Songwriter, recording artist and worship leader Matt Maher continues to pull in accolades for his work both as a solo artist and a collaborator, picking up a total of six nominations for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Maher, called “this year’s breakthrough nominee” by the Associated Press, is nominated in the prestigious Song of the Year category, as well as Worship Song of the Year for “I Will Rise,” a song recorded by Chris Tomlin. Maher picked up another nod in the Worship Song of the Year category for the song “Alive Again” as well as one for Praise & Worship Album of the Year for his acclaimed sophomore project Alive Again.

His Dove nomination slate is rounded out by mentions in the Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year category for “Since The World Began” as well as Special Event Album of the Year for Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship.

Simultaneously excited and humbled by the nominations, Maher approached the announcement with his usual aplomb, noting, “I’m very honored and excited to stand alongside friends, peers, and the music industry as we take time to celebrate and give honor to a God who gives us the ability to create and craft songs and melodies that in turn, point back to Him. All music and art is a wonderful, yet pale reflection of the beauty of God and the Gospel, but we do it because we're compelled by this great Love.”

The Dove Award nominations cap a career-accelerating 2009 for the longtime worship leader and songwriter, which also featured Apple, Inc.’s iTunes Store, the industry-leading digital music retailer, naming the song “Alive Again” as the Best Christian & Gospel Single of 2009.

Maher’s current single “Hold Us Together” from the nominated Alive Again project, is gaining traction at radio, and Maher is featured on the recent Michael W. Smith-organized benefit single for Haitian earthquake relief “Come Together Now,” released under the banner of Music City United For Haiti.

Maher is in the midst of his spring 2010 “Hold Us Together” Tour which began in January and runs through early April, followed by a tour with label-mates Leeland and Phil Wickham in April and May. Other scheduled spring highlights for Maher included performing and speaking at the influential Q Conference in Chicago in April, and Canada and the YC Edmonton, Alberta, Canada event.

About Matt Maher:
Matt Maher-artist/worshipper, worship leader, songwriter, singer and recording artist-has taken his calling as a “musical missionary” to create a substantial impact on a national and global stage. An award-winning songwriter, Maher first gained notice as the writer of the internationally renowned modern-worship song, “Your Grace Is Enough,” from his 2008 major label debut, Empty & Beautiful (Essential Records).

Highly sought after for his poignant and poetic writing style, Maher wrote Chris Tomlin's current Top 10 CCM hit “I Will Rise” and contributed two songs to Tomlin’s upcoming Christmas CD (10/6). In addition, Maher's songs have appeared in the top 15 ranked songs on the CCLI chart, marking their popularity in church worship services around the world.

Late this fall, Maher was the opening musical host on the American leg of Michael W. Smith’s “New Hallelujah World Tour.” He also performed several dates with Mac Powell, Trevor Morgan, Aaron Shust and Laura Story on the Glory Revealed tour, as part of Third Day’s fall tour.

Amid busy writing and touring schedules, Maher finds it important to serve alongside ministries including Adore Ministries, Oregon Catholic Press’ spiritandsong.com and also serves as a regular host for Worship Together's “Newsong Café.”

Honored with a Praise Award as Worship Leader's Breakout Artist of 2008, Maher was also selected as part of the publication's Best of the Best in the “Worship CD” category, featured in the Oct. 2009 issue. In addition, Maher has been featured on the covers of Breakaway and Christian Single, performed live on “FOX & Friends,” written for Billboard magazine and is a frequent bylined contributor to OnFaith.com (www.newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith), an interactive conversation on religion.

Matt's sophomore Alive Again solidly captures the penetrating spirit and charisma Maher has become known for in a live setting. Produced by Christopher Stevens (Delirious, tobyMac) and Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Shane & Shane), the 12-song studio project--with all compositions co-written by Maher--spotlights his addictive organic-pop sound melded with vulnerable and engaging lyrics. Alive Again is a soundtrack for believers in both personal times of worship and corporate moments on Sunday mornings.

For more information on Matt Maher, please visit: www.mattmahermusic.com. For the latest in Matt Maher news and updates, follow him on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mattmahermusic.