Andrew Greer
Andrew Greer | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Andrew Brooks Greer |
Born |
Azle, Texas | July 10, 1982
Origin | Nashville, Nashville |
Genres | Americana, folk, folk rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer/Songwriter, writer |
Years active | 2009 | –present
Labels | MA'M Recordings |
Website |
andrew-greer |
Andrew Brooks Greer (born July 10, 1982) is a touring independent singer-songwriter and writer living in Nashville, Tennessee.
Background
Greer was born in Azle, Texas, on July 10, 1982, the son of Thomas and Jane Greer (née, Girard),[1] before moving to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University. After graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music (BM), he worked at Michael W. Smith's Rocketown Records before beginning his own singer-songwriter artist career in 2009 with the release of Open Book.[2]
Greer's debut album was a critical success, earning 4 out of 5 stars from Christianity Today which called Open Book, "an intensely reflective record that digs deep,"[3] and 5 out of 5 stars from The Christian Manifesto, which said, "Greer writes with a soul-bearing honesty refreshing to hear in an industry where cliché after cliché comes all too often. Open Book is a masterpiece."[4] Features in other high-profile national outlets like CCM Magazine[5] and Christian Musician followed. He was also featured as a worship leader for Centrifuge's national student camps in 2011.[2]
Greer will release his second album, Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions in January 2012. The recording features vintage hymns in an Americana style with a line-up of special guests like Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station, Cindy Morgan, Ginny Owens, Sonya Isaacs, Marc Scibilia, Sandra McCracken, Julie Lee and The McCrary Sisters.[2] He has released a playlist of "Behind the Scenes" videos with select guest artists to help promote Angel Band.[6]
Greer is also known for his published commentaries and editorials in national publications like Christianity Today, "In Touch" and ParentLife.[2]
In the fall of 2012, Andrew joined forces with 12-time Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan for Food for the Hungry's "Hymns for Hunger" Tour, helping raise awareness and resources for local and international hunger relief organizations at tour stops across the country. The tour has visited dozens of cities within the United States and has been featured in special performances at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan's Purse and Amy Grant's "A Tennessee Weekend".[7][8][9] In conjunction with the "Hymns for Hunger" tour, Cindy and Andrew were featured on the Winter 2013 cover of Collegiate Magazine.[10]
In the spring of 2013, Greer released All Things Bright & Beautiful: Hymns for the Seasons, an instrumental hymns record. The record hit the #1 position on Nielsen Christian SoundScan's Instrumental Chart for 25 weeks.[8][11] All Things Bright & Beautiful received a 2013 Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for "Instrumental Album of the Year".[12]
In November 2013, Andrew released the second installment in his "Angel Band" series with "Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions", featuring collaborations with Americana and Gospel artists Phil Madeira, The McCrary Sisters, Emily Deloach, his tourmate Cindy Morgan and Sandi Patty.[13] The record reached the Top 10 on iTunes' Singer/Songwriter chart upon release.[11]
In October 2014, Greer produced and arranged "All is Calm, All is Bright: Songs of Christmas", a multi-artist compilation featuring Jaci Velasquez, Sandi Patty, Cindy Morgan, Ginny Owens, Seth and Nirva, American Idol's Melinda Doolittle and R&B superstar Montell Jordan. The project spent six consecutive weeks atop Parable Christian Stores National Retail chart marking Greer's second #1-selling set for the retailer.[14]
On October 23, 2015, Greer will release his first live concert project nationwide. Filmed in Nashville, Tennessee as a television special, "An Angel Band Christmas LIVE" features gospel music friends Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez, "Hymns for Hunger" tourmate Cindy Morgan, Nic Gonzales (of the band Salvador) and Women of Faith speaker/author Patsy Clairmont.[15]
Angel Band reception
Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions reached #2 on Amazon.com's Hot New Releases in Contemporary Folk chart.[16] Crosswalk.com says "Greer shows that he is a rare breed of artist who has the ability to oscillate between genres effortlessly—contemporary, bluegrass, Americana, inspirational, worship—affording him creativity most artistswish they could pull off,"[17] and CCM Magazine adds "Despite the tremendous guest list…Greer's strong vocal styling and impeccable arrangements stand tallest—a testimony to Greer's vision for this hymns project.".[18]
Andrew also made media appearances on TV shows like "Good Day Dallas"[19] and scored front page features in "The Tennessean"[20] and CCM Magazine.[21]
Andrew also headlined a national tour, "Under the Radar presents The Angel Band Tour" with Nashville folk singer/songwriter, Julie Lee.[16]
"Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions" received various praises. CCMMagazine.com said, “His richly passionate vocals are just as capable of volleying with the tender Sandi Patty (‘Ave Maria’) or the earthy Cindy Morgan (‘A Cradle in Bethlehem’) as they are hitting a soulful stride next to The McCrary Sisters (‘The Little Drummer Boy’), all while individually earning titles of master interpreter and emotive originator.” While Worship Leader magazine lauds Greer’s collaboration with The McCrary Sisters as “…the most evocative and captivating version of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ ever...”[11]
The official music video for Greer and Sandi Patty's "Ave Maria" duet premiered nationwide on UP TV in the fall of 2014.[14]
Discography
- 2009: Open Book
- 2012: Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions
- 2013: All Things Bright & Beautiful: Hymns for the Seasons
- 2013: Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions
- 2014: All Is Calm, All Is Bright: Songs Of Christmas
- 2015: An Angel Band Christmas LIVE
References
- ↑ Texas Birth Index (2002). "U.S. Public Records Index". Family Search. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Andrew Greer Artist Profile | Biography And Discography". NewReleaseTuesday.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
- ↑ "Open Book | Music". Christianity Today. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
- ↑ "Music Review: Open Book / The Christian Manifesto". Thechristianmanifesto.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
- ↑ Andy Argyrakis (November 24, 2009). "Andrew Greer | Introducing the Artist Side of Andrew Greer". TodaysChristianMusic.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
- ↑ andrewgreermusic. "Kanaal van andrewgreermusic". YouTube. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
- ↑ Conner, Matt. "Hymns for Hunger: When Faith and Need Collide". CCM Magazine. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- 1 2 "Andrew Greer's 'All Things Bright & Beautiful' Top Christian Instrumental Chart for Eight Consecutive Weeks". Jesus Freak Hideout.
- ↑ "Andrew Greer and Cindy Morgan Featured at Amy Grant's 'A Tennessee Weekend'". Turning Point PR. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ↑ Latta, Scott. "For Hymns & Hunger" (PDF). Collegiate Magazine. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Andrew Greer and Friends Celebrate 'Angel Band: The Christmas Sessions'". Turning Point PR. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ↑ "2013 Dove Award Nominees" (PDF). Gospel Music Association. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ "Andrew Greer Celebrates the Season with Lauded Line-Up". NewReleaseTuesday.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- 1 2 "Multi-Faceted Singer/Songwriter Andrew Greer Produces Best-Selling Parable Recording". Turning Point PR. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ↑ "An Angel Band Christmas". Lightworx Entertainment. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- 1 2 "Andrew Greer's Angel Band Captivates Critics and Audiences Alike". Turning Point PR. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ↑ Williams, Lindsay. "Friends Join Greer in His Angel Band". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ↑ Conner, Matt. "Angel Band Review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ↑ "Greer Performs on Good Day". Good Day Dallas. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ↑ Travis, Vicky. "Singer Andrew Greer Embraces Poetry, Emotion in Classic Hymns". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ↑ Lusk, Caroline. "Heavenly Host". CCM Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2012.