Skillet Achieves Fourth Top 10 Mainstream Hit

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 31, 2011

Two time Grammy award nominated Christian rock band Skillet have just scored their fourth top 10 mainstream hit with "It's Not Me It's You," selling over 840,000 units and having three other gold singles.

Skillet's other top 10 singles were "Awake & Alive," "Monster," and "Hero" as they have proved to be a huge successful crossover band.

Currently on the "Awake & Alive" tour, Skillet was informed of the milestone on their day off.

Skillet is consistently packing out every venue they play across the U.S. and will soon be going overseas for shows in Russia, Germany, Finland, Norway, and Ukraine adding two more stops to Russia – St. Petersburg and Kalingrad because of how rapidly tickets sold.

Skillet also participated in the launch of Winter Jam 2012 Tour Spectacular, where it was announced they will be headlining the 47-city tour. Now in its 17th year, the tour will begin Jan. 6 Charleston, WV with stops in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, and Grand Rapids.

Winter Jam is Christian music's largest annual tour featuring some of the best artists in that genre. Aside from Skillet, and it will feature Sanctus Real, Peter Furler, Kari Jobe, Building 429, Group 1 Crew, Illusionist Brock Gil, Speaker Nick Hall, and a special appearance by Veggietales' Bob and Larry.

NewSong, a contemporary group, and hosts of the show, created the tour 17 years ago. The festival and will kickoff Jan. 6 at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston.

The tour will make many major city stops before it wraps up Apr. 1, including: Philips Arena in Atlanta, Dallas’ American Airlines Center, the FedEx Forum in Memphis, the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena, the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, and the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

General admission is a set to $10 at the door, and no ticket is required.

Eddie Carswell, NewSong member and Winter Jam creator, said the tour has “one of the most powerful line-ups of Christian music’s top artists in Winter Jam history.”

“We are thrilled to announce what promises to be our biggest tour yet,” said Carswell. "After seeing more than 90,000 people make decisions for Christ during last year’s tour, we enter Winter Jam’s 17th year of ministry excited to begin the adventure of what God has in store for us-and audiences around the country.”

The Jam Nation Fan program will also make an appearance this year. The program offers fans a chance to get free and early concert admission, as well as a limited edition Jam Nation shirt, collectible Jam Nation Platinum Access Pass, and a possible question-and-answer session with certain artists.

Winter Jam has consistently been the highest attended tour throughout the world for the first-quarter since 1995, according to Pollstar.

Christian acts that have previously performed for the festival include: Toby Mac, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Third Day.