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"What makes Anthony's music incredible is his voice. What makes his ministry incredible is his heart. What makes his message incredible is his walk with the Lord." --Franklin Graham. Those kinds of statements aren't made lightly. They don't come without merit. In Anthony Evans' case, these words couldn't ring more true.
It's not every day that a new talent emerges with as much promise and
inspiration as this Dallas, Texas native. Yet, Anthony Evans never thought
he'd be here. He couldn't have forecasted this future had he been asked to
do so just a few years ago. With that said, the June, 2004 release of his
inspiring INO Records debut, Even More, is an accomplishment for which he takes
very little credit. "I realize now that God has orchestrated everything,"
says Anthony. "Sometimes we don't see it, but He's painting this whole
picture for us as long as we allow Him to do it. I had come to the place
where I could listen to Him say, 'Anthony, just trust Me.'
"God has taken me out of my comfortable Christian environment and through
this, I've realized I can't stand on my own. Without God as the focal
point of my life, everything was and is pointless. I still can't fathom the
depth of His unconditional love for me and that God accepts me just as I
am. Each song on Even More captures a dimension of this experience and how
it has affected my life."
With music always in the Evans' house, Anthony deems it an honor to have been
exposed to a plethora of musical flavors. From Amy Grant, Steven Curtis
Chapman and Michael W. Smith to Comissioned, Andre' Crouch and The Winans, these
genres helped Anthony develop his own unique style.
"It was a challenge to get the right balance of styles that represented my
experience in Christian music," Anthony explains. "We worked hard at
making sure the record was an accurate reflection of who I am musically and
lyrically. Stylistically, there's something for everyone. Even More
encompasses many of the influences that I grew up enjoying and is a reflection
on how these styles have characterized my music and my life."
Growing up singing, Anthony's musical history took a more serious turn during
his college years as part of Liberty University's Sounds of Liberty, followed by
a two-year stint as a vocalist with TRUTH. Anthony has also traveled with his
father, Dr. Tony Evans, renowned pastor, author, and speaker, performing more
than 50 solo dates a year at some of the nation's largest churches and
conferences, including a recent performance in front of President Bush, who
spoke at an event to celebrate Dr. Evans' Project Turn Around initiative at Oak
Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas.
Recently as a background vocalist for good friend and gospel music sensation
Kirk Franklin, Anthony began to gain a new understanding of the music
industry. His performances with Kirk, including "The Tonight Show with Jay
Leno," "Soul Train," and appearances on the Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award
telecasts have become invaluable learning experiences.
Born and raised in Dallas as the third of four children, 25-year-old Anthony
grew up in an entire family of great achievers. His mom, Lois (who has a
doctorate of her own), is the executive vice president of The Urban
Alternative. He has three siblings - his sister Chrystal is an accountant
and mother of three while Priscilla is a writer with Moody Press and Lifeway,
traveling the country speaking at events with Anne Graham Lotz, Liz Curtis
Higgs, Kay Arthur, among numerous others. Younger brother Jonathan is a
celebrated football player for Baylor University. Still living today in the same
house they've had since Anthony was three, Dr. and Mrs. Evans raised a strong,
close-knit family, which has created an unbinding family legacy.
Anthony has watched his parents' ministry grow exponentially over the past 25
years. Dr. Tony Evans is also founder and president of the internationally syndicated radio and television program "The Urban Alternative" and senior pastor of the
more than 7,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. Dr. Evans is also a
regular speaker at Promise Keepers events and at conferences around the world.
Highly regarded in evangelical circles, Dr. Evans was the first African-American
to graduate with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.
"I'm so proud of my family and my heritage," Anthony shares. "It's not just
one fact or principal that I've learned from my parents; they've given me a
whole blueprint of what it means to be faithful. They've taught me so much about
loving God with my life."
Now, as he embarks on a new season with a brand new album of his own, Anthony
knows his journey has helped him develop into a man who takes his faith
seriously, and who clearly sees his vision before him. "This record is
about God restoring the joy of my salvation-being at that place of walking with
Him step by step, day by day. I just want to consistently be able to give back
to Him the glory and honor He's worthy of."
Anthony concludes, "If I tried my hardest to plan this myself, I know I
wouldn't have been able to do on my own what God has done in my life over the
past year. He has made it so I can't take any of the credit. The
Lord has stripped me down with His grace and mercy, and now I know this is and
will always be...all about Him."
ANTHONY EVANS Even More
The Facts Even More features Anthony's powerful, soul-infused vocals on a
collection of adult contemporary/pop-flavored songs.
Even More was produced in part by some of today's top production talents,
including Pete Kipley (Mercy Me, Rebecca St. James), Dan Muckala (Aaron Neville,
Mandy Moore), Shaun Shankel (Point of Grace, Kimberley Locke), Greg Bieck (Joey
McIntyre, Nate Sallie) and Kirk Franklin.
§Anthony co-wrote all but two songs on Even More, collaborating with some of
his favorite songwriters including Ginny Owens and Chris Eaton.
Anthony is currently touring as a backup singer with Kirk Franklin.
Anthony performs more than 50 solo dates a year at some of the nation's
largest churches and conferences.
What Others Are Saying "Not only am I blessed by the way Anthony sings, I
am also blessed to watch the life that he lives. It's an honor to see his
lifestyle match his music because you rarely see that anymore. That is the one
thing that will truly last with Anthony when the song is over. He is my greatest
experience in mentoring and nurturing a gift that I know will continue to bless
a nation." -Kirk Franklin
"What makes Anthony's music incredible is his voice. What makes his ministry
incredible is his heart. What makes his message incredible is his walk with the
Lord." --Franklin Graham
"It is a joy, honor and privilege to call Anthony Jr. my son. To know
his love for the Word and desire to make Him known through the gift of music God
has given him is my greatest reward in ministry." --Dr. Tony Evans, Sr.
"When you hear the voice of Anthony Evans Jr., you hear the sweetness and
power that only comes from a heart that thirsts for God!! God has done a
mighty work in Anthony and it's marvelous in our eyes."
-Gospel artist and honorary big sister, Yolanda Adams
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