Crossover success

What a difference a year makes.

When MercyMe performed in Cape Girardeau a year ago, they were the opening act on the Go Show with Audio Adrenaline. Now they're headlining a concert Thursday with Grammy winner Amy Grant and Bebo Norman.

The show is at 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center. Tickets are still available.

The last 12 months have been pretty intense for MercyMe with constant touring and a No. 1 mainstream hit with "I Can Only Imagine."

"It's been pretty insane just trying to keep up with everything that took off," lead singer Bart Millard said during a phone interview from Madison, Wis.

For most bands, hitting it big on pop radio would seem like random luck, but that's not what the group believes. They already were well known among Christian radio listeners. And they know that part of their success on mainstream radio is due to other Christian artists like Michael W. Smith and Amy

Grant, who helped pave the way.

Grant, who performs on tour with the group, has been in the music business for 25 years. She was one of the first Christian artists to be played on pop radio.

When Smith and Grant hit the mainstream, both "took heat for doing it," Millard said. Critics were upset that the artists could sing and never mention Jesus or their faith.

"They opened the door and paved the way for a song as blatant as 'Imagine' to be played on mainstream radio," he said.

MercyMe hasn't heard a negative word about their crossover success. That's because the situations were different, Grant said. Her big hit "Baby Baby" was just a fun, pop ditty, but she still tries to maintain a positive image with her music.

"I did what I felt compelled to do," Grant said. "It meant great opportunities to hear a dance remix of a song, and maybe people will buy the record and then hear a song that talks about something totally different."

The Christian music industry likes it that MercyMe was a hit there first and that mainstream lagged behind in discovering them, Millard said.

The band draws about 75 to 80 percent of its concert audiences from Christian listeners, but there are plenty of people who wouldn't go to a church but will come to a concert, he said.

With the mix of musical styles, the tour offers a good balance. "I feel like musically we are complementary," Grant said. While she has developed a following with her albums, MercyMe is still developing its fan base. "I bring some history to the evening," she said, "and I feel like that makes for a very complete night."

Grant said she also likes not being a headliner for the tour. She doesn't have to sing as long, which means not losing her voice, and she still has time to spend with her nearly 3-year-old daughter and teenage children.

"Having headlined, it's hard for me to ever have any connection with new listeners. A lot of people will show up for 'Imagine' and I can go out and introduce myself."

Grant likes sharing the audience with MercyMe and Bebo Norman because she respects their songwriting and singing abilities. "It's nice being on the road with somebody whose music you respect," she said.

"It's fun to share audiences because everybody goes away not expecting that other dish."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126