Matt Redman (born 14 February 1974) is an English Christian worship leader, singer, songwriter and author now based in Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom. An artist for sixstepsrecords, he is also a member and trustee of Compassionart, a charity founded by fellow musician Martin Smith. He has been involved in a number of events for the Passion Conferences and worked with Hillsong London.
He co-wrote the 2005 Dove Award-winning "Blessed Be Your Name" (Worship Song of the Year) and the Grammy Award-nominated "Our God".
His collaboration with LZ7 for the charity single "Twenty Seven Million" charted in the UK. The single of "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)", co-written with Jonas Myrin, reached #1 on the US Billboard Christian Songs chart. Redman has won two Grammy Awards, the awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song and Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, as well as the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Song of the Year.
Career
Beginnings at Soul Survivor
Redman began leading worship at St Andrews, Chorleywood, moving to help found Soul Survivor alongside Mike Pilavachi, then becoming worship leader for the Soul Survivor Church in Watford. According to Pilavachi, the Soul Survivor festivals (which began in 1993) grew out of worship sessions with him and the then 15-year-old Redman. Redman led worship at the early Soul Survivor festivals, returning to lead worship again in 2011 and 2014.
Leadership at various churches
In 2002, after a sabbatical in America recording Where Angels Fear to Tread, Redman moved to Hassock in Brighton to work with Terry Virgo at the Newfrontiers church, CCK. He has been involved in their Newday and Together on a Mission conferences. In 2004 Redman joined a new church plant, The Point, also in West Sussex, led by Will Kemp.
In 2008 Redman, along with his wife Beth and their three children, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to help plant a church with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin called Passion City Church. In August 2010 the Redman family returned to the UK. They have since joined St Peter's Church, Brighton. By 2015, the Redmans had five children.
On 18 and 19 February 2011, Redman joined Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Nathan and Christy Nockels at LIFT – A Worship Leader Collective. His 2011 live album, 10,000 Reasons, was recorded during this event. 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.
This came immediately after Matt Redman and LZ7, a Manchester-based Christian rap and dance group, released "Twenty Seven Million" on 27 February 2012, to raise awareness for the anti-human trafficking movement. The record, in support of the A21 Campaign, and to abolish modern day slavery, charted on the UK Singles Chart reaching No. 12. The single also charted in Scotland. Redman toured internationally with the band, to raise awareness through worship/gig nights.
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. His book Mirror Ball relays his thoughts and experiences of "living boldly and shining brightly for the glory of God".
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.
His early songs including "Heart of Worship", "You Never Let Go", "Let Everything That Has Breath", "Once Again", "Undignified", and "Better Is One Day" have been included in various sheet music compilations used by thousands of churches.
He has worked with numerous conferences including Newfrontiers, Passion Conferences, Hillsong London, and Soul Survivor. He has regularly collaborated with other Christian musicians including Chris Tomlin and Tim Hughes.
Redman was born in Watford, England in 1974. His father suffered from depression and committed suicide when Redman was just seven. He said in an interview with CCM magazine that he only discovered the actual cause of death of his father when he was about 10. His mother remarried, and his step-father was very abusive to him and his family and was jailed.
Redman was converted after attending a mission service by Luis Palau. He was encouraged by Mike Pilavachi, an Anglican Church youth leader to lead worship in his teens. Redman is one of the founders of Soul Survivor, a spiritual youth movement.
He married Beth Redman, who was also a songwriter and author. The couple have five children. Beth is one of the founders of The A21 Campaign, a charity for fighting injustice in the 21st century, particularly in human trafficking.
Collaborations on Passion event albums
2000: "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?" on The Road to OneDay
2003: "O Come Let Us Adore Him" / "Come Let Us Return to the Lord" and "Blessed Be Your Name" on Sacred Revolution: Songs From OneDay 03
2004: "Father Let Me Dedicate" / "Here Is Love" on Hymns: Ancient and Modern
2006: "You Never Let Go" on Everything Glorious
2008: "God of Our Yesterdays" / "Shine" / "Dancing Generation" on God of This City
2010: "You Alone Can Rescue" on Awakening
2011: "Set Free" (jointly with Chris Tomlin) on Here for You
2012: "Lay Me Down" (jointly with Chris Tomlin) / "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" on White Flag
2013: "Jesus, Only Jesus" / "Shout" (jointly with Chris Tomlin) on Let the Future Begin
2014: "Mercy" / "Worthy" on Take It All
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
Grammy Award wins
2013: Best Contemporary Christian Music Song – "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"
2013: Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance – "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"
Dove Award wins
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)"
2013: Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year: "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"
2013: Songwriter of the Year
Church of England
2016: Cranmer Award for Worship, "for his contribution to the worship life of the Church
The Unquenchable Worshipper (2001)
Where Angels Fear to Tread (2002)
The Heart of Worship Files (2003)
Facedown (2004)
Inside Out Worship (2005)
Blessed Be Your Name (with Beth Redman) (2005)
Mirror Ball (2011)
10,000 Reasons: Stories of Faith, Hope, and Thankfulness Inspired by the Worship Anthem (with Craig Borlase) (2017)
