Chris Tomlin On His New Album ‘Always,’ His Record-Setting Shows & The Power Of A Song

He is one of the most sought-after Christian touring artists in music today, making this year’s list of Pollstar’s Top 10 Worldwide Tours. Throughout the spring and summer, Chris Tomlin crisscrossed the country playing before jam-packed crowds at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, the United Center in Chicago, and setting a career attendance record with an unprecedented concert at LA’s Banc of California Stadium.

His shows are uniquely interactive where he sings his contemporary praise and worship songs, and the thousands in the crowd sing right along with him.

“There are a lot of concerts that come through these venues, but there’s something different about these nights of worship,” Tomlin explains. “And I’m not saying they’re better, I’m saying they’re different. You get to join in a little bit of heaven, tap into those that have gone before us, and it’s transcendent.”

As an example, this year marked his third series of back-to-back concerts at Red Rocks in Denver and even he was surprised by the combined attendance of 60,000 that turned out over the two nights. He was grateful they came, and humbled they stayed – given some very rough weather.

“I think this was my 7^th and 8^th time to play Red Rocks through the years,” he says. “And this year was a little crazy because it poured down the rain both nights. It never stopped raining the entire time, and it was also 48 degrees.”

Yet the crowd, all wearing ponchos or jackets, stayed put, braved the elements, and continued singing with Tomlin, as he sang to them.

“Where I was standing there was like an awning over me, but the wind was blowing the rain as it was pouring in, so it literally drenched me for two hours,” he says. “My hands were so cold I could barely move my fingers to make the chords. But it was so magical, because there was this feeling of, we’re all in this special moment together. It means a lot to me that people would come to my concerts and say, ‘Man, I’m putting on a poncho, I’m staying, let’s do this.’”

Along with his many shows around the country, Tomlin performs an annual Good Friday show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. (He and his family live just outside Nashville). The shows benefit foster care and adoption. It’s something close to his heart as both of his brothers are foster parents, leading him to create a foundation called “For Others.”

Tomlin, who grew up in Texas, developed an interest in music very early on – through his father, who had a country band that played locally in their small town.

“My dad loved country music and taught me to play the guitar when I was just a little kid. It started with mostly Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard songs. I think my first talent show was “Silver Wings’ and “On the Road” again. But I also grew up loving to play music in church, and then felt this real calling in my life to do that.”

He began writing the kind of songs people would sing in church. As soon as he did, he says, God began opening up all kinds of opportunities. It started with a small number of churches that began playing his music, then more churches, then bigger churches.

“It was kind of like arrows out of a bow,” he recalls. “Those songs were finding their way into churches in a real, organic, kind of grass roots, really divine way. I was in Texas doing that, before record labels, publishers, and that whole world. I just kept doing it, saying yes to any opportunity, playing small youth group kind of things, and it kept growing and growing.”

Today, Tomlin is a GRAMMY-winning artist with 17 No. 1 singles on radio (placing 29 others in the Top 10). He’s sold more than 12-million global album with 4-and-a-half Billion global streams, and it’s estimated between 20 to 30 million people sing his songs in weekly church services, in a range of different languages.

He’s also won 27 Dove Awards. And this week it was announced he’ll co-host the 53rd GMA Dove Awards in Nashville in October, along with singer Erica Campbell. He says as many times as he’s attended the event, he’s honored this year to co-host.

“I’ve been fortunate to attend the Doves for many years and each time I’m reminded of the power of a song. You never know how far they’ll go, how far they will reach, and how God is going to use them. I’m excited to have the opportunity to celebrate not only the incredible artists, but the writers, producers, musicians, and teams that work passionately to create something that truly has an eternal impact.”

It’s a career first for Tomlin who continues to embrace and appreciate every new opportunity. In June, he became the first Christian artist to be part of Nashville’s annual CMA Fest as “CMA Artist of the Day.” He was in good company with country artists Luke Bryan and Kelsea Ballerini.

“I was really honored to be invited to that and people were so receptive,” Tomlin says. “To walk into a completely different genre of music, I had no idea how my music would really be embraced. It was really special.”

He says he discovered the fanbase between country and contemporary music is actually very similar with a lot of the same people – fans of both. He has crossed into country before with an album he did in 2020 called Chris Tomlin & Friends featuring duets with artists and groups like Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, and others.

Now, Tomlin is celebrating the release of his latest album Always.

“This record is back to the center, the heart of what this is all about for me – really helping people connect to God and worship God.”

It’s a collection of songs he hopes will truly connect with people.

“One song is called “Holy Forever,” and I probably haven’t had this many unsolicited texts about a song since “Good Good Father.” It’s because there’s a transcendence to it that helps people see into this kind of spiritual world of the truth of God and the worship of him.”

Tomlin explains the difference between two kinds of praise and worship songs: transcendent songs like “Holy Forever,” that touch on the grace and greatness of God, and songs of deliverance.

“A song of deliverance is more of a song of the rescue of God. God, I need you, I need your help, I need your grace. “Amazing Grace” is a song of deliverance. ‘How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.’ I try to write both of those kinds of songs and they’re all throughout this record.”

Tomlin co-writes a lot of his songs with fellow Christian songwriters like Ed Cash and others.

“Ed and I have written so many songs together because we have the same heart and same ideas. I feel like my songwriting continues to get better because I continue to write with such great people and great songwriters and there’s strength in that.”

Tomlin says, after so many years, he’s thankful to be able to continue putting out music that matters and can inspire people.

“I remember when I wrote “How Great Is Our God,” years ago. I still sing it every night because it puts out hearts, our attention, and our focus off ourselves and onto something greater. It’s amazing how our anxieties and worries start to fade a little bit when we raise our eyes up.”

He goes on to say, “I don’t have all the answers, I’m not perfect in any way. But I try to point to somebody who does and who can help people in their lives.”