Third Day, Gomers And A CD Giveaway

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.