Elias Elton Dummer (born March 3, 1983) is a Canadian musician, songwriter, and writer based in Tennessee. Elias was the principal songwriter, founding member, lead singer, and pianist in the contemporary Christian band the City Harmonic, from 2009 until 2017, and released his first solo music a decade since the creation of the band in 2019.[1]
Early life and education
editDummer was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He attended Westmount High School.[2]
Career
editDummer started The City Harmonic with guitarist Aaron Powell, bassist Eric Fusilier, and drummer Joshua Vanderlaan in 2009 after they served together as the house worship band for an inter-denominational event for students focused on "worship and mission" called CrossCulture.[3][4] The band was then commissioned by the TrueCity movement of churches in Hamilton, Ontario.[5] The band released an EP, Introducing the City Harmonic in 2010.[6]
Dummer's hit song "Manifesto" became the walkup song for baseball player Seth Smith,[7] and served as the theme song for 2011's National Day of Prayer,[8] in addition to being performed live at Passion 2013 by Charlie Hall.
In 2015, Dummer co-produced We Are The City Harmonic, a documentary about the social impact of churches working together in Hamilton, with Jesse Hunt and Eric Fusilier.
The City Harmonic disbanded in 2017.[2] Dummer and his family moved to Tennessee;[9] after first releasing a series of singles to streaming platforms beginning in November 2018, Dummer released his debut album as solo artist, The Work Vol. 1, on February 8, 2019; his debut single "Enough" received sufficient radio play to appear for 26 weeks on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[10] In 2020, "Expectation" appeared on iTunes and Apple Music charts in more than 30 countries around the world.[11]
Dummer released his sophomore album The Work, Vol. 2, in July, 2022, which was co-produced by Dummer and Brent Milligan and featured multiple collaborators including JJ Heller, Citizens, Land of Color, and Sandra McCracken. Production began in 2020, requiring them to accomplish certain elements remotely, including a choir crowd-sourced from singers across the world.[12]
The album was included in multiple lists naming the best Christian music albums of 2022, including those from The Gospel Coalition,[13] JesusWired,[14] UTR Media.[15]
As of September 2022, Dummer's songs have accumulated over 100 million streams.[16]
Songwriting
editDummer's career began as a songwriter, with songs like "Honestly" and "Do You Hear The Sound"[17] released under Spring Hill Worship in 2005. With his band Elias, he wrote "Faithful Forever" winning a Covenant Award in 2008. In addition to his releases as a solo artist, Elias, and with The City Harmonic, Dummer has contributed to a number of projects for other artists. Dummer has written with Building 429, Newsong, Zealand Worship, Big Daddy Weave, Dan Bremnes,[18] and Todd Smith.[18]
Writing
editDummer has contributed to Huffington Post[19] and ChurchLeaders.com on faith and culture. In 2023, Dummer also co-founded and contributed to a research project called Worship Leader Research in conjunction with Baylor University, Belmont University, and Southern Wesleyan University.[20] The findings of this research have been featured by Christianity Today,[21] The Washington Post,[22] Sing! — The Center for Congregational Song,[23] The Roys Report,[24] and The Holy Post.[25]
Recognition
editAs a solo artist and as the founding member of The City Harmonic, Dummer has received a Juno Award (and 2 additional nominations), 15 Covenant Awards (with 26 more nominations), and a Dove Awards nomination.[4]
In September 2023, Dummer was featured in the Hearn Innovator Series at Baylor University.[26]
Personal life
editDummer and his wife Meaghan have five children and live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada after living near Nashville for almost ten years.[27] Together with Travis Garner, they helped to plant The Village Nashville in 2016, a church in Nolensville, Tennessee.[28]
Business
editIn addition to music, Elias Dummer has multiple successful businesses, including Rockfirm Marketing,[29] Crown & Press,[30] and Square Foot Show.[29]
Discography
editAs frontman in The City Harmonic
edit| Year | Album | Peak Chart Position | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Introducing The City Harmonic (EP) | 26 Billboard Top Christian Albums[31] | 18 |
| 2011 | I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) | 34 Billboard Top Christian Albums[32] | 2 |
| 2013 | Heart[4] | 24 Billboard Top Christian Albums[33] | 3 |
| 2015 | We Are | 40 Billboard Top Christian Albums[34] | |
| 2017 | Benediction (Live) |
Singles with The City Harmonic
edit| Year | Single | Peak Chart Positions | Weeks | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Manifesto" |
|
Introducing The City Harmonic | |
| 2011 | "Mountaintop" | 28 Billboard Christian Songs | 4 | I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) |
| 2011 | "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)" | 5 Billboard Hot Christian Songs[36] | 16 | I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) |
| 2012 | "Mountaintop" | 27 Billboard Hot Christian Songs[37] | 12 | I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) |
| 2013 | "Holy (Wedding Day)" | 36 Billboard Hot Christian Songs | 8 | I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) |
| 2014 | "Praise the Lord" | 46 Billboard Christian Airplay | 6 | Heart |
Solo albums
edit- The Work Vol. 1 (2019) February 8, 2019
| Year | Album | Peak Chart Position | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Work Vol. 1 | 10 Billboard Heatseekers[38] | 1 |
| 2022 | The Work Vol. 2 |
Singles as a Solo Artist
edit| Year | Single | Peak Chart Position | Weeks | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Enough" | 25 Billboard Christian Airplay[39] | 26 | The Work Vol. 1 |
| 2019 | "Enough" | 42 Billboard Hot Christian Songs[40] | 7 | The Work Vol. 1 |
| 2022 | "The Gospel is Rest (feat. Land of Color)" | The Work Vol. 2 | ||
| 2022 | "Kyrie Eleison (feat. Citizens)" | The Work Vol. 2 | ||
| 2022 | "Carry (feat. JJ Heller)" | The Work Vol. 2 | ||
| 2022 | "See Clearly" (feat. Sandra McCracken) | The Work Vol. 2 | ||
| 2022 | "We're Here Because You're Here" | The Work Vol. 2 | ||
| 2024 | "Manifesto" | Manifesto |
Awards
editGMA Canada Covenant Awards
edit| 2023 | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Modern Worship Song of the Year: "Faithful Forever" | Won |
| 2019 | Breakthrough Artist of the Year[41] | Won |
| 2019 | Song of the Year [41] | Nominated |
| 2019 | Male Vocalist of the Year [41] | Nominated |
| 2019 | Artist of the Year [41] | Nominated |
| 2019 | Praise & Worship Album of the Year [41] | Nominated |
| 2019 | Album of the Year [41] | Nominated |
| 2019 | Praise & Worship Song of the Year [41] | Nominated |
| 2023 | Rock Artist of the Year [42] | Won |
| 2023 | Male Vocalist of the Year [42] | Won |
| 2023 | Artist of the Year [42] | Nominated |
| 2023 | Album of the Year [42] | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Matt Conner (February 22, 2019). "Elias Dummer The Work Vol 1". www.ccmmagazine.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ a b 'ROCKINGHAM: The City Harmonic calls it quits with “Benediction Live”'. The Hamilton Spectator, June 21, 2017 by Graham Rockingham
- ^ "The City Harmonic" AllMusic Biography by Mark Deming
- ^ a b c "INTERVIEW: The City Harmonic's Elias Dummer Discusses Their New Album 'Heart', Story of "City on a Hill" and Fall Tour". BreatheCast, Matt Lloyd, September 17, 2013
- ^ Doug Van Pelt (April 5, 2011). "The City Harmonic sees boost in sales". HM Magazine.
- ^ "Introducing the City Harmonic". AllMusic review by Jared Johnson
- ^ Liz Somers (November 3, 2011). "Seth Smith picks winner in The City Harmonic". Denver Post Higher Note. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ Doug Van Pelt (May 6, 2011). "The City Harmonic song used on National Day of Prayer". HM Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Elias Dummer Speaks About Life After the City Harmonic & His New Solo Album. Hallels, By Timothy Yap January 27, 2019
- ^ "‘Enough’ Is Not Enough — An Interview with Elias Dummer". CCM Magazine, Andrew Voigt
- ^ "StackPath". www.ccmmagazine.com. July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ "Elias Dummer's 'The Work Vol 2' Showcases Grace, Mercy & The Joy of Collaboration". www.louderthanthemusic.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ McCracken, Brett (December 20, 2022). "Best Christian Music of 2022". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Moss, Iain (December 30, 2022). "JesusWired's Top Releases of 2022". JesusWired.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ utrmedia. "Best Albums of 2022 - Honorable Mentions". UTR Media. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ James, Rick Lee (September 21, 2022). "Episode 483: Elias Dummer".
- ^ "Honestly - Eli Dummer | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Dan Bremnes: Speak to Me". AllMusic.
- ^ "Elias Dummer | HuffPost".
- ^ Team, W. L. R. "Home". Worship Leader Research. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Service, Bob Smietana-Religion News (April 12, 2023). "How Bethel and Hillsong Took Over Our Worship Sets". News & Reporting. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "There's a reason every hit worship song sounds the same". Washington Post. April 11, 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Worship Leader Research Archives". Sing! The Center For Congregational Song. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "The Megachurch Worship Monopoly". The Roys Report. May 31, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Episode 324: Is the Cross Divine Child Abuse? With Mike Erre | The Holy Post Podcast". Everand. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Hearn Innovator Series: Elias Dummer – Visit Waco, TX". Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ https://www.trevortalks.co/elias-dummer-podcast-interview-trevor-talks-2022/
- ^ "Q & A with Elias Dummer from The Village Church". Williamson Source, By Donna Vissman, February 7, 2016
- ^ a b Talking to Artists: Elias Dummer of Rockfirm Marketing (Episode 101), retrieved November 20, 2023
- ^ "Crown & Press: A new art experience - Hamilton City Magazine". Hamilton City Magazine - Hamilton lifestyle magazine. September 15, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "The City Harmonic Introducing The City Harmonic (EP) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Christian Albums: Top Praise Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "The City Harmonic Heart Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "The City Harmonic We Are Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ a b "The City Harmonic Manifesto Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ a b "The City Harmonic I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "The City Harmonic Mountaintop Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Elias Dummer The Work, Vol. I Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Christian Songs: Top Christian Airplay Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Nominees". GMA Canada. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Manitobans win big at 43rd annual GMA Covenant Awards". CHVN Radio. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
External links
edit- Official website
- True City movement
- We Are The City Harmonic (The Movie), retrieved January 3, 2020