THIRD DAY

Third Day is a CCM band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee. The other band members are Tai Anderson (bass), and David Carr (drums). The band's name is a reference to the biblical account of Jesus rising from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion.

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.^[5]

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.

NEWSBOYS

Newsboys (sometimes stylized as newsboys) is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.

Formation–1985

Newsboys' original core members, bassist Sean Taylor, vocalist John James, and drummer Peter Furler, formed the band in Mooloolaba, Australia in 1985 along with Furler's guitarist school mate, George Perdikis. The band's original name was The News, but once in the U.S. they changed it to The Newsboys to avoid conflict with another U.S.-based band. The band came to the United States in late 1987 after getting signed with Refuge Communications, and released the album Read All About It in 1988 in the United States. After signing with Star Song Communications, they released two more albums from 1990 to 1991: Hell Is For Wimpsand Boys Will Be Boyz. None of the three albums garnered much attention, and the band's lineup changed with every release.

[edit] 1992–2000

It wasn't until their 1992 album, Not Ashamed (which featured a re-make of the DeGarmo & Key hit "Boycott Hell"), that the band gained notice in the Christian music scene. The title track of the album became a huge hit on Christian radio and elevated the band's profile considerably. Notably, Steve Taylor, a quirky singer well-known within the Christian music community, began a partnership with the band, producing the band's record and writing most of the lyrics for their songs; Furler remained the band's primary songwriter.

In 1994, amidst continued lineup changes (which included mainstays Jody Davis & Duncan Phillips), the band released Going Public, their fifth album and first smash success. The record proved to be a watershed for the group, winning a Dove Award for "Rock album of the Year" in 1995 ^[1]. It also produced #1 hits such as "Spirit Thing", "Let It Rain", and, most notably, "Shine". "Shine" quickly became an enormous hit and one of the most recognizable songs in Christian music, also taking the 1995 Dove for "Rock Recorded Song of the Year". In 2006, CCM Magazine listed "Shine" in the top ten in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music. Going Public turned Newsboys into one of the top acts in Christian music.

The eagerly-anticipated follow-up, Take Me To Your Leader (1996), did not disappoint fans, either. The additions of Philip Joel Urry & Jeff Frankenstein finalized a regular roster of musicians for the band and generally showcased a bigger rock sound than in past projects. Because of the large size of the band, their concerts were full of energy with various members trading instruments as well as introducing Peter's rotating drum set. The album produced more #1 hits: "God Is Not A Secret", "Reality", "Breakfast", and the title track. This album also snagged the groups third Dove, this time for "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" ^[2]. The album solidified the band's place in the Christian music industry.

In 1997, John James announced he would be leaving the band to become a pastor, however in truth he had found himself addicted to alcohol and drugs ^[3]. Despite the loss of the longtime frontman, the band pressed on. Furler easily switched from drums to vocals (as he had recorded most of the songs on past albums) and Duncan Phillips, who had previously played keyboards and percussion for the band, became the new drummer. From 1998 to 2003, the band's lineup of Furler, bassist Phil Joel, guitarist Jody Davis, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, and Phillips stayed constant. Often, at concerts and festivals such as Spirit West Coast, the band played "Breakfast" as the final song. It was customary for fans to purchase boxes of Captain Crunch and throw the cereal onto the stage, cued by "And Captain Crunch is waving farewell". A Captain Crunch fight between band members would ensue.

When Newsboys released its first post-James record, Step Up to the Microphone (1998), it quickly became clear that the band's popularity was still intact; the album sold well and produced, among other hits, the ubiquitous hit "Entertaining Angels", whose video won the 1999 Dove for "Short Form Music Video of the Year" ^[4]. During the resulting "Step Up To The Microphone" tour, the band featured the drums on a rotating platform that could tilt downward up to 90 degrees. In fact, there were two sets of drums and Peter Furler (the original drummer) and Duncan Phillips would wear seat belts and have a rotating drum-off. This feature is still used on their tours and has grown to be quite popular.

The band returned in 1999 with the oddly-titled Love Liberty Disco, the band's only album to majorly deviate from their pop rock sound. Featuring 60s era-inspired pop and disco, the album delivered radio single hits such as "Beautiful Sound", "Good Stuff", and "Love Liberty Disco".

[edit] 2000–present

In 2000, Newsboys helped start and headlined the annual, traveling CCM festival Festival Con Dios with Audio Adrenaline and The O.C. Supertones. The festival was known for featuring popular Christian bands and for its motocross stunts.

Also in 2000, Newsboys released a greatest hits compilation, Shine: The Hits, which did not include any songs from the Love Liberty Disco album but included four new songs, two of which ("Joy" and "Who") went to #1. The band did not release any all new material until the spring of 2002 when they released Thrive. Featuring a return to pop-rock, the album also showcased one of the band's biggest hits: "It Is You".

The success of the worshipful "It Is You" perhaps paved the way for newsboys' first praise and worship album in 2003: Adoration: The Worship Album. The album soon became the band's best-selling to date, based on the strength of singles "He Reigns" and "You Are My King (Amazing Love)". Late in 2003, guitarist Jody Davis left the band to care for his sick daughter, Bethany; he was replaced by Bryan Oleson, who agreed to be a temporary replacement until the band found a replacement for Davis.

The band returned in 2004 with another worship album: Devotion, led by the single, "Presence (My Heart's Desire)". The album was not nearly as successful as its predecessor, one reason arguably being the modest impact the singles had on Christian radio. In 2006, Bryan Oleson left the band to focus on his own band, Casting Pearls. Paul Colman, a respected Australian Christian singer-songwriter and long time personal friend of Peter Furler, replaced him as guitarist.

Although the band is currently based in Nashville, its lineup remains predominantly Australian. Of the current lineup of Furler, Frankenstein, Phillips, and Colman, only Frankenstein (Michigan) hails from outside Australia.

The band's latest radio hits came in 2006 with a live version of "I Am Free" (originally written by Jon Egan of the Desperation Band), and "Wherever We Go". On October 31, 2006, Newsboys have released their newest pop/rock record entitled GO, as well as an iTunes GO EP, including the songs "Wherever We Go", "GO", and "I Am Free". The album was the band's first under their new Inpop Records label, and received strong reviews, praising the group's return to its original rock sound. "GO" featured upcoming Christian artist David Eri as a co-writer. Their song "Something Beautiful" and "In Wonder" were big hits on Christian Radio.^[5]

Newsboys music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. "Woo Hoo" from Step Up To The Microphone is included with the game. "You Are My King" and "It Is You" can be added to the song list via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 1: Modern Worship. "Devotion" can be added to the game via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Rock & Pop Hits.

In December 2006, Phil Joel announced that he would leave the band to pursue his own projects and albums, bringing his time with the band to a close.

In May, 2007 The Newsboys announced that they will release the remixed version of the hit album "GO" which will include the smash hits "Wherever We Go" and "Something Beautiful. The CD was released on May 8, 2007" Featuring unique mixes by famed producers Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein of newsboys, Max Hsu of Superchick and Lee Bridges. The "GO Remixed" album has been released and is available for purchase.^{[citation needed]}

On November 20, 2007 the Newsboys released their newest album entitled The Greatest Hits. It features newer hit songs like "Wherever We Go," "Something Beautiful," "It Is You," "Million Pieces," and "You Are My King," in addition to older hits like "Reality," "Shine," "Not Ashamed," and many more. The 18 song CD also features two new songs "I Fought the La" (which features the singing of "La's" by the crowd from the Six Flags St. Louis Newsboys Concert of the GO Tour 8/11/2007), and "Stay Strong."

On September 30, 2008, Newsboys are set to release "Newsboys Live: Houston We Are Go" a CD/DVD combo recording package of the Newsboys Go Tour.

Newsboys are also in studio working on a brand new studio album, slated to release May 2009 on Inpop Records. Max Hsu (Superchick, Toby Mac, newsboys) will be producing the album.

CHRISTAFARI

Christafari is a Christian reggae band formed in 1990 that is centered around the personality of ordained religious minister Mark "Tansoback" Mohr (born October 23, 1971), an American born-again Christian. Until the age of 17, Mohr was a Rastafaria. The essential goal of Christafari is to convert Rastafaris to Christianity.

Mohr claims that he embraced the Rasta faith mostly because it sanctioned the use of cannabis, though he also admits to smoking "anything he could get his hands on",^{[citation needed]} including crack cocaine, strictly prohibited along with all drugs other than cannabis in Rastafari culture.^[1] While living as a supposed Rastafarian he became well-versed in reggae music and learned some Jamaican patois, the language of a lot of reggae music. In 1989 the seventeen year old Mohr decided to turn away from his Rastafarian beliefs, stopped using marijuana and committed his life to Christianity at a Church summer camp. He enrolled in Biola University and did not graduate, but received his ordination in 1997.^[2][3]

His albums have been moderately successful. Soulfire proved to be an early success for the fledgeling Gotee Records. Valley Of Decision spent 15 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's "Top Reggae Albums" chart.^[4] The label began as a production company. Originally intending to produce Out Of Eden's Lovin' the Day, they couldn't find a label to sign the act to, and so began distributing the band's material on their own.^[4] Gravity (2003) was the first album to be distributed simultaneously in Christian and general retail markets.^[5] Mohr also runs his own label, Lion of Zion Entertainment, where he promotes artists with a creed similar to his own. This a group of successful christian or Christafar's that preach and teaches the youth of the Caribbean and International reggae lover's how to give true praise to the Creator.

Mohr claims that he embraced the Rasta faith mostly because it sanctioned the use of cannabis, though he also admits to smoking "anything he could get his hands on",^{[citation needed]} including crack cocaine, strictly prohibited along with all drugs other than cannabis in Rastafari culture.^[1] While living as a supposed Rastafarian he became well-versed in reggae music and learned some Jamaican patois, the language of a lot of reggae music. In 1989 the seventeen year old Mohr decided to turn away from his Rastafarian beliefs, stopped using marijuana and committed his life to Christianity at a Church summer camp. He enrolled in Biola University and did not graduate, but received his ordination in 1997.^[2][3]

His albums have been moderately successful. Soulfire proved to be an early success for the fledgeling Gotee Records. Valley Of Decision spent 15 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's "Top Reggae Albums" chart.^[4] The label began as a production company. Originally intending to produce Out Of Eden's Lovin' the Day, they couldn't find a label to sign the act to, and so began distributing the band's material on their own.^[4] Gravity (2003) was the first album to be distributed simultaneously in Christian and general retail markets.^[5] Mohr also runs his own label, Lion of Zion Entertainment, where he promotes artists with a creed similar to his own. This a group of successful christian or Christafar's that preach and teaches the youth of the Caribbean and International reggae lover's how to give true praise to the Creator.

JEREMY CAMP

Jeremy Camp is a contemporary Christian music vocalist and guitarist. Camp has released six solo albums to date, and is an ordained minister.^[1] The soundtrack album Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe includes his song "Open Up Your Eyes". His original music is a mixture of ballads and rock.

To date, he has achieved three RIAA-certified Gold albums.

Camp has scored fourteen #1 hits (six from his first album, Stay). His first single was "Understand". He has made six music videos: "Understand", "Walk By faith", "Take You Back", "Tonight" "Give You Glory" and "I Am Willing", a song which was not included on any of his albums. He has also released a DVD (In24) which chronicles a regular day on tour. Live Unplugged from Franklin, TN also includes a DVD of the concert, which was recorded for the live album. He also has scored a musical number "This Man" and his video can be seen on YouTube. This video was made with clips from the movie The Passion of the Christ.

SKILLET

Skillet is a Christian rock/hard rock band from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1996. The band is comprised of John Cooper (lead vocalist, bassist), Korey Cooper (guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist), Ben Kasica (guitarist), and Jen Ledger (drummer). Skillet has released seven studio albums, and has received Grammy nominations for two of these, Collide and Comatose (2006).^[1] Over the past 12 years, Skillet has spanned many different genres, including alternative rock, industrial, and hard rock.

Skillet formed as a band in 1996 with two members: John Cooper, a bassist and vocalist from a band called Seraph, and Ken Steorts, a guitarist playing in a band called Urgent Cry. Befriending through touring together, they released a split EP with both bands contributing four songs each. Soon after, Urgent Cry and Seraph disbanded, and John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to start their own band.[1] Coming from different styles of rock music, the two decided to name the band Skillet, since it was like "throwing it all in a Skillet, and see what you come up with".^{[citation needed]}. Soon after, Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet had only been together for one month before they received interest from the major Christian record label ForeFront Records.^{[citation needed]} In late 1996, they released a self-titled debut, Skillet. The album did well and the trio continued to write new material as they toured the United States.

"Panheads" is a nickname given to fans of Skillet, since they are named after a pan. On the 2007-2008 WinterJam Tour, Skillet was quoted saying, "So you're probably wondering where the name comes from. We were named after a frying pan. No, no...here's the real story...we...were...named...after a frying pan." Former guitarist Ken Steorts once said "there are three levels in 'Skillethood': those who don't know, those who become 'Skilletfanz' through hearing our music, and then 'Panheads' - those who come to three or four shows traveling up to 10 hours, bringing skillets, banners, writing on their cars, and so forth. Of course, we love them all, but we have a special place in our hearts for 'Panheads'."^[8]

THE CROSS MOVEMENT

The Cross Movement is a Grammy-nominated, Christian hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Ministry
The Cross Movement has three separate and distinct eponymous components which comprise its ministry. The first component is the Christian hip hop group known as The Cross Movement (CM) which is currently composed of four solo rappers: The Ambassador (William Branch), The Tonic (John Wells), Phanatik (Brady Goodwin), and T.R.U.-L.I.F.E, (Virgil Byrd). The CM also frequently collaborates with the Christian disc jockey, DJ Official. The CM���s niche has been to translate biblical and Christian theology into rap music by using the same hyper-aggressive lyrics, sampled orchestral riffs, alliteration, and virtuoso delivery of many mainstream rappers without the self-aggrandizing and violent lyrics, or the materialistic imagery stereotypically associated with many rappers. The second component to the Cross Movement is the record label, Cross Movement Records (CMR), which is responsible for producing and marketing the albums of the CM, its individual members' solo albums, and other Christian hip hop artists such as Da' T.R.U.T.H. and FLAME. The third aspect of the Cross Movement is the incorporated, non-profit group called Cross Movement Ministries (CMM), which aims to use creative ways to spread the Christian gospel message within hip hop culture.

[edit] Nomenclature
Since its inception, the CM has chosen to define itself as the Christian or holy division of hip hop culture as opposed to the hip hop or rap division of Christian culture. Within the genre of rap music, there are various subgenres such as gangsta rap, Conscious rap, old school rap, crunk, and reggaeton, but all of it falls under the rubric of rap and, by extension, hip hop. In choosing to define their music as simply being another subgenre - i.e., the Christian rap subgenre - of hip hop culture, the CM attempts to "keep it real" in order to maintain the validity needed to influence members of hip hop culture who may or may not be Christians. In their 2003 release, Holy Culture, the CM stated their reasoning is based on a passage from the Bible, St. John 17:15-19 in which Jesus said to God:
���My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.���
As the word sanctified means "to set apart", the interpretation maintained by the CM is that they are instructed by Jesus to remain a part of hip hop culture while being set apart from the majority of the followers of hip hop culture in order to influence it from within to conform to the mores and moral code preached by the followers of mainstream Christianity. The acceptance of this interpretation has been mixed, however. Despite their claim to be a part of hip hop culture, the CM has slowly found more acceptance, though not total acceptance, in the Christian community than in the secular hip hop community as the majority of their concerts are held at churches or church-sponsored events as opposed to secular venues. In 2006, the CM received a Grammy nomination for ���Best Rock Gospel Album,��� as opposed to any of the traditional hip hop or rap categories. Additionally, the CM has generally only been recognized at Christian and Gospel awards shows such as the Dove Awards or Stellar Awards as opposed to hip hop-only award shows such as the Source Awards or the Vibe Awards.

FIVE IRON FRENZY

Five Iron Frenzy (also known as Five Iron or FIF) was a Christian ska band formed in Denver, Colorado in 1995 and disbanded in 2003.
The band's music was most heavily influenced by ska and punk rock, but influences also include third-wave ska and heavy metal. The band was signed to 5 Minute Walk in 1996, and stayed with the label for nine of its releases. Two other albums were self-released, and another was released through Asian Man Records.
The band never received any significant music industry awards, and received relatively little attention in mainstream media. Their biggest national exposure came when their song, "Oh, Canada" (which referenced William Shatner), appeared on the TV series Boston Legal (in which Shatner stars) in October 2005, almost two years after their last show.[1]
They were known for their positive lyrics and energetic live shows.[2] They often performed their concerts while wearing full costumes (mostly vocalist Reese Roper). On one tour, they told fans to bring sock puppets on stage and help sing along. The socks, and fresh-bought socks alike, were then donated to a local homeless shelter. Their fan base was diverse, ranging from the socially and religiously outcast to the parents of teenage fans. The band played shows at both churches and secular venues throughout their career.
Recurring lyrical themes included the continuing[citation needed] injustices done to Native Americans, the evils of consumerism, Christian hypocrisy (not practicing what one preaches), the shortcomings of the band, and the joy of finding renewal in their religious faith.

An excerpt from an interview between Jesus Freak Hideout and Keith Hoerig appear below:
Jesus freak Hideout: What's the story behind the name "Five Iron Frenzy"? Keith Hoerig: We got the name Five Iron Frenzy from a roommate of most of ours. He was kind of paranoid, and afraid that if he went outside on this particular night he was going to get jumped by some people. He had a golf club to defend himself and he said something to the effect of it being like "putter mayhem". Scott looked at the golf club he was holding, and noting that it was a five iron said, "No, more like a Five Iron Frenzy." The name stuck.[26]