Paul Field

Paul Field (born c. 1953) is an award-winning British Christian singer, songwriter, and music producer whose diverse career has bridged the gap between contemporary Christian music (CCM), musical theater, and mainstream pop. Raised in a musical, faith-filled home where his father was a church organist and choir director, Field began playing guitar at age thirteen, taking inspiration from folk-pop icons like Paul Simon. In the early 1970s, he formed a contemporary folk-rock trio called Jesus Revolution, which eventually renamed itself Nutshell. Widely regarded as the British counterpart to the American CCM group 2nd Chapter of Acts, Nutshell released four highly acclaimed albums on the Myrrh label between 1976 and 1979, pioneering a fresh, harmonically rich acoustic pop sound within the conservative parameters of the British church landscape.

Following a highly successful period between 1979 and 1981, during which Nutshell and its successor group, Network 3, toured extensively as backing vocalists and the opening act for Sir Cliff Richard, Field embarked on a solo career. His 1982 solo debut, Restless Heart, launched an expansive era of independent performance and collaborative work. Over the next four decades, Field demonstrated immense versatility by writing six full-length Christian musicals, including Daybreak (1983), Visions (1985), and Burning Questions (1993), many of which were written in collaboration with youth evangelist Rob Frost. He also successfully expanded into commercial work, composing jingles and theme music for prominent international brands, including British Rail, Guinness, and the Cabbage Patch Kids franchise.

As a songwriter, Field achieved massive international recognition, culminating in a prestigious Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, as well as a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award in Nashville. His compositions have been recorded by a vast, eclectic roster of global artists, including Cliff Richard, Rebecca St. James, Avalon, Natalie Grant, and Katie Melua. Notably, his work crossed into unique cultural and historic spheres; in 2004, his children’s song "Surrounded by His Love" was featured as part of Queen Elizabeth II's annual Christmas Day broadcast. He also co-wrote and produced The Dalit Drum with Garth Hewitt for Christian Aid after traveling to India, and developed Cargo (2007)—a multi-media musical project addressing modern human trafficking and the abolition of the slave trade—in partnership with Anti-Slavery International and Compassion International.

Today, Field continues to write, produce, and perform intimate singer-songwriter concerts while hosting masterclasses and workshops, including past lecturing stints on songwriting at Bath Spa University. His later solo releases, such as Being Myself (2016) and The Politics of Kindness (2021), reflect a mature, introspective focus on social justice, human rights, and practical Christian charity. Based on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, England, Field remains a foundational figure in British Christian music history, celebrated for asking difficult, honest spiritual questions through polished, professional pop craftsmanship.