I had never heard of Travis Ryan, but when I heard about his new EP, You Hold It All, I was interested in learning more. Travis Ryan is a worship leader, recording artist and award-winning songwriter, who released his five-song EP on September 23 globally through Integrity Music. The EP is meant to be a shining testament to God’s faithfulness, through both the beautiful and the tragic circumstances of his own life and journey God has providentially led him on.
The EP, You Hold It All, was produced by fellow Integrity Music writer, Michael Farren and Ryan’s brother, Brandon Collins. The EP itself was recorded live just outside of Nashville at LifePoint Church (Smyrna, TN), where Ryan serves as worship pastor. With all songs on the new recording inspired by, written for and sung by his local church, one of these songs has already traveled far beyond his local congregation. The track “We Believe,” which was written to set the tenants of the Church to music, became a No. 1 hit song popularized by Newsboys and is a GMA Dove Awards “Song of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year” nominee as well as a winner of the KLOVE Fan Awards.
“It’s the Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed—it’s just foundationally what we believe as a church,” shares Ryan, a writer of the song. “God took that song on a journey, and He has used Newsboys to carry that song around the world.”
I’ll interrupt right here and tell you this: We play “We Believe” at our church and I’m on the praise team. I learned that Ryan actually wrote the song and when I listened to Ryan’s version on this EP I have to say, it’s the best version I’ve heard thus far BY FAR. Maybe it’s because I’m a drummer and I love songs that have a driving drum beat. I’ve attached the video for “We Believe” below so you can see what I’m talking about!
Along with “We Believe,” all the songs on the new album became a source of profound strength recently for Ryan and his family. The title track was the inspiration for Ryan’s brother, Chad Collins, to create the cover art for the album, as months after writing the title track with Jordan Merritt and his brother Brandon, Ryan’s wife, Hayley, miscarried.
Holding fast to the words they were singing, it wasn’t long before redemption entered their story. “God, in His great goodness and mercy, gave us a ‘rainbow child’,” Ryan says, describing his daughter who was born following the miscarriage. Today, the couple and their two sons, Hudson (6) and Jude (4), can’t imagine life without baby Scarlett, who just turned one. “Our daughter is a massive part of the whole story of this album,” Ryan adds.
Other songs featured on the album include the poignant ballad “You Are Able” that decries a circumstantial mindset for worship, and “Forever Holy,” which takes cues from Revelation and further implores praises due God despite one’s circumstances. The anthemic “Until My Voice Is Gone” was inspired by crowds cheering their favorite sports teams.
While the EP only has five songs, they are awesome worship and praise songs that you won’t get tired of listening to over and over. I’ve added all five songs to my playlist and have already hit “repeat” just to hear them again!
All the latest events and news about Travis Ryan, You Hold It All, and more can be found at Travis Ryan Music’s Website ===HERE. You can also connect with Travis Ryan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. You can pick up his EP on iTunes ====HERE.
I was provided with a complimentary digital copy of Travis Ryan’s EP in exchange for my honest review and unbiased opinion.
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