Innovative and influential Christian rock band The Choir received their first Grammy nomination ever on Friday, announced as part of the Recording Academy's 44th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee Announcement. Their latest album Flap Your Wings is being considered for Best Rock Gospel Album, along with Solo by DC Talk, T-Bone's The Last Street Preacha, a live album by Big Tent Revival, and Sonicpraise by Sonicflood.

Although the group has been recording for almost twenty years, this is the first time they have been recognized by the Recording Academy. Their previous release Free Flying Soul won the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Best Modern Rock Album in 1997.

Flap Your Wings was released independently by the group's own Galaxy21 Music, and is available online at www.thechoir.net and at Christian retail outlets nationwide. The album, the band's tenth full-length recording and the debut album for the label, was met with critical praise and garnered grassroots support nationally.

"I started Galaxy21 Music for my friends and their wonderful bands to provide a home for their music as they continue to create, perform live and communicate with their audience," explains label owner and group member Dan Michaels. "Though Galaxy21 is small and not to be found in the top of the Soundscan charts, I still feel called to this service because of the relationships, the music and the effect their ministry has on those that listen."

While it isn't yet understood how the album placed out front for the voting members of the academy, the band is both overwhelmed and grateful for the nomination after twenty years of toiling under the radar.

"What a complete shock! said lead singer and guitarist Derri Daugherty. "It's hard to believe this happened".

"What a great surprise," adds drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong. "Sure, i t's pure lunacy.We all realize that. Flap Your Wings is pretty much Indy. No budget, really. Just 16 tracks of ADAT. A couple of weekends and a few scattered days in Derri's basement. A Grammy nomination?! Hmmm. Mystifying. Anyhow, we're proud of the album. Hopefully more people will check it out now."

Michaels expressed 'wild ashonishment' when he heard the announcement, adding that the band is "indebted to those who voted to nominate this record as it gave me hope that there are people that listened and cared about this quiet release. I'm proud of this record and feel it is among our best work, but could never have imagined that it would be nominated for such an honor."

The Choir, hailing from Southern California, and were the first of the Christian alternative bands to get signed by a major Christian label (Myrrh/Word). Tireless road-warriors, Daugherty, Hindalong, along with saxophonist/lyriconist Dan Michaels and bassist Tim Chandler, relentlessly played an assortment of venues ranging from church basements to small clubs to huge international festivals. They shared the stage with The Alarm, Rage Against The Machine, Mercy Seat, Peter Case and Rev. Horton Heat, while regular appearances at mainstream clubs in L.A., Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta and New York earned them a loyal following. They've toured with Steve Taylor, Russ Taff, Whiteheart, and at Christian music festivals all over the world. Current gold status artists such as Jars Of Clay, Third Day, Caedmon 's Call and Sixpence None The Richer site The Choir as a significant influence to their music ministry.

Galaxy21 Music has recently released A Golden Field of Radioactive Crows by 77s, Business as Usual by Buck Enterprises, Mr. Buechner's Dream by Daniel Amos and The Inbetween Time by Common Children, among others. They also unveiled the first comprehensive box set in Christian music, Never Say Never, which includes every full length album from The Choir along with a bonus disk of rarities and a 170 page book. Galaxy21 Music is distributed in the US by New Day Christian Distribution.