3 Doors Down is a rock band that was formed in 1994 by three friends who had grown up together in Escatawpa, Mississippi (U.S.A.) and who all shared a common interest in rock music.

• Original lineup:
• Brad Arnold (vocals and drums),
• Matt Roberts (guitar),
• Todd Harrell (bass), and later, in 1996,
• Chris Henderson (guitar) joined the band.

They began playing locally, a mix of both cover songs and original songs. But eventually began to tour outside of Escatawpa, and it was during a trip to Foley, Alabama that they came up with their official name. When the three band members were walking through the town, they saw a building where some letters had fallen off its sign, and it read "Doors Down." Since at the time the group still consisted of three people, they added the "3" to create "3 Doors Down."

In time, Brad Arnold ended up not only drumming, but as the group's lead singer, mainly because, as he puts it, "Nobody else would do it, but I did and enjoyed it." Arnold is also their lyricist, and he wrote some of their early hits during math class when he was only 15. Finally they hired a session musician so that Arnold could be the lead singer/front man full-time.

3 Doors Down's first album, The Better Life, was released on February 2, 2000, and went on to become the 11th best-selling album of that year, selling over 3 million copies. It has since been certified as 6-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Radio station 97.9 WCPR started playing the EP version of Kryptonite which was the #1 requested song on the station for over 15 weeks which caught the attention of Universal Records, who eventually signed the band thanks in part to "Kryptonite," and other international singles, "Loser," and "Duck and Run." A fourth single, "Be Like That," also did well and was actually re-recorded for the 2001 film, American Pie 2, with alternate lyrics for the first 3 lines. This version is known as "The American Pie 2 Edit."

The band's second studio album, Away from the Sun, was released in 2002 and has since been certified by RIAA as 4-times Platinum in the United States and Platinum in Australia. "Here Without You" and "When I'm Gone" proved to be the most successful singles from that album. "The Road I'm On" and "Away from the Sun" also charted, but with less success.

Between 2002 and 2009 the band has released 2 studio albums, not counting the 2 mentioned above, 2 EPs, 1 Digital Album, 4 DVDs and 17 Singles.

• Current Lineup:
• Brad Arnold (lead vocals)
• Matt Roberts )lead guitar, backing vocals)
• Chris Henderson (rhythm guitar)
• Todd Harrell (bass guitar)
• Greg Upchurch (drums, percussion, backing vocals)

Philanthropy: In 2003, 3 Doors Down started The Better Life Foundation (TBLF) with a goal in mind to give as many children as possible a better life. Since its inception TBLF has supported numerous charities nationwide, as well as providing aid and assistance to the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.

3 Doors Down and The Better Life Foundation host a yearly show in at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi to raise money for the charity. In addition to a concert from 3 Doors Down and friends, there is also an auction, which includes numerous items from musical friends, sports icons, and other various supporters of the band and the charity. There is an average of sixty items auctioned off yearly, and proceeds are given to TBLF.

Past performers include, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Shinedown, Alter Bridge, Staind, Hinder, Tracy Lawrence, Sara Evans, and others. Past auction items include a Paul Stanley guitar played on the KISS Farewell Tour, a total of four Roger Bourget motorcycles, access to the Dale Jr. racing suite, numerous signed guitars and sports memorabilia, just to name a few.