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Matt Maher facts for kids

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Matt Maher
Matt Maher performing.jpg
Maher performing in 2015
Background information
Birth name Matthew Guion Maher
Born (1974-11-10) November 10, 1974 (age 50)
Newfoundland, Canada
Genres Contemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music
Instruments Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active 2000–present
Labels Essential

Matthew Guion Maher (born November 10, 1974) is a Canadian Roman Catholic musician. He is known for his contemporary Christian music (CCM). Matt Maher is a talented songwriter and a worship leader. He was born in Newfoundland, Canada, and now lives in the United States.

Matt Maher has released many albums. Three of his nine albums have reached the top 25 on the Christian Albums Billboard chart. Also, four of his songs have made it to the top 25 on the Christian Songs chart. He has written famous songs like "Your Grace Is Enough" and "Lord I Need You." Matt Maher has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards. In 2015, he won the Dove Award for Songwriter of the Year.

Early Life and Music

Matt Maher grew up in Newfoundland, Canada. His parents saw that he had a gift for music. He started taking piano lessons when he was young. He learned many different kinds of music. He played in jazz and concert groups. He also sang in a choir and played in a rock band.

After high school, Matt Maher studied music in college. He went to Memorial University of Newfoundland and then to Arizona State University. He focused on jazz piano and earned a music degree. He even played piano in a hotel to help pay for his studies.

Music Career

Matt Maher began his music career with Spirit and Song. This company released his first three music collections. In 2007, he signed with Essential Records. His first album with them, Empty and Beautiful, came out in 2008. His next album, Alive Again, was released in 2009. This album reached No. 6 on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums chart.

Matt Maher has performed for very important events. In 2008, he led worship for thousands of people when Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States. He also sang his song "Lord, I Need You" for almost four million people. This was at World Youth Day 2013 in Rio, Brazil, and Pope Francis was there. He has also performed at the National Catholic Youth Conference and the March for Life.

In 2015, Matt Maher released his eighth album, Saints and Sinners. The song "Because He Lives (Amen)" was a big hit from this album. In 2017, his ninth album, Echoes, was released. This album earned him another Grammy Award nomination.

Matt Maher has won many awards for his songwriting. He is a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year. He also won NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2015. He has been nominated for over 20 GMA Dove Awards. His song "Lord, I Need You" was certified Platinum in 2018. This means it sold over one million copies.

His song "Alive and Breathing" was very popular in 2020. It reached the top 5 on the Christian singles chart. It even appeared on Rolling Stone's trending list and Billboard singles chart. Matt Maher has also been part of The Chosen TV series. He performed songs in their Christmas specials.

Personal Life

Matt Maher is a practicing Catholic. He is married to Kristin Fisher. They live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their three children. They have a daughter and two sons.

Albums and Songs

Matt Maher has released many albums and extended plays (EPs). Here are some of his main albums:

  • The End and the Beginning (2001)
  • Welcome to Life (2003)
  • Overflow (2006)
  • Empty & Beautiful (2008)
  • Alive Again (2009)
  • The Love in Between (2011)
  • All the People Said Amen (2013)
  • Saints and Sinners (2015)
  • Echoes (2017)
  • The Advent of Christmas (2018)
  • Alive & Breathing (2020)
  • The Stories I Tell Myself (2022)

He has also released several popular songs, including:

  • "Your Grace Is Enough"
  • "Alive Again"
  • "Hold Us Together"
  • "Christ Is Risen"
  • "Turn Around"
  • "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
  • "Lord, I Need You"
  • "Because He Lives (Amen)"
  • "Alive & Breathing"
  • "The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)"

Awards and Recognition

Matt Maher has received many awards for his music.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are very important music awards in the United States.

  • 2017: Nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album for ECHOES.
  • 2015: Nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Saints And Sinners. He was also nominated for songs he wrote for other artists.
  • 2014: Nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for All The People Said Amen and for his song "Lord, I Need You".
  • 2013: Nominated for his song "White Flag".
  • 2012: Nominated for a song he co-wrote, "I Lift My Hands".

GMA Dove Awards

The GMA Dove Awards celebrate Christian music.

  • 2015: Won Songwriter of the Year.
  • 2019: Won Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year for The Advent of Christmas.
  • 2010: Won Special Events Album of the Year for Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship.

Other Awards

  • 2008: Won Catholic Album of the Year for Empty & Beautiful.
  • 2003: Won Best New Artist of the Year at the Unity Awards.
  • 2004: Won Praise & Worship Song of the Year for "I Love You, Lord" at the Unity Awards.
  • 2008: Won Best Artist of the Year at the Unity Awards.

Images for kids

  • Matt Maher in performance (2009)

    Maher performing at YC Newfoundland in 2009

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Matt Maher para niños

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