Tenth Avenue North
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Contemporary Christian music |
| Founded | 2000 in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Founder | Mike Donehey, Jason Jamison |
| Defunct | 2021 (disbanded), reunited 2023 |
| Headquarters | West Palm Beach , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, singles |
| Website | www |
Tenth Avenue North is a contemporary Christian music group originating from West Palm Beach, Florida. Over the course of their career, they have produced fifteen original works, including eight studio albums—six of which appeared on the Billboard 200 chart, with one breaking into the top 10—and several singles certified gold by the RIAA.
The ensemble was formed by Mike Donehey and Jason Jamison during their time at Palm Beach Atlantic University. The band's name was inspired by a street located in Palm Beach County. At their peak, the lineup featured Donehey as lead vocalist, Jamison on drums, Jeff Owen handling guitar duties, Ruben Juarez on bass, and Brendon Shirley playing keyboard.
In early 2020, the group announced a mutual decision to disband in order to prioritize family life and pursue other professional paths. Their planned final tour was interrupted and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, a farewell concert featuring the core five members took place in Florida in April 2021. Later, in November 2023, Donehey revealed that the band would be reuniting with intentions to embark on a tour scheduled for 2024.
Formation and Initial Achievements (2000–2011)
Established in 2000 by Donehey and Jamison, Tenth Avenue North initially self-released independent recordings before securing a contract with Reunion Records. Their first major-label album, Over and Underneath (2008), included the track "Love Is Here," which climbed to No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart and became a top 20 hit on Christian radio. Follow-up singles such as "By Your Side" and "Hold My Heart" also performed well; notably, "By Your Side" earned the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 2010.
The band experienced personnel changes when Scott Sanders left in 2009, making way for Ruben Juarez and Brendon Shirley to join. Their sophomore album, The Light Meets The Dark (2010), featured the single "Healing Begins." Additionally, they received recognition as New Artist of the Year at the 2009 GMA Dove Awards. In 2011, they released Tenth Avenue North Live: Inside and In Between, a live album combining concert performances with recordings of their popular songs.
Albums The Struggle, Cathedrals, Followers, and Subsequent Releases (2012–2018)
Their third studio album, The Struggle (2012), debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard's Rock and Christian charts and secured the No. 9 spot on the Billboard 200. This release incorporated fan-recorded vocals to foster audience participation. In 2014, they issued the Islands EP along with the single "No Man Is an Island."
Cathedrals (2014) reached the top position on Billboard's Christian Music chart and attained No. 32 on the Billboard 200. The band placed emphasis on collaborative songwriting aimed at exploring challenges encountered by believers.
In 2016, they delivered Followers, which was preceded by singles including "What You Want," "Control (Somehow You Want Me)," and "Fighting for You." A Christmas-themed album titled Decade the Halls Vol. 1 followed in 2017.
Drummer Jason Jamison departed in May 2018 to dedicate more time to family commitments and Compassion International; Spencer Ford assumed drumming responsibilities for tours. That year also saw Tenth Avenue North establish ReMade Records under Sony Music, signing Land of Color as their inaugural artist.
Their EP The Things We've Been Afraid to Say (2018) represented a thematic evolution toward expressions of lamentation, addressing topics such as shame and fear. Later that year, keyboardist Brendon Shirley exited the band; Jeremy Gifford joined as a touring keyboardist.
Final Projects (2019–2021)
After several key members left, the group scaled back their touring schedule to focus more on personal and family commitments. Their sixth album, No Shame (2019), included singles that delved into themes such as faith and remorse, featuring collaborations with artists Kanene Pipkin and The Young Escape.
At the start of 2020, band members revealed intentions to explore different professional paths—Juarez shifted toward real estate, Owen moved into music production—which led to the announcement of a formal farewell tour. However, this tour was ultimately canceled due to the global health crisis.
In October 2020, the band released Unplugged for the People, an acoustic compilation of their greatest hits. Two concluding farewell concerts took place in April 2021 in Orlando, with original lineup members joining. Following the group's disbandment, Donehey embarked on a solo career; Owen focused on production work; Juarez pursued real estate; Shirley dedicated efforts to business initiatives; and Jamison remained active with Compassion International.
Return (2023–present)
On November 9, 2023, Donehey announced the reunion of Tenth Avenue North alongside the release of a new single titled "Suddenly" on November 10, accompanied by plans for a tour scheduled for fall 2024.
Charity
Tenth Avenue North collaborated with Compassion International, actively encouraging child sponsorship during their tours to aid underprivileged communities.
Members
Current
- Mike Donehey – lead vocals, guitar (2000–2021, 2023–present)
- Thomas Ewing – guitar, bongos, backing vocals (2023–present)
- Monty Rivera – keyboard, bass, backing vocals (2023–present)
- Payden Hilliard – drums (touring 2024–25; official member from 2025)
Former
- Jeff Owen – guitar, backing vocals (2005–2021)
- Ruben Juarez III – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–2020)
- Brendon Shirley – keyboards (2010–2018)
- Jason Jamison – drums (2000–2018)
- Bryan Homan – bass guitar (2000–2005)
- Andrew Middleton – guitar, vocals (2002–2006)
- Donnie Richards – percussion (2002–2003)
- Daniel Zayas – guitar, keyboards (2003–2006)
- Scott Sanders – bass, keyboards (2006–2009)
Touring musicians
- Ben Backus – bass, backing vocals (2024–present)
Former touring musicians
- Jeremy Gifford – guitar, keyboards (2018–2021)
- Spencer Ford – drums (2018–2021)
Discography
- Don't Look Back (2003)
- Speaking of Silence (2005)
- Over and Underneath (2008)
- The Light Meets the Dark (2010)
- The Struggle (2012)
- Cathedrals (2014)
- Followers (2016)
- Decade the Halls Vol. 1 (2017)
- No Shame (2019)
- Unplugged for the People (2020)
- Learning to Trust (2025)
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other performers | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Higher" | 2012 | Lecrae | Gravity (iTunes edition) |
Mike Donehey also lent his vocals to Jars of Clay's album The Shelter (2010) and Hawk Nelson's Made (2013).
Awards and nominations
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | New Artist of the Year | Template:Won |
| 2010 | Song of the Year ("By Your Side") | Template:Won |
| Group of the Year | Template:Nom | |
| 2011 | Song of the Year ("Hold My Heart") | Template:Nom |
| Group of the Year | Template:Nom | |
| Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (The Light Meets the Dark) | Template:Nom | |
| 2012 | Short Form Music Video of the Year ("You Are More") | Template:Won |
| 2018 | Song of the Year ("Control") | Template:Nom |