Christy Nockels shares new project, 'King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems For Rest'

Merge PR Press Release & Photo

A trusted voice in Christian music for three decades, Christy Nockels has released a peace-inducing project filled with tender songs for families today. Her latest album, “King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest,” is a sister project to her acclaimed 2017 album, “Be Held: Lullabies for the Beloved.” Listen to “King Who Never Sleeps.”

“These songs are for kids, 0 to 100. I hope this record is just as meaningful for adults as it is for children,” Nockels shared. “These songs are for personal worship, for people’s mundane. They’re not songs you’re necessarily going to sing shoulder-to-shoulder on Sunday, but hopefully, they capture the same heart, the same God, and the same stance of wanting to be the worshipers we were made to be.”

Recorded at Dark Horse Studios in Franklin, Tennessee, the 14-track project was produced by her husband, Nathan (Chris Tomlin, Passion), who also co-wrote a majority of the originals. Colored by intimate instrumentation, intentionally simple language, and Nockels’ angelic vocals, the fresh collection is ready-made for personal worship and quiet moments of reflection. Many of the songs are based on scripture, making biblical truths accessible to children in a relatable and engaging way. Yet, “King Who Never Sleeps” isn’t meant solely for kids.

If the gentle lullabies that defined “Be Held” originated in a rocking chair as Nockels lulled her own children to sleep, the songs on “King Who Never Sleeps” were birthed in a fruitful season of watching those same children soar. 

In the blink of an eye, it seems all three of her kids have grown up into full-fledged adults with dreams of their own, and as a fresh empty nester, the passing of time is a concept that’s often on Nockels’ mind. The mother of three values presence on “Be Where Your Feet Are,” a song whose message of not missing what’s meant for you is already resonating with audiences. 

The project features Nockels’ two daughters on background vocals (“Shepherd of My Soul”), with her oldest daughter also contributing to the album’s artwork through a hand-drawn, detailed crest. Other guests include first-time songwriter Magen Roberson and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Mitch Wong (“Under the Feathers of God,” “Keep Your Eyes on Jesus”).

Listen to Nockels share about this project and the idea of seasons and time on some reason podcasts, including Annie F. Downs' “That Sounds Fun,” “Real Talk with Rachel Awtrey,” and “Rhythms of Us.” 

WATCH:

With a heart to lead others to authentically connect and communicate with God, Nockels and her husband, Nathan, toured nationwide as the duo Watermark, recording five albums and seven No. 1 radio hits together. A founding member of Passion City Church, where she served on the worship team with Tomlin, Matt Redman and Kristian Stanfill, Christy released her first solo album on sixstepsrecords, “Life Light Up” (2009), followed by “Into The Glorious” (2012) and the live worship album “Let It Be Jesus” (2015). Launching Keepers Branch Records with Nathan, Christy unveiled her first Christmas project on the new label, “The Thrill Of Hope” (2016), and released her Dove-nominated “Be Held: Lullabies For The Beloved” (2017), and” This is the Hour” (2023).