Sidewalk Prophets is an American Christian pop-rock band formed in 2003 at Anderson University in Indiana by singer Dave Frey and guitarist Ben McDonald. Made known by the singles You Love Me Anyway and The Words I Would Say, the band won the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 2010 and has sold more than 736,000 albums.
Sidewalk Prophets came together in 2003 on the campus of Anderson University in Indiana, when Dave Frey and Ben McDonald decided to start a band. A demo tape sent, without their knowledge, to a student contest opened the door to a first show, then to a deal with Word Records. Their first, self titled album came out independently in 2003, before the label released These Simple Truths in 2009.
These Simple Truths earned the band the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 2010, while the single You Love Me Anyway became their first number one on Christian radio in 2011. Now based in Nashville, the band plays around one hundred fifty shows a year and has released six studio albums, up to Looking Up in 2025, for a total of more than 736,000 albums sold.
- Origin
- Anderson, Indiana, USA
- Style
- Christian pop-rock
- Active since
- 2003
- Good to know
- Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 2010, more than 736,000 albums sold
How did Sidewalk Prophets get started?
The band formed in 2003 at Anderson University in Indiana, when Dave Frey and Ben McDonald decided to recruit musicians by posting an online ad to, in their words, be poor and worship Jesus together. A demo recorded without their consent and sent to a student contest helped them land their first show.
That opportunity caught the attention of radio programmers and labels, leading to a pivotal meeting with Will McGinnis of Audio Adrenaline, who gave Dave Frey the chance to sing in front of twenty thousand people. The band then signed with Word Records and released These Simple Truths in 2009.
What makes Sidewalk Prophets distinctive?
The band has built a reputation for closeness with its audience, which it calls its Great Big Family, a community of fans it stays directly connected with throughout its tours. Songs like Where Forgiveness Is or Don't Sweat It tackle concrete subjects like forgiveness or anxiety with simple, accessible writing.
Where should you start with Sidewalk Prophets?
Listen to the three songs below, then dive into These Simple Truths (2009), the album that contains The Words I Would Say and launched the band's career.
songs
Where Forgiveness Is
A song about the freedom that forgiveness brings, written according to Dave Frey as their most honest lyrics about how hard forgiving can be.
Don't Sweat It
An invitation to let go of anxiety and trust God rather than fear.
Chosen
Taken from the album The Things That Got Us Here (2020), a song about finding your identity in God in the face of insecurity.
Discography
- 2025Looking Up
- 2020The Things That Got Us Here
- 2015Something Different
- 2012Live Like That
- 2009These Simple Truths
- 2003Sidewalk Prophets
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Sidewalk Prophets?
Sidewalk Prophets is an American Christian pop-rock band formed in 2003 at Anderson University in Indiana by Dave Frey and Ben McDonald. It won the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 2010.
Is Sidewalk Prophets a Christian band?
Yes, the band has operated within the contemporary American Christian music industry since it formed, and its songs carry messages of faith.
What is Sidewalk Prophets's best known song?
You Love Me Anyway, released in 2011, remains one of their most famous songs: the band's first number one on American Christian radio.
Where is Sidewalk Prophets from?
The band formed on the campus of Anderson University in Indiana and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Who leads Sidewalk Prophets?
The band is fronted by Dave Frey on vocals, joined notably by Cal Joslin on bass.
Where can you listen to Sidewalk Prophets?
Their music is available on all streaming platforms as well as on their official YouTube channel.