"Determined"
CO3
Words and music by Chad Little, Dave Romero
& Bryan Morse

There’s a common misconception about my Christian faith
It’s not just my religion let me tell you I’ve been saved
And I’m determined to live it everyday
Even though I stumble and fall flat upon my face
Through all the condemnation I’m still runnin’, runnin’ in this race

I’m determined not to fail
I’m determined to overcome all of my fears
Oh I’ve got to persevere
I will never take for granted the grace He’s given me
To endure until the end, I’m never gonna quit
Oh I’m determined I’m determined

It’s not a usual existence, ‘cause this is not my home
But the popular opinion, says that I am wrong
But I’m determined, to show them all the way
I won’t be double-minded or hypocritical
I’m not ashamed of Jesus Oh---
I want the world to know that I’m determined

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
Persecution will come, Oooo we will survive
And I will stand on the promise of His love

Repeat Chorus

© 2007 2005 LittleRome Music BMI

Cover Letter

"Be Still," the Top 20 (R&R) single from CO3 was a great way to introduce the group's music and ministry to your listeners. As we head into spring, the time is perfect for the energy of their new single, "DETERMINED."

The song "Determined" was birthed out of a CO3's actual real life situation. "I was having one of those days when I wanted to quit the whole music business thing," remembers Dave Romero. I was really questioning weather to go on or not. As I was contemplating this, God really spoke to me and asked the life-changing question: 'Are you DETERMINED to finish what you have started? Are you going to finish this race?" Dave continues, "Right then and there, that became one of the main heart cries of CO3's ministry. The song is a declaration of faith, fortitude, and full of pure honesty."

"We believe this should be the heart cry of the whole body of Christ," adds Chad Little. "All of us, at times in our lives, get where we want to quit. But one thing that CO3 has discovered over the last 8 years is that this Christian walk is not a sprint, but a marathon." CO3 hopes "Determined " will encourage and give strength to those who are on the verge of quitting what God has called and gifted them to do, and that it will motivate them to continue to fight the good fight.

"Determined" not only has a positive and encouraging message, CO3 communicates that message with conviction and the song is filled with energy and joy. If you've been looking for a more up-tempo song for your current rotation, this is it!

Give "DETERMINED" from CO3 a listen today. We're going for your immediate add. And don't forget that CO3 will be appearing at this year's Creative Promotions' Late Nite @ GMA in Nashville on Monday night, April 21!

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Biography

On a periodic table, CO3 represents carbon trioxide, one of the most explosive elements, while in Biblical pretenses it stands for the incredibly moving third chapter of Colossians, which is centered around a life of love, compassion and commitment to Christ. In a strictly musical sense, the duo comprised of vocalist/acoustic guitarist Chad Little and vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Dave Romero is indeed on fire, blending remarkably rich harmonies, a wide variety of southern fried genres, an intricate balance of acoustic and electric instrumentation, capped off by powerful production. When it comes to matters of the heart, it’s obvious the group intends to make an impact, crafting lyrical masterpieces rippled with relevant tales of hope, encouragement, faith and flat out fun.

“I guess you could say our group name has a double meaning,” verifies Little, letting out of a laugh. “We joke all the time that we’re like carbon trioxide. We’re really caustic and we’ll blow up on you! But the meaning is still Scriptural as well, talking about a total dedication to a life in Christ where the songs say it louder than we could ever talk about.”

Such is the case of the dozen cuts on DETERMINED, a carefully crafted, continuously unified expression of the group’s diverse palette flanked with faithful observations and several singles in the making. The title track opens up the listening experience, calling all to stand firm despite moments of rising waves and rocky waters, while soaring with robust harmonies and catchy choruses. Tunes like “He Speaks” and “Only For You” call for an even more introspective frame of mind, but again are linked by unbreakable melodic bonds and a unique chemistry rarely covered on either side of the music industry coin. “Dreamer” goes out to those who’ve ever wished for something, serving as a rally cry for all to follow through with those ambitions and navigate the reigns with God’s will at the center. Yet it’s “Be Still” that truly encompasses these artists’ intentions, talking about waiting on the Lord and His ultimately perfect timing.

“We informally auditioned ‘Be Still’ for a major record label in their conference room and were told it was our career song,” observes Romero. “We’ve heard so much feedback about the track and how it resonates with so many people. It was one of those very simple songs that came together in an incredible moment that’s done really well for us ever since.”

While that track and the others on DETERMINED are obviously steeped in the Divine, members also cite the Creator as the source which drew them both together. Though Little and Romero had previously performed together in other outlets and in the infancy of CO3 (then called Chord of Three), the latest sessions show the twosome’s most mature work yet, signaling their steadily developing artistic unity.

“Chad and I met six years ago in Oklahoma when I was a worship pastor at a church,” Romero relates. “A mutual friend introduced us and we brought guitars over to each others houses and made an instant connection. Throughout the next few years, I expanded beyond worship and we started a group called Encounter, which helped lay the groundwork for what’s now CO3.”

In fact, the pair’s relationship was so potent that they shot straight to the top, enlisting the legendary Rick Lloyd (previously known for his time with Third Day and others) at the production helm and setting up shop in TMC Studios just outside of Nashville

“We were really blessed by the experience and learned a lot by recording at such a top of the line studio,” says Romero. “It really helped bring together our voices and influences in such a tight way that it allowed us to shape a sound of our own. We’re in your face with the harmonies like the Gatlin Brothers, but with the edge of a Rascal Flatts or the Eagles. In the Christian market, it’s a combination nobody else is really trying, while it gives us the ground work stylistically to hopefully have crossover appeal.”

Regardless of the sonic make-up, the material is indeed in a class of its own, further refined on the road through an exhaustive show schedule. Speaking of time on tour, both players have been regulars on the concert circuit throughout their careers before coming together with Little spending a considerable amount of time in Carrie Underwood’s band. That’s right, Little was a band leader, writer and touring titan prior to her “American Idol” days and the international smash “Jesus Take the Wheel.”

“It all started in 1997 when she just turned 14 and I was approached by her manager at the time to listen to her demos and consider putting together her band,” he recalls. “I thought she was a little young, but had great pipes, so we decided to team up and rehearse every week together- once with just her and twice with the band. We started doing a lot of live dates and I wrote a song called ‘Don’t Talk About Love’ that quickly became a concert favorite. Though I eventually had to start slowing down the schedule after I got married and had to let that go, we were totally rooting for her on ‘Idol’ and we are so proud that she won.”
Even after the program, the Underwood connection continued thanks to her former lawyer linking up with CO3 and signing the group to its client roster. The prestigious Jack, Lyon & Jones firm is also the home to Kenny Rogers and Bill Gaither.

While the group is certainly ready to graduate to the next level, each guy’s individual goal isn’t to amass fame or fortune, but rather impact others with this highly inspirational and progressive project. “The dynamic for us is that we’re continually on an evolutionary process,” sums up Little. “We’re always striving to be better as singers and songwriters and we pray our songs transcend charts, award categories and culture itself. I believe that, in itself, is the most spiritual thing we can do and we hope God will say ‘well done.’ We believe Jesus is the only way to God and our lyrics are about that in every song. We hope people hear our passion and that our observations transcend religion to hopefully help someone find relationship - right where they are, wherever that may be - with the One who transcends all.”


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Extras

No Extras at this Time.

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