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"WOW" is a series of annual compilation albums featuring contemporary Christian music. Originally simply called "WOW" immediately followed by the coming year, a change to "WOW Hits" followed by the coming year was made when the "WOW" brand was extended to include the additional collections mentioned below.[1]

Released in late 1995, "WOW 1996" was the first in the series and the first recording put together by the three major Christian record companies of 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). Still today, after each submitting label agrees to a reduced master royalty, the final decision on the tracks to be included is made by committee. Production, marketing, and distribution for the "WOW Hits" series is handled by EMI Christian Music Group.

Compiling songs submitted by each partner label, the annual "WOW Hits" releases have been double CD sets. Beginning with 2008, however, "WOW" began releasing three separate single-disc collections spread throughout each year rather than a two-disc collection toward the end of each year. In addition to "WOW Hits," which focuses on the most popular "lite" pop and pop-rock music, plans call for edgier single-disc "WOW Rock Hits" and "WOW Pop Hits" collections released twice a year.

Released annually

WOW Hits

WOW Hits is the first series of the WOW collection[2]. It contains the following albums:

In 2008, the WOW series contemplated releasing three single discs per year instead of the annual discs fans of the series were used to. Only one disc was ever released in the spring before returning back to the annual format. That disc was WOW Hits 1. It is not known why the publishers decided to return to the annual format instead of the format similar to the secular Now! series.

WOW Worship

The WOW Worship series was released annually beginning with WOW Worship Blue in 1999. The focus on this series is praise and worship. The first album featured songs performed by the worship leaders who wrote them, such as Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord". It is a partnership between Integrity Music, Maranatha Music and Vineyard Music.[3]

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 consists of the following albums:

WOW Gospel

The WOW Gospel are released annually, beginning with WOW Gospel 1998. The focus of this series is gospel. The compilation has been issued every year since 1998.[4]

The series consists of the following albums:

Released occasionally

WOW Christmas

WOW Christmas is released sporadically, beginning in 2002. It is a series of compilation albums featuring Christmas music as recorded by contemporary Christian music artists.[5]

The series consists of the following albums:

Released once

WOW The 90s

Main article: WOW The 90s

WOW The 90s was released 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 delegated to Word Entertainment.

WOW Gold

Main article: WOW Gold

WOW Gold was released in 2000. It was a single 2-CD/2-cassette collection of contemporary Christian music from the 1960s 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 For The Children

Main article: WOW For The Children

A single disc released in the year 2000, a special issue for Feed The Children.

WOW #1s

Main article: WOW Number 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.[6]

WOW Gospel #1s

Main article: WOW Gospel Number 1s

WOW Gospel Christmas

Main article: WOW Gospel Christmas

WOW Next 2007

Main article: WOW Next 2007

WOW Next 2007 was a free CD 10-song disc given to anyone who bought any WOW compilation CD.

WOW Hymns

Main article: 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 Essentials

Main article: WOW Essentials

WOW Essentials was first released in August 2008. It has twelve songs that are "essential to Christian music life." The first in the series features songs from Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, and many others.

The series consists of the following albums:

WOW Gospel Essentials

Main article: WOW Gospel Essentials

WOW Gospel Essentials (2008)

WOW The Videos

The WOW The Videos series is released annually beginning with Wow 1998-1997 - Top 25 Videos; it consists of DVDs of music videos.

WOW Hits

  • Wow 1998-1997 - Top 25 Videos
  • WOW Hits: The Videos 1999
  • WOW Hits: The Videos 2000
  • WOW Hits: The Videos 2001
  • WOW Hits 2002
  • WOW Hits 2003
  • WOW Hits 2004
  • WOW Hits 2005
  • WOW Hits 2006
  • WOW Hits 2007
  • WOW Hits 2008
  • WOW Hits 2009

WOW Gospel

  • 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
  • WOW Gospel 2008
  • WOW Gospel 2009

Other WOW DVDs

  • WOW Worship: Red (2004)
  • WOW British Gospel 2004
  • WOW #1's (2005)
  • WOW Gospel #1's (2007)
  • WOW Music Trivia Game (2007)

References

  1. ^ WOW at Your Music Zone
  2. ^ WOW Hits
  3. ^ WOW Worship official website
  4. ^ WOW Gospel
  5. ^ WOW Christmas official website
  6. ^ WOW #1s official website
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