GARTH HEWITT EPISODE TWO

Recorded 11th May 2026
Location Eastbourne, England.

Garth Hewitt is a British singer-songwriter, author, and Anglican priest whose work has long combined music with social justice activism. Born in 1946 in England, Hewitt first emerged in the late 1960s as part of the folk and protest music movement. His early songwriting reflected concerns about poverty, inequality, and human rights—themes that would remain central throughout his career.

Founding the human rights charity Amos Trust in 1985, Garth worked for 26 years as its Director, then handing that role on to Chris Rose; Garth maintained a role with Amos as Founder for a few more years and then “retired” from Amos at the end of 2020 to focus more on writing and recording.

First and foremost a “troubadour”, Garth has performed in such diverse venues as Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, rural village Gomathimuthupuram in Tamil Nadu, India, and Changi Prison in Singapore. He has been joined on his records by a wide variety of artists: Bryn Haworth, B J Cole, Jessy Dixon, Sir Cliff Richard, Martyn Joseph, Randy Stonehill, Ben Okafor, Reem Kelani, Penny Cave, Mark Heard, Paul Field, Paul Pilot, Duke Special, Denise Ogbeide and many more including his own daughter Abi and daughter in law Eils Hewitt.

For 25 years Garth was one of the Directors/Board Members of the Greenbelt Festival. He played at the first festival and was then a key member of the board that shaped its thinking and direction. It was particularly through Garth’s influence that it became an Arts Festival with a commitment to social justice

One of his most prominent musical relationships was with Cliff Richard. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Richard not only sang Hewitt’s material but also
recorded several of his songs. Their collaboration gave Hewitt rare exposure to a much broader pop audience, even if he never pursued commercial success in the same way.

Beyond studio work, Hewitt has shared stages in notable contexts. He performed at events organised by evangelist Billy Graham and was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry by country artist George Hamilton IV—a sign of his respect within international music circles.

Musically, Hewitt’s style blends folk, acoustic, and contemporary Christian influences, often marked by simple arrangements that foreground his lyrics. His songs are narrative-driven, frequently telling the stories of marginalized communities and individuals affected by political conflict. Over the decades, he has released more than 50 albums, maintaining a consistent output and a dedicated following, particularly among audiences interested in faith-based activism.

In addition to his music, Hewitt has written several books documenting his travels and experiences, especially in the Middle East. His dual role as both priest and artist has allowed him to bridge religious, cultural, and political divides, using creative expression as a means of advocacy.

Though not a mainstream commercial figure, Garth Hewitt remains an influential voice in protest music and faith-inspired activism, respected for his lifelong commitment to justice, compassion, and storytelling through song.