Third Day at the Beacon Theatre

Peter Furler (in the black suit) joined Third Day onstage

Vocalist Johnny “Mac” Powell and guitarist Mark Lee were playing at Lee's church in Georgia the same night in 1992 that bassist Samuel “Tai” Anderson and drummer David Carr played with another band. By the end of the night, the southern-rocking Christian band Third Day was born. The band took its name from the biblical account of Jesus' rising from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion. The band sold over 10 million albums in the United States alone and won numerous Grammy and Dove awards. Its 11^th studio album, Miracle, was released in 2012.

In the south, Third Day headlines in arenas. New York is still a soft market for Christian rockers, so Third Day headlined the smaller Beacon Theatre tonight. During the concert, Powell remarked on the beauty of the landmarked art deco theater and on its musical legacy that recently included performances by fellow Georgians Tom Petty and the Allman Brothers Band. Augmented by two touring musicians, Third Day performed a nearly two-hour set of songs spanning the band’s career, including a brief acoustic set in the middle which featured shortened versions of “Blessed Assurance”, “Cry Out to Jesus” and, by popular request, “Thief.” Peter Furler, formerly of the Australian Christian rock band the Newsboys, joined Third Day for three songs, a cover of Neil Young’s “Rocking in the Free World” and two Newsboys songs, “He Reigns” and “I Am Free.” Most of the Third Day concert was rocking, with Powell’s powerful, masculine vocals sounding like Bob Seger fronting Lynyrd Skynyrd. The quality craftsmanship of Third Day’s songs and its live musicianship matched the caliber of those two artists and many more. Were the band willing to disguise its Christian message, Third Day is such an impressive band that it would become one of the biggest bands in the world; hence, the integrity of band’s commitment to its evangelical cause becomes all the more admirable. Tonight, Third Day proved that it is a great rock band for those willing to listen.

Visit the band at www.thirdday.com.