Friday Night Lights, no we are not talking about the popular television series on NBC. We are talking about the NEW mega lighting system, used by Christian rock band, 3nailz. The lighting system will be used at tomorrow night’s CRAVE event at Southern Wesleyan University.

“I think the lights are sometimes more interesting than the show,” said Cory Truax, lead singer of 3nailz. “The lights literally move with the music, creating a spectacular display.”

“The 3Nailz lighting rig is a combination of traditional stage lighting, “intelligent” moving lights, and LED effects, all driven by a computer based digital multiplex (DMX) control system,” said Greg Pridgeon, 3nailz band manager as well as lighting designer and technician. “The Rig is suspended behind the band with a 30 foot back truss, as well as additional trusses on stage and effects that are incorporated into the stage set.”

When asked how fans have reacted to the new lighting system in the past, Pridgeon said, “Fans are often blown away with it, they expect a big light show from national touring bands, but not so much from your “local” indie bands.”

What can those attending CRAVE expect from the 3nailz concert tomorrow evening? “The Show is high energy and fast paced right from the start,” said Pridgeon. “I think they will love it.”

WHEN: Friday, November 12th at 7:00pm

WHERE: Southern Wesleyan University, Newton-Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center.

WHAT: Special Guest Speaker, Eddie Smith with Special Musical Guest, 3nailz.

A: The Truffle shuffle at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5whaRkuipU

Q: What food item do you constantly CRAVE?

A: Panera Bread Frontega Chicken sandwich with broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl.

Q: You have a wife and three kids. Do you have a secret hiding place to escape the chaos?

A: Yes, the kids are four, three, and eighteen months. I normally hop on the Treadmill with my iPod and listen to sermons and music.

Q: Funniest comments made by your kids?

A: I don’t want Cheerio’s for breakfast, I want a quesadilla! Or, did you know we will be naked when we get to Heaven?

Q: Did you use any smooth pick up lines to meet your wife?

A: I looked at her in my overalls and said, “Hey, my name is Eddie and I’m from North Carolina.”

Q: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

A: Tyrannosaurus Rex.  So I could eat whatever I wanted.

Q: You are going to be the guest speaker for CRAVE @ SWU (in two days). What is one of your most embarrassing public speaking stories?

A: Before recently moving to North Carolina, I served as an Admissions Associate at Southern Wesleyan University and would go to schools to award academic scholarships etc…  During one of those visits, I accidently congratulated the student on making the soccer team in front of their entire student body. They didn’t play soccer.

Q: What do you hope that those attending CRAVE will walk away with after all is said and done?

A: That God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.  There is nothing impossible for God!

The upcoming CRAVE event at Southern Wesleyan University will be riding the radio waves tomorrow morning at 7:30am on the popular “Hawk & Tom Morning Show” with Southern Wesleyan’s very own, Jackie Tubb. Of course, you may know this outgoing personality better by her radio name, “Intern Jackie.”

Tubb, from Athens, Alabama is a senior at Southern Wesleyan and is majoring in Communication.

Intern Jackie

What started off as an internship, landed Tubb a part-time job as a weekend DJ at B93.7 in Greenville, South Carolina. “SWU has continued to help me in so many ways, including their career service center and teaching me the basics of broadcasting,” said Tubb. “My favorite part of working in radio has been of course the experience but I also think it’s awesome to have my voice heard all over the Upstate!”

Don’t miss out on the excitement that has everyone talking about…CRAVE.  Who knows, you might even meet “Intern Jackie.”

WHEN: Friday, November 12th at 7:00pm

WHERE: Southern Wesleyan University, Newton-Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center.

WHAT: Special Guest Speaker, Eddie Smith with Special Musical Guest, 3nailz.

Q: How did you become the lead singer of 3nailz?

A: The summer after I finished high school, I received a call from the band. They were in search of a  new front-man. We got together for two auditions, and it grew from there.

Q: Favorite gig?

A: That’s a tough one. So tough that I’ll give two answers:

First, we had the opportunity to play the Forum in Myrtle Beach at the same event as Avalon and Barlow Girl. It was several thousand people with an enormous stage, unbelievable lighting, and a crowd that somehow knew a lot of our music.

Second, last November we opened for NewSong and BlueTree. Sharing a stage with musicians of that caliber was humbling.

Q: Least favorite travel experience?

A: In the summer of 2006, we were on a small tour called the “Fire Inside Tour,” two bands, ten cities. The furthest show was in Des Moines, Iowa. While traveling, the tour bus blew four tires and a radiator. It was beyond “bad luck.” Terrible trip but some good shows!

Q: Most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: Very early on in the band, our lead guitarist had a string break during the first verse of our first song.  I stalled while he changed guitars but his other guitar was tuned differently for the next song. Musically, it was a pure disaster and sounded terrible.

3nailz Performing LIVE

Q: Do you have a “lucky” ritual before each performance?

A: Just prayer. Beyond that, oddly enough, I stretch a lot before the show.

Q: What other music groups has 3nailz been compared to?

A: In secular music, we’ve been compared to Nickel Back. For Christian music, the music is a lot like Flyleaf, but with a male vocal. Also, I think we take a lot from Seventh Day Slumber but our set ranges into praise worship that can make us sound like Casting Crowns, MercyMe and even Hillsong.

Q: Advice to those considering attending CRAVE?

A: First, attend Crave. Don’t let anything else take that Friday night.

Second, come ready to bless others.

Third, come with your heart open to receive a blessing.

Fourth, be ready for some fun. If you’ve never been to a rock show, there are a lot of opportunities for crowd participation, so don’t feel weird about cutting loose a little.

Christmas is not the only thing to sneak up on everyone.  CRAVE is just one week away! WOW! Have you checked out all that will be happening at SWU next Friday, November 12th? Go ahead and take 53 seconds to check your availability for next Friday. (53 seconds is an accurate time for trying to separate those thick  calendar pages.)

For those who are crunched for time and  cannot take advantage of the VIP CRAVE package, do not fret, consider yourself officially invited to the rally and concert at 7:00pm for a total cost of absolutely FREE! Yes, you read that right, FREE.

So go ahead,  grab some friends and sing Christmas carols on your way to attend CRAVE 2010.

3Nailz is a ministry-driven, Christian-Crossover rock band that has been performing across the eastern and Midwest US since 2000. In 2003, the band signed with indie label Big God Music and released their first full-length CD, Believe. That was followed up in 2005 with their second Big God Music Release, Against the Ledges.  3Nailz has opened for bands and artists such as New Song, Revive, Big Daddy Weave, KJ-52, FFH, Monday Morning, and Avalon.  SWU Admissions Counselor, Cory Truax is the lead singer.

Check them out on their myspace…enjoy!