Advice for Third Day (like they need any, but hear me out)

[clemsontigers23]

I was listening to "Slow Down" with Chris Daughtry and was thinking to myself how successful this song would be on mainstream radio. The song itself sounds like something in the mold of Nickelback/Daughtry/3 Doors Down type bands that get a lot of play on the radio, and with Chris Daughtry on backup vocals, the song could be a huge hit for the band with the mainstream audience. It would be even better if the band made a video for the song with Chris Daughtry in it, and it could get extensive airplay on MTV. I'm serious about this, the band has a great opportunity to reach a much larger crowd and get recognition in the mainstream, meaning they could be a greater witness. I know the guys tried this with Wire and it was a disappointment, but this album is so much better than Wire and has a definite mainstream feel to it.

Another possible single that could be released to rock radio is Otherside with Robert Randolph. If not mainstream rock, the single could get extensive airplay on Christian rock radio, which right now looks at Third Day as a CCM band and nothing more. A music video with Robert Randolph could be made and this could at least get played on Christian rock music video stations, if not MTV or VH1. "Run to You" might also be a good one to release because it has Lacey Mosely, if the band wanted to release a softer song to mainstream radio, this would be the one in my opinion. Although I wouldn't release this as the first single, "Let Me Love You" could do well on mainstream radio too, and possibly "Give Love" although I doubt the sound of the song would be embraced. I love "Ready" too, it's one of my favorites but might not do as well as some of the other songs.

I really think this is a golden opportunity for the band. If the band is reading this, please talk to your record company about taking this record to the masses. I have been listening to secular rock my whole life and this album is right up there with the best of them, even better in my mind. Don't be discouraged by Wire, this album definitely has more of a shot of making it. Please consider it. I know a lot of people who would really dig your sound but because you guys are stuck with the Christian label, they're scared away.

[3D NC fan]

This part of the Billboard article addresses the crossover question:

Christian radio has enthusiastically received the first single, “Call My Name,” which is No. 2 on Top Christian Songs. “It’s so amazing the way he belts it out,” Carr says of Powell’s performance. “Everyone I’ve played it for totally agrees. They are blown away with the vocal performance and the passion behind the lyric.”

Provident Music Group president/CEO Terry A. Hemmings expects that to bode well for sales this summer. “One of the really great things about this band is their ability to reinvent themselves musically without abandoning the base,” he says. As far as expanding that base by releasing a single to mainstream radio, Hemmings says the label doesn’t have any plans to do that. Red Light Management’s Bruce Flohr, who is based in the company’s Charlottesville, Va., office, says he’d like to explore that option in the future. “We’re starting to get inquiries already at hot AC and pop radio,” he says in regards to “Call My Name.” “It’s an awesome record regardless of what genre it comes out in.”

[clemsontigers23]

They're making a big mistake, in my opinion. It's so frustrating for Third Day to make such a great record and the only song they're even considering sending to mainstream is the most unoriginal song on the album, even though it's still good.

This is such a golden opportunity, I don't understand why they don't consider it. Honestly I think Third Day should abandon the Christian music industry and sign with a secular label, but I don't see that happening either.

[3D NC fan]

Check this out (also from the Billboard article):

Red Light is aggressively looking to expose Third Day’s music in a variety of areas and recently placed “Otherside” from the new album in the “NASCAR ’09” videogame. “It’s not even about being on mainstream radio,” Powell says. “It’s about getting into other outlets like TV and video games.”

[clemsontigers23]

Check this out (also from the Billboard article):

Red Light is aggressively looking to expose Third Day’s music in a variety of areas and recently placed “Otherside” from the new album in the “NASCAR ’09” videogame. “It’s not even about being on mainstream radio,” Powell says. “It’s about getting into other outlets like TV and video games.”

That might help but still, it'd be cool to turn on the radio and hear a Third Day song other than their CCM songs.

[PROMISED LAND]

I like Third Day right where they are at.....They are one of the biggest Christian rock bands out there right now.....I listen to them because they rock and while they rock they worship the Lord.....When I listen to 'King of Glory', "Cry Out to Jesus". "Carry My Cross", etc I am worshipping the Lord.....I would never want them to change their message just to get played on mainstream radio.....What should they do, start writing songs about sex, violence, drinking and drugs.....Look at todays culture, that is what sells.....You even watch country music videos and see half dressed women.....I hope they keep writing uplifting songs that continue to praise the Lord.....God bless.....


"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".....1 Corinthians 10: 31

[silverose]

I hope that they will be able to make have a crossover song without changing who they are and I think they can do that too! If you can get someone to listen to one song then they may come back for more. I want my step daughter to come to a Christan concert with us but she won't because in her world this music doesn't fit. It would be great if there was something that she could connect too that would make that happen. When she is with us she sings and listens to our music which makes us feel hopeful but she admits that she would rather listen to her own. Jesus walked among the sinners looking for converts are we not supposed to do the same? We need to pray that the men of Third Day stay strong as they work to accomplish the will of God.

[mindyhere]

As long as they go whereever they are led to go, then they are doing what is right. I think their hearts are in the right places, and they do what they feel glorifies God.

That's all that is necessary.

Sometimes (as they did with this newest album) He pushes us past our comfort zones. Just my opinion. :)

[jumpingmaniac]

Honestly I think Third Day should abandon the Christian music industry and sign with a secular label, but I don't see that happening either

Mac started out singing in a secular band, and he felt bad about singing that kind of music, thus they started Third Day.

[webo]

I think Third Day should abandon the Christian music industry and sign with a secular label, but I don't see that happening either.

I think there might be ways they could cross over -- and that's certainly something they could explore -- but "abandon the Christian music industry"? That's not going to work. A secular label is not going to let them produce the kind of music they produce. So basically, you are asking the band to give up what they believe God has called them to do.

[clemsontigers23]

Mac started out singing in a secular band, and he felt bad about singing that kind of music, thus they started Third Day.

I'm not suggesting they stop singing about God, but honestly this album is vague enough to where they seem to have taken the Switchfoot/Relient K route with somewhat vague lyrics so I don't see how this is any different.

I think there might be ways they could cross over -- and that's certainly something they could explore -- but "abandon the Christian music industry"? That's not going to work. A secular label is not going to let them produce the kind of music they produce. So basically, you are asking the band to give up what they believe God has called them to do.

No, they should do like Switchfoot, P.O.D., and MuteMath and get away from the corruption and mediocrity of the Christian music industry. By taking this route, they'd no longer be restricted to the Christian music industry but they would be able to broaden their horizons, just as Switchfoot, P.O.D., and Relient K have done by getting extensive radio play and video play on mainstream networks. Honestly, this album is too rock and too vague to get any extensive airplay on the only radio stations that play them, which are AC Contemporary Christian stations such as The Fish. The only songs that could possibly do well are Call My Name (which isn't doing as well as some past hits) and Revelation, which I don't expect would do well either.

Songs as incredible as Slow Down and Otherside sound like actual rock songs and could get mainstream radio play. The record label is being really stubborn by saying they're not even going to try it. This would be an opportunity to take the message to the ones who need to hear it the most (the lost), and unfortunately this opportunity may be missed.

Switchfoot, Relient K, and P.O.D. (as well as Flyleaf) have kept their Christian message while getting extensive airplay on mainstream radio stations and video networks, so Third Day wouldn't have to abandon their Christian lyrics. Slow Down doesn't necessarily have Christian lyrics, and it has Chris Daughtry. Perfect formula for a mainstream hit. Otherside has a similar message to The Other Side by Aerosmith which was a huge radio hit. I don't see why they couldn't at least try it and it's frustrating to see that their record label is so stubborn, but the Christian music industry is so corrupt that it's not surprising.

[webo]

Honestly, this album is too rock and too vague to get any extensive airplay on the only radio stations that play them, which are AC Contemporary Christian stations such as The Fish.


I've heard only one song off of Revelation in its entirety, so I'll trust that what you're saying is true. But it wouldn't bother me at all if the songs off of this album don't become smash hits on AC CC stations. 3D's best songs rarely become smash hits anyway.

[clemsontigers23]

I've heard only one song off of Revelation in its entirety, so I'll trust that what you're saying is true. But it wouldn't bother me at all if the songs off of this album don't become smash hits on AC CC stations. 3D's best songs rarely become smash hits anyway.

True, but these song are too good to go unheard....

I've listened to the album multiple times and I don't hear a whole lot of radio hits, unless they decide to release some to Christian rock stations.

[webo]

True, but these song are too good to go unheard....


I understand your passion. I have heard 30-second clips, and they sound incredible.

[clemsontigers23]

I understand your passion. I have heard 30-second clips, and they sound incredible.

Just wait till you hear the whole thing, you'll be blown away I'm sure.

[NurseBettyLu]

Just wait till you hear the whole thing, you'll be blown away I'm sure.

Hear, hear. I think I've hurt my repeat finger.

[g-man]

The Otherside and Slow Down are made for radio. I don't mean CCM radio. Go Ye into the world . :cool:

[clemsontigers23]

Hear, hear. I think I've hurt my repeat finger.

yeah i figured how to get it on my ipod (of course i'm not sharing it with anyone) and it's by far my most played album, and slow down is about to move into my top 25 most played songs already lol.

[sandyandporter]

I'm going thru some personal stuff right now and "Let Me Love You" has been SO comforting! I can really just feel Jesus's love surrounding me when I listen to that song. Same with Take it All.

There is no reason that most of these songs wouldn't/couldn't be mega hits on every radio station. There are some that would be huge country hits and some that would become rock classics.

There is no reason that Third Day shouldn't be named among the top bands of all time.... period. No labels, no limitations.

Have I mentioned lately that I'm going to my first Third Day concert on 8/9??? :D (<--- drab)

[Sam!]

I like Third Day right where they are at.....They are one of the biggest Christian rock bands out there right now.....I listen to them because they rock and while they rock they worship the Lord.....When I listen to 'King of Glory', "Cry Out to Jesus". "Carry My Cross", etc I am worshipping the Lord.....I would never want them to change their message just to get played on mainstream radio.....What should they do, start writing songs about sex, violence, drinking and drugs.....Look at todays culture, that is what sells.....You even watch country music videos and see half dressed women.....I hope they keep writing uplifting songs that continue to praise the Lord.....God bless.....


"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".....1 Corinthians 10: 31

Of course, you do realize the verse you quoted supports the opposite of your point of view, right? Paul's message there is that you should do things that aren't "overtly Christian" also for the glory of God... So that when Third Day sings about life in general, or sings about God without using churchy words, that can be done for God's glory also.

A song like "I Deserve?" for example from Conspiracy - it's a glorious song, no doubt. It's not "churchy" and it's not like anything CCM puts out -- it's quality! I know we all find encouragement in Third Day, but if they really want their music to be a witness, they've got to sing to nonbelievers, don't they?

[sandyandporter]

I know we all find encouragement in Third Day, but if they really want their music to be a witness, they've got to sing to nonbelievers, don't they?


Can I get an AMEN???!!!

[danbos]

Can I get an AMEN???!!!

AMEN Brother! Errr...sister. :P

[3D NC fan]

I think these lyrics from "Ready" are appropriate:

I want the world to turn because of love
And mercy to find each of us
Doing what we can to just believe
I want the world to know that you're the one
Who fills me up and gives me hope
And brings about this change that's in me

[PROMISED LAND]

I understand that Bible verse means 'everything' in life.....My point is I feel that Third Day should not change their style just to get on mainstream radio..... they shouldn't have to 'waterdown' lyrics or have them be vague.....If someone has to ask "is that song about God?", it isn't showing any glory to God.....Whatever we do in life should be done for the Lord and it should be clearly done for the Lord, not in some vague roundabout way..... I believe also that non-believers need to hear the message of God, but how can they get any kind of message from vague lyrics.....The message should always be clear and with no confussion....."well that song could be about God, or it could be about my girlfriend, wife, or my neighbor's wife.".....

"I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live"
Psalm 146: 2

[PROMISED LAND]

I think these lyrics from "Ready" are appropriate:

I want the world to turn because of love
And mercy to find each of us
Doing what we can to just believe
I want the world to know that you're the one
Who fills me up and gives me hope
And brings about this change that's in me

These lyrics are appropriate.....I can read those and say "hey, that is my wife. She gives me so much hope and has change my life." If you want to praise God with song, praise Him by His Glorious Name..

"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever."
Psalm 145: 1

[sandyandporter]

I understand that Bible verse means 'everything' in life.....My point is I feel that Third Day should not change their style just to get on mainstream radio..... they shouldn't have to 'waterdown' lyrics or have them be vague.....If someone has to ask "is that song about God?", it isn't showing any glory to God.....Whatever we do in life should be done for the Lord and it should be clearly done for the Lord, not in some vague roundabout way..... I believe also that non-believers need to hear the message of God, but how can they get any kind of message from vague lyrics.....The message should always be clear and with no confussion....."well that song could be about God, or it could be about my girlfriend, wife, or my neighbor's wife.".....

"I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live"
Psalm 146: 2

I could not disagree with you more. Everything Third Day has done is CLEARLY for the Lord and His glory. No one has ever even suggested that the words be watered down in order to go main stream. I'll just let Tai's words speak for themselves here.

Tai said in another thread:
"Just stumbled on this one. I think these conversations are all good. To me, the line that gets crossed is when people assume they know our motivation for writing the songs and make judgements on our spirituality from those assumptions. I haven't seen that happen.....yet. It has before. It will again.

I will say this. Every song on the new album, as well as WYA, as well as Wire, as well as Offerings II, as well as Come Together, as well as Offerings, as well as Time, as Well as Conspiracy No. 5, as well as Third Day, as well as Christmas Offerings for that matter is a song that we recorded to broadly express our faith in music and encourage you in your faith. Some of the songs are corporate worship songs, but all of the songs are worship "offerings" in that we see our efforts and results of those efforts as a response to the call that each of us in the band feels is our collective purpose.

Many of these songs are part of a continuing conversation between us and God, God and us, us with you, and you with us. Certainly, if you get out the microscope, there are songs when the principal characters are identified by name. In many of these songs, the "characters" are named. Often they are not. I find in ongoing conversations, you seldom continue to call each other by name.

I don't say to my wife, "Hello Shannon. How are you Shannon? Did you have a good day Shannon? I love you Shannon. I'm sorry that I stayed up all night playing Tiger Woods Golf Shannon. "

Nor do I do the same in prayer or in times of worship.

The new record is a rather personal collection of music that is expressing what we are feeling right now. Many of the songs are almost sequels to other themes we've touched on along the way. "Call My Name" is sort of the other side to "Cry Out to Jesus." If we were embarrassed of our faith we probably would not have put a cross on the cover of the record! Not that anyone is saying we are, there is always just a under current of "the band is selling out"....or trying to sell out in these discussions. We do want to sell out the Music Builds tour, but that's a different discussion.

Anyway, the band doesn't apply a JPM (Jesus Per Minute) filter when we make the music. We are THIRD DAY (not subtle). We don't hesitate to speak the name of "Jesus" when it is appropriate, but we try diligently to make sure that we NEVER NEVER NEVER use His name in vain....for no reason or for a calculated financial gain.

For those of you who are maybe at that place where your looking for very direct reinforcements of bible stories or the plan of salvation, we have those songs peppered throughout our catalog. Revelation is more of a record that speaks about the struggles of faith that you encounter along the way more than a "Romans Road Record." I'm continuing to pray that God will uses songs like "Let Me Love You" and "Call My Name" to reach out to people that are going through seasons apart from God, but I also hope that songs like "Revelation", "Run to You", and "Slow Down" speak to the majority of us who figured out that the Christian walk is not without struggle. The record is more of an expression of Redemption and Justification than Salvation. Just don't ask me what all those words mean."

I'll just add here that Revelation is totally speaking to me where I am right now in my faith. And for that Third Day, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the great work!

[AtlBraves]

my dad promoted them on a call in sports radio show to Peter Gammons of Baseball Tonight. He mentioned the song with Daughtry because Daughtry had been mentioned and apparantly Peter Gammons is a HUGE music buff. So maybe we will see some love from ESPN. :cool:

[jesus loves me]

I told my friend about the impact this record is having on my relationship with our lord - and i haven't even heard all the songs yet. this is going to be their best yet based on the lyrics alone. they speak so clearly to me - as does our lord, through them.

[Howlin' Wolf]

I like Third Day right where they are at.....They are one of the biggest Christian rock bands out there right now.....I listen to them because they rock and while they rock they worship the Lord.....When I listen to 'King of Glory', "Cry Out to Jesus". "Carry My Cross", etc I am worshipping the Lord.....I would never want them to change their message just to get played on mainstream radio.....What should they do, start writing songs about sex, violence, drinking and drugs.....Look at todays culture, that is what sells.....You even watch country music videos and see half dressed women.....I hope they keep writing uplifting songs that continue to praise the Lord.....God bless.....


"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".....1 Corinthians 10: 31

I didnt realize you had to write a song about sex, violence, and drugs to be on a mainstream radio station.:rolleyes:

[Howlin' Wolf]

I understand that Bible verse means 'everything' in life.....My point is I feel that Third Day should not change their style just to get on mainstream radio..... they shouldn't have to 'waterdown' lyrics or have them be vague.....If someone has to ask "is that song about God?", it isn't showing any glory to God.....Whatever we do in life should be done for the Lord and it should be clearly done for the Lord, not in some vague roundabout way..... I believe also that non-believers need to hear the message of God, but how can they get any kind of message from vague lyrics.....The message should always be clear and with no confussion....."well that song could be about God, or it could be about my girlfriend, wife, or my neighbor's wife.".....

"I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live"
Psalm 146: 2

seriously, the idiocy of your posts give me a headache. do you have any clue about the way God works in the lives of those He is seeking? Have you ever heard of Lifehouse or U2? How about P.O.D. or Switchfoot? Should we throw out all of David's psalms that dont mention God by name? Do you honestly think non-believers are sitting around listening to "King of Glory"?

Get out of your bubble and WAKE UP!!

[Jake]

I didnt realize you had to write a song about sex, violence, and drugs to be on a mainstream radio station.:rolleyes:

Psh...where have you been? Anything that doesn't explicitly say the name Jesus at least 14 times per song is of the devil! If I'm not mistaken, there's a book of the Bible we need to get rid of because of this new Jesus quota...

[webo]

seriously, the idiocy of your posts give me a headache.


I'm wondering if there is a way to disagree with someone on these posts without calling them an idiot. I think we try to pride ourselves on being a bit more respectful than those who post on YouTube.

[PROMISED LAND]

seriously, the idiocy of your posts give me a headache. do you have any clue about the way God works in the lives of those He is seeking? Have you ever heard of Lifehouse or U2? How about P.O.D. or Switchfoot? Should we throw out all of David's psalms that dont mention God by name? Do you honestly think non-believers are sitting around listening to "King of Glory"?

Get out of your bubble and WAKE UP!!

If someone turns to Jesus by listening to U2, I think that is awesome......It doesn't matter how you turn to Him, as long as you do......I just pray that people understand the Truth of God's Word.....There are churches that distort God's Word, for example, there are some that teach the virgin birth is not true.....I feel that the same kind of distortion can come from music.....I wasn't attacking Third Day in any way.....I love their music and their message and I believe they do glorify the Lord.....That was my whole point: that I never want that to change just to get mainstream radio play.....

"Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long."
Psalm 25: 4-5

[The Unknown Gomer]

I..... I believe also that non-believers need to hear the message of God, but how can they get any kind of message from vague lyrics.....The message should always be clear and with no confussion....."well that song could be about God, or it could be about my girlfriend, wife, or my neighbor's wife."...

And so a "not so obvious" song makes it onto mainstream radio. And the listener hears it and goes ahead and thinks it's a love song between two people. And really LIKES it, so goes out and buys the CD and starts to listen to it. And is really digging all the love songs on it, and dedicates them to his girlfriend on their next date.

When suddenly on the next song he gets gets an earful of "Thank God for His Mercy, Thank God for His Grace, Thank God for everything you've got before it's too late..."

And maybe the lyrics in THOSE songs start to rub off on him, causing him to hear the OTHER songs in a different light. And then who knows what might happen then.

Yeah, he bought it for one reason, but that one reason could lead to an entirely NEW perspective on things.

Just my two cents on it. :)

[clemsontigers23]

Switchfoot, Flyleaf, and P.O.D. have all had incredible radio success, and Flyleaf's song "All Around Me" was on hard rock charts for a long time. It is very possible to be a Christian band and have great success in the mainstream.

[Jason]

I Can Only Imagine had huge mainstream radio success and it was by a Christian band on a Christian label. Plus, it had explicitly Christian lyrics.

I Can Only Imagine
-MercyMe

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you