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   WHO IS SWITCHFOOT? Switchfoot is Tim Foreman, Jon Foreman and Chad Butler, three guys from San Diego who love to play music, surf and honor their Creator. The three grew up on the beaches of San Diego, surfing since their early teens, competing in national amateur surfing championships and earning product endorsements from Redsand Clothing, DSO sunglasses and REEF shoes. As long as they have surfed, they have also played music. And, while the guys have been friends for years (their dads serve as pastors for neighboring Calvary Chapels in Carlsbad), the band was not formed for quite some time. In the great tradition of overnight success stories, it was a crude demo recorded in Jon's bedroom only a few months after they started playing together that found its way to producer Charlie Peacock's home in Nashville. The originality of the music and the honesty of the lyrics captured him immediately. Shortly after a personal meeting with Tim, Jon and Chad, Charlie signed the band to his boutique label that is part of music giant, EMI Music. The close friendship between Chad, Tim, and Jon has developed throughout the years on the road and has translated into Switchfoot's compelling live performances. Jon, Tim, and Chad have played music to crowds in Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and all across the continent. Since then, Jerome Fontimillas, one of the musical masterminds behind the groups Mortal and Fold Zandura, has joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Jerome's influence isn't hard to miss in their live performances and on the new album Switchfoot has accomplished many things during their 7+ years as a group. Many of their highly looked-up accomplishments are listed below, but even more important than any awards are the things they have done and are doing to help further the Kingdom of God and make a difference in the world around us. Switchfoot has worked with a musical group of Sudanese refugees. Suffering persecution for their faith in Sudan, a large group has moved to San Diego, fleeing for their lives. Jon plans to produce an album for them, utilizing Switchfoot's home studio. Applying his experience in computer graphics, Tim designed the entire packaging for Learning to Breathe, as well as The Beautiful Letdown. This was a hard-won feat as Tim is the first artist within EMI Christian Music Group to design his own album packaging. Also contributing to Switchfoot's "hands on" work ethic, Chad served as the road manager. WHAT IS A SWITCHFOOT? Switchfoot is a surf term that is used when a surfer changes foot position on the board, gaining a new perspective. This is how Tim, Jon and Chad approach their music and their lives - you'll hear in their music quick changes of style, while their lyrics reflect a life lived from a different perspective than many modern rock bands. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: -ASCAP San Diego Music Award for "Best New Artist" (1997) -ASCAP San Diego Music Awards for "Best Pop Album" and "Best Pop Artist" (2001) -ASCAP San Diego Music Award for "Best Adult Alternative" (2002) -Switchfoot songs featured on "Dawson's Creek" (5 songs), "Party of Five," (4 songs), "Popular," "Jack and Jill" (2 songs), "Time of Your Life" (music video used), "Felicity," MTV's "Tough Enough (15 songs), "Gross Point" (2 songs), "Grapevine," "Regis and Kelly," and the Disney movies, "Model Behavior" and "Endless Ring Of Light" -Appearance in a FOX TV film with Jason Priestley called "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," which features two Switchfoot songs and a live performance. -MTV2 airplay of "You Already Take Me There" video -5 songs included on the Gold certified soundtrack - "A Walk To Remember" -Five Dove Award nominations -One Grammy Nomination (Learning To Breathe) -1999 Modern Rock Song of the Year, "New Way to be Human" -Jon Foreman, 2001 Gibson Guitars' Les Paul Award for "Most Promising Up-And-Coming Guitarist" |
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