Third Day "Love Song"

Third Day actually went out in the crowd and had an acoustic set. It was AMAZING!!!

Christian Music News Source

THIRD DAY GARNERS ITS FIRST AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD

(Nashville, Tenn.) November 24, 2008 � Receiving its third AMA nomination early last month, Atlanta based rock band, Third Day, celebrated its first American Music Award win tonight in the �Favorite Artist in the Contemporary Inspirational� category.

Due to a non-stop touring schedule, band members were unable to attend the awards show which aired on ABC, live from the NOKIA Theater in Los Angeles.

Following a sold-out show last night in Clinton, MS lead singer Mac Powell shared from stage, �What an unbelievable honor to win an award in a category with such great friends. This is our first AMA win and it means so much to us because it�s voted on by fans and we�re certain we have the best fans anyone could ever ask for. Thank you for this tremendous honor.�

About Third Day:
Over the past decade, rock band Third Day (made up of members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 25 No. 1 radio singles and sold close to seven million albums. The band has garnered 23 career Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards (with eight career nominations), three American Music Award nominations and multiple ASCAP honors.

One of the top-ranked touring bands according to Pollstar magazine, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions. Due to its mass appeal, Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS� �60 Minutes,� ABC�s �Nightline,� USA Today, New York Times and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine.

While celebrated for its live shows and chart-topping album sales, Third Day is also highly respected for its humanitarian efforts. The band actively supports the ONE Campaign, Blood:Water Mission, Habitat for Humanity and World Vision. Third Day recently established the �Come Together Fund� as a vehicle to direct a portion of concert proceeds to grassroots humanitarian efforts around the world.

For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com.

Christian Music News Source

MUSIC : Third Day to make night of it

Third Day 7 p.m. Thursday, Church at Rock Creek, 11500 W. 36 th St., Little Rock Opening acts: Revive, NeedToBreathe Tickets: $ 25 advance, $

30 day of show; group rates available (800 ) 965-9324 or www. itickets. com Third Day has made central Arkansas a favorite tour stop during its

close to two decades together, and the contemporary Christian rock band is not averse to playing venues large, small and in between.

“We were in Alltel Arena a couple of years ago, with 4, 500 or 5, 000 fans there,” says Third Day bassist Tai Anderson. “This time we’re going for

a smaller production, more theaters and churches, and we know there are some big churches these days.

“ Half the battle of letting people know we’re coming through is cutting through the noise to let them know about it, and when something goes on in

these big churches, you can be sure a whole lot of people will be finding out about it real quick. When we first got our start, a concert was a big

deal, and now there’s so much more competition for people’s attention spans.” Such a revelation comes from a musician whose band is on tour to

promote its current CD, Revelation, released July 29.

In late February, the band released a statement announcing the departure of guitarist Brad Avery, who had been a member for 13 years and

played in more than 1, 000 concerts.

“It was an amicable decision for everyone,” Anderson says. “It was just kind of time for him to get off the road. He and his wife had had a recent

adoption.” The current album’s unusual cover artwork was inspired by an eccentric artist in the Salton Sea area of California. The artist, Leonard

Knight, created his Salvation Mountain monument out of discarded items.

“It’s a very strange area where folks tried to create a vacation area in the 1950 s, and it attracts some interesting characters,” Anderson says.

“Leonard takes trash and turns it into this statement of God’s love, and we were recording in California and saw a documentary about Salton Sea,

and looked into it, took photos there and then got the guys who did that documentary to do our first music video.” Third Day was formed in 1991 by

singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee, who were students in a high school near Marietta, Ga. A year later they heard another band playing at

Lee’s church and they invited the bassist, Anderson, and the drummer, David Carr, to join. Avery joined in 1995. The official lineup is now a

foursome; keyboardist Scotty Wilbanks is a hired hand who has toured with the band for three years. Of the band’s 13 albums, two have sold

more than a million copies and six have sold more than half a million copies.

Third Day has won three Grammy Awards and 22 Dove Awards since 1998.

Powell, who has a distinctive arena-size voice, gets co-billing with Brooks & Dunn on “Over the Next Hill,” which opens the soundtrack of Billy:

The Early Years, a recent film about the early life of evangelist Billy Graham. In 2002, the entire band appeared in a film, Joshua, and their song

“My Hope Is You” was featured on the movie’s soundtrack. In 2004, the band worked with Mel Gibson on the soundtrack of The Passion of The

Christ.

Chrisian Music News Source

Third Day Original Member Talks Live Online About New Book

Billy Wilkins, author and original member of the internationally-acclaimed Christian band Third Day, speaks openly and honestly about his own

struggle with insomnia and anxiety medications. While regularly taking a popular sleep medication, he decided that there must be a better way to

relax than risking drug dependency, and he began searching the scriptures for the peace that he needed to rest effectively.

Acworth, GA (PRWEB) November 17, 2008 -- Billy Wilkins, author and one of the three original members of the internationally-acclaimed Christian

band Third Day, speaks openly and honestly about his own struggle with insomnia and anxiety medications. He is scheduled for a live interactive

interview on Monday, November 24, 2008 at http://ObscureGenius.com/

While regularly taking a popular sleep medication, he decided that there must be a better way to relax than risking drug dependency, and he began

searching the scriptures for the peace that he needed to rest effectively. Wilkins soon found so many scriptures that answered and supported his

spiritual quest, he soon began to realize that this level of peace was God's desire for all of His children. He began to chronicle his findings, while

following his musical instincts and researching music therapy, and was soon on the path to developing the Wesley Sleep Program.

The Wesley Sleep Program consists of an audio CD and a companion book. Both are inspired by spiritual concepts, Biblical principles and the

inspired musical instincts of the author, Billy Wilkins.

Billy Wilkins lives in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia and has had a diverse background in both music and education since childhood. He is a

professional musician and economics educator with one degree in business administration and one in secondary business education. He spent

over a year researching the Biblical principles and music therapy techniques that have formed the Wesley Sleep Program. His hope is that his

experiences, research, and talent have led him to create a program that will help many people to access a deep peace and rest that he has found

through God.

Billy was one of the three original members of the internationally-acclaimed Christian band Third Day, writing and touring with the band during its

formation and early years. He can be seen in two of the band's 2007 DVD releases, Chronology I and Chronology II. When remaining with the band

became more of a career decision than a side ministry, he left to pursue education and the other paths he felt God had prepared for him.

He remains a professional songwriter, studio musician, and performer, working with Third Day and other talented musicians since his departure

from the band. It is his natural gift of music, along with his desire to research and teach in an educational environment, that has contributed to the

unique concept of the Wesley Sleep Program.

Chrisian Music News Source

Third Day at Soulfest 2008

The band was asking for requests from the audience. There was one song that they requested NOT to be put on YouTube. But then they said, they couldn't wait to see it on YouTube. So, here it is!

Christian Music News Source

Third Day - Run To You

Some of the Best Music Third Day has ever
Recorded. When You are in Need & Need Help Run To Jesus Christ Our Savior, He
Will Always get You Through

Christian Music News Source

Third Day Donate Guitar for Habitat for Humanity Auction

NEWS SOURCE: Kompolt
October 22, 2008

In conjunction with the first annual “Building a Greater Los Angeles Gala” held October 1, 2008, celebrity volunteers and supporters of Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity have donated several items and opportunities to get involved with music, film, and television stars. Among the featured listings is an item from contemporary Christian rockers Third Day—who’ve had an ongoing relationship with Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity for years, donating funds that built several Habitat homes and building alongside several homeowners in the past. This summer, during the Music Builds Tour, Third Day worked alongside Habitat homeowners building Habitat homes while raising funds for Habitat for Humanity.

In support of the partnership with Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity, and to help Habitat raise funds Third Day has generously donated this unique and hand painted guitar. Jam to your favorite Third Day song with a PRS SE Electric Guitar with hand painted artwork from the new album Revelation. Autographed by the band, the guitar is strewn with messages of hope and inspiration, all in an edgy design—this special edition guitar is truly a musical revelation!

The auction runs now through October 30th, so place your bids today by entering at www.ebay.com/habitat.

Christian Music News Source

Call My Name- Third Day

Christian Music News Source

HM Magazine Spotlight: Third Day

HM: Hey, I have been enjoying the new record. It feels familiar, yet it sounds like you’ve pushed beyond the traditional comfort zones for Third Day. Was it just time to do something different?

Mac Powell: Yeah, it was a little bit of a lot of different things. The main thing is that we’ve done this for a number of years now—I forget the count, this is either our ninth or tenth studio record, depending on what you consider a studio record—and there was this sense of urgency in me personally, and I think in the rest of the band, that we didn’t want it to be, "OK, there’s another Third Day record." I didn’t want that this time. I wanted it to be, "Wow, look at this Third day record." It needed to be a little different, it needed to be bigger and better.

HM: This is a very weird time in the music industry, by and large, and that has implications for the Christian music world. People are buying less CDs and downloading or sharing more. CCM Magazine is now only available online. The technology and the market and the generational shifts have everyone in a state of flux. As a result, what’s commonly called Contemporary Christian Music as a whole seems dominated by in-house focused worship product. Which means, the vision I grew up with—that Christians would make great, relevant and artful rock statements—has been pretty much abandoned. Instead of influencing the mainstream markets, we’ve carved out our own little ghetto niche, and are largely disregarded by the larger media forces of radio, etc. Where does all that leave Third Day?

Mac: For us, it’s always felt like, on the one hand we’re one of the main bands in Christian music, but on the other hand, sometimes you don’t feel like you belong at all. That being said, I’m very positive about our market. I love being a Christian band. To take what you said a step further, even if we went out and tried to be a mainstream band, and tried to not be a Christian band, we couldn’t pull that off. There’s too much music out there now, too much that’s been said. We can’t hide who Third Day is.

HM: Anybody with Google and some spare time can learn way too much about all of us. There’s no hiding or pretending to be something different than you are anymore.

Mac: But that doesn’t frustrate us; that actually makes us feel comfortable. To do something to sound cool or be different than that would finally sound silly. After 15 years, we know who we are. And in that, you’re still striving to do more and be better. Even musically there’s that balance—how do we play the music that’s who we are, and what we’re good at, and what our fans want to hear, and at the same time push it in a little different direction? There’s this constant balancing act, where hopefully you’re morphing a little bit—not too much, but enough to keep it interesting.

And then there’s the seasonal things, too. I can’t wait until we get to do another worship record, I’m very excited about that. However, on the flip side of that, we’re constantly trying to make music that’s going to go outside of our market as well.

HM: Do you even think that’s possible these days?

Mac: Yeah, absolutely. I think you make a quality product, and a great song is a great song. There are many examples from friends like P.O.D., Sixpence and Jars, that prove that if you have a great song, it can go beyond… But that’s not automatic. So many other things have to line up. There are many variables, but it is possible. So, that’s our hope. I don’t think we’ll, by any means, have a No. 1 hit on mainstream radio, or anything like that, but there’s mainstream stations today that are playing our music. We’re getting a song in a video game, and people are getting songs in movie soundtracks, so you can still have some mainstream accessibility without even having to go to radio.

HM: Radio seems pretty dead and repetitive; it’s probably over.

Mac: I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s not what it was.

HM: I know very few people who are listening to radio, who depend on it to supply their musical fix or to introduce them to new music. Those that are tuned in are listening to satellite, where the plethora of channel options mean you’ll be very unlikely to hear music or programming that doesn’t fit your established values, tastes and politics—which makes it more niche-y.

Mac: It’s a great new format. But all that being said, I know for us, there’s a difference—at this point right now, and things are rapidly changing everyday. If we go to a city that has Christian radio, there’s a difference than in the city which doesn’t have Christian radio, as far as the number of people there, the songs that they know. So, it’s still a viable thing, and I’m sure Jon Bon Jovi and Daughtry could tell you the same thing from their perspectives. It’s rapidly changing and it’s scary, but it’s exciting at the same time. It seems like the music business is dying, and yet music is doing fine.

Christian Music News Source

Third Day - Revelation

Three years ago, Third Day released one of their most popular recordings to date, the more contemporary-styled soundtrack for hope, Wherever You Are. Now a Christmas album, two Chronology installments, and one less guitarist later, the rock quartet is ready to release one of their strongest recordings to date, Revelation.

The aptly titled album isn't quite about what its title might suggest, as the title track, "Revelation," boldly addresses the doubt and uncertainty many believers encounter during their walk when wondering what direction to go in next ("Give me a revelation / Show me what to do / ‘Cause I’ve been trying to find my way / I haven’t got a clue / Tell me should I stay here / Or do I need to move Give me a revelation / I’ve got nothing without you"). And this is hardly the final chapter of an incredible musical journey. Opening with the attention-getting rock anthem "This Is Who I Am," the album is off to strong start right out of the gate. The production, this time presented by mainstream producer Howard Benson, is crisp and vibrant, never sacrificing the raw energy of a Third Day live show or feeling too polished for its own good. It was difficult not to be completely disenchanted with the CCM-friendliness of the band's last record, as much of it seemed fashioned for radio airplay and over-produced and sanded down of a lot of things Third Day fans have grown to like about the boys from Atlanta. Instead, Revelation brings back a bit of the edge of Wire along with the more southern leanings of Time, topping it all off with honest and real lyrics to help make this album potentially the band's most accessible effort yet. While "Cry Out To Jesus" was a big radio hit when Wherever You Are released, Revelation's "Call Your Name" is an unashamedly catchy pop rock anthem that surprisingly has a similar lyrical message to its radio single predecessor, just presented from Christ's own perspective this time around. Its longevity as the top song at radio for over six weeks just goes to show it's a song that sticks with you.

Powell's voice has also never sounded better as the opener, "This is Who I Am," helps establish the band's confidence and security in who they've become through their years together. Even when the guys slow it down for some folk-flavored ballads like "Born Again," which beautifully features Lacey Mosley from Flyleaf, or "Let Me Love You," a love song from God's perspective to us as His children, Third Day maintains a nicely organic and even intimate sound. And Mosley isn't the only talent to aid Third Day this time around. Chris Daughtry of mainstream rock band Daughtry, who is also a long time Third Day fan, offers background vocals on another album highlight, the rocker "Slow Down," while Lacey offers backup on "If I Run To You," and Robert Randolph provides some pedal steel guitar work on another standout track, the southern rock longing for eternity, "Otherside."....

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Third Day - Chronology, Volume Two (2001-2006) (Essential)

Sounds like … the more adult contemporary friendly side of Third Day's Southern pop/rock catalog, closer to Hootie & The Blowfish and MercyMe than The Black Crowes or Lynyrd Skynyrd.

At a glance … the DVD documentary is excellent, but the songs—from the second five years of Third Day's career—are an unfocused mishmash of covers, live tracks, and tepid AC pop.

In this so-called "Year of Third Day," celebrating the Southern rock band's first decade, Chronology, Volume One (1996-2000) summarized their first five years of hits almost perfectly. Picking up where it left off, Chronology, Volume Two (2001-2006) gets the job done, though not nearly as well.

Both Chronology projects span three studio recordings and one Offerings worship album, but the similarities end there. Not even the cover art matches, needlessly Photoshop-ing a band photo on the second cover to remind those who can't read that this is indeed a Third Day album....

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Third Day - Chronology, Volume One (1996-2000) (Essential/Provident)

Sounds like … Third Day's less flashy Southern rock years, influenced by the likes of The Black Crowes and Hootie & The Blowfish, plus some adult contemporary pop and worship.

At a glance … an impressively packaged compilation representing the first (and best) half of Third Day's career, loaded with new goodies and extras for fans, though perhaps a tad disjointed with its array of live tracks, remixes, and bonus tracks.

It's incorrect to assume all greatest hits collections are created equally. Record labels don't always put effort into such projects, which vary greatly from hastily thrown together afterthoughts to carefully constructed events like this one.No surprise the red carpet treatment has been bestowed upon Third Day, whose popularity has endured for more than ten years. They're part of the reason Christian music saw a renaissance in the mid-'90s, selling millions of albums (most going Gold or Platinum) while continuing to score highly on Christian radio charts and drawing adoring fans to their concerts. Obviously a best-of collection is not only justified, but also perhaps overdue.

Well, Provident is sparing no expense with this one. In what's being dubbed as the "Year of Third Day," fans can expect not one, but two anthologies (the second releasing in August 2007), each disc bundled with a DVD of extras. It's a worthwhile set, and one of the more interesting best-of collections seen in a long time.

As the title indicates, Chronology, Volume One (1996-2000) focuses on Third Day's first four albums. With over 78 minutes worth of music, the compilation relies heaviest on their 1996 self-titled debut, tracing their career up to their first worship album Offerings. Remember when Third Day delivered Southern rock in the spirit of The Black Crowes and Hootie & The Blowfish? Have they recorded rockers any better than "Nothing at All," "Have Mercy," "Sky Falls Down," and their signature scorcher "Consuming Fire?" Have they written a ballad more sweetly affecting than "Love Song?" Is there a worship song in their catalog more stunning in scope and performance than "King of Glory?" It's all here, and after this trip down memory lane, I maintain that the first half of their career represents the salad days of Third Day.

If there's a weakness, it's that this collection tries to be all things to all consumers, which has its pros and cons. The downside is that the album doesn't preserve Third Day's best songs as you remember them. But the upswing is that fans looking for a compilation that has more to offer than the tracks they already own will find a lot to love in Volume One.

For starters, the songs from the first two albums have been newly mixed, if not redone altogether. This helps revitalize their early material, though not dramatically so. Aside from a little more low-end bass and more prominent vocals, I doubt most people will notice, and though the songs remain great, the production admittedly sounds a tad dated ten years later....

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Third Day: Christmas Offerings

“Christmas Offerings” is sure to satisfy Third Day fans and draw in some new rock lovers as well, lending its classic Southern rock grit to a mix of nine Christmas classics and four original songs from the band. Several tracks were recorded traditionally, while others were laid down live in a theater recording session in Atlanta, Third Day’s home base. The result of all this fusion is thirteen tracks of warm Christmas cheer that goes past the standard holiday fare and enters into the realm of sincere worship. An offering, actually.

Even as Mac Powell’s familiar rough vocals soar from opener “O Come All Ye Faithful,” Tai Anderson’s twangy bass line assures you that “Christmas Offerings” is going to be more than the ordinary holiday album. The tasty guitar riffs and gently sizzling keys of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” second the motion. But it is the slight Celtic take of the band’s own “Born in Bethlehem” that first grabs your attention. Throughout the project the band’s intricate, crisp arrangements stand out, at times for their unexpected delicacy (“Angels We Have Heard on High”), at other times for their solid rock flavor (“Joy to the World”)....

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Third Day - Wherever You Are (Essential)

Sounds like … the AC pop side of the Southern rock band, more in line with Casting Crowns, MercyMe, and Hootie & the Blowfish than The Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, or Robert Randolph & The Family Band.

At a glance … Despite good intentions, Third Day's attempt at a more personal and weighty album in response to the suffering and broken-hearted falls short because of generic platitudes and formulaic pop.

Let's face it, 2005 has been a tough year—the continued war in Iraq, terrorism in London, the Asian tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. There have also been personal hardships for Third Day in the last year, as they've watched friends go through divorce and financial hardship, and three in the band have lost family members. All of this played into the development of an album that lead singer Mac Powell says is meant to offer comfort and peace to the suffering and heartbroken: "We want to convey that wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you are going through, God is ready to meet you right there." Hence the title Wherever You Are and its three limited edition album covers showing the band in different locales.

The band's heart is in the right place. In light of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Third Day made "Cry Out to Jesus," their anthemic first single. It's understandably become Christian music's rallying cry for relief efforts, reminding listeners that no matter what the trial—death, divorce, affliction, loneliness, addiction, homelessness—Jesus is the answer: "There is grace and forgiveness/Mercy and healing/He'll meet you wherever you are."

Yet while song and album are both hopeful and well intentioned, Wherever You Are goes no deeper than Powell's explanation. Most all the songs rely on generic platitudes, rooted in truth, for sure, but nevertheless clichéd. Take opening track "Tunnel," which offers these words of encouragement: "I can't begin to know what you're going through … but I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you … There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you … So keep holdin' on." That's about the extent of it, and closing track "Rise Up" is very similar, offering conversational verses to a hurting friend who has fallen on hard times, leading to a blandly hopeful chorus: "Don't let your heart be troubled/This world will never keep you down."

It's great that Third Day is trying to confront heavier subjects, but why boil them down so simply? Why not specifically wrestle with the topics of death, divorce, and natural disaster individually while interspersing songs of faith, hope, and responding to hardship in between? Instead, "The Sun Is Shining" makes Psalm 30:5 sound trite, and "Eagles" runs with Isaiah 40:30-32 without really developing it. "Mountain of God" fares better, but we're again left with a formulaic expression of God's constant presence in the high and low points of life. It's not that these aren't words to take comfort in, but we've recently been blessed with far stronger and equally encouraging songwriting from Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves, and Nichole Nordeman....

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Third Day - Wire (Essential Records)

Sounds like … a generally more energetic blend of the band's Southern pop/rock, with obvious comparisons to The Black Crowes, Hootie & The Blowfish, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

At a glance … though it's not exactly a stretch or a milestone for Third Day, this is the rock album that many fans have been waiting seven years for.

It's been a while since Third Day has truly rocked out on an album. Sure, they've maintained their kinetic energy in concert, evidenced on their two concert DVDs, and yes, there are some bits on the two Offerings live worship albums that are electrifying. But as for a bona fide, studio-recorded rock album of all-new material, you'd have to go back at least to 2001's Come Together. Still, many felt that album sounded more like polished, radio-friendly pop—and not Third Day's hugely successful brand of Southern rock. 1999's Time also took a more subdued approach, dabbling more in folk and country than rock. That means you'd have to go back to 1997's Conspiracy No. 5 and 1996's self-titled debut for the band's most rocking work.

Wait no more. Wire marks the return of the livelier, harder-hitting Third Day that so readily recalled the work of The Black Crowes, Hootie & The Blowfish, and classic Lyrnyrd Skynyrd. It's apparent with the opening track, "'Til the Day I Die," featuring the melodic guitar rock fans have come to love in concert. Mac Powell's vocals seem more raw, the band more powerful. Likewise, expect to rock out to the bolder and bluesier "I Got a Feeling," the punchy "Billy Brown," and the appropriately titled "Rock Star." Especially inspiring is "Innocent"—the guitar rock production gives it some bite and the dark string-driven bridge varies its tone, offering the moving and joyful cry of a prisoner freed from sin.

Third Day considers Wire to be a new chapter to their career, and in many ways, it sounds like it. The album features several new collaborations with noted mainstream talent. Replacing longtime producer Monroe Jones is Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel, Skillet), who preserves the band's sound while making it feel both classic and modern. Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Lifehouse, Aerosmith) mixed, and Paul Buckmaster (Elton John, Train) did the string arrangements. Even Boyd Tinsley, famed violinist of the Dave Matthews Band, plays on "Blind," though the extremely brief cameo could have been done by any capable session player.

As for the songwriting, Third Day has always tended to simply express themes of faith with straightforward lyrics. Wire is no exception, as heard on the bouncy "I Believe" and the surefire hit "Come on Back to Me," written from God's perspective. The title track is a powerful rock ballad, but it's a little too much like their signature hit "Consuming Fire" with lyrics reminiscent of "What if I Stumble?" by dc Talk....

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Third Day - Offerings II: All I Have to Give (Essential)

Sounds like … more worship music from Third Day and their signature southern-fried roots rock sound, mixing studio tracks with their potent concert experience.

At a Glance … split between a half dozen brand new tracks and six more culled from the Come Together tour, Third Day follows up their first Offerings album with additional inspiration and excitement.

While Third Day could easily have taken a break after their Time recording and subsequent tour, the fans' demand for new music and continual concert appearances was so verwhelming that it wouldn't have been the wisest move. The idea of recording a worship album was on the band's mind, but their demanding schedule could never warrant enough studio time for a full-length release. Instead, Third Day reached a compromise by releasing Offerings: A Worship Experience in 2000, which features both newly recorded praise material and worshipful selections taken from their previous tour. The rest, as they say, is history, with the album reaching gold-selling status.

Naturally, a sequel beckoned, as it did for Michael W. Smith, who followed up his best-selling Worship recording with Worship Again to additional attention and acclaim. Is there any doubt that Third Day will be greeted by similar success with the release of Offerings II: All I Have to Give?

Starting with the studio tracks found on the album, all are steeped in Third Day's ability to write a catchy pop/rock song, along with their anointing to truly invoke a worshipful response in listeners. The Brad Avery-penned "Anything" and Mac Powell's "May Your Wonders Never Cease" are the project's primarily rock and rollers, recalling the era of '70s southern rock that birthed the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet meshed with contemporary, alternative undertones. Thematically, the songs respectively speak of believers' complete dependence on the Lord and the fact that despite our sinfulness, he still chose to give his life away.

Cuts such as "Offering" and "The Everlasting" can easily be added to the category of signature Third Day songs, as both resound with unhindered spiritual dynamics and chilling instrumentation. Backed by the band's mid-tempoed rock beat and the glow of the electric organ on "Offering," Powell lifts up: "Magnificent Holy Father, I stand in awe of all I see / Of all the things you have created, but you still choose to think of me / Who am I that you should suffer, your very life to set me free / The only thing that I can give You is the life You gave to me." The comforting acoustics and melodic contributions by fellow band members on "The Everlasting" further support Powell as he offers: "Through the raging of the seas, the hills proclaim your majesty / All these things created for the glorifying of the Lord / We praise Your name forevermore."

There is also plenty of room for celebration amidst such introspection, such as the acoustic jingle "Sing a Song" and the retro electric guitar/organ-based "You Are So Good to Me." The pair is congregational in nature, as they both lead listeners to raise their hands and lift their voices with glorious thanksgiving. Waterdeep fans in particular will appreciate Third Day's vintage preservation of the latter cut, continuing the song's legacy after its appearance on both their worship album of the same name and the Enter the Worship Circle project....

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Come Together - Third Day (Essential)

Sounds like … modern alternative rock that showcases the group's several southern-fried influences.

At a Glance … Third Day attempts to live up to the buzz on this disc, and for the most part succeeds with another batch of well-planned songs.

Third Day's latest, Come Together, is clearly one of the most anticipated releases of this last quarter of the year. The buzz is justified considering Third Day's success story thus far. They started as a group unwilling to get a record deal and uninterested in the fame that comes along with super-stardom. Just over five years later, the group has experienced just the opposite with two million album sales. Thankfully they've maintained the humble attitude they originally had.

It all started when Third Day inked a deal with independent label Gray Dot for their self-titled debut, which was soon swooped up by Reunion Records for distribution on their label. After releasing the 1996 Billboard Video Award for Best Contemporary Christian New Artist Video ("Consuming Fire") and landing a 1997 Dove Award Nomination for New Artist of the Year, Third Day officially made their entrance onto the scene. Their popularity mounted throughout the remainder of the decade. After switching over to Essential Records, their subsequent southern-fried rock discs, Conspiracy No. 5 and Time, both earned them a boatload of hit singles (from "My Hope Is You" to "I've Always Loved You") and propelled the group on several headlining tours. But it wasn't until last year's Offerings — A Worship Album that the group was able to return to their original intentions of making music that directly glorified God. That project's spiritual triumph surprisingly earned them even greater commercial appeal, fueling the trend for countless other acts to deliver worship projects. Offerings sold more than half a million copies and delivered hits such as "These Thousand Hills" and "Your Love Oh Lord," making Third Day a household name and a guaranteed sellout in any concert venue.

Because of all of this acclaim, there was little doubt that Come Together would create such a buzz, with anticipation running especially high from fans that saw the group's new material on their last tour. Now the anticipation is over, and it's time to see if it was worth it as Come Together hits the street. I'm happy to report that, except for some lack of variety on the second half of the disc, Come Together is a fantastic album. It starts out on an artistic high with the rousing title cut, destined to be a hit single. The song draws from the group's obvious interest in southern rock bands from the '70s (Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special) but also keeps things current with lead singer Powell's prowess matching that of Hootie and the Blowfish's Darius Rucker or Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. But those comparisons have been made time and time again, and although they're accurate, Third Day is a step above a copycat band, particularly on "Come Together," which is driven by their brimming guitar strums and uplifting harmonies. "40 Days" continues in that vein, featuring Powell and company's powerful rock-laden enthusiasm. The song bears a vague resemblance to the group's "Did You Mean It" from their self-titled debut....

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Third Day - Offerings: A Worship Album

Those 5 Atlanta boys have answered the call of numerous enthusiastic fans. For those who have cried for a live album and a worship album, will now have their thirst quenched. For now the two have become one and Third Day has released a worship album that is both a worship album AND a live album? How did they do that, you ask? And did they pull it off?

Being a Third Day fan myself, I have found this album, which they dedicate to their fans and to our Savior, to be a successful treat to fans of the band, their live show, and their music. It comes across more of a best-of album than another new record, which is fine, considering it isn't a new album consisting of all new songs. Although 5 new recordings are present, 6 live versions of previously recorded tunes are also present. And although you're getting 2 different feels, it all seems to fit. Unified mainly through its theme-- a worship project.

Offerings: A Worship Album starts off much like their previous album, Time did-- with a soft, worshipful ballad, then moving into a more upbeat song, and guaranteed hit, like "These Thousand Hills." Originally recorded and written by fellow Atlanta band, Jacob's Trouble, "These Thousand Hills." already has a large 3D fan following due to the band playing it at almost every show on their Spring tour with Jennifer Knapp.

A live rendition of the ever-growing in popularity, "Your Love, Oh Lord" from last year's Time, follows. One of the 6 songs recorded last November 13th and 18th in Columbus, Ohio and Lynchburg, VA. All the live tracks have such a tightness and completeness to them that really capture and compliment the Third Day sound. In all it's raw "live-ness," the songs only remind you you're listening to a live rendition when lead singer, Mac Powell breaks from his flawless singing to address the crowd or include them in a sing-a-long.

The live rendition of the band's contribution to the 1998 Exodus worship project, "Agnus Dei" follows and includes the group Selah joining them for a chorus, and ends with the band and audience collectively singing "Worthy."....

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Third Day - Time

It's that time again to gear up for a new release from Atlanta's best: Third Day. These southern boys took a break from their touring to record their third installment, Time. With 9 No. 1 singles (and counting), these five guys have perfected the art of creating quality chart-toppers like "You Make Me Mad" and "Nothing At All." 3D continues their winning streak this summer with the much-anticipated release, Time, their first on Essential Records.

Time trails away from Conspiracy No.5, and is most comparable with their self-titled debut released in 1996. However, more southern influences are evident on this project, including incorporating a well-done southern groove. Oddly, the album kicks off with a rock ballad entitled "I've Always Loved You," a love song written from God's perspective to us. The sound is very different than Third Day's previous rocking album openers "Nothing At All" or "Peace." However, the new ballad (the sound is a little reminiscent of Big Tent Revival's "Two Sets of Jones'") does set the tone for the rest of the album, allowing many strong highlights to follow.

In fact, the southern groove-laced rocker "Believe," which follows, is one of the main standouts on the Time, and a guaranteed No. 1 single for the Christian rock charts. "Took My Place" continues the rock sound on the album, with a more upbeat, rootsy sound reminiscent of "Have Mercy," from their 1997 sophomore album, Conspiracy No. 5.

Another album highlight is "Never Bow Down," a song about the faithfulness of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the midst of a faithless nation. Some of the album's strongest faith-filled lyrics emerge with lines like the chorus, "I will never bow down / Though I know I will be free from the fire / I will never compromise / All that I have and everything I hold"....

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Third Day - Conspiracy No. 5

Third Day's sophomore album Conspiracy No. 5 is very different musically and lyrically in comparison to their self-titled debut last year. Most of the songs on their debut were a couple years old when released, making room for change and maturity by the time their second record released. Conspiracy No. 5 is more electric, more edgy, and more alternative, with less of the southern folk rock that the debut offered. However, one thing that hasn't changed is Mac Powell's unbelievable vocal talents.

Another change to note is that there is really only one true ballad on Conspiracy No. 5. While the band's self-titled debut contained several, here it's only the last song, "Your Love Endures," which is reminiscent of "Love Song" or "Praise Song," but is presented more stripped down and acoustic. "I Deserve?" starts off giving the listener the impression they're in for a ballad, but when the drums and electric guitars suddenly kick in, cranking things up considerably, it adds a sonic power to strengthen the emotion of the track. Another major highlight is "You Make Me Mad," a moody electric song inspired by the feelings a song can stir within a listener - whether welcomed or not....

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Third Day - Alien CD Single

Third Day's Alien CD Single starts off with the title track, a selection from their upcoming Conspiracy No. 5 sophomore release. Their style has changed quite a bit since their 1996 debut, no longer carrying a prominent southern twang, trading it for a sound powered by electric guitar rhythms and pop/rock sensibilities. "You Are Not Alone" follows, a previously unreleased track, exclusive only to this single. It's unfathomable why it hasn't been placed on a record prior to this recording (or following it). The song encourages the listener that they're not by themselves in their walk with Christ, and musically offers a blend of acoustic and electric guitars.

The final song is a rock remix of "Nothing At All," the lead-off track from their self-titled album. It's really not much different from the original, but this mix bears more of an electric edge and Mac Powell's reading of a portion from James 3 has been removed. So while the single only offers three tracks, they're a wonderful appetizer for what's to come and will surely be a rarity that fans will want to have in their collection....

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Third Day - Third Day

Third Day's first record with Brad Avery (Lead Guitar) shows the beginnings of what is arguably Christian music's biggest rock band. The few weak points of the band's self-titled debut begin with Mac Powell's voice and its undeveloped delivery. Powell's vocals even feel a little immature on tracks like "Thief" and "Consuming Fire." The lyrics on this album are some of Third day's most straightforward lyrics ever.

The album kicks off with the rocker "Nothin At All," which asks the familiar question, "if you can't say anything good don't say nothing at all." During this song, Mac reads a passage from James 3 about the dangers of the tongue. "Forever" follows, talking about how God's love never changes. "Mama" brings forth images of the story of the prodigal son. The ever famous "Love Song," one of the definete highlights on Third Day, is sung through Christ's eyes on His road to the cross.

The rest of the album similarly follows with Third Day's signature southern rock. At times a little more country influences are noticable than on their later projects. Some other highlights are the famous "Consuming Fire," the worshipful "Praise Song," and the country-flavored "Livin' For Jesus." In conclusion, this is a must have for any Third Day fan. If you are checking into them for the first time, I would recommend one of the newer projects such as Wire....

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Popular music

POPULAR MUSIC

Third Day — 6 tonight, Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. With Switchfoot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Jars of Clay. $25-$55; 4

pack lawn tickets, $59. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

Gaelic Storm — Doors open at 7 tonight, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. With the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums. $18.50, $25.

http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

Sam Phillips — 8 tonight, Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With Andy Cook. $18; day of show, $20. 216-383-1124.

Yung Joc — 8 tonight, Kent State University, Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, Janik Drive and Summit Street. Crocs Next Step Campus Tour. With Cartel and MC Lars.

$15; KSU students, $10. 330-672-2244.

Tussle — 9 tonight, Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With Flat Can Co. $7. 216-383-1124.

Revolution Pie — 7-10 p.m. Friday, Legacy Village, lawn between California Pizza Kitchen and Bar Louie, 25001 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst. Also, Unscheduled Downtime, 7-10

p.m. Saturday; the Girls, 3-6 p.m. Sunday. Free.

Seether — 7 p.m. Friday, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill St., University of Akron. 330-972-7570. With Theory of a Dead Man and Black Stone Cherry. $25.

http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

Up River — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Wayne Center for the Arts, 237 S. Walnut St., Wooster. $12; Arts Center members, $10. With an opening art reception featuring The Nature

Photography of Steve Shapiro and Consciously Accidental: The Photography of Joel Eric Geiser from 6-8 p.m. Free. 330-264-2787.

Infamous Stringdusters — 8 p.m. Friday, Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $12; day of show, $15. 330-677-5005.

Ronnie Baker Brooks — 8 p.m. Friday, Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With Brickhouse Blues Band. $15. 216-383-1124.

The Hi-Risers — 9 p.m. Friday, Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With Lost State of Franklin. $8. 216-383-1124.

Ingram Hill — Doors open at 9 p.m. Friday, Cambridge Room, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. $12. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

Time Warner Cable Summit Rock Showcase — 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday-Sept. 27, Warren Community Amphitheatre, 391 Mahoning Ave. N.E., Warren. Featuring Broken Road,

52nd Street and Captain Fantastic, today; Ohio with Big House on Sept. 20 and Stone Pony on Sept. 27. Free. For information, call 330-922-8399 or visit

http://www.thesummitrockshowcase.com.

Jackie — 7 p.m. Saturday, Peabody's DownUnder, 2083 E. 21st St., Cleveland. 216-776-9999. $6; ages under 21, $10. http://www.ticket master.com or 330-945-9400.

Toby Keith — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. With Montgomery Gentry, Mica Roberts and Trailor Choir. $24.25-$74.

http://www.ticketmaster.com.

A Very Barium Tribute to Josh Miktarian — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St. Featuring Barium with the Akron District and Pipe Band, Lower GI, Seattle,

Skin and Cyde. $15. 330-253-2488.

Feargrinder — 8 p.m. Saturday, Agora, 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 216-881-6911. With D-Rail, X Factor 1, DOHM and Asphixiate. $7. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-

945-9400.

Savoy Brown — 8 p.m. Saturday, Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $20; day of show, $23. 330-677-5005.

Stone Pony Band — Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday, House of Blues Cleveland,

308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. With Pieces of Eight. $10, $15; 4-pack general admission tickets, $30. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

15-60-75 (Numbers Band) — 9 p.m. Saturday, Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. $6. 216-383-1124.

Joe Moss Band — 9 p.m. Saturday, Fat Fish Blue, 21 Prospect Ave., Cleveland. $8. 216-875-6000.

Johnny Hi-Fi — Doors open at 9 p.m. Saturday, Cambridge Room, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. $10. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-

9400.

Pattern Is Movement — 9 p.m. Saturday, Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With Lines Across Liens and Scimshaw. $7. 216-383-1124.

 Ice Cube — Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. $30, $45. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

Great Big Sea — Doors open at 7 p.m. Tuesday, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. $23.50, $50. http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

Dar Williams — 8 p.m. Tuesday, Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With Shawn Mullins. $28.50, $30. 216-383-1124.

Jessica Lea Mayfield — 9 p.m. Tuesday, Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. With the Magpies. $10. 216-383-1124.

Rock the Roo Concert Series — 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, E.J. Thomas Hall Plaza, 198 Hill St., University of Akron. Featuring Valerie Custer. Free.

Keller Williams — 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nelson Ledges, 12001 State Route 282, Nelson Ledge Road, Garrettsville. $20; day of show, $25. 440-548-2716 or www.nlqp.com.

Mary and the Jack Dean Orchestra — 8 p.m. Wednesday, Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. 216-383-1124.

Riders on the Storm — Doors open at 8 p.m. Wednesday, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. $27.50, $39.50; four-pack general admission, $82.

http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.

needtobreathe — Doors open at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Cambridge Room, House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave. 216-523-2583. With Andy Davis. $12.

http://www.ticketmaster.com or 330-945-9400.


Christian Music News Source

Live!

Who: "Music Builds" Tour -- Third Day, Switchfoot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Jars of Clay When: 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Nissan Pavilion, Bristow

Thursday, September 11, 2008; Page VA10

It's a safe bet there will be no raunchy backstage behavior at Nissan Pavilion this weekend, despite a multi-act bill of guitar-fueled rock bands that have sold millions of albums.

This isn't another hard rock bacchanal of dropped halter tops and four-letter expletives (Crue Fest, anyone?). And you can literally thank God for that, because the Music

Builds tour consists of Christian contemporary music bands that keep the faith to a loud but spiritually minded beat.

Showing they can walk it like they talk it, the groups involved have designated local Habitat for Humanity affiliates as beneficiaries of a portion of ticket sales ($1 per seat sold),

ticket auctions, special merchandise and event packages in each tour city.

In the Christian contemporary music community, the acts on the bill are superstars whose every release is met with heightened anticipation. In recent years, some have

achieved crossover success, thanks to catchy melodies and state-of-the-art production values that fit right in on pop/rock radio.

The San Diego-based band Switchfoot, for example, sold more than 2 million copies of its 2003 breakthrough album, "The Beautiful Letdown," many to secular listeners who

fell in love with the song "Dare You to Move" during its time as a Top 40 and alternative rock radio hit.
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"Oh! Gravity," the band's latest studio release, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes albums chart and received a fine review from Spin, which called the album "their liveliest record,

full of dive-bombing guitar fuzz, juicy arena-alt choruses." The band also earned wide exposure when the song "This Is Home" was featured in "The Chronicles of Narnia:

Prince Caspian" and became the lead single and video for the movie's soundtrack.

The quartet Jars of Clay launched the EP "Closer" last month as a teaser for a new full-length due early next year. The catchy, pop-inflected act begin its career in 1995 with

the hit song "Flood" and has worked its way through multiplatinum sales and Grammy Awards to the point that it has its own imprint label, Gray Matters, with the Nettwerk

Music Group. The first Gray Matters release, "Christmas Songs," came out last fall, followed this year by "Greatest Hits." The group has been recording with producer Ron

Aniello (Lifehouse, Guster, Barenaked Ladies) for the next studio album.

Third Day, an Atlanta-based quartet that has won more than 20 Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, recorded its 11th studio album, "Revelation," with

mainstream producer Howard Benson. Benson has helmed recording sessions for the likes of Chris Daughtry (who sings on one track of the new CD), All-American Rejects

and My Chemical Romance.

After 17 years of performing mainstream rock with a slight southern twang, the group continues to reach new ears, taping a guest spot on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno"

in July.

With members Mac Powell (lead vocals), Mark Lee (guitar), Tai Anderson (bass) and David Carr (drums), the group is as comfortable playing the House of Blues as a USO

show in Iraq (which it did in January) as a Christian contemporary music festival.

Robert Randolph was recently named among the 100 greatest guitar players of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and is considered a maestro of the pedal steel. The origins of

Robert Randolph & the Family Band date to a House of God church in Orange, N.J., where Randolph was trained on the "sacred steel."

He returned to his roots earlier this year, teaming with acclaimed producer T-Bone Burnett to record an album honoring his music heritage with new versions of old gospel

classics. With Randolph on guitars and vocals, Danyel Morgan on bass, Marcus Randolph on drums and Jason Crosby on keyboards, the Family Band has toured with Eric

Clapton and is a favorite at jam band festivals such as Bonnaroo and roots/revival shows.

With all the fine music and good vibes to be had, Music Builds promises one last summer weekend of festival fun. If we could only get the Big Guy Upstairs to ease the traffic

issues that plague travelers to Nissan Pavilion. . . .


Christian Music News Source

Awards

Grammy Awards

* 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album of the Year for Come Together
* 2004 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album of the Year for Wire
* 2006 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for Wherever You Are



Gospel Music Awards

* 1998 Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year for Conspiracy No. 5
* 1998 Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Alien"
* 1999 Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year for Exodus
* 2000 Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year for Time
* 2001 Dove Award for Group of the Year
* 2001 Dove Award for Artist of the Year
* 2001 Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Sky Falls Down"
* 2001 Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year for Offerings: A Worship Album
* 2001 Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year for City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise
* 2002 Dove Award for Group of the Year
* 2002 Dove Award for Long Form Music Video of the Year for Third Day Live in Concert - The Offerings Experience
* 2002 Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year for Come Together
* 2002 Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Come Together"
* 2003 Dove Award for Group of the Year
* 2003 Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "40 Days"
* 2003 Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year for City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia
* 2004 Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year for Offerings II: All I Have to Give
* 2004 Dove Award for Long Form Music Video of the Year for Third Day Live in Concert, The Come Together Tour
* 2005 Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year for The Passion of the Christ: Songs
* 2005 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for Wire
* 2006 Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "Cry Out to Jesus"
* 2007 Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year for Christmas Offerings



Christian Music Links!

Discography

Studio and live albums

Album Title	Release Date	Label	Billboard 200 peak[16]	RIAA Certification
Third Day	February 25, 1997	Reunion Records	-	Gold
Conspiracy No. 5	August 26, 1997	Reunion Records	#50	---
Time	August 24, 1999	Essential Records	#63	Gold
Offerings: A Worship Album	July 11, 2000	Essential Records	#66	Platinum
Come Together	November 6, 2001	Essential Records	#31	Gold
Offerings II: All I Have to Give	March 4, 2003	Essential Records	#18	Gold
Wire	May 4, 2004	Essential Records	#12	Gold
Live Wire	2004	Essential Records	-	Platinum
Wherever You Are	November 1, 2005	Essential Records	#8	Gold
Christmas Offerings	October 17, 2006	Essential Records	#78	---
Chronology Volume 1	March 27, 2007	Essential Records	#61	---
Chronology Volume 2	August 7, 2007	Essential Records	#73	---
Revelation	July 29, 2008	Essential Records	#6	---

EPs

Album Title	Release Date	Label	Album Information
Southern Tracks	August 24, 1999	Essential Records	Released with limited copies of Time.
Carry Me Home	August, 2002	Essential Records	Recorded to benefit Habitat for Humanity during the Come Together tour.
Wherever You Are Bonus CD	November, 2005	Essential Records	Released in limited quantities with purchase of Wherever You Are.

Early Independent Albums

Album Title	Release Date	Label
Long Time Forgotten	1993	Independent
Contagious	1994	Independent
Third Day	1995	Gray Dot Records

Christian Music Links!

Members

Current

* Mac Powell - vocals, guitar
* Mark Lee - guitars, backing vocals
* Tai Anderson - bass, backing vocals
* David Carr - drums, percussion
* Scotty Wilbanks - keyboards (touring member only)



Past

* Billy Wilkins, keyboards. Wilkins was one of the original members of Third Day, from 1991 to 1993, along with Powell and Lee. He was also with the group when Anderson and Carr

joined, both of whom were still in high school at the time. He is currently an economics and management teacher near Atlanta. He has recorded with Third Day as recently as 2004,

when he played "Blessed Assurance" on a project for author/speaker Max Lucado. In 2007, film footage of three of the band's earliest concerts were released on the two projects

"Chronology I and II," in which Billy is included.

* Geof Barkley, keyboards. Barkley (formerly of Geoff Moore and the Distance) played keyboards on every live album in the band's history and every live show for nearly seven

years. Barkley also performed on Wherever You Are. Although never officially a member of the band, Brad Avery has described Barkley as '"in the band", but he's not a "member" of

Third Day, that's two different things. But he is in the band, and he plays with us live every night, and he rocks.' Barkley's background vocals in songs such as "God of Wonders" and

"Took My Place" as well as "You Are So Good To Me" have become integral parts of Third Day's live sound. Barkley finished touring with Third Day on October 21, 2005 in Raleigh, North

Carolina.

* Brad Avery, Guitars. From Third Day Weblog by Third Day. "Third Day and Brad Avery have made the very difficult decision to part ways. We appreciate Brad’s many contributions

to the band's career to date, including his work on our forthcoming album, but the time has come for us to follow our separate paths. He has been an important part of Third Day for the

last 13 years as we've traveled the world together and performed over 1,000 concerts. We will miss him as a band member but he will always remain our brother and our friend. Brad is

a wonderful person, gifted songwriter and talented musician. We trust that God has amazing plans for his future."



Christian Music Links!

History

Early years

Third Day began in 1991, when singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee finished studying at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. They had already played together in a

garage band called Nuclear Hoedown, but now wanted to form a band where they could express their faith in God. Powell and Lee added a keyboard player named Billy Wilkins, and

dedicated their time to write songs and perform around the state of Georgia.[1]

In 1992, they were playing at Lee's church the same night that drummer David Carr and bassist Tai Anderson were playing with a band called Bullard Family Singers. Their youth

director asked the band to perform at their church. The group took along quickly and were invited to join the band.[2] The album that Carr produced would be released the next year

under the title Long Time Forgotten.

In 1993, while dealing with their studies, the band started playing more aggressively around Atlanta and saved $3,000 to record a full-length album. Also, during this time, original

member, Billy Wilkins, who was working as a school teacher, ended up leaving the band.[3] Still, Third Day continued to work on their first full-length album with an additional member,

electric guitarist August McCoy, recording at Furies Studios in Atlanta. The album was finally released in 1994 with 2,000 copies available.[4] In 1995, the band started looking for a new

second guitarist. They had heard Brad Avery play with singer Chris Carder and asked him to play with the band. After playing "Consuming Fire" during their first rehearsal, Avery

officially joined the band.

As the band completed its line-up, they also started playing steadily around the South-east area. They also started playing at an Marietta venue called the Strand Theatre. The

management of the local decided to sign the band to a new independent record label called Gray Dot Records. That same year, the band released the album Third Day, which ended up

selling 20,000 copies. Shortly after, Reunion Records signed the band to a multi-album deal.



Signed by Reunion Records

After being signed by Reunion Records, they immediately released the now official version of Third Day's first album in 1996. The record has sold over 300,000 copies and was

received well by critics. That same year, popular band Newsboys asked Third Day to open five of their shows around the West Coast. They also launched their own tour over 65 cities

which ended up being a success. All Star United and Seven Day Jesus opened for them. The band was also nominated for the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, and the video of

"Consuming Fire" won a Billboard Award for Best Christian video.[6]

In the winter of 1997, the band started working on their second album, Conspiracy No. 5. The album was produced by Sam Taylor, who had previously worked with bands like King's X.

The album was nominated for a Grammy and won Dove Awards for Rock Album of the Year and Rock Song of the Year ("Alien").[7] The album also yielded their only mainstream rock

radio hit in the U.S., "Nothing at All", which peaked at #34 on the Billboard rock charts.[8] The following year, the band dedicated exclusively to touring around the US, alone and opening

for the Newsboys again. They also collaborated on the Dove Award winning project from Michael W. Smith called Exodus. They recorded a cover of one of Smith's song called "Agnus

Dei".



International Success

In 1998, the band started working on their next project titled Time under the production of Monroe Jones. They had compiled around 30 songs to choose from during the last year, and

ended up choosing only ten. The album was also nominated for a Grammy and won another Dove Award for the band. Some of the other songs the band recorded, but were left out

can be found in the EP Southern Tracks.[9] Also, during the band's live shows, the worship part was becoming more "powerful", which prompted them to release an album exclusively

of worship songs, titled Offerings: A Worship Album. The album was recorded in about a week, and they followed it with a tour alongside Jennifer Knapp. They also collaborated in the

project called City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise.[10]

In 2001, the band played in Australia and New Zealand on the heels of the success of the Offerings album. They continued to tour in the States, and recorded one of their concerts in

Atlanta to be released as their first DVD, The Offerings Experience. The concert was held at the Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre with an attendance of close to 15,000 people. That same year,

the band won a total of five Dove Awards as well as their first Grammy. They followed that year with the release of Come Together which ended up winning two Dove Awards and

one more Grammy. The album was certified gold the next year, along with Time.[11][12] In 2003, they also released a follow-up to their hit Offerings titled Offerings II: All I Have to Give.

The band appeared in the 2002 film "Joshua", the movie version of the Joseph Girzone novel of the same name. The Third Day song "My Hope is You" was included in the Joshua

soundtrack album.



Recent Years

In 2004, the band released their next album, Wire, and toured the States with tobyMac and Warren Barfield. In June of the same year, the band traveled to Europe for a two-week tour.

Upon returning, the band recorded a concert at Louisville which ended up as their next project, Live Wire, released later that year. During that year, they also collaborated on the

soundtrack for Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, they played at the Republican National Convention, and were featured in the show 60 Minutes.[13] In January 2007, the band

played one night each in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, Australia.[14]

Their next album, Wherever You Are, debuted on the Billboard 200 at #8.[15] It also won the band their third Grammy. They have followed it with the holiday album, Christmas Offerings

in 2006, and with a compilation of their hits titled Chronology in 2007. Their next studio album called Revelation was released July 29, 2008. On February 28th, 2008, Third Day released a

statement announcing Brad Avery's departure from the band after 13 years and over 1000 concerts. The band also performed at the Papal Youth Rally in March 2008. The song "This Is

Who I Am" from their new album Revelation appears in NASCAR 09, though the album was released over a month after the game. They appeared on The Late Show with David

Letterman on July 10 2008 and then on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on July 29, 2008.



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