His first label was the Spirit and Song, a division of OCP Publications, where he released his first three collections. Early in 2007 Maher signed to Essential Records. He released his first big-label album (and his fourth album overall) "Empty and Beautiful" on April 8, 2008. His second album with Essential Records (and his fifth album overall), "Alive Again", was released on September 22, 2009. In late 2009, Maher toured with Michael W. Smith, Meredith Andrews and Phil Stacey on the "New Hallelujah Tour". "Alive Again" peaked at No. 6 on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums chart in 2009.