Article published September 04, 2008
Sanctus Real kicks off tour in Perrysburg
Sanctus Real is:( l-r), Pete Prevost, Dan Gartley, Matt Hammitt, Mark Graalman, and Chris Rohman
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By DAVID YONKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Sanctus Real is getting ready for a nationwide tour that will include more than 30 concerts from Maine to California.
But first, the Toledo band will perform for hometown fans with a concert tonight in Perrysburg Township.
“I just think there’s an energy in town here, especially when we’re headlining the show,” said Matt Hammitt, lead singer of the Christian rock group that records for Sparrow Records, the world’s largest Christian label.
“We’ve known these people and they’ve come to every show in town for years and years. It’s neat to see people still supporting you even after 12 years. And the amount of people coming to our shows is still growing.”
The band, which features Hammitt, drummer Mark Graalman, guitarists Chris Rohman and Pete Prevost, and bassist Dan Gartley, has toured recently with such major Christian artists as Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day.
This time, the group is headlining its own We Need Each Other tour, with Tenth Avenue North and Vota opening.
Sammy Adebiyi, college ministry pastor at Vineyard Church of Toledo, also will tour with Sanctus Real to speak about the group’s efforts to build wells in war-torn Darfur, Sudan.
Hammitt said the band has been working with the Nashville nonprofit relief agency African Leadership to raise money for the wells, which cost about $13,000 each.
“African Leadership started this thing called ‘the mocha club,’ because two mochas a month cost about $7,” Hammitt said. “If people are willing to give up a couple of mochas a month they can contribute the $7 to African Leadership and be a part of a team that is helping to provide fresh water for people in Darfur.”
Sanctus Real’s fourth and most recent Sparrow release, “We Need Each Other,” came out in February and the single, “Whatever You’re Doing (Something Heavenly)” has been a hit in several Christian radio formats and on iTunes, Hammitt said.
The Toledo band has also been tapped to play a concert Sunday night for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition television show, benefiting the Toledo family that will be featured on the hit show.
Hammitt said the group will not know if any footage from the benefit concert will air on the program until the network finishes all the editing.
Sanctus Real will kick off its concert tour at 7 tonight at CedarCreek Church, 29129 Lime City Rd., Perrysburg Twp., with Tenth Avenue North and Vota opening. Tickets are $20 at the door. Information: 419-661-8661.
In addition, Sanctus Real will play a benefit concert for Extreme Makeover from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults, and $40 for families, available at eight Toledo area Directions Credit Union branches, Reger’s Church Supplies and Lifeway Christian Store in Toledo, and Sylvania Recreation at Tam O’Shanter in Sylvania.
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