By April MacIntyre Dec 1, 2008, 18:26 GMT
3 Doors Down has given a new face to modern southern rock. The band has just released new tour date, listed below.
The group hails from Escatawpa, Mississippi, and has achieved mainstream success but somehow retained their underdog cult status.
‘The thoroughly modern American band’ - wrote Billboard, describing their one part swagger/one part road warrior reputation, brandishing radio-friendly gems like their breakthrough anthem, “Kryptonite.”
The group held their fourth annual Foundation concert at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Biloxi, Ms (and has annually donated a portion of concert ticket sales to the charity organization). The band also became a key local force in providing aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson’s own house was partially damaged by the hurricane. Everyone they knew, friends and family, were affected by the tragedy.
“Everything seemed to be churning around that time,” continues Todd. “We knew it was important to get back to a normal life. It was time to overcome. Time to try and relax. Do some fishing. Get with family. We were doing 200 plus shows a year, stopping only to get the next record out.”
The Grammy nominated band will also hold their 5th annual "The Better Life Foundation" Concert and silent auction at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on December 6, 2008, in Biloxi, Mississippi.
The mission of The Better Life Foundation is to make positive changes in the lives of children, whether that be food, shelter or medical assistance to name a few. Additional performers for the concert will be announced at a later date. This evening is sponsored by the Mississippi Army National Guard.
3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold commented on their efforts: "This concert we're doing is just another way for us to try and give back to the area we so dearly love." Doors will open at 5:00 pm with the show starting at 6:00 pm. Prior to the concert, a silent auction will take place from 2:00 – 4:45 pm in the foyer of the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel where one lucky raffle winner will be drawn to win a one of a kind Citizen Soldier Motorcycle built by Roger and Brigitte Bourget!
For their new release, the band rented an old farmhouse South of Franklin, Tennessee, where they would not only write songs, but live together, for a while. Says Brad: “The farmhouse was great because it became a wholehearted experience where we just focused on the writing. It was such a close-knit atmosphere, reconnecting us after we had been doing our own thing for a while. It set a cool mood for the entire record, writing out in the country around this fireplace in the basement. Just locking ourselves away and doing it.
Matt adds that the unique setting soon sparked 26 or 27 song ideas. “But winter turned colder than expected in Tennessee. So we decided to head to a warmer climate.” The band found a ten bedroom mansion in a remote section of Orlando, Florida. They brought in Seventeen Days producer, Johnny K. and turned the house into a recording studio.
The originality of the two locations rejuvenated the band’s approach. They worked hard to capture that sense of camaraderie on the final product. Once they nailed it, they packed up and headed back to Nashville. Talking legendary mixer, Andy Wallace, into abandoning his NY studio, again, (he also mixed Seventeen Days in Nashville), and they began the final process of putting the pieces together.
Their latest self-titled CD topped the Billboard Top album chart and the coveted iTunes Album chart during its opening week in late May, and has gone on to become one of the most consistent rock bestsellers of 2008.
The band is currently readying their second single from the album, “Train.”
The new album has also snagged rave reviews, with the Associated Press affirming that '3 Doors Down has offered the strongest collection of their career.’
Tour dates for 3DD:
December 4th Orange Beach, AL @ The Amphitheater at the Wharf
December 6th Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (TBLF Charity Event)
December 9th Pikeville, KY @ Eastern Kentucky Expo Center
December 10th Cincinnati, OH @ US Bank Arena
December 12th Charlotte, NC @ Cricket Arena
December 13th Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
December 17th Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Special Events
December 18th Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center
December 20th Duluth, GA @ Gwinnett Arena
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