Formed in the mid-1990s, Among Thorns blends pop, rock, and alternative music, fusing it with their message of praise and worship. Beginning as a college act in Beaumont, Texas, the group released their self-titled debut to solid sales and earned college radio airplay. A second release, 2001's Desperate, found Among Thorns striving for a harder, more straight-ahead rock sound while still retaining their focus on the spiritual aspects that had brought them together to begin with. Relocating to Nashville following Desperate, the band brought a new lead singer, Chad Jarnagin, into the fold as they prepared to record the follow-up. Working with noted Christian producer Paul Mills (Wayne Watson, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Lincoln Brewster), the group also was collaborating with artists such as Margaret Becker for Draw Near, which was scheduled for a September 2002 release. ~ Tom Demalon