Christian and Gospel Music Sweep the Charts

Popular Christian and Gospel music are two genres lyrically focused on matters of the Christian faith. Since the 1960’s, the style has become very popular (albeit, not without its own brand of controversy), and today graces billboard charts under its own genre heading. In the last two decades, the Christian and Gospel music – especially Christian Rock - has seen a rise in popularity amongst religious teenagers and adults. Modern day Christians appreciate the same religious expression in a variety of new musical forms from artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, and Jeremy Camp. 

Not Without Recognition
The Christian and Gospel music genre has been growing in size since the late 1960’s. Today, artists producing the chart topping hits are not without recognition. In April of 2007, the 38th Gospel Music Dove Awards ceremony was held to honor the best in Christian and gospel music. Song of the year, songwriter of the year, and the best new artist award went to Aaron Shust, while male vocalist of the Year went to Chris Tomlin. Female Vocalist of the Year went to Natalie Grant, and Group of the Year to Casting Crowns. The 2006 Grammy’s also acknowledge significant achievement in the Christian and gospel music genres, awarding best gospel performance to Yolanda Adams with her single “Victor,” and best gospel song to “Imagine Me,” by Kirk Franklin. The Christian genre is certainly packed with talent as demonstrated by its variety of award winning artists.

Reaching the Masses
Christian music and Gospel music alike have become a vastly popular trend among young Christians, and is no longer an alternative genre of music. Large digital music providers like I-tunes, list the genre amongst its other ‘mainstream’ titles. Topping the charts in 2006 was the very familiar face of Country music star Alan Jackson. His album ‘Precious Memories,” sold over 1.2 million copies. Second in sales for the year was Rock band Flyleaf with half a million units of their self titled album sold. Kirk Franklin, with his hit “Hero,” and Casting Crowns with their album “Lifesong” found significant success too, hitting sales of around 400,000.

Not Without Some Drama
The popularity of Christian and Gospel music has been met with significant opposition. Some more conservative Christians feel that a music medium is unholy – and that Christians shouldn’t be participating. Others think that the religious messages of the music is enabling the faith to find a younger following. The controversy between faith and popular music is not a new debate. As early as the 19th century, Methodist minister Rowland Hill was met with great opposition when he advocated for popular music: “Why should the Devil have all the good music?” Those with the strongest objections to the genre worry that Christian and Gospel music is a growth on Rock and Pop music, which has historically been associated with sexual promiscuity, drug use, and youth rebellion.

Not Just For Sunday Worship
Christian and Gospel music in the past few decades has really taken flight, offering the same religious message through a slightly more contemporary medium. Today, the music scene on the internet has made access to a variety of genres of music almost unlimited. Countless websites provide streaming online radio for hundreds of radio stations specializing in contemporary Christian and Gospel music. Whole websites like christianitytoday.com and cmcentral.com (Christian Music Central) are dedicated to providing users with up to date Christian and Gospel music news, links to band websites, concert information, and even online samples of top selling albums.