John Mark McMillan’s “Borderland” Races to the Top of the Charts

By Eric Mar 09, 2014 01:19 AM EST

This week acclaimed singer/songwriter John Mark McMillan released his first independent project, Borderland (Lionhawk Records), to much praise from media. Borderland was funded solely by a Kickstarter campaign with close to 70,000 raised and more than 1,500 contributors. The album debuted and remains at No. 1 on the iTunes Christian and Gospel chart and continues to hold a Top 15 slot in the iTunes Overall Albums chart this week.

"All of my albums have been special, but there is something extra special about this one," shares John Mark McMillan on his release day. "I think it's because it's much more of a community project than any album we've done before. Through fans' Kickstarter contribution and the way our local community of musicians & artists rallied around this project really blew my mind! I am proud of this album for many reasons but especially because I believe the sound you hear is not the sound of John Mark McMillan but the sound of my friends and I doing what we love!"

Media have also jumped on board to this innovative and fresh project stating that "it may be one of the most rewarding worship albums in years" ( JesusFreakHideout) and that "it's an excellent release from a very exciting musician" ( Relevant) as well as stating that "it's the perfect blend of style and substance" ( IndieVisionMusic). A 10 out of 10 review from TheBlueIndian states "In Borderland, it seems we're given access to John Mark's secret garden, one he's found or has found him. Themes throughout speak of identity lost and found, personally and corporately for listeners as a whole; a sort of personal state of the nation, present and future, carried and communicated with a group of outstanding musicians and friends."

Supporting his album, John Mark McMillan will head out on his spring tour, "Are We All Animals Tour" kicking off March 29 in Orlando, FL. Opening the tour for McMillan will be a few of his Kickstarter supporters. Singer/songwriter Brady Toops will also open during select dates in the southeast. Official tour dates are listed below.

Are We All Animals Tour dates*:

3/29 Orlando, FL
3/30 Miami, FL
3/31 Bradenton, FL
4/02 Tallahassee, FL
4/03 Pensacola, FL
4/04 Monroe, GA
4/05 Rainbow City, AL
4/06 Oxford, MS
4/08 Nashville, TN
4/09 Campbellsville, KY
4/10 Knoxville, TN
4/20 Kalispell, MT
5/07 Richmond, VA
5/08 Vienna, VA
5/09 Manheim, PA
5/12 New York City, NY
6/20 Spokane, WA
*All tour dates subject to change