MercyMe

Singer-songwriter, Bart Millard, met keyboardist, James Bryson, through his youth group's worship band. Following a successful show in Switzerland, the pair decided to pursue music full time. They joined up with guitarist, Mike Scheuchzer, and moved to Oklahoma, whereabouts the trio set up a studio in an abandoned day care center. Bassist, Nathan Cochran and drummer, Robby Shaffe soon joined and in 1995, MercyMe released their debut independent album, Pleased to Meet You.

The band name came from Millard's grandmother, who, during Millard's time as a youth ministry intern, would humorously ask him: "Well mercy me, why don't you get a real job?"

Millard had planned to follow in his father's and brother's footsteps and become a professional football player, but he broke both of his ankles in high school and was consequently forced to choose another elective class: choir.