Third Day, Tenth Avenue North and Trevor Morgan on the Move

One has to indulge themselves here and there. And that is exactly what I did on October 30^th in Portsmouth Va. I have long desired to see Third Day. Tenth Avenue North has recently captured my heart. Having missed their concert in spring nothing was going to stop me this time around not even a two hour drive on back roads. (Please note I am afraid to drive on the fast paced Interstates)

In fear of missing Tenth Avenue North I was there 2 hours early assuming that Third Day would start at 8 pm and the openings by other bands would have had already occurred.

To my astonishment Trevor Morgan started right at 8 pm and not a minute earlier.Third Day helped this independent artist to make a record and is hoping to get them established. Morgan has an amazing voice and a sweet demeanor. He accompanied himself on an acoustic guitar and Third Day fans were treated even before the show started with music by him. I kept on wondering who the artist was.

Tenth Avenue North opened up with an energetic performance and got everyone on their feet. They sang their hits; "You are More", "Strong Enough to Save", "Healing Begins" and "By Your Side" among other songs. The Dove Awards Winner were not shy about their faith and Front Man Mike Donehey couldn't help preaching and praying during their powerful set. Donehey left the stage and shook hands with fans in the middle of the songs in several rows in order to make audience member feel welcomed and heard. At times however I wished that he would have concentrated on his singing too, as I noticed frequent key changes, which made it hard to sing along. The Virginian gave it his all. He's faith seems genuine, convincing and inviting. Tenth Avenue North is a force on the Christian Music Market not to be reckoned with and I am looking forward for many years to come.

However the difference between a newcomer band like Tenth Avenue North and seasoned performers like Third Day was very obvious. While Tenth Avenue North had to deposit a lot of outside energy, "Third Day", the nearly 20 year old Band performed with an ease I have never seen at a Live Performance. The Veterans of the Christian Rock Scene didn't seem forced, overly rehearsed, exhausted or stuck in a daily routine. It was just the opposite. Mac Powell, the lead singer of Third Day cracked jokes which fit perfectly to the Virginia crowd, honestly acknowledged that the crowd was a bit smaller then in other concerts, but pledged at the beginning of the show that he will do everything in his power to make it great for us despite the low numbers. The Band's gentle humility, Mac Powell's sense of humor, the weather condition, an unusual amount of songs mixed with the sound of roaring and acoustic guitar made it a night to remember. Mac Powell's charismatic stage presence lit up the room and many faces in the crowd. From the very beginning and throughout the concert he waved at several fans, made eye contact with attendees, and engaged several audience members in conversations. The connections between Powell and the fans were incredible and seemed as personal as a back yard concert. Fans jammed to "Lift Up Your Face", "God of All Creation", "Children of God", "Trust in Jesus", "Surrender", "Make Your Move" "Jesus Rides the Subway' and other songs. It was a blessing to listen to this great Southern Rock Band and I hope that God continues to bless the four members of Third Day with time, ability and talent. I recognize that this concert was very far from being sold out, but even so we were in small numbers, I felt that Gods presence was on the band as well as on us. I truly feel that people who could have attended, but didn't, missed out on a divine appointment with God through a great Rock Band. Click here to listen to the whole Portsmouth concert and read what Third Day posted on their website about this concert, the low attendance and their experience with us. We loved them as much as they did us. If you still have a chance to go see "Third Day's Make Your Move Tour" I highly recommend you go and see them. For Dates click here.