Daniel Doss was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the end of the 1970s, but has called Tennessee his home since the age of four, growing up and working in tucked away places with names like Martin, McKenzie, Obion, and Sango. It is in the Sango area of Clarksville, Tennessee that Daniel currently serves on staff at Grace Community Church. Daniel helped plant the church that has grown from two hundred to over one thousand regular attendees in less than two years.
When you hear Daniel talk about his church you see where his heart resides – in the center of God’s calling. A calling Daniel first answered as a senior in high school when he served as the worship leader for a congregation of eight members. Since then Daniel has continued to be obedient to God’s call on his life leading him through many stops along the way and currently releasing his band’s debut album with Sparrow Records.
As if he were building a church staff, the first step Doss took toward serious artistry was to build his own band, selecting members based on character and chemistry even before musical competence. The plan worked, providentially uniting drummer Joe Stevens (who toured with the GRAMMY nominated Crabb Family), bassist Bryan Wolski (a member of what Rolling Stone magazine called “the world’s best Eagles tribute band”), and guitarist Derek Williams (a onetime drug dealer whom Daniel later had the honor of baptizing).
“I wanted a crew that really got along and would hang out whether they were playing together or not. I could hang out with any of these guys any time,” Doss says. “Joe, Bryan and Derek also serve at their individual home churches. From helping lead on Sunday mornings to leading the student service and running sound equipment, these guys are passionately involved with their local church.”
By 2006, Daniel Doss Band was playing regionally and had landed two of its self-recorded tunes on Worship Leader magazine’s popular SongDISCovery sampler. The same thing that Worship Leader recognized early on was seen by managers, booking agencies and soon enough record labels. Shortly after signing with Sparrow Records, the quartet was paired with two-time Dove Award winning producer of the year Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin) to record Greater Than Us All.
“Working with Daniel was a true joy – he has a phenomenal voice and a true heart for worshipping God,” states Cash. “He really understands the church and the importance of writing songs that usher God’s people into His presence.”
“I’m all about reminding myself and others that God is huge,” says Doss. “Speaker Louie Giglio uses a phrase, ‘significant insignificance,’ to illustrate how small we are compared to the size of the universe and yet how significant we are as the pinnacle of God’s creation. That’s the goal in worship: to stand in awe yet still connect with God.”
Album opener “Great God,” already a crowd favorite, cuts to the thematic chase (Great God, greater than us all, forgive us; we have made You small) over a rocking musical track that brings to mind what dc talk might sound like if it were making records today.
First single “God in Me” represents the more personally inseparable and poetic side of faith and is likely to become a popular corporate worship selection. Daniel hopes the soaring, piano-led song, stylistically comparable to a band like MercyMe, will remind listeners that God is the source of all inspiration and worthy of praise in lyrics that declare: You are the song of my life, the dance in my feet, the voice of my heart. You are God in me.
It’s on the third track, “Hold On,” where we really start to witness Daniel’s personal worship experience find its way into the songs. With lyrics that so simply express a doubt filled life, Daniel is able to point listeners in the right direction:
When you don’t want to face another day
Seems like your life’s one big mistake
Failures from your former self chase you
Listen close so you know what to do
You may not see it, you may not feel it
But I’m holding you tightly
Your spirit is near Me, Hold on, hold on.
Further setting apart Greater Than Us All from other current releases is Daniel’s unique voice. While his playlist preferences today may include The Fray and U2, his favorite artists growing up were standout urban vocal acts like Larnelle Harris, Take 6, and Boyz II Men. The genre’s impact on his singing shines through on stellar anthems like afore mentioned “Hold On” and “Abba Father.” The effect is especially uplifting when Daniel’s powerful vocal runs entwine with his band’s surging rock worship performances on “Light Is Shining” and “Love Like Rain,” the songs previously featured through Worship Leader magazine that are now being sung by the church, where the heart of Daniel Doss Band will always stay.
That loyalty to calling and ministry is something that Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall recognized in Daniel Doss Band early on. “I have spent a lot of time with these guys and they are the real deal. Daniel’s writing is sincere, honest, and speaks clearly about God’s love and hope in Christ. Their music will impact anyone who hears it.”
With Greater Than Us All, Daniel Doss Band hope to create an atmosphere where in listeners can connect to God and boldly approach the throne of Grace.
“One of the most exciting worship finds of the year.”
– Worship Leader magazine
