Jars of Clay Celebrates Merry Reviews

By Amanda Smart, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Three-time Grammy Award-wining Christian band Jars of Clay is celebrating the success of their first-ever Christmas project, Christmas Songs.

Currently on the "Christmas Offerings" tour with band Third Day, the multi-platinum band has released the Christmas album through their newly launched label – Gray Matters – via Nettwerk Music Group.

Christmas Songs is currently receiving mass critical acclaim from the likes of The New York Times, USA Today, and others.

Jars of Clay is the only artist on the R&R Christian AC Monitor chart with two of their own Christmas songs in the Top 30. The singles from Christmas Songs are also receiving great support from Christian radio. "Love Came Down at Christmas" jumped eight spots this week from No. 30 to No. 22 on R&R AC Monitor, and "Wonderful Christmastime" debuted on AC Monitor at No. 29.

Jars of Clay also recently provided an enchanting hour of holiday music on national TV with the world premiere of the "Gospel Music Channel's Christmas at Union Station: Jars of Clay." The special will also be shown throughout the month of December (gospelmusicchannel.com).

Jars of Clay launched their career with the universal hit "Flood" in 1995. Since then, they have amassed more than five million in career sales along with several RIAA certifications (five gold, two platinum and one double platinum), an American Music Award nod, 17 No.1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing.

While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, members Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark and Charlie Lowell founded the Blood:Water Mission in early 2002. The first effort of this non-profit was the "1000 Wells Project" with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1,000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. To date, 200 wells have been constructed, providing clean water to more than 100,000 people.