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3 Doors Down | |
|---|---|
 3 Doors Down performing inLaredo, Texas in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Escatawpa, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Works | 3 Doors Down discography |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Members |
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| Past members |
|
| Website | 3doorsdown |
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3 Doors Down is an Americanrock band fromEscatawpa, Mississippi, that formed in 1996. The band's music is described as post-grunge, alternative rock, and hard rock.
The band was brought to mainstream popularity with their 2000 debut single, "Kryptonite", which peaked at number three on theBillboard Hot 100. The song preceded their debut albumThe Better Life (2000), which became the 11th-best-selling album of that year, receivedseptuple platinum certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and spawned two additionalBillboard Hot 100 entries: "Loser" and "Be Like That". Their second album,Away from the Sun (2002), continued the band's success, debuting at number eight on theBillboard 200 and spawning theBillboard Hot 100-top five singles "When I'm Gone" and "Here Without You".
The band's third and fourth studio albums,Seventeen Days (2005) and theirself-titled fourth album (2008), both debuted atop theBillboard 200 and received platinum certifications by the RIAA. The band's fifth album,Time of My Life (2011), peaked at number three, and their sixth album,Us and the Night (2016), peaked at number 14.
3 Doors Down was formed in 1996[3] byEscatawpa, Mississippi nativesBrad Arnold (lead vocals and drums), Matt Roberts (lead guitar and backing vocals), and Todd Harrell (bass guitar). While the trio were walking through the town ofFoley, Alabama during a trip there, they noticed a building where some letters had fallen off its sign, reading "Doors Down". Since the band consisted of three people at the time, they added the number 3 to create "3 Doors Down".
Arnold wrote the band's breakout hit single, "Kryptonite" in high school during math class at age 15.[4]
The three-piece began to record demo material in 1997.[5] The demo recording sessions took place at the Holly House Recording studio inBiloxi, Mississippi.[6] The band's demo songs were mixed and recorded by Clyde Holly, with the recordings being released on a self-titled CD in 1997. 1,000 copies of the demo CD were released initially, with 1,000 more copies being released two years later.[6] When the band gave the CD to local radio stationWCPR-FM, they started playing the demo recording of "Kryptonite" and it became the No. 1 requested song on the station for over 15 weeks.[7] The station's program director sent the song to manager Phin Daly who in turn showed it to Bill McGathy, his employer at In De Goot Entertainment.
In 1998, two years after the band formed, Harrell asked rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson, who was previously in a band named Burning Bridges, to join the group.[8] The band was booked in New York to perform a showcase at theCBGB music club. Daly toldHitQuarters: "Once they got on stage and started playing it was apparent the magic was in the music. So we moved to sign them."[7]
3 Doors Down's first studio album,The Better Life, was released on February 8, 2000. It went on to become the 11th best-selling album of the year,[4] selling over four million copies.[9] It was certified septuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 26, 2020, signifying over seven million units sold in the United States,[10] thanks in large part to the international hit singles "Kryptonite", "Loser", and "Duck and Run".[11][12][13] Released in April 2000, "Kryptonite" reached number three on the charts[14] and became the band's breakout hit,[4] receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song.[15] A fourth single, "Be Like That" was re-recorded for the 2001 filmAmerican Pie 2, with alternate lyrics for the first three lines; this version is known as the "American Pie 2 Edit". While recording the album, Brad Arnold recorded both the vocal and drum tracks. The band hired drummer Richard Liles for the tour in support ofThe Better Life so that Arnold could perform at the front of the stage. Liles left the group and was later replaced by Canadian percussionistDaniel Adair, who toured with them and did studio sessions.[16]
The band's second studio album,Away from the Sun, was released on November 30, 2002 and peaked at number eight on the charts.[17] The album produced the singles "When I'm Gone", "Here Without You", and "The Road I'm On".Away from the Sun went platinum within two months of release[18] and eventually went multi-platinum;[19] it sold four million copies worldwide, including well over three million in the U.S.[20][21] "When I'm Gone" received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal, respectively.[15] Session drummerJosh Freese was hired to record drums for the album.Rush guitaristAlex Lifeson produced and performed on three tracks for the record, "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love", and "Wasted Me", but only "Dangerous Game" would appear on the finished product. The band hired CanadianDaniel Adair to play drums for theAway From the Sun tour. He would go on to record the drums for the band's next studio release, and was with the band aboard theUSSGeorge Washington (CVN-73) to film the music video "When I'm Gone".
In 2003, 3 Doors Down released a live EP entitledAnother 700 Miles consisting of recordings from a live performance by the band in Chicago, Illinois.Another 700 Miles has since been certified Gold in the United States. In addition to featuring some of 3 Doors Down's hit singles from their previous two albums, the EP also contains a version of the popular 1977Lynyrd Skynyrd song "That Smell". The group toured withNickelback in 2004.[22]
In 2003, the band began hosting the annual "3 Doors Down and Friends" benefit concert through the band's own charity, The Better Life Foundation. In 2006, this event was held at the Mobile Convention Center, with proceeds benefitingHurricane Katrina survivors. As residents of Escatawpa, the members of the band saw the effects of Katrina's devastation.[23]
By 2005, the band had sold 12 million albums.[24] The band's third studio album, 2005'sSeventeen Days, debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard 200[25] and has been certified platinum.[26] Of the singles from it, "Let Me Go" and "Behind Those Eyes" charted with the most success. "Live for Today", "Landing in London" (on whichBob Seger sang the second verse and provided back-up vocals), and "Here by Me" were also released as singles. During theSeventeen Days tour, the band appeared alongside southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as headlining many shows of their own.
Later in 2005, the band released a live DVD entitledAway from the Sun: Live from Houston, Texas. The DVD was produced and directed byAcademy Award-nominatedAlex Gibney and Doug Biro. It features songs from bothThe Better Life andAway from the Sun, and even some early sketches of "It's Not Me" and "Father's Son", which were both eventually released onSeventeen Days.
Greg Upchurch, formerly ofPuddle of Mudd, replaced Daniel Adair in 2005, when Adair left to become drummer and contributing member ofNickelback.[27]
3 Doors Down released theirself-titled fourth album on May 20, 2008. It debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard 200, selling 154,000 copies in its first week.[25] It became the band's second consecutive No. 1 album on the chart afterSeventeen Days, as well their fourth album to reach the Top Ten.[25] The album contains the hit singles "It's Not My Time", "Train", "Let Me Be Myself" and "Citizen/Soldier", a song written as a tribute to theNational Guard.[citation needed] The album went on to be certified platinum.[28]
In 2009, 3 Doors Down, along with The Soul Children of Chicago, released the song "In the Presence of the Lord" on the compilation albumOh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.[29]
In 2009, the band recorded a Christmas song called "Where My Christmas Lives", which was the first Christmas song Brad Arnold had written.[30] It was digitally released along with seven acoustic songs on December 8. Six of these acoustic tracks were from the previous self-titled album, and one was an acoustic version of "Where My Christmas Lives".
3 Doors Down released their fifth studio album,Time of My Life, on July 19, 2011. The band had previously released "When You're Young" as the first single from the album on January 10, 2011. The single reached No. 81 on the USBillboard Hot 100. A second single from the album, "Every Time You Go" was released to digital outlets on May 23, 2011.[31][32] The band embarked on a tour in July 2011 across the US, Europe, and the United Kingdom in support of the album.[33] The album debuted (and peaked) at No. 3 on the Billboard 200,[17] with 59,800 copies sold in its first week. Beginning in May 2012, the band embarked on a six-week-long 'Gang of Outlaws Tour' with headlinersZZ Top and openerGretchen Wilson.[34]
On May 23, 2012, Matt Roberts announced he was leaving the band to focus on his health.[35] He told fans in a statement, "3 Doors Down will always have a special place in my heart and it saddens me to take this time off. But my health has to be my first priority".[36] Guitarist Chris Henderson announced onTwitter that his former guitar tech Chet Roberts would be taking over from Matt Roberts on lead guitar.
After the "Gang of Outlaws" tour finished, the band said in an interview that they were entering the studio to record three or four new songs for their first Greatest Hits album, which was released on November 19, 2012.[37] During the tail end of the Gang of Outlaws tour, they debuted a new song "One Light" which was included on the band'sThe Greatest Hits. Guitarist Chris Henderson announced on Twitter they would be back in the studio a few weeks after the tour had ended. In late 2012, the band appeared at several smaller shows including one in Huntington, NY.[38] The band performed at Download Festival 2013 at the Zippo Encore Stage on the Friday of the three-day festival. From the end of 2012 through to March 2013, 3 Doors Down went on a joint headlining tour with US rock bandDaughtry to promote Daughtry's 3rd studio album release. The cover of "In the Air Tonight" was captured and uploaded to Daughtry's official YouTube channel. The band also played the Dubai Jazz Festival in February 2013.
On April 20, 2013, bassist Todd Harrell was charged withvehicular homicide for his actions the night before in Nashville, Tennessee. He was reportedly driving onI-40 at high speed while under the influence of prescription medication when he caused an accident that killed 47-year-old Paul Howard Shoulders Jr. The judge in the case harshly criticized the musician's doctor in the courtroom, accusing the physician of prescribing Harrell far too many pain pills. Harrell was also charged with bringing controlled substances into a correctional detention facility. In December 2015, Harrell was sentenced to two years' imprisonment[39] followed by six years of probation.
3 Doors Down later announced that the four scheduled shows in the U.S. for April and May had been cancelled out of respect for Shoulders and his family. The European tour withPrime Circle and the summer tour dates withDaughtry, which had been announced the day after the incident in Nashville, remained intact. On May 24, a week before the start on the European tour, Justin Biltonen, formerly of The Campaign 1984,[40] was announced as the band's new bassist. The tour, starting inMoscow, Russia began on May 31, 2013. On July 20, 2013, they played live at the2013 National Scout Jamboree at theSummit Bechtel Reserve.
From the end of 2013 into 2014, the band embarked on an acoustic tour entitled "Songs from the Basement" and toured around the US. In February 2014, Todd Harrell was arrested inMississippi once again for aDUI. Afterward, the band released a statement that Harrell was permanently out of the band, and that they would continue with Justin Biltonen as his replacement. In June, Henderson announced that the band's next album would be entitledUs and the Night.[41] In January 2016, the album's release date was revealed to be March 11, 2016. The band then went on tour around North America and in festivals such as Fort rock and Carolina Rebellion. 3 Doors Down toured the UK and Europe with multiple sold-out shows.[42]Us and the Night peaked at number 14 on the charts.[17]
Former guitarist Matt Roberts died on August 20, 2016, at the age of 38 from a prescription drug overdose.[36]
3 Doors Down performed at thepresidential inauguration concert of U.S.President-electDonald Trump on January 20, 2017.[43] Arnold toldTMZ that he was "proud" to perform and that he thought it would be a "good experience".[44] Fans of the band expressed mixed to negative feedback about it performing at the inauguration.[45][46][47][48][49] 3 Doors Down's business manager, Angus Vail, explained toVice the reasons behind the band's decision to perform by saying: "Well, 3 Doors actually playedGeorge W. Bush's inauguration. They are good Mississippi and Alabama boys — they come from conservative families. You know, they're really good guys, but they have very different political beliefs. Because they played both Bush's inaugurations, they've obviously been on the conservative radar." Vail continued that the band's choice to perform had a lot to do with their "God, guns, and country black-and-white sort of viewpoint" and that "they spend a lot of time going to Iraq, doing service, playing for the troops."[44] In the week following the performance, the band'sThe Greatest Hits compilation album reentered the Billboard 200 at a new peak of No. 94; the album had debuted and peaked at No. 100 in 2012 and had been off the chart since April 2016.[50] In February 2018, during an interview withDetroit Metro Times, rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson stated about the performance, "it wasn't a Trump thing. That's what people don't understand. It was the inauguration of a president of the United States of America." and "this is history-making stuff. It's a one-in-a-lifetime chance to do something for your country. So that's why we did it."[51]
In 2018, 3 Doors Down embarked on the Rock n' Roll Express tour with Collective Soul and opening actSoul Asylum. The tour had shows in 36 cities in the United States.[52]
In July 2018, Arnold stated that 3 Doors Down had been writing new material; "Who knows when we'll follow that one up. But we have been writing new songs. Maybe we'll release a single or a couple of new songs. We just might not release an album for a while. We still love creating new material — there's just not a market for it. But fans still like going out and seeing us."[53] In August 2019, Arnold stated that the band would soon begin working on a follow-up toUs and the Night.[54]
Despite statements in 2018 and 2019 about working on new material and plans to record a follow-up, 3 Doors Down has not released a new studio album sinceUs and the Night (2016).
In 2023, the band embarked on The Better Life 20th Anniversary Tour, commemorating the 2000 release of their debut album. The tour featured a full live performance of the album and included Candlebox as the supporting act.[55]
On August 11, 2023, 3 Doors Down released a 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of their 2002 albumAway from the Sun.[56] The expanded release features remastered audio from the original 24-bit source tapes together with ten bonus tracks, including previously unreleased songs, demos and rare B-sides.[57] A new music video for the track “Pop Song” accompanied the release, and the band performed the entire album on an accompanying anniversary tour.[58]
On May 7, 2025, Arnold announced that he had been diagnosed withstage 4clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a form ofkidney cancer that had metastasized to hislungs. The announcement was made via a video message on the band's official social media platforms. As a result, all scheduled performances were cancelled. Arnold stated, "It's not my time", referencing the title of the band’s 2008 single, and asked fans for prayers and support.[59][60]
On February 9, 2010, the band released a song called "Shine", through digital media such asiTunes, which was used as a promotion for the2010 Winter Olympics and is available through digital outlets.[61] Billboard listed 3 Doors Down as the No. 30 band in the decade from 2000 to 2010.[62]
On January 30, 2011, 3 Doors Down played during the 1st period intermission of the 2011NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh, North Carolina. They played two songs: "When You're Young" followed by "Kryptonite". The band also held a free concert as part of the weekend festivities on January 28, 2011, in downtown Raleigh.
On June 28–29, 2014, 3 Doors Down played both days of the Americafest celebration at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. They played all of their greatest hits and two new songs.[63]
3 Doors Down started The Better Life Foundation (TBLF) in 2003, with a goal in mind to give as many children as possible a better life. Since its inception TBLF has supported numerous charities across the US, including the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and the Habitat for Humanity,[64] as well as providing aid and assistance to the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi duringHurricane Katrina. In 2006, Brad Arnold stated that approximately $900,000 had been raised.[65]
When the Mississippi town ofWaveland took an especially hard hit from Hurricane Katrina, the charity was able to purchase three police cars and a fire truck to help with rescue efforts. Also, in connection with Wal-Mart, they were able to supply the town with three semi-trucks full of rescue supplies. There was also extensive support from TBLF in providing funding for rebuilding efforts in the town.
3 Doors Down and The Better Life Foundation host a yearly show to raise money for the charity. Beginning in 2010, the show is performed at Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, in Tunica, Mississippi. Prior to 2010, the show was performed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. In addition to a concert from 3 Doors Down and friends, there is also an auction, which includes numerous items from musical friends, sports icons, and other various supporters of the band and the charity. There is an average of 60 items auctioned off yearly, and proceeds are given to TBLF. As of 2016, The Better Life Foundation annual benefit concert has been held atHarrah's Cherokee Casino Resort inCherokee, North Carolina.
Past performers at the show includeLynyrd Skynyrd,Shinedown,Alter Bridge,Staind,Hinder,Switchfoot,Tracy Lawrence,Sara Evans, and others. Past auction items include aPaul Stanley guitar played on theKISS Farewell Tour, a total of four Roger Bourget motorcycles, access to theDale Jr. racing suite, NASCAR artwork by Brad Daley, numerous signed guitars, and sports memorabilia.[66]
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Current members[edit]
Former members[edit]
|
Studio albums
| American Music Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result[citation needed] |
| 2001 | Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist | 3 Doors Down | Won |
| 2003 | Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group | Nominated | |
| 2005 | Nominated | ||
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |