Sanctus Real on New Album, Songwriting with New Lead Singer Dustin Lolli, and 22 Years of Music Making

When tenth-graders Chris Rohman and Mark Graalman started making music together in their parents’ basement in a small Ohio town, they could not have imagined that they would one day look back after 22 years of touring to see multiple industry award nominations and wins, 24 radio hits, over 750,000 albums sold, and thousands of loyal fans who’ve followed their ministry from the beginning to this day. 

With the solid message of the Gospel and of our identity in Christ still intact after over two decades, the band is gearing up for a 16-city tour promoting their new album, “Changed,” due out later this month. Containing all new songs co-written with new lead singer, Dustin Lolli, the album marks some significant changes in approach and tone that will be both familiar and fresh to Sanctus fans.

In this episode, John Chisum sits down with Mark and Dustin to discuss not only the origins of the band’s often mispronounced name, but life on the road and the challenges of integrating a new lead singer. Lolli admits there were “high highs and low lows” as he was joining the group and that they almost ended their ministry not so long ago during one of the lowest points. Bouncing back with an even stronger resolve through writing and producing “Changed” is the continuation of a ministry and message that has become known and loved as Sanctus Real.

For more information visit us at nashvillechristiansongwriters.com.

John Chisum

John Chisum is a pioneer in the Christian music business, serving alongside people such as Bill & Gloria Gaither, Twila Paris, Paul Baloche, Don Moen, and many more. As President of Nashville Christian Songwriters, John seeks to empower Christian songwriters worldwide to discover and fulfill their call to write.

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