Artists
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Third Day :Multi-platinum-selling rock band Third Day has played to millions of fans in numerous sold-out arenas around the world. It’s garnered 25 No. 1 singles across multiple formats—not to mention armloads of Grammy and Dove Awards. Yet the band’s willingness to struggle openly before fans and critics alike to unearth its identity, purpose and mission stands as Third Day’s most valued accomplishment during its first decade together. Backing up the band's ascent, Billboard magazine noted the act is "not only one of the best Christian bands of the '90s but one of the best rock bands, period.” Third Day has clearly weathered the difficult climb from obscurity to success, but the band is hardly suffering from over-confidence or complacency. In fact, the band’s eleventh album, Revelation, addresses that very issue head-on. Rather than lean back in a figurative easy chair, Third Day challenged itself immensely, shaking up its direction and reasserting its place as a rock band of enormous depth and passion. To hear some of Third Day's songs, go to:
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Brandon Heath :Brandon Heath likes the little moments.
Those opportunities to observe, process and act upon what he witnesses in the world surrounding him are the primary traits of a great songwriter, something Heath continues to showcase on his second Reunion Records release, What If We.
Heath has also been able to take that public platform and merge it with his heart for community, working with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially many other human rights agencies on the larger global scale, even turning his attention to trials near his hometown of Nashville. After parts of the city and surrounding areas were ravaged by a string of tornadoes in April 2008, Brandon quickly organized a highly-effective benefit concert for the storm victims, evidence of living big in the little moments. To hear some of Brandon Heath's songs, go to:
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Britt Nicole :Boldness is generally associated with youth and they say wisdom comes with age, but rarely does one person simultaneously possess both in abundance. However, Britt Nicole isn’t your average twenty-something as she clearly demonstrates on her vibrant sophomore release “The Lost Get Found.” “It’s about stepping out and being who God has called you to be and not being afraid of that,” states Britt. “I believe when we look different and carry something different, people are going to see that and want it too. They are going to see the love of Christ in us and they’ll desire that. I believe people will come to know God if we as Christians will just do that.” A native of Salisbury, NC, Britt has always had a heart for reaching people and has long used music as the vehicle to change lives. She began singing in church at age three and by the time she was in high school, was appearing on her church’s daily television program and logged a performance at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall with her school’s advanced chorus. To hear some of Britt Nicole's songs, go to: |
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Remedy Drive :There's a passionate honesty to middle America - it's deep-rooted and straightforward. Few places embody that better than Lincoln, Nebraska, home to Word/Warner Bros. newest rock outfit, Remedy Drive. A four-peice, four-brother band (David, Philip, Paul and Dan Zach), Remedy Drive has been cranking out their own brand of music as a full time indie for the past 5 years. The band's debut release, "Daylight Is Coming" was produced by Ian Eskelin (All Star United) and will be nationally available August 26, 2008. With a message of hope for the searching and a desire to reach beyond a static life for something bigger, Remedy Drive combines a heart-on-a-sleeve sensibilities with their one-of-a-kind live show - the Midwest has never felt like this before! To hear some of Remedy Drive's songs, go to:
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Elishah:Elishah (pronounced Eee-lye-shuh), not the prophet, is a Hebrew term meaning "God is salvation." This is the heartbeat and message of three guys (Jimmy Atkins, Michael Atkins, and Jacob Bigelow) from the Hickory area of North Carolina who want everyone they come into contact with to realize the love of God and salvation of Jesus Christ. Elishah has been formed and continually seeks ministry opportunities based solely on the call each of the members have on their lives from God. To seek out the face of Christ, as well as His Will, is the goal Elishah strives to attain, while showing others what true love is and where it comes from: Jesus Christ. This message is perhaps conveyed best in Elishah's latest release "You Are" (August 2007).
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Seven Miles:The band, originally formed in 1997 and known as 7-Miles since 2000, has been in a constant state of growth. Now playing 100+ dates a year, the band finds themselves constantly on the go. Opportunities to play alongside such bands as Newsong, Chris Rice, the Katinas, and Bleach have given the band an ever-increasing audience. The past couple of years have certainly brought about great opportunities and even a few setbacks for the band. But now, having matured over the course of eight years and four successful independent albums, the guys find themselves on the brink of achieving their mission to develop a nationwide touring radius that allows them to spread the word about the most important thing in their life. "Each member of this band has a different story about where they've come from and yet we share the same goal - a passion for the Gospel and for inspiring people to dive into the Bible and discover what it means to have a real, meaningful relationship with the Savior of the world," according to Blount.
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the Outpouring:Bonded together by their passion to build God's kingdom, The Outpouring is a group on a mission to build God's Church and change the world! From superb musicianship to powerful lyrics to dynamic song style, the band is equipped with many tools to engage listeners and inspire them to seek a deeper and more solid relationship with God through a lifestyle of worship. While the band endeavors to generate musical creativity, as well as inspiring songs, they also agree that aside from having a lifestyle of worship that is built upon the foundation of biblical truth, it's just a bunch of noise. And with a refined vision for ministry, as well as an unwavering conviction that our world is in desperate need of God's movement, The Outpouring knows they are responsible to do their part in bringing the presence of God wherever they go--whether it's in their own living room, a small restaurant, or in a crowded room of hungry believers.. |
| Local Band Showcase (Sat. 11-1 in the Exhibit Hall) | |
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Called:“Called” consist of a family team joined together specifically by God to create the atmosphere for HIS GLORY to reign. Since birth, it has been imparted & instilled in all of us to SING, but more importantly we were taught to WORSHIP GOD. It is something we were all created to do in our individual ways, and for us, it is together in song. We believe that God has blessed us with a great gift to share across the nations and as we have so freely received it, we want to give it back for HIS Kingdoms sake. It is our vision to walk out the dream that God himself put in us & fulfill our destiny in Christ. To hear some of Called's songs, go to: |
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Courtney Phelps :Courtney’s compelling lyrics challenge the heart of a believer to stop ignoring the call of Christ and run to Him. “If I could stop one heart from breaking, that is my desire. To introduce my generation to a God that can heal them and restore them.” You will want to be front row center for the debut of this genuine artist and hear for yourself the heart-healing message in her songs. To hear some of Courtney's songs, go to: |
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This Year's Promise :Although high school bands usually come and go over the years, pop-punk foursome, This Year’s Promise, based out of Morganton, NC, has high hopes and dreams in reaching the top. TYP, consisting of drummer Mike, vocalist/guitarist Matt Buckland, bassist Tyler Hernandez and Kaleb Hensley on lead guitar looks at “The Higher Side” of life, which happens to be a catchy, adrenaline-pumping pop song coming out on the new EP, planning to be released soon. To hear some of This Year's Promise's songs, go to: |
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UTH Band :UnToHim is the house band for Uth Ministries Skate and BMX park. The group combines the dynamic musical talent with the powerful vocals of Jill Howard to create a rock sound that reaches to the core of its audience. They have a sound like that of Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, and Flyleaf. Whether the group is performing or leading worship, they give 110 percent. UnToHim plays weekly for the skate and bmx program in Granite Falls, NC.. To hear some of the UTH Band's songs, go to: |