4Him
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Contemporary Christian music |
| Founded | 1990 in Mobile, Alabama, United States |
| Defunct | 2006 (disbanded) |
| Headquarters | Mobile , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
4Him was a contemporary Christian music ensemble from the United States, established in 1990 in Mobile, Alabama. Throughout their career, the group achieved ten Dove Awards, received a Grammy nomination, and produced three albums certified gold. They were honored with induction into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame following the presentation of The Governor's Achievement Award and performed alongside prominent Christian evangelists such as Billy Graham and Luis Palau.
After releasing 12 studio albums and scoring 27 number one hits, 4Him disbanded in 2006 to focus on individual ministries and musical pursuits. Since 2009, they have reunited occasionally for special appearances.
History
The members—Andy Chrisman, Mark Harris, Marty Magehee, and Kirk Sullivan—initially came together while performing with Truth, a vocal group launched in the late 1960s by Roger Breland. In the late 1980s, executives from Benson Records attended Truth’s concerts and subsequently signed the four to form a new male vocal group under Benson’s label. Their debut single, "Where There Is Faith," remained at No. 1 for eight consecutive weeks before the quartet departed from Truth. Their self-titled inaugural album in 1990 combined classic Christian themes with contemporary pop production and relatable lyrics.
By 1996’s The Message, 4Him adopted a more acoustic-driven approach, moving away from elaborate orchestral arrangements to emphasize solo lead vocals supported by harmonies. With the release of Obvious in 1998, the group members assumed increased responsibility for songwriting and production.
Approaching seventeen years as a band by 2004, they reassessed their career path and opted to embark on solo endeavors. Their farewell concert took place on September 23, 2006, at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, where they acknowledged vital contributors to their ministry including family members, producers, management teams, and Roger Breland, founder of Truth.
Andy Chrisman
Andy Chrisman launched his solo career with the album One in 2004 and currently holds the position of worship pastor at Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2008, he collaborated with the Church on the Move Praise Band to release the live worship album Beautiful Name.
Mark Harris
Mark Harris debuted his solo album The Line Between the Two in 2005. He earned a GMA Dove Award in 2007 for Inspirational Song of the Year with "Find Your Wings". His follow-up album, Windows and Walls, was released through INO Records in September 2007, followed by Stronger In The Broken Places on Stylos Records in 2011. Harris’ composition "When We're Together" was featured in the film Courageous (2012). Up until mid-2013, he served as artist-in-residence and worship pastor at Bay Community Church near Mobile, Alabama; he now acts as executive worship pastor at Gateway Church located in Southlake, Texas.
Kirk Sullivan
In 2010, Kirk Sullivan independently issued his solo project titled Timeless, which includes "Get Down Mountain" from Encore, a reimagined version of "The Basics of Life," plus a bonus track recorded when he was twelve years old.
Marty Magehee
Marty Magehee independently released his album Open in 2008; the lead single "Eyes Wide Open" was distributed to Christian radio stations. This record also contains "Runaway Train," originally featured on 4Him's final album Encore. Beyond performing, he produces music for other artists and, as of 2011, teaches Worship Band, Studio Recording, Beats and Loops, and Songwriting at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Reunions
Following a separation of almost five years, the ensemble came together again during the K-Love Friends and Family Cruise in January 2009. They held a singular concert in West Monroe, Louisiana, in March and reunited once more aboard Kathy Troccoli's "KT and Friends Cruise" to Alaska in June 2010. Early in 2013, the group joined Avalon and Cindy Morgan for the "With One Voice" tour. In September 2015, they concluded an 11-city tour celebrating their 25th anniversary.
Discography
- 1990: 4Him
- 1991: Face the Nation
- 1992: The Basics of Life
- 1993: The Season of Love (Christmas album)
- 1994: The Ride
- 1996: The Message
- 1998: Obvious
- 1999: Best Ones
- 2000: Hymns: A Place of Worship
- 2001: Chapter One... A Decade
- 2001: Walk On
- 2003: Visible
- 2004: Simply 4Him
- 2006: Encore... For Future Generations
Additional album contributions
- 1990: Jesus - The Best Gift of All (various artists), track "The Best Gift of All"
- 1992: Master Pieces (various artists), song "Turn Your Radio On"
- 1993: The New Young Messiah (various artists), piece "The Trumpet Shall Sound"
- 1993: Chain of Grace, Dallas Holm (background vocals), tracks "Chain of Grace" and "Nothing Satisfies Me Like Jesus"
- 1993: Faith Hope & Love, Mylon LeFevre, track "Give Thanks"
- 1995: Hymns & Voices, various artists, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"
- 1995: My Utmost for His Highest (various artists), song "You Are Holy"
- 1997: Love and Mercy, Kathy Troccoli, track "Love One Another"
- 1999: Streams (various artists), "The Only Thing I Need" featuring vocals by Jon Anderson of Yes
- 1999: Bridges (various artists), song "It's Gonna Rain" featuring The Canton Spirituals
- 2000: Pure Hymns: The John Tesh Project, featured on "How Great Thou Art"
- 2000: Hope Changes Everything (various artists), track "Broken"
- 2003: WOW Worship: Yellow (various artists), contribution "Thy Word"
Video
- 1991: Face the Nation
- 1993: The Basics of Life
- 1995: The Ride Comes Alive
- 1996: The Message in the Making
- 2006: Encore (recorded during the Encore Farewell Tour at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia)
Grammys
- 1997: Nominated for a Grammy Award – Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for The Message
GMA Dove Awards
- 1991: Awarded New Artist of the Year
- 1993: Honored as Group of the Year
- 1993: Inspiration Album of the Year for Generation to Generation
- 1994: Group of the Year recipient
- 1994: Inspirational Album of the Year for The Season of Love
- 1995: Named Group of the Year
- 1998: Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "Center of the Mark"
- 2003: Nominated for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "Who You Are"
Additional accolades
- 1990–92: CRR Reporter Poll – Recognized as Best New Artist and Best Group
- 1993: CBA Impact Award – Total Promotional Campaign for Music with The Basics of Life
- 1994: CCM Magazine – Song of the Year awarded to "For Future Generations"
- 1995: American Songwriter – Christian Artist of the Year
- 1996: CCM Readers' Poll – Favorite Long Form Video for The Ride Comes Alive
Additional Recognitions
- Achieved RIAA Gold certification for the album The Basics of Life (1996)
- Participated as featured artists in the crusades led by Luis Palau and Billy Graham
- Delivered a performance at the fully booked 1998 Promise Keepers gathering preceding the Super Bowl
- Serving as co-hosts for the annual NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) Bobby Clampett/4Him Pro-Am Classic Golf Tournament since 1998
- The track "Ride of Life" was adapted into a chiptune version for a NES game produced by Wisdom Tree, including the title Sunday Funday