Third Day: Success Breeds Humility
Bassist Tai Anderson says, “Being family guys—being at home with the kids, your kid throwing a fit in the middle of Wal-Mart--it’s hard to feel like a rock star at those times. We know it’s not all about us—we’re part of a bigger thing.”
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When Third Day started out on the Contemporary Christian music scene over 15 years ago, they couldn’t have imagined that one day Billboard Magazine would call them “not only one of the best Christian bands of the ‘90s but one of the best rock bands, period.” Coming from a magazine that has become iconic in its own right as the source of who’s hot in mainstream music, this compliment was not given lightly. Even more historical, though, is the fact that in June of 2008, when the band was featured on the front of the magazine, it was the first time a Christian band ever graced a Billboard cover.
But don’t think that the success has gone to their heads. In spite of garnering these accolades and winning numerous Dove and Grammy Awards, members Mac Powell, David Carr, Mark Lee, and Tai Anderson remain humble. Bassist Tai Anderson says, “Being family guys—being at home with the kids, your kid throwing a fit in the middle of Wal-Mart--it’s hard to feel like a rock star at those times. We know it’s not all about us—we’re part of a bigger thing.”
Naming the album and title track Revelation comes from a place of vulnerability and authenticity in each of their lives. Explains Anderson, “We ask, ‘Is there a lyric that’s most reflective of where we’re at as a band?’ It’s not saying we’ve had a profound revelation from God that we’re going to share with everyone, it’s more about asking Him for a revelation and admitting we need direction, guidance, and help. We’re trying to be transparent.” And fans are relating. “When we recorded this album 18 months ago, we didn’t know what was going to happen to the economy, but now with the state of things in this country, a lot of people are crying out to God.” Anderson says that he and his band mates want their concerts to be a refuge for those attending. “Whether someone is going through hard times financially, in their marriage, health-wise, or with their children, we want the concert to be a shelter from the storm. We try to have the ministry aspect and the concert aspects of a show complement each other.” While they love entertaining, their true ministry is in sharing God’s love with others.
Anderson admits that the balancing act is not always easy. As the one who tends to take charge of the business side of things, he gets anxious due to the state of the economy and the country. He has found peace and calm in Psalm 139:23-24, which reads, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This calm allows him and the rest of the band to leave the worries of the day behind when they step on stage. “When we go on,” says Anderson, “it’s go-time and we can just worship, rather than being distracted by the logistics of touring, putting on a show, and all the other things that go along with being on the road.”
--Nadia Morgan
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