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| Sixsteps Management | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sixsteps Management |
| Founded | 2000s |
| Genre | Contemporary Christian music, worship music |
| Country | United States |
| Location | North Carolina |
| Notable artists | Chris Tomlin, Passion, Crowder |
Sixsteps Management Sixsteps Management is an American artist management collective and label imprint known for its association with contemporary worship music and the Passion Conferences. Founded in the early 2000s in North Carolina, the entity grew alongside movements and institutions in evangelical Christian music, collaborating with artists, churches, festivals, and media organizations. It has played a prominent role in the careers of several high-profile worship leaders and bands and has intersected with major events and organizations in modern Christian culture.
Sixsteps Management emerged in the context of the early-21st-century revival of worship music associated with organizations such as Passion Conferences, Hillsong Church, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Jesus Culture, and Bethel Music. Its origins tie to regional networks in Raleigh, North Carolina, Worship Central, and academic institutions like Wheaton College (Illinois), where many worship leaders and songwriters crossing paths with figures such as Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio developed collaborative relationships. During the 2000s and 2010s it collaborated with large Christian events including Creation Festival, Soulfest, and Ichthus Festival and engaged with distribution and promotion partners such as Sparrow Records, EMI Christian Music Group, and Capitol Christian Music Group. As streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube changed music consumption, the collective adapted by leveraging networked events including Passion Conferences 2011, Passion 2012, and touring circuits with artists associated with Integrity Music and Provident Label Group.
Sixsteps Management has been associated with a roster that includes worship leaders, solo artists, and bands who have also been linked to institutions and movements such as Passion Conferences, Hillsong United, and Jesus Culture. Prominent figures who have worked in close association include Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Phil Wickham, Graham Kendrick, Darlene Zschech, and ensembles tied to Passion events. The roster’s collaborations and songwriting partnerships extend to figures like Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, Israel Houghton, Matt Maher, Martin Smith, Taya Smith, Rend Collective, Bethel Music, Kathryn Scott, Brian Doerksen, Steffany Gretzinger, Tim Hughes, Molly Skaggs, Austin Stone Worship, Kari Jobe, Seth Condrey, Phil Joel, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Laura Story, Bebo Norman, Hillsong Worship, Crowder (band), Lincoln Brewster, Jamie Grace, Jordan Feliz, White Flag Band, Gateway Worship, Kutless, Tenth Avenue North, Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Sovereign Grace Music, The Afters, NewSong, Newsboys, Third Day, Zach Williams, TobyMac, Amy Grant, For KING & COUNTRY, Switchfoot, David Crowder Band.
Sixsteps Management operates as a management collective and imprint focusing on artist development, publishing coordination, touring logistics, and event partnerships. It works with publishing entities like Provident Music Group, EMI Christian Music Publishing, and Capitol CMG Publishing to register songs and facilitate placements at events such as Passion Conferences and festivals like Creation Festival and Big Church Day Out. The collective negotiates with radio promoters, distribution channels including Spotify, iTunes Store, and YouTube Music, and collaborates with major labels and distributors such as Sparrow Records and Integrity Music. Revenue streams include touring, merchandise, sync licensing for media tied to organizations like Focus on the Family, charitable partnerships with ministries resembling Compassion International, and streaming royalties administered through performance rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI.
Sixsteps Management has influenced the modern landscape of contemporary worship through songwriting, conference worship sets, and by shaping the visibility of worship leaders across mass events like Passion Conferences and festivals tied to Hillsong Church and Bethel Music. Songs and arrangements promoted through its network have been adopted in churches worldwide, appearing in hymnals and compilations alongside works from Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong Worship, and Israel Houghton. The collective’s artists have contributed to crossover exposure between Christian and mainstream markets, charting on lists such as Billboard Christian Songs and collaborating with mainstream artists and events that include appearances at venues like Madison Square Garden and broadcasts with networks such as TBN and CBN.
Criticism directed at Sixsteps Management and its associated artists has mirrored broader debates within contemporary worship and evangelical culture, including disputes over lyrical theology, commercialization of worship, and the corporatization of conference-driven ministry. Debates have referenced tensions exemplified in controversies around organizations such as Hillsong Church, Bethel Church, and leaders associated with the New Apostolic Reformation and prompted dialogue with academic voices from institutions like Fuller Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Scrutiny has also touched on contractual practices and revenue-sharing models familiar in disputes involving labels like Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group, as well as public ethics conversations involving figures tied to prominent ministries and festivals.
Artists connected with Sixsteps Management and its network have received numerous industry honors, including multiple awards from GMA Dove Awards, nominations and charting on Billboard charts, and recognition at events associated with Grammy Awards categories for gospel and contemporary Christian music. Individual songwriters and producers aligned with the collective have won songwriting accolades and production awards that parallel honors bestowed by organizations such as ASCAP and BMI, and artists have been featured on compilation albums and live recordings that have achieved gold and platinum certifications overseen by RIAA.
Category:American record labels Category:Christian music record labels