Across The Sky is a Christian band formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2003 by Ben Kolarcik and Justin Unger both singer/song writers. Their self-titled debut was released the same year. Much of their music is artist composed. For other cities named Nashville, see Nashville (disambiguation). ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... CCM can stand for several things: // Cerebral cavernous malformations, a genetic brain disorder The International Critical Care Medicine mailing list CCM-L Classical Chinese medicine Contemporary Christian Music The College-Conservatory of Music, the music college of the University of Cincinnati CCM - Charlie Naked,Christina Carter,Mike Switzer The Center... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM) is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ... Nickname: Music City Location in Davidson County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates: Country United States State Tennessee Counties Davidson County Founded: 1779 Incorporated: 1806 Government  - Mayor Bill Purcell (D) Area  - City  526. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early life and Influences

According to an interview given by the duo in Christianity Today, Ben Kolarcik is originally from Louisville, KY,his father was in the military and he has five brothers and sisters. Kolarcik was the only one in his family to pursue music full time. Kolarcik was raised in Christian schools. His earliest performances were in this setting and in his home church of Southeast Christian Church, in Louisville Ky. These experiences led him to the decision to be a full time independent artist. After high school, opportunities came about to perform consistently nationally and internationally, including such places as Australia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Poland. A self-taught guitarist, the multi-talented artist also dabbles a bit with piano and lap dulcimer. Kolarcik references his influences as being The Beetles, The Police and Jeff Buckley to Keith Green and Rich Mullins. Christianity Today is an Evangelical Christian periodical based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ... For other places with the same name, see Louisville (disambiguation). ... Southeast Christian Church is an evangelical, Christian megachurch, associated with the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, located on Blankenbaker Parkway in Louisville, Kentucky. ... The Beatles were a British rock music group from Liverpool, England held in very high regard for both their artistic achievements and their considerable commercial success, and have amassed an enormous worldwide fanbase that continues to exist to this day. ... The Police are a three-piece rock band, strongly influenced by reggae and ska music. ... Jeff Buckley (November 17, 1966 – May 29, 1997), born Jeffrey Scott Buckley and raised as Scotty Moorhead,[1] was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist originally from Sheepshead Bay, New York. ... now. ...

Per the Same interview Justin Unger had some similar influences. Unger was raised on Christian Music. He was Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, and is the middle of three brothers. His father was a self taught musician and a roofer by trade and his mother a stay at home mom. Justin influenced by his Fathers musical pursuits began playing piano at age 10 and playing trumpet in the school band. Unger began writing music at 17 for his Grandfather who was a pastor. He also started a Christian band called "Emmaus," performing as lead vocalist the songs that he and his grandfather had written. Phoenix is the capital, largest city and largest metropolitan area in the state of Arizona, United States. ...

Musical career

Across the sky was formed when solo artists, Ben Kolarcik and Just Unger, who were under consideration by Word Records met and began colaborations in Nashville Tennessee. Both artists had a history of performance and music ministry in their hometowns and in regional tours. After deciding on becoming a duo act the pair Sat down to work on music together. After composing 50 or some odd titles they settled on 12 for their first ablbum. The pair was assisted along the way by such notable Contemporary Christian musicians and writers as Cindy Morgan, Scott Krippayne, Matthew Gerrard, Jeff Borders, Kyle Matthews and Tony Wood. Word Records is a giant in Christian Music. ... The Nashville skyline Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee. ...

Their self titled album was released in 2003. They toured around the US and internationally, touring with major artists such as Michael W. Smith and Mercy Me. Michael W. Smith // Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957, to Paul and Barbara Smith in Kenova, West Virginia), often nicknamed Smitty, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist. ... MercyMe Mercy Me is also the title of a song by Alkaline Trio from the album Crimson. ...

Other career points are.

- Song "Found by You" peaked at #5 on the AC Christian charts in the U.S.

- The songs "Broken World" and "Give it all Away" were released as singles and received airplay in the US and radio stations in Australia, Canada, South America, and Europe

- Across the Sky received a 2004 GMA Dove Award Nomination for New Artist of the Year The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards (shortened to GMA Dove Awards), known as the GMA Music Awards from 2004-2006, and a few years before but better known even then as the Dove Awards, were created in 1969 by the Gospel Music Association to honor the outstanding achievements in contemporary...

- Their music was featured in WOW Hits 2004 (Certified Platinum) WOW Hits 2004: 31 of the Greatest Christian Music Hits of 2003 is a two disc compilation album of songs that have been dubbed to be the the best Christian Music songs of 2004. ...

- Their song "Everywhere She Goes" was featured in the first season of "One Tree Hill" on the WB network

Personal Life

Across the Sky disbanded in 2005. Justin Unger is now living in Prescott, AZ with his wife and children, now a music minister at an alternative style megachurch. Ben Kolarcik still lives in Franklin, TN with his wife and son where he has launched a career as a writer and composer.

References

• Across The Sky @ Christianity Today Magazine
• Christian Radio Weekly
• The LA Times

Discography

• Across The Sky (2003)
• WOW Hits 2004 "Masquerade" (2004)
• Found By You (Stuio Series Performance Track) (2005)
• Broken World (Studio Series Performance Track) (2005)

WOW Hits 2004: 31 of the Greatest Christian Music Hits of 2003 is a two disc compilation album of songs that have been dubbed to be the the best Christian Music songs of 2004. ...

External links

• Across The Sky @ Christianity Today Magazine
• Across The Sky @ Word Records
• Across the Sky as Dove Award Nominees
• Christian Radio Weekly
• Ben Kolarcik Web Site
• Justin Unger Web Site