Third Day (1996)

Third Day is a reissue release of their 1995 self-titled album by the Christian rock band Third Day. It was released on June 18, 1996 by Reunion Records. This marks the official national debut album by the band. Their self-titled album was produced by David Mardis.

It is a reissue of their third release that was originally issued on the independent Gray Dot label but with a different album cover and different track listing. It has the same tracks from the original release, but added two additional songs: "Praise Song" and "Nothing At All." "Nothing At All" gave Third Day their only exposure to the mainstream rock market when that track started charting on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and peaked at number 34. Before his death in 1997, singer and songwriter Rich Mullins was an additional musician playing his signature hammered dulcimer on the album. Chris Christian was A&R but was credited as Chris Smith.

Third Day charted and peaked at number 11 on the Top Christian Albums and at number 24 on the Heatseekers Albums charts in Billboard magazine. In 1997, Third Day earned their first two Dove Award nominations for New Artist of the Year and Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Forever." Their music video for "Consuming Fire" won them a Billboard Music Award for Best Christian Music Video in 1996 and at the World Music & Independent Film Festival for Best Gospel Music Video in 2011. To date, Third Day has sold more than 300,000 copies, approaching near Gold status. A Wikipedia article claims that this release was Gold certified, but according to the RIAA's website, it is not Gold certified. You can click here for the band's certifications of their albums and videos.

On October 22, 2022, a 25th anniversary edition of their self-titled album was released as a 2 vinyl set with the first LP containing the original 12 tracks and the second LP containing live performances from various concert dates consisting of eight songs from the album. It was also made available on digital platforms with four additional tracks and one live bonus track.

Track listing on the 25th Anniversary Edition

All songs written by Mac Powell, except where noted.

1. Nothing At All -5:14

2. Forever -3:49

3. Mama -3:53

4. Love Song -3:54

5. Blackbird -4:04

6. Thief -4:25

7. Consuming Fire -4:10

8. Did You Mean It -4:12

9. Holy Spirit (Mac Powell, Mark Lee) -2:23

10. Livin' For Jesus -2:20

11. Take My Life -2:17

12. Praise Song -3:03

13. Nothing At All (1996 Rock Radio Mix) -4:04

14. Consuming Fire (Live in Louisville, KY 2004) -4:48

15. Forever (Live in St. Louis, MO 1998) -4:40

16. Did You Mean It/Mama (Live in Nashville, TN 1996) -6:46

17. Solid Rock (unknown) (Live in Boca Raton, FL 1996) -3:36

18. Thief (Live from the Farewell Tour in Denver, CO 2018) -5:50

19. Love Song (Live in St. Louis, MO 1998) -3:57

20. Blackbird (Live in St. Louis, MO 1998) -5:36

21. Nothing At All (2007 Mix) -5:12

22. Forever (2007 Mix) -3:56

23. Consuming Fire (2007 Mix) -4:15

24. Thief (2006 studio recording) -5:54

25. Take My Life (Live in Elmira, NY 2002) -4:24

Personnel

Third Day:

Mac Powell -lead vocals, acoustic guitar

Mark Lee -acoustic and electric guitars

Brad Avery -lead guitar, backing vocals

Tai Anderson -bass guitar, backing vocals

David Carr -drums, percussion

additional musicians:

Rich Mullins -hammered dulcimer

David Mardis -lap steel guitar

Kenny Hutson -dobro, mandolin

Bob Lehman -acoustic guitar on tracks 4 and 11

Alexis Mears, Chad Merritt and Kristie Vanderpoel -strings

Chris Carder, Alfreda Gerald and Phil Jones -backing vocals

choir on track 6:

Jill Bullard, Chris Carder, David Carr, Melissa Chandler, Jennifer DeSilets, Jane

Jones, Kristine McGuire, Dina Vanderpoel and Steve Winkler

Accolades

Billboard Music Award -Best Christian Music Video ("Consuming Fire")

World Music & Independent Film Festival -Best Gospel Music Video

("Consuming Fire")

Radio singles

1996 "Love Song" -#20 Christian CHR

1996 "Forever" -#3 Christian CHR

1996 "Praise Song" -#3 Christian CHR, -#39 Christian AC

1996 "Holy Spirit" -#5 Christian CHR

Next release: Conspiracy No. 5 (1997)

Watch the music video of "Consuming Fire" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fK9_7ldUvs