Maranatha! Music began as an outreach of Calvary Chapel. The Jesus People of the late 1960s and early 1970s began to write new hymns and worship songs with a folk-rock style. Maranatha! Music was founded at this time in order to publish and promote this new type of Christian music.

The first "Maranatha bands" were recorded in Buddy King (Neal Riefanauh)'s small home studio in Huntington Beach. In 1978 he opened up a new world class studio in Hollywood called the Sound Castle.

Some of these early Maranatha! recording groups were; Love Song, Children Of The Day, The Way and Mustard Seed Faith. It is currently distributed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment's Provident Music.

A children's version of Maranatha! Music was also recorded, featuring Psalty the singing songbook and the Kid's Praise Kids.

See also

• List of record labels