Matt Gilder
Band Leader & Keys Player for Chris Tomlin
Bio
Matt Gilder has served as Chris Tomlin’s band leader and keys player since 2007. Born in Southeast Texas, Matt grew up passionate about music and leading worship in his local church. The church gave him many opportunities to lead and when he was 17 offered him a job working in the music department. Later, while attending university Matt and five college friends decided to start a worship band and get on the road.
In 2001 that road led the guys to Nashville where Matt began getting opportunities to play keys with various Christian and County artists.
After touring pretty heavily for 5 years, in early 2006, Matt decided he was going to come off the road for a season and just pursue making records and playing sessions. That lasted about six months when Matt got the call from Chris Tomlin’s producer to come out and play keys on Chris’ “See the Morning” record. Shortly after that recording, Chris asked him to join the band and in 2007 Matt took the position of band leader/keyboard player.
In 2010 Chris’ whole band moved to Atlanta GA to help start Passion City Church with Louie Giglio. It was in this period where Matt got the bug to teach and began trying to impart some of what he learned the last decade to younger musicians and technicians that were serving at Passion City Church.
When not touring with Chris, Matt freelances with different Christian and Country artists out of Nashville, often band leading and helping arrange their shows.
Matt lives in East Nashville with his dog Ace and a large collection of keyboards
