Chris Tomlin

Christopher Dwayne Tomlin (born May 4, 1972)[1] is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas, United States who has sold over 7 million records.[2] He is a member of Passion Conferences and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Some of his most well-known songs are "How Great Is Our God", "Our God", "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" and his cover of "Good Good Father".

Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin performing in 2013.
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Dwayne Tomlin
Born (1972-05-04) May 4, 1972
OriginGrand Saline, Texas, U.S.
GenresContemporary worship music, CCM
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, worship leader
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1993–present
Labelssixsteps (EMI), Sparrow
Associated actsPassion Worship Band
Websitechristomlin.com

Tomlin has been awarded 23 GMA Dove Awards, a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for his 2012 album And If Our God Is For Us, and two RIAA certified platinum albums. Because of his songs' popularity in many contemporary churches, TIME magazine stated he may be the "most often sung artist anywhere".[3] Tomlin's 2013 album Burning Lights debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the fourth CCM album in history to do so.[4]

Early life

Tomlin was born in Grand Saline, Texas in 1972 to Donna and Connie Tomlin. He has two younger brothers, Ryan and Cory. Tomlin was given his first guitar by his father and learned how to play by playing along with Willie Nelson records.[5][6]

Tomlin wrote his first worship song at age fourteen. During high school, he learned to lead worship in his youth group.[5] After graduating from Grand Saline High School in 1990, he entered Tyler Junior College (TJC) planning for a medical or physical therapy career.[7] Tomlin graduated in 1992[8] and enrolled in Texas A&M University to 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, including Dawson McAllister Youth Conferences.[11] While at Breakaway, Tomlin participated in a Bible study led by then Choice Ministries founder Louie Giglio.[9] In 1997, Tomlin partnered with Giglio to found Passion Conferences.[12][13]

Career

In 1995, Tomlin released Inside Your Love, which was released independently.[14] In 1998, he released Authentic on Sparrow Records.[15]

In 2000, Tomlin signed onto newly founded sixstepsrecords, a subsidiary of Passion Conferences.[16] His first nationally released solo project, titled The Noise We Make, was released in 2001, featuring the song "Forever". He released the live EP 545 and his second studio album Not to Us in 2002.[17]

Tomlin performing at a concert in Johnson City, Tennessee

Since his signing onto sixstepsrecords, Tomlin has released nine full-length studio albums. 2004's Arriving was the first to chart on Billboard's Hot Christian Albums chart and the Billboard 200. Tomlin has topped the Hot Christian Albums chart six times, and his 2013 album Burning Lights topped the Billboard 200, making the album only the fourth contemporary Christian album to do so.

Tomlin has also released one live album, recorded in Austin Music Hall, and two Christmas albums (2009, 2015),[18] both of which topped the Holiday albums chart on Billboard.[19]

Tomlin has toured with many contemporary Christian artists, such as Delirious?, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, and MercyMe.[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 in Texas,[23] Hillsong's 2007 conference,[24] and the SoCal Harvest in Anaheim.[25]

On June 14, 2007, Tomlin's version of the song "Indescribable" was used as the official wake-up call for Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester on Space Shuttle mission STS-117.[26]

Other ventures

Tomlin is one of the members of CompassionArt, a charity and songwriting team that released an album in 2008. In 2014, he became a member on the board of directors of CURE International, a nonprofit organization that provides medical care to children in the developing world.[27]

In May 2008, Tomlin announced a move from the Austin Stone Community Church, to start a new church with Louie Giglio in Atlanta, Georgia.[28][29] The Passion City Church held its first service on February 15, 2009, and features Tomlin as one of its worship leaders.[30]

In April 2019, Tomlin and his wife Lauren started Angel Armies, a nonprofit organization that works to bring people and ministry organizations together to attempt to solve issues related to vulnerable youth in the United States.

Personal life

Tomlin married Lauren Bricken[31] on November 9, 2010.[32][33][34] Together they have two daughters, Ashlyn and Madison. They live on a 25-acre (10 ha) estate on the outskirts of Franklin, Tennessee which they have nicknamed "Peacefield".[35]

Discography
Main articles: Chris Tomlin discography and Passion Conferences § Albums

Independent releases

  • Inside Your Love (1995)
  • Authentic (1998)
  • Too Much Free Time (1998) with Ross King

Commercial releases

Awards and achievements

According to Christian 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 by Laura Story[38]). In 2008, Tomlin held 6 spots on 20 The Countdown Magazine's top 20 praise and worship songs: "We Fall Down" (No. 14), "Forever" (No. 10), "Holy is the Lord" (No. 8), "Indescribable" (No. 6),[38] "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" (No. 3), and "How Great is our God" (No. 1).[39] In 2012, CCLI reported that his songs were performed more than 3 million times in churches around the world.[40] TIME magazine has called him "most often sung artist anywhere" in 2006,[3] and in 2013, he was also pronounced the most sung songwriter in the world.[41] In 2017, he became only the fourth artist to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for surpassing a billion digital radio streams,[42] and in 2018, he became the first Christian artist to receive the Billionaire award from Pandora for reaching a billion Pandora streams.[43]

Grammy Awards
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[44]
2014 Best Contemporary Christian Music Song (Whom Shall I Fear)[45] Nominated
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Burning Lights)[45] Nominated
2016 Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Love Ran Red) Nominated[46]

GMA Dove Awards

Throughout his career, Chris Tomlin has been nominated to 32 Dove Awards (6 of them collaborative efforts) and won 19 of them.

Year Award Result
2005 Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Arriving) Won[47]
2006 Artist of the Year Won[48]
Male Vocalist of the Year Won[48]
Song of the Year ("Holy Is the Lord") Nominated[48]
Song of the Year ("How Great Is Our God") Won[48]
Worship Song of the Year ("Holy Is the Lord") Nominated[48]
Worship Song of the Year ("How Great Is Our God") Won[48]
Worship Song of the Year ("Indescribable")1 Nominated[48]
Special Event Album of the Year (Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia)* Won[48]
Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: How Great Is Our God)* Nominated[48]
Special Event Album of the Year (WOW Christmas: Green)* Nominated[48]
2007 Artist of the Year Won[49]
Male Vocalist of the Year Won[49]
Song of the Year ("Made to Worship") Nominated[49]
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Made to Worship") Nominated[49]
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (See The Morning) Won[49]
Worship Song of the Year ("Holy Is the Lord") Won[49]
Worship Song of the Year ("Made to Worship") Nominated[49]
Praise & Worship Album of the Year (See The Morning) Won[49]
Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: Everything Glorious)* Won[49]
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[50]
2013 Song of the Year ("Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]") Nominated[51]
Praise & Worship Album of the Year ("Burning Lights") Won[51]
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year ("Burning Lights") Nominated[51]
Artist of the Year Nominated[51]
Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: White Flag)* Nominated[51]
Special Event Album of the Year (Passion: Let The Future Begin)* Won[51]
Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Passion: White Flag)* Nominated[51]
Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Passion: Let The Future Begin)* Nominated[51]
2014 Songwriter of the Year Won[52]
2015 Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Love Ran Red) Nominated
2016 Songwriter of the YearNominated[53]
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.
  • 1 The song was performed by Tomlin, but written and produced by Laura Story.
  • 2 The song was performed by LaRue Howard, but written by Tomlin.

Billboard Music Awards
Year Award Result[54]
2011 Top Christian Artist Won
Top Christian Album (And If Our God Is for Us...) Nominated
Top Christian Song ("Our God") Won

Others

Tomlin was nominated for two 2009 Visionary Award: Male Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year for "Jesus Messiah".[55]

Bibliography
  • Chris Tomlin, The Way I Was Made: Words and Music for an Unusual Life, Multnomah, 2004. ISBN 978-1-59052-327-8

Filmography
Year Film Role
2013 Grace Unplugged Himself

See also

References
  1. Argyrakis, Andy (May 1, 2001). "Opening Acts: Get to Know Chris Tomlin" (PDF). CCM Magazine. p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  2. "USA Today Premieres Chris Tomlin's Music Video For "Home"". themcollective.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  3. Luscombe, Belinda (November 11, 2006). "Hip Hymns Are Him". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  4. Caulfield, Keith (January 16, 2013). "Chris Tomlin Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  5. Mallette, Cindy (June 2, 2007). "Superstar's Homecoming Brings Memories, Praise". Tyler Morning Telegraph. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  6. "Chris Tomlin Bio". ChristianMusic.com. September 23, 1990. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  7. Fletcher, Hannah. "Chris Tomlin". www.tjc.edu. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  8. "Contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin returning to his Tyler Junior College roots on Oct. 26". KYTX. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  9. "Chris Tomlin | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  10. Jones, Kim (November 18, 2017). "Chris Tomlin Biography - The Story Behind the Popular Christian Artist". ThoughtCo. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  11. "Chris Tomlin: Serving Others Through Music". CBN.com - The Christian Broadcasting Network. September 7, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  12. "Chris Tomlin Biography". billboard.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  13. Don Cusic, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 441
  14. "Inside Your Love by Chris Tomlin". www.newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  15. "Chris Tomlin | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  16. "Passion". the media collective. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  17. "Chris Tomlin Biography". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  18. "NewReleaseTuesday.com". NewReleaseTuesday.com. September 19, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  19. "Chris Tomlin Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  20. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: All Things New Tour 2005, Steven Curtis Chapman, Christ Tomlin, Casting Crowns". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  21. "DELIRIOUS? FAREWELL SHOW – LIVE IN LONDON". Jesus Freak Hideout. May 18, 2010. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  22. "Chris Tomlin's official Site". Christomlin.com. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  23. Van Zandt Newspapers, Chris Tomlin to Kick off Salt Festival Archived September 25, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Chris Tomlin Extends 'How Great is Our God' Tour". www.christianpost.com. July 5, 2007. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  25. "Christian musicians will be performing during SoCal Harvest in Anaheim Aug. 26-28". Fontana Herald News. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  26. "Audio Wakeup Call Index". spaceflight.nasa.gov. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  27. "Chris Tomlin Joins The Board of CURE International to Help Save Children's Lives". BREATHEcast. 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014. CURE International, the largest provider of reconstructive surgery to disabled children in the emerging world, announced this week the addition of Chris Tomlin to its Board of Directors.
  28. "Human3rror Blog". Human3rror.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  29. "Modern March blog". Modernmarch.com. October 10, 2008. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  30. Zylstra, Sarah Eekhoff (February 24, 2009). "Q&A: Louie Giglio". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  31. "Chris Tomlin Marries". Parachute Music. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  32. "Louie Giglio's Twitter Page". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  33. "Shelley Giglio's Twitter Page". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  34. "Janet Reeve's Twitter Page". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  35. Parr-Moody, Karen (January 18, 2017). "At Home with Chris Tomlin". Nashville Lifestyles. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  36. "Chris Tomlin To Release "Never Lose Sight" October 21". thechristianbeat.org. September 13, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  37. "Chris Tomlin - Miracle of Love: Christmas Songs of Worship - 5/7". Genius. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  38. "Worship.com". worship.com. 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  39. "CCLI Top 25 Worship Songs List". Ccli.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  40. "Chris Tomlin Most Sung Songwriter in the World". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  41. "Chris Tomlin Most Sung Songwriter in the World". cbn.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  42. "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. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  43. Longs, Herb. "Chris Tomlin Reaches A Billion Streams On Pandora". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  44. "Chris Tomlin Wins Best Contemporary Christian Music Album". grammy.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  45. Rebecca Tucker (January 27, 2014). "Grammys 2014: The full list of winners". National Post. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  46. "59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees". Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  47. "36th Annual GMA Dove Awards Wrap-Up". christianpost.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  48. "Chris Tomlin Tops Dove Awards". billboard.com. April 6, 2006. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  49. "The 2007 GMA Dove Awards". cbn.com. April 26, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  50. "Coverage of the 2012 43rd Annual Dove Awards - 2012 Dove Award Nominees and Winners!". newreleasetoday.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  51. "2013 Dove Awards: Winners and More!". ccmmagazine.com. October 16, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  52. "Songwriter of the Year". doveawards.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  53. "2016 Nominees - The 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  54. "2011 Billboard Music Awards Winners". The Inquisitr. May 22, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  55. "Christian Music Hall of Fame official site". Archived from the original on December 25, 2009.
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