Winter Jam Shatters Records as World's No. 1 Tour

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s biggest tour, has shattered its own record to become the No. 1 tour in the world (during the first quarter) for the second consecutive year.

According to Pollstar’s 2012 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales Charts – Top 100 Tours, Winter Jam outpaced attendance for all other tours, including Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal,” Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, The Black Keys, Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley, among others.

“For 17 years, each Winter Jam Tour has had its own unique personality, made so by not only the artists on stage, but by the entire team of people who made each night happen,” said Eddie Carswell, Winter Jam creator and founding member of Grammy-nominated NewSong, Winter Jam’s host.

Winter Jam, headlined by Grammy-nominated alternative rockers Skillet, sold out in 32 of the 47 cities it visited. The tour, which ended April 1, surpassed last year’s record attendance by more than 10,000, playing to a total of nearly 535,000 people.

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Getoveryourself

Winter Jam is an awesome concert experience! Where else can you see ten bands for ten dollars? I've been going for many years and have enjoyed it each time, keep up the good work!
msjallen

I can't imagine loud, screechy, emotional hype sounds can be construed as music. How can it glorify Jesus Christ? What are the crowds learning about Jesus Christ that they can apply to their lives? My husband and I were youth leaders in our church a long time ago and we would take the teens to summer camp where they had a lot of fun mixed with a lot of emotionalism teaching and everyone was stirred up — then we all went home. I remember two girls coming to my home the next week wanting their experience at camp to last when they came home. It did not because it was all hype without any solid Bible teaching that would last that they could apply to their lives. Our young people need the solid Word of God taught to them to meet their needs and it starts at home and should be expected to be taught where they attend church. Emotionalism doesn't think and cannot be applied.
- Dr mom
  
  Winter Jam does not equal church or church camp or replace the Bible! It is a blessing to have Christian artists glorify God! God created music and I, for one, love to rock out for Jesus! Our original hymns (that I also love) taught scripture, and many of the new worship songs do too! I get that it is not your cup of tea, but don't judge how others choose to strengthen their walk.
  - msjallen
    
    Bible Doctrine is the only thing we have as believers to set us apart from the cosmic system. Emotionalism does not teach the Word of God nor does it help one…
    II Peter 3:8… but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.
- Getoveryourself
  
  I don't think it's emotionalism at all! It's a nice, Christian alternative to today's pop music. To some it may only be screeching, but the lyrics reach kids with the message if Gods live. Look up the lyrics before judging the sound. Kids today will most likely not listen to old time gospel music. I thank God for ALL types of Christian music that will bring children,teens and adults to Christ.
  - msjallen
    
    It does not help them to grow spiritually and that is what we are mandated to do as believers. There should not be substitutes; it weakens the Word of God and if our youth today are seeking this type of music it will not sustain them when the hard times hit this country and it is coming. We need to be filled with the knowledge of God first and foremost but when one can't get an emotional thrill from it because they prefer rock and roll emotionalism then our future adults have nothing to live by but emotionalism. This is the problem with so many churches today, meaningless entertainment with a feel good sermon and no sound Bible teaching. Read and be taught the Bible and meet Jesus Christ face to face through His word.
    - Getoveryourself
      
      How can a Christian song NOT strengthen their walk with God?! If they are listening to the words, MOST OF WHICH QUOTE SCRIPTURE IN THE LYRICS. How can do anything but strengthen them?
      - msjallen
        
        John 4:24 God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
        We must worship God in Spirit (in fellowship with God) and in truth (using the Word of God.)
        Are these groups worshipping God in fellowship with Him? Do they know how to be in fellowship with God or are they just expressing emotional feelings?
        1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
        Do they start their show with acknowledging their sins to God? One cannot take in the Word of God without be in fellowship with Him; otherwise, it is only academic knowledge and cannot be used in living the spiritual way of life.
      - Getoveryourself
        
        Yes they do acknowledge God THROUGHOUT the WHOLE concert. If you did your research instead of jumping to conclusions you would know this. The Bibke also says Judge not……hmm, sounds like you are doing just that.
      - Evermytle
        
        There is a lot about judging than "Judge not"
    - Getoveryourself
      
      And by the way, our church is a very strong church. We ONLY use the King James Bible and don't sing very many contemporary songs during worship service. But we are not close minded to reaching youth either. I guarantee if you asked any of our youth questions about God, Jesus and the Bible you would have your skepticism and judgmental attitude reversed.
      - msjallen
        
        That is great to hear that your church is teaching the Word of God. Our church also reaches the youth and my grandchildren know so much Bible Doctrine because they are taught correctly. We don't use the KJV since it is not the most accurate translation from the original languages as the NASV is. I am sure you will argue that point as well but there will be no more response from me since you are convinced your way and I am convinced my way. I am not here to argue or convince anyone to think the way I do; just commenting.
        Gal 5:25-26 If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    The only I way to know, is what are the words used in the songs, and do they know what they are saying in the songs? Or is it merely screaming, pounding, prancing and or words meaning nothing and of no effect. What does this add up to?
    
    Since I know none of this, I cannot judge.
    - Getoveryourself
      
      There are so many wonderful songs sung at these concerts. One example I can give you is Arise My Love bu Newsong. Please look it up on YouTube. This song is amazing.
keyboardshark

While I do not think we could find Biblical justification for saying that the use of electric guitars, synthesizers, drums, or any other musical instrument to praise the Lord would be sinful, we do have to be careful about the music sounding too much like the music of the world. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but I think tha if we took it to the extreme and tried to justify something like 'Christian punk' or 'Christian heavy metal' we would be getting beyond the limits of what could be considered worshipful music.

Since I am not familiar with what kinds of music are being played on The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, I cannot really give an opinion as to whether it crosses the line in my mind. All I am saying is, let's not carry the idea too far. On the other hand, I would rather see the youth attend something like this instead of the latest Megadeth or Marilyn Manson concert tour any old day.
http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11

At 63, my capacity to listen happily to loud music stops much sooner than when I was 20. I was at a christian concert recently where the music was so loud as to drive me from my seat; it was to loud even the outer hallways! Nonetheless, we have to consider the culture offered by unbelievers as more dangerous by far to youths and adults. Anything that may keep young people on the path leading away from drink, drugs and sexual misbehavior is a good thing IMHO. Having said that, I do pray that youths somehow be moved daily in a deeper devotion to God in Christ. And for that, music which ministers grace and comfort to the spirit cannot be undervalued. The emotions of the soul are something we all need to reign over. May God keep us all moving in or after His Spirit of Love, Power and a sound, sober mind.
http://www.catalogprintingexperts.com/ Print Catalog

Winter Jam probably the best concert experience I've ever been so far. I love all the songs played and the energy of the people was exceptional!

- Blake