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Grammy-Winning Artists Coming To Brandon

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlw@tampatrib.com

Published: November 12, 2008

BRANDON - Members of the Grammy Award-winning Christian Southern rock band, Third Day, are never at a loss for reading material to when they're on the road.

They print copies of the hundreds of e-mails and letters from their fans to peruse during the empty hours between concerts. Bass player Tai Anderson said the fan mail not only inspires them, it reminds them of why they've been making music together for 16 years: to bring people closer to God.

"We've never tried to conceal who we are, that we're Christians," Anderson said during a phone interview from his hometown of Atlanta. "But we're not street preachers yelling at people. We're more like your friend who walks beside you during a difficult season. We still have a faith message, but it's more personal."

Residents will get their own taste of that message at 7 p.m. Saturday when Third Day makes its first appearance in Brandon at Bell Shoals Baptist Church as part of its Live Fall Tour 2008.

"With this tour we've been playing smaller venues, crowds of 2,000 to 3,000 rather than 5,000 to 10,000," Anderson said. "We're bringing our music to more intimate gatherings, to people who don't normally go to concerts or only go to a few concerts a year."

During the past decade, Third Day, featuring lead vocalist Mack Powell, Mark Lee on guitar, Anderson on bass and David Carr on drums, has produced 10 albums, selling nearly 7 million. The band has racked up 25 No. 1 radio singles and garnered three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards and 23 career Dove Awards.

In keeping with their conviction that the band also is a ministry, Anderson noted that Third Day has raised nearly $300,000 for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and charities such as the Blood: Water Mission. In addition, the band has encouraged more than 15,000 fans to sponsor children across the globe through World Vision.

The band recently made the transition to mainstream country after performing its hit single, "Call My Name," from its newest album, "Revelation," on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Anderson believes the band's success lies in its Southern rock sound, lyrics people can relate to and the lure of vocalist Mac Powell.

"It's just a great combination," he said. "We've got a good core message, and we've been able to capture it with good songwriting that's become more personal over the years."

Also performing with Third Day will be Christian rock bands Revive and Needtobreathe.

Hailing from Australia, Revive was discovered by members of Third Day when the band visited a church in Sydney four years ago. Powell is producing the band's first album. Revive has played alongside Christian bands Sanctus Real and DecembeRadio.

Needtobreathe's 2006 debut album, "Daylight," was one of Billboard magazine's Critic's Picks and a Christ Community Music Magazine Editor's Pick. The band has opened for Train and Collective Soul, and its songs can be heard in the motion pictures "P.S. I Love You" and "Employee of the Month."
Bell Shoals Baptist Church is at 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon.

CATCH THE SHOW

WHAT: Third Day plays the first show of its Live Fall Tour 2008

WHERE: Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

TICKETS: $22.50 for general admission or $30 for preferred seating

INFORMATION: Call (866) 440-7880 or visit www. thejoyfm.com.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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