Matthew James Redman (born 14 February 1974) is an English Christian worship leader, singer-songwriter and author. Redman has released 16 albums,[2] written 8 books,[3] and helped start three church-plants.[4] He is best known for his two-time Grammy Award-winning single, "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)".[5] Co-written with Jonas Myrin, the single reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Christian Songs chart in 2012.[6]

Matt Redman
Background information
Birth nameMatthew James Redman[1]
Born (1974-02-14) 14 February 1974 (age 50)
Watford, England
GenresWorship, contemporary Christian, pop
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, worship leader, author
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1993–present
Labelssixstepsrecords, Sparrow, Integrity
Websitemattredman.com

Early life edit

Redman was born on 14 February 1974,[7] and raised in Watford, England. The family had moved to Chorleywood, a small commuter town, when he was around the age of two.[8] His father took his own life when Matt was seven years old,[9] and he and his brother were raised predominantly by his mother.[10] His mother later remarried into an abusive relationship that took a great toll on the family.[8] At the age of 10, he converted to Christianity after attending a mission service by Luis Palau at London's QPR football stadium and was encouraged by Mike Pilavachi, an Anglican church youth leader to lead worship in his teens.[11]

Career edit

Christian church leadership edit

Redman was converted to Christianity at the age of 10 and attended the Anglican church of St Andrew's Chorleywood, in Hertfordshire. It was there he learned to play guitar, and at the age of 20, he began leading worship services and released his first album.[12] In 1993, Redman helped found alongside his pastor, Mike Pilavachi, Soul Survivor, a global Christian movement and yearly music festival aimed at youth.[10] From 1994 until 2002, Redman led worship services for Soul Survivor Church, Watford.[13]

In 2002, after a sabbatical in America to record Where Angels Fear to Tread, Redman moved to Brighton.[13] In 2004 he and his wife joined a new church plant, The Point, in West Sussex,[14] led by pastor Will Kemp.[15]

In 2008, Redman, along with his wife Beth and their three children, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to help plant Passion City Church with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. In August 2010, they returned to the UK with their children.[16][17]

Music edit

Matt recorded his first album, Wake Up My Soul, at ICC studios in January and February 1994. The album had an impressive line-up of Christian musicians including Iona's Mike Haughton, percussionist Martin Neil, Split Level's Adrian Thompson, Helen Burgess and Les Moir on bass, and was produced by Martin Smith.[12]

In 2002, Redman co-wrote with his wife Beth, the 2002 Dove Award-winning "Blessed Be Your Name" (Worship Song of the Year)[18] and the Grammy Award-nominated "Our God."[19] Since then, Matt and Beth have co-created some of Redman's most successful songs including, "You Never Let Go", "Face Down" and "Let My Words Be Few".[20]

 
Redman performing in May 2018

In February 2011, Redman joined Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Nathan and Christy Nockels at LIFT – A Worship Leader Collective where his 2011 live album, 10,000 Reasons, was recorded.[21] On 28 July 2012, "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)", the title track of Redman's new album, topped the Billboard Christian Songs chart, where it stayed for 13 weeks. It was his first No. 1 hit on American Contemporary Christian radio.[22][23] The single went on to win two Grammy Awards, for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song and Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance[19] and was certified Gold by RIAA in 2018.[24] Matt has also won thirteen Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards.[18]

The album's success came immediately after Matt Redman and LZ7, a Manchester-based Christian rap and urban music group, released the song "Twenty Seven Million" on 27 February 2012, to raise awareness for the anti-human trafficking movement. The record, charted on the UK Singles Chart reaching No. 12. Redman toured internationally with the band, to raise awareness for the cause through worship.[25]

Redman's songs have been covered by a number of contemporary Christian music (CCM) artists including Matt Maher, Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Rebecca St. James, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Tree63, Kutless, Stellar Kart, and Hillsong United.[26] He has regularly collaborates with other Christian musicians including Chris Tomlin and Tim Hughes.[26]

In 2019, Redman announced he had signed with Integrity Music, with new music coming in late 2019, and a new album in 2020.[27]

Writing edit

He has authored and edited multiple books on Christian worship, including The Unquenchable Worshipper and the book Facedown which accompanied the album of the same name.[28] He and his wife co-wrote the book titled "Blessed Be Your Name" with the hopes to bring others to trust God and his goodness, no matter the circumstance.[29]

Personal life edit

He married Beth Redman, who is also a songwriter and author. The couple has five children.[17]

On 13 July 2023, following reports of allegations of abuse committed by Mike Pilavachi, Redman released a statement in which he identified himself as one of Pilavachi's alleged victims. In his statement, Redman said, "I have spent years trying to fully heal from my time at Soul Survivor".[30] In April 2024 he released a short documentary entitled Let There Be Light in which he described his experience.[31][32]

Discography edit

Albums edit

Studio albums edit

Year Title Peak chart position
UK
[33]
US
[34]
US
Christ.

[35]
Certifications
1993 Wake Up My Soul
1995 Passion for Your Name
1997 The Friendship and the Fear
1998 Intimacy
1999 The Heart of Worship
(US release of Intimacy)
2000 The Father's Song
2002 Where Angels Fear to Tread 38
2006 Beautiful News 156 8
2009 We Shall Not Be Shaken
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
136 13
2011 10,000 Reasons 149
[36]
60 1
2015 Unbroken Praise: At Abbey Road Studios
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
58 50 1
2016 These Christmas Lights
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
15
2017 Glory Song
  • Label: Sparrow/sixstepsrecords
112 2
2020 Let There Be Wonder (Acoustic)
  • Label: Integrity Music
2023 Lamb of God
  • Label: Integrity Music

Live albums edit

Year Title Peak chart position
UK
[33]
US
[34]
US
Christ.

[35]
2004 Facedown
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
19
2005 Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
41
2013 Your Grace Finds Me
  • Label: sixstepsrecords
68 28 1
2020 Let There Be Wonder[38] [A] 10

Compilation albums edit

Year Title Peak chart position
UK US
[34]
US
Christian

[35]
2010 Ultimate Collection
  • Label: Sparrow
2012 Sing Like Never Before: The Essential Collection
  • Label: Sparrow
23

Video albums and DVDs edit

Singles edit

Year Song Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bub.

[41]
US
Christ

[42]
US
Christ
Airplay

[43]
UK
[33]
2003 "Blessed Be Your Name" [B] Where Angels Fear to Tread
2006 "You Never Let Go" 17 Beautiful News
2011 "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" 3 1
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[37]
10,000 Reasons
"Never Once"[45] [C]
2012 "Twenty Seven Million"
(with LZ7)
45 12 non-album single
2013 "Your Grace Finds Me" 11 10 Your Grace Finds Me
2014 "Mercy" 37 28
2015 "It Is Well With My Soul" 34 24 Unbroken Praise
"Unbroken Praise" [D]
2016 "His Name Shall Be" 35 21 These Christmas Lights
"Help from Heaven"
(with Natasha Bedingfield)
33
2017 "Gracefully Broken"
(with Tasha Cobbs Leonard)
18 17 Glory Song
2019 "One Day (When We All Get to Heaven)"[citation needed]
"The Same Jesus"[38] 46 34 Let There Be Wonder (Live)[38]
2020 "We Praise You"
(with Brandon Lake)
2020 "Upon Him"

Appearances edit

Collaborations on Passion event albums
Appearances on Passion Live and Passion compilation albums
  • 2000: OneDay: Live
  • 2005: How Great Is Our God
  • 2006: The Best of Passion (So Far)
  • 2007: Live from Passion 07 Pt. 2

Awards edit

Grammy Award wins

Dove Award wins[18]

  • 2005: Worship Song of the Year: "Blessed Be Your Name"
  • 2006: Praise and Worship Album of the Year: Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1
  • 2007: Children's Music Album of the Year: VeggieTales Worship Songs
  • 2007: Special Event Album of the Year: Passion: Everything Glorious
  • 2009: Special Event Album of the Year: Passion: God of This City
  • 2011: Worship Song of the Year – TIE: "Our God"
  • 2011: Special Event Album of the Year: Passion: Awakening
  • 2013: Song of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"[50]
  • 2013: Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"[50]
  • 2013: Songwriter of the Year[50]

Church of England

Published books edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Let There Be Wonder did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at No. 49 on the Top Album Sales chart.[40]
  2. ^ "Blessed Be Your Name" did not enter the Hot Christian Songs chart, but peaked at No. 15 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart.[44]
  3. ^ "Never Once" did not enter the Christian Airplay chart, but peaked at No. 16 on the Christian Soft AC chart.[46]
  4. ^ "Unbroken Praise" did not enter the Christian Airplay chart, but peaked at No. 1 on the Christian Soft AC chart.[47]

References edit

  1. ^ Redman, Matthew James. "Songwriter/Composer: Redman Matthew James". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved 5 May 2015.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Matt Redman". discogs. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Matt Redman – 'Glory Song' now available". mattredman.com. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Matt Redman on global and local church planting". eden.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  5. ^ "Matt Redman". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Matt Redman Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Matt Redman Biography – Profile of Christian Worship Leader Matt Redman". Christianmusic.about.com. 14 February 1974. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Matt Redman: how it all began | WeAreWorship". We Are Worship. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  9. ^ "Matt Redman speaks of continued search for freedom from childhood struggles". Premier Christian News. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Matt Redman | WeAreWorship UK". We Are Worship. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. ^ Briggs, Megan (16 August 2016). "Matt Redman in Times Square leads Worship With '10,000 Reasons'". ChurchLeaders. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Matt Redman: The British worship leader barely out of his teens - Matt Redman". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Redman Leaves Soul Survivor: Worship leader Matt Redman to leave Soul Survivor church in Watford". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Matt Redman Spreads the 'Beautiful' Message". cbn.com. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Matt Redman". Jango Radio. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  16. ^ "Farewell To UK Friends – passioncitychurch blog". Passioncitychurch.com. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  17. ^ a b c 2008 Design/development by Visual Inventor Ltd. Co. http://www.VisualInventor.com. "Matt Redman". Mattredman.sparrowrecords.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ a b c "42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards on gmc". Doveawards.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  19. ^ a b "Matt Redman". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Matt Redman, Beth Redman Anniversary: Christian Musician Celebrates 15 Years Of Marriage To Wife". hallels.com. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  21. ^ "LIFT". Passioncitychurch.com. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  22. ^ "Matt Redman Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  23. ^ "Matt Redman becomes first Brit to top US Christian music charts | Christian News on Christian Today". Christiantoday.com. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  24. ^ "RIAA Announces Ten First-Time Digital Award Recipients". RIAA. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  25. ^ "International Tour With Matt Redman". Archived from the original on 16 August 2012.
  26. ^ a b "Matt Redman Has Just Recorded His New Live Album". hallels.com. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  27. ^ Clarks, Jessie (8 June 2019). "Matt Redman Signs With Integrity Music". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  28. ^ ThriftBooks. "Matt Redman Books | List of books by author Matt Redman". ThriftBooks. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Matt Redman, Beth Redman Anniversary: Christian Musician Celebrates 15 Years Of Marriage To Wife". hallels.com. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  30. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (13 July 2023). "British Christian singer Matt Redman spent 'years trying to heal' after Soul Survivor". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  31. ^ Swerling, Gabriella (9 April 2024). "Christian singer Matt Redman reveals details of Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi abuse for the first time". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  32. ^ Redman, Matt (9 April 2024). Let There Be Light. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  33. ^ a b c "MATT REDMAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  34. ^ a b c "Matt Redman - Chart history: Billboard 200". www.billboard.com.
  35. ^ a b c "Billboard Top Christian Albums -Matt Redman". Billboard. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  36. ^ "zobbel.de: - CHART: CLUK Update 23.07.2011 (wk28)".
  37. ^ a b c "American certifications – Matt Redman". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  38. ^ a b c "JFH News: Matt Redman Debuts Long-Awaited Single 'The Same Jesus'". JesusFreakHideout. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  39. ^ "JFH News: Matt Redman Signs With Integrity Music". 7 June 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Matt Redman Billboard Chart History: Top Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  41. ^ "Matt Redman - Chart history (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  42. ^ "Matt Redman – Chart history (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  43. ^ "Matt Redman – Chart history (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  44. ^ "Matt Redman Chart history (Christian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  45. ^ "Never Once (Radio Version) - Single". Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  46. ^ "Chart Search | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  47. ^ "Christian Soft AC: March 12, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  48. ^ "Passion: Let the Future Begin". Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  49. ^ "New Live Passion Album To Be Titled 'Let The Future Begin'". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  50. ^ a b c "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  51. ^ "The Archbishop of Canterbury's Awards: Lambeth Palace" (PDF). Archbishop of Canterbury. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2017.[permanent dead link]

External links edit