I Am They Explained

I Am They
Origin:Carson City, Nevada
Years Active:–2022
Label:Essential, Big Future
Past Members:
  • Matthew Hein
  • Cheyenne Mitchell
  • Brandon Chase
  • Justin Shinn
  • Nicole Hickman
  • Stephanie Kulla
  • Bobby Stiehler
  • Raul Aguilar Jr.
  • Adam Palmer
  • Sara Palmer
  • Jon McConnell
  • Abbie Parker

I Am They was an American Christian music band from Carson City, Nevada, formed in 2008. The band consists of five members and was first signed to Essential Records. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2015. They were most recently signed to Big Future Records.

Background

I Am They, a Christian band from Carson City, Nevada[1] [2] was initially formed as a worship ministry called "Solomon's Porch" for what was intended to be a single night worship gathering on October 31, 2008, hosted at Calvary Chapel Carson City. After a positive reception from the local church community, the band continued holding bi-monthly worship gatherings.

After receiving an offer from local Christian concert promoters, Ian Bullis and Jonathan Velasquez, to open for CCM artist Matthew West in January 2009, the band began to write original material and formally changed their name to I Am They in order to differentiate it from the bi-monthly worship ministry they hosted.

The band signed to Provident Label Group in the summer of 2013 and went into the studio in January 2014 to record their self-titled debut at Yackland Studios in Nashville, TN with Producer Jonathan Smith and Executive Producer Jason Ingram. Their debut album was released on January 27, 2015.[3]

In winter and spring of 2015, the band was a part of the national touring "Rock & Worship Roadshow" alongside MercyMe, Crowder, and Group 1 Crew, followed by a tour with Matt Maher on the spring leg of the Saints & Sinners tour.[4]

In August 2015, I Am They received a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.[5]

In March 2016, Abbie Parker replaced Stephanie Kulla as the lead female vocalist for the band. On the same day, the band released a new single "Make A Way" featuring Abbie Parker.[6] I AM THEY released the 4-song worship EP The Resting Place - EP in June 2016.

In April 2017, a new vocalist, Houston resident Jon McConnell, was introduced with the release of the band's new song, Crown Him.[7]

In early 2019, a new drummer/percussionist, Nicole Hickman, joined the group, allowing Sara Palmer to focus on planning and promotion full-time. Nicole had spent a number of years touring with Holly Starr.

In January 2022, the band announced that they had signed with Big Future Music Group in a joint venture with Truss Records. The announcement also pictured and listed Cheyenne Mitchell as vocalist, in place of previous lead female vocalist Abbie Parker.[8] [9] On September 29, 2022, the band announced they were disbanding after 14 years.[10] They performed their last concert on December 8 of that year, streaming it on their YouTube page.[11]

Former Members

Discography

Albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
Christ

[13]
UK
C & G
I Am They 10
Trial & Triumph
  • Released: March 2, 2018[15]
    • Format: CD, digital download
2315
Faithful God
  • Released: October 23, 2020
  • Label: Essential Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
43

Extended plays

Title! style="width:18em;"
Details
The Prelude[16]
  • Released: August 2, 2011
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD
Sanctuaries[17] [18]
  • Released: February 20, 2013
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD, Streaming
Resting Place[19]
  • Released: June 10, 2016
  • Label: Provident
  • Format: Download, Streaming
Chapel Sessions
  • Released: September 9, 2022
  • Label: Truss Records
  • Format: Download, Streaming

Singles

List of singles and peak chart positions
SingleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
Christ

[20]
US
Christ Air.

[21]
US Christ AC
[22]
US Christ Digital
[23]
"From The Day"201426252540I Am They
"We Are Yours"201538
"Make A Way" (radio version)201643
"Crown Him"201743Trial & Triumph
"My Feet Are on the Rock"2018231615
"Scars"4225
"No Impossible with You"2019201512
"White Christmas"3126non-album single
"Faithful God"2020192014Faithful God
"Promises"20212527

Promotional singles

Separate from their standard singles released to radio, the band has released numerous worship songs with session music videos. They have typically been covers, but not exclusively.

List of singles and peak chart positions
SingleYearAlbumOriginal artist
"No Longer Slaves"[25] 2016Resting Place (EP)Bethel Music
"Resting Place (To the Cross)"[26] I Am They
"Reckless Love"[27] 2018non-album singleCory Asbury
"Tremble"[28] Mosaic MSC
"Christ Be Magnified"[29] 2021Cody Carnes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jesus Freak Hideout . I Am They . Jesus Freak Hideout . February 8, 2015.
  2. Web site: Tony. Cummings . I Am They: New lineup for the country rock worshippers from Nevada . Cross Rhythms. April 16, 2016 . April 15, 2016.
  3. Web site: Mike Sion . Big year ahead for Christian folk-pop sextet I Am They . Reno Gazette-Journal . January 21, 2015.
  4. Web site: September 26, 2015. November 19, 2014. THE 7th Annual Rock & Worship Roadshow, presented by Compassion International, announces official tour dates. PRWeb.
  5. Web site: August 12, 2015. The 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced Today in Nashville.
  6. Web site: Hallels . I Am They Welcome Abbie Parker & Releases New Single "Make a Way" . March 25, 2016.
  7. Web site: I AM THEY - Crown Him. April 7, 2017 .
  8. Web site: BFMG ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE WITH TRUSS RECORDS, SIGNS I AM THEY. 2022-01-31. www.bfmg.com. en.
  9. Web site: Abbie Parker - Session Vocalist & Songwriter. soundbetter.com . 9 February 2022.
  10. Web site: I AM THEY disbanding after 14 years. 2023-08-05.
  11. Web site: I AM THEY // FINAL CONCERT - YouTube. 2023-08-27.
  12. Web site: I Am They - Membership change . I Am They - Facebook page . 14 March 2020.
  13. I Am They - Chart History (Top Christian Albums). Billboard. . November 7, 2020.
  14. Web site: [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=mw0002798751|pure_url=yes}} I Am They – I Am They ]. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. April 17, 2018.
  15. Web site: I Am They – Trial & Triumph . ITunes. March 2, 2018 . April 17, 2018.
  16. Web site: i am "They" - The Prelude EP . JesusFreakHideout.com . 8 February 2022.
  17. Web site: Sanctuaries EP - I Am They . Spotify . 8 February 2022.
  18. Web site: I Am They - Sanctuaries Album Art. advntdesign.com . 8 February 2022.
  19. Web site: Fans find "Resting Place" with new EP from I Am They. June 11, 2016 . JesusWired . 9 February 2022.
  20. I Am They - Christian Songs. Billboard. April 18, 2020.
  21. I Am They - Christian Airplay. Billboard. April 11, 2020.
  22. I Am They - Christian AC Songs. Billboard. April 18, 2020.
  23. I Am They - Christian Digital Songs Sales . Billboard. April 11, 2020.
  24. Web site: I Am They - Scars. . April 7, 2021.
  25. Web site: No Longer Slaves (Single) by I Am They. NewReleaseToday. October 1, 2019.
  26. Web site: Resting Place (To the Cross) (Single) by I Am They. NewReleaseToday. October 1, 2019.
  27. Web site: Reckless Love (Single) by I Am They. NewReleaseToday. October 1, 2019.
  28. Web site: Tremble (Single) by I Am They. NewReleaseToday. October 1, 2019.
  29. Web site: Christ Be Magnified (Song Session) (Single) by I Am They CD Reviews And Information NewReleaseToday . March 8, 2021 . NewReleaseToday . NRT Media, Inc . June 3, 2021.