Ed Cash
Ed Cash (born August 6, 1971) is an American record producer, songwriter, audio engineer, and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his contributions to contemporary Christian music (CCM) and worship genres.[1][2] Born into a musical family, he began playing guitar at a young age and transitioned from a touring musician to a prominent studio producer based in Franklin, Tennessee, after establishing a home studio.[3][4] Cash gained widespread recognition in the mid-2000s through his collaborations with artist Chris Tomlin, co-writing the hit song "How Great Is Our God" and producing multiple albums, including the Grammy-winning And If Our God Is For Us.[1][5] His production work extends to artists such as NEEDTOBREATHE, Crowder, Amy Grant, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Bebo Norman, and Casting Crowns, where he has helped define signature sounds and develop emerging talents for major labels.[4][5] Cash's accolades include three consecutive GMA Dove Awards for Producer of the Year from 2005 to 2007, additional Dove wins in 2012, 2013, and a shared win in 2020, two BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year honors in 2008 and 2018, and a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.[3][5][6][7][8] In addition to his behind-the-scenes role, Cash performs as a lead vocalist and co-founder of the family band We The Kingdom, formed in 2018 with his brother Scott Cash, children Franni Rae and Martin Cash, and friend Andrew Bergthold; the group blends folk, Americana, and worship elements, drawing from diverse influences like Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, and James Taylor.[4][9] Their debut album, Holy Water (2020), features Cash's songwriting and production, including the Dove Award-winning track "Goodness of God," co-written earlier for Bethel Music.[4] Cash's approach emphasizes spiritual depth and artistic excellence, focusing on songs that "magnify Jesus" while maximizing emotional impact.[3]Early Life
Childhood and Family
Ed Cash was born on August 6, 1971. He grew up in a Christian household where music played a central role in family life.[10] From a young age, Cash's father, himself a musician, taught him and his younger brother Scott—eleven years his junior—how to play the guitar, including classic songs like "Johnny B. Goode."[4] Even as a three-year-old, Cash would listen intently to his father performing blues and country tunes on an acoustic guitar, an experience that sparked his lifelong connection to music.[3] The Cash family frequently gathered for informal jam sessions at home, which nurtured Ed's development as a multi-instrumentalist and deepened his early immersion in musical expression alongside his brother, who would later join him as a fellow musician in We The Kingdom.[4][10] These formative family interactions laid the groundwork for his future pursuits in music.Musical Beginnings and Education
Ed Cash's musical beginnings were deeply rooted in his family environment, where music was a constant presence. He grew up listening to his father play blues and country tunes on the acoustic guitar, a ritual that captivated him even as a three-year-old sitting in the bathtub.[3] His mother contributed to this musical household by playing the piano, fostering an early appreciation for melody and rhythm that shaped his lifelong passion.[11] Cash attended and graduated from Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1990.[5] During his teenage years in the late 1980s, Cash learned guitar from his father, practicing classics such as "Johnny B. Goode" and channeling his energy into local rock bands, where he dreamed of achieving stardom.[4][10] This period was marked by experimentation with darker, heavier genres amid personal struggles with alcohol and drugs, reflecting a phase of rebellion away from his Christian upbringing.[3] His initial performances occurred in these informal band settings, honing his skills as a multi-instrumentalist through practical immersion rather than structured lessons.[10] A pivotal shift came at age 19 in 1990, when the overdose death of a high school friend prompted Cash to recommit to his faith, redirecting his musical pursuits toward Christian contexts.[10] He became actively involved in youth ministries, including Young Life, where his talents supported worship and community gatherings in the early 1990s.[12] Transitioning from heavy rock influences to contemporary Christian music artists like Caedmon's Call and Bebo Norman, Cash began experimenting with recordings in informal setups, laying the groundwork for his production career without formal musical academic training.[3]Professional Career
Early Productions and Breakthroughs
Ed Cash entered the music industry in Nashville during the mid-1990s, shortly after achieving sobriety at age 19, by taking on roles as an audio engineer and producer for independent Christian artists, where he focused on creating demos in local studios to build his portfolio.[10] Following his high school graduation in 1990, Cash honed his audio engineering skills through hands-on work in the competitive Christian music scene, navigating financial instability as he balanced family responsibilities with the demands of freelance projects before securing major label deals.[5][10] In the late 1990s, Cash established Cash Productions as a home-based studio in Franklin, Tennessee, equipping it with essential recording gear including Pro Tools systems, high-end microphones, and multi-track consoles to facilitate efficient production workflows for emerging artists.[13] His early productions included Bebo Norman's debut album Ten Thousand Days (1999), where he served as producer, marking one of his initial forays into full album oversight and showcasing his ability to blend acoustic and contemporary Christian elements.[3] Cash's breakthrough came around 2000 through co-production on early Chris Tomlin recordings, including contributions to tracks that would evolve into hits like "How Great Is Our God," which propelled him into a full-time production career and established his reputation for crafting anthemic worship music.[3] This collaboration, built on Cash's engineering expertise and songwriting input, transitioned him from demo work to high-profile projects, overcoming early market challenges such as limited resources and the niche constraints of Christian music distribution.[10]Key Collaborations and Songwriting
Ed Cash's most prominent collaboration has been with contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin, beginning in the early 2000s and spanning multiple projects. Their partnership yielded the co-written hit "How Great Is Our God" in 2004, composed alongside Jesse Reeves, which became a cornerstone of modern worship music. Cash produced several of Tomlin's albums during this period, including Arriving (2004), See the Morning (2006), Hello Love (2008), and And If Our God Is for Us... (2010), shaping the sound of worship through layered instrumentation and anthemic arrangements. This long-term alliance helped define Cash's role in elevating worship songs to mainstream appeal within Christian music. Beyond Tomlin, Cash has produced and contributed songwriting to a range of artists in the contemporary Christian genre. He worked on productions for Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Amy Grant, including co-writing "The Water" for Grant's Greatest Hits 1986–2004 compilation and performing on tracks like "Since the World Began" featuring Grant. Notable songwriting credits include "Made to Worship," co-authored with Tomlin and Stephan Sharp for Tomlin's 2006 album, which emphasized themes of devotion through accessible melodies. Cash's songwriting process emphasizes collaboration and intentional enhancement, often identifying gaps in a song's structure—such as adding the bridge to "How Great Is Our God"—to amplify its emotional and spiritual impact. He approaches blending worship lyrics with pop production by prioritizing a sacred environment that "protects the anointing of God," incorporating modern elements like dynamic builds and multi-instrumental layers while ensuring the focus remains on exalting Jesus. His extensive catalog includes countless BMI Citations of Achievement, reflecting over 300 registered works across various artists. In the 2010s, Cash expanded into broader contemporary Christian music, co-writing influential tracks for Bethel Music, such as "Goodness of God" (2019) with Jenn Johnson, Ben Fielding, Jason Ingram, and Brian Johnson, from their album Victory (2019). This shift marked his growing involvement in the worship movement's collaborative ecosystem, producing songs that resonated in church settings worldwide while maintaining his signature pop-infused style.Role in We The Kingdom
Ed Cash co-founded We The Kingdom in 2018 alongside his brother Scott Cash, his daughter Franni Rae Cash, his son Martin Cash, and his son-in-law Andrew Bergthold, forming a multigenerational family band rooted in their shared musical heritage and Christian faith.[12][14] The idea for the band emerged during a family gathering at a Young Life camp, where Cash's established background as a producer and songwriter for artists like Chris Tomlin inspired the group to create original music together.[12] As the band's patriarch and primary producer, Cash serves as a multi-instrumentalist, contributing guitar, keyboards, and vocals across their projects.[15][4] Cash has been central to the band's key releases, handling production duties that blend contemporary Christian sounds with rock, folk, and worship elements. Their debut studio album, Holy Water, released in August 2020 via Capitol Christian Music Group, features Cash's production and co-writing on tracks like the title song, which became a major hit in Christian radio.[16][17] The band's self-titled sophomore album followed in September 2022, again produced by Cash, showcasing a broader stylistic range with songs such as "Jesus Does" and "Mine."[18] In July 2024, they issued the live EP 33, recorded in Minneapolis and produced by Cash, capturing intimate performances that highlight the band's communal energy.[19] In addition to production and songwriting, Cash actively participates in We The Kingdom's live performances, often leading on stage with his family to foster an engaging, worship-oriented experience.[10] This hands-on involvement underscores the band's multigenerational appeal within Christian music, drawing audiences through relatable family dynamics and heartfelt lyrics that resonate across age groups.[9] Recent developments include extensive touring, such as the 2024 Awakening Tour alongside Casting Crowns and the Church Music Tour, which have amplified their reach in the contemporary Christian scene.[20] By mid-2024, We The Kingdom achieved a significant milestone with over 1 billion global career streams, largely driven by hits from their albums produced by Cash.[19][21] In October 2025, Franni Rae Cash announced her departure from the band to pursue a solo career in free-spirit pop.[22]Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Ed Cash has been married to Kerry Cash since the early 2000s, and the couple maintains a close partnership that extends beyond their professional lives into shared family responsibilities and personal support.[10][23] They reside in Franklin, Tennessee, where they prioritize a stable home environment centered on family bonding and daily routines away from the music industry.[24] The Cashes have four children, including daughter Franni Rae Cash and son Martin Cash, both of whom have joined their father in musical endeavors as part of We The Kingdom.[25] The family emphasizes raising their children in a faith-based setting, drawing from a household tradition of integrating spiritual values into everyday activities such as meals, conversations, and community involvement.[4] Ed Cash's extended family includes his brother Scott Cash, a fellow producer and songwriter who has collaborated extensively in the Christian music scene.[10] Their familial ties are further shaped by the legacy of their parents, particularly their father, Francis Armistead "Steady" Cash Jr., who served for decades on the national board of Young Life, a prominent Christian youth ministry that instilled a deep commitment to faith and service in the family and died in 2020.[26][24]Faith Journey and Sobriety
Ed Cash faced significant challenges with substance abuse during his late teens and early twenties, a period marked by alcohol and drug dependency that began after straying from his Christian upbringing. The overdose death of a high school friend at age 19 prompted an initial recommitment to Jesus and sobriety.[10] He went through five rehabilitation attempts before achieving lasting recovery.[27] A radical encounter with Jesus transformed Cash's life, leading to a deepened commitment to Christianity in the early 1990s and freeing him from addiction.[4][10] This spiritual turning point guided him to channel his musical talents into faith-based production and songwriting, prioritizing a stable home life over touring to safeguard his sobriety and family. His family's encouragement played a key role in supporting him through recovery.[4][10] In 1991, Cash began his path to lasting recovery, achieving sobriety on May 10 of that year. By 2024, he had reached 33 years of sobriety, which he commemorated during a We The Kingdom concert in Minneapolis—the same city significant to his recovery journey. The band released the live EP 33 to honor this achievement, capturing performances that reflect his testimony of redemption.[27][28] Cash has openly shared his story in interviews, crediting divine intervention for his deliverance from profound addiction.[27] As of November 2025, Cash remains active as a worship leader and speaker, emphasizing themes of faith and recovery in his ministry. Through We The Kingdom and personal outreach, he continues to inspire audiences with his journey toward spiritual renewal.[4]Awards and Recognition
Grammy Awards
Ed Cash has earned one Grammy Award from six nominations in categories related to contemporary Christian and gospel music, recognizing his roles as producer and songwriter.[29] His sole win occurred at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012, where he received the award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album as producer for Chris Tomlin's And If Our God Is for Us....[30] This project, featuring worship songs like "Jesus My Redeemer," highlighted Cash's production style blending orchestral elements with intimate vocals, contributing to the album's commercial success and critical acclaim in Christian music circles.[30] Cash's nominations began in 2007 with Best Gospel Performance for producing Chris Tomlin's "Made to Worship" from the album of the same name, which showcased his early expertise in crafting radio-friendly worship anthems.[31] In 2009, at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, he was nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for producing Tomlin's Hello Love, an effort that peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and emphasized themes of divine affection through collaborative songwriting. Further nominations came in 2016 at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards: Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for producing Tomlin's Love Ran Red, known for its raw lyrical depth on redemption; and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for co-writing "Because He Lives (Amen)" with Tomlin, Jason Ingram, and Matt Maher, a modern resurrection hymn that resonated widely in worship settings.[32][33] In 2021, at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Cash received two nominations for his work with We The Kingdom: Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for their debut Holy Water, which he co-produced and helped shape into a multi-platinum seller; and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for the title track "Holy Water," co-written by the band including Cash. These accolades underscored his ongoing influence in elevating family-led Christian acts.[34]| Year | Category | Work | Role | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Best Gospel Performance | "Made to Worship" (Chris Tomlin) | Producer | Nomination |
| 2009 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | Hello Love (Chris Tomlin) | Producer | Nomination |
| 2012 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | And If Our God Is for Us... (Chris Tomlin) | Producer | Win |
| 2016 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Love Ran Red (Chris Tomlin) | Producer | Nomination |
| 2016 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | "Because He Lives (Amen)" (Matt Maher) | Songwriter | Nomination |
| 2021 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Holy Water (We The Kingdom) | Producer | Nomination |
| 2021 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | "Holy Water" (We The Kingdom) | Songwriter, Producer | Nomination |