Greg Nelson

Greg Nelson is a Nashville-based music producer, songwriter, and arranger recognized for his work in Christian and gospel music. Born on September 10, 1948, in Bismarck, North Dakota, he began building a career that would span decades and shape the sound of contemporary Christian music.

Nelson co-founded Refuge Records in 1980 and later served as a publishing director at Sparrow Records. He has produced recordings for prominent Christian artists including Sandi Patty, Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Twila Paris, and Michael W. Smith. In 2004, he began a dual role at LifeWay Worship as an exclusive songwriter and Creative Supervisor for song and writer development. He composed and produced the 1994 Christian musical Saviour with songwriter Bob Farrell.

His songwriting credits include the well-known “People Need The Lord,” co-written with Phill McHugh. Nelson also produced the projects The New Young Messiah and Emmanuel. His work earned him 20 GMA Dove Awards and 7 Grammy Awards for his productions with Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris. He received 13 gold records and 3 platinum records, as well as a BMI Special Contribution Award and the Gospel Music Association Impact Award.

In 2018, Greg Nelson was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, honoring a career marked by significant contributions to Christian music as a producer, songwriter, and label leader.