Editing Geoff Moore

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Short description|American singer}}
{{About||the photographer|Geoff Moore (photographer)|people with similar names|Geoffrey Moore (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Geoff Moore
| image           = Geoff Moore - 2014 Canadian Tour.jpg
| landscape       = 
| caption         = Moore in 2014
| birth_name      =
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|1961|2|22}}
| birth_place     = [[Flint, Michigan]], U.S.
| genre           = [[Contemporary Christian music|CCM]], [[Christian rock]], [[Pop music|pop]]
| occupation      = Singer, songwriter
| years_active    = 1983–present
| label           =[[Sparrow Records|Sparrow]], Forefront
| website         = {{URL|geoffmoore.com}}
}}

'''Geoff Moore''' (born February 22, 1961) is an American [[contemporary Christian music]] singer. He began recording as a solo artist in 1984. In 1987, he formed Geoff Moore and The Distance, his touring band, which released eight albums generating a string of No. 1 radio hits throughout their 10+-year tenure. In 1998, Geoff retired the band from full-time touring. After a "farewell tour", Moore has continued as a solo artist, releasing eight more records between 1999 and 2015. ''The Next Thing'' was released in April 2016, making it his 25th album to date.

Geoff is also an advocate for underprivileged children. He has partnered with Compassion International since 1985, being a spokesman and advocate for their work in releasing children from poverty throughout the developing world. He also works with Showhope, an organization founded by his close friends Steven and Mary Beth Chapman. Showhope cares for orphan children and helps assist with international adoptions.

Geoff Moore is co-founder of an outdoor adventure company called Fellowship Adventures. Founded in 2014, Fellowship Adventures focuses on small group hunting, fishing, adventure and expeditions.

== Early years ==

Moore was born in [[Flint, Michigan]]<ref name="CM_Vol_43">{{cite book
| title = Contemporary Musicians
| last = Belfiore
| first = Michael
| publisher = [[Gale Group]]
| year = 2004
| isbn = 0-7876-6796-X
| series = Volume 43
| location = [[Farmington Hills]], [[Michigan]]
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/contemporarymusi0000unse_e7h8/page/133 133–134]
| chapter = Geoff Moore
| issn = 1044-2197
| editor = DeRemer Leigh Ann
| chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/contemporarymusi0000unse_e7h8/page/133
}}</ref> in 1961. His father played [[baseball]] for the [[Toledo Mud Hens]], and later ran a [[steel]] fabrication plant.<ref name="CM_Vol_43" /> He attended Holly Area Schools at Patterson Elementary, Holly, MI through grade six and then started attending Brandon Schools in Ortonville, MI. He began singing while he was at [[Taylor University]] living in Wengatz Hall. At the time that he became a classmate to [[White Heart]]s future lead singer, [[Rick Florian]], when he stood in for the lead singer of his roommate's band. He graduated from Taylor in 1983.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/94/best-colleges-10_Taylor-University_94395_2.html | work=Forbes | title=#273 Taylor University Page 2 of 2 | date=August 11, 2010}}</ref> Newly married, he moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] soon after college.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}} He was able to break into the music industry with the assistance of [[Michael W. Smith]] when the two met in the clothing store where Moore worked.<ref name="CM_Vol_43" /> He signed a publishing contract with Paragon Music, and began writing songs and singing on demo recordings. While with Paragon he wrote songs for fellow Christian singer and songwriter, [[Steven Curtis Chapman]].<ref name="CM_Vol_43" /> Since that time, they have become best friends and have co-written numerous songs together, including the title track on Chapman's 1992 [[Dove Award]] and [[Grammy]] winning release ''[[The Great Adventure (Steven Curtis Chapman album)|The Great Adventure]]''.

During the mid-1980s, Moore recorded three solo albums released on the Power Discs label, including ''Where are the Other Nine?'', ''Over the Edge'' and ''The Distance''. After signing to [[Sparrow Records]] in 1987, he put together a touring band, called "the Distance", to continue with his career.

== Geoff Moore and the Distance ==

{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Geoff Moore and the Distance
| background          = group_or_band
| image                 =
| caption            =Geoff Moore & The Distance – 1997
| origin              =
| genre               = [[Contemporary Christian music|CCM]]. [[Rock music|rock]], [[Pop music|pop]]
| years_active        = 1987–1998
| label               = [[Sparrow Records|Sparrow]], [[ForeFront Records|ForeFront]], Chordant
| associated_acts     = Geoff Moore
| website             =
| <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| past_members       =

* Geoff Moore
* Dale Oliver
* Lang Bliss
* Arlin Troyer
* Roscoe Meek
* Geof Barkley
* Gary Mullett
* Greg Herrington
* Chuck Conner
* Joel McCreight
* Guy Platter

}}

In 1988, Geoff Moore and the Distance released their first official album together, entitled ''A Place to Stand''. They also recorded ''Foundations'' in 1989 for [[Sparrow Records]]. After a year of touring, they jumped to [[Forefront Records]] and recorded ''Pure and Simple'' in 1990.

They followed in 1992 with ''A Friend Like U''. This album would garner them their first real US Christian radio exposure with its title song. This started their most prolific period with the [[Grammy]]-nominated albums ''Ev-O-Lu-Tion'' in 1993 and ''Homerun'' in 1995. This album produced US Christian radio hits like "Evolution Redefined", "Life Together" and "Home Run". The video for "Home Run" featured former Major League All-Star pitcher [[Tim Burke (baseball)|Tim Burke]].

In 1995, Benson released a compilation of hits from Moore's first solo albums titled ''The Early Years''. The following year the band released a double-disc greatest hits compilation which contained new unreleased bonus tracks as well as a live performance from [[Rome, Georgia]]. In 1997, the band released ''Threads'', another Grammy-nominated album which featured a cover of [[The Who]]'s "I'm Free" as its lead single. After more than ten years with the Distance, which he called "an incredible journey" in the ''Star Tribune'', Moore decided to disband the group and go his own way in 1998. In 1999 Moore returned to the studio to begin work on a new solo record. This began a new season of his music career which is still active today.

'''The Distance members''' were:

* Roscoe Meek – guitar (1990–1995)
* Guy Platter – guitar (1993–1994)
* [[Dale Oliver]] – guitar (1987–1989)
* Lang Bliss – drums (1987–1989)
* Arlin Troyer – bass guitar (1987–1990)
* Geof Barkley – keyboards, vocals (1988–1998)
* Gary Mullett – bass guitar (1990–1998)
* Greg Herrington – drums (1990–1994)
* Chuck Conner – drums (1995–1998)
* Joel McCreight – guitar (1996–1998)

<timeline>
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PlotArea = left:90 bottom:60 top:20 right:15
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = yyyy
Period = from:1987 till:1998
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:1987

Colors =
  id:Guitar  value:green  legend:Guitar
  id:Bass    value:blue    legend:Bass
  id:Drums   value:orange  legend:Drums
  id:Keys    value:purple  legend:Keyboards
  id:studio  value:black   legend:Studio_album

LineData =
 layer:back
 color:studio
  at:1988
  at:1989
  at:1990
  at:1992
  at:1993
  at:1995
  at:1997

BarData =

  bar: Dale   text: Dale Oliver
  bar: Roscoe text: Roscoe Meek
  bar: Guy    text: Guy Platter
  bar: Joel   text: Joel McCreight
  bar: Geof   text: Geof Barkley
  bar: Arlin  text: Arlin Troyer
  bar: Gary   text: Gary Mullett
  bar: Lang   text: Lang Bliss
  bar: Greg   text: Greg Herrington
  bar: Chuck  text: Chuck Conner

PlotData=
  width:9
  bar:Geof   from:1988       till:1998        color:Keys
  bar:Dale   from:1987       till:1989        color:Guitar
  bar:Roscoe from:1990       till:1995        color:Guitar
  bar:Joel   from:1996       till:1998        color:Guitar
  bar:Guy    from:1993       till:1994        color:Guitar
  bar:Arlin  from:1987       till:1990        color:Bass
  bar:Gary   from:1990       till:1998        color:Bass
  bar:Lang   from:1987       till:1989        color:Drums
  bar:Greg   from:1990       till:1994        color:Drums
  bar:Chuck  from:1995       till:1998        color:Drums
</timeline>

== Solo career ==
[[File:Geoffmoore2008.jpg|thumb|right|Geoff Moore performing at Easterfest 2008]]
In 1999, after a short time off, Moore emerged with his eponymous solo album on Forefront Records. In 2002 he followed it up with ''A Beautiful Sound''. Near the end of 2005 he released two new studio albums independently, ''Every Single One Part I'' and ''Every Single One Part II,''. The albums combined original songs and re-recorded selections from the out of print [[Forefront Records]] albums with The Distance.

Moore's next project ''[[Speak to Me (Geoff Moore album)|Speak to Me]]'', released in 2007 on [[Rocketown Records]] was nominated for a [[Dove Award]] for Inspirational Album of the Year.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/news/021508doves.aspx Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards] at CBN</ref> After putting together ''All Along the Road Part I'' and ''All Along the Road Part II'', a re-release of ''Every Single One'' with alternate tracks, Moore released ''Saying Grace'', a collection of songs that reflect back to his upbringing, expressing "gratefulness" for family, for tradition, and grace in the midst of uncertainty.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} In 2013, Moore compiled ''25 Favorites'', a "best of" double-disc, including the re-recorded material and remastered songs.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

In 2015, work began on ''The Next Thing'', his first crowdfunded recording that is scheduled to release in April 2016.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

In addition to songwriting, recording, and touring, Moore enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. He and his wife have been married for 32 years, and have two sons and two adopted daughters from China.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Geoff Moore | work=cbn.com | access-date=October 7, 2019 | url=https://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/artists/moore_geoff.aspx }}</ref>

== Discography ==

; Early recordings as a solo artist (1984–1988)
* ''Where Are the Other Nine?'' [Power Discs, 1984] [Remastered CD, Girder Records, 2020]
* ''Over the Edge'' [Power Discs, 1986] [Remastered CD, Girder Records, 2020]
* ''The Distance'' [Power Discs, 1987] [Remastered CD, Girder Records, 2020]

; Geoff Moore & the Distance (1988–1998)
* ''A Place to Stand'' [Sparrow, 1988]
* ''Foundations'' [Sparrow, 1989]
* ''Pure & Simple'' [ForeFront], 1990]
* ''A Friend Like U'' [ForeFront, 1992]
* ''Evolution'' [ForeFront, 1993]
* ''Evolution: Extended Play Remixes'' [ForeFront, 1995]
* ''Home Run'' [ForeFront, 1995]
* ''Home Run: The Single'' [ForeFront, 1996]
* ''More Than Gold: The Single'', [ForeFront 1996]
* ''Greatest Hits'' (double-disc set, including the "Live Set") [ForeFront, 1996]
* ''Threads'' [ForeFront, 1997]

; Recordings as a solo artist (1999 – present)
* ''Geoff Moore'' [ForeFront], 1999]
* ''A Beautiful Sound'' [ForeFront, 2002]
* ''Every Single One – Part I'' and ''II'' [Independent, 2005]
* ''All Along the Road – Vol I'' and ''II'' [Independent, 2006]
* [[Speak to Me (Geoff Moore album)|''Speak to Me'']] [Rocketown, 2007]
* ''Saying Grace'' [Independent, 2011]
* ''25 Favorites'' [double-disc set, released 2013]
* ''The Next Thing'' [release date:  April 2016]

; Other compilations and collaborative projects
* ''Air Raves – Christian Radio's Best'', "Where are the other Nine?" [Greentree, 1986]
* ''Christmas,'' "Jingle Bell Rock" (with The Distance) [Sparrow Records, 1988]
* ''All the Good Music'' [Power Discs, 1988]
* ''On the Forefront: The Best Of Rock & Rap – Volume 1'', "Rescue Me" [ForeFront, 1991]
* ''Christmas'', "Jingle Bell Rock" (with The Distance) [Sparrow, 1993]
* ''Familiar Stranger: The Early Works of Geoff Moore'' (compilation 1984–1987) [Benson, 1995]
* ''The Early Years'' (compilation 1988–1992) [ForeFront, 1995]
* ''One Way: The Songs Of Larry Norman'', "U.F.O" (with The Distance) [ForeFront, 1995]
* ''WOW 1996: The Year's 30 Top Christian Artists & Songs'', "Home Run" [Sparrow, 1995]
* ''More Than Gold: A Christian Music Tribute'', "Home Run," "More Than Gold" (with The Distance) [ForeFront, 1996]
* ''WOW 1997'', "More Than Gold" [Sparrow, 1996]
* ''Super Saturday Limited Edition CD'', "Only A Fool" (from ''Threads'') (with The Distance) [Chordant, 1997]
* ''Seltzer 2'', "I'm Free" (with The Distance) [ForeFront, 1998]
* ''Get Real! - 1998 Alabama Youth Evangelism Conference'', "Only a Fool" (with The Distance) [StarSong, 1998]
* ''Ten: The Birthday Album'', "Second Birthday", "Why Should The Devil (Have All The Good Music)", "When All Is Said and Done" (with The Distance) [ForeFront, 1998]
* ''Christmas on the Rock'', "Jingle Bell Rock" (with The Distance) [Straightway, 1998]
* ''Songs 4 Life – Lift Your Spirit!'', "Listen To Our Hearts" [Time Life, 1998]
* ''WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?'', "The In Betweens" (with The Distance, from ''Threads'') [ForeFront, 1999]
* ''McCaughey Septuplets: Sweet Dreams'', "My Dream Come True" [Sony, 1999]
* ''Pass It On – Leaving a Legacy for a Lifetime'', "Pass It On", "Be There" [2000]
* ''Keep the Faith 2000: Overcoming Stress & Anxiety'', "The Vow" [Chordant, 2000]
* ''Secrets of the Vine: Music... A Worship Experience'', "In Christ Alone" (with Adrienne Liesching) [ForeFront, 2002]
* ''I Will Be Here: 25 Of Today's Best Wedding & Love Songs'', "If You Could See What I See" [Sparrow, 2002]
* ''Left Behind Worship: God Is With Us'', "In Christ Alone" [ForeFront, 2002]
* ''WOW Worship (Yellow)'', "In Christ Alone" (with Adrienne Liesching) [Provident, 2003]
* ''A Life God Rewards'', "Remind Me O God" [ForeFront, 2003]
* ''It Takes Two: 15 Collaborations & Duets'', "In Christ Alone" (with Adrienne Liesching) [Sparrow, 2003]
* ''Songs 4 Love – Songs 4 Life'', "If You Could See What I See" [Time Life, 2004]
* ''The Ultimate Collection: Love Songs'', "If You Could See What I See" [EMI CMG, 2006]
* ''The Very Best Of'' ''Geoff Moore & The Distance'' [ForeFront/EMI, 2006]
* ''The Daraja Children's Choir of Africa'', "Holy Is the Lord" [IMI, 2008]
* ''Ring the Bells – A Christmas Offering,'' "Emmanuel" [2008]
* ''Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship'', "Psalm 23" (with Trevor Morgan) [Provident/Sony BMG, 2009]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|http://www.geoffmoore.com}}
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/geoffmoore.html ''Christianity Today'' article]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moore, Geoff}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American performers of Christian music]]
[[Category:Musicians from Flint, Michigan]]
[[Category:Taylor University alumni]]