For Immediate Release

Max Lucado as Special Guest on the Michael W. Smith, Third Day “Come Together and Worship Tour” presented by Chevrolet
Corporate America Recognizes Christian Music As “Come Together and Worship” Secures One of the World’s Most Recognizable Brands As Title Sponsor

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) August 28, 2002—Multi-platinum, multi-GRAMMY-winning and Gospel Music Association Artist of the Year, Michael W. Smith and multi-GRAMMY nominated, Gospel Music Association Group of the Year Third Day announced the addition of inspirational author Max Lucado as special guest on the Come Together and Worship tour slated for the month of November (see tour dates below).  The Come Together and Worship team also announces a partnership with Chevrolet as the tour¹s title sponsor along with artist-affiliated ministry partners Compassion International and World Vision.

Third Day’s Mac Powell notes, “Max is an amazing addition to this tour.  He’ll bring another dimension to the evening of worship with his inspiring words. I’m glad he¹ll be out with us.”

”Max and I have been great friends for many years and have talked about doing something together for quite a while now.  His being a part of these evenings of worship will add a wonderful element of inspiration that will complete the evening. I have a deep respect for Max and am glad to welcome him to the tour,” adds Michael W. Smith.

”I am honored and excited to be a part of this unique event. Michael W. Smith, Third Day are among the finest of God’s minstrels.  The tour has the right people.  Moreover, the tour has the right purpose, worship.  God being our helper, Christ will be the sole voice of the night,” says author, pastor and speaker, Max Lucado.

”What we’re trying to do with this event bill speaks for itself.  The artists have their hearts in the right place as they walk this through, and in partnering with them, we’ve kept that in perspective by keeping ticket prices affordable so more people are able to attend.  With tickets going on sale August 31 and all the feedback we have been getting from promoters, we are excited to see what God has in store for these worship events,” says John Huie partner, Creative Artists Agency.

Jeff Gregg, Creative Artists Agency, adds, “I have been working with Third Day for a number of years and believe this will be one of the most substantial partnerships this fall, in terms of artists and corporations involved.  To echo John, we’re all expecting great things.”

”Michael has had an incredible year already.  This tour, anchored in worship is specifically where his heart is.  Michael’s goal, and the goal of the team, is that this tour takes people to a place they may never have been musically or in their worship.  I know the friendships between Michael, Max and the guys in Third Day make them all look forward to their time together on the road.  But it¹s the thought of what could happen eternally that really motivates this group.  We are all thrilled to be partnering for a common purpose,” notes Chaz Corzine, partner, Blanton Harrell Cooke & Corzine.

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In terms of support by Chevrolet, J. David Huffman, COO Creative Trust notes, “The Come Together and Worship Tour team, in conjunction with Greg Ashford and Outerlight, has secured the world’s most recognized brand for this 16-date event series.  We are excited about Chevrolet’s partnership and strongly believe their investment in this tour will provide a very strong return.  We’ll be releasing more details on the activities that will target music and book buyers via direct marketing promotional campaigns designed to drive qualified consumers to test drive Chevrolet products. Meanwhile Chevrolet is helping us reach as many people as possible about what we believe to be the Christian music event of the year.”

”Sponsoring the Come Together and Worship Tour provides Chevrolet and local Chevy dealers an opportunity to reach our target consumers, particularly families, in association with an entertaining event that delivers a positive, uplifting message,” stated Steve Betz, Regional Division Marketing Manager for Chevrolet.  “This is a ground-breaking marketing effort for Chevrolet.  With Contemporary Christian Music growing exponentially compared to every other genre of music for the past two years, Chevrolet recognizes the marketing potential with this tour and the benefits of partnering with the most popular and successful musical artists in their industry.”

Kris Thompson, sr. director artist associates, World Vision adds, “Once again, we’re happy to partner with Third Day and the entire Come Together and Worship Tour team in what we know will be an amazing series of evenings of worship.”

”Compassion International is proud to be a part of this tour with Michael, Third Day, Max Lucado and their respective labels and management companies on this landmark series of events,” notes Spence Smith, artist relations manager for Compassion International.

The Come Together and Worship event series is already billed as one of the top tours of the fall season.  The tour brought to fruition by Michael W. Smith and Third Day along with their management companies, Blanton Harrell Cooke & Corzine and Creative Trust, will visit 16 major markets during the month of November.  Booked by John Huie and Jeff Gregg of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), tour venues will range from 12,000 - 22,000 seats in each market.  Taking into consideration each artist’s tour history, these events have the potential to set numerous attendance records.

Multi-platinum, multi-GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning artist Michael W. Smith is one of the most influential figures in Christian music. Over his 19-year career, Smith has garnered two GRAMMY Awards (along with numerous nominations) and an American Music Award given in the Pop category, was named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and has garnered 34 Dove Awards, including Artist of the Year in 1999 and 2002. Smith’s career sales exceed nine million.  His 2001 release Worship recently attainted RIAA platinum certification (sales of over 1 million units) and was the fastest selling album of 2001, certified Gold by the RIAA in only 14 weeks.

Third Day, three-time GRAMMY nominee and reigning Gospel Music Association Group of the Year has become known for its support of Habitat for Humanity, raising over $170,000.00 for the organization and recently traveling to Africa to aid former president Jimmy Carter in a house-building project with the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2002 in Durban, South Africa.  Third Day has also been recognized for its riveting live show, gracing the June 22 cover of Pollstar magazine and being named one of the top 50 grossing tours this summer, beating out artists including Bob Dylan, Alicia Keys, No Doubt and Ozzy Osbourne in the magazine¹s mid-year tour report. 

With more than 28 million books in print for both adults and children, it's easy to see why New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado is known as "America's Leading Inspirational Author." His favorite titles, however, are husband, father (to three beautiful girls), and pastor (to the same church in San Antonio, Texas for more than a decade). Lucado's newest project, A Love Worth Giving (W Publishing Group), released this August.

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Chevrolet is the largest vehicle division of General Motors Corporation and offers a full lineup of cars and trucks. With more than 36 million current owners of its products, Chevrolet has more vehicles on the road than any other manufacturer.

Come Together and Worship Tour

Michael W. Smith and Third Day with Special Guest Max Lucado
*All tour dates listed below are subject to change

11/1/02      Atlanta, GA        Phillips Arena
11/2/02      Lexington, KY      Rupp Arena
11/3/02      Memphis, TN        The Pyramid
11/4/02      Birmingham, AL     BJCC Arena
11/7/02      Winston-Salem, NC       Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum
11/8/02      Hershey, PA        Giant Center
11/9/02      Fairfax, VA        Patriot Center
11/10/02    West Point, NY      Eisenhower Hall Theatre
11/15/02    Mobile, AL          The Mitchell Center
11/16/02    Houston, TX         Compaq Center
11/17/02    Dallas, TX          American Airlines
11/18/02    Oklahoma City, OK  Cox Arena
11/20/02    St. Louis, MO       Savis Center
11/21/02    Peoria, IL          Civic Center
11/22/02    Madison, WI         Alliant Energy Center
11/23/02    Auburn Hills, MI            Palace of Auburn Hills

For more information on Michael W. Smith, Third Day or Max Lucado, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com, www.ThirdDay.com and www.maxlucado.com.   For tour dates, cities and venues for the upcoming Come Together and Worship tour, visit www.cometogetherandworship.com.

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For tour press requests, please contact:

Carol Anderson, CMA Promotions, 847.991.4522 /carol@cmapromo.com

For tour press requests and details on Max Lucado, please contact:

Pamela McClure, McClure Muntsinger Public Relations, 615.595.8321 / pamela@mmpublicrelations.com

For information or artwork on Michael W. Smith or Third Day, contact: 

Jackie Marushka, 615.261.6439 / jmarushka@providentmusicgroup.com

For details on Chevrolet, please contact:

Ginny Moore, GM Communications, 404.257.3806 / gmoore@gmrworks.com