2008: Switchfoot Year-in-Review

(Today's news: Fiction Family's When She's Near to Hit Triple-A Radio in January)

(banner couresty of Cassie! Thanks)


Well folks, there's another great year in the books! 2008 promised to be eventful, despite the fact that no new Switchfoot material was on the horizon. The touring cycle for "Oh! Gravity." had drawn to a close and the band's new material had not begun to take shape yet.

What was taking shape was Jon Foreman's solo project of EP's, which was slated for completion by the middle of 2008. And it didn't disappoint. The "Spring" EP was quickly embraced by us all, and by new fans of Jon's previous work in "Fall and Winter." But before the final installment, "Summer," could arrive, Switchfoot threw another surprise at the fams. They had written and recorded a song to be used as the lead single and in the credits of the brand new "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" film.

Before the year was out, the band had also released their first ever greatest hits collection, "The Best Yet." 2008 also saw the beginnings of Switchfoot's next studio album, which will be released in the New Year. Oh, and 2009 will aslo herald the arrival of the first Fiction Family record. Exciting times behind, exciting times ahead!

Here's a comprehensive list/chart of what else happened this year! Hope you enjoy it. =)


January

15th:
*Jon Foreman releases the second in his four ep-set, “Winter.”

*Winter debuts at No. 9 overall on the iTunes top album chart, and No. 2 on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart. 1

24th:
*The “Fall & Winter” EP’s physical cd combo debuts at No. 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. 2


22nd - February 2nd:
*Switchfoot tours the Asian Pacific, with stops in Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia. 3 4 5

February

*Switchfoot/Jon Foreman is nominated for four Dove Awards on the heels of a highly successful year in 2007 in the CCM. They are nominated for:

-Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – “Awakening”
-Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year – “Oh! Gravity.”
-Short Form Music Video of the Year – “Awakening”
-Male Vocalist of the Year – “Jon Foreman” 6

*Switchfoot announces the “Up In Arms Tour,” partnering with To Write Love on Her Arms. They bring UK rockers, “Athlete” along. 7

March

5th:
“Awakening” video reaches 2 million views on youtube!

12th and 14th:
Jon Foreman plays three shows at the prestigious SXSW Music Festival

25th:
*Jon Foreman releases the third in his 4-ep set, “Spring”
*”Spring” peaks at No. 12 on the iTunes top overall albums 8

April

2nd:
*It is announced that Switchfoot will record a song called “This Is Home” and shoot a video for the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie. 9

12th:
* “Spring” hits No. 14 on the Billboard Top Digital Albums and No. 179 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums charts. 10

13th:
*Chad Butler posts a forum topic announcing the “Music Builds Tour” 11
*Switchfoot shoots the video for “This Is Home” 12

16th:
*”This Is Home” is performed for the first time in Iowa. 13

18th:
*The Music Builds Tour is officially announced 14

23th:
*Switchfoot performs “This Is Home” for the first time on National TV, at the 39th GMA Dove Awards. The band comes away without any of the awards they were nominated for. 15

25th:
*”This Is Home” impacts to radio. It enters the Hot AC charts at No. 391, with one spin. 16

May

2nd:
*The music video for “This Is Home” world premieres on Disney.com

12th:
*Switchfoot moves into their newly completed studio to set up Switchfoot Headquarters 17

13th:
*David Cook performs “Dare You to Move” on American Idol 18
*Switchfoot performs “This Is Home” on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno later that night

*"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" Soundtrack debuts at No. 26 on Billboard 200 Top Albums chart, with 16,000 units sold in its first week. 19

June

7th: The Fourth Annual Bro-Am raises approximately $60,000 for Stand-Up For Kids. 20

10th:
*Jon Foreman releases the final ep of his seasonal series, “Summer” on iTunes.
*It debuts at No. 10 on the top iTunes Albums overall and No. 2 on the Rock albums chart.

12th:
*”Summer” peaks at No. 9 on the top iTunes Albums overall.

July

1st:
*Switchfoot relaunches a “new and improved” version of their studio webcam.

August

21st:
*Switchfoot embarks on the Music Builds Tour with Third Day, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and Jars of Clay. The tour is to benefit Habitat For Humanity, and takes on the look of a traveling festival.

September

12th:
*Fiction Family announces release date for their debut album to be January 20, 2009 21

16th:
Fiction Family releases album art and announces their release will be handled by ATO Records 22


October

3rd: Fiction Family announces tracklisting for their self-titled debut 23

12th:
*The Music Builds Tour ends.
*Switchfoot performance on Battleground Earth finale plays on Discovery Channel’s Planet Green. They play “Meant to Live” and “This Is Home.”

28th:
*Jon Foreman releases the compilation studio record, “Limbs and Branches,” which features the best of his EP’s, as well as two new songs.

November

4th:
*Columbia/SonyBMG/Legacy releases Switchfoot’s “greatest hits” album called “The Best Yet”

December

2nd:
*Fiction Family announces first tour dates 24

3rd:
*Fiction Family's first single, "When She's Near," is made available for free download 25

4th:
*Switchfoot embarks on a short tour with 3 Doors Down 26

15th:
*Fiction Family's music video for "When She's Near" is premiered on Vimeo. 27

22nd:
*Switchfoot’s song “We Are One Tonight” is featured on the OneCampain’s TV Ad 28