Contemporary Christian music (or CCM or " inspirational music ") is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The term is typically used to refer to the Nashville, Tennessee-based pop, rock, and worship Christian music industry, currently represented by artists such as
Avalon, BarlowGirl, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Third Day, tobyMac, and a host of others. The industry is represented in Billboard Magazine's "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts, and by Radio & Records magazine's Christian AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio), Christian Rock, and Inspirational (INSPO) airplay charts, as well as the iTunes Store's "Christian & Gospel" genre. Not all popular music which lyrically identifies with Christianity is normally considered Contemporary Christian Music. For example, many punk, hardcore, and holy hip-hop groups deal explicitly with issues of faith but are not a part of the Nashville industry. Also, several mainstream artists such as Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Lifehouse, and U2 have dealt with Christian themes in their work but are not considered CCM artists.
Background
Contemporary Christian music first came onto the scene of popular music during the Jesus movement revival of the late 1960s and early 1970s. One of the first, popular "Jesus music" albums was Upon This Rock (1969) by Larry Norman initially released on Capitol Records. Unlike traditional or southern gospel music, this new Jesus music was birthed out of rock and roll and folk rock music. The pioneers of this movement also included 2nd Chapter of Acts, Andraé Crouch and the Disciples, Love Song, Petra, and Barry McGuire. The small Jesus music culture had expanded into a multimillion-dollar industry by the 1980s. By the 1990s, many CCM artists such as Amy Grant, dc Talk, Michael W. Smith, Stryper, and Jars of Clay had found crossover success with Top 40 mainstream radio play. Currently, Christian music sales exceed those for classical, jazz, Latin, New Age, and soundtrack music .
Controversy
Contemporary Christian music has been a topic of controversy in various ways since its beginnings in the 1960s. The Christian college Bob Jones University prohibits its dormitory students from listening to CCM. Others simply find the concept of Christian pop/rock music to be an unusual phenomenon, since rock music has historically been associated with themes such as sexual promiscuity, rebellion, drug and alcohol use, and other topics normally considered antithetical to the teachings of Christianity.
See also
- Christian rock
- Contemporary worship
- Christian metal
- Christian alternative rock
Notes
- ^ "Best Selling Christian Singles and Albums". Billboard Magazine . http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/christian_gospel_index.jsp . Retrieved 2007-02-28 .
- ^ R&R - Radio & Records, Inc
- ^ a b c d Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 10–13. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- ^ Di Sabatino, David (1999). The Jesus People Movement: an annotated bibliography and general resource . Lake Forest, CA: Jester Media. p. 136.
- ^ http://christianmusic.about.com/od/christianmusicmonthly/a/aaWeberStats105.htm
- ^ "BJU ~ Residence Hall Life". Bob Jones University . http://www.bju.edu/become-a-student/accepted-students/expectations/residence.php . Retrieved 2009-03-21 .
Further reading
- Alfonso, Barry. The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music . Billboard Books, 2002.
- Beaujon, Andrew (2006). Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock . Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81457-9 . http://www.bodypiercingsavedmylife.com/ .
- Di Sabatino, David (1999). The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource . Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies, Number 49. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313302685.
- Du Noyer, Paul (2003). "Contemporary Christian Music". The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music . New York City: Billboard Books. pp. 422–423. ISBN 0-8230-7869-8.
- Granger, Thom (2001). CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music . Nashville: CCM Books.
- Hendershot, Heather (2004). "Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music? Christian Music and the Secular Marketplace". Shaking the World for Jesus: Media and Conservative Evangelical Culture . Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-32679-9. ...
Christian Art Poster, Jesus Christ Poster, Inspirational Poster
Welcome to Christian Art For You. We have a variety of Christian posters that help you experience the love, power and care of almighty God. Enter and browse today.
Jesus Christ Poster Category - Inspirational Art & Scripture ...
Jesus Christ Poster Category - Experience God's Love and the Passion of Christ through these powerful Christian posters. The largest selection, with over 200 original poster ...
Christian Art Gallery - Biblical, Inspirational, Religious, Spiritual ...
These Christian artists serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with their unique style and ... themes, scripture, pictures of Jesus Christ, and more by inspirational Christian ...
Jesus Quotes | Jesus Christ Sayings | Christian Quotes
Quotes and sayins about Jesus Christ, The ... Being a Christian, I’m eager to introduce people to Jesus. ... Inspirational; Jesus; Life; Other; Quotes; Religion; Verses
Official Web Site of Jesus Christ
jesus christ t shirt christian music lyrics christian cafe news page eternal life top ten christian websites list hell (satan is a liar) inspirational scripture
Outskirts Press Announces The Second Coming of Christ Jesus, the ...
... Inc. has published The Second Coming of Christ Jesus by Michael Blacker, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 paperback in the Christian - Inspirational ...
Light of Christ Living Print Inspirational Jesus Portrait:...
Buy This Item Now: Light of Christ Living Print Inspirational Jesus Portrait: Christian Religious Wall Decor: Item No. 104460001 The Bradford Exchange
Christ Out security - Christian and Religious T Shirts & Apparel ...
Name: Christ Out security ... Christian Outfitter Security Keywords: christian religious chritianity christians inspirational jesus angels religion Christian ...
Free Jesus Christ wallpapers, Christian photos, Jesus Christ pictures ...
Free download Jesus Christ wallpapers, Christian photos download for free, Jesus ... Worship hands for our lord Jesus Christ background... Free download Inspirational verse wallpapers ...