WINTER JAM TOUR COMES TO NASHVILLE, TN

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The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music ’s largest annual musical tour, played their last date in Nashville, TN on March 16, 2008. The 36 city tour featured one of its most prestigious artist line-ups ever. As of this month, all four of NewSong’s guests are currently in the top 40 national sales as reported by Neilson’s SoundScan. The 2008 line-up showcases musical styles ranging from worship to rock to pop featuring multi Platinum selling MercyMe, sibling rock trio BarlowGirl, seasoned rockers Skillet, American Idol’s Mandisa.

The 10-week tour came to a close tonight at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN. Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, NewSong hosted the high-energy event for the 13th consecutive year, which featured Mandisa, BarlowGirl, Skillet, MercyMe, and speaker Tony Nolan.

NewSong’s Eddie Carswell reflects, “We give God the glory for growing this simple multi-artist event into a major national evangelistic outreach. Admission is only $10 at the door, and we won’t turn anyone away who can’t afford to pay. Last year more than 37,000 people made decisions for Christ during the Tour and we’re anticipating a phenomenal response in 2008 as well.”

MercyMe’s lead singer Bart Millard anticipates a tremendous response, “MercyMe has a new record releasing on November 20, so hitting the road on Winter Jam early in ‘08 will be great. We look forward to playing our new songs, which is always fun for us, and of course the old favorites too for the Winter Jam crowds.”

Winter Jam 2008 follows the highly successful 2007 tour, which landed in Pollstar’s Top 10 Winter Tours surpassing artists like Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer. WJ '07 averaged over 8,000 people each night with select shows having more than 10,000 in attendance. The 2007 Tour had total turnout of more than 275,000.

Excited to reach the masses during Winter Jam 2008, BarlowGirl shares, “We are so excited about the ministry that will take place during the tour. Getting to be a part of this tour is such an honor for us girls. We have heard from so my of our friends that have been a part in the past saying that the crowds are truly awesome.”

Also thrilled to be a part of the Winter Jam tour, Skillet lead singer John Cooper remarks, “We’ve heard great things about Winter Jam and are really excited to be a part of it this coming year. Skillet loves to rock, and look forward to having a blast with audiences throughout the country on this tour.”