Christian music industry observers are expressing sadness upon hearing of the death of pioneer Dana Key, who with Eddie DeGarmo formed the first Christian group with a video broadcast on MTV.

Twitter and blog postings reported that Key died yesterday, although his label, Ardent Records, could not confirm details of his death at press time.

On his blog, Christian artist Todd Agnew wrote that Key, 56, signed him to a record contract, "recognizing something I didn't even see." "He is the reason most of you know me," Agnew said. "He was a husband and father. ... Dana was a mentor and role model to me. ... Dana was a man of God. Before he was a musician, he was a minister. And before he was a minister, he was God's child. He will be missed."

In a Twitter posting, Mark Weber of ChristianMusicDaily.com wrote that Key's work with DeGarmo "was highly respected," and he performed with artists such as Petra, Amy Grant, Jesse Dixon and Resurrection Band.

A descendant of Francis Scott Key, author of The Star-Spangled Banner, Key--a Memphis, Tenn., native--pastored a small church in Cordova, Tenn., called the Love of Christ Church.

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