Christopher Dwayne Tomlin(born May 4, 1972)[1]is an Americancontemporary Christian musicsinger, songwriter, andworship leaderfromGrand Saline, Texas.[2]He is signed toUniversal'sCapitol Christian Music Group.Some of his most well-known songs are "How Great Is Our God","Our God","Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"and"Holy Forever".
Chris Tomlin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Dwayne Tomlin |
| Born | May 4, 1972 |
| Origin | Grand Saline, Texas,U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Capitol Christian Music Group |
| Website | christomlin |
In 2006, according to Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), an organization that licenses music to churches, Tomlin was the most often sung contemporary artist in U.S. congregations.[3]Tomlin has produced 21 number-one radio singles, 30 top-ten hits (more than any other Christian artist), and spent over 158 weeks at number-one during his career. He has sold more than 12 million albums with more than 7 Billion career global streams, won aGrammy,threeBillboard Music Awards,31GMA Dove Awards,is a two-timeBMISongwriter of the Year honoree, and is anASCAPSongwriter of the Year. In 2016, he was named one of only four artists to ever receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 billion digital radio streams, alongsideJustin Timberlake,Pitbull,andGarth Brooks.Tomlin is also the first Christian artist to reach 1 billion streams onPandoraand was presented with their BILLIONAIRE award. Regarded as one of the most successful Christian touring artists today, Tomlin has sold-out venues includingNew York City’sMadison Square Garden,Nashville’sBridgestone Arena,Denver'sRed Rocks Amphitheatre,and LA’sBanc of California Stadium.His “Good Friday Nashville” concerts have frequently sold out. The event holds the record as the longest running annual charity related concert at Bridgestone Arena.[4]
Early life
editAt the age of 13, Tomlin began singing at the Main StreetBaptist churchin Grand Saline.[5]He wrote his first worship song at age fourteen. During high school, Tomlin learned to lead worship in his youth group.[6]After graduating fromGrand Saline High Schoolin 1990, he enteredTyler Junior College(TJC) planning for a medical orphysical therapycareer.[7]Tomlin graduated in 1992[8]and enrolled inTexas A&M Universityto study medicine.[9]He grew active in a campus Christian group called Breakaway, where he became the worship leader.[9]In 1994, Tomlin graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in psychology.[8][10]After college Tomlin participated as a worship leader at various camps in Texas, includingDawson McAllisterYouth Conferences.[11]While at Breakaway, Tomlin participated in a Bible study led by Choice Ministries founderLouie Giglio.[9]In 1997, Tomlin partnered with Giglio to foundPassion Conferences.[12][13]
Career
editIn 1995, Tomlin releasedInside Your Love,which was released independently.[14]In 1998, he releasedAuthenticon Sparrow Records.[15]
In 2000, Tomlin signed onto newly foundedSixstepsrecords,a subsidiary of Passion Conferences.[16]His first nationally released solo project, titledThe Noise We Make,was released in 2001, featuring the song "Forever". He released the live EP545and his second studio albumNot to Usin 2002.[17]
Since his signing onto Sixstepsrecords, Tomlin has released nine full-length studio albums. 2004'sArrivingwas the first to chart onBillboard'sHot Christian Albums chartand theBillboard200.Tomlin has topped the Hot Christian Albums chart six times, and his 2013 albumBurning Lightstopped theBillboard200, making the album only the fourthcontemporary Christianalbum to do so.
Tomlin has also released one live album,recorded in Austin Music Hall,and twoChristmas albums(2009, 2015),[18]both of which topped the Holiday albums chart onBillboard.[19]
Tomlin has toured with many contemporary Christian artists, such asDelirious?,Steven Curtis Chapman,Michael W. Smith,andMercyMe.[20][21]Tomlin has headlined several tours, and has also joined Passion Conferences for national and global tours and events.[22]Tomlin has also participated in various other conferences festivals including Grand Saline's annual Salt Festival inTexas,[23]Hillsong's 2007 conference,[24]and theSoCal Harvestin Anaheim.[25]
On June 14, 2007, Tomlin's version of the song "Indescribable" was used as the official wake-up call forMission SpecialistPatrick ForresteronSpace ShuttlemissionSTS-117.[26]Chris Tomlin leftSixstepsrecordsin 2015 and signed toCapitol RecordsCMG and River Music Holdings in 2016[27]
Holy Forever World Tour
edit
Tomlin embarked on his first major tour in over a decade when hisHoly Forever World Tourlaunched in April 2024. The tour began after Tomlin's Good Friday Nashville concert atBridgestone Arenathat he hosts every year. In addition to stateside concerts in cities includingBoston,Seattle,Las VegasandLos Angeles,the Holy Forever World Tour will make stops inEngland,theNetherlands,Germany,HungaryandCanada.
Personal life
editTomlin married Lauren Bricken[28]on November 9, 2010.[29][30][31]Together they have three daughters, Ashlyn, Madison and Elle.[32]
Discography
editIndependent releases
- Inside Your Love(1995)
- Authentic(1998)
- Too Much Free Time(1998) [with Ross King]
Commercial releases
- The Noise We Make(2001)
- Not to Us(2002)
- Arriving(2004)
- See the Morning(2006)
- Hello Love(2008)
- And If Our God Is for Us...(2010)
- Burning Lights(2013)
- Love Ran Red(2014)
- Never Lose Sight(2016)[33]
- Holy Roar(2018)
- Chris Tomlin & Friends(2020)
- Always(2022)
Always
editIn 2022, Tomlin releasedAlways.The title track is one he considers the eternal, everlasting song. According to Tomlin, “Hebrews 13:8 says, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,’ and that's really the heart of this song. I love how it speaks to the miracles that we’ve read of Jesus when he walked this earth. Our faith is not a faith that’s just 30 minutes old, or the faith of just our parents, but it’s generations before us and generations after us. It’s a long line of those who’ve run the race.”
The album's “Holy Forever” is the one that Tomlin considers the anchor of this anthology. “It’s a song that sounds like Heaven to me. It has this transcendence about it.” For him, worship music usually has two distinct lanes—song of transcendence, and songs of deliverance and rescue. “This one takes you into the spiritual realm. It takes you into a place of worship where your spirit’s connecting to something eternal.”
Featured guests onAlwaysincludeElevation Worship,Brandon Lake,andSteffany Gretzinger.Producers includedBen Glover,Bryan Fowler,Ed Cash,Jeff Sojka, Jonathan Smith andLady A’sDave Haywood.[34]
| Song Title | Writers |
|---|---|
| “Yahweh” (No One) feat.Elevation Worship | Chris Tomlin,Steven Furtick,Jason Ingram,Chris Brown (of Elevation Worship) |
| “Always” | Chris Tomlin, Jess Cates, Daniel Carson, Jeff Sojka,Ben Glover |
| “Strongholds” | Chris Tomlin,Ed Cash,Louie Giglio |
| “Holy Forever” | Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham, Jason Ingram |
| “O Lord You’re Beautiful” feat.Steffany Gretzinger | Keith Green |
| “The Answer” | Chris Tomlin,Charles Kelley,Dave Haywood,Josh Kear,Benjamin West |
| “Great Forgiver” | Chris Tomlin,Bear Rinehart,Jeff Sojka, Ben Glover |
| “I Believe In Jesus” | Chris Tomlin, Mitch Wong,Ben Fielding |
| “I See You” feat.Brandon Lake | Chris Tomlin, Bryan Fowler,Jonas Myrin |
| “Father Of Lights” | Chris Tomlin, Steven Furtick, Jason Ingram, Jeff Sojka, Ben Glover |
| “History” | Chris Tomlin, Jess Cates,Cody Carnes |
| “All In All” | Chris Tomlin, Corey Crowder,Tyler Hubbard,Jason Ingram |
| “Precious Love” | Chris Tomlin, Sam McCabe,Ben Cantelon |
Awards and achievements
editAccording toChristian Copyright Licensing International's list of the top 25 worship songs in the US in August 2007, Tomlin held five spots with songs he has either written, co-written or performed: "How Great Is Our God" (No. 1), "Forever" (No. 5), "Holy Is the Lord" (No. 7), "We Fall Down" (No. 12), and "Indescribable" (No. 22) (written byLaura Story[35]). In 2008, Tomlin held 6 spots on20 The Countdown Magazine'stop 20 praise and worship songs: "We Fall Down" (No. 14), "Forever" (No. 10), "Holy is the Lord" (No. 8), "Indescribable" (No. 6),[35]"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" (No. 3), and "How Great is our God" (No. 1).[36]In 2012, CCLI reported that his songs were performed more than 3 million times in churches around the world.[37]Timemagazine has called him "most often sung artist anywhere" in 2006,[38]and in 2013, he was also pronounced the most sung songwriter in the world.[39]In 2017, he became only the fourth artist to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for surpassing a billion digital radio streams,[40]and in 2018, he became the first Christian artist to receive the Billionaire award fromPandorafor reaching a billion Pandora streams.[41]
Grammy Awards
edit| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (See the Morning) | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (Hello Love) | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Gospel Song ( "Our God" ) | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance ( "I Lift My Hands" ) | Nominated |
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Song ( "I Lift My Hands" ) | Nominated | |
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (And If Our God Is For Us...) | Won[42] | |
| 2014 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Song (Whom Shall I Fear)[43] | Nominated |
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Burning Lights)[43] | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Love Ran Red) | Nominated[44] |
| 2023 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ( "Holy Forever") | Nominated |
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Always) | Nominated |
GMA Dove Awards
editThroughout his career, Chris Tomlin has been nominated for 32Dove Awards(6 of them collaborative efforts) and won 19 of them.
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Arriving) | Won[45] |
| 2006 | Artist of the Year | Won[46] |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Won[46] | |
| Song of the Year ( "Holy Is the Lord") | Nominated[46] | |
| Song of the Year ( "How Great Is Our God") | Won[46] | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Holy Is the Lord" ) | Nominated[46] | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "How Great Is Our God" ) | Won[46] | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Indescribable" )1 | Nominated[46] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia)* | Won[46] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: How Great Is Our God)* | Nominated[46] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (WOW Christmas: Green)* | Nominated[46] | |
| 2007 | Artist of the Year | Won[47] |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Won[47] | |
| Song of the Year ( "Made to Worship") | Nominated[47] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ( "Made to Worship" ) | Nominated[47] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (See The Morning) | Won[47] | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Holy Is the Lord" ) | Won[47] | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Made to Worship" ) | Nominated[47] | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year (See The Morning) | Won[47] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: Everything Glorious)* | Won[47] | |
| 2008 | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
| Song of the Year ( "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)") | Nominated | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" ) | Nominated | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "How Great Is Our God" ) | Won | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Music Inspired By the Motion Picture Amazing Grace)* | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year ( "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" ) | Nominated | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Jesus Messiah" ) | Nominated | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Hello Love) | Nominated | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: God of This City)* | Won | |
| Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year ( "How Great Is Our God" )2 | Won | |
| 2010 | Song of the Year ( "I Will Rise" ) | Nominated |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "I Will Rise" ) | Nominated | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Hello Love) | Nominated | |
| Christmas Album of the Year (Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship) | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year ( "Our God" ) | Nominated | |
| Worship Song of the Year ( "Our God" ) | Won | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: Awakening)* | Won | |
| 2012 | Praise & Worship Album of the Year (And If Our God Is For Us...) | Won[48] |
| 2013 | Song of the Year ( "Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]" ) | Nominated[49] |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year ( "Burning Lights") | Won[49] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year ( "Burning Lights") | Nominated[49] | |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated[49] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: White Flag)* | Nominated[49] | |
| Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: Let The Future Begin)* | Won[49] | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Passion: White Flag)* | Nominated[49] | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Passion: Let The Future Begin)* | Nominated[49] | |
| 2014 | Songwriter of the Year | Won[50] |
| 2015 | Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Love Ran Red) | Nominated |
| 2016 | Songwriter of the Year | Nominated[51] |
| 2017 | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |
| Worship Album of the Year ( "Never Lose Sight") | Won | |
| Short Form Video of the Year ( "Jesus") | Nominated | |
| 2018 | Worship Recorded Song of the Year ( "Resurrection Power") | Nominated |
| 2019 | Worship Album of the Year (Holy Roar) | Nominated |
| Long Form Video of the Year (Holy Roar: Live from Church) | Nominated |
- *Denotes a collaborative effort or a song contribution to a "Various artists" album.
- 1The song was performed by Tomlin, but written and produced byLaura Story.
- 2The song was performed by LaRue Howard, but written by Tomlin.
BillboardMusic Awards
edit| Year | Award | Result[52] |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Top Christian Artist | Won |
| Top Christian Album (And If Our God Is for Us...) | Nominated | |
| Top Christian Song ( "Our God" ) | Won |
Others
editTomlin was nominated for two 2009 Visionary Award: Male Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year for "Jesus Messiah".[53]
Bibliography
edit- Chris Tomlin,The Way I Was Made: Words and Music for an Unusual Life,Multnomah, 2004.ISBN978-1-59052-327-8
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Grace Unplugged | Himself |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Argyrakis, Andy (May 1, 2001)."Opening Acts: Get to Know Chris Tomlin"(PDF).CCM Magazine:32. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 4, 2016.RetrievedDecember 12,2015.
- ^"USA Today Premieres Chris Tomlin's Music Video For" Home "".themcollective.com. Archived fromthe originalon June 23, 2018.RetrievedMay 22,2017.
- ^"Hip Hymns Are Him".November 19, 2006.
- ^"Good Friday Nashville Returns for the Eighth Consecutive Year | News".
- ^KLTV, Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin welcomed in 'Grand' style,kltv.com, USA, May 5, 2011
- ^Mallette, Cindy (June 2, 2007)."Superstar's Homecoming Brings Memories, Praise".Tyler Morning Telegraph.Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2007.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^Fletcher, Hannah."Chris Tomlin".www.tjc.edu.RetrievedOctober 9,2017.
- ^ab"Contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin returning to his Tyler Junior College roots on Oct. 26".cbs19.tv.October 21, 2017.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^abc"Chris Tomlin | Biography & History".AllMusic.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^Jones, Kim (November 18, 2017)."Chris Tomlin Biography - The Story Behind the Popular Christian Artist".ThoughtCo.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin: Serving Others Through Music".CBN.com - The Christian Broadcasting Network.September 7, 2014.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Biography".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^Don Cusic,Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship,ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 441
- ^"Inside Your Love by Chris Tomlin".www.newreleasetoday.com.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin | Album Discography".AllMusic.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Passion".the media collective.Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2020.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Biography".www.broadwayworld.com.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"NewReleaseTuesday.com".NewReleaseTuesday.com. September 19, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 25,2011.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Chart History".Billboard.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Jesusfreakhideout.com: All Things New Tour 2005, Steven Curtis Chapman, Christ Tomlin, Casting Crowns".jesusfreakhideout.com.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Delirious? Farewell Show – Live in London".Jesus Freak Hideout.May 18, 2010.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin's official Site".Christomlin.com.RetrievedSeptember 25,2011.
- ^Van Zandt Newspapers,Chris Tomlin to Kick off Salt FestivalArchivedSeptember 25, 2015, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Chris Tomlin Extends 'How Great is Our God' Tour".www.christianpost.com.July 5, 2007.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Christian musicians will be performing during SoCal Harvest in Anaheim Aug. 26-28".Fontana Herald News.August 26, 2016.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Audio Wakeup Call Index".spaceflight.nasa.gov.Archived fromthe originalon June 15, 2007.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin".Capitol Christian Music Group.RetrievedJanuary 22,2024.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Marries".Parachute Music. Archived fromthe originalon September 29, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 25,2011.
- ^"Louie Giglio's Twitter Page".RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
- ^"Shelley Giglio's Twitter Page".RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
- ^"Janet Reeve's Twitter Page".RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
- ^"StackPath".www.ccmmagazine.com.December 17, 2020.
- ^"Chris Tomlin To Release" Never Lose Sight "October 21".thechristianbeat.org. September 13, 2016.RetrievedOctober 7,2016.
- ^"NEW MUSIC:" Holy Forever "off New Worship Project | News".
- ^ab"Worship.com".worship.com. 2007.RetrievedJanuary 15,2015.
- ^"CCLI Top 25 Worship Songs List".Ccli.com. Archived fromthe originalon November 18, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 25,2011.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Most Sung Songwriter in the World".RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
- ^Luscombe, Belinda (November 11, 2006)."Hip Hymns Are Him".Time.ISSN0040-781X.RetrievedDecember 24,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Most Sung Songwriter in the World".cbn.com.RetrievedSeptember 23,2015.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Talks New Album, Connecting Fans, And Stadium-Sized Dreams".MusicRow - Nashville's Music Industry Publication - News, Songs From Music City.October 25, 2018.RetrievedDecember 25,2018.
- ^Longs, Herb (November 2018)."Chris Tomlin Reaches A Billion Streams On Pandora".TheChristianBeat.org.RetrievedDecember 25,2018.
- ^"Chris Tomlin Wins Best Contemporary Christian Music Album".grammy.com.RetrievedSeptember 24,2015.
- ^abTucker, Rebecca (January 27, 2014)."Grammys 2014: The full list of winners".National Post.RetrievedFebruary 24,2015.
- ^"59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees".RetrievedDecember 28,2016.
- ^"36th Annual GMA Dove Awards Wrap-Up".christianpost.com. April 14, 2005.RetrievedSeptember 24,2015.
- ^abcdefghij"Chris Tomlin Tops Dove Awards".Billboard.April 6, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 24,2015.
- ^abcdefghi"The 2007 GMA Dove Awards".cbn.com. April 26, 2007.RetrievedSeptember 24,2015.
- ^"Coverage of the 2012 43rd Annual Dove Awards - 2012 Dove Award Nominees and Winners!".newreleasetoday.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 25, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 24,2015.
- ^abcdefgh"2013 Dove Awards: Winners and More!".ccmmagazine.com. October 16, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 25,2015.
- ^"Songwriter of the Year".doveawards.com.RetrievedSeptember 25,2015.
- ^"2016 Nominees - The 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards".Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2016.RetrievedDecember 28,2016.
- ^"2011 Billboard Music Awards Winners".The Inquisitr.May 22, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 25,2011.
- ^"Christian Music Hall of Fame official site".Archived from the original on December 25, 2009.
External links
edit- Official website
- Luscombe, Belinda(November 19, 2006)."Hip Hymns Are Him".Time.