Stu G
Encyclopedia
, better known by the stage name Stu G, is an English
vocalist, guitarist
, and songwriter. He served as the lead guitarist
, backing vocalist, and secondary songwriter for the rock band Delirious?
from 1994 until 2009. His song writing credits for the band include "Come Like You Promise", "Metamorphis", and "Pursuit of Happiness". His most famous work is probably "Majesty (Here I Am)" (written with Delirious? lead singer Martin Smith
). Stu G has also produced his own solo material, and released his first album in 1995. He is also a member of the songwriter's charity CompassionArt
.
He has appeared on the Newsboys
' CD Devotion on guitar and also on Terl Bryant
's CD Timbrel
with backing vocals and guitar. He has also written songs with Hillsong London
and Graham Kendrick
, and has contributed to Tim Hughes
' album Holding Nothing Back
, released in April 2007. In a documentary coinciding with the Delirious? live DVD "Now is the Time", Martin Smith claimed of Stu G that he "can't think of many guitarists that are better than him".
, played session guitar for other artists, and played with the band Treasure Park. During his time with the Cutting Edge Band, he wrote and recorded his first and, to date, only solo project. The album, titled Have You Heard?, was released in 1995 on a limited cassette run. It has not been has not been re-released since.
". Later in the year, the band embarked upon their first full UK tour. During this time, the band regularly played 'Come Like You Promise', the opening track from his 1995 solo album.
Stu G wrote many popular songs for the band throughout the rest of their career. For their third album Glo
, the band recorded 'Awaken The Dawn', a track which he had written in 1994 during his time as a solo recording artist. He shared lead vocals with Smith in 2001 on the Audio Lessonover? track 'Fire', something he later repeated on their European hit single 'Inside Outside
' in 2003. In 2007, he wrote his first book, 'I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever', with Martin Smith, chronicling their times during the band.
In 2008, he joined the CompassionArt
songwriters team, contributing towards their first self-titled album
and book.
He was part of Tim Hughes' live band during the recording of his live album, Happy Day
.
Stu G performed his first solo acoustic gig during the Greenbelt Festival in 2009.
Stu G and Jon Thatcher have now formed a new band with Jason Ingram
as lead singer and Paul Mabury as drummer. The band, called One Sonic Society, started work on their debut album in June 2009. Two of the songs on their EP One are also featured on the Hillsong LIVE album A Beautiful Exchange.
As of early 2011, Stu G is on the road with Michael W. Smith
and Amy Grant
as part of the band.
with Delirious?
with CompassionArt
2008 - CompassionArt
and a Gibson ES-135 through a Marshall JTM45 and Mesa Boogie
Dual Rectifier Tremoverb.
For many years, his preferred Guitar has seemed to be the Gibson Les Paul
, although recently he has been frequently seen playing Fender Telecaster
s, and sometimes a Fender Stratocaster
. He also plays many others, including a Gibson ES-135, an Epiphone SG double neck and a Gretsch
duo jet, as well as a number of acoustic guitars. His choice of Amplifiers include the Mesa Boogie
Dual Rectifier Tremoverb, the Gerlitz Revelator, the Marshall JTM 45, the Orange AD-30, and a Vox AC-30. In the USA, however, he only uses up to two of those amps at one time, due to cargo limitations.
Duesenberg - C.C
Fender - Tele'72 Deluxe
Gibson - Les Paul Standard, (sunburst)
Gibson - ES135 (black)
Fender - Telecaster (metallic blue)
Gibson - Les Paul Deluxe, (goldtop '74)
Dobro - 1937 single cone
Gretsch - Silver Falcon
Fender - Stratocaster (1978)
McPherson - Redwood Acoustic
Epiphone - SG double neck
Takamine - Acoustic
Gretsch - Duojet ('66)
. "Like You Promise" was later restyled as "Come Like You Promise", and released on the band's 1996 live album Live & In the Can
, 1998 live album d:tour
, 2001 single "It's OK
", and 2002 compilation album Deeper. "Absolutely Absolute" was also released as a b-side to the band's 1997 single "White Ribbon Day
".
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
vocalist, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, and songwriter. He served as the lead guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, backing vocalist, and secondary songwriter for the rock band Delirious?
Delirious?
Delirious? were an English Christian rock and worship band. For the majority of their career, the lineup featured Martin Smith on vocals and guitar, Stu G on guitar and backing vocals, Jon Thatcher on bass guitar, Tim Jupp on keys and piano, and Stew Smith on drums and percussion...
from 1994 until 2009. His song writing credits for the band include "Come Like You Promise", "Metamorphis", and "Pursuit of Happiness". His most famous work is probably "Majesty (Here I Am)" (written with Delirious? lead singer Martin Smith
Martin Smith (songwriter)
Martin James Smith is an English vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the front man of the Christian rock and worship band Delirious? He co-wrote three songs on Michael W. Smith's 2004 album Healing Rain and is going to be collaborating with Michael W. Smith on his upcoming album...
). Stu G has also produced his own solo material, and released his first album in 1995. He is also a member of the songwriter's charity CompassionArt
Compassionart
CompassionArt is a charity based in Littlehampton, England founded by songwriter Martin Smith and his wife Anna, with the aim of generating income from works of art to assist in the relief of suffering around the planet.-Retreat in Scotland:...
.
He has appeared on the Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
' CD Devotion on guitar and also on Terl Bryant
Terl Bryant
Terl Bryant is a drummer and percussionist who has worked with a wide range of artists and contributed to many top flight recordings to much critical acclaim...
's CD Timbrel
Timbrel
Timbrel or tabret , the principal musical instrument of percussion of the Israelites, similar to the modern tambourine.-History:...
with backing vocals and guitar. He has also written songs with Hillsong London
Hillsong London
Hillsong Church London is a Pentecostal Christian church, and is the London congregation of Hillsong Church, which also meets in Sydney, Paris, Kiev, Cape Town, and Stockholm...
and Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick is a prolific British Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader. He is the son of a Baptist pastor. He now lives in Croydon and is a former member of Ichthus Christian Fellowship...
, and has contributed to Tim Hughes
Tim Hughes
Tim Hughes is a British worship leader and singer-songwriter. He is currently Director of Worship at Holy Trinity Brompton, an Anglican church in central London, and heads up Worship Central, an international worship training and resource centre.- Personal life :Hughes is the son of an Anglican...
' album Holding Nothing Back
Holding Nothing Back
Holding Nothing Back is the third Christian music album by Tim Hughes, which was released on April 3, 2007. It also includes his newest single "Happy Day".- Track listing :# "Happy Day"# "The Highest and the Greatest"# "Everything"...
, released in April 2007. In a documentary coinciding with the Delirious? live DVD "Now is the Time", Martin Smith claimed of Stu G that he "can't think of many guitarists that are better than him".
Early Career 1994 - 1997
Stu G joined Delirious? (then known as The Cutting Edge Band) in 1994. Prior to this, he had worked as an electricianElectrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
, played session guitar for other artists, and played with the band Treasure Park. During his time with the Cutting Edge Band, he wrote and recorded his first and, to date, only solo project. The album, titled Have You Heard?, was released in 1995 on a limited cassette run. It has not been has not been re-released since.
Delirious? 1997 - 2009
In 1997, Delirious? became a full time band. During the writing sessions for their first album King of Fools, Stu G was the primary songwriter for the title track and the song 'All The Way', both of which he wrote with Martin Smith. He also served as the secondary songwriter on many other tracks on the album, including the bands international hit single "Deeper (song)Deeper (song)
"Deeper" is the second single from Delirious?'s debut album, King of Fools, on which it is the second track. It is one of the band's most famous songs and, along with "History Maker", almost universally represented King Of Fools in live setlists until 2005...
". Later in the year, the band embarked upon their first full UK tour. During this time, the band regularly played 'Come Like You Promise', the opening track from his 1995 solo album.
Stu G wrote many popular songs for the band throughout the rest of their career. For their third album Glo
Glo
Glo is the third full studio album by the band Delirious?. It was released in 2000, just over a year after their previous album Mezzamorphis. It was the best-selling Christian album for eight months.-Track listing:...
, the band recorded 'Awaken The Dawn', a track which he had written in 1994 during his time as a solo recording artist. He shared lead vocals with Smith in 2001 on the Audio Lessonover? track 'Fire', something he later repeated on their European hit single 'Inside Outside
Inside Outside (Delirious? song)
"Inside Outside" is the fifth track on the album World Service by Delirious?. On 8 March 2004, "Inside Outside" was released to the German singles market. It reached #72 in its first week and stayed in the top 100 for six more, an unprecedented achievement for a Christian song...
' in 2003. In 2007, he wrote his first book, 'I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever', with Martin Smith, chronicling their times during the band.
In 2008, he joined the CompassionArt
Compassionart
CompassionArt is a charity based in Littlehampton, England founded by songwriter Martin Smith and his wife Anna, with the aim of generating income from works of art to assist in the relief of suffering around the planet.-Retreat in Scotland:...
songwriters team, contributing towards their first self-titled album
CompassionArt (album)
CompassionArt is a studio album by the songwriters' charity of the same name. It features the entire CompassionArt song writing team, Paul Baloche, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton, Michael W. Smith, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu...
and book.
Post Delirious?
When Delirious? announced their planned split in 2008, Stu G was quick to reassure fans through his blog that he would be continuing in the music industry, and later hinted that he would work on projects with bassist Jon Thatcher. Thatcher confirmed that he had built his own studio and that he was frequently traveling to Nashville.He was part of Tim Hughes' live band during the recording of his live album, Happy Day
Happy Day (album)
Happy Day is a live album by British worship leader Tim Hughes. In September 2008, Hughes attended Shepherds Bush Empire in London, England to record a live concert album and DVD. 2,000 fans attended the event. The album was released on 14 March 2009, to many positive reviews...
.
Stu G performed his first solo acoustic gig during the Greenbelt Festival in 2009.
Stu G and Jon Thatcher have now formed a new band with Jason Ingram
Jason Ingram
Jason Ingram is a Christian music producer and songwriter. He has served as a songwriter for many Christian artists, including Sonicflood, Rebecca St. James, Bebo Norman, Point of Grace, and Brandon Heath, among others.-Career:...
as lead singer and Paul Mabury as drummer. The band, called One Sonic Society, started work on their debut album in June 2009. Two of the songs on their EP One are also featured on the Hillsong LIVE album A Beautiful Exchange.
As of early 2011, Stu G is on the road with Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
and Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
as part of the band.
Discography
1995 - Have You Heard?with Delirious?
with CompassionArt
2008 - CompassionArt
CompassionArt (album)
CompassionArt is a studio album by the songwriters' charity of the same name. It features the entire CompassionArt song writing team, Paul Baloche, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton, Michael W. Smith, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu...
Personal life
Until drummer Stew Smith was replaced by Paul Evans in 2008, Stu G was the only member of Delirious? who was unrelated to the others; Jon Thatcher was related to the other three members by marriage (each of his three sisters married another Delirious? member). He is married to Karen and they have two daughters.Instruments
In pre-Delirious Days, the preferred guitars were a Fender TelecasterFender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
and a Gibson ES-135 through a Marshall JTM45 and Mesa Boogie
Mesa Boogie
Mesa/Boogie is a company in Petaluma, California that makes amplifiers for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969....
Dual Rectifier Tremoverb.
For many years, his preferred Guitar has seemed to be the Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
, although recently he has been frequently seen playing Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
s, and sometimes a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
. He also plays many others, including a Gibson ES-135, an Epiphone SG double neck and a Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
duo jet, as well as a number of acoustic guitars. His choice of Amplifiers include the Mesa Boogie
Mesa Boogie
Mesa/Boogie is a company in Petaluma, California that makes amplifiers for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969....
Dual Rectifier Tremoverb, the Gerlitz Revelator, the Marshall JTM 45, the Orange AD-30, and a Vox AC-30. In the USA, however, he only uses up to two of those amps at one time, due to cargo limitations.
Duesenberg - C.C
Fender - Tele'72 Deluxe
Gibson - Les Paul Standard, (sunburst)
Gibson - ES135 (black)
Fender - Telecaster (metallic blue)
Gibson - Les Paul Deluxe, (goldtop '74)
Dobro - 1937 single cone
Gretsch - Silver Falcon
Fender - Stratocaster (1978)
McPherson - Redwood Acoustic
Epiphone - SG double neck
Takamine - Acoustic
Gretsch - Duojet ('66)
Have You Heard?
Have You Heard? was recorded and released by Furious? Records in 1995. It features many members of Delirious? as guest musicians, whilst the lead singer of the band, Martin Smith, served as producer. It received a fairly positive review from Cross RhythmsCross Rhythms
Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:The roots of what was to become Cross Rhythms go back to two separate sources which merged in 1991. In 1983, broadcaster Chris Cole started a 30-minute weekly Christian music radio show on Plymouth Sound FM, a...
. "Like You Promise" was later restyled as "Come Like You Promise", and released on the band's 1996 live album Live & In the Can
Live & In the Can
Live & In The Can was the first live album released by Delirious? in 1996, and was packaged in a tin can.-Track listing:# "Spontaneous I" - 1:06# "I'm Not Ashamed" - 6:35# "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?" - 5:25# "Spontaneous II" - 3:17...
, 1998 live album d:tour
D:tour 1997 Live At Southampton
d:tour 1997 Live at Southampton, or simply d:tour, is a live album by the English band Delirious?.- History :The album was released in 1998 and was the second live offering from Delirious? after Live & In the Can, which was released a few years prior. It was recorded on a leg of the band's...
, 2001 single "It's OK
It's OK
"It's O.K." is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1976 album 15 Big Ones. It was released as a single on August 9, 1976 and climbed to number twenty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the U.S...
", and 2002 compilation album Deeper. "Absolutely Absolute" was also released as a b-side to the band's 1997 single "White Ribbon Day
White Ribbon Day
"White Ribbon Day" is the first single released by rock band Delirious?. It was released from their album King of Fools in 1997, reaching number 41 on the UK Singles Chart....
".
Track listing
- Like You Promise
- The Rain
- Wilderness
- Have You Heard?
- Rest
- Absolutely Absolute