Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
May 22, 2006
To whom it may concern,
Since I have known Shawn, he has desired to develop his heart for God. Through his ministry of music and heart for God’s people, he has been able to communicate the message of the Gospel clearly. His walk backs up his talk. He is a young man of integrity and character, a rare commodity in this present culture. God’s hand is on Shawn. I trust he is able to continue to move forward into what God has called him to do. We have a big God that can do big things. Shawn Tyler Gray has had enough faith to believe in who God is and that He will do all he has promised to do. May God continue to bless Shawn’s pursuit of God’s heart through his passion of music.
Andre’ Rusch
College/Singles Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church
Covington, KY
(859) 491-1955
- Andre’ Rusch
You may have not heard of Shawn Tyler Gray yet. He doesn't get the promotion that Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman or many of your favorite CCM artists. Why haven't you heard of Shawn Tyler Gray yet? Because he is an independent artist. If you get a chance to hear his music and see him perform live, you will immediately be captured by the heart and ministry of this indie.
Being an independent artist means that you are not signed to a major label such as Word, Rocketown, or Sparrow. Independent artists have to promote their music and ministry through their own funds and resources. Sometimes artists choose to remain independent artists because they enjoy the smaller settings and intimate relationships that they get to have with people that they meet.
Shawn Tyler Gray has released his first cd called Right Here Right Now. With a pop/rock edge to his music, Shawn delivers stellar songs such as Dominoes, Holy Like You, and Right Here Right now written by the artist himself and various cowriters many of whom he met through Embassy Music. Embassy Music has helped develop Shawn as an artist and songwriter and was instrumental in producing Right Here Right Now. Shawn (along with Embassy Music President Darwin Moody and a fellow staff writer Jeremy Owens) penned his first Top 20 single Dominoes. Dominoes is being played in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and many other states across the country. In October 2004, Shawn signed a publishing contract with Embassy Music and is now a staff writer. Shawn is currently touring and promoting his album Right Here Right Now.
So now that you've heard of Shawn Tyler Gray why don't you come and check out his music here at Pee Dee Christian and help an Indie artist continue to do what God has called them to do.
- Pee Dee Christian
“The Lord truly is using Shawn’s music to bless many, and encourage us in our walk. The words and music are real and Christ centered. In today's world of wayward youth, this guy has his heart totally centered on the Lord, and is inspiring to many in our church, and coffeehouse. I would indeed recommend Shawn for any event, great or small.”
David Fowler / Music Coordinator
Common Grounds / Broadway Christian Church
Mesa, Arizona
“Shawn is a very anointed artist, songwriter and minister of music. Shawn walks with Jesus and not only performs well in concert, but when he leaves, you feel as if your feet were washed in God’s goodness and Grace. I would recommend anyone having Shawn play at their venue.”
Allen Willoughby
Administrator / Sugartree Ministry Center
“Joe’s Java”, Wilmington, OH
“Shawn is a great talent that I am honored to be working with. I can't say enough good things about him, his songs, his artistry, and mainly his heart for Christ.”
Darwin Moody
President, Embassy Music
Nashville, TN
“Shawn led our worship celebration in our Annual Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship Of North America in Indianapolis, Indiana in June of 2004. Shawn has a beautiful voice and a passionate heart for worship that brought all of us into an atmosphere of true worship to our Lord Jesus Christ. The song entitled "Dominoes" had connected everything that we saw God was doing in our fellowship of churches all over North America. It really has reinforced our unity and enhanced our desire to work together in fulfilling God's purposes for our lives.”
Ralph Garay
President, Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship Of North America?San Marcos, CA
“Shawn has an amazing ability to connect with people. I believe it is because they see his sincerity along with his genuine spirit and passion for Christ. His songwriting and artistry capture the essence and spirit of a true servant of Christ.”
Kent Coley / former manager of creative and A&R
EMI Christian Music Publishing / Current Manager for the band, Leeland
"Our listeners from Santa Barbara to LA's San Fernando Valley feel that the music of
Shawn Tyler Gray makes them pause ever so briefly and realize how awfully good
life is!! I just plain think his music is awfully good...oh, all right -- it makes me feel
good too!!!”
Todd Reynolds / Music Director / KDAR-fm
Ventura / Santa Barbara, CA
Salem Communications Corp.
“Along with being a talented songwriter and gifted performer, Shawn sings with a level of sensitivity for his listeners that is very much beyond expectations for one of his young age. He communicates with a wonderful sense of humor, a sense of destiny, and then follows through with sincere humility. This reaffirms every word of his songs in a personal perspective. Shawn is an encourager with a message in his songs that will give confidence to those who hear him. May God continue to bless many through his gift.”
Vaughn Welches / Music Coordinator
Night Sky Coffeehouse, Troy, Ohio
“It's not that hard to get up on stage and "lead worship." Living a life of worship to God is another story. I got to witness just that sort of life of worship when I took Shawn on a promotional tour visiting 27 radio stations in 13 states in 9 days. That could take it out of anybody, but Shawn's heart toward God shone through.”
Michael Johnson /Radio promoter
Top5 Promotions, Nashville, TN
- Various
Discography
Right Here, Right Now-2003
No Turning Back-2006
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
At 23 years old, Shawn Tyler Gray is a singer/songwriter and worship leader committed to ministering through his music and passion for God. Growing up under his Grandfather's ministry at a small church in Indiana, Shawn came to know Christ at a young age. It was through music programs at his church he first realized his passion for singing and songwriting.
Over the years Shawn has invested himself in learning and honing his craft, resulting in a deep catalog of original songs, including several songs co-written with various professional Nashville-based songwriters, such as Darwin Moody, President of Embassy Music, and John Pisciotta, of Paradiso Music, former writer for Sony Music. Shawn has also had the opportunity to open up for such major label artists as: Matthew West, Bethany Dillon, Barlow Girl, Tait, Jump 5, Exit East, Farewell June, Everyday Sunday and Ever Stays Red.
Currently a resident of Chandler, Arizona, Shawn has spent the past 4 years touring and performing concerts as well as leading worship at churches and venues across the United States. In the summer of 2006, Shawn brought his music to the Philippines for a three-week concert tour, which included several radio-shows and a televised concert. Shawn's songs can still be heard on Christian radio throughout the country. Prior to living in Arizona, Shawn served as the worship leader at the First Baptist Church of Brookville, Indiana for three years. He is currently serving as the worship leader at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek/Gilbert, Arizona. Along with his position at Rock Point Shawn continues his touring.
Shawn's debut album, "Right Here, Right Now", was released in November of 2003. His first single, "Dominoes", was promoted nationally to Christian radio, by Michael Johnson, a prominent Nashville radio promoter, whose credits include: Essential Records, Third Day, By the Tree, Barlow Girl, Nicole C. Mullen, and many more. This promotion included a 26 city radio tour in July and August of 2004. As a result of this tour and radio promotion, "Dominoes" has received airplay on Christian radio stations nationwide and in countries around the world. Promotion also led to Shawn's album being distributed nationwide to many Christian stores including some of the country's largest Christian book-stores.
Shawn spent a good portion of 2005 and 2006 focused on the creation of his sophomore album. In early fall of 2006, this latest album, "No Turning Back" was released.
And through all of this, Shawn's true heart's desire is to see others brought to Christ through his original music and testimony. He continues to minister to people through a genuine spirit, heartfelt lyrics and music. Shawn remains committed to showcasing and touring, to personally connecting with as many people as he can, and to sharing his heart and ministry through anointed artistry and musicianship.
The Story behind Dominoes
Shawns inspiration for writing Dominoes stems from his fathers salvation experience at the age of 18. A street preacher approached Don Gray when he and his friends were out for a night of partying. After hearing the simple plan of salvation, Don bowed his head and accepted Christ as his Savior on the street corner that night. At first his family thought he was crazy, but after seeing the change in his life, they realized that he had something real. Because of his testimony, many of them have also accepted Christ. One of those was Paul Gray, Shawns uncle, who today is reaching hundreds for Jesus each week in the Ukraine. Paul receives daily letters, attesting to this ministrys impact on Ukrainians nationwide. The Dominoes Challenge campaign encourages everyone who hears the song to take an action for Jesus just as that street preacher did some 30 years ago, starting a domino effect the result of which today reaches literally around the world.
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