Let's talk about one of the premier Christian bands still going strong out there. Third Day is a southern rock band based out of Georgia. They are one of the most respected and hard working bands in CCM, delivering powerful concert experiences, with a basement full of awards to show for it. They formed in Marietta Georgia in 1994 when vocalist Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee met their future rhythm section, drummer Dave Carr and bassist Tai Anderson at a youth event. A youth pastor put the four together. They later added guitarist Brad Avery to complete the band.
The name Third Day is a reference to Jesus rising from the dead on the third day. The debut album, Third Day was released as an indie in 1995 before the band signed a record deal with Reunion Records. In 1996, Third Day proper was released. It has gone on to sell 300,000 copies. They opened for Newsboys on their TMTYL tour. They then headlined their own tour with All Star United and Seven Day Jesus.
In 1997 they released their second record, Conspiracy #5. This was a harder rocking album, made with the intention of shaking their "Hootie and the Blowfish sound". Then in 1999 they released Time. On this one they moved back to their sound of their debut record.
In 2000 the band released their first worship album, Offerings. Considered by critics to be one of their weaker records, it has been their most successful, selling 500,000 copies to date. It won numerous Dove awards, but lost the Grammy to Petra’s "Double Take". The tour was captured on their first live DVD, called the Offerings Experience, recorded in front of 15,000 fans in their hometown of Atlanta. A state of the art Christian live recording at the time.
In 2001 they released Come Together. This album could be described as hippiesh. The tour for this record was recorded for a live DVD called, The Come Together Tour. Then in 2003 they released Offering 2: All I Have to Give. The record is similar to Offerings with the studio and live tracks.
In 2004 they released Wire. In the past, they have sounded like Pearl Jam, however, with this tour they became the Christian marketing version of Pearl Jam by releasing yet another live album/DVD package called Live Wire.
In 2005 they released their album Wherever You Are. It peaked at #8 on the billboard charts and went Gold.
In 2006 Third Day joined the ranks of many of their Christian peers in releasing their first Christmas album, Christmas Offerings.
In 2007 they released a couple of unique greatest hits packages. Surprisingly it was not entitled Greatest Hits Offerings. Chronology 1 and 2 were released within months of each other. Both covered certain year periods of their history. Along with the hits came live tracks and bootleg footage. They were CD/DVD packages. No one can say Third Day does not look after their fans.
In 2008, before the release of Revelation, Brad Avery announced he was leaving Third Day. The band continued without an official member. Keyboardist Scotty Wilbanks was added as a touring member only. 2008 also saw the release of yet another live DVD, Christmas Offering, combining worship numbers with their Christmas tunes.
The band really has travelled the world, playing shows in USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia to name a few. They have been on Late Night with David Letterman, 60 Minutes, and played a Papal Youth Rally.
For more information, check out their website at www.thirdday.com
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