Casting Crowns
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Casting Crowns is a Florida-based Christian band formed out of a youth program outside Atlanta. The band was discovered by Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown and Steven Curtis Chapman, and later signed under Beach Street Records owned by Miller. They have released two studio records—a self-titled debut album in 2003 and a sophomore album, Lifesong released in 2005.
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About
Casting Crowns began their career as a worship band in Eagle's Landing First Baptist in Florida. Mark Hall, the band's vocalist, serves as a youth pastor for almost 12 years. It was their youth ministry in Daytona, FL and Atlanta, GA where the band's music was first heard. They released two independent albums around Atlanta area, both becoming well known. Casting Crowns' albums eventually landed into the hands of Sawyer Brown's Mark Miller which he shared to two of his long-time friends, Provident Label Group President Terry Hemmings and contemporary Christian music legend Steven Curtis Chapman. Both liked the albums as much as Miller did. Miller, who ruins Beach Street Records, signed Casting Crowns as the Records' first band.
Since their self-titled debut release in 2003, Casting Crowns has become one of the best selling artists in Christian music. Their singles If We are the Body, Who Am I and The Voice of Truth reached peak spots in Christian charts. Who Am I gave Casting Crowns two Dove awards in 2005 ("Song of the Year" and "Pop/Cont. Recorded Song") while The Voice of Truth received the "Inspirational Recorded Song" award. Furthermore, frontman Mark Hall won two consecutive GMA Music awards as the "Songwriter of the Year" in 2004 and 2005.
Casting Crowns released their sophomore album Lifesong in 2005, which further catapulted the band into musical success. They received their first Grammy as the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for Lifesong in 2006. Their released singles from the album ("Lifesong," "Praise You in the Storm," and "Does Anybody Hear Her") all reached number one spots at Hot Christian Songs chart. In 2006, Lifesong became certified gold.
Two years into a widely popular career, Casting Crowns continues to live out a larger calling on their lives. The band believes this is the ministry that God has called them to. Music is their way of sharing the awesome love of God, where they strive to be open and honest about their lives and their walk with Jesus.
Band members
| Name | Instrument(s) |
|---|---|
| Mark Hall | Lead Vocals |
| Juan DeVevo | Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals |
| Melodee DeVevo | Violin, Vocals |
| Hector Cervantes | Electric Guitar, Vocals |
| Chris Huffman | Bass Guitar |
| Megan Garrett | Keyboard, Accordion, Vocals |
| Andy Williams | Drums |
Awards & Certifications
Awards
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | GMA Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year, Mark Hall |
| 2005 | GMA Music Awards | Song of the Year, "Who Am I" |
| 2005 | GMA Music Awards | Group of the Year |
| 2005 | GMA Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year, Mark Hall |
| 2005 | GMA Music Awards | Pop/ Cont. Recorded Song, "Who Am I" |
| 2005 | GMA Music Awards | Inspirational Recorded Song, "Voice of Truth" |
| 2006 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, "Lifesong" |
Certifications
| Year | Album | The Billboard 200 | RIAA Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Casting Crowns | #59 | Platinum |
| 2004 | Live from Atlanta | Platinum | |
| 2005 | Lifesong | #9 | Gold |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Positions Hot Christian Songs | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "If We Are the Body" | 1 | Casting Crowns |
| 2003 | "Who Am I?" | 1 | Casting Crowns |
| 2003 | "Voice of Truth" | 1 | Casting Crowns |
| 2004 | "American Dream" | 1 | Casting Crowns |
| 2005 | "Life Song" | 1 | Lifesong |
| 2005 | "Praise You In This Storm" | 1 | Lifesong |
| 2006 | "Does Anybody Hear Her" | 1 | Lifesong |
News
Tours & Concerts
1/13/07 Orlando, FL (Student Life Clarity Tour)
1/26/07 Edmonton, Alberta (New Creation Ministries)
2/2/07 Chattanooga, TN (Chattanooga Convention Center)
2/9/07 Garland, TX (Student Life Clarity Tour)
2/11/07 Western Caribbean (Come Alive Cruise)
3/3/07 Plant City, FL (Florida Strawberry Festival)
3/10/07 San Fransisco, CA (Acquire The Fire)
4/7/07 Arlington, TX (Six Flags over Texas)
6/7/07 Belfast, Ireland (Atig Events Presents Casting Crowns @ Belfast Metropolitan Tabernacle)
6/9/07 Ingliston, Edinburgh, Scotland (The Royal Highland Centre)
6/29/07 Shirleysburg, PA (Creation East - Agape Farm)
7/6/07 Doswell, VA (Kings Fest)
7/7/07 Cincinnati, OH (Spirit Song)
7/12/07 Osh Kosh, WI (Lifest)
7/13/07 Wilmar, MN (Sonshine Festival)
7/21/07 Schaumburg, IL (Alexian Field)
8/6/07 Darien Center, NY (Kingdom Bound - Six Flags Darien Lake)
8/10/07 Muskegon, MI (Unity Festival - Heritage Landing)
8/11/07 Leitchfield, KY (Loucon Training and Retreat Center)
8/16/07 Des Moines, IA (Iowa State Fair)
Discography
Albums
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Compilations & Live Releases
- Lifesong Live, 2005
- Live from Atlanta (Double-Disc with live CD and live DVD), 2004
- WOW Christmas Green ("Away In A Manger")
- WOW Worship Red ("Beautiful Savior")
- The Christ: His Passion ("Lamb Of God {Agnus Dei}" with Bebo Norman)
- WOW #1s ("If We Are the Body")
- WOW Hits 2006 ("Voice of Truth")
- WOW Hits 2005 ("Who Am I?")
Other artists
Similar artists
Influences
Contemporaries
Trivia
- Casting Crowns' frontman Mark Hall was diagnosed with a learning disability at a young age.
- Keyboardist Megan Garret's hobby is playing bassoon.
- Vocalist Mark Hall's favorite book of the Bible is James.
- Juan Devevo (on guitars/vocals) likes making videos on the computer.
- Mark Hall created Jumpstart Resources, an organization aiding youth pastors who are just getting started by providing resources that would allow them to spend their budget on the students and not on the resources.
Reviews
From a worship band beginning, Casting Crowns has been making noise in the Christian music circle since they got signed in 2003. Their sound is comparable to other modern worship band staples, and often likened to U2 in their early years (Where the Streets Have No Name). But more than these humble beginnings and neat pop/rock balladry, what brings about their musical success is the band's straightforward, honest songwriting and compelling lyricism. They provide strong messages of worship and talk about issues that aren't talked about enough. The band strives to challenge the church, setting bold questions and echoing situations happening inside our churches. Their gutsy, potent approach is never heavy-handed, which draws listeners into a more reflective attitude. jamie 05:31, 10 January 2007 (PST)
