Jordan Smith Releases New Single ‘How Great Thou Art’ From Upcoming Gospel Album

NASHVILLE (November 22, 2024)
Jordan Smith is beloved for his many gifts — the velvety expanse of his vocals; his emotive songs, one of which was recorded by Celine Dion; and his southern-gentleman humility, evident from his victory on Season 9 of “The Voice” a decade ago. (He remains the highest-selling artist ever to compete on the smash television talent show.) But at his core, he will always be a gospel singer.

Now the accomplished, Harlan, Kentucky native invites listeners to church with a dynamic collection of gospel standards on his first album with Gaither Music Group, The People’s Hymnal, out February 21, 2025, with its pre-order LIVE now. The record, his fifth studio album and sixth overall, comes nine years after releasing Something Beautiful, his acclaimed 2016 David Foster/Stephan Moccio co-produced, pop-leaning debut.

Ahead of the full album release next year, Smith has released today the record’s first single from The People’s Hymnal–a smoldering rendition of “How Great Thou Art.”

“I grew up in a little church in the Appalachian Mountains,” Smith writes in the record’s liner notes. “If there’s a cloth I’ve been cut from, songs like these are the thread. They are my inheritance.”

“How Great Thou Art” finds Smith singing from the heart in a slow-burn setting with a soulful band leaving ample space for him to stretch out vocally. “It set the tone for the album,” he says. “When Tommy [Sims] brought me the arrangement, I couldn’t have dreamed how great it would be — this up-tempo version with long, soaring notes.”

Smith has been praised for his octave-skipping prowess and his pitch-perfect delivery; and within this glorious, modern vintage backdrop he shines majestically. Other album standouts include “The Blood,” “Oh Happy Day,” “What a Friend Medley” and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”

The People’s Hymnal, out February 21, 2025, is co-produced by guitarist-producer extraordinaire Colin Linden (Lucinda Williams, the McCrary Sisters, also the primary music producer, songwriter and musician for ABC’s hit show Nashville) and Tommy Sims, who co-wrote Eric Clapton’s GRAMMY-winning song, “Change the World” and has worked with everyone from CeCe Winans to Bruce Springsteen. It is a contemporary gospel, pop-tinged album that showcases the dynamic breadth of Smith’s vocals with a collection of stirring arrangements that are familiar yet reimagined.

Smith first gained national recognition when he won season 9 of the singing competition “The Voice” in 2015. Shortly after, he made history on Billboard’s Christian Charts by being the first artist to hold the top two positions concurrently. Smith’s first album debuted at No. 2 in sales in the iTunes Store. In 2018, his song “Ashes” was recorded by his idol, Celine Dion, for the Deadpool 2 soundtrack. He has been honored by his hometown as a Kentucky Colonel and named “Kentuckian of the Year.” Recently, Smith placed third in the esteemed American Song Contest.