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Matt Maher Signs With Essential Records
12/24/2007
From: Provident Music Group
Singer/Songwriter/Worship Leader Matt Maher has signed with Provident Label Group's
Essential Records, and has announced the release of his 12-track debut album, Empty
& Beautiful, which will hit stores April 8, 2008. The record was co-produced by Matt
Maher and Jeff Thomas, except for, "As It Is In Heaven," which was produced by Ed Cash
(Chris Tomlin, Bebo Norman, Bethany Dillon).
Maher describes the heart behind his Essential Records debut, "In life, we end up having to
empty ourselves to achieve that which is beautiful. If you don't, you never really get made
beautiful. It's a weird dichotomy, especially in the world we live in because there's so much
focus on beauty. The whole idea of having to empty one's self to achieve beauty is completely
counter cultural, but that's what happens - marriage, service of the poor...."
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Maher grew up in a strong culture comprised of two
elements: music and tradition. Maher continues, "Music is part of the fabric of the culture
there, similar to places like Louisiana or the Appalachian mountains; and over the years, not
just Celtic music, but music of every kind. I grew up listening to American Top 40 with Casey
Kasem every Saturday, rain or shine. My dad would cook while listening to Willie Nelson or
Frank Sinatra. My cousins, who lived next door, listened to everything from Broadway to
British Rock, like the Beatles and The Who."
Early in his life, Maher's parents realized his talent for music and started him in piano
lessons. He quickly absorbed as many musical styles as possible, playing in concert and jazz
ensembles, singing in choir, and even playing in a high school garage rock band. During his
college years, Matt received a scholarship from the Jazz Department at Arizona State
University, where he studied Jazz Piano.
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