He’s written five number one contemporary Christian music singles, he’s
been nominated for nine Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, and
he’s been referred to as “the next superstar of Christian music.”
He’s contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Mark Schultz, and on
Friday, January 17, the Christian music star performed live in concert on
the campus of Bluefield College to a crowd of nearly 400 fans.
Hundreds of Schultz fans braved the cold and wintry weather to hear the
music and ministry of the singer/songwriter and youth minister from
Nashville, Tennessee. Schultz shared all five of his number one singles,
including “I Am the Way,” a song that held the number one spot for four
consecutive weeks, “I Have Been There,” which set a record for consecutive
weeks at number one by staying atop the charts for seven weeks, and “He’s My
Son,” the song that brought the Bluefield College audience to its feet with
applause because of its moving message about a father dealing with his son’s
battle against leukemia.
On tour in support of his sophomore album, “Song Cinema,” Schultz
performed his hits along with additional praise and worship songs for nearly
two hours for the BC crowd. He also treated the audience to a sneak preview
of some of his unreleased titles due out on a new third album later this
year. In fact, he even shared lyrics and music from a few of his
works-in-progress, songs he hasn’t even finished writing.
“This is great,” Schultz said after testing his new music on the BC
crowd. “I appreciate you all letting me do this. I feel like I’m in my
living room at home just playing music and singing with some friends.”
Before closing his Bluefield College show, Schultz invited two young
girls on stage with him. The toddlers sat in awe on Schultz1s piano bench
and joined the Christian performer in singing the concert finale.
Schultz has been nominated for nine Dove Awards in the categories of
Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Writer of the
Year. He has also been featured in a CBS “48 Hours” special and has graced
the cover of Guidepost Magazine. He is also a youth minister for a church in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Bluefield College will host another contemporary Christian music show on
Thursday, January 30, featuring acoustic singer/songwriter Justin McRoberts.
McRoberts, on tour to promote his two latest CDs, an untitled extended play
of worship music and the most recent LP, “Trust,” will perform in BC’s Shott
Hall at 9 p.m. as part of the school’s Coffeehouse Series. The event is open
and free to the public.
For more information about the McRoberts’ Coffeehouse or other BC
Christian music concerts, please call the BC Office of Public Relations at
276-326-4212.
