Christian music is hot. Thirty years ago, Christian music was popular, but in recent years, that popularity has skyrocketed. No longer a niche genre, Christian music has gone mainstream and it shows no signs of letting up.
Contemporary Christian music, Gospel Christian music, and Christian rock are now big business, with leading artists enjoying wealth and huge followings. It would be wrong, however, to categorize and dismiss all of Christian music as merely an extension of corporate greed. There are many Christian music artists who haven't forgotten their roots or their sense of calling.
This article looks at three recent developments in Christian music. If anyone has other items of interest that this article fails to address, you are encouraged to participate in the discussion forums.
Christian Artists Write Songs for Charity
In January, leading Christian music artists gathered in Scotland to write music for charity. According to ChristianPost.com, the Compassionart retreat gathered Christian music artists recognized around the world and challenged them to write "10-12 songs to raise money for those suffering in the poorest countries."
Participating artists included Martin Smith of Delirious?, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and Darlene Zschech. They exceeded their goal, producing over 21 songs.
For more on that story, check out the article at ChristianPost.com.
Gospel Music Channel Launches New Online Music Site
The Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the nation's first 24-hour music television network dedicated to Gospel and Christian music has unveiled a new "central hub for anything and everything related to Gospel/Christian music."
According to a news relese, www.gospelmusichannel.com "is set to become the number one online destination for Gospel/Christian music's passionate fans."
Among its features, the site will provide an online gathering place for fans to discuss Gospel music trends and what's happening in Christian music as well as an "e-commerce component that will enable fans to purchase CDs, digital music, ringtones and concert tickets via affiliate agreements with Christianbook.com, walmart.com, amazon.com and iTunes."
New Christian Music Reality TV Series Coming to TBN
Saylors Brothers Productions and TBN's JCTV have teamed up to air twelve episodes of a reality TV show that follows the career of Christian contemporary artist Erica Lane. According to a news release, the show Inspired Ambition "premières on JCTV TBN¹s network for young, hip, and hooked-on-high-speed-internet viewers." The show debuts on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at 2pm.
To keep up with these and other trends in Christian music, bookmark the Music section at ChristianPost.com.
