A multi-platinum Christian band, MercyMe, is rolling into Utah as the summer concert season begins to wrap up. The band is headlining Friday's show at the Sandy Amphitheatre.
After 17 years of making music, the band is happy to still be doing what it loves.
"We cherish every moment," said lead singer Bart Millard. "I'm thankful that we still have the chance to do this after so many years."
The Texas-based band features vocalist Bart Millard, keyboardist James Bryson, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran, and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul. The band's style is a mix of Christian and contemporary music.
Between studio sessions and touring, the band keeps busy either making or promoting its music. Last week, it performed at Disney World's Night of Joy. Friday's concert is part of its "Lovewell Live" fall tour, based on its most recent album, "The Generous Mr. Lovewell."
"Our messages stress the relationship with Christ," Millard said. Other messages the band focuses on are to love our neighbor and provide service.
Opening for MercyMe is Rachelle Call, an ongoing producer and writer of Christian music in Salt Lake City. Call has been a part of the Christian music community after discovering her musical talent in her late 20s.
"I'm really excited to be on stage with my friends and MercyMe, " Call said. "And we all get to be friends."
Gaylen Rust, the CEO of R Legacy Entertainment and the concert sponsor, is also excited to bring MercyMe to Utah.
“MercyMe’s message revolves around loving our neighbor and lending a helping hand," he said. "They not only sing about these things but practice them wherever they go by serving at rescue missions, assisting with food drives and disaster relief. That’s something that everyone in Utah can rally around.”
MercyMe is heavily involved in charities and has even started one that recognizes juvenile diabetes. Millard's son, Sam, was diagnosed with the disease at age 2, and the band started a nonprofit organization that supports research to find a cure for the life-long condition.
"We created this organization to try to minister to those families that also suffer with this disease," Millard said. "It’s a good and very active organization."
MercyMe has not only benefited from the success of its charities and service but in its music as well. The band has been successful for a number of years in the Christian rock genre. Billboard Magazine named MercyMe the Christian Song Artist of the Decade for the 2000s, and its hit single "Word of God Speak" was named the Christian Song of the Decade. It has released 22 No. 1 songs, and six of its songs ranked in the top 50 songs of the decade. In addition, a handful of its albums have reached platinum and gold status.
"It's awesome; we never take it for granted," Millard said. "We keep pinching ourselves."
The concert will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets are available at www.smithstix.com.