Thought Quotient

Two of today’s most recognized artist-worshipers, sixstepsrecords’ Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman each received their first GMA Music Award during the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards presented Wednesday at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The awards show will be televised in national syndication during the month of June with an expected audience reach of at least 75% of U.S. households.

Chris Tomlin, nominated for three awards, received the nod for Praise & Worship Album of the Year for Arriving. Nominated for four GMA Music Awards, Matt Redman received the award for Worship Song of the Year for “Blessed Be Your Name.” “Blessed Be Your Name” also became an anthem of the evening as the attending artists, celebrities and audience arose to their feet and sang the song with Redman, Tomlin and label mate David Crowder leading on stage. The crowd continued to worship with Tomlin as he seamlessly launched into his current radio hit, “Holy Is The Lord.”

“Receiving our first two Dove awards was pretty special for our sixstepsrecords family,” says Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords founder. “God has used Chris and Matt to influence the church in worship all around the world and it’s great to step back and give thanks for all He has done.”

“But the night was made complete because we were able to share it together,” continues Giglio, “both leading during the night as a sixsteps family and walking together through it all. Life doesn’t get any better than having the privilege of carrying the Story of God with people you love.”

Peter York, President of EMI CMG Label Group, comments on the awards, “It is amazing to see how our industry has embraced Matt and Chris this year as artist-worshipers and songwriters. We have watched them be faithful to their giftings and calling to serve and resource the church over the years. It is a pleasure to see their accomplishments recognized.”

In addition to his award, Tomlin recently made radio history by becoming the first artist ever on R & R’s Christian AC chart to have two singles simultaneously in the Top 10. Both his first No. 1 radio hit “Indescribable” and his “Holy Is The Lord” not only hit the Top 10 together March 4, but stayed there for 5 consecutive weeks. The songs are from Tomlin’s current, best-selling recording, Arriving, which debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Top 200 and has remained on the sales chart for 13-weeks. Tomlin is also known for writing “Forever,” “We Fall Down,” “The Wonderful Cross,” “Famous One” and more anthems sung by millions of people each week in churches around the world.

Tags: News and Media, Theology

This entry was posted by shannon on Friday, April 22nd, 2005 at 2:08 pm and is filed under General, News and Media, Theology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.