Matthew Guion Maher (born November 10, 1974) is a Canadian contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist,

songwriter A songwriter is a musician who professionally composes musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a composer, although this term tends to be used mainly in the classical music ...

, and worship leader from Newfoundland, Canada, who lives in the United States. Three of his nine albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums ''Billboard'' chart and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. His notable writing credits include "Your Grace Is Enough", "I Will Rise", "Because He Lives (Amen)", "Christ Is Risen", and "Lord I Need You". Maher has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards in his career and was awarded the Songwriter of the Year at the 2015

GMA Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...

s. He is a practicing

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

Personal life

Maher was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada. His parents recognized his musical talent, and he grew up taking piano lessons and immersing himself in a broad variety of music and playing in concert and jazz ensembles, singing in a choir, and playing in a garage rock band. Maher started his post-secondary studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland and continued his studies in the Jazz Department at Arizona State University. He studied

jazz piano Jazz piano is a collective term for the techniques pianists use when playing jazz. The piano has been an integral part of the jazz idiom since its inception, in both solo and ensemble settings. Its role is multifaceted due largely to the instru ...

and earned a music degree there. He paid for his first three years of college by playing piano in a hotel. Maher is married to Kristin Fisher; they live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their daughter and two sons.

Career

His first label was the Spirit and Song, a division of OCP Publications, where he released his first three collections. Early in 2007 Maher signed to Essential Records. He released his first big-label album (and his fourth album overall) '' Empty and Beautiful'' on April 8, 2008. His second album with Essential Records (and his fifth album overall), '' Alive Again'', was released on September 22, 2009. In late 2009, Maher toured with

Michael W. Smith Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when " Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the '' ...

, Meredith Andrews and Phil Stacey on the "New Hallelujah Tour". ''Alive Again'' peaked at No. 6 on

Billboard magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized as ''billboard'') is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the musi ...

's Top Christian Albums chart in 2009. When

Pope Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the soverei ...

visited the United States in April 2008, Maher was asked to lead worship for crowds of thousands at the Rally for Youth and Seminarians in

Yonkers, New York Yonkers () is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. Developed along the Hudson River, it is the third most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City and Buffalo. The population of Yonkers was 211,569 as en ...

, which also featured

Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of ''American Idol'' in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debu ...

tobyMac Toby McKeehan (born Kevin Michael McKeehan; October 22, 1964), better known by his stage name TobyMac (styled tobyMac or TOBYMAC), is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was first known ...

and

Third Day Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee (both of whom were the only constant members) and Billy Wilkins. Drummer David Carr was the ...

, among other musicians. He was subsequently interviewed on

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, where he played his title track from ''Empty and Beautiful''. Maher was a guest singer songwriter speaker at Crowder's Fantastical Church Music Conference at

Baylor University Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. Baylor was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas and one of the ...

in late 2010 put on by the

David Crowder Band David Crowder Band (stylized as David Crowder*Band and The David Crowder*Band) was a six-piece Christian rock and modern worship band from Waco, Texas. Their final album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian and No. 2 on the B ...

. In early 2011 he toured the United States on the Rock And Worship Roadshow headlined by

MercyMe MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul. The b ...

. Maher performed " Lord, I Need You" before a crowd of nearly four million, including

Pope Francis Pope Francis ( la, Franciscus; it, Francesco; es, link=, Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) is the head of the Catholic Church. He has been the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 13 March 2013. ...

, for World Youth Day 2013 in Rio, Brazil. Other youth activities he has participated in include the 2013, 2015, and 2017

National Catholic Youth Conference The National Catholic Youth Conference, frequently referred to as NCYC, is a three-day event for Roman Catholic youth. NCYC is held in U.S. cities every year and organized in part by the host diocese of the city. The conference is organized by th ...

s, all held in Indianapolis,

Indiana Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th s ...

. He also sang at the 2014 March for Life. On March 17, 2015, Maher released his eighth studio album, '' Saints and Sinners'', through Essential Records. "Because He Lives (Amen)" was the first single release off of the album, and additional tracks on the album include songwriting collaborations with

Needtobreathe Needtobreathe (stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE) is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Seth Bolt (backing vocals, bass), Josh Lovelace (backing vocals, keys), Randall ...

members Bo and Bear Rinehart,

Jon Foreman Jonathan Mark Foreman (born October 22, 1976) is an American musician, the lead singer, guitarist, main songwriter and co-founder of the alternative rock band Switchfoot. He started Switchfoot in 1996 with drummer Chad Butler and his brother Tim ...

of Switchfoot. In September 2017, Maher's ninth studio album, ''Echoes'', released and earned Maher his ninth career Grammy Award nomination. He is a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year and in 2015 was named NSAI Songwriter of the Year. Along with his nine GRAMMY Award nominations, he has also been nominated for more than 20 GMA/Gospel Music Association Dove Awards in his career, including "Song of the Year", "Worship Song of the Year", "Pop Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year", and "Pop Contemporary Song of the Year". On October 12, 2018, his song "Lord, I Need You" was certified Platinum by RIAA, his first certification. His single "Alive and Breathing" reached top-5 in the Christian singles chart, in June 2020 the song started to chart on mainstream lists as well, hitting No. 3 on ''Rolling Stones trending 25 list as well as No. 25 on ''Billboard'' singles of the week.

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Awards and recognition

Grammy Awards * 2017 - nomination for the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Contemporary Christian album, ''ECHOES'' * 2015 - four nominations for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards ** Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, ''Saints And Sinners'' ** Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, "Because He Lives (Amen)" from ''Saints And Sinners'' ** Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, as co-writer for "Soul On Fire" by Third Day ** Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, as co-writer "Come As You Are" by Crowder * 2014 - two nominations for the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards ** Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, ''All The People Said Amen'' ** Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, "Lord, I Need You" from ''All The People Said Amen'' * 2013 - nomination for the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "White Flag" from 2012 ''Passion'' compilation * 2012 - nomination for 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song as co-writer for "I Lift My Hands" by Chris Tomlin

GMA Canada The Gospel Music Association of Canada or GMA Canada (formerly known as the CGMA) is a not for profit association, founded in 1974, whose purpose is to promote Christian music in Canada. History GMA Canada is created in 1974 in Ontario with ...

Covenant Awards The Covenant Awards are awarded to the Canadian gospel music industry by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music in C ...

* 2008 Praise And Worship Album of the Year: ''Empty & Beautiful''Maher received four other GMAC nominations in 2008: New Artist of the Year, Inspirational Song of the Year: "Empty And Beautiful", Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "Your Grace Is Enough", and Song of the Year: "Your Grace Is Enough
GMA Canada list of 2008 nominees
* 2009 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year * 2009 nominee, Song of the Year: "As It Is In Heaven" * 2009 nominee, Praise and Worship Song of the Year: "As It Is In Heaven" * 2010 Album of the Year: ''Alive Again'' * 2010 Praise And Worship Album of the Year: ''Alive Again'' * 2010 Song of the Year: "Hold Us Together" * 2010 Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "Alive Again" * 2011 Male Vocalist of the Year * 2012 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: "The Love In Between"

s * 2010 nominee, Praise And Worship Song of the Year: ''Alive Again'' * 2010 nominee, Song of the Year: "Alive Again" * 2010 winner, Special Events Album of the Year: ''Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship'' (Split win with

Kari Jobe Kari Brooke Jobe (born April 6, 1981) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. Since her first album in 2009, she has received two Grammy Award nominations and ten Dove Award nominations, six of which she won. Biograp ...

) * 2015 winner, Songwriter of the Year * 2019 winner, Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year: ''The Advent of Christmas'' Unity Awards *2003 winner, Best New Artist of the Year *2004 winner, Praise & Worship Song of the Year: "I Love You, Lord" *2008 winner, Best Artist of the Year Other * 2008 Catholic Album of the Year: ''Empty & Beautiful''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Maher, Matt 1974 births Living people 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singers 20th-century Canadian male singers 20th-century Roman Catholics 21st-century American guitarists 21st-century American male singers 21st-century American singers 21st-century Canadian male singers 21st-century Roman Catholics American performers of Christian music American Roman Catholics Canadian emigrants to the United States Canadian guitarists Canadian performers of Christian music Canadian Roman Catholics Christian music songwriters Contemporary Catholic liturgical music Essential Records (Christian) artists Guitarists from Arizona Musicians from Newfoundland and Labrador Performers of contemporary Christian music Performers of contemporary worship music Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year winners 21st-century Canadian guitarists