I have listened to and enjoyed Third Day‘s music for years, but it’s only been in the last couple of months that I found out about how active Third Day’s fan base is. Their fans call themselves “Gomers,” and there are THOUSANDS of them. TENS of thousands.
Well.
There’s a lovely lady who calls herself Mama Gomer, and she runs the Third Day fan network. I liked her as soon as I heard about her, mainly because she uses the word “Mama” in her internet moniker, and I have a little bit of a fondness for that. For whatever reason.
And a few weeks ago, I interviewed Mama Gomer – because quite frankly I am fascinated by her and her Gomer people.
Plus, I mean, where but the internet could you find an interview between two women who willingly call themselves BooMama and Mama Gomer? Where, I ask you?
Doesn’t it sound like we should be the opening act at a 1958 Grand Ole Opry production? Playing some spoons or something?
Anyway, I asked Mama Gomer a few questions, a few of which I will share with you before I announce today’s fab giveaway.
Okay. First thing? I’m FASCINATED by the whole Gomer phenomenon. So I need some background info: how many official “Gomers” are there? And did you ever in a million years think that Gomer-dom would take off like it has? Why do you think it’s been such a huge success?
There are about 30,000 Gomers registered. No, I never thought it would be this big! When we first started it back in 2001, we thought we’d have maybe . . . maybe . . . 100 people from the message boards join. But it just took off like a wild fire! Certainly the success of the Gomers is due to the love people have for Third Day and their music. But there is more to it than that. God gave me the idea of starting the Gomers, and He is behind its success. He has used this family to minister to many, and I pray He will continue to do so!
I don’t think it hurts that becoming a Gomer is free and open to everyone. We’ve strived to keep it free and open to all, because it is all about love.
Initially – way back in 2001 – how did you even find other Third Day fans online? Who were some of the first people you met?
None of this would have happened without the message boards on ThirdDay.com. It is there that we started the Gomers, and there that we develop most of our relationships with one another. We have people from all over the world on the boards, and all ages. We’ve had six couples meet and on the boards and end up getting married!
The first time I met other Gomers in real life was in February, 2002, at a Third Day concert in Dallas. Back then, if you told your friends or family you were going to meet up with someone you met online, they thought you were nuts! I met some other Gomers that day: the members of Third Day! Yes, they are all Gomers with Gomer names. I’ve always found that sweet and kind of refreshing, that they would join their own fan family. Not that they are arrogant to say they love Third Day, but that they each consider themselves fans of the other four guys. And that they consider themselves equal with their fans.
Y’all are an incredibly organized fan base. Has that happened over time? Or has that always been the case?
From the start we kept a list of members, and used the internet to arrange gatherings and things like that. What makes it all possible is the band’s involvement. It’s much easier to keep everything going because the band, management, webmaster, and the record company all help by providing support, webspace, time with the band, prizes for contests, and lots of other things. We work pretty closely to think of new ways to make being a Gomer a fun and unique experience. I’ve got so many ideas running around my head. There are fun things on the horizon!
You can read the rest of the interview here. I’m telling y’all: this Gomer thing is a phenomenon.
Now.
I believe I mentioned a little something about a giveaway.
For all you didn’t-know-you-were-Gomers, active Gomers, and Gomers-to-be, there are five Third Day Christmas Offerings CDs that are yours for the taking.
Well, you can’t take them, really. But you can leave a comment to try to win one of them. I’ve had my own copy of this CD since way back in the summer, and I think it’s wonderful.
Here’s all you have to do to win:
1) Click here.
2) Watch and listen to see if you’re interested in winning this CD.
3) If you are, come back here and leave a comment.
4) And for kicks, tell me your favorite Christmas carol.
5) Because it’ll be fun.
I’ll close this giveaway Thursday morning, December 13th – so time’s a wastin’, people! Get to clickin’!
And as always, I will select the winners with the assistance of the oh-so-capable random.org.
Adios, you bunch of Gomers!
*Edited to add: I just saw that Shannon has a great Praise Baby giveaway going on here – open to the first 300 bloggers who sign up! So run! Run like the wind!
This giveaway is now closed.
I LOVE THIRD DAY! Pick me oh wise and random generator!! :)
And my favorite Christmas carol is O Come All Ye Faithful!
I clicked and listened for all of about 10 seconds and came back to say , yes I’d love this!
My favorite Christmas carol – Silent Night
I dreamed my neighbor’s chocolate lab asked me to sing “The First Noel” to her and ever since then it has been my favorite Christmas song. It wouldn’t be fair for me to win, though, we go to church with the Powells.
O Holy Night
Mary, Did You Know?
Thanks!
I love Oh Holy Night, and I would love this CD!
I would love to be included. My husband and I are good friends with Brad Avery’s family. We have been Third Day fans from the very beginning.
Oh Holy Night is for sure my favorite! :)
Oh, am I interested!
i’d love one!! i am hankering for some great inspirational Christmas music, and since i don’t have enough blog traffic to get the MWS cd, i’d love to be able to win this one!!
the first carol that comes to mind is actually Christmas Shoes…does that count as a carol? guess not. it just reminds me of my mom.
i think for an actual CAROL, it would be um…um…goodness!! *le shrug* too many that i like to pick one i like best!
My kids and I love Third Day!
How can I choose a favorite carol? I’m the weird one who used to listen to Christmas music in July! I love Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven”. And just about every other Christmas song ever written EXCEPT Wham’s “Last Christmas”… ugh!
I have been a fan of Third Day forever and now my oldest sons are also. I had absolutely no idea about this whole Gomer thing and the article you wrote was fascinating!!! Thank you so much for sharing and I would LOVE to win this! Traditionally I think my favorite Christmas carol has always been Silent Night, but I love their rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High!
I always love some new Christmas music…sign me up. I love many many Christmas carols….Silent Night for a classic example. In terms of new songs…Hillsongs Christmas CD is fantastic-my absolute favorite song on this CD and a MUST CHECK THIS ONE OUT, is “The Reason Why”!!!Hope you enjoy it too!!
my favorite is the little drummer boy
Gosh – who know — I thought I was the only Third Day obsessed fan! Great interview and of course I would love to win. My favorite carol is The First Noel – I just like to hear it played softly during a candle-lit service. So sweet.
Gosh – who knew — I thought I was the only Third Day obsessed fan! Great interview and of course I would love to win. My favorite carol is The First Noel – I just like to hear it played softly during a candle-lit service. So sweet.
I love Third Day; please enter me.
I have so many favorites, but one of them is “Away in a Manger.”
I know many who swear that this is the all time best Christmas cd. ooohhhh….pick me, pick me. A couple of my favorite Christmas carols, because I can never pick just one, are The Christmas Song and Hark the Harold Angels Sing.
(I’m really not trying to up my chances at this contest..but I forgot to change my old weblink to the new in my previous post. This one is the correct one.)
I know many who swear that this is the all time best Christmas cd. Ohhhhh…pick me, pick me. A couple of my favorite Christmas carols, because I can never pick just one, are The Christmas Song and Hark the Harald Angels Sing….
Would love to be entered. We’re long-time Third Day Fans. Silent Night would be my favorite vote. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Wonderful!
My favorite Christmas Carol = O Come All Ye Faithful. I try to incorporate “in eggshellcious day-o” into all of my holiday conversation! ;-)
I love Third Day!! So…of course you need to “randomly” pick me!
Fave Carol; “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
LOVE Third Day! Good Ol hometown boys for me. I first saw them in college before they became what they are today. that was back in like ’92 or so.
My favorite carol to hear is “O Holy Night” or “Silent Night” sung by my preschool class!
I’d love one:)
My favorite Christmas carol is O Come All Ye Faitful, but I also really love Angels We Have Heard on High.
Oooooo– I just love Christmas music! The more the merrier!
Favorite carol: O Come O Come Emmanuel
Thanks again for the CHANCE to win! Its an honor just to have a chance to win…Joy to the World!!!
I don’t have this one yet either…I love O Come All Ye Faithful, it always makes me cry.
Well, yes, I do think I can make the cut to be a Gomer…..bring it on, sistah!!!
You’re pretty swell, BooMama!!!! ;)
Well, yes, I do think I can make the cut to be a Gomer…..bring it on, sistah!!!
You’re pretty swell, BooMama!!!! ;)
Oh, and I have several favs……O Holy Night, and Angels we have heard on high…just two of many!
I’ll make that Third Day Angels Singing my fav one…oh my…count me IN…
Would so love me some Third day! And I think that Silent Night is my fav Christmas carol.
Oh, I want that CD :-) Fave Christmas Carol has to be O Holy Night.
Pick me! Pick me!!
My favorite ~ Angels we Have Heard on High
Thanks :)
My favorite is o holy night!
Thanks!!
Love me some Third Day!
And my fav is O Holy Night :)
This is great, would love to win!!
Hope the radomizer picks me! Great music! My favorite traditional Cmas song is O Holy Night and right now my favorite “fun” song is Rudolph b/c my 3-year-old lights up every time I sing it. BTW, love you and Big Mama’s podcast of late. Great Blog!
Love Third Day, and I have been so coveting this CD! Favorite carol is O Holy Night, sung by Celine Dion or my mom in her choir on Christmas Eve. Because they both make a sob catch in my throat when they belt out that chorus: Fall On Your Knees! Amen!
Woo Hoo…count me in…I do not own this CD…and my favorite Christmas carol is Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
Am I too late? My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night.