South Mississippi bands invade Memphis | Schools

The following is a press release from Jones County Junior College:

Two Christian bands from South Mississippi will be “Rocking the House on Beale Street” in the blues capitol’s top notch concert venue, The New Daisy, in Memphis, TN.  Laurel’s “By the Fire” will be opening for the Christian band from Poplarville, “God Speed 3” on August 4.  As part of the TMG Records family, God Speed 3 has been included on the official Grammy Nomination list in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“Our bass player’s dad lives in Memphis and we have been trying to break into that market for a couple of years,” explained Travis Kennedy, guitarist for God Speed 3.  “The purpose of the concert is to offer a high quality, entertaining and emotional concert that the entire family can enjoy without fear of being subjected to inappropriate messages or images.  The show will have a mainstream feel to it with all the guitars, drums, lights, lasers and smoke machines the kids love, coupled with the positive message of Christ’s love for us.”

 

While this is the first time for both bands to venture into Tennessee, God Speed 3 has been rocking audiences from South Mississippi to Ohio, Texas, and across the Southeast garnering rave reviews along the way.  For the past four years, the band has played for more than 65,000 people and shared the big stage with Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, DecembeRadio, Jeremy Camp, Leeland, RoyalTailor, Audio Adrenaline, 33 Miles, Addison Road, Jonny Diaz, Mike's Chair, Building 429, Abandon, Todd Agnew, The Letter Black, KJ-52 and Big Daddy Weave.  Inviting “By the Fire” to join them on Beale Street is something Kennedy said was meant to be.

“We met the band ‘By the Fire’ in Laurel about two years ago and became friends with the guys.  There are many bands we have met over the past five years, but ‘By the Fire’ was on my mind.  They are a great group of guys and it is obvious they love the Lord.  When I called Van Long to talk about it he said they were just discussing how they have not played outside of Mississippi.  So, it was kind of like it was meant to be,” said Kennedy.

By the Fire’s lead singer, Van Long said the band is working on its second album, “Revolution” and they recently won the “Praise in the Park” band competition in 2011 to earn the right to share the stage with many of the same national acts God Speed 3 has played with over the years.

“We are excited to join these guys on stage in Memphis,” said Long.  “I encourage our friends from South Mississippi to join us for ‘Rocking the House’.”

To purchase $10 tickets click on The New Daisy web page, http://www.newdaisy.com/.