Keith & Kristyn Getty

Keith & Kristyn Getty
Keith & Kristyn Getty at the Sing! 2019 Tour in Bakersfield, California
Background information
Also known as	The Gettys Getty Music
Origin	Northern Ireland
Genres	Modern hymns contemporary worship music Irish folk music
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Getty Music
Members	Keith Getty Kristyn Getty(née Lennox)
Website	gettymusic.com

Keith & Kristyn Gettyare a musical duo fromNorthern Ireland,focusing on hymns and other Christian music. They are best known for the 2001hymn“In Christ Alone”,co-written withStuart Townend.

Other well-known hymns in the Getty Music catalog include “Rejoice”, “The Lord Almighty Reigns”, “His Mercy Is More”, “He Will Hold Me Fast”, “The Power of the Cross", "The Lord Is My Salvation", "By Faith", and "Speak O Lord".

The Gettys have recorded 26 albums and have been nominated for a Grammy Award, as well as winning twoDove Awards.In 2017,Christianity Todaynamed the Gettys "preeminent" hymn writers who have "changed the way evangelicals worship".

The couple oversees Getty Music, arecord labelandpublishing house,as well as an education program for developing hymn writers and worship leaders. In 2020, the Gettys founded the Getty Music Foundation which provides resources to churches and families, especially resources pertaining to theology andcongregational singingeducation. They have four children.

Formation and members

Keith & Kristyn Getty

Kristyn Getty's uncle John Lennox, introduced the couple to one another, and the pair soon began writing songs together. They were involved in several organizations and projects in Northern Ireland. The Gettys were married in 2004 and moved to Switzerland and worked at an international church in Geneva. They then relocated to Cleveland, Ohio and were based out of Parkside Church withAlistair Beggfor 4 years. They relocated to Nashville in 2010.

Keith Getty

Main article:Keith Getty

Julian Keith GettyOBE(born(1974-12-16)16 December 1974) was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland to Helen Getty (née Irwin), a piano teacher, and John Getty, an organist. He studied music atSt Chad's College at Durham Universityin 1993,and enrolled in private conducting lessons with Alan Hazeldine in London and later in 1996 at theTanglewood Music Centerin Massachusetts.

Kristyn Getty

Main article:Kristyn Getty

Kristyn Elizabeth Rebekah Getty (née Lennox, born(1980-05-22)22 May 1980) was born inBelfast,Northern Ireland.She is the daughter of Gilbert Lennox and Heather Lennox (née Wright). She is the niece of the mathematicianJohn Lennox.In 1999, she studied English literature and Ethnomusicology atQueen's University of Belfast(1999-2003). Kristyn was a member of various local bands during her early career, before meeting Keith Getty and beginning to write music. Kristyn’s first song to be published was titled “Your Song to Me,” which was released on her album with Keith, under her maiden name Kristyn Lennox.

Musical career

"In Christ Alone" was released in 2001 onNew Irish Hymns,featuring vocalistsMáire Brennan,Margaret Becker,andJoanne Hogg.The song gained popularity.It hit number one on the United KingdomCCLIcharts by 2006, and in January 2009, it was still number one in the UK, number two in Australia, number seven in Canada, and number 15 in the United States.In 2013, "In Christ Alone" was played during theenthronementofJustin Welby,England's 105thArchbishop of Canterbury."In Christ Alone" has been covered by numerous Christian and Celtic performers, includingNatalie Grant,Lauren Daigle,Jim Brickman,Owl City,theGaither Vocal Band,Alison Krauss,andNewsboys.The Gettys have also performed for former United States PresidentGeorge W. Bush,South KoreanPresidentLee Myung-bak,and former Vice PresidentMike Pence.

In Christ Alonealbum

Main article:In Christ Alone

The duo's debut release wasIn Christ Alone,released in 2006. This record was a collection of ten hymns remade with Kristyn as the vocalist.

After a totaldistributionof approximately 200,000 units,In Christ Alonewas nominated for aDove Awardin 2007. "The Risen Christ", a choral collection based on the album, was also nominated for a Dove Award in 2009.

Awaken the Dawnalbum

In 2008,Awaken the Dawnwas the duo's second album.The album was nominated in the41st GMA Dove Awardsfor "Praise and Worship Album of the Year".Awaken the Dawnintroduced a more "worship band" approach as Keith and Kristyn began to tour and present their music to an American audience. The album also collaborated with producer Phil Naish, the string arrangements ofRob Mathes,and Nashville rhythm musicians. As a result of a total distribution of approximately 110,000 units,Awaken the Dawnwas nominated for a Dove Award in 2009.

Joy – An Irish Christmasalbum

In 2011, Keith and Kristyn Getty releasedJoy: An Irish Christmas.The album was dedicated to their daughter, Eliza Joy, born that year.

This album developed into atouringChristmas show. "Irish Christmas" is performed annually atCarnegie Hall,and was presented at theJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

2012–2020 releases

In 2012, The Gettys releasedHymns for the Christian Life,a collection of music that most strongly represented the Gettys move toNashville, Tennessee.The album is personal, both in terms of writing more hymns on how the gospel speaks to the issues of everyday life and moving away to a more acoustic musical style that blends the two cultures they live—Irish andAmerican folk music.The album was produced byCharlie PeacockandEd Cash.The album featured guests artists includingAlison Krauss,Ricky SkaggsandMáire Brennan.In 2014,The Greengrass Sessions EPwas released as a supplement containing additional songs used on theHymns for the Christian Lifetour. This was a limited edition EP that contained recordings of the live tour band.

The pair first performed at London'sRoyal Albert Hallin 2012 for the 40th anniversary of Prom Praise with theAll Souls Orchestraand returned to the same venue in 2022 for the 50th anniversary concert. In 2013, they performed in Nashville at theRyman Auditoriumfor the first time for aSaint Patrick’s Dayconcert.

In the spring of 2013, the National Conference of The Gospel Coalition was held inOrlando, Florida.The Gettys arranged the music at this event with traditional and modern hymns, including several selections from their own catalog. This became a live album, as well as a printed songbook.The album was produced by Ed Cash, and features 13 previously-released songs.

In 2016, the Gettys began work on their next albumFacing a Task Unfinished.The album's title track is the hymn "Facing a Task Unfinished", which the Gettys were invited to re-write byOMF Internationalfrom the original byFrank Houghtonin 1931.The album was recorded atOcean Wayin Nashville, Tennessee. The album also features special guestsLadysmith Black Mambazo,Fernando Ortega,John Patitucci,andChris Tomlin.The album was released on 17 June 2016.

In 2018, Keith and Kristyn performed at theBritish Parliament’sannualNational Prayer BreakfastatWestminster Hall.Together they led a worship service, singing songs like "Behold The Lamb" and "In Christ Alone". The audience included former UK prime ministerTheresa Mayand the event was introduced by the formerSpeakerof theHouse of Commons,John Bercow.

In May 2019, the Gettys announced via their Facebook page an album named after the Christian worship hymnHis Mercy Is More.The album features Getty Music partnersMatt Papaand Matt Boswell and was released in August 2019.

In 2019 and 2020,TBNaired the programSing! An Irish Christmason their network for the Christmas season. The program featured the Gettys as well as Matt Boswell,Matt Papa,and others.

On 4 September 2020, the Gettys released the albumEvensong (Hymns and Lullabies at the Close of Day),which features lullabies written by the Gettys throughout their parenthood, as well as various other hymns. This album was a product of collaboration between the Gettys and various other artists such asVince Gill,Heather Headley,Ellie Holcomb,and Skye Peterson, daughter of musician and authorAndrew Peterson.In its debut week, it debuted at #1 in both theTop Christian Albumschart and theKid Albumschart

Confessioalbum

On 29 October 2021, Keith and Kristyn Getty released the albumConfessio: Irish American Roots,which includes traditional and original hymns arranged in Celtic and American folk styles. The album featured collaborations withRicky Skaggs,Alison Krauss,Kirk Whalum,Dana Masters, Jordyn Shellhart, andSandra McCracken.The album was nominated for a Grammy in the categoryBest Roots Gospel Albumat the2023 Grammy Awards.

Christ Our Hope in Life and Deathalbum

On 28 April 2023, Keith and Kristyn Getty released the albumChrist Our Hope in Life and Death,named after the song with the same title. The album, consisting mainly of original worship songs and hymns, featured collaborations withMichael W. Smith,Rend Collective,Shane & Shane,Laura Story,Skye Peterson, Matt Boswell, andMatt Papa.

Style

The Gettys have been influenced by the work of musicians such asIrish traditional musicians,George GershwinandJohann Sebastian Bach.Their music has been influenced byfolk musicandclassical musicand their lyrics incorporate techniques used in contemporary songwriting and standardhymnody.

In reference to his songwriting and musical performance, Keith Getty wrote in 2015: "I do not pretend to be qualified to write a theological treatise on this particular subject. Congregational singing is a holy act, and as I organize my thoughts, I hear my old pastor,Alistair Begg,reminding me that in our song worship, we have to be spiritually alive... "

Tours

The Gettys inSingaporeas part of their Sing! Asia tour in 2023

Joy – An Irish Christmas and Sing! An Irish Christmas

In 2010, Tom Bledsoe invited Keith and Kristyn Getty to join a special Christmas celebration in withGeorge Beverly SheaandCliff Barrows.The event includedBilly Grahamas the headlining speaker. The Gettys prepared thirty minutes of music from their albumJoy: An Irish Christmasfor the first evening. Their segment was expanded to a fuller evening of music subsequently presented to a number of churches that year.

By 2011,Joy - An Irish Christmaswas developed into a full-length album and a monthlong concert tour.The tour returned in December 2012.Irish Christmas took a hiatus in 2013 as Keith and Kristyn awaited the birth of their second daughter. The tour returned to North America in 2014. The 2014 tour culminated in Carnegie Hall withRicky Skaggsas a special guest.

2015'sJoy - An Irish Christmas Tourtook place in over 20 cities across the southeasternUnited States.The Gettys were joined by guest artistsJohn PatitucciandSally Lloyd-Jonesin New York, as well asBuddy Greeneand Ricky Skaggs at The Fox Theatre and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, with astronaut Butch Wilmore as a special guest at the tour's final stop in Nashville.

Hymns for the Christian Life American & Celtic Tours

The duo along with others toured the UK in 2012 during theirThe Northern Celtic Islands Tour.Guest performers included Stuart Townend, New Scottish Choir and Orchestra,Jonathan Rea,New Irish Arts, andDr. Noël Tredinnick.

In 2013, Keith and Kristyn embarked on theHymns for the Christian Life Tourthroughout North America.

Personal life

Keith and Kristyn were introduced to each other in 2002 by Kristyn’s uncle, John Lennox. After dating for two years, the couple married on 16 June 2004 inArmagh,Northern Ireland. They have four children.

They divide their time betweenPortstewart,Northern Ireland,andNashville, Tennessee.

Discography

See also:Keith Getty discography

As Keith Getty & Kristyn Lennox

• Tapestry(2002)
• New Irish Hymns 2: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit(2003) withMargaret Becker,Joanne Hogg

As Keith & Kristyn Getty

• New Irish Hymns 3: Incarnation(2004) withMargaret Becker,andJoanne Hogg
• New Irish Hymns 4: Hymns for the Life of the Church(2005) withMargaret Becker
• Songs That Jesus Said(2005), a collection of songs for children
• The Apostles' Creed(2006)
• Modern Hymns Live(2006)
• In Christ Alone(2007)
• Prom Praise(2008) featured guest with the All Souls Orchestra; recorded live atRoyal Albert Hall
• Keswick Live(2008) withKristyn Getty,Stuart Townend,andSteve James,recorded at the 2008Keswick Convention.
• Awaken the Dawn(2009)
• Joy - An Irish Christmas(2011)
• Hymns for the Christian Life(2012)
• Modern and Traditional Hymns: Live at the Gospel Coalition(2013)
• Facing a Task Unfinished(2016)
• The North Coast Sessions(2018)
• His Mercy Is More- The Hymns of Matt Boswell andMatt Papa(2019)
• Evensong: A Collection of Hymns and Lullabies at Close of Day(2020)
• Sing! Global (Live at the Getty Music Worship Conference)(2021)
• Confessio - Irish American Roots(2021)
• Sing! Live in Singapore(2022)
• Christ Our Hope in Life and Death(2023)

Books

• Getty, Kristyn; Getty, Keith (2017).Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church.Broadman & Holman.ISBN9781462742660.

Awards and honours

Keith has received two honorary doctorates: one fromLancaster Bible Collegein 2011 and another fromDallas Baptist Universityin 2021.Kristyn received an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University in 2023.In 2012, The British Hymn Society named "In Christ Alone" as one of the top 5 Hymns of All Time.

In 2018, Keith was appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) byElizabeth II,becoming the first church musician of the modern era to be given the award for contributions to music and hymn writing.

In August 2019,Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC)approved a motion to bestow its highest civic order on Keith and Kristyn Getty following a proposal by Alderman Allan Ewart.The award of Freedom of the City of Lisburn and Castlereagh was conferred on 1 June 2023.

In 2019, “In Christ Alone” was voted as the third most popular hymn in Britain as announced on theBBCprogramSongs of Praise,making it the only modern hymn to be included in the top ten.

In 2020, their children’s albumEvensongtoppedBillboard's Kids Album Chart, moving theFrozen Soundtrackout of the top position.

Year	Association	Category	Nominated Work	Result	Ref
2018	Christian Book Award	Best New Author(s)	Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church	Nominated
		Best Ministry Resources		Nominated
2019	GMA Dove Award	Inspirational Album of the Year	The North Coast Sessions	Won
2022		Children’s Album of the Year	Getty Kids Hymnal: Hymns from Home	Won
2022	Grammy Award	Best Roots Gospel Album	Confessio - Irish American Roots	Nominated

Controversy

In 2013, thePresbyterian Committee on Congregational Song in the United Statessought permission to include "In Christ Alone" in a hymnal with a modification of the lyrics "Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied" to instead say, "Till on that cross as Jesus died, the love of God was magnified". Keith Getty and co-author Stuart Townend rejected the request for modification and the Committee subsequently declined to include the song in its hymnal. The dean ofBeeson Divinity SchoolofSamford University,Timothy George,published an article criticizing the Committee's attempt to remove the controversial doctrine of the wrath of God from the song.The topic of George’s article became popular and was eventually adapted by reporters fromUSA Today,The Washington Post,and other major publications.

External links

• Official website
• Keith & Kristyn Gettydiscography atDiscogs
• Keith & Kristyn GettyatAllMusic
• Keith & Kristyn GettyonInstagram
• Keith & Kristyn GettyonFacebook
• Keith & Kristyn GettyonTwitter
• Keith & Kristyn GettyonYouTube