Casting Crowns
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| Casting Crowns | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Daytona Beach, Florida, USA |
| Genre(s) | Christian Rock Contemporary Christian |
| Years active | 2003 — Present |
| Label(s) | Sony BMG/Beach Street/Reunion |
| Website | CastingCrowns.com |
| Members | |
| Hector Cervantes, Juan DeVevo, Melodee DeVevo, Megan Garrett, Mark Hall, Chris Huffman, Andy Williams | |
Casting Crowns is a Grammy award and Dove Award winning Christian band that employs a soft rock music style. The band was created in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a Youth Group. He also serves as a lead vocalist. Later they moved to McDonough, Georgia and more members joined creating the band now known as Casting Crowns. Some members of the band currently work as ministers for Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia.
Discovered by, among others, contemporary Christian music legend Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns received a recording contract and vaulted to popularity in 2003 with their self-titled debut album Casting Crowns. The album quickly made them one of the fastest selling debut artists in Christian music history. Lifesong followed in 2005, debuting at #9 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. Both albums have been certified Platinum. The band's third album The Altar and the Door debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart and #1 on the Hot Christian Albums chart upon its release in August of 2007. Ten weeks after it came out it was certified Gold.
Casting Crowns has enjoyed tremendous success in the United States. They have released eight singles to date, seven of which have become consecutive number one hits on various Christian music charts. "Voice of Truth" spent a record-breaking fourteen consecutive weeks at #1 beginning in 2003. “Lifesong” spent nine weeks in the top spot, with “Praise You In This Storm” remaining at #1 for seven weeks. Casting Crowns broke their own record in 2007 when the single "East To West" from The Altar and the Door hit sixteen consecutive weeks at #1. The song ended up enjoying the top spot for a total of nineteen weeks, now their most successful single to date.
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[edit] Ministry
Casting Crowns' frontman Mark Hall calls the band's work a ministry akin to what the world would call "preaching to the choir." In keeping with The Great Commission, Hall describes their music as a "ministry of discipleship."[1]
The members of Casting Crowns are currently ministers at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA where the band plays during youth service. One of their most famous songs is "Praise You in This Storm."
[edit] Discography
- Casting Crowns (2003)
- Live from Atlanta (double disc with live CD and live DVD) (2004)
- Lifesong (2005)
- Lifesong Live (double disc with CD and DVD) (2006)
- Casting Crowns Gift Edition (re-release of 2003's Casting Crowns with bonus music videos, live footage, etc. on a bonus DVD) (2007)
- The Altar and the Door (August 28, 2007)
[edit] Books
- Lifestories by Mark Hall
[edit] Music Videos
- American Dream from the album Casting Crowns
- Does Anybody Hear Her from the album Lifesong
- Slow Fade from the album The Altar and the Door
[edit] Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Album | Peak Chart Positions | RIAA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Christian Albums | Billboard 200 Albums | |||
| 2003 | Casting Crowns | #2 | #59 | Platinum |
| 2005 | Lifesong | #1 | #9 | Platinum |
| 2007 | The Altar and the Door1 | #1 | #2 | Gold |
1 Currently active on the charts.
Song - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Song | Peak Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Christian Songs | Hot Christian AC | |||
| 2003 | "If We Are the Body"1 | 3 | 3 | Casting Crowns |
| 2003 | "Who Am I?" | 1 | 1 | Casting Crowns |
| 2003 | "Voice of Truth" | 1 | 1 | Casting Crowns |
| 2005 | "Lifesong" | 1 | 1 | Lifesong |
| 2005 | "Praise You In This Storm" | 1 | 1 | Lifesong |
| 2006 | "Does Anybody Hear Her?" | 1 | 1 | Lifesong |
| 2007 | "East to West" | 1 | 1 | The Altar and the Door |
| 2007 | "Every Man"2 | 2 | 3 | The Altar and the Door |
1 Reached #1 on other legitimate radio charts.
2 Currently active on the charts.
[edit] Additional Chart Achievements
Albums
- Casting Crowns spent 104 weeks on the Top Christian Albums chart.
- Casting Crowns spent 88 weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
- Lifesong spent 104 weeks on the Top Christian Albums chart.
- Lifesong spent 75 weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
- The Altar and the Door has spent 34 weeks on the Top Christian Albums chart and remains on the chart as of May 3, 2008.
- The Altar and the Door has spent 34 weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and remains on the chart as of May 3, 2008.
- The Altar and the Door debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, the highest debut ever for a Christian artist without crossover promotion.
Songs
- "Who Am I?" spent 6 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "Who Am I?" spent 3 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "Voice of Truth" spent a record-breaking 14 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "Voice of Truth" spent a record-breaking 14 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "Voice of Truth" reached #1 on both the Hot Christian Songs and Hot Christian AC charts after only 5 weeks.
- "Lifesong" spent 9 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "Lifesong" spent 8 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "Lifesong" debuted at #18 during its first week on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "Lifesong" reached #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart after only 7 weeks.
- "Praise You In This Storm" spent 7 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "Praise You In This Storm" spent 5 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "Does Anybody Hear Her?" spent 6 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "Does Anybody Hear Her?" spent 7 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "East to West" spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "East to West" spent 12 weeks at #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart.
- "East to West" debuted at #15 during its first week on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- "East to West" reached #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart after only 7 weeks.
[edit] Also Heard On
- WOW Christmas Green (Song: "Away In A Manger")
- WOW Worship Red (Song: "Beautiful Savior")
- WOW Worship Aqua (Song: "Who am I?")
- The Christ: His Passion (Song: "Lamb Of God {Agnus Dei}" with Bebo Norman)
- WOW Hits 2008 (Song: "Praise You in This Storm")
- WOW Hits 2007 (Song: "Lifesong")
- WOW Hits 2006 (Song: "Voice of Truth")
- WOW Hits 2005 (Song: "Who Am I?")
- Facing the Giants Soundtrack (Song: "Voice of Truth")
- Facing the Giants Soundtrack (Song: "Stained Glass Masquerade")
[edit] Members
- 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
[edit] Producers/Executive Producers
- Steven Curtis Chapman - Producer for album Casting Crowns
- Mark A. Miller - Producer for album Casting Crowns, Lifesong, The Altar and the Door
- Terry Hemmings - Executive Producer for album Lifesong, The Altar and the Door
[edit] Achievements
- Career sales have exceeded 3.5 million records
- Debut album Casting Crowns (released September 30th, 2003) certified RIAA Gold in July, 2004, Platinum in February, 2005.
- Live from Atlanta (released September 14th, 2004) certified RIAA Gold (50,000 units sold) and Platinum (100,000 units sold) in October, 2004.
- Lifesong (released August 30th, 2005) certified RIAA Gold in December, 2005, RIAA Platinum in February, 2007.
- Lifesong Live (released October 3rd, 2006) certified RIAA Gold (50,000 units sold) in January, 2007, RIAA Platinum (100,000 units sold) in May, 2007.
- Voted CCM Readers' Choice Awards "Favorite Band", "Favorite New Artist" and "Favorite Album" in 2005.
- "Lifesong" voted "Inspirational Single of the Year" by online music fans in the 2005 CCMSingles.Net Awards.
- "Praise You in this Storm" was the fifth most played song of 2006 according to R&R magazine[2]
- "East To West" voted "AC Single of the Year" and "Inspirational Single of the Year" by online music fans in the 2007 CCMSingles.Net Awards.
- Casting Crowns was the most played artist on Christian Radio in 2007, according Radio & Records Weekly charts (12/10).
- Casting Crowns is the second fastest Christian band in history to have their first two albums certified platinum, the other is Jars of Clay.
[edit] 2007 American Music Awards
- Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year
[edit] 2007 GMA Dove Awards (2 total wins)
- Group of the Year
- Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "East to West."
[edit] 2006 Grammy Awards (1 total win)
- Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album - Lifesong
[edit] 2005 GMA Music Awards (7 total wins)
- Song of the Year - "Who Am I"
- Group of the Year
- Songwriter of the Year (Mark Hall)
- Pop/ Cont. Recorded Song - "Who Am I"
- Inspirational Recorded Song - "Voice of Truth"
[edit] 2005 GMA Music Awards Nominations (13 total)
- Song of the Year - "Who Am I"
- Group of the Year
- Male Vocalist of the Year - Mark Hall
- Worship Song of the Year - "Who Am I"
- Artist of the Year
- Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song - "American Dream"
- Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song - "Who Am I"
- Inspirational Recorded Song - "Voice of Truth"
- Short Form Music Video - "American Dream"
- Long Form Music Video - Casting Crowns: Live From Atlanta
- Producer of the Year - Mark Miller
[edit] 2004 GMA Music Awards
- Songwriter of the Year - Mark Hall
[edit] 2004 GMA Music Award Nominations
- Songwriter of the Year - Mark Hall
- New Artist of the Year
- Pop Contemporary Song of the Year - "If We Are The Body"
- Pop Contemporary Album of the Year
[edit] Partnerships and Endorsements
[edit] Partnerships
- Jumpstart Resources
- World Vision
[edit] Endorsements
- Gibson Guitars
- Avalon Guitars
- Audix Microphones
- Westone In Ear Monitors
- Pro Mark Drum Sticks
- Ultimate Microphone Stands
Paul Reed Smith Guitars
[edit] References
- ^ MySpace.com - Casting Crowns - - Christian / Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/castingcrowns
- ^ As played on the January 7, 2007 Weekend 22
[edit] External links
- Casting Crowns official site
- Casting Crowns MySpace site
- Jump Start Resources web site -- this web site was created by Mark Hall as a source of materials for Christian youth leaders on low budgets. The web site is given on the CD tray label of the British version of the first album.
- Casting Crowns on Christian Music Videos
- Casting Crowns Artist Profile on Christian Music Review
- The Altar and the Door album review on Christian Music Review
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