History Of Christian Music

Spreading Its Wings:
Christian music has moved beyond the church and now it can be found on television, radio, at huge festivals and rallies and in concert halls. Christian music has also expanded in order to include a vast array of different styles. Metal, Rock, Country, Rap, Urban Gospel, Gospel, Pop and Contemporary or Easy Listening are also covered so, no matter what your taste in music style is, today’s Christian can find some type of Christian music that interests them. Christian music now boasts its very own radio stations, video shows, publications, awards and websites.

This change in Christian music hasn’t taken place overnight, it has taken several years and it has required a lot of sacrifices from artists that weren’t afraid to take a stand against tradition and create Christian music that was able to keep up with the changing of times.

The Beginning of Change:
During the nineteen seventies, there was the “Jesus Movement” - this was the time when things really began to change and Christian music started to become an industry within itself. The pioneers during this time were:

Marsha Stevens - known as the mother of contemporary Christian music.

Larry Norman - Since the nineteen sixties, this man was a true pioneer when it came to Christian alternative rock. By many, Larry Norman is referred to as the father of Christian music.

Nancy Honeytree - was among the few female artists that were able to emerge from the “Jesus Movement” - she carries the nickname of the first lady of Jesus music.

Chuck Girard - among the very first artists of contemporary Christian music

The Second Chapter of Acts - this was a very popular group that released over sixteen albums in sixteen years.

Based on the fact that Christian music has several different subgenres and styles, Christian music is the only music genre that can actually be defined by the lyrical content it contains. The bottom line is that there is music under the Gospel and Christian Music umbrella for every taste.