We nourish our spirits and souls by what we consume, absorbing each message physically and emotionally. In essence, you get out what you put in. Forrest Frank acknowledges the weight of his words, deeds, and actions within his artistry. The award-nominated Texas-based singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist approaches life and music with gratitude and intent. For instance, he makes sure to cook every meal on tour with organic ingredients out of respect for himself, his family, and his friends. As another example, he'll often take a walk outside in order to just appreciate the world around him a little more. Above all, he puts his faith, wife, and children first.
This mindset underscores his music, and it's why his latest full-length LP, CHILD OF GOD, has quietly taken flight as one of the best-selling Christian albums of 2024.
"I like to think of my music as healthy food, but we're just consuming it through our ears," he states. "I'm very particular about hosting, because it's a joy for me. I think of touring in a similar way. When I perform a show, the audience is like a group of close friends visiting for dinner. I want everyone to leave feeling full, satiated, and ready to come back tomorrow. I aim to prepare my songs to be energizing and good for you."
As a kid, Forrest discovered music via his parents. In addition to listening to the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, he went to church every Wednesday and Sunday. During high school, he would cook up beats on his phone, so he and his football buddies could freestyle on the bus after games.
His first drum sampler changed everything though. "I'd never been exposed to music production, but when I got that, I found my thing," he smiles. "It was game over. I was addicted to producing."
Throughout college, he'd skip events, movie nights, and gatherings to "sit in my dorm room and hit buttons on this thing." By senior year, he had easily logged over 10,000 hours. He initially shared solo music under the name of Forrest., stoking early buzz. Sending out countless DMs, he wound up connecting with Surfaces, graduated, and settled in Seattle. As one-half of Surfaces, he gained invaluable experience on the road and in the studio as well as notching a triple-platinum single with "Sunday Best."
In 2021, a revelation inspired him to change course. Forrest opted to take a year off from touring, relocated to Waco, TX, and became a father.
"A big opportunity came up for Surfaces, but something in my gut told me to say, 'Hey guys, I'm out on this'," he recalls. "It was a nail-in-the-coffin moment. I wasn't searching for success. On paper, it made no sense to put roots down in Waco. I'd gotten engaged, and we were praying about where to live. It just felt like God was saying, 'Move to Waco'. We got our house, we made some amazing friends, and I bought an upright piano. I naturally started writing again."
Working completely independently, he introduced his next chapter as a solo artist with "Slow Down." However, his self-described "simple worship song"--the powerful "NO LONGER BOUND" [feat. Hulvey]-- opened up the floodgates. It not only surged across social media, but it also tallied north of 60.9 million Spotify streams and counting. He parlayed this momentum into CHILD OF GOD. Beyond performing on all 20 tracks, Forrest helmed the production, crafting an immersive soundscape anchored by elements of bright R&B, upbeat pop, and uplifting gospel. Thematically, he clung to a core message.
"My whole brand was built around God, and I'm not going to change that--ever," he affirms. "I set out to make the greatest album I could make, and so many doors opened. I can't believe it."
Powered by the breakout "NO LONGER BOUND," the gloriously catchy "UP!" [feat. Connor Price], and more, CHILD OF GOD soared to stratospheric heights upon arrival. After gathering over 60,000 pre-saves in advance, it captured #1 on the iTunes Overall Top Albums Chart. Within a few months' time, it tallied over 1 billion global streams. Given the runaway success, Billboard named him the "#1 Top New Christian Artist." Concurrently, the signature "GOOD DAY" vaulted to #2 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs Chart and #4 on Christian AC Radio Chart. At the 55th annual Dove Awards, it garnered a nomination in the category of "Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year," and he received a nod for "New Artist of the Year." Plus, he sold out his CHILD OF GOD North American headline tour coast-to-coast.
Among many highlights, "GOOD DAY" embodies the spirit of the LP. Slick claps set the tone as the breezy beat brushes up against a luminous synth loop. He leans into this sunny bounce with wide-eyed optimism on the refrain, "I'm about to have a good day, no matter what they say."
"It's pure motivation," he goes on. "The phrase just popped into my head. Ignore the haters. At the end of the day, God knows me, and He created me. In terms of the composition, I love going on walks around my neighborhood. My son hates strollers, so I carry him. I'm literally picturing myself walking around with my boy in my arms and these thoughts in my head."
He doesn't tell his story alone. Tori Kelly locks into a showstopping and stunning duet with Forrest on "MIRACLE WORKER" where a bluesy guitar lead accents and amplifies the raw emotion in their interplay. Then, there's "NEVER GET USED TO THIS," which sees him link up with JVKE to deliver an unshakable anthem of gratitude as he reminds, "I'll never get used to this." However, a certain family member makes the most special guest appearance of all on "HEY GRANDAD." The latter features a candid conversation between Forrest and his grandpa.
"My grandfather was a successful weatherman in Houston, and he always walked with the Lord," he goes on. "He was a role model to me. He's 92 now, and it's cool to hear his testimony and me talking through my testimony. He stands by every statement he's made."
Ultimately, Forrest upholds the same level of conviction on CHILD OF GOD.
"My main goal is for you to hear a song and hopefully want to listen to the whole album," he leaves off. "If you do, maybe you get the gospel message and understand what I'm trying to say, even passively. I'm just a husband, a dad, and a family man who's trying to connect with God and be an example to my community. That's it."
