Comments on: What do you think of the Christian Music Industry?? http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/ Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:21:09 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: innovativeministryleader http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-196 innovativeministryleader Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:33:17 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-196 Joanne, great feedback, i look forward to reading your blog more. Good stuff. Joanne, great feedback, i look forward to reading your blog more. Good stuff.

]]> By: Joanne Brokaw http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-195 Joanne Brokaw Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:15:30 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-195 j2nice78 makes some good points, but there really are quite a few artists out there who are genuine. And we have to remember that the Christian music industry - subcultured and self-centered as it might be - is still a business. When you slap a Jesus fish on something it makes it difficult to separate business from ministry, and that's a big problem with Christian music. You aren't going to hear about artists who are giving more to missions and charity and really sacrificing their time and money without fanfare, and who are making music that's innovative and creative and unusual, because that's not where the money is. Christian music, like much of the American church, has a lot of both good and bad. Joanne j2nice78 makes some good points, but there really are quite a few artists out there who are genuine. And we have to remember that the Christian music industry – subcultured and self-centered as it might be – is still a business. When you slap a Jesus fish on something it makes it difficult to separate business from ministry, and that’s a big problem with Christian music.

You aren’t going to hear about artists who are giving more to missions and charity and really sacrificing their time and money without fanfare, and who are making music that’s innovative and creative and unusual, because that’s not where the money is.

Christian music, like much of the American church, has a lot of both good and bad.

Joanne

]]> By: Joanne Brokaw http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-194 Joanne Brokaw Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:08:55 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-194 I write about Christian music for Beliefnet.com, and my readers know that I often question the whole subculture industry and the commercialization of the church. I rant about it often, and like Brandon hang around GMA week and scratch my head in wonder. :) I think you find what you look for there, and fortunately I've found a group of super genuine artists and friends; but it really can be a big poser fest. Jessephillips wrote that Christian music might be dying? Oddly enough, in 2008 Christian music became the second most popular radio format in America, behind Country. But it's the CCM/cookie cutter/repetitive blather that's getting played. http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/12/contemporary-christian-radio-s.html Because the industry aims their radio programming to a fictitious 30-something year old soccer mom they call "Becky", you're not going to hear any rock or hits from the 70s or 80s on Christian radio. It's going to be the same old same old. Joanne host of the Gospel Soundcheck blog http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/12/christian-music-year-in-review.html I write about Christian music for Beliefnet.com, and my readers know that I often question the whole subculture industry and the commercialization of the church. I rant about it often, and like Brandon hang around GMA week and scratch my head in wonder. :) I think you find what you look for there, and fortunately I’ve found a group of super genuine artists and friends; but it really can be a big poser fest.

Jessephillips wrote that Christian music might be dying? Oddly enough, in 2008 Christian music became the second most popular radio format in America, behind Country. But it’s the CCM/cookie cutter/repetitive blather that’s getting played.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/12/contemporary-christian-radio-s.html

Because the industry aims their radio programming to a fictitious 30-something year old soccer mom they call “Becky”, you’re not going to hear any rock or hits from the 70s or 80s on Christian radio. It’s going to be the same old same old.

Joanne
host of the Gospel Soundcheck blog
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/12/christian-music-year-in-review.html

]]> By: Paul Wilkinson http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-193 Paul Wilkinson Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:22:05 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-193 I've been involved in what was then called "Jesus Music" since 1975. Artists sold their albums out of the back of their cars, and sales were mediocre. Today, the "industry" is an accepted part of the larger music biz, but for all the "breadth," the "depth" isn't always as apparent. I think that on a "per capita" basis, Christian music in the past was a more effective force for witness and proclamation than is Christian music in the present. Also, while I love modern worship, it's become the only formula that young songwriters are taught. Vertical worship is great, but we've lost the sense of storytelling or personal testimony in music. I just wish Christian radio would play more stuff from the '70s and '80s so that the present generation would have a better sense of where modern CCM originated. I’ve been involved in what was then called “Jesus Music” since 1975. Artists sold their albums out of the back of their cars, and sales were mediocre.

Today, the “industry” is an accepted part of the larger music biz, but for all the “breadth,” the “depth” isn’t always as apparent. I think that on a “per capita” basis, Christian music in the past was a more effective force for witness and proclamation than is Christian music in the present.

Also, while I love modern worship, it’s become the only formula that young songwriters are taught. Vertical worship is great, but we’ve lost the sense of storytelling or personal testimony in music.

I just wish Christian radio would play more stuff from the ’70s and ’80s so that the present generation would have a better sense of where modern CCM originated.

]]> By: innovativeministryleader http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-192 innovativeministryleader Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:09:13 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-192 MK great point, the music that we listen to is completely refreshing and really opens communication with God. For that we should be thankful. Artist like David Crowder and Lincoln Brewster are full time Worship Leaders at their churches. It is amazing that they share their talent like they do. Thanks for your insight. MK great point, the music that we listen to is completely refreshing and really opens communication with God. For that we should be thankful. Artist like David Crowder and Lincoln Brewster are full time Worship Leaders at their churches. It is amazing that they share their talent like they do. Thanks for your insight.

]]> By: MK http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-191 MK Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:24:46 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-191 OK, maybe I'm just a naive goober, but I like Christian music. Just a few years ago, before I totally gave my heart to God, it really opened the door for me. I would play the songs really loud in my car and literally shout to the Lord. It made me comfortable in saying words like Jesus and faith and Christ and love and Savior. Without it, I don't know if I would have made the next steps for me and my family. I don't know how much guys like Lincoln Brewster or David Crowder make, but they lift my heart. Anything I can do to pay them back for that is worth it. OK, maybe I’m just a naive goober, but I like Christian music. Just a few years ago, before I totally gave my heart to God, it really opened the door for me. I would play the songs really loud in my car and literally shout to the Lord. It made me comfortable in saying words like Jesus and faith and Christ and love and Savior. Without it, I don’t know if I would have made the next steps for me and my family. I don’t know how much guys like Lincoln Brewster or David Crowder make, but they lift my heart. Anything I can do to pay them back for that is worth it.

]]> By: Docbob http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-190 Docbob Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:19:18 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-190 I think it's hard to characterize the "industry" as a whole. Each artist is different. The artists I enjoy and whose music I buy fall into one or more of the following categories (1) those I've seen live (2) those whose music I feel really praises God and (3) those that perform music that turn my mind and heart to God. I think it’s hard to characterize the “industry” as a whole. Each artist is different. The artists I enjoy and whose music I buy fall into one or more of the following categories (1) those I’ve seen live (2) those whose music I feel really praises God and (3) those that perform music that turn my mind and heart to God.

]]> By: innovativeministryleader http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-189 innovativeministryleader Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:14:54 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-189 Eric, great point. I agree that people do there jobs, most recording engineers work both Christian and Secular Music. These people do what they do and make a living. I like the point about more Worship Leaders just focusing on Worship. Being at GMA week is funny because of the egos and look at me factor. Of course this is not true for all artists and worship leaders in the industry. But if we are going to call us Christian Musicians, I think ministry needs to be part, or we can just say we are musicians. Eric, great point. I agree that people do there jobs, most recording engineers work both Christian and Secular Music. These people do what they do and make a living. I like the point about more Worship Leaders just focusing on Worship. Being at GMA week is funny because of the egos and look at me factor. Of course this is not true for all artists and worship leaders in the industry. But if we are going to call us Christian Musicians, I think ministry needs to be part, or we can just say we are musicians.

]]> By: Eric Hall http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-188 Eric Hall Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:09:56 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-188 Maybe there should be a way to separate the music biz into two parts. Part #1 - those who want to sing and entertain and perform. These people do their "jobs" the best they can to serve God and to make money. My father worked for 40 years as an Electrical Engineer. He did his job as best he could -but he worked because he wanted to make money. There is absolutely nothing wrong with singing and making music in order to make money. Attempting to "bash" Christian Artists because they make money (whether it is a lot or a little) means we need to start "bashing" everyone who makes money - we'll need to bash every single person who works hard at his or her job and yet isn't a world-changing innovator at that job. These people work the same as everyone else. And, they work in order to get a paycheck. Nothing bad about that. Perhaps we should start calling our musicians - entertainment employees. Part #2 - this would be the much, much, much smaller part that are using music in a unique way. These are the people who feel some sort of special VOCATIONAL calling into full-time ministry. They want to use their music to advance the Kingdom. Of course, this doesn't mean that those who are part of Group #1 don't advance the kingdom as well. It's just a matter of focus or primary purpose. These people in group #2 are in music as a means to advance the kingdom. This group we could call pastors or ministrers or whatever term makes you feel ok. This group we would never want to give Dove awards to or Grammy Awards to. That would be like having a preching contest or a sharing your faith national contest or a praying for your neighbor contest. It would just be weird. Thoughts? Maybe there should be a way to separate the music biz into two parts.

Part #1 – those who want to sing and entertain and perform. These people do their “jobs” the best they can to serve God and to make money. My father worked for 40 years as an Electrical Engineer. He did his job as best he could -but he worked because he wanted to make money. There is absolutely nothing wrong with singing and making music in order to make money. Attempting to “bash” Christian Artists because they make money (whether it is a lot or a little) means we need to start “bashing” everyone who makes money – we’ll need to bash every single person who works hard at his or her job and yet isn’t a world-changing innovator at that job. These people work the same as everyone else. And, they work in order to get a paycheck. Nothing bad about that. Perhaps we should start calling our musicians – entertainment employees.

Part #2 – this would be the much, much, much smaller part that are using music in a unique way. These are the people who feel some sort of special VOCATIONAL calling into full-time ministry. They want to use their music to advance the Kingdom. Of course, this doesn’t mean that those who are part of Group #1 don’t advance the kingdom as well. It’s just a matter of focus or primary purpose. These people in group #2 are in music as a means to advance the kingdom. This group we could call pastors or ministrers or whatever term makes you feel ok.

This group we would never want to give Dove awards to or Grammy Awards to. That would be like having a preching contest or a sharing your faith national contest or a praying for your neighbor contest. It would just be weird.

Thoughts?

]]> By: innovativeministryleader http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/what-do-you-think-of-the-christian-music-industry/#comment-187 innovativeministryleader Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:53:50 +0000 http://innovativeministryleader.wordpress.com/?p=232#comment-187 Brandon, your point is on the money. Maybe we should build the first christian car. ha j/k the way I always look at it, is MUSIC, good or bad. Brandon, your point is on the money. Maybe we should build the first christian car. ha j/k the way I always look at it, is MUSIC, good or bad.

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