The Cullman Times
by Mike Neill 7/24/99

Contest opens door of opportunity
Local band gets chance of lifetime

HOLLY POND - The music of Third Door is described by the band as alternative and pop-rock, evoking comparisons to Third Eye Blind and Matchbox 20. That may not mean much to fans of Frank Sinatra and Garth Brooks, but Third Door is grabbing attention in New York City and will soon be heard by the rest of the country.
Teen People magazine and Warner Brothers Records held a contest to find the best unsigned band in the country. More than 6,000 bands entered-five finalists are left and Third Door is among them. "I didn't believe it," drummer Justin Oliver said. "They told me to sit down when we got the call. I thought something bad had happened."

The band will appear in the September issue of Teen People, due out Aug. 6. Readers will be able to hear the top five songs on the magazine's web site or on its "Five Live Phone Line," then vote for their favorite song. The winning band will have its song on a compilation album being put out by Warner Brothers.
The entry by Third Door is "Little Crazy," a moderately tempoed song about television's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Written by guitarist Shane Scott, it is the song that gets the most positive response from audiences, according to the band. Scott describes the song and the band's other materiel as focusing on melody. And, he says, McBrayer's vocal work is similar to that of many successful bands today. "Jason's one of the best singers I've played with," Scott said.

"I think we've got to be one of the strongest bands in the area," said McBrayer. He says the band's music is tight. "Its music, not junk" he said.

"Little Crazy" has been copyrighted, and Third Door will receive royalty payments from the sales of the album.
McBrayer, Oliver and Scott have been together about a year. Scott said he and Oliver have been friends since childhood.

"My first memories were with him," Scott said.McBrayer moved to Holly Pond while he was still in elementary school. Scott says the tree musicians are good friends. "Best friends really," he said.
The band has played shows in Augusta, Ga. and recently at the University of Alabama's cheerleading camp.
Third Door's next date in Cullman is Aug. 7 at Sportsworld Skate Center. Other dates include a two-night stint at Sud's Restaurant in Jasper Aug. 27-28 and headlining Labor Day weekend at Smith Lake. They're also playing Freeway in Decatur, though no date has been set.

The Trio has created a local buzz. Scott said he's heard of people requesting the CD from local retailers. "It's really good. We'd play it if we had it," said Venus Bridges, manager of the Pharoah Shop in Cullman.
The band recorded a 10-track CD in Scott's apartment. They're taking phone orders and selling copies over the Internet with the hope of raising $2,500 to produce 1,000 more copies. Information about Third Door can be found on the band's web site www.playroomrecords.com. To order Third Door's debut album call 352-9839.