The Christian songs heard on the radio today are a far contrast from the ones played in decades past. Christian contemporary music is generally considered to have originated in the late sixties during the Jesus movement. Larry Norman was an early pioneer in the genre. In the mainstream music scene there was also a movement toward featuring Christ’s message in song. Some of these songs even charted on mainstream charts. One in particular was from the band Ocean.
That God song “Put Your Hand in the Hand” was embraced by a large number of people. This popularity really served to deliver God’s message to a secular audience. There was however unforeseen blow-back from fellow Christians. Due to what was perceived to be the “rock star” lifestyle they tried to stop this newly founded Christian music movement. The resistance could not overpower the will of the people. Christian music started to gain momentum.
The poser effect started to take hold in Christian music. There were Christian songs being produced by bands who were lacking in the talent department. The record companies saw this new market and the possibilities; unfortunately there was a lack of talented artists in the genre. In a move of desperation the record companies chose to release music that was not of the greatest quality. The motivation behind these bands choosing to perform Christian music is something I personally am not sure of. That is between the artists themselves and God.
With time Christian music started to see an influx of real talent. Performers who formerly hid their beliefs began to deliver the message. Christian songs of greater quality started being released. In the early seventies a band called Petra was formed. Petra changed the face of Christian music, they were and still are an influence on many Christian artists. Petra saw a great rise in popularity in the eighties.
Petra was still a very popular band well into the 90’s and beyond. Other styles of Christian music began to emerge. For just about every style of music there was a counterpart in Christian music. Finally the genre had become fully fledged. It was overflowing with talented musicians.
The expansion of Christian music as genre was probably greatest in the nineties. These artists were able to adapt and grow with mainstream trends. With the popularity of gangsta rap Christian rappers like T-Bone offered Christian alternatives.
These days Christian music is a well established music genre. The music was once years behind secular music. That is not the case anymore. There are some Christian musicians who are even setting the trends themselves.
I never would have thought that I would see a day when Christian albums debut on the Billboard secular charts. You will find these Christian songs in feature films and television. The detractors will always be there. I just hope that people will ignore them and not miss out on this great music.
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