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  HUNTSVILLE -- After a 36-hour labor with her first child, Elijah, 3, Brandy Noren Lighthall figured she'd have plenty of time to make the trip from her south Huntsville home to Waynesboro, Tenn., to a mid-wife birthing center about two hours away.
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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, Florida¹ 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.²

History

Formation and Self Titled Debut

Christian pop group Casting Crowns began as a student worship band in Daytona Beach, FL, in 1999. Led by singer, songwriter, and youth pastor Mark Hall, the group initially included guitarists Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes and violinist Melodee DeVevo. The group relocated to McDonough, GA, in 2001, adding Chris Huffman on bass, Megan Garrett on keyboards and accordion, and drummer Andy Williams. This augmented version of Casting Crowns released two independent albums on CD, both of which were well received in the Atlanta area. Both independent albums were efforts on the part of Mark Hall and the rest of the group as outreach projects for youth in the area.³ 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, lead singer for country group Sawyer Brown, who was struck by Casting Crowns' driving pop/rock style and Hall's vocal delivery of his hard-hitting but devout songs. Miller signed Casting Crowns to his fledgling Beach Street Records, a division of Reunion Records with distribution by the Provident Label Group, making Casting Crowns the first artist signed to Beach Street Records.⁴

Mark Miller took the group into the studio along with co-producer Steven Curtis Chapman, himself a popular artist on the CCM musical scene. The resulting eponymous album, Casting Crowns, was released in 2003 on the Beach Street imprint. The album quickly made them one of the fastest selling debut artists in Christian music history. The album's third single, "Voice of Truth", spent a record-breaking fourteen consecutive weeks at #1 beginning in 2003. The album was certified platinum in 2005.⁵

Lifesong and Lifesong Live (2005-2006)

Lifesong followed in 2005, debuting at #9 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The album had three singles: “Lifesong”, “Praise You in this Storm”, and “ Does Anybody Hear Her?”. "Lifesong" spent nine weeks in the top spot, with "Praise You in This Storm" remaining at #1 for seven weeks. Apart from being succesful in the charts, Lifesong earned Casting Crowns their first Grammy Award for their work on the album in 2006.

In 2006, the group released Lifesong Live, which included live performances of songs from their studio album Lifesong.

The Altar and the Door and The Altar and the Door Live (2007-2008)

The band's third studio album The Altar and the Door debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart⁶ and #1 on the Hot Christian Albums chart upon its release in August 2007. Ten weeks after the album’s release date, it was certified gold by the RIAA.⁷ On September 27, 2007 the band embarked on the ‘Altar and the Door’ tour with Leeland and John Waller . The tour was highly successful, grossing $4.4 million ticket sales.⁸ 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. "Slow Fade" was also released as a single, and was included in the soundtrack of the Kirk Cameron film Fireproof.

In 2008, Casting Crowns scored their eighth number one hit with "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", a track from their newly-released Christmas album entitled Peace on Earth.

Until the Whole World Hears (2009)

In early 2009, drummer Andy Williams left to pursue a further calling with blessings from the band. The very bald drummer was replaced with Brian Scoggin and his red locks of hair, an irony Mark mentions on tour.

Casting Crowns was one of the only American bands to ever have been invited to North Korea. They attended the 2009 April Spring Arts Festival in Pyongyang where they performed with The Annie Moses Band. This was Casting Crowns second time invited to the Festival sponsored by Global Resource Services.⁹¹⁰ On August 30, 2009 Casting Crowns performed on Huckabee, Mike Huckabee's political show.

Casting Crown's fourth major studio album, Until the Whole World Hears, was released on November 17, 2009, debuting at #4 on the Billboard 200.¹¹ It was certified gold within 4 weeks. ¹² The title track and first single from the album became the groups ninth #1 single in January 2010.

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."¹³

Four members of Casting Crowns currently minister at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA where they play during the Contemporary Worship service on Sunday mornings. They do the band part-time around their full-time work of mentoring teenagers at the church.²

Members

Current

• Mark Hall – lead vocals and songwriter (1999-Present)
• Hector Cervantes – lead guitar and background vocals (1999-Present)
• Juan Devevo – guitarand background vocals (1999-Present)
• Chris Huffman – background vocals (2001-Present)
• Megan Garrett – piano, keyboards, backing vocals (2001-Present)
• Melodee Devevo – violin, backing vocals, cello (1999-Present)
• Brian Scoggin – drums (2009-Present)

Former

• Andy Williams - drums (2001-2009)

Chart Performance

Studio Albums - Billboard (North America)

Live Albums - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Other Charting Songs - Billboard (North America)

¹ Billboard's "Top Christian Albums" chart became the "Christian Albums" chart in June 2009.

² Billboard's "Hot Christian Songs" chart became the "Christian Songs" chart in June 2009.

³ Billboard's "Hot Christian AC" chart was discontinued in June 2009.

⁴ Reached #1 on other radio charts.

⁵ Currently active on the charts.

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 spent 78 weeks on the Top Christian Albums chart.
• The Altar and the Door spent 76 weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
• 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.
• Until the Whole World Hears has spent 11 weeks on the Christian Albums chart and remains on the chart as of February 13, 2010.
• Until the Whole World Hears has spent 11 weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and remains on the chart as of February 13, 2010.
• Until the Whole World Hears debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.

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 10 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.
• "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" debuted at #13 during its first week on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
• "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" reached #1 on the Hot Christian AC chart after only 4 weeks.
• "Until the Whole World Hears" has spent 2 weeks at #1 on the Christian Songs chart and remains at #1 as of February 13, 2010.

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
• Until The Whole World Hears from the album Until The Whole World Hears

Books

• Lifestories by Mark Hall
• Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall

Producers/Executive Producers

• Steven Curtis Chapman - Producer for album Casting Crowns
• Mark A. Miller - Producer for albums Casting Crowns, Lifesong, The Altar and the Door, and Until The Whole World Hears
• Terry Hemmings - Executive Producer for album Lifesong, The Altar and the Door, and Until The Whole World Hears

Discography

Studio albums

• 2001: Casting Crowns (Independent)
• 2002: What If The Whole World Prayed (Independent)
• 2003: Casting Crowns
• 2005: Lifesong
• 2007: The Altar and the Door
• 2008: Peace on Earth
• 2009: Until the Whole World Hears

Live albums

• 2004: Live from Atlanta
• 2006: Lifesong Live
• 2008: The Altar and the Door Live

Achievements

• Career sales have exceeded 4 million records.
• 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 magazine¹⁴
• "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 fastest being Jars of Clay.⁷

GMA Dove Awards¹⁵

Grammy Awards¹⁶

Partnerships and Endorsements

Partnerships

• Jumpstart Resources
• World Vision
• Covenant Eyes¹⁷

Endorsements

• Gibson Guitars
• Avalon Guitars
• Vesper Guitars
• Audix Microphones
• Westone In Ear Monitors
• Pro Mark Drum Sticks
• Ultimate Microphone Stands
• Paul Reed Smith Guitars
• Istanbul Agop Cymbals
• C&C Drums

References

1. ^ Norris, Jane (18 May 2009). "There's No Slow Fade in the Forecast for Casting Crowns". The Daily Progress. http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/entertainment/music/article/theres_no_slow_fade_in_the_forecast_for_casting_crowns/40282/. Retrieved July 4, 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "CASTING CROWNS SETS SALES RECORD AS HIGHEST DEBUTING CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTIST IN SOUNDSCAN HISTORY; UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS FIRST-WEEK SCANS EXCEED 167,000". Jesus Freak Hideout. 25 November 2009. http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/11/25.CASTING%20CROWNS%20SETS%20SALES%20RECORD%20AS%20HIGHEST%20DEBUTING%20CHRISTIAN%20MUSIC%20ARTIST.asp. Retrieved 01 December 2009. 
3. ^ Owen, Linda (2005 November). "Casting Crowns’ “Who Am I”". Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2005/novdec/14.13.html. Retrieved 2009 October 15. 
4. ^ Herman, Michael (2004). "Overnight Sensation". Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2004/castingcrowns-0204.html. Retrieved 2009 October 8. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH. 
6. ^ "Casting Crowns ‘The Altar and the Door’ Debuts at No. 2". CCM Magazine. 2007 September. http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11553550/casting%20crowns/. Retrieved 16 September 2009. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "The Altar and the Door Certified Gold by RIAA in Ten Weeks". CCM Magazine. 2007 September. http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11553550/casting%20crowns/. Retrieved 16 November 2009. 
8. ^ "Casting Crowns Dominates Christian Music in 2007". CCM Magazine. 2007 December. http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11562037/casting%20crowns/. Retrieved 16 November 2009. 
9. ^ Young, Eric (2009 April 21). "Casting Crowns Heads Home After North Korea Trip". Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090421/casting-crowns-heads-home-after-north-korea-trip/index.html. Retrieved 2009 October 23. 
10. ^ French, Rose (2009 April 11). "Musicians hope to ease tensions in North Korea". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/states/tennessee/2009-04-11-2447326404_x.htm?loc=interstitialskip. Retrieved 2009 November 16. 
11. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/11/25.CASTING%20CROWNS%20SETS%20SALES%20RECORD%20AS%20HIGHEST%20DEBUTING%20CHRISTIAN%20MUSIC%20ARTIST.asp
12. ^ http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/12/21.CASTING%20CROWNS%20CERTIFIES%20RIAA%20GOLD%20IN%20FOUR%20WEEKS.asp
13. ^ MySpace.com - Casting Crowns - - Christian / Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/castingcrowns
14. ^ As played on the January 7, 2007 Weekend 22
15. ^ "Dove Awards History Artist: Casting Crowns". Gospel Music Association. http://www.doveawards.com/history.php?x=artist. Retrieved 2009 November 16. 
16. ^ "Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx. Retrieved 2009 November 16. 
17. ^ Casting Crowns Partnership web site

External links

• Casting Crowns official site
• Casting Crowns at MyPraize
• 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
• Casting Crowns Channel
• The Altar & The Door Tour 2009 concert review from NewReleaseTuesday.com