Anthony Evans, one of Christian pop’s most distinct and gifted
artists. The Dallas-based singer is recognized widely for his dynamic vocal
presence, his joyful expression of passionate faith and for his insatiable
thirst to understand matters that are important in his relationship with God.
With Letting Go, Anthony Evans finds his voice soaring through an album of new
songs grounded in a deeper understanding of God’s relentless grace.
“This record is about trusting God absolutely, and understanding the magnitude
of the hope we have through the sacrifice Christ made,” Anthony Evans explains.
“I now stand confident in this truth.” Championing true and intimate art,
Anthony Evans co-wrote nine of the album’s ten songs by partnering with top
writers, including Matthew West, Michael Boggs, Chad Cates, Ben Glover and Jason
Ingram. Track after track, these songs represent a transformation Evans
experienced as he struggled last year with his call to represent Christ in music
ministry. “You know in human relationships how it’s ‘You do for me, I’ll do for
you and then we’ll be friends’? I was equating that interaction I have with
people to my relationship with God. I kept saying, ‘You’ve got the wrong guy,
Lord. I’m not good enough.’ I could not separate acceptance without
performance.” But he learned that’s not how God’s grace operates.
“The way I was living—trying to earn my way to God—was taking away from the
sacrifice that Christ made,” Evans says. “Jesus went through all that He did so
that I wouldn’t have to do anything. I can’t add anything to his grace.”
Inspired by this fresh understanding, Letting Go is thoughtfully packed with
love’s reassurance.
“The vantage point here is that I’ve realized more concretely that God doesn’t
want anything from me when it comes to the performance thing. All I need to do
is give him my heart. God created me this way and God unconditionally loves me.
I better recognize what God’s love truly means,” Anthony says. This revelation
provided Evans with the freedom to approach more closely what God intended him
to be, not just as an artist, but as a Christian trusting God to hold onto him
unconditionally.
“God doesn’t ask us to come in and be ready and prepared for everything. We
don’t have to be capable. We just need to be available.” That perspective is
artfully portrayed on the album’s energetic opener “Good Enough.”
“You don’t have to be good enough This love is for free and it’s more than
enough I’ll be your strength in all you say and all you do My love will make you
good enough.”
The title track “Letting Go” assures listeners that God stands fast beside them
in difficult times. Evans says, “Sometimes you can just tell something is going
on in another person’s life. In this song I admit I don’t have the solution for
them. But I can tell them God knows where they are because He’s been there, too.
Jesus experienced hurt and pain, and because of that He’s right there with you.
He’s never letting go. That’s what matters most.”
The album’s other songs include the anthem “I Choose Now,” which is also the
record’s first single; on “Meaningless,” Evans recognizes the reality of
humanity’s sinful tendency, but does so without diminishing creation, which God
called good; the ballad “Whatever I Can’t Erase” portrays another face of God’s
creative redemption; and closing the record is “You’re My God,” a track
witnessing to God’s character as being one of strict faithfulness.
Letting Go is poised to capitalize on Evans’ successful 2005 touring season.
Anthony garnered high praise from fans and critics on the road with pop
stalwarts FFH and singer/songwriter Matthew West. Evans also gained listeners’
attention performing as a summer staple of last year’s Promise Keepers lineup.
Before that, Evans launched his solo career in 2004 by releasing Even More on
the heels of several dates with acclaimed industry superstars Kirk Franklin,
Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin. Anthony received his break into professional
music singing backing vocals for Franklin, who has since become a friend and
mentor, too.
With so much time spent on the road, Evans, more than ever, relishes
opportunities spent with friends and family. His father, well-known
pastor/author/speaker Dr. Tony Evans, and mother, Dr. Lois Evans, executive vice
president of The Urban Alternative, still live in Dallas. Anthony’s brother is
Baylor University football standout Jonathan Evans, who recently signed with the
San Diego Chargers, and his sisters are author/speaker and mother Priscilla
Shirer (often tagged as the next Beth Moore) and Chrystal Hurst, a mother of
four children.
During 2006, Anthony Evans plans to continue to team up with Dr. Tony Evans to
facilitate the duo’s celebrated conference events. Anthony also stands eager to
tour Letting Go, spreading to others in need the hope-filled message he’s
personally experienced.
“I hope that people will be really encouraged through this record,” Anthony
Evans says. “I hope they will take away a new perspective on their journey, that
wherever they are now is a single page in their story and we already know it’s
going to have a good ending. I hope people can hear this album and gain
confidence and assurance in the relationship they have with God, knowing God’s
arms are securely around them and He is never letting go.”
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