Taking the stage of a packed arena somewhere in America on any given winter evening, NewSong is single-mindedly focused on one goal. Although their acclaim includes a #1 mainstream AC hit, a Grammy nomination, 20 #1 Christian radio singles, and industry accolades as architects of one of the biggest tours in the world—the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular—when Russ Lee, Matt Butler, Eddie Carswell, Billy Goodwin, Jack Pumphrey, Mark Clay and Rico Thomas squint past the spotlight each night, they see one thing: a sea of souls in need of One True God.
“ Lo v e I s T h e M e d i ci n e ”
Frontman Russ Lee began his career as a key member of NewSong in the ‘90s, before launching nearly a decade of solo hits and eventually returning to his musical alma mater in 2009. From his unique perspective as both a seasoned performer and a worship pastor, he says the secret to Winter Jam’s broad appeal is found in the music. “A three-minute song can move us in ways a 45 minute sermon never would,” the power-soul vocalist attests, having witnessed firsthand the spiritual impact of mission-minded music on listeners. “Music penetrates the outer layers of our reality and gets to the core—to the soul.”
As the youngest band member and keyboardist/vocalist for the last seven years, Matt Butler has a fresh perspective on NewSong’s 30-year journey. And from his sight line the group’s spiritually sensitive M.O. is stronger than ever. “Nothing has changed in what God is calling these guys to do,” he affirms of his bandmates. “They have stood the test of time in Christian music because of their faithfulness to their mission to go and tell people about the grace of Jesus Christ.”
‘THE SAME GOD”
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