Needtobreathe (stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE) is an American Christian rock band from Seneca, South Carolina, United States.[1] The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Bo Rinehart (backing vocals, guitar), Seth Bolt (backing vocals, bass) and Josh Lovelace (backing vocals, keys). To date they have released six studio albums: Daylight (2006), The Heat (2007), The Outsiders (2009), The Reckoning (2011), Rivers in the Wasteland (2014), and Hard Love (2016).[2]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Beginnings (2001–2006) 1.2 The Heat (2006–2008) 1.3 The Outsiders and The Reckoning (2009–2013) 1.4 Rivers in the Wasteland (2014–2015) 1.5 Hard Love (2016–present) 2 Clarification on the alleged categorization as Christian band 3 Band members 4 Discography 5 Awards and nominations 5.1 GMA Dove Awards 5.2 Grammy Awards 6 References 7 External links History Beginnings (2001–2006)

Brothers William Stanley "Bear" Rinehart III and Nathaniel Bryant "Bo" Rinehart were raised in Possum Kingdom, South Carolina, and later moved to Seneca where they started performing.[3][4][5] The Rinehart brothers grew up at a church camp that their father, who was a pastor, ran.[6] The brothers first performed in front of coffee house audiences at Furman University, where Bear, who was named after University of Alabama football coach Bear Bryant, was a wide receiver for the Furman Paladins football team, winning the 2002 Banks McFadden trophy for South Carolina football player of the year.[7] After graduation, Bear, Bo and Joe Stillwell joined with Seth Bolt, releasing independent albums that were recorded in Bolt's Plantation Studios.[8]

The name of the band is based on a Greek demonstrative parable of Socrates related to seeking God, and Bo Rinehart indicated that it was better than other names that the band had at the time.[9]

In 2001, the band independently released an eleven-song album, The Feature.[citation needed] In 2004, they followed with two four-song EPs: Fire and Turnaround.[citation needed] These brought the band to the attention of Lava Records, owned by Universal Music Group, who signed the band in 2005.[3][4]

After signing with both Atlantic Records and Sparrow Records, the band went to the UK to record their first studio album, Daylight, with producer Andy Green.[10] Its first radio single "You Are Here", previously released on the Fire EP in 2004, was released early in 2006.[10] Just prior to their debut release, the band was featured on the cover of CCM Magazine—an unprecedented new artist endorsement by the national publication.[11] Daylight was released on April 4, 2006.[12]

The Heat (2006–2008) Brothers Bo and Bear Rinehart in September 2007

Needtobreathe started pre-production for their second studio album The Heat in late 2006.[13] In 2007, the band started a six-month recording period at Rick Beato's Black Dog Studio and at Paul Diaz's Tree Sounds in Atlanta.[13][14] The Heat was released on August 28, 2007 through Atlantic Records and Word Entertainment.[15]

In 2008, Needtobreathe was nominated for two Dove Awards at the 39th GMA Dove Awards. Their song "Signature of Divine (Yahweh)" received a nomination for "Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year", and The Heat was nominated for "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year".[16] In 2009, Needtobreathe's song "Washed by the Water" was nominated and won the Dove Award for "Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year". Marisa Brown, writing at AllMusic and Billboard, has referenced this album in helping to "establish the band as one of Christian rock's most successful newcomers."[3][4]

"More Time" was included on the soundtrack for the 2007 film P.S. I Love You.

The Outsiders and The Reckoning (2009–2013)

The band's third album, The Outsiders was released on August 25, 2009,[17] peaking at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Hot Christian Albums. The first single for the album, "Lay 'Em Down", peaked at number 4 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. The single "Something Beautiful" peaked at number 12 on the Triple A chart and number 6 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. "Hurricane" peaked at number 29 on the Alternative chart, their first success at Alternative radio. The title song of the album, "The Outsiders", peaked at number 11 on the Triple A chart.

The album The Reckoning was released on September 20, 2011, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard 200.[18] "Slumber" was the album's first single and peaked at number 26 on the Christian rock charts while "Drive All Night" is the album's second single.[citation needed] The band went on tour with Taylor Swift as an featuring opening act on her Speak Now World Tour in 2011.[19]

On December 17, 2013, Eric Ryan Anderson released his film Prove the Poets Wrong, chronicling the band's 2013 tours and revisiting their origins, on YouTube.[20]

Rivers in the Wasteland (2014–2015)

Rivers in the Wasteland was released on April 15, 2014,[21] debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, No. 1 Rock Album,[22] and No. 6 on the Canadian Albums Chart,[23] and selling 49,000 copies in its first week.[22] Originally set to be titled "Wasteland",[24] the album takes its name from Isaiah 43:19.[25]

In 2015, the band toured Australia with Third Day,[26] before headlining their first North American tour across 40+ cities,[27] touring with Ben Rector (leg 1), Switchfoot (leg 2), Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, and Colony House.[28]

Hard Love (2016–present)

On April 1, 2016, the band announced their sixth studio album, Hard Love, and its release date of July 15, 2016. Additionally, dates for the band's 2016 tour, Tour De Compadres, were announced and the album's lead single, "Happiness", was released along with another single, "Money & Fame".[2] Hard Love debuted at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart and at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 50,000 units sold, of which 46,000 were in traditional album sales, becoming the band's highest-charting album.[29]

Through April 20–22, 2017, they were the opening act for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on their Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017.[30] On August 11, the band released a deluxe edition of Hard Love featuring unreleased recordings of "Cages", "Count on Me", and "Waiting".[31]

Clarification on the alleged categorization as Christian band

They self identify as an American rock band, but are often categorized as a Christian rock band as well. The band has been signed to a mainstream label, Atlantic Records, since 2006. NEEDTOBREATHE experiences success on contemporary hit radio stations, Christian adult contemporary stations, and at the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, despite releasing a number of songs with no direct mention of their Christian faith.[32][33]

The band has resisted labels as specific as such in the past, explaining to Rolling Stone in 2016 in the following statement, "any label is limiting. That one in particular is especially limiting. To me, I think people pass over the band all the time because they read that....I hate the idea that they somehow feel like I didn't make the music for them, that we didn't play music for everyone.

"Christian record deals came and we said no to all of them. Waited a couple years until the right record deal came, which was Atlantic, which we've been on ever since. But we just said to them in passing when we first started, we want the records to be available to everyone."[32]

Band members William Stanley "Bear" Rinehart III (born September 6, 1980 in Greenville, South Carolina)[34][35][36] – lead vocals, guitar, piano, organ, harmonica Nathaniel Bryant "Bo" Rinehart (born December 31, 1981 in Conway, South Carolina)[35][36][37] – lead guitar, banjo, mandolin, backing vocals Seth M. Bolt (born December 22,[38] 1983)[39] – bass, mandolin, percussion, drums, backing vocals Josh Lovelace – Hammond organ, piano, backing vocals

Touring musicians

Randall Harris – drums[40]

Former members

Joe Stillwell (2001–2012) – drums[41] David Leonard (formerly of Jackson Waters, now of All Sons & Daughters)[42] – keyboards (touring musician)[42] Discography Main article: Needtobreathe discography Daylight (2006) The Heat (2007) The Outsiders (2009) The Reckoning (2011) Rivers in the Wasteland (2014) Hard Love (2016) Awards and nominations GMA Dove Awards Year Award Title Result 2008 Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Signature of Divine" Nominated Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year The Heat Nominated 2009 Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Washed by the Water" Won 2010 Group of the Year Won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Lay 'Em Down" Won Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year The Outsiders Won 2011 Group of the Year Won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Something Beautiful" Won 2012 Group of the Year Won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Slumber" Won Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year The Reckoning Won 2013 Short Form Video "Keep Your Eyes Open" Nominated Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Keep Your Eyes Open" Won 2016 Song of the Year Brother Nominated