Casting Crowns released their debut album 20 years ago
Casting Crowns are one of the most popular Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) bands, performing together for more than 20 years now. Their music is a mix of culturally relevant worship and praise songs. The music is rooted in heartland rock sensibilities. Musically drum and guitar driven, lyrically biblical, worshipful, and inspirational. Their following is broad and plentiful. Their debut album simply titled “Casting Crowns” has just turned 20 years old.
Formation – 1999
Casting Crowns formed in 1999 as a student worship band at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, FL. Led by singer/songwriter Mark Hall, a youth pastor at the church, the band included Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes on guitar, violinist Melodee DeVevo, and Rob Cervantes on drums. The band performed as part of the youth ministry at the church.
MOVE AND BIG NAME BACKING
In 2001 the band moved to Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA, outside of Atlanta. Continuing in the youth ministry at their new church the band added Chris Huffman on bass, Megan Garrett on keyboards and accordion, and Andy Williams on drums. As part of their youth outreach the band recorded and released two independent CD’s.
The CDs were very well received throughout the Atlanta area. Because of their local popularity the CD’s made their way into the hands of Mark Miller of the highly successful country music group Sawyer Brown. Fortunately for the band Miller just started his own label, Beach Street Records. Impressed with the band’s rock delivery and Mark Hall’s vocal prowess, Casting Crowns became the first band Miller signed to a recording contract.
Around this same time Casting Crowns was beginning what would become a long history of awards and recognition. In 2004 they won a GMA regional competition for “Best Song” and “Best Artist”. In the 20 years since they have been nominated for and have won numerous awards, including “Best New Artist”, “Best Artist”, “Best Album”, and “Best Song”.
Mark Miller would soon hook them up with hugely popular and successful Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman. He would co-produce their first Beach Street recording. Chapman has now become one of the most successful Christian artists ever. He has had a record 50 singles reach #1 on the Christian charts.
2003 – Casting Crowns eponymous Album Is Released
With a confident and optimistic Mark Miller firmly behind them and the incomparable Steven Curtis Chapman manning the recording dials Casting Crowns set out recording their self-titled debut album. It would be a distinguished mix of the music style they had been working 4 years to establish. It included straight forward rockers, with soaring guitars and a powerful rhythm section, reminiscent at times of Phil Spector-like Wall of Sound brilliance. Mixed in were soothing ballads. Most songs featured Hall’s powerful, rock influenced vocals. Sometimes the addition of Megan Garrett’s sweet harmonies helped bring out the beauty of both the songs and the message.
Casting Crowns message, under Hall’s writing, has since the beginning, been one of Biblical truth delivered straight and to the point. Hall was quoted in the CCM Magazines publication Crosswalk as saying (referring to their message and the youth it sometimes is directed to):
“If they stop for four minutes and listen to my song, I don’t want there to be any mistake about what I’m saying and Who I’m talking about.
If anything, youth ministry has taught me to get to the point and shoot straight.”
8 Nov 2004 Michael Nolan
CASTING CROWNS (THE ALBUM) TRACK BY TRACK:
1. What If His People Prayed:
A simple message to begin the album – look to God not the world. The song pointedly asks, “Why listen to Oprah and not the Lord?”
2. If We Are the Body:
As if looking in the mirror, this song is clearly a call to the church, especially the youth-oriented megachurches. If we (the church) are “the body” why aren’t we more loving, accepting, and inclusive?
3. Voice Of Truth:
A quick Old and New Testament bible lesson in under 5 minutes. Both David and Peter had doubts and heard “you’ll never win”. But they chose the voice of truth. Listen and believe.
4. Who I Am:
A beautiful ballad sung in perfect harmony between Mark and Megan. The song would be voted “Song of The Year” by the GMA Dove awards. It asks the question we all ask at some point “Who Am I?” The conclusion, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is who Jesus is and because of His love of us we can say “I am Yours.”
5. American Dream:
The rock sound returns, in spades. Jack, the songs protagonist, chases the “American Dream” and succeeds. The price: he is losing his family, life, and soul. “He used to say whoever dies with the most toys wins. But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end?” Jack works all day and cries all night. The dream is a nightmare. Only “His” kingdom stands. Clearly pointed to the youth Mark passionately serves. I understand you; I understand your stress and pressure. Look only to Jesus.
6. Here I Go Again:
A heartfelt prayer, set to rock music. It’s a prayer for the strength to witness to a friend in need of salvation.
7. Praise You With The Dance:
A straightforward song of praise and glory. Meant to get the crowd up and dancing. A rocker, complete with fiddle.
8. Glory:
A great rock song opening. Guitars and drums build to a magnificent offering of song, not unlike any rock classic, Christian themed or not. Praise and worship, we give You “Glory”, Alleluia.
9. Life Of Praise:
A song of confession, service, and praise. Jesus is God. Rock of ages. Lion of Judah. Alpha and Omega. The awesome God of all nations, worthy of our praise.
10. Your Love Is Extravagant:
A peaceful ballad with soft lyrics and soaring harmonies. Delivered with mandolin and bongos. It closes out a magnificent, and hugely popular, debut album. It’s a song that would fit as the close of any worship service.
Casting Crowns, the album, was just the first of many spectacular albums that would follow. All told the group Casting Crowns have sold more than 10 million records. They have won awards for “Best Artist”, “Best Album”, and “Best Song”. And the good news?
They are still going strong! What started 20 years ago shows no signs of slowing down!