand Little Things" by

Point of Grace Point of Grace is an all-female contemporary Christian music vocal group. The current trio consists of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino. The group started out as a quartet in 1991, with original members Breen and Jones, as wel ...

) **nominated for Christmas Album of the Year (Christmas by

) * 2014 Dove Awards Rock Song of the Year,

Veridia Veridia, often stylized in all capital letters as VERIDIA, is an American alternative rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2013, the group now consists of Deena Jakoub (vocals), Brandon Brown (guitar), and Kyle Levy (drums). The band' ...

, " We Are The Brave" * 2015 Dove Awards - nominated for Rock Song of the Year ("Furious Love" by

) *

2014 Grammy Awards The 56th Annual Grammy Awards presentation was held on January 26, 2014, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show was broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT and was hosted for the third time by LL Cool J. The show was moved to January to avoid comp ...

- nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album (If We're Honest by

)

Credits

Heidi Montag Heidi Blair Pratt (née Montag; born September 15, 1986) is an American reality television personality and singer. In 2006, Montag came to prominence after being cast in the MTV reality television series ''The Hills (TV series), The Hills''. Th ...

, Glitter and Glory, 2019, Producer, writer * Pearl City Worship, We Won't Be Silent, 2016, Producer, writer * Austin & Lindsey Adamec, Walk on Waves, 2016, Producer, writer *

Needtobreathe Needtobreathe (stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE) is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The group first gained fame for their Christian themes, eventually reaching crossover success. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, ...

, Wasteland (radio single), 2015, Producer *

Jeremy Camp Jeremy Thomas Camp (born January 12, 1978) is an American Contemporary Christian music, contemporary Christian singer and songwriter from Lafayette, Indiana. He has released eleven albums, four of them RIAA certification, RIAA-certified as Music ...

, I Will Follow, 2015, writer * The Neverclaim, The Joy, 2015 - Producer, writer *

, God Is on the Move, 2015 - Producer, writer * About a Mile, Taking Back (radio single), 2015, Producer, writer *

, The Maker, 2015, writer *Aaron Buchholz, Close To Christmas (radio single), 2015, Producer, writer *

Kutless Kutless is an American Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released multiple studio albums and one live album, '' Live from Portland''. They have sold over 3 million records worldwide. ...

, Surrender, 2015, Producer, writer *

VERIDIA Veridia, often stylized in all capital letters as VERIDIA, is an American alternative rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2013, the group now consists of Deena Jakoub (vocals), Brandon Brown (guitar), and Kyle Levy (drums). The band' ...

, Pretty Lies, 2015, writer * About a Mile, About A Mile, 2014 - Producer, writer *

, Inseparable, 2014 - Producer, writer *

, Glory, 2014 - Producer, writer *

Ashes Remain Ashes Remain is an American Christian rock band, formed in 2001 and based in Baltimore, Maryland. The band was founded by Josh Smith and Ryan Nalepa. While they released two albums in their first six years, the band is popularly known for its thi ...

, Here for a Reason, 2014 - Producer *

, If We're Honest, 2014 - Producer, writer *

Newsboys Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band that has existed in various permutations since its founding in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tenness ...

, Restart, 2013, writer *

, Just Say Jesus, 2013 - Producer, writer * Everfound, Everfound, 2013 - Writer *

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

, 2012 - Producer, writer *

, The Upside of Down, 2012 - Producer, writer *

Moriah Peters Moriah Smallbone (born Moriah Castillo Peters, October 2, 1992) is an American actress, and Latin country artist from Nashville. She previously worked under the name "Moriah Peters"; she is a singer and songwriter born in Pomona, California who g ...

I Choose Jesus ''I Choose Jesus'' is the first studio album by contemporary Christian musician Moriah Peters, released on April 17, 2012 by Reunion Records. Reception Commercial response Critical response This album was met with mostly positive acclaim from ...

, 2012 - Writer *Grace Chapel Live, Freedom Songs, 2012 - Writer *Sidewalk Prophets, Live Like That, 2012 - Producer, writer *Point of Grace, A Thousand Little Things, 2012 - Producer, writer *Tim Rushlow, Rain Down on Me, 2011 - Producer, writer *

Dara Maclean Dara Joy Maclean (born May 20, 1986) is an American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter born in Miami, Florida, but raised in Fort Worth, Texas, ever since she was eight years old. On July 12, 2011 Maclean released the album entitled ' ...

, You Got My Attention, 2011 - Producer, writer *

, 2011 – Producer, writer *

, My Paper Heart, 2009 – Producer, writer *

, Crazy Love, 2011 – Producer, writer * Jason Castro, Who I Am, 2010 – Producer *

Everything Is Different Now ''Everything is Different Now'' is the fourth studio album from the Christian pop punk band Stellar Kart. It was released on September 21, 2009, at the band's live shows, and globally released on March 9, 2010, under INO Records. The album al ...

, 2010 - Producer, writer *

, No Far Away, 2010 - Writer *

, 2009 - Producer, writer *

, Daylight Is Coming, 2008 - Producer, writer *

Veggie Tales ''VeggieTales'' is an American Christian CGI-animated series and multimedia franchise created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki under Big Idea Entertainment. The series stars Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber leading a variety of fruit and ...

, Bob and Larry Boy Sing the 80's, 2010 - Producer *

, Sweetpea Beauty DVD "Pants", 2010 - Writer *

Newsong NewSong is an American contemporary Christian music group that was established in 1981, at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia. They have had twelve GMA Dove Award nominations, and one 45th Annual Grammy Awards, Grammy Award Nomin ...

One True God Monotheism is the belief that one God is the only, or at least the dominant deity. Cross, F.L.; Livingstone, E.A., eds. (1974). "Monotheism". The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. A distinction ...

, 2011 - Producer, writer *Glenn Packiam, The Kingdom Comes, 2011 - Writer *

Nathan Tasker Nathan Tasker is a prominent Christian singer/songwriter from Australia. He was named 2006 "Artist of the Year" and awarded "Song of The Year" by the Australian Christian Music Charts. He has written, recorded and produced several gospel albums. ...

, Something Beautiful, 2011 - Writer *

Aaron Shust Aaron Michael Shust (born October 31, 1975) is an American contemporary Christian music artist formerly on the Brash Music and Centricity Music labels, and now on his own label. Shust was named the Songwriter of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards o ...

, Take Over, 2009 - Writer * Starfield, Saving One, 2010 - Producer, writer * Mark Schultz, Broken & Beautiful, writer *

33 Miles 33Miles is a contemporary Christian band with country music influences from Franklin, Tennessee. Background The band began playing in Nashville and signed to INO Records, who released the band's debut album, ''33Miles'', in 2007. The album p ...

, Today, 2010 - Producer, writer *

Avalon Avalon () is an island featured in the Arthurian legend. It first appeared in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 1136 ''Historia Regum Britanniae'' as a place of magic where King Arthur's sword Excalibur was made and later where Arthur was taken to recove ...

, Reborn, 2010 - Producer, writer *

, Stand, 2006 - Writer *

, The Creed, 2006 - Writer *

, 2010 - Producer, writer *

, 2009 - Producer, writer *

, 2008 - Producer, writer * Warren Barfield, Worth Fighting For, 2008 - Writer *

Krystal Meyers Krystal Nicole Meyers is an American Christian rock and contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and musician. She released three albums under Essential Records: '' Krystal Meyers'', '' Dying for a Heart'', and '' Make Some Noise'' and is kn ...

, Krystal Meyers, 2005 - Producer, writer *

Dying for a Heart ''Dying for a Heart'' is the second album by Krystal Meyers, released on September 19, 2006.Producer, writer *Your Name, Your Name, 2008 - Artist, Producer, writer *

Sarah Reeves Sarah Elizabeth Reeves (born April 29, 1989) is an American musician and singer who primarily plays a Christian pop and worship style of music. She has released five extended plays and three studio albums (two of which are independently release ...

, Sweet Sweet Sound, 2009 - Producer * MDO, Sabe A Ti, 2008 - Writer *Our Hearts Hero, Our Hearts Hero, 2007 - Producer, writer *

Everyday Sunday Everyday Sunday was an American Christian rock band from Columbus, Ohio with the founding member Trey Pearson as lead singer. The band released two albums on Flicker Records including '' Stand Up'' and '' Anthems for the Imperfect''. '' Wake Up ...

, Wake Up! Wake Up!, 2007 - Producer, writer * Joy Williams, Genesis, 2006 - Writer *

Jessie Daniels Jessica Lynn Danilczyk (known professionally as Jessie Daniels; born August 2, 1987) is an American former singer. She has appeared in independent films and commercials for Lifetime Television and MTV. She has also appeared in musical theater and ...

, Jessie Daniels, 2006 - Writer *

Eleventyseven Eleventyseven (stylized eleventyseven) is an American pop punk band from Greenville, South Carolina which was formed in 2002. They chose the name "Eleventyseven" because "it's the one that looked cool the next morning". The band was originally sig ...

Galactic Conquest ''Galactic Conquest'' is the second full-length album by the Christian pop punk band Eleventyseven. The album was released on September 4, 2007, through Flicker Records. In December, 2017, ten years after release, a limited edition vinyl press ...

, 2007 - Producer, writer *Seven Glory, Atmosphere, 2007 - Producer, writer * Brian Litrell,

Welcome Home A welcome is a kind of greeting designed to introduce a person to a new place or situation, and to make them feel at ease. The term can similarly be used to describe the feeling of being accepted on the part of the new person. Overview In s ...

, 2006 - Writer *

Jump5 Jump5 was an American contemporary Christian music, Christian teen pop group active from 1999 until 2007. The group was made up of five members from Nashville: Brandon and Brittany Hargest, Chris Fedun, Lesley Moore, and Libby Hodges. After Lib ...

, Beautiful To Me, 2005 - Writer *

pureNRG PureNRG (stylized as pureNRG and pronounced "Pure Energy") was a Christian pop group from Nashville, Tennessee. They were signed to Fervent Records in late 2006. They released six albums: their self-titled debut ''pureNRG'' (released May 2007 ...

, 2008 - Writer *

The Rubyz The Rubyz is an American Christian pop girl group. History The Rubyz was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in October 2006 as a trio. According to vocalist Alexis Slifer, the group name derives from the Bible verse Proverbs 3:15, which reads, "W ...

, The Rubyz, 2008 - Writer * Robert Pierre, Identity, 2009 - Writer *Me in Motion, Me in Motion, 2010 - Producer, writer *Tricia Brock, The Road, 2011 - Writer *The Martins, New Day, 2011 - Writer *Attaboy, California and Wait on You, 2010 - Producer, writer *

The Good Album ''The Good Album'' is the fifth studio album from Christian rock band All Star United ''All Star United'' is a Christian rock band that was formed by solo artist Ian Eskelin in 1996. The band is known for clever and sometimes sarcastic lyr ...

, 2010 - Artist, Producer, writer *

Love and Radiation ''Love and Radiation'' is the fourth studio album from Christian rock band All Star United ''All Star United'' is a Christian rock band that was formed by solo artist Ian Eskelin in 1996. The band is known for clever and sometimes sarcastic ...

, 2007 - Artist, Producer, writer *

, Revolution, 2002 - Artist, Producer, writer *

, Let's Get Crazy, 2000 - Artist, Producer, writer *

, International Anthems For the Human Race, 1998 - Artist, writer *

, All Star United, 1997 - Artist, Producer, writer *Ian Eskelin, Save The Humans, 2004 - Artist, Producer, writer *Ian Eskelin, Super Sonic Dream Day, 1994 - Artist, Producer, writer *Ian Eskelin, Brand New Language, 1993 - Artist, writer *Zero, Ravenous, 1992 - Artist, Producer, writer *B.I.G, Pure Pop For Now People, 1999 - Producer, writer *Hypersonic, Hymns in the House, 1995 - Producer *Hypersonic, Praise House, 1996 - Producer *Hypersonic, Praise House 2, 1997 - Producer

Compilations

*WOW Hits 2006 - Producer, writer *WOW Hits 2007 - Producer, writer *WOW Next 2007 - Writer *WOW Hits 2008 - Producer, writer *WOW Hits 2009 - Producer, writer *WOW Hits 2010 - Producer

Music videos

*''Supersonic Dream Day'' (Supersonic Dream Day) *''Bright Red Carpet'' (All Star United) *''Weirdo'' (Revolution) *''Sweet Jesus'' (Revolution)

Live videos

*''Taboo'' (Save the Humans)

References

Sources

* *

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Eskelin, Ian Wheaton College (Illinois) alumni 1969 births Living people American performers of Christian music Musicians from Missouri Inpop Records artists