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

record producer A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...

, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member and lead singer of the Grammy-nominated 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 lyrics, as they frequently use their songs as vehicles to lampoon perceived excesses in Western ...

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

, Chris August, and

Hawk Nelson Hawk Nelson is a Canadian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. Formed in 2000, the band has released eight studio albums to date. History Early independent releases (2000–2003) In 2000, Dunn, Clark, and Paige founded a Peterborough-based gr ...

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 known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

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and feature films.

Biography

Eskelin was born in

Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estimat ...

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

Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populo ...

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

C+C Music Factory C, or c, is the third letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''cee'' (pronounced ), plural ''cees''. History "C" ...

and

Information Society An information society is a society where the usage, creation, distribution, manipulation and integration of information is a significant activity. Its main drivers are information and communication technologies, which have resulted in rapid inf ...

. He started attending Wheaton College, where he roomed with

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

. 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 bus ...

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 - 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) **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 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'' 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 ''Billboar ...

'' 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 - 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, model, singer and actress. Born and raised in Crested Butte, Colorado. In 2006, Montag came to prominence after being cast in the MTV reality ...

, Glitter and Glory, 2019, Producer, writer * Pearl City Worship, We Won't Be Silent, 2016, Producer, writer *

Austin & Lindsey Adamec Austin & Lindsey Adamec, also known as A&LA, are an American Christian music husband-and-wife modern worship duo from Jacksonville, Florida. They started their music recording career in 2016. Their first extended play record, '' Austin & Lindsey ...

, Walk on Waves, 2016, Producer, writer *

Needtobreathe Needtobreathe (stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE) is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Seth Bolt (backing vocals, bass), Josh Lovelace (backing vocals, keys), Randall ...

, Wasteland (radio single), 2015, Producer *

Jeremy Camp Jeremy Thomas Camp (born January 12, 1978) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter from Lafayette, Indiana. He has released eleven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold, and two live albums. Camp's original music ...

, I Will Follow, 2015, writer *

The Neverclaim The Neverclaim is a Christian contemporary Christian music band from Portland, Oregon. They are on the Essential Records label, which they released their first studio album on September 24, 2013, entitled '' The Neverclaim''. Their second album, ...

, The Joy, 2015 - Producer, writer *

, God Is on the Move, 2015 - Producer, writer *

About a Mile About a Mile are an American Christian music band with three members, all brothers, from Butler, Pennsylvania. The band started making music in 2009. Word Records signed the band in 2016 and released their first album: '' About a Mile''. Backg ...

, Taking Back (radio single), 2015, Producer, writer * Chris August, 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. H ...

, 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, 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 th ...

, Here for a Reason, 2014 - Producer *

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

Newsboys Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which ...

, Restart, 2013, writer *

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

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year ...

, 2012 - Producer, writer * Chris August, The Upside of Down, 2012 - Producer, writer * Moriah Peters, I Choose Jesus, 2012 - Writer *Grace Chapel Live, Freedom Songs, 2012 - Writer *Sidewalk Prophets,

Live Like That ''Live Like That'' is the second studio album by Sidewalk Prophets. It was released on March 27, 2012 and features the Christian radio single "Live Like That". Critical reception Allmusic's Jon O'Brien said the album "will please those Sidewalk ...

, 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 ''You Got My Attention'' is the first studio album by contemporary Christian-soul musician Dara Maclean, released on July 5, 2011 on iTunes and nationwide on July 12, 2011 by Fervent Records. Critical reception Allmusic's William Ruhlman told ab ...

, 2011 - Producer, writer *

, 2011 – Producer, writer *

, My Paper Heart, 2009 – Producer, writer *

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

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 * Chris August, No Far Away, 2010 - Writer *

, These Simple Truths, 2009 - Producer, writer * Remedy Drive, Daylight Is Coming, 2008 - Producer, writer *

Veggie Tales ''VeggieTales'' is an American Christian media, computer generated musical children's animation, and book franchise created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki under Big Idea Entertainment. The series sees fruit and vegetable characters retelling ...

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

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

One True God Monotheism is the belief that there is only one deity, an all-supreme being that is universally referred to as God. Cross, F.L.; Livingstone, E.A., eds. (1974). "Monotheism". The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 ed.). Oxford: Oxford ...

, 2011 - Producer, writer *Glenn Packiam, The Kingdom Comes, 2011 - Writer * Nathan Tasker, 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, Today, 2010 - Producer, writer *

Avalon Avalon (; la, Insula Avallonis; cy, Ynys Afallon, Ynys Afallach; kw, Enys Avalow; literally meaning "the isle of fruit r appletrees"; also written ''Avallon'' or ''Avilion'' among various other spellings) is a mythical island featured in the ...

Reborn Reborn may refer to: Film *''Reborn'', a 2015 video produced by the Augustine Institute * ''Re:Born'' (film), a 2016 Japanese action film * ''Reborn'' (film), a 2018 American horror film Music * Reborn (band), a Moroccan death metal band Albums ...

, 2010 - Producer, writer *

, Stand, 2006 - Writer *

, The Creed, 2006 - Writer * Stellar Kart,

, 2010 - Producer, writer * Stellar Kart,

, 2009 - Producer, writer * Stellar Kart,

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

Krystal Meyers Krystal Nicole Meyers is an American Christian rock and contemporary Christian music, contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and musician. She released three albums under Essential Records (Christian), Essential Records: ''Krystal Meyers (a ...

, Krystal Meyers, 2005 - Producer, writer *

, Dying for a Heart, 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 U ...

, 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 actress, singer, and songwriter. She has appeared in independent films and commercials for Lifetime Television and MTV. She has also appe ...

, 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 si ...

, Galactic Conquest, 2007 - Producer, writer *Seven Glory, Atmosphere, 2007 - Producer, writer * Brian Litrell, Welcome Home, 2006 - Writer *

Jump5 Jump5 was an American 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 Libby Hodges left in 2004, Natash ...

, 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 dervies from the Bible verse Proverbs 3:15, which reads, ...

, 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, 2010 - Artist, Producer, writer *

, Love and Radiation, 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