Third Day

Admittedly, it was the first rock concert I'd attended since sometime in the early 1980s, so, my expectations were somewhat ambiguous about the event at best. Moreover, it was the first Christian rock concert I'd ever attended. Not that my musical taste don't span an eclectic array of offerings, it is just that the opportunity had really never presented itself to attend this type of concert. However, a dear friend offered up the ticket, I was available, the concert was close, and I knew the promoter - seemed as if destiny had a hand in things. The only potentially troubling point was that a dear colleage, knowledgable of my musical taste, was shocked that I would even considering going. My curiosity antlers were piqued.

The opening act, a soloist named Trevor Morgan, performed three original songs over a period of 15 minutes or so to get everyone warmed up. He seemed to be a talented guitarist with some vocal skills, but if pressed to choose, I'd give a nod to his guitar skills. Trevor was followed by a group known as Tenth Avenue No. Judging from crowd response, although relative young, they were evidently quite popular among those aware of their music. What struck me most about the second group as the volume. They were loud! After some 45 mintes of their musings, the concert took a break so the business of concerting (t-shirts, cd's, scholorship applications) could take place. My ears appreciated the pause. Eventually, the stars of the show, Third Day, came to the stage and performed at length to a very appreciative and receptive crowd. Not that I was really surprised, but I enjoyed the concert. Although I was not familiar with the music, the musicians were talented, the sound / mix was professionally done, and the performance was relaxed, God centered, and nicely delivered -- very glad I went.

Because this was my first Christian concert, I really had no basis for comparison against other concerts. Still, I had some opinions about what I observed. My first observation was obviously volume. The volume, in and of itself, was not a problem. The concert promoter is a church friend who graciously saved us seats in the VIP section - 4 rows from the stage -- 20 feet directly in front of the 8 foot tall speaker array. When the bass string was plucked everything in and on my body vibrated. In this respect, not really different from the old rock and roll days of the early 70s and I eagerly await the return of my hearing. The lyrics, for the most part were God centered and I really liked that. I was reminded though, during one of the songs, of a comment attributed to an unknown author some years back regarding contemporary Christian music. A song that can be sung to your dog, girlfriend, or God with equal compassion and enthusiasm is probably not a song written for the gospel. This was probably most evident in the Tenth Avenue No song "I'm Yours Tonight - Break Me Down", was seen as a Christian song, but only in that venue -- put into another setting, it could suggest something much more dark and secular -- maybe to the girlfriend. Highlighting that idea was the couple (married we think) sitting just in front of us. It's really hard to conceptualize how the gospel was fitting into what they were doing to the absolute dismay of their teenage daughter, but then again, I don't really know their heart. The other general observation had to do with the crowd. Those in attendance were a cross section of the polulation of this area. People of all ages (8 - 80), white, black, hispanic, and while it didn't come up in discussion, a variety of belief systems sat together in a celebration through music.

The musical charts and the sound of the bands is probably what I enjoyed the most though. The sound seemed to be a hybrid of a couple of 1970s rock bands, Uriah Heep and Deep Purple. The singers tended to push the upper limits of the vocal range for the most part. However, there were segments where the talents of the second tenor voice of the Third Day lead singer were really highlighted. Overall , the charts were well written and well played reflective of the talent of the performers.

At the end of the evening, I was left with a mixed opinion on the lyrics and the crowd, positive thoughts about the sound, and impressed by the commitment and talent of the musicians on stage. As we left, my thought wandered by to Philippians 1:18, But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice... In many churches, the musical divide is more damaging to the body than disagreements over doctrine and understanding. There is really no justification for either side of that discussion. Tonight Christ was the center, everyone there knew that, and when all is said and done, that is all that really matters.