Anthony Evans

Acclaimed CCM/Gospel Artist Releases Sixth Project, Home; Competes on NBC Reality Program “The Voice”

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) April 10, 2012–Celebrated vocalist and worship leader Anthony Evans is back in the national spotlight with his latest studio release, Home (3/6/12), and recent stint on NBC’s hit singing competition, “The Voice.”

Produced by Evans, GRAMMY Award-winning producer Shaun Martin (Kirk Franklin), and Richie Pena (Natalie Grant, Babyface), Home was inspired by Evans’ decision to move ‘home’ to Dallas, where he could aid his father, Dr. Tony Evans, in ministry and be closer to family. The result is an offering of soulfully arranged worship standards and original anthems, performed with passion and power.

“Home is a true expression of where I am creatively,” says Evans. “From the songs to the musicians to where I actually recorded the record, I wanted to make sure that it felt connected and unaffected. I believe it’s my best work to date.”

In addition to a new record, Evans recently had the opportunity to showcase his talent on season two of blockbuster vocal competition, “The Voice.” During the blind audition, coach Christina Aguilera selected Evans to be part of her team and thus compete, under Aguilera’s mentorship, for a shot at the grand prize, a recording contract. Evans made it as far as the battle round, where he was eliminated after singing Alicia Key’s “If I Ain’t Got You.” His performance, however, generated massive buzz and has already received nearly two million combined YouTube hits. View the performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GqqjVXhfMU.

He comments on his experience, “Many people have asked me why I would do a show like ‘The Voice.’ Jeremy Camp once challenged me to think outside of the box, try something new, and I am so glad I listened to him. The experience of working with my coach Christina and mentor Jewel literally changed the way I view my ministry. Christina challenged me to be true to my heart’s desires and to consider myself a trail blazer. Jewel said something that I will never forget: ‘Anthony, being a Christian artist is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to who you are.’ I’m very thankful for my time in Hollywood, and I cherish my relationships from the show.”

Evans will maintain his visibility performing nationwide at upcoming concert events and conferences, including the “2012 Man Up Conference & Concert Finale” at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on April 13-14 as well as LifeWay’s nationwide simulcast event “Going Beyond,” featuring Evans’ sister, Priscilla Shirer, May 4-5. For a complete tour itinerary, visit: http://anthony-evans.com/tour.

About Anthony Evans

In 2001 Christian music gained a new voice when legendary innovator Kirk Franklin asked Anthony Evans to join his ministry. Evans harmonized with his mentor and friend for four extraordinary years before embarking on a solo career that has produced six major studio projects; Even More, Letting Go, The Bridge, What Christmas Means, Undisguised, and the highly-anticipated 2012 release, Home.

A much-sought-after worship leader, Evans has garnered invitations across the spectrum from Franklin Graham events to The National Worship Leader’s Conference. As a live performer, he has shared the stage with such talents as Yolanda Adams, David Phelps, FFH and Natalie Grant. And as a composer/ artist, Evans’  crossover music has vibrated both the doors of the church and ventured beyond.

When gospel music singer Anthony Evans stepped out to croon the Marvin Gaye classic “What’s Going On?” on NBC’s The Voice (Mondays, 8/7c), he was nervous. Like every other contestant, he only had 90 seconds to impress the judges in his “blind audition,” to convince one of them to push a red button that would send him through to the next round.

But Evans, already a professional artist with six albums under his belt, figured he really only had a little more than 10 seconds to make an impression—and the final 10 seconds at that. Because “What’s Going On?” is so subdued, Evans held back on his “big voice” capabilities until the very end, when he cut loose. And then, about 10 seconds away from elimination, judge Christina Aguilera smacked her button, thus putting Evans on her team and buying him at least a couple more weeks on the show.
Evans, the son of popular pastor and author Tony Evans, says he’s having a blast, and that it’s a fun break from his normal gig as a gospel artist and worship leader. He wants to win, but says he wouldn’t mind if someone else did instead. We spoke with him by phone from Los Angeles.

Why did you want to be on The Voice?
It was kind of random. Jeremy Camp and my drummer were at my house in Nashville over a year ago, and they were like “Anthony, just do it for fun. Why not?” So I just sent something in [to the show]. They saw a YouTube clip of me and called me for the first season, but I couldn’t come because of other obligations. Then they called again last July and asked again, and I was like, “You know what, it’s kind of a random opportunity, and

How did you end up choosing “What’s Going On” for the song?
People who know me really well have been asking me that, because it just kind of felt like it wasn’t me. But at The Voice, they let you be involved in the song choice, but there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen; it’s a big machine. So we had to kind of go with what was corporately decided. You’ve just got to grab it and move on.

I’m not criticizing the choice; it’s one of the greatest pop songs of all time. At least they didn’t ask you to sing another Marvin Gaye song like “Sexual Healing” or “Let’s Get It On”!
Exactly! But here’s what I love about The Voice: They are real big into who you are and what your story is, and upholding the integrity of your story. So when they learned I was a pastor’s kid, a Christian artist, they were like, “Okay, we are not going to set up you to look crazy or to lose your current supporters and fans. We are not that kind of show.” I have a lot of respect for the producers of the show and Mark Burnett, the executive producer, because they’re not trying to use this as gimmicks to get ratings.

The fact that Burnett himself is a Christian probably helps.
I did know that, because after my blind audition he came backstage to meet my dad. He was like, “Where is Tony Evans? Can I meet him?”

Performing on the show
When you sang for the blind audition, you were only about 10 seconds away from being eliminated before Christina picked you. Were you sweating bullets as those seconds raced by?
Funny thing is, I knew that that was going to happen. Before I went on stage, I said to one of the producers “If somebody turns around it’s not going to be till the last ten seconds of the song.” Because it’s a Marvin Gaye song, if I start singing like I know I can, they’re probably not going to turn around because I overdid it. So I was like, “Okay, I’ll sing in a key works where at the end I’ll be singing like Anthony—the higher singing that I normally do.” I knew they wouldn’t respond until I did that, because it’s such a laid-back song. It’s weird to be given Marvin Gaye when you have a minute and thirty seconds to be intense, because Marvin Gaye is like the opposite of intensity. So it was a challenging moment. It was crazy.

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Anthony’s rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’ and His original tune ‘Immanuel’ check it out!

(Interview and Article from West Michigan Christian News)

Gospel singer and songwriter Anthony Evans toured with Truth and Kirk Franklin before focusing on his solo Christian music career.

Evans leaves his Franklin, Tennessee home once a month to lead worship at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, the Dallas mega church where his father, the internationally famous Dr. Tony Evans, is senior pastor.

In addition to recording, Anthony Evans, Jr. estimates that he travels to an average of 100 worship events every year.

I met with Evans after a performance at the 2010 Evangelical Press Association Convention in Dallas. What was his perspective on the difficulties Tesh encountered with “keeping it real” in church as a “celebrity” artist?

Evans thought geographical location was a key factor. “Hollywood? L.A.? I’m sure that if you’re worship leading in L.A., and you’re on T.V… yeah, it’s a problem.”

Of his own challenges he interjected with intensity, “I was praying about this the other day! ‘God, get me to a point where I can sit down on Sundays and be part of the congregation, sit on the fiftieth row,’ you know what I mean? Not be in the first row and have a mic in my hand! I think making sure there is a balance is very important.”

Most of Evans’ appearances are at churches across the country where he leads Sunday praise as the guest worship leader. The songs on his newest album, Undisguised, reflect his experiences in local congregations. Does he make “celebrity adjustments” on Sunday?

“I try to defuse situations. Even if it’s things like autographs in church, I try to say, ‘let’s wait until we’re done. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing right now, you know?’ Because that’s a very uncomfortable feeling. I make sure that there’s lots of eye contact, letting people know that I’m – you! I tell the truth from onstage. A lot of the heartbreak that I faced in my life, I was honest and vulnerable about it.”

“For me, it’s about remembering why I do this kind of music. There’s a part of Christian music that follows the celebrity trend… I choose to do Christian music, so the celebrity trend is null and void. I’ve surrounded myself with people who remind me that I’m here to serve, even though there are lights, and there’s smoke, and there’s fancy stuff, ultimately I’m here to serve.

“What can I do to reach your heart? Keeping a mindset of service is how the celebrity thing goes away.”

He strives for authenticity. “The real life – that’s my objective. As long as I’m doing Christian music, I want to be authentic so that the celebrity becomes back seat to ministry.”

Regular gatherings with other worship leaders for prayer and music is another key element for staying spiritually refreshed. Evans looks forward to these “special nights” of accountability and interaction to counteract the temptation of celebrity buzz. “Yes, it can get to you and it’s discussed a lot amongst me and my friends in the industry.”

Balancing distraction is an on-going concern for Evans. “(It is) a conversation that happens often and is taken very seriously because when you’re doing ministry for a living, it can wear you out.”

Anthony contributes his vocals on the number 1 Hip Hop Album on iTunes… Listen here!

This past weekend Anthony was able to do something that few artists have had the opportunity to do. He sang his new rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” preceding an address by former President George W. Bush, as well as Super Bowl winning Coach Tony Dungy. See what Coach Dungy had to say about Anthony’s performance below:

“Having been a coach in the National Football League for 28 years, I have seen many National Anthems performed.  I recently heard Anthony Evans do a rendition that was unique and inspiring.  I would put it right up there with Whitney Houston’s and Jennifer Hudson’s, done at Super Bowls in Tampa, as one of the most stirring that I have heard.”     Tony Dungy

Tune in Tonight for the Praise The Lord program recorded on June 28.

Host: Dewey Friedel

Guests:
Melba Moore
Michael Chitwood
Jeannette Bayardelle
Jamal Harrison Bryant

Music: Anthony Evans Jr.

This Friday’s show at Rocketown Florida in Pompano Beach has been canceled.  Please accept our apology if this has caused you any inconvenience.  For information on future appearances at Rocketown Florida please continue to check the tour dates on Anthony-Evans.com or visit Rocketown’s website at www.rocketownfl.com.

We are currently booking Anthony’s second Christmas Tour “What Christmas Means 2010″. Last year Anthony’s tour received rave reviews!! If your a leader in your church, and you want to see Anthony at your church give us a call and we’ll try to make it happen!

BOOKING INQUIRIES

Singer-song writer Anthony Evans will lead his audience in worship on Saturday, July 17. He is the son of Tony Evans, renowned communicator of God’s Word and president of The Urban Alternative. Read below to learn more about his family, and how God worked to transform him from performer to worship leader. A former vocalist with TRUTH and Kirk Franklin, Anthony has recorded five albums and is known as an artist who takes his faith seriously.

By Joy Allmond

GROWING UP EVANS
“Growing up in the home of Tony and Lois Evans was an amazing experience. I had a mom and dad, who not only stayed together, but they cared so much about me. In this day and age, having all that is such a rare thing.”

He was also raised to be close to his siblings. “Our parents raised us to love on each other and to be close. We appreciate each other,” said Evans. One of them is popular Bible teacher/speaker Priscilla Shirer, Founder of Going Beyond Ministries. He travels with her as the worship leader at her Going Beyond (LifeWay) events. “I love the dynamic I have with her. She can look at me in a particular way and I know what to do. It is really a gift to be able to minister with her like that.”

A DEFINING MOMENT
When asked if he was the stereotypical preacher’s kid, Evans said he had his moments, but they were mostly internal. “When I was 25, I had somewhat of a breakdown. I was a performer on stage – and in my relationships. This was my dynamic with the Lord, and my approach to life. I realized I couldn’t do this anymore.”

“I was always overwhelmed and tired to the point where I almost quit singing. That is when I stopped being an ‘artist’ and became a worship leader. I got to the point where all I could do was worship, and that’s what God wanted from me in the first place. He doesn’t want me to be slick and cool and hip. He wants me to live in worship.”

AN AUTHENTIC WORSHIP LEADER
These days, Evans’ approach to worship is authentic. He wants to engage people in transparent worship. “I want there to be truth between my lips and the listeners’ ears. I’m going to be authentic with my audience.”

He recalls one particular night on stage when he told the audience that he didn’t want to be there. “I made a decision to worship that night anyway. I was honest about how I felt, but stood upon the truth that He’s going to finish what He started in me. That ended up being my most connected night in ministry.”

Today, he stands on truth rather than feelings. “My dad once told me that feelings do not have intellect. My feelings will follow my feet.”

AT THE COVE
On July 17, during this Evening at the Cove event, the audience can expect this same authenticity as he focuses on songs from his three latest albums. “I want to feel connected with my audience – and feel like we’re friends by the time we leave the room. It will be a night full of worship, stories, and original songs that come from those stories. Ultimately, I want to connect people to the truths of God’s Word through music.”

*Anthony will hold his concert at the end of his father’s seminar, Returning to the Cross (July 15-17). Come two days early and do both!