Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Casting Crowns will appear at the Missouri State Fair Tuesday, Aug. 16.
This year’s Fair theme is “Buckets of Fun,” and runs Aug. 11-21, 2022, in Sedalia.
The group, off of a successful 42-city spring tour, is not done yet for the year. The appearance at the 120th State Fair is, to many local fans, a great way to hear the group and enjoy one of the State’s most iconic summer events. Casting Crowns will be joined with We Are Messengers.
The concert will feature new music from the group’s newest album Healer, written by lead singer and one of the group’s founders, Mark Hall. The album features the title track, along with other songs including “Scars in Heaven,” “Desert Road,” and “2nd Opinions.”
Hall, who is the group’s primary songwriter, recently said society is confused by the different, and often conflicting media messages about believers. “People are very skeptical of the church right now, not because of Jesus but because of Jesus’ people,” said Hall, who in 1999 formed the band in Florida. “There are lot of hurdles now. The world has become quite aware of what we’re against. They’re just not sure what we’re for. So, for now, the goal is to get people’s noses out their phones and in the Word a little bit more. We need to learn to start loving each other like Jesus loved us. If Jesus can pull me out of my pit, then he can pull everybody out of theirs. We’ve got to let God do that and us not throw rocks at people and just tell them they’re wrong.”
With sales approaching 13 million albums, Casting Crowns is one of the top acts on the American Christian music scene. Since its self-titled debut in 2003, it has released eight additional studio albums, including “Until the Whole World Hears” (2009), “The Very Next Thing” (2016) and “Only Jesus” (2018).
“Healer” was released in January of 2022 and the group says it is a prayer to making it through tough times. The album also serves as a sort-of theological guardrail with songs like “The Power of the Cross” and especially “2nd Opinions,” about avoiding second-hand speculation when it comes to the scriptures. It’s rounded about with the powerful tune “Scars in Heaven.”
The concert is presented by CFM Insurance, and will also feature We Are Messengers. The popular Irish American band has found a loyal following around the world. Their album Wholehearted was released in October 2021 and features “Come What May,” “God You Are,” and “Friend of Sinners.”
This show is the third concert announced for the 2022 Fair joining previously announced Trace Adkins with Lonestar performing on the Fair’s opening day, Aug. 11 and ZZ Top performing on Aug. 17.
Tickets to all State Fair Grandstand concerts will go on sale to the public starting at 9 am, June 28 through Etix. More information about State Fair concerts can be found on the Fair’s website.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
