4Him
Encyclopedia
4Him was a Contemporary Christian
group founded in 1990 in Alabama
, USA. The group has a Grammy
nomination, seven Dove awards and an album certified gold to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, following the awarding of The Governor’s Achievement Award. The group has also been featured performers for popular Christian Evangelist crusaders, Billy Graham
and Louis Palau.
4Him disbanded in 2006 to pursue individual careers of ministry and music. They have released 11 studio albums which have produced 24 number one singles.
The group has made sporadic reunion appearances since 2009.
, a Contemporary Christian vocal group founded in the late 1960s and directed by Roger Breland. Truth had a rotating roster of four male and four female vocalists, many of whom went on to form singing groups of their own or record solo albums, NewSong
, Russ Lee
, Avalon
, Steve Green Truth was officially disbanded in 2001. After a representative from Benson Records
attended several Truth concerts in the late 1980s during which Andy, Mark, Marty, and Kirk performed, Benson approached the quartet saying that they wanted to use the guys to create a new male four-member vocal group under the Benson label. "Where There Is Faith", their first single, stayed at #1 on the charts for eight weeks, two months before 4Him left Truth. Releasing their self-titled debut in 1990, they blended the traditions of Christian music
's past, with modern pop production and practical lyrics. In 1995, they were featured in the Warren Chaney
docudrama
, America: A Call to Greatness
.
In 1996, with the release of The Message, 4Him changed their overall sound in an effort to keep pushing the creative limits of the group. The guys replaced the over-the-top orchestrations and choral vocal arrangements with a stripped down, acoustic band approach where one of the guys would sing lead and the other three would sing backing vocals. On 1998’s Obvious, each member took more ownership of their music – becoming more involved in the production and songwriting aspects.
By 2004, all four of the 4Him guys reevaluated the future of the ministry. After close to fifteen years together, the members of 4Him decided to embark on solo careers. On September 23, 2006, 4Him performed their final concert at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, AL, the city where 4Him’s 16 year journey first started. At that concert, various individuals (including family members, record producers, management, and Truth founder Roger Breland) were recognized for their contributions to 4Him’s ministry.
. Andy also hosts a syndicated Sunday morning radio show. In 2008, Andy, along with the Church on the Move Praise Band, released Beautiful Name, a live worship CD.
.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
group founded in 1990 in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, USA. The group has a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination, seven Dove awards and an album certified gold to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, following the awarding of The Governor’s Achievement Award. The group has also been featured performers for popular Christian Evangelist crusaders, Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
and Louis Palau.
4Him disbanded in 2006 to pursue individual careers of ministry and music. They have released 11 studio albums which have produced 24 number one singles.
The group has made sporadic reunion appearances since 2009.
History
Andy Chrisman, Mark Harris, Marty Magehee, and Kirk Sullivan originally met when they sang together in TruthTruth (American band)
Truth was an American gospel music group active from 1971 to 2001.Formed by John Roger Breland, the ensemble's name stands for "Trust, Receive, Unchangeable, True Happiness [in Jesus]". It was initially composed of some 15 members who toured extensively year-round, eventually recording frequently...
, a Contemporary Christian vocal group founded in the late 1960s and directed by Roger Breland. Truth had a rotating roster of four male and four female vocalists, many of whom went on to form singing groups of their own or record solo albums, NewSong
NewSong
NewSong is a Contemporary Christian Music group that was founded in 1981, at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia. They have had eight GMA Dove Award nominations. They are the founders of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, the United States' largest annual Christian music tour. It began in...
, Russ Lee
Russ Lee
Russ Lee is a Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, a former vocalist for now-disbanded CCM group TRUTH, and the current lead vocalist for NewSong. Lee also served as lead vocalist for NewSong from 1994-2000.-Musical career:...
, Avalon
Avalon (band)
Avalon is an American contemporary Christian vocal quartet who has earned multiple RIAA-certified gold records, sold four million albums, and released 22 number one Christian hits.- 1995–1997: Formation of Avalon and A Maze of Grace :...
, Steve Green Truth was officially disbanded in 2001. After a representative from Benson Records
Benson Records
Benson Records was founded by Bob Benson & John T. Benson, beginning as the John T. Benson Music Publishing Company in 1902. The record label started out as Heart Warming Records and would come to house labels such as Impact Records, Greentree Records, RiverSong, StarSong and Home Sweet Home...
attended several Truth concerts in the late 1980s during which Andy, Mark, Marty, and Kirk performed, Benson approached the quartet saying that they wanted to use the guys to create a new male four-member vocal group under the Benson label. "Where There Is Faith", their first single, stayed at #1 on the charts for eight weeks, two months before 4Him left Truth. Releasing their self-titled debut in 1990, they blended the traditions of Christian music
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
's past, with modern pop production and practical lyrics. In 1995, they were featured in the Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
docudrama
Docudrama
In film, television programming and staged theatre, docudrama is a documentary-style genre that features dramatized re-enactments of actual historical events. As a neologism, the term is often confused with docufiction....
, America: A Call to Greatness
America: A Call to Greatness
America: A Call to Greatness is a 1995 docudrama feature from Paige-Brace Cinema, chronicling United States history from its inception through the 20th century. It stars Charlton Heston, Mickey Rooney, Deborah Winters, Peter Graves, Jane Russell, and Rita Moreno among others and was written,...
.
In 1996, with the release of The Message, 4Him changed their overall sound in an effort to keep pushing the creative limits of the group. The guys replaced the over-the-top orchestrations and choral vocal arrangements with a stripped down, acoustic band approach where one of the guys would sing lead and the other three would sing backing vocals. On 1998’s Obvious, each member took more ownership of their music – becoming more involved in the production and songwriting aspects.
By 2004, all four of the 4Him guys reevaluated the future of the ministry. After close to fifteen years together, the members of 4Him decided to embark on solo careers. On September 23, 2006, 4Him performed their final concert at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, AL, the city where 4Him’s 16 year journey first started. At that concert, various individuals (including family members, record producers, management, and Truth founder Roger Breland) were recognized for their contributions to 4Him’s ministry.
Andy Chrisman
Andy Chrisman released his freshman solo effort One in 2004, and is currently worship pastor at Church on the Move, in Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. Andy also hosts a syndicated Sunday morning radio show. In 2008, Andy, along with the Church on the Move Praise Band, released Beautiful Name, a live worship CD.
Mark Harris
In 2005, Mark Harris released The Line Between the Two and is currently worship pastor/artist-in-residence at Bay Community Ministries in Spanish Fort, AL. In 2007, Mark won a GMA Dove Award in the category of Inspirational Song of the Year for "Find Your Wings". On September 25, 2007, Mark released his second album Windows and Walls on INO Records. On October 13, 2011, Mark released his third album Stronger In The Broken Places on Stylos Records.Kirk Sullivan
In 2010, Kirk released his independent solo release Timeless on his website. Timeless contains "Get Down Mountain" (previously featured on the Encore album), a new reworked arrangement of his trademark song "The Basics of Life", and a bonus track of a song recorded when Kirk was 12.Marty Magehee
In 2008, Marty Magehee released his independent solo release Open on his website. The first single, "Eyes Wide Open", was released to Christian radio in May 2008. The album also included the song "Runaway Train", which appeared on 4Him's final CD, Encore. He is also producing albums for other artists. From 2010 to 2011, Marty served as worship pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
.
Reunions
After nearly five years apart, the quartet made their first reunion on the K-LOVE Friends and Family Cruise in January 2009. A one-off concert in West Monroe, LA took place in March, and another reunion is slated on Kathy Troccoli's "KT and Friends Cruise" to Alaska in June, 2010.Members
- Andy Chrisman (1990–2006)
- Mark HarrisMark Harris (musician)Mark Harris is an American CCM singer.Harris was a member of 4Him from 1990 to 2004. He released his debut solo record in 2005, and followed with a sophomore effort in 2007...
(1990–2006) - Marty Magehee (1990–2006)
- Kirk Sullivan (1990–2006)
- Jason Barton (2006, substitute for Andy Chrisman, current lead vocalist for 33Miles33Miles33Miles is a contemporary Christian band with country music influences from Franklin, Tennessee. They began playing in Nashville and signed to INO Records, who released the band's debut album, 33Miles, in 2007. The album peaked at #8 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers albums chart and #16 on its Top...
)
Discography
- 2006 Encore... For Future GenerationsEncore... For Future GenerationsENCORE... For Future Generations is the eleventh and final studio album of the Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on INO Records. Encore features 12 hit singles from the group's first seven studio albums completely rearranged and rerecorded for this release. It also features a solo...
- 2004 Simply 4Him
- 2003 Visible
- 2001 Walk On
- 2001 Chapter One... A DecadeChapter One... A DecadeChapter One... A Decade is the second greatest hits album by Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records. in 2001.-Track listing:# "Ride of Life"# "The Only Thing I Need"# "You Are Holy"# "For Future Generations"...
- 2000 Hymns: A Place of WorshipHymns: A Place of WorshipHymns: A Place of Worship is the eighth studio album of the Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records.-Track listing:# "Faith Of Our Fathers" # "The Solid Rock"# "Be Thou My Vision"...
- 1999 Best OnesBest OnesBest Ones is the first greatest hits album by Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records.-Track listing:# "Real Thing"# "He Never Changes"# "The Basics of Life"# "Couldn't We Stand"# "The Measure of a Man"# "Why"...
(Greatest hitsGreatest hitsA greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
compilation) - 1998 Obvious
- 1996 The MessageThe Message (4Him album)The Message is the sixth studio album of the Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records. In 1997, it was nominated for a Grammy in the Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year category.-Track listing:# "Lay It All On The Line"...
- 1994 The RideThe Ride (4Him album)The Ride is the fifth studio album of the Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records.-Track listing:# "Wings"# "The Nature Of Love"# "For Future Generations"# "Shelter in the Rain"# "Between You And Me"# "Real Thing"...
- 1993 The Season of LoveThe Season of LoveThe Season of Love is a Christmas album and fourth studio album of the Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records.-Track listing:# "The Season Of Love"# "White Christmas"# "The Little Drummer Boy"...
(Christmas album) - 1992 The Basics of LifeThe Basics of LifeThe Basics of Life is the third studio album of the Contemporary Christian group 4Him. It was released on Benson Records.-Track listing:# "The Basics Of Life"# "When It Comes To Livin'"# "Fountain Of Youth"# "This Time"# "Through His Eyes"...
- 1991 Face the Nation
- 1990 4Him
Videography
- 2006 Encore (A Live DVD of the Encore Farewell Tour) (Recorded at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA)
- 1996 The Message in the Making
- 1995 The Ride Comes Alive
- 1993 The Basics of Life
- 1991 Face the Nation
Major tours
- 2006 - Encore Farewell Tour
- 2003 - World Vision 2003 Spring Tour
- 2002 - "4Guys And A Fruitcake" Christmas Tour with Chonda Pierce
- 2000 - Child of the Promise Tour with Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris, and more
- 1998 - Headlined 1998 Spring Tour featuring Big Tent Revival and Jeni Vernadeau
- 1998 - Headlined tour with special guest Jaci Velázquez featuring Michelle Tumes
- 1997 - Co-headlined tour with Point of Grace
- 1995/96 - The Young Messiah Tour
- 1994 - The Ride Tour featuring Kathy Troccoli, Clay Crosse, Greg Long and Steve Geyer
Grammy nominations
- 1997 – 40th Annual Grammy nomination – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (The Message)
GMA Dove Awards
- 1998 - Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year ("Center of the Mark")
- 1995 - Group of the Year
- 199425th GMA Dove AwardsThe 25th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 28, 1994 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1993. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Amy Grant.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year...
- Group of the Year - 1994 - Inspirational Album of the Year (The Season of Love)
- 199324th GMA Dove AwardsThe 24th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 1, 1993 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1992. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Barbara Mandrell.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year**Michael English...
- Group of the Year - 1993 - Inspiration Album of the Year (Generation to Generation)
- 1991 - Best New Artist of the Year
Miscellaneous awards
- 1998 - WOW! Inspirational Award Nomination – Performing Artist of the Year
- 1996 - RIAA Certified Gold Album – The Basics of Life
- 1996 - CCM Readers' Poll – Favorite Long Form Video: The Ride Comes Alive
- 1995 - American Songwriter – Christian Artist of the Year
- 1994 - CCM Magazine – Song of the Year: "For Future Generations"
- 1993 - CBA Impact Award – Total Promotional Campaign, Music: The Basics of Life
- 1992 - CRR (Christian Research Report) – Best Group
- 1991 - CRR (Christian Research Report) – Best Group
- 1990 - CRR (Christian Research Report) Reporter Poll – Best New Artist
Other accomplishments
- Nominated for the Visionary Award - Group of the Year by the Christian Music Hall of Fame
- Nominated by Alabama Music Hall of FameAlabama Music Hall of FameThe Alabama Music Hall of Fame, first conceived by the Muscle Shoals Music Association in the early 1980s, was created by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board, which then saw to its Phase One construction of a after a state-wide referendum in 1987...
for The Governor's Achievement Award - Featured performers with the Louis Palau crusade and the Billy GrahamBilly GrahamWilliam Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
crusade - Performed at "Sold Out 1998" Promise KeepersPromise KeepersPromise Keepers is an international conservative Christian organization for men. While it originated in the United States, it is now world-wide...
conference the day before the Super Bowl - Co-host of the 1998 NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic AssociationNational Christian College Athletic AssociationThe National Christian College Athletic Association is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada which see collegiate sports primarily as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and ministry. The national headquarters...
) Bobby ClampettBobby ClampettRobert Daniel Clampett, Jr. is a television golf analyst, golf course architect, writer, and professional golfer, who played on the PGA Tour from 1980 to 1995. Clampett began playing on the Champions Tour in April 2010....
/4Him Pro-Am Classic GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
Tournament, and have co-hosted every year since - Contributed the song "The Only Thing I Need" for the album Streams (1999), which included a guest vocal appearance by Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
of YesYes (band)Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. - Contributed the song "You Are Holy" for the compilation album My Utmost for His HighestMy Utmost for His Highest (album)My Utmost for His Highest is the first of two albums of songs inspired by Oswald Chambers' devotional My Utmost for His Highest. The album, produced by Brown Bannister, features performances by popular Christian musicians of songs relating to a day from Chamber's book...
(1995), based on Oswald ChambersOswald ChambersOswald J. Chambers was a prominent early twentieth century Scottish Protestant Christian minister and teacher, best known as the author of the widely-read devotional My Utmost for His Highest.Born to devout Baptist parents, Chambers did not plan to go into the ministry...
' devotional of the same name. - Were featured in the NES video game Sunday FundaySunday FundaySunday Funday is a Christian video game that was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System by Wisdom Tree, formerly a subsidiary label of Color Dreams, in 1995. The game was the last to be released by any company for the American NES...
with their song "The Ride" in Karaoke.