I saw him in concert one time after that, but it was the very first time I ever heard (barely) Chris Tomlin perform had to be my favorite.
He was the just-starting-out opening act for Casting Crowns and Steven Curtis Chapman at Hersheypark several years ago, and thanks to the combination of a head cold and nonstop touring, had no voice.
“Help me out here tonight, guys,” he urged all of us in the sold-out arena, and we did, helping along a raspy-voiced singer.
His spirit and willingness to “play hurt,” as they used to tell us in sports, were very impressive, and showed a humility I think all of us there that night liked.
On to late August 2008, and Tomlin is not a little-known opening act any more.
And his voice got better since that night in Hershey, as shown on his new number-1 single, “Jesus Messiah.”
This coming Tuesday will see the release of Tomlin’s fifth studio project, “Hello Love.”
It’s hard to pick a favorite song of Tomlin, whose music already has become a staple of worship music in churches.
You’ve probably heard one of his songs somewhere, at church or on the radio … “Famous One,” “Glorious,” “Your Grace Is Enough” or “How Can I Keep From Singing Your Name” ring a bell?
Tomlin is the reigning three-time Gospel Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year, but he is blessed with just a good, not great, singing voice and good, but not great, guitar abilities.
All he does is write amazing songs that touch people’s hearts, and then performs them well. With a humility and eagerness to serve God that was evident that night in Hershey.
Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” was his first No. 1, and there have been many more. This is a singer who hardly looks like he’s ready to quit any time soon.