How Old Is Jars Of Clay?

Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band that was founded in the early 1990s at Greenville College in Illinois. The band consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars, and Matt Odmark on rhythm guitars. They rose to prominence in 1995 with the release of their debut album Jars of Clay, which went multi-platinum and launched them into mainstream success.

Jars of Clay became one of the most popular acts in Christian rock during the 1990s and early 2000s. Their music blended elements of grunge, folk, and alternative rock, setting them apart in the Contemporary Christian Music scene. They also crossed over successfully into the general market, with several of their singles charting on mainstream rock and pop stations.

Formation

Jars of Clay was founded by four members – Dan Haseltine, Steve Mason, Charlie Lowell, and Matt Bronleewe – who all met while attending Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois in the early 1990s (Wikipedia). The band officially formed in 1993 when the four friends began writing songs together and performing in coffee houses around their college campus (CCM Classic). Their unique sound, blending folk, rock, and religious themes, quickly gained popularity locally and they self-released their first independent album Frail in 1994.

Early Years

Jars of Clay first emerged in 1994 when Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, and Matt Bronleewe met at Greenville College in Illinois. The four young men quickly bonded over their shared love of music and started performing together around campus.

Jars of Clay gained wider recognition when they submitted a demo tape for a Christian talent competition sponsored by Gospel Music Association. Their song “Flood” caught the judges’ attention and Jars of Clay were chosen as the winners.

This recognition led to the band signing with Essential Records and releasing their self-titled debut album, Jars of Clay, on October 24, 1995 (source). The album was both a critical and commercial success, with the song “Flood” becoming an especially big hit on Christian radio.

Jars of Clay ended up being the best-selling Christian album of 1995 and went on to sell over 3 million copies. It also won Jars of Clay the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 1996 (source).

Mainstream Success

In 1998, Jars of Clay released their breakout self-titled debut studio album Jars of Clay. The album was a huge mainstream success and introduced the band to a wider audience.

It featured several popular singles that reached the top positions on Christian radio charts, including “Flood” which topped both the Christian Adult Contemporary and Modern Rock charts in 1995. “Love Song for a Savior” also became a hit, winning the Gospel Music Association’s Song of the Year award in 1996.

Thanks to catchy melodies and introspective, faith-based lyrics, Jars of Clay was both a critical and commercial success. It peaked at #82 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went on to sell over 1 million copies. The album earned the band three Grammy Awards in 1997 for Best Pop Gospel Album, Best Gospel Performance for the song “Flood”, and Best New Artist.

This meteoric rise with their debut helped cement Jars of Clay’s status as one of the most successful and influential Christian rock bands of the 1990s. The album’s cross-genre appeal also demonstrated that faith-based music could find a sizable audience in the mainstream music world.

Career Peaks

Jars of Clay reached new heights of mainstream success with their sophomore album Much Afraid in 1997. The album peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Platinum in the US. It produced several hit songs like “Crazy Times” and “Five Candles (You Were There)”, showcasing the band’s songwriting and musicianship.

Their 2003 album, Who We Are Instead, marked another career milestone. It debuted at #18 on the Billboard 200 and the single “Show You Love” became one of their biggest radio hits. The album also earned the band their first Grammy award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 2004.

Over their career, Jars of Clay has won 3 Grammy awards and multiple Dove Awards. Their music has expanded beyond contemporary Christian circles, with songs featured in movies, TV shows, and video games. They’ve sold over 6 million albums worldwide, cementing their status as one of the most successful Christian rock acts.

Sources:

[1] https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?b=1418

[2] https://anotherland.substack.com/p/the-complete-jars-of-clay-ranked?utm_source=twitter&sd=pf

Later Years

In the 2000s, Jars of Clay continued to release new music and tour extensively. Their album The Eleventh Hour was released in 2002, followed by Who We Are Instead in 2003. Both albums produced multiple hit songs on Christian radio, including “Fly” and “Work” from The Eleventh Hour and “Show You Love” from Who We Are Instead. The band remained a staple on Christian radio throughout the 2000s.

Jars of Clay embarked on The Eleventh Hour Tour to support their 2002 album, playing over 100 shows. In 2004, they headlined their own Frail Tour and also opened for Sting on his Sacred Love Tour, which expanded their fanbase. Additional headlining tours followed for each new album release, bringing their powerful live performances to venues across the country.

The band released the album Good Monsters in 2007, led by the singles “Dead Man (Carry Me)” and “Work”. This album showed musical experimentation and evolution while retaining Jars of Clay’s signature melodic, lyric-focused songwriting style. Their steady stream of releases and near-constant touringexemplified their lasting prominence and appeal in the Christian music world.

Hiatus Period

In April 2014, Jars of Clay released a statement announcing they would be taking an indefinite hiatus after their fall tour that year. The band members wanted to take a break to focus on individual projects and spend more time with their families (Billboard).

During the hiatus, the band members pursued various solo efforts. Dan Haseltine released several EPs and volunteered with non-profit organizations like Blood:Water Mission (Jars of Clay News). Stephen Mason composed scores for films like The Good Lie. Charlie Lowell produced albums for other artists like Matt Bronleewe.

The hiatus lasted 6 years, though the members occasionally reunited for one-off performances during that time. In September 2020, Jars of Clay announced they would be reuniting and touring again in 2021, to the excitement of longtime fans (Billboard).

Reunion

In early 2014, after a 5-year hiatus, Jars of Clay announced they were reuniting and working on a new album called 20. The album released on April 29, 2014 and was meant to commemorate the band’s 20th anniversary (Source: https://www.jarsofclay.com/).

To promote 20, Jars of Clay embarked on an anniversary tour called “20 Years of Jars of Clay”. The tour started in April 2014 visiting over 30 cities in the US (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqrBpmtztP4). Fan favorites like “Flood” and “Love Song for a Savior” were played live along with new songs from 20 like “Inland” and “Work”.

After the 20th anniversary tour, Jars continued touring and playing festivals like Creation Fest and Spirit West Coast through 2015 and 2016. They also released a live album in 2016 called Jars of Clay Live Monument featuring recordings from their 20th anniversary tour (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/jarsofclay/).

Recent Years

In recent years, Jars of Clay has continued to release new music and tour. Their most recent studio album, 20, was released in 2013 to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary.

The album featured re-imagined versions of some of their biggest hits along with new songs. Songs included the single “Fall Asleep” and the title track “20”. In 2014, the band released the corresponding acoustic album 20: The Acoustic Sessions, comprising acoustic versions of the songs.

Jars of Clay has remained active, periodically reconvening for tours and festival appearances. The band members have also been involved in various side projects and solo work. In 2017, Jars of Clay received the Governor’s Arts Award for outstanding contributions to the arts in Tennessee.

According to the band’s official website, they are currently working on new music with plans for future tours. After over 25 years together, Jars of Clay continues making music and connecting with fans.

Conclusion

Jars of Clay has had an impressive run in the music industry, with origins dating back over 25 years. Formed in the early 90s as college students, the band quickly gained mainstream success and recognition. They have produced dozens of hit songs and over 10 studio albums, winning Grammys and Dove Awards along the way.

Though not currently as prolific as their 90s and early 2000s peak, Jars of Clay has managed to remain an active and relevant force in Christian music. Their unique blended sound of rock, folk, and hymns has influenced many artists that followed. The band took a break in recent years to rest and pursue individual interests, but reunited in 2017 much to fans’ delight. 25+ years later, Jars of Clay’s original members continue to perform and record new music together.

In summary, Jars of Clay has demonstrated rare longevity in the music business. Their signature sound and openness about faith have made them a seminal Christian band with an enduring catalog of hits. Through highs and lows, breakups and reunions, they have maintained their reputation and legacy.