Sam Wesley, the MercyMe frontman’s son, is carving out his own musical space on a tour that stops at Van Andel Arena on Sunday along with Zach Williams. Learn more at Local Spins.
Back in Grand Rapids: The Christian music stars play a Sunday night show. (Courtesy Photo)
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Singer-songwriter Sam Wesley is looking forward to Sunday’s tour stop at Van Andel Arena.
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“Grand Rapids is one of the few places we actually get out and explore,” he said, specifically mentioning Madcap Coffee as a go-to stop.
Wesley is the opening act for both Zach Williams and the band MercyMe, the latter of which is fronted by Sam’s father, Bart Millard.
Sam Wesley (Courtesy Photo)
“I’m honored to have been asked to do this, moving into my own space, sharing new songs and getting feedback,” noted the young artist.
Tickets — $25 to $74 — are available online here. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Wesley (he uses his middle name professionally), has previously traveled with his father’s band. But now he’s got his own spot on the bill. Among his band members: drummer William Cochran, the son of MercyMe bass guitarist Nathan Cochran.
“We grew up playing music together since we were born,” explained Wesley of the pair.
MERCYME CELEBRATING 25-YEARS-PLUS
MercyMe has passed the 25-year mark since the band broke nationally with the multi-format hit, “I Can Only Imagine.” Since then, they’ve accrued four dozen No. 1 inspirational hits and numerous awards.
A 2018 biopic was based on the lead singer’s youthful struggles and then reconciliation with a sometimes abusive father. The film grossed more than $80 million at the box office and gave the band additional notoriety.
The song (“I Can Only Imagine”) which also titled the film, was originally written in his father’s memory. The elder Millard died when Bart was in college.
MercyMe is expected to release a new recording project before year’s end. One of the new songs, “Oh Death,” has already debuted. (Watch the video below.)
ZACH WILLIAMS ALSO ON THE 2025 TOUR
The country/rock slants of Williams blossomed from the release of his 2016 solo debut, “Chain Breaker,” with the title track and “Old Church Choir,” both reaching No. 1.
His 2019 duet with Dolly Parton, “There Was Jesus,” won a Grammy Award and also topped Christian music charts.
Meanwhile Sam Wesley, 23, is shaping his own musical approach. “I’ve been finding out what is Sam Wesley and what’s not Bart Millard’s son,” he said.
Zach Williams (Courtesy Photo)
Born in Texas, Wesley has embraced a country influence but has been experimenting with a variety of sounds. “For a while, I felt like I couldn’t do Christian music ‘cuz my dad’s so well known. But as long as I stay true to myself, it’ll be me.”
He’s been performing four of his faith-lyric tunes in his concert sets. Two of them, (“Carry On” and “Greater Than All I Know”), have already been released.
On one of its earlier albums, MercyMe cut a song Sam co-wrote, “On Our Way.” (View that video below.)
The young artist is excited that a sequel to the successful 2018 film is in pre-production. “I Can Only Imagine 2” comes to theatres next year. This time the conflict is again a generational one: Millard and his wife, Shannon, struggled with raising Sam after an age 2 diagnosis of juvenile diabetes.
“In my teens, it was especially difficult and put a lot of strain on our relationship,” he said. “As parents they were just trying to keep me alive with the fear of something going wrong, but me just trying to live a normal life.”
The MercyMe song, “Even If” — with a father’s heartfelt pleas written during that time — takes center stage. “I’m not in the film, but (my character) has been cast,” he said with a smile.
Sam estimates he’s had about 60,000 insulin injections throughout his life. But most of it now is regulated and monitored by a phone app, even during concerts.
“This new music is my own thing, very organic-sounding, and I’m super excited for people to hear it.”
VIDEO: “Oh Death,” MercyMe
VIDEO: “On Our Way,” MercyMe, featuring Sam Wesley
VIDEO: “Jesus Loves,” Zach Williams
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