Editing Pillar (band) (section)

== History ==

=== Formation and independent albums (1998–2000)===
Pillar started in [[Hays, Kansas|Hays]], [[Kansas]] in 1998, when [[Fort Hays State University]] roommates Brad Noone and Rob Beckley got together with friends Travis Jenkins, Dustin Adams, and [[Michael Wittig]], known as Kalel.<ref name="Rhythmstx">{{cite web
| url = https://www.angelfire.com/zine/rxmag/pillar.html
| title = Pillar
| access-date = May 15, 2008
| publisher = Rhythmstx Magazine
}}</ref> In 1999, Pillar released their first album, ''Metamorphosis'', on their own independent label, Shadrach Records.  After some more touring in Kansas, they released their second independent album, ''Original Superman'', in 2000. Around this time they relocated to [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]], [[Oklahoma]], to try to find a larger fan base.

=== Flicker Records era (2000–2006) ===
Soon after the release of ''Original Superman'', Pillar became noticed by [[Flicker Records]], who signed them in mid 2000.<ref name="sing365">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Pillar-Biography/9DBC2B4595D41F7F48256C8E001E65E8
 |title        = Pillar Biography
 |access-date   = May 15, 2008
 |publisher    = Sing365.com
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080518123303/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Pillar-Biography/9DBC2B4595D41F7F48256C8E001E65E8
 |archive-date = May 18, 2008
 |url-status     = dead
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> After the signing, Pillar re-cut many of the tracks from ''Original Superman'' as well as a few new tracks for release on ''Above'', their first major label album.<ref name="Rhythmstx"/> The album had medium success, selling almost 60,000 copies.<ref name="allmusic"/> The song "Open Your Eyes" won a [[Dove Award]] in 2001 for Hard Music Song of the Year.<ref name="dove2001"/> Also, the songs "Original Superman" and "Live for Him" helped in Pillar's success.

In 2002, [[Noah Henson]] took over guitar duties and Pillar released their breakthrough album, ''[[Fireproof (Pillar album)|Fireproof]]''. It sold over 300,000 copies, and launched national tours. It also won two [[Dove Award]]s.<ref name="sing365"/> A year later Pillar went back into the studio with ''Fireproof'' and released a newer, richer-sounding version with little tweaks in songs, including a bonus DVD; this resulted in two versions of ''Fireproof'' being on the market.

Soon after the release of ''Fireproof'', drummer [[Lester Estelle, Jr.]] joined the band.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.lesterdrums.com/site_pages/bio.php
 |title       = Biography
 |access-date  = May 15, 2008
 |publisher   = LesterDrums.com
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080324175745/http://www.lesterdrums.com/site_pages/bio.php
 |archive-date = March 24, 2008
 |df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>

In 2004, Pillar released their next album ''[[Where Do We Go from Here (album)|Where Do We Go from Here]]'' capturing No.&nbsp;1 on sales in the Christian charts for weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Rock Tops Music Charts in 2004 |work=cbn.co |access-date=January 5, 2019 |url= http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/music/gma_2004report.aspx?mobile=false }}</ref> The album featured multiple hits, including "Bring Me Down", and, "Frontline" which topped the charts for months, and was also one of their most popular songs. Not only did Christian shows and stations play "Bring Me Down", it was requested heavily on secular stations as well. "Bring Me Down" was also featured on the sound track for ''Mx vs ATV: Unleashed''. Thanks to its success on digital platforms, "Frontline" went on to be [[RIAA certification|certified gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Pillar&ti=#search_section|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Recording Industry Association of America|language=en-US}}</ref>

Pillar released an EP called ''[[Nothing Comes for Free]]'' in June 2006. It featured three new songs (including "Everything") and four live tracks. The other two new songs, "Our Escape" and "Dangerous", are not available on their following album, ''The Reckoning''. The EP was only available at live shows and at their webstore. A limited number of copies (10,000) were created.

Pillar then recorded their fourth album, ''[[The Reckoning (Pillar album)|The Reckoning]]'', in late 2006. [[Travis Wyrick]] ([[P.O.D.]], [[We as Human]], [[10 Years (band)|10 Years]], [[Disciple (band)|Disciple]]) produced the new album, as he produced all of their previous albums, and it was released on October 3, 2006. In support of ''The Reckoning'', Pillar embarked on "The Days of the Reckoning Tour" throughout October and November 2006. Other Christian bands on the tour included [[Day of Fire]], [[The Showdown (band)|the Showdown]], and [[Decyfer Down]]. ''The Reckoning'' received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination December 6, 2007 for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album|Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album]], a first for the band.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx#11
| title = 50th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations List
| date = December 6, 2007
| access-date = December 7, 2007
| publisher = The Recording Academy
| archive-date = April 4, 2008
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080404005333/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx#11
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

=== ''For the Love of the Game'' (2007–2009) ===
Pillar has played at both [[Cornerstone Festival]] and [[Creation Festival]]. It was revealed at [[Soulfest]] 2007 that the name of their next album would be ''[[For the Love of the Game (album)|For the Love of the Game]]'', which was eventually released on February 26, 2008. They brought back the Pillar logo from "Where Do We Go from Here" and "Fireproof" for it. [[ESPN]] used the new Pillar song, "For the Love of the Game," during montages highlighting the [[2007 World Series]] on its program ''[[Baseball Tonight (MLB)|Baseball Tonight]]''. ''For the Love of the Game'' is the last Pillar record produced by Travis Wyrick.

Pillar helped Eowyn record her album ''Silent Screams'', with Beckley contributing vocals to the title track and Henson and Estelle also playing on the album. Pillar toured on the [[SHOUTfest]] tour with [[After Edmund]] and various other artists from September to November 2007. They also had a tour for ''For the Love of the Game'' from February to April 2008, with Brooke Barrettsmith, Wavorly, and Building 429.

In the fall of 2008, Pillar embarked on the ''For the Love of the Fan Tour'', which enabled the fans to decide their own ticket price for the show. The tour lasted for three weeks and ended on September 26, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. Lester announced the ''For the Love of the Fan Tour'' would be his last tour with Pillar. Kalel was not seen playing bass for Pillar, but was being filled in forby Josh Gleave (formerly with Jeremy Riddle). Later, Kalel announced on his Myspace page his decision for leaving Pillar was due to Lester's departure from the band, and because Kalel was involved with helping independent bands such as [[One Minute Halo]] and [[Stars Go Dim]]. Making singer Rob Beckley the only original member of Pillar. Kalel also stated that he wanted to be at home with his wife and two children and not be on the road all the time.

Kalel's bass part was filled in for a short time by Josh Gleave. Richard Gilliland met Pillar while preparing for the Creation Festival tour (at the time he was playing for KJ-52); he then joined Pillar as bass player and subsequently stopped playing for KJ. Gilliland's first show with Pillar was at Creation Festival. Pillar attempted to replace Lester several times. James Holloway was hired to play drums for the Creation tour. Chase Lovelace then joined the band; however, for unknown reasons, Lovelace left the band after only being a member for a couple months.

=== ''Confessions'' and unofficial hiatus (2009–2012) ===
Rob Beckley stated that Rob Graves, who has worked with [[Red (band)|RED]] and Wavorly, would produce the new album. This was the first Pillar record not produced by Travis Wyrick and the only album recorded without band co-founder/bassist Michael Kalel Wittig. [[Joe Rickard]] of RED recorded all drum tracks for this record. The next Pillar drummer, Taylor Carroll, joined around March 2009, after the recording process of the new album.

''[[Confessions (Pillar album)|Confessions]]'' was released on September 22, 2009. The first two singles from the album, "Secrets and Regrets" and "Fire on the Inside", were released on July 17, 2009. Pillar was touring to promote the album and supported Red on their "Nothing and Everything tour", which also featured [[The Wedding (band)|the Wedding]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} Their cover of Collective Soul's song, "[[Shine (Collective Soul song)|Shine]]", was released as the third single from the album.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} Their fourth single, "Whatever It Takes", reached number one on June 6, 2010.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

In 2010, the album was nominated for a [[Dove Award]] for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the [[41st GMA Dove Awards]].<ref>[http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/02/18/41st-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced/ 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120707061925/http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/02/18/41st-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced/ |date=July 7, 2012 }} on [[The Tennessean]] (February 18, 2010)</ref>

In 2011, Pillar played only one show, at Solid Festival on October 29. During this show, Taylor Caroll was not playing with the band because by that time he had left to pursue a solo career.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/2i-092wqljo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140626040613/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i-092wqljo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i-092wqljo |title=Pillar - Fire on the Inside (Live at Solid Festival 2011) |publisher=Youtube.com |date=November 1, 2011 |access-date=July 11, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Reunion, ''[[One Love Revolution]]'' and recent activity (2012–present) ===
On February 2, 2012 it was revealed Rob Beckley was going to release his first solo record through idefi Music on March 14, 2012.<ref name="Rob Beckley solo">{{cite web |url=http://www.freshnews.com/news/605859/pillar-frontman-defies-the-norm-rob-beckley-announces-first-ever-solo-album |title=PILLAR FRONTMAN DEFIES THE NORM: Rob Beckley Announces First Ever Solo Album |access-date=February 2, 2012 |publisher=FreshNews.com }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The first single off the record, "Value of My Heart", was released on September 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idefimusic.com/releases/2 |title=Rob Beckley - Value of My Heart |date=September 1, 2012 |access-date=September 1, 2012 |publisher=idefi Music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609033218/http://www.idefimusic.com/releases/2 |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It is now downloadable for free on the renewed Pillar website. Beckley's solo album remains unreleased ever since.

On October 27, 2012, Pillar announced that all four members from 2001–2008 (Rob Beckley, Noah Henson, Michael Kalel Wittig and Lester Estelle) would be reuniting with plans of releasing a new album.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/K4C7lU-m1uo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106111150/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4C7lU-m1uo&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4C7lU-m1uo |title=Pillar Announcement! |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012 |publisher=Pillar }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On December 15, 2012, Pillar released their version of the traditional [[Christmas carol]] "[[God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen]]" as a free downloadable single on [[NoiseTrade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noisetrade.com/pillar |title=Pillar &#124; Download Free Music, Tour Dates, Videos from |publisher=NoiseTrade |access-date=February 16, 2014}}</ref>

A new song titled "Lion Leads the Way" was released in April of 2014. The heavy rock song was written as the soundtrack for the movie ''Day of War''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theblast.fm/wp/pillar-to-land-song-in-major-movie-theater-release-full-album-delayed-until-2014/ |title=Pillar To Land Song in Major Movie Theater Release; Full Album Delayed Until 2014: UPDATED WITH INSIDE BLAST SCOOPAGE FROM KALEL |date=September 13, 2013 |access-date=June 29, 2015 |publisher=The Blast}}</ref>

''[[One Love Revolution]]'' was crowdfunded via [[Kickstarter]] and released independently on August 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pillar/pillar-reunited-new-album-2014|title=Pillar – Reunited – New Album 2014|website=Kickstarter|date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref> No touring activity happened and no official music videos were released to promote the album.

On December 24, 2019, the band released a Christmas single "Do You Hear What I Hear" as a free download.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6V_8hwI1NQ&feature=youtu.be Pillar "Do You Hear What I Hear"]</ref> Until 2023, there were no updates on the band's activity since. Frontman Rob Beckley became a pastor; Noah Henson went on to perform as a live guitarist/backing vocalist for [[Brantley Gilbert]]; bassist Michael Wittig pursued a [[bodybuilder]]/[[fitness trainer]] career; Lester Estelle performs as a live drummer for [[Kelly Clarkson]].

In November 2023, Pillar announced a three-date reunion tour which is scheduled to take place in June and July, 2024, as well as releasing ''One Love Revolution'' on CD and, for the first time for the band, on a vinyl release.<ref>[https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/christian-rock-band-pillar-adds-2023-tour-dates-announces-first-vinyl-release/?fbclid=IwAR1RJ0Ccy38NIt1kHjQtA0HIxgsja8n5HvQve9xUv1j2HhyMfFjsRVT67FI Christian Rock Band Pillar Adds 2023 Tour Dates + Announces First Vinyl Release | CCM Magazine]</ref>

[[File:Pillar (band) 2024.jpg | thumb | right | Pillar at VIP Meet and Greet in Broken Arrow on June 9, 2024]]
On June 9, 2024, Pillar reunited in Broken Arrow, OK, for their first concert in over a decade, and was filmed for an upcoming documentary.<ref>[https://www.newson6.com/story/6660e36c1b2a47a64c369ec5/rock-band-pillar-to-reunite-for-special-show-in-broken-arrow ROCK BAND PILLAR TO REUNITE FOR SPECIAL SHOW IN BROKEN ARROW]</ref>