'Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris': Chris Tomlin on how faith shaped his career
In a new episode of "Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris," a podcast featuring conversations about how faith has guided newsmakers and celebrities through their best and worst times, ABC News' Paula Faris sits down with singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin.
Listen now -- new episodes available every Wednesday.
Here is Paula, in her own words, about the episode.
An estimated 20 million to 30 million people sing his songs every week. But when singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin hears that, his reaction is, “Are you serious?”
On this episode of “Journeys of Faith,” I visited Tomlin at his Nashville home, where he revealed that he never saw this path for himself. In fact, he was planning on going into sports medicine. Even his dad, who put a guitar in his hand at age 8, told Tomlin that music was a “great hobby,” but he needed to get a “real job.”
Tomlin began playing at church and quickly realized that performing made him uncomfortable.
“I would tell my mom I didn’t like it when people were staring at me. I really loved it when people would just start singing," he said.
So he started writing songs -- simple songs that people could sing. “I had no band,” Tomlin said. “It was just me and my acoustic guitar.”
Those songs have resonated. Tomlin, who has won a Grammy and multiple Dove Awards, is now the most influential artist in Christian music. “I can't believe it. I always have a really grateful heart,” Tomlin said.
Despite his accolades, he’s quick to admit that he doesn’t “have it together.” In fact, when he performs, he reminds the crowd of this fact.
“We worship God, who holds us together,” he said.
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