Mercy Me Singer Goes Solo Again
Bart Millard To Release Second Hymns Set Hymned Again
As the frontman for the group Mercy Me, Bart Millard has had a whirlwind season of success since the band’s breakthrough hit “I Can Only Imagine.” Mercy Me has since scored numerous follow-up hits at Christian and Mainstream radio and has earned Gold and Platinum album certifications. As a sideline, Bart Millard continues to build a solo career recording fresh versions of classic hymns. Not exactly an expected move for the lead singer of a Pop/Rock group but Hymned No. 1 and its upcoming follow-up on August 19th Hymned Again are labors of love that have so far been well received by critics and fans.
Bart Millard's Family Project
Hymned No. 1 started as a promise made by Bart Millard to his late grandmother to record the songs of the church that she had exposed him to as a child and came to cherish as an adult. A refreshingly varied mix of Gospel, Jazz, Pop, Rock and Southern soul, Hymned No. 1 nicely fulfilled that promise and showcased an expanded side of Bart Millard as an artist.
The motivation for Hymned Again was also rooted in family but this time it was to please the next generation – namely his three children who loved Hymned No. 1 enough to request a sequel. Bart Millard has said, “My three kids know every word to {Hymned No. 1}. These are songs that were a huge part of my upbringing and now they are a part of my kids’ as well, so I had to do another one! And, true to form, they already have {Hymned Again} memorized too.”
Bart Millard Goes Back To Hymns Again
For Hymned Again, Bart Millard moved on from songs based in the 1700’s, which he felt were more direct praises to Jesus, to those written in the 1800’s where the message is more evangelical and focused on the state of human souls. Bart Millard did not however move on from the producer of Hymned No. 1 as noted producer Brown Bannister teamed up with him once again.
Hymned Again also provides more stylistic diversity than Hymned No. 1. Amidst a swirl of different tempos and tones there is much to enjoy from jazzy, big band swing to funky New Orleans grooves to stomping guitar blues and, improbably, a solo ukulele, which is the sole instrument featured on the closing track “Grace That Is Greater.”
Guest Appearances on Hymned Again CD
Along with known favorites such as “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” and “Victory In Jesus” there is one original song, “Jesus Cares For Me,” co-written by Bart Millard and performed as a duet with country superstar Vince Gill. And, Christy Nockels, formerly of Watermark, is a guest vocalist on “I Stand Amazed,” the first single released to Christian radio.
Bart Millard is set to appear on a September 27th episode of Gospel Music Channel’s “Kitchen Sink” program that will feature Hymned Again. However, through the summer and fall, he will continue to tour with Mercy Me.
