Annie Herring

Annie Herring

Annie Herring (born Annie Ward September 22, 1945) is one of the pioneers of the Jesus music genre, later to be called Contemporary Christian music. She was more notably a part of the trio, 2nd Chapter of Acts in which she wrote most of the songs and sang lead and harmony vocals with her brother Matthew Ward and sister Nelly (Ward) Greisen. However, during her musical career with the 2nd Chapter of Acts from 1973 to 1988, she also recorded solo albums. She continues to record and perform her solo work to the present time (2007).

Early history

Annie Herring’s music and ministry was in no small part, forged from personal family tragedy. In 1968 her mother, Elizabeth Ward, died of a brain tumor; two years later her father, Walter, died of leukemia leaving her youngest sister, Nelly, and brother, Matthew, orphaned. The Ward siblings all decided that Annie and her new husband, record producer Buck Herring, should take in the two younger Ward siblings.

Annie was a self styled (and self taught) singer and song writer who wrote and played her songs around the family piano. Her brother and sister would often join in as she played, and eventually they developed extremely tight and intricate harmonies.

As they gradually started singing for local coffee houses and small gatherings, they eventually gained the notice of Pat Boone who arranged a contract to record and release two singles with MGM, "Jesus Is" (1972) and "I'm So Happy" (1973). The fledgling trio also came to the attention of 1960s folk singer Barry McGuire, who had recently become a Christian and was preparing to record his first Christian music album, produced by Buck Herring. The siblings provided background vocals for Seeds and McGuire's 1974 follow-up Lighten Up.

Discography

• Kids of the Kingdom with Annie Herring - 1976 (Sparrow Records)
• Through a Child's Eyes - 1976 (Sparrow Records)
• Search Deep Inside - 1981 (Sparrow Records)
• Flying Lessons - 1989 (Live Oak Records)
• Waiting for My Ride to Come - 1991 (Live Oak Records)
• There's a Stirring - 1992 (Sparrow Records)
• All That I Am - 1993 (Sparrow Records)
• Glimpses - 1996 (Spring Hill)
• Wonder - 1998 (Spring Hill)
• Picture Frames - 2000 (Spring Hill)
• Here in My Heart - 2001 (Baah Records)
• One on One - 2006 (Baah Records)
• "Dance Of The Horses: And Other Animal Tracks" - 2010

Compilations

• Come Together: A Musical Experience In Love Various Artists (Annie sings on a number of songs) 1974
• If My People: A Musical Experience In Worship And Intersession Various Artists 1974
• Firewind: A Contemporary Dramatic Musical Various Artists (New Jerusalem) 1976
• Sparrow Spotlight Sampler Various Artists (Some Days) 1978
• The Witness: A Musical Of Easter Various Artists 1978
• The Glory Of Christmas Various Artists (Annie portrays Mary The Mother of Jesus) 1980
• The Birthday Party Candle (I Will Shine, I Will Sing) 1980
• The Victor: A Musical Various Artists 1984
• Come Together Again: A Musical Experience in Worship and Commitment Various Artists 1986
• The Lord Reigns Bob Fitts (I Stand In Awe) 1988
• Handle's Young Messiah Various Artists (Behold The Lamb) 1990
• Let It Rain Dennis Jarnigan (duet with Dennis on You Come Raining) 1992
• Giving You The Rest Of My Life Various Artists (Over And Over) 1994
• Sisters:The Story Goes On Various Artists (duet with Bonnie Keen on Will You Go To The Father For Me?) 1995
• First Love Various Artists (My Redeemer) 1998
• Praise 16: Power Of Your Love Maranatha! Music (Great Is The Lord) 1999
• Worship Moments: I Love You Lord Maranatha! Music (Great Is The Lord) 2004
• Hands Lifted High Dennis Jernigan (duet on Faithful And True & duet with Matthew Ward on When The Night Is Falling) 2005
• Edge Of The World Randy Stonehill (appears on We Were All So Young) 2006

Publications

• Glimpses: Seeing God in Everyday Life 2006