Phil Wickham

Philip David Wickham[1] (born April 5, 1984)[4][5] is an American contemporary Christian musician, singer and songwriter from San Diego, California. Wickham has released ten worship albums: Give You My World in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, Cannons in 2007, Singalong in 2008, Heaven & Earth in 2009,[3] Response in 2011, Singalong 2 in 2012, The Ascension in 2013, Sing-A-Long 3 in 2015, Children of God in 2016, Living Hope in 2018, Hymn Of Heaven in 2021 and I Believe earlier this year (2023)[6] He has also led worship at Soul Survivor.[7] His critically acclaimed single "This is Amazing Grace" became RIAA certified Platinum and topped the 2014 year-end Christian Airplay chart.[8]

Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham in 2008
Phil Wickham in 2008
Background information
Birth namePhilip David Wickham[1]
Born (1984-04-05) April 5, 1984
OriginSan Diego, California, U.S.
GenresCCM[2] worship music[3]
Occupation(s)Singer, guitarist
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2002–present[3]
LabelsSimple/INO
Websitewww.philwickham.com

Biography

Wickham was raised in a Christian home, the second of three children (brother Evan, sister Jillian), and began leading worship for his youth group at 13 years old. In 2002, he graduated from Calvary Christian School in Vista, California. As of 2021, Wickham's father, John Wickham is a musician and a worship leader,[9] and both of his parents were members of Jesus movement band Parable at one time.[10] His older brother, Evan Wickham, is also a musician, who used to serve at Calvary Chapel in Vista,[10] and later became pastor of Park Hill Church in San Diego, California. His parents, John and Lisa (née Irwin), encouraged Wickham to learn popular praise songs and to write his own.

Wickham attends Light Church, a small chapel based in Encinitas, California.

Career

Albums

Wickham began a full-time music career by touring California and recording his first album, Give You My World, in 2003;[3] after that release Wickham signed with Simple Records. Wickham released his self-titled label debut in 2006.[3][11] Wickham's second release with Simple/INO Records, Cannons, was released in 2007.[3] Cannons was partly inspired by cannon explosions and C. S. Lewis' book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader from The Chronicles of Narnia series. Wickham stated in an interview with ChristianityToday.com that the album is "about how the universe is exploding with the glory of God, and how we are compelled to join in with its song."[5] The 10th track from Cannons, "Jesus Lord of Heaven",[12] has been translated into seven different languages.[5] On August 8, 2008, Wickham released a live worship album, Singalong, recorded at Solid Rock Church in Portland, Oregon with 3,000 in attendance.[13] The album was released as a free download, only available from his website, and received over 8,000 downloads within a week of being released. After the release of Singalong, his self-titled album hit No. 25 on iTunes Store Top Christian Albums sales, two years after its initial release.[14]

Heaven & Earth, Wickham's third studio album, was released on November 17, 2009.[15] Wickham's Christmas album Songs for Christmas was released as a digital download available on his website on October 29, 2010.[16] Wickham's fourth full-length studio album, Response, was released on October 4, 2011.[17] On October 30, 2012, Phil Wickham released his second live acoustic album, Singalong 2.[18] The Ascension, Wickham's fifth studio album, was released on September 24, 2013.[19] The album peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard 200, making it Wickham's highest charting album on the chart.[20] The lead single off of this album, "This is Amazing Grace", became No. 1 on the 2014 year-end Christian Airplay Songs chart.[21]

In February 2016, Wickham released the first single, "Your Love Awakens Me", from his album, Children of God, which was released later that year. Living Hope, Wickham's seventh full-length studio project, was released in August 2018.[22] The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, his first album to do so.[23] On Oct 4, 2019, Wickham's 10-track holiday album, Christmas, was released along with the music video for "Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful)". Wickham toured both Texas and California with Shane & Shane that same December on their annual Christmas tour.[24] Christmas would go on to spend 12 weeks on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, peaking at No. 24.[25]

In June 2021 Wickham's eighth studio album, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Hymn of Heaven, was released.[26] Featuring a guest appearance by Brandon Lake, its releases included "Battle Belongs" (No. 2 on the Hot Christian Songs chart), "House of the Lord" (No. 1) and "Hymn of Heaven" (No. 2), along with It's Always Been You released as a promotional single. Debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart in the United States, it also entered at No. 6 on the Official Charts' Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart in the United Kingdom. At the 2021 GMA Dove Awards, "Battle Belongs" was nominated for the GMA Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year.[27] The album was nominated for the Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Album at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.[28] At the 2022 GMA Dove Awards, Hymn of Heaven won the GMA Dove Award for Worship Album of the Year, the title track won the GMA Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year, and "House of the Lord" was nominated for two GMA Dove Awards: Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year.[29]

Tours

Wickham visits churches around the world to play his music.[30] From late 2006 to early 2007, he went on the "Coming Up to Breathe" tour with MercyMe and Audio Adrenaline.[31] In late 2007, he went on the Remedy tour with the David Crowder Band and The Myriad.[32]

Other activities

In the mid-2010s, Wickham was one of the worship leaders present at Soul Survivor week C and Momentum Festival in the UK.[7]

Discography
Main article: Phil Wickham discography
Albums
Year Title
2003 Give You My World
2006 Phil Wickham
2007 Cannons
2009 Heaven & Earth
2011 Response
2013 The Ascension
2016 Children of God
2018 Living Hope
2019 Christmas
2021 Hymn of Heaven
2022 Hymn of Heaven (Acoustic Sessions)
2023 I Believe

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2021 Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers Self
2020 Christmas with the Chosen Self TV special
2019 Breakthrough Worship Leader This Is Amazing Grace (Breakthrough Mix)
2019 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards Performer Tv Special
2016 Worship Night in America Self Documentary
2014 Believe Me Soundtrack (You're Beautiful) You're Beautiful
2013 This is Amazing Grace Self Video short
2013 On the Spot Interviews Self TV series documentary short
2007 The Wager Soundtrack (Grace)
2005 Favouritism Self TV series
2005 Michael Portillo's Great British Losers Self

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 Phil Wickham Favorite Inspirational Artist Nominated

Billboard Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 Hymn of Heaven Top Christian Album Nominated

GMA Dove Awards
Year Nominee Award Result
2015 "This Is Amazing Grace" Song of the Year Nominated
Worship Song of the Year Nominated
Himself Songwriter of the Year (Artist) Nominated
2019 "Living Hope" Song of the Year Nominated
Worship Song of the Year Nominated
Worship Recorded Song of the Year Won
Living Hope Worship Album of the Year Nominated
2021 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated
"Battle Belongs" Worship Recorded Song of the Year Nominated
Christmas: Acoustic Sessions Christmas / Special Event Album of the Year Nominated
2022 "House of the Lord" Song of the Year Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year Nominated
Himself Songwriter of the Year - Artist Won
"I've Got Joy"[upper-alpha 1]
(CeCe Winans)		 Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year Nominated
"Hymn of Heaven" Worship Recorded Song of the Year Won
Hymn of Heaven Worship Album of the Year Won
2022 "Then Christ Came"[upper-alpha 2]
(MercyMe)		 Song of the Year Pending
Himself Songwriter of the Year - Artist Pending
Himself Artist of the Year Pending
"Holy Forever"[upper-alpha 3]
(Chris Tomlin)		 Worship Recorded Song of the Year Pending
"This Is Our God" Pending

Grammy Awards
Year Nominee Award Result
2023 "Hymn of Heaven (Radio Version)" Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Nominated
"Holy Forever"[upper-alpha 4]
(Chris Tomlin)		 Nominated

Personal life

Wickham had surgery to remove a polyp from folds of his vocal cords on April 28, 2014, after which he was prescribed a month of silence to allow the surgical site to heal.[33] He was uncertain that he would be able to sing again, leading to identity issues and self-doubt. His spiritual revelation during these times was the basis for his 2016 album Children of God.[34]

He now lives in San Diego, California with his wife, Mallory, 4 kids, and two dogs.

Further reading
  • Ford, Braden (July 10, 2021). "Phil Wickham [artist profile]". NewReleaseToday.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.

Notes
  1. Wickham is credited as a co-writer of "I've Got Joy" performed by CeCe Winans.
  2. Wickham is credited as a co-writer of "Then Christ Came" performed by MercyMe.
  3. Wickham is credited as a co-writer of "Holy Forever" performed by Chris Tomlin.
  4. Wickham is credited as a co-writer of "Holy Forever" performed by Chris Tomlin.

References
  1. Wickham, Philip David. "Songwriter/Composer: WICKHAM PHILIP DAVID". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  2. Adriana Janovich. "Creation Fest much more than music". Yakima Herald-Republic. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  3. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Phil Wickham Discography, Phil Wickham Lyrics". Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  4. "My Happy Birthday". Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  5. Jackie A. Chapman. "Phil Wickham, 01/08 - Interviews". Christianity Today.
  6. "Phil Wickham Discography, Phil Wickham Lyrics | Jesusfreakhideout.com". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  7. "Soul Survivor 2010: Week B & C fun - Who is coming?!". Archived from the original on July 29, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  8. "Gold & Platium - RIAA". www.riaa.com.
  9. "John Wickham Music Official Site". John Wickham Music. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  10. Ford, Braden (June 21, 2018). "Evan Wickham [artist profile]". NewReleaseToday.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  11. Russ Breimeir. "Phil Wickham - Phil Wickham". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on July 10, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  12. David Goodman. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Phil Wickham, "Cannons" review". Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  13. Thomason, Shay (October 3, 2008). "Phil Wickham – Singalong". evade the noise. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  14. "Phil Wickham's Live Worship Album Receives Over 8,000 Downloads". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  15. "Heaven & Earth (Bonus Track Version) by Phil Wickham | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseToday". www.newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  16. "Phil Wickham, "Songs For Christmas" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  17. "Phil Wickham, "Response" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  18. "Phil Wickham, "Singalong 2" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  19. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Phil Wickham, "The Ascension" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  20. "Phil Wickham Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  21. "Christian Airplay Songs - Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  22. "Phil Wickham's 'Worship Album of the Year' 'Living Hope' hits shelves". www.wnypapers.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  23. "Phil Wickham Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  24. "Phil Wickham debuts 'Christmas' holiday album". Niagara Frontier Publications. October 4, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  25. "Phil Wickham Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  26. Longs, Herb (June 25, 2021). "Phil Wickham's New Album 'Hymn Of Heaven' Out Now - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  27. Grein, Paul (August 11, 2021). "2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List – Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  28. Clarks, Jessie (April 8, 2022). "Billboard Music Awards Announces 2022 Finalists - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  29. Longs, Herb (October 21, 2022). "53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards Winners List - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  30. "Tour Dates". Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  31. John DiBiase (March 31, 2007). "The JfH Concert Reviews and Dates: Audio Adrenaline, Aaron Shust The Coming Up To Breathe Tour Spring 2007". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  32. Isabel G. (November 28, 2007). "Interview - Phil Wickham". Christian Today. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  33. Wickham, Phil (May 18, 2014). "I HAD SURGERY". PhilWickham.com. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  34. "Christian singer Phil Wickham back to music in Phoenix after throat surgery".
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