Why Third Day’s Mac Powell Tried Country Before Returning to Christian Music

By Movieguide® Contributor

After Grammy-winning band Third Day disbanded in 2018, singer Mac Powell launched a solo country music career but knew he would eventually return to Christian music.

“That was like scratching an itch I had for a long time,” Powell told CBN. “Once Third Day was over, I finally had a chance to do that, but I always knew I was gonna be in Christian music. That’s where I feel comfortable. I love singing about Jesus and sharing my faith throughout my music.”

Because of this, Powell returned to the genre after his country project, releasing “New Creation” in 2021. This launched a tour and allowed him to travel and perform with his daughter, Scout, and her husband, Alec.

“Man, what a privilege to have my baby girl out on the road with me and my son-in-law,” Powell said. Scout plays bass while Alec plays the drums. “We’re having a blast.”

“I’m kind of reliving how I started out through them again. I’m getting that freshness again of getting to see the joy and excitement that they have,” he added. “Not that it’s gotten old on me by and means, it’s still exciting to be able to do that. But now to be able to bring them in and experience it again with them for the first time, it’s a really special time.”

During the holiday season, Powell is joining K-LOVE’s “Celebrate Christmas” tour with Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey. Following the new year, he will join TobyMac on his “Hits Deep” tour alongside other artists like Jon Reddick, Cory Asbury and Tasha Layton.

Powell also released a new holiday album featuring classic holiday songs and new tunes he wrote with Scout and Alec.

“Hey family, I am excited to share my new Christmas project with y’all! I’ve got some old songs and new songs for you to make Christmas memories to,” he wrote on Instagram.

The five-track EP features “three original songs including, ‘Christmas Time Again, My Friend,’ a song that he wrote with his daughter and son-in-law. Other songs featured are ‘I Pray On Christmas,’ a unique take on the classic Harry Connick Jr. song as well as ‘Jesus Christ Is Born’ that Powell released in 2022.”