Songwriter, recording artist and worship leader Matt Maher recently notched another high-profile endorsement of the power of the standout debut single off his sophomore Essential Records project, Alive Again.
 
Apple, Inc.’s iTunes Store, the industry-leading digital music retailer, recently named the song “Alive Again” as the Best Christian & Gospel Single of 2009.  When asked Maher said, “It’s always great as a writer and worship leader when a song you write connects with people at radio and live, and to have iTunes honor it this way is a nice way to end the year.”
 
The single also is currently in the top 10 on two Christian radio formats, No. 6 at AC-Indicator and No. 7 at CRW-AC which translates to more than 250 + million cumulative impressions.
 
As Maher wraps up a busy and successful 2009, including just finishing a tour opening for label-mate Michael W. Smith, he’ll ring in the New Year in Orlando, Fla. at the National FOCUS Conference (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) in front of more than 3,000 students representing FOCUS chapters from all around the country.
 
Looking ahead to 2010, Maher will be part of Break Forth, the largest equipping and renewal conference in North America, in Edmonton, Alberta in late January. Maher will perform alongside Michael W. Smith, Robin Mark, Newsboys, Francis Chan and Lincoln Brewster. More than 15,000 attendees representing more than 1,000 churches are expected for the two-day conference.

Maher will embark on a full touring schedule in the spring of 2010 starting with the “Hold Us Together Tour” (named after his upcoming single, “Hold Us Together”) running January through early April, followed by a co-headline tour with label-mates Leeland and worship leader, Phil Wickham in April and May. Maher will finish out the spring season performing in May as part of the World Prayer Day in Newfoundland Canada and the YC Edmonton event.