Chris Tomlin: The Chart-Topping Voice of Modern Worship Music

Chris Tomlin is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas. His career is defined by record-setting album sales and an unprecedented number of songs that have become staples in churches worldwide. He is widely recognized as one of the best-selling Christian artists of all time.

Early career

Born in 1972, Tomlin began leading worship as a student at Texas A&M University. His early independent releases, like the 1995 album 'Inside Your Love,' built a grassroots following. This led to his signing with the burgeoning worship label sixstepsrecords, a partnership with Sparrow Records, which set the stage for his national breakthrough.

Breakthrough

Tomlin's mainstream arrival accelerated with the 2004 album 'Arriving,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The project, certified Gold, featured the anthemic hit 'How Great Is Our God,' a song that would become a global worship standard. This success firmly established him as a central figure in the modern worship movement.

Key tracks

How Great Is Our God — This Grammy-winning anthem became a global worship standard and is arguably his most recognizable song.

Our God — A driving, declarative worship song that topped Christian charts and earned multi-platinum digital sales certification.

Good Good Father — Co-written with Pat Barrett, this intimate song won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

Jesus Messiah — Another No. 1 radio hit that highlights Tomlin's songwriting focus on the names and character of Christ.

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) — A powerful, battle-ready worship song from his chart-topping 2013 album 'Burning Lights.'

Tomlin's prolific output continued with a string of No. 1 albums on the Billboard Christian chart, including 2006's multi-platinum 'See the Morning' and 2010's 'And If Our God Is For Us...'. He has collaborated with other major worship artists like Passion Band, Matt Redman, and Jesus Culture. Notably, his 2016 album 'Never Lose Sight' debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, demonstrating his crossover reach.

Artists with a similar focus on congregational worship and chart success in the Christian music genre include Matt Redman A fellow songwriter for the modern church, Redman co-wrote the hit '10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)' with Tomlin. Hillsong Worship This Australian collective shares Tomlin's impact in defining the sound of 21st-century praise music. Lauren Daigle While incorporating more soul and pop, Daigle continues the tradition of artist-led worship with massive commercial success. MercyMe This American band operates in the same CCM space, blending worship themes with accessible pop-rock melodies.

Chris Tomlin's music maintains heavy rotation on Christian AC and worship-formatted radio stations across the United States. His catalog of hits is a foundational component of playlists on online Christian music streams and terrestrial FM stations dedicated to inspirational content.

Listeners can discover the extensive catalog of Chris Tomlin's worship music on the Christian and inspirational radio stations featured on our website. Tune in via onairium.com to hear his chart-topping anthems and latest releases in regular rotation.