Matthew Ward (singer)

For other people named Matthew Ward, see Matthew Ward (disambiguation).

Matthew Ward
Born	February 15, 1958 (1958-02-15) (age 53) California, United States
Genres	Contemporary Christian, Jesus music
Occupations	Singer, songwriter
Instruments	Voice
Years active	1972–present
Labels	Myrrh, Sparrow, Live Oak
Associated acts	2nd Chapter of Acts
Website	matthewward.com

Matthew Ward (born February 15, 1958) is one of the pioneers of the Jesus music genre, later to be called Contemporary Christian music. He is best known as a part of the trio, 2nd Chapter of Acts in which he sang and performed with his sisters, Annie Herring and Nellie (Ward) Greisen. However, during his musical career with the 2nd Chapter of Acts from 1973 to 1988, he also recorded solo albums and continues to record and perform his solo work to the present time (2007).

Early history

Matthew's music and ministry was in no small part, forged from personal family tragedy. In 1968 his mother, Elizabeth Ward, died of a brain tumor; two years later his father, Walter, died of leukemia leaving him and his youngest sister, Nelly, orphaned. The Ward siblings all decided that Matthew's older sister, Annie, and her new husband, record producer Buck Herring, should take in the two younger Ward siblings.

Matthew's older sister, Annie, was a self styled (and self taught) singer and song writer who wrote and played her songs around the family piano. Matthew and sister, Nelly, would often join in as Annie played, and eventually they developed extremely tight and intricate harmonies.^[1][2]

As the trio gradually started singing for local coffee houses and small gatherings, they eventually gained the notice of Pat Boone who arranged a contract to record and release two singles with MGM, "Jesus Is" (1972), recorded on Matthew's 13th birthday, and "I'm So Happy" (1973). The fledgling trio also came to the attention of 1960s folk singer Barry McGuire, who had recently become a Christian and was preparing to record his first Christian music album, produced by Buck Herring. The siblings provided background vocals for Seeds and McGuire's 1974 follow-up Lighten Up.

Recent history

Following his career with the 2nd Chapter of Acts, Matthew Ward has recorded many more solo works and also works in the music industry as a background & jingle vocalist. He has worked with other such artists as Donna Summer, Leann Rimes, Randy Stonehill, Sandi Patti, Dennis Jernigan, Jordin Sparks and many others.

The book, My 2nd Chapter: The Matthew Ward Story was released in February 2005. The autobiography includes how Ward battled his own bout with cancer—and won.

Discography

2nd Chapter of Acts

See 2nd Chapter of Acts Discography

Solo recordings

• 1979: Toward Eternity (Sparrow)
• 1987: Armed & Dangerous (Live Oak)
• 1988: Fade To White (Live Oak)
• 1990: Fortress (Live Oak)
• 1992: Matthew Ward Collection (a.k.a. The Best of Matthew Ward) (Benson)
• 1992: Point of View (Benson)
• 1997: My Redeemer (Newport)
• 2000: Even Now (Discovery House)
• 2006: Christmas with Matthew Ward (independent)
• 2011: Easter Song - A New Arrangement (single – independent)

Appearances on other albums

• 1974: Come Together: A Musical Experience In Love various artists
• 1976: Firewind: A Contemporary Dramatic Musical various artists
• 1976: Love Broke Thru Phil Keaggy (New Song)
• 1978: First Class The Boones (Lamb & Lion) "I Love You More Than My Rock And Roll"
• 1980: So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt Keith Green (Sparrow)
• 1983: Ph'lip Side Phil Keaggy (Sparrow)
• 1983: She Works Hard for the Money Donna Summer (Casablanca) "Love Has A Mind Of Its Own"
• 1984: Dancing With Danger Leslie Phillips (Myrrh) "By My Spirit"
• 1986: Morning Like This Sandi Patti (Word) "Hosanna" (with sisters Annie Herring & Nelly Greisen, collectively as 2nd Chapter of Acts)
• 1987: Same Girl Twila Paris (Star Song)
• 1987: Voices various artists (Word) "Light Of The World"
• 1987: Gorillas in the Mix Bernie Krause (Rykodisc) (keyboards, producer)
• 1989: Hosanna: 15 Songs Of Freedom The Maranatha Singers (Maranatha Music)
• 1989: It's the Thought Twila Paris (Star Song)
• 1990: Handel's Young Messiah various artists (Word) "Comfort Ye"
• 1991: Flying Lessons Annie Herring (Sparrow)
• 1992: Master Pieces various artists (Benson) "The Warrior Is A Child"
• 1992: There's a Stirring Annie Herring (Sparrow)
• 1993: Completely Taken In Dallas Holm (Benson)
• 1994: God is Able Ron Kenoly (Hosanna!)
• 1995: Sing Out Ron Kenoly (Integrity)
• 1996: Celebrate Living Dennis Jernigan (Heartcry) "The Lord Is My Shepherd"
• 1996: Blue LeAnn Rimes (Curb)
• 1996: Glimpses Annie Herring (Chordant)
• 1998: First Love various artists (Exploration Films) "There is a Redeemer", "To The King", "Stand By Me"
• 1998: Sittin' on Top of the World LeAnn Rimes (Curb)
• 1998: Wonder Annie Herring (Spring Hill)
• 1999: Choose This Day Promise Keepers (Maranatha) "To The King"
• 1999: LeAnn Rimes LeAnn Rimes (Curb)
• 1999: Praise 16: The Power Of Your Love Maranatha Singers (Maranatha Music) "The Power Of Your Love"
• 2000: Blue Moon Steve Holy (Curb)
• 2002: Celtic Cry: The Heart Of A Martyr various artists (Acts 26) "Hearts United"
• 2003: For Now Jordin Sparks
• 2004: Hands Lifted High Dennis Jernigan (Doxology) "When The Night Is Falling" with Dennis & Annie Herring
• 2009: A Timeless Christmas Israel & New Breed (Integrity) "Hark", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
• 2011: Luke: A World Turned Upside Down Michael Card
• 2011: Testimony 2 Neal Morse (background vocals)

References

1. ^ Matthew Ward: 2nd Chapter Of Acts and Pioneering CCM
2. ^ The Frame Never Outdid the Picture: The 2nd Chapter of Acts Story

Persondata
Name	Ward, Matthew
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 15, 1958
Place of birth	California, United States
Date of death
Place of death