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Tenth Avenue North

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Tenth Avenue North
Mike Donehey performing live
Mike Donehey performing live
Background information
OriginWest Palm Beach, Florida
Genres
Years active2000–2021, 2023–present
LabelsReunion
Members
  • Mike Donehey
  • Thomas Ewing
  • Monty Rivera
  • Ben Backus
  • Payden Hillard
Past members
  • Jeff Owen
  • Bryan Homan
  • Andrew Middleton
  • Daniel Zayas
  • Scott Sanders
  • Donnie Richards
  • Jason Jamison
  • Brendon Shirley
  • Ruben Juarez III
Websitewww.tenthavenuenorth.com

Tenth Avenue North is an American contemporary Christian music band from West Palm Beach, Florida. The band released a total of fifteen original music projects,[1] including eight full-length studio albums (six of which reached the Billboard 200, including one which reached the top 10) and multiple RIAA gold singles.

The group was formed while its founding members attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, taking its name from an east-west road in Palm Beach County. During its period of prominence, the band comprised Mike Donehey as the lead singer, Jason Jamison as the drummer, Jeff Owen as the guitarist, Ruben Juarez as the bassist, and Brendon Shirley as the keyboardist.

In February 2020, they announced an amicable end to the band and that their upcoming tour would be their last, as the members wanted to spend more time with their families and pursue other career paths. Their final tour was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic after a few shows, and ultimately canceled. The band decided to play a final farewell show with the five main members in Florida in April 2021 and disbanded amicably thereafter. However, Donehey announced in November 2023 that the group had reformed and would tour in 2024.[2]

History

Founding and early success (2000-2011)

Tenth Avenue North was founded in 2000 by Donehey and Jamison.[3][4] According to Donehey, the name Tenth Avenue North was meant to be temporary because they were scheduled to play at a conference and could not agree on a name; they chose the name of the street they lived on in West Palm Beach and never changed it.[5]

The band released several independent albums and an EP before catching the attention of producers Jason Ingram and Phillip LaRue. Jeff Owen joined the band as guitarist before its first major label album, of which Scott Sanders was also part. Its debut album, Over and Underneath, was released on May 20, 2008, on Reunion Records, and the band began a tour near that time.[6] The song "Love Is Here" hit the Top 20 on the U.S. Contemporary Christian Music chart, and reached No. 3 by June 21, 2008.[7] It spent 13 weeks on Billboard's Christian Songs chart, peaking at No. 3.[8] and ending 2008 as the 12th-most-played song on Christian Hit Radio, according to R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for the year.[9]

The band's next single, "By Your Side", was released in late August 2008 and eventually reached No. 1 on Christian CHR radio in 2009; according to R&R's chart, it had been in that position for three weeks by February 13, 2009.[10] It spent 48 weeks on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, peaking at No. 2.[11] It also won the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year at the 41st award ceremony in April 2010.[12] "Hold My Heart" was released as a single in 2009 and spent 44 weeks on the Christian Songs chart, peaking at No. 4.[13]

Sanders departed the band and Juarez and Shirley joined the band in 2009, though they did not appear in promotional materials as band members yet. "Healing Begins", the first single from their next album, was released on March 2, 2010, and spent 29 weeks on the Billboard Christian Songs chart. The Light Meets The Dark, the complete album, came out on May 11, 2010.[14]

The band won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the 40th GMA Dove Awards in April 2009.[15]

In 2011, the band released Tenth Avenue North Live: Inside and In Between – The Shows, The Songs, The Story, a live album featuring video footage of concerts, video journals about the message behind the music, and live recordings of six of the band's biggest hits.[16]

The Struggle, Cathedrals, Followers, and other projects (2012-2018)

In August 2012, the band released its third album, The Struggle, with "Losing" as the lead single. The album was the band's most commercially successful project, debuting at No 1 on Billboard's Rock and Christian album charts and reaching #9 on the Billboard 200.[17] The Struggle used vocals recorded from audience members at shows and fans who came to live recording sessions to contribute to the album.[18] The Struggle tour featured Rend Collective as the opening act.

In December 2012, the band released an iTunes session, which includes a cover of Ben E. King's song "Stand by Me" and some of the band's singles.[19]

In July 2014, the band released the Islands EP and the single "No Man Is an Island".[20]

On November 10, 2014, the band released their fourth studio album, Cathedrals, which also contained all the songs from the Islands EP. The album debuted at No. 1 Billboard Christian Music chart and No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart.[21]

In a 2014 interview about Cathedrals, Jamison described the band's songwriting process thusly: "Mike, our singer, is always going to be the main lyricist: he's the driving force, and he's the best at it. On pretty much every song, we'll come in and say, 'Not this line' or 'This melody – how about we change it to this?' One of the things we've learned as a band over the years is how to take criticism well. When it comes to songwriting, you have to be willing to be told no, and to work for something much better. We've all got a lot better at that; I would say on this new record it was a testament to that, where we could easily point out a melody or lyric we didn't agree with, and change it all together. Or we could come up with the concept of a verse or a chorus, and we could all pin it together; or the drumbeat doesn't work - 'We don't like this' - so we try four or five different options till we've got the right one. So everybody's part was criticized carefully - even the bass part was looked at by the drummer. We all wanted to walk away with a product where we could say, 'I love these songs, and I wouldn't do it any different'."[22] He also said that he viewed the band's main audience as "believers who are going through difficult times, and maybe they can find refuge or answers or hope in the songs that we write as we go through those difficult times."[22]

In May 2016, the band released "What You Want", the lead single from their fifth studio album, Followers.[23] The new album was released on October 14, 2016.[24] It was followed by the singles "Control (Somehow You Want Me)" and "Fighting for You", the latter of which was released on November 9.

In 2017, the band released a full-length Christmas album, Decade the Halls Vol. 1, featuring classic and original Christmas songs in the style of each decade from the 1930s to the 2010s.

In May 2018, drummer (and founding member) Jason Jamison left the band to spend more time at home with his family and took a position with the band's partner charity, Compassion International.[25] Spencer Ford became their new touring drummer.

Also in 2018, the band launched their own record imprint on Sony, ReMade Records. The first band signed to the new imprint was Land of Color.[26]

The band's next EP, The Things We've Been Afraid to Say, was released on October 19, 2018.[27] Lead singer Mike Donehey said it was the band's first collection of songs of lament covering topics like "casual sex, pornography, political outrage, hatred, shame, secrets, fear and sexual abuse".[28] The EP was released through ReMade Records.[29]

In December 2018, Brendon Shirley, the band's keyboardist since 2010, left the band to pursue other ventures with his wife.[30] Jeremy Gifford became the new touring keyboardist.

Final projects (2019-2021)

After the amicable departures of Jamison and Shirley, the band decided to scale back the number of shows they were playing in order to spend more time at home with their families.[31]

In August 2019, the band released their sixth full-length album, No Shame. The band released singles "Greater Than All My Regrets", "No Shame", and "Paranoia" in the months leading up to the album's release.[31] Donehey said the song "Greater than All My Regrets" was inspired by the realization that "while we were doing half as many shows, and still paying our bills...I was filled with regret. I could have made this decision a long time ago. I could have missed less birthday parties and less recitals,” the father of four daughters says. “I could have been there, and I was beating myself up. I really felt like I heard God just whisper in my ear, ‘Hey Mike, it’s okay. I’m greater than all your regrets.’ That song has been really helpful for me dealing with my own personal regrets.”[31] The song featured guest vocals from Donehey's sister, Kanene Pipkin of the band The Lone Bellow.[31] The title track also features a guest appearance from The Young Escape.[31]

In early 2020, Donehey proposed to Juarez and Owen taking a break to spend time with his family and not touring in the fall. Juarez said he was getting ready to depart the band to pursue a full-time career in real estate, and Owen mentioned a desire to move to Florida and produce and write music full time.[3] So in February 2020, the band announced that their upcoming "Finally Living Tour" would be their final tour before disbanding after two decades. They wrote, "After twenty years, we are all dreaming new dreams, and it’s time to encourage one another to go. Go and do all that is in our hearts to do."[32] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all the concerts after March 12 were postponed and ultimately canceled.[33][34] [35]

The band released their final album, Unplugged for the People, a collection of acoustic versions of 10 of their greatest hits, in October 2020.[36]

The band later announced that Donehey, Owen, Juarez, Shirley, and Jamison would reunite for two final farewell shows in Orlando, Florida, in April 2021. The first show featured 13 of the 15 previous Tenth Avenue North band members recounting the history of the band with songs and storytelling. The second show was the final concert for the band, signifying the end of Tenth Avenue North after 21 years. At the time of their disbanding, Donehey began a solo career; Owen began working as a music producer; Juarez pursued a career in real estate; Shirley pursued business ventures with his wife; and Jamison continued at Compassion International.

Return (2023–present)

On November 9, 2023, Donehey announced that Tenth Avenue North had reunited and would release a new single titled "Suddenly" on the following day, with a tour to follow in the fall of 2024.[37]

Charity

Tenth Avenue North partnered with Compassion International and encouraged other people to sponsor impoverished children through the organization, especially at their live shows.[38]

Members

Current[39]

  • Mike Donehey – lead vocals, guitar (2000–2021, 2023-present)
  • Thomas Ewing – guitar, bongos, backing vocals (2023-present)
  • Monty Rivera – keyboard, bass, backing vocals (2023-present)

Former

  • Jeff Owen – guitar, background vocals (2005–2021)
  • Ruben Juarez III – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–2020)
  • Brendon Shirley – keyboards (2010–2018)[30][40]
  • Jason Jamison – drums, bongos (2000–2018)[25]
  • Bryan Homan – bass guitar, background vocals (2000–2005)
  • Andrew Middleton – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, lead vocals (2002–2006)
  • Donnie Richards – hand percussion, cowbell (2002–2003)
  • Daniel Zayas – electric guitar, keyboards, background vocals (2003–2006)
  • Scott Sanders – bass, keyboards, background vocals (2006–2009)

Touring musicians

  • Ben Backus - bass, background vocals (2024-present)
  • Payden Hillard - drums (2024-present)

Former touring musicians

  • Jeremy Gifford – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2018–2021)
  • Spencer Ford – drums, backing vocals (2018–2021)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Tenth Avenue North discography

Guest appearances

Title Year Other performers Album
"Higher" 2012 Lecrae Gravity (iTunes edition)

Mike Donehey is featured on the track "Out of My Hands" on Jars of Clay's The Shelter, released in 2010. He also contributed to the track "Through the Fire" on Hawk Nelson's 2013 album Made.[43]

Awards and nominations

GMA Dove Awards

Year Award Result
2009 New Artist of the Year Won
2010 Song of the Year ("By Your Side") Won
Group of the Year Nominated
2011 Song of the Year ("Hold My Heart") Nominated
Group of the Year Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (The Light Meets the Dark) Nominated
2012 Short Form Music Video of the Year ("You Are More") Won
2018 Song of the Year ("Control") Nominated

References

  1. ^ FAREWELL
  2. ^ "Tenth Avenue North returns to the music scene after calling it quits in 2020".
  3. ^ a b Mike Donehey Reflects on Tenth Avenue North’s 20-Year Legacy as the Band Bids Fans Fond Farewell
  4. ^ Tenth Avenue North saying farewell
  5. ^ Tenth Avenue North aims for hearts, not awards
  6. ^ Tenth Avenue North's Debut Single Love Is Here Breaks... Archived March 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine; CCM magazine; March 13, 2008. Retrieved April 5, 2008
  7. ^ Contemporary Christian Music Chart for R&R magazine as reported at the Weekend 22; June 21, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2008
  8. ^ "Love Is Here Billboard
  9. ^ 2008 Year End Charts/Top Christian CHR songs Archived May 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, R&R magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2009
  10. ^ "Christian CHR National Airplay". R&R. February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on January 10, 2006. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  11. ^ "By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  12. ^ Black, Nathan (April 22, 2010). "Casting Crowns, Jason Ingram Big Winners at 41st Dove Awards". The Christian Post. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  13. ^ Hold My Heart - Tenth Avenue North Billboard
  14. ^ "Vol 7, Part 2: New Song 'Healing Begins' Available!". March 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 7, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  15. ^ "2009 Winners". Doveawards.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  16. ^ "Live: Inside And In Between - CD/DVD". Indie Vision Music. October 27, 2009. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  17. ^ "Christian act connects with faithful fans on latest album". Billboard. September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  18. ^ AllMusic - The Struggle
  19. ^ "Tenth Avenue North - iTunes Sessions". October 27, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  20. ^ Yap, Timothy (October 2, 2014). "Tenth Avenue North Surprises Fans with "Islands" EP, Hear Samples Here". Hallels. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  21. ^ "Tenth Avenue North Debuts At #1 on Billboard and iTunes Christian Charts". November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  22. ^ a b Tenth Avenue North: The pop rockers on the long road to overnight success
  23. ^ "Brand New Music! It's What You Want!". May 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  24. ^ "New Album By Tenth Avenue North, 'Followers,' To Drop In October". BREATHEcast. July 15, 2016.
  25. ^ a b "Tenth Avenue North Drummer Jason Jamison Announces Departure from Band". www.newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  26. ^ "Tenth Avenue North Launches New Label Imprint". MusicRow. June 21, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  27. ^ "The Things We've Been Afraid to Say - EP by Tenth Avenue North". Genius. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  28. ^ "Tenth Avenue North releases 'The Things We've Been Afraid To Say'". wnypapers.com. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  29. ^ Conner, Matt (October 23, 2018). "Tenth Avenue North 'The Things We've Been Afraid To Say' Album Review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Tenth Avenue North on Instagram: "Hard to put into words what @brendonshirley has meant to our band. It's been nine glorious years since he joined us, and to see him go is a…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Tenth Avenue North Explores Faith, Shame and Regret on New Album 'No Shame'". Billboard. August 2, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  32. ^ Tenth Avenue North saying farewell
  33. ^ "Tenth Avenue North - Farewell". Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  34. ^ "Christian band Tenth Avenue North splitting up & announces farewell tour". March 5, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  35. ^ "Last Concert Announcement". facebook.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  36. ^ Tenth Avenue North Drops Final Album ‘Unplugged For The People’
  37. ^ "Tenth Avenue North returns to the music scene after calling it quits in 2020".
  38. ^ "Tenth Avenue North Partners with Compassion International". One Cubed. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  39. ^ "Instagram".
  40. ^ "Bands's about page". Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  41. ^ "Press Release — Tenth Avenue North". Tenthavenuenorth.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  42. ^ "Decade the Halls - Tenth Avenue North | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  43. ^ "Album Review : Hawk Nelson - Made". Indie Vision Music. March 27, 2013.
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