Today we time travel back to the 70's for a native Minnesotan, Dallas Holm. Holm is a singer-songwriter of Christian music, whose musical ministry has spanned almost four decades. He was inspired by Elvis Presley and the Byrds when he was growing up and, while in high school, was a member of a rock band. After Holm came to faith in 1965 at the age of 16, he desired to combine his music with his newfound faith. He started writing his own Christian songs around this time performing them in jails, churches and in street ministry. During the late 60s, Holm was a member of a Christian group called the Tri-Tones who made an album entitled I Saw the Light. He expanded his use of music while he was a youth pastor in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Holm's music eventually caught the attention of David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade, and became a part of Wilkerson's traveling crusades.
As a solo artist, his early albums contained worship songs done in a MOR (middle of the road) rock style. During his time with Wilkerson, Holm became the front man for a group named Praise. Aside from Holm, other members of Dallas Holm & Praise consisted of Randy Adams (bass - replaced by Rick Crawford in 1980), Ric Norris (drums), Tim Johnson (keyboards), and LaDonna Gatlin Johnson (vocals). This group released the album Dallas Holm & Praise. . .Live which sold more than 600,000 copies and was the first Christian album to be certified gold. This album contains the song "Rise Again" which was one of the biggest radio hits in the history of Christian music. The song has the distinction of garnering a GMA Dove Award in 1978 for Song of the Year. Holm was awarded Songwriter of the Year along with Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978 with the group itself winning Mixed Group of the Year.
He released a lot of great songs in the 70's and 80's all pointing to Christ and the Cross. Holm’s songs focus on His life, His death and resurrection and His desire for intimate relationship with us. Songs like "I Saw the Lord", "Here We Are" and "Before Your Throne" remind us that it’s all about Jesus, including "Against The Wind" which won him a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance in 1987.
Dallas has earned his influence in today’s Christian music throughout more than 45 years of writing, singing and ministry in some 4,000 concerts in every state in the USA as well as many countries abroad. Artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris and Greg Long of Avalon all make reference to Holm’s significant impact on their lives and ministries. Holm can be seen on several of the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos. On one video Gaither introduces Dallas by saying, “This is one of the nicest guys in our entire industry.” This broad appeal and respect by peers has undoubtedly been one of the reasons for Holm’s amazing longevity and relevance.
Over the course of Holm's tenure in gospel music he has performed many styles of music including adult contemporary, country, blues, reggae and pop/rock. He has released 34 albums counting solo, with Praise or other artists. He has received a total of 5 Dove Awards as of 2020. Holm has also been inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Dallas reminds us, “In Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell said, ‘When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.’ I say, ‘When I write, sing and play these songs, I feel His pleasure.'” Holm remains active as the director of Praise Ministries.
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