Winter Jam Christian tour returns

In its 15th year, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is still headlined by NewSong, but also includes such groups as Third Day, Newsboys and Fireflight and speaker Tony Nolan and more. But don’t look to Ticketmaster for entry into Gwinnett Arena for this mega event, which roughly 9,000 are expected to attend. Tickets, available at the door, are first-come, first-serve, with a suggested donation of $10.

“How do we make what we do accessible to as many people as possible? That’s always been the heart of what we do,” Lee explained. “At its heart, it’s about encouraging people, helping people.”

NewSong founded Winter Jam in 1995, selecting January for the event as it was traditionally a slower month for concerts, Lee said.

In the years since, the tour and audience have grown dramatically as Christian music has taken a turn for the hipper and artists such as TobyMac have gained mainstream recognition.

The Winter Jam tour, produced by Premier Productions, plays host to 41 shows and attracts a couple of hundred thousand fans a year.

Lee, who toured with NewSong from 1993 to 2000 and rejoined last year after pursuing mission opportunities and solo projects, said the concert tour provides artists the opportunity not just to share their message but also to promote charitable work.

Winter Jam is connected with groups including Holt International, which works to provide sponsorship and placement for orphans.

“It helps us make the statements we believe God wants us to make.”

Concert preview

Winter Jam

Performers: NewSong, Third Day, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre, Revive and guest speaker Tony Nolan.

6 p.m. Sunday; doors open at 5 p.m. $10 suggested donation, cash or checks only. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500, www.hearitfirst.com /winterjam .