Blood, Water and a Little Jars of Clay
A chilly brisk breeze was in the air as we waited outside the Murray Hill Theater discussing with others in line about the shows that we had seen there before. There was your normal fare of the regulars along with some new comers that stumbled across the venue one way or another.
This evening was a little different from most as we were there to raise awareness and funds for a nonprofit and the band that started the charity just happened to be putting on the show. Instead of the normal merchandise and promotions that go along with most concerts this band came in under the limelight almost unannounced and put on a great show.
The focus of the evening was the ‘Blood Water Mission’, which is a 
grassroots organization that is working hand in hand with the African communities to combat the HIV/Water crisis in their area. The organization was founded in 2004 and has since raised 22 million by creative donors that helps support over a million people in 11 countries.
By empowering the Africans and making heroes in their own countries they have been able to provide access to clean drinking water to almost 900k people and medication for HIV treatment for over 40k people over the span of 10 years.
The band Jars of Clay started this organization with a simple concept of taking what you would normally spend on a cup of java and donating that amount. Imagine a world where every dollar that you donate provided clean drinking water for an entire year for one person. Makes that cup of java seem pretty significant now doesn’t it?
So we set back on the couch and got ready for the show, a mocha and a latte ordered from the Fringe Café, unbeknownst to how the view would change by the end of the evening.
Local artist Samuel Sanders started the show off with a twenty-minute set. His set started with Broken Down, Captured and a hilarious song we could all relate to entitled ‘It was you’. He wrapped up his set as quickly as it started with his final track ‘Losing You’. Samuel’s unique tone and witty lyrics made the set seem all that shorter and left the crowd wanting more.
Samuel was followed up by Murray Hill Theater’s owner Tony, who spoke to the crowd as he always likes to do, sharing his mission and vision that started 19 years ago when he opened the doors to Murray Hill. Tony spent a few more minutes opening up about his testimony, which if you have yet to hear, I suggest you visit Murray Hill Theater sometime in the very near future so he can share his story and his heart with you as well.
When Jars of Clay made it to the stage they were greeted with a packed house, where even thought there were seats all around yet no 
one sat for the remainder of the show. The theater was a standing room only show that was not about the band but more about their mission.
They opened up with ‘After the Fight’, then ‘Fade to Grey’ followed by ‘The One Thing That I know’. They then played a new song off their recent album “Reckless Forgiver’, and then ‘Eyes Wide Open’ which was quite the crowd pleaser. They continued their set with ‘Loneliness and Alcohol’, ‘These Ordinary Days’ and ‘Dear God’ off of their first album.
The band has been together for 20 years, and they just put out their 12th album and that was the only item that they were selling that evening as the event was about ‘Blood Water Mission’ awareness and not them.
They wrapped up their set with ‘Fall Asleep’, ‘Flood’, ‘Dead Man’, and ‘Inland’ which is the title track their new album. For the encore they 
all came back, sang one more song and then continued playing as each member made their individual exit from the stage.
As we left the theater is was great to see a line not at the merchandise table to buy the one CD available but at the Blood Water Mission table to get more information on how they too can get involved. If you would like more information I have provided the link here as well.
If you would like the opportunity to win a copy of Jars of Clay’s latest album ‘Inland’ all you have to do is leave a comment below and you will be entered.
About Charles Johnston
Charles is a Christian, husband and father of fur-kids who shares his walk with others in hopes to help other's along the way.
Awesome Charles! I haven’t heard Jars of Clay in a while but I’ve always liked them! 🙂
Thanks Corrie for entering and promoting. Stay tuned for future content and contests 🙂
I want a Jars of Clay CD! 🙂
Congrats Holly you were randomly selected as the winner of the Jars of Clay Cd. Please send me your info and I will get it out in the mail. Thanks for partipating!
Holly and Corie don’t really like Jars of Clay. Pick me!
Oh Randy! You booger!
Well Randy one of them will learn to as Holly was randomly chosen. Thanks for playin.
I would Like to win this cd 🙂
Always interested in learning about new-to-me artists. Thanks for the wonderful intro!
Thanks for stopping by Kathy, I try to include music reviews regularly so be sure to follow along.
Dead Man is my favorite!
Yeah Dead Man is top notch, thanks as always for stopping by.
How awesome that the line for the Blood Water Mission table was longer than the merchandise table. Love the awareness they are bringing to this need. And I’d love to hear their newest music. I bet it was quite a treat to enjoy a night of their music!
I have seen them twice now and each time they have been gracious and humble. Thanks for participating, be sure to follow for more content and contests.
Awesome!!! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by , be sure to follow for more contests and content.
I still listen to Frail.
Thanks for participating, Frail is a great one. The link is in my blog site for this album.. It is as good as any of their work.
Very cool.
Awesome, I’m a Jars Of Clay fan since 2004.
My favorite are Flood, Liquid, Lonely People, and Lift Up Your Head.
Wish I had been there. 🙂
Thanks for participating, be sure to follow for future content and contests.
I haven’t had a new Jars of Clay CD in a long time. I own an oldey “I left the Zoo” and still like it.
Thanks for stopping by, be sure to follow for future contests and content.