Fervent Records' rock/pop band By The Tree continues a string of success in the wake of its critically acclaimed debut release, Invade My Soul, which hit stores in July. Having scored several top-ten rock singles and with constant touring and promotional appearances in the U.S. in support of their steadily selling debut project, By The Tree will travel to Europe this winter for select performance and promotional dates.

Recently, By The Tree opened for Eliot Sloan, lead singer of well-known mainstream pop act Blessid Union of Souls, to a packed house in Cincinnati, OH. Later this month, the band will have another top slot as they participate in a major community youth festival in Miami, FL. Expected to draw 35,000 teens, By The Tree will appear alongside such renown talents as gospel’s Trin-I-Tee 5:7, mainstream dance favorite C&C Music Factory, Latin music star Tito Puente Jr., and Michael Moon of rock band Cheap Trick. In December, By The Tree travels to Europe for the Winter Wonder Rock Fest in Holland, as well as other key dates overseas to promote their debut.

As their latest single, “There For Me,” continues to reign in the top-ten of the Christian rock radio chart (CCM Update, October 29, 2001), By The Tree has been busy with fall tour dates in the U.S., as well as other promotional appearances.

In October, By The Tree visited the Minneapolis, MN-based offices of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), where they performed for the over 250-person staff at the company’s corporate devotions. In addition, lead vocalist Chuck Dennie interviewed with BGEA flagship publication Decision for an upcoming feature story. Earlier this summer, By The Tree performed at a BGEA pre-crusade event in Fresno, CA.

While in Dallas, TX, the band’s former hometown, By The Tree visited Life Outreach International, where they pre-taped performances of several songs from Invade My Soul for the organization’s nationally telecast show, “Life Today with James Robison.”

Earlier in the year, By The Tree visited the headquarters of the Assemblies of God, and performed a short set and devotion time with the staff at the denomination’s national offices. In addition to interviewing for upcoming features in Honorbound (men’s publication) and On Course (teen publication), the band was invited to return to the area the following month to perform before an estimated 10,000 teens at the denomination’s youth conference in Kansas City, KS.

Currently, By The Tree can be seen in the November issue of CCM Magazine in the publication’s “Opening Acts” profile of new and rising talent, and in the fall issue of GMA Today, newsletter of the Gospel Music Association. Earlier this year, CCM Magazine gave their album an “Editor’s Pick” designation, noting that “Invade My Soul is a mish-mash of emotionally potent songs weaving compelling, down-to-earth lyrics with heartfelt instrumentation, a release that not only invades but permeates the soul.” (August 2001)

By The Tree is comprised of Chuck Dennie (lead vocals, guitar), Kevin Rhoads (lead vocals, guitar), Aaron Blanton (drums) and Ben Davis (bass guitar). A longtime favorite in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, in 2001 By The Tree expanded their ministry with the release of Invade My Soul, their debut label project from Fervent Records (Provident Music Distribution), which continues to be a strong-seller at retail stores nationwide. Plans are in the works for a spring 2002 tour, through booking agency GOA, Inc., and management company TBA Entertainment.