Christian artist Chris Tomlin coming to Cape

Award-winning and top-selling Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin will perform in at 7:30 p.m. July 18 at the Show Me Center.

"An Evening with Chris Tomlin" will include guest artist Brandon Heath.

Tomlin, 42, boasts 10 No. 1 radio singles, a Grammy award, eight additional nominations, 21 Dove Awards, one platinum album and four gold discs. He said in an email that his first album was released in 2000, but he was traveling on his own about eight years before that.

His discography, a descriptive catalog of musical recordings, shows "Inside Your Love" came out in 1995.

In addition to his musical achievements, he is one of the worship leaders of Passion City Church in Atlanta, but his tour schedule is pretty much nonstop, according to his website.

Asked via email how performing and leading a worship service compare, Tomlin said it's the same thing for him.

"I take great responsibility to lead the people to something and Someone much greater than myself. My job is to take the attention and devotion of the people away from me and onto God," Tomlin wrote.

Tomlin, a Texas A&M University graduate, said he started getting serious about writing music when he entered college. Much of his inspiration is drawn from Scripture.

"Even then, I found writing songs that were more congregational more natural. I have always tried to write that way, with people in mind -- writing songs that may find their way into the church," he said, adding that he never dreamed he would achieve the success he has.

"I have found the greatest strength in cowriting. Almost all the songs I am a part of are written with friends -- friends like Matt Redman, Jason Ingram, Ed Cash [and] Matt Maher, to name a few."

His favorite songs are "I Love Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" and "Our God."

"I have been so humbled to see how the song 'How Great Is Our God' has literally traveled around the world. That one in particular has truly gone past me and become the people's song," Tomlin said.

The song ends with a refrain sung three times, after this, the final verse:

"Name above all names

You're worthy of all praise

And my heart will sing

How great is our God."

According to the Show Me Center website, Tomlin has dedicated his life to bringing people closer to God.

"Building a career is just fine," he's quoted on the site, "but nothing compares to building bridges through music that lead to hope, healing and higher ground."

The site also said Tomlin has achieved such global scope that TIME magazine named him "likely the most often sung artist anywhere." It's estimated 40 million people sing Tomlin's songs each week.

Show Me Center marketing director Josh Hanlon said the crowd could range from 2,500 to 3,500 at this point. As of Thursday, he said, tickets were still available.

"He's at the top of the Christian market right now," Hanlon said. "In this area of the country, right smack in the middle of the Bible Belt, there's a large segment of the population that enjoy this type of music, so for me, it's about getting as many different people as possible to please our public."

Tomlin and his wife, Lauren, have one daughter, Ashlyn.

Guest artist Heath is a two-time GMA Male Vocalist and five-time Grammy nominee, according to the Show Me Center site. Heath recorded 2009 GMA Dove Award-winning Song of the Year, "Give Me Your Eyes," and "Your Love" topped the charts for eight weeks.

Heath, a Nashville native, began writing songs in his teens and gained a national audience with the release of his 2006 Reunion Records debut album, "Don't Get Comfortable."

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $35.75, $25.75 and $20. Group discounts are available.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO