Featuring tracks recorded by Andrew Small (Massive Attack, Kylie Minogue) on drums, Chris Donohue (Emmylou Harris, Sixpence None the Richer) on bass, Jamie Kenney (Erin MacCarley, Natalie Grant) on keyboards and Stephen Leiweke (Plumb, Joy Williams) on guitars, the songs on Introducing Kelly Minter were a collaborative effort. The opening track, “We Will Not Go,” was co-written by Minter, Steve Leiweke, Henk Pool and John Hartley, who also produced Introducing Kelly Minter.

“‘We Will Not Go’ was inspired by Exodus 33, shortly after the golden calf episode. God told Moses and the Israelites to go up to the Promised Land, but since they had turned their backs on Him, He told them that His presence would not go with them,” relays Kelly Minter. “I found it moving that Moses’s response was so quick and resolved: if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. In other words, Moses had no desire for physical blessings if it meant that God’s presence wouldn’t be there. I remember getting in a room with John, Stephen, and Henk and we wrote a song around this theme, about how none of us wanted to go anywhere or do anything or even live in abundant blessing if God was not there with us.”

Introducing Kelly Minter also features Minter singing the Charles Wesley hymn, “Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above,” as arranged by Chris Eaton and John Hartley, as well as Stuart Townend’s “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us,” which was recorded live at London’s Abbey Road Studios. Minter further co-writes with Townend on “Healing Streams” and Townend and Matt Maher on “Glory Be To God.”

“I grew up on the hymns, so the chance to write with someone like Stuart Townend, who has written arguably the greatest modern hymn of our day, ‘In Christ Alone,’ was a wonderful opportunity,” says Minter. “Add Matt Maher (‘Your Grace Is Enough’) to that mix and I felt in the company of some profound theological thinkers and eloquent writers…After finishing the song, I had the privilege of leading it in Ireland for one of Stuart’s live recordings. This song was such a departure for me, as it’s more liturgical and hymn-like in nature, and yet it is definitely one of my favorite songs…My hope is that it will take root in churches for years to come because the lyric walks you through the process of redemption, constantly refraining ‘glory be to God!’”

The Introducing Kelly Minter track list includes songs from Minter’s Finer Day, Live from Abbey Road and Live from Ireland recordings:

“We Will Not Go” (Finer Day)
“Praise The Lord Who Reigns Above” (Love Divine - A project showcasing Charles Wesley hymns)
“Here Beneath The Cross” (Finer Day)
“How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” (Live from Abbey Road - Clink this link for live video)
“Glory Be To God” (Live from Ireland)
“Healing Streams” (Live from Ireland)

“Introducing Kelly Minter is a great opportunity to get to know her work,” says Steve Nicolle, Kingsway director, music and media. “Kelly’s songs are fresh, insightful and full of content that will inspire and encourage with every listen.”

Minter recorded her first worship record, Finer Day, for Kingsway Music in the summer of 2007. She has also recorded well-received projects for WORD Entertainment (Good Day) and Provident Music Group (Wrestling The Angels). Her most recent release, Loss, Love & Legacy, is an independent project based on the book of Ruth featuring a companion Bible study written by Minter. Her other written works include, Hannah’s One Wish: A Bible Study For Teen Girls (LifeWay), Water Into Wine (Waterbrook Press), and No Other Gods (David C. Cook), which was recently used as the text for a Beth Moore-led Bible study attended by thousands of women through her online blog community.

Though balancing the broader demands of writing, speaking, singing and traveling, Kelly’s heart is connected to her local community. She is strongly tied to her home church, teaches a weekly Bible Study at The Next Door (a ministry in Nashville for women recently released from prison), and is passionate about working with “Ray of Hope” (www.rayofhopeamazon.com), which ministers to villages along the Amazon River. Her greatest desire is to love Christ above all things and to be connected to culture in a way that brings redemption.

More information can be found at http://kellyminter.com.

Upcoming Kelly Minter tour dates follow:

02/20/10 Henderson, KY First Baptist Church
02/26/10 North East, Maryland Sandy Cove Retreat Center
03/05/10 - 03/07/10 North East, Maryland Sandy Cove Retreat Center
03/12/10 - 03/13/10 Port Saint Lucie, FL Highpoint Community Church
03/19/10 - 03/20/10 Lima, OH Shawnee Alliance Church
04/16/10 - 04/17/10 Paradise, CA Paradise Alliance Church