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(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) April 10, 2012–Celebrated vocalist and worship leader Anthony Evans is back in the national spotlight with his latest studio release, Home (3/6/12), and recent stint on NBC’s hit singing competition, “The Voice.”

Produced by Evans, GRAMMY Award-winning producer Shaun Martin (Kirk Franklin), and Richie Pena (Natalie Grant, Babyface), Home was inspired by Evans’ decision to move ‘home’ to Dallas, where he could aid his father, Dr. Tony Evans, in ministry and be closer to family. The result is an offering of soulfully arranged worship standards and original anthems, performed with passion and power.

“Home is a true expression of where I am creatively,” says Evans. “From the songs to the musicians to where I actually recorded the record, I wanted to make sure that it felt connected and unaffected. I believe it’s my best work to date.”

In addition to a new record, Evans recently had the opportunity to showcase his talent on season two of blockbuster vocal competition, “The Voice.” During the blind audition, coach Christina Aguilera selected Evans to be part of her team and thus compete, under Aguilera’s mentorship, for a shot at the grand prize, a recording contract. Evans made it as far as the battle round, where he was eliminated after singing Alicia Key’s “If I Ain’t Got You.” His performance, however, generated massive buzz and has already received nearly two million combined YouTube hits. View the performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GqqjVXhfMU.

He comments on his experience, “Many people have asked me why I would do a show like ‘The Voice.’ Jeremy Camp once challenged me to think outside of the box, try something new, and I am so glad I listened to him. The experience of working with my coach Christina and mentor Jewel literally changed the way I view my ministry. Christina challenged me to be true to my heart’s desires and to consider myself a trail blazer. Jewel said something that I will never forget: ‘Anthony, being a Christian artist is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to who you are.’ I’m very thankful for my time in Hollywood, and I cherish my relationships from the show.”

Evans will maintain his visibility performing nationwide at upcoming concert events and conferences, including the “2012 Man Up Conference & Concert Finale” at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on April 13-14 as well as LifeWay’s nationwide simulcast event “Going Beyond,” featuring Evans’ sister, Priscilla Shirer, May 4-5. For a complete tour itinerary, visit: http://anthony-evans.com/tour.

About Anthony Evans

In 2001 Christian music gained a new voice when legendary innovator Kirk Franklin asked Anthony Evans to join his ministry. Evans harmonized with his mentor and friend for four extraordinary years before embarking on a solo career that has produced six major studio projects; Even More, Letting Go, The Bridge, What Christmas Means, Undisguised, and the highly-anticipated 2012 release, Home.

A much-sought-after worship leader, Evans has garnered invitations across the spectrum from Franklin Graham events to The National Worship Leader’s Conference. As a live performer, he has shared the stage with such talents as Yolanda Adams, David Phelps, FFH and Natalie Grant. And as a composer/ artist, Evans’  crossover music has vibrated both the doors of the church and ventured beyond.

But Evans, already a professional artist with six albums under his belt, figured he really only had a little more than 10 seconds to make an impression—and the final 10 seconds at that. Because “What’s Going On?” is so subdued, Evans held back on his “big voice” capabilities until the very end, when he cut loose. And then, about 10 seconds away from elimination, judge Christina Aguilera smacked her button, thus putting Evans on her team and buying him at least a couple more weeks on the show.
Evans, the son of popular pastor and author Tony Evans, says he’s having a blast, and that it’s a fun break from his normal gig as a gospel artist and worship leader. He wants to win, but says he wouldn’t mind if someone else did instead. We spoke with him by phone from Los Angeles.

Why did you want to be on The Voice?
It was kind of random. Jeremy Camp and my drummer were at my house in Nashville over a year ago, and they were like “Anthony, just do it for fun. Why not?” So I just sent something in [to the show]. They saw a YouTube clip of me and called me for the first season, but I couldn’t come because of other obligations. Then they called again last July and asked again, and I was like, “You know what, it’s kind of a random opportunity, and

How did you end up choosing “What’s Going On” for the song?
People who know me really well have been asking me that, because it just kind of felt like it wasn’t me. But at The Voice, they let you be involved in the song choice, but there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen; it’s a big machine. So we had to kind of go with what was corporately decided. You’ve just got to grab it and move on.

I’m not criticizing the choice; it’s one of the greatest pop songs of all time. At least they didn’t ask you to sing another Marvin Gaye song like “Sexual Healing” or “Let’s Get It On”!
Exactly! But here’s what I love about The Voice: They are real big into who you are and what your story is, and upholding the integrity of your story. So when they learned I was a pastor’s kid, a Christian artist, they were like, “Okay, we are not going to set up you to look crazy or to lose your current supporters and fans. We are not that kind of show.” I have a lot of respect for the producers of the show and Mark Burnett, the executive producer, because they’re not trying to use this as gimmicks to get ratings.

The fact that Burnett himself is a Christian probably helps.
I did know that, because after my blind audition he came backstage to meet my dad. He was like, “Where is Tony Evans? Can I meet him?”

Performing on the show
When you sang for the blind audition, you were only about 10 seconds away from being eliminated before Christina picked you. Were you sweating bullets as those seconds raced by?
Funny thing is, I knew that that was going to happen. Before I went on stage, I said to one of the producers “If somebody turns around it’s not going to be till the last ten seconds of the song.” Because it’s a Marvin Gaye song, if I start singing like I know I can, they’re probably not going to turn around because I overdid it. So I was like, “Okay, I’ll sing in a key works where at the end I’ll be singing like Anthony—the higher singing that I normally do.” I knew they wouldn’t respond until I did that, because it’s such a laid-back song. It’s weird to be given Marvin Gaye when you have a minute and thirty seconds to be intense, because Marvin Gaye is like the opposite of intensity. So it was a challenging moment. It was crazy.

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Anthony’s rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’ and His original tune ‘Immanuel’ check it out!

Anthony’s latest worship album “Home” will officially release on Tuesday, November 8th.  We apologize for any conflicting dates published.