MercyMe

Fans: 153,872

- Bio

As the tried-and-true saying goes, when an orange is squeezed, orange juice comes out; because that is what’s inside. So what happens when a band finds itself under remarkable pressure, having to express an entire album in just three weeks with not one note of it yet written? What comes out? In the case of MercyMe (“I Can Only Imagine”), it’s All That Is Within Me, the strongest and most deliberately worshipful release in the multi-platinum rock act’s career yet. And the story behind that time crunch is further indicative of all that is now within MercyMe. “We thought we’d be able to write new songs on tour, but that notion has become absurd for us,” admits lead singer Bart Millard. Instinctively, MercyMe hauled its gear from the tour bus back into a Sunday school room at a church in its hometown of Greenville, Texas, where the guys banged out fresh ideas after a much-needed week of rest with their families. From there, the group met up with venerable producer Brown Bannister (Amy Grant) in the woods of Idaho at a way-off-the-beaten-path studio called Cider Mountain Recorders. That isn’t to say All That Is Within Me is a buttoned-down endeavor by any means. Sure, the band is an ongoing success at Christian and mainstream adult contemporary radio, but MercyMe is a rock act at heart, and the set bursts open with the revved-up punch of “Goodbye Ordinary” and “Time Has Come.” Blended together into one continuous track, these introductory songs reflect a broad range of musical influences from The Beatles and Tom Petty to U2 and The Killers while the latter’s message clearly defines the band’s deepest allegiance: Time has come to raise our hearts as one and glorify the God of everything. We live our lives for the renown of Christ. Oh, we are children of the sovereign King. “We ultimately said, ‘Let’s just make a record that comes out of our hearts,’” Millard says. “Among the six of us, we love all kinds of different music, but the more worshipful moments in any song always lead to our favorite moments on stage.” Indeed, countless listeners first met MercyMe through the account of Bart’s father which inspired the band’s 2001 breakthrough hit, “I Can Only Imagine.” The song about heaven continues to comfort grieving people everywhere and is still a favorite on radio playlists nationwide today. Look closely at the front of All That Is Within Me, and you’ll see a photo of Arthur Wesley Millard’s gravestone—one of fifty-six defining images shown in the cover collage, which leads to one more great last-minute story behind the album’s manifestation. A week before cover art for All That Is Within Me was due, each member of MercyMe was given a disposable camera and asked to take photographs of all that is within him. The results were turned over to a designer and range from the literal (food) to the lasting (family). “The first thing I did with my camera was walk to my father’s grave,” Millard admits. “I live less than a mile from where he’s buried. He would get such a kick out of all that has happened to MercyMe and his part in it. God has taken us so far; there’s so much I wish he could have seen. When you look at these pictures and hear the new music, you’ll know this is who we are.”

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Nov 22, 11:47 PM

please?
iPhone User
Nov 18, 02:29 PM

pretty cool
Nov 15, 06:37 AM

Most Excellent show last night in Austin, TX!
Nov 14, 08:56 AM

great show!
Nov 13, 08:45 AM

I love the cover tune grab bags by Mercy Me.
Nov 13, 08:04 AM

God bless you!!! Your words go strait to the heart!
iPhone User
Nov 11, 06:24 PM

I am sorry you are missing your dad today. I lost my mother just over 5 years ago and I think about her every day. Thank you for the many wonderful songs! Can't wait to see you again in Dayton!
Nov 08, 05:07 PM

come to Hobbs.NM would love for you to come to worship at are church