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 the 2010 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.
Sidewalk Prophets currently comprises David Frey on lead vocals, Cal Joslin on bass and backing vocals, and Daniel Macal on lead guitar and backing vocals
Background The band was formed by lead singer Dave Frey and rhythm guitarist Ben McDonald when the two were attending Anderson University in Indiana. A demo they recorded was taken without their knowledge to a campus recording contest, which earned them a performance slot. That in turn, led to radio program directors and record labels, and a chance encounter with Audio Adrenaline's Will McGinnis gave Dave the chance to sing in front of 20,000. The group landed a deal with Word Records after meeting with a record label executive and a showcasing themselves at Lancaster Christian Academy in Smyrna, Tennessee. It also features lead guitarist Shaun Tomczak, bassist Cal Joslin, and drummer Justin Nace. Tomczak left the band in January 2014 to spend time with his family, and Daniel Macal joined the band to take his place. Nace announced he was about to leave the band in 2015, then Ben Young joined the band and took his place. Other past members of the group are guitarist Chris Jordan and bassist Chris Koboldt.
They have toured with Jeremy Camp and Audio Adrenaline on the strength of independent albums, then rode the popularity of their first Word Records release, These Simple Truths, to a Dove Award for New Artist of the Year and a nomination for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. "The Words I Would Say" reached No. 3, "You Can Have Me" entered the Top 20, a Christmas single, "Hope Was Born This Night", reached the Top 10, and "You Love Me Anyway" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Singles chart. The band has also toured in the Rock and Worship Roadshow with MercyMe and Francesca Battistelli among others, and received another Dove nomination for Group of the Year in 2011.
Their next album, Live Like That was produced by Ian Eskelin who also produced "The Words I Would Say". The record is a tribute to the band's fans, some of whom were selected through a contest to sing background vocals. The band also solicited photos of people their fans admire and want to be like for use on the cover.
In December 2017, they announced a 40-city tour the Something Different Tour (in 3D) for early 2018 with special guests Bonray.
Discography
Albums Title Album details Chart positions US USChrist. Sidewalk Prophets Released: 2003 Label: Independent — — These Simple Truths Released: August 25, 2009 Label: Word — 15 Live Like That Released: March 27, 2012 Label: Word 83 3 Merry Christmas to You Released: September 24, 2013 Label: Fervent 177 8 Something Different Released: August 28, 2015 Label: Fervent/Word 144 4 The Things That Got Us Here Released: July 3, 2020 Label: Curb/Word 176 2 Looking Up Released: February 14, 2025 Label: Curb — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
EPs +TitleDetailsYou Love Me Anyway Release Date: June 15, 2007 Label: Independent
Singles Year Single Chart positions Certifications Album USChrist. USChristAir. USChristAC USChristDigital 2009 "The Words I Would Say"3 3 9 RIAA: GoldThese Simple Truths 2010 "You Can Have Me"16 16 50 "Hope Was Born This Night" 8 4 — Come Now Our King2011 "You Love Me Anyway" 1 1 11 RIAA: Gold These Simple Truths2012 "Live Like That" 2 2 4 RIAA: GoldLive Like That2013 "Help Me Find It" 2 2 12 2014 "Keep Making Me" 7 4 4 9 "Save My Life" 17 12 11 — "Hope Can Change Everything" 14 21 — 10 2015 "Prodigal" 14 9 10 28 Something Different 2016 "To Live Is Christ" 26 18 27 — 2017 "Come To The Table" 11 4 5 12 2019 "Smile" 21 16 13 22 The Things That Got Us Here 2020 "Chosen" 32 26 18 — 2021 "I Believe It Now" 35 25 24 — 2024 "Hurt People (Love Will Heal Our Hearts)" — — — — Looking Up "Come To Jesus" — — — — "Unbelievable" — — — — 2025 "Father, Let It Be" 40 16 23 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Promotional singles Year Single Album 2020 "Real to Me" The Things That Got Us Here "Don't Sweat It" "The Comment Section" 2024 "Looking Up" Looking Up "I Apologize"
Other charted songs Year Song Chart positions Album USChrist. 2010 "Hope Was Born This Night" 8 Come Now Our King 2013 "Because It's Christmas" 6 Merry Christmas to You "O Holy Night" 36 non-album single2014 "What a Glorious Night" 6 Merry Christmas to You
Members Current members Dave Frey – lead vocals (2001–present) Cal Joslin – bass, keyboards, double bass, backing vocals (2006–present) Rains Wall – Drums (2018–present) Blake Bratton – Keys (2018–present) Jemmuel Magtibay - guitar (touring 2025-present)
Former members Ben McDonald – guitar, dulcimer, background vocals (2003–2021) Dan Macal (Big Dan) – lead guitar (2014–2024) Justin Nace – drums, percussion (2005–2015) Shaun Tomczak – lead guitar, backing vocals (2010–2014) Chris Jordan – lead guitar, backing vocals (2004–2008) Chris “Scott” Koboldt – bass guitar (2003–2005)
Awards and nominations GMA Dove Awards Year Award Result 2010New Artist of the YearPop/Contemporary Album of the Year (These Simple Truths) 2011Group of the Year2013Song of the Year ("Live Like That")
Tours
The Sidewalk Prophets have toured the United States and other countries with many famous acts including Jeremy Camp, Stellar Kart, and Audio Adrenaline before being signed to Word Records and appeared on the 2010 and 2011 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular sharing the stage alongside Tenth Avenue North, Newsboys, and Third Day.
They also toured on the Rock and Worship Roadshow 2010 with MercyMe, Francesca Battistelli, David Crowder Band, Remedy Drive, Fee, and Family Force 5. In 2013, they toured along with TobyMac and Red in the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular.
The 2013 tour included many dates with Matthew West. The tour concluded on November 18, 2013. Also, on the tour was American Idol alum Jason Castro.
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