Integrity Music: The Pioneers of Modern Worship

Integrity Music is a pioneering American record label and worship collective that has profoundly shaped the sound of contemporary Christian music for decades. Originating from Mobile, Alabama, the label's vast catalog of worship anthems, including global hits like "I Exalt Thee" and "Shout to the Lord," has achieved multi-platinum sales and consistent chart dominance in the Christian genre.

Early career

Integrity Music was founded in 1987 by Michael Coleman with a distinct vision: to create Scripture-based worship music for the local church. The label's first releases were not traditional albums but "Hosanna! Music" cassette tapes, which featured simple, congregational-friendly songs recorded live. This direct-to-church model, bypassing mainstream Christian retail initially, quickly built a dedicated following among believers.

Breakthrough

The label's breakthrough into mainstream Christian consciousness came in the early 1990s with the explosive success of Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong Church. Integrity's 1993 release of "Shout to the Lord," performed by Zschech, became a worldwide worship standard. This hit propelled the associated "Hosanna! Music" series to new heights, leading to widespread retail distribution and establishing Integrity as a dominant force in the worship movement.

Key tracks

Shout to the Lord — This 1993 anthem became a global worship phenomenon, defining a generation and solidifying Integrity's industry influence.

I Exalt Thee — Originally released in the late 1980s, this song became one of Integrity's earliest and most enduring catalog staples, covered by countless artists.

You Are Good — A key track from the popular "Hungry" series, it exemplified the intimate, vertical worship style that became Integrity's signature.

Better Is One Day — This song, popularized by the Passion movement and Matt Redman, was released under Integrity's partnership and became a modern classic.

Here I Am to Worship — Though written by Tim Hughes, this song's massive reach was amplified through Integrity's distribution and publishing network.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Integrity expanded its roster through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, including the Essential Records and Columbia-based Provident Label Group. They released major projects from artists like Paul Baloche, Israel & New Breed, and New Zealand's Parachute Band. The label has consistently earned Dove Awards and Grammy nominations, with its songs regularly topping the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) charts.

Artists with a similar foundational impact on modern worship include Hillsong United — another collective that shaped global worship from Australia. Passion shares Integrity's focus on live, congregational recordings driven by a new generation. Chris Tomlin has a similar catalog of church-sung anthems, many released through partnerships with Integrity. Bethel Music follows the model of being a worship movement originating from a local church.

Integrity Music's extensive library is a cornerstone of programming for Christian worship radio stations and inspirational FM formats worldwide. Their songs are staples on both terrestrial broadcast stations and dedicated online worship streams, ensuring their music reaches a global audience daily.

Listeners can explore the influential catalog of Integrity Music on the worship and Christian music radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to hear the timeless worship anthems and contemporary hits that continue to define the genre.