Bart Marshall Millard, born on December 1, 1972, is a prominent American singer and songwriter known for his role as the leader of the acclaimed band MercyMe. Beyond his success with MercyMe, Millard has also ventured into a solo career, releasing two solo albums: “Hymned, No. 1” in 2005 and “Hymned Again” in 2008. His musical talent and dedication earned him a solo Grammy nomination in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for the latter album.
Band Career:
In his early years, Bart Millard aspired to become a football player, but a significant injury during a high school football game altered his path. He found himself drawn to music and joined the choir as an elective. A pivotal moment occurred when Millard’s father, Arthur Wesley Millard Jr., passed away in 1991, during Bart’s first year of college. His youth pastor invited him to work with the church’s youth group worship band, where he operated video and audio systems. During this time, James (Jim) Bryson played piano for the band, sparking a musical connection that would later lead to Bart Millard’s full-time musical journey. Alongside two friends, James Phillip Bryson and Michael John Scheuchzer, he relocated to Oklahoma City and co-founded MercyMe. Since then, the band has recorded an impressive catalog of music, including six independent, ten studio, two Christmas, and three compilation albums.
Solo Career:
Bart Millard’s solo career was motivated by a heartfelt promise to his grandmother to record an album of hymns before her passing. He fulfilled this promise with “Hymned No. 1” and shared how his grandmother’s faith inspired this musical endeavor. The second hymn album, “Hymned Again,” emerged from Millard’s desire to introduce hymns into his church, recognizing their significance for future generations, including his own children.
Millard’s father played a substantial role in shaping his musical direction for the hymn albums, drawing inspiration from artists like Willie Nelson and Louie Prima. He acknowledged that these influences differed from MercyMe’s style, which aligns more closely with bands like Coldplay. Millard embarked on his solo journey to express musical styles that wouldn’t have fit within MercyMe’s framework.
The title “Hymned Again” playfully refers to the first album’s attempt to make less-favored songs more appealing. This second album aimed to capture a Kansas City swing/shuffle mood, reminiscent of artists like Louie Prima, Harry Connick Jr., and Jamie Cullum. Millard achieved this musical ambiance by immersing himself in albums by these influential musicians. Notably, the album’s one original song, “Jesus Cares for Me,” was written by Thad Cockrell and carries a timeless quality, as if it could have been composed decades ago.
One remarkable moment in Millard’s solo journey was when he nervously approached Vince Gill to collaborate on the album. On the prospect of future “Hymned” projects, Millard expressed his hopes and aspirations, leaving the door open for more musical adventures.
Bart Millard’s musical career, both with MercyMe and as a solo artist, reflects his versatility and deep passion for music, carrying the rich traditions of hymns while exploring new musical horizons.
