Song:Six, Six, Six
Album:Destined to Win: The Classic Rock Collection
DeGarmo & Key were one of the most successful Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) groups of the 80s. This was at a time when CCM labels were attempting to cross acts over to pop and get music videos played on MTV. That didn't go well for DeGarmo & Key but they were still successful in CCM. Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key were childhood friends in Memphis. Key was usually the lead singer and he played guitar. DeGarmo played keyboards. They wrote and produced all the songs together. They were in the early 70s band Globe. But they became Christians and left the band. They were going to quit music. But listening to Larry Norman's groundbreaking CCM album Only Visiting This Planet encouraged them to perform Christian music. They signed with Pat Boone's Lamb & Lion label with Word distribution and at first they recorded with studio musicians. In the early 80s, bassist Tommy Cathey and drummer Greg Morrow became permanent members. For the 1983 album Mission Of Mercy, DeGarmo & Key signed with Benson's Power Discs label. Benson seemed to have a better handle on how to promote a Christian rock group to young Christians and maybe to the mainstream. DeGarmo & Key were having success in CCM and the decision was made to get the video for Six, Six, Six played on MTV. The hook is Kevin Bacon appears in the video. DeGarmo & Key were the first CCM group to be played on MTV. Unfortunately, the US Senate hearings on sex and violence in music caused MTV to ban Six, Six, Six for violent imagery. They thought it was anti-Christian which is pretty funny. After that, DeGarmo & Key stuck to the CCM market. They continued to have success until they retired in 1998. This CD has all their hits. DeGarmo already owned the CCM label Forefront. And Key was president of Ardent Records. Both recorded solo and reunited for special occasions until Key's 2010 death. Here's the video for Six, Six, Six by DeGarmo & Key.
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