Ian Eskelin (born October 17, 1969), is a record producer, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member and lead singer of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band All Star United. He won the Dove Award for "Producer of the Year" in 2008, and was nominated for the same award in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014. Eskelin also has received multiple Dove nominations for his songwriting and production work with artists such as Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, Hawk Nelson, 7eventh Time Down, Stellar Kart, About a Mile, and Remedy Drive. As an artist and writer Eskelin has had more than fifty Top 10 singles in the United States, including 18 No. 1 charting songs. He has additionally had international No. 1 songs in various countries including Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Ian’s songs have been licensed for use on ABC, Spike TV, Style Network, the movie Soul Surfer, the movie Saved!, the trailer for the film Superbad, NBC promotionals for the show Heroes, and multiple CBS network imaging campaigns to name a few.
Eskelin was born in Springfield, Missouri, where he attended Eugene Field Elementary School. While attending high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was a DJ and dance music artist, playing keyboard for a local band that opened for C+C Music Factory and Information Society. He started attending Wheaton College, where he roomed with Rob Bell. During this time, Eskelin released a rave record under the name "Zero" (1992), and also recorded under the name "Brand New Language", which released an independent tape as well as an album with Wonderland Records (1993). He briefly joined the band Code of Ethics before releasing a second solo album under the name "iAN", titled Supersonic Dream Day (1994). In 1997, Eskelin formed the power-pop band All Star United.
Awards and nominations
1998 Grammy Awards - nominated for Gospel Rock Album - All Star United (artist, producer writer)
1998 Dove Awards - nominated for Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the Year - "La La Land" (artist, producer, writer)
1999 Dove Awards - nominated for New Artist of the Year
nominated for Producer of the Year, Song of the Year ("Me and Jesus"), and Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (We Can't Stand Sitting Down by Stellar Kart)
2008 Dove Awards - won for Producer of the Year
2009 Dove Awards - nominated for Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli), Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("Shine Like the Stars" by Stellar Kart), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Daylight Is Coming by Remedy Drive and Expect the Impossible by Stellar Kart), Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (My Paper Heart by Francesca Battistelli), and Special Event Album of the Year (Your Name)
won for Producer of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Beautiful Beautiful" by Francesca Battistelli)
nominated for Song of the Year ("Beautiful Beautiful")
2012 Dove Awards - nominated for Producer of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Hundred More Years by Francesca Battistelli), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Crazy Love by Hawk Nelson), and Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Crazy Love" by Hawk Nelson)
