Stars Go Dim (SGD) is a moniker for Christian singer Chris Cleveland.[2] It was formerly an American pop rock group from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that formed in late 2007. Originally formed as a side project of the Christian rock band Pillar, it consisted of Cleveland (vocals, piano, and guitar), Joey Avalos (guitar), Michael Wittig (bass guitar), and Lester Estelle II (drums).
Stars Go Dim | |
|---|---|
 Stars Go Dim performing in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tulsa, Oklahoma, US |
| Genres | Pop rock,[1] Christian pop,[1] Christian rock[1] |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | curb Records,[1] Word[1] |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | starsgodim |
Cleveland signed to Fervent Records, a Word Records imprint, where he released his first major label studio album, Stars Go Dim, on October 30, 2015.
History
editStars Go Dim began as a side project of the Christian rock band Pillar.[3] Wittig and Estelle ultimately left Pillar to focus on Stars Go Dim in 2008. Avalos was also a touring member of Pillar before committing to the new band, and was previously in Justifide.[4]
After forming in late 2007, the band finished recording and finally released their first self-titled EP in October 2008, which consists of five tracks: "Come Around", "Crazy", "Walk On", "Incredible", and, "Get Over It". Avalos stated that, "We just love to write songs that make you want to sing-along," and "it wasn't until I had written a twelve or so songs that we realized what we had. It's really this intricate mess of a love story that will unfold itself with our full-length album."
After forming and releasing their first EP, the band has had a moderate string of success. They have opened up for Switchfoot, The Fray, Daughtry, and Graham Colton and have shared the stage with Paramore, The All-American Rejects, and The Roots.[5] The band credits their success to their fans. Cleveland stated, "We really do have the best fans. Really. They were onboard with us when we just had a few videos of us writing the songs and no other music or bells and whistles to offer." Wittig also commented about the band's fans, saying, "The online communities have helped us get to know our fans better and vice versa. We're always coming up with new ways to connect."
To follow up their EP, the band released their first full-length album Love Gone Mad August 4, 2009.
Since 2010 Lester Estelle II is not an official band member, but he still does engineering and studio work for the band. In 2011 SGD released two singles, "Like I Mean It" and "Hesitate", and shot music videos for both. "Like I Mean It" music video is taken for rotation on mtvU in February 2011.
The band name now serves as a moniker for Cleveland, who signed to Fervent Records, a Word Records imprint, where he released his first major label studio album, Stars Go Dim, on October 30, 2015.[2][1][6] His first single was "You Are Loved".[7]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Heat. [8] |
US Christ. [9] | ||
| 2009 | Love Gone Mad
|
— | — |
| 2015 | Stars Go Dim
|
5 | 16 |
| 2019 | Better | — | — |
Love Gone Mad was released on August 4, 2009.[10] The band also filmed a music video for the songs "Come Around" and "Get Over It".[11] Discussing the album, Avalos once stated, "I probably wrote 20 songs in roughly two weeks and this is what came out of it."[12]
All tracks are written by Joey Avalos, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Get Over It" | 4:42 | |
| 2. | "Incredible" | 3:49 | |
| 3. | "Come Around" | Avalos, Cleveland | 3:52 |
| 4. | "Love Gone Mad" | 3:50 | |
| 5. | "Catch Me If You Can" | 3:23 | |
| 6. | "Where Has Our Love Gone" | 4:36 | |
| 7. | "Crazy" | Avalos, Cleveland | 4:30 |
| 8. | "Letting Go" | 3:17 | |
| 9. | "Hoping for Tomorrow" | 5:39 | |
| 10. | "Walk On" | Avalos, Cleveland | 4:52 |
| 11. | "You've Got Me" | 4:28 | |
| 12. | "More Than Love" (Bonus track) | 3:07 | |
| Total length: | 48:05 | ||
EPs
edit- 2008 – Stars Go Dim
- 2011 – Between Here and Now
- 2018 – Better
- 2018 – Christmas Is Here
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [13] |
US Christ Air. [14] |
US Christ AC [15] | |||
| "Hesitate" | 2011 | — | — | — | Between Here and Now |
| "Love This Girl" | 2013 | — | — | — | non-album single |
| "You Are Loved" | 2016 | 7 | 1 | 2 | Stars Go Dim |
| "Walking Like Giants" | 31 | 21 | 25 | ||
| "How Glorious The Love Of Heaven" | 27 | 9 | 4 | Christmas Is Here | |
| "Doxology" | 2017 | — | 36 | — | Stars Go Dim |
| "Heaven On Earth" | 2018 | 15 | 11 | 12 | Better |
| "I Look To You" (featuring Social Club Misfits) |
— | — | — | ||
| "Pieces" | — | — | — | ||
| "You Know Me Better" | 28 | 19 | 22 | ||
| "Christmas Is Here" | 26 | 11 | 13 | Christmas Is Here | |
| "It's Gonna Get Better" | 2019 | — | — | — | Better |
| "For Worse or Better" | — | — | — | ||
| "Invisible" | — | — | — | ||
Band members
editCurrent members
- Chris Cleveland lead vocals, piano, guitar (2007–present)
Former members
- Lester Estelle II keyboard, backing vocals (2007–2010) and drums (2012)
- Kevin Rogers acoustic guitar (2007)
- Luke Sullivant acoustic guitar (2007)
- Michael Wittig bass guitar (2012)
Awards and nominations
editIn 2009, the band won the Channel One News Hear It Now Artist of the Year Award.[16] That same year, the band won the "Absolute Best of Tulsa" award by Urban Tulsa Weekly for the Best Pop Rock Group August 8, 2009.
In 2016, Stars Go Dim were nominated for a Dove Award for 'New Artist of the Year'.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Andre, Jonathan (November 1, 2015). "Music Reviews: Stars Go Dim – Stars Go Dim". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ^ a b "Positive Vibes Only: Stars Go Dim Encourages You To Be Fearless With A Performance Of "Live Like That" | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ "50th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations List". The Recording Academy. December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 7, 2007.
- ^ Jennifer Chancellor, "Dim Bulbs Brighten", Tulsa World, November 2, 2009.
- ^ "Kanaal van starsgodim2". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ Shriver, Mikayla (November 16, 2015). "Positive Pop Debut". New Release Today. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Stars Go Dim | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ "Stars Go Dim Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2019.[dead link]
- ^ "Stars Go Dim Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2019.[dead link]
- ^ "Love Gone Mad"; Amazon.com; retrieved October 14, 2009.
- ^ "Stars Go Dim"; by Fletcher, Christa; channelone.com; retrieved October 14, 2009.
- ^ "Pop/Rock with Passion"; starsgodim.com; 2009; retrieved October 14, 2009.
- ^ "Stars Go Dim – Chart history (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Stars Go Dim – Chart history (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Stars Go Dim – Chart history (Hot Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ Name. "Interact". Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ "2016 Nominees - The 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2017.