6 Nominations at the 41st annual GMA Dove Awards; winning a Dove for his contribution on Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship
Associated Press called Matt "Breakthrough Nominee of 2010"
Arizona State University; degree in Jazz Performance
GUEST BIO
Matt Maher: Alive Again with God's Love
The 700 Club
September 2, 2010
CBN.com
– ALWAYS MOVING
Over the past few years, Matt Maher has been on quite a journey, making the transition from full-time ministry at his home church in Mesa, Arizona, to life as a respected worship leader with an international platform. He is by no means an ordinary worship artist.
Catholic and a contemporary musician is not an ordinary combination, and wherever he goes, he is building a bridge and breaking common stereotypes. When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in 2008, Maher was asked to lead worship for the Rally for Youth and Seminarians in Yonkers, New York, that was attended by 25,000 people.
A popular performer at ecumenical youth ministry conferences and rallies, Maher sees music as a powerful tool to connect with contemporary Christians. “It wasn’t something I really desired,” he says. “I gave my life to God when I was 20—in the midst of that I started writing. In 2005 I was at a Passion Conference, and I really had a sense that God was calling me to travel.”
Maher continued praying about that urge to travel, but at the time he had a full-time job and didn’t see how he could. “Up until then, I had been receiving and saving email requests to come play at churches,” says Maher. “I had said no to them, but slowly I started saying yes and going on weekends.” One prayer lead to another and a band emerged. “I told God, ‘You don’t mean for us to be alone’,” he says. “The guys that became the band first had great hearts, second, they were good musicians.”
Maher holds on loosely to his plans instead he seeks God in everything and is ready for where God leads. “You’re either moving forwards or backwards,” he says. “There is no such thing as standing still.”
In The Green Room
Go behind the scenes with Matt Maher 
CONTEXT DETERMINES APPROACH
As an award-winning songwriter, Maher gained notice as the writer of the internationally renowned modern-worship song, “Your Grace Is Enough” performed by Chris Tomlin. Highly sought after for his poignant, poetic writing style, Maher has had songs recorded by such artists as Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, Bethany Dillon, Brenton Brown and Philips, Craig and Dean. In addition, his songs have appeared in the Top 10 ranked songs on the CCLI chart, marking their popularity in church worship services around the world. Three of his songs, “Christ is Risen,” “Resurrection Day,” and “On the Third Day,” were chosen by iTunes as part of its Easter Service Essentials Collection.
Maher continues to pull in accolades for his work both as a solo artist and a collaborator, picking up a total of six nominations at the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. The Dove Award nominations cap a career-accelerating 2009 for the longtime worship leader and songwriter. iTunes Store also has named the song, "Alive Again", as the Best Christian and Gospel Single of 2009. Matt has also been named “Top Breakthrough Artist of 2010” by the Associated Press.
As the acknowledgements and awards for his accomplishments keep growing, he has set out to treat people the same. “Everyone is made with dignity and in the likeness to God,” he says.
As his songs climb on the charts Maher's heart is to bring unity and reflect Jesus as much as possible. Maher will be touring with Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road. He still writes and hopes in the future there will be a new record.
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