Scripture in Song: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|New Zealand recording and publishing brand}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->

'''Scripture in Song''' is a recording and publishing brand that was created in 1968 by married couple [[Dave and Dale Garratt]] of [[Auckland]], New Zealand, when they released their first album of the same name. Aiming to better incorporate [[Biblical canon|Biblical scripture]] into [[contemporary worship music]], the Garratts went on to produce a series of albums and songbooks of [[Bible]] verses set to [[soft rock]], and became leading musicians and songwriters internationally in the [[Charismatic movement]] in the 1970s and 80s. Over 50 years, they have produced 37 Scripture in Song records, sold millions of songbooks, and are credited for creating an "entire genre of contemporary [[Christianity|Christian]] music".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Dale Garratt and husband David: A match made in heaven |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/30/dale-garratt-and-husband-david-a-match-made-in-heaven/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=Steve Braunias meets the biggest-selling artists you’ve never heard of |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-ogs-of-christian-music/APQPSLZW2VETHKT5I7GLPE5O64/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.scriptureinsong.org/our-story |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Scripture In Song |language=en-US}}</ref>

| bgcolor = #000000

| name = {{color|white|Scripture in Song}}

| image = Scripture_in_Song_Logo.png

| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1968}}

| founder = Dale & David Garratt

| distributor = New Sound Publishing Limited<ref>{{cite web |title=New Sound Publishing Limited (450063) Registered |url=https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/450063 |website=New Zealand Companies Office |access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>

| genre = [[Contemporary worship music]], [[contemporary Christian music]]

| country = New Zealand

| ___location = Auckland

| website = {{URL|scriptureinsong.org}}

}}

'''Scripture in Song''' is a [[Christianity|Christian]] music recording and publishing brand that was created in 1968 by married couple [[DaveDale and DaleDavid Garratt]] of [[Auckland]], New Zealand, when they released their first album of the same name, when neither could read or play music. Aiming to better incorporate [[Biblical canon|Biblical scripture]] into [[contemporary worship music]], the Garratts went on to produce a series of albums and songbooks[[Song book|song books]] of [[Bible]] verses set to [[soft rock]], and became leading musicians and songwriters internationally in the [[Charismatic movement]] in the 1970s and 80s. Over 50 years, they have produced 37 Scripture in Song records, sold millions of songbooks, and are credited for creating an "entire genre of contemporary [[Christianity|Christian]] music".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Dale Garratt and husband David: A match made in heaven |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/30/dale-garratt-and-husband-david-a-match-made-in-heaven/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=Steve Braunias meets the biggest-selling artists you’ve never heard of |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-ogs-of-christian-music/APQPSLZW2VETHKT5I7GLPE5O64/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.scriptureinsong.org/our-story |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Scripture In Song |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 53 years, Scripture in Song produced 41 records (with thirteen achieving [[Music recording certification|gold or platinum status]]), sold over three million song books, and is credited for creating an "entire genre of contemporary Christian music".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Dale Garratt and husband David: A match made in heaven |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/30/dale-garratt-and-husband-david-a-match-made-in-heaven/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=Steve Braunias meets the biggest-selling artists you've never heard of |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-ogs-of-christian-music/APQPSLZW2VETHKT5I7GLPE5O64/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

== History ==

Dale Mary Adeline Garratt ([[Ngāpuhi]], [[Te Aupōuri]]) was raised in Auckland[[Mount Eden]], andAuckland. David Reginald Garratt was raised in [[Dunedin]] as an [[Open Brethren]]. They met at a [[Youth for Christ|Youth For Christ NZ]] concert in [[Wellington]] in 1962.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" />

After releasing their 1968 ''Scripture in Song'' EP album, a children's song book and album, and their first full-length LP record, in 1972, the Garratts released their Scripture in Song double album ''Prepare Ye The Way''. It the brand's biggest hit, selling hundreds of thousands of albums globally, including 88,000 copies sold in New Zealand, [[Platinum record|certifying it platinum]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

The Garratts registered their recording company, Scripture in Song Recordings Limited, in 1973.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SCRIPTURE IN SONG RECORDINGS LIMITED {{!}} New Zealand Business Directory |url=https://www.nzwao.com/companies/scripture-in-song-recordings-limited/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.nzwao.com}}</ref>

In 1974, the Garratts held outdoor meetingsevents at racetracks in [[Palmerston North]] and [[Tauranga]]. About 3,000 people at each meetingevent were led by the GarrettsGarratts in singing worship songs, which were recorded live and released as the Scripture in Song album ''Praise the Name of Jesus (A Live Expression of Worship in the Outdoors)''.<ref>{{Cite web |title='His name is higher', with David and Dale Garratt |url=https://teara.govt.nz/mi/music/29779/his-name-is-higher-with-david-and-dale-garratt |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref> The album reached number one on the gospel charts in the United Kingdom.<ref name=":2" /> Christian songwriter Stephen Bell-Booth who played piano on the album said "David and Dale were revolutionary. They started a movement; it was a worldwide phenomenon, led by the Garratts from their base in Auckland. They were absolute pioneers."{{fact}}<ref name=":2" />

When asked about being pioneers of a new style of worship music around the world, David gave credit to the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] rather than his own ability: "It was interesting that the Holy Spirit did begin something that spread a long way. I’m not saying that it spread because of us at all, but it actually did begin something in New Zealand and God really did something with us as non-musicians that was somewhat unique because we just felt, right back at that stage, that He was wanting songs that are sung to Him and He was wanting us to encourage His people to worship and to learn His Word."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Brett |title=Let’sLet's Back Up a Bit: Conversations With Pioneering Kiwi Christian Musicians |date=2020 |publisher=Castle Publishing Ltd |___location=Auckland |isbn=978-0-473-53464-6 |pages=102-103102–103}}</ref>

The GarrettsGarratts toured the US and Europe for 10 months in 1982. In 1984, they awarded the [[GMA Dove Award|International Dove Award]] by the Nashville [[Gospel Music Association]] for lifetime achievement.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Awards |url=https://doveawards.com/awards/special-awards |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=doveawards.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1993, Scripture in Song celebrated 25 years with the four-day ''Oct One'' event at the ASB Arena in Auckland, including guests [[Kevin Prosch]], [[Steve Grace]] and [[Geoff Bullock]].<ref name=":3" />

The GarrettsGarratts went on to become leading figures in the global school of [[ethnodoxology]], a discipline which helps indigenous cultures understand and express [[Christian doctrine]] in their own musical forms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-27 |title=Wayback MachineLet My People Go That They May Worship Me|url=http://www.worldofworship.org/Articles/documents/DaveGarratt.doc |access-date=2024-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043830/http://www.worldofworship.org/Articles/documents/DaveGarratt.doc |accessarchive-date=2024-01-0427 September 2007 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

The Garratts sold the Scripture in Song music catalogue to a US publisher. From 1998 to 2005, they lost most of the money from the sale, and one of their two children, Rachel, died of cancer at age 31. In 2002, their company, Scripture in Song Recordings Limited, was removed by the [[New Zealand Companies Office]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />

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In 2018 the Garratts celebrated 50 years of the Scripture in Song brand. In 2019 they released ''I Exalt Thee'', an album of re-recorded and produced songs from the previous 50 years.<ref name=":3" />

Dale Garratt is acknowledged as one of the best-selling [[Māori people|Māori]] composers.<ref name=":1" /> In 2023, NZ Herald Senior Writer [[Steve Braunias]] wrote, "there’s a case to be made that Dale Garratt is actually among the very best female singers in New Zealand music history."<ref name=":2" /> Dale has authored three books, ''The Pleasure of your company'' in 1984, ''The Profile of the Pioneer: Mentors to a Future Generation'' in 1993, and ''Please Help Yourself: Living, Loving, Learning & Preparing the Table'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Garratt |first=Dale |url=https://www.amazon.com/Pleasure-Your-Company-Garratt-1984-02-17/dp/B01K8Z8BHA?ref_=ast_author_dp |title=Pleasure of Your Company by Dale Garratt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Garratt |first=Dale Mary |title=Please Help Yourself: Living, Loving, Learning & Preparing the Table |date=2019-08-30 |publisher=New Sound Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-0-473-49095-9 |edition= |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Profile of the Pioneer: Mentors to a Future Generat… |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141024686-the-profile-of-the-pioneer |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2024 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2024 New Zealand New Year Honours]], both Dale and David Garret were appointed [[New Zealand Order of Merit|Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services to Christian music production.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=New Year Honours 2024: Full list |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-year-honours-2024-the-full-list/MKD6GRO3SNFONISQU45WVVRK4Q/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> Dale Garratt ([[Ngāpuhi]], [[Te Aupōuri]]) is now acknowledged as one of the best-selling [[Māori people|Māori]] composers, with thirteen Scripture in Song albums achieving gold or platinum status and their songbooks selling over three million copies.<ref name=":1" /> In January 2024, Scripture in Song had 58,967 monthly listeners on [[Spotify]].<ref name=":5" />

In the [[2024 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2024 New Zealand New Year Honours]], both Dale and David GarretGarratt were appointed [[New Zealand Order of Merit|Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services to Christian music production.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=New Year Honours 2024: Full list |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-year-honours-2024-the-full-list/MKD6GRO3SNFONISQU45WVVRK4Q/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=NZ[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> DaleIn Garratt2024, the ([[NgāpuhiThe New Zealand Herald|New Zealand Herald]] wrote, [[Te"Their Aupōuri]])songs isare nowused acknowledgedin asvirtually oneevery ofProtestant thechurch best-sellingand [[Māorithey people|Māori]]are composers,recognised withnationally thirteenand Scriptureinternationally inas Songpioneering albumsworship achievingleaders goldand ormodellers platinumof statuscongregational andsinging, particularly for their songbookscontextual sellingapplication overof biblical texts and threecurrent millionmusical copiestrends."<ref>{{Cite nameweb |date=":1"2024-01-05 />|title=Former InParliament Januaryspeaker 2024,among 151 Scripturerecognised in SongNew hadYear 58,967Honours monthly|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-years-honours-2024-list-trevor-mallard-former-parliament-speaker-among-151-honoured/K7GJOWBEFVGWBGTKZXDJXIY2PU/ listeners on|access-date=2024-01-04 |website=[[SpotifyThe New Zealand Herald]].<ref name|language=":5" en-NZ}}</ref>

In January 2024, Scripture in Song had 58,967 monthly listeners on [[Spotify]].<ref name=":5" />

==Discography==

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== Bibliography ==

SongbooksSong books produced by Scripture in Song include:<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" />

* ''The Bible Tells Me So'' (1970)

* ''Songs of Praise'' (1979)

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== External link ==

* https://www.{{URL|scriptureinsong.org/}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:New Zealand record labels]]

[[Category:Christian record labels]]

[[Category:Record labels established in 19731968]]

[[Category:19731968 establishments in New Zealand]]

[[Category:Contemporary worship music]]

[[Category:Contemporary Christian music]]

[[Category:Hymnals]]

[[Category:Ngāpuhi people]]

[[Category:Te Aupōuri people]]

[[Category:New Zealand Māori singers]]

[[Category:New Zealand singers]]

[[Category:New Zealand writers]]