WOW series
WOW is a collection of different annual series of compilation albums promoting contemporary Christian music.
The first collection was called the WOWs, that changed into WOW Hits when other series begun. WoW 1996 was the first in the series. Released in 1995, it was the first recording put together by the three major Christian record companies at the time: Word Records (now Word Entertainment), Sparrow Records (now part of EMI Christian Music Group), and Reunion Records (now part of Provident Music Group).
Each annual WOW Hits release is a double CD set compiling songs submitted by each partner label. Final track decision is made by committee, upon which the submitting label must agree to a reduced master royalty. Production, marketing & distribution for the WOW Hits, series has been relegated to EMI Christian Music Group.
Since then, it has expanded to include, the following series.
Released annually
WOW Hits
WOW Hits is the first series of the WOW collection[1]. It contains the following albums:
- WOW 1996
- WOW 1997
- WOW 1998
- WOW 1999
- WOW 2000
- WOW Hits 2001
- WOW Hits 2002
- WOW Hits 2003
- WOW Hits 2004
- WOW Hits 2005
- WOW Hits 2006
- WOW Hits 2007
- WOW Hits 2008
WOW Worship
The WOW Worship series is released annually beginning with WOW Worship Blue in 1999. The focus on this series is praise and worship. The first albums features songs performed by the worship leaders who wrote them, like Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord". It is a partnership between Integrity Music, Maranatha Music and Vineyard Music.[2]
After several years, they switched to a contemporary Christian music format, where CCM recording artists perform praise and worship songs in their style.
The series consits of the following albums:
- WOW Worship: Blue (1999)
- WOW Worship: Orange (2000)
- WOW Worship: Green (2001)
- WOW Worship: Yellow (2003)
- WOW Worship: Red (2004)
- WOW Worship: Aqua (2005)
WOW Gospel
The WOW Gospel are released annually beginning with WOW Gospel 1998. The focus of this series is gospel. The compilation is released every year since 1998[3].
The series consits of the following albums:
- WOW Gospel 1998
- WOW Gospel 1999
- WOW Gospel 2000
- WOW Gospel 2001
- WOW Gospel 2002
- WOW Gospel 2003
- WOW Gospel 2004
- WOW Gospel 2005
- WOW Gospel 2006
- WOW Gospel 2007
Others
- WOW Gospel #1s (2007)
- WOW Gospel Christmas (2007)
Released periodically
WOW Christmas
WOW Christmas is released periodically beginning in 2002. It is a series of compilation albums featuring Christmas music as recorded by contemporary Christian music artists.[4]
The series consists of the following albums:
- WOW Christmas: Red (2002)
- WOW Christmas: Green (2005)
Released once
WOW The 90s
WOW The 90s was release in 1999. All of the songs in this collection were contemporary Christian music hits during the 1990s. Marketing and distribution responsibilities for this title was relegated to Word Entertainment.
WOW Gold
WOW Gold was released in 2000. It was a single 2-CD/2-cassette collection of contemporary Christian music from the 1960's to the time it was released. Marketing and distribution responsibilities for this title in the WOW Hits series was relegated to Brentwood Records (now Provident Music Group).
WOW #1s
WOW #1s: 31 of the Greatest Christian Music Hits Ever was released in 2005. It is a two disc compilation album of songs that have been dubbed to be the "Greatest Christian Music Hits Ever". It was released on April 5, 2005. The album features songs by FFH, Amy Grant, Rebecca St. James, Chris Rice, Avalon, and many more highly known groups and singers.[5]
WOW Next 2007
WOW Next 2007 is a free CD 10 song disc given to anyone who bought any WOW Compilation CD.
WOW Hymns
WOW Hymns was released in March 2007. It is a two disc compilation album of thirty modern and classic hymns that have been recorded by popular Christian musicians. The album features songs by Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Nichole Nordeman, David Crowder Band, and many more well known groups and singers. An accompanying songbook was also released by Word Music.
WOW For The Children
A single-disc release special release for Feed the Children.
WOW The Videos
The WOW The Videos series is released annually beginning with WOW 1997 The Videos; it consists of DVDs of music videos.
WOW Hits
- WOW 1998-97
- WOW 1999: The Videos
- WOW 2000: The Videos
- WOW 2001: The Videos
- WOW 2002: The Year's Top Christian Music Videos
WOW Gospel
- WOW Gospel 1998: 17 Top Videos
- WOW Gospel 1999: 15 Top Videos
- WOW Gospel 2000: 16 Top Videos
- WOW Gospel 2001: 12 Top Videos
- WOW Gospel 2002: 12 Top Videos