October 2, 2009…Nashville, TN… Multi-platinum and GRAMMY® nominated band MercyMe is inviting fans to spend “An Evening with MercyMe” this fall, as they visit auditoriums and churches across America.
For each night of the tour, audiences will be entertained not only by the award-winning band as they perform hits to include “Finally Home,” “You Reign,” “Word of God Speak,” “Homesick,” and of course “I Can Only Imagine,” but some special guests as well. Worship band FEE and new artist Jonny Diaz will be taking the opening spots for the month of October, while GMA’s New Artist of the Year Tenth Avenue North and Jonny Diaz will join forces to open the shows in November. The tour begins October 9 in Jackson, MS and concludes November 22 in Johnson City, TN.
UPDATE:
Click here to visit the auction!
Porter’s Call, the Franklin, TN organization that offers free counsel, support and encouragement to recording artists and their families, has partnered with the premier celebrity auction website, www.clothesoffourback.org, to host an online celebrity auction September 14th – 30th. The auction’s direct link is www.clothesoffourback.org/porterscall.
The auction is an effort to sustain the organization’s long-term financial health and to continue to offer free services to the community of recording artists. More than 30 music and sports stars, television personalities and best-selling authors have donated several one-of-a-kind, autographed items for this auction. Some highlights include:
- Autographed Guitars from Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Gene Simmons, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me, and Paramore
- Autographed wardrobe items from Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Big Kenny, Michael W. Smith and tobyMac
- Concert and meet & greet packages from Casting Crowns, Diamond Rio and Mandisa
- Titans and Predators tickets with special passes
- Framed autographed handwritten lyrics from Vince Gill and Amy Grant
- Autographed books from Mike Huckabee, Steve Harvey and Rick & Bubba
- Other autographed items from Jonas Brothers, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Billy Bob Thornton, Alison Krauss, Gretchen Wilson, Sara Evans and Josh Turner
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming show of support we’ve received from the participating artists-many of whom we’ve never met,” said Porter’s Call founder Al Andrews. “This auction collection holds a diverse and unique array of items that is sure to excite and delight their fans. While we know these items will raise significant funds to further the work of Porter’s Call, we hope that awareness for the service we provide is already rising significantly within the music community and that we will be able to serve more artists in the months to come.”
Started 9 years ago with an initial grant, Porter’s Call was created to meet a need to come alongside artists in their pilgrimage of life and music and faith. Because of this, many artists are able to avoid the pitfalls so common in the industry. Since its doors opened, Porter’s Call has offered its service at no charge to artists. This has been made possible through the generous support of record labels, artists and those working throughout various facets of the music industry.
Located in an historic home in Franklin, TN, it’s a safe and confidential place for artists where questions can be asked and explored; where broken lives can be restored and healed; where God can be encountered and discovered; where creative gifts can be deepened and enhanced.
Counselors Al and Nita Andrews have welcomed almost 500 artists through their doors since its inception.
The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle," "Raising the Bar") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. For more information and to bid, log onto www.clothesoffourback.org.
Late last night MercyMe posted an updated statement about the
accident their bus was involved in this past Saturday morning in Ft Wayne, IN. We are passing along this statement at the band’s request, and also due to the numerous inquiries we have received for the band:
MercyMe would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and prayers that have been said not only for them, but for the families affected by this tragic accident. We have been in continued communication with the chaplaincy program at the Ft. Wayne Police Department, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone affected by this situation.
Every night on stage when we introduce our song, “Bring the Rain”, we talk about God being in control. If we believe what we say, then we must continue to look at how He will get the glory through this, and bring healing to so many.
We resumed our touring schedule in Milwaukee Monday evening. Before beginning the concert Bart addressed the crowd for all of us, expressing our heartbreak for the families in Ft. Wayne and our desire to pray for the families and for the young lady who still remains hospitalized. The crowd joined us in prayer specifically praying for healing, comfort, peace and understanding. We thank all of you for continuing to pray.
Bart, Mike, Jim, Nathan, Barry & Robby
MercyMe
August
12, 2009
Along with many of you, we have learned of the passing of the driver of the car
from the accident on Saturday. Our hearts continue to break for these
families and all those who knew them. 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.
Bart, Mike, Jim, Nathan, Barry & Robby
MercyMe
BREAKING NEWS: STATEMENT FROM MERCYME:
Source: Velvet Kelm; Media Collective
MERCYME EXPRESSES HEARTACHE OVER ACCIDENT
Following the accident
earlier this morning involving their tour bus, popular contemporary
Christian Music band MercyMe gave the following statement:
"MercyMe
would like to express their incredible heartache over this horrible
accident. They are praying for the families of all who this will
affect, and are asking others to please pray as well. The band and crew
sustained minor bumps and bruises, however their hearts are heavy. They
appreciate the concern they have received from people all over the
world."
www.mercyme.org
by Natalie Hess
source:
MercyMe.org
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - Two passengers in a car that
turned into the path of a tour bus on Lima Road this morning have died,
while the driver remains in critical condition.
Police say a tour bus was traveling north through a green light at the
intersection of Lima and Coliseum Boulevard around 1:15 a.m. this
morning when a black car turned abruptly into its path. The car, a
black Chevy Corsica, was heading south on Lima but turned suddenly
eastbound onto Coliseum, says Public Information Officer Liza Thomas.
The car drove directly into the path of the bus.
According to police, a female passenger and a male passenger in that
car were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to a local
hospital in critical condition. No one on the bus was injured.
The identities of the victims are still unknown. The Fort Wayne and
Allen County FACT team, Allen County Prosecutor and Allen County
Coroner’s office are assisting the Fort Wayne Police department with
the investigation.
RELATED LINKS:
http://www.mercyme.org/blog
http://www.wfaa.com
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=8284279
Multi-platinum Christian rock band P.O.D., currently on hiatus following a lengthy world tour, will make its 2009 concert debut as part of a 14-act lineup announced today for Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 11-12 at Walt Disney World Resort. The musically diverse event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park also will feature MercyMe, newsboys, Skillet, Flyleaf, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Jars of Clay, Grits, Leeland, NEEDTOBREATHE, Superchick, Mandisa and Family Force 5.
Seven acts will perform each evening between 7 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. at stage locations throughout the park. Night of Joy begins after regular park operating hours, with concerts and select park attractions available exclusively for the enjoyment of event ticket holders.
P.O.D. is among four acts new to Night of Joy (along with Grits, NEEDTOBREATHE and Family Force 5), joining a legacy of 134 Christian music acts that have played Night of Joy since 1983. While a Disney “newbie,” the southern California-based band that fuses hard rock with hip-hop, reggae and Latin music is well known in music circles. They’ve been a hit on MTV, won two GMA Dove Awards, been Grammy-nominated, had two platinum-certified albums – one triple platinum – and in past summers played some of the north’s biggest Christian festivals.
But in spring/summer 2009, P.O.D. is chillin’: Vocalist Sonny Sandoval and the rest of the band are home in SoCal enjoying family life following a seven-month world tour that wound up in South America in December, making their Sept. 11 date at Disney P.O.D.’s first gig of the year.
“In the past year we’ve been blessed to play all around the globe but performing at Disney World excites me most of all,” Sandoval said.
The complete Sept. 11 Night of Joy lineup: P.O.D., newsboys, Kutless, Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Leeland and Superchick.
On Sept. 12, the Studios’ stages will present: Skillet, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Flyleaf, Family Force 5, Grits and Mandisa.
Eight of the acts are nominated for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards in 2009, topped by Tomlin with seven nominations including artist of the year. Other nominees are Kutless, Leeland, NEEDTOBREATHE, Skillet, MercyMe, Mandisa and Grits.
For Mandisa, Night of Joy will mark her second “guest appearance” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009. On Feb. 12, she was among an unprecedented gathering of 27 “American Idol” finalists – including the winners from each of the show’s first seven seasons – who participated in a Hollywood gala-style event to premiere “The American Idol Experience.” The new attraction immerses guests in the excitement of the hit TV show “American Idol,” with some guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios auditioning to take the spotlight onstage, while fellow guests cheer them on from the audience and vote for their favorite singer with instant results.
With an innovative ticket – exclusively for groups of 10 or more – that combines a “day” visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Night of Joy admission that evening, guests will have a chance to participate in “The American Idol Experience.” And by booking on or before Aug. 12, the Studios day/Night of Joy group ticket costs just $44.95 plus tax (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $49.95).
There’s also a two-day ticket exclusively for groups of 10 or more that combines Night of Joy admission on both evenings (Sept. 11 and Sept. 12) with two “day visits” to the guest’s choice of Walt Disney World theme parks (one per day) on Night of Joy weekend (Sept. 11-13). Booked on/before Aug. 12, that ticket costs just $89.95 plus tax (beginning Aug. 13, it costs $99.95).
Night of Joy tickets for individuals also are available. One-night tickets purchased in advance (up to the day prior to the event) are $49.95 plus tax (on event day, if available, tickets are $54.95). Two-night tickets (providing admission to Night of Joy on both Sept. 11 and 12) are $84.95 plus tax.
All the details about tickets for groups and individuals are available online at www.nightofjoy.com.
**MercyMe’s latest release “10” sold almost 30,000 units its first week of release. The "best of" disc enters Billboards Top 200 Chart at No. 18 while topping the Christian Soundscan Chart at No. 1. “10” includes a new recording of the band's multi-format career hit I Can Only Imagine, featuring the London Session Orchestra.
**“10” also includes their current hit single, “Finally Home,” which remains No. 1 at Christian AC radio (*Mediabase & CRW), spent over a month at Soft/AC #1 and recently entered mediabases' Top 20 mainstream AC Chart and climbed four positions to 21 at R&R's mainstream AC chart.
**The Rock & Worship Roadshow headlined by MercyMe continues to build, bringing tens of thousands of concert-goers to venues across the U.S. The Roadshow recently visited Denver, CO, Wichita, KS and Springfield, MO and has sold out shows across the U.S., including venues seating up to 18,000. The Roadshow wraps up next week on April 19 in Springfield, IL. MercyMe has been broadcasting the tour on MercyMeTV at www.mogulus.com/mercymetv. Since the beginning of the tour, the concert has been broadcast to over 37,000 unique viewers resulting in over 50,000 total views. For more details about the tour please visit www.therockandworshiproadshow.com.
April 7, 2009…Nashville, TN…Today MercyMe releases their latest project “10," celebrating the 10th anniversary of the band's career hit, “I Can Only Imagine,” penned by frontman Bart Millard in memory of his father. The single sold nearly 3 million units, and became a multi format smash at Top 40, AC, Country and Christian charts alike.
The new album features 12 of MercyMe’s number one radio hits that span their five studio releases, from 2001’s Almost There to their 2007 release All That Is Within Me. The disc also features three bonus tracks including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the famed London Session Orchestra, “10” also includes a companion DVD, featuring a diverse mix of concept videos and live performances showcasing the bands unique brand of music. In addition, fans can view an inside glimpse of the story behind “I Can Only Imagine” and get up close and personal with the band through their appearance on Gospel Music Channel’s “Faith & Fame” feature.
"10" releases amid yet another successful tour for MercyMe. The Rock & Worship Roadshow, sponsored by Compassion International in partnership with Imagine A Cure, is averaging crowds of 10,000 per date, playing major markets across the U.S., including Portland, OR, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, and Baton Rouge, LA. In their hometown of Dallas, TX, the band filled American Airlines Center’s 18,000 seats, while thousands of other concert-goers were not able to enter, because the venue had reached maximum capacity.
Joining headliner MercyMe on the Roadshow are Gold-selling artist and reigning GMA Male Vocalist of the Year Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, as well as burgeoning bands Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road.
“The response to the Rock and Worship Roadshow has been incredible,” said Cliff Reiser, concert promoter at Rush Concerts. “Over 120,000 people have come to shows in 13 cities so far, including 18,000 in Dallas on April 3. This a great testament to MercyMe's continued ability to impact our culture in a positive way.”
Watch MercyMe’s frontman Bart Millard’s response after their sold out show of more than13,000 people in Fresno, CA here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZwI9wys_oA.
In addition, MercyMe's current single, "Finally Home" is No. 1 at Christian AC and Soft AC radio and is climbing the mainstream AC chart presently at No. 24. "Finally Home" has entered the iTunes ® top 10 Christian singles chart at No. 8 today.
For more information on MercyMe and the tour please visit www.mercyme.org or www.rockandworshiproadshow.com .
It’s been 10 years since MercyMe frontman Bart Millard penned “I Can Only Imagine,” a touchingly personal song about his father’s early death that catapulted the group to nothing short of superstardom. The down-to-earth Texas-based band’s breakthrough hit would sell almost 3 million units, race up the charts on Top 40, AC, Christian and Country charts alike, and be adopted as an anthem by hurting people around the world. In a testament to “I Can Only Imagine’s” timelessness, it remains a favorite on radio playlists nationwide today.
To mark this epic anniversary, and to celebrate one of the most powerful songs and popular groups in Christian music history, MercyMe is releasing “10,” on April 7th. “10” is a new CD/DVD set that showcases twelve number one singles and videos that span the artists career (see full track listing below).
The “10” audio CD features all eleven of MercyMe’s number one radio hits that span their five studio releases, from 2001’s Almost There to their 2007 release All That Is Within Me. The disc also features three bonus tracks including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the famed London Symphony Orchestra, the never-before-released track “Only Temporary,” as well as the live show cult hit, “10 Simple Rules,” originally featured on the kids video “Hoop Dogz.”
The companion DVD brings the music to life, featuring a diverse mix of concept videos and live performances that showcase how the bands unique brand of music has won hearts in local venues and around the world. In addition to the eleven live and concept videos, fans can view an inside glimpse of the story behind “I Can Only Imagine” and get up close and personal with the band through their appearance on Gospel Music Channel’s “Faith & Fame” feature.
For listeners who first met MercyMe through the story of Millard’s father, which inspired “I Can Only Imagine,” “10” will be a musical marker of a career that has changed lives and continues to inspire. For others, it may be an introduction to a group that has scaled great heights and yet remains firmly grounded by their faith and their families.
MercyMe is also conducting a special edition, exclusive pre-sale offer for fans, details of which can be found at: http://www.mercyme.org.
To hear Millard talk more about “I Can Only Imagine,” please go to: http://www.inorecords.com/mercyme/downloads/mp3download.php?file=imagine10years.mp3
MercyMe will be performing and bowing the new project at the NRB Convention in Nashville as presented by The Christian Music Broadcasters' "The Perfect 10" Night Of Music on Monday February 9th.
Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 6 million units in CD and DVD sales, including “Almost There”, nearly triple platinum, “Spoken For,” which is approaching platinum sales, and the RIAA Gold certification for “Undone,” the MercyMe Live DVD, and “Coming Up to Breathe”. Their latest, “All That Is Within Me,” entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at No. 15 and sold an impressive 83,626 units, the most they’ve ever sold in a project’s first week.
MercyMe is one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 19 multi-format #1 Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2008 the band was named R&R’s Christian AC Artist of the Year, and as one of the industry's most notable talents, MercyMe has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’ Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more.
December 4, 2008
*It’s a good week to be MercyMe:
-MercyMe has been nominated for their second GRAMMY® Award with their #1 Single, “You Reign” for Best Gospel Song, which was also co-written by
Steven Curtis Chapman. The band was first nominated in 2007 for their COMING UP TO BREATHE recording.
- In addition, Millard’s second solo offering, HYNMED AGAIN was nominated for Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album.
“In response to the nominations, Millard commented, “I am so excited for my brothers in MercyMe and Steven Curtis Chapman! Apparently scrambling to get "You Reign" on the album, at the last minute, was the right decision! To perform at the Grand 'Ole Opry, and then to have HYMNED AGAIN receive a GRAMMY® nod has made the past two weeks a dream come true!
Pardon me while I go buy some cowboy boots.”
- In addition to the GRAMMY® nominations, the band has also been named R&R’s Christian AC Artist of the Year, a result of their two long-standing #1
singles, “God With Us” and “You Reign”
-This March MercyMe will launch their national “Rock & Worship Road Show” tour, which will also feature Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Tenth Avenue
North and Addison Road. More tour details to come in January.
-On a fun side note, be sure to check out the “Casting Pounds” weight loss competition between Millard and Casting Crown’s lead vocalist Mark Hall
at: http://mercyme.org/blog/2008/12/01/casting-pounds/
** It’s been called the “home of American music” and “country’s most famous stage,” and this Friday, November 21st, MercyMe’s BART MILLARD will make his Grand Ole’ Opry Debut at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Friday’s Opry may be heard on AM650-WSM, XM channel 11 and on the internet at www.wsmonline.com. MercyMe will be backing up Millard as he sings “Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus” from the critically-acclaimed HYMNED AGAIN project, as well as the band’s upcoming single “Finally Home,” from their best-selling CD, ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME.
**What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925, is today a live-entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history
and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart- toppers who have followed in
their footsteps. The Opry, an American icon and Nashville’s number-one attraction, is world- famous for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages. For more information go to: http://www.opry.com
** MercyMe has been broadcasting all of their fall tour shows online on MercyMe TV! Fans can tune in to watch MercyMe's shows live on their computer, where they can also chat with other fans that are watching. MercyMeTV can be launched at http://mercyme.org/blog/mmtv/, which also features a full tour schedule.
**Having recently launched their fall tour with special guest Bebo Norman, and fresh off their recent (and third!) American Music Award nomination, MercyMe has some news to share this week:
**Bart Millard and MercyMe on Gospel Music Channel TODAY:
-MercyMe’s lead singer Bart Millard's national broadcast on GMC show "The Kitchen Sink" will re-air Thursday October 23rd – 7pm and 11pm Eastern. Millard performs 3 songs from his latest solo effort, "Hymned Again" - including his hit INSPO single "I Stand Amazed."
-With two number one singles from their latest hit project, ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, the band’s third single “Finally Home” will go for adds December 26th. Their second single , *"You Reign" (INO) became their eighth chart topper on the Nielsen BDS-driven Christian AC list in late August 2008, givng MercyMe the most No. 1 singles by any artist on that chart since it was launched in July 2003.
-Before you can hear the new single on the radio you can see the music video when you catch Millard on the Gospel Music Channel as they broadcast the music video for “Finally Home” Thursday October 23rd.
Reunion Records artist Tenth
Avenue North will be busy in the next few weeks. Starting this
Sunday, the band will be heading to Orlando, Flor., for a performance at the International
Christian Retail Show (ICRS). After that, the guys
are flying out for a visit with Focus On the Family in Colorado Springs, Colo.,
to perform at the Focus on the Family Chapel on Friday morning. Then, the
four-piece will be playing alongside MercyMe and David Crowder Band, before
heading to Creation West and Soul Fest for a few main stage performances. Tenth
Avenue North’s second single, “By Your Side,” from its current album Over
and Underneath will be released to radio on July 11th.
For more info on Tenth Avenue North, please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
NASHVILLE, TN....June 19, 2008.....In follow up to HYMNED, MercyMe frontman Bart Millard’s 2005 solo project, named one of Billboard and ChristianMusicToday.com’s Top Ten albums of 2005, comes his second effort, HYMNED AGAIN, which will hit nationwide on August 19th. The first single to be serviced to AC and Inspo radio formats will be “I Stand Amazed,” on July 4th, which features guest vocals by Christy Nockels.
Taking the production helm once again is Brown Bannister, who along with Millard’s passionate vocals and a famed line up of studio musicians, has created an impressive and diversified musical landscape on HYMNED AGAIN. Raised in East Texas relatively close to where many musical styles originated, Millard wanted to create an authentic sound with these old hymns, most of which date back to the 1800s and talk about sharing one’s faith during this era when evangelism was on the rise. Therefore, HYMNED AGAIN runs the stylistic gamut from New Orleans style horn-driven jazz to Texas blues-rock guitar, and country/bluegrass to banjo-featuring Dixieland, '70s soul/gospel flavor, and one song centered on nothing more than a ukulele.
To top it off, the sole original track on the CD, written by Millard and Thad Cockrell, “Jesus Cares for Me,” features a duet with country superstar Vince Gill. "The one thing I've been looking to do is sing with Bart and check that off my Bucket List.” laughed Gill, who had some fun with Millard in the recording studio with his ‘Bucket List,’ video from which is featured on MercyMe’s blog page at http://www.mercyme/org/blog. All kidding aside, the duet is surely a dream come true for Millard, who states, “I never imagined I would sing a duet with Vince Gill, and especially that it would be on one of my records. It was truly an incredible ‘pinch myself’ moment.”
While HYMNED was inspired by Millard’s grandmother, and the hymns she used to sing, HYMNED AGAIN was inspired moreso by his three kids. "My three kids know every word of the first hymns record I did,” he says. “These are songs that were a huge part of my upbringing, and now they are a part of my kids’ as well, so I had to do another one! And, true to form, they already have the new album memorized too."
Millard is currently touring a full summer schedule with MercyMe supporting their latest hit project, ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME. The band will be touring this fall as well, dates for which are available on http://www.mercyme.org. Millard also just taped a special HYMNED AGAIN episode of the Gospel Music Channel’s Kitchen Sink program which is scheduled to air on September 27th.
On December 21st, MercyMe will perform "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" from their recent Christmas CD titled The Christmas Sessions on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." The Tonight Show airs nationwide at 11:30 PM ET on NBC.
