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MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian band founded in Greenville, Texas. The band consists of vocalist Bart Millard, keyboardist James Bryson, percussionist Robin Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul.

The band formed in 1994 and released six independent albums prior to signing with INO Records in 2001. ¹ The group first gained mainstream recognition with the crossover single, “I Can Only Imagine” which propelled their debut album, Almost There, to becoming certified 2x platinum. Since then, the group has released six studio albums, three of which have been certified gold, and a greatest hits album. MercyMe has won numerous dove awards and has had various grammy award nominations.

History

The result of a praise and worship band experience, MercyMe was formed in 1994 by Bart Millard, Jim Bryson, and Mike Scheuchzer. Millard and Bryson met while working on a missions project overseas. The two agreed to start a new band in Oklahoma City with Scheuchzer, whom Millard already knew. It didn't take long for the band to build a solid fan base and they soon found themselves opening up for bands such as Audio Adrenaline.

Following a move to Nashville, Tennessee and then back to Millard's hometown in Texas, the band added bassist Nathan Cochran and percussionist Robby Shaffer to the roster. The band signed with INO Records in 2001 and released their first album, Almost There, which propelled them into the mainstream spotlight with the smash hit "I Can Only Imagine"². The album went on to sell more than 2 million records in only three years and earned the band an American Music Award nomination.

In 2002, the band released their popular second album, Spoken For, which produced two more Top 10 hits. The combined success of the band's first two albums garnered a nomination for the Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at the American Music Awards.

In 2004, MercyMe released Undone which produced two Top 10 hits: "Here With Me" which also hit Billboard's Top 100 chart that same year, and "In the Blink of an Eye" which, as of the end of 2005, was at #5 on R&R's top Christian hits. This album also features the song "Homesick", which also received notice by Christian and mainstream stations. This song was written in dedication to loved ones that the band had lost that year.

In 2006, MercyMe released Coming Up To Breathe. While this album kept to the same style and appeal of its predecessors, Bart Millard wrote that the band was not seeking to meet its previous popularity, but rather a more personal album that was written for God. Despite this conviction, MercyMe's eleventh album has hit no. 13 on the Billboard charts and features the hits "So Long Self", "Coming Up To Breathe", and "Hold Fast".

On November 20, 2007, MercyMe released their newest studio project titled All That Is Within Me. The CD includes the hits "God With Us", "You Reign", and "Finally Home".

On April 2009, MercyMe release their first greatest hits compilation, 10 (the title refers to the decade since "I Can Only Imagine" was written). The package includes a CD with 11 hits and 3 new recordings (including a new version of "I Can Only Imagine" recorded with the London Session Orchestra),³ and a DVD with 11 music videos and two short documentary segments.

Tours

In September 2007, MercyMe began The All That Is Within Me Tour, a tour that features Shane & Shane, Monk and Neagle, and Aaron Shust.

MercyMe headlined the 2008 WinterJam Tour from January through mid March. Other acts include NewSong, BarlowGirl and Skillet.

In spring 2009, MercyMe headlined the Rock & Worship Roadshow, which also featured Addison Road, Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, and Jeremy Camp. ⁴

The Go Foundation

Among the songs found in their eleventh album, Coming Up To Breathe, is a song titled I Would Die For You. This song was made in dedication to BJ Higgins, a young boy who contracted Bubonic Plague on the mission fields of Peru. Since then, I Would Die For You has been used to raise money for The Go Foundation, which was born out of Higgins' untimely death.

Current lineup

• Bart Millard - vocals
• Nathan Cochran - bass guitar
• Michael John Scheuchzer - guitars
• Robin (Robbie) Troy Shaffer - percussion
• James (Jim) Philip Bryson - keyboards
• Barry Graul - guitars

Discography

Independent releases

Studio albums

Singles

• ^A"I Can Only Imagine" peaked on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2004.

Awards and accolades

Dove Awards

• 2002 Song of the Year - "I Can Only Imagine"
• 2002 Contemporary/Pop Recorded Song of the Year - "I Can Only Imagine"
• 2002 Songwriter of the Year Award - Bart Millard, songwriter of "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"

ASCAP Awards

• 2003 Bart Millard awarded Christian Songwriter of the Year at the 25th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards.

American Music Awards

• 2004 Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist⁵

References

External links

• Official Band Website
• Official MySpace Site
• Streetbrand.com Interview with MercyMe's Bart Millard

YouTube links

• MercyMe Channel
• You Reign
• I Can Only Imagine
• God With Us