Matthew James Redman(born 14 February 1974) is an English Christianworship leader,singer-songwriter and author. Redman has released 16 albums,[2]written 8 books,[3]and helped start three church-plants.[4]He is best known for his two-timeGrammy Award-winning single, "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)".[5]Co-written withJonas Myrin,the single reached No. 1 on the USBillboardChristian Songschart in 2012.[6]

Matt Redman
Background information
Birth nameMatthew James Redman[1]
Born(1974-02-14)14 February 1974(age 50)
Watford,England
GenresWorship,contemporary Christian,pop
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, worship leader, author
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1993–present
Labelssixstepsrecords,Sparrow,Integrity
Websitemattredman.com

Early life

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Redman was born on 14 February 1974,[7]and raised inWatford,England. The family had moved toChorleywood,a small commuter town, when he was around the age of two.[8]His father took his own life when Matt was seven years old,[9]and he and his brother were raised predominantly by his mother.[10]His mother later remarried into an abusive relationship that took a great toll on the family.[8]At the age of 10, he converted to Christianity after attending a mission service byLuis Palauat London'sQPRfootball stadium and was encouraged byMike Pilavachi,an Anglican church youth leader to lead worship in his teens.[11]

Career

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Christian church leadership

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Redman converted toChristianityat the age of 10 and attended the Anglican church of St Andrew'sChorleywood,inHertfordshire.It was there he learned to play guitar, and at the age of 20, he began leading worship services and released his first album.[12]In 1993, Redman helped found alongside his pastor,Mike Pilavachi,Soul Survivor,a global Christian movement and yearly music festival aimed at youth.[10]From 1994 until 2002, Redman led worship services forSoul Survivor Church, Watford.[13]

In 2002, after a sabbatical in America to recordWhere Angels Fear to Tread,Redman moved toBrighton.[13]In 2004 he and his wife joined a newchurch plant,The Point, inWest Sussex,[14]led by pastor Will Kemp.[15]

In 2008, Redman, along with his wife Beth and their three children, moved toAtlanta, Georgia,to help plant Passion City Church withLouie GiglioandChris Tomlin.In August 2010, they returned to the UK with their children.[16][17]

Music

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Matt recorded his first album,Wake Up My Soul,at ICC studios in January and February 1994. The album had an impressive line-up of Christian musicians including Iona's Mike Haughton, percussionist Martin Neil, Split Level's Adrian Thompson, Helen Burgess and Les Moir on bass, and was produced byMartin Smith.[12]

In 2002, Redman co-wrote with his wife Beth, the 2002Dove Award-winning"Blessed Be Your Name"(Worship Song of the Year)[18]and theGrammy Award-nominated"Our God."[19]Since then, Matt and Beth have co-created some of Redman's most successful songs including, "You Never Let Go", "Face Down" and "Let My Words Be Few".[20]

Redman performing in May 2018

In February 2011, Redman joinedChris Tomlin,Louie Giglio,and Nathan andChristy Nockelsat LIFT – A Worship Leader Collective where his 2011 live album,10,000 Reasons,was recorded.[21]On 28 July 2012, "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)",the title track of Redman's new album, topped theBillboardChristian Songschart, where it stayed for 13 weeks. It was his first No. 1 hit on American Contemporary Christian radio.[22][23]The single went on to win two Grammy Awards, forBest Contemporary Christian Music SongandBest Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance[19]and was certifiedGoldbyRIAAin 2018.[24]Matt has also won thirteen Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards.[18]

The album's success came immediately after Matt Redman andLZ7,aManchester-based Christian rap and urban music group, released the song "Twenty Seven Million"on 27 February 2012, to raise awareness for the anti-human traffickingmovement. The record, charted on theUK Singles Chartreaching No. 12. Redman toured internationally with the band, to raise awareness for the cause through worship.[25]

Redman's songs have been covered by a number ofcontemporary Christian music(CCM) artists includingMatt Maher,Michael W. Smith,Jeremy Camp,Rebecca St. James,Chris Tomlin,David Crowder Band,Tree63,Kutless,Stellar Kart,andHillsong United.[26]He has regularly collaborates with other Christian musicians including Chris Tomlin andTim Hughes.[26]

In 2019, Redman announced he had signed withIntegrity Music,with new music coming in late 2019, and a new album in 2020.[27]

Writing

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He has authored and edited multiple books on Christian worship, includingThe Unquenchable Worshipperand the bookFacedownwhich accompanied the album of the same name.[28]He and his wife co-wrote the book titled "Blessed Be Your Name" with the hopes to bring others to trust God and his goodness, no matter the circumstance.[29]

Personal life

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He married Beth Redman, who is also a songwriter and author. The couple has five children.[17]

On 13 July 2023, following reports of allegations of abuse committed byMike Pilavachi,Redman released a statement in which he identified himself as one of Pilavachi's alleged victims. In his statement, Redman said, "I have spent years trying to fully heal from my time at Soul Survivor".[30]In April 2024 he released a short documentary entitledLet There Be Lightin which he described his experience.[31][32]

Discography

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Albums

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Studio albums

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Year Title Peak chart position
UK
[33]
US
[34]
US
Christ.

[35]
Certifications
1993 Wake Up My Soul
1995 Passion for Your Name
1997 The Friendship and the Fear
1998 Intimacy
1999 The Heart of Worship
(US release ofIntimacy)
2000 The Father's Song
2002 Where Angels Fear to Tread 38
2006 Beautiful News 156 8
2009 We Shall Not Be Shaken
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
136 13
2011 10,000 Reasons 149
[36]
60 1
2015 Unbroken Praise: At Abbey Road Studios
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
58 50 1
2016 These Christmas Lights
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
15
2017 Glory Song
  • Label: Sparrow/sixstepsrecords
112 2
2020 Let There Be Wonder (Acoustic)
  • Label: Integrity Music
2023 Lamb of God
  • Label: Integrity Music

Live albums

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Year Title Peak chart position
UK
[33]
US
[34]
US
Christ.

[35]
2004 Facedown
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
19
2005 Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
41
2013 Your Grace Finds Me
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
68 28 1
2020 Let There Be Wonder[38] [A] 10

Compilation albums

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Year Title Peak chart position
UK US
[34]
US
Christian

[35]
2010 Ultimate Collection
  • Label: Sparrow
2012 Sing Like Never Before: The Essential Collection
  • Label: Sparrow
23

Video albums and DVDs

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Singles

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Year Song Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bub.

[41]
US
Christ

[42]
US
Christ
Airplay

[43]
UK
[33]
2003 "Blessed Be Your Name" [B] Where Angels Fear to Tread
2006 "You Never Let Go" 17 Beautiful News
2011 "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" 3 1
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[37]
10,000 Reasons
"Never Once"[45] [C]
2012 "Twenty Seven Million"
(withLZ7)
45 12 non-album single
2013 "Your Grace Finds Me" 11 10 Your Grace Finds Me
2014 "Mercy" 37 28
2015 "It Is Well With My Soul" 34 24 Unbroken Praise
"Unbroken Praise" [D]
2016 "His Name Shall Be" 35 21 These Christmas Lights
"Help from Heaven"
(withNatasha Bedingfield)
33
2017 "Gracefully Broken"
(withTasha Cobbs Leonard)
18 17 Glory Song
2019 "One Day (When We All Get to Heaven)"[citation needed]
"The Same Jesus"[38] 46 34 Let There Be Wonder (Live)[38]
2020 "We Praise You"
(withBrandon Lake)
2020 "Upon Him"

Appearances

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Collaborations onPassionevent albums
Appearances on Passion Live and Passion compilation albums
  • 2000:OneDay: Live
  • 2005:How Great Is Our God
  • 2006:The Best of Passion (So Far)
  • 2007:Live from Passion 07 Pt. 2

Awards

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Grammy Awardwins

Dove Awardwins[18]

  • 2005: Worship Song of the Year: "Blessed Be Your Name"
  • 2006: Praise and Worship Album of the Year:Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1
  • 2007: Children's Music Album of the Year:VeggieTales Worship Songs
  • 2007: Special Event Album of the Year:Passion: Everything Glorious
  • 2009: Special Event Album of the Year:Passion: God of This City
  • 2011: Worship Song of the Year – TIE: "Our God"
  • 2011: Special Event Album of the Year:Passion: Awakening
  • 2013: Song of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"[50]
  • 2013: Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"[50]
  • 2013: Songwriter of the Year[50]

Church of England

Published books

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Notes

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  1. ^Let There Be Wonderdid not enter theBillboard200,but peaked at No. 49 on theTop Album Saleschart.[40]
  2. ^"Blessed Be Your Name" did not enter the Hot Christian Songs chart, but peaked at No. 15 on theChristian Digital Song Saleschart.[44]
  3. ^"Never Once" did not enter theChristian Airplaychart, but peaked at No. 16 on the Christian Soft AC chart.[46]
  4. ^"Unbroken Praise" did not enter the Christian Airplay chart, but peaked at No. 1 on the Christian Soft AC chart.[47]

References

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  1. ^Redman, Matthew James."Songwriter/Composer: Redman Matthew James".Broadcast Music, Inc.(BMI).Retrieved5 May2015.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^"Matt Redman".discogs.Retrieved28 May2019.
  3. ^"Matt Redman – 'Glory Song' now available".mattredman.com.Retrieved28 May2019.
  4. ^"Matt Redman on global and local church planting".eden.co.uk.Retrieved28 May2019.
  5. ^"Matt Redman".National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. 15 February 2019.Retrieved28 May2019.
  6. ^"Matt Redman Chart History".Billboard.Retrieved28 May2019.
  7. ^"Matt Redman Biography – Profile of Christian Worship Leader Matt Redman".Christianmusic.about.com. 14 February 1974.Retrieved28 February2012.
  8. ^ab"Matt Redman: how it all began | WeAreWorship".We Are Worship.Retrieved28 October2019.
  9. ^"Matt Redman speaks of continued search for freedom from childhood struggles".Premier Christian News.29 September 2017.Retrieved2 July2023.
  10. ^ab"Matt Redman | WeAreWorship UK".We Are Worship.Retrieved29 May2019.
  11. ^Briggs, Megan (16 August 2016)."Matt Redman in Times Square leads Worship With '10,000 Reasons'".ChurchLeaders.Retrieved3 June2019.
  12. ^ab"Matt Redman: The British worship leader barely out of his teens - Matt Redman".crossrhythms.co.uk.Retrieved29 May2019.
  13. ^ab"Redman Leaves Soul Survivor: Worship leader Matt Redman to leave Soul Survivor church in Watford".crossrhythms.co.uk.Retrieved29 May2019.
  14. ^"Matt Redman Spreads the 'Beautiful' Message".cbn.com.Retrieved29 May2019.
  15. ^"Matt Redman".Jango Radio.Retrieved29 May2019.
  16. ^"Farewell To UK Friends – passioncitychurch blog".Passioncitychurch.com. 22 July 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 6 October 2011.Retrieved28 February2012.
  17. ^abc 2008 Design/development by Visual Inventor Ltd. Co.http://www.VisualInventor.com."Matt Redman".Mattredman.sparrowrecords.com. Archived fromthe originalon 25 April 2012.Retrieved28 February2012.{{cite web}}:External link in|author=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^abc"42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards on gmc".Doveawards.com. Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2012.Retrieved28 February2012.
  19. ^ab"Matt Redman".National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. 15 February 2019.Retrieved30 May2019.
  20. ^"Matt Redman, Beth Redman Anniversary: Christian Musician Celebrates 15 Years Of Marriage To Wife".hallels.com.Retrieved30 May2019.
  21. ^"LIFT".Passioncitychurch.com.Retrieved28 February2012.
  22. ^"Matt Redman Album & Song Chart History".Billboard.Retrieved28 February2012.
  23. ^"Matt Redman becomes first Brit to top US Christian music charts | Christian News on Christian Today".Christiantoday.com. 30 July 2011.Retrieved28 February2012.
  24. ^"RIAA Announces Ten First-Time Digital Award Recipients".RIAA.18 April 2013.Retrieved3 June2019.
  25. ^"International Tour With Matt Redman".Archived fromthe originalon 16 August 2012.
  26. ^ab"Matt Redman Has Just Recorded His New Live Album".hallels.com.Retrieved3 June2019.
  27. ^Clarks, Jessie (8 June 2019)."Matt Redman Signs With Integrity Music".TheChristianBeat.org.Retrieved10 June2019.
  28. ^ThriftBooks."Matt Redman Books | List of books by author Matt Redman".ThriftBooks.Retrieved3 June2019.
  29. ^"Matt Redman, Beth Redman Anniversary: Christian Musician Celebrates 15 Years Of Marriage To Wife".hallels.com.Retrieved28 October2019.
  30. ^Swerling, Gabriella (13 July 2023)."British Christian singer Matt Redman spent 'years trying to heal' after Soul Survivor".The Telegraph.Retrieved18 July2023.
  31. ^Swerling, Gabriella (9 April 2024)."Christian singer Matt Redman reveals details of Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi abuse for the first time".The Telegraph.Retrieved16 April2024.
  32. ^Redman, Matt (9 April 2024).Let There Be Light.Retrieved16 April2024.
  33. ^abc"MATT REDMAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".www.officialcharts.com.
  34. ^abc"Matt Redman - Chart history: Billboard 200".www.billboard.com.
  35. ^abc"Billboard Top Christian Albums -Matt Redman".Billboard.Retrieved8 July2019.
  36. ^"zobbel.de: - CHART: CLUK Update 23.07.2011 (wk28)".
  37. ^abc"American certifications – Matt Redman".Recording Industry Association of America.Retrieved6 March2019.
  38. ^abc"JFH News: Matt Redman Debuts Long-Awaited Single 'The Same Jesus'".JesusFreakHideout.25 October 2019.Retrieved25 October2019.
  39. ^"JFH News: Matt Redman Signs With Integrity Music".7 June 2019.Retrieved25 October2019.
  40. ^"Matt RedmanBillboardChart History: Top Album Sales ".Billboard.Retrieved11 February2020.
  41. ^"Matt Redman - Chart history (Bubbling Under Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved1 March2018.
  42. ^"Matt Redman – Chart history (Hot Christian Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved21 November2017.
  43. ^"Matt Redman – Chart history (Christian Airplay)".Billboard.Retrieved8 July2019.
  44. ^"Matt Redman Chart history (Christian Digital Song Sales)".Billboard.Retrieved17 July2019.
  45. ^"Never Once (Radio Version) - Single".Retrieved7 June2019.
  46. ^"Chart Search | Billboard".Billboard.Retrieved17 July2019.
  47. ^"Christian Soft AC: March 12, 2016".Billboard.Retrieved17 July2019.
  48. ^"Passion: Let the Future Begin".Archived fromthe originalon 15 February 2013.Retrieved30 January2013.
  49. ^"New Live Passion Album To Be Titled 'Let The Future Begin'".Retrieved30 January2013.
  50. ^abc"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 16 October 2013.Retrieved16 October2013.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  51. ^"The Archbishop of Canterbury's Awards: Lambeth Palace"(PDF).Archbishop of Canterbury.31 March 2016.Retrieved14 July2017.[permanent dead link]
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