Shattering its own record set just two weeks earlier, the fall’s largest Christian concert tour— World Vision’s “Make A Difference Tour”—set a new milestone as the largest live webcast of any Christian concert ever reported when it recently streamed live from Wichita Falls, Texas (Oct. 23) to nearly 742,000 people, from 99 different countries – all who tuned in to see GRAMMY® award-winning recording artists TobyMac, Michael W. Smith and Third Day, along with New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado. This new total breaks the previous record of 186,000 set earlier this month by nearly 400 per cent, indicating at least 4 times as many people tuned in to the second live webcast, an unprecedented number for any Christian music concert and one that producers say ranks in the top of all live concert webcasts.
 
The live webcast was broadcast on HearItFirst.com in conjunction with broadcast producer and bandwidth provider 3TierStrategy, LLC.  Delivered through 3Tier Strategy’s EZ Live Stream Live Event app, the concert was viewed live via the Web, iPhone, Live in Facebook and also included a text chat for people all around the world to communicate. Viewers were able to give suggested donations of $10 to access the live concert stream, with donated monies to benefit World Vision’s Ugandan Food and Water Relief efforts ( http://media.hearitfirst.com/download/madtour/Uganda.pdf).
 
The Make A Difference Tour is wrapping up this weekend, with final shows Friday in Dayton, Ohio, and Saturday in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  For more information, visit www.MakeADifferenceTour.com.
 

As the fall’s largest Christian concert tour— World Vision’s “Make A Difference Tour”—treks across the country to 20 cities during the month of October, fans are pouring into arenas and showing up in record numbers online to see some of the industry’s top names together on one stage.  Featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and GRAMMY® award-winning recording artists TobyMac, Michael W. Smith and Third Day, the Make A Difference Tour has already played in front of nearly 40,000 people in its first two weekends alone, and has now set a new record as the largest live webcast of any Christian concert ever reported when its recent Oct. 7 show streamed live from Austin, Texas to nearly 186,000 people, from 87 different countries.
 
The live webcast was broadcast on HearItFirst.com in conjunction with broadcast producer and bandwidth providers 3TierStrategy, LLC and NetDNA. Delivered through 3Tier Strategy’s EZ Live Stream Live Event app, the concert was viewed live via the Web, iPhone, Live in Facebook and also included a text chat for people all around the world to communicate. Viewers were able to give suggested donations of $10 to access the live concert stream, with donated monies to benefit World Vision’s Ugandan Food and Water Relief efforts ( http://media.hearitfirst.com/download/madtour/Uganda.pdf).  A second webcast is planned for the Oct. 23rd concert in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Viewers may sign up at http://live.hearitfirst.com/madtour2010/.
 
“HearItFirst.com is all about connecting fans with the artists and music that they love,” says HearItFirst.com President Mark Adkison. “The webcast completely blew away our expectations. The sheer volume of people who tuned in to watch great music, a heartfelt challenge from Max Lucado and to get involved with World Vision is truly amazing. For us to be involved with these artists and World Vision is truly humbling and we hope to continue bringing more of these events to folks around the world in the future.”
 
“It has always been the passion of 3TierStrategy to work with great partners and ministries to help spread the word and deliver blessings to those in need via internet media,” adds 3Tier Strategy CEO Perry Johnson. “To work with partners such as Hear It First and World Vision is a true blessing itself, but then to also know that on that night we reached nearly 186,000 viewers and blessed them where they were is truly amazing.”
 
“NetDNA was chosen by 3Tier Strategy as their Tier 1 streaming provider to stream the largest Christian concert webcast on record to thousands of viewers. We are very pleased with the success of the event and look forward to more in the future,” says NetDNA CEO Ben Neumann.
 
 Inspired by the themes of Lucado’s forthcoming book, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, the Make A Difference Tour , produced by World Vision and AEG Live, will make a difference for children by helping to raise up sponsors for 25,000 children through World Vision. Lucado set the goal last year in honor of his 25th year of publishing in 2010; he is donating 100% of author royalties from all Outlive Your Life products to benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.  So far, more than 1,600 child sponsorships have been confirmed from Make A Difference Tour attendees in the first two weekends, and more than 3,000 sponsorships have been pledged in the tour markets by churches who will participate in a World Vision Hope Sunday at their church.
 
Tickets are still available for these remaining dates on the Make A Difference Tour:

10-15     Bakersfield, CA                    Rabobank Arena
10-16     Ontario, CA                          Citizens Business Bank Arena
10-17     Glendale, AZ                        Jobing.com Arena
10-21     Colorado Springs, CO           World Arena
10-22     Lubbock, TX                         United Spirit Arena
10-23     Wichita Falls, TX                   Kay Yeager Coliseum
10-24     Topeka, KS                           Kansas ExpoCentre
10-27     Cedar Rapids, IA                  US Cellular Center
10-28     Green Bay, WI                      Resch Center
10-29     Dayton, OH                           Nutter Center
10-30     Fayetteville, NC                    Crown Coliseum
 
* All dates are subject to change without notice.  
 
Visit www.MakeADifferenceTour.com for ticket info and tour updates.
 

As ticket sales continue to climb for one of the most anticipated tours of the year, World Vision’s Make A Difference Tour 2010 featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and GRAMMY® Award winners Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and Third Day, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Jason Gray has been added to the roster as the tour’s opener.  Gray joins the tour in support of his sophomore Centricity Music release, Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue, but will also play an important role for fans as the Make A Difference Tour’s “embedded video reporter,” charged with capturing exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews that will be part of his weekly video blog from the road, posted exclusively on HearItFirst.com.
 
“I feel so honored to be a part of such a monumental tour,” Gray says. “To share the stage with such an amazing lineup (has there ever been a tour of this magnitude in the history of Christian music?) would be more than enough, but to get to join them on a tour where we work together to serve the poorest of the poor makes it that much sweeter and is ultimately what makes this tour significant.”

“We are so excited to partner with Max Lucado, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, TobyMac and the Make a Difference Tour to bring exclusive behind-the-scenes video content to fans every week from the road,” says HearItFirst.com Director of Content Jamie Wilson.  “HearItFirst.com is honored to help increase awareness of World Vision’s mission, and as a passionate ambassador for World Vision, Jason Gray is the perfect spokesman for our video blog series. His heart for changing the world is evident as soon as you meet him and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to introduce him to our audience each week. We believe these fun, candid videos featuring all of the artists will truly show the heart and soul behind the Make a Difference Tour.”
 
 “World Vision has been working with Jason Gray for eight years,” adds Jenny Lockwald, Executive Director, Artist Associates and Sponsor Engagement for World Vision. “In that time Jason has impacted the lives of thousands of children around the world and has made World Vision a major part of his music ministry and career. It was our pleasure to find a place for Jason on this tour because we know his heart and music are directly in line with the concept of making a difference. For those who have not yet had the opportunity to hear Jason, get prepared to become a fan. Jason is an amazing singer/songwriter who hits the mark with his soulful insights on what it means to live out Christianity every day.”
 
One of the most respected singer/songwriters in the Christian music business, Jason Gray released his latest studio project, Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue, in the fall of last year.  Heralded by numerous media outlets, the project landed at No. 8 in CCM Magazine’s Top Ten best faith-based albums in 2009 and Worship Leader magazine says, “Gray’s songs don’t really work as background music, they demand to be listened to and considered.” Gray’s latest single, “More Like Falling In Love,” was his highest charting song that peaked at #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart.  Gray has also been touring consistently in support of his current album, and with his soulful performances and heart-felt ministry (that is sometimes sprinkled with humorous anecdotes), he remains a fan favorite on the touring circuit. ( www.jasongraymusic.com)
 
Launching in Youngstown, Ohio on Sept. 30, and running through the end of October, tickets for the 20-city Make A Difference Tour 2010 are available now at all Ticketmaster outlets and other locations.  Ticket options include a special VIP package featuring Gold Circle seats, a pre-show Q&A with all artists, a limited-edition Make A Difference Tour poster, a commemorative tour credential and a copy of the new book Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado.  A complete list of tour dates, news, artist info, exclusive photos, videos and more resources are available online at www.MakeADifferenceTour.com.  In addition, the tour’s official Facebook page is live at www.facebook.com/makeadifferencetour, and fans and supporters can follow the tour’s official Twitter feed at @MakeADiffTour  to stay up to date on the latest news and exclusive content.
 
The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will visit 20 U.S. cities during October, including:
 
09-30       Youngstown, OH        Covelli Center
10-01    Corbin, KY        Southeastern Kentucky Expo Center
10-02    Alpharetta, GA        Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10-03    Cape Girardeau, MO    Show Me Center
10-07    Austin, TX        The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center
10-08    Beaumont, TX        Ford Park Arena
10-09    Lafayette, LA        Cajundome
10-10    Columbus, GA        Columbus Civic Center
10-14    San Jose, CA        HP Pavilion at San Jose
10-15    Bakersfield, CA        Rabobank Arena
10-16    Ontario, CA         Citizens Business Bank Arena
10-17     Glendale, AZ         Jobing.com Arena
10-21     Colorado Springs, CO     World Arena
10-22     Lubbock, TX        United Spirit Arena
10-23     Wichita Falls, TX         Kay Yeager Coliseum
10-24     Topeka, KS         Kansas Expocentre
10-27     Cedar Rapids, IA         US Cellular Center
10-28     Green Bay, WI         Resch Center
10-29     Dayton, OH         Nutter Center
10-30     Fayetteville, NC         Crown Coliseum

* All dates are subject to change without notice.  
 

Tickets are on sale beginning today for World Vision’s “Make A Difference Tour 2010” featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and GRAMMY® award-winning recording artists Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and Third Day. Launching in Youngstown, Ohio on Sept. 30, and running through the end of October, tickets for the 20-city arena tour are available beginning today at all Ticketmaster outlets and other locations.  Ticket options include a special VIP package featuring Gold Circle seats, a pre-show Q&A with all artists, a limited-edition Make A Difference Tour poster, a commemorative tour credential and a copy of the new book Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado.
 
A complete list of tour dates, news, artist info, exclusive photos, videos and more resources are now available online at the Make A Difference Tour’s newly-launched website, MakeADifferenceTour.com.  In addition, the tour’s official Facebook page is live at www.facebook.com/makeadifferencetour, and fans and supporters can follow the tour’s official Twitter feed at @MakeADiffTour to stay up to date on the latest news and exclusive content.
 
AEG Live, a leading provider of live entertainment around the world, is producer for the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” and World Vision, an international humanitarian agency, is the tour sponsor. The tour has also partnered with HearItFirst.com, a leading online destination for Christian music fans, for exclusive video content, tour news and more.

NASHVILLE, TN—May 12, 2010—World Vision and AEG Live announce the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and some of the top names in the Christian music industry—GRAMMY® award-winning recording artists TobyMac, Michael W. Smith and Third Day. Inspired by the themes of Lucado’s forthcoming book, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference (Thomas Nelson, September 2010), the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will kick off Sept. 30, in Youngstown, Ohio, and hit arenas in 20 cities through the end of October.
 
AEG Live, a leading provider of live entertainment around the world, is producer for the “Make A Difference Tour 2010” and World Vision, an international humanitarian agency, is the tour sponsor. The tour has also partnered with HearItFirst.com, a leading online destination for Christian music fans, for exclusive video content, tour news and more.
 
The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will make a difference for children by helping to raise up sponsors for 25,000 children through World Vision. Lucado set the goal last year in honor of his 25th year of publishing in 2010; he is donating 100% of author royalties from all Outlive Your Life products to benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.
 
Lucado sees big things happening because of the tour: “Partnering with World Vision, TobyMac, Michael and Third Day is a real privilege and pleasure. None of us can help everyone, but all of us can help someone. And when we serve the poor, we serve God.  Who would want to miss a chance to do that?”
 
“The ‘Make A Difference Tour 2010’ is different by design,” says Jenny Lockwald, Channel/Product Executive Director for World Vision. “The focus of the tour is to encourage people to look beyond themselves, to turn outward and to make a difference on behalf of friends, neighbors, their community and the world. We are honored to be partnering in this endeavor with Max Lucado and this amazing group of artists.”
 
“This marks a first for these four artists to tour together,” says Steve Moore, Senior Vice President, AEG Live / MEG. “Max, Michael, Toby and the men of Third Day all agree this message is the perfect rallying point, and that making a difference for others is a lifelong commitment they all share."
 

The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will visit 20 U.S. cities during October, including:
 
09-30           Youngstown, OH    Covelli Center
10-01    Corbin, KY    Southeastern Kentucky Expo Center
10-02    Alpharetta, GA    Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10-03    Cape Girardeau, MO    Show Me Center
10-07    Austin, TX    The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center
10-08    Beaumont, TX    Ford Park Arena
10-09    Lafayette, LA    Cajundome
10-10    Columbus, GA    Columbus Civic Center
10-14    San Jose, CA    HP Pavilion
10-15    Bakersfield, CA    Rabobank Arena
10-16    Ontario, CA     Citizens Business Bank Arena
10-17     Glendale, AZ     Jobing.com Arena
10-21     Colorado Springs, CO             World Arena
10-22     Lubbock, TX    United Spirit Arena
10-23     Wichita Falls, TX     Kay Yeager Coliseum
10-24     Topeka, KS     Kansas Expocentre
10-27     Cedar Rapids, IA     US Cellular Center
10-28     Green Bay, WI     Resch Center
10-29     Dayton, OH     Nutter Center
10-30     Fayetteville, NC     Crown Coliseum

* All dates are subject to change without notice.  

Tickets will go on sale first to World Vision supporters and artist fan clubs on June 11, then open up to the general public on June 18.  Visit www.MakeADifferenceTour.com for tour updates.