Hit Songwriter, Red Street Records Executive Don Koch Passes
Don Koch
Music industry veteran Don Koch, who most recently served as EVP of Publishing/A&R, Co-Founder, producer and songwriter for Red Street Records, passed away on Jan. 15.
Koch was born in San Jose, Costa Rica to missionary parents and lived around South America and the U.S. throughout his childhood. He moved to Nashville in 1980 to attend Belmont and pursue a career in sound engineering. He began dabbling in songwriting during this time as well, and eventually signed his first publishing deal with Benson Record Company in 1986.
Throughout his 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).
Koch racked up 38 No. 1s as a songwriter, and some of his best-known hits include “In Christ Alone,” “Mercy Said No,” “Adonai,” “Mercy Came Running,” “Jesus Saves” and “Land of Mercy.” Koch also became a successful publisher and producer, working with artists such as 4Him, Newsong, Avalon, Charles Billingsley, Al Denson, Dallas Holm and Matthew Ward, among others.
Koch helped Jay DeMarcus launch Red Street Records in 2018. The relationship between the two goes back to the beginning of DeMarcus’ music career.
DeMarcus posted a tribute to his friend upon news of his passing. He shared, “Don Koch and I started the Red Street Records journey together in 2018. It seemed so fitting that we had come full circle since he was the one who ultimately brought me to Nashville and got Neal Coomer and I our first record deal with Benson Records. I owe this man a lot, and I learned so much from him as a songwriter—he was a wonderful mentor, and friend.”
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Memorial services for Koch have not yet been announced. Friends are encouraged to send photos, memories or thoughts about Koch to thedonkochlegacy@gmail.com to share with the family.
