Casting Crowns began as a student worship band in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1999. Led by singer, songwriter, and youth pastor Mark Hall, other members at the time included guitarists Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes, violinist Melodee DeVevo, and drummer Rob Cervantes.
After two years of service in Florida, Mark Hall and Casting Crowns moved to Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. Almost immediately upon arriving, pianist Megan Garrett and bassist Chris Huffman joined the band. A year later, Andy Williams was recruited to replace Rob Cervantes, completing their line up. This new seven-piece version of Casting Crowns released two independent albums as outreach projects for youth in the Atlanta area.
Although Casting Crowns wasn't searching for a record label, one of the group's albums found its way into the hands of Mark Miller, lead singer for country group Sawyer Brown. Struck by their hard-hitting but devout songs, he made Casting Crowns the first signing to his fledgling Beach Street Records. Mark Hall recalled to Crosswalk in 2004: "The very first conversation we had with anybody about doing this on this level was in late March of 2003, not that long ago. I've been a youth pastor for 12 years at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church here in McDonough, Georgia. The guys in the band all teach small groups and lead ministries here with me. So it really wasn't something we thought would happen on this scale."
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