Career
Over two dozen of his hymns have been published in 70 books used by 36 denominations in Australia,Canada,China, England, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, and the United States of America. He has published five collections of hymns, including THE Young European Socialists OF THE HEART (with foreword by Chick Corea), GRATEFUL PRAISE, AS SUNSHINE TO A GARDEN, and EACH BREATH EVERY HEARTBEAT (Abingdon Nashville)and BIDDEN, UNBIDDEN (Abingdon Press). His sixth book will be entitled COME,MY CHOSEN with co-writers from several countries. Dave Brubeck wrote a tune for his song "As the Moon is to the Sun" which is included in the 2008 book, "DAVE BRUBECK AT THE PIANO." His best known songs so far are: We All are one in Mission, Praise the One who Breaks the Darkness, Now it is Evening, To a Maid Engaged to Joseph, and Each Breath, Every Heartbeat.
He is an honorary citizen of Austin, Texas and a Kentucky Colonel.
On January 22, 2009, the City of Tyler, Texas held a "Rusty Edwards Hymn Writer Day." He was 2009 Visiting Fellow at Yale University Institute of Sacred Music and is 2012 Visiting Fellow of Africa University in Zimbabwe. Most recently, he was a part of the Chick Corea Master Workshop, where he recorded Prism (words by Rusty Edwards.
Music by Chick Corea, with Chick Corea, John Patitucci, and Antonio Sanchez.