Phil Joel | |
|---|---|
 Phil Joel at Piha beach in New Zealand | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Philip Joel Urry |
| Born | (1973-01-05)5 January 1973 (age 52) |
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Christian pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, bass |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Labels | Inpop, Curb |
| Member of | Zealand Worship |
| Formerly of | Newsboys, Drinkwater |
| Website | www |
Philip "Phil" Joel Urry (born 5 January 1973) is a New Zealand musician and former bassist for theChristian rock groupNewsboys.
Philip Joel Urry was born inAuckland, New Zealand. He was lead singer and guitarist for the band Drinkwater, of which released their eponymous six-track EP in 1991 and a full length CD,Three Murky Vibes, in 1993.[1]
Urry was recruited as bass player for Newsboys after the band noticed him during Drinkwater's 1994 opening slot for Newsboys in Auckland.[2] Urry moved to the United States to join the Newsboys on August 13, 1994[3] and soon after starting going by his middle name Joel to avoid potential pronunciation issues.[4]
In June 2000, Joel released his first solo album,Watching Over You, onInpop Records.[5] He supported this album with theStrangely Normal Tour accompanied byLaRue,Luna Halo,Earthsuit,V*Enna, and Katy Hudson (later known asKaty Perry).
Joel's second solo album,Bring It On, was released in November 2002 also onInpop. His third album,The deliberatePeople.Album was released on 18 November 2005 in conjunction with Phil and Heather Joel's newly founded Christian ministry, deliberatePeople. The album was praised for its stripped down rock,[6] reminiscent of theJesus Music era of Christian Music.[7]
Joel's wife, Heather, is a former host ofAll Access andHit Trip onCMT. He met Heather at a radio station in her nativeKansas. They were married in 1996 and have two children.[citation needed]
In December 2006, Joel announced that he would be leaving the Newsboys in order to devote more time to his family. In September 2008, Joel released his fifth solo CD titledThe New Normal, which was his third self-produced album.[8]
Joel began the project Zealand Worship in 2015.[9]
In December 2017 it was announced that Joel would be joining his former Newsboys band mates on the year-long Newsboys United tour.[10]
Joel's debut book,Redwoods & Whales, was released by Thomas Nelson on 16 April 2019.[11]
In 2020, while much of the world was experiencing lockdowns due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, Joel took part in"The Blessing - Aotearoa/New Zealand", avirtual choir featuring over 200 New Zealanders performing "The Blessing". Performers from various churches and denominations across New Zealand submitted a video of themselves performing the song, which was then edited into a cohesive video. This was inspired by the many countries who had done the same.[12]
In January 2021 Joel returned to his solo career, releasing the EPBetter Than I Found It, which he recorded in his home studio during lockdown in Franklin, Tennessee.[13]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)| International | |
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