Andrew Brooks Greer(born July 10, 1982) is a touring independent singer-songwriter and writer living inNashville,Tennessee.
Andrew Greer | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andrew Brooks Greer |
| Born | July 10, 1982 Azle,Texas |
| Origin | Nashville,Nashville |
| Genres | Americana,folk,folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer/Songwriter, Author, TV/Podcast Host |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | MA'M Recordings |
| Website | www |
Background
editGreer was born inAzle,Texas,on July 10, 1982, the son of Thomas and Jane Greer (née,Girard),[1]before moving to Nashville, Tennessee to attendBelmont University.After graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music (BM), he worked atMichael W. Smith'sRocketown Recordsbefore beginning his own singer-songwriter artist career in 2009 with the release of the record,Open Book,[2]his author career in 2015 with the release of the bookTranscending Mysteries,[3]and a podcast and TV show host in 2017 with the release of the showDinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer.[4]
Music career
editGreer's debut album was a critical success, earning 4 out of 5 stars fromChristianity Todaywhich calledOpen Book,"an intensely reflective record that digs deep,"[5]and 5 out of 5 stars fromThe Christian Manifesto,which said, "Greer writes with a soul-bearing honesty refreshing to hear in an industry where cliché after cliché comes all too often.Open Bookis a masterpiece. "[6]Features in other high-profile national outlets likeCCM Magazine[7]andChristian Musicianfollowed. He was also featured as a worship leader forCentrifuge's national student camps in 2011.[2]
Greer will release his second album,Angel Band: The Hymn Sessionsin January 2012. The recording features vintage hymns in an Americana style with a line-up of special guests likeRon BlockofAlison Krauss & Union Station,Cindy Morgan,Ginny Owens,Sonya Isaacs,Marc Scibilia,Sandra McCracken,Julie Leeand The McCrary Sisters.[2]He has released a playlist of "Behind the Scenes" videos with select guest artists to help promoteAngel Band.[8]
In the fall of 2012, Andrew joined forces with 12-time Dove Award-winning singer/songwriterCindy MorganforFood for the Hungry's "Hymns for Hunger" Tour, helping raise awareness and resources for local and international hunger relief organizations at tour stops across the country. The tour has visited dozens of cities within the United States and has been featured in special performances at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, theBilly Graham Evangelistic Association,Samaritan's PurseandAmy Grant's "A Tennessee Weekend".[9][10][11]In conjunction with the "Hymns for Hunger" tour, Cindy and Andrew were featured on the Winter 2013 cover ofCollegiateMagazine.[12]
In the spring of 2013, Greer releasedAll Things Bright & Beautiful: Hymns for the Seasons,an instrumental hymns record. The record hit the #1 position on Nielsen ChristianSoundScan's Instrumental Chart for 25 weeks.[10][13]All Things Bright & Beautifulreceived a 2013Gospel Music AssociationDove Awardnomination for "Instrumental Album of the Year".[14]
In November 2013, Andrew released the second installment in his "Angel Band" series with "Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions", featuring collaborations with Americana and Gospel artistsPhil Madeira,The McCrary Sisters, Emily Deloach, his tourmate Cindy Morgan andSandi Patty.[15]The record reached the Top 10 on iTunes' Singer/Songwriter chart upon release.[13]
In October 2014, Greer produced and arranged "All is Calm, All is Bright: Songs of Christmas", a multi-artist compilation featuringJaci Velasquez,Sandi Patty,Cindy Morgan,Ginny Owens,Seth and Nirva, American Idol'sMelinda Doolittleand R&B superstarMontell Jordan.The project spent six consecutive weeks atop Parable Christian Stores National Retail chart marking Greer's second #1-selling set for the retailer.[16]
On October 23, 2015, Greer will release his first live concert project nationwide. Filmed in Nashville, Tennessee as a television special, "An Angel Band Christmas LIVE" features gospel music friendsPoint of Grace,Jaci Velasquez,"Hymns for Hunger" tourmateCindy Morgan,Nic Gonzales (of the bandSalvador) and Women of Faith speaker/author Patsy Clairmont.[17]
Writing career
editGreer is also known for his published commentaries and editorials in national publications likeChristianity Today,"In Touch" andParentLife.[2]Thomas Nelsonpublished his first book in the spring of 2015,Transcending Mysteries: Who is God, and What Does He Want from Us?co-written withGinny Owens.[18]Greer's second book is entitled,Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth: Spiritual Conversations Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of Rich Mullins.The collection of essays edited and written by Greer and other contributors, including a foreword byAmy Grant,was published by Worthy Publishing in September 2017 to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of legendary singer/songwriterRich Mullins' untimely death in 1997. The book reached the #1 position onAmazon.com's New Releases in Christian Literature & Art list upon release.[19]
TV and Podcast Career
editIn the fall of 2017, Andrew Greer and co-hostMark Lowrycreated and released an audio and video podcast and television show called,Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer.[4]Subtitled "Turning the Light on One Question at a Time," Season One of the podcast featured notable artists and authorsChonda Pierce,Sandi Patty,Russ Taff,Point of Grace,Women of Faith's Patsy Clairmont,Anita Renfroe,Ron Blockand many others, in conversations addressing topics like racism, addiction, blended families and adoption. In its first season the show reached #1 on the iTunes Video Podcast Chart (Religion & Spirituality), #7 on the overall Video Podcast chart, and #4 on the Audio Podcast (Religion & Spirituality) chart. In January 2018, the show debuted on nationwide television through a syndication partnership with Cornerstone Television Network.[20]
In 2018, Greer partnered withCCM Magazineto create and hostFeatures on Film with Andrew Greer,filming interviews and exclusive performances with conversational artists and authors.[21]
Angel Band reception
editAngel Band: The Hymn Sessionsreached #2 onAmazon.com's Hot New Releases in Contemporary Folk chart.[22]Crosswalk.comsays "Greer shows that he is a rare breed of artist who has the ability to oscillate between genres effortlessly—contemporary, bluegrass, Americana, inspirational, worship—affording him creativity most artists wish they could pull off,"[23]andCCM Magazineadds "Despite the tremendous guest list…Greer's strong vocal styling and impeccable arrangements stand tallest—a testimony to Greer's vision for this hymns project.".[24]
Andrew also made media appearances on TV shows like "Good Day Dallas"[25]and scored front page features in "The Tennessean"[26]andCCM Magazine.[27]
Andrew also headlined a national tour, "Under the Radar presents The Angel Band Tour" with Nashville folk singer/songwriter,Julie Lee.[22]
"Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions" received various praises. CCMMagazine.com said, “His richly passionate vocals are just as capable of volleying with the tender Sandi Patty (‘Ave Maria’) or the earthy Cindy Morgan (‘A Cradle in Bethlehem’) as they are hitting a soulful stride next to The McCrary Sisters (‘The Little Drummer Boy’), all while individually earning titles of master interpreter and emotive originator.” WhileWorship Leadermagazine lauds Greer’s collaboration with The McCrary Sisters as “…the most evocative and captivating version of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ ever...”[13]
Theofficial music videofor Greer andSandi Patty's "Ave Maria" duet premiered nationwide onUP TVin the fall of 2014.[16]
Discography
editReferences
edit- ^Texas Birth Index (2002)."U.S. Public Records Index".Family Search.RetrievedOctober 9,2015.
- ^abcd"Andrew Greer Artist Profile | Biography And Discography".NewReleaseTuesday.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2011.
- ^Nelson, Thomas."Transcending Mysteries Publisher's Page".Thomas Nelson.Archived fromthe originalon June 22, 2018.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^ab"Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer Film Series, Podcast Releases Today".Breathecast.Breathecast.com.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^"Open Book | Music".Christianity Today. October 27, 2009.RetrievedNovember 13,2011.
- ^"Music Review: Open Book / The Christian Manifesto".Thechristianmanifesto.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^Andy Argyrakis (November 24, 2009)."Andrew Greer | Introducing the Artist Side of Andrew Greer".TodaysChristianMusic.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2011.
- ^andrewgreermusic."Kanaal van andrewgreermusic".YouTube.RetrievedNovember 13,2011.
- ^Conner, Matt."Hymns for Hunger: When Faith and Need Collide".CCM Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon March 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 7,2013.
- ^ab"Andrew Greer's 'All Things Bright & Beautiful' Top Christian Instrumental Chart for Eight Consecutive Weeks".Jesus Freak Hideout.
- ^"Andrew Greer and Cindy Morgan Featured at Amy Grant's 'A Tennessee Weekend'".Turning Point PR.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
- ^Latta, Scott."For Hymns & Hunger"(PDF).Collegiate Magazine.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
- ^abc"Andrew Greer and Friends Celebrate 'Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions'".Turning Point PR.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
- ^"2013 Dove Award Nominees"(PDF).Gospel Music Association.RetrievedAugust 22,2013.
- ^"Andrew Greer Celebrates the Season with Lauded Line-Up".NewReleaseTuesday.com.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
- ^ab"Multi-Faceted Singer/Songwriter Andrew Greer Produces Best-Selling Parable Recording".Turning Point PR.RetrievedJanuary 28,2015.
- ^"An Angel Band Christmas".Lightworx Entertainment.RetrievedOctober 6,2015.
- ^"INTERVIEW: Music and Mysteries with Ginny Owens & Andrew Greer".GMA.GospelMusic.org.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^"Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth - Featured Conversation".Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth Official Website.Worthy Publishing.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^Lenz-Heiselman, Lori."Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer Kicks Off Second Half of Debut Season Today".PRWeb.PRWeb.com.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^"CCM Magazine" Features on Film "".CCMMagazine.com.Salem Media.RetrievedJune 21,2018.
- ^ab"Andrew Greer's Angel Band Captivates Critics and Audiences Alike".Turning Point PR. Archived fromthe originalon March 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 9,2012.
- ^Williams, Lindsay."Friends Join Greer in His Angel Band".Crosswalk.com.RetrievedMarch 9,2012.
- ^Conner, Matt."Angel Band Review".CCM Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon March 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 9,2012.
- ^"Greer Performs on Good Day".Good Day Dallas.RetrievedMarch 9,2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^Travis, Vicky."Singer Andrew Greer Embraces Poetry, Emotion in Classic Hymns".The Tennessean.RetrievedMarch 9,2012.
- ^Lusk, Caroline."Heavenly Host".CCM Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2013.RetrievedMarch 9,2012.