Matthew Guion Maher (born November 10, 1974) is a Canadian Catholic

contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christianity, Chri ...

artist,

songwriter A songwriter is a person who creates 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 genre and film scoring. ...

, and

worship leader Contemporary worship is a form of Christian worship that emerged within Western evangelical Protestantism in the 20th century. It was originally confined to the charismatic movement, but is now found in a wide range of churches, including many ...

based 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 ceremonies presented annually and have been held in Nashville, Tennessee exce ...

Early life

Maher was born and raised in

Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the population ...

, 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 Memorial University of Newfoundland, or MUN (), is a Public university, public research university in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, with satellite campuses in Corner Brook ...

and continued his studies in the Jazz Department at

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public university, public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is o ...

. 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.

Career

His first label was the Spirit and Song, a division of

OCP Publications Oregon Catholic Press (OCP, originally the Catholic Truth Society of Oregon) is a publisher of Catholic liturgical music based in Portland, Oregon. It published the newspapers ''Catholic Sentinel'' and ''El Centinela''; both papers have been dis ...

, 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 music, contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when "Place in This Worl ...

Meredith Andrews Meredith Frances Sooter (born January 19, 1983), known professionally as Meredith Andrews, is a contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter and worship leader. She has won two Dove Awards. Biography Andrews grew up in Wilson, North Caroli ...

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

Billboard magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized in lowercase since 2013) is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events and styles related to th ...

's Top Christian Albums chart in 2009. When

Pope Benedict XVI Pope BenedictXVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict's election as p ...

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 the List of municipalities in New York, third-most populous city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and the most-populous City (New York), city in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County. A centrally locate ...

, which also featured

Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne (born Kelly Brianne Clarkson, April 24, 1982), known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Rising to fame after winning the American Idol season 1, first season of ''Ameri ...

tobyMac Kevin Michael McKeehan (born October 22, 1964), better known by his stage name TobyMac (styled tobyMac), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His road band is known as Diverse City. Widely regarded as one of the most ...

and

Third Day Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia in 1991. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee (both of whom were the only constant members) and Billy Wilkins. The band's name is a reference to 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 university, private Baptist research university in Waco, Texas, United States. It was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Te ...

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 (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until Death and funeral of Pope Francis, his death in 2025. He was the fi ...

, for

World Youth Day 2013 World Youth Day 2013 (), stylized WYDRio2013, was the 14th international World Youth Day, an international Catholic event focused on religious faith and youth. The host city of World Youth Day 2013 was Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as announced by P ...

in Rio, Brazil. Other youth activities he has participated in include the 2013, 2015, and 2017 National Catholic Youth Conferences, all held in

Indianapolis Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the 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 group first gained fame for their Christian themes, eventually reaching crossover success. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, ...

members Bo and Bear Rinehart,

Jon Foreman Jonathan Mark Foreman (born October 22, 1976) is an American musician who is the lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter, and co-founder of the alternative rock band Switchfoot. As a solo act, Foreman has released 14 extended plays and two st ...

Switchfoot Switchfoot is an American rock music, rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drum kit, drums, percussion), and Jerome Fontamillas (g ...

. 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 The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

, 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. Maher is featured in three Christmas special theatrical releases for Dallas Jenkins's The Chosen franchise. In 2020's ''Christmas with The Chosen: The Shepherd'', Maher performed "Hope For Everyone". In 2021's ''Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers'', Maher sang his Celtic-themed version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". The video of Maher's "Hark..." was reprised for the 2023 special "Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night", released on December 12, 2023.

Personal life

Maher is a practicing

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

. Married to Kristin Fisher, Maher lives in

Nashville Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

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with his wife and their three children: a daughter and two sons.

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Awards and recognition

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

* 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 Ca ...

* 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. Early li ...

) * 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 Canadian 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 Singers 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