The Artists
Paul Baloche
American Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter. He is a native of New Jersey. Paul is currently the worship pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas. He composes on piano and acoustic guitar, favouring guitar when leading worship. His wife Rita is also a songwriter. Many of Paul's songs are performed songs in churches across the world. Among them are 'Open the Eyes of my Heart ' and 'Above All'.
www.leadworship.com | Nominated charity: forthesilent.org
Chris Tomlin
Worship leader and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas. He is a staff member of Austin Stone Community Church, and signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Chris walked away with 6 Dove awards in 2007, and was named GMA Artist and Male Vocalist of the year for the 2nd consecutive year. Other awards include the following:
Pop/Contemporary Album: 'See the Morning',
Praise/Worship Album: 'See the Morning',
Worship Song of the Year: 'Holy is the Lord',
Special Event Album: Passion 'Everything Glorious'.
www.christomlin.com | Nominated charity: www.watoto.com
Tim Hughes
Worship Leader and Songwriter with Survivor Records. He is currently Director of Worship at Holy Trinity Brompton, a vibrant Anglican Church in South Kensington London, and heads up Worship Central, www.worshipcentral.org a new Worship training resource. Son of a Vicar, Tim grew up in Birmingham, and studied History at Birmingham University. His best known songs include, 'Here I am to Worship', 'Happy Day', 'Consuming Fire' and 'Whole World in his Hands'. Married to Rachel and Father to recently born, Phoebe.
www.timhughesmusic.com | Nominated charity: www.caringforexoffenders.org
Matt Redman
Matt started out leading worship at the age of 15 at St Andrews, Chorleywood, helping to set up Soul Survivor alongside Mike Pilavachi in 1993. Matt is currently working on a Church Plant opened in 2006 at St Pauls Catholic College, Burgess Hill. He also works with Passion Conferences in USA. Matts best known songs include the 2005 Dove award winner 'Blessed be your Name', 'Heart of Worship', 'Let everything that has Breath', 'Once Again' and 'Undignified'. Married to Beth, they have three Children, Maisy, Noah and Rocco.
www.mattredman.com | Nominated charity: www.compassionuk.org
Darlene Zschech
Darlene and husband Mark are supporters of Compassion Australia, and are founders of Hope Rwanda. An estimated 25-30 million churchgoers sing Darlene's best-known song 'Shout to the Lord' every week. As a young adult Darlene used to sing jingles for Mcdonalds, KFC and Diet Coke! Leads worship at the 20,000 strong Hillsong Church, and features on Hillsong TV, which reaches 125 Countries around the Globe.
www.darlenezschech.com | Nominated charity: www.hoperwanda.org
Israel Houghton
Congratulations to Israel and New breed Team for your outstanding achievement at the 2008 Grammy awards. Great News. Well done.
Commonly known for his cross cultural style of worship music that fuses elements from Gospel Music, Jazz and Rock. His project 'Alive in South Africa', recorded live in Cape Town received a Grammy Award for best traditional Gospel Album in 07. He currently serves as worship leader at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
www.newbreedmusic.com | Nominated charity: www.lakewoodmissions.org
Michael W. Smith
Born in Kenova, West Virginia, Michael is a hugely respected Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, and Keyboardist. Since his first sol project in 83, Michael has become one of the most popular artists in the contemporary Christian music World, while also finding considerable success in the mainstream. He has sold 13 million records, had 29 #1 hit songs, 14 Gold Records, 5 Platinum, 40 Dove Awards, American Music Award, 3 Grammy's, and named one of People Magazines most beautiful people.
www.michaelwsmith.com | Nominated charity: www.livinghope.co.za
Graham Kendrick
Prolific British singer songwriter and worship leader. Son of a Baptist Pastor and born in Northamptonshire, Graham began his song-writing career in 72. His most enduring accomplishment is his authorship of the words and music for the song 'Shine Jesus Shine', which is among the most widely sung songs in Churches worldwide. Co-founder of March for Jesus, Graham also received a Dove Award in 95 for his International work. In 2000 Brunel University awarded him an honorary doctorate in Divinity in recognition of his contribution to the worship life of the church.
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk | Nominated charity: www.restoringthesound.com
Andy Park
Born and raised in Woodland Hills, a suburb of LA, Andy later studied at UCLA earning a bachelor of arts. After serving as an intern pastor in two CA Vineyard churches, he moved to BC and joined the Langley Vineyard plant in 85. He has been majoring in worship music ministry for the past 30 years, including mentoring 17 year old Martin during his visit to Canada in 87. Andy and his amazing wife Linda have eight children, six boys and 2 girls.
www.andypark.ca | Nominated charity: www.ststephenssociety.com
Steven Curtis Chapman
Born in Paducah, Kentucky, and currently living in Franklin, TN, Steven Curtis Chapman's achievements mark an iconic musical career. Chapman has sold over 10 million records, recorded 44#1 singles, won five Grammy Awards, and 54 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Steven is known worldwide for his efforts on behalf of orphans and adoption advocacy through the foundation he and wife Mary Beth launched, Shaohannah's Hope.
www.stevencurtischapman.com | Nominated charity: www.shaohannahshope.org
Stu Garrard
Unquestionably the most gifted guitarist in the world, Stu has accrued a wealth of experience in both the mainstream and CCM sectors with his band, Delirious? A gifted and anointed songwriter, Stu has written some legendary rock classics in the form of 'Investigate' and 'Heaven' and more recently mellow but quiveringly lovely 'Majesty'. Together with wife Karen, Stu is forming a Charity entitled 'Beanz Meanz Livez' which will help to fund and assist new and on-going projects around the globe.
www.delirious.co.uk | Nominated charity: www.beanzmeanzlivez.com
Martin Smith
Founder of CompassionArt together with wife Anna. Their hearts are to show sympathy for the suffering of others and by working collaboratively with people, mainly in the arts, will encourage, motivate and inspire the creation of beautiful and thought provoking work which will intentionally raise funds and assist their desire to help. Martin has been the lead vocalist in Delirious ? since 93, and his best known songs include 'I could sing of your Love Forever', 'History Maker', 'Did you feel the Mountains tremble' and more recently 'Our God Reigns' and 'Now is the Time'. Martin and Anna are the proud owners of 6 children, including their latest model Mary-Anna Merciful born December 07.
www.delirious.co.uk | Nominated charity: www.linksinternational.org.uk