The annual, inspirational music showcase stops at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Sunday, with Trip Lee, Colton Dixon and Micah Tyler also on the bill. The Local Spins preview.
Headlining Winter Jam on Sunday: Skillet returns to Van Andel Arena. (Courtesy Photo)
It’s a Christian music milestone.
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Eddie Carswell of the inspirational band NewSong is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Winter Jam Tour.
He and his band conceived the concept and have worked it from the ground up.
“Actually, now we have people who do it for us,” said Carswell, whose group has been around since the 1980s. “I don’t have to sweat anything.”
‘Right Mix of Artists’: So says Eddie Carswell of NewSong, second from right. (Courtesy Photo)
NewSong once again hosts this giant road show which this year features nine Christian music artists and a speaker, unfurling at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena at 5 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 19). Details here.
Leading the way: hard rock’s Skillet and its latest hit, “Unpopular,” from the band’s 2024 album, “Revolution.” The band headlined a tour that stopped at Van Andel Arena 14 months ago.
Then there’s 22-year-old Anne Wilson, an artist whose music is now crossing over to mainstream country: Last year’s EP, “Rebel,” reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Chart and she was named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country. She returns to Winter Jams after a stint two years ago.
There’s also hip-hopp artist Trip Lee.
“We try to get the right mix of artists and the right (concert) dates,” Carswell said of the 38-city tour which plays major arenas across the country.
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A ticketless $15 donation at the door, plus a pass-the-hat offering during the show cover some of the tour costs. So does partnering with various non-profits, Christian ministries (such as World Vision) and faith-based films and colleges, all of which receive promotional consideration.
Anne Wilson (Courtesy Photo)
The large number of artists means stage time is limited. Singer-songwriter Colton Dixon said performers must approach the tour with a game plan.
“You’ve got to have a tight set list and be really dialed in with talking points ready,” said Dixon, who expects to get around 25 minutes of stage time.
The 2012 “American Idol” finalist will perform his Christian radio hits such as “Build A Boat” but also introduce a new piano ballad, “In Spite of Me.”
Trip Lee of Atlanta brings his rap/hip-hop credentials to the Jam with his signature “Sweet Victory” and another he recorded with fellow hip hopper Lecrae, “Manolo.”
The tour is now at the 25 year mark: NewSong had refined the concept in the 1990s before officially launching it full scale in 2001. It has grown precipitously.
The first year in Grand Rapids was 2004 at Cornerstone University’s fieldhouse. After a couple of years at the former DeltaPlex Arena it debuted at Van Andel 16 years ago. Through the years (besides NewSong), the bands Skillet, Newsboys and TobyMac have the most frequent Winter Jam appearances.
“We always see what artists are available: some are already committed to something else,” Carswell said. “Sometimes we get them for the following year.”
‘Sweet Victory’: Trip Lee (Courtesy Photo)
Host band NewSong gets a four-song set that usually features their booming ballad “Arise, My Love.”
Carswell said there may come a day when his group no longer performs during Winter Jam, making way for younger artists and allowing him to simply work behind the scenes.
“At some point, I think so,” he mused. “When you’ve been doing something for so long, it might be time to sit down. But we gear up to play it each year, and you can tell by the audience how you’re doing and we have no indication of stopping.”
Inspirational pop artist Micah Tyler (“I See Grace”) also is on the bill, as are the lesser-known SEU Worship, The Band Table and We Are Vessel.
VIDEO: Winter Jam 2025 Promotional Video
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