Matt Brouwer
Encyclopedia
Matt Brouwer is a Juno Award winning Canadian
singer/songwriter who got his start in the music industry while studying music at school in Alberta
, Canada. While in college he and fellow students founded the band Monday Night Worship (MNW). Because of the spiritual content of his lyrics he was 'discovered' by a Nashville record company in 2000, and in 2001 recorded his solo debut CD Imagerical. The album was released on May 29, 2001 on Reunion Records
. He then formed his own label called Black Shoe Records and released an album titled Unlearning in 2005 and Where's Our Revolution
(Universal) in 2009. Brouwer's music has been hailed for its relentless vulnerability as he shares his life's story of tragedy (the death of his father) and hope (his Spiritual pilgrimage) with his listeners.
which was released a year later as Brouwer and several other members of the college group were signed to Provident Label Group
as separate acts.
's I Shall Believe which graced Billboard's Christian chart in 2005. The hit "Sometimes" from "Where's Our Revolution" did even better, charting in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. Brouwer's CD, Imagerical was nominated for Best Gospel Album at the Canadian JUNO Awards. and he won a JUNO Award
in 2010 for the album Where's Our Revolution
as it was named best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the year. He has won several GMA Canada
Covenant Awards
, and his songs have been featured on TV in the Canadian produced hit teen drama Degrassi
.
Covenant Awards
Independent Music Awards
East Coast Music Awards
Juno Awards
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
singer/songwriter who got his start in the music industry while studying music at school in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada. While in college he and fellow students founded the band Monday Night Worship (MNW). Because of the spiritual content of his lyrics he was 'discovered' by a Nashville record company in 2000, and in 2001 recorded his solo debut CD Imagerical. The album was released on May 29, 2001 on Reunion Records
Reunion Records
Reunion Records is a Christian music record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee and operating under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982 by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton.-History:...
. He then formed his own label called Black Shoe Records and released an album titled Unlearning in 2005 and Where's Our Revolution
Where's Our Revolution
Where's Our Revolution is the third studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on August 25, 2009 through Universal Music Distribution. The album was well received as the hit "Sometimes" charted in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. and the album won a JUNO Award in 2010...
(Universal) in 2009. Brouwer's music has been hailed for its relentless vulnerability as he shares his life's story of tragedy (the death of his father) and hope (his Spiritual pilgrimage) with his listeners.
Early Years
Matthew Paul Brouwer was born in Truro, Nova Scotia Canada. His Mother is a teacher and his Father ran a dairy farm. When Matt was 3 years old his father was killed in a car accident. The loss of his Dad at an early age had an emotional impact on the singer and is a theme that has permeated many of Brouwer's songs. During college Brouwer found music to be more than a comforting hobby as he co-founded a group of Spiritually curious musicians known on campus as MNW. "It started with a conversation a group of us (students) had about our hunger to not only know about God, but to begin a journey of actually knowing Him," says Matt. MNW released 2 independent CD's featuring songs written and sung by Brouwer, many of which were also featured on his debut CD, ImagericalImagerical
Imagerical is the debut CD by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on Reunion Records May 29, 2001 and received universal acclaim from the gospel music industry. Christianity Today hailed Brouwer as one of the Best New Artists of 2001 along with Katy Perry...
which was released a year later as Brouwer and several other members of the college group were signed to Provident Label Group
Provident Label Group
Provident Label Group is a division of Sony Music Entertainment focusing primarily on Christian music in Franklin, Tennessee. The group handles its own physical distribution through its Provident-Integrity Distribution service...
as separate acts.
Musical career
Matt Brouwer's first single, Water, was a hit on CCM radio's CHR chart reaching #2 on R&R, and he hit the airwaves again with a cover of Sheryl CrowSheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
's I Shall Believe which graced Billboard's Christian chart in 2005. The hit "Sometimes" from "Where's Our Revolution" did even better, charting in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. Brouwer's CD, Imagerical was nominated for Best Gospel Album at the Canadian JUNO Awards. and he won a JUNO Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
in 2010 for the album Where's Our Revolution
Where's Our Revolution
Where's Our Revolution is the third studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on August 25, 2009 through Universal Music Distribution. The album was well received as the hit "Sometimes" charted in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. and the album won a JUNO Award in 2010...
as it was named best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the year. He has won several GMA Canada
GMA Canada
GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
Covenant Awards
Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards are handed out annually by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
, and his songs have been featured on TV in the Canadian produced hit teen drama Degrassi
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
.
Personal life
Matt Brouwer married Hannah Dawn Ficker August 29, 2010 before an intimate gathering of family and close friends at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in Houston. The couple met during a trip Brouwer took to Guatemala, where Hannah's family serves in medical missions.Albums
- ImagericalImagericalImagerical is the debut CD by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on Reunion Records May 29, 2001 and received universal acclaim from the gospel music industry. Christianity Today hailed Brouwer as one of the Best New Artists of 2001 along with Katy Perry...
(Reunion Records, 2001, review) OCLC: 47203906. - UnlearningUnlearningUnlearning is the second studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released independently in February 2005 on Brouwer's website and in digital distribution. The album was well received as the hit "I Shall Believe" charted briefly in 2006.-Track listing:...
(Black Shoe Records, 2005, review) OCLC: 137341514. - B-Sides Recording, Vol. 1 (Black Shoe Records, 2006)
- Where's Our RevolutionWhere's Our RevolutionWhere's Our Revolution is the third studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on August 25, 2009 through Universal Music Distribution. The album was well received as the hit "Sometimes" charted in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. and the album won a JUNO Award in 2010...
(Black Shoe Records, 2009, review) OCLC: 316822224.
Notable appearances
- vocals on Jill Paquette's debut album Jill Paquette (Reunion, 2003)
Songs on compilations
- Rock On Worship, "Water" (Madacy, 2002)
- Sea to Sea: I See The CrossSea to Sea: I See The CrossSea to Sea: I See The Cross is the second album in the annual Sea to Sea praise and worship music series. The album includes thirty songs performed by Canadian Christian artists on two CDs...
, "Home" (CMC, 2005) - Sea to Sea: The Voice of Creation, "Your Name" (CMC, 2007)
- GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary CollectionGMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary CollectionGMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection is a three-CD collection commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Gospel Music Association of Canada. It showcases the history of Christian music in Canada...
, "Water" (CMC, 2008) - Sea to Sea: Christmas, "A Holly Jolly Christmas" (Lakeside, 2009)
Awards and recognition
GMA CanadaGMA Canada
GMA Canada is the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the organization is a not for profit association whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
Covenant Awards
Covenant Awards
The Covenant Awards are handed out annually by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada . Created in 1974, the association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music arts in Canada...
- 2007 nominee, Praise And Worship Album Of The Year: The B-Sides Recording, Volume 1
- 2008 nominee, Male Vocalist Of The Year
- 2008 nominee, Pop/Contemporary Song Of The Year: Beautiful Now
- 2009 Folk/Roots Song Of The Year: The Other Side (with Amy GrantAmy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
and Vince GillVince GillVincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
) *won - 2009 GMA Canada/Blessings Christian Marketplace Fan's Choice Award *won
Independent Music Awards
- 2010 nominee, CCM Song Of The Year: Sometimes
- 2010 nominee, CCM Album Of The Year: Where's Our RevolutionWhere's Our RevolutionWhere's Our Revolution is the third studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on August 25, 2009 through Universal Music Distribution. The album was well received as the hit "Sometimes" charted in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. and the album won a JUNO Award in 2010...
East Coast Music Awards
- 2010 nominee, Best Gospel Album: Where's Our RevolutionWhere's Our RevolutionWhere's Our Revolution is the third studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on August 25, 2009 through Universal Music Distribution. The album was well received as the hit "Sometimes" charted in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. and the album won a JUNO Award in 2010...
Juno Awards
- 2002 nominee, Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: Imagerical
- 2010, Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album: Where's Our RevolutionWhere's Our RevolutionWhere's Our Revolution is the third studio album by Canadian Singer/Songwriter Matt Brouwer. It was released on August 25, 2009 through Universal Music Distribution. The album was well received as the hit "Sometimes" charted in the top 20 in Billboard in 2010. and the album won a JUNO Award in 2010...
*won