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By definition, a watermark is a distinctive symbol of
authenticity and ownership. By another, it is the action of making an impression
or mark.
And a definite impression is what
Rocketown Records artist Watermark has made. As the musical duo Watermark, the
husband and wife team of Nathan and Christy Nockels has walked an unforgettable
path since the release of their self-titled debut album in the fall of 1998.
They launched the album on a nationwide tour with platinum-selling artist Point
of Grace, and follwed that up as a part of the critically acclaimed "A
Night in Rocketown - An Acoustic Tour" featuring label head Michael W.
Smith, label mates Chris Rice, Ginny Owens, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Word Records'
Cindy Morgan. The result has been a debut record that spawned two #1 songs at
Christian radio, sales of over 100,000 units, performances for over a half
million people and three nominations for the 2000 Gospel Music Association Dove
Awards, including New Artist of the Year.
On Watermark's sophomore release, ALL THINGS NEW on
Rocketown Records, the group proves the strength of their artistry and
continuous momentum with a contemporary soundtrack for the Christian life with
songs that are lyrically powerful and musically memorable.
Yet, even with the strength of their
rapidly growing career and newfound success, the group's musical journey began
before Nathan and Christy had ever met.
A History Unfolds
Although Christy was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, both
she and Nathan spent most of their childhood growing up in Nathan's home state
of Oklahoma. Christy began singing in her church at the age of six, and started
writing songs and poetry at the age of eight. Nathan began taking piano lessons
at the age of six, and eventually became the keyboard player in his home church
by the age of 13.
Although Nathan and Christy both
attended Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), it wasn't until they ran into each
other at the Christian Artists Seminar in Estes Park, Colorado in 1993 that a
relationship was formed. The two began to write songs and sing together at
different events, and in 1995, they were married in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In
the summber of 1997, following Nathan's graduation from OBU, they moved to
Houston, Texas, put together a band, and began to lead worship every Mondy night
for 3,000 single adults at the well-known Metro Bible Study in Houston's First
Baptist Church.
New Beginnings
Soon thereafter, Nathan's long time musical role
model Michael W. Smtih and his Rocketown Records label approached them. They
signed with the label in 1998, released their first album and immediately began
a nationwide, yearlong tour with Dove Award winning Point of Grace.
"We knew it was quite an honor
to go on the road with Point of Grace," Nathan shares. "It was a
difficult decision to leave Metro (Bible study), but after the first night on
the Point of Grace tour, we knew that God had planned it all along. Each night
we were able to share our hearts and pour out the songs God had given us. We are
so grateful for that experience."
As their reputation for being successful recording
and touring artists has grown, Nathan and Christy have remained committed to
their roots and diverse talents by continuing their involvement as worship
leaders for the nationwide Passion collegiate worship/teaching events. "To
see Nathan and Christy serve this generation of students as members of the
Passion Band is such a Kingdom thing," comments the Passion organization
founder Louie Giglio. "They are signaling with their lives that God's
heartbeat is for a generation that breaks down dividing walls and raises the
anthem of His praise."
It was Giglio who helped birth the
idea of 'Watermark' as a suitable name for the duo who had previously toured
under the name Sons & Daughters. Following massive floods, Giglio visited
Kansas and noticed marks on everything in sight...enduring reminders indicating
how high the water had risen. Giglio expressed that such a picture "could
just as well be true of our lives as we experience an ourpouring of God's
Spirit, a powerful movement that marks us for eternity." That's exactly
what Nathan and Christy's songs are all about.
As the musical duo Watermark, the husband and wife
team of Nathan and Christy Nockels has walked an unforgettable path since the
release of their self-titled debut album in the fall of 1998. They launched the
album on a nationwide tour with platinum-selling artist Point of Grace, and
followed that up as a part of the critically acclaimed "A Night In
Rocketown - The Acoustic Tour" featuring label head Michael W. Smith, label
mates Chris Rice, Ginny Owens, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Word Record's Cindy Morgan.
The result has been a debut record that spawned two #1 songs at Christian radio,
sales of over 100,000 units, performances for over a half million people and
three nominations for the 2000 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including
New Artist of the Year.
On Watermark's sophomore release,
the June 2000 All Things New on Rocketown Records, the group
proves the strength of their artistry and continuous momentum with a
contemporary soundtrack for the Christian life with songs that are lyrically
powerful and musically memorable.
Yet, even with the strength of their rapidly growing
career and newfound success, the group's musical journey began well before
Nathan and Christy had ever met.
Although Christy was born in Ft.
Worth, Texas, both she and Nathan spent most of their childhood growing up in
Nathan's home state of Oklahoma. Christy began singing in her church at the age
of six, and started writing songs and poetry at the age of eight. Nathan began
taking piano lessons at the age of six, and eventually became the keyboard
player in his home church by the age of 13.
Although Nathan and Christy both attended Oklahoma
Baptist University (OBU), it wasn't until they ran into each other at the
Christian Artists Seminar in Estes Park, Colorado in 1993 that a relationship
was formed. The two began to write songs and sing together at different events,
and in 1995, they were married in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In the summer of 1997,
following Nathan's graduation from OBU, they moved to Houston, Texas, put
together a band, and began to lead worship every Monday night for 3,000 single
adults at the well-known Metro Bible Study in Houston's First Baptist Church.
Soon thereafter, Nathan's long time
musical role model Michael W. Smith and his Rocketown Records label approached
them. They signed with the label in 1998, released their first album and
immediately began a nationwide, yearlong tour with Dove Award winning Point of
Grace.
"We knew it was quite an honor to go on the
road with Point of Grace," Nathan shares. "It was a difficult decision
to leave Metro (Bible Study), but after the first night on the Point of Grace
tour, we knew that God had planned it all along. Each night we were able to
share our hearts and pour out the songs God had given us. We are so grateful for
that experience.
"As their reputation for being
successful recording and touring artists has grown, Nathan and Christy have
remained committed to their roots and diverse talents by continuing their
involvement as worship leaders for the nationwide "Passion" collegiate
worship/teaching events. "To see Nathan and Christy serve this generation
of students as members of the Passion Band is such a Kingdom thing,"
comments the Passion organization founder Louie Giglio. "They are signaling
with their lives that God's heartbeat is for a generation that breaks down
dividing walls and raises the anthem of His praise." It was Giglio who
helped birth the idea of 'Watermark' as a suitable name for the duo who had
previously toured under the name Sons and Daughters. Following massive floods,
Giglio visited Kansas and noticed marks on everything in sight… enduring
reminders indicating how high the water had risen. Giglio expressed that such a
picture "could just as well be true of our lives as we experience an
outpouring of God's Spirit, a powerful movement that marks us for
eternity." That's exactly what Nathan and Christy's songs are all about.
All Things New
is co-produced by Nathan and Tom Laune, and executive produced by Don Donahue
and Michael W. Smith. This sophomore offering from Watermark is a comforting,
healing and encouraging pop music message to the Church to live a lifestyle of
worship. From their core college audience to the "carpool crowd," All
Things New will provide a contemporary soundtrack for the Christian life
with songs that are lyrically powerful and musically memorable.
Through a devastating time for both
Nathan and Christy with the loss of two babies through miscarriages this past
year, they have been able to look back and see God's purposes still being
fulfilled through it all, shaping their lives. The song "Glory Baby"
was written in the midst of the healing process. "We have been able to
share our hearts with many couples who have been through the same experience,
becoming a part of their healing as well," says Christy. We pray that this
song will bring hope, healing and joy as we have presented the truth that God
holds our precious children, and we will see them and hold them one day."
Nathan and Christy have rejoiced that God's timing is always perfect, as they
are now enjoying parenting a baby boy.
The Next Chapter
All Things New
features a musically progressive, edgier sound complemented by the rich fullness
of Christy's signature vocals. "Since the production cradle in which these
new songs would fit, we felt as if we needed a new fresh point of view from
someone who could stretch the sonic aspects of the new songs," Nathan
explains. "Tom (Laune) was the much-needed catalyst that would allow this
album to represent us musically and sonically like never before."
"We seem to find ourselves in a
very different place in life," Christy says, "and through it all we
know we've grown and stretched. We chose the title of the album not only because
it is the title of one of the songs, but also because we feel the album as a
whole is a picture of who we are right now. A new album, to us, is always a new
chance to share our hearts, to give back, to express ourselves to God."
Moving forward and treading new waters, Nathan and
Christy realize that it is the maturing process of their life experiences that
have developed Watermark into new people musically, artistically and
spiritually. "We realize it would take hours of tearful expressions, many
days of remembering and being thankful, and months of writing things down in
order to somehow recapture this journey," Christy admits. "But this
new album is just that. ALL THINGS NEW is the past year and a half of our lives,
and it's already beautifully expressed, set to melodies that come from the
depths of who we are. Words alone cannot express the way we feel
inside...hopefully these songs do."
Certainly, with the musical and
spiritual depth of this new offering from one of Christian music's most prolific
duos, Watermark will leave its mark on listeners for years to come.