Your Music
15 Years of MercyMe: Could They Have Imagined?
Nathan Cochran, bass guitarist for MercyMe, opens up to InnerVoice about celebrating 15 years together as a band, reflects on some of the struggles along the way, and offers a glimpse into what MercyMe is working on next.
IV: Who is your primary intended audience when you write your music?
Nathan: Really anyone that is interested in worshipping. We write mostly from personal experiences so hopefully people from all walks of life will be able to relate.
IV: I'm sure working in the music industry and life on the road pose some difficult challenges. What is your greatest struggle as a Christian artist?
Nathan: We used to think that we would be able to find a balance between family life and what we do as a band. But the older (and hopefully wiser) we have become, we discovered that our first concern and priority always has to be our role as husbands and fathers. That is hard to do at times because we travel so much. But we know that God wants us to be the leaders of our homes first, and a band second.
IV: Which Christian artist are you most inspired by?
Nathan: At the moment Mute Math has my attention. I also love Phil Wickham's records.
IV: If we were to look at your iPod, which would be your top 3 most played songs?
Nathan: Jenny Wren by Paul McCartney (I was trying to learn it), Viva La Vida by Coldplay, Cannons, Phil Wickham's entire second album.
IV: What would we be most surprised to see on your iPod?
Nathan: Does a learning Italian lesson count?
IV: Are there any particular social causes that speak to your hearts? How are you moved to support these causes?
Nathan: We have all been passionate the last few years to be involved with Imagine a Cure. It’s a foundation which Bart and his wife started, which raises awareness and funds to find a cure for juvenile 
diabetes. Their oldest son Sam was diagnosed when he was two, and being as close as we all are we couldn't help but want to be a part of that.
IV: MercyMe has been around for over a decade. Do you ever just struggle with keeping your passion to continue making music together as a group? How does God carry you through those times of struggle?
Nathan: We actually just celebrated 15 years, which is an accomplishment for any band! There are always ups and downs as with anything, but I think we have always kept in mind the real reasons why we do what we do. And we know that it has been God moving us to new places and giving us new opportunities. Some of those have not always been the most pleasant to go through, but God always knows what we really need. Hopefully, it doesn't sound cliche but we have always tried to put God first and I think that has brought us through a lot.
IV: What is your most embarrassing musical moment?
Nathan: I recently just tripped and fell flat on my face going up the steps to the stage. It was embarrassing, but my son was behind me and he thought it was hilarious!
IV: What is the band working on these days? Any projects in the works you want to share with the audience?
Nathan: We are starting on a new MercyMe record which will be out some time in the spring. Bart and I are still working on our side projects; his Hymned records and my side band, Diving Blind.
IV: Very cool. Thanks Nathan on behalf of all of us at InnerVoice.
If it hadn’t been for a painful high school injury, MercyMe might never have been. Bart Millard, lead singer and founder of the band, had every intention of following in his father's and brother’s football-playing footsteps until he broke both of his ankles in high school. In search of another elective to fill his class schedule, Millard chose to join the school choir. And the rest is history. Ironically, the “Jesus Bring the Rain” songwriter may not ever have discovered he could sing if it wasn’t for a little adversity in high school.
Singing more than just suited Millard. He quickly realized he had stumbled upon his calling. Obeying God’s leading and fueled by his new-found passion, he, Jim Bryson, and Mike Scheuchzer formed MercyMe in 1994. Adversity struck again during Millard’s first semester of college when his father died of cancer. Instead of giving way to despair, Millard channeled his grief into a song titled “I Can Only Imagine” that catapulted the group to new heights. It’s been 10 years since Millard penned “I Can Only Imagine.” The down-to-earth Texas-based band’s breakthrough hit would sell almost 3 million units, race up the charts on Top 40, AC, Christian and Country charts alike, and was adopted as an anthem by hurting people around the world.
In the decade since, the band’s career has continued to soar, with their unique brand of worshipful rock, garnering the group a list of accolades that seemed unimaginable at the start of their career. In a testament to that first hit song’s timelessness, “I Can Only Imagine” remains a favorite on radio playlists nationwide today.
In spite of incredible success, the group has not drifted from its God-centered roots. MercyMe concerts offer audiences an invitation to worship the Lord alongside the band members. Drummer Robby Shaffer reflects, “The best thing about playing is seeing people being ministered to, and realizing it has nothing to do with us.”
During concerts, Millard offers encouragement to audience members: “Unfortunately, the one thing that we have in common is that we all hurt. We all understand what pain is. But everything somehow works for the glory of God. Our greatest moments and our worst of days are for His glory. No matter what you’re going through it has purpose, it has meaning. Nothing surprises God. There is no plan B. No matter how difficult things may get, God still reigns on His Sovereign throne.” Millard encourages crowds with not just words, but from the comfort and wisdom gleaned from his own personal experience with hardship and loss. In that spirit, he reminds audiences that, “God does not make mistakes. Relish in the truth that you are part of something bigger. The God of everything is orchestrating your life to point to the cross.” Clearly, even after 15 years and thousands of performances, the band’s focus has remained the same. To them, it’s still all about pointing the audience to the cross.
There’s so much yet to do, but the band knows it’s important to look back from time to time and mark the milestones along the way. For Millard, that can mean visiting his father’s grave, which is just a mile from his house. “He would get such a kick out of all that has happened to MercyMe and his part in it. God has taken us so far; there’s so much I wish he could have seen.” Instead, his father’s journey and this son’s account of it have inspired millions around the world in ways no one could have imagined.
www.mercyme.org
http://www.myspace.com/mercyme
http://www.mercyme.org/blog/
http://www.imagineacureonline.com/
Special thanks to Ashley Sedillo-Skartland, BrickHouse Entertainment
To mark this epic anniversary, and to celebrate one of the most powerful songs and popular groups in Christian music history, MercyMe released 10, a new CD/DVD set that showcases twelve number one singles and videos that span the artists’ careers.
The 10 audio CD features all eleven of MercyMe’s number one radio hits that span their five studio releases, from 2001’s Almost There to their 2007 release All That Is Within Me. The disc also features 
three bonus tracks including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the famed The London Session Orchestra and the never-before-released track “Only Temporary.”
The companion DVD brings the music to life, featuring a diverse mix of concept videos and live performances that showcase how the band’s unique brand of music has won hearts in local venues and around the world. In addition to the eleven live and concept videos, fans can view an inside glimpse of the story behind “I Can Only Imagine,” and get up close and personal with the band through their appearance on Gospel Music Channel’s “Faith & Fame” feature.
For listeners who first met MercyMe through the story of Millard’s father, which inspired “I Can Only Imagine,” 10 will be a musical marker of a career that has changed lives and continues to inspire. For others, it may be an introduction to a group that has scaled great heights and yet remains firmly grounded by their faith and their families.
You can purchase MercyMe’s 10
http://store2.bandfarm.com/mercy-me/product/?catID=&prodID=2210
Meet the Band:
Fun facts about the guys of MercyMe
Bart Millard (vocals): Bart and his wife, Shannon, began dating in the 7th grade.
Jim Bryson (keys): Jim enjoys photography when not touring, and has even opened a small photography studio.
Mike Scheuchzer (guitar): During the time the band was forming, Mike was working at Blockbuster Video. While working one night, he was held up at gunpoint. After giving the gunman a bag of money, he asked if he’d like a video with that. The gunman declined.
Nathan Cochran (bass guitar): Nathan is married to fellow band member, Robby Shaffer’s, sister.
Robby Shaffer (drums): Robby’s wife shaved off his trademark Mohawk in August of this year. The video clip of this “end of an era” is on the band’s blog.
Barry Graul (guitar): Before joining up with MercyMe, Barry played with dcTalk 