Nashville, TN – A diverse collection of award winning Christian artists and speakers came together to share a message of “Hope & Healing” on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Christian artists TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Mandisa, Laura Story, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Building 429 volunteered to lead the night in worship. Renowned authors and speakers Louie Giglio, Max Lucado, and Mary Beth Chapman also made special appearances.
The tribute concert was a free event and open to the public. Families and children were invited to share in a night of prayer and music to honor the victims and families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Tickets were made available free of charge from ticketmaster.com and at the Webster Bank Arena box office.
“The initial response to the event was overwhelming, with over 10,000 tickets going in just 30 minutes,” commented Kevin Braun of Generation Exodus, the company organizing the event. “I think this speaks to how we as a nation want to honor and show our support to this community.”
About Casting Crowns:
Prolific CCM band Casting Crowns achieved sales milestones including one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum album, three RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, six RIAA Gold albums, four Gold DVDs and four RIAA Gold certified digital singles. The band currently holds the position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. The group has also been honored with two American Music Awards (out of six total nominations), a GRAMMY Award for its 2005 album Lifesong, and has received six GRAMMY nominations including three received on Dec. 5, 2012. The band has garnered 17 GMA Dove Awards and two 2012 Billboard Music Awards from four 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 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall maintains his role as the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. Casting Crowns concluded its 84-city “Come to the Well” tour on May 5 in Houston to an audience of more than 17,000. Across the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 legs, the tour saw 40 arena sellouts, exceeded 370,000 in total attendance and garnered 65,500 child sponsorships through the group’s partnership with Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision. For more information on Casting Crowns, please visit castingcrowns.com.