Matt Maher

Last updated

Matt Maher
Matt Maher performing.jpg
Maher performing in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Guion Maher
Born (1974-11-10) November 10, 1974 (age 50) [1]
Newfoundland, Canada
Genres Contemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music
InstrumentsVocals, piano, guitar
Years active2000–present
Labels Essential
Spouse
Kristin Fisher
​
(m. 2010)​
Website www.mattmahermusic.com

Matthew Guion Maher (born November 10, 1974) [1] is a Canadian Roman Catholic, contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist, songwriter, and worship leader from Newfoundland, Canada, who lives in the United States. Three of his nine albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard chart and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. His notable writing credits include "Your Grace Is Enough", "I Will Rise", "Because He Lives (Amen)", "Christ Is Risen", and "Lord I Need You". Maher has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards in his career and was awarded the Songwriter of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards. [2]

Contents

Early life

Maher was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada. His parents recognized his musical talent, and he grew up taking piano lessons and immersing himself in a broad variety of music and playing in concert and jazz ensembles, singing in a choir, and playing in a garage rock band. [3]

Maher started his post-secondary studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland and continued his studies in the Jazz Department at Arizona State University. He studied jazz piano and earned a music degree there. He paid for his first three years of college by playing piano in a hotel. [4]

Career

His first label was the Spirit and Song, a division of OCP Publications, where he released his first three collections. Early in 2007 Maher signed to Essential Records. He released his first big-label album (and his fourth album overall) Empty and Beautiful on April 8, 2008. His second album with Essential Records (and his fifth album overall), Alive Again , was released on September 22, 2009. [5] In late 2009, Maher toured with Michael W. Smith, Meredith Andrews and Phil Stacey on the "New Hallelujah Tour". Alive Again peaked at No. 6 on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums chart in 2009. [6]

When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in April 2008, Maher was asked to lead worship for crowds of thousands at the Rally for Youth and Seminarians in Yonkers, New York, which also featured Kelly Clarkson, tobyMac and Third Day, among other musicians. He was subsequently interviewed on Fox News, where he played his title track from Empty and Beautiful. [7]

Maher was a guest singer songwriter speaker at Crowder's Fantastical Church Music Conference at Baylor University in late 2010 put on by the David Crowder Band. [8] In early 2011 he toured the United States on the Rock And Worship Roadshow headlined by MercyMe. [9]

Maher performed "Lord, I Need You" before a crowd of nearly four million, including Pope Francis, for World Youth Day 2013 in Rio, Brazil. [10] Other youth activities he has participated in include the 2013, 2015, and 2017 National Catholic Youth Conferences, all held in Indianapolis, Indiana. [11] [12] [13] [ non-primary source needed ] He also sang at the 2014 March for Life. [14]

On March 17, 2015, Maher released his eighth studio album, Saints and Sinners , through Essential Records. [15] "Because He Lives (Amen)" was the first single release off of the album, [16] and additional tracks on the album include songwriting collaborations with Needtobreathe members Bo and Bear Rinehart, [17] Jon Foreman of Switchfoot.[ citation needed ] [18] In September 2017, Maher's ninth studio album, Echoes, released and earned Maher his ninth career Grammy Award nomination. [19]

He is a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year and in 2015 was named NSAI Songwriter of the Year. Along with his nine Grammy Award nominations, he has also been nominated for more than 20 GMA/Gospel Music Association Dove Awards in his career, including "Song of the Year", "Worship Song of the Year", "Pop Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year", and "Pop Contemporary Song of the Year".

On October 12, 2018, his song "Lord, I Need You" was certified Platinum by RIAA, his first certification. [20]

His single "Alive and Breathing" reached top-5 in the Christian singles chart, in June 2020 the song started to chart on mainstream lists as well, hitting No. 3 on Rolling Stone's trending 25 list as well as No. 25 on Billboard singles of the week. [21]

Maher is featured in three Christmas special theatrical releases for Dallas Jenkins's The Chosen franchise. In 2020's Christmas with The Chosen: The Shepherd, Maher performed "Hope For Everyone". In 2021's Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, Maher sang his Celtic-themed version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". [22] The video of Maher's "Hark..." was reprised for the 2023 special "Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night", released on December 12, 2023. [23]

Personal life

Maher is a practicing Catholic. [24] Married to Kristin Fisher, the couple lives in Nashville, Tennessee with their three children: a daughter and two sons. [25] [26] [27]

Discography

Albums

Maher performing at YC Newfoundland in 2009 Matt Maher in performance (2009).jpg
Maher performing at YC Newfoundland in 2009
TitleYearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US US
Christian
[28] 		US
Holiday
[29]
The End and the Beginning [30] 2001———
Welcome to Life [32] 2003
  • Released: January 1, 2003 [33]
  • Label: Spirit and Song
  • Format: CD, digital download
———
Overflow [34] 2006
  • Released: March 22, 2006 [35]
  • Label: Spirit and Song
  • Format: CD, digital download
———
Empty & Beautiful 2008
  • Released: April 8, 2008
  • Label: Essential
  • Format: CD, digital download
168 [36] 12 [37] —
Alive Again 2009
  • Released: September 22, 2009
  • Label: Essential
  • Format: CD, digital download
128 [38] 6 [37] —
The Love in Between 2011
  • Released: September 20, 2011
  • Label: Essential
  • Format: CD, digital download
977—
All the People Said Amen 2013
  • Released: April 23, 2013
  • Label: Essential
  • Format: CD, digital download
885—
Saints and Sinners 2015
  • Released: March 17, 2015
  • Label: Essential
  • Format: CD, digital download
522—
Echoes2017
  • Released: September 29, 2017
  • Label: Essential/Sony
  • Format: CD, digital download
—5—
The Advent of Christmas2018
  • Released: October 19, 2018
  • Label: Essence Records
  • Format: CD
—2712
Alive & Breathing [39] 2020
  • Released: February 21, 2020
—4 [40] —
The Stories I Tell Myself2022
  • Released: October 21, 2022
——

Extended plays

TitleYearEP details
Lord, I Need You [41] 2015
  • Released: September 23, 2015
  • Label: Provident
Alive & Breathing Vol. I [42] 2019
  • Released: September 13, 2019
Alive & Breathing Vol. II [43]
  • Released: October 11, 2019
Alive & Breathing Vol. 3 [44]
  • Released: November 8, 2019
Alive & Breathing Vol. 4 [45] 2020
  • Released: January 17, 2020

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ.
[46] 		US
Christ.
Airplay
[47] 		US
Christ. AC
[48]
2008"Your Grace Is Enough"42Empty & Beautiful
2009"Empty & Beautiful"47—
"Alive Again"1210Alive Again
2010"Hold Us Together"68
"Christ Is Risen"1821
2011"Turn Around"56The Love in Between
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"237non-album single
2012"Rise Up"2318The Love in Between
2013"Lord, I Need You"44All the People Said Amen
2014"All the People Said Amen"647
"Hope Can Change Everything"
(with Francesca Battistelli, Jeremy Camp,
Jamie Grace, Bart Millard, and Sidewalk Prophets)		1421—non-album single
"Because He Lives (Amen)"311Saints and Sinners
2015"Deliverer"181815
2016"Abide with Me"—3422
"Glory (Let There Be Peace)"1411non-album single
2017"Your Love Defends Me"1283Echoes
"What a Friend"1023
2018"Born On That Day"24106The Advent of Christmas
"Jingle Bells"483421
2019"Alive & Breathing"
(featuring Ellie Limebear)		511Alive & Breathing
2020"Run to the Father"201816
2021"Joyful Noise"—2726
2022"Leaning"
(featuring Lizzie Morgan)		382422The Stories I Tell Myself
"The Stories I Tell Myself"———
2023"The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)"911

Awards and recognition

Grammy Awards

GMA Canada Covenant Awards

GMA Dove Awards

Unity Awards

Other

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References

  1. 1 2 "Matt Maher Discography, Matt Maher Lyrics" . Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  2. ↑ "2015 Winners". GMA Dove Award. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  3. ↑ Bio formerly at www.mattmahermusic.com (archived at the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine).
  4. ↑ "Matt Maher Paid for College by Playing Piano at a Hotel: 'It Was a Fun Time'". ChristianHeadlines.com. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  5. ↑ "New Release Tuesday.com" . Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  6. ↑ Alive Again review at Allmusic. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Homepage". Provident Label Group. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ Archived March 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "MercyMe, Jars of Clay part of The Rock and Worship Road Show in Sioux City". Argus Leader . January 30, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ "WYD Flashback With Matt Maher, And His Story On How The Song Came To Be Written…". Why I Am Catholic. August 4, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  11. ↑ "NCYC Post Conference Updates . . ". Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Keynotes and Closing Liturgy". Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ @NFCYM (November 20, 2017). "Looking for that song you loved at #NCYC? Look no more! #Spotify" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ "Press Release". January 20, 2014.
  15. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Saints and Sinners by Matt Maher". iTunes Store. March 13, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  16. ↑ "New single from Matt Maher: Because He Lives (Amen)". www.multitracks.com. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Saints and Sinners (Deluxe) by Matt Maher". Genius. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Matt Maher - Instrument Lyrics | Genius Lyrics" . Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Matt Maher | Artist". Grammy.com. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  20. ↑ thescottspot (November 7, 2018). "Lord, I Need You – 2013". TheScottSpot. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  21. ↑ Mauro, J.-P. (June 23, 2020). "Matt Maher's new hit lands high on secular charts" . Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  22. ↑ "How to Watch Christmas With The Chosen". Angel Studios. December 15, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  23. ↑ lmckeithen; Chatter, Idol (December 19, 2023). "'The Chosen' Releases Third Christmas Special 'Holy Night'". Idol Chatter. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  24. ↑ Jones, Kim (April 29, 2006). "Matt Maher Interview". About.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  25. ↑ Shamout, Omar (May 17, 2013). "Catholic rocker Matt Maher finds cross-over appeal among evangelicals". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Musician Matt Maher talks about life, music and his Catholic faith". Catholic Review. June 9, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Matt Maher - once tuned out, now troubadour for God". Legatus. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Matt Maher Chart History: Top Christian Albums". Billboard . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Matt Maher Chart History: Top Holiday Albums". Billboard . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  30. ↑ "The End and the Beginning at Spirit and Song". Oregon Catholic Press. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  31. ↑ "iTunes - Music - The End and the Beginning by Matt Maher". iTunes Store. January 2001. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Welcome to Life at Spirit and Song". Oregon Catholic Press. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  33. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Welcome to Life by Matt Maher". iTunes Store. January 2003. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Overflow at Spirit and Song". Oregon Catholic Press. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Artist : BREATHEcast". Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  36. ↑ Empty & Beautiful at Billboard
  37. 1 2 "Album Chart Positions". AllMusic . Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  38. ↑ Alive Again at Billboard
  39. ↑ "Alive & Breathing by Matt Maher". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  40. ↑ Mauro, J.-P. (June 23, 2020). "Matt Maher's new hit lands high on secular charts" . Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Lord, I Need You EP by Matt Maher". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Alive & Breathing Vol. I EP by Matt Maher". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Alive & Breathing Vol. II EP by Matt Maher". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Alive & Breathing Vol. 3 EP by Matt Maher". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Alive & Breathing Vol. 4 EP by Matt Maher". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Matt Maher Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Matt Maher Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Matt Maher Chart History (Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  49. 1 2 3 4 "American certifications – Matt Maher". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  50. ↑ Maher received four other GMAC nominations in 2008: New Artist of the Year, Inspirational Song of the Year: "Empty And Beautiful", Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "Your Grace Is Enough", and Song of the Year: "Your Grace Is Enough" GMA Canada list of 2008 nominees Archived September 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
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