Audrey Assad Explained

Audrey Assad
Origin:Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Birth Name:Audrey Nicole Assad[2]
Birth Date:1 July 1983[3]
Genre:Contemporary Christian music
Instrument:Vocals, piano
Years Active:2002–present
Label:Sparrow, Fortunate Fall

Audrey Nicole Assad (born July 1, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter. She has released six studio albums and four EPs.

Early life

Audrey Assad's mother was from Virginia and her father is a Syrian-born refugee.[4] [5] She was raised Protestant, as part of the Plymouth Brethren denomination.

Assad started playing the piano at age two, and spent her youth moving around New Jersey before settling in Scotch Plains from ages 7 to 18.[6] [7]

Music career

Assad's musical career began in contemporary Christian music. Her debut album, The House You're Building, was released through Sparrow Records in July 2010 and went on to be named on Amazon.com's list of Best Christian Music of 2010,[8] [9] as well as the Christian and Gospel Breakthrough Album of the Year on iTunes.[10] She has worked and toured with other CCM artists such as Chris Tomlin,[11] Tenth Avenue North, Matt Maher and Jars of Clay. In 2018, she released Evergreen.

Early career in Florida

In 2002, when Assad was 18, her family moved to Florida and she spent the next six years there.[12] At 19, she briefly attended college and supported herself with odd jobs while beginning her musical career, writing and composing songs for the first time. Assad spent the next five years playing at various venues, performing original songs and covers. Venues ranged from restaurants, weddings, and coffee shops to leading and organizing worship concerts at church. In 2003, Assad recorded a four-song demo with Drew Middleton, a member of the CCM band Tenth Avenue North at the time. Assad toured with the band occasionally during that time.[13] [14]

Nashville and the Firefly EP

In 2008 when Assad was 24, she decided to move to Nashville, Tennessee, to continue focusing on her music career. She raised $7,000 from friends and fans to support her move from Florida.[15] In Nashville, she worked with producers Paul Moak and Phillip LaRue and recorded a five-song EP, Firefly, which sold at shows and featured a handwritten cover made of a brown paper bag. She supported herself by working as a nanny before meeting fellow Catholic musician Matt Maher. Maher took Assad under his wing and brought her to various gigs, where she sang back-up vocals and played sets during his shows. The time they spent together around Maher's home base of Phoenix, Arizona, would later prompt Assad to move there from Nashville. During this time, Assad also signed on to work as a staff writer for EMI Christian Music Group Publishing, doing songwriting work with other artists.[16]

Sparrow Records

In 2009, Assad signed with Sparrow Records, who had been talking to Assad after the release of her EP. For her first album, Assad then met and played for producer Marshall Altman, who eventually agreed to produce what would become The House You're Building. Altman and Assad recorded the album at the Galt Line Studio in Los Angeles.[17] The House You're Building was released on July 13, 2010, and the title track was featured as a free download on iTunes Discovery Download. The album performed well commercially and critically, going on to become the Amazon.com's "Best Album of 2010" in the Christian Music category, as well as being the best selling new artist in the Christian Music category of 2010 according to SoundScan. The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart and No. 6 on its Heatseekers chart.[18]

Her second album, Heart, was released on February 14, 2012.[19] The album sold 7,300 units in its debut week, an increase of 185 percent over her previous album, and reached No. 18 on the overall iTunes chart.[20] [21] For the most part, the new album was a further development of the "piano-driven style and lyrical depth" that The House You're Building had shown.[22] The track "Sparrow", was released as a single, and similarly did well. "Sparrow" was based on the classic gospel hymn, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow", which Assad said she loved seeing and hearing in Sister Act 2 when she was young.[23]

Fortunate Fall Records

Wanting to steer her music closer to liturgical and worship music and attracted by the economic advantages of independent production, Audrey Assad parted ways with Sparrow Records "on good terms".[24] Assad ran a Kickstarter campaign with the help of her husband that reached double its goal by its finish on April 15, 2013.[25] The proceeds paid for Assad's third studio album, Fortunate Fall, which Assad produced herself under the name "Fortunate Fall Records", as well as a live concert EP, O Happy Fault, and a film of the concert.

Assad released her second independent album, Inheritance, on February 12, 2016. Besides two original songs, both co-written with Matt Maher, the rest of the album contains new renditions of traditional church hymns such as "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Be Thou My Vision," as well as a new rendition of the Latin-language hymn "Ubi caritas." "Holy, Holy, Holy" saw radio airplay after its release as a single on March 15, 2016.[26] In early 2018, her next album, Evergreen, became available for pre-order via PledgeMusic, with 5 percent of campaign proceeds going towards Preemptive Love Coalition.[27] [28]

Musical style and themes

Assad grew up in a religious household but listened to secular music through her mother's influence, including The Carpenters, James Taylor and Celine Dion, as well as to French and Middle Eastern music through her dad's influence. Later, she discovered and began listening to Christian music, such as Newsboys, Nichole Nordeman and Cindy Morgan.[29] She began using her piano talents at 19, when she led worship[17] and began writing and performing her own music. Assad played in local Florida venues with a style she described as folky and "average girl with a guitar/piano stuff". The Firefly EP that she recorded with Paul Moak was also described as folky and rootsy.

In 2010, her style of music was a mix of religious and non-religious themed songs that draw from her Catholic faith as well as from her love of literature and poetry.[30] [17] A majority of her religious songs are written in a way that emphasizes being sung to God rather than about God.[31]

Personal life

Assad was raised in a Evangelical Protestant religious household; she reconfirmed her faith at the age of 19.[32] [33] Assad converted to Catholicism in 2007 in Florida.[34] [35] On March 3, 2021, Assad announced that she was no longer a practicing Christian,[36] despite continuing to work with and platform groups such as Porter's Gate, which is considered to be a progressive Christian band.[37]

Assad met her future husband in Arizona while on tour with Matt Maher in 2008; the couple married on February 19, 2011, in Phoenix.[38] In October 2017, Assad gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Camila St. Clare.[39] The couple divorced in 2019.[40]

Assad has spoken in public (including in her concerts)[41] about her past addiction to pornography and masturbation, while recommending "confession, accountability and counseling" to overcome them.[42]

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

The following are peak position on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart:[43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Fortunate Faith of Audrey Assad . November 5, 2013 . February 16, 2020 . The Catholic World Report.
  2. Assad . Audrey . My name is Audrey Nicole Assad Price. I have a lovely husband (@williampriceiii) and a 16 month old... . 637741375790911488 . audreyassad . August 30, 2015.
  3. Web site: Cummings . Tony . Audrey Assad: Building bridges between Catholic and Protestant . Cross Rhythms . May 10, 2013 . October 8, 2020.
  4. Web site: Audrey Assad serves as a musician and an advocate for refugees. April 7, 2017. National Catholic Reporter. February 16, 2020. February 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200216094554/https://www.ncronline.org/news/media/audrey-assad-serves-musician-and-advocate-refugees. dead.
  5. Web site: Audrey Assad: Building bridges between Catholic and Protestant – Audrey Assad. Cross Rhythms. February 16, 2020.
  6. Web site: Audrey Assad interview . Amos, Evan & Assad, Audrey . June 30, 2011 . July 19, 2011.
  7. Flores, Raúl A. "For openers", San Antonio Express-News, September 11, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2011. "Audrey Assad Young new artist from Scotch Plains NJ weaves her melodic voice with keyboard acoustics and lyrics that explore faith through music."
  8. Web site: Best Music of 2010: The Best Christian Music... [List] ]. Amazon Staff . Amazon . 2010 . Seattle, WA . January 7, 2020 . 27. The House You're Building—Audrey Assad.
  9. The following source cites this same Amazon list, but misstates it as an apparent award rather than an entry on a list. See Web site: iTunes and Amazon recognize Catholic musician, Audrey Assad . Atwell, Billy . January 17, 2011 . Catholic Online . January 7, 2020.
  10. See Atwell, Billy (January 17, 2011), op. cit.
  11. Web site: Interview with Audrey Assad . MWN Staff & Assad, Audrey . March 3, 2010 . MeninWorshipNetwork.com . July 19, 2011.
  12. Web site: Allmusic profile . Monger, James Christopher . AllMusic . July 19, 2011.
  13. Web site: Audrey Assad: Building Something Special . Rose, Jen & Assad, Audrey . July 10, 2010 . Jesus Freak Hideout . July 19, 2011.
  14. Web site: Talkback with C. E. Moore: Sparrow Records recording artist Audrey Assad . Moore, C.E. & Assad, A. . July 8, 2010 . TCM . July 19, 2011.
  15. Web site: A Songstress for the Soul: Part II . Murphy, Jenna . August 24, 2010 . Salt + Light . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720090225/http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/general/a-songstress-for-the-soul-part-ii . July 20, 2011 . July 19, 2011.
  16. Web site: Angst, Art, and Songwriting With the Incredibly Talented Audrey Assad. June 3, 2017. Nashville Christian Songwriters. March 15, 2020.
  17. Web site: Audrey Assad Artist Profile . NRTeam Admin . November 11, 2011 . NewReleaseToday.com . Boise, ID . January 7, 2020.
  18. Web site: The House You're Building – Audrey Assad Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic.
  19. Web site: Ahead of the Curve: Weekly Pop Culture Calendar . February 13, 2012 . CNN . January 7, 2020 . Tuesday... 'Heart' by Audrey Assad. . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129012716/http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/13/ahead-of-the-curve-weekly-pop-culture-calendar-35/ . dead .
  20. Web site: Audrey Assad gets five-star reviews . Van Pelt . Doug . . dead . https://archive.today/20130125120125/http://www.hmmagazine.com/2012/02/audrey-assad-gets-five-star-reviews/ . January 25, 2013 . February 25, 2012.
  21. Web site: Audrey Assad's Heart Receives Rave Reviews, Highest Sales . UCN Staff . February 23, 2012 . Urban Christian News . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120625184252/http://urbanchristiannews.com/ucn/2012/02/audrey-assads-heart-receives-rave-reviews-highest-sales.html . June 25, 2012 . February 25, 2012.
  22. Web site: Heart by Audrey Assad . Carpenter . Chris . February 14, 2012 . . January 21, 2013.
  23. Web site: Audrey Assad speaks to the Heart . Goodwin . Hannah . . March 3, 2015. October 16, 2013 .
  24. Stafford . Patrick . April 2, 2013 . Audrey Assad Shifts Gears . . March 3, 2015.
  25. Web site: Audrey Assad's First Indie Record . March 13, 2015.
  26. Web site: Audrey Assad's "Holy, Holy, Holy" Hits Radio Today . Hoganson Media Relations . March 15, 2016 . NewReleaseToday.com . Boise, ID . January 7, 2020.
  27. Web site: Audrey Assad: Evergreen: New Album From Audrey Assad on PledgeMusic . https://web.archive.org/web/20180120055155/https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/audrey-assad . dead . January 20, 2018 . January 20, 2018 .
  28. Web site: Audrey Assad talks about her deconstruction of faith. Jessica. Morris. December 16, 2018. JesusWired.com.
  29. Web site: Audrey Assad: Heaven is Breaking Through . Carter, R.J. . June 25, 2010 . The Trades . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120404040120/http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=11943 . April 4, 2012 . July 19, 2011.
  30. Web site: Audrey Assad Explores Faith Walk in New Album . Griffith, Wendy . July 7, 2010 . CBN . July 19, 2011.
  31. Web site: StackPath. ccmmagazine.com. March 2, 2018 . March 15, 2020.
  32. Web site: Audrey Assad interview . Rea, Rose . Radiant . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110811055458/http://www.be-radiant.com/extrafeatures2.html . August 11, 2011 . July 19, 2011.
  33. Web site: Audrey Assad: Brick by Brick . Assad. Audrey . Bill . Lurwick . November 23, 2010 . NewReleaseToday.com . Boise, ID . January 7, 2020.
  34. Web site: God Has Been a Relentless Pursuer of My Heart . Rossi, Toni . July 28, 2010 . Patheos . July 19, 2011.
  35. Web site: Interview with Audrey Assad: Deconverting from Certainty. April 30, 2018. Pete Enns. March 15, 2020.
  36. audreyassad . 1367165825694760969 . Well, as I announced my facilitation of a new round of Soul Games... . March 3, 2021 . 8 March 2022.
  37. 1643456271914352640. audreyassad. if y'all are into the Porter's Gate...check out their kickstarter :) 24 hours and 5k left.. Audrey Assad. 14 July 2023.
  38. Web site: Audrey Assad Expecting Second Child . 2023-05-01 . www.newreleasetoday.com.
  39. audreyassad . 921473268565016576 . I am so grateful that yesterday I gave birth... . October 20, 2017. 8 March 2022.
  40. https://www.facebook.com/audreyassadmusic/photos/a.10151675624349549/10157456971369549/?type=3&theater
  41. News: Schmitt, Brad . December 11, 2016 . Christian artist talks about her porn addiction at her shows . USA Today . June 5, 2017.
  42. Web site: Women's Pornography, Really? . Gould, Sarah . November 30, 2014 . Dynamic Women of Faith . Mississauga, Ontario, Canada . January 7, 2020. . This article first appeared in the author's blog, in November 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  43. Chart History—Audrey Assad, Billboard 200 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190226184451/https://www.billboard.com/music/audrey-assad/chart-history/christian-songs . dead . February 26, 2019 . Billboard Staff . January 20, 2020 . Billboard . January 7, 2020 . Billboard 200... 0 No. 1 Hits |0 Top 10 Hit |3 Songs... Winter Snow/Audrey Assad Featuring Chris Tomlin—Peaked at No. 14 on August 1, 2010 / 5 weeks on Chart; For Love of You/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 25 on November 6, 2010 / 9 weeks on Chart; Restless/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 31 on January 14, 2011 / 17 weeks on Chart.}.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Audrey Assad".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.