Music Blog

Christian Music Groups

Modern popular music with Christian themes in the lyrics is a big industry, especially in the United States. There are several record labels and radio stations that promote Christian music groups. The lyrics vary in their strength of feeling and the Christian message is delivered in different ways. Gospel music has often crossed over into the mainstream and many artists, such as Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan, have explored their Christian beliefs.

All musical genres have artists that can be described as promoting Christianity. Several Christian music groups hail from the southern states of America or are based there. Successful groups include Jars of Clay, Third Day and Avalon. The movement has its own chart listings, appearing in Billboard Magazine. The Jesus Movement, which arose from the hippie period of the 1960s, originated a lot of the Christian music with which we are familiar today.

Country music artists have often blended gospel with their country sounds, sometimes having hit records as a result. Tennessee Ernie Ford was well known for his gospel tinged songs and the Carter Family and the Oak Ridge Boys performed this kind of music too. Contemporary Christian music groups carry on the tradition, including The Isaacs and The Singing Echoes. The Singing Echoes are all members of the same family and have received a Grammy Award nomination.

Some other genres are more controversial, as some Christian leaders think that rock music should not mix with Christian lyrics. Supporters say that Christian music groups encourage young people to endorse Christianity and to follow Christian teachings. There is Christian hip hop, ska and metal music. All of these have their own sub genres. The sincerity of the artists is not in doubt as they have chosen a less commercial path. They also suffer from jibes from non-Christian rock fans.

The alternative rock scene has many exponents of the Christian faith. The 1980s was a particular fertile time for this type of music. Undercover, a group from California released their debut album in 1982. They looked like a typical punk band with Mohawk hairstyles and tattoos, even performing punk versions of traditional hymns. Another Californian punk band, The Altar Boys, were popular in the 1980s and had an overt Christian message. Quickflight were from British Columbia and were a new wave band with an electronic sound. All these Christian music groups prove that the devil doesn’t have to have all the good music!