Once mocked, Christian rockers now top the bill

AFP ^ | 10/07/04

[nypokerface]

NEW YORK (AFP) - Mocked by followers of mainstream pop music, evangelical rockers have kept the faith and become a huge business in the United States.

More than one billion dollars worth of gospel records are sold each year, and its market share of seven percent of all discs sold is more than for classical and jazz discs combined, according to industry figures.

Christian rock has become a force that even the US presidential contenders cannot ignore.

John Kerry has got heavyweight rock backers such as Bruce Springsteen and the group Pearl Jam backing him on a Vote For Change tour.

But at the Republican convention last month, Christian rock band Third Day and singers Gracie Rosenburger and Donnie McClurkin were star entertainers.

The convention's entertainment director, Frank Breeden, is a former president of the Gospel Music Association.

And the unusually pious beat heard in New York reflects President George W. Bush's drive to win the votes of the estimated four million religious conservatives who strategists believe failed to vote in the 2000 election.

It has been a long struggle for Evangelical rockers to win acceptance over the past two decades however.

Reverend David Wilkerson, a New York City priest, wrote in one book "The Cross and the Switchblade": "There is no doubt in my mind now -- rock music, as used and performed in Christian circles, is of the same satanic seed as that which is called punk, heavy metal, and is performed in devilish rock concerts worldwide."

But many Christian churches have now accepted rock, rap and even punk to get their message across.

"The Christian community has come to embrace all styles of Christian music, and appreciate that Christian rock in particular presents a great alternative for our young people," said Tricia Whitehead, a spokeswoman for the Gospel Music Association.

"With much of mainstream music continuing to push the envelope in terms of sexual and violent lyrical content, Christian music's inspiring and hopeful and wholesome lyrics stand in stark and refreshing contrast," she added.

According to industry figures, 47 million gospel pop and rock records were sold in 2003, up 10 percent from 1998.

The Christian Music Place directory has 3,241 registered groups, 115 of them punk and 71 rap.

Kanye West has been the first big Christian rap star who has had Evangelical chart hits such as "Jesus Walks".

He raises the discrimination felt by Christian rockers in the lyrics of the song:

"They say you can rap-about-anything except for Jesus

"That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes

"But if I talk about God my record won't get played, Huh?"

Now it does get played however. There are almost 1,500 Christian radio stations across the country and at the end of October Christian rockers will have their own MTV.

Gospel Music Channel, a cable network, plans to put out 24-hour-a-day videos of Christian pop stars like Third Day, Amy Grant, Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez and Switchfoot.

Gospel music has "hit a maturity level that will support doing a cable channel," said Charles Humbard, president and chief executive of Gospel Music Channel.

"The music that (fans) love and enjoy has not been really treated as entertaining in an entertainment showcase such as the GMC will do."

He is already considering extending broadcasts to Europe and Africa.

But some un-Christian events are also happening, such as illegal downloading of Evangelical hits.

The Christian Music Trade Association has led complaints.

"Most of us would never even consider stealing something, say, a picture or a piece of clothing, from a friends house," said the group. "Yet when it comes to stealing digital recordings of copyrighted music, people somehow seem to think the same rules dont apply."

[Phantom Lord]

Please remove my post 17. No idea why the image is so huge.

[good_fight]

David Wilkerson has long been associated with the Assemblies of God, which has ministers (or pastors), but not priests.

I find the supposed quote from _The Cross and the Switchblade_ suspicious since that book was written in the 60s, describing events that took place in the late 50s. Punk was a late 70s/early 80s phenomenon.

However, David Wilkerson has many other books and such a statement would be consistent with others he's made about music.

But these two glaring errors cause me to mistrust the article.

[j_k_l]

"I'm gonna get some popcorn and await the arrival of the "Christian Rock Music is evil" crowd."

The music is not evil (sometimes cliche and silly but done with good intentions for the most part). The real "evil" is the so called "Christian Labels". Living in Nashville and hearing story after story of some very shady stuff that goes on makes me believe that they have some serious problems.

[tang-soo]

Tommy Walker just led worship at my church (New Life - Gahanna, Oh) this past Tuesday evening. It was awesome.

[tdadams]

Let's try this instead.

[P8riot]

Wilkerson said that back in the 70's. Other than his Gospel/Salvation message, I would not take his other dogma too seriously.

[mom4melody]

Thanks for the update. I had the book "The Cross and the Switchblade" taken away from me by my fifth grade teacher (I'm 45, that was a long time ago).

My son is in a Christian Rock group and they are climbing the charts in some areas (Drowning Jonah is the groups name). They reach people otherwise unreachable by the traditional church. They also get to sing the National Anthem at the Bengals/Steelers game)

BTW...What did Paul say...I become all things to all people...(paraphased by me.

[reagan_fanatic]

Christian rock has some fantastic music with some great performers, but in my opinion, doesn't get near the airplay it deserves. I hope it continues to grow and reaches the level of acceptance it should have.

[Jermy]

I have never heard of that band Faith + 1, But I happen to know that Skillet, Pillar, Kutless, and Switchfoot are awesome groups.

[dmz]

I don't about y'all, but I think Gospel music is a totally separate and distinct category from Christian rock.

If the 7 percent figure lumps them together, Christian rock's impact and reach is considerably overstated. JMO.

[Clemenza]

ERIC CARTMAN WAS RIGHT!

[valleygal]

Kanye West has been the first big Christian rap star who has had Evangelical chart hits such as "Jesus Walks".

Guess whoever wrote this has never heard of DC Talk. They were doing Christian rap years ago. They changed their style somewhat and their CD, "Jesus Freak" won a Grammy. It's a great CD.

[suzyq5558]

My husband plays bass in a christian rock band and when they play thier venues people come out of the woodwork to hear not only them but the other bands also.
Ive never been a listener of music but I do like the christian bands that Ive heard this past summer and I like my hubbys band of course:) you can hear some thier music here.
http://www.strong-medicine.net/index.html

[Clemenza]

Eric Cartman for President of the National Young Republicans.

[dmz]

Just like the Star Spangled Banner.

[Dr.Deth]

Eh, all the best bands are affiliated with Satan.

[irishlass]

I absolutely love Third Day! I've also been listening to 12 Stones and Seven Day Slumber. They are all awesome!

[suzyq5558]

Dont forget Pivet Plex;)!

[NRA2BFree]

More than one billion dollars worth of gospel records are sold each year, and its market share of seven percent of all discs sold is more than for classical and jazz discs combined, according to industry figures.

Christian rock has become a force that even the US presidential contenders cannot ignore.

It's great to see Christian rockers doing so well. It's good music with a message, and they can do it without it being laced with profanity, sexual or violent content. Using their talent for God has made lots of successful people in this industry.

[Tax-chick]

The Salvation Army was particularly noted for writing Christian words to secular tunes. "Why should the Devil have all the good music?" is attributed to General William Booth. ("Good" in the sense of popular with the common listener, not necessarily an aesthetic judgment :-)