Jars of Clay

Jars of Clay Launches own Label: “Gray Matter”

San Diego, Ca.....6/21/07....Christian rockers Jars of Clay originally signed with Essential Records over twelve years ago. They are now going it on their own label. The Multi-Platinum and three time GRAMMY Award winning band is now paving their own path with the creation of their own label imprint, under the Nettwerk Music Group umbrella. Distribution will remain within Provident/Integrity Distribution system. The first recording at this new juncture will hit shelves in October, it will be their debut Christmas CD, “Christmas Songs, “ giving fans the Christmas record they’ve been wanting for years.

"As we pursue the goal of making more music and being creative in a spectrum of ways, Gray Matters will be able to facilitate any of the ideas we want to bring to life,” remarks lead singer Dan Haseltine.
"This is such a great way for us to bring more art and music into being. We can collaborate with other artists and take ideas that always seemed to get caught up in the traditional label mire, and make sure those projects have a chance to be heard. This is the beginning of a very creative season. Gray Matters will be a fantastic way to share our artistic philosophy, by giving other artists and creative thinkers an outlet for their ideas."

“With the creation of their “Gray Matters” label, the guys are charting new territory,” commented Nettwerk Management's Michael Corcoran. “By allowing the band to have a new type of ownership in their work, we’ve opened up their creative floodgates and are looking forward to watching “Gray Matters” grow. “Christmas Songs” is a first step in this unfolding, and the guys have really delivered.”

Jars of Clay launched their career with the universal hit, “Flood,” in 1995. Since then, they have amassed more than five million in career sales along with several RIAA certifications (5 Gold, 2 Platinum and 1 Double Platinum) an American Music Award nod, 17 No.1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing. While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, members Dan Haseltine, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark and Charlie Lowell founded the Blood:Water Mission in early 2002. The first effort of this non-profit was the “1000 Wells Project” with a goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Their effort has been successful in bringing 200 wells with clean water to more than 100,000 people.