# Anthony Evans (singer)
**Anthony Evans** (Anthony Tyrone Evans, Jr.; born 1978 in Dallas, Texas) is an American Christian and gospel singer, songwriter, worship leader, producer, and vocal arranger whose music blends classic gospel with contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) • [2](https://www.ceenaija.com/artists/anthony-evans/) He began his career in 2001 as a background singer for [Kirk Franklin](https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-franklin), released his first solo album in 2004, and reached a wider audience by competing on season two of NBC's *The Voice* in 2012.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) He has released 14 solo music projects, three of which have hit the number 1 spot on Billboard's Gospel Album chart.[3](https://anthony-evans.com/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name / birth | Anthony Tyrone Evans, Jr.; born 1978 in Dallas, TX[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) |
| Education | B.S. in Religion, Youth Ministries specialization, Liberty University, 2000; sang with the Sounds of Liberty ministry team[4](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/02/21/liberty-alumnus-advances-to-next-round-on-nbcs-the-voice/) |
| Career start | Background vocalist for Kirk Franklin beginning in 2001[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) |
| Debut album | *Even More* (2004, INO Records through Epic); peaked at number 17 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) |
| *The Voice* | Season two (2012), on Christina Aguilera's team; eliminated by the sixth episode[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) |
| Most successful release | *Real Life/Real Worship* (April 2014), produced entirely by Max Stark; debuted at number 60 on the Billboard 200[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) |
| Gospel chart #1s | Three of his 14 solo projects have hit number 1 on Billboard's Gospel Album chart[3](https://anthony-evans.com/) |
| Books | *Unexpected Places* (2018), *Divine Disruption*, and *When Faith Meets Therapy*[5](https://anthony-evans.com/) |
## Background and family
Evans is the son of Dr. Tony Evans, founder and pastor of Dallas, Texas' Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and a high-profile radio and television host.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) His sister is the Bible teacher and author [Priscilla Shirer](https://www.edgepedia.org/priscilla-shirer), with whom he has toured and produced events.[4](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/02/21/liberty-alumnus-advances-to-next-round-on-nbcs-the-voice/) • [3](https://anthony-evans.com/) In interviews he has said his father was always simply "my dad" and that he had to work out his own faith at age 18, building his career independently.[6](https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/wholenotes/2014/05/a-conversation-with-recording-artist-and-the-voice-contestant-anthony-evans.html)
He attended [Liberty University](https://www.edgepedia.org/liberty-university), joining the Sounds of Liberty ministry team at age 18 and earning a B.S. in Religion with a Youth Ministries specialization in 2000.[4](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/02/21/liberty-alumnus-advances-to-next-round-on-nbcs-the-voice/)
## Career beginnings with Kirk Franklin
Evans began his professional career in 2001 when Kirk Franklin asked him to join his ministry as a background vocalist, and he toured internationally with Franklin for about four years.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) • [4](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/02/21/liberty-alumnus-advances-to-next-round-on-nbcs-the-voice/) That exposure to major stages and professional gospel production prepared him to establish his own solo career in 2004 with *Even More*, released on the INO label through Epic.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632)
His early discography moved between contemporary Christian and gospel styles: *Letting Go* (2006), *The Bridge* (2008), *Undisguised* (2010), the holiday album *What Christmas Means* (2009), and *Home* (2011).[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632/discography) *The Bridge*, released on EMI, topped the charts as the number 1 downloaded Christian album in the country in 2008.[8](https://www.christianmusicarchive.com/artist/anthony-evans) Between 2004 and 2011 he recorded six albums without a major breakout hit.[6](https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/wholenotes/2014/05/a-conversation-with-recording-artist-and-the-voice-contestant-anthony-evans.html)
## The Voice and mainstream reach
Evans competed on season two of *The Voice* in 2012 and was chosen by [Christina Aguilera](https://www.edgepedia.org/christina-aguilera) in the blind auditions.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) • [4](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/02/21/liberty-alumnus-advances-to-next-round-on-nbcs-the-voice/) Although he did not make it past the sixth episode, his performances of [Marvin Gaye](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvin-gaye)'s "What's Going On" and [Alicia Keys](https://www.edgepedia.org/alicia-keys)' "If I Ain't Got You" (a battle-round duet with Jesse Campbell) introduced him to a new audience and opened doors to secular music.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) • [6](https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/wholenotes/2014/05/a-conversation-with-recording-artist-and-the-voice-contestant-anthony-evans.html) A casting director's question, "Why are you 30 years old and I've never heard of you?", prompted him to reconsider whether his ability was meant only for church audiences.[9](https://secure.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/anthony_evans_071514.aspx?mobile=false&option=print&q=700club%2Fguests%2Fbios%2Fanthony_evans_071514.aspx) He later relocated to Los Angeles and continued working on the show as an audition producer (talent producer).[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) • [3](https://anthony-evans.com/)
## Solo albums after 2012
**Real Life/Real Worship (2014).** His sixth proper studio album, released in April 2014, was his most successful release, debuting at number 60 on the Billboard 200.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) Produced entirely by Max Stark, it spanned CCM, contemporary gospel, straightforward rock, and EDM-laced dance-pop.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632)
**Back to Life (2017).** The ten-track set, produced again by Max Stark, included the singles "Believe," "See You Again," "Ever Be," and the title cut.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) It reached number 1 on [Billboard](https://www.edgepedia.org/billboard-magazine) (Gospel) and appeared on the 2017 Grammy pre-nomination ballot for Best Contemporary Album and Best Contemporary Vocal.[10](https://www.worshiptogether.com/worship-leaders/anthony-evans/) The album grew out of material originally planned as a double album; the worship half came first, on the advice of worship writer Martha Munizzi, while the life-situational songs became the next project.[11](https://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/anthony-evans-life-and-everything-else/)
**Everything Else (2018) and Altared (2019).** Evans titled *Everything Else* after a C.S. Lewis quote he kept on his computer: "We don't need more songs by Christians about Christianity. We need more songs by Christians about everything else."[11](https://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/anthony-evans-life-and-everything-else/) The Stark-produced set dealt with difficult issues of life and faith as experienced by Evans.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) *Altared* followed on May 17, 2019, on Sherman James Productions, taking a more positive outlook and featuring reworked covers of modern church staples such as "So Will I" and "Do It Again," alongside a medley of "Great Are You Lord" and "Who You Say I Am" written in the wake of the sudden loss of his cousin at 38.[12](https://anthony-evans.com/about/) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632)
**2020s.** Evans has continued releasing through his own Sherman James Productions, named for his grandfather.[13](https://tntribune.com/5-questions-with-anthony-evans-jr/) Releases include the singles "Waymaker/See a Victory," "Yes I Will," and "Here Again" (2020), "House of the Lord" (2022), "Even If" (2023), and the full-length album *Revive* (February 23, 2024, 10 songs), whose single "828" draws on Romans 8:28.[14](https://anthony-evans.com/) • [15](https://music.apple.com/us/album/revive/1713730720) • [16](https://worshipideas.com/resources/video/reviving-worship-anthony-evans-on-authenticity-mental-health-and-trusting-gods-plan) 2024 also brought the Christmas album *The Greatest Gift*, which blended classic carols with new original [Christmas music](https://www.edgepedia.org/christmas-music).[14](https://anthony-evans.com/) • [17](https://www.christianpost.com/news/gospel-vocalist-anthony-evans-on-the-greatest-gift.html?mobile=true) He is known for the popular songs "See You Again," "How He Loves," and "Reckless Love," and appears in the film *If You Really Love Me*.[18](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621244692)
## Production, acting, and writing
Evans has worked across the entertainment industry beyond his own records: he starred in Disney's Hollywood Bowl production of *Beauty and the Beast*, worked as a talent producer for *The Voice*, and arranged music for major Hollywood networks and production houses.[3](https://anthony-evans.com/) His session and background credits include work on projects by [Ed Sheeran](https://www.edgepedia.org/ed-sheeran) (*No. 6 Collaborations Project*), Kanye West (*The Life of Pablo*), Tori Kelly, Fantasia, Rachel Platten, and the *Hidden Figures: The Album* soundtrack.[19](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) He has produced his own events with his sister Priscilla Shirer (FerVent) and with Chandler Moore (WORSHIP), and produced events with [CeCe Winans](https://www.edgepedia.org/cece-winans), Kirk Franklin, Jeremy Camp, and [Tori Kelly](https://www.edgepedia.org/tori-kelly).[3](https://anthony-evans.com/)
He has authored or co-authored three books: *Unexpected Places: Thoughts on God, Faith, and Finding Your Voice* (2018), a memoir about growing up as a preacher's kid and dealing with self-doubt and depression; *Divine Disruption*; and *When Faith Meets Therapy*.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632) • [13](https://tntribune.com/5-questions-with-anthony-evans-jr/) • [3](https://anthony-evans.com/)
## References
1. [Anthony Evans Biography by Andy Kellman, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632)
2. [Anthony Evans artist biography, CeeNaija](https://www.ceenaija.com/artists/anthony-evans/)
3. [Anthony Evans Biography, anthony-evans.com](https://anthony-evans.com/)
4. [Liberty alumnus advances to next round on NBC's "The Voice," Liberty University News Service (2012)](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2012/02/21/liberty-alumnus-advances-to-next-round-on-nbcs-the-voice/)
5. [Anthony Evans music and releases list, anthony-evans.com](https://anthony-evans.com/)
6. [A conversation with recording artist and The Voice contestant Anthony Evans, Beliefnet Whole Notes (2014)](https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/wholenotes/2014/05/a-conversation-with-recording-artist-and-the-voice-contestant-anthony-evans.html)
7. [Anthony Evans Discography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632/discography)
8. [Anthony Evans, Christian Music Archive](https://www.christianmusicarchive.com/artist/anthony-evans)
9. ["The Voice" Contestant Sings the Truth, CBN The 700 Club (2014)](https://secure.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/anthony_evans_071514.aspx?mobile=false&option=print&q=700club%2Fguests%2Fbios%2Fanthony_evans_071514.aspx)
10. [Anthony Evans, Worship Together](https://www.worshiptogether.com/worship-leaders/anthony-evans/)
11. [Anthony Evans – Life, And Everything Else, CCM Magazine (2017)](https://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/anthony-evans-life-and-everything-else/)
12. [About | Anthony Evans (Altared), anthony-evans.com](https://anthony-evans.com/about/)
13. [5 Questions with Anthony Evans, Jr., The Tennessee Tribune (2018)](https://tntribune.com/5-questions-with-anthony-evans-jr/)
14. [Anthony Evans official site, music release list](https://anthony-evans.com/)
15. [Revive – Album by Anthony Evans, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/revive/1713730720)
16. [Reviving Worship: Anthony Evans on Authenticity and Mental Health, Worship Ideas (2024)](https://worshipideas.com/resources/video/reviving-worship-anthony-evans-on-authenticity-mental-health-and-trusting-gods-plan)
17. [Gospel vocalist Anthony Evans on 'The Greatest Gift', Christian Post (2024)](https://www.christianpost.com/news/gospel-vocalist-anthony-evans-on-the-greatest-gift.html?mobile=true)
18. [Anthony Evans on Apple Music snapshot](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621244692)
19. [Anthony Evans Credits, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-evans-mn0000111632/discography)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Country, gospel, and western singers › Gospel singers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license