I Am They

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I Am They
OriginCarson City, Nevada
Genres
Years active2008 (2008)–2022
LabelsEssential, 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
Websiteiamthey.com

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.[1]

Background[edit]

I Am They, a Christian band from Carson City, Nevada[2][3] 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,[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

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.[4]

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.[5]

In August 2015, I Am They received a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[1][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[edit]

  • Matthew Hein – vocals, guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin (2008-2022)
  • Cheyenne Mitchell (2022)
  • Justin Shinn – keys, organ, concert drum, banjo, mandolin, bass (2008-2022)
  • Nicole Hickman (2019–2022)– drums, percussion
  • Brandon Chase (August 2019[12]–2022) – vocals, guitar, banjo
  • Stephanie Kulla (2015) – vocals
  • Bobby Stiehler – bass, percussion
  • Raul Aguilar Jr. – bass
  • Adam Palmer (2015-2019) – vocals, guitar, Nashville high-strung guitar, banjo, dobro, concert drum
  • Sara Palmer (2015-2019) – drums, percussion
  • Jon McConnell (until late 2019[12]) – vocals, guitar, keys
  • Abbie Parker (2016–2021) – vocals, harmonium, keys

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Christ

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

Extended plays[edit]

List of EPs
Title Details
The Prelude[16]
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[edit]

List of singles and peak chart positions
Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ

[20]
US
Christ Air.

[21]
US Christ AC
[22]
US Christ Digital
[23]
"From The Day" 2014 26 25 25 40 I Am They
"We Are Yours" 2015 38
"Make A Way" (radio version) 2016 43
"Crown Him" 2017 43 Trial & Triumph
"My Feet Are on the Rock" 2018 23 16 15
"Scars" 4 2 2 5
"No Impossible with You" 2019 20 15 12
"White Christmas" 31 26 non-album single
"Faithful God" 2020 19 20 14 Faithful God
"Promises" 2021 25 27

Promotional singles[edit]

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
Single Year Album Original artist
"No Longer Slaves"[25] 2016 Resting Place (EP) Bethel Music
"Resting Place (To the Cross)"[26] I Am They
"Reckless Love"[27] 2018 non-album single Cory Asbury
"Tremble"[28] Mosaic MSC
"Christ Be Magnified"[29] 2021 Cody Carnes

References[edit]

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

External links[edit]