Artists
MercyMe
Propelled into the mainstream spotlight by the smash hit I Can Only Imagine, MercyMe is conquering unchartered areas for a Christian rock group.
The soaring song I Can Only Imagine delivered an unabashedly strong message about what heaven might be like. It quickly became apparent that it was a message the post-September 11 nation needed desperately to hear. The No. 1 song, which nabbed several Dove Awards including the prestigious Song of the Year, garnered heavy airplay at pop, country and adult contemporary radio stations nationwide. Millions of radio listeners who may not have ever considered themselves fans of Christian music suddenly found themselves singing along to the song's irresistible chorus. The million-selling album Almost There on INO Records took its rightful place along such pop acts as Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez on the Billboard Top 200 pop charts for months.
The laid-back band from Greenville, Texas, quickly evolved from being Christian music's fastest-selling new act in 2001 to one of the most successful bands in all musical genres, selling more than 2 million records in only three years and earning an American Music Award nomination. MercyMe followed Almost There in 2001 with 2002's Spoken For , which was certified gold and produced two more No. 1 hits. Now the band, which has been together for about ten years, has grown beyond its label as “a Christian band” and become nationally known as a great rock group that tackles such serious themes as God and love. Their music is appealing to both devout Christians who study the Bible and young teens who devour Rolling Stone.
And now comes Undone , the most anticipated Christian release in recent memory. “The best way to describe it is that it's a new progression for us,” says bassist Nathan Cochran. “It's not a sharp left turn; it's a step beyond what we've ever done. We feel like our message and calling are the same,” he says. “We're still worship leaders; we're just on a different scale.”
