Go see this huy play and you won't mock for long.
He is simply the finest guitarist on the planet. Most secular "guitar gods" are not worthy to serve as his gutar tech.
Posted on 10/07/2004 8:47:53 AM PDT by 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."
I've never heard anyone call it 'evil'. Lame, yes. ....but not evil.
TY
Go see this huy play and you won't mock for long.
He is simply the finest guitarist on the planet. Most secular "guitar gods" are not worthy to serve as his gutar tech.
Y W do you want to read some of his lyrics and find out for yourself.
Really?
Do you have a source?
I'm not trying to dispute you, but this is the first time I have heard this. I would be interested in hearing more about the history.
Yow!
Oh, man.
The 80s were SO BAD!!!!
Actually, I enjoyed the very early 80s post-punk, post-new wave stuff.
Those goofy bands who wore silly hair and played simple little riffs came up with some enjoyable tunes.
I think Christian rock would reach a wider audience if the music was a little better...what I have heard sounds like everything else on the radio, except for the message, of course
I prefer artists who are outside the CCM realm but who still profess, write and sing about their faith...Buddy Miller, Victoria Williams, Walt Wilkins, to name a few.
IMO 12 years old is too young for Usher's adult lrycal content. If you read some of his lyrics I believe you will see that it isn't something that you want your son to be filling his spirit with.
>>True, dct were doing rap a long time ago, starting in 1989, but when they broke through on mainstream radio it was after they'd migrated to a more pop, rock, R&B sound. Their rap stuff never got on radio.<<
Ahhh, no. Ever heard, "Jesus Freak?" Not exactly pop, rock, or R&B.
The reason dc Talk "broke through" was because their music got better. Its astounding how good music transcends styles.
"Christian rock? Come on, everyone knows the best rock and roll is aligned with Satan!" -Bart Simpson
Let me reiterate. It's not rap. Their rap songs never got mainstream radio play. Their rap songs barely got any Christian radio play.
It would help strengthen your argument if you actually knew what you were talking about.
BTTT...
Unfortunately, I don't have a source. I read about it ages ago and have forgetten where. It shouldn't be too hard to find information on it.
I dare you to post the lyrics! :D
Whoa! I'd forgotten all about them, until now!
Heh heh heh... I'd get a timeout for profanity... I guess you could call it "I swear to God" or something ;0)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.