NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 19, 2017)— Nashville-based music artist Keith Getty was honored June 16 as an “Officer of the Order of the British Empire” (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The award, which commemorates Getty’s contribution to “Music and Modern Hymn Writing,” marks the first occasion that the award has been given to an individual involved in the world of contemporary church music.
Getty, along with collaborators including his wife, Kristyn, as well as Stuart Townend, has written over 60 of the most popular 2,000 hymns sung in the U.S. and United Kingdom, according to Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI). The Getty-Townend hymn, “In Christ Alone,” is the #1 most popular hymn sung in the UK for the past nine years and is also among the top 10 in the USA. According to their publishers, it is estimated that over 100 million people sang this one hymn in the last 12 months. Getty-penned hymns are popular across all Christian denominations and their music has been performed at national celebrations in several countries as well as recorded by well-known artists.
Later this year, Keith and Kristyn will launch their Sing! campaign with their first book, Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church (September 2017, B&H Publishing Group). Their first Sing! conference will take place in Nashville September 18-20.
Keith Getty says, “When I first received the call, I was shocked. As a Brit living in America it is an incredible gift to receive from home especially given the long history of the award and the legacy of individuals who have received it. It is also wonderful to see hymnody and the great hymn-writing heritage I am from in the U.K. be recognized in this way. I am very grateful to her Majesty the Queen for this honor.”
On June 25, the Gettys will lead their second Global Hymn Sing (www.globalhymnsing.com). The Gettys’ 2016 hymn sing resulted in more than 1.1 million congregants in 5400-plus churches in 100 countries around the world joining together in song.
Keith and Kristyn met in Belfast, Northern Ireland when they began songwriting together. They were married in 2004, and two years later, they recorded their first project as a couple. They currently reside in Nashville along with their three young daughters.
“It has been thrilling to see the impact of these hymns around the world. Kristyn and I feel utterly privileged to be able to serve the Church in such a way and will continue to write and lead people in singing as we have breath to,” Keith added.
For more information, visit: http://www.gettymusic.com/
Keith and Kristyn Getty are the preeminent writers of modern hymns in the world today. The duo has created a deep catalog of songs including sixty of the most popular hymns currently sung in the US and UK (according to Christian Copyright Licensing International). It is estimated that each year, their hymns are sung by more than 100 million people across the spectrum of all Christian denominations. The Getty’s most popular hymn, “In Christ Alone,” (co-written by Keith Getty with Stuart Townend) is the #1 most popular hymn sung in the UK for the past nine years and is among the top 10 most popular hymns in the U.S. Through their spring and fall tours, and their annual Joy–An Irish Christmas tour, the Gettys have performed before sold-out houses including London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. The duo met in Belfast, Northern Ireland when they began songwriting together. They were married in 2004, and two years later recorded their first project as a couple. To date, the Gettys have released 6 other full-length albums and 2 limited edition EPs. They currently reside between Nashville and Northern Ireland with their three young daughters.
B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission-minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church, and academic markets, titles include The New York Times No. 1 bestsellers The Love Dare and The Vow, #1 CBA bestseller I Am a Church Member as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.
Media Contact: Jenaye White
Jenaye.White@BHPublishingGroup.com 615-251-2964 www.bhpublishinggroup.com
