MercyMe

MercyMe started out as an unassuming independent band, dropping off their material in roots venues around the country. But in a hop, skip and a jump (and a breakthrough single) this unknown southern rock group from Greenville, Texas became known everywhere as that band that sings "I Can Only Imagine." Some argued their crossover blockbuster was no guarantee that they were here to stay. But after going platinum, showing up in Billboard's Top 200, raking in the awards, and generally changing the climate of overt Christian-themed mainstream music, the quiet sextet stepped up to the microphone and responded with the follow-up hit, "Word of God Speak." Unlike their debut, which was a collection of material written during their nearly seven years on the indie circuit, their sophomore release kicked off an era of fresh writing. While they never quite duplicated their debut album's double-platinum status, their following releases kept MercyMe influential in Contemporary Christian Music, with light rock, dependable pop and the occasional remarkable ballad.