Plus One (band)
Encyclopedia
Plus One was an American Christian pop band from the 2000s.
Plus One enjoyed their greatest success with the release of their debut album, The Promise
, which featured the hits "Written on My Heart" and "God Is in This Place".
at a talent show in California, he decided to recruit him for a new kind of boy group. He then went looking for the rest of the group’s members. Drawn from a talent pool numbering in the thousands, each member of Plus One hails from a different part of the United States. Jeremy Mhire comes from Springfield, Missouri, Gabe Combs, like Cole, is from California, Jason Perry comes from Madison, Indiana, and Nathan Walters was born in Atlanta, Georgia. The name Plus One refers to the members of the group, plus God. The idea of forming a Christian boy band was the bright idea of an executive at Atlantic Records, because of the success of such secular bands as 'N Sync
and Backstreet Boys
. Auditions were held, and these 5 young men, who were all raised in the Assembly of God Church
, three of them being Pastors' sons, came together and melded as a group, all firmly believing that the Lord had brought them together to be in Christian ministry, to do great things for the Gospel.
, was released in May 2000, and enjoyed great success in the Christian Pop scene. The Promise went gold with more than 500,000 album sales. Grammy Award Winning Producer David Foster
was one of the producers on Plus One's albums. They had two No. 1 Christian radio hits, "Written on My Heart", which was # 1 on the charts for two months, and "God Is in This Place" followed by "Last Flight Out" and "Here In My Heart". They found themselves touring with such Christian Artists as Jaci Velasquez
, Rachael Lampa
, and Stacie Orrico
. In 2000, they appeared in an episode of hit soap opera Days of Our Lives
to perform on the show. They performed with Monica on ABC's
Christmas Eve special, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas
". In addition, Plus One was featured as one of the new artists of 2000 on TNN's
annual television special, "Class of 2000." They gave performances at the Democratic Convention of 2000, and several major league sporting events including games with the Los Angeles Lakers
, Chicago Bulls
, and Atlanta Hawks
. The band was featured on Teen Magazine Online and performed at Atlanta Fest and the Raggedy Ann Festival in Arcola, IL, as part of their tour schedule. The following year in 2001, they appeared as juvenile kids who form a group while in jail on the TV series Touched by an Angel
and they were nominated for a Dove Award as New Artist of the Year. The group recorded a soundtrack called "I Need a Miracle" from the Christian Bible-based film Left Behind: The Movie released in 2000 followed by "With All Your Heart" was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, Pokémon: The Movie 2000. They also appear on Natalie Grant's album Stronger
with the song "Whenever You Need Somebody" in 2001. They also covered the American patriotic song "America the Beautiful
" and they performed in Luis Palau Festival
in 2001.
, Peter Kipley, and Matthew Gerrard
, the group recorded songs for a new album, this time including some of their own material, tracks like "Use Me," "Under the Influence", "Kick Me," and "Going Crazy". A strong beat and guitar riffs defined these new tracks, distinguishing them from the lighter sound of the group's first recording. Obvious
was released in February of 2002, and sold twice as many copies in its first week of release as Promise had. It hit the number-one spot on the Christian charts immediately. Three of the album's tracks, "Camouflage," became hit single occupying spots on the top-ten Christian radio charts simultaneously followed by "I Don't Care" and "Let Me Be The One". In the fall of 2002 in their Obvious Tour, Plus One released Christmas
a collection of Christmas music in time for the holiday season. In addition their own renditions of "Silent Night
," "O Little Town of Bethlehem
,"What Child Is This?
"O Holy Night
" and other Christmas standards, the album included some original compositions as well, including the opening track, "This Is Christmas," and "I Won't Forget This Christmas" and a merry and charming song titled "Our Christmas Prayer."
and released their third album, Exodus
. Co-produced by former Newsboys
frontman Peter Furler
and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein
, Exodus marked a departure from the boy band image featuring keyboards, guitars and the band performing their own material for the first time. "Be Love" is the hit single on this album followed by "Circle" and their own renditions of "Here I Am to Worship
".
Past members
Plus One enjoyed their greatest success with the release of their debut album, The Promise
The Promise (Plus One album)
The Promise is the debut album from Christian boy band Plus One. The album features the singles "Written On My Heart", "God Is In This Place", "Last Flight Out" and "Here In My Heart"...
, which featured the hits "Written on My Heart" and "God Is in This Place".
Formation and early years: 1999–2000
Plus One, was formed by Mitchell Solarek, a manager who was unhappy with the overtly sexual trend in boy and girl groups. After meeting Nate ColeNate Cole
Nate Cole is an American singer-songwriter. He is also a former band member of the band Plus One. He was formerly the lead singer in a band called Castledoor with former band mate Gabe Combs. He currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife Lisa also known as Liska. They were married on April 1, 2006...
at a talent show in California, he decided to recruit him for a new kind of boy group. He then went looking for the rest of the group’s members. Drawn from a talent pool numbering in the thousands, each member of Plus One hails from a different part of the United States. Jeremy Mhire comes from Springfield, Missouri, Gabe Combs, like Cole, is from California, Jason Perry comes from Madison, Indiana, and Nathan Walters was born in Atlanta, Georgia. The name Plus One refers to the members of the group, plus God. The idea of forming a Christian boy band was the bright idea of an executive at Atlantic Records, because of the success of such secular bands as 'N Sync
'N Sync
N Sync was an American boy band formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich, *NSYNC consisted of JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick...
and Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
. Auditions were held, and these 5 young men, who were all raised in the Assembly of God Church
Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
, three of them being Pastors' sons, came together and melded as a group, all firmly believing that the Lord had brought them together to be in Christian ministry, to do great things for the Gospel.
The Promise and Remarkable Success: 2000-2001
Their successful debut album, The PromiseThe Promise (Plus One album)
The Promise is the debut album from Christian boy band Plus One. The album features the singles "Written On My Heart", "God Is In This Place", "Last Flight Out" and "Here In My Heart"...
, was released in May 2000, and enjoyed great success in the Christian Pop scene. The Promise went gold with more than 500,000 album sales. Grammy Award Winning Producer David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
was one of the producers on Plus One's albums. They had two No. 1 Christian radio hits, "Written on My Heart", which was # 1 on the charts for two months, and "God Is in This Place" followed by "Last Flight Out" and "Here In My Heart". They found themselves touring with such Christian Artists as Jaci Velasquez
Jaci Velasquez
Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez is an American Contemporary Christian and Latin Pop singer—in both English and Spanish languages....
, Rachael Lampa
Rachael Lampa
Rachael Maureen Lampa is a Dove award winning American Christian singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She rose to fame in 2000 with her debut album Live For You, winning a Dove Award as well as achieving four number one singles including "Blessed", "Shaken", "God Loves You",...
, and Stacie Orrico
Stacie Orrico
Stacie Joy Orrico is a Contemporary Christian and R&B singer-songwriter and occasional actress. In 1998, she signed to ForeFront Records when she was 12 years old, and recorded her first album Genuine , which sold 13,000 in the first week of release.After her first album she signed to a new record...
. In 2000, they appeared in an episode of hit soap opera Days of Our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
to perform on the show. They performed with Monica on ABC's
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
Christmas Eve special, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas
A Visit from St. Nicholas
"A Visit from St. Nicholas", also known as "The Night Before Christmas" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, although the claim has also been made that it was written by Henry...
". In addition, Plus One was featured as one of the new artists of 2000 on TNN's
The Nashville Network
The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows...
annual television special, "Class of 2000." They gave performances at the Democratic Convention of 2000, and several major league sporting events including games with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, and Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
. The band was featured on Teen Magazine Online and performed at Atlanta Fest and the Raggedy Ann Festival in Arcola, IL, as part of their tour schedule. The following year in 2001, they appeared as juvenile kids who form a group while in jail on the TV series Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
and they were nominated for a Dove Award as New Artist of the Year. The group recorded a soundtrack called "I Need a Miracle" from the Christian Bible-based film Left Behind: The Movie released in 2000 followed by "With All Your Heart" was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, Pokémon: The Movie 2000. They also appear on Natalie Grant's album Stronger
Stronger (Natalie Grant album)
Stronger is the second studio album from contemporary Christian singer Natalie Grant. It was released on June 12, 2001 through the Pamplin Music label, and re-released in 2002 by Curb Records.-Track listing:#"What Other Man"#"Keep on Shining"...
with the song "Whenever You Need Somebody" in 2001. They also covered the American patriotic song "America the Beautiful
America the Beautiful
"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward....
" and they performed in Luis Palau Festival
Luis Palau
Luis Palau, Jr. is an international Christian evangelist living in the Portland area in Oregon, United States. He was born in Argentina and moved to Portland in his mid-twenties to enroll in a graduate program in Biblical studies....
in 2001.
Obvious and Christmas: 2001-2002
Returning from the Promise tour, Plus One went back into the studio. Helped once again by some of the top producers in the music business, including Peter ZizzoPeter Zizzo
Peter Eric Zizzo is a music producer, musician and BMI award-winning songwriter. Zizzo has authored hits for artists such as Celine Dion,, Jennifer Lopez, Marit Larsen, O.A.R, Jason Mraz, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, M2M , Sir Cliff Richard, Clay Aiken, and Howie Day...
, Peter Kipley, and Matthew Gerrard
Matthew Gerrard
Matthew Gerrard is a Canadian record producer and songwriter. He has written hit singles by artists such as Nick Carter , Kelly Clarkson , Hilary Duff , Eden's Crush and Jesse McCartney...
, the group recorded songs for a new album, this time including some of their own material, tracks like "Use Me," "Under the Influence", "Kick Me," and "Going Crazy". A strong beat and guitar riffs defined these new tracks, distinguishing them from the lighter sound of the group's first recording. Obvious
Obvious (Plus One album)
Obvious is the second album released by Plus One.-Track listing:#"Camouflage" - 2:33#"Use Me" - 2:46#"Let Me Be The One" - 3:36#"Under The Influence" - 3:09#"You" - 3:52#"I Don't Care" - 3:31#"Kick Me" - 3:18#"Going Crazy" - 4:21...
was released in February of 2002, and sold twice as many copies in its first week of release as Promise had. It hit the number-one spot on the Christian charts immediately. Three of the album's tracks, "Camouflage," became hit single occupying spots on the top-ten Christian radio charts simultaneously followed by "I Don't Care" and "Let Me Be The One". In the fall of 2002 in their Obvious Tour, Plus One released Christmas
Christmas (Plus One album)
Christmas is Plus One's third album, but their first Christmas album. This is the last album to feature former band members Jeremy Mhire and Jason Perry. It was released on October 15, 2002.-Track listing:1. "This Is Christmas" - 4:00...
a collection of Christmas music in time for the holiday season. In addition their own renditions of "Silent Night
Silent Night
"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber...
," "O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Little Town of Bethlehem
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a popular Christmas carol. The text was written by Phillips Brooks , an Episcopal priest, Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia. He was inspired by visiting the Palestinian city of Bethlehem in 1865. Three years later, he wrote the poem for his...
,"What Child Is This?
What Child Is This?
"What Child Is This?" is a popular Christmas carol written in 1865. At the age of twenty-nine, English writer William Chatterton Dix was struck with a sudden near-fatal illness and confined to bedrest for several months, during which he went into a deep depression...
"O Holy Night
O Holy Night
"O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau , a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem...
" and other Christmas standards, the album included some original compositions as well, including the opening track, "This Is Christmas," and "I Won't Forget This Christmas" and a merry and charming song titled "Our Christmas Prayer."
Departure of Mhire and Perry, and Exodus era: 2002-2003
In 2002, after completing touring for their Obvious tour, two members of Plus One, Jeremy Mhire and Jason Perry were called to other ministries and obligations leaving the band with the remaining three members to carry on Plus One's music ministry. In 2003, the band was dropped from the label. Seeking to revamp their image, they signed a deal with Inpop RecordsInpop Records
Inpop Records is an independent contemporary Christian music record label based in Franklin, Tennessee, USA. It was launched in July 1999 by Australians Peter Furler, Dale Bray, and Wes Campbell...
and released their third album, Exodus
Exodus (Plus One album)
Exodus is the fourth album released by Plus One. This is their first time releasing an album without their former members Jeremy Mhire and Jason Perry...
. Co-produced by former Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
frontman Peter Furler
Peter Furler
Peter Andrew Furler is an Australian musician, songwriter, producer, and record executive but is best known as the former lead singer for the Christian rock band Newsboys.-Biography:...
and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
, Exodus marked a departure from the boy band image featuring keyboards, guitars and the band performing their own material for the first time. "Be Love" is the hit single on this album followed by "Circle" and their own renditions of "Here I Am to Worship
Here I am to Worship (song)
"Here I Am to Worship" is a song written by Tim Hughes and was released as the title song of his debut album Here I Am to Worship. The song is a popular worship ballad. It is commonly sung at Christian churches, festivals and youth gatherings...
".
Hiatus and Break Up: 2004-present
In 2004, after completing the "Exodus 04" tour, Plus One quietly parted ways with Inpop and with each other, In September 23, 2004, Nate Cole recently announced that Plus One will most likely be breaking up. Plus One has been taking a break for a while now, but now he's announced that this break is permanent. Nate Cole and Gabe Combs went on to form Indie rock band Castledoor with their wives Liska Cole and Coury Combs. In 2008, Nathan Walters went on to pursue a solo career releasing one album called Escape in Nashville, TN. After Castledoor, Nate Cole and his wife Liska Cole started a duo rock n' roll band called Doom and Gloom they recorded a couple of songs. This year Gabe Combs and Nathan Walters started a music production called Multitone Musik to reunite once again to merge their production and songwriting skills.Discography
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Certification | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Christian |
US CC Contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith... |
|||
| 2000 | The Promise The Promise (Plus One album) The Promise is the debut album from Christian boy band Plus One. The album features the singles "Written On My Heart", "God Is In This Place", "Last Flight Out" and "Here In My Heart"...
|
76 | — | 1 |
Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... : Gold |
| 2002 | Obvious Obvious (Plus One album) Obvious is the second album released by Plus One.-Track listing:#"Camouflage" - 2:33#"Use Me" - 2:46#"Let Me Be The One" - 3:36#"Under The Influence" - 3:09#"You" - 3:52#"I Don't Care" - 3:31#"Kick Me" - 3:18#"Going Crazy" - 4:21... |
29 | 3 | 3 | |
| Christmas Christmas (Plus One album) Christmas is Plus One's third album, but their first Christmas album. This is the last album to feature former band members Jeremy Mhire and Jason Perry. It was released on October 15, 2002.-Track listing:1. "This Is Christmas" - 4:00... |
— | — | 25 | ||
| 2003 | Exodus Exodus (Plus One album) Exodus is the fourth album released by Plus One. This is their first time releasing an album without their former members Jeremy Mhire and Jason Perry... Inpop Records Inpop Records is an independent contemporary Christian music record label based in Franklin, Tennessee, USA. It was launched in July 1999 by Australians Peter Furler, Dale Bray, and Wes Campbell... |
— | 17 | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country. | |||||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC Contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith... |
|||
| 2000 | "Written On My Heart" | 1 | |
| "God Is In This Place" | 1 | ||
| "Last Flight Out" | |||
| 2001 | "Here In My Heart" | ||
| "Soul Tattoo" | |||
| "Run To You" | |||
| 2002 | "Camouflage" | ||
| "I Don't Care" | |||
| "Let Me Be The One" | |||
| 2003 | "Be Love" | ||
| "Circle" |
Compilation Contributions
- Left Behind: The Movie Soundtrack (2000) "I Need A Miracle"
- Pokémon: The Movie 2000 "With All Your Heart"
- WOW Hits 2001 "Written On My Heart"
- StrongerStronger (Natalie Grant album)Stronger is the second studio album from contemporary Christian singer Natalie Grant. It was released on June 12, 2001 through the Pamplin Music label, and re-released in 2002 by Curb Records.-Track listing:#"What Other Man"#"Keep on Shining"...
(2001) "Whenever You Need Somebody" (with Natalie GrantNatalie GrantNatalie Grant is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. Her work has gained prominence, including four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist, and with her signature song, Held...
) - WOW Hits 2002 "God Is in This Place"
- WOW Christmas: Red (2002) "A Prayer For Every Year"
- WOW Hits 2003 "Camouflage"
- WOW Worship: Red (2004) "Here I Am To Worship"
- X (2004) "Poor Man"
VHS/DVD
| Title | Video details |
|---|---|
| Plus One: The Home Video Plus One: The Home Video Plus One: The Home Video is a VHS released in 2001 by Word Entertainment and Atlantic Records that shows behind the scenes of what the boys of Plus One do everyday on stage and off.-The Video:... |
|
| Plus One: Making Of The Album |
|
Members
- Nate Cole (2000–2004) - vocals
- Gabe Combs (2000–2004) - vocals, lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Nathan Walters (2000–2004) - vocals, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
Past members
- Jeremy Mhire (2000–2002) - vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
- Jason Perry (2000–2002) - vocals