NFL Super Bowl winning player and Cincinnati Bengals starting tight end, Ben Utecht, reveals his talent this off-season as a singer and musician.  His highly anticipated, self-titled debut album released April 21 to wide critical acclaim on Stylos Records, distributed by Word Entertainment.

Following the album release, music fans in the Cincinnati area will receive the opportunity to hear Utecht sing when he performs with the Cincinnati Pops and Mormon Tabernacle Choir on June 18 at Riverbend Music Center.  With Maestro Erich Kunzel conducting and a special appearance by Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, Utecht will sing the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”

Utecht is also set to sing a song from his new album for an international television audience.  His recording sparked the Crystal Cathedral (Garden Grove, CA) to book him as a featured guest performer June 14, which will air on Robert Schuller’s internationally televised Hour of Power June 28.  Utecht will further be featured on The 700 Club as he tapes an interview June 25 in Cincinnati for this flagship Christian Broadcasting Network program.  (See your local listings for times.)

As these top Christian television programs and more are set to feature Utecht, significant stories have already run at Associated Press, MyFox National, www.breathecast.com, Cincinnati Enquirer, www.soul-audio.com and elsewhere.  Print and radio journalists are also praising the new album:

“Powerful pop/rock with a worshipful punch…Combining killer vocals with hard-hitting pop tunes, Utecht proves this is no vanity project. Co-writing with Mark Harris and buddy Jeremy Camp and enlisting the expertise of pop/worship guru Nathan Nockels, Utecht utilizes a roster full of CCM A-listers to produce one heck of a record. A solid songwriter and exceptional singer, Utecht is a total pro. Consider this debut a touchdown.” – ChristianityToday.com

“The self-taught guitarist also shows a vocal range that surprises everyone who knows him as an athlete.” – Associated Press

“…we are all blown away by his musicianship, his command of his voice and phraseology and his album is HOT! Good jock rock isn’t always easy to come by but he excels.” – Bernie Bennett, Janet Parshall's America producer.

“…not only is Utecht an accomplished football player, but also a talented singer and songwriter.” – Breathecast.com

Five-time GRAMMY winner and NFL fan Sandi Patty, who signed Utecht to be the first artist on her Stylos Records, admits that she was surprised at how gifted Utecht was as a musician.  In an interview with the Associated Press, Patty said, “He started singing, and literally our jaws dropped.  It was amazing. There are people that can sing, and people that know how to really communicate a song. He not only sings beautifully, he knows how to communicate a song.”

Utecht is a new wordsmith, musician and singer, from an unlikely arena.  He has performed the national anthem at numerous college and pro sports events, played at churches over the years, performed at a recent Gaither Homecoming event, and even sung for both President Bushes. With his debut album, produced by Nathan Nockels (Chris Tomlin, Passion, Point Of Grace), he shares his passion and insight into the struggles of faith and life. Known for his faith both on and off the field, Utecht wrote the lyrics and music for the majority of the new album, collaborating with friends like Sandi Patty, Mark Harris and Jeremy Camp.

When asked about his successes, Utecht responds, “My identity is as a Christian, not a football player or musician.  In music and sports, the things people are doing become who they are.  While people come to hear my testimony as a professional athlete, or see me as a musician, it is who I am as a believer in Christ that I want people to see.”

For more information about Utecht, including his tour dates, clips of all the songs on his debut album, etc., please visit www.benutecht.com.