Don Moen
{{Short description|American singer, songwriter, and producer of Christian worship music}}
{{About|the singer-songwriter|the footballer|Don Moen (Canadian football)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Don Moen
| image = Don Moen in 2009.jpg
| caption = Moen performing in 2009
| birth_name = Donald James Moen
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|06|29}}
| birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
| origin = Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Contemporary worship music|CCM}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|pastor|record producer}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|keyboards|violin|guitar}}
| years_active = 1973–present
| label = {{hlist|Integrity Music|Hosanna! Music|Don Moen Records|in:ciite|EMI}}
| website = {{URL|donmoen.com}}
}}
Donald James "Don" Moen (born June 29, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, pastor, and producer of Christian worship music. A pioneer of the modern worship music movement, he served as a creative director and president of Integrity Music and executive producer for the label's Hosanna! Music series of albums.{{cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-56563-679-8 |page=605-606}}
During his tenure at Integrity, he produced 11 volumes of the series and released his own solo albums, including Give Thanks (1986), which was certified Gold by the RIAA.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Don+Moen#search_section|title=American album certifications – Don Moen – Give Thanks|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=2025-06-21}} As a songwriter, he is best known for worship standards such as "God Will Make a Way" and "Thank You, Lord." His work has received numerous accolades, including a Dove Award.
Early life and education
Donald James Moen was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Two Harbors, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school in 1968.{{Cite web|title=Don Moen: The Music of Ministry|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/novemberweb-only/donmoen.html|website=Christianity Today|date=November 1, 2004|access-date=2025-06-21}} He attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a Christian liberal arts college, where he studied music.
His musical training was initially classical, with a focus on the violin. However, his direction changed after an encounter with the evangelist Terry Law, which led him to join Law's music ministry group, Living Sound.
Music career
From 1973, Moen traveled for ten years with Terry Law Ministries as a musician with the worship group Living Sound. The group ministered primarily behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
In 1984, Moen was hired by Michael Coleman to work for his new music label, Integrity Music, initially as a worship leader and later in an executive capacity. He became a central figure in the production of the Hosanna! Music series of praise and worship albums, which became one of the most successful and influential series in contemporary Christian music.{{cite journal |last=Swartzendruber |first=Jay |date=February 2007 |title=Industrybeat: Moen of Many Hats |journal=CCM Magazine |volume=29 |issue=8 |page=22 |issn=1524-7848 }} He served as creative director and president of Integrity Music, president of Integrity Label Group, and executive producer of Integrity Music albums for over 20 years. In this role, he helped develop the careers of prominent worship artists such as Paul Baloche, Ron Kenoly, and Darlene Zschech.{{cite web |url=http://www.davidsantistevan.com/50/ |title=Don Moen On Worship in Action, Authenticity, & Keeping It Simple |publisher=davidsantistevan.com |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210644/http://www.davidsantistevan.com/50/ |url-status=live }}
=Solo recording career=
While producing for the Hosanna! Music series, Moen also began releasing his own albums. His debut album, Give Thanks (1986), became a bestseller for the label and was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. His first album released under his own name, Worship with Don Moen, came out in 1992. His music has achieved global sales of over five million units.
One of his best-known songs, "God Will Make a Way," was written in 1989 for his sister-in-law and her husband after their nine-year-old son was killed in a car accident. The song, written to offer them hope, has since become a globally recognized worship anthem.{{Cite web|title=Legendary Songwriter Don Moen Reveals Heartbreaking Story Behind 'God Will Make a Way'|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/legendary-songwriter-don-moen-reveals-heartbreaking-story-behind-god-will-make-a-way.html|website=The Christian Post|date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2020}}
Moen has recorded albums globally, including The Mercy Seat at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 1999 and Heal Our Land at Yoido Park in South Korea. His album I Will Sing (2000) was recorded live at the Christian Broadcasting Network studios in Virginia Beach.
=Post-Integrity career=
In December 2007, Moen left Integrity Media to establish his own venture, The Don Moen Company.{{cite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Moens_Move/32921/p1/ |title=Moen's Move: Don Moen to leave Integrity Media to form new companies |publisher=Cross Rhythms |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2013 }} Through his company, he continues to produce music and launched a radio show, Don Moen & Friends, in 2009.
He continues to tour extensively, holding worship concerts and workshops in countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 2017, he released a memoir, God Will Make a Way: Discovering His Hope in Your Story.{{cite book|last=Moen|first=Don|title=God Will Make a Way: Discovering His Hope in Your Story|publisher=Emanate Books|year=2018}}
Personal life
Don Moen has been married to Laura Moen (née Moerbe) since 19 May 1973. They have five children and several grandchildren.{{Cite web |last=Sseruyigo |first=Aaron |date=2022-05-20 |title='Eternally grateful': Don Moen celebrates 49 years in marriage |url=https://www.ugchristiannews.com/eternally-grateful-don-moen-celebrates-49-years-in-marriage/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=UG Christian News |language=en-US}} He and his family reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
Discography
A selection of his most notable albums includes:
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Title ! Album details ! Certifications |
| Give Thanks
| {{Plainlist|
| RIAA Gold (1995) |
| Steadfast Love
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| Bless the Lord
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| Worship with Don Moen
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| God with Us
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| I Will Sing
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| God Will Make a Way: The Best of Don Moen
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| Thank You Lord
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| Hiding Place
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| I Believe There Is More
| {{Plainlist|
| |
| Uncharted Territory
| {{Plainlist|
| |
Awards and nominations
Don Moen has received multiple awards and nominations from the GMA Dove Awards.
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Association ! Category ! Nominated Work ! Result ! Ref. |
| rowspan="2"| 1992
| rowspan="9"| GMA Dove Awards | Song of the Year | "God Will Make a Way" | {{Won}} |
| Children's Musical Album of the Year
| I'm a Helper | {{Nominated}} |
| 1993
| Inspirational Album of the Year | Worship with Don Moen | {{Nominated}} |
| 1994
| Musical Album of the Year | God with Us | {{Won}} |
| 1995
| Musical Album of the Year | Mighty Cross | {{Nominated}} |
| 1998
| Musical of the Year | Emmanuel Has Come | {{Nominated}} |
| 1999
| Musical of the Year | God for Us | {{Won}} |
| 2001
| Spanish Language Album of the Year | En Tu Presencia | {{Nominated}} |
| 2003
| Country Recorded Song of the Year | "God Is Good All the Time" (as songwriter) | {{Nominated}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Don Moen}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moen, Don}}
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American performers of Christian music
Category:American male violinists
Category:Christian music songwriters
Category:Columbia Records artists
Category:Performers of contemporary worship music
Category:Oral Roberts University alumni
Category:Musicians from Minneapolis
Category:Sparrow Records artists
Category:Spanish-language singers of the United States