Third Day at the Music Builds launch partyWhile in Nashville for Gospel Music Week in April, Third Day spoke at interviews and performed at showcases in anticipation of their July release. You might be surprised at one of the media outlets that spoke with the band that week.

Revelation has already proved to be replete with newness. New musical guests. New artist management. New producer. And now there is a new cover on Billboard magazine. Apparently the June 7th edition reached a new height - first time a Christian band made it onto the front cover.

The cover reads, "Third Day Christian Crossover? Daughtry's producer. Dave Matthews' management. An inside look at longtime rockers on the verge," The issue can be purchased at larger magazine outlets, or you can read the article here. It is full with interesting discussions about the past, present, and more importantly the future of this long-time band with new beginnings.

A must read about the potential outlook of Christian music, even if you are not a Third Day fan.

For everyone who wondered if they had seen the beginning of the end for Third Day, the band answers back with its best CD to date. From the opening track they proclaim "This is Who I Am."

"I’m the son of a good man, I’m the child of an angel," read the lyrics. "I’m the brother of a wild one, and I’m looking for direction, I’m the lover a beauty, I’m father of blessings, I’m the singer of a love song, but is that all I’m good for? This is who I am!"

Rumors and factual information about a tour brewing with Switchfoot, Third Day and Robert Randolph and the Family Band have been floating around the 'net for a few weeks now. These three bands are scheduled to play a launch party (aka showcase) for the tour at this years GMA week in Nashville.

Third Day guitarist Brad Avery is leaving the band after 13 years in order to pursue solo projects, according to CCMmagazine.com and the band's official blog. Avery's former bandmates left a brief statement on the blog this week, calling the decision to part with Avery "difficult."

"We appreciate Brad's many contributions to the band's career to date, including his work on our forthcoming album, but the time has come for us to follow our separate paths," the blog states.