By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The local group Matt Littlejohn Band has released its first studio-produced album.

“We’ve been playing and leading worship together for … at least 8 years,” Matt Littlejohn said. “This is the first one we’ve actually had a producer … and his input on. The others were us just getting something recorded.”

The group travelled back and forth to Black Cat Recording Studios in Georgia for a few months starting in June 2016 to work on their latest album, “You Are Strong.”

Littlejohn said he chose to record there because the studio’s producer, Jason Hoard, has produced music with Third Day, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant and other big names in Christian music.

The Matt Littlejohn Band released its first EP in 2011. Many of the members had played together for years before that at their church, Lomax Assembly of God, in Clanton. The group consists of Matt and Ditt Littlejohn, Jason Scarborough and Wes Blair.

“It’s just fun. It’s fun to travel together, to play music together and to share the experiences that we’ve had. The good ones and the bad ones,” Littlejohn said.

After releasing their self-produced EP and performing at local festivals – such as En Fuego – and churches around the southeast, the group decided to find a producer.

“You can hear it in all of our songs: we sing about Jesus and we love to share Jesus with people,” Littlejohn said. “The biggest goal is that a few of these songs … speak to people who may be dealing with things or struggling with things. The goal is that it would touch people’s hearts … and reach more people.”

The group’s album is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon Music and is streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.

For more information, visit facebook.com/mattlittlejohnband.