Christian music lifestyle web site hearitfirst.com joins up with Platinum-selling and GRAMMY Award winning recording artist Casting Crowns in search of CCM's next big church band. Fans will vote online for their favorite up-and-comer, with the winner receiving an opportunity to play at lead vocalist Mark Hall's home church.

Casting Crowns initially formed as the youth worship band at its church and continues to serve in that capacity regularly. In commemoration of its third studio album, The Altar and The Door, released Aug. 28, 2007, Casting Crowns, alongside hearitfirst.com, wants to celebrate other local church bands with a similar ministry calling.

Interested participants had until Oct. 26, 2007 to submit an MP3 of their band's music at www.hearitfirst. com/battleofthebands/. Round One voting is open from Oct. 30 2007 to Nov. 5, 2007, with the top 50 entrants, determined by online votes, moving on to the semi-finals.