NEEDTOBREATHE: The Southern Rock Storytellers

NEEDTOBREATHE is an American rock band known for blending southern rock, country, and anthemic Christian rock into a powerful, arena-ready sound. Hailing from Seneca, South Carolina, the group has achieved significant commercial success, with multiple albums topping the Billboard Christian and Rock charts and earning gold certifications.

Early career

Formed in 1998, the band's core has always been brothers Bear Rinehart (vocals, guitar) and Bo Rinehart (guitar, backing vocals). They built a dedicated following through relentless touring across the American South, honing a soulful, guitar-driven style. Their independent debut album, Daylight, arrived in 2006 on the Christian label Sparrow Records, establishing their heartfelt lyrical approach.

Breakthrough

The band's mainstream breakthrough came with their third studio album, The Reckoning, in 2011. It debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, propelled by its expansive rock sound. This success was solidified by the follow-up, Rivers in the Wasteland (2014), which won a GMA Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and marked their first No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.

Key tracks

Brother (feat. Gavin DeGraw) - This 2015 single became an anthem of loyalty and camaraderie, showcasing their move toward a more inclusive, mainstream rock sound.

Multiplied - A worshipful track from Rivers in the Wasteland that became a staple on Christian radio, earning widespread recognition for its soaring melody.

Hard Love - The title track from their 2016 album embraced a bigger, more percussive production, highlighting their evolution into a premier live rock act.

Who Am I - An earlier hit from their 2007 album The Heat that cemented their place in the Christian rock scene with its raw, spiritual yearning.

Survival - A driving, anthemic single from their 2020 album Out of Body that reflects their resilient thematic core and polished rock craftsmanship.

In later years, NEEDTOBREATHE has continued to expand their reach, collaborating with artists like Carrie Underwood and switching to the major label Elektra Records for their album Into the Mystery (2021). Their music, while rooted in faith, resonates broadly due to its themes of hope, struggle, and redemption, delivered with genuine southern rock grit.

Fans of NEEDTOBREATHE's blend of earnest songwriting and rock energy often appreciate the work of Switchfoot, who also navigate the space between alternative rock and spiritual themes. The southern storytelling of Zac Brown Band shares a similar warmth and musical versatility. The anthemic, folk-infused rock of The Lumineers parallels their communal, sing-along style. For those drawn to their Christian rock foundations, Third Day offers a pioneering southern rock sound within the genre.

The music of NEEDTOBREATHE, with its cross-genre appeal, is a frequent feature on various radio formats, from Christian rock and alternative rock stations to mainstream rock FM channels seeking heartfelt, guitar-based anthems.

Listeners can discover the powerful catalog of NEEDTOBREATHE through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their soul-stirring rock anthems are regularly in rotation.