Sanctus Real is giving the CCM Magazine audience an exclusive front-row seat to something special—an one-take acoustic version of their new single “The Difference,” cooked up fresh and served straight from the set of their upcoming music video, just for you. As a bonus surprise, the performance features a familiar face: former member Dan Gartley returns on bass, making this a great moment for longtime fans.

Meanwhile, the full studio version of “The Difference” officially dropped across all digital and streaming platforms via Framework Records / The Fuel Music. You can listen to the new single here: https://slinky.to/TheDifference

“The Difference” is a reflection of the season Sanctus Real finds themselves in—one of purpose, clarity, and a renewed commitment to writing songs that speak directly into people’s lives. With more than two decades under their belt and a track record that includes eight No. 1 hits, 19 Top 10 radio singles, and over 2 million singles sold, Sanctus Real is proving they’re not slowing down—in fact, they’re more intentional than ever.

Produced by the band alongside longtime collaborator AJ Pruis (known for his work with Matthew West and Anne Wilson), the song began with a riff from guitarist Chris Rohman and evolved into a powerful anthem thanks to a collaborative writing session with lead singer Dustin Lolli, Rohman, Pruis, and hitmaker Matt Armstrong (Casting Crowns, Zach Williams).

“We’ve all felt like hope has been missing in our world for a while,” shares Lolli. “We go to churches all over the country, and it’s become one of our greatest mission fields, because we see so many depressed and sad people in the church. So, we are in a season of writing songs about hope. When you put your faith in Jesus, He doesn’t just give you hope; He is our hope.”

Chris Rohman echoes that sentiment, adding, “This song points to one thing only as the reason we believe we are transformed into new creations, and that’s through a relationship with Jesus. It’s a declaration of what we believe is possible through Jesus.”

With a chorus that boldly proclaims:

You are the difference
You are the change
You are the reason
I’m not the same
From lost to found
From then to now
If they see something different
Oh, You are the difference

From anthems like “Lead Me” and “Confidence” to fan favorites like “I’m Not Alright,” and “My God Is Still the Same,” Sanctus Real has never shied away from getting real about the journey of faith. “The Difference” follows the recent single “On The Mend” and teases what’s to come as the band works toward their next full-length album—their fourth project featuring Lolli as lead vocalist.

Beyond the studio, Sanctus Real remains committed to staying connected with their fans. “We still love getting out there on the road and meeting people and making that personal, face-to-face connection. We don’t want a screen to constantly be between them and us,” says drummer Mark Graalman. “We literally put it in our band name 29 years ago; we want to be real. We want everything we do to be authentic. I feel like we’re a better live band now than we’ve ever been.”

The band is currently preparing for a series of spring tour dates with special guest JJ Weeks, as well as a soon-to-be-announced major market headline tour. Upcoming March performances include stops in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee:

  • Mar 26 – Spartanburg, SC
  • Mar 27 – York, SC
  • Mar 28 – Plum Branch, SC
  • Mar 29 – Troy, NC
  • Mar 30 – Morristown, TN

Tickets and more information can be found at www.sanctusreal.com.

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