Lessons from the Road

Nigel James
Authentic (2008)
ISBN 9781934068489
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (12/08)

 

“Lessons from the Road” chronicles the roots and success of Third Day, which is a contemporary Christian band.  It is written by Nigel James, who serves as the road pastor for the band.  Third Day is comprised of five men - Tai, David, Brad, Mac and Mark - who seem very down-to-earth and are extremely grateful for everything they have been given in life.  They openly discuss their successes as well as the difficulties they have experienced from being on the road and away from their families so often.

The members of Third Day say they sing and perform to worship God and spread His word and not for fortune and fame.  After reading their stories about their lives on the road and the various charitable and volunteer projects in which they participate, I can honestly say I believe them.  They pray with their pastor before each show and spend time with their fans after the performances, even if they are exhausted, because they realize it is their mission to evangelize as many people as they can.  Their humility is demonstrated by the fact they strive to always give their best, regardless of whether they are playing in a large arena or a small venue because all of their fans deserve to experience their best effort.

The band members obviously love what they do.  They say they especially enjoy seeing how their music visibly affects the members of the audience.  There is a chapter in which the songwriters share the inspirations (many of which are passages found in the Bible) behind the lyrics to their songs.  My only complaint with this book is slight.  The author could have put the profiles of the band members a little earlier in the book.  Although presumably most people who read this book will have some prior knowledge about Third Day, I was unfamiliar with the group so the early pages in which they were being interviewed had less meaning for me.

Being unfamiliar with their music, I checked them out on YouTube.  I enjoyed what I heard.  “Lessons from the Road” by Nigel James provides a refreshing concept - musicians who do not resort to lewd lyrics and foul language to capture an audience.  Rather, they do what they do for the love of music and the love of God.

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