Band,
Rock and Pop
Jars of Clay began at Greenville College, Illinois, in 1992 (though they weren't using that name at this stage). In those early days, Charlie Lowell and Dan Haseltine were joined by Matt Bronleewe after discovering they shared similar musical tastes, and began working on various studio projects as well as performing with different college bands. In 1993, Stephen Mason was accepted into the college due to the strength of his audition piece 'Frail' (then an instrumental guitar track), and met Dan because of a Toad The Wet Sprocket t-shirt he was wearing, the two sharing an admiration for that band's unique sound. This original foursome then decided to write and record a song together purely for credit in a recording class. That song, 'Fade To Grey' became popular throughout the college, and the band performed it the 'Underground Cafe'. After the success of this performance, they decided to write more songs to add to their repertoire as well as to continue satisfying their course criteria. They also decided that if they were going to continue performing, they needed to give themselves a name. Charlie recalled a verse from 2 Corinthians 4:7 that included the phrase 'Jars of Clay' and the band decided that this would be a good way to remind themselves to stay humble. In 1994, Jars of Clay was born. Also in 1994, Charlie suggested to the band that they enter a talent contest he had seen advertised in a CCM magazine. On April 27th, Jars of Clay performed at the Gospel Music Association Spotlight Competition, and met with great popular and critical praise. April continued to be busy as the band released its demo album "Frail", (which was limited to a run of 1000 and is now the most highly sought after piece of Jars of Clay memorabilia). This demo, combined with their GMA win, garnered the band a lot of record label interest, and eventually they signed with Essential Records (3), then a small, fledgling label that nevertheless had the distribution power of both Brentwood Music and Silvertone. By this stage, Matt Bronleewe had decided to leave the band and continue his studies, rather than move with the others to Nashville to record their debut album. This left a hole in the group that was filled when Charlie called an old school friend of his, Matt Odmark, and asked him if he would be interested in the spot. Matt accepted and in May 1995 they released their self-titled debut to massive critical and popular acclaim. The first single to be lifted from the album, 'Flood', became a No. 1 hit on both secular and Christian charts, helping the album go 2x Platinum, and seeing the band tour with the likes of Sting, Sheryl Crowe, Michael W. Smith and PFR. Jars of Clay are considered to be one of the most creative and artistic bands in the US, and not only amongst Christian audiences. Though their name is not as prevalent in the secular scene as it once was, it is still associated with the very highest of production values and creative output, and the band still maintains a very loyal and dedicated fan base, and have performed all over the world, including Australia, the UK, the Philippines, and Singapore. In 2001, Jars of Clay received Honourary Degrees from Greenville College, since Dan, Charlie and Steve never finished their original degrees. The band has always been open about their Christian beliefs, but do not consider themselves to be a 'Christian' band, more a band whose members are Christians. All four men are now married and most have started families of their own. When touring, the group is expanded to include a drummer (formerly Scott Savage and Joe Porter (2), currently Jeremy Lutito) and a bassist (formerly Aaron Sands, currently Gabe Ruschival), and on occasion has included string players. Jars of Clay continue to be one of the most influential bands in the CCM industry as well as maintaining a high degree of respect in the music industry in general.
Matt Bronleewe key, g *1973 US | |
Dan Haseltine perc, voc *1973 US | |
Matt Odmark acg, voc *1974 US | |
Stephen Mason voc *1975 US | |
Charlie Lowell key *1973 US |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
20 | Jars Of Clay | 2014 | Album |
Daytrotter Presents No. 25 | Jars Of Clay & Superdrag | 2014 | Album |
Inland | Jars Of Clay | 2013 | Album |
Daytrotter Studio 12/13/2013 | Jars Of Clay | 2013 | Album |
Jars Of Clay & Much Afraid | Jars Of Clay | 2012 | Compil. |
More Christmas Songs EP | Jars Of Clay | 2011 | Album |
Reinvent, Remember, Replay | Jars Of Clay | 2011 | Album |
Flood(ed) - A Benefit | Jars Of Clay | 2010 | Album |
The Shelter | Jars Of Clay | 2010 | Album |
The Long Fall Back To Earth | Jars Of Clay | 2009 | Album |
Closer EP | Jars Of Clay | 2008 | Album |
Greatest Hits | Jars Of Clay | 2008 | Compil. |
Live Monsters | Jars Of Clay | 2007 | Album |
The Essential Jars Of Clay | Jars Of Clay | 2007 | Compil. |
Christmas Songs | Jars Of Clay | 2007 | Album |
Good Monsters | Jars Of Clay | 2006 | Album |
Mini Monsters EP | Jars Of Clay | 2006 | Album |
Waiting For The World To Fall | Jars Of Clay | 2005 | Single |
iTunes Originals | Jars Of Clay | 2005 | Album |
Redemption Songs | Jars Of Clay | 2005 | Album |
Roots & Wings EP | Jars Of Clay | 2005 | Album |
Who We Are Instead | Jars Of Clay | 2003 | Album |
Furthermore: From The Studio / From The Stage | Jars Of Clay | 2003 | Album |
Fly | Jars Of Clay | 2002 | Single |
The Eleventh Hour | Jars Of Clay | 2002 | Album |
11 Live - Jars Of Clay In Concert | Jars Of Clay | 2002 | Album |
Jar Of Gems | Jars Of Clay | 2001 | Compil. |
This Road | Jars Of Clay | 2000 | Single |
The White Elephant Sessions | Jars Of Clay | 2000 | Album |
If I Left The Zoo | Jars Of Clay | 1999 | Album |
Unforgetful You | Jars Of Clay | 1999 | Single |
Front Yard Luge | Jars Of Clay | 1999 | Album |
Overjoyed | Jars Of Clay | 1998 | Single |
Much Afraid | Jars Of Clay | 1997 | Album |
Five Candles (You Were There) | Jars Of Clay | 1997 | Single |
Crazy Times | Jars Of Clay | 1997 | Single |
ArtistLink Extra | Jars Of Clay | 1996 | Album |
Singles | Jars Of Clay | 1996 | Single |
Flood | Jars Of Clay | 1996 | Single |
Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry / Stupid Girl / Flood / One More Try | Ace Of Base / Garbage / Jars Of Clay / Kristine W | 1996 | Album |
Jars Of Clay | Jars Of Clay | 1995 | Album |
Drummer Boy | Jars Of Clay | 1995 | Album |
Jars Of Clay Interactive | Jars Of Clay | 1995 | Album |
Lift Me Up | Jars Of Clay | Album |