Casting Crowns

Christian Rock at its Finest

Casting Crowns is not your typical, everyday rock band. This seven-member ensemble is one with a mission: deliver a message that will inspire a greater relationship with God through music. Their newest album, The Altar and The Door, strives to fulfill this, as lead vocals Mark Hall explains, “Once we got into the recording, I knew we were in for something different, a more progressive approach to the music. These songs sounded different in my head; they’ve been a big challenge for us as a band. And the music definitely sets the tone for the whole project, but for me, it always comes back to the message. I always think lyrics first.”

Casting Crowns’ lead singer and songwriter is full-time youth pastor Mark Hall, who is serving his 17th year as student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. The other band members are Juan DeVevo, Melodee DeVevo, Hector Cervantes, Chris Huffman, Megan Garrett and Andy Williams. All seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta-area and tour part-time around their local church duties.

Casting Crowns’ success was initially made through their self-titled debut in 2003. They followed up in 2005 with the album, Lifesong, which debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200. The band was awarded back-to-back platinum certifications for these first two albums, setting an RIAA record as the fastest Christian music artist in its career to have its first two albums certified platinum, and only the second in RIAA history ever to achieve it, with the other being Jars of Clay in 2000. The band’s third album, The Altar and the Door, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Hot Christian albums chart upon its release in August of 2007. Just 10 weeks after its release, it was certified gold.

The band has already been awarded a Grammy in 2006 for their album, Lifesong. They have also had a recent win at the 2007 American Music Awards. But of course, they are not slowing down yet. Casting Crowns has recently received multiple Grammy nominations in three categories. The band’s record-setting No. 1 song “East to West” is recognized in two categories for Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song, and lead singer Mark Hall pulls in the nomination as the songwriter. The band’s new album, The Altar and The Door, is nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

During its four-year career, Casting Crowns has been honored with a Grammy Award, three American Music Award nods and multiple Gospel Music Dove Awards serving as the industry’s “Group of the Year” for the last three years. Casting Crowns has been the most played artist on all Christian radio formats combined, with seven consecutive No. 1 AC radio hits, and the group has sold more than 3 million albums to date. With this said, this group is surely one to catch live at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center on April 4!