Andrew Greer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andrew Brooks Greer |
| Born | July 10, 1982 Azle, Texas |
| Origin | Nashville, Nashville |
| Genres | Americana, folk, folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer/Songwriter, Author, TV/Podcast Host |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | MA'M Recordings |
| Website | www |
Andrew Brooks Greer (born July 10, 1982) is a touring independent singer-songwriter and writer living in Nashville, Tennessee.
Greer was born in Azle, Texas, on July 10, 1982, the son of Thomas and Jane Greer ( née , Girard), [1] before moving to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University. After graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music (BM), he worked at Michael W. Smith's Rocketown Records before beginning his own singer-songwriter artist career in 2009 with the release of the record, Open Book, [2] his author career in 2015 with the release of the book Transcending Mysteries, [3] and a podcast and TV show host in 2017 with the release of the show Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer. [4]
Greer's debut album was a critical success, earning 4 out of 5 stars from Christianity Today which called Open Book, "an intensely reflective record that digs deep," [5] and 5 out of 5 stars from The Christian Manifesto, which said, "Greer writes with a soul-bearing honesty refreshing to hear in an industry where cliché after cliché comes all too often. Open Book is a masterpiece." [6] Features in other high-profile national outlets like CCM Magazine [7] and Christian Musician followed. He was also featured as a worship leader for Centrifuge's national student camps in 2011. [2]
Greer will release his second album, Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions in January 2012. The recording features vintage hymns in an Americana style with a line-up of special guests like Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station, Cindy Morgan, Ginny Owens, Sonya Isaacs, Marc Scibilia, Sandra McCracken, Julie Lee and The McCrary Sisters. [2] He has released a playlist of "Behind the Scenes" videos with select guest artists to help promote Angel Band. [8]
In the fall of 2012, Andrew joined forces with 12-time Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan for Food for the Hungry's "Hymns for Hunger" Tour, helping raise awareness and resources for local and international hunger relief organizations at tour stops across the country. The tour has visited dozens of cities within the United States and has been featured in special performances at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan's Purse and Amy Grant's "A Tennessee Weekend". [9] [10] [11] In conjunction with the "Hymns for Hunger" tour, Cindy and Andrew were featured on the Winter 2013 cover of Collegiate Magazine. [12]
In the spring of 2013, Greer released All Things Bright & Beautiful: Hymns for the Seasons, an instrumental hymns record. The record hit the #1 position on Nielsen Christian SoundScan's Instrumental Chart for 25 weeks. [10] [13] All Things Bright & Beautiful received a 2013 Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for "Instrumental Album of the Year". [14]
In November 2013, Andrew released the second installment in his "Angel Band" series with "Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions", featuring collaborations with Americana and Gospel artists Phil Madeira, The McCrary Sisters, Emily Deloach, his tourmate Cindy Morgan and Sandi Patty. [15] The record reached the Top 10 on iTunes' Singer/Songwriter chart upon release. [13]
In October 2014, Greer produced and arranged "All is Calm, All is Bright: Songs of Christmas", a multi-artist compilation featuring Jaci Velasquez, Sandi Patty, Cindy Morgan, Ginny Owens, Seth and Nirva, American Idol's Melinda Doolittle and R&B superstar Montell Jordan. The project spent six consecutive weeks atop Parable Christian Stores National Retail chart marking Greer's second #1-selling set for the retailer. [16]
On October 23, 2015, Greer will release his first live concert project nationwide. Filmed in Nashville, Tennessee as a television special, "An Angel Band Christmas LIVE" features gospel music friends Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez, "Hymns for Hunger" tourmate Cindy Morgan, Nic Gonzales (of the band Salvador) and Women of Faith speaker/author Patsy Clairmont. [17]
Greer is also known for his published commentaries and editorials in national publications like Christianity Today , "In Touch" and ParentLife. [2] Thomas Nelson published his first book in the spring of 2015, Transcending Mysteries: Who is God, and What Does He Want from Us? co-written with Ginny Owens. [18] Greer's second book is entitled, Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth: Spiritual Conversations Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of Rich Mullins. The collection of essays edited and written by Greer and other contributors, including a foreword by Amy Grant, was published by Worthy Publishing in September 2017 to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of legendary singer/songwriter Rich Mullins' untimely death in 1997. The book reached the #1 position on Amazon.com's New Releases in Christian Literature & Art list upon release. [19]
In the fall of 2017, Andrew Greer and co-host Mark Lowry created and released an audio and video podcast and television show called, Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer. [4] Subtitled "Turning the Light on One Question at a Time," Season One of the podcast featured notable artists and authors Chonda Pierce, Sandi Patty, Russ Taff, Point of Grace, Women of Faith's Patsy Clairmont, Anita Renfroe, Ron Block and many others, in conversations addressing topics like racism, addiction, blended families and adoption. In its first season the show reached #1 on the iTunes Video Podcast Chart (Religion & Spirituality), #7 on the overall Video Podcast chart, and #4 on the Audio Podcast (Religion & Spirituality) chart. In January 2018, the show debuted on nationwide television through a syndication partnership with Cornerstone Television Network. [20]
In 2018, Greer partnered with CCM Magazine to create and host Features on Film with Andrew Greer, filming interviews and exclusive performances with conversational artists and authors. [21]
Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions reached #2 on Amazon.com's Hot New Releases in Contemporary Folk chart. [22] Crosswalk.com says "Greer shows that he is a rare breed of artist who has the ability to oscillate between genres effortlessly—contemporary, bluegrass, Americana, inspirational, worship—affording him creativity most artists wish they could pull off," [23] and CCM Magazine adds "Despite the tremendous guest list…Greer's strong vocal styling and impeccable arrangements stand tallest—a testimony to Greer's vision for this hymns project.". [24]
Andrew also made media appearances on TV shows like "Good Day Dallas" [25] and scored front page features in "The Tennessean" [26] and CCM Magazine. [27]
Andrew also headlined a national tour, "Under the Radar presents The Angel Band Tour" with Nashville folk singer/songwriter, Julie Lee. [22]
"Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions" received various praises. CCMMagazine.com said, “His richly passionate vocals are just as capable of volleying with the tender Sandi Patty (‘Ave Maria’) or the earthy Cindy Morgan (‘A Cradle in Bethlehem’) as they are hitting a soulful stride next to The McCrary Sisters (‘The Little Drummer Boy’), all while individually earning titles of master interpreter and emotive originator.” While Worship Leader magazine lauds Greer’s collaboration with The McCrary Sisters as “…the most evocative and captivating version of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ ever...” [13]
The official music video for Greer and Sandi Patty's "Ave Maria" duet premiered nationwide on UP TV in the fall of 2014. [16]
Point of Grace is an all-female contemporary Christian music vocal group. The current trio consists of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino. The group started out as a quartet in 1991, with original members Breen and Jones, as well as Terry Jones and Heather Payne. Terry Jones left in November 2003 to spend more time with her family after the birth of her third child, with Cappillino joining in March 2004 for their 2004 release I Choose You. In June 2008, Payne announced her retirement from the group to spend more time with her family.
Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer, known for her wide soprano vocal range and expressive flexibility.
Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian and Christian rock band started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall, who serves as the band's lead vocalist, as part of a youth group at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida. They later moved to Stockbridge, Georgia, and more members joined. Some members of the band currently work as ministers for Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. The band has won a Grammy and a Dove Award.
Chris Rice is an American singer and songwriter who works in the contemporary Christian music, contemporary folk, adult contemporary and adult album alternative genres. He became a recording artist in 1996 after signing a contract with Rocketown Records and releasing his debut album, Deep Enough to Dream. He released six albums between 1996 and 2007, before entering a 12-year hiatus. In 2019, he ended his hiatus and released a joint album with gospel artist Andrew Ripp.
Larnelle Steward Harris is an American gospel singer and songwriter. During his 40-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 11 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.
Kathleen Troccoli is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, author, and speaker.
Steve Green is an American Christian music singer.
Wayne Watson is an American singer-songwriter in contemporary Christian music. Some of his songs have become CCM classics, including "Another Time, Another Place", "For Such a Time as This", "Friend of a Wounded Heart", "People of God", "Touch of the Master's Hand", "New Lives for Old", "Watercolour Ponies", and from the 1998 The Way Home album "Here in This Town". He has won eight GMA Dove Awards.
Virginia Leigh Owens is an American singer, songwriter, author, and speaker. She is known for performing Contemporary Christian music, but has more recently had her songs featured on WB, ABC TV shows, and independent films. Owens had three albums chart on Billboard albums charts in the 2000s.
Crystal Lynn Lewis is an American contemporary Christian and jazz singer, songwriter and actress.
Cindy Lavonne Morgan is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter.
First Call is an American contemporary Christian music (CCM) group, consisting of Mel Tunney, Marty McCall, and Bonnie Keen. During their career spanning more than 30 years, the group worked with many noted producers and arrangers including David Maddux, Steven Tayler, Dan Keen, Greg Nelson, Keith Thomas, Neal Joseph, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Phil Naish and Darrell Brown.
The 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 23, 2008, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2007. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 26th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 27, 1995, to recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1994. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Gary Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris and CeCe Winans.
The Edge of the Divine is a studio album released by Christian singer Sandi Patty.
Morning Like This is the ninth studio album by Christian/inspirational singer Sandi Patti and her first album on Word Records released in 1986. Morning Like This was considered a successful album and a turning point in her career. It was released in March 1986 and a few months after its release, Patti had reached national acclaim after her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was included during the ABC Statue of Liberty re-dedication broadcast on July 6, 1986. This exposure led to multiple mainstream television appearances including The Tonight Show and Christmas in Washington. The album was listed at No. 87 from CCM Magazine in their 2001 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. In 1987, Patti won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance, Female and Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group with R&B singer Deniece Williams for the track "They Say" from Williams' Gospel album So Glad I Know at the 29th Grammy Awards and later would win 3 GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist, Artist of the Year and Inspirational Album of the Year. The track "In The Name Of The Lord" would win a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1988 given to Patti and her co-writers Gloria Gaither and Phil McHugh. Morning Like This topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, finishing in the Top 3 for three years on their Inspirational Albums year-end charts, including taking the number 1 album of 1987 and was certified Gold in 1987 and Platinum in 1993 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Another Time...Another Place is the twelfth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1990 on Word Records. Like her 1986 best seller and award winning album Morning Like This, Another Time...Another Place was another definitive album with in addition to her inspirational anthems, there are also some pop elements and uptempo songs. The title song features a duet with fellow Christian singer and songwriter Wayne Watson. It became a successful hit climbing to No. 1 on the Christian AC chart and would win them a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and it also won Song of the Year, given to its writer Gary Driskell. The album also features popular CCM recording artist Amy Grant providing guest vocals on the song "Unexpected Friends". In 1991, Patti would win her fifth and final Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 33rd Grammy Awards and wins Female Vocalist of the Year and Inspirational Album of the Year at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards. Its music video won Short Form Music Video of the Year in 1992. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was certified Gold in 1992 by the Recording Industry Association of America. The CD version contains a bonus track "Rejoice", originally recorded by Christian pop group NewSong.
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Farrell and Farrell was a Christian music husband and wife duo formed in 1977 by Bob and Jayne Farrell. They have released seven studio albums and one live album between 1977 and 1989 and have amassed many Christian radio hits during those times. Bob Farrell is the principal songwriter of the duo and outside of Farrell and Farrell has written songs for many CCM and mainstream artists like Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Eric Clapton, Anne Murray, Laura Branigan and DeGarmo and Key.