Casting Crowns is Heeding God’s Call

Christian country music is a sub genre of country music which expresses either a personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life. It also gives a Christian alternative to mainstream pop or country music.

Like other forms of music, the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Christian country music vary according to the cultural and social contexts. It is composed and performed for various purposes such as to commemorate God, honor his deeds, share his good words, or even as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Certainly, common themes in most Christian country music praise, worship, or give thanks to God.

Christian country music has been around for generations and many country music artists and bands have recorded Christian country songs or have performed them on various radio and television programs. One of the most prominent groups who have emerged from this genre and made a name is the Casting Crowns, a band that plays with a soft rock music style. The band was created in 1999 as part of a youth group by Mark Hall, a youth pastor who also serves as the group’s vocalist.

The other members joined soon, thereby creating the band now widely known as Casting Crowns. The band signed with the recording company Beach Street Records and, in 2003, released their self-titled album. The album quickly made them one of the fastest selling debut artists in Christian music history, spawning hits such as “Who Am I” and “Voice of Truth.” “Who Am I” even went on to grab the No.1 spot in Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs Category. “Voice of Truth,” was likewise an enormous success in Christian radio, peaking at No.1 in three major charts, namely, Contemporary Christian music, Billboard, and 20 The Countdown Magazine.

In 2005, the band released their sophomore album “Lifesong,” debuting at No.9 on the Billboard 200 charts. That same year, Casting Crowns won the 2005 Grammy Award in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Category. The carrier single “Lifesong” also reached the No.1 position on the Hot Christian Songs. The band was truly blessed from up above. Its third studio album, “The Altar and the Door,” successfully debuted at No.2 on Billboard 200 upon its release on 2007. The album was a tremendous success that in just 10 weeks it was certified gold, rare for a band in their category. Before 2007, the band released the live albums “Live from Atlanta” (2004) and “Lifesong Live” (2006) as well. Indeed, the group has enjoyed incredible success in the United States.

In spite of all the excitement, success and recognition, the group nevertheless remains committed to what they have been called to do, and are at times quite overwhelmed yet thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon them and their music. Casting Crowns has no plans to start counting the kudos, polishing the awards, or basking in the glow of their audience’s adulation.

At present, the band members are too busy living out what they describe as a larger calling in their lives—that is, to play beautiful worship songs that exemplify their firm determination to be living, breathing examples of God’s teachings for the world.

You can check out more about the band at their official website: http://www.castingcrowns.com/.