Out of Eden

Out of Eden
Background information
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–2006
LabelsGotee
Past members

Out of Eden is an American urban contemporary gospel group. It features sisters Lisa Kimmey, Andrea Kimmey-Baca, and Danielle Kimmey. The group was active from 1994 to 2006, then again starting in 2024. During their initial run they produced seven albums through Gotee Records and received "Urban Album of the Year" and "Urban Song of the Year" at the Dove Awards of 2003.

Musical career

Origins

The band consisted of three sisters Lisa Kimmey, Andrea Kimmey-Baca, and Danielle Kimmey, all born in Richmond, Virginia between 1975 and 1982 to Robert Kimmey and DeLise Perkins Kimmey Hall.[1] When the girls were young, their parents divorced and they moved with their mother to Nashville, where DeLise was offered a teaching position at Fisk University. Danielle and her sisters initially sang back-up for their mother, who was a classical pianist.[2] After their stepfather unsuccessfully attempted to garner attention for the girls by sending a video of their singing to various record labels, Danielle and her sisters were discovered by Toby McKeehan, who formed the record label Gotee Records to produce their music.[1]

In 1994, they released their debut Lovin' the Day. The first single off the album was a remake of the Bill Withers 1978 single "Lovely Day" and was a Christian Contemporary Music hit.[3] Their second album, in 1996, More Than You Know, was even more successful and catapulted the sisters into the CCM spotlight.

Mainstream Success

Their third album, the acclaimed No Turning Back, was released in 1999. Released in 2002, their fourth and best-selling Gotee album, This Is Your Life, entered the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 178. The album tied for "Urban Album of the Year" at the Dove Awards of 2003, with a song from the album, "Meditate" going on to win the award "Urban Recorded Song of the Year". The album was also nominated for a Stellar Award.

Another two years went by before the up-tempo album Love, Peace & Happiness was released. This album was nominated for Dove Awards in the Urban Gospel Album of the Year category and Urban Gospel Song of the Year category for the song "Soldiers".

In early 2005, Out of Eden presented an a cappella version of an old hymn at a "Focus on the Family" chapel service, receiving a standing ovation. Struck by the response to the hymn and the power of the lyrics, they decided to explore a new side of their musical talents and released a CD of remakes of classic hymns titled Hymns.[4] The album was nominated for a 2006 Grammy award in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category.[5]

In June 2006, the group announced that they would disband after the release of their greatest hits album titled The Hits.

Return to Performing

On September 18, 2024, the band announced through their Instagram page that they would be returning, with announcements to come about future plans.

Awards

Year Award-giving body Award
2003 Dove Awards Urban Album of the Year for This Is Your Life, shared with Souljahz for The Fault Is History
Urban Song of the Year for "Meditate" from This Is Your Life

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
US
Christian

US
Gospel

Lovin' the Day 10
More Than You Know
  • Second studio album
  • Released on November 5, 1996
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
14 29
No Turning Back
  • Third studio album
  • Released on June 15, 1999
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
6 9
This Is Your Life
  • Fourth studio album
  • Released on January 29, 2002
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD
178 11 6
Love, Peace & Happiness
  • Fifth studio album
  • Released on Feb 20, 2004
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
16 20
Hymns
  • Sixth studio album
  • Released on March 29, 2005
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
29

Compilations

Year Album
2006 Out of Eden: The Hits
  • First compilation album
  • Released on August 1, 2006
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download

References

  1. ^ a b Carpenter, Bil. Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2005. Page 319-320
  2. ^ Bush, John. "Out Of Eden Biography on Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "Out of Eden | View the Music Artists Biography Online". VH1.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2002. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  4. ^ Out of Eden - Music Archived December 5, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Jones, Kim. 2006 Grammy Awards Nominees and Winners. April 26, 2010. About.com. Accessed on July 11, 2010.