Hillsong United Explained

Hillsong United
Landscape:	yes
Background:	group_or_band
Alias:	UNITED
Origin:	Sydney, Australia
Years Active:	1998–present
Label:	Hillsong Music
Associated Acts:	Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free

Hillsong United (stylised as Hillsong UNITED or UNITED) is a contemporary worship collective originating from Hillsong Church. Since forming in 1998 out of the church's youth ministry, the group has released fifteen live albums and six studio albums.

Band members are involved in Hillsong Church services and also play for the church.^[1] The band has toured in a number of countries, leading worship in various places and has an international influence.^{[2] [3] [4]}

History

Originally called United Live,^[5] Hillsong United was formed in 1998, originating from the youth ministry of Hillsong Church called Powerhouse Youth.^{[6] [7]} The band released their first live album Everyday after Darlene Zschech—the worship pastor of the church—suggested for them to record their own CDs. Mentored by Zschech in their early years, the band was first led by Reuben Morgan. Joel Houston and Marty Sampson took over the leadership in 2002.^[8] The official UNITED logo was designed by drummer Luke Munns in 2002 for To the Ends of the Earth.^[9]

After several live albums in the 2000s, Hillsong United released their first full studio album All of the Above in 2007.

The band released their third studio album Zion in February 2013. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboards Top Christian Albums.^[10] The album features "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)", which has been certified 4x Platinum in the U.S.^[11] and was awarded Top Christian Song at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.^[12]

In 2014, Hillsong United was nominated for and won five GMA Dove Awards, including Song of the Year for "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)".^{[13] [14]} The band also received its first ever American Music Awards nomination that year, for Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational, but did not win.^{[15] [16]} 2015 saw the band nominated for a second consecutive year in the same category at the 43rd edition of the show.^[17] It was also nominated for the first time at that year's Billboard Music Awards in the Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Song categories; it won the former.^[18] The band was nominated again at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, and garnered four nods across all three Christian categories, winning its second consecutive Top Christian Artist award, and its first for Top Christian Song with "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)".^[19] The band won two Dove Awards, including Worship Album of the Year, for its fourth studio album Empires, at the 47th Gospel Music Awards held that October.^[20] In 2018, the band received four nominations at the 49th GMA Dove Awards including one for Artist of the Year—it won Recorded Worship Song of the Year for its single "So Will I (100 Billion X)".^{[21] [22]}

Members

• Joel Houston – worship leader, acoustic guitar, keyboard, percussion
• Jonathon "JD" Douglass – worship leader, percussion
• Jad Gillies – worship leader, acoustic guitar and electric guitar
• Matt Crocker – worship leader, acoustic guitar, percussion
• Michael Guy Chislett – electric guitar, keyboards, music director, producer
• Dylan Thomas – electric guitar, keyboards, music director
• Benjamin "Ben" Tennikoff – keyboard, programming, sampling
• Benjamin William Hastings – worship leader, acoustic guitar, keyboard
• Jihea Oh – bass guitar
• Dan McMurray – drums, percussion (2023)

Former

Former members of the band are:^{[23] [24]}

• Reuben Morgan – worship leader, acoustic guitar
• Marty Sampson – worship leader, acoustic guitar^[25]
• Brooke Fraser – worship leader, acoustic guitar
• Taya Gaukrodger – worship leader
• Raymond Badham – electric guitar
• Marcus Beaumont – electric guitar
• Nigel Hendroff – electric guitar
• Nathan Taylor – electric guitar
• Timon Klein – electric guitar
• Matt Tennikoff – bass guitar
• Adam Crosariol – bass guitar
• Simon Kobler – drums, percussion
• Brandon Gillies – drums, percussion
• Gabriel Kelly – drums, percussion
• Rolf Wam Fjell – drums, percussion
• Luke Munns – drums, percussion^{[26] [27]}
• David George – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
• Peter James – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
• Kevin Lee – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
• Peter King – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
• Dave Ware – worship leader
• Tulele Faletolu – worship leader
• Annie Garratt – worship leader^{[28] [29]}
• Sam Knock – worship leader
• Holly Dawson – worship leader
• Jill McCloghry – guitar, vocals
• Michelle Fragar – worship leader

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"

Album details	Peak chart positions							Certifications
AUS ^[30]	CAN ^[31]	NLD	NOR ^[32]	NZ ^[33]	US ^[34]	US Christ. ^[35]
All of the Above	Released: 17 March 2007 (AUS) Label: Hillsong Music Australia	6	—	—	—	13	60	1
Aftermath	Released: 15 February 2011 Label: Hillsong Music Australia, EMI	4	—	—	—	12	17	1
Zion	Released: 22 February 2013 (AUS) Label: Hillsong Music Australia, EMI	1	16	39	5	8	5	1	ARIA: Gold RIAA: Gold
Empires	Released: 26 May 2015 (AUS) Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol CMG	1	4	12	7	7	5	1
Wonder	Released: 9 June 2017 Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol CMG	4	39	91	37	19	21	1
Are We There Yet?	Released: 29 April 2022 Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol CMG	—	—	—	—	—	—	18
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Live albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"

Album details	Peak chart positions
AUS	NZ	NLD ^[36]	US	US Christ.
Everyday	Released: November 1999 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	—	—	—	—	—
Best Friend	Released: 20 November 2000 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	—	—	—	—	—
King of Majesty	Released: 15 October 2001 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	—	—	—	—	—
To the Ends of the Earth	Released: 21 November 2002 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	—	—	—	—	—
More Than Life	Released: 23 March 2004 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	—	—	—	—	—
Look to You	Released: 28 February 2005 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	30	—	—	—	33
United We Stand	Released: 11 March 2006 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	28	23	—	162	11
Unidos Permanecemos	Released: 2007 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	—	—	—	—	—
	Released: 8 March 2008 Label: Hillsong Music Australia	8	22	—	117	5
[a_CROSS // the_EARTH]]]| Released: 9 May 2009 (AUS) Label: Hillsong Music Australia | 22 || 21 || — || 21 || 1|-! scope="row" | Live in Miami: Welcome to the Aftermath| Released: 14 February 2012 Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG | 22 || — || — ||71|| 1|-! scope="row" | Zion Acoustic Sessions| Released: 29 October 2013 Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG | — ||— || — || 88 || 4|-! scope="row" | | Released: 15 July 2016 (AUS) Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG | 8 || — || 80 || 40 || 2|-! scope="row" | People| Released: 26 April 2019 Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG Formats: CD, LP, digital download | 6 ^[37] || 22 ^[38] || — || 2 ^[39] || 1|-! scope="row" | The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden| Released: 29 January 2021 Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || — || 11|-| colspan="15" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory|} Soundtrack albums Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" Album details Peak chart positions AUS US Christ. Hillsong: Let Hope Rise – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Released: 12 August 2016 (AUS) Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol 94 ^[40] 6 ^[41] Others Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" Album details Peak chart positions AUS US US Christ. US Dance ^[42] One (EP) Released: 1998 — — — — In a Valley by the Sea (EP) Released: 2 October 2007 — — — — Oceans (EP) Released: 10 September 2013 Label: Hillsong Music Australia — — — — The White Album [remix project] Released: 4 March 2014 Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Sparrow 9 48 4 1 So Will I (100 Billion X) [EP] Released: 23 March 2018 Label: Hillsong Music Australia — — — — People - En Español (EP) Released: 8 November 2019 Label: Hillsong Music Australia — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory Singles Year Song Peak positions Certifications Sales Album US ^[43] US Christ. Songs ^[44] US Christ. Airplay ^[45] US Christ. Digital ^[46] 2011 "Bones" — 35 35 35 Aftermath "Like an Avalanche" — 40 40 40 "Search My Heart" — 20 20 17 "Lead Me to the Cross" — — — 48 RIAA: Gold All of the Above 2013 "Scandal of Grace" — 25 25 21 Zion "From the Inside Out" — — — — United We Stand "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" 83 1 1 1 RIAA: 4× Platinum BPI: Silver US: 1,000,000^[47] Zion "Relentless" — 27 — 45 2014 "Love Is War" — 38 — 50 2015 "Touch the Sky" — 3 5 1 RIAA: Platinum Empires "Prince of Peace" — 26 — 15 "Heart Like Heaven" — 26 — 31 "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" — 29 — 36 "Here Now (Madness)" — 31 — — "Say the Word" — 24 29 — "Captain" — 38 — — "Rule" — 40 — — "Empires" — 41 — — "When I Lost My Heart to You (Hallelujah)" — 43 — — "Street Called Mercy" — 45 — — "Closer Than You Know" — 47 — — 2017 "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" — 37 — — "Wonder" — 11 11 6 Wonder 2018 "So Will I (100 Billion X)" — 3 6 2 RIAA: Platinum "Not Today" — 40 10 — "Good Grace (Live)"^[48] — 11 16 4 People 2019 "Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) [Live]"^[49] — 14 — 3 "As You Find Me (Live)" — 22 — 7 "Another in the Fire (Live)" — 17 14 6 RIAA: Gold 2021 "Know You Will" — 23 21 16 Are We There Yet? "Sure Thing" — 46 — — 2022 "On Repeat" — 34 — — Other charted and certified songs Year Song Peak positions Certifications Album JPN ^[50] US Christ. Songs ^[51] 2007 "Hosanna" — — RIAA: Gold All of the Above 2013 "Stay Young" 53 — non-album single 2017 "Heaven Knows" — 29 The Shack Soundtrack "Shadow Step" — 22 Wonder "Splinters and Stones" — 29 "Shape of Your Heart" — 35 "Glimmer In The Dust" — 40 "Future Marches In" — 43 "Greatest of These" — 49 2019 "Highlands (Song of Ascent)" — 23 People "Ready or Not" — 27 "Clean" — 28 "Might Sound Wild" — 31 "Holy Ground" — 32 "Here's To The One" — 33 "Echoes (Til We See The Other Side)" — 36 "Starts and Ends" — 45 2021 "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" (Live) — 37 The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden Videography 2004: More Than Life (bonus DVD with album) 2005: Look to You (bonus DVD with album) 2006: United We Stand (bonus DVD with album) 2007: All of the Above (bonus DVD with album) 2008: (Music DVD) 2010: (Documentary DVD/Blu-ray) 2012: Live in Miami (Music DVD/Blu-ray) 2013: Zion Acoustic Sessions (Music DVD) 2016: (Music DVD/Blu-ray) A documentary, , directed by Michael John Warren, chronicles the rise of the band,^[52] was originally supposed to be released by Warner Bros. during the 2015 Easter weekend.^[53] As Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. were unable to close a deal, the film was pulled out from Warner Bros' schedule.^[54] In March 2015, Relativity Media obtained the distribution rights and the film shifted to a 29 May release.^[55] In April, Relativity moved the film to 30 September 2015.^[56] However, Relativity Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July and let go of the rights to the producers.^[57] ^[58] PureFlix acquired the film and it was released on 16 September 2016. Awards As of 2020 the group has received 11 Dove Awards.^[59] See also Hillsong Young & Free Youth Alive Australia References "Hillsong United Webpage". Published by Hillsong Church. Retrieved 8 January 2008. "Hillsong United on Integrity Music". Published by Integrity Media. Retrieved 8 January 2008. "Review on Christianity Today". Published by Christian Music Today. Retrieved 8 January 2008. "Shout to the Lord!: Music and Change at Hillsong 1996–2007". Dissertation for the award of Masters of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University, 2010. Riches, Tanya. Retrieved 3 March 2012 "Secularising the Sacred: The Impact of Geoff Bullock on Contemporary Congregational Song in Sydney, 1990-1999". Dissertation for the award of PhD, Macquarie University, 2002. Evans, Mark. Retrieved 3 March 2012 "Open up the Doors: Music in the Modern Church" London: Equinox, 2006. Evans, Mark. External links Hillsong United Albums Interview @ Christian Music Today, 6/07

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hillsong United: How a Church Band Became a Worldwide Phenom. O'Brien. Cortney. 7 April 2015. Townhall. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20150408094131/https://townhall.com/tipsheet/CortneyOBrien/2015/04/07/hillsong-united-how-a-church-band-became-a-worldwide-phenom-n1979454. 8 April 2015. live.
2. News: Megachurch With a Beat Lures a Young Flock. Paulson. Michael. 9 September 2014. The New York Times. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20140910072010/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/10/us/hillsong-megachurch-with-a-beat-lures-a-young-flock.html. 10 September 2014. live.
3. Web site: Australia's Hillsong Church Has Astonishingly Powerful Global Influence. 5 November 2013. The Huffington Post. 24 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227191233/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/australia-hillsong-church-influence_n_4214660. 27 December 2020. live.
4. Tom Wagner, Anna Nekola "Congregational Music-Making and Community in a Mediated Age", Ashgate Publishing, 2015, page 170
5. Web site: Hillsong United 'Zion' Album Review . 2024-04-04 . www.breathecast.com . en-US.
6. Web site: Mansfield . Brian . Album of the week: Hillsong United . 2024-04-04 . USA TODAY . en-US.
7. Web site: Hillsong United Announce New Record 'The White Album [the remix project]' is Coming Soon ]. 2024-04-04 . www.breathecast.com . en-US.
8. Riches . Tanya . Wagner . Tom . 2012-01-01 . The Evolution of Hillsong Music: From Australian Pentecostal Congregation into Global Brand . Australian Journal of Communication.
9. Web site: UNITED logo. The Lakehaus Studios. 28 January 2016.
10. Web site: Blair . Leonardo . Reporter . Senior . Hillsong Church's Zion Album Debuts at #5 on Billboard 200 . www.christianpost.com . 18 April 2024 . en . 8 March 2013.
11. Web site: Gold & Platinum . RIAA . 18 April 2024.
12. Web site: Writer . Staff . Hillsong United Take Home Two Billboard Music Awards . The Music . 18 April 2024 . en.
13. Wayne Haun Leads GMA Dove Awards Nominees. . 13 August 2014. Billboard. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20140818024920/https://www.billboard.com/articles/6214512/dove-awards-nominations. 18 August 2014. live.
14. Web site: Hillsong UNITED Leads 2014 GMA Dove Award With 5 Wins. Koonse. Emma. 8 October 2014. The Christian Post. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190513172833/https://www.christianpost.com/news/hillsong-united-leads-2014-gma-dove-award-with-5-wins.html. 13 May 2019. live.
15. Web site: Hillsong United Earns First American Music Award Nomination for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artists. Koonse. Emma. 14 October 2014. The Christian Post. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190513172815/https://www.christianpost.com/news/hillsong-united-earns-first-american-music-award-nomination-for-favorite-contemporary-inspirational-artist.html. 13 May 2019. live.
16. Web site: American Music Awards – Winners List. . 23 November 2014. Variety. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20141125024732/https://variety.com/2014/music/news/american-music-awards-winners-list-1201363209/. 25 November 2014. live.
17. Web site: Hillsong United Reacts to American Music Award Nomination for second Year. Nsenduluka. Ben. 19 October 2015. The Christian Post. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20151021042922/http://www.christianpost.com/news/hillsong-united-american-music-award-nomination-147998/. 21 October 2015. live.
18. Web site: Australian Megachurch Band Hillsong United Wins Billboard Music Award Ahead of 'Empires' Release. Nsenduluka. Ben. 18 May 2015. The Christian Post. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227061931/https://www.christianpost.com/news/australian-megachurch-band-hillsong-united-wins-billboard-music-award-ahead-of-empires-release.html. 27 December 2020. live.
19. Web site: Hillsong United Take Home Two Billboard Music Awards. . 23 May 2016. theMusic. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227081814if_/https://themusic.com.au/news/hillsong-united-take-home-two-billboard-music-awards/k-6Eh4aJiIs/24-05-16/. 27 December 2020. live.
20. Web site: Lauren Daigle, Hillsong UNITED Lead Dove Awards Winners. Nicholson. Jessica. 12 October 2016. MusicRow. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20161105092838/https://musicrow.com/2016/10/lauren-daigle-hillsong-united-lead-dove-awards-winners/. 5 November 2016. live.
21. Web site: 2018 Nominees. 8 August 2018. doveawards.com. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20180828220254/http://doveawards.com/awards/2018-nominees/. 28 August 2018. dead. (Note: Tap the "+" next to Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 8 and Cat 20 to view each of the 4 nominations.)
22. Web site: 2018 Winners. 16 October 2018. doveawards.com. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163122/http://doveawards.com/awards/2018-winners/. 17 October 2018. dead. (Note: Tap "Next" at the bottom of the page to view second page of winners and scroll to the last category listed for Worship Song of the Year (Category 20) winner.)
23. Live in Miami album booklet. "Hillsong United is Matt Crocker, Adam Crosariol, Jonathon Douglass, Jad Gillies, Joel Houston, Peter James, Timon Klein, Simon Kobler, Hayley Law, Jill McCloghry, Dylan Thomas."
24. Zion album booklet. "Hillsong United is Joel Houston, Jad Gillies, Matt Crocker, Jonathon Douglass, Timon Klein, SImon Kobler, Dylan Thomas, Peter James, Adam Crosariol."
25. Web site: Hillsong United . RELEVANT Magazine . 28 October 2016 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114628/http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/hillsong-united-0 . dead .
26. Web site: Luke Munns. discogs. 28 January 2016.
27. Web site: Former Member Of Attributed Artist. AllMusic. 28 January 2016.
28. Web site: Hillsong United 'Zion' Album Review . Yap, Timothy . 26 December 2012 . BreatheCast . 5 January 2016 . "Gone are previous United leaders such as Marty Sampson, Annie [Garratt], Brooke Fraser, Hayley Law, Jill McCloghry and Sam Knock. Rather, leads this time are handled mainly by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies, Jonathon Douglass, Dave Ware and newcomer Taya Smith.".
29. Web site: Annie Garratt . Hillsong.com . 5 January 2016 . "Originally traveling as part of UNITED, she is now one of Hillsong’s Creative Pastors...".
30. Web site: Hillsong . australian-charts.com .
31. Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Canadian Albums. Billboard. 11 May 2022.
32. Web site: Hillsong. Norwegiancharts.com.
33. Web site: Hillsong . charts.org .
34. Hillsong United Album Chart History: Billboard 200. Billboard. 11 May 2022.
35. Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Christian Albums. Billboard. 11 May 2022.
36. Web site: Hillsong . Dutch Charts .
37. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 May 2019. 4 May 2019.
38. Web site: NZ Top 40 Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 6 May 2019. 3 May 2019.
39. P!nk's 'Hurts 2B Human' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. 6 May 2019. 7 May 2019.
40. Web site: ARIA CHART WATCH #390. auspOp. 15 October 2016. 15 October 2016. 18 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018212938/https://www.auspop.com.au/2016/10/aria-chart-watch-390/. dead.
41. Billboard Top Christian Albums chart – Week of June 1, 2019. . 7 June 2019.
42. Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums. . 14 May 2019.
43. Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Hot 100. Billboard.
44. Hillsong United – Chart history Billboard. Billboard. 14 July 2020.
45. Hillsong United – Chart history Billboard. Billboard. 14 July 2020.
46. Hillsong United – Chart history Billboard. Billboard. 14 July 2020.
47. Web site: Taylor Swift Replaces Herself At #1 on the Hot 100 . Paul Grein . Yahoo! Music . 21 November 2014 .
48. Web site: Good Grace (Live) – Single by Hillsong UNITED on Spotify. Spotify. 13 December 2018.
49. Web site: Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) [Live] – Single by Hillsong UNITED on Spotify]. Spotify. 11 January 2019.
50. Hillsong United – Chart history Billboard. Billboard. 16 May 2019.
51. Hillsong United – Chart history Billboard. Billboard. 16 May 2019.
52. Web site: Hillsong: Let Hope Rise: Plot Summary. 14 August 2015. Internet Movie Database.
53. Web site: McNary. Dave. Hillsong Christian Music Documentary Picked Up for Worldwide Release by Warner Bros.. Variety. 16 July 2014. 1 July 2014.
54. Web site: McNary. Dave. Hillsong Christian Music Documentary Pulled From Warner Bros. Schedule. Variety. 14 August 2015. 14 January 2015.
55. Web site: Mike Fleming Jr. Relativity To Release Faith-Based Film 'Hillsong–Let Hope Rise'. Deadline Hollywood. 14 August 2015. 4 March 2015.
56. Web site: Pedersen. Erik. 'Transporter Refueled' & 'Hillsong – Let Hope Rise' Moved: See You In September. Deadline Hollywood. 14 August 2015. 1 April 2015.
57. Web site: Rainey. James. Lang. Brent. Relativity Media Files Bankruptcy; Film and TV Units for Sale. Variety. 30 July 2015 . 14 August 2015.
58. Web site: Lang. Brent. Relativity Lets Rights to 'Hillsong – Let Hope Rise' Revert to Producers (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. 14 August 2015. 30 July 2015.
59. Gospel Music Association, Past winners : Hillsong United, doveawards.com, USA, retrieved 5 December 2020