CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-1754, or Summer Gossett, (859) 257-8157
FOR RELEASE
Grammy Award-Winning Jars of Clay to Perform at Singletary Center
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2006) − The Singletary Center for the Arts (SCFA)at the University of Kentucky welcomesGrammy award-winning band Jars of Clay for the final concert in the 2006-07 Turning the Corner Series. The Jars of Clay concert with special guests Matt Wertz and Kate York, who are scheduled to open for the band, begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in the SCFA Concert Hall.
About eleven years ago, Jars of Clay burst on the music scene with the popular radio hit “Flood” off their double-platinum self-titled debut album. This first CD would amassmore than five million in career sales, three Grammy awards, numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing, and earned them an invitation to perform at Live 8. Jars of Clay, comprised of vocalist Dan Haseltine, guitaristsStephen Mason and Matt Odmark, and pianist Charlie Lowell, became known for an ability to mix pop, folk, rock and synthesized music into a unique sound all their own. Now a mainstay of the Christian music scene, their music's poetic overtones, programmed drum loops and acoustic guitars have people referring to the sound as Christian or alternative rock.
As they release their seventh studio album, Jars of Clay continues to earn admiration for their strong sound and epic lyrics from their loyal following and critics alike.They have become a mainstay of the Christian music scene. "Good Monsters" explores the dichotomy of living in the physical and human world and mirrors the veteran band’s creative dichotomy as well. The album is not about choosing one side over the other, the band instead attempts to bring the two together; it is about finding the good within the monster and recognizing that balance can only be achieved by understanding neither side can live without the other. Recently CCM Magazine (Contemporary Christian Music Magazine) named "Good Monsters" its 2006 Album of the Year. Jars of Clay has also become a leader in the non-profit sector, starting Blood: Water Mission in 2002, which is raising funds to build, rebuild and repair wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. To date, over 50 wells have been constructed bringing clean water to more than 34,000 people.
Opening for Jars of Clay will be MattWertz and Kate York. Wertz, who originally had dreams of being a shoe designer, is a singer-songwriterinfluenced by artists like James Taylor, Dave Matthews, Fleetwood Mac and John Mayer. With breathy vocals and impassioned lyrics, Mertz performances are described as having the feeling of being in a conversation with an old friend. He recently released his third studio album titled, “Everything in Between” in September.
After a year of writing and co-writing for local artists in Nashville, York decided to take a stab at the industry herself. The singer-songwriter released her first album, "Sadlylove," in 2005 with contributions from a who's who of the Nashville underground.
York continues to hone her craft and win fans opening for renowned artists that include Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, Mindy Smith, Trent Dabbs, Matthew Ryan and Garrison Starr. York has also collaborated with Jars of Clay on"Good Monsters,"taking part in the "Even Angels Cry" track.
Tickets for the Jars of Clay concert may be purchased at the Singletary Center ticket office. Prices for the concert are $25 for general admission; $23 for UK faculty/ staff, alumni and senior citizens; and $20 for students. To purchase tickets, contact the ticket office by phone at (859) 257-4929 or online at
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