As Billboard Magazine declares: “[t]o say this band is going to be the ‘next big thing’ feels like an understatement,” celebrated band Tenth Avenue North again lives up to industry and consumer buzz with its third studio project, The Struggle, which released Aug. 21. The album debuted this week at No. 9 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian chart, while its first single, “Losing,” maintains strong radio momentum.
The Struggle was preceded to retail by single “Losing,” which readily found an audience at both the Christian AC and CHR formats. The song acquired 73 adds its first week out,making it the most added debut Christian single in 2012 to date. This week “Losing” continues to hold steady at No. 3 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart, No. 3 on the AC Monitored chart and No. 2 at CHR with more than 82,500,000 cumulative impressions. The music video for “Losing” also continues to gain traction at more than 115,000 total views. Watch the video online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcVTbyJqis.
Tenth Avenue North kicked off promotional efforts for The Struggle this summer with fan-focused listening events in cities including Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis and New York. Last week, the group played a fan show in Dallas, sponsored by KLTY-FM, as well as acoustic performances at LifeWay Christian Store locations in Ft. Worth, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Indianapolis. The latter was sponsored by K-LOVE Radio, who featured Tenth Avenue North in this video interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqu2j0IM3lg&feature=related.
Also in honor of street week, SiriusXM’s The Message channel hosted “Sharing ‘TheStruggle’ Week with Tenth Avenue North.” Throughout the week, Tenth Avenue North shared on-air about The Struggle and introduced songs from the record. As one listenerresponded, “…thanks for providing this opportunity to us listeners …I was really touched by their words.” The Message aired a live special taping where invited fans gathered at SiriusXM studios to listen to an exclusive acoustic performance.
Tenth Avenue North will continue to support the new project with a 35-city “TheStruggle” tour this fall. Additional support of the The Struggle includesextensive feature coverage by Billboard Magazine, CCM Magazine, ec: Essential Connection Magazine and Collegiate Magazine, among others. A review by ChristianityToday.com calls The Struggle Tenth Avenue North’s “strongest album to date,” while Billboard Magazine says, “The group's combination of ear-grabbing melodies and compelling lyrics (mostly penned by frontman Mike Donehey) are a winning formula the band continues on third album The Struggle.”
For more information on Tenth Avenue North and The Struggle, please visit: www.tenthavenuenorth.com, www.facebook.com/tenthavenuenorth or www.twitter.com/tenthavenorth.
Acclaimed band Tenth Avenue North announces “The Struggle” fall tour, its biggest headlining tour to date, visiting more than 35 cities from mid-September though late November. The tour, featuring guest artists Audrey Assad and Rend Collective Experiment, will support Tenth Avenue North’s Aug. 21 studio release, The Struggle, whose lead single “Losing” debuted with an incredible 73 adds out-of-the-box that included the KLove, WAY-FM and Air1 networks.
Kicking off Sept. 13 in Sewell, New Jersey (Philadelphia area), “The Struggle” fall tour will hit major markets including New York, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Houston, among others. Singer-songwriter Audrey Assad and Kingsway artist Rend Collective Experiment will join Tenth Avenue North, who will perform new music from its latest project as well as fan favorites.
The tour is named for Tenth Avenue North’s third label project, The Struggle, available for pre-order now, with a street date of Aug. 21. Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward for the band, reflecting influences ranging from fan insight to the addition of two band members to a new recording process.
Travis Culver, music director and afternoon personality at KTSY-FM in Caldwell, Idaho, an early supporter of the single, comments, “From the very first listen to ‘Losing’ I remember thinking to myself ‘who is this? What a cool song!’ But it’s more than just a great song, it’s a great song with a deep and important message – to be shown grace means we must also show others grace, even if it means we feel like we’re losing.”
Keith Stevens, program director at KTIS-FM in St. Paul, Minn., agrees, “‘Losing’ is a winner with KTIS! A terrific summer vibe for the Twin Cities with a refreshing message about forgiveness that we all need to hear.”
The band has always done something special for its fans during each tour and this run isn’t any different. Tenth Avenue North fans were given the opportunity to buy a limited number of “Fan Presale Tickets” the week prior to the national on-sale date through a special first-come-first-served, online offer. In a majority of the markets, those tickets sold out within the first few days, creating a wave of excitement for the tour.
A complete tour itinerary follows this release. For more information on “The Struggle” fall tour and CD, visit: www.TenthAvenueNorth.com / www.thestruggletour.com
Christian music breakout band Tenth Avenue North announces the unveiling of its third studio project, The Struggle (Reunion Records), on Aug. 21. The 12-track album reflects influences ranging from fan insight from the headlining artists’ past two years on the road, to the addition of two new band members and a new recording process. Produced by six-time SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year, and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real), The Struggle is a bold, creative leap forward.
The Struggle acknowledges life-challenges while pointing to the grace that ultimately delivers us from those challenges. Front man Mike Donehey shares, “The record’s theme implies permission to struggle with life’s challenges but encourages us not to remain in that place of struggle. Things are going to be hard but we have something greater to look forward to. We are free to struggle, but because of what Christ did on the cross, we don't need to struggle to be free.”
The album’s debut single “Losing” will impact Christian radio, May 25. The song was inspired by a moving letter sent in to a WAY-FM radio station by a woman struggling with forgiveness; it sums up the idea that we actually lose more than we win when we choose not to extend forgiveness to someone. “Withholding our love doesn’t give us an upper hand in any conflict. ‘Losing’ suggests that we actually end up losing when we don’t offer forgiveness or love,” adds Donehey.
The band has always valued a direct relationship with its fans, and had the idea to bring them into the recording process. Guitarist, Jeff Owen, shares, “On several dates during our last tour we posted invitations on our facebook and twitter pages inviting our fans to show up and lend their voices to some of our songs. The result? We have songs on The Struggle featuring rich choruses made up of our fans. It’s pretty special that we got to do this.”
New members, Ruben Juarez (bass) and Brendon Shirley (keys) were instrumental in the progression of the band’s sound. “Ruben and Brendon are more technically knowledgeable than Jason, Jeff and I are,” says Donehey. “They really added to the musical structure of these songs. Plus, we all get along so well creatively. I couldn’t see doing this record without them.”
Dove Award-winning, progressive pop band Tenth Avenue North finishes out its most successful career season to date with the No. 1 Christian song of the year, “You Are More,” according to Billboard’s National Christian Audience Chart. Having secured a spot on one of this year’s biggest tours, while performing for close to 500,000 fans nationwide, the group will carry its momentum into 2012 with brand new hit single, “Strong Enough to Save,” currently No. 1 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart.
Tenth Avenue North’s “You Are More,” from its 2010 sophomore release The Light Meets the Dark, received top ranking from Billboard according to radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen BDS. The news comes as no surprise given Tenth Avenue North’s high profile this year. The group landed a coveted guest role on label mate Third Day’s riveting “Make Your Move” tour, joining the multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artist on both spring and fall legs, visiting nearly 75 total cities.
The tour experienced sold-out crowds for more than half of its spring dates, setting the pace for an equally impressive fall run, which wrapped late last month. The massive tour exposure was boosted by a phenomenal summer festival jaunt, where Tenth Avenue North appeared at top festivals including Creation Festival, Spirit West Coast, LifeLight Festival, SoulFest, and Rock the South Fest.
In addition to celebrating the year’s top radio song and an unprecedented twelve months on the road, Tenth Avenue North’s current single, “Strong Enough to Save,” holds the No. 1 position on the Billboard NCA chart with more than 78,291,700 impressions. The song is rapidly climbing the CHR chart as well, coming in at No. 5 this week. Tenth Avenue North recently performed the song in-studio for national radio outlets including, “The Rita Cosby Show,” FOX News Radio, and SiriusXM.
Tenth Avenue North’s Christmas single “Deck the Halls,” from WOW Christmas (2011), is seeing strong airplay too. The single is accompanied by a “Deck the Halls” music video released to national video outlets in October. View the video at http://is.gd/dYaYsH. The band is currently in the process of writing its next studio project and will begin recording with award-winning producer, Jason Ingram, in January.
Tenth Avenue North, Christian music’s most impactful new artist of the past several years, gives fans a unique look at the moments and motivations that make up a life lived through music through the new CD/DVD project: Tenth Avenue North Live: Inside and In Between releasing on March 1.
Tenth Avenue North will take part in a live, DVD release event online at HearItFirst.com ( http://live.hearitfirst.com) on Tuesday, March 1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The band will introduce clips from the project as well as answer questions from fans.
Long known for an uncanny ability to capture listeners’ attention and compel them to think, even within the framework of a seemingly simple pop song, the music of Tenth Avenue North has always been informed with a maturity of purpose that goes far beyond the members’ young ages. It’s that desire to give fans more than face value that has always gone into both the band’s songs and live shows.
“These songs are hopefully a vehicle for us to help people learn,” says vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Mike Donehey. “Our hope is that people would see what we do in concert and that we have a desire for people to learn, not just be entertained.”
“At the same time, we hope to find a platform that looks a little more like a community when you come to one of our shows,” he continues. “We just wanted something deeper.” Included in the DVD, Donehey explores the deeper message behind the songs in seven powerful video journals including “By Your Side,” “Healing Begins” and “You Are More.”
That’s not to say everything is so deep within Donehey and his bandmates’ (drummer Jason Jamison, guitarist/background vocalist Jeff Owen and bassist Ruben Juarez III) world, as shown on Inside and In Between’s lighter moments, including the unparalleled “athletic” competition known fondly as
“Bunk Olympics.”
Framed by live performances (featuring 5.1 Surround Sound audio mixes) and revealing off-stage interviews, Inside and In Between gives an all-encompassing look at some of the freshest new music to emerge over the past several years, including songs like “Love Is Here,” “Strong Enough To Save,” “Hold My Heart,” “You Are More,” “Healing Begins” and the 2010 Dove Award-winning Song of the Year “By Your Side.”
Tenth Avenue North will continue its packed early 2011 live show schedule as part of Third Day’s “Make Your Move” Tour, which kicked off in Mercedes, Texas on Feb. 18, and runs through a May 21 date in West Palm Beach, Fla.
THIRD DAY / MAKE YOUR MOVE TOUR – SPRING 2011 (featuring Tenth Avenue North)
* More dates to be added. All dates are subject to change without notice.
FEBRUARY
2/18 Mercedes, TX RGV Livestock Show Grounds
2/19 Longview, TX S.E. Belcher Performance Hall
MARCH
3/9 Indianapolis, IN Northview Church
3/10 Indianapolis, IN Northview Church
3/11 Brookfield, WI Elmbrook Church
3/12 Davenport, IA Adler Theater
3/13 Grand Rapids, MI Sunshine Comm. Church
3/18 Monroe, LA Fant-Ewing Coliseum
3/19 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theater
3/20 Joplin, MO Joplin Memorial Hall
3/24 Beaver Falls, PA Geneva College
3/25 Grove City, OH Grove City Church
3/26 Johnstown, PA War Memorial Arena
3/27 Charleston, WV Charleston Civic Center
3/31 Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall
APRIL
4/1 Fairfax, VA Patriot Center
4/14 Memphis, TN Hope Church
4/15 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Coliseum
4/16 Greenville, SC TBA
4/17 Macon, GA Centerplex
4/28 Valparaiso, IN Valparaiso Nazarene Church
4/29 Chicago, IL Life Changers
4/30 Greenville, IL Agape Festival
MAY
5/1 Kansas City, MO Municipal Auditorium Arena
5/4 Salem, VA Salem Civic Center
5/5 Louisville, KY TBA
5/6 Cincinnati, OH Landmark Church
5/7 Saginaw, MI Dow Events Center Theatre
5/12 Chattanooga, TN Memorial Auditorium
5/13 Greensboro, NC Special Events Center
5/14 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
5/19 Jacksonville, FL Veterans Memorial Arena
5/20 Ft. Myers, FL Germain Arena
5/21 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheater
Reunion Records’ modern pop band Tenth Avenue North, hard charging off the success of its sophomore full-length release The Light Meets The Dark, has taken in four nominations for this year’s 42nd Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including nods in two categories in which the band received nominations last year.
Tenth Avenue North picked up nominations in the coveted categories Song of the Year (for lead vocalist/songwriter Mike Donehey’s work on “Hold My Heart” from Over And Underneath) and Group of the Year, as well as in the Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (for The Light Meets The Dark) and Christmas Album (as part of The Essential Christmas Collection) categories.
The band was nominated in both the Song and Group general categories last year, taking home the Song of the Year trophy for the smash hit “By Your Side,” from its debut album Over And Underneath.
The Dove Awards nominations cap a tremendously busy 2010 season and position the band squarely in the fast lane for 2011. Coming next for the group, the March 1 release of its first live DVD/CD project, titled Tenth Avenue North Live: Inside & In Between. Much more than a concert video, this 45-minute visual journey showcases the very heart of Tenth Avenue North. Viewers will hear directly from Donehey as he shares the band’s passion for the gospel in this captivating live concert experience which further explores the deeper message behind the group’s most popular songs.
The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 20th. The awards show will be televised on GMC at 8:00p.m. ET/delayed PT on Easter Sunday, April 24th.
Spend more than a few minutes with any member of Nashville-based band Tenth Avenue North – particularly frontman/songwriter Mike Donehey – and you’ll walk away with the impression of four men plugged into the struggles facing young people not only in the United States, but around the world.
Immediately following its headlining “The Light Meets The Dark” tour, which wrapped Nov. 29, the band boarded a flight to San Pedro Sula in Honduras to get a more intimate look at the work of partner organization, Compassion International, through meetings with pastors and directors of three different Compassion-run projects.
The band also spent time playing and interacting with sponsor children within the programs, including taking part in an impromptu soccer match on a rain-soaked pitch, leaving the musicians and kids covered in mud but drawn closer together.
“We have been working alongside Compassion International for several years by advocating child sponsorship at our shows,” Donehey said. “Before we left for Honduras, we heard a lot about the problems with gangs in that country and the positive impact Compassion is having on the lives of gang members. When we arrived, we got to sit with kids and hear their stories. We listened to their life dreams. It made us want to do even more to support Compassion International because we were able to directly see the impact of sponsorship on the lives of individual children, families and entire villages.”
“The point of this trip was to show them first hand the work of Compassion,” said Spence Smith, artist relations manager for Compassion International. “The guys have a great head-knowledge about poverty, slavery and other issues we face in the world, but they didn’t have a personal reference point to fully understand the magnitude of these problems.”
He continues, “The band got 1,700 kids sponsored on its fall tour then immediately went on its first trip to see our work. I'm really excited to see what 2011 holds for Tenth Avenue North and Compassion as we continue to partner together in some bigger ways.”
Tenth Avenue North continues to build an undeniable reputation as the next A-level breakthrough artist in today’s Christian music marketplace. The road-steady, Dove Award-winning progressive pop band, anchors itself with a heart for “knowing Christ and making Him known” which is resonating with audiences packing venues across the country to catch The Light Meets The Dark fall tour.
In addition to successful headlining tour numbers “You Are More” -- the band’s second single from its sophomore The Light Meets The Dark (5/11/2010) -- saw significant growth at radio over the past two weeks. The song is No. 18 on the National Christian Audience chart No. 17 on the AC Indicator chart and No. 20 at AC Monitored with a ranking of No. 23 on the CHR chart.
“You Are More” is currently being played by 54 percent of AC panel and 71 percent of the CHR panel. Significant markets added over the past two weeks include KLOVE, the WAY-FM Network, WPOZ/Orlando, KCMS/Seattle, WGTS/Washington D.C., WCIE/The Joy FM Tampa, WLFJ/His Radio Network, WVFJ/Atlanta and KFIS/Fish Portland. “You Are More” is up to 5,887,700 cumulative impressions (1.2 million weekly impressions in top markets) since its Oct. 1 add date.
The new Tenth Avenue North single (whose concept music video debuted on the KLOVE.com Oct 25) couldn’t come at a more appropriate time as national discussions about bullying and peer behavior dominate headlines. “This past weekend one of the KLOVE pastors shared with me that he took five suicide calls. It was a great reminder just how many listeners need to be reminded how special they are in God’s eyes,” says KLOVE Music Director Scott Smith. “’You Are More’ reminds millions of KLOVE listeners that because of Jesus, ‘they have been re-made!’ There is hope!” (To view "You Are More" music video, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tenthavenuenorth#p/u/0/q4Zn4_TluKE).
Programmers around the country have long noted both the timeliness and maturity displayed within Tenth Avenue North’s modern pop, and “You Are More” is no exception. “I’ve loved all of Tenth Avenue North's radio singles, but this one may be the best yet,” says Chris Crain, Assistant Program Director, WJIE/Louisville. “This song is the gospel message, set to great music. We really can’t play it enough and I think we’ll be playing it for years to come.”
Johnny Stone, Program Director at WAWZ/New York City, concurs: “Tenth Avenue North is incredibly talented and writes with great wisdom. It’s like an 800-year-old man resides in Mike
Donehey’s head!”
The energy contained within the new music on the band’s second full-length album The Light Meets The Dark has translated to audiences, with nearly 100,000 units scanned at retail since its May release. That energy is accelerated through its vibrant live shows, with more than half of the dates on the fall tour having sold out and promoters raving about the band’s interaction with fans.
“I’ve followed Tenth Avenue North as they’ve developed on the road and they’ve always been great at interacting with fans but I’m still amazed that they stick around until the very last person has been addressed. It’s who they are. These guys truly care about the people coming to the shows. It’s really a ministry to them,” shares Kevin Braun of Generation Exodus Concerts.
“Tenth Avenue North’s sophomore album picked up where its debut album left off. Transparency, truth, healing and hope have all continued to connect with the fans, which is very evident in the response we’ve seen by those attending the band’s Fall tour dates,” notes Kevin Huffman, Paradigm Agency. “We couldn’t be happier to be a part of what they’re doing. Having a band on its second national release headlining – and selling out -- a 40+city tour just doesn’t happen that often. We’re really proud to be part of the Tenth Avenue North team. ”
Further evidence of this band’s incredible momentum is visible in its long standing relationships including that with Compassion International. “These guys embody every aspect of what we look for in an advocate for children. One of my favorite things about Tenth Avenue North is that they were getting kids sponsored at their shows before they had a record deal and before they knew Compassion had an artist program,” shares Spence Smith, Artist Relations for Compassion International, the band’s primary tour partner. “When Mike Donehey speaks about the band’s heart for children living in poverty, the urgency of what he is saying can be felt throughout the room; I believe it’s why so many children are getting sponsored at their shows. Compassion is very honored to be partnered with Tenth Avenue North for the long haul and we are excited to be working on some broader plans to take things to the next level in our partnership with the band.”
Tenth Avenue North, the road steady, Dove Award-winning progressive pop band, is currently working its way through the summertime festival season, but with one eye on its ambitious (and already successful) headlining fall tour in support of its latest release, The Light Meets The Dark. The show line up features special guests Addison Road and acclaimed singer/songwriter Matt Maher, and will visit more than 35 markets starting in Jacksonville, Fla. on Sept. 11 and closing Nov. 6, at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
Through the band’s very active website www.tenthavenuenorth.com, longtime fans were able to pre-purchase tickets to the fall tour before they went on sale to the general public. The limited pre-sale allotment was exhausted in 16 of the markets in just 5 days. All regular sale tickets are now available for all dates.
Tenth Avenue North “The Light Meets The Dark Tour” With Special Guests Addison Road and Matt Maher (Not final list. Dates, Markets and Venues subject to change)
Sept. 11 - Trinity Baptist Church – Jacksonville, Fla.
Sept. 12 - Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church – Lexington, S.C.
Sept. 15 - River Raisin Center for the Arts – Monroe, Mich.
Sept. 16 - Kalamazoo First Assembly of God – Portage, Mich.
Sept. 17 - Madison Park Church – Anderson, Ind.
Sept. 18 - The Underground – Cincinnati, Ohio
Sept. 19 - Cole County Fair Grounds – Jefferson City, Mo.
Sept. 20 - Toyota Main Stage - Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sept. 22 - Eastern TX Baptist Univ. – Marshall, Texas
Sept. 23 - 2nd Baptist Church Woodway Campus – Houston, Texas
Sept. 24 - Baylor Univ (Island Party) – Waco, Texas
Sept. 25 - North Place Church – Sachse, Texas
Sept. 30 - The Chapel/Barrington – Barrington, Ill.
Oct. 1 - Valparaiso Nazarene Church
Oct. 2 - River Christian Church – Waukesha, Wis.
Oct. 3 - Northwestern College/Maranatha Hall – St. Paul, Minn.
Oct. 6 - Dixie Classic Fair - Winston Salem, N.C.
Oct. 7 - Chestnut Ridge Church – Morgantown, W.Va.
Oct. 8 - Reg Lenna Civic Center – Jamestown, N.Y.
Oct. 9 - Roberts Wesleyan College – Rochester, N.Y.
Oct. 10 - Willoughby Hills Friends Church - Willoughby Hills, Ohio
Oct. 15 - Taft High School – Taft, Calif.
Oct. 16 - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – Vallejo, Calif.
Oct. 17 - Golden State Theater – Monterey, Calif.
Oct. 20 - Ross Ragland Theater and Cultural Center – Klamath Falls, Ore.
Oct. 21 - Christian Life Center – Bend, Ore.
Oct. 22 - Mars Hill Church – Seattle, Wash.
Oct. 23 - Rolling Hills Community Church – Portland, Ore.
Oct. 24 - Turning Point Open Bible Church – Spokane, Wash.
Oct. 28 - Faith Bible Chapel Family Worship Center – Arvada, Colo.
Oct. 30 - Open Door Baptist Church – Kansas City, Kan.
Nov. 3 - Forest Hill Church – Charlotte, N.C.
Nov. 4 - Hylton Memorial Chapel – Woodbridge, Va.
Nov. 5 - Grace Fellowship Church – Timonium, Md.
Nov. 6 - Liberty University/Schilling Center – Lynchburg, Va.
Please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com for the most updated tour information.
On the heels of its hit single “By Your Side” receiving the prestigious Song of the Year honor at this year’s GMA Dove Awards, headliners Tenth Avenue North’s highly anticipated The Light Meets The Dark debuts at No. 1 on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 with first week scans of 21,583. The Light Meets the Dark also secured the No.1 Christian Album chart position at both iTunes and AmazonMP3, and reached Top 5 on the iTunes overall chart.
In addition, the album’s first single “Healing Begins” makes the biggest chart move this week from
No. 16 to No. 10 on Billboard’s National AC Christian Monitored chart. The song has seen a weekly audience growth of 20 percent, which translates to 4.6 million impressions and was second in most- increased spins at the format with a jump of 187 spins this week.
“Healing Begins” is currently ranked in the Top Ten of four different Billboard Christian radio airplay charts including: No. 10, National Christian Audience; No. 10, Christian AC Monitored; No. 8, Christian AC Indicator and No. 8, Christian CHR.
The band, who has performed for more than 400,000 on the Winter Jam Tour alone, and recently wrapped up the Casting Crowns “Until The Whole World Hears Tour,” also visited seven radio markets as it approached its release date. “Sunset Shows” were performed, in honor of its album’s title, in markets including: Seattle, L.A., Phoenix, New York City, Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach, the band’s hometown. All were free shows promoted by radio stations and averaged more than 1,500 in attendance per market. At the end of the promotional “Sunset Show” run, the band had played for more than 10,000 people.
Sarah Taylor, Music Director and On Air talent for CRISTA Broadcasting, shares, “Talk about an experience money can’t buy… Tenth Avenue North performed an exclusive concert for our audience, then stayed after the show to meet every single person! Plus, all concert attendees got to pick up ‘The Light Meets The Dark’ six days early! That event will be one of the highlights of 2010 for sure.”
In addition to radio support, the band continues to receive glowing reviews. Gmclife.com (formerly Gospel Music Channel) says, “Between Donehy’s vocals and the guitar/piano-driven pop-rock sound, The Light Meets the Dark will inevitably draw comparisons to the likes of Coldplay, Keane and Switchfoot’s lighter fare.… The Light Meets the Dark is a strong, honest, mature and musically addictive sophomore effort from a band with a very bright future ahead.”
And, “Sticking closely to its formula for success, Tenth Avenue North’s anticipated sophomore project, The Light Meets the Dark, is yet another collection of radio-friendly, melody-driven anthems that showcase the band’s gift for crafting songs that strike an immediate chord with listeners. And in this case, “radio-friendly” doesn’t mean the band sacrificed depth and authenticity when it comes to the album’s themes of brokenness, healing and mercy.”
That ability to challenge audiences to a deeper walk of faith while simultaneously encouraging them with the truth of God’s grace has propelled Tenth Avenue North to the forefront of the Christian music industry. The band’s debut disc placed tenth on Billboard Magazine’s list of Top Christian Albums for 2009. The group placed two songs on the Hot Christian Songs chart, including the No. 1 radio single, “By Your Side” at No. 2 and “Hold My Heart” at No. 13. The most impressive is the fact that Tenth Avenue North, still on its first album, had “By Your Side” place No. 3 on Billboard’s overall decade ranking of Christian Songs.
In addition to performing a closing slot on the 2010 Winter Jam tour and recently opening for Casting Crowns, Tenth Avenue North will resume a headlining tour in the fall, after its summer festival run. Dates and markets will be announced soon.
Tenth Avenue North continues to generate buzz as one of the Christian music’s most successful breakthrough bands by picking up the prestigious Song of the Year Dove Award for its hit, “By Your Side.” The song released to radio in late 2008 and garnered so much airplay that it ranked No. 3 on Billboard’s overall listing of Christian songs of the decade.
“The comfort that this song has brought has been way bigger than us and way bigger than a song,
and we just want to thank God for letting us be a part of that,” said Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North. Donehey wrote “By Your Side” with Over and Underneath co-producers Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp and Phillip LaRue. (Ingram, SESAC’s Christian Songwriter of the Year, was also named Producer of the Year last night. It was one of four Dove honors of the evening.)
Donehey also scored a trophy for his contribution to the Special Event Album winner, Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship.
Following the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards taping, the band boarded its tour bus to join GMA’s newly named Artist of the Year, Casting Crowns, on tour. Tenth Avenue North releases its highly anticipated sophomore album, The Light Meets The Dark on May 11.
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will air on Sunday, April 25th at 8pm EST on the Gospel Music Channel. www.watchgmctv.com.
Rarely has a new band delivered an album with more emotional punch than Tenth Avenue North’s 2008 debut Over and Underneath. Musically inventive and lyrically compelling, the song collection helped earn the band its prestigious New Artist of the Year accolade at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, one element that propelled the band to headliner status for the all of 2009. As evidenced by immediate impact at radio and at iTunes this week, Tenth Avenue North’s follow up The Light Meets the Dark is proving to be one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2010.
With one listen to The Light Meets the Dark, it is obvious Mike Donehey, (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer) and Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals), are taking a bold step forward on their musical journey. Once again their songs are poignant and powerful, and the band brings a seasoned level of musicianship and intensity, honed from two years of relentless touring.
Produced by Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp and Phillip LaRue, The Light Meets the Dark has delivered an impressive first single “Healing Begins” (released to radio on March 5). The song garnered 43 first-week adds among AC and CHR stations nationwide.
“Tenth Avenue North has worked well for us right from the start,” says Keith Stevens of New York City’s STAR 99.1. “As APD/MD, I'm always looking for songs that connect with our listeners. ‘Healing Begins’ connects right out of the gate.”
Another indication of the song’s incredible positive momentum is its position in the top of iTunes’ Christian and Gospel Songs chart, reaching No. 2, and selling more than 4,800 downloads its first two weeks of availability.
Like “Healing Begins,” all of the songs on the band’s sophomore release are authentic, heartfelt and confessional. “On this record I really tried to be honest about how messed up I am,” Donehey says. “We wanted it to be a collision between our hearts and God’s truth. His grace collides with the dark inside of us. His blood can cover us and I’m trying to call people out and say ‘Look, please do not hide your darkness. Expose that to the light.’ I know that’s the scariest thought, but its where freedom and healing starts to take place. It’s where it all starts to happen.”
While Over and Underneath quickly established Tenth Avenue North as one of the Christian music community’s most talented bands, lead vocalist/principal songwriter Donehey began drawing comparisons to such visionary leaders as Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, Third Day’s Mac Powell and Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine.
For many young musicians, such early success may have proved paralyzing, but not for Tenth
Avenue North. Music for them has never been about awards and CD sales, but about the chance to impact lives.
“It’s been kind of crazy I guess when you think about it,” Donehey says with a smile. “In a lot of ways, we don’t feel like anything has changed. When we get up on a stage, more people are there to see us play and more people are familiar with the songs, but the objective really hasn’t changed. The objective is for people to encounter truth and be changed.” Tenth Avenue North meets that objective head on with the music on The Light Meets the Dark.
That ability to challenge audiences to a deeper walk of faith while simultaneously encouraging them with the truth of God’s grace has propelled Tenth Avenue North to the forefront of the Christian music industry. The band’s debut disc placed tenth on Billboard Magazine’s list of Top Christian Albums for 2009. The group placed two songs on the Hot Christian Songs chart, including the No. 1 radio single, “By Your Side” at No. 2 and “Hold My Heart” at No. 13. The most impressive is the fact that Tenth Avenue North, still on its first album, had “By Your Side” place No. 3 on Billboard’s overall decade ranking of Christian Songs.
2010 has already reflected notable successes for the band, as it picked up two key nominations for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. The band was honored with nods in two of the prestigious general categories for the Doves, notching a Song of the Year mention for “By Your Side” from Over and Underneath, as well as a nomination for Group of the Year.
Tenth Avenue North saw its live performance profile take off in 2009, with its “Inside and In Between” Tour (its first as headliners) seeing sell-out shows in more than half the markets it visited.
Currently a closing artist on the Winter Jam tour, Tenth Avenue North will hit the road with Casting Crowns on its “Until The Whole World Hears” tour April 1 in Dayton, Ohio. Its summer is booked with festivals and a second headlining tour plus a major fall tour, spanning 40 cities, will be officially announced in mid April, and goes on sale May 1st.
Tenth Avenue North, 2009’s GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year, picked up where they left off last year, notching two nominations for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards.
The band was honored with nominations in two of the prestigious general categories for the Doves, notching a Song of the Year mention for “By Your Side” from its debut project Over and Underneath, as well as a nomination for Group of the Year.
The most recent Dove Award nominations highlight the career momentum the young band has worked incredibly hard to achieve, featuring retail, radio and live performance success. “By Your Side” and “Hold My Heart” (co-written by Tenth Avenue North frontman Mike Donehey and Jason Ingram) from Over and Underneath were recently spotlighted by the performance rights organization, SESAC, at a recent awards banquet.
Tenth Avenue North saw its live performance profile take off in 2009, with the band’s “Inside and In Between” Tour (its first as headliners) seeing sell-out shows in several markets. The band was also the only artist in 2009 to place two songs (“By Your Side” and “Hold My Heart”) simultaneously in the AC Monitored Top 10.
The popular nationally syndicated “Total Axxess” radio show premieres its first-ever “Acoustic Christmas” this week, featuring intimate, in-studio performances with a high-profile artist lineup, kicking off today, Dec. 14, with GMA’s “New Artist of the Year,” Tenth Avenue North. GRAMMY-winning, progressive band Jars of Clay performs Tuesday, followed by GRAMMY-nominated, modern rockers Red on Wednesday, and wrapping Thursday with GMA’s “Male Vocalist of the Year,” Brandon Heath.
*Check local listings for air times.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Christian music’s largest annual tour, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular, will hit 44 cities beginning in January and is slated to feature some of the top artists in Christian music. Hosted for the 15th consecutive year by GRAMMY-nominated NewSong, the Tour will also include multi-platinum Reunion recording artist Third Day; internationally-renowned Inpop recording artist Newsboys; Dove Award-winning Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; acclaimed Flicker recording artist Fireflight; and guest speaker Tony Nolan.
Winter Jam 2010 will kick-off January 8 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, stopping in Atlanta; Cincinnati; Oklahoma City; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; Wichita, Kansas; Nashville, Tennessee; Champaign, Illinois; and Des Moines, Iowa, among other cities, before concluding March 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Admission is $10 at the door, and in addition to the main show artists, the Tour will include a Pre-Jam Party with Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre and Revive.
“Our vision has always been to bring together great music, the Gospel message, and a low admission price in some of the biggest venues in the country,” said Eddie Carswell, NewSong founding member and Winter Jam creator. “We want families and youth groups to enjoy a night of top-notch entertainment that serves a greater purpose.”
“This year’s Winter Jam line-up is a great mix of some of the most respected artists in Christian music along with some of the brightest new acts,” said Roy Morgan, owner, Premier Productions, producer of Winter Jam. “We are honored to continue our partnership with NewSong for another year of excellent music and ministry.”
The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular ranked among the largest tours in the world, according to Pollstar's First Quarter Attendance Chart. Earlier this year Winter Jam received the GMA Impact Award, which is presented to "the non-artist individual or organization that has made the most significant impact on the gospel music industry over the last two or three years.” In addition, Winter Jam 2009 was voted both "Concert of the Year" by Gospel Music Channel viewers and "Best Tour" in the CCMmagazine.com Readers' Choice Awards.
Presented by Holt International, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is also sponsored by the American Bible Society, HearItFirst.com, Camp Electric, Premier Christian Cruises, All Access Merchandising, Texas TransEastern, Xtreme Conferences, and Wayne E. Bailey Produce.
Tenth Avenue North, the reigning GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year, wrapped its 12-city “Inside and In Between” Tour last week performing before 7,000 fans and seeing an incredible six shows sold out. The tour, the band’s first headlining effort, is the latest evidence of Tenth Avenue North’s steady ascension since the May 2008 release of its debut, Over and Underneath (Reunion Records), which made them the best-selling new Christian artist of 2008 and is moving strongly toward the 180,000 sales mark and spending 70 weeks on the Top Current Contemporary Christian Chart.
Tenth Avenue North’s second single “Hold My Heart,” tallied 12 million impressions this week, and has proven to be another double-chart smash (currently No. 6 AC Monitored and No. 3 CHR), distinguishing the band as the only artist this year to place two songs (the other being “By Your Side”) simultaneously in the AC Monitored Top 10.
The title of the tour comes from a lyric in the song “Times,” from Over and Underneath: “My love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between,” as it speaks of Christ’s love for us. According to lead vocalist Mike Donehey, the Inside and In Between experience is designed “to remind people of the audacious grace and impenetrable love offered to them through Jesus Christ. Our hope with this tour is that people would encounter truth, and be moved and changed by that truth. We want this to be a place and a time that people can experience community.”
Promoters for the sold out shows in Cartersville, Ga.; Omaha, Neb.; Baytown, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Lake Zurich, Ill. were very excited to share their tour experiences.
“The ‘Inside and In Between’ Tour was the first concert event we did in our new facility and it could not have been more a perfect choice,” said Will Goodwin, Cartersville, Ga. “Tenth Avenue North was phenomenal as expected but Brenton Brown’s transparent authenticity and Audrey Assad’s brilliant voice were the quintessential appetizer to a glorious three course worshipful feast.”
“I was proud to bring in Tenth Avenue North and will do it again. Tenth Avenue has a pure joy about getting up on stage and leading others toward Christ,” said Andy Turner, Omaha, Neb.
“Our night with Tenth Avenue North was terrific!” said Kevin Pate, Baytown, Texas. “It was a time of great worship, music, and truth. Our sold out crowd loved their message and the presentation was excellent. It is a blessing to put a show together with guys that are the same backstage as they are on stage. Authentic!”
“Working with Tenth Avenue North was a phenomenal experience for our production company and the hosting church,” said Chris Linhart, Indianapolis, Ind. “From the moment they arrived it was apparent that the band was ‘the real deal’ and very much into ministering to people in the audience.”
“Tenth Avenue North was by far the best show we’ve done to date,” said Keri Rohde, Lake Zurich, Ill. “The guys have such a heart for Christ, and it is evident in how they interact with people, as well as while they are on the stage.”
Tenth Avenue North, the reigning GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year, hits another milestone in a soaring career by launching its first headlining tour this week in Indianapolis. The “Inside and In Between Tour,” currently scheduled in 14 cities through September, kicks off on Thursday, September 3, at Indianapolis’ Lifepoint Church. Joining Tenth Avenue North on all dates will be singer/songwriter Audrey Assad (EMI/CMG) and worship leader Brenton Brown (Survivor/Kingsway).
The tour is the latest evidence of Tenth Avenue North’s steady ascension since the May 2008 release of its debut, Over and Underneath (Reunion Records), which made them the best-selling new Christian artist of 2008 and is moving strongly toward the 175,000 sales mark holding on to a No. 9 chart position last week. The album’s breakout single, “By Your Side” – which has surpassed 800 million cumulative impressions – enjoyed a 43-week stay in the Top 10 on the AC Monitored chart and reached No. 1 on the R&R AC Indicator and CHR charts, making Tenth Avenue North the only new artist in the past year to have two multi-format No. 1s.
Follow-up single “Hold My Heart,” tallying 10 million impressions weekly, has proved to be another double-chart smash (currently No. 8 AC Monitored and No. 4 CHR), distinguishing the band as the only artist this year to place two songs simultaneously in the AC Monitored Top 10.
“'Hold My Heart’ is quality music, with a quality message! At one time or another, we will all be in a place crying out to God asking Him to make His presence known in our lives. Tenth Avenue North paints that picture beautifully,” says Michael Grimm, KLJC -FM/Kansas City.
Tenth Avenue North’s victory at the 2009 GMA Dove Awards in the New Artist category – an honor voted by industry and fans – underscored its growing reputation as an intensely fan-connected band that is “part of a new wave of artists breathing life into the CCM format” (Don Schaeffer, WVFJ-FM/Atlanta).
Ed Lomnicki of Chicago-based Edan concerts (www.edanconcerts.com) shares, “One of the main reasons I wanted to bring Tenth Avenue North into our market was because of the excitement the band created at this year’s Ignite Chicago Festival. They really connected with the crowd and I got a good sense of their passion and love for the Lord. These guys simply have an ability to be transparent with their audience...This may explain why we sold out in just 2 weeks!”
The title of the tour comes from a lyric in the song “Times,” from Over and Underneath: “My love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between,” as it speaks of Christ’s love for us. According to lead vocalist Mike Donehey, the Inside and In Between experience is designed “to remind people of the audacious grace and impenetrable love offered to them through Jesus Christ. Our hope with this tour is that people would encounter truth, and be moved and changed by that truth. We want this to be a place and a time that people can experience community.”
Over and Underneath Tour Dates:
9/3 – Indianapolis, Ind. Lifepoint Church
9/4 – Lake Zurich, Ill. Harvest Bible Church
9/9 – Papillion, Neb. Sumter Amphitheater at Walnut Creek
9/10 – Oklahoma City, Okla. Oklahoma City Faith
9/11 – Carrollton, Texas First Church Carrollton
9/12 – San Antonio, Texas TriPoint Club
9/13 – Baytown, Texas Second Baptist Church
9/15 – Columbia, S.C. Columbia Metro/First Baptist Church
9/16 – Cartersville, Ga. The House of Rock/Oakleaf Church
9/18 – Silver Spring, Md. Immanuel’s Church
9/19 – Middleton N.J. New Monmouth Baptist Church
9/20 – Glen Allen, Va. Mount Vernon Baptist Church
*Itinerary is subject to change without advance notice.
Tenth Avenue North wants to answer questions from you, the fans, on their first headlining tour, Inside and In Between, beginning September 3. Dying to ask Mike something about his lyrics or need some advice on something you’ve been wrestling with? Now is your chance!
Email
info@tenthavenuenorth.com to submit your question(s) for Tenth Ave, but also let us know if you have any questions for Brenton Brown or Audrey Assad as well. Be sure to include your name and hometown in your post.
Here’s an example below.
Mike,
I recently moved and I’ve been having a hard time finding a church where I feel like I fit in. Do you have any advice?
Samantha
Chicago, IL
If you aren’t able to make it out to the tour, we’re going to post some of the Q&A sessions right here on HearItFirst.com, so check back soon!
Honored at this year’s GMA Dove Awards as the industry’s New Artist of the Year, Tenth Avenue North gears up for its first headlining tour launching on Sept. 3. Special guests include singer/songwriter Audrey Assad (EMICMG) and worship leader Brenton Brown (Survivor/Kingsway). While a full list of markets and venues have not yet been released, the “Inside and In Between” tour has been confirmed in five major cities including Indianapolis, Ind.; Omaha, Neb.; San Antonio, TX; Houston, TX and Washington, DC.
“I’m unbelievably excited about this tour and the artists that we have coming out with us. Brenton and Audrey are deep thinkers and compassionate souls. Our hope with this tour is that people would encounter truth, and be moved and changed by that truth,” shares Mike Donehey, Tenth Avenue North. “We want this to be a place and time that people can experience community, and hopefully, walk away with a deeper understanding of the gospel.”
“We are excited about Tenth Avenue North’s first headline tour this Fall,” shares Kevin Huffman, TCAA/Paradigm. “With them being a part of larger tours over the past year, many fans have only become familiar with the band’s music. This time out, audiences will get to experience more of what the band is about at its core. They’ll really get to hear the heart behind Tenth Avenue North.”
Earlier this year Tenth Avenue North performed on the “Rock & Worship Road Show” with MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson and Addison Road. With almost 170,000 in attendance at the shows and nearly 75,000 people watching online, Tenth Avenue North was given a huge platform to share its message of hope.
“We had the opportunity to work with Tenth Avenue North on the ‘Rock & Worship Roadshow’ this Spring and were very impressed with the band’s art and ministry. As result of that experience we jumped at the chance to be involved in Tenth Avenue North’s headlining Fall Tour,” offers Jacob Reiser, Rush Concerts promoter.
Tenth Avenue North got its tour name from the very moving, “Times” from its Over and Underneath project. The lyric says: “My love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between,” as it speaks of Christ’s love for us. According to Mike Donehey, lead vocalist for Tenth Avenue North, the “Inside and In Between” tour is designed “to remind people of the audacious grace and impenetrable love offered to them through Jesus Christ. If people can get that, then this tour will have been a success.”
Tenth Avenue North’s breakout single “By Your Side” remains the second most played single on the Billboard’s National Chart this week, one full year after its release to radio. The new single “Hold My Heart” jumped from No. 26 to No. 22 at AC Monitored and broke into the Top 25 at AC Indicator this week.
(Nashville, Tenn.) July 9, 2009 – Honored at this year’s GMA Dove Awards as the industry’s New Artist of the Year, Tenth Avenue North gears up for its first headlining tour launching on Sept. 3. Special guests include singer/songwriter Audrey Assad (EMICMG) and worship leader Brenton Brown (Survivor/Kingsway). While a full list of markets and venues have not yet been released, the “Inside and In Between” tour has been confirmed in five major cities including Indianapolis, Ind.; Omaha, Neb.; San Antonio, TX; Houston, TX and Washington, DC.
“I’m unbelievably excited about this tour and the artists that we have coming out with us. Brenton and Audrey are deep thinkers and compassionate souls. Our hope with this tour is that people would encounter truth, and be moved and changed by that truth,” shares Mike Donehey, Tenth Avenue North. “We want this to be a place and time that people can experience community, and hopefully, walk away with a deeper understanding of the gospel.”
“We are excited about Tenth Avenue North’s first headline tour this Fall,” shares Kevin Huffman, TCAA/Paradigm. “With them being a part of larger tours over the past year, many fans have only become familiar with the band’s music. This time out, audiences will get to experience more of what the band is about at its core. They’ll really get to hear the heart behind Tenth Avenue North.”
Earlier this year Tenth Avenue North performed on the “Rock & Worship Road Show” with MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson and Addison Road. With almost 170,000 in attendance at the shows and nearly 75,000 people watching online, Tenth Avenue North was given a huge platform to share its message of hope.
“We had the opportunity to work with Tenth Avenue North on the ‘Rock & Worship Roadshow’ this Spring and were very impressed with the band’s art and ministry. As result of that experience we jumped at the chance to be involved in Tenth Avenue North’s headlining Fall Tour,” offers Jacob Reiser, Rush Concerts promoter.
Tenth Avenue North got its tour name from the very moving, “Times” from its Over and Underneath project. The lyric says: “My love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between,” as it speaks of Christ’s love for us. According to Mike Donehey, lead vocalist for Tenth Avenue North, the “Inside and In Between” tour is designed “to remind people of the audacious grace and impenetrable love offered to them through Jesus Christ. If people can get that, then this tour will have been a success.”
Tenth Avenue North’s breakout single “By Your Side” remains the second most played single on the Billboard’s National Chart this week, one full year after its release to radio. The new single “Hold My Heart” jumped from No. 26 to No. 22 at AC Monitored and broke into the Top 25 at AC Indicator this week.
“To say this band is going to be the ‘next big thing’ feels like an understatement.”
-Billboard Magazine
(Nashville, Tenn.) April 24, 2009 – Tenth Avenue North, the Best Selling and Most Played New Artist of 2008 (according to Nielsen SoundScan and R&R’s Year End Chart) was named New Artist of the Year by industry and fans last night at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The show was broadcast live on the Gospel Music Channel from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House. This is the first year that fans were invited to vote in the New Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Year categories.
Early in the telecast, the band performed its chart-topping hit, “By Your Side,” as fan-votes poured in via text and through GMC’s website. Later in the show, when Tenth Avenue North was announced the winner, the audience responded with a standing ovation.
Following the announcement, the band was escorted to the press room where Mike Donehey, lead singer, shared, “We felt so honored just to be nominated among the other new artists, and to be quite honest, we really couldn’t believe that we won. We are so thankful and so incredibly humbled to be recognized this way. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
Tenth Avenue North, made up of members Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), became the best selling new Christian artist of 2008, recently crossing the 100,000 sales mark, with its May 20, 2008 Reunion Records debut, Over and Underneath.
In addition, the band is the only new artist to have claimed No. 1 radio singles on multiple charts with, “Love is Here” and “By Your Side” both topping charts in 2008. The band kicked off 2009 with another No.1 as “By Your Side” claimed the top spot on the R&R CHR chart (1/29/09). This marked the band’s third No. 1 and made them the only new artist in the last year to have a multi-format No.1.
Tenth Avenue North has toured extensively over the last year in support of its debut album, recently wrapping an impressive run of shows with MercyMe on the “Rock & Worship Road Show.”
Tenth Avenue North, the Best Selling and Most Played New Artist of 2008 (according to Nielsen SoundScan and R&R’s Year End Chart) is celebrated yet again with its first GMA Dove Awards nomination in the New Artist of the Year category.
This honor comes on the heels of the band’s recent radio success as “By Your Side” claimed the No. 1 spot on R&R’s CHR chart, just a few weeks ago. This marked the third time Tenth Avenue North had held the No. 1 spot on radio charts and gave the band its first multi-format No. 1. With the success of “By Your Side,” Tenth Avenue North joined Third Day, Brandon Heath and Jeremy Camp as the only artists in past 12 months to celebrate multi-format No. 1s.
“By Your Side,” previously No. 1 on R&R’s AC Indicator chart (12/08), is also the band’s second career No. 1 at CHR and its third career No. 1 since the May 20 release of its top-selling debut album, Over and Underneath.
Of the band’s nomination, Mike Donehey, Tenth Avenue North’s lead vocalist, shares, “We’re extremely humbled to be nominated and so incredibly grateful to get to do what we do. We’re thankful to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey and look forward to seeing all of you on the road this spring!”
This year fans have an opportunity to vote for the winner of New Artist of the Year along with Artist of the Year. Fan voting, which will be conducted through the Gospel Music Channel website (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) and at www.doveawards.com, will open on Feb. 26, the same day online voting opens for GMA members.
The cumulative fan vote, which will continue through the live Dove Awards broadcast, will account for one-third of the total vote in those two categories. Dove Awards will be handed out Thursday, April 23rd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN and broadcast live nationwide on Gospel Music Channel.
Tenth Avenue North has toured extensively over the last year in support of its debut album and will continue its impressive run of shows as it joins MercyMe on the “Rock & Worship Road Show.” The 20-city tour begins March 17 in Billings, Mont. Please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com/tour for specific tour venues and times.
Tenth Avenue North, the sales and radio breakout new artist of 2008, finished the year as the best selling new Christian artist according to Nielsen SoundScan with nearly 60,000 in physical sales and the only new artist to break the 100,000 digital download mark since the May 20 release of its debut album, Over and Underneath. In addition, the band is the only new artist to have claimed two No. 1 radio singles with, “Love is Here” and “By Your Side” both topping radio charts in 2008.
An early predictor of the band’s success is noted in the pages of Billboard Magazine (May 31, 2008) as the review reads, “The hit single ‘Love Is Here’ is a perfect introduction to this extraordinary project. This potent combination of music and lyrics adds up to the year’s best Christian debut.”
In addition to gatekeeper acclaim, the band has been honored by fans who voted it “Best New Artist” in the Christianitytoday.com 2008 Readers’ Choice Christian Music Awards.
Industry leaders concur as they offer praise of the breakthrough new artist:
“Spend a few minutes talking with Mike Donehey, lead singer of the band Tenth Avenue North, and you’ll begin to wonder if he’s hiding a concordance up his sleeve. The guy seemingly quotes Scripture with every other sentence. But, he’s the real deal; the kind of artist that should have both a microphone and a platform, and Tenth Avenue North’s music is a direct reflection of the artist. The depth, and solid spiritual truth, on the band's debut, Over and Underneath, makes it not just an album of songs, but pure musical discipleship. Two thumbs way, way up!”
- Laurin Makohon, Editor, YW Magazine
“It’s really nice to see the phones light up for a new band.”
- Jim Beeler, Music Director KSBJ
“Tenth Avenue North is definitely a band to keep an eye on. I’m so impressed with these guys and excited to see how God is going to use them – they are the real deal!”
- Eric Allen, Air 1 Program Director
“Tenth Avenue North’s stage presence is electric. The band members are personally engaging and their music is both spiritually significant and culturally relevant.”
-Bob Thompson, President, Christian Festival Association
“The belief in Tenth Avenue North from the festival buyers and promoters is remarkable. They have really caught the vision of the band’s ministry and passion for the church. I don't recall having a band that fits into so many places and with so much honesty and such a compelling live show. They truly are a band worth championing. We are excited about the future and honored to stand beside them as they continue to grow.”
- Mike Snider, Third Coast Booking Agency President
“Compassion is proud to be partnering with Tenth Avenue North. They are kindred souls. Their hearts are broken by the same things ours are broken by. They take to heart what Jesus said when he told the disciples, ‘Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’”
- Dr. Wess Stafford, President and CEO, Compassion International
As the band readies for a busy 2009, a major spring tour announcement is expected early next week.
About Tenth Avenue North:
With one listen to Tenth Avenue North’s unique brand of intellectual, melodic pop-rock, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. Band members are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior.
Tenth Avenue North, made up of members Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), broke ground on several fronts in 2008. The band became the best selling new Christian artist, according to Nielsen SoundScan, with nearly 60,000 in physical sales, and the only new artist to break the 100,000 digital download mark since the May 20 release of its debut album, Over and Underneath. In addition, the band is the only new artist in 2008 to have claimed two No. 1 radio singles with, “Love is Here” and “By Your Side” both topping charts last year.
For up-to-date information on Tenth Avenue North please visit:
www.tenthavenuenorth.com, www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth or www.reunionrecords.com
(Nashville, Tenn.) January 29, 2009 — Tenth Avenue North, the Best Selling and Most Played New Artist of 2008 (according to R&R’s Year End Chart) claims the No. 1 spot on the charts for the third time in its career, and first multi-format No.1, as “By Your Side” tops R&R’s CHR chart this week.
“By Your Side,” previously No. 1 on R&R’s AC Indicator chart (12/08), is also the band’s second career No. 1 at CHR and its third career No. 1 since the May 20 release of its top-selling debut album, Over and Underneath.
Tenth Avenue North has toured extensively over the last year in support of its debut album and will continue its impressive run of shows as it joins MercyMe on the “Rock & Worship Road Show.” The 20-city tour begins March 17 in Billings, Mont. Please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com/tour for specific tour venues and times.
About Tenth Avenue North:
With one listen to Tenth Avenue North’s unique brand of intellectual, melodic pop-rock, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. Band members are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior.
Tenth Avenue North, made up of members Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), broke ground on several fronts in 2008. The band became the best selling new Christian artist, according to Nielsen SoundScan, with nearly 60,000 in physical sales, and the only new artist to break the 100,000 digital download mark since the May 20 release of its debut album, Over and Underneath. In addition, the band is the only new artist in 2008 to have claimed two No. 1 radio singles with, “Love is Here” and “By Your Side” both topping charts last year. The band kicked off 2009 by revisiting the top of the radio charts with “By Your Side” on Jan. 26, 2009 as the song hit No. 1 on the R&R CHR Chart making it the only new artist to have a multi-format No.1 in the prior 12 months.
With the success of its debut album, Over
and Underneath, Tenth Avenue North readies for one of
the most anticipated tours of the spring, the “Rock & Worship Road
Show”. The lineup for the tour includes Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Hawk
Nelson and Addison Road. The tour will launch on March 17th in
Billings, MT and will hit over 20 U.S. Markets. In addition to bringing a night
of exciting performances, the tour is also dedicated to helping kids with
juvenile diabetes. The “Rock & Worship Road Show” is teaming up with “Imagine
A Cure,” a non profit organization to support
research that will lead to a cure for juvenile diabetes. For more
information about Tenth Avenue North or to see a tour list visit: www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
(Nashville, Tenn.) December 12, 2008 — Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North is at the top of the radio charts again this week with its hit song “By Your Side” claiming the No.1 spot on R&R’s AC Indicator chart. “By Your Side,” off of the band’s debut album Over and Underneath (5/20/2008), joins its first radio single, “Love Is Here” as a No. 1 hit and makes Tenth Avenue North the only new artist in Christian music to have multiple No. 1 singles in 2008. “Love Is Here,” reached No. 1 on the CRW CHR radio chart earlier this year.
Also impacting this week is news of Tenth Avenue North receiving the 2008 Readers’ Choice Christian Music Award for “Best New Artist.” The award is given by Christianitytoday.com and voted on by Christian music fans.
A very moved Mike Donehey, the band’s lead vocalist, shares, “This is completely humbling and encouraging. Being recognized at radio and by fans is definitely an honor. We pray that God would continue to give us the grace to get out of the way long enough for people to see Him.”
Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), have been featuring its brand of intellectual melodic pop-rock on its debut album Over and Underneath (5/20). “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.”
With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior. For up-to-date information on Tenth Avenue North please visit: www.tenthavenuenorth.com, www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth, or www.reunionrecords.com.
Reunion
recording artist
Tenth Avenue North is at the top of the radio
charts again this week with its hit song
“By Your Side”
claiming the No.1 spot on
R&R’s AC Indicator chart. “By Your
Side,” off of the band’s debut album
Over and Underneath (5/20/2008),
joins its first radio single, “Love Is Here” as a No. 1 hit and makes Tenth
Avenue North the only new artist in Christian music to have multiple No. 1
singles in 2008. “Love Is Here,” reached No. 1 on the CRW CHR radio chart
earlier this year. Also impacting this week is news of Tenth Avenue North
receiving the
2008 Readers’ Choice Christian Music Award for “
Best
New Artist.” The award is given by Christianitytoday.com and voted on
by Christian music fans. A very moved Mike Donehey, the band’s lead vocalist,
shares, “This is completely humbling and encouraging. Being recognized at
radio and by fans is definitely an honor. We pray that God would continue
to give us the grace to get out of the way long enough for people to see Him.”
For more information about Tenth Avenue North, please visit:
www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
Tenth Avenue North is featured in the Jan-Feb 2009 issue
of Devozine, discussing why reading the Bible and being
grounded in the word is so important. Mike Donehey told Devozine,
“I try to incorporate scripture into my life, in every moment of every day. I
want it to be something that’s hidden in my heart, something that has tamed my
heart and has taught my heart how to feel. We need to wrap our emotions around
truth, not the other way around.” Tenth Avenue North went on to explain the
struggles that each of the band members personally have when dealing with
scripture. For more information about Tenth Avenue North please visit: www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
Tenth
Avenue North (Reunion
Records) is proud to announce its new partnership with child sponsorship
organization, Compassion International. Mike Donehey, lead vocalist and
songwriter for Tenth Avenue North, stated, “One of the things we love most
about Compassion is that it’s not about Compassion. If you go to one of their
sites you won’t see a Compassion banner, but instead you’ll see the church in
that area giving to their community exactly what it needs. The empowering of
the local church to be the hands and feet of Jesus is what we want to be about,
and its what we feel Compassion does best.” Wess Stafford, President,
Compassion International commented, “I’m thrilled that Tenth Avenue North will
be joining Compassion’s effort to release children from the evil of poverty
throughout the world in Jesus name. I’m confident that the Lord will use the
message and example of Tenth Avenue North in a mighty way to draw caring
sponsors into the lives of children who so desperately need to hear His message
of love and hope.” For more information on Tenth Avenue North, please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
(Nashville,
Tenn.) August 21, 2008 — Tenth Avenue North recently
signed an endorsement deal with Westone Laboratories, Inc. The
band will specifically be using Westone’s Elite Series custom fit In-Ear
Musicians’ Monitors. Each custom fit musicians’ monitor is hand crafted to fit
the individual, providing the artist with a consistent fit and seal. Westone
In-Ear Musicians Monitors allow Tenth Avenue North to hear their music with
more detail and clarity than ever before, while reducing the onstage volume.
“Westone
is proud to have Tenth Avenue North as a part of our ever growing family of
artists,” says Dale Douglass, Artist & Dealer Relations for Westone. “It is
a privilege to have such a talented group using our products, and we look
forward to a long term relationship.”
Tenth
Avenue North, made up of members Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar),
Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and
Scott Sanders (bass guitar), has been featuring its brand of intellectual,
melodic, pop-rock on the road in support of its debut project, Over and
Underneath, which has already yielded a No. 1 radio hit, “Love Is
Here,” and whose second single “By Your Side,” is currently gaining momentum on
radio airwaves nationwide.
Reunion Records artist Tenth
Avenue North will be busy in the next few weeks. Starting this
Sunday, the band will be heading to Orlando, Flor., for a performance at the International
Christian Retail Show (ICRS). After that, the guys
are flying out for a visit with Focus On the Family in Colorado Springs, Colo.,
to perform at the Focus on the Family Chapel on Friday morning. Then, the
four-piece will be playing alongside MercyMe and David Crowder Band, before
heading to Creation West and Soul Fest for a few main stage performances. Tenth
Avenue North’s second single, “By Your Side,” from its current album Over
and Underneath will be released to radio on July 11th.
For more info on Tenth Avenue North, please visit www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
Nashville, Tenn.) June 19, 2008 — Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North claims its first No. 1 at radio this week as it tops the Christian Radio Weekly (CRW) radio-impressions chart with its debut single, “Love Is Here.” The song, from its May 20 release, Over and Underneath, has garnered a total of 11,913,700 million impressions and is also ranked No. 6 on the R&R Christian AC Monitored chart and No. 2 on the R&R Christian CHR chart, a major achievement for a new band in any genre.
In addition to great radio momentum, the band continues to receive incredible support from media. Feature stories and reviews have already run in Christian Retailing, CBA Retailers+Resources and YouthWalk. Billboard Magazine, in its May 31 edition noted, “This potent combination of music and lyrics adds up to the year’s best Christian debut.”
Tenth Avenue North, made up of members Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), has been featuring its brand of intellectual, melodic, pop-rock on tour in support of its single, “Love Is Here,” and its debut project, Over and Underneath. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.”
With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior. Discover more about this up-and-coming band at www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
(Nashville, Tenn.) May 23, 2008 — Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North has spent the past week atop the iTunes charts with its national debut Over and Underneath claiming the No. 1 Christian Album spot and “Love Is Here” in the Top 10 on the iTunes Christian Songs Chart. The album has also been in iTunes’ Top 50 overall sales chart, which ranks all genres of music available on the site. These sales rankings are not typically achieved by new artists at street week.
In addition, Tenth Avenue North spent part of its street week in Orlando, Fl. visiting media and radio, and performed for a crowd of more than 1,200 at Northland Church. The show, sponsored by Z88.3, ran for more than two hours after which the band signed autographs until after midnight.
Jeff Cruz, Assistant Program Director/Donor Relations for Z88.3 shares, “These guys are the real deal. From the impactful lyrics, engaging melodies, and high energy performance, Tenth Avenue North made this quite a show. When you add in the fact that Mike can so wonderfully speak to the crowd with the feel of an eloquent young pastor who has walked in their shoes, it became an experience that most concerts just do not achieve. I know that the 1,200 listeners there not only had a great time, but also felt the true presence of God! ‘Love Is Here’ is a great example of that passion and spirit. Listeners to Z88.3 are loving the song because of the message of hope and love, delivered in a magnificent musical package. And that is just the first song from the album! We can not wait to hear more from them.”
The band will continue to visit cities nationwide through the summer and early fall in promotion of Over and Underneath. Further information on tour dates will be made available in coming weeks.
Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), has been featuring its brand of intellectual melodic pop-rock on its promotional tour in support of “Love Is Here,” as well as its upcoming album project, Over and Underneath. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.”
With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior. Discover more about this up-and-coming band at
www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
For up-to-date information on Tenth Avenue North, including tour itinerary, please visit:
www.tenthavenuenorth.com,
www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth.com, or
www.reunionrecords.com.
Nashville, Tenn. (May 7, 2008)
— Reunion recording artist
Tenth Avenue North is featured in the May 10 edition of
Billboard Magazine. The piece highlights the band’s momentum at radio and consistent success on the road. Deborah Evans Price,
Billboard’s Christian/gospel music correspondent, also underscores the band’s unique lyrical depth as a distinguishing feature; a consistent opinion among listeners. Please click on the link to access the full story:
http://www.reunionrecords.com/interactive/tenthavenuenorth/media/TenthAvenueNorth_Billboard.pdf.
“Love Is Here,” the band’s debut single, is currently in the Top 10 on R&R’s AC and CHR charts, with five more stations adding this week in markets including: Green Bay, Wis.; Louisville, Ky.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Erie, Pa. and South Bend, Ind. At present, the band is seeing more than 10 million weekly impressions at radio.
Tenth Avenue North continues to tour in support of Over and Underneath, which drops on May 20.
Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), have been featuring its brand of intellectual melodic pop-rock on its 21-city promotional tour in support of “Love Is Here,” as well as its upcoming album project, Over and Underneath. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.”
With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior. Discover more about this up-and-coming band at
www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 13, 2008) — Having recently wrapped a month-long promotional tour for the May 20 release of its debut album Over and Underneath, Tenth Avenue North received news that its single “Love Is Here” broke into the Top 20 on the R&R AC Monitored chart this week with adds from several key outlets including KLTY in Dallas. Cumulative impressions of the song currently exceed six million; evidence of its genuine connection with listeners.
Following a recent station visit, Jason Sharp, PD of KTIS in Minneapolis, MN shared of the band, “We very much enjoyed having Tenth Avenue North in the Twin Cities. Mike’s passion for the Gospel is contagious and it challenged us on many levels! And … ‘Love is Here’ sounds great on 98.5 KTIS!”
Tenth Avenue North is also receiving early coverage at media with a spotlight in the March 10 edition of Christian Retailing which highlights the band’s start at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, where lead singer/songwriter Mike Donehey and bandmates attended college and eventually formed Tenth Avenue North.
Stereotruth.com posts, “For a major label debut, it’s obvious that these guys have a solid chemistry and know how to craft a good song.”
In addition, Donehey is a featured contributor in Youthworker Journal’s 2008 College Bound edition, delivered with the March edition of CCM Magazine, and in the April edition of CCM Magazine where he penned a mini-feature on Michael W. Smith.
Tenth Avenue North continues to make its way around the country as it performs dates with MercyMe, David Crowder Band and hits the main stages at festivals including Ignite Festival, Creation East, Creation West and Soul Fest.
Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), have been featuring its brand of intellectual melodic pop-rock on its 21-city promotional tour in support of “Love Is Here” as well as its upcoming album project Over and Underneath. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.”
With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior. Discover more about this up-and-coming band at www.tenthavenuenorth.com.
For up-to-date information on Tenth Avenue North, including tour itinerary, please visit:
www.tenthavenuenorth.com, www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth, or www.reunionrecords.com.
