|PIC1|Songwriter, recording artist and worship leader Matt Maher recently notched another high-profile endorsement of the power of the standout debut single from his sophomore project, Alive Again.

Apple, Inc.’s iTunes Store, the industry-leading digital music retailer, recently named the song “Alive Again” as the Best Christian & Gospel Single of 2009. When asked Maher said, “It’s always great as a writer and worship leader when a song you write connects with people at radio and live, and to have iTunes honor it this way is a nice way to end the year.”

The single also is currently in the top 10 on two Christian radio formats, No. 6 at AC-Indicator and No. 7 at CRW-AC which translates to more than 250 + million cumulative impressions.

Maher has just finished a tour opening for label-mate Michael W Smith. Looking ahead to 2010, Maher will be part of Break Forth, the largest equipping and renewal conference in North America, in Edmonton, Alberta in late January. Maher will perform alongside Michael W. Smith, Robin Mark, Newsboys, Francis Chan and Lincoln Brewster. More than 15,000 attendees representing more than 1,000 churches are expected for the two-day conference.

Maher will embark on a full touring schedule in the spring of 2010 starting with the “Hold Us Together Tour” (named after his upcoming single, “Hold Us Together”) running January through early April, followed by a co-headline tour with label-mates Leeland and worship leader, Phil Wickham in April and May. Maher will finish out the spring season performing in May as part of the World Prayer Day in Newfoundland Canada and the YC Edmonton event.

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 Life Teen, Adore Ministries, and Catholic Relief Services while still playing an active role with Oregon Catholic Press' spiritandsong.com. Further, he 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 Againsolidly 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.