Chris August

Chris August
Birth name Chris August Megert
Born (1982-03-20) March 20, 1982
Origin Garland, Texas
Genres CCM
Occupation(s) Singer/Songwriter
Years active 2004–present
Labels Fervent

Christopher August Megert (born March 20, 1982) is an American Contemporary Christian musician who performs under the stage name Chris August.[1] He began recording as a secular musician before switching to Christian music. His song "Starry Night" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart in 2010/2011. He was nominated at the 2011 Dove Awards in five categories, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year.

Music career

August began recording music in his early teens after his father built a studio in their home in Garland, Texas.[2] He became a Christian when he turned 15 years old and began to record music.[2]

August continued to practice and release his first self-produced album A Beautiful Thing as a 22-year-old under the name Chris Megert and the Love Jones.[1][2] The album was found by Ryan Cabrera who guided August to a new manager, Jessica Simpson's father Joe Simpson.[2] August landed a contract with Geffen Records and he moved to Los Angeles in 2005.[2] He helped with producing records for Brian McKnight and Jessica Simpson as well as playing keyboards on Ashlee Simpson's tour;[2] he also played as the opening act on Ashlee Simpson's tour.[3] August's contract with Geffen fell through while they were renegotiating his contract so he went back home to Texas.[2]

While at home, he decided to stop working on secular projects and began to work solely on Christian music.[2] August wrote the song "Starry Night" as a demo and he received a contract from Word Records.[2] He recorded the album No Far Away in 2010 and the song was released as a single that year.[2] The album peaked at No. 15 on the Christian Albums charts and No. 9 on the Heatseeker Albums.[4] The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and it reached No. 21 on Billboard's Heatseeker Songs.[5] When the song topped the Christian AC Monitored chart, it was the first debut single to reach No. 1 in over three years.[6] His second single was "7x70" which is a song about forgiveness following his parents' divorce when he was a fifth grade student.[7]

August toured to support the album, first opening for Point of Grace for a twelve-night tour.[8] He joined the Winter Jam 2011 national tour along with Newsboys and Francesca Battistelli in 45 cities.[8]

August received five Dove Award nominations in 2011: New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year,[9] subsequently winning New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Album of the Year.

Awards

GMA Dove Awards
Year Award Result
2011 New Artist of the Year Won
Male Vocalist of the Year Won
Song of the Year ("Starry Night") Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Starry Night") Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (No Far Away) Won

Discography

References

  1. 1 2 "Chris August artist page". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Leggett, Steve. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Davis, Kevin. "#140 - "Starry Night" by Chris Augus". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  4. ↑ "Chris August Billboard Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  5. ↑ "Christ August chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  6. ↑ "Chris August's 'Starry Night' Is Most Played Single In Christian Music". CM Spin. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  7. ↑ "Chris August Earns His First Ever Dove Award Nominations And Is Up For 5 Awards At The 42nd Annual Dove Awards Making Him The Most Nominated New Artist". Breathe Cast. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Chris August's Christmas Wish List is Coming True with His Smash No. 1 Single "Starry Night" Illuminating the 2010 Best of Lists". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  9. ↑ "42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees". 42nd GMA Dove Awards. Retrieved 5 March 2011.

External links

Awards
Preceded by
Sidewalk Prophets		 GMA's New Artist of the Year
2011 		Succeeded by
Jamie Grace
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