Hillsong United Biography
Hillsong United is a worship band that originated as a part of Hillsong Church. It was formed as part of Hillsong’s youth ministry in 1998. It consists of several worship leaders from the church such as Joel Houston, Taya Smith, Matt Crocker, Jonathon Douglass, Jad Gillies, and Benjamin Hastings.
Hillsong United Origin
It is known that the band was formed by close friends from the “Powerhouse Youth” ministry in 1998. It was led by Hillsong Youth Pastors Phil and Lucinda Dooley for many years. Afterward, the group grew and split into Powerhouse (aged 18–25) and Wildlife (12–17) in the mid-1990s.
The 18–25’s Powerhouse band members included Peter King, Mark Stevens, Nigel Hendroff, and Raymond Badham. Peter was the main piano player and music director while Nigel was a guitarist.
On the other hand, the Wildlife band was formed by members Joel Houston, Luke Munns, and Michael Guy Chislett. The key vocalists included Marty Sampson, Holly Dawson, Mark Stevens, Katrina Peoples, Michelle Fragar, Tanya Riches, and Bec Mesiti.
Moreover, they were initially trained by Russell Fragar. Both Hillsong Church youth ministries decided to join together monthly, giving the meetings the name “UNITED” Nights. They made an album in 1998 after so many songs were written in the youth ministry.
They released EP One was recorded by a new band. Likewise, Everyday was recorded and packaged with the Hillsong Worship annual album in 1999. As a result, the band continued to release an album each year, rebranding as Hillsong United.
Hillsong United Band
Current members of the band include Jadwin “Jad” Gillies, Joel Houston, Jonathon Douglass (J.D.), and Matt Crocker. On the other hand, are Taya Smith, Adam Crosariol, Dylan Thomas, Timon Klein, Peter James & Benjamin Tennikoff, and Simon Kobler (on drums).
The official UNITED logo was designed by Munns in 2002 for To the Ends of the Earth. Most noteworthy, the band was nominated for and won five GMA Dove Awards in 2014. This included Song of the Year for “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”.
Furthermore, it received its first-ever American Music Awards nomination that year but did not win. Likewise, it was nominated at that year’s Billboard Music Awards in the Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Song categories.
Later, the band won two Dove Awards, Worship Album of the Year, at the 47th Gospel Music Awards for Empires. It also won Recorded Worship Song of the Year for its single “So Will I (100 BillionX)”.
Hillsong United Members
Current Members
- Joel Houston – worship leader, guitar, keys, percussion
- Jonathon “JD” Douglass – worship leader, percussion
- Jad Gillies – worship leader, guitar
- Matt Crocker – worship leader, guitar, percussion
- Taya Smith – worship leader
- Dylan Thomas – guitar, keys, music director
- Simon Kobler – drums
- Michael Guy Chislett – guitar, keys, music director
- Benjamin “Ben” Tennikoff – keyboards, programming, sampling
- Jihea Oh – bass guitar
- Benjamin Hastings – worship leader
Former Members
- Reuben Morgan
- Marty Sampson
- Brooke Fraser
- Timon Klein
- Marcus Beaumont
- Nathan Taylor
- Matt Tennikoff
- Adam Crosariol
- Brandon Gillies
- Gabriel Kelly
- Rolf Wam Fjell
- Luke Munns
- Peter James
- Kevin Lee
- Peter King
- Tulele Faletolu
- Annie Garratt
- Sam Knock
- Holly Dawson
- Michelle Fragar
Hillsong United Albums
- Let There Be Light
- Wonder
- Empires
- All of the Above
- Aftermath
- Zion
Hillsong United Songs
- Here Now (Madness)
- Say The Word
- Heart Like Heaven
- Touch The Sky
- Street Called Mercy
- When I Lost My Heart To You
- Even When It Hurts
- Prince Of Peace
- Empires
- Rule
- Captain
- Closer Than You Know
- Behold (Then Sings My Soul)
- Love So Great
- Look To The Son
- Crowns
- What A Beautiful Name
- Your Word
- Let There Be Light
- In Control
- Grace to Grace
- Elohim
- I Will Boast in Christ
- As It Is (In Heaven)
- Wonder
- Shadow Step
- Future Marches In
- So Will I (100 Billion X)
- Splinters and Stones
- Glimmer In The Dust
- Greatest Of These
- Shape Of Your Heart
- Not Today
- Life
- Rain / Reign
- Water To Wine
Hillsong United Awards and Achievements
Hillsong United is undoubtedly a fine music band as outlined in the following awards and accomplishments;
- Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).
- Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Artist
- GMA Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year
- American Music Award for Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspirational
- GMA Dove Award for Worship Album of the Year
- GMA Dove Award for Long Form Video of the Year
- GMA Dove Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Hillsong United Social Media Contacts
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Reference:
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