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

Dummer was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He attended Westmount High School.[2]

Career

Dummer 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 his 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

Dummer'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

Dummer 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

As 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

Dummer and his wife Meaghan have five children and live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Together with Travis Garner, they helped to plant The Village Nashville in 2016, a church in Nolensville, Tennessee.[27]

Business

In addition to music, Elias Dummer has multiple successful businesses, including Rockfirm Marketing,[28] Crown & Press,[29] and Square Foot Show. [28]

Discography

As frontman in The City Harmonic

Year Album Peak Chart Position Weeks
2011 Introducing The City Harmonic (EP) 26 Billboard Top Christian Albums[30] 18
2011 I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) 34 Billboard Top Christian Albums[31] 2
2013 Heart[4] 24 Billboard Top Christian Albums[32] 3
2015 We Are 40 Billboard Top Christian Albums[33]
2017 Benediction (Live)

Singles with The City Harmonic

Year Single Peak Chart Positions Weeks Album
2011 "Manifesto"
  • 24 Billboard Christian Songs[34]
  • 19 Billboard Hot Christian Songs[35]
  • 15 Billboard Christian Song Sales[34]
  • 20
  • 30
 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[35] 16 I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)
2012 "Mountaintop" 27 Billboard Hot Christian Songs[36] 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

  • The Work Vol. 1 (2019) February 8, 2019
Year Album Peak Chart Position Weeks
2019 The Work Vol. 1 10 Billboard Heatseekers[37] 1
2022 The Work Vol. 2

Singles as a Solo Artist

YearSinglePeak Chart PositionWeeksAlbum
2019"Enough"25 Billboard Christian Airplay[38]26The Work Vol. 1
2019 "Enough" 42 Billboard Hot Christian Songs[39] 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

Awards

GMA Canada Covenant Awards

2023 Award Result
2008 Modern Worship Song of the Year: "Faithful Forever" Won
2019 Breakthrough Artist of the Year[40] Won
2019 Song of the Year [40] Nominated
2019 Male Vocalist of the Year [40] Nominated
2019 Artist of the Year [40] Nominated
2019 Praise & Worship Album of the Year [40] Nominated
2019 Album of the Year [40] Nominated
2019 Praise & Worship Song of the Year [40] Nominated
2023 Rock Artist of the Year [41] Won
2023 Male Vocalist of the Year [41] Won
2023 Artist of the Year [41] Nominated
2023 Album of the Year [41] Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Matt Conner (February 22, 2019). "Elias Dummer The Work Vol 1". www.ccmmagazine.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  2. 1 2 'ROCKINGHAM: The City Harmonic calls it quits with “Benediction Live”'. The Hamilton Spectator, June 21, 2017 by Graham Rockingham
  3. ↑ "The City Harmonic" AllMusic Biography by Mark Deming
  4. 1 2 3 "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
  5. ↑ Doug Van Pelt (April 5, 2011). "The City Harmonic sees boost in sales". HM Magazine.
  6. ↑ "Introducing the City Harmonic". AllMusic review by Jared Johnson
  7. ↑ Liz Somers (November 3, 2011). "Seth Smith picks winner in The City Harmonic". Denver Post Higher Note. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  8. ↑ Doug Van Pelt (May 6, 2011). "The City Harmonic song used on National Day of Prayer". HM Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Elias Dummer Speaks About Life After the City Harmonic & His New Solo Album. Hallels, By Timothy Yap January 27, 2019
  10. ↑ "‘Enough’ Is Not Enough — An Interview with Elias Dummer". CCM Magazine, Andrew Voigt
  11. ↑ "StackPath". www.ccmmagazine.com. July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Elias Dummer's 'The Work Vol 2' Showcases Grace, Mercy & The Joy of Collaboration". www.louderthanthemusic.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  13. ↑ McCracken, Brett (December 20, 2022). "Best Christian Music of 2022". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  14. ↑ Moss, Iain (December 30, 2022). "JesusWired's Top Releases of 2022". JesusWired.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  15. ↑ utrmedia. "Best Albums of 2022 - Honorable Mentions". UTR Media. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  16. ↑ James, Rick Lee (September 21, 2022). "Episode 483: Elias Dummer".
  17. ↑ "Honestly - Eli Dummer | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  18. 1 2 "Dan Bremnes: Speak to Me". AllMusic.
  19. ↑ "Elias Dummer | HuffPost".
  20. ↑ Team, W. L. R. "Home". Worship Leader Research. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ Service, Bob Smietana-Religion News (April 12, 2023). "How Bethel and Hillsong Took Over Our Worship Sets". News & Reporting. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  22. ↑ "There's a reason every hit worship song sounds the same". Washington Post. April 11, 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Worship Leader Research Archives". Sing! The Center For Congregational Song. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  24. ↑ "The Megachurch Worship Monopoly". The Roys Report. May 31, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Episode 324: Is the Cross Divine Child Abuse? With Mike Erre | The Holy Post Podcast". Everand. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Hearn Innovator Series: Elias Dummer – Visit Waco, TX". Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Q & A with Elias Dummer from The Village Church". Williamson Source, By Donna Vissman, February 7, 2016
  28. 1 2 Talking to Artists: Elias Dummer of Rockfirm Marketing (Episode 101), retrieved November 20, 2023
  29. ↑ "Crown & Press: A new art experience - Hamilton City Magazine". Hamilton City Magazine - Hamilton lifestyle magazine. September 15, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  30. ↑ "The City Harmonic Introducing The City Harmonic (EP) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Christian Albums: Top Praise Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  32. ↑ "The City Harmonic Heart Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  33. ↑ "The City Harmonic We Are Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  34. 1 2 "The City Harmonic Manifesto Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  35. 1 2 "The City Harmonic I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  36. ↑ "The City Harmonic Mountaintop Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Elias Dummer The Work, Vol. I Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Christian Songs: Top Christian Airplay Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Nominees". GMA Canada. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Manitobans win big at 43rd annual GMA Covenant Awards". CHVN Radio. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
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