But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Job 23:10

Brian Hardin is an accomplished producer with over 150 albums to his credit, a respected photographer with impressive credentials, and a skillful graphic designer whose work has been featured in high profile publications including TIME Magazine. He is also a noted author and speaker with millions of listeners throughout the world; Brian Hardin lives a creative life.

Born the son of a preacher man, he was raised in full time ministry. His evangelist father was a talented man with a passion for ministry and an eye for the creative. He recorded several albums, hosted a radio program, and traveled extensively preaching the Gospel. He went on to pastor a church and after more than 35 years of full time ministry went home to be with the Lord, but the impact on the lives he touched resonates to this day; a legacy that continues with Brian Hardin.

A vestige of Brian’s future was revealed at age 16 when he was introduced to a local producer who attended his father’s church. That introduction led to Brian learning production and engineering; skills that would serve him well later in life. Those early days in the studio gave way to Brian recording his national debut under the moniker “Wonder in Blue”. Years of dedication and persistence followed yielding an impressive body of work, including projects with the Left Behind Movie Soundtracks, FFH, David Meece, Larry Norman, Phil Keaggy, Paul Alan and Manic Drive. In addition to his studio work, he developed skills in photography and graphic design. His accomplishments began to attract a lot of attention and the years of sacrifice and hard work were finally paying off; he was on Nashville’s radar.

Things seemed to be going fine for Brian when in 2003, he was blindsided when his largest client filed for bankruptcy owing him more than $90,000. That experience and the subsequent events left him literally broke and disillusioned. After years of grueling work and building, he felt ruined. Of greater consequence were the resulting crushing blows dealt to so many young artists and burgeoning ministries. Brian was deeply affected by this and the temptation to give in to cynicism and allow apathy to take hold was overwhelming. Devastated and shaken, Brian came to the end of himself. In retrospect, he says, “This ruined me and set me free at the same time.”

Following these events Brian began a journey going back to the roots of Christian music and in the process, back to the roots of his own faith. He took two weeks and drove himself cross country logging thousands of miles seeking out some of the people of the Jesus Movement. A movement that began in the summer of ’67 in San Francisco and swept the country in revival that has not since been seen. Brian specifically sought out the artists who pioneered Christian music before the industry existed. He is currently finishing a book that chronicles his trip and the insights he gained along the way.

Those two weeks made a lasting impact on Brian. He recalls, “I gave myself to God like never before and surrendered the bitterness, surrendered my goals and dreams… surrendered everything. I took a leap of raw faith and I have not looked back. I have found more fulfillment and satisfaction in the last few years than in all of the previous ones.”

Returning to Nashville with a renewed sense of faith and purpose, he began to develop and lay the groundwork for Whiplash Records based on the principals he learned. “My focus shifted and I wanted to find a way to allow an artist to be who they are and have a stake in what they create and still be able to get the music out to a good sized audience without having to compromise and sell out.” Brian continues, “I do this because I am compelled to do it. I’m on the path of reclaiming the artist’s heart and trying to prove that the music business can be done without trying to claw each others eyes out.”

Passionate about creating and communicating, Brian was beckoned to deeper waters when he started the Daily Audio Bible; a podcast which grew from nothing in 2006 to over 6 million downloads today. It’s one of the most popular programs on the internet with nearly a third of its listeners tuning in from communist China. “The Daily Audio Bible is a one year journey through the Bible and now that I’ve read it cover to cover more than twice, I don’t even see the world the same as I once did” says Brian, “I have seen incredible stories come from this; things that make life rich and fulfilling. You simply can't remain the same if you're exposing yourself to the Bible on a daily basis.” Through the Daily Audio Bible, Brian has had the unique opportunity to speak into the lives of tens of thousands of people on a daily basis.

Brian’s diverse skill set has coalesced into a multifaceted ministry investing into others and building the Kingdom of God. He is a record producer, photographer and designer approaching every project from the perspective of a mentor and shepherd. “I try to get to the core of the project’s mission and really challenge artists to work through what they are trying to communicate”, says Brian. As a label head and consultant, he mentors people through the realities of the music business from a biblical perspective. He provides pastoral care to the many listeners of the Daily Audio Bible who seek direction regarding a multitude of issues. Additionally, he is a writer, combining everything he’s learned the hard way into an interesting read so that some of the lessons of his experience can be passed on to others. “I guess in everything the common thread for me is that there really is a Kingdom of God and it really is invading”, says Brian, “It really is a battle and we have an irreplaceable role to play. We each are vital to the process and if we don’t get it figured out and live by faith, then the whole thing suffers.”

Looking back, Brian’s own mentor and father planted seeds into his life and pointed the way for his ministry. Brian Hardin continues sowing seeds and investing into the lives of countless others throughout the world. He concludes, “I want to finish well and have ripples of my life going on for generations to follow. I want it to matter for the Kingdom of God that I was here.”