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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Chris Tomlin| image = chirs.jpg| caption = Chris Tomlin | Birmingham, AL | Glory Revealed 2| image_size = | background = solo_singer| birth_name = Christopher Dwayne Tomlin| alias =| birth_date = Birth date and age|1972|5|4| death_date =| origin = Grand Saline, Texas United States|U.S. | instrument = Guitar , piano | genre = Contemporary worship music , contemporary Christian music|CCM | occupation = Singer , songwriter , instrumentalist worship leader | years_active = 1998–present| label = sixstepsrecords / Sparrow Records | associated_acts =| website = official| http://www.christomlin.com/| current_members =| past_members =| notable_instruments = Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin (born May 4, 1972) is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader , and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas , United States . He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI 's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many Passion Conferences|Passion events. Some of his most well-known songs are " How Great Is Our God (song)|How Great Is Our God ", "Jesus Messiah", " Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) ", and the recent song "Our God" which he co-wrote with Matt Redman , Jesse Reeves and Jonas Myrin . He is currently a worship leader at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia with Louie Giglio and Christy Nockels .
He was awarded Male Vocalist of the Year at the Dove Awards of 2006|2006 , GMA Dove Awards of 2007|2007 , and Dove Awards of 2008|2008 GMA GMA Dove Award|Dove Awards . He was also named Artist of the Year in 2007. Tomlin released his seventh studio album, And If Our God Is for Us... , on November 16, 2010. He is one of the members of CompassionArt , a Charitable organization|charity founded by Martin Smith (songwriter)|Martin Smith (and Smith's wife, Anna) of the band Delirious? .
His newest album is How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection. released on November 15, 2011.
Early life
Tomlin was born in Grand Saline, Texas in 1972 to Connie and Donna Tomlin. He has two younger brothers, Ryan and Cory. Tomlin received his first guitar from his father at the age of eleven after contracting a case of infectious mononucleosis|mono .Tyler Paper, http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20070602/RELIGION/706010337 "Superstar's homecoming brings memories, praise" Chris Tomlin first learned how to play the guitar by playing along side Willie Nelson records., http://www.christianmusic.com/chris_tomlin/chris_tomlin.htm
Tomlin wrote his first worship song at age fourteen. He entered college planning to study physical therapy , but ended up not pursuing that career, as he has stated that he felt God's calling to something else.Citation needed|date=November 2010 In the mid-1990s Tomlin was a worship leader at the Dawson McAllister Youth Conferences, as well as at various church camps in Texas .
After attending Tyler Junior College and Texas A& M University , Tomlin continued to play and write songs, and in 1997, youth speaker Louie Giglio asked if he would be interested in working with the Passion Conferences . Tomlin has played a key role in the movement ever since.
Musical career
His first nationally released solo project, titled The Noise We Make , was released in 2001, featuring the songs "Forever," "Be Glorified", and "Kindness", all of which made the top 200 in the CCLI 2005 top 500 worship songs.cite web|url= http://www.christomlin.com/ |title=Chris Tomlin's official Site |publisher=Christomlin.com |date= |accessdate=2011-09-25 He also released the live album|live EP 545 (album)|545 in 2002, and the studio album Not to Us (2002). His 2004 album Arriving is considered his breakout album as it produced the No. 1 songs "Indescribable" (written by Laura Story ), " Holy Is the Lord ", " How Great Is Our God (song)|How Great Is Our God ", and "The Way I Was Made". Two other tracks from the album–"On Our Side" and "Mighty is the Power of the Cross", written with Shawn Craig of Phillips, Craig, and Dean –landed in the 2005 top 500 worship songs according to Christian Copyright Licensing International . Arriving was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2008.
A year after Arriving , Tomlin released his first solo live album, titled Live From Austin Music Hall , and in 2006, his fourth studio album, See the Morning , which was nominated for two Grammy Award s,cite web|url= http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp? pid=425053& cr=artist& or=ASCENDING& sf=length& kw=Chris%20Tomlin |title=Chris Tomlin's Biography at |publisher=Billboard.com |date= |accessdate=2011-09-25 been certified Gold by the RIAA, and has helped him win 6 Dove Award s in 2007, including a second consecutive "Artist of the Year" win. The three singles off this album have all been top five songs on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs Chart, and have all reached the No. 1 position on the Radio & Records|R& R ' Christian AC Chart.
Although he is a solo artist, Tomlin travels around with a consistent band lineup. He also writes many of his songs with the members of his band. His band, in which he performs vocal s, Steel-string guitar|acoustic guitar , and piano , consists of Daniel Carson ( electric guitar , backing vocalist|backup vocals ), Jesse Reeves ( bass guitar , backup vocals), Travis Nunn ( Drum kit|drums ), and Matt Gilder ( piano , keyboard instrument|keys ). Tomlin and the band developed while working with the Harvest Ministry at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, Texas|The Woodlands , Texas in the late 1990s.
According to Christian Copyright Licensing International 's list of the top 25 worship songs in the US in August 2007, Tomlin held 5 spots with songs he has either written or co-written with other songwriters: "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). 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), "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" (No. 3), and "How Great is our God" (No. 1).cite web|url= http://www.ccli.com/US/WhatWeOffer/ChurchCopyrightLicenses/top%20songs.aspx |title=CCLI Top 25 Worship Songs List |publisher=Ccli.com |date= |accessdate=2011-09-25
Tomlin has toured with several prominent contemporary Christian music artists, such as opening for Delirious? during his first ever tour, and as a supporting act of Steven Curtis Chapman during his All Things New Tour. Tomlin has also headlined several tours, such as headlining the Chris Tomlin Indescribable Tour, which featured world renowned worship artist Matt Redman , and speaker Louie Giglio , http://www.crossmap.com/music/files/events/events_20060202_chris.jpg/ Chris Tomlin Indescribable Tour posterdead link|date=September 2011 and headlining the See the Morning Tour. From April to October 2007, Tomlin toured with Louie Giglio and Matt Redman on his "How Great Is Our God" tour. In 2008, Tomlin toured with Passion Conferences on its world tour. In early 2009, he headlined the Hello Love tour with Israel Houghton|Israel Houghton and New Breed . In summer of 2010, he co-headlined the "Hello Tonight" tour with TobyMac .
Tomlin has also been featured at many conferences and music festivals. Among these, he has played at Grand Saline's annual Salt Festival.Van Zandt Newspapers, http://www.vanzandtnewspapers.com/news/126/ARTICLE/3991/2007-05-20.html Chris Tomlin to Kick off Salt Festival Hillsong 's 2007 conference, and the 2008 Compassionart International Songwriting retreat, which was dedicated to writing songs whose revenue would support charities serving the poorest of the world's poor. Other prominent songwriters included were Matt Redman , Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard, and Steven Curtis Chapman. In 2009, Tomlin played at the Harvest Crusade at Anaheim Angels Stadium.
At the end of 2006, Tomlin launched an online music website resource called Frequency which Tomlin described as "a place to serve God and his people in worship." In 2007, he partnered with Larry Tardy to create a new site under a similar name, Frequency Worship.cite web|url= http://www.fqworship.com/ |title=Frequency Worship Official Site |publisher=Fqworship.com |date= |accessdate=2011-09-25 The original site featured chord charts for some of Chris' songs, some instructional videos for those songs, and a message board meant for worship leaders. Since the updated launch in August 2008, Frequency has included chord charts for many popular worship songs, instructional videos, planning software for worship leaders, articles written by other artists, and more, branching out into all of worship music.
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 .
In May 2008, it was announced that Tomlin and his band would move from The Austin Stone Community Church, the church he helped plant with senior pastor Matt Carter in Austin, Texas to start a new church with Louie Giglio in Atlanta, Georgia .cite web|url= http://human3rror.com/2008/05/11/chris-tomlin-leaving-austin-stone/ |title=Human3rror Blog |publisher=Human3rror.com |date= |accessdate=2011-09-25cite web|url= http://modernmarch.com/2008/10/10/giglio-and-tomlin-to-plant-church/ |title=Modern March blog |publisher=Modernmarch.com |date=2008-10-10 |accessdate=2011-09-25
In 2009, Tomlin released a Christmas music|Christmas album , Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship .cite web|url= http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/coming_soon.php |title=NewReleaseTuesday.com |publisher=NewReleaseTuesday.com |date=2011-09-19 |accessdate=2011-09-25 It includes three original Christmas songs and features duets with Matt Redman , Christy Nockels , and Audrey Assad. The album peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 list and at No. 1 for Holiday albums.
In March 2010, Tomlin and his band announced through their Twitter accounts the recording of a new studio album slated for a November 2010 release. On August 30, Tomlin announced on his Twitter that the title would be And If Our God Is for Us... cite web|url= http://twitter.com/tomlinchris/status/22550548556 |title=Chris Tomlin's Official Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2010-08-30 |accessdate=2011-09-25 The first single "I Will Follow" was released to radio on August 23.
Personal life
Tomlin married his girlfriend, Lauren Bricken,cite web|url= http://www.parachutemusic.com/index.php? option=com_content& view=article& id=757:chris-tomlin-marries& catid=16:international-news& Itemid=93 |title=Chris Tomlin Marries |publisher=Parachute Music |date= |accessdate=2011-09-25 on November 9, 2010. http://twitter.com/#!/louiegiglio/status/2274181462888448 Louie Giglio's Twitter Page http://twitter.com/#!/shelleygiglio/status/2273713651191808 Shelley Giglio's Twitter Page http://twitter.com/#!/reevespartyof6/status/2281061002248192 Janet Reeve's Twitter Page
In May 2011, Tomlin announced to his hometown that he and Lauren are expecting their first child.cite web|last=Heathcock |first=Jennifer |url= http://www.cbs19.tv/story/14575562/chris-tomlin-honored-in-grand-saline |title=CBS 19 |publisher=Cbs19.tv |date=2011-05-04 |accessdate=2011-09-25cite web|url= http://www.1039thefish.com/article.asp? id=2183021& spid=40320 |title=The Fish |publisher=1039thefish.com |date=2011-05-08 |accessdate=2011-09-25 He announced on Twitter that the couple's daughter, Ashlyn Alexandra Tomlin, was born in September 2011.Citation needed|date=September 2011
Discography
Inside Your Love (1995)
Authentic (Chris Tomlin album)|Authentic (1998)
Too Much Free Time (1998) with Ross King
The Noise We Make (2001)
Not to Us (2002)
Arriving (2004)
See the Morning (2006)
Hello Love (Chris Tomlin album)|Hello Love (2008)
Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship (2009)
And If Our God Is for Us... (2010)
How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection (2011)
;Passion event albums
Passion: Better is One Day|Better Is One Day (1999)
Passion: The Road to One Day|The Road To One Day (2000)
Passion: One Day Live|One Day: Live (2000)
Our Love is Loud (2002)
Sacred Revolution|Sacred Revolution: Songs From OneDay 03 (2003)
Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern|Hymns: Ancient and Modern (2004)
How Great Is Our God (2005)
Everything Glorious (2006)
The Best of Passion (So Far) (2006)
Live From Passion 07 Pts. 1 & 3 (2007)
God of This City (Passion album)|God of This City (2008)
Passion: Awakening|Awakening (2010)
Here for You (2011)
;Non-album songs
"Whisper My Name" Forefront - Eterne: Never Be the Same (2000)
"Salvation" - Pour Over Me - Worship Together Live 2001 (2001)
"Give Us Clean Hands" - Pour Over Me - Worship Together Live 2001 (2001)
"Satisfied" Forefront - Secrets Of The Vine: Music... A Worship Experience (2002)
"Lord, I'm Gonna Love You" Sparrow - Your Love Broke Through (2002)
"Expressions of Your Love" (duet w/ Rebecca St. James) Sparrow - It Takes Two: 15 Collaborations & Duets (2003)
" Where the Streets Have No Name " Sparrow/EMI CMG - In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa (2004)
"You're The One" Disney/EMI CMG - Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
"Angels We Have Heard On High" Word - WOW Christmas: Green (2005)
"Mighty to Save" Integrity - Bonus disc included with Fruitcake and Ice Cream DVD (2008)
"Your Heart David - Music Inspired by The Story (2011)
Charts
Albums - Billboard (magazine)|Billboard (North America)
Year
Album
Peak chart positions
RIAA certifications
Top Christian Albums
Billboard 200> Billboard 200 Albums
2004
Arriving
6
39
Platinum
2006
See the Morning
1
15
Gold
2008
Hello Love (Chris Tomlin album)
1
9
Gold
2009
Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship
2
19
Gold
2010
And If Our God Is for Us...
1
17
style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"
Singles - Billboard (magazine)|Billboard (North America)
Top Christian Album ( And If Our God Is for Us... )
nom
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". http://www.hallmuseum.com Christian Music Hall of Fame official site
Bibliography
Chris Tomlin, The Way I Was Made: Words and Music for an Unusual Life , Multnomah, 2004. ISBN 978-1590523278
References
Reflist|colwidth=30em
External links
http://www.christomlin.com/ Official site
http://www.austinstone.org/ Austin Stone Community Church
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1561156,00.html/ Article in Time Magazine
http://www.onemillioncan.com/ One Million Can
Chris TomlinCompassionart Persondata | NAME =Tomlin, Chris | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =May 4, 1972 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Tomlin, Chris Category:Living people Category:1972 births Category:American male singers Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American Christians Category:Christian hymnwriters Category:Christian religion-related songwriters Category:People from Austin, Texas Category:Texas A& M University alumni Category:American performers of Christian music Category:Musicians from Texas Category:Contemporary worship music Category:Tyler Junior College alumni
