Featured Artist: Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns began life as a student worship band in 1999. The band was led by youth pastor Mark Hall who wrote and sang the songs. The band also included guitarists Juan Devevo and Hector Cervantes and violinist Melodee Devevo.
In 2001 Chris Huffman was added on bass with Megan Garrett on keyboards and accordion, Andy Williams came in as the drummer. Casting Crowns at that time released two independent albums on CD, both of which were well received. Although the group was not searching for a record label, one of the group's albums found its way into the hands of Mark Miller. Miller signed Casting Crowns to his fledgling label Beach Street Records.
In 2003 Miller took the band into the studio to record what came out as the self titled album Casting Crowns. The album was co-produced by none other than Steven Curtis Chapman. The album went on to sell at a fast pace, with single after single making an impact into the Christian Music charts.
2005 was the year of the release of probably Casting Crowns most recognizable song, Lifesong from the album of the same name. The album went on to win the band their first Grammy award in 2006.
The band's third studio album The Altar and the Door was released in 2007, which again was a major success with high chart positions and radio single success. In early 2009 drummer Andy Williams left the band and was replaced by Brian Scoggin. Later that year the band released their fourth studio album Until The Whole World Hears. It debuted at number 4 on the overall Billboard album chart, selling 167,432 copies in its first week making it the largest selling debut by a Christian artist in Nielsen Soundscan history. Within four weeks the album had been certified gold.
Following on from the success of their last album, Casting Crowns are set to release their new live album, titled 'Until The Whole World Hears Live', on 31st August 2010. The 2-disc set will include seven live songs on CD, plus one previously unreleased track, and a DVD featuring songs such as 'Until The Whole World Hears', 'If We’ve Ever Needed You', 'Glorious Day', 'Mercy', 'Blessed Redeemer' and 'Holy One'.
