Christian music’s top-selling act Casting Crowns breaks another record this week with 78 out-of-the-box radio adds of its new single East To West off the forthcoming album The Altar and The Door releasing August 28th. The multi-Platinum, GRAMMY®-winning band surpassed the previous record of 64 first-week adds across the Christian AC, CHR and INSP formats.

In East To West lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall tackles the topic of forgiveness. “We have a hard time with the concept of forgiveness,” he says. “We cut ourselves and it heals, but the scar remains. Sometimes we think God treats sin like we would if we were God, and that he handles forgiveness like we would. We know he forgives, but we can’t accept that God chooses to forget and relinquishes his right to avenge.”

As the single continues to gain momentum, this is only the beginning for the busy road ahead for Casting Crowns, which includes extensive media coverage and a major fall tour. This month’s HomeLife magazine features lead singer Mark Hall and his wife Melanie on the cover, sharing their experience with Casting Crowns as well as Hall’s position as student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Fans across the country will have the opportunity to see the band live on its headlining “The Altar and The Door” Fall Tour with special guest Leeland, and introducing John Waller.

With four RIAA-Platinum projects over its three-year career, Casting Crowns has been honored with a GRAMMY)® Award, two American Music Award nods and now 12 Gospel Music Dove Awards. Casting Crowns has been the most played artist on all Christian radio formats combined, with six consecutive No.1 AC radio hits, and the group has sold more than 2.5 million albums to date. Casting Crowns claims the distinction of being the fastest CCM artist in its career to have its first two albums certified Platinum, and only the second in RIAA history ever to achieve it (the other being Jars of Clay). Earlier this year, the band made a trip to North Korea, as the only U.S. band invited to play at the April Art Friendship Festival.

Stay tuned to YourMusicZone as we will bring you more on The Altar And The Door later in the week.