33 Miles

Not many artists can say their music was actually played in outer space, but that’s one of the many accolades that 33 Miles has enjoyed in its five-year career.

In addition to having “There is a God” serve as the wake-up call for the Space Shuttle astronauts’ STS-128 mission in 2009, the group comprised of former True Vibe member Jason Barton (lead vocals), Chris Lockwood (guitar, backing vocals) and Collin Stoddard (piano, backing vocals) have amassed consistent radio success with hit singles “What Could Be Better” and “ One Life to Love” and received a Dove Award nomination for “New Artist of the Year.”

With a desire to love the Church with transparency, 33 Miles makes it a priority to balance a busy work schedule with the joys of family life. In fact, that idea is what inspired “One Life to Love,” a story-driven song of believers who learn to love God and their families more than the materialistic world we live in where cash and status are ultimately king.

“We joke with each other [as a band] about leaving school early or foregoing other job opportunities to be in 33 Miles,” lead singer Jason Barton explains in the band’s professional biography. “But the song says you only get one time around to find the one thing you don’t want to miss. And this group is clearly a God-given opportunity to honor Him.”

On past tours, 33 Miles has also been intentional about serving the needs of the poor by teaming up with Food for the Hungry. In addition to supporting the cause on the road with its peers, the band has used its official website as a platform to address the plight of the impoverished and suffering.

The band released their latest album Today in the fall of 2010, and you can find them on tour this spring with fellow artist Jonny Diaz.