Multiple GRAMMY nominated, Dove Awards winning Peter Furler offers his first solo album, on fire, today for pre-sale on select retailers, including iTunes (http://tinyurl.com/3p7zslx), Family Christian Stores (http://tinyurl.com/3sgqf4a), Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/3q899ey) and LifeWay Christian Stores. Furler returns to music after ending his long tenure in 2009 as the lead singer of newsboys, the band he founded in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia. Refreshed and reawakened to the joy of music, Furler releases the full album June 21 on Sparrow Records. As special incentives for the pre-sale, Family Christian Stores and LifeWay Christian Stores will offer an autographed poster from Furler, while on iTunes, pre-orders of the album will receive the exclusive track, “Water To Wine,” as well as an instant download of the song “I’m Alive.” The idea that became “I’m Alive” practically assaulted Furler. “I just felt this overwhelming sense of freedom,” he says of the song. “When we’re born again, our spirit is free to join with God’s Spirit. Then, when we begin reading and doing what Jesus said, and following the promptings of the Spirit of God, this leads us to live without being bound or led by anxiety, emotions or the material, to be ‘on fire’ with the full life of Christ.” With Peter’s quintessential pop vocal breaking through, this contagious rock anthem does just that, building from a place of doubt and imprisonment to an all-out release of gratitude for forgiveness and freedom. Producing all the tracks for on fire with Seth Mosley (Me In Motion), Furler and Mosley also traded parts playing most of the instrumentation heard on the album, but also bring in Furler’s long-time collaborator, Steve Taylor, as well as John Painter (Flemming and John), Jimmy Abegg (Ragamuffin Band) and fellow former newsboys member Phil Joel. Summer Furler also joins her husband for the first time in the recording studio, singing background vocals, while joining as keyboardist in his band. Her first concert, and Peter’s first since returning to music, was enthusiastically received last month in front of 20,000 people at Easterfest in Mooloolaba. Another family member, Peter’s father, Bill Furler, adds his voice to one of the four corporate worship tracks on the album, “Greater Is He.” DJ Andy Hunter brings his brilliant programming on the songs “Psalm 23” and the bonus track, “Water To Wine.” Furler’s music has always been about making a difference and leaving the listener encouraged, and with these new songs comes a sense of confidence like he has never experience before as a singer. Music fans are already catching a glimpse of the rejuvenated Furler as his first radio single from on fire, “Reach,” has been vibrating across the airways, breaking into the Billboard Top 15 overall Christian radio airplay chart and continuing to climb. “We all need to be reminded that God is personal,” Furler says as “Reach” struck a very personal chord with him. “The One who created the heaven, the One who is everywhere and all knowing yearns deeply for us… He cares for us individually, where we are.” After amicably leading newsboys through its transition to the current lineup, Furler stepped away from non-stop touring, sold much of what he owned – cars, home, his shares in Inpop Records, a label he’d co-founded in 1999 that launched the careers of such notables as Newworldson, Mat Kearney and Shane & Shane, among others, etc. – moved to the Gulf of Florida and took time to reflect, express himself through visual art, surf and play music just for pure enjoyment. Although initially not planning to release any of the new music created during this time, the result of this redefining period led to the most joyful and uplifting music of Furler’s career. The full track listing for on fire follows:
- I’m Alive
- Reach
- Glory To The King
- Never Ending Love Song
- Matter Of Faith
- All In Your Head
- Closer (Featuring Steve Taylor and Some Other Band)
- Faster And Louder
- Psalm 23
- Hold On
- Greater Is He (Featuring Phil Joel and Bill Furler)
With “Songwriter of the Year” nods and musical talent that has driven the sales of five RIAA Certified Gold records, over seven million albums sold and 25 No. 1 songs, Peter Furler is one of Australia’s biggest exports of any musical genre. Writing, producing, recording and singing such international classics as “He Reigns,” “Shine,” “Something Beautiful” and “It is You,” Furler has a raw honesty and ability to turn a rock show into a deep worship experience. He has collectively performed to over 15,000 Muslims in Morocco, for the Pope during World Youth Day, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at a 9/11 service for U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon, at a New Age festival on the shores of Galilee in Israel, and rocked the punters at an outback pub in Australia. As one of the most successful, award-winning artists today continues his musical journey, more information Peter Furler can be found at: http://peterfurler.com, www.facebook.com/peterfurlerofficial, www.twitter.com/PeterFurler.