Ok everyone. I want to fill you all in on some news. A good friend of mine has a record coming out today. His name is Bart Millard, he sings in a band called MercyMe, and the record is called “Hymned Again”. I usually try to keep this site “advertisement-free”, but I wanted to openly support this album.
Bart and I have a bit of a history with each other. A few years back Bart had started a record label with a guy named Pete Kipley (who is now my producer and very good friend) and they said they wanted to be a part of what I was doing. I asked them to tell me more and they flew out to San Diego and spent a whole weekend with me telling me about their vision and asking about mine. A month later I was signed with them and working on my first record. Soon after that I was on my first tour with MercyMe, which was huge for the beginning of my “career”. So, needless to say, I owe Bart a huge debt of thanks for believing in me and giving me a chance to share my songs with people.
That was four years ago, since then things have shifted and labels have changed, but Bart is still a good friend. Today we were talking and he told me that his record was coming out, so I told him I’d let all you know about it! So there. You know about it. The record itself is a completely different sound than the band that Bart comes from. While MercyMe is one of the best at bringing massive worship anthems to the church, Bart Millard’s, “Hymned Again” is a collection of 12 old school hymns set to a musical background that at times makes me feel like I’m walking through the French Quarter of New Orleans about 60 years ago. I personally loved the track, “Jesus Cares For Me”. The guitars are so beautiful I wanted to cry.
For those used to the brit rock worship we have all become so accustomed to hearing this record is different, refreshingly so, and I would encourage you to get your hands on one.
-phil
