Casting Crowns Releases New Album “The Very Next Thing”

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NASHVILLE, TENN. - Multi-platinum selling and GRAMMY® winning group Casting Crowns announces the release of its new studio album, The Very Next Thing, on September 16, 2016 (Beach Street/Reunion). This marks the group's 15th release and eighth studio album since the label debut release in 2003. With more than nine million records sold, the band currently holds the position as Billboard's top-selling act in Christian music since 2007.

Casting Crowns began in, serves in and continues to be rooted in the local church. It is at the local level that they are walking along with people in ministry and where the inspiration for albums are formed.

"Because we have the honor of walking with people in our churches, we get to see what people are going through - the issues that are impacting everyone now," shares front man Mark Hall. "It is in these situations that ideas are born for what we all need to hear right here right now."

The Very Next Thing is full of intimate songs as well as upbeat, fresh sounding tracks that will meet the listener with lyrics that impact with a strong message song after song.

Hall shares the inspiration behind the new album and title. "We are all in different stages of 'next.' There's a next step from where you are right now. We all feel like there's a stage that we have to reach to move on to what is next - but God has you right here right now for your 'next,' and all of these songs touch on that idea."

Supporting the upcoming release, the group will be hitting the road this fall for "The Very Next Thing" tour presented by Compassion International and Museum of the Bible. The 39 city tour will feature label mate Matt Maher and special guest newcomer Hannah Kerr. Casting Crowns continues to impact fans with their powerful lyrics and live show as they have performed for more than six million fans. In addition more than 85,000 child sponsorships have resulted through Casting Crowns live shows.

ABOUT CASTING CROWNS: Prolific CCM band Casting Crowns has achieved sales milestones including one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum album, four RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, seven RIAA Gold albums, four Gold DVDs, one RIAA Platinum certified single and five RIAA Gold certified digital singles. The band currently holds the position as Billboard's top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. Casting Crowns has also been honored with four American Music Awards (out of seven total nominations), a GRAMMY Award for its 2005 album Lifesong, and six GRAMMY nominations. In addition, the group has garnered 17 GMA Dove Awards and two Billboard Music Awards from 11 total Billboard Music Award nominations. Casting Crowns' seven band members all remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour according to their local church commitments. Serving his 25 plus years in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall maintains his role as the student pastor at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta.

ABOUT MATT MAHER: Since his 2008 major label debut, Matt Maher has become a staple in the artistic and songwriting community. An eight time-GRAMMY nominee, he has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs like "Lord, I Need You," "Hold Us Together," "Christ Is Risen," "All The People Said Amen" and "Your Grace Is Enough." Maher has penned songs recorded by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Casting Crowns, Jesus Culture and Bethel among others. Matt has written or co-written five No. 1 radio singles. In 2013, Maher had a career highlight performing in Rio in front of Pope Francis and a crowd of 3 million people, as well as performing in 2015 in downtown Philadelphia as part of the World Meeting of Families with The Fray, Aretha Franklin, Juanes, Jim Gaffigan, among others. In 2015, Maher was awarded his first RIAA Gold certification for his popular single "Lord, I Need You."