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What Do Members of CMC Think About Christian Artists and Music Going Mainstream
The information below was taken from an article on AOL Entertainment and are not the views of the CMC. We would like the members of this community to start a vigorous discussion thread and give your views about artists and corporations that favor mainstream crossover as opposed to a compartmentalized Christian music genre that has a clear Christian message.
Aly and AJ
These days, our girls Aly and AJ are rocking out more than ever. But these girls have music in their blood. They started singing in church as toddlers, and their mom was part of a Christian rock band. And while their lyrics don't invoke their faith specifically very often, they get some attention from CCM media -- and of course, they'll always get love from US.
Daughtry
While Chris Daughtry made his name as the 'American Idol' who didn't quite make it, he went on to start his own band, DAUGHTRY, and lead pop charts. But some 'AI' fans may not know that he also led the Christian Adult Contemporary charts, with 'Home' currently at #17.
Carrie Underwood
Country music princess and 'American Idol' star Carrie Underwood swept the music industry away with her debut album, 'Some Hearts,' which sold over 300,000 copies in its first week. While that album led the Billboard Top Ten, it was the lead single, 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' that drove the album's popularity to triple platinum status.
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay was one of the first alt-rock CCM bands that led the way for groups like Creed and P.O.D. After forming during college, JOC soon gained a massive, cross-genre following from their debut single, 'Flood.' Although their name is based on a religious text, there was fan dismay among both the religious and secular, who either felt the band was too faith-based -- or not faith-based enough.
KJ-52
CCM may be known for its rock music and power ballads, but it also has its rap stars. KJ-52 grew up in a broken home in Tampa, but became a strong believer in religion at 15. His lyrics and message are driven by his faith, and even his name reflects it, with '52' representing a Bible tale. But while KJ's identity is based in religion, he also comments on mainstream issues and topics, including an Eminem song.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot, a San Diego band whose name comes from a surfing term, formed in '96, but took their first big step into mainstream popularity after appearing on the soundtrack for 'A Walk to Remember,' the '02 Mandy Moore film. Soon after, their '03 album 'The Beautiful Letdown,' went platinum, and put them in both the CCM and mainstream spotlights.
Stacy Orrico
Stacy Orrico, whose sound has been compared to pop divas like Christina Aguilera, dropped her first album at age 14, and got huge before she was even old enough to vote. One of five children of Christian missionaries, Stacy got her first award for singing at a Christian artists' seminar, and several releases into her career, she was getting airtime on 'TRL' and a Grammy nomination.
Relient K
With a sound that sometimes feels like pop-punk rockers Blink-182, CCM artists Relient K has fans stretching across multiple genres. Their fourth album, 'MMHMM,' hit the Billboard Top 200 and number one on Christian charts, winning them notice on MTV and mainstream rock stations. The group dropped their latest EP in March '07, and took their sounds on tour in the spring.
Cross Movement
Cross Movement is one of the first rap groups of the CCM boom, inspiring later artists like KJ-52, and even setting up a home for new acts under their Cross Movement label. For a music genre that's known more for materialism than spirituality, the group carved out a unique niche, and supports up-and-coming new artists like Lecrae, Phanatic and Everyday Process.
Aly and AJ
These days, our girls Aly and AJ are rocking out more than ever. But these girls have music in their blood. They started singing in church as toddlers, and their mom was part of a Christian rock band. And while their lyrics don't invoke their faith specifically very often, they get some attention from CCM media -- and of course, they'll always get love from US.
Daughtry
While Chris Daughtry made his name as the 'American Idol' who didn't quite make it, he went on to start his own band, DAUGHTRY, and lead pop charts. But some 'AI' fans may not know that he also led the Christian Adult Contemporary charts, with 'Home' currently at #17.
Carrie Underwood
Country music princess and 'American Idol' star Carrie Underwood swept the music industry away with her debut album, 'Some Hearts,' which sold over 300,000 copies in its first week. While that album led the Billboard Top Ten, it was the lead single, 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' that drove the album's popularity to triple platinum status.
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay was one of the first alt-rock CCM bands that led the way for groups like Creed and P.O.D. After forming during college, JOC soon gained a massive, cross-genre following from their debut single, 'Flood.' Although their name is based on a religious text, there was fan dismay among both the religious and secular, who either felt the band was too faith-based -- or not faith-based enough.
KJ-52
CCM may be known for its rock music and power ballads, but it also has its rap stars. KJ-52 grew up in a broken home in Tampa, but became a strong believer in religion at 15. His lyrics and message are driven by his faith, and even his name reflects it, with '52' representing a Bible tale. But while KJ's identity is based in religion, he also comments on mainstream issues and topics, including an Eminem song.
Switchfoot
Switchfoot, a San Diego band whose name comes from a surfing term, formed in '96, but took their first big step into mainstream popularity after appearing on the soundtrack for 'A Walk to Remember,' the '02 Mandy Moore film. Soon after, their '03 album 'The Beautiful Letdown,' went platinum, and put them in both the CCM and mainstream spotlights.
Stacy Orrico
Stacy Orrico, whose sound has been compared to pop divas like Christina Aguilera, dropped her first album at age 14, and got huge before she was even old enough to vote. One of five children of Christian missionaries, Stacy got her first award for singing at a Christian artists' seminar, and several releases into her career, she was getting airtime on 'TRL' and a Grammy nomination.
Relient K
With a sound that sometimes feels like pop-punk rockers Blink-182, CCM artists Relient K has fans stretching across multiple genres. Their fourth album, 'MMHMM,' hit the Billboard Top 200 and number one on Christian charts, winning them notice on MTV and mainstream rock stations. The group dropped their latest EP in March '07, and took their sounds on tour in the spring.
Cross Movement
Cross Movement is one of the first rap groups of the CCM boom, inspiring later artists like KJ-52, and even setting up a home for new acts under their Cross Movement label. For a music genre that's known more for materialism than spirituality, the group carved out a unique niche, and supports up-and-coming new artists like Lecrae, Phanatic and Everyday Process.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Ross on -
I think it's o.k. to be IN the mainstream, but not OF the mainstream . . . so to speak. Seriously, should we only be preaching to our own choir? Maybe the problem is when the name of Jesus is replaced in the song because it might offend the mainstream . . . or a song never becomes mainstream because Jesus IS mentioned in the song. Apparently it's o.k. if "Jesus done left Chicago" or if He "takes the wheel", but it's not o.k. that Jesus loves, saves or is the answer.
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Permalink Reply by John Platania on -
Preaching only to the choir is a comfort zone. The battlefield for men's souls is in the mainstream. Any Christian artist who's willing to step out of that comfort zone & is able to "infiltrate" the secular fortress to get "The Message" across - either subtly or overtly - is getting the job done.
Crossover is "The Trojan Horse" & maybe once Christian Music gains a firm toe hold, a "clear Christian Message" can eventually be sung & accepted.
Thought....Maybe I'm being naive here (and a bit crass) but given that the corporations' bottom line is profit... would they "stop" for example, a Carrie Underwood song containing lyrics that Jesus loves saves or is the answer, if it were to fill it's coffers?
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Permalink Reply by John Buckler on -
As an artist that is in music and ministry full time, I can see where the audience that listens to all music, Christian and secular, could easily become confused. Say you have an artist who spends all their time developing music with a clear Christian message and a different artist who doesn't even acknowledge God or that Jesus is the answer. Much less be a true believer. Then they want to sell a song to Christian listeners by putting "Jesus is Just Alright With Me" in their lyrics. Christian radio puts it on the playlist. Doesn't that imply to the audience that the secular artist is a believer? And over and above that, the Christian artist who devotes themself to Jesus daily, has a song that is radio worthy and has to wait until the playlist opens up for availability to have the real message of salvation heard. If you have 9 of the top 10 songs on the Christian radio playlist from artists that are not true believers, wouldn't the audience assume they were? And wouldn't the true message of salvation get blocked from the audience?
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Permalink Reply by Judith Carroll on -
I support the integrity of true Christian Artists!
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Permalink Reply by Chris Reuber on -
This has been an issue of discussions for years, and there are always good points brought up. For myself, I was brought up in a home where music was a hot-button issue, and we weren't really aloud to listen to the radio, and a lot of Christian "Rock" was suspect as well! I have probably the largest collection of Christian music ever, and it crosses all genres from rock, metal, rap, country, worship, and whatever you can come up with. I have a total of about 10 secular CD's among a collection of over 200. Having said that, I do not feel the need to limit myself as a listener, nor as an ARTIST to just "Christian Music". My view as an artist is this: if I write music from the heart, and from my perspective... being a Christian and having Jesus within me... it doesn't matter what the subject matter of the song is, it is "Christian" music. It doesn't matter if it speaks the name of Jesus, and it doesn't matter if it's sold or listened to in secular circles... it's still Christian music.
The important factor for me in writing and listening to music, is that it has some sort of positive message. Be it a positive social message, or a positive "Jesus Saves" message. It's "nice" to be able to listen to artists who we know are Christians, just like it's "nice" to do business dealings with family... but I've known non-Christians who have just as positive of an effect on their social network as any Christian in theirs, and I wouldn't want to cut myself or anyone I know from the positive effects of interacting with someone based solely on whether or not they are a Christian... and it's the same with music in my eyes.
Praise Be To God,
Chris Reuber
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Permalink Reply by Samuel II on
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Everyone who hears about the love of Jesus...is not necessarily going to hear it in church. With that being said...why not hear about Jesus through a mainstream venue. It just might start someone to thinking about their soul salvation...isn't that what it is all about?
Now as far as who sings about Jesus...who am I...to say who can...and who can't sing about Jesus. When all is said and done...if you are not living a life that reflects the love of God...what difference does it make who...or what you sing about...and whether it is mainstream or not. Some in the industry today feel that Christian music has been compromised because in some instances you cannot tell the difference between what is Christian music...and what is considered to be secular music. The content of the lyrics carry weight...if there is no reference to God, Jesus, or the Lord...how can one tell who you are speaking or singing about...or singing to.
I have heard songs that mentioned the Lord in them in the mainstream arena...and I have heard other songs that have made no mention of the name Jesus, Lord, or God in them, but yet the song implies such. If you...as a Christian artist have been afforded an opportunity to allow the ministry that is within you to go mainstream...why not...just remember to not let your gift take you somewhere that it cannot not keep you. Acknowledge God and allow Him to direct your path
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Permalink Reply by Nashville Christian Concerts on -
Here is an interesting article from the Fundamental Baptist Information Service that can shed some light on this subject. Everything it says is verified to be accurate. We can make up anything we want to make it look like the mainstream movement has some kind of logic, but if you look at the engine driving it, then it may change a person's opinion.
Title: CCM - WHO IS CONVERTING WHOM?
Updated May 19, 2002 (first published February 20, 2002) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org) –
Contemporary Christian Music is big business today, a half billion dollar a year industry. The CCM industry sold nearly 50 million albums in 2001, raking in more money than the jazz and classical segments of the music business. As of 1995, there were 250 radio stations that carried CCM as their primary music format. Revenues from sales of CCM have tripled since the mid-80s. One-quarter of the sales in Christian bookstores are from music. This caught the attention of the world, and most of the major CCM producers and distributors are now owned by secular corporations.
WORD ENTERTAINMENT, a secular corporation, is the home of such CCM heavy weights as 4Him, Phil Keaggy, Amy Grant, Mary Mary, Cindy Morgan, Erin O’Donnell, Point of Grace, Sandi Patty, Mark Schulz, Jaci Velasquez, Wes King, Nicole Mullen, and Anointed. (Word purchased MYRRH RECORDS some years back.) Word Entertainment also publishes Veggie Tales and Veggie Tunes for children. Word recently changed hands from one secular corporation to another. Warner Music Group paid Gaylord Hotels and the Grand Ole Opry $84.1 million for Word. Warner, a division of AOL Time Warner, also owns Atlantic, Elektra, London-Sire, Reprise, and Warner Bros. Records, and has on its roster such vile secular rock artists as Green Day, Madonna, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
INTEGRITY MUSIC, which owns Hosanna Music, Fairhope Records, and Vertical Music, and which had $58.1 million in sales in 2000, has intimate partnerships with secular corporations such as Sony and Time Life. In March 2002, it signed a distribution agreement with Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment. Under this new deal, Integrity will also distribute Sony “Christian music products.” Epic and Sony publish and distribute some very immoral music groups, such as B2K, Tenacious D, Babyface, Bone thugs, Incubus, Michael Jackson, Rage Against the Machine. They also publish some of the vile old rock groups like Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and Pearl Jam. In its 2000 financial statement, Integrity Music boasts of these partnerships and speaks of its work almost exclusively in business terms. Integrity controls more than 50% of the “praise and worship market” and co-publishes the popular WOW worship series and the Songs 4 Worship series.
In 1992, SPARROW RECORDS (Avalon, Ce Ce Winons, Carman, Delirious, Margaret Becker, Newsboys, Phillips Craig and Dean, Steve Green, Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris, Zoe Girl) sold out to EMI Christian Music Group, which in turn is owned by the secular corporation, EMI Group. EMI owns 70 music companies (Virgin, Capitol, Mosaic, Narada, Astralwerks, etc.) representing some 1,500 artists, including a wide variety of very immoral secular music acts, such as Janet Jackson, Smashing Pumpkin, Mariah Carey, Geto Boys, Spice Girls, Blind Melon, and the Beastie Boys. EMI also owns the music of old groups such as Pink Floyd, Grand Funk Railroad, Radiohead, Iggy Pop, Sex Pistols, Badfinger, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Billy Idol, Blondie, and Poison.
The EMI Group also owns CHORDANT DISTRIBUTION GROUP (Big Tent Revival, Gaithers Gospel Quartet, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Jennifer Knapp, John Michael Talbot, Mark Lowry, Susan Ashton, Supertones, The Ws) and FOREFRONT Records (Audio Adrenaline, dc talk, Rebecca St. James, Pax217, Extreme Days, Soundtrack, Geoff Moore) and EMI GOSPEL (Lamar Campbell, Beverly Crawford, T.D. Jakes, Sharon Riley, Tri City Singers) and STAR SONG RECORDS (Whiteheart, Bride, Don Francisco, Mylon LeFevre, Imperials, Gaither Vocal Band). Star Song, which was founded in 1977 and had a long list of recordings by the 1980s, was purchased by EMI in 1994 and was folded into Sparrow Records; by 1998, Star Song ceased to be an active record label.
In May 2002, EMI signed a letter of intent to acquire a twenty-five percent interest in GOTEE RECORDS, which represents Jennifer Knapp, Out of Eden, Relient K, the Katinas, John Reuben, and other CCM musicians. The CEO of Gotee is Toby McKeehan of dc Talk.
In 1995, the secular Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) purchased REUNION RECORDS (home of Kathy Trocolli, Michael W. Smith, Jake, Joy Williams, La Rue, Mat Brouwer, ShineMK, NewSong; former home to Rich Mullins, Billy Sprague, Kim Hill, Michael Omartian, Gary Chapman, Take 6, Morgan Cryar, Ashley Cleveland, Clay Crosse, and Third Day). BMG is the home for many immoral secular rock groups such as P. Diddy, Girl Thing, Alicia Keys, Run DMC, Santana, Foo Fighters, Jaguares, and O-Town. In 1996, BMG sold Reunion Records to another secular company, Provident Music Group, a subsidiary of British-based Zomba Music. Zomba owns such vile acts as Britney Spears, ‘N Sync, and the Backstreet Boys, and others whose names alone are too vile to mention.
BRENTWOOD MUSIC was purchased in 1994 by Zomba Music. Three years later, the secular-owned Brentwood purchased BENSON MUSIC and the aforementioned Reunion Records. The newly expanded corporation was called the Provident Music Group. Benson publishes the following CCM groups: 4HIM, NewSong, Forty Days, Celebrate Freedom, Whisper Loud, and Kyle Matthews. Brentwood publishes the Smoky Mountain Series, the Hymnworks series, the America’s 25 series, and the Acoustic Worship Series. Brentwood also has a children’s division, featuring Kids Sing Praise, Mother Goose Gospel, Sing Me To Sleep, Daddy; Sing Me To Sleep, Mommy; Big Songs For Little Kids, and America’s 25 Favorite Praise & Worship Choruses for Kids.
With over 50,000 copyrights, the secular-owned Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing has amassed the world’s largest Christian music publishing catalog as well as the second largest “evangelically styled” choral music catalog. This same publishing group also publishes choral music, hymnals, and songbooks for churches. Thus, a large percentage of the money paid to license Christian music today goes into the coffers of a large secular corporation.
The secular Provident Music Group also owns DIADEM RECORDS, which features CCM artists Bob Carlisle, Bryan Duncan, and Helen Baylor.
In 1993, the Zomba-owned Provident Music Group purchased ESSENTIAL RECORDS. This is the home of CCM groups such as Jars of Clay, Caedmon’s Call, and Third Day.
The secular-owned Provident Music Group also distributes Tommy Boy Gospel, Here To Him Music, Praise Hymn Soundtracks, New Haven Records, Spirit-Led & Fervent Records, Galilee of the Nations Music, and One Voice Music.
Zomba also owns VERITY RECORDS, which has become “the world’s number one gospel label” featuring Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Tonex, Virtue, Commissioned, Richard Smallwood and Hezekiah Walker.
Provident Music Group also owns CEDARMONT KIDS, the number one selling line of Christian children’s recordings and videos with sales in excess of 12 million units.
We don’t see much evidence that CCM is influencing the world, but there is considerable evidence that the world is influencing CCM.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14)
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).
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Permalink Reply by Chris Reuber on
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hmmm... I understand what you're saying... but by that token, you would also not want to be associated with some "churches", which are really run more like a business and have done very un-biblical things throughout their history.
Add to that.. you're looking for proof of a negative influence (which isn't evident in the article listed.. just that there is a 6 degrees separation thing going on), so of course you find it. Have you looked for evidence of a positive influence on the music industry from Christian music associations? I know that they are out there, and I hope you search.. and find them also, in order to have a balanced viewpoint, and not skewed by your initial thesis.
Because I work for a corporation (retail), doesn't mean that I don't have a positive influence on those around me, and I would be out of work if I allowed myself to work solely for a "Christian-influenced" company!
Nashville Christian Concerts said:Here is an interesting article from the Fundamental Baptist Information Service that can shed some light on this subject. Everything it says is verified to be accurate. We can make up anything we want to make it look like the mainstream movement has some kind of logic, but if you look at the engine driving it, then it may change a person's opinion.
Title: CCM - WHO IS CONVERTING WHOM?
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Permalink Reply by Laura Hawthorne on
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Carrie Underwood lyrics for Jesus Take the Wheel is a good message. But in my mind I don't characterize her as a Christian music artist because her music is predominately country. It's a genre thing that the industry uses to identify styles of music overall for different artists so end users can tell what they are buying and listening to overall. She may be a Christian and an artist which makes her a Christian artist, but the music is country. So she wouldn't be classified as a Christian "music" artist.
JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL - Carrie Underwood Lyrics
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
she was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was so scared
She threw her hands up in the air
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh take it take it from me
Oh
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Regardless to who purchased or aquired whom...the word says, "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7. So for those Christian/Gospel artist that are with record lables that have been aquired by secular labels...continue in your good works.
How do we know that whomever is at the helm of one of these secular labels has not had a change of heart, spirit, or mind. We never know what God is doing with and to individuals. The word also says, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:14-16 God can use whomever He chooses Sinner or Saint, Black or White, Rich or Poor, etc., to spread his message. So what shoud we really be concerned with?
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