Christian Music Question's

[Soccer_Hooli]

I have too many questions concerning "Christian Music". I've been to many concerts (Third Day, Newsboys, DC Talk, Michael W. Smith, TFK, Mercy Me ETC ETC) and I just don't know what to feel about it. On one hand, I kind of feel some bands exploit Christian's in general, and other times, I really feel great about it.

What I mean about exploiting is that I can't help but to think that some bands have A LOT of financial gain. I am not against Capitalism, but I am against using Christian themes and messages, for your own gain financially. (Authors Included)

I am SURE this is not the first time this has come up, but really I struggle with it. Bands like Toby Mac, who are a lot of show, really get to me. I get this feeling that, If they could have, they would be in the secular industry instead of Christian.

When a group like Casting Crowns goes on stage, I can feel something. It doesn't seem to have another 'Just another show' feel.

(I don't want to offend anyone) I've seen Third Day 5 times. I like their music, It is in my genre. They rock out and then also have some smooth melodies. When a prayer is done at any concert, I always wonder "How many times has this specific prayer been offered up?" --- Alright --- I'm done :), nobody throw rocks at me :-)

[middletree]

Nobody's going to throw socks at you. All your concerns are valid, but in some cases, I think you're projecting something that isn't there. For example, the last point (how many times has this prayer been offered?). My pastor says the same things twice on Sundays (because we have 2 services). There's nothing wrong with that.

For the record, I don't think there is any such thing as secular music. Music either glorifies God or it's against Him. However, a lot more music glorifies God than most here will acknowledge. If a country singer sings a sad song lamenting his wife leaving him because he did her wrong, then that's no different from us reading the bible about David's adultery. (If a song glorifies adultery, then that is another thing entirely).

It has been said by many who won't listen to so-called secular music that popular music is just about drinking, sex, and violence. I'd submit that the bible is about the same things.

[Soccer_Hooli]

I don't believe in secular music also. I don't tend to listen too things with a negative message. I noticed you did not comment on these bands have BIG financial gain, being represented by car companies etc. I am a true believer in if you are doing God's work, then you wont desire living outside of your needs.

[Soccer_Hooli]

Yeah, the offered prayer was a bad representation of how I feel. I just can't help to be skeptical of certain things. Christian Music label's for me, have a bigger responsibility than a label that promotes non-Christian. I think that they tend to over due a lot of their marketing, and target vulnerable people.

[in hiding]

dont forget they are also entertainers as well. I am less skeptical of groups that have been around longer (3d, petra, dctalk (and the solo careers) etc...) b/c they have been in the industry when it wasn't what it is today. A lot of earlier christian music wasn't the quality that it is today; the early stuff had the requisite JPM's (jesus per minutes) but didn't have much more. Now you are getting even better musicians, writers, and performers so it makes sense that the industry has evolved b/c it is a business and they do have to make money in order to live. So I agree we should be skeptical but don't forget that there are many genres and performance styles. One is not nec better than the other; they are just different The biggest thing is knowing the artists heart is in the right place (which we can never truly know)

[middletree]

I don't believe in secular music also.

I think you misunderstood me. I'm saying I don't think there is a such thing as secular music.

I noticed you did not comment on these bands have BIG financial gain, being represented by car companies etc. I am a true believer in if you are doing God's work, then you wont desire living outside of your needs.

You are entitled to think this, and I would never discourage anyone from thinking what they think. But since you asked, I don't have a problem with ministers (including singers and authors) making more than average salaries. As long as that's not why they do it.

As for the car thing, Ford was a Third Day sponsor for their tour, and tours are very expensive to put on. Sponsors are pretty much a necessity.

[Soccer_Hooli]

For the record, I don't think there is any such thing as secular music. Music either glorifies God or it's against Him. However, a lot more music glorifies God than most here will acknowledge. If a country singer sings a sad song lamenting his wife leaving him because he did her wrong, then that's no different from us reading the bible about David's adultery. (If a song glorifies adultery, then that is another thing entirely).


Sorry I thought that was pretty clear cut.

[Soccer_Hooli]

The mainstream music industry is hard to make it in. There are fierce competitors, the best musician's in the world. Christian music's quality has GREATLY improved, but what makes me wonder is, Do you think that Christian music has evolved (better performers, writers etc) because "mainstream" became increasingly difficult to succeed? Some bands seen the Christian market as an opening, to get their name out and hopefully one day get onto mainstage radio?

[The Unknown Gomer]

...As for the car thing, Ford was a Third Day sponsor for their tour...

Actually, it was Chevrolet. :) Test drove a few at the Ride and Drive in Greensboro.
Then bought a Toyota 6 months later. :P

(sorry, just being nitpicky... ;) )

[3D NC fan]

I recently saw Casting Crowns at a free concert that was sponsored by Family Christian and our CCM station New Life 91.9. The new CD was being sold there which you could have autographed after the show. They also had copies of Mark Hall's book. I'm not a big fan, but was impressed that Casting Crowns did 7 songs at what was being advertised as a "mini-concert". It was announced that for every CD sold at the show, another would be sent overseas to our troops.

3D supports Habitat for Humanity and World Vision. They travel overseas for concerts in England and Australia where there are many fans including those who post here on these boards. How should they pay for their travel if not through sponsors? Whenever Mac offers a prayer or thoughts about a song, I am never worried about if he has said it before at another show. I do feel these artists may have been able to have careers as secular musicians, but they choose to glorify God instead. I personally don't have a problem with that. My two cents worth. :D

[Soccer_Hooli]

3D supports Habitat for Humanity and World Vision.

H4H is a good organization. World Vision, I have some concerns with. Few years ago, we went to Spirit Song @ Kings Island. We payed decent money to see a lot of short sets by bands and then one or two big shows each day. World Vision did a LONG presentation during this time, everyday. There were other companies there advertising to, They had booths and went on stage for a few seconds promoting things (which is fine..) But these World Vision presentation's were 30mins to 45mins. Just didn't seem right to target a crowd like that, who has paid for entertainment.

[middletree]

Sorry I thought that was pretty clear cut.

Sorry I misunderstood you.

[middletree]

Actually, it was Chevrolet. :) Test drove a few at the Ride and Drive in Greensboro.
Then bought a Toyota 6 months later. :P

(sorry, just being nitpicky... ;) )

Oops, sorry. I'm a Toyota guy, so all American cars are the same to me.

[The Unknown Gomer]

I could hijack the thread (who ME?) and ask what kind of Toyota you drive, and say that we look like a dealership at our house, traded in one Camry for another later model, and then I stirred things up by being the first one in the family with a Prius. Not bad for someone who learned how to drive on nothing but Chryslers and Plymouths and none of THEM older than 1967.

But I won't. :D ;)

[middletree]

Perhaps a better way to look at this is to see musicians and authors and playwrights and scriptwriters as one thing: storytellers. God has given them the gift of storytelling. One guy sings a song where Jesus gets mentioned, so his song gets played on Christian stations. Another guy sings a song about a life issue, and his song gets played on a rock station. A third person writes a book, and it sells well and becomes a movie. Who among these is walking in his God-given gift the most? While it's tempting to say the first guy, it's really impossible to tell with that limited description.

I have a friend that wrote a song called "I Loved Her First". It's a great song about a father giving his daughter away at her wedding. He's a godly man, writing about a life event. The song got played on country stations, and even made it to #1 about a year ago. Does that make that song a "secular" song? I maintain it does not. It's a guy using the gift that God gave him to tell a story.

Not aiming this at anyone in particular, but if I hear someone say that they only listen to "Christian" music, yet they watch movies or TV (or read fiction, or go to a play), then I submit to you that they are being inconsistent.

[middletree]

I bought a 2000 Camry brand new in late 2000, then totaled it. However, in the wreck, in which I bounced off of several cars like a pinball, stopping when I got hit by an 18-wheeler and spun around until I almost got decapitated under his trailer, I noticed that I could feel the car absorbing the energy of each blow. I only had shoulder pain for a few days, and it could have been so much worse. So I went out and bought another Camry. It's at 136000 miles now. We also had a 4 Runner for a while until the 3rd kid came along, and now have a Sienna. I might get a Honda next time around, but I ain't going back to Chevy or Ford ever. No offense to Third Day.

[Soccer_Hooli]

I have a Toyota Highlander (2008) and I LOVE it. This is by far, the smoothest ride I've ever had. Too much room for my dog and I, but one day will have a family to fill it. I am against American car's and will only go back, once the UAW has diminished. Glad to see GM won against the union this time, putting health care burdens on the Union, its where it should be.

[Soccer_Hooli]

I could hijack the thread (who ME?) and ask what kind of Toyota you drive, and say that we look like a dealership at our house, traded in one Camry for another later model, and then I stirred things up by being the first one in the family with a Prius. Not bad for someone who learned how to drive on nothing but Chryslers and Plymouths and none of THEM older than 1967.

But I won't. :D ;)

Go for it!! I love Toyota, and could talk all day about their quality and performance.

[3D NC fan]

Perhaps a better way to look at this is to see musicians and authors and playwrights and scriptwriters as one thing: storytellers. God has given them the gift of storytelling. One guy sings a song where Jesus gets mentioned, so his song gets played on Christian stations. Another guy sings a song about a life issue, and his song gets played on a rock station. A third person writes a book, and it sells well and becomes a movie. Who among these is walking in his God-given gift the most? While it's tempting to say the first guy, it's really impossible to tell with that limited description.

I have a friend that wrote a song called "I Loved Her First". It's a great song about a father giving his daughter away at her wedding. He's a godly man, writing about a life event. The song got played on country stations, and even made it to #1 about a year ago. Does that make that song a "secular" song? I maintain it does not. It's a guy using the gift that God gave him to tell a story.

Not aiming this at anyone in particular, but if I hear someone say that they only listen to "Christian" music, yet they watch movies or TV (or read fiction, or go to a play), then I submit to you that they are being inconsistent.

Nice post, James! Good job getting the thread back on track. :D

[in hiding]

The mainstream music industry is hard to make it in. There are fierce competitors, the best musician's in the world. Christian music's quality has GREATLY improved, but what makes me wonder is, Do you think that Christian music has evolved (better performers, writers etc) because "mainstream" became increasingly difficult to succeed? Some bands seen the Christian market as an opening, to get their name out and hopefully one day get onto mainstage radio?


I think that MAY be an issue, but to me I think you just hvae more and more christians who are either getting in to music b/c they don't have to sneak around listening to music they like b/c lets face it if you were born in the 70's-early 80's and liked rock you didn't have anyone in Christian circles who would really embrace that sound b/c the music (not the lyrics) was a huge issue...it was looked down upon. Now you have a lot more acceptability of certain music so you may have more and more kids getting into music and not having to sneak around listening to it or playing it. You also have musicians who weren't saved at an early age and had more secular influence and then became Christians and wanted to provide that sound to themselves and to others, just with Christian lyrics. You will always have people who get in to christian music b/c it is easier to get recognized, but Christian music isn't exactly where the big money is. I think some do want to be in the mainstream b/c then you are taken more seriously as musicians. If they have a missions mindset they want as many people to hear about God as possible...encourage the saved and reach the unsaved. You have some that want to cause people to examine their lives and offer a different view (if that person chooses to take that leap...Kevin Max comes to mind) But not too many bands will go from big name christian artist to big name secular artist (for lack of a better term). It's not exactly a spring board to success. You get a few now and then that get a song or 2 out to mainstream radio (DC talk, switchfoot, MWsmith) but it's often the Christian market who won't accept them back if they try to branch over b/c now the music has been "tainted".

[Soccer_Hooli]

Not aiming this at anyone in particular, but if I hear someone say that they only listen to "Christian" music, yet they watch movies or TV (or read fiction, or go to a play), then I submit to you that they are being inconsistent.

I totally agree!

[Soccer_Hooli]

Ive learned the hard way, from people around me, to take any ministry with a grain of salt (grano salis).

[middletree]

Ive learned the hard way, from people around me, to take any ministry with a grain of salt (grano salis).

I just hope my soliloquy about what is and isn't Christian music doesn't detract from your main question. Yes, I agree that some artists get dollar signs in their eyes and forget why God put them in the place that He did.

It is my observation, even though I don't know the men in Third Day, that they still view their roles as ministers, and work within the system to minister to people. They probably have to go to meetings where people in suits discuss marketing strategies, but they probably wouldn't if they didn't have to. But they have to in order to fulfill the calling that God has on their lives. He has chosen them to obtain a level of popularity (and thus influence) with millions more people than most Christians could only dream of. They still seem to have the correct focus, as far as I can tell.

Having said that, I still cringe when I see some of the things you see. I saw an interview where someone asked a well-known Christian singer which song is his favorite. Now, he has one song that is powerful, and makes me think that it will be the kind of song we'll sing when we are in the presence of God Himself (see Revelation 22). But he named a different song, and specifically said he liked that song best because it was his biggest hit (might I add that it was a very lightweight song). It made me cringe.

Even Balaam had a God-given gift of prophecy, and chose to use it for profit. God eventually brought him back, but had to scare a donkey to do it.

[clemsontigers23]

I think my main problem with Christian music is a lot of it sounds the same. It's just not as good as most secular bands. For example, my favorite bands are the Foo Fighters and Coldplay and their music is at such a higher level than 98% of Christian music today. I don't like to define music as "Christian" and "Secular" because I believe there's a lot of places where either could be said. For example, one of my favorite bands of all-time is Creed. They have songs with a lot of underlying Christian themes, but most people don't consider them a Christian band, and I'm fine with that. Same thing with Collective Soul...they have a song called "Shine" that's basically a prayer, yet it gets played on secular rock stations. Music is music and it either glorifies God or it doesn't, but I don't believe for a second that just because they don't play it on The Fish doesn't mean it doesn't glorify God.

My main problem with Christian music at the moment is the Worship phase...nothing at all wrong with worship, but the reason there are so many worship albums is because the record companies are requiring their artists to make them in order to make more money. They are exploiting the Worship phase for financial gain, and that is wrong beyond belief. People are finally getting sick of the constant bombardment of worship music, and hopefully it won't be as overwhelmingly prevalent on radio as it is today.

[Soccer_Hooli]

IFor example, one of my favorite bands of all-time is Creed.

I wouldn't admit that in public if I were you .....j/k!

[clemsontigers23]

I wouldn't admit that in public if I were you .....j/k!

:D I'm not ashamed to say I'm a Creed fan. If Creed is such a joke, they wouldn't have two of the highest-selling albums of all-time. :P

[Tony Trout]

My main problem with Christian music at the moment is the Worship phase...nothing at all wrong with worship, but the reason there are so many worship albums is because the record companies are requiring their artists to make them in order to make more money. They are exploiting the Worship phase for financial gain, and that is wrong beyond belief. People are finally getting sick of the constant bombardment of worship music, and hopefully it won't be as overwhelmingly prevalent on radio as it is today.

Your post kinda reminds me of the "Urban Cowboy" days of "country" music when wearing a cowboy hat was "the rage", so to speak....YUCK!

I loved (and still love) Third Day's worship albums...but they had their "time and place" and then the band moved on and got back to doin' what they do best--rocking our socks off!!

Like everyone else, I believe that Third Day is following the call that God has placed on their lives but I also understand that they have to make $$$ to support their families and put food on the table and to do this they have to tour and go on the road and attend meetings 'bout "the business" side of things but never have I believed for one second that they are in it for financial gain.

(This thread kinda reminds me of posts on another board (regarding "southern Gospel" music... :rolleyes: ) that I'm a part of that had the topic of whether some artists are in it for "Entertainment" or "Ministry"....let's just say it got pretty heated pretty quick....)

[middletree]

:D I'm not ashamed to say I'm a Creed fan. If Creed is such a joke, they wouldn't have two of the highest-selling albums of all-time. :P

I disagree. Not that Creed's a joke or not. I'm reserving my opinion on that. But it is possible for a talentless band or individual to sell lots of records. In my lifetime alone, I can name 30 or so. Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice, New Kid on the Block, Ashlee Simpson, and the list goes on and on and on.

[Tony Trout]

I disagree. Not that Creed's a joke or not. I'm reserving my opinion on that. But it is possible for a talentless band or individual to sell lots of records. In my lifetime alone, I can name 30 or so. Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice, New Kid on the Block, Ashlee Simpson, and the list goes on and on and on.

ACK! You're giving me flashbacks, James! Stop it!

:P :P

But I'll agree and say: Yep....Britney Spears...Jessica Simpson....Christina Aguilera....it's more about "image" and "looks" and a lot less about "talent" these days..."country" music is the same way....

[middletree]

Believe it or not, I'll have some disagreement, Tony. Although Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilara sing songs that I cannot stand, I think they truly have good voices. Too bad they waste it on such bad music. Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, has no talent, and sold a lot because of good marketing. Abdul, meanwhile, was a good dancer (former choreographer for the Lakers cheerbabes) so they brought in some producers to trick up her voice where it almost sounded listenable, then had her do some song which lended themselves to lots of dancing, and let the videos sell the albums. In contrast, Aguilera and Simpson (Jessica, not Ashlee) really can sing.

[clemsontigers23]

I disagree. Not that Creed's a joke or not. I'm reserving my opinion on that. But it is possible for a talentless band or individual to sell lots of records. In my lifetime alone, I can name 30 or so. Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice, New Kid on the Block, Ashlee Simpson, and the list goes on and on and on.

Creed's not talentless. :confused:

[The Unknown Gomer]

...In contrast, Aguilera and Simpson (Jessica, not Ashlee) really can sing.It's a good thing Jessica CAN sing, since she apparently is, or at least is portraying herself this way, absolutely brainless.

Chicken of the Sea anyone? :rolleyes: :D

[Tony Trout]

Believe it or not, I'll have some disagreement, Tony. Although Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilara sing songs that I cannot stand, I think they truly have good voices. Too bad they waste it on such bad music. Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, has no talent, and sold a lot because of good marketing. Abdul, meanwhile, was a good dancer (former choreographer for the Lakers cheerbabes) so they brought in some producers to trick up her voice where it almost sounded listenable, then had her do some song which lended themselves to lots of dancing, and let the videos sell the albums. In contrast, Aguilera and Simpson (Jessica, not Ashlee) really can sing.


And I'll have to say that I agree....:cool: :cool:

[middletree]

Creed's not talentless. :confused:

I didn't say otherwise.

[Soccer_Hooli]

It's a good thing Jessica CAN sing, since she apparently is, or at least is portraying herself this way, absolutely brainless.

Chicken of the Sea anyone? :rolleyes: :D

Who needs a brain when you look like that???

[Corrine]

Who needs a brain when you look like that???

I'd say this thread got a little off track. :P :D

[Soccer_Hooli]

I'd say this thread got a little off track. :P :D

Does a thread in this place ever stay on track?

[The Unknown Gomer]

I'd say this thread got a little off track. :P :D

Sorry, my bad. That was just a Pavlov's Dog response to someone mentioning Jessica Simpson; I hear her name and immediately think Chicken of the Sea. *ding dong... drool drool drool* :P

Back to your regularly scheduled thread, already in progress.

[in hiding]

:D I'm not ashamed to say I'm a Creed fan. If Creed is such a joke, they wouldn't have two of the highest-selling albums of all-time. :P

2 words: brittany spears. quantity doth not equal quality

[clemsontigers23]

2 words: brittany spears. quantity doth not equal quality

Back in the day she was actually pretty good. I still like some of her older songs.

[SmileyFreak1981]

Some thoughts...

It's encouraging that there are bands like Switchfoot and Relient K whom you know are Believers, but are out there being salt and light in the world without force feeding Jesus down people's throats. It's irritating that a certain subset of fellow Believers question these guys faith, and calling them "sellouts" because they get played on mainstream radio and MTV. At least they are out there giving the lost a different point of view.

I hear people say that a lot of mainstream Christian music is lame...and they are right. A good bit of what is played on AC Christian radio is lyrically shallow and musically boring. It's like eating cotton candy...not a lot of substance, just a whole lot of air and sugar. Where are the meat and potatoes? Where is the life meeting up with faith? Why are those two things divorced from one another? (To find the meat and potatoes, you have to go off the beaten path.)

Do "Christian" musicians and authors not have as much of a right to strongly present their worldview in their work as the "mainstream" musician or author? Do they not, therefor, deserve the same amount of success and reward for that, be it fame or material wealth?

I see a very "us versus them" ("them" being the world/mainstream music/whatever) mentality among Christians here in this country, and that is a crying shame. We should be in the world, making an impact on it, instead of segregating ourselves from it. If you don't like the way the world is, show one person Jesus, and you can start changing it one person at a time. I think that's more effective than sitting around in "Jesus Cliques" and complaining about where the world is heading to in a handbasket. It's only going there because we, as Believers, haven't been doing what we're supposed to.

OK...I'm stopping now. ;)

[clemsontigers23]

I think Christian radio's getting a lot better, though...the fact that they're playing Disciple on 104.7 The Fish is quite a feat, and they usually play the good stuff (David Crowder Band). The only thing is, they also play songs that are at least 10 years old at least once a day, so it can get kind of old. You have to catch them at a good time when they're not doing it.

[JTindle]

Some thoughts...

I hear people say that a lot of mainstream Christian music is lame...and they are right. A good bit of what is played on AC Christian radio is lyrically shallow and musically boring. It's like eating cotton candy...not a lot of substance, just a whole lot of air and sugar. Where are the meat and potatoes? Where is the life meeting up with faith? Why are those two things divorced from one another? (To find the meat and potatoes, you have to go off the beaten path.)


Yes, some of it is lame and some is played way too much.

What do you consider NOT to be lame so I can check it out if I haven't already?

Thanks

Jeff

[in hiding]

Back in the day she was actually pretty good. I still like some of her older songs.

:eek: ;)

[clemsontigers23]

:eek: ;)

What can I say? ;) :P

[mindyhere]

I'm happy that Christian bands can make money doing what they love. I was snapped back into reality by one of Third Day's songs - and know of others whose lives have been touched by their music - so I know that they are being used by God. I'm very thankful that these guys are doing what they are, because I believe that it really matters, and brings people into God. And if they make money doing it - that's great.

I remember hearing the song "I can only Imagine" by MercyMe a few years back on a "secular" music station and being shocked that it was clearly a song about God, and that it was a Christian band. It's what got me into Christian radio stations. So I hope that they do get songs played on "secular" stations - it would be wonderful.

As for the prayers - I say the same prayer repeatedly and it doesn't mean any less to me.

SO - maybe Christian music isn't quite up to par with "secular" music, but it's getting better each year, I think. I also can't help but wonder if the Christian labels hold them back sometimes, for fear of sounding too main stream. Just a thought - I of course don't know if this is true or not.

[lilmikey]

Some thoughts...

It's encouraging that there are bands like Switchfoot and Relient K whom you know are Believers, but are out there being salt and light in the world without force feeding Jesus down people's throats. It's irritating that a certain subset of fellow Believers question these guys faith, and calling them "sellouts" because they get played on mainstream radio and MTV. At least they are out there giving the lost a different point of view.

I hear people say that a lot of mainstream Christian music is lame...and they are right. A good bit of what is played on AC Christian radio is lyrically shallow and musically boring. It's like eating cotton candy...not a lot of substance, just a whole lot of air and sugar. Where are the meat and potatoes? Where is the life meeting up with faith? Why are those two things divorced from one another? (To find the meat and potatoes, you have to go off the beaten path.)

Do "Christian" musicians and authors not have as much of a right to strongly present their worldview in their work as the "mainstream" musician or author? Do they not, therefor, deserve the same amount of success and reward for that, be it fame or material wealth?

I see a very "us versus them" ("them" being the world/mainstream music/whatever) mentality among Christians here in this country, and that is a crying shame. We should be in the world, making an impact on it, instead of segregating ourselves from it. If you don't like the way the world is, show one person Jesus, and you can start changing it one person at a time. I think that's more effective than sitting around in "Jesus Cliques" and complaining about where the world is heading to in a handbasket. It's only going there because we, as Believers, haven't been doing what we're supposed to.

OK...I'm stopping now. ;)

you dont want to know my opinion

[clemsontigers23]

I'm happy that Christian bands can make money doing what they love. I was snapped back into reality by one of Third Day's songs - and know of others whose lives have been touched by their music - so I know that they are being used by God. I'm very thankful that these guys are doing what they are, because I believe that it really matters, and brings people into God. And if they make money doing it - that's great.

I remember hearing the song "I can only Imagine" by MercyMe a few years back on a "secular" music station and being shocked that it was clearly a song about God, and that it was a Christian band. It's what got me into Christian radio stations. So I hope that they do get songs played on "secular" stations - it would be wonderful.

As for the prayers - I say the same prayer repeatedly and it doesn't mean any less to me.

SO - maybe Christian music isn't quite up to par with "secular" music, but it's getting better each year, I think. I also can't help but wonder if the Christian labels hold them back sometimes, for fear of sounding too main stream. Just a thought - I of course don't know if this is true or not.

It's not so much the bands are concerned about money...it's the record companies and CCM as a whole, who has fallen slave to the dollar. That's why they were FORCING bands to come out with worship albums, and at least one worship song on every album. That's why they market their music to the Christian subculture, because they know it's an easier market to enter into and that it has far less competition than the secular market of music. A band can come out of nowhere and sell platinum albums, just as Casting Crowns did.

[sandyandporter]

Believe it or not, I'll have some disagreement, Tony. Although Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilara sing songs that I cannot stand, I think they truly have good voices. Too bad they waste it on such bad music. Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, has no talent, and sold a lot because of good marketing. Abdul, meanwhile, was a good dancer (former choreographer for the Lakers cheerbabes) so they brought in some producers to trick up her voice where it almost sounded listenable, then had her do some song which lended themselves to lots of dancing, and let the videos sell the albums. In contrast, Aguilera and Simpson (Jessica, not Ashlee) really can sing.


I was just going to say the same thing about Christina and Jessica. Christina... that girl can SING.

Is it just me or does Paula Abdul sound like a mosquito????

[middletree]

I was just going to say the same thing about Christina and Jessica. Christina... that girl can SING.

Is it just me or does Paula Abdul sound like a mosquito????

How dare you insult mosquitoes like that??

As for Christina, a few years ago, I liked that "Beautiful" song, so I went to Youtube to see the video, and it had a lot of male/male couples, which kinda ruined it for me. Still a great voice, though.

[clemsontigers23]

How dare you insult mosquitoes like that??

As for Christina, a few years ago, I liked that "Beautiful" song, so I went to Youtube to see the video, and it had a lot of male/male couples, which kinda ruined it for me. Still a great voice, though.

Christina's very...open...about her sexuality and sexuality in general. ;)

[middletree]

I was only commenting about her voice. Someone earlier said she can't sing, and I was responding to that. Her sex life, and openness regarding it, is not my concern.

[clemsontigers23]

I was only commenting about her voice. Someone earlier said she can't sing, and I was responding to that. Her sex life, and openness regarding it, is not my concern.

Oh, you mentioned the video, so I figured I would explain.

[middletree]

Oh, you mentioned the video, so I figured I would explain.

I gotcha. Sad thing about the video was the men with men.

[clemsontigers23]

I gotcha. Sad thing about the video was the men with men.

Yeah, well, like I said. ;)

Great voice, though.

[Brian4Him]

I bought a 2000 Camry brand new in late 2000, then totaled it. However, in the wreck, in which I bounced off of several cars like a pinball, stopping when I got hit by an 18-wheeler and spun around until I almost got decapitated under his trailer, I noticed that I could feel the car absorbing the energy of each blow. I only had shoulder pain for a few days, and it could have been so much worse. So I went out and bought another Camry. It's at 136000 miles now. We also had a 4 Runner for a while until the 3rd kid came along, and now have a Sienna. I might get a Honda next time around, but I ain't going back to Chevy or Ford ever. No offense to Third Day.

WOW!!! Two months ago... I had a 1994 Toyota Camry.. was going home from work on a Fri. night and a van coming at me head on turned into my lane as if to turn in front of me. He hit me in the drivers door, the sideview mirror came off and thru the window, hit me in the face and bounced out of the car.. but then my car bounced into a PT cruiser sitting at the stop street, my car then spun and just sideswiped a utility pole, but I caught the guy wire and ripped that out of the ground and landed in a corn field.

Totaled! But as you said... the car did WELL! all the damage was external and I just had facial injuries from the sidemirror. I'm fine now.

i bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Love it.

[iamagomer]

Believe it or not, I'll have some disagreement, Tony. Although Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilara sing songs that I cannot stand, I think they truly have good voices. Too bad they waste it on such bad music. Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, has no talent, and sold a lot because of good marketing. Abdul, meanwhile, was a good dancer (former choreographer for the Lakers cheerbabes) so they brought in some producers to trick up her voice where it almost sounded listenable, then had her do some song which lended themselves to lots of dancing, and let the videos sell the albums. In contrast, Aguilera and Simpson (Jessica, not Ashlee) really can sing.

I have never heard the stuff that was tricked up and made Paula Abdul sound almost listenable. Weird. They must have been GOOD.

[bcworshipldr]

I guess it's just my opinion, but when guys like Toby mac, 3rd Day, etc.. take the stage, they're openly proclaiming what they believe. They're singing about God almighty who created music altogether in all its forms, and gave them the talent to play it. I don't know why that reason alone wouldn't make us want to be so much better than anything ''non-christian'' bands are doing. I guess I just feel like christians are competing against Mtv, Vh1, lots of negativity, blasphemy...the odds aren't really for them. They need to be better than any other genre of music that exists...in my humble opinion. For me, I would much rather entertain someone than bore them. I truly believe that the ones who are blessed financially are blessed because they are faithful. Third Day is sponsored by Chevrolet...I think that's awesome. Because while GM may not be a christian organization, they are huge and they saw something in a group of guys from Ga. that made them sit up and take notice. I'd say christian music needs to do more than anyone else is doing, and they should do it better
Col. 3:17 is a really good verse for this situation, I think. I'm done, just thought I'd share my OPINIONS...nothing more, nothing less

[middletree]

They need to be better than any other genre of music that exists...in my humble opinion.

I agree with this sentence.

[bcworshipldr]

Thanks, I'm glad somebody does! :D

[clemsontigers23]

Sadly, most of it's not as good as mainstream music. I was listening to Altar Bridge today who's not really anti-Christian. In fact, they have some Christian themes in their songs and because it's basically Creed with a new lead singer there's still some influence of Christianity. However, seeing as how Scott Stapp was the main Christian influence in Creed and he's no longer with the band, the band can't be considered a Christian band because they simply don't exhibit any evidence of it. If I had to guess I'd say that most of them just aren't sure. They don't cuss in their songs, though, and their last album was good enough to get featured in ChristianityToday's "Glimpses of God" series.

Anyways, the quality of music, lyrics, and singing is so much better than 99% of Christian music. If there's a Christian artist that sounds like that, somebody please point me to them. While we can like a lot of Christian artists, the truth is most of them just aren't very innovative. It's the same boring formula over and over again. I struggle to find Christian music that keeps me interested and the only Christian bands that do are usually Christians in a band who write music that's not necessarily Christian, like Anberlin and now Relient K.

I'm thankful for artists like Third Day, Tobymac, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, DecembeRadio, Jars of Clay, and others who are innovative enough to keep me interested yet up-front about their faith.

[Mr.Supervious]

Believe it or not, I'll have some disagreement, Tony. Although Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilara sing songs that I cannot stand, I think they truly have good voices. Too bad they waste it on such bad music. Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, has no talent, and sold a lot because of good marketing. Abdul, meanwhile, was a good dancer (former choreographer for the Lakers cheerbabes) so they brought in some producers to trick up her voice where it almost sounded listenable, then had her do some song which lended themselves to lots of dancing, and let the videos sell the albums. In contrast, Aguilera and Simpson (Jessica, not Ashlee) really can sing.


Vanilla Ice was very talented ;) :P