Tree63 is a

contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and ...

band from

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

, South Africa.

History

The band was formed in 1996 and originally, it was unnamed. In 1997, the band had to come up with a name before performing at North Beach,

, and came up with "Tree". They added the "63" part of their name in 2000 due to a naming conflict with an American band.Christian Music Daily
. Interview with John Ellis of Tree63, 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-25. ''63'' had been the name of their second album, which was named in reference to

Psalm The Book of Psalms ( or ; he, תְּהִלִּים, , lit. "praises"), also known as the Psalms, or the Psalter, is the first book of the ("Writings"), the third section of the Tanakh, and a book of the Old Testament. The title is derived f ...

63. Their first album released in the United States, '' Tree63'', won the

GMA 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 are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Award ...

for Rock Album of the Year in 2001.Dove Award Recipients for 2001
". Published by the

Gospel Music Association The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership c ...

. Retrieved 2007-02-21. Tree63's recording of

Matt Redman Matthew James Redman (born 14 February 1974) is an English Christian worship leader, singer-songwriter and author. Redman has released 16 albums, written 8 books, and helped start three church-plants. He is best known for his two-time Grammy A ...

's "Blessed Be Your Name" helped to spark the song's popularity. This recording was featured on the 2005 edition of

WOW Hits "WOW" is a series of annual compilation albums featuring contemporary Christian music dating from 1995. Comprising songs submitted by each partner label, the annual ''WOW Hits'' releases are usually double CD sets. The series was officially cance ...

and was nominated for two Dove Awards. On a 2 February 2007 broadcast of 20, The Countdown Magazine (special edition, Praise and Worship), guest

Chris Tomlin Christopher Dwayne Tomlin (born May 4, 1972) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas, United States, who has sold over 7 million records. He is a member of Passion Conferences an ...

described Tree63's rendition of "Blessed Be Your Name" as "...the definitive recording of one of the most all-encompassing songs in the entire world of Christian music." The song was then announced as the number 3 Praise and Worship song of all time. Tree63 parted ways in 2009, and John Ellis returned to South Africa, where he started his solo career. His debut solo album, ''Come Out Fighting'', was released in June 2010.

Splashy Fen Established in 1990, Splashy Fen is South Africa's longest-running music festival, which every Easter attracts thousands of people to a farm near Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal for a unique outdoor music experience. Also present are arts and crafts ...

Music Festival announced that Tree63 would be part of their line-up in 2014. In November 2014, Tree63 released previously unreleased songs from 2006. They claimed that the tracks were considered candidates for their ''Sunday! ''album. After reconvening in 2014 for a series of celebratory South African concerts, talk of a new album and resumed live work resurfaced and the band began work on their new album in Nashville in November 2014.

Members

Current * John Ellis — vocals, guitar, piano * Darryl Swart — drums * Daniel Ornellas — bass Former * Thinus "Tain" Odendaal — drums * Jon "Scoop" Randall — bass, backing vocals * Martin "Mort" Engel — bass

Discography

Studio albums

EP

* '' UNFINISHED DREAM – Songs from the Sunday Sessions''

Singles

Awards

In 2005, Tree63's version of

's song, "Blessed Be Your Name", was nominated for a

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 are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Award ...

for "Song of the Year" and won the "Worship Song of the Year" award at the 36th GMA Dove Awards.2005 Dove Awards - 36th Annual Dove Awards
on About.com; Jones, Kim

References

External links

* {{Authority control South African rock music groups Performers of contemporary worship music Christian rock groups Inpop Records artists