3 Doors Down
Encyclopedia
3 Doors Down is an American rock
band from Escatawpa
formed in 1996. The band consists of Brad Arnold (vocals), Matt Roberts (guitar/vocals), Todd Harrell (bass), Chris Henderson (guitar), and Greg Upchurch
(drums/percussion).
The band rose to national fame with their first single, "Kryptonite
", which charted in the top three on the Billboard Hot 100
chart. The band then signed onto Republic Records
and released their debut album, The Better Life
, in 2000. The album was the 11th-best-selling album of the year and was certified 6x platinum
in the United States. Their second album, Away from the Sun
, (2002) continued the band's success; it debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200
chart and went multi-platinum in the United States like its predecessor. The band followed it up by extensive touring for two years before releasing their third album, Seventeen Days
, in 2005. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum within its first month of release. Their fourth, self-titled album, 3 Doors Down, also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band's fifth studio album, Time of My Life, was released on July 19, 2011.
The band often performs more than 300 concerts a year and has performed with artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd
, Megadeth
, Staind
, Nickelback
, Alter Bridge
, Breaking Benjamin
, Seether
, Shinedown
, Hinder, and Daughtry. Since the start of their career, 3 Doors Down has sold over 16 million albums worldwide.
and shared an interest in rock music. The band played locally around Escatawpa, playing a mix of cover songs and original songs that would eventually be recorded on their first album release. Arnold eventually ended up acting as the group's singer because, as he puts it, "nobody else would do it, but I did and enjoyed it a lot." Arnold is also their lyricist, and wrote some of their early hits when he was 15, often working on songs during math class.
The band began to tour outside Escatawpa, and it was during a trip to Foley, Alabama
that they came up with their official name. When the three men were walking through the town, they saw a building where some letters had fallen off its sign, and it read "Doors Down." Since at the time they consisted of three people, they added the "3" to create "3 Doors Down."
A couple of years after performing together, Todd Harrell asked guitarist Chris Henderson to join the band. They recorded a demo CD of their original songs at Lincoln Recording in Pascagoula, Mississippi. When the band gave the CD to local radio station WCPR-FM
they started playing the EP version of "Kryptonite", and it became the #1 requested song on the station for over 15 weeks. The station's program director sent the song to manager Phin Daly who in turn showed it to Bill McGathy, his employer at In De Goot Entertainment. They decided to fly the band in to New York to perform a showcase at the CBGB
music club. Daly told HitQuarters
: "Once they got on stage and started playing it was apparent the magic was in the music. So we moved to sign them." 3 Doors Down's success on the radio also led to Republic Records
signing the band.
was released on February 8, 2000, and went on to become the 11th best-selling album the year, selling over 3 million copies. It has since been certified 6x platinum, thanks in large part to the international hit singles, "Kryptonite
", "Loser
", and "Duck and Run
". A fourth single, "Be Like That" was re-recorded for the 2001 film American Pie 2
, with alternate lyrics for the first 3 lines. This version is known as "The American Pie 2 Edit". Whilst recording the album, Brad Arnold recorded both the vocal and drum parts. However, the band hired drummer Richard Liles for the tour in support of The Better Life
so that Arnold could perform at the front of the stage. Liles left in late 2001.
The band's second studio album, Away from the Sun
, was released on November 12, 2002. The album has sold 4 million copies worldwide, including well over 3 million in the U.S. alone. Session drummer Josh Freese
was hired to record drums for the album. Rush
guitarist Alex Lifeson
produced and performed on three tracks for the record, "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love", and "Wasted Me", but only "Dangerous Game" would appear on the finished product. The band hired Canadian Daniel Adair
to play drums for the Away From the Sun tour. He would go on to record the drums for the band's next studio release, and was with the band aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73)
to film the music video "When I'm Gone
".
In 2003, 3 Doors Down released a live E.P. entitled Another 700 Miles
consisting of recordings from a live performance by the band in Chicago, Illinois. Another 700 Miles
has since been certified Gold in the United States. Besides featuring some of 3 Doors Down's hit singles from their previous two albums, the E.P. also contains a version of the popular Lynyrd Skynyrd
song "That Smell
".
In 2003, the band began hosting the annual "3 Doors Down and Friends" benefit concert, through the band's own charity The Better Life Foundation. In 2006, this event was held at the Mobile Convention Center, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Katrina
survivors. As residents of Escatawpa, the members of the band saw the effects of Katrina's devastation.
, has since been certified platinum. "Let Me Go" and "Behind Those Eyes
" charted with the most success. "Live for Today", "Landing in London
" (on which Bob Seger
sang the second verse and provided back-up vocals), and "Here by Me" were also released as singles. During the Seventeen Days tour, the band appeared alongside southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd
, as well as headlined many shows of their own.
Also in 2005, the band released a live DVD entitled Away from the Sun: Live from Houston, Texas. The DVD was produced and directed by Academy Award nominated Alex Gibney
and Doug Biro. It features songs from both The Better Life
and Away from the Sun
, and even some early sketches of "It's Not Me" and "Father's Son", which were both eventually released on Seventeen Days
.
Greg Upchurch
, formerly of Puddle of Mudd
, replaced Daniel Adair
in 2005, when Adair left to accept the position as drummer and contributing member of Nickelback
.
3 Doors Down released their self-titled fourth album on May 20, 2008. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200
, selling 154,000 copies in its first week. It is the band's second consecutive #1 album on the chart after Seventeen Days, as well their fourth album to reach the Top Ten. The album contains the hit singles "It's Not My Time
", "Train", "Let Me Be Myself
" and "Citizen/Soldier
", a song written as a tribute to the National Guard. In 2009, 3 Doors Down, along with The Soul Children of Chicago, released the song “In The Presence Of The Lord” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration
.
The band recorded in 2009 a Christmas song called "Where My Christmas Lives
", which was the first Christmas song Brad Arnold had ever written.
It was digitally released along with seven acoustic songs on December 8. Six of these acoustic tracks were from the previous self-titled album, and one was an acoustic version of 'Where my Christmas Lives'.
On February 9, 2010, the band released a song called "Shine", through digital media such as iTunes
, which was used as a promotion for the 2010 Winter Olympics
and is available through digital outlets.
. A second single from the album, Every Time You Go was released to digital outlets on May 23, 2011.
Lead singer Brad Arnold spoke very positively of the album, "This record shows some growth on our part. We've had success in the past and we're very thankful for that, but there's always room to… take it up to another level. And I feel like we did that. There's a lot of songs that people can immediately identify with. We just really wanted to do our best on this record, and looking back on the whole experience, I can really say that we did." The band embarked on a tour in July 2011 across USA, Europe, and the United Kingdom, in support of the album. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 with 59,800 copies sold in its first week.
3 Doors Down started The Better Life Foundation (TBLF) in 2003, with a goal in mind to give as many children as possible a better life. Since its inception TBLF has supported numerous charities nationwide, as well as providing aid and assistance to the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina
.
When the Mississippi town of Waveland
took an especially hard hit from Hurricane Katrina, the charity was able to purchase three police cars and a fire truck to help with rescue efforts. Also, in connection with Wal-Mart, they were able to supply the town with three semi-trucks full of rescue supplies. There was also extensive support from TBLF in providing funding for rebuilding efforts in the town.
3 Doors Down and The Better Life Foundation host a yearly show in at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, MS to raise money for the charity. In addition to a concert from 3 Doors Down and friends, there is also an auction, which includes numerous items from musical friends, sports icons, and other various supporters of the band and the charity. There is an average of sixty items auctioned off yearly, and proceeds are given to TBLF.
Past performers at the show include, Lynyrd Skynyrd
, Shinedown
, Alter Bridge
, Staind
, Hinder
, Switchfoot
, Tracy Lawrence
, Sara Evans
, and others. Past auction items include a Paul Stanley
guitar played on the KISS
Farewell Tour, a total of four Roger Bourget motorcycles, access to the Dale Jr. racing suite, NASCAR artwork by Brad Daley, numerous signed guitars and sports memorabilia.
Former members
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Escatawpa
Escatawpa, Mississippi
Escatawpa is a census-designated place in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,566 at the 2000 census.-History:...
formed in 1996. The band consists of Brad Arnold (vocals), Matt Roberts (guitar/vocals), Todd Harrell (bass), Chris Henderson (guitar), and Greg Upchurch
Greg Upchurch
Greg David Upchurch is the current drummer for 3 Doors Down, replacing Daniel Adair who left the band in 2005....
(drums/percussion).
The band rose to national fame with their first single, "Kryptonite
Kryptonite (song)
"Kryptonite" is a song by the American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was originally released as a demo for local play by 97.9 WCPR-FM in Biloxi, Mississippi...
", which charted in the top three on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. The band then signed onto Republic Records
Republic Records
Republic Records was a record label and subsidiary of Universal Motown Republic Group. They originally went by the name Cheese Factory Records...
and released their debut album, The Better Life
The Better Life
-Charts:Album - Billboard - Deluxe Edition Bonus CD :A Deluxe Edition with second disc was released in 2007 and features a live performance recorded at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas.# "Duck and Run" 4:42...
, in 2000. The album was the 11th-best-selling album of the year and was certified 6x platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
in the United States. Their second album, Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun is the second studio album by 3 Doors Down, released on November 12, 2002. The singles released for the album were as follows: "When I'm Gone", "The Road I'm On", "Here Without You", and "Away from the Sun"...
, (2002) continued the band's success; it debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart and went multi-platinum in the United States like its predecessor. The band followed it up by extensive touring for two years before releasing their third album, Seventeen Days
Seventeen Days
Seventeen Days is the third studio album by American rock group 3 Doors Down, released on February 8, 2005, five years to the day that 3 Doors Down released their debut album, The Better Life....
, in 2005. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum within its first month of release. Their fourth, self-titled album, 3 Doors Down, also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band's fifth studio album, Time of My Life, was released on July 19, 2011.
The band often performs more than 300 concerts a year and has performed with artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
, Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
, Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge is an American rock band that was formed in 2004 in Orlando, Florida by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips, who are all also members of Creed. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the frontman...
, Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently consisting of Benjamin Burnley and Chad Szeliga. The band has released four studio albums to date and a greatest hits album that was released on August 16, 2011. The group initially went on indefinite hiatus due...
, Seether
Seether
Seether is a post-grunge/alternative metal band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records...
, Shinedown
Shinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
, Hinder, and Daughtry. Since the start of their career, 3 Doors Down has sold over 16 million albums worldwide.
Formative years (1996–1998)
3 Doors Down was formed by drummer/vocalist Brad Arnold, guitarist Matt Roberts and bassist Todd Harrell. The three grew up together in Mobile, AlabamaMobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
and shared an interest in rock music. The band played locally around Escatawpa, playing a mix of cover songs and original songs that would eventually be recorded on their first album release. Arnold eventually ended up acting as the group's singer because, as he puts it, "nobody else would do it, but I did and enjoyed it a lot." Arnold is also their lyricist, and wrote some of their early hits when he was 15, often working on songs during math class.
The band began to tour outside Escatawpa, and it was during a trip to Foley, Alabama
Foley, Alabama
Foley is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States.The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 7,590.Foley is a principal city of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Baldwin County....
that they came up with their official name. When the three men were walking through the town, they saw a building where some letters had fallen off its sign, and it read "Doors Down." Since at the time they consisted of three people, they added the "3" to create "3 Doors Down."
A couple of years after performing together, Todd Harrell asked guitarist Chris Henderson to join the band. They recorded a demo CD of their original songs at Lincoln Recording in Pascagoula, Mississippi. When the band gave the CD to local radio station WCPR-FM
WCPR-FM
WCPR-FM is a radio station licensed to Wiggins, Mississippi, and its transmitter is located in Saucier, Mississippi, on a 466-foot tower at 50,000 watts of power. WCPR plays all new rock alternative and some active rock from the 1980s and 1990s but mostly new rock...
they started playing the EP version of "Kryptonite", and it became the #1 requested song on the station for over 15 weeks. The station's program director sent the song to manager Phin Daly who in turn showed it to Bill McGathy, his employer at In De Goot Entertainment. They decided to fly the band in to New York to perform a showcase at the CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
music club. Daly told HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
: "Once they got on stage and started playing it was apparent the magic was in the music. So we moved to sign them." 3 Doors Down's success on the radio also led to Republic Records
Republic Records
Republic Records was a record label and subsidiary of Universal Motown Republic Group. They originally went by the name Cheese Factory Records...
signing the band.
Mainstream success (1999-2004)
3 Doors Down's first studio album, The Better LifeThe Better Life
-Charts:Album - Billboard - Deluxe Edition Bonus CD :A Deluxe Edition with second disc was released in 2007 and features a live performance recorded at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas.# "Duck and Run" 4:42...
was released on February 8, 2000, and went on to become the 11th best-selling album the year, selling over 3 million copies. It has since been certified 6x platinum, thanks in large part to the international hit singles, "Kryptonite
Kryptonite (song)
"Kryptonite" is a song by the American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was originally released as a demo for local play by 97.9 WCPR-FM in Biloxi, Mississippi...
", "Loser
Loser (3 Doors Down song)
"Loser" is the title of a song recorded by American alternative rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released in July 2000 as the second single from their debut album The Better Life. The song spent 21 weeks at the number-one position on the Billboard U.S...
", and "Duck and Run
Duck and Run
"Duck and Run" is the title of a song recorded by American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released in January 2001 as the third single from their debut album The Better Life. The song became the band's third consecutive number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, staying there for three weeks...
". A fourth single, "Be Like That" was re-recorded for the 2001 film American Pie 2
American Pie 2
American Pie 2 is a 2001 comedy film and sequel to American Pie and is the second film in the American Pie film series. It was written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg, and directed by J. B. Rogers. The film picks up the story of the four friends from the first film as they reunite during the...
, with alternate lyrics for the first 3 lines. This version is known as "The American Pie 2 Edit". Whilst recording the album, Brad Arnold recorded both the vocal and drum parts. However, the band hired drummer Richard Liles for the tour in support of The Better Life
The Better Life
-Charts:Album - Billboard - Deluxe Edition Bonus CD :A Deluxe Edition with second disc was released in 2007 and features a live performance recorded at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas.# "Duck and Run" 4:42...
so that Arnold could perform at the front of the stage. Liles left in late 2001.
The band's second studio album, Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun is the second studio album by 3 Doors Down, released on November 12, 2002. The singles released for the album were as follows: "When I'm Gone", "The Road I'm On", "Here Without You", and "Away from the Sun"...
, was released on November 12, 2002. The album has sold 4 million copies worldwide, including well over 3 million in the U.S. alone. Session drummer Josh Freese
Josh Freese
Josh Freese is an American session drummer and songwriter. He is a permanent member of A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, and Devo, having formerly played drums for Nine Inch Nails from late 2005 until late 2008, and for Guns N' Roses from mid-1998 to 2001. Freese has appeared on close to 300 records....
was hired to record drums for the album. Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
guitarist Alex Lifeson
Alex Lifeson
Aleksandar Živojinović, OC, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a second generation Serbian-Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. In the summer of 1968, Lifeson founded the band that would become Rush with friend, drummer John Rutsey...
produced and performed on three tracks for the record, "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love", and "Wasted Me", but only "Dangerous Game" would appear on the finished product. The band hired Canadian Daniel Adair
Daniel Adair
Daniel Patrick Adair is a Canadian drummer best known as the current drummer for Canadian rock band Nickelback and his previous work with American rock band 3 Doors Down...
to play drums for the Away From the Sun tour. He would go on to record the drums for the band's next studio release, and was with the band aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73)
USS George Washington (CVN-73)
USS George Washington is an American nuclear-powered supercarrier, the sixth ship in the Nimitz class and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, the first President of the United States...
to film the music video "When I'm Gone
When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)
"When I'm Gone" is the title of a song recorded by American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released in October 2002 as the lead single from their second album, Away from the Sun. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2003...
".
In 2003, 3 Doors Down released a live E.P. entitled Another 700 Miles
Another 700 Miles
Another 700 Miles is a live EP by 3 Doors Down released on November 11, 2003. It was recorded live at a performance in Chicago, Illinois during the band's Away from the Sun tour.-Track listing:...
consisting of recordings from a live performance by the band in Chicago, Illinois. Another 700 Miles
Another 700 Miles
Another 700 Miles is a live EP by 3 Doors Down released on November 11, 2003. It was recorded live at a performance in Chicago, Illinois during the band's Away from the Sun tour.-Track listing:...
has since been certified Gold in the United States. Besides featuring some of 3 Doors Down's hit singles from their previous two albums, the E.P. also contains a version of the popular Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
song "That Smell
That Smell
"That Smell" is a song by the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Written by Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, it was released in 1977 on the album Street Survivors. At the time the song was written, the band had been drinking and doing many different drugs...
".
In 2003, the band began hosting the annual "3 Doors Down and Friends" benefit concert, through the band's own charity The Better Life Foundation. In 2006, this event was held at the Mobile Convention Center, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
survivors. As residents of Escatawpa, the members of the band saw the effects of Katrina's devastation.
Continued success (2005–2010)
The band's third studio album, 2005's Seventeen DaysSeventeen Days
Seventeen Days is the third studio album by American rock group 3 Doors Down, released on February 8, 2005, five years to the day that 3 Doors Down released their debut album, The Better Life....
, has since been certified platinum. "Let Me Go" and "Behind Those Eyes
Behind Those Eyes
"Behind Those Eyes" is the title of a song recorded by American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released in March 2005 as the second single from their album, Seventeen Days. The song peaked at number 12 on the US Mainstream Rock chart and at number 25 on the US Modern Rock chart. It also charted at...
" charted with the most success. "Live for Today", "Landing in London
Landing in London
"Landing in London" is the fifth and final single from the hit album Seventeen Days by American alternative rock band 3 Doors Down.-Content:...
" (on which Bob Seger
Bob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
sang the second verse and provided back-up vocals), and "Here by Me" were also released as singles. During the Seventeen Days tour, the band appeared alongside southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, as well as headlined many shows of their own.
Also in 2005, the band released a live DVD entitled Away from the Sun: Live from Houston, Texas. The DVD was produced and directed by Academy Award nominated Alex Gibney
Alex Gibney
Alex Gibney is an American documentary film director and producer. In 2010, Esquire magazine said Gibney "is becoming the most important documentarian of our time."...
and Doug Biro. It features songs from both The Better Life
The Better Life
-Charts:Album - Billboard - Deluxe Edition Bonus CD :A Deluxe Edition with second disc was released in 2007 and features a live performance recorded at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas.# "Duck and Run" 4:42...
and Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun is the second studio album by 3 Doors Down, released on November 12, 2002. The singles released for the album were as follows: "When I'm Gone", "The Road I'm On", "Here Without You", and "Away from the Sun"...
, and even some early sketches of "It's Not Me" and "Father's Son", which were both eventually released on Seventeen Days
Seventeen Days
Seventeen Days is the third studio album by American rock group 3 Doors Down, released on February 8, 2005, five years to the day that 3 Doors Down released their debut album, The Better Life....
.
Greg Upchurch
Greg Upchurch
Greg David Upchurch is the current drummer for 3 Doors Down, replacing Daniel Adair who left the band in 2005....
, formerly of Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd
Puddle Of Mudd is an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. To date the band has sold over 7 million albums, and have had a string of #1 mainstream rock singles in the United States. Their major-label debut Come Clean has sold over 5 million copies...
, replaced Daniel Adair
Daniel Adair
Daniel Patrick Adair is a Canadian drummer best known as the current drummer for Canadian rock band Nickelback and his previous work with American rock band 3 Doors Down...
in 2005, when Adair left to accept the position as drummer and contributing member of Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
.
3 Doors Down released their self-titled fourth album on May 20, 2008. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, selling 154,000 copies in its first week. It is the band's second consecutive #1 album on the chart after Seventeen Days, as well their fourth album to reach the Top Ten. The album contains the hit singles "It's Not My Time
It's Not My Time
"It's Not My Time" is the first official single from the self-titled fourth studio album by rock band 3 Doors Down. A minute and a half preview of the song is currently available on the band's MySpace page, with the full song having appeared on the internet. The song was digitally released to...
", "Train", "Let Me Be Myself
Let Me Be Myself
"Let Me Be Myself" is the second main single, , by rock band 3 Doors Down, from their eponymous fourth studio album. The song was released on on December 2, 2008...
" and "Citizen/Soldier
Citizen/Soldier
"Citizen/Soldier" is a single by the American alternative rock band 3 Doors Down from their self-titled album 3 Doors Down. The song was released as a single in November 2007 in conjunction with a recruitment campaign by the United States National Guard. The lyrics convey the band's views regarding...
", a song written as a tribute to the National Guard. In 2009, 3 Doors Down, along with The Soul Children of Chicago, released the song “In The Presence Of The Lord” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration
Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration
"Some of secular music's top acts -- among them Queen Latifah, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone and 3 Doors Down -- take a walk on the spiritual side for Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration."...
.
The band recorded in 2009 a Christmas song called "Where My Christmas Lives
Where My Christmas Lives EP
Where My Christmas Lives EP is a limited edition studio EP by American rock band 3 Doors Down, released in 2009. The EP contains a new single Where My Christmas Lives and its acoustic version, along with 6 acoustic versions of songs from the 3 Doors Down album...
", which was the first Christmas song Brad Arnold had ever written.
It was digitally released along with seven acoustic songs on December 8. Six of these acoustic tracks were from the previous self-titled album, and one was an acoustic version of 'Where my Christmas Lives'.
On February 9, 2010, the band released a song called "Shine", through digital media such as iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, which was used as a promotion for the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
and is available through digital outlets.
Recent years (2011–present)
3 Doors Down released their fifth studio album, Time of My Life on July 19, 2011. The band had earlier released their first single "When You're Young" on January 10, 2011. The single reached a position of 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. A second single from the album, Every Time You Go was released to digital outlets on May 23, 2011.
Lead singer Brad Arnold spoke very positively of the album, "This record shows some growth on our part. We've had success in the past and we're very thankful for that, but there's always room to… take it up to another level. And I feel like we did that. There's a lot of songs that people can immediately identify with. We just really wanted to do our best on this record, and looking back on the whole experience, I can really say that we did." The band embarked on a tour in July 2011 across USA, Europe, and the United Kingdom, in support of the album. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 with 59,800 copies sold in its first week.
The Better Life Foundation
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.
When the Mississippi town of Waveland
Waveland
Waveland may refer to:in the Atlantic Ocean* The islet of Rockall, designated as an independent state by Greenpeacein the United States* Waveland, Florida* Waveland Avenue, a bordering street of Wrigley Field , in Chicago, Illinois...
took an especially hard hit from Hurricane Katrina, the charity was able to purchase three police cars and a fire truck to help with rescue efforts. Also, in connection with Wal-Mart, they were able to supply the town with three semi-trucks full of rescue supplies. There was also extensive support from TBLF in providing funding for rebuilding efforts in the town.
3 Doors Down and The Better Life Foundation host a yearly show in at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, MS to raise money for the charity. In addition to a concert from 3 Doors Down and friends, there is also an auction, which includes numerous items from musical friends, sports icons, and other various supporters of the band and the charity. There is an average of sixty items auctioned off yearly, and proceeds are given to TBLF.
Past performers at the show include, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, Shinedown
Shinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
, Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge is an American rock band that was formed in 2004 in Orlando, Florida by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips, who are all also members of Creed. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the frontman...
, Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
, Hinder
Hinder
Hinder is an American rock band from Oklahoma that was formed in 2001 by drummer Cody Hanson, guitarist Joe Garvey, and singer Austin Winkler. The band was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2007.-Formation and early history:...
, Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
, Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music...
, Sara Evans
Sara Evans
Sara Lynn Evans is an American country singer and songwriter.Evans was one of the few traditional-styled singers to emerge from Nashville in the late 1990s, according to Allmusic. Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has made five No. 1 Country hits and Gold and Platinum-certified albums by...
, and others. Past auction items include a Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley
Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
guitar played on the KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
Farewell Tour, a total of four Roger Bourget motorcycles, access to the Dale Jr. racing suite, NASCAR artwork by Brad Daley, numerous signed guitars and sports memorabilia.
Members
Current members- Brad Arnold — lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1996–present), drums (1996–2000) - Matt RobertsMatt RobertsMatthew "Matt" Roberts is an English television presenter, best known for work on BBC Sport's Moto GP coverage.-Early life:Roberts attended All Saints High School in Huddersfield as well Greenhead College and Huddersfield University....
— lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals (1996–present) - Chris Henderson — rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1998–present) - Todd Harrell — bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1996–present) - Greg UpchurchGreg UpchurchGreg David Upchurch is the current drummer for 3 Doors Down, replacing Daniel Adair who left the band in 2005....
— drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion (2005–present)
Former members
- Daniel AdairDaniel AdairDaniel Patrick Adair is a Canadian drummer best known as the current drummer for Canadian rock band Nickelback and his previous work with American rock band 3 Doors Down...
— drums, percussion, backing vocals (2002–2005) - Richard Liles — drums, percussion (2000–2001)
Discography
- The Better LifeThe Better Life-Charts:Album - Billboard - Deluxe Edition Bonus CD :A Deluxe Edition with second disc was released in 2007 and features a live performance recorded at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas.# "Duck and Run" 4:42...
(2000) - Away from the SunAway from the SunAway from the Sun is the second studio album by 3 Doors Down, released on November 12, 2002. The singles released for the album were as follows: "When I'm Gone", "The Road I'm On", "Here Without You", and "Away from the Sun"...
(2002) - Seventeen DaysSeventeen DaysSeventeen Days is the third studio album by American rock group 3 Doors Down, released on February 8, 2005, five years to the day that 3 Doors Down released their debut album, The Better Life....
(2005) - 3 Doors Down (2008)
- Time of My Life (2011)