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10 Questions with ... MercyMe
March 23, 2009
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NAME:MercyMeTITLE:BandWEB:www.mercyme.org
Line-up:
Bart Millard (lead singer)
Robby Shaffer (drums)
Mike Scheuchzer (guitar)
Barry Graul (guitar)
Jim Bryson (keyboards)
Nathan Cochran (bass)Label:
INO RecordsDiscography:
10 (2009)
All That Is Within Me (2007)
Almost There - Platinum Edition
Coming Up to Breathe (2006)
The Christmas Sessions (2005)
Live (DVD)
Undone (2004)
Spoken For (2002)
Almost There (2001)1) MercyMe has been around for some time. And you've had a consistent line-up for all these years. Even so, can you briefly introduce the band members using some personality characteristics?
Bart Millard, lead singer: We call him the "Think Tank."
Robby Shaffer, drummer: We call him "Mom." He likes things to be in order and for us to be on time.
Mike Scheuchzer, guitar: Our biggest music fan in general. He never ceases listening to music, even if he is singing to himself as we walk through an airport.
Barry Graul, guitar: He is everyone's friend. All of us want Barry to like us the best. He is a golden individual.
Jim Bryson, keys: Jim is our prankster and therefore ends up being the butt of many jokes. Poor Jim.
Nathan Cochran, bass: Well, I will have to defer to the other members to describe myself.
2) Can you offer a pretty quick rundown of the MercyMe journey from your guys' perspective?
We have always been a band that was interested in seeing people worship and leading them there, if need be. And that desire to be "lead worshippers" has , I think, required that we go through some real faith-building seasons as individuals. Worship is about bringing God glory in every moment of our lives, not just the good moments.
3) Tell us real quick about the story behind the current single "Finally Home."
"Finally Home" was one of those eleventh hour songs in the studio. It was written quickly and recorded pretty quickly on the spot. It is a bit of a "finishing" if you will of the "Imagine" era for us. Kind of a culmination of all the thoughts that went into "Imagine."
4) Tell us your funniest radio experience thus far.
I'll tell one on myself. I once called the city of Tulsa the "Great State of Tulsa" live on the air. What can I say? It was early and I hadn't had any coffee yet.
5) You're celebrating the 10-year anniversary of "I Can Only Imagine," a song that I imagine you have become quite creative in incorporating into your show nowadays. What other song do you really love to perform live?
That can change quite frequently. I am really enjoying "You Reign" at the moment. It is a great moment for us to look out and know that despite all the distractions, even the ones we create, everyone in the room is doing there best to make Christ the center of attention
6) Other than the new project "10," what else is in the works for 2009?
We will start working on a new record this year. No real set plans for that yet. We're on the road for the "Rock and Worship Road Show," which we are very excited about. A busy year of playing for us.
7) After numerous albums, radio singles, tours, etc., how do you keep a sense of urgency about this life, career known as MercyMe? How do you keep it fresh for your own sanity?
I really think that not making this our only identity as people helps not make what we do as MercyMe get old. We all have families and that keeps us pretty grounded. And not to mention that it has been obvious throughout our career that God has been the one taking us places and it doesn't have anything to do with something special about us.
8) Life on the road isn't a cakewalk. What has been the key to remaining friends while being co-workers?
Well, loving people means being active in their lives. We are all brothers and have been through many good and bad times together. We have made this a family and I think that means we have not left ourselves an easy way out. We love each other enough to give a slap to the head if need be
9) If you do anything outside of music, what would you do?
All of us still love music so that is hard. Bart and I have side music projects going. Jim has started a photography business. Robby is managing bands now. Mike is producing bands. Barry is always writing songs. I think if we weren't doing music, we would all work for NASCAR. Hahahaha! Just kidding (except for maybe Jim?).
10) Did you insist that you be present for the addition of the London Symphony Orchestra to the new version of "I Can Only Imagine"?
Why would we want to miss that?
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