Christian contemporary musician Christopher Dwayne Tomlin was born May 4, 1972, in Grand Saline to parents Donna and Connie Tomlin. He celebrates his 50th birthday this year.

Tomlin learned to sing and play music from his father at an early age and wrote his first song at 14. He graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1990 and later completed degrees at Tyler Junior College and Texas A&M University where he led worship services.

Since that time Tomlin released 11 albums, often collaborating with other artists. Today Tomlin is one of the most influential contemporary Christian musicians and has sold 7.5 million albums and more than 10 million digital downloads. He continues writing, performing, and producing music and leading live worship events. He lives with his wife Lauren and three daughters in Franklin, Tennessee.

Chris and Lauren Tomlin started a nonprofit organization called Angel Armies in 2019 to help vulnerable children, families, and foster parents in the U.S. In 2021 they changed the organization’s name to For Others to gain more partners in their mission of securing safe homes for thousands of children each year. For information about the organization visit www.forothers.com.

Tomlin’s hometown honors him with a billboard and a section of memorabilia in its downtown Salt Palace Museum. See more on www.grandsalinesaltpalace.com.