Most artists can’t wait to give up their day job when they get a record deal. But Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall isn’t your typical artist, and Casting Crowns doesn’t operate like the typical platinum-selling act. As the band prepares for the August 28 release of “The Altar and the Door” and a fall tour, Hall still works at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta as a youth pastor. The others also have key church roles. Thus the group tours only Thursday through Saturday to make sure the band is present for Sunday and Wednesday church services. […read more]

“John” watched anxiously as his students hungrily devoured meager portions of rice gruel and traditional, plain wheat buns – called “mantou” – during mealtime at his music school in Beijing. A choir comprised of church members throughout the San Francisco Bay Area participate in a concert with musicians from China’s mainland.Earlier, he solemnly apologized to his pupils for not being able to purchase better food. Chinese authorities were constantly monitoring the school. It was no longer safe for donors and patrons to stop by. The situation was growing desperate. During prayer, a student recited the Bible verse from Psalms 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, and my cup overflows.” Reassured by these words, John felt certain that he would see his students mature into China’s newest generation of Christian musicians despite the adversities. […read more]

While we could talk for some time about the sudden rise to popularity of Jeremy Camp as a performer—the string of massive No. 1 hits from his first three studio recordings, the headlining tours, the film soundtracks he’s showing up on, the Dove Awards he’s garnered, the excitement over his new album Beyond Measure (BEC) —- none of these can be fully appreciated apart from the story of who Jeremy has gradually become, as a husband, a father, an artist, a minister and a follower of Christ. […read more]

C.S. Lewis, who authored such classics as The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, once wrote, “What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent” (God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics). Though the legendary apologist was referring specifically to books, the principle behind his comments may be applied to the realm of Christian music, and Christians in music. […read more]

For mainstream rap pioneer Nas, “hip-hop just died this mornin’‚ and she’s dead, she’s dead.” But the truth is, hip-hop is alive and well. At the mainstream level, the genre continues to yield sizable dividends—in 2006, it accounted for 10 percent of all album sales. By comparison, Christian hip-hop is a mere drop in the bucket. And here’s proof: Of the almost 40 million albums sold in Christian and gospel music in 2006, a little less than 500,000, or roughly 1.2 percent, were hip-hop discs. That’s barely enough for an album to be certified Gold. […read more]

When it comes to talk of Christian artists breaking through the real and perceived barriers that supposedly exist between followers of Jesus and the mainstream marketplace of music and ideas, people will now always mention Relient K. Is Relient K ready for this next step? The band’s three Gold albums, (The Anatomy of the Tongue In Cheek, Two Lefts Don’t Make A Right…But Three Do, MMHMM,), two Gold singles (”Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been,” “Be My Escape”), hit videos and rave reviews in the mainstream press have assured it a place in the stratospheric heights of the underground (which translates into “almost famous” in mainstream culture). Despite Relient K’s home-grown aesthetics and self-deprecating wit, the band is just about as big as any faith-fueled artist out there today. […read more]

“The entire time we were making Cities I couldn’t stop thinking about how excited I was for the world to hear it,” says producer Aaron Sprinkle (MxPx, Hawk Nelson). The world indeed. Sprinkle’s recent collaboration with Winter Haven, Florida’s Anberlin has resulted in one of this year’s first breakout albums. As he puts it, the band “took their unstoppable approach to rock & roll to the next level,” and adds, “I feel very privileged to have been a part of it.” […read more]

Two years ago, I landed on the cover of CCM for the first time by myself. I wore a dress “borrowed” from Neiman Marcus, that I’m pretty sure cost three times my current monthly mortgage. To put it simply, it was the quintessential Cinderella dress. It was everything I’ve dreamt of being since I was 11 years old; and I flittered around in layer upon layer of that glorious shimmering, flowing, sweeping gown while the photographer snapped away. I had just been on this insanely stupid diet for months so that I could squeeze myself into the Cinderella getup, but one minute in that dress, and I knew that every shunned bagel had been worth it. […read more]

“Someone once said, ‘Songs of devotion spring from a life of devotion.’ This couldn’t be more true than for Matt Redman,” fellow worship artist Tim Hughes tells CCM. “The depth and impact of his many songs flow from a life lived centered around Christ. Matt is a passionate worshipper whose poetic lyrics, prophetic insights and Bible-based songs have encouraged and inspired the church over the years.” […read more]

Yes, Mat Kearney’s a major talent. Yes, he’s a hard worker. Yes, he’s a follower of Christ. All that and an enigma to boot. Driving across Indianapolis through rainy late afternoon puddles, on the Tuesday of Holy Week, just prior to Easter, it wasn’t a huge surprise to hear Mat Kearney’s “Undeniable” playing on the radio. In the days after I’d accepted this writing assignment, his music just seemed to show up everywhere. If it wasn’t “Undeniable,” it was “Nothing Left to Lose.” If it wasn’t pop radio, it was reruns of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Indeed, this guy does seem pretty undeniable. […read more]

After making its national debut five years ago, the rock act 12 Stones quickly compiled quite the resume: Opening for Creed, headlining 2004’s “See Spot Rock Tour” (that had Skillet, Pillar and GRITS on the undercard) and being a featured artist at Creation and other major festivals. The band’s front man, Paul McCoy, even won a GRAMMY® (“Best Hard Rock Performance”) for his vocal contribution to Evanescence’s 2004 megahit “Bring Me to Life.” So then, why is 12 Stones still an underdog? Autobiographical. That’s probably the word best suited to describe 12 Stones newest Wind-Up Records release, Anthem for the Underdog. […read more]

Dressed in the clothes of teenage rebellion but preaching God’s word, Christian rock is on the warpath in America. Martin Hodgson reports. Night has fallen, and a full moon is rising above the treeline as a five-piece band called Flyleaf launch into their set at Cornerstone, a Christian rock festival in rural Illinois. Their sound is a squall of ferocious, churning guitars - and at the eye of the storm is the band’s diminutive front-woman, Lacey Mosley. Dressed in ripped jeans and a black dress, she cuts a tiny figure against the wall of amplifiers, but she dominates the stage, her voice switching mid-song from fragile whisper to banshee howl. […read more]

In 1993, a little song about heaven made Audio Adrenaline a household name in Christian music. “Come and go with me to my Father’s house” Yet at a peak in their career, Audio Adrenaline, known to their fans as Audio A, decided it was time to say goodbye. The decision came when lead singer and founding member Mark Stuart developed vocal cord problems that made singing nearly impossible at times.  Without Mark, it just wouldn’t be Audio A.  […read more]

Joining the company of artists such as James Blunt, Keith Urban and Kelly Clarkson last year at mainstream Adult Contemporary radio with his first Top 10 single (“When Did You Fall In Love With Me”), Chris Rice continues to head in a fresh direction with his upcoming studio release, What A Heart Is Beating For, hitting stores July 17th on INO/eb+flo Records. After more than a decade in the music business that brought Dove Awards, sales success and a loyal fan base, the singer/songwriter took a chance with his last album, Amusing, left the security of his longtime label home, partnered with friend/producer Monroe Jones to become co-owner in the innovative imprint eb+flo and joined forces with INO Records. […read more]

Some worship music is just a joyful noise, and then, some worship is a vehicle to drive deep into the heart of God. If there is one artist who truly takes that wheel, it’s Jason Upton. From humble gatherings at his house to his own Key of David Ministries, Upton has made Christian music that steps out of the bounds of radio and into the heavenlies. He is wildly passionate about the Gospel and lets every unpolished note reflect that. […read more]

In 1991 Kim Hill’s first album, Braveheart, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Christian Rock record. Early in her career, this Memphis hopeful was on the fast track, climbing Christian music charts and opening tours for artists like Amy Grant. Her Cinderella story did not end there. Kim departed the Christian music scene to get married and have two boys. Having grown up with loving parents and actively involved at church and Christian school, Kim says she mastered the art of the Christian storybook life. […read more]

Even if you’ve never heard of Moya Brennan or her band, Clannad, you have heard her influence in all kinds of music. In February, Moya, along with her brothers and uncles who make up the Irish band, were recognized for their work in the industry with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. “[People] are amazed when I tell them [Celtic music] is only 30 years old,” Moya says. “It didn’t exist over 30 years ago. And it’s nice to think we became part of something historic in the music world in Ireland.”  […read more]

When MercyMe’s Bart Millard comes (literally) knocking on your door, you don’t slam the door in his face — especially when he offers you the chance to sign with his record label. For Phil Wickham, it was the chance of a lifetime – but not one that he had always seriously considered. “I’ve always seen myself as a performer. It’s been a dream to inspire people to worship God through music, but I never promoted myself in that way. The Lord totally blessed my work and kept opening doors for me, and it just seemed right for me to move in this direction,” Wickham says. “When I was 18, I cut my first independent record. I was hoping people would think I sounded a little above mediocre. I guess it came out a lot better than that, though.” […read more]

Nate Sallie is a changed man… but you can tell that from his album cover. He sits on top of a rusted piano in the middle of a forest. His head is shaved; his clothes sport a hip vintage look. He’s a far cry from the gel-haired, one-man-boy-band that he portrayed just a few years ago for his debut album Inside Out. We last saw Nate Sallie on The 700 Club, chatting with Lisa Ryan about his fatherhood, his new single, “All About You”, and his Dove award nomination. It seemed like all was right was Sallie’s world. Then, he disappeared. […read more]

If there’s a single word that aptly captures what Tim Hughes has been about—where his heart’s been over the last three years leading up to his latest album, Holding Nothing Back—there’s no better touchstone than passion.  The emotion runs deep through the 11 new worship songs Hughes has composed this time out; it infiltrates the instruments, washes over his voice, fills the very room. And on the surface of things, those are more than enough reasons why Holding Nothing Back is a singular, standout release of 2007. […read more]