Mandy Tucker of Soddy-Daisy said Third Day indirectly brought her and her husband together.

"They're my favorite band in the world," she said. "My husband and I discovered them together while discovering each other."

The contemporary Christian rock band, which has chalked up 25 No. 1 singles and numerous Grammy and Dove awards, will headline the Riverbend Festival's Coca-Cola Stage tonight on what is traditionally called Faith and Family Night.

The Georgia-based group's rock roots are so well respected that Billboard magazine noted the act is "not only one of the best Christian bands of the '90s but one of the best rock bands, period."

Justin Wade, program director at radio station J103, said Third Day is a solid Christian band that happens to play rock music.

"They've been doing it for almost 20 years," he said. "They have widespread popularity in Christian music."

Third Day was formed by vocalist Mac Powell and acoustic guitarist Mark Lee, who added bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr from another local band and recorded several demos.

Eventually, lead guitarist Brad Avery joined the band, which released its self-titled debut in 1996.

Third Day's most recent studio album, "Revelation," the band's 10th, was released in 2008.

Matt Hamilton, 32, of Chickamauga, Ga., said he's been a fan since his college days and the band's second album. He has seen them perform at least a dozen times, he said.

"They rock, but they rock with a message," he said. "I love all their stuff. They're a great all-around band."

Miriam Rodman Humphreys of Chattanooga said her son recalled seeing Third Day play at what is now Hickory Valley Community Church on the back of a flatbed truck in the band's early days.

"I love Third Day," she said. "So many songs have spoken to my heart on days when God knew I needed to hear them."

Tony Burgess of Red Bank said the band is solid musically and scripturally.

"Their lead singer (Mr. Powell) has incredible soul to his voice," he said.

Mrs. Tucker, 35, said she began hearing the band on J103 as she developed in her Christian walk in 2005. Shortly thereafter, she said, she heard the man she would eventually marry and his son play in a contemporary Christian band.

Their music, she said, reminded her of Third Day, and she introduced them to the band's music. Soon, she said, her husband's band was playing some of Third Day's music in their jam sessions.

"(The band) means a lot to me and my husband," said Mrs. Tucker, who married in 2006.

She and her husband have seen the band in both Atlanta and Chattanooga, she said, and appreciate their showmanship.

However, "their lyrics reach my heart," she said. "That's what drew me to them."

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