Industry Mourns Passing of Don Koch

Industry veteran Don Koch, most recently serving as label co-founder, songwriter, and producer for Red Street Records, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on January 15th, 2024.

In his illustrious career, Koch won six GMA Dove Awards including Song Of The Year (1994, "In Christ Alone"), Inspirational Recorded Song Of The Year (1993 and 2006, "In Christ Alone"; 1999, "Adonai"), and Inspirational Album Of The Year (1994's The Season Of Love by 4Him; 1993's Generation To Generation by Benson Family of Artists).

Don Koch was born in San Jose, Costa Rica to missionary parents. Living throughout South America and the U.S. throughout his childhood, he made Miami his home until moving to Nashville in 1980 to attend Belmont College and pursue a career in sound engineering. While trying his hand at songwriting, one of the first songs he wrote with a friend was recorded and he was instantly bitten by the songwriting bug.

He signed his first publishing deal with Benson Record Company in 1986 and went on to write 38 No. 1 songs. Some of his best-known hits include "In Christ Alone," "Mercy Said No," "Adonai," "Mercy Came Running," "Jesus Saves," and "Land of Mercy." Koch became a successful Publisher and record producer, working with artists such as 4Him, Newsong, Avalon, Charles Billingsley, Al Denson, Dallas Holm, and Matthew Ward, among others.

If you have photos, memories, or thoughts about Don that you would like to share with the family, please email them to TheDonKochlegacy@gmail.com.

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