Maher is no stranger to large scale events for the church. He has played at three Papal events, prior to Saturday, April 19. He played during the Holy Father's apostolic visit in St. Louis in 1999. He’s been involved in several concerts during two World Youth Day events. In 2000, he attended World Youth Day in Rome and played at two major events: a youth event with Life Teen in the Piazza D'Espana (the Spanish steps), as well as on the main stage in Tor Vergata, before the Saturday evening prayer vigil. In 2002, Matt attended World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada. While performing several times during World Youth Day, the highlight was when Matt’s setting of the “Litany of the Saints” was used for the Saturday night prayer vigil (with the Holy Father) as part of the entrance music for the event, which Maher led over 200,000 young people in singing. As well, he will be serving the young people gathered for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, performing at several events in the days leading up to, and during, the historic gathering of young people from all over the world.

Maher is still involved in local church ministry at St. Timothy Catholic Community, in Mesa, Ariz., as well as working closely with two national Catholic ministries, Life Teen, a worldwide Catholic youth ministry, and Adore Ministries, based out of Houma, La. As unique as his background and cross-denominational ministry, Maher is published by three organizations: EMI CMG publishing (worshiptogether.com), Kingsway Publishing in Europe, and Oregon Catholic Press (www.spiritandsong.com), the premier publisher of Catholic contemporary music around the world.

On Maher’s 12-track, Essential Records debut album, Empty & Beautiful, he breaks open the two simple words in the title, through songs that are both corporate and reflective; driving and soft; each one telling the story from a different perspective. Empty & Beautiful was co-produced by Matt Maher and Jeff Thomas, except for, “As It Is In Heaven,” which was produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Bebo Norman, Bethany Dillon). Maher describes the heart behind his Essential Records debut, “The realization of our own emptiness without God is both a moment of sadness, and a window to joy, which opens to something so much bigger and more beautiful than ourselves. To lay down one’s life for the Gospel in service of God and neighbor, is a reflection of the beauty of God. That is our charge as Christians, and that is where these songs came from.”

For upcoming tour dates and additional information on Matt Maher, visit www.mattmahermusic.com.