Casting Crowns expand extensive tour

January 4, 2008 06:01 AM
Christian soft-rock stars Casting Crowns have added more shows to their upcoming US tour, which now spans 40 dates.

The outing is set to kick off Jan. 31 in Oklahoma City, OK, and travel from the Midwest to the East Coast into May. Since last check, shows have been added in Wichita, KS; Tulsa, OK; Tampa and Jacksonville, FL; Erie, PA; Columbia, SC; Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN; and Evansville, IN. The final date on the itinerary is the May 19 launch of The Music Boat 2008 Cruise, which leaves from Miami and features a host of Christian artists including TobyMac and Matthew West. Casting Crowns' full tour schedule is listed below.

The band is riding high on the success of its third album, "The Altar and The Door," which debuted at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 in August, setting a new record for a Christian artist without crossover promotion in the mainstream market. The set has since scored a gold-album certification and three Grammy nominations: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, as well as Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song for the lead single, "East to West."

Last fall's 36-date "The Altar and The Door Tour" logged 20 sellouts and attendance figures topping 200,000, according to a press release. The trek was the best-selling Christian music concert event of the fall touring season and No. 30 overall, as ranked by trade mag Pollstar.

During its four-year career, Casting Crowns has collected two platinum-album certifications and won multiple Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. The band is the most played artist on all Christian radio formats combined, with seven consecutive No. 1 AC radio hits, according to a press release.

Despite their success, the seven members of Casting Crowns remain part-time musicians, touring around their local church duties in the Atlanta area. Lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall is serving his 17th year as youth minister at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
January 2008
31 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center

February 2008
1 - Abilene, TX - Taylor County Coliseum
2 - Ft. Worth, TX - Ft. Worth Convention Center Arena
4 - Wichita, KS - Kansas Coliseum
5 - Colorado Springs, CO - Colorado Springs World Arena
8 - Tulsa, OK - Mabee Center
9 - Kansas City, MO - Kemper Arena
14 - Grand Rapid, MI - Van Andel Arena
15 - Ypsilanti, MI - Convocation Center at Eastern Michigan University
16 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University
22 - Estero, FL - Germain Arena
23 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheater
24 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
28 - Erie, PA - Louis J. Tullio Arena/Erie Civic Center
29 - Amherst, MA - Mullins Center

March 2008
6 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
7 - Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
13 - State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center @ Penn State University
14 - Salisbury, MD - Wicomico Youth and Civic Center
15 - Rochester, NY - Main Street Armory
20 - Johnson City, TN - Freedom Hall Civic Center
21 - Greenville, SC - Bi-Lo Center
22 - Jacksonville, FL - Veterans Memorial Arena
28 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Arena
29 - Charlotte, NC - Cricket Arena
30 - Raleigh, NC - RBC Center

April 2008
4 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
5 - Bossier City, LA - Century Tel Center
10 - Columbia, SC - Colonial Center
11 - Knoxville, TN - Knoxville Coliseum
12 - Lynchburg, KY - Liberty University
17 - Murray, KY - Regional Special Events Center at Murray State University
18 - Chattanooga, TN - UTC McKenzie Arena
24 - Ames, IA - Hilton Coliseum
25 - Bloomington, IL - US Cellular Coliseum
26 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
27 - Council Bluffs, IA - Mid-America Center

May 2008
2 - Indianapolis, IN - Pepsi Coliseum
3 - Evansville, IN - Mesker Amphitheater
19 - Miami, FL - The Music Boat 2008 Cruise

 tour dates and tickets

LiveDaily News Break, May 12: Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, Ted Nugent and more

Today's edition features news and tour information about Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, Ted Nugent, Los Lonely Boys, and Eddy Arnold.... continued
Listen now:
 

LiveDaily Song of the Day: The Delta Fiasco - "Death Letters"

Today's Song of the Day is by The Delta Fiasco. The group's featured cut is "Death Letters," which appears on... continued
Listen now:

Send us your comments, suggestions and news tips