[Mickey]

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 26, 2002 - 2001 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Artist and Group of the Year Third Day was once again a major winner last evening when the 33rd Annual Dove Awards were announced at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Members of Third Day were prominently honored with an outstanding total of six awards, including a repeat win in the prestigious Group of the Year category, while lead singer Mac Powell became the first non-solo artist to win the coveted Male Vocalist of the Year title in 25 years.

Asked about his breakthrough “Male Vocalist” win, Powell was quick to praise the talent of his fellow nominees and to give the real credit to Third Day and what they have accomplished as a group. “It’s just unbelievable to me that I would win Male Vocalist. I’m so honored, especially considering the incredibly talented singers who were nominated. If it weren’t for the rest of the band playing great music and allowing me to sing, I wouldn’t have this award at all.”

Third Day member Tai Anderson expressed his appreciation for the band’s repeat Dove Award success, “Ultimately, I think every musician here tonight would agree that the best reward comes from the meaningful connections we make with our fans. However, it is also a true honor and a wonderful surprise to have our peers recognize so much of our work the way they did tonight.”

“We are deeply grateful for the support of the Gospel Music Association,” expresses Third Day member Mark Lee, “and everything they do to raise awareness of Christian music all year long.”

Adding to Powell’s historic win, Third Day’s latest studio recording, the best-selling and record-breaking project Come Together, was honored with the prestigious Rock Album of the Year award. The title track from the album, which was a No. 1 and multi-format hit at Christian radio, also received Dove Awards for Rock Song of the Year for both performer and songwriter.

Additionally, Third Day’s first-ever DVD/VHS, Third Day Live in Concert - The Offerings Experience, captured a Dove for Long Form Music Video of the Year. The project features live footage from Third Day’s standing-room only performance in front of 15,000 fans in their hometown of Atlanta, GA, and includes songs from Third Day’s RIAA Gold-certified recording Offerings - A Worship Album, hits from earlier projects, and exclusive backstage interviews from the best-selling “Offerings” tour.

Over the course of their impressive career, Third Day has now earned an outstanding total of 16 Dove Awards and three GRAMMY nominations.

Essential Records President Robert Beeson says of Third Day’s latest Doves, “Once again our industry has recognized the amazing hard work, talent, and creative drive of Third Day. The entire staff of Essential Records extends our heartfelt congratulations to each member of the band. We can’t think of a more deserving group of people, and we’re thrilled to see that the Gospel Music Association agrees!”

“Third Day is a ten year ‘overnight success’,” says Dan Raines, Creative Trust Entertainment Management president. “From day one these guys have been passionate performers...uniquely able to craft material that is culturally relevant and lyrically compelling. They have a relentless work ethic and possess the utmost of integrity. These qualities make for a solid, strong, gradual build. It is very gratifying to see their peers acknowledge their work in such a profound way.”

J. David Huffman, Creative Trust Entertainment Management chief operating officer, also congratulated the band and thanked all of the people who work hard to support Third Day behind the scenes. He explained, “Third Day has been communicating the unity message of ‘Come Together’ to the masses to focus on things on which we agree. Tonight our entire industry came together to honor Mac as Male Vocalist and the band as Group of the Year. Congratulations to Third Day and thanks to our entire Third Day team which includes our hard-working staff at Creative Trust, the label, radio and retail and our booking agents Jeff Gregg and John Huie of Creative Artists Agency.”

NFL Superbowl quarterback Kurt Warner and Electra recording artist Yolanda Adams hosted this year’s Dove Awards ceremony, which is the Christian music equivalent to the GRAMMYS. The show, which was telecast on the PAX TV network, featured 19 performances, the most in Dove Awards’ history. One of the many highlights of the evening was Third Day’s rousing performance of “Come Together,” delivered in the band’s trademark style to the sold-out crowd.

During the month of November, Third Day and multi-GRAMMY, multiple-Platinum artist Michael W. Smith, who took home this year’s esteemed Artist of the Year Dove Award, will partner for the Come Together and Worship Tour. Already billed as one of the top tours of the fall season, the Come Together and Worship Tour will now feature a combination of the year’s GMA Artist and Group of the Year. For more information, please visit www.cometogetherandworship.com.

Third Day is currently performing nationwide on the blockbuster Come Together Tour, which has become the best-selling tour in all of Christian music and benefits Habitat For Humanity International. A complete tour itinerary can be found at www.ThirdDay.com.

The Dove Awards recognizes achievement in all genres of contemporary Christian and Gospel music and is the premiere television awards show for the contemporary Christian and gospel music industry. Founded in 1964, the 5,000-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to educating the public and the music industry concerning the mission and role of gospel music in today’s world. For more information, go to www.gospelmusic.org.

Nashville-based Essential Records was founded in 1992 to provide relevant music from a God-centered perspective. Essential Records, and its affiliated label, Watershed Records, is distributed through Provident Music Distribution and through partnerships with parent company Zomba Music.