MercyMe
MercyMe | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Genres | Contemporary Christian, worship |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels |
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Members |
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Past members |
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Website | mercyme |
MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul.
The band formed in 1994 and released six independent albums before signing with
History
Formation and early years
Singer Bart Millard met pianist James Phillip Bryson in Lakeland, Florida, after an invitation from his youth pastor.[2] Both led a praise team on a trip to Europe. They both felt a call to work full-time in music. They later met the guitarist Michael John Scheuchzer, who joined them, then moved to Oklahoma City. The group was officially formed in 1994 in Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma.[3]
In 1997, MercyMe moved to
The trio set up a studio and a "living area" in an old abandoned day-care center.
For several years, the band was a mainstay at the popular PlanetWisdom youth conference. The popularity of “I Can Only Imagine” and their meteoric rise led to their no longer leading worship at the conference.[10]
Almost There, Spoken For and Undone (2001–2004)
After signing with
In 2002, MercyMe released
Spoken For earned the band three Dove Awards, but was to a certain extent overlooked by the attention that "I Can Only Imagine" was receiving in the mainstream markets at the time.
In 2003, guitarist Barry Graul, who had previously been with the Christian hard rock band
MercyMe also released a live video album, MercyMe Live, in 2004, which eventually was certified platinum by the RIAA.
The Christmas Sessions and Coming Up to Breathe (2005–2006)
In 2005, MercyMe launched a tour with
After releasing Undone in 2004, the band took a time to rest before their next big release, so they decided to work on a Christmas record.[15] The Christmas Sessions was recorded and was released on September 27, 2005. The album spawned seven songs which hit the top 40 on the Christian Songs chart (with one hitting No. 1 and two others reaching the top ten), and four of these charted in the top 40 of the Adult Contemporary chart (with one peaking in the top 10). The album itself peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Christian Songs chart.
To promote The Christmas Sessions, MercyMe had a Christmas tour with Steven Curtis Chapman, who also released a Christmas album that year titled All I Really Want for Christmas.
In 2006, MercyMe released
Coming Up to Breathe spawned three radio singles ("So Long Self", "Hold Fast", and "Bring the Rain"), two of which ("So Long Self" and "Bring the Rain") reached the top spot on the Christian Songs chart. "So Long Self" and "Hold Fast" also both reached the top 30 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Coming Up to Breathe was eventually certified gold by the RIAA.
In support of Coming Up to Breathe, MercyMe headlined the "Coming Up to Breathe Tour", along with Audio Adrenaline (on its farewell tour) and Phil Wickham, seeing half their shows sell out two weeks into the tour.[19]
All That is Within Me, Coming Up to Breathe: Acoustic and 10 (2007–2009)
On November 20, 2007, MercyMe released All That Is Within Me. Millard, the band's lead singer, had believed that All That is Within Me was going to be a worship album with half of the songs being cover songs and the other half original songs; however, when the band got in studio, they ended up having written all the songs found in this album.[20]
Upon release, the album peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Christian Songs chart. The album contained three singles ("God With Us", "You Reign" and "Finally Home"), all of which reached the top three on the Christian Songs chart; "Finally Home" also peaked at No. 17 on the Adult Contemporary chart (their last appearance on the chart to date). All That Is Within Me was also certified gold by the RIAA.
In 2008, the band released Coming Up to Breathe: Acoustic, an acoustic version of their earlier release Coming Up to Breathe.
On April 7, 2009, MercyMe released their first
a double album consisting of 15 studio recordings (12 of which were previously singles and 3 of which were new recordings) and 11 live or concept videos, as well as several documentaries on the band. The album charted at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Christian Songs chart, although no singles were released from the album.The Generous Mr. Lovewell and The Worship Sessions (2010–2011)
MercyMe's sixth studio album, The Generous Mr. Lovewell, was released on May 4, 2010. The album itself peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 (MercyMe's highest debut to date and first top 5 album ever on the chart) and No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart. The album (a concept album relating around the overall theme of love and vaguely relating to its self-titled character) has also spawned three singles – "All of Creation", "Beautiful", and "Move" – all of which reached the top spot on the Christian Songs chart. Upon wrapping up "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" tour, MercyMe was asked to perform the national anthem at a Dallas Cowboys game.[22]
In 2011, the band released The Worship Sessions, a worship album that was released exclusively at Family Christian Book Stores.[citation needed]
The Hurt & the Healer, Welcome to the New, Lifer, Inhale (Exhale), Always Only Jesus (2012–present)
The Hurt & the Healer was released on May 22, 2012 by Fair Trade and Columbia Records. The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, selling 33,000 copies.[23]
Welcome to the New, the band's eighth studio album, was released on April 8, 2014 and is produced by David Garcia and Ben Glover.[24] Singles from this album include the pre-release single "Shake", and post-release singles "Greater" and "Dear Younger Me".[citation needed]
In 2019 they released the single "Almost Home", and then in 2020 "Hurry Up and Wait" and "Say I Won't", from their tenth album inhale (exhale)[31] that was released on April 30, 2021.
Their eleventh studio album, Always Only Jesus, was released on October 21, 2022.[32] The first single they released was "Then Christ Came" on June 3, 2022. "Better Days Coming" was released on September 9, 2022, and "To Not Worship You" was released on September 30, 2022.
Charity
In 2005, MercyMe participated in a benefit concert at Belmont University with various other country, gospel and contemporary Christian artists for the people affected by the Asian tsunami.[33]
In 2009, MercyMe conducted a tour in partnership with Compassion International and Imagine A Cure in order to raise money to help kids with diabetes through Imagine A Cure and people with medical needs around the world through Compassion International.[34]
Tour bus accident
On Saturday, August 8, 2009, at approximately 1:15 am in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the MercyMe tour bus was traveling through an intersection on a green light when an oncoming passenger vehicle made a left turn on red into the path of the bus, which resulted in a collision killing two passengers of the car and resulting in the vehicle's pregnant driver experiencing miscarriage from automotive trauma. MercyMe was to perform at Six Flags St. Louis but the park issued a statement saying the show was rescheduled because the band was "involved in a vehicle accident in Indiana".[35]
Despite news reports claiming that the band remained silent during the days after the crash and failed to contact the family of the deceased and injured,[36] MercyMe released a statement through its publicist the day of the crash.[37]
"We continue to pray and ask your prayers for everyone affected by this accident, that God would bring healing, comfort, peace and understanding at a time when they are desperately needed,” the group said.[38]
Members
Current members
- Bart Millard – lead vocals (1994–present)[39]
- Michael John Scheuchzer – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards (1994–present)
- Robin Troy "Robby" Shaffer – drums, percussion (1997–present)
- Nathan Cochran – bass, backing vocals, keyboards (1998–present)[40]
- Barry Graul – guitars, backing vocals (2003–present)[13]
Former members
- Jim Richmond - guitar (1994-1995)
- James Phillip "Jim" Bryson – keyboards (1994–2014)
- Kendall Combes – bass, backing vocals (1994–1998)
- Trent Austin – drums (1994–1997)
- David Cowan - drums (1994-1995)
Discography
- Almost There (2001)
- Spoken For (2002)
- Undone (2004)
- The Christmas Sessions (2005)
- Coming Up to Breathe (2006)
- All That Is Within Me (2007)
- The Generous Mr. Lovewell (2010)
- The Hurt & the Healer (2012)
- Welcome to the New (2014)
- MercyMe, It's Christmas! (2015)
- Lifer(2017)
- Inhale (Exhale) (2021)
- Always Only Jesus (2022)
Awards and accolades
Billboard Music Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | MercyMe | Top Christian Artist | Nominated |
The Generous Mr. Lovewell | Top Christian Album | Nominated | |
"All of Creation" | Top Christian Song | Nominated | |
2012 | MercyMe | Top Christian Artist | Nominated |
2013 | Nominated | ||
The Hurt & the Healer | Top Christian Album | Nominated | |
2015 | MercyMe | Top Christian Artist | Nominated |
Welcome to the New | Top Christian Album | Nominated | |
"Greater" | Top Christian Song | Nominated | |
2016 | MercyMe | Top Christian Artist | Nominated |
"Flawless" | Top Christian Song | Nominated | |
2018 | MercyMe | Top Christian Artist | Won |
Lifer
|
Top Christian Album | Nominated | |
"Even If" | Top Christian Song | Nominated | |
2019 | MercyMe | Top Christian Artist[41] | Nominated |
- 2002 Song of the Year – "I Can Only Imagine"
- 2002 Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – "I Can Only Imagine"
- 2004 Song of the Year – "Word of God Speak"
- 2004 Artist of the Year
- 2004 Group of the Year
- 2004 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year – "Word of God Speak"
- 2005 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – Undone
- 2005 Special Event Album of the Year – The Passion of the Christ: Songs
- ASCAP Awards
- 2003 Bart Millard awarded Christian Songwriter of the Year at the 25th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards.
- 2004 Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist[43]
- 2010 Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist[44]
- No. 1 Christian song of the Decade: "Word of God Speak"
- No. 16 Christian song of the Decade: "Here with Me"
- No. 19 Christian song of the Decade: "God with Us"
- No. 35 Christian song of the Decade: "You Reign"
- No. 48 Christian song of the Decade: "In the Blink of an Eye"
- No. 49 Christian song of the Decade: "Bring the Rain"
- No. 4 Christian Album Artist of the Decade
- No. 4 Christian Album of the Decade: "Almost There"
- No. 38 Christian Album of the Decade: "Undone"
- No. 46 Christian Album of the Decade: "Spoken For"
References
- ^ "Real People. Real Worship". CCM Magazine. December 2002. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
- ^ Cusic, Don (2009). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship. USA: ABC-CLIO. p. 300.
- ^ Gilliland, Pat (February 21, 2004). "Band could only imagine success song would bring". newsok.com. USA.
- ^ Tramel, Jimmie (April 1, 2018). "MercyMe guitarist talks about the band's Oklahoma ties and the story behind the hit song 'I Can Only Imagine'". tulsaworld.com. USA.
- ^ "Christian Rock Crosses Over". USA: Fox News Channel. July 6, 2003.
- ^ a b Somers, Eliza Marie (May 24, 2006). "Fluke brings Mercyme together". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ^ Breimeier, Russ. "MercyMe: Spoken For". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved July 18, 2009.
- ^ "17 Things You Probably Didn't Know About: MercyMe". CCM Magazine. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ Abbas, Jen. "Finally There With MercyMe". Family Christian Stores, Inc. Archived from the original on August 29, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ Mike (February 19, 2010). "PlanetWisdom Student Conference". FaithEngineer. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c "MercyMe begins 'Imagine Tour' in 2004". The Christian Post. December 13, 2003. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". RIAA. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007.
- ^ a b c Hoover, Carl (October 16, 2008). "Christian Group MercyMe Combines Rock, Religious Influences in Music". Waco Tribune-Herald. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ Camacho, Justin (November 2, 2004). "MercyMe Schedules 'Undone' Tour For February". The Christian Post. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Well Mercy Me, Children". CCM Magazine. December 2005. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ "Artist Chart History-MercyMe". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ Camacho, Justin (May 5, 2006). "MercyMe Hits Billboard Top 20 with Latest Release". The Christian Post. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ Farias, Andree (2006). "MercyMe's Jesus Freak?". Christianity Today. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^ "MercyMe National Tour Selling Out Nationwide". CCM Magazine. October 19, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
- ^ Friedman, Stan (2007). "Comfortable with All That Is Within". Christianity Today. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
- ^ Williams, Lindsay (April 2009). "10 Questions with MercyMe". CCM Magazine. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ "MercyMe Closes 2010 With Billboard's National Christian Audience and Christian AC Song of the Year, "All of Creation"". Fusemix.com. December 15, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ^ "John Mayer Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. September 14, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ "Music News, January 2014: MercyMe Ushers in New Era with Eighth Studio Record Welcome to the New Available April 8". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ "MercyMe To Release New Album 'Lifer' On Mar. 31". New Release Today. January 23, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
- ^ Asker, Jim (April 13, 2017). "MercyMe Rules Top Christian Albums & Hot Christian Songs Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ "MercyMe feat. John Reuben – Grace Got You". DailyMPE. January 19, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "MercyMe Collects 15th No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart With 'Grace Got You'". Billboard. July 12, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ Lynch, Joe (December 7, 2018). "Grammys 2019 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ "MercyMe – Best News Ever". DailyMPE. September 14, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Kelly, Meade (April 30, 2021). "Mercyme 'inhale (exhale)'". Todays Christian Entertainment. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ "MercyMe Returns to 'The Heart of Being a Band Again' on New Album, 'Always Only Jesus'". Billboard. October 20, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Country and Christian Artists to Stage Benefit for Tsunami Relief Efforts". USA Today. 2005. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
- ^ Kimball, Josh (April 15, 2009). "'Rock and Worship Roadshow' Draws Over 120, 000 Music Fans". The Christian Post. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "3rd teen dies after MercyMe bus crash". August 13, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ Organ, Aaron (August 11, 2009). "MercyMe silent, crash victim's brother says". News-Sentinel.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived August 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "3rd teen dies after MercyMe bus crash". August 13, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ Schmitt, Brad (February 13, 2018). "MercyMe's Bart Millard thought his father was going to kill him". The Tennesseean. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Chris (October 3, 2019). "Bassist Reflects On Time In MercyMe". The Post-Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Warner, Denise. "Cardi B Leads 2019 Billboard Music Awards Nominations With 21". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Dove Awards History Artist:MercyMe". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
- ^ "MercyMe Wins American Music Award". Christianity Today. 2004. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- ^ "MercyMe | MercyMe Named Americas Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at 2010 American Music Awards". TodaysChristianMusic.com. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ^ "Billboard Names MercyMe Christian Songs Artist of the Decade 'Word of God Speak' Named Song of the Decade". Jesus Freak Hideout. December 17, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
External links
- Official website
- MercyMe at Billboard.com