We the Kingdom have slowly been making their mark in music for the past two years, ever since the release of their Live at the Wheelhouse EP in 2019. As a new act, they never imagined that a gospel superstar like Chris Tomlin would invite them to be included in his star-studded Chris Tomlin & Friends record, which includes Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Thomas Rhett and more, and were stunned that he even asked.

“Honestly that was crazy, especially with all of the collaborations that he chose, I can’t believe he chose us,” We the Kingdom’s Franni Cash Cain told Everything Nash. “I love that song, and my dad and Chris have been friends and been working together for years. I remember being six years old, and I thought Chris was so cool, and whenever he would come to the studio I would hide and– because little six year old me, I was super nervous.

“He’s now like an uncle to me,” she continued. “I mean, Chris is awesome. Getting to have that history with him and his band, of feeling almost like family, has made the collaboration really special because we have such a good relationship with him, which has made it even more special. I’m so thankful that he chose us and that he sees us as friends, and also that he likes our music, too.”

We the Kingdom just released their debut Holy Water album, a 12-track collection of personal songs that they have been working on for three years — although rarely did they write the songs on purpose.

“For songwriting, I think we’ve only actually had one scheduled co-write,” Franni shared. “Most of the time we just spontaneously end up jamming during rehearsals and finding a melody or a riff that we really love, and going ahead and writing that song. We will be randomly together or will be on the road and write a song in the car with someone in the passenger seat playing guitar, and we’ll just write it right there. Our first song was written in a hot tub.

“We love to write, so I think we follow the inspiration to write our songs,” she added. “That’s how we write. In terms of song selection, there was a lot of prayer, a lot of counsel from our friends of which songs paired the best together. It was really hard, but I’m just glad that I hope we can do another record.”

We the Kingdom just received four GMA Dove Awards nominations, for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, for Live at the Wheelhouse, Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, for “Holy Water,” and New Artist of the Year. To purchase Holy Water, visit We the Kingdom’s website.