Lauded artist-worshipper/songwriter/author and UK-native Matt Redman recently signed with sixstepsrecords in the U.S., the EMI CMG imprint that is home to fellow artist-worshippers Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band and Charlie Hall. Previously contributing songs and appearing on several of sixstepsrecords' popular Passion CDs that have sold over a million units collectively, Redman is preparing to release his label debut, Facedown, June 15. Redman will further be releasing a companion DVD on the label August 24 and a like-titled book on Regal Books, which also releases in July.
"Matt has been an adopted member of the sixsteps family for years, so we are glad to make it official," explains Louie Giglio, founder and director of Passion and sixstepsrecords. "We have worked very closely with Matt as he has been a part of many of our Passion gatherings and CDs. He truly has a heart of worship and we are looking forward to joining him in spreading God's glory over the earth."
Produced by Nathan Nockels (Watermark, Passion) and mixed by Tom Laune (Passion, Michael W. Smith, Nichole Nordeman) at his studio in Nashville, Facedown is a collection of 11 new songs, plus two spontaneous moment tracks, featuring Redman's signature guitar-driven, modern rock sound. Also featured on the album are Christy Nockels on vocals, Nathan Nockels on keys and guitars, John Ellis (Tree 63) on guitar, and Terl (Iona) and David Raven (session drummer for The Swirling Eddies, etc.) on drums. The lyrics take a creative and introspective look at why and how we worship on songs like "Gifted Response" and "Worthy, You Are Worthy," which features additional vocals by Chris Tomlin.
"When we face up to the glory of God, we soon find ourselves facedown in worship. To worship facedown is the ultimate outward sign of inner reverence," says Redman of his vision for the project. "When it comes to expressing our worship, what we do on the outside is a key reflection of what's taking place on the inside. Facedown worship always begins as a posture of the heart. It's a person so desperate for the increase of Christ that they find themselves decreasing to the ground in an act of reverent submission."
As one of today's most respected worship songwriters, Matt Redman has written some of the most used songs in worship services around the world according to Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), an organization that monitors its 143,000 church copyright license holders' copy activity. Currently, Matt Redman has two songs in CCLI's US Top 25 chart including "The Heart Of Worship" at No. 10 and "Better Is One Day" at No. 25. On CCLI's Canadian Top 25 chart, Redman has three songs including "The Heart Of Worship" at No. 17, "Once Again" at No. 18 and "Better Is One Day" at No. 19. Furthermore, Redman's songs have been recorded by numerous other popular Christian artists including Michael W. Smith and Rebecca St. James, among others.
Redman is also an accomplished author. Calling believers back to the wonder and awe of worship, Facedown follows the success of Redman's successful debut on Regal Books, The Unquenchable Worshipper, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Grounded on three biblical examples found in Ezekiel 1, Daniel 10 and Revelation 7, the July release reveals that the worship that takes place before the heavenly throne room of God is facedown.
In addition to inspiring worshippers everywhere with his music and books, Matt Redman seeks to be a teacher and mentor to songwriters and worship leaders through his new Facedown events and his website, www.mattredman.com.
More information on Matt Redman can be found on the Internet at www.sixstepsrecords.com, www.HeartOfWorship.com, and www.EMICMG.com.
Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords (www.sixstepsrecords.com) is a young worship label and is a division of Choice Resources, the parent ministry for Passion Conferences. In addition to Matt Redman, sixstepsrecords' artist-worshippers include Chris Tomlin (Not To Us), David Crowder Band (Illuminate) and Charlie Hall (On The Road To Beautiful). The label partners with Sparrow Records for marketing, sales and distribution operations.
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