Chris Cleveland of Stars Go Dim - Incredible Success, Career Struggles, Deafness, Embarrassing Moments

Chris Cleveland is the driving force behind Stars Go Dim @starsgodimmusic @StarsGoDimStreetTeam , a Christian pop project that has evolved from a mainstream pop-rock band into a celebrated solo moniker. Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cleveland launched Stars Go Dim in 2007 alongside Joey Avalos, Michael Wittig, and Lester Estelle II, initially as a side project to the Christian rock band Pillar. What began as an indie pop venture quickly gained traction, with the band opening for acts like Switchfoot, The Fray, and Daughtry, and releasing their debut EP in 2008 followed by the full-length album Love Gone Mad in 2009.After the original lineup dissolved in 2011, Cleveland reimagined Stars Go Dim as his personal platform, blending his decade-plus experience as a worship leader at Tulsa's Asbury United Methodist Church-one of America's largest congregations-with his knack for infectious pop melodies. Signing with Fervent Records (a Word Records imprint), he released his self-titled major-label debut, Stars Go Dim, in 2015. The album's lead single, "You Are Loved," became a career-defining hit, soaring to #1 on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart, amassing hundreds of millions of streams, and earning placements in commercials like ADT's 2023 campaign. The song's universal message of worth and love reshaped Cleveland's approach to music and ministry, cementing his reputation as a songwriter who connects deeply with listeners.Cleveland's career highlights include multiple international #1s and Top 5 hits across pop and Christian radio, alongside nominations and wins from CMT, NSAI, ASCAP, Billboard, and the Dove Awards. His discography expanded with the 2018 EP Better and the 2022 full-length Grace in the Wilderness, featuring standout tracks like "Heaven on Earth" and "Yes He Does." Co-writing with artists like Jordan Feliz, Dante Bowe, and Ethan Hulse, Cleveland has also penned songs recorded by today's top Christian and worship acts.A seasoned performer, he's toured with giants like Justin Bieber, Lauren Daigle, for KING & COUNTRY, and Phil Wickham, and graced stages like Winter Jam. Despite personal challenges-such as being deaf in his left ear after 16 surgeries-Cleveland's resilience shines through his music. His latest work continues to explore hope and faith, reflecting a journey that's both personal and universal. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and kids, Cleveland remains a dynamic voice in Christian pop, balancing family life with a mission to inspire through song.More Cowbell Please Podcast is interviewing music industry pros. You'll get advice, humor, encouragement and even some therapy in the listen. Stories about songs, productions, career, origins, and a few embarrassing moments thrown in, from those credited on the hits you may know in the Contemporary Christian and gospel music world. Guests include mix engineers, mastering engineers, producers, A&R managers, artist managers, artists, and musicians. PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Comment to make show, guest, question suggestions. If you love stories and the music business, this podcast is for you. I interview professional music creators hearing their origins, song and production stories, experiences and embarrassing stories. Not to be taken too seriously!me: http://www.ainsliegrosser.comPatreonhttps://patreon.com/MoreCowbellPleasePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink