Elias Dummer

{{Short description|Canadian musician, songwriter, and writer}}

{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}

Elias Elton Dummer (born March 3, 1983) is a Canadian musician, songwriter, and writer based in Tennessee. Elias was the principal songwriter, founding member, lead singer, and pianist in the contemporary Christian band the City Harmonic, from 2009 until 2017, and released his first solo music a decade since the creation of the band in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/elias-dummer-the-work-vol-1-review/|title=Elias Dummer The Work Vol 1|author=Matt Conner|website=www.ccmmagazine.com|date=February 22, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2020}}

Early life and education

Dummer was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He attended Westmount High School.[https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/whatson-story/7378351-rockingham-the-city-harmonic-calls-it-quits-with-benediction-live-/ 'ROCKINGHAM: The City Harmonic calls it quits with “Benediction Live”']. The Hamilton Spectator, June 21, 2017 by Graham Rockingham

Career

Dummer started The City Harmonic with guitarist Aaron Powell, bassist Eric Fusilier, and drummer Joshua Vanderlaan in 2009 after they served together as the house worship band for an inter-denominational event for students focused on "worship and mission" called CrossCulture.[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-city-harmonic-mn0002570461/biography "The City Harmonic"] AllMusic Biography by Mark Deming[http://www.breathecast.com/articles/interview-city-harmonics-elias-dummer-discusses-new-10622/ "INTERVIEW: The City Harmonic's Elias Dummer Discusses Their New Album 'Heart', Story of "City on a Hill" and Fall Tour"]. BreatheCast, Matt Lloyd, September 17, 2013 The band was then commissioned by the TrueCity movement of churches in Hamilton, Ontario.{{cite web |author=Doug Van Pelt |date=April 5, 2011 |title=The City Harmonic sees boost in sales |website=HM Magazine |url=https://hmmagazine.com/the-city-harmonic-sees-boost-in-sales/}} The band released an EP, Introducing the City Harmonic in 2010.[https://www.allmusic.com/album/introducing-the-city-harmonic-mw0002066136 "Introducing the City Harmonic"]. AllMusic review by Jared Johnson

Dummer's hit song "Manifesto" became the walkup song for baseball player Seth Smith,{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/highernote/2011/11/03/seth-smith-picks-winner-in-the-city-harmonic/2665/|title=Seth Smith picks winner in The City Harmonic|work=Denver Post Higher Note|author=Liz Somers|date=November 3, 2011|access-date=January 3, 2020}} and served as the theme song for 2011's National Day of Prayer,{{Cite web|url=https://hmmagazine.com/the-city-harmonic-song-used-on-national-day-of-prayer/|title=The City Harmonic song used on National Day of Prayer|website=HM Magazine|language=en|date=May 6, 2011|author=Doug Van Pelt|access-date=January 3, 2020}} in addition to being performed live at Passion 2013 by Charlie Hall.

In 2015, Dummer co-produced We Are The City Harmonic, a documentary about the social impact of churches working together in Hamilton, with Jesse Hunt and Eric Fusilier.

The City Harmonic disbanded in 2017. Dummer and his family moved to Tennessee;[http://www.hallels.com/articles/20717/20190127/elias-dummer-speaks-about-life-after-the-city-harmonic-his-new-solo-album.htm "Elias Dummer Speaks About Life After the City Harmonic & His New Solo Album]. Hallels, By Timothy Yap January 27, 2019 after first releasing a series of singles to streaming platforms beginning in November 2018, Dummer released his debut album as solo artist, The Work Vol. 1, on February 8, 2019; his debut single "Enough" received sufficient radio play to appear for 26 weeks on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[https://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/enough-is-not-enough-an-interview-with-elias-dummer/ "‘Enough’ Is Not Enough — An Interview with Elias Dummer"]. CCM Magazine, Andrew Voigt In 2020, "Expectation" appeared on iTunes and Apple Music charts in more than 30 countries around the world.{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/elias-dummer-releases-new-single-expectation/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=www.ccmmagazine.com|date=July 12, 2021 }}

Dummer released his sophomore album The Work, Vol. 2, in July, 2022, which was co-produced by Dummer and Brent Milligan and featured multiple collaborators including JJ Heller, Citizens, Land of Color, and Sandra McCracken. Production began in 2020, requiring them to accomplish certain elements remotely, including a choir crowd-sourced from singers across the world.{{Cite web |title=Elias Dummer's 'The Work Vol 2' Showcases Grace, Mercy & The Joy of Collaboration |url=https://www.louderthanthemusic.com/document.php?id=12575 |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=www.louderthanthemusic.com}}

The album was included in multiple lists naming the best Christian music albums of 2022, including those from The Gospel Coalition,{{Cite web |last=McCracken |first=Brett |date=2022-12-20 |title=Best Christian Music of 2022 |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/best-christian-music-2022/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The Gospel Coalition |language=en-US}} JesusWired,{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Iain |date=2022-12-30 |title=JesusWired's Top Releases of 2022 |url=https://jesuswired.com/2022/12/30/jesuswireds-top-releases-of-2022/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=JesusWired.com |language=en-US}} UTR Media.{{Cite web |last=utrmedia |title=Best Albums of 2022 - Honorable Mentions |url=https://utrmedia.org/hm22/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=UTR Media |language=en-US}}

As of September 2022, Dummer's songs have accumulated over 100 million streams.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Rick Lee |date=Sep 21, 2022 |title=Episode 483: Elias Dummer |url=https://rickleejames.substack.com/p/episode-483-elias-dummer#details }}

Songwriting

Dummer's career began as a songwriter, with songs like "Honestly" and "Do You Hear The Sound"{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/honestly-mw0003242855/credits|title=Honestly - Eli Dummer | Credits | AllMusic|website=AllMusic }} released under Spring Hill Worship in 2005. With his band Elias, he wrote "Faithful Forever" winning a Covenant Award in 2008. In addition to his releases as a solo artist, Elias, and with The City Harmonic, Dummer has contributed to a number of projects for other artists. Dummer has written with Building 429, Newsong, Zealand Worship, Big Daddy Weave, Dan Bremnes,{{cite web |title= Dan Bremnes: Speak to Me |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/speak-to-me-mt0055288815}} and Todd Smith.

Writing

Dummer has contributed to Huffington Post{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/elias-dummer/|title = Elias Dummer | HuffPost}} and ChurchLeaders.com on faith and culture. In 2023, Dummer also co-founded and contributed to a research project called Worship Leader Research in conjunction with Baylor University, Belmont University, and Southern Wesleyan University.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=W. L. R. |title=Home |url=https://worshipleaderresearch.com/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Worship Leader Research |language=en-US}} The findings of this research have been featured by Christianity Today,{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Bob Smietana-Religion News |date=2023-04-12 |title=How Bethel and Hillsong Took Over Our Worship Sets |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/april/bethel-hillsong-worship-sound-christian-research.html |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=News & Reporting |language=en}} The Washington Post,{{Cite news |date=2023-04-11 |title=There's a reason every hit worship song sounds the same |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2023/04/12/theres-reason-every-hit-worship-song-sounds-same/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0190-8286}} Sing! — The Center for Congregational Song,{{Cite web |title=Worship Leader Research Archives |url=https://congregationalsong.org/tag/worship-leader-research/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Sing! The Center For Congregational Song |language=en}} The Roys Report,{{Cite web |date=2023-05-31 |title=The Megachurch Worship Monopoly |url=https://julieroys.com/podcast/the-megachurch-worship-monopoly/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The Roys Report |language=en-US}} and The Holy Post.{{Cite web |title=Episode 324: Is the Cross Divine Child Abuse? With Mike Erre {{!}} The Holy Post Podcast |url=https://www.everand.com/podcast/417847370/Episode-324-Is-the-Cross-Divine-Child-Abuse-With-Mike-Erre-Christianity-teaches-that-Jesus-took-our-sins-upon-himself-and-endured-the-punishment-of |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Everand |language=en}}

Recognition

As a solo artist and as the founding member of The City Harmonic, Dummer has received a Juno Award (and 2 additional nominations), 15 Covenant Awards (with 26 more nominations), and a Dove Awards nomination.

In September 2023, Dummer was featured in the Hearn Innovator Series at Baylor University.{{Cite web |title=Hearn Innovator Series: Elias Dummer – Visit Waco, TX |url=https://destinationwaco.org/events/hearn-innovator-series-elias-dummer/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |language=en-US}}

Personal life

Dummer and his wife Meaghan have five children and live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada after living near Nashville for almost ten years.https://www.trevortalks.co/elias-dummer-podcast-interview-trevor-talks-2022/ Together with Travis Garner, they helped to plant The Village Nashville in 2016, a church in Nolensville, Tennessee.[https://williamsonsource.com/about-elias-dummer-village-church/ "Q & A with Elias Dummer from The Village Church"]. Williamson Source, By

Donna Vissman, February 7, 2016

Business

In addition to music, Elias Dummer has multiple successful businesses, including Rockfirm Marketing,{{Citation |title=Talking to Artists: Elias Dummer of Rockfirm Marketing (Episode 101) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfiuU4HQh0o |access-date=2023-11-20 |language=en}} Crown & Press,{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Crown & Press: A new art experience - Hamilton City Magazine |url=https://hamiltoncitymagazine.ca/crown-press-a-new-art-experience/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Hamilton City Magazine - Hamilton lifestyle magazine |language=en-US}} and Square Foot Show.

Discography

= As frontman in The City Harmonic =

class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Album

!Peak Chart Position

!Weeks

2011

|Introducing The City Harmonic (EP)

|26 Billboard Top Christian Albums{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-city-harmonic|title=The City Harmonic Introducing The City Harmonic (EP) Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|18

2011

|I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)

|34 Billboard Top Christian Albums{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-albums|title=Christian Albums: Top Praise Music Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|2

2013

|Heart

|24 Billboard Top Christian Albums{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-city-harmonic|title=The City Harmonic Heart Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|3

2015

|We Are

|40 Billboard Top Christian Albums{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-city-harmonic|title=The City Harmonic We Are Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|

2017

|Benediction (Live)

= Singles with The City Harmonic =

class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Single

!Peak Chart Positions

!Weeks

!Album

2011

|"Manifesto"

|

  • 24 Billboard Christian Songs{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-city-harmonic|title=The City Harmonic Manifesto Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}
  • 19 Billboard Hot Christian Songs{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-city-harmonic|title=The City Harmonic I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}
  • 15 Billboard Christian Song Sales

|

  • 20
  • 30

|Introducing The City Harmonic

2011

|"Mountaintop"

|28 Billboard Christian Songs

|4

|I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)

2011

|"I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)"

|5 Billboard Hot Christian Songs

|16

|I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)

2012

|"Mountaintop"

|27 Billboard Hot Christian Songs{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-city-harmonic|title=The City Harmonic Mountaintop Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|12

|I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home)

2013

|"Holy (Wedding Day)"

|36 Billboard Hot Christian Songs

|8

|I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)

2014

|"Praise the Lord"

|46 Billboard Christian Airplay

|6

|Heart

= Solo albums =

  • The Work Vol. 1 (2019) February 8, 2019

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Album

!Peak Chart Position

!Weeks

2019

|The Work Vol. 1

|10 Billboard Heatseekers{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/elias-dummer|title=Elias Dummer The Work, Vol. I Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|1

2022

|The Work Vol. 2

|

|

= Singles as a Solo Artist =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
YearSinglePeak Chart PositionWeeksAlbum
2019"Enough"25 Billboard Christian Airplay{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay|title=Christian Songs: Top Christian Airplay Songs Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}26The Work Vol. 1
2019

|"Enough"

|42 Billboard Hot Christian Songs{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-songs|title=Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 3, 2020}}

|7

|The Work Vol. 1

2022

|"The Gospel is Rest (feat. Land of Color)"

|

|

|The Work Vol. 2

2022

|"Kyrie Eleison (feat. Citizens)"

|

|

|The Work Vol. 2

2022

|"Carry (feat. JJ Heller)"

|

|

|The Work Vol. 2

2022

|"See Clearly" (feat. Sandra McCracken)

|

|

|The Work Vol. 2

2022

|"We're Here Because You're Here"

|

|

|The Work Vol. 2

2024

|"Manifesto"

|

|

|Manifesto

Awards

= GMA Canada Covenant Awards =

class="wikitable"

|+

!2023

!Award

!Result

2008

|Modern Worship Song of the Year: "Faithful Forever"

|{{won}}

2019

|Breakthrough Artist of the Year{{Cite web|url=http://www.gmacanada.ca/nominees|title=Nominees|website=GMA Canada|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016050023/http://www.gmacanada.ca/nominees|url-status=dead}}

|{{won}}

2019

|Song of the Year

|{{nom}}

2019

|Male Vocalist of the Year

|{{nom}}

2019

|Artist of the Year

| {{nom}}

2019

|Praise & Worship Album of the Year

|{{nom}}

2019

|Album of the Year

|{{nom}}

2019

|Praise & Worship Song of the Year

|{{nom}}

2023

|Rock Artist of the Year {{Cite web |title=Manitobans win big at 43rd annual GMA Covenant Awards |url=https://chvnradio.com/articles/manitobans-win-big-at-43rd-annual-gma-covenant-awards |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=CHVN Radio}}

|Won

2023

|Male Vocalist of the Year

|Won

2023

|Artist of the Year

|Nominated

2023

|Album of the Year

|Nominated

References

{{reflist}}