Brown Bannister
Elliott Brown Bannister III is a contemporary Christian music producer and songwriter.
Early life and education
Elliott Brown Bannister III[1] was born in Topeka, Kansas.[2][3]
Career
Bannister released one album of his own, Talk to One Another, in 1981 on NewPax Records.[4] It was reissued on the Reunion Records label five years later, featuring a newer recording of the album's final cut, "Create in Me a Clean Heart". The original NewPax version featured Ed DeGarmo on the Hammond B3 organ; the 1986 version featured Amy Grant and her then husband Gary Chapman on vocals. The 1986 version was released as a radio single and gained moderate airplay in some markets.[4]
He has written many songs, notably for Amy Grant. Bannister also taught Grant in his Sunday School class at Belmont Church of Christ.[5]
Bannister is best known for his work in the audio engineering, recording, and production industry. He formed his own independent label, Vireo Records, in 1991.[6]
Personal life
Ellie Holcomb is his daughter.[7]
Awards and accolades
Bannister was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2025.[8]
Dove Awards
- 1981: The Imperials, "Praise the Lord" - Song of the Year
- 1981: Debby Boone, With My Song - Album by a Secular Artist
- 1983: Amy Grant, Age to Age - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 1984: Debby Boone, Surrender - Album by a Secular Artist
- 1985: Amy Grant, Straight Ahead - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 1989: Amy Grant, Lead Me On - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 1992: Bruce Carroll, Sometime Miracles Hide - Country Album of the Year
- 1993: Paul Overstreet, Love is Strong - Country Album of the Year
- 1994: Michael English, Hope - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 1994: Bruce Carroll, Walk On - Country Album of the Year
- 1994: Petra, Wake Up Call - Rock Album of the Year
- 1996: Various Artists, My Utmost for His Highest – Special Event Album of the Year
- 1997: Steven Curtis Chapman, Signs of Life - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 1998: Producer of the Year
- 2000: Producer of the Year
- 2000: Steven Curtis Chapman, Speechless - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 2001: Producer of the Year
- 2002: Steven Curtis Chapman, Declaration - Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
- 2002: Cece Winans, CeCe Winans – Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year
- 2003: Producer of the Year[9]
- 2003: Amy Grant, Legacy...Hymns and Faith – Inspirational Album of the Year
- 2004: Producer of the Year
- 2006: Bart Millard, Hymned – Inspirational Album of the Year
- 2006: Amy Grant, Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith - Inspirational Album of the Year
- 2007: End of the Spear Soundtrack – Instrumental Album of the Year
- 2012: The Story - Special Event Album of the Year
Grammy Awards
- 1980: Debby Boone, With My Song - Best Inspirational Performance
- 1982: Amy Grant, Age To Age - Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary
- 1983: Amy Grant, Ageless Medley - Best Gospel Performance, Female
- 1984: Amy Grant, "Angels" - Best Gospel Performance, Female
- 1984: Debby Boone & Phil Driscoll, "Keep the Flame Burning" from Surrender - Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group
- 1985: Amy Grant, Unguarded - Best Gospel Performance, Female
- 1988: Amy Grant, Lead Me On - Best Gospel Performance, Female
- 1992: Bruce Carroll, Sometimes Miracles Hide - Best Southern Gospel Album
- 1994: Petra, Wake-Up Call - Best Rock Gospel Album
- 1999: Steven Curtis Chapman, Speechless - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
- 2001: CeCe Winans, CeCe Winans - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
- 2004: Steven Curtis Chapman, All Things New - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
- 2005: Amy Grant, Rock of Ages, Hymns & Faith - Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album
- 2006: Third Day, Wherever You Are - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
References
- ↑ "Find Elliott B Bannister in Tennessee Now". PublicRecords.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
- ↑ Cusie, Don. "Producer-Songwriter-Singer-Communicator-Extraordinaire: Brown Bannister". TodaysChristianMusic.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
- ↑ ellieholcomb (August 31, 2011). "Just finished celebrating my..." Twitter. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
- 1 2 Brothers, Jeffrey Lee (2003). Hot Hits: Adult Contemporary Charts 1978-2001. Bloomington (IN): Authorhouse. p. 28. ISBN 9781410732941.
- ↑ Millard, Bob (1996). Amy Grant: The Life of a Pop Star. St. Martin's Press. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-312-30390-7.
Amy first befriended, then developed a crush on, Brown Bannister [...] a force in the Bible study group that was leading many talented young people to the Belmont Church of Christ
- ↑ "Brown Bannister". Christian Music Archive. 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
- ↑ Evans-Price, Deborah (October 7, 2014). "Hillsong United Wins Big at Dove Awards". Billboard.com.
- ↑ "Mike Curb Set To Present GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame". Gospel Music Association. August 28, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ "2003 Dove Awards Winners". Billboard. April 11, 2003.
External links
- Brown Bannister, Allmusic.com