Singer and Songwriter Austin French Delivers ‘Beautifully Crafted’ Debut Wide Open to Critical Acclaim
Wide Open, the anticipated debut release from singer/songwriter Austin French is available today. Alongside the album’s title track, Wide Open includes the powerful song “Why God,” which the Georgia reared singer shared early with fans on Facebook to pay tribute to victims of the Santa Fe School shooting. Another standout on the debut is the current single, “Born Again,” which has already broken top 30 at Billboard’s Airplay National Audience Chart after just three weeks. Additionally, the 12-track project includes the top 10 hit song “Freedom Hymn” and the upbeat summer anthem, “Good Feeling” which made its way to TV airwaves with NBC’s “The Voice” using the song in promotion for the hit show.
These songs have racked up over 12 million streams, and have gained placement on top playlists like Spotify’s Top Christian, New Music Friday Christian and Top Christian Contemporary, Amazon Music’s Introducing: Pop, Divine Sound and Top 100 Most Played Christian, as well as Apple Music’s A-List Christian. To add to the momentum, French nabbed the honor of Fox Sports Channel’s September artist of the month.
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Establishing himself as a talented artist and songwriter who is open and vulnerable, French’s personally inspired Wide Open takes real struggles from his own life and writes them into songs that are universally understood.
“These songs didn’t come from a place of holding back. These songs didn’t come because I said, ‘God, would you do as little as possible in my life this year?’” said French. “They came from, ‘God, would you do what you’re going to do? Would you do miracles in front of me?’”
Growing up in small town, Cordele, GA, Austin French dreamed of sharing his faith and passion for Jesus through music at a young age. Being surrounded by a musical family inspired his passion for writing music. As he began to develop his gifts he formed bands learning to take his music to stages and churches.After becoming the worship pastor at Journey Church, in Tifton, GA, French met his wife, Joscelyn. While serving there, French was featured on the first season of the ABC TV show “Rising Star,” where he finished as runner-up. After the show, Austin and his wife moved to Florida, and then to Nashville, TN in 2017 where French began his journey into the CCM industry, signing with Fair Trade Services. After moving to Nashville, French and his wife adopted their son, and while in the process, gave birth to their second little boy. French’s debut album, Wide Open is available now.
