(RALEIGH, NC) – Multi-platinum selling and GRAMMY® winning group Casting Crowns will hit the road again this spring for the second leg of "The Very Next Thing" Tour, featuring K-LOVE Radio’s Male Artist of the Year Danny Gokey and special guests Unspoken. Presented by Compassion International and Museum of the Bible, the 40-city arena tour kicks off Feb. 16, 2017 in Baltimore and will stop in Raleigh on March 10 at PNC Arena.

“The Very Next Thing” Tour supports Casting Crowns’ newest studio album, The Very Next Thing, (Beach Street/Reunion). This marks the group's 15th release and eighth studio album since the label debut release in 2003. With more than 10 million records sold, Casting Crowns has held the position of Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007.

Tickets for Raleigh go on sale Friday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. online at Ticketmaster.com, the PNC Arena Box Office and by phone at 800-745-3000.

Casting Crowns began in, serves in and continues to be rooted in the local church. It is at the local level that they are walking along with people in ministry and where the inspiration for albums are formed.

“Because we have the honor of walking with people in our churches, we get to see what people are going through – the issues that are impacting everyone now,” shares front man Mark Hall. “It is in these situations that ideas are born for what we all need to hear right here right now.

The Very Next Thing is full of intimate songs as well as upbeat, fresh sounding tracks that will meet the listener with lyrics that impact with a strong message song after song.

Hall shares the inspiration behind the new album and title. “We are all in different stages of ‘next.’ There’s a next step from where you are right now. We all feel like there’s a stage that we have to reach to move on to what is next – but God has you right here right now for your ‘next,' and all of these songs touch on that idea.”

Casting Crowns continues to impact audiences with their powerful lyrics and live show as they have performed for more than six million fans. In addition, more than 85,000 child sponsorships have resulted through Casting Crowns’ live shows. For more information on “The Very Next Thing” Tour, visit www.CastingCrowns.com.

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