Bryan Duncan

It took over twenty years from his entry into the gospel music world, but Bryan Duncan finally became a star during the mid-'90s, hitting number one on Christian radio ten times from 1993 to 1997. He had formed the Sweet Comfort Band in the early '70s and recorded half a dozen LPs with the band, but after the trio agreed to split in 1984, he released his debut solo album Have Yourself Committed just one year later. By 1993's Mercy, Duncan had begun a parade of hits, including "Love Takes Time," "I'll Not Forget You" and "You Don't Leave Me Lonely." Born in Ogden, Utah as a preacher's son, Duncan began writing songs as a teenager while living in North Carolina. He also picked up the guitar, and was encouraged to perform professionally while studying at college. He founded the Sweet Comfort Band in 1972, with drummer Rick Thomson and bassist Kevin Thomson, and the group gave many songs to the gospel community over their decade-long existence, while recording critically acclaimed LPs for Light Records. After Sweet Comfort's 1984 farewell tour, Duncan began recording with a solo album for Light. After another LP for Light and two for the Myrrh label, he signed to Word for 1989's Strong Medicine and gained some success with its follow-up, Anonymous Confessions of a Lunatic Fiend. The release of Mercy in early 1993 began an astonishing string of Christian radio hits for Bryan Duncan, ten number ones in all and five just from Mercy: "Love Takes Time," "You Don't Leave Me Lonely," "Into My Heart," "When It Comes to Love," and "I'll Not Forget You." Duncan continued recording, and released Slow Revival in 1994 and a praise album in 1996. His major follow-up to Mercy was Blue Skies, released in early 1997. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide