The world has become Sanctus real's stage, but their favorite place to play is where it all started. Drummer Mark Graalman was born and raised in Toledo and he loves hometown shows "All our family's are around us, our wives and children, our parents, siblings and friends. Home shows are a lot of fun because they feel more like you're hanging out at someone's house and chatting than some big performance thing."
Guitarist Chris Rohman is one of the founding members, and he is amazed when he thinks about how it all began, "We started in high school at Toledo Christian playing worship music together and we were writing music in my parents basement on weekends. We started by playing at various places around town, then around the state and we're all over now."
The show here at the Stroh Center was a sell out .... Something the band does on a regular basis. Guitarist Pete Prevost says it's always special to see so many people appreciate their work, "It's a rush to play for thousands of people, it's a lot of fun and for us it's more of an opportunity to connect our story with people on an even bigger level."
Lead singer Matt Hammitt is grateful for the chance to truly connect with so many people, "We make music we believe will impact people's lives and reach them in a way that hits deep and to feel that connection with so many people in a room and to know that they're feeling what you are feeling is a really neat moment.'
But like anything these moments won't last forever, so bass player Dan Hartley says they are all enjoying every minute of this ride, "We won't get to do this forever and all the people who want to do this don't get to so we fell blessed in that regard. We don't forget that and we make the most of this time while we have it."
Lead singer Matt Hammitt has a solo project called "Every Falling Tear" that's due out next month. As you may know Matt and his wife Sarah's young son Bowen was born with a heart defect. Bowen is making remarkable progress and he was able to be in the audience at the Stroh Center for his first concert ever!
