Brownwood residents will have another chance to attend a free concert by Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin after Howard Payne University announced a new date for the postponed event. The concert and night of worship will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Brownwood Event Center’s outdoor stage, 601 Baker St.
The event was originally planned for April but was postponed because of severe weather. Howard Payne said it has since worked with Tomlin’s touring team, the City of Brownwood and community partners to establish the September date.
What Brownwood concertgoers need to know
The concert is free and open to the public. Unlike the original event, attendees will not need tickets. Admission will be first come, first served, so access will depend on available space at the venue.
- Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
- The concert begins at 6:30 p.m.
- Lawn chairs are welcome.
- Food is allowed inside the venue, but coolers are not permitted.
Additional details are expected in the coming weeks. HPU directed the public to hputx.edu/ChrisTomlin for the latest information.
HPU and city officials highlight community partnership
Howard Payne University President Dr. Cory Hines said the response from the community helped sustain interest in the event while organizers worked through the rescheduling process. He also credited the coordination required among the artist’s touring operation, the venue and local partners.
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible response from our community and the enthusiasm surrounding this night of worship,” said Dr. Cory Hines, president of Howard Payne University.
Hines also said the Bruner Auto Family helped make it possible to offer the concert at no charge to the community. He described the event as an opportunity for a broader impact across Brownwood and the surrounding region.
“We are especially grateful for the generosity of the Bruner Auto Family in making it possible to provide this event free to the whole community,” President Hines said.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes thanked Howard Payne for bringing the concert to the city and said events of this scale can attract visitors while adding to community life.
“Events like this enrich the life of our city, welcome visitors to Brownwood and remind us of what can be accomplished when we work together,” Haynes said.
The city said it is partnering with Howard Payne on the event and expects the concert to draw thousands of guests.
Chris Tomlin’s music career
Tomlin has been described by TIME magazine as the “most often sung artist in the world.” According to the announcement, he has earned 21 No. 1 singles, sold more than 12 million albums, recorded more than 8 billion global streams and received 30 Dove Awards.
The announcement also lists Tomlin as the recipient of a Grammy Award, three Billboard Music Awards and multiple songwriting honors. His past sold-out venues include Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver.
Tomlin and his wife, Lauren, founded For Others in early 2019. The organization works to raise awareness and support organizations seeking to address the child welfare crisis in the United States.
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood with more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools and three locations. The university said its academic and student programs include athletics, service opportunities and preparation for leadership.