Jazz musician and Yale music scholar Willie Ruff, who uncovered the links between 18th century Scottish singing and black gospel music, has connected another group to the style: American Indians. A descendant of an Oklahoma tribe contacted him after learning about a 2005 Yale conference on line singing, an a cappella vocal form that originated in Scotland and is still sung in parts of the South. And this month, a second conference at Yale featured Muskogee Creeks singing with Baptist groups from Alabama and Kentucky. […read more]

Who says Christian music has to be somber? Rebecca St. James has been making danceable Christian pop/rock for more than 16 years in the belief that a biblical message and a rockin’ beat aren’t mutually exclusive. The Australia native recently won the “Best Female Artist of 2006″ Reader’s Choice Award from ChristianityToday.com, co-hosted the Gospel Music Awards last year with gospel great Kirk Franklin, and was a spokesperson to the White House’s National Day of Prayer. Currently, she’s preparing to launch SHE events (Safe, Healthy, Empowered) in Australia and New Zealand, based on her books, which aim to empower women to live Christian lives according to biblical principles.

St. James recently spoke with Beliefnet about poverty in Africa, sexuality in mainstream music, what she wants to change about Christian music, and the importance of abstinence.  […read more]

Long before Britney Spears shaved her head, there was Sinead O’Connor. Like Spears, the Irish-born O’Connor has generated her share of controversy. A Grammy Award-winning singer best known for her hugely popular 1990 hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” O’Connor created a furor when she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live” in October 1992. Although she is herself a Catholic, O’Connor declared that John Paul, who died in 2005, was “the real enemy.” Since then, although O’Connor has put out a number of records since her breakthrough 1990 album “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” she has not had enjoyed continued success in the United States. All that may change, however, with her new release, “Theology,” a two-CD set consisting of an acoustic and full-band version of 11 songs, most written by O’Connor herself, and based on passages from the Old Testament.

O’Connor recently spoke to Beliefnet about her fascination with the Rastafari movement, the other religions that appeal to her, and the problems she has with Catholicism. […read more]

Judy Collins’s crystal-clear soprano and songwriting gifts have made her a folk-singing legend, with more than 40 albums and several Grammy honors to her credit. Her riveting blue eyes were celebrated by Stephen Stills in the Crosby, Still, & Nash classic “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” But she has faced more illness, pain, and loss than many people realize. Her latest book, The 7 T’s, distills the lessons she learned about recovering from grief and loss since her son Clark’s suicide at age 33 in 1992. Videotaped in her sunlit New York City apartment, she spoke with Beliefnet about her journey to spiritual healing and her desire to help others. […read more]

Tennessee native Mandisa was a finalist on the fifth season of the blockbuster hit show “American Idol.” Now, she has two new releases: a gospel album (”True Beauty”) and an inspirational Christian memoir (”IdolEyes”). She talks to Beliefnet about being a Christian on reality TV, praying through “American Idol,” and why she’d be uncomfortable singing for a gay audience. […read more]

Watch the exclusive online trailer for New Line Cinema’s upcoming movie about Mary and Joseph–and Jesus’ miraculous birth.

“The Nativity Story” (opening Dec. 1) tells the story of Mary and Joseph in the months leading up to, and just after, the miraculous birth of Jesus. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (”Thirteen”), the film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes (”Whale Rider”) as Mary, Oscar Isaac (”Guerrilla”) as Joseph, and Shoreh Aghdashloo (”House of Sand and Fog”) as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. […Watch Now]

Though they started out as nothing more than a college band playing summer gigs in Kentucky, contemporary Christian music group Audio Adrenaline has become one of the most successful and enduring Christian rock bands. The band has stayed together–with a few member changes here and there–for 15 years. During that time, Audio Adrenaline has produced several #1 hit songs, while winning four Dove Awards and two Grammys. But now, the members of Audio Adrenaline have decided it is time to take their final bow, with the release of their greatest-hits CD “Adios,” a new book entitled “Hands and Feet: Inspiring Stories and Firsthand Accounts of God Saving Lives,” and a 40-city farewell tour with fellow Christian band MercyMe.

One of the band’s original members, Will McGinniss, talked with Beliefnet from the road about the very personal reasons behind the band’s decision to fold, the legacy of Audio Adrenaline’s music, and what the future holds for each of the band members. […read more]

Casting Crowns is not only one of the top-selling Christian bands of all time, but they’re also one of the top touring bands–including mainstream bands–in the U.S., according to Pollstar magazine. Yet another example of how gospel acts are exploding across the country, the band has been playing sold out shows across the globe, recently headlining three concerts in Africa. This year, they received a Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel album for their sophmore release, “Lifesong.” As if the band wasn’t busy enough, lead singer Mark Hall, who is also a full-time youth pastor, recently released the book “Lifestories,” which tells of the people and events that inspired Casting Crowns’ songs.

Hall spoke with Beliefnet about the band’s ministry, the importance of worship, and using music as a tool to relate to young people. […read more]

How does MercyMe avoid temptation on the road? And who are the three people Bart Millard wants to meet in life?  After more than 12 years together, MercyMe is still facing challenges of traveling on the road and receiving praise for “I Can Only Imagine,” the hit single that exploded them onto secular radio. Here, lead singer Bart Millard opens up about meeting Billy Graham and how his band keeps each other accountable as devoted Christians. […read more]

If you’ve listened to a pop-music station anytime over the past decade, chances are you’ve heard a song by the Backstreet Boys. With such hits as “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and ”I Want It That Way,” the quintet is known for its success in combining bubblegum pop, romantic ballads, and cool dance moves–and for making preteen girls swoon. Now, one of the Boys, Brian Littrell, wants to take his talent in another direction–toward God. His debut solo album, “Welcome Home,” which hit stores a few weeks ago, is full of the kind of “pop positive” music he’s wanted to record for a long time—traditional gospel, inspirational, and Christian Contemporary music. He recently spoke with Beliefnet about being public with his faith, what drove him to almost quit the music business, and why being happy “doesn’t sell.” [ …read more]