In a day and age when most concert tickets could easily hit $100 after fees for nosebleed seats, Winter Jam is a true anomaly.
The annual Christian music concert, which began in 1995, comes to State Farm Arena on Saturday and requires no tickets. Instead, organizers request a $15 donation per person at the door and that is entirely voluntary. Seating is first come, first serve with doors opening at 6 p.m. The line up for this year’s four-hour concert features acts that could charge significantly more on their own including rock band Skillet, rising Christian pop star Anne Wilson, hip-hop star KB and former “American Idol” finalist Colton Dixon.
“Families with kids often can’t afford to go to concerts,” said Winter Jam organizer and NewSong vocalist Russ Lee in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “This enables people to have a night out and enjoy a positive Christian message with major acts and the production quality of any big concert.”
Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Sometimes, he noted, it can be more expensive to park than to attend the concert. Near State Farm Arena, parking during events typically starts at $20, though bargain hunters willing to walk could find better deals.
Winter Jam is the brainchild of the Christian band NewSong, which has been around more than 40 years and established itself out of Valdosta. The band, which has garnered a Grammy nomination and has won a dozen Dove Awards, is best known for its Christmas crossover hit “The Christmas Shoes” from 2000. The band performs and hosts each concert, which hits 38 cities this year.
“We are truly a Georgia band. Half of us live in Atlanta,” said Lee, who resides in Louisville, Kentucky. “It feels like home to us.”
Over the years, top Christian acts such as Matthew West, TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys and For King & Country have performed at the event. Last year’s 39-city tour drew about 300,000 people, averaging just under 8,000 people per concert, Lee said.
In Greenville, South Carolina last year, Lee said they ran out of room at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which fits up to 15,000 people, and set up a small stage in the plaza for the overflow. “All the artists played two or three songs acoustic there,” he said. “We ended up with a second concert.”
Despite inflation and increased production costs, Winter Jam organizers have kept the suggested donation at $15 since 2018.
“There are years we do lose money,” he said. “Every night is a step of faith. We invite people in and do all we can to promote it. We pay all expenses for renting the space, the caterers, the bus drivers. We pay the artists. The organizers are the last ones paid. This is a ministry. In the end, somehow it works out. God takes care of us if we take care of other people.”
Besides contributions, the tour relies on sponsors such as Southeastern University, a private Christian university, nonprofit group World Vision and New Release Today, a Christian music website. Part of the proceeds also go to local ministries, food banks and shelters.
“We work really hard to keep motivations right and do what we do for the right reasons,” Lee said.
Secular artists like Carrie Underwood have made surprise appearances and backstage guests have included Atlanta Braves star Otis Nixon, retired baseball star Albert Pujols, former University of Georgia coach Mark Richt and NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne. “For those guys to encourage you means a lot,” he said.
Credit: LM Otero/Invision/AP
Credit: LM Otero/Invision/AP
IF YOU GO
Winter Jam 2025, 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, $15 donation at the door (no tickets), State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr., Atlanta, www.jamtour.com
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