TV Host, Actor & Singer Eamonn McCrystal Releases "A Living Prayer" on Sept 2

By Timothy Yap Aug 11, 2014 03:18 AM EDT

Eamonn McCrystal puts his Irish roots and his booming voice together on "A Living Prayer." Produced by McCrystal and Casey Wood (Charlie Daniels, Bruce Brown), "A Living Prayer" contains the great and eternal hymns of the church interspersed with prayers and spoken word reflections by Pastor John Hagee. Featuring traditional hymns such as "Nearer My God To Thee" and "How Great Thou Art" along with contemporary favorites such as, "In Christ Alone" and "If You Listen," "A Living Prayer" is more than an album, it is an instrument of worship meant to edify one's faith through praise and prayer.

McCrystal was born to nursing home owners Jim and Ann in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. He attended Holy Trinity College in Cookstown, where he learned to play the piano and the flute. In his late teen years, he seriously considered joining the priesthood, but was advised by local cardinal Sean Brady to pursue his music career instead

In 2009, McCrystal was working as a stage manager at the UTV Country Fest in Belfast, headlined that year by Randy Travis. McCrystal was driving Travis's then-wife and manager Elizabeth Travis to Dublin, and gave her a copy of Eamonn McCrystal Live. After listening to the album, she gave McCrystal a slot as a guest artist on the Randy Travis tour, signed him to a contract with Elizabeth Travis Management, and brought him to Los Angeles, where he is currently based.

In 2011, McCrystal recorded his first US album, "When In Nashville..., "produced by Kyle Lehning, composed of six covers and six original compositions by outside songwriters. Later that year, McCrystal collaborated with Randy Travis on "Someone You Never Knew" on Anniversary Celebration, a collection of newly recorded duets in honor of Travis's 25 years as a country musician. In 2012, McCrystal released the single "Under My Wings," a ballad written by Grammy Award winner Walter Afanasieff. McCrystal's musical director Brad Ellis accompanies him on the track.

In 2014, Eamonn began hosting a television special, "Celebrating Music from Northern Ireland" which will air on BBC and PBS and feature music from A Living Prayer. McCrystal will also be featured on the soundtrack and in the film, "A Big Stone Gap" alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Ashley Judd and Patrick Wilson.

Here is the track listing of "A Living Prayer:"

01. If You Listen

02. Reflection 1

03. A Living Prayer

04. How Can I Heal Your Broken Heart

05. Reflection 2

06. In Christ Alone

07. The Day God Called You Home

08. How Great Thou Art

09. Reflection 3

10. Be Not Afraid

11. Reflection 4