Big-name Christian music acts take aim at Cape

The Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau will host a distinctive group of performers Sunday. The Spring 2014 Tour will include genres from bouncy pop to rock and metal.

However, these artists share one thing in common: They all are Christian-based. The tour is co-headlined by Skillet and Third Day.

Skillet is a Christian rock/metal band. Since forming in Memphis, Tenn., in 1996, Skillet has released nine albums. It has been nominated 19 times for a GMA Dove Award, which recognizes Christian and gospel music.

Skillet also has been nominated for a Grammy twice for Best Rock Gospel Album.

In 2012, Skillet's album "Awake" was one of the three rock albums that became certified platinum that year. The other two albums were the Black Keys' "El Camino" and Mumford & Sons' "Babel."

Submitted

The other co-headliner, Third Day, formed in 1991 and has released 11 albums. In the last decade alone, the band has sold more than 7 million albums, received 24 GMA Dove Awards, four Grammy Awards and an American Music Award. It has been featured on the cover of Billboard magazine.

Special guests to the tour are Jamie Grace and Morgan Harper Nichols. Both are Christian pop artists as well as sisters who form a duo known as Harper Still.

Former Newsboys frontman Peter Furler will be performing in the tour as well.

Also performing is the band We As Human, which shares a similar style with Skillet.

Third Day and Grace are not new to the Show Me Center stage. Grace was a part of TobyMac's "Hits Deep" Tour, which came to Cape Girardeau in December.

Peter Furler

According to Josh Hanlon, the Show Me Center's marketing director, this set of bands was chosen for two reasons. First, the group is expected to attract a large crowd. After being pleased with the turnout at the "Hits Deep" concert, its promoter decided to bring another package tour to Cape Girardeau.

The second reason: Some of these artists, such as Skillet and We As Humans, have fan bases outside the Christian community, which can potentially increase sales and diversify the audience.

Several university students expressed excitement about the upcoming concert.

"I'm excited to see Jamie Grace," said Molly Whitener, a member of Southeast Missouri State University's Baptist Student Union.

"I haven't heard much by her, so I think this will be a good opportunity to check out some new songs," Whitener added.

Southeast freshman Hunter Seyer said he is most excited to see Skillet.

"They really put on a good show, and they bring a lot of energy to the concert as well," Seyer said.

General admission tickets start at $20 and go up to $36. VIP packages cost $99 and include a meet-and-greet with Skillet and Third Day, an autographed photo and reserved floor seats in the first five rows.

Tickets may be bought at the Show Me Center box office, by phone at 651-5000 or at showmecenter.biz.

The show starts at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Show Me Center; the doors will open at 6 p.m.