[WhiteRob]

Casting Crowns, the Atlanta-based band who has become the “fastest-selling new artist of 2003,” has once again claimed the No. 1 position on Neilson’s Top Christian Album charts. This marks the 7th week the self-titled debut album has garnered the position. In only five months Casting Crowns scans have exceeded 177,000 units. Casting Crowns was No. 2 on Neilson’s Top New Artist Album chart, Top Current Contemporary Christian chart, Billboard’s Heatseekers list for the week ending Feb. 22, and No. 1 on the Top Adult Contemporary Album chart.

Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, notes, “Casting Crowns has been extraordinarily successful by all industry measures at retail, radio and touring. I consider it an equal achievement that the band maintains their position on their church youth staff and remains committed to their full time ministry. They are genuine and sincere and I believe the market sees that and has responded accordingly.”

In addition to top sales, the band also held the No. 1 position on both Radio and Records and Christian Radio Weekly’s CHR and AC radio formats. The band’s second single, “Who Am I” was the second most added song on Adult Contemporary radio this past week, already charting at No. 22 with Christian Radio Weekly and soon on Radio and Records.

The band was also recently honored with four Dove Award nominations by the Gospel Music Association for the coveted “New Artist of the Year” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.” The No. 1 hit single, “If We Are The Body” was nominated for “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year” while lead singer Mark Hall received a nod as songwriter for the prestigious “Song of the Year” category.

Casting Crowns, formed during frontman Mark Hall’s tenure as a youth minister in Daytona Beach, Fla. four years ago, developed its unique sound while leading Wednesday night worship for its youth group. Accepting a similar post in Atlanta, Hall and other band members relocated in order to continue and grow their music ministry.

Beach Street Records, an imprint of Provident Label Group, was launched by Mark Miller, founder and frontman of the multi-platinum country music phenomenon Sawyer Brown. Casting Crowns, the label’s flagship artist, releases to Christian retail through Provident Distribution and to the general market through BMG.