Matt Hammitt

Matt Hammitt
Birth name Matthew Daniel Hammitt[1]
Born (1979-10-19) October 19, 1979
Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Genres Contemporary Christian
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1996–present
Labels Sparrow
Associated acts Sanctus Real
Website matthammittmusic.com

"Matt" Hammitt (born October 19, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, speaker and author. For almost twenty years, Matt was the lead singer for the band Sanctus Real. The band has released seven studio albums with Sparrow Records, toured internationally and released 14 top five and number one singles to Christian radio, earning them a household name amongst Christian music fans worldwide. Matt has been the recipient of three Dove Awards, has been nominated for two Grammys for his work with Sanctus Real, and has received multiple awards from SESAC and ASCAP for radio chart performance. Matt has also co-written songs for other artists, including for King & Country, Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Grace, Newsong, Hawk Nelson, Moriah Peters, Jason Gray, Citizen Way and Love and the Outcome. Matt and his wife, Sarah, have recently launched LEAD ME LIVE Events, organizing one day conferences focused on men and marriage ministry. Matt is also the host and producer of the "Lead Me Lifecast," an audio podcast about faith, family, marriage and manhood.

On July 1, 2015, Hammitt announced that he was leaving Sanctus Real, effective December 2015.[2]

Music history

Albums

In September 2010, Matt’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to their third child, Bowen. Diagnosed with a life-threatening heart defect at nineteen weeks in utero, his future was uncertain. Leading up to Bowen’s birth, Matt wrote his first solo album, "Every Falling Tear" (Sparrow Records). The album was released in September 2011, carrying the theme of trusting God in the darkest seasons of life.

Compilations

Children's Book

In March 2012, Tyndale House Publishers released a hard cover children's book, based on a song from Matt's album "Every Falling Tear", titled I Couldn't Love You More, co-written by Jason Ingram.

Podcast

"The Lead Me Lifecast" is a series of personal and spiritual journals, along with vulnerable conversations about topics related to faith, family, marriage and manhood. "The Lead Me Lifecast" is produced and hosted by Matt Hammitt.

Personal life

Matt has a passion for family life. He married his wife, Sarah, in the summer of 2001. They enjoyed many adventures together, traveling with Sanctus Real for the first five years of their marriage, until Sarah left the road to become a stay at home mom in 2006. Matt and Sarah have four children, Emmy (9), Claire (7), Bowen (4) and Lewis (2). In 2010, Bowen was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart defect at nineteen weeks in utero. His future was uncertain. Leading up to Bowen’s birth, Matt wrote his first solo album, Every Falling Tear. The album was released in September 2011, carrying the theme of trusting God in the darkest seasons of life. Matt also released a children’s book with co-author, Jason Ingram, based on a song from the album, titled "I Couldn’t Love You More" (Tyndale House Publishers). During the first six months of life, Bowen endured two open-heart surgeries, a stroke and cardiac arrest. Finding new purpose through the pain of almost losing their son, Matt and Sarah started a blog called Bowen’s Heart (Bowensheart.com), drawing hundreds of thousands of readers. With the support of their friends and readers, the Hammitts started Whole Hearts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial, emotional and spiritual support for families of children living with pediatric heart disease.

Discography

Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
Christian 		US
Heat
2011 Every Falling Tear[4][5]
  • Released: September 13, 2011
  • Label: Sparrow
    •
  • Format: CD, digital download
 26[6] 29[6]

References

  1. ↑ Jesus Freak Hideout. "Matt Hammitt biography". Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  2. ↑ http://matthammittmusic.com/lml
  3. ↑ Matt Hammitt and Bethany Dillon (2008-03-11). "In Christ Alone: Modern Hymns Of Worship". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  4. ↑ Allmusic (2011-09-13). "Every Falling Tear". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  5. ↑ Jesus Freak Hideout (2011-09-13). "Every Falling Tear". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  6. 1 2 Billboard (2012-01-27). "Matt Hammitt Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
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