It has been a week since Third Day released on May 4 its brand new studio album, Wire, selling up to 61,106 copies making its way up to No.1 on Neilsen SoundScan’s Top Christian Albums chart and Top Current Contemporary Christian music charts. Not only so, but Wire also made it to No. 12 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, marking a historical first week of biggest sales for Third Day.

“An incredible six months of team work displayed itself this week between the band, management, Provident Label Group, radio, retail and the fans,” said manager David Huffman, chief operating officer of Creative Trust, Inc. “We never imagined we would be able to achieve and supersede these goals. Third Day fans are incredible and have shown they’re glad to see and now hear a new record from their favorite band.”

The tracks of Wire also appear on the top-ten most downloaded play lists on Apple “Tunes” music service competing with playlists of artists such as Norah Jones, Maroon 5, and Diana Krall.

Last week, Third Day fans gathered at the classic drive-in restaurant The Varsity in Atlanta celebrating Third Day’s joyous release at for a post-concert party with two sold-out performances at The Fox Theater following. This was a part of the touring schedule of the band’s 85-city Third Day Live Tour accompanied by Warren Barfield an tobyMac. The first 9 shows of the tour sponsored by World Vision and Chevrolet has already attracted 95,000 fans.

Wire received much praise from USA, awarding it three of four stars: “Poised for mainstream impact after years of packing arenas, Christian rock act Third Day puts its brawny anthems in the capable hands of producer Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel) and brings in Dave Matthews violinist Boyd Tinsley for one track.”

Significantly, Wire was released at the time of Third Day’s acclaim of winning twice at the 35th Annual GMA Dove Awards on April 28. Third Day won for Long Form Music Video for Third Day Live In Concert, The Come Together Tour and in the Praise and Worship Album Category for the gold-selling Offerings II – All I Have to Give. Previously last year, the band also garnered an American Music Award nomination and also a GRAMMY in 2003 for Come Together. Ever since the past 11 years of the band’s career, Third Day won 21 GMA Dove Awards, 20 No. 1 radio single hits and albums sales have cumulated up near 4 million.

Third Day’s success on tour recently is incomparable, attracting an audience of more than 750,000 in 2002. Pollstar’s “Top 100 Tours of 2002” list includes Third Day twice, ranking them above acts including Counting Crows and Alanis Morissette.