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Caedmon's Call is a contemporary Christian band which fuses traditional folk with world music and alternative rock. They are composed of Cliff Young (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Danielle Young (vocals; married to Cliff, formerly Danielle Glenn), Garett Buell (percussion), Jeff Miller (bass guitar), Todd Bragg (drums), and Josh Moore (keyboard, accordion, harmonica).
Former members include Doug Elmore (percussion), Cari Harris Moore (vocals), Randy Holsapple (hammond organ), Aric Nitzberg (bass guitar), Joshua Phillips (pan flute/percussion), and Aaron Tate (songwriting duties). Derek Webb (vocals, guitar) left the band in 2001 to pursue a solo career, but briefly returned to the band for the 2007 recording of Overdressed. Andrew Osenga joined around the time of Webb's departure, and left after the brief tour backing the 2007 album Overdressed.
Caedmon's Call was formed in 1993 with six original members (three of whom still remain), Cliff Young (whose father and brother are highly successful pastors of megachurches), Danielle Glenn, Todd Bragg, Cari Harris, Doug Elmore, and Aaron Tate. Tate, however, never intended to tour with the band, and was included in a songwriting capacity only. Derek Webb also joined the band early on, though it is notable that he did not even meet all the band members until after they had played their first show together. In June, 1994, the band released their first album, My Calm // Your Storm, originally a cassette-only demo recording. It was re-printed twice the same year with different cover art each time. In 1996 the band signed with now-defunct Christian label Warner Alliance, producing their self-titled major label debut. Around this time, Randy Holsapple joined the band. During this time, Kirby Trapolino served as Manager, Micah Ottosen served as Road Manager, and Buddy Ottosen served as Guitar Tech.
After the collapse of Warner Alliance in 1998, Caedmon's Call signed to Essential Records, where they remained until May 2006.
In the summer of 1999, both Aric Nitzberg and Randy Holsapple left the band, while Joshua Moore and Jeff Miller became official members. In 2003, after the successful release of Back Home, Derek left the band to pursue a solo career. In the spring of 2004, Andrew Osenga, former lead singer of The Normals joined the band.
Aaron Tate and Derek Webb shared most of the songwriting duties until the album Back Home, which featured songs by a more diverse set of writers. Randall Goodgame has, in the proceeding years, become one of the band's primary songwriters.
In 2004, Caedmon's released "Share the Well", a missions album that was critically acclaimed but unable to find a radio audience. The album, which includes songs written by Randall Goodgame, Andrew Osenga (guitar) & Josh Moore (keyboard), was inspired by the band's trip to India, Brazil and Ecuador. In addition to broader Christian themes, Share the Well tackles a variety of social-justice issues, such as hunger and the Dalit's battle for freedom in India.
The band's unusual name was inspired by Cædmon, an Anglo-Saxon cow-herd who lived during the 7th century. Legend has it that Caedmon was afraid to sing in public due to a lack of musical talent, and shied away from occasions where he had to sing. After leaving a feast one night because he was too embarrassed to sing, he lay down in the pasture with the cattle to sleep. An angel appeared to him in a dream, calling him to sing. After refusing, he eventually decided to sing and when he did, he sang beautiful verses that had never been heard before, based on the story of creation and using the style of pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon poetry. Founding band members Cliff, Danielle, and Aaron decided on the name "Caedmon's Call" after all three heard this story during the same week and thought it was fitting.
Band members
Todd Bragg – Drums
Garett Buell – Percussion
Jeff Miller – Bass Guitar
Joshua Moore – Keyboards, Accordion, Harmonica
Cliff Young – Lead vocals and rhythm guitar
Danielle Young (née Glenn) – Vocals
Past members
Derek Webb
Andrew Osenga
Aaron Tate
Aric Nitzberg
Randy Holsapple
Cari Harris Moore
Albums
My Calm // Your Storm (1994)
Caedmon's Call (1997)
40 Acres (1999)
Long Line of Leavers (2000)
In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship (2001)
Back Home (2003)
Share the Well (2004)
In the Company of Angels II: The World Will Sing (2006)
Overdressed (2007)
Raising Up the Dead (2010)
