Greenville College, birthplace of Grammy Award winning Jars of Clay, introduces BDA, a lyrically-refreshing campus favorite poised to make a national impact. BDA recently signed a recording contract with Creative Trust Workshop (CTW), an independent label under the umbrella of Creative Trust, Inc., an entertainment management and marketing firm formed in 1989 that manages multi-Grammy and multi-Dove winning artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day.

BDA, whose name is an acronym for “Better Days Ahead,” (and the name of its CTW debut) is working with veteran producer Scott Williamson. The album is scheduled for release this fall. Dan Raines, president of Creative Trust Workshop, said “BDA's music is as infectious musically as it is compelling lyrically. I think they will have an immediate impact at radio and retail on a national level, like they have already had on a regional level.”

While at Greenville College BDA recorded two full length albums that caught the attention of Williamson and led to a three-song collaboration. “After receiving strong industry reaction to that demo, we finally signed with nationally-distributed Creative Trust Workshop in June of 2004 and began an intense season of work on our first major-label album, coming out on October 26, 2004,” said BDA.

Several songs BDA recorded while in studios at Greenville will be re-released on their new album. “Songs like, ‘Maybe You,' ‘Something Wonderful' and ‘You Loved Me When' became favorites of our friends at Greenville and turned out to be favorites of our label and producer,” said BDA.

“We love the idea of being on a smaller label like Creative Trust Workshop that has already established a great reputation in the industry and which will enable us to develop and grow as a band,” said lead vocalist Matt Jones.

BDA formed at Greenville College in 2001 as college freshmen living in Joy Hall, a freshman men's dormitory. Jones roomed with rhythm guitar player and principle songwriter Dave Ray. Lead guitar player Clint Milburn and drummer Jake McDaniel were also roommates and longtime friends. Ben Eggebeen joined the band as the bass player. “We spent our freshman year playing for a local youth group every Wednesday night,” states BDA.

BDA found that Greenville College challenged them both musically and spiritually. “ Greenville College provides some unique opportunities for student bands. A sound stage like the Blackroom and the studio time opened many doors for us. Being surrounded by such an eclectic group of musicians provides a great opportunity to be pushed as musicians.”

The members of BDA have grown to appreciate Greenville 's faculty and students who have held them accountable and sent them on a quest to define their spirituality. “ Greenville was the place where we really began to own our faith.”