Rich Mullins was a singer and songwriter best known for his worship songs ”Awesome God” and ”Sometimes by Step”. Some of his albums were listed by CCM Magazine in their ranking of the 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. A Liturgy, a Legacy, & a Ragamuffin Band (1993) at No. 3, The World As Best As I Remember It, Volume One (1991) at No. 7, and Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth (1988) at No. 31. His songs have been performed by numerous artists, including Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Hillsong United and Third Day. During the tribute to Rich Mullins’ life at the 1998 GMA Dove Awards, Amy Grant described him as ”the uneasy conscience of Christian music.”

His musical career formally began in the late 1970s, where he wrote music and performed with a band called Zion. The band released one album in 1981, Behold the Man. Mullins’ start in the Christian music industry occurred in mid-1981 when Amy Grant recorded his song ”Sing Your Praise to the Lord.” The decision was made to stop touring as ”Zion,” and for Mullins to start his solo career. He moved to Bellsburg, Tennessee, approximately 45 minutes from Nashville, to begin his professional recording career.

In 1986, Mullins released his eponymous debut album, followed in 1987 by Pictures in the Sky. Neither album sold very well, but the Christian radio hit ”Awesome God” on his third album, Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth, brought his music to a wider audience. In 1993, Mullins assembled a group of Nashville musicians to form A Ragamuffin Band, whose name was inspired by the Christian book The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. The band recorded A Liturgy, a Legacy, & a Ragamuffin Band, which was later named the No. 3 best Christian album of all time by CCM Magazine.

On April 29, 2014, Mullins posthumously was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. His brother, David, was on hand to accept on behalf of the family.