GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The popular Christian band Casting Crowns took a unique approach to release their latest collection of songs. January 2022 saw the release of the seven-song EP “Healer.” Those seven songs have been released on a deluxe version of “Healer,” adding seven more pieces to complete a 14-song full-length album.

The band, which will play at the Clay County Agriculture Fair on Monday, April 3, has been a leader in ticket demand, according to Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder.

Mark Hall, lead singer and main songwriter for the group, chose this approach because of how many people consume music.

“The reason I did it this way, it was my idea, is that people will get your record. They listen to it for a week, and they’re like, ‘OK, when’s your new record coming out?’ Hall said in a recent phone interview. “I just thought, man, there are so many things we’re talking about, and so many themes that we’re hitting here (on “Healer”), I want to space this out. I want people to digest some of the songs, live with these songs, and then give them the other half.”

So now, as Casting Crowns follows up a fall tour with an extensive run of shows this spring, all 14 songs written for the project are together on the deluxe version of “Healer.” That’s enabling the band to tweak the set list for this latest installment of the “Healer” tour.

“The first seven songs came out for that (spring 2022) tour. But the second seven have come out now,” Hall said. “So we’re going through and looking at some of the (new) ones we want to play for everybody.”

Hall and his bandmates select which “Healer” songs to perform judiciously. Most of the set will be drawn from a catalog with more than 20 top 10 Christian music singles, including 11 chart-toppers.

The consistent ability to write hit singles has made Casting Crowns one of Christian music’s most popular and long-running acts.

Hall formed the band in 1999 with Hall, and the current lineup includes guitarists Juan DeVevo and Josh Mix, violinist Melodee DeVevo, bassist John Michael Hall (the frontman’s son), keyboardist/accordionist Megan Garrett and drummer Jack Williams.

After releasing two independent albums, Casting Crowns signed to Beach Street Records. In 2003, they made a significant breakthrough with their third album, a self-titled effort that became one of the fastest-selling national debuts in Christian music history. The band has remained at the forefront of Christian music since, with seven of the eight subsequent albums debuting atop the Christian albums chart. The one album that failed to reach that mark, “Only Jesus,” reached No. 2.

The group has sold more than 12 million copies of its albums, winning a Grammy award, four American Music Awards and 18 Dove awards (Christian Music’s highest honor).

The 14 songs came to explore a variety of ways healing happens through God. The title track speaks to how people sometimes seek comfort and healing through social movements, political candidates, or internet influencers instead of turning to the only true healer, Jesus. “Anything But Easy” is about bringing loved ones to Jesus, no matter what challenges must overcome. “Scars In Heaven” (a top 10 single from the first half of “Healer”) is about healing after the death of a friend and how that process can come in unexpected ways.

Such messages are within songs that fit the Casting Crowns’ trademark brand of uplifting, anthemic pop ballads filled with inviting melodies, burnished instrumental tones and layered choir-like harmony and backing vocals.

With the pandemic upending life everywhere, the topic of how and where to find healing was nothing if not timely.

“We’ve seen the world, especially our country, trying to come together behind things, like causes, candidates, hashtags, and all of these kinds of things and it’s just Jesus is the one that heals us. He’s the one that heals relationships,” Hall said. “So we really want to talk about how he is the true healer.”

General admission to the show, which includes performances by We Are the Messengers and Ben Fuller, is free with paid fair ticket. Reserved seats and VIP packages are available from $50 to $160. Tickets can be found at claycountyfair.org.