The start of something

The formal beginnings of what is now known globally as ‘Vineyard worship’ with its hallmarks of honest and intimate expressions of worship to God, happened in southern California in 1982 and this year, 2007, celebrates its 25^th anniversary.

‘Mercy/Vineyard’ was its first incarnation which later became ‘Vineyard Music’ and was set up as a vehicle for producing and distributing the powerful worship songs that were coming out of the Vineyard movement. This was during a time of powerful renewal of the Church both in the USA and then globally. Led by the late John Wimber, this renewal was heralded by a new move of the Holy Spirit primarily expressed through intimate worship songs that sang to God rather than about Him. Indeed, it was no accident that John was himself a musician who had turned his back on a lucrative career in the music industry to pursue the calling God had placed on his life – John knew the power of music and also knew how to bring out the best in the creative community that was increasingly being attracted to the Vineyard movement of churches.

Over the next 25 years Vineyard worship has had great influence on the modern church worldwide.  In 1998 the UK division of Vineyard Music released the first worship recording outside of North America ‘Come Now Is The Time’.  The album and particularly the title track spread around the world like wildfire and quickly reached the Top 5 of the CCLI charts and has stayed there ever since. A year later the ‘Hungry’ album was released which went on to become Vineyard Music’s best ever selling worship album. 

There followed some vigorous global development of the Vineyard Music label with offices opening up in various parts of the world.  Many albums were released in several languages including German, French, Russian and even Zulu!  Alongside the release of musical expressions of worship, the worship resources arm of Vineyard Music expanded with the magazine and website ‘Inside Worship’ being launched.  A resource brand ‘Equip’ was also developed which included DVDs, audio CDs and articles, all to help resource the modern church with worship theology and practice.

Vineyard Records UK

In 2005 we felt that the branding needed some definition between what was coming out of North America and the UK and so ‘Vineyard Records UK’ was born.  A renewed focus on culture current worship expression was made in both the UK and the US and the emergence of UK worship bands ‘Trent’ and ‘The Burn Band’ reflected this. 

Both Trent & The Burn Band have gone on to release highly regarded albums of songs that speak in today’s language.  ‘Trent’ have led worship in Venue 2 at New Wine south for three consecutive years (05,06 & 07) and both bands have played at Greenbelt and other festivals and events including 2 trips for ‘The Burn Band’ to lead worship in Brazil.