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 released their live album, titled 'Until The Whole World Hears Live', on 31st August 2010. The 2-disc set included 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'.
In 2011 the band released 'Come To The Well' which was well received from fans. The band soon released an acoustic album which featured 8 new versions of favourite Casting Crowns songs plus 2 brand new songs, and was available in early 2013.
The band said the album was "inspired in part by the acoustic medley portion of the Come To The Well Tour. Experience some of your favorite Casting Crowns songs in a fresh way on the new album."
New songs 'Delivered' and 'Only You Can Satisfy' sit alongside established tracks like 'Praise You In This Storm' and 'Set Me Free'.
Now the band are set to release their seventh studio album 'Thrive' this January.
The forthcoming album comes more than two years since the band's acclaimed album 'Come to the Well' and includes the new lead single 'All You've Ever Wanted'.
Accompanying the anticipated record is Casting Crowns lead singer, Mark Hall's newest book 'Thrive - Digging Deep, Reaching Out'. The book hits retailers on 11th February 2014 and includes powerful stories and teaching for those looking to take the next step of faith.
Working again with veteran industry producer Mark Miller, half of the record follows the theme of Reaching Out with songs like the upbeat, folk anthem and title track 'Thrive'. The remaining half of the record centers on the theme of Digging Deep with songs like the haunting and vulnerable ballad 'Broken Together' that encourages couples in whatever season they are in, as well as the reflective lead single 'All You've Ever Wanted'.
"The idea of THRIVE came out of our student ministry and what we've been teaching for years on what a believer looks like," says Casting lead singer, Mark Hall. "This record and book is an effort to draw a picture of what a believer would look like if they dug into their roots and understood God and themselves more. We must first learn who God is and who we are. With that, half of our record is all about learning who God is and who you are. The other half is about how that works out. How are you going to get out there and let God live His life through you?"
In support of the new record, Casting Crowns has also announced its upcoming national tour, 'The Thrive Tour', which will feature Laura Story and For King & Country and will kick off in Lexington, Kentucky on 20th February 2014.
