Randy Stonehill

Updated: Nov 10

Randall Evan Stonehill (born March 12, 1952 in Stockton, California) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. His music is primarily folk rock in the style of James Taylor, but some of his music has focused on new wave, pop, roots rock, pop rock and children's music.

Born in Stockton, California, to parents, Leonard N. Stonehill and his wife, Pauline Correia, Stonehill also has an older brother named Jeffrey Dean Stonehill. After graduating from Leigh High School in San Jose, California, Stonehill moved to Los Angeles where he stayed with Christian rock singer Larry Norman, himself a pioneer in Christian music.

In 1970, Stonehill performed the lead role in Jimmy Owens' first Christian musical Show Me. He released his debut album Born Twice in 1971. Stonehill appeared in the motion picture Beware! The Blob a year later, along with Norman. Stonehill made a cameo appearance in the 1973 Christian film Time to Run, performing his song "I Love You." It was produced and distributed by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. That same year, Stonehill released his second album Get Me Out of Hollywood in London. The album remained unreleased until 1999.

In 1976, Stonehill released his third album Welcome to Paradise. Considered as a masterpiece, the album was named as one of the 100 greatest albums in Christian music by CCM Magazine in 2001. Stonehill co-wrote the classic "Your Love Broke Through," first recorded by CCM musician Phil Keaggy in 1976 and a year later by Keith Green on his debut album For Him Who Has Ears to Hear. The Sky is Falling was released in 1980, and then starting in 1981, Stonehill began his decade recording career on Word Records with Between the Glory and the Flame. His 1983 album Equator featured the very popular Christian radio hit "Shut De Dó." Stonehill's next album Celebrate This Heartbeat was released in 1984. The track "Who Will Save the Children" featured a vocal duet Keaggy. His next album Love Beyond Reason (1985) featured the lead single "I Could Never Say Goodbye" with Amy Grant, where it became a Christian radio hit and was a Grammy nominee for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group. Stonehill also released Love Beyond Reason -The Video Album that same year.

Stonehill teamed up with musician Dave Perkins on two albums. The first, The Wild Frontier (1986), is a return to rock music with some authenticity and rawness. The title song was a big hit on Christian Rock radio. The second, Can't Buy a Miracle (1988), is a continuation of The Wild Frontier, with more rock and even some country. The track "Coming Back Soon" was another Christian radio hit. That same year Stonehill and Keaggy formed The Keaggy/Stonehill Band with other musicians performing in concerts and in the studio. In 1989, Stonehill released Return to Paradise, a reference to his 1976 album Welcome to Paradise.

The 1990s saw Stonehill return to his folk rock roots with his albums, Until We Have Wings, Wonderama, The Lazarus Heart and Thirst. In 2001, Stonehill recorded a children's album Uncle Stonehill's Hat. After 50 years of musical ministry, Stonehill is one of the few Jesus Music-era musicians who continues to record and tour regularly.