STAFF REPORTS

CONCORD, N.C. - Lowe's Motor Speedway officials announced today that Grammy-nominated musical artists TobyMac and MercyMe will perform a pre-race concert for the Oct. 17 NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America. Fee and Robert Pierre will also be on hand to sing as part of pre-race festivities.

The concert featuring all four bands will begin at 2 p.m. in Turn 4.

Admission to the show is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Banking 500.

TobyMac ranks among the most successful artists in the history of Christian music in terms of radio success, sales power and critical acclaim.

Photo: INO Records

He began his music career as a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning and best-selling group, dc Talk, before venturing out on his own in 2001.

Since going solo, his soulful singing combined with his trademarked rock/funk/hip-hop sound has earned him two gold albums, six No. 1 singles and two Grammy nominations.

In 2009, TobyMac took home a Grammy for the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album with his live DVD/CD "Alive and Transported." In August he released the single "City on our Knees," and has plans to release his fourth solo album in February 2010.

MercyMe, the down-to-earth Texas-based praise and worship group with a modern rock/pop flair was founded by lead singer Bart Millard. The band quickly became one of Christian music's fastest-selling new acts in 2001 with the release of their breakthrough hit, "I Can Only Imagine."

The heartfelt song Millard wrote about his father's early death quickly catapulted the group into the mainstream spotlight. The No. 1 single sold nearly 3 million units, received several GMA Dove Awards, including Song of the Year, and raced up the Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Christian and Country charts alike.

MercyMe had an unimaginable start to their music career with more than 5 million records sold, one double platinum disk, three gold albums, an American Music Award win, two Grammy nominations and 19 No. 1 singles.

In addition MercyMe has appeared on numerous television programs such as The Tonight Show, Fox and Friends, CNN and ABC's Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.

Now with six albums and more than 13 years of making music, the guys of MercyMe still find themselves passionate about leading people in worship and released their newest CD/DVD set "10" in April 2009. The new release features 12 No. 1 singles and numerous videos that span their career.

MercyMe has plans to release their seventh studio album in 2010.

Dove Award-nominee Fee is the worship band at North Point Community Church in Atlanta, one of the nation's fastest-growing churches. The group, who also travels the country leading worship at student camps and conferences, has plans to release their new record "Hope Rising" on Oct. 6.

Robert Pierre, a high school sophomore, released his debut album, "Inside Out" more than two years ago and has since been sending encouraging messages of faith to teens and adults through his music.

Tickets for the Oct. 17 NASCAR Banking 500, round five of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, start at just $49 and can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455 FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.