Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is pop music with inspirational and religious lyrics. Musically, much CCM is indistinguishable from mainstream pop/rock, featuring the same melodic and production techniques. CCM developed in the '70s and '80s, as gospel artists found a new, more contemporary way to market their music. Using electric guitars... [+] Continue Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is pop music with inspirational and religious lyrics. Musically, much CCM is indistinguishable from mainstream pop/rock, featuring the same melodic and production techniques. CCM developed in the '70s and '80s, as gospel artists found a new, more contemporary way to market their music. Using electric guitars and synthesizers, the religious music industry created a viable new form of gospel music that sounded like pop music -- with their slick, professional productions, many CCM records could fit comfortably on adult contemporary radio stations. Related to CCM is Contemporary Gospel, an updated, polished version of traditional gospel. Most of the material in contemporary gospel is newly written and the gospel choir has absorbed many innovations in soul music, both vocally and musically. On record, contemporary gospel often sounds similar to urban music. [-] Hide

Bob Carlisle
Genre: CCM/Contemp. Gospel
Decades: 6144
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He began making music by appearing on many vocal sessions from the '70s, and Bob Carlisle finally found a solo career in 1993, singing gospel pop/rock with subtle soul influences. He had appeared with several early Jesus Music acts -- including Allies -- and sang backup vocals on sessions by Bryan Duncan, Vince Ebo, Sandi Patti and Petra before... [+] Read More

He began making music by appearing on many vocal sessions from the '70s, and Bob Carlisle finally found a solo career in 1993, singing gospel pop/rock with subtle soul influences. He had appeared with several early Jesus Music acts -- including Allies -- and sang backup vocals on sessions by Bryan Duncan, Vince Ebo, Sandi Patti and Petra before signing with Sparrow Records in 1993; his self-titled debut album appeared later that year. By 1996, Carlisle was recording for the Diadem label, and that year's Shades of Grace became a gospel hit, propelled by the single "Mighty Love." The following year, Carlisle unexpectedly became a crossover success when the single "Butterfly Kisses" became a pop hit. The album was repackaged and reissued in the spring of 1997 under the name Butterfly Kisses and it topped the pop charts; Stories from the Heart followed in 1998. That same year, Carlisle also issued Butterfly Kissess & Bedtime Prayers; its sequel followed in early 1999. Nothing But the Truth was released a year later. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide [-] Hide

The Maranatha! Singers
Genre: CCM/Contemp. Gospel
Decades: 7680
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The Maranatha! Singers is a 50-person-strong voice choir comprised mostly of University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College students. Originally founded in 1970, the group is part of the University Methodist Church and Student Center (U.U.M.C.), Gainesville, FL. The group sings most Sundays at the U.U.M.C. worship service during the fall... [+] Read More

The Maranatha! Singers is a 50-person-strong voice choir comprised mostly of University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College students. Originally founded in 1970, the group is part of the University Methodist Church and Student Center (U.U.M.C.), Gainesville, FL. The group sings most Sundays at the U.U.M.C. worship service during the fall and spring semesters, and also tours often outside of the church. The Maranatha! Singers have also issued numerous recordings over the years, including 1999's Praise 16: Power of Your Love and Praise 17: In Your Presence, and are directed by Robert Jackson, plus accompanied by pianist James Gilbert, the latter of which issued his first solo piano release, Travels of the Heart, in 2001. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Newsboys
Genre: CCM/Contemp. Gospel
Decades: 6144
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One of the more media-exposed Christian rock bands of the '90s, Newsboys formed in the late '80s around a core of John James, Peter Furler, and Philip Urry. Though early in their career the band was panned for a perceived overreliance on religious clichés in their lyrics, Newsboys later grasped secular music's alternative revolution in the early... [+] Read More

One of the more media-exposed Christian rock bands of the '90s, Newsboys formed in the late '80s around a core of John James, Peter Furler, and Philip Urry. Though early in their career the band was panned for a perceived overreliance on religious clichés in their lyrics, Newsboys later grasped secular music's alternative revolution in the early '90s for an image makeover, with good results. The group gained six number one singles on the Christian charts, and have been featured in more secular media outlets than the average Christian band. Step Up to the Microphone, their first album for major label Virgin, followed in 1998; Love Liberty Disco appeared a year later. In celebration of the new millennium, the Newsboys also observed their own career with the greatest hits package Shine...The Hits, issued in fall 2000. Their most elaborate work to date, Thrive, was issued in spring 2002 and led to one of their biggest CCM hits ever, "It Is You." Over ten years into their own career, that fall Newsboys Remixed was released, offering new takes on several of their biggest hits. The band issued Adoration: The Worship Album in April 2003. The record included both originals and Newsboy versions of well-known worship songs. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Gaither Vocal Band
Genre: CCM/Contemp. Gospel
Decades: 6144
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One of the premier religious harmony groups, the Gaither Vocal Band was formed by contemporary gospel legend Bill Gaither in the early '90s with Mark Lowry, Jonathan Pierce and Guy Penrod. The group has recorded for Star Song, Benson and Chordant, receiving many Dove awards and several Grammy nominations. The Gaither Vocal Band has released two... [+] Read More

One of the premier religious harmony groups, the Gaither Vocal Band was formed by contemporary gospel legend Bill Gaither in the early '90s with Mark Lowry, Jonathan Pierce and Guy Penrod. The group has recorded for Star Song, Benson and Chordant, receiving many Dove awards and several Grammy nominations. The Gaither Vocal Band has released two volumes of Southern Classics and 20 Inspirational Favorites, as well as the live recording Back Home in Indiana and 1999's God Is Good. By this time, David Phelps had joined the group, and I Do Believe was issued in fall 2000. Lowry left the band in 2002 and was replaced by Russ Taff. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Ray Boltz
Genre: CCM/Contemp. Gospel
Decades: 7168
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Ray Boltz was one of the most successful Contemporary Christian vocalists of the '90s, selling over a million copies of his first five records. Boltz released his first album, Seasons Change, in 1992. The album was an immediate success in CCM circles, and over the next five years he built his fanbase gradually through appearances on Christian... [+] Read More

Ray Boltz was one of the most successful Contemporary Christian vocalists of the '90s, selling over a million copies of his first five records. Boltz released his first album, Seasons Change, in 1992. The album was an immediate success in CCM circles, and over the next five years he built his fanbase gradually through appearances on Christian radio and a series of well-received albums. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Morris Chapman
Genre: CCM/Contemp. Gospel
Decades: 6144
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Gospel pianist, songwriter, and singer Morris Chapman moved into ministry in the late '70s. His musical career gives him an extra ability to reach people and touch souls. Over the years he has recorded a long list of albums, earned nominations for both Dove Awards and a Grammy, and written noteworthy songs that other artists have recorded. In... [+] Read More

Gospel pianist, songwriter, and singer Morris Chapman moved into ministry in the late '70s. His musical career gives him an extra ability to reach people and touch souls. Over the years he has recorded a long list of albums, earned nominations for both Dove Awards and a Grammy, and written noteworthy songs that other artists have recorded. In 1990, Chapman finished his first album, Live Worship. The debut received positive reviews and introduced him to a new audience of fans. Two years later a sophomore album appeared, Gospel Praise. Both full-length offerings were released under the Benson Records label. There was a long seven-year break before a third album was finally completed. As if to make up for lost time, Chapman finished his fourth album that year as well and completed a number of others for the start of the new millennium, mostly working with Tyscot Records. Some of the songs gospel fans will find on his works include, "You Are So Easy to Love," "Mighty God," "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," "When I Think About His Goodness," "The River of God," "You Know the Cry," "Amazing Grace," "The Worship Medley," and "I Know the Plans." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide [-] Hide

The Collection
Artist: Amy Grant
Released: 1986

Depending on their tastes, record buyers are likely to have had one of two different reactions when they came upon the Amy Grant compilation Collection in its initial LP and cassette releases in the summer of 1986. General music fans, aware of Grant, if at all, only for her 1985 Top 40 pop hit "Find a Way," may have wondered why this one-hit... [+] Read More

Depending on their tastes, record buyers are likely to have had one of two different reactions when they came upon the Amy Grant compilation Collection in its initial LP and cassette releases in the summer of 1986. General music fans, aware of Grant, if at all, only for her 1985 Top 40 pop hit "Find a Way," may have wondered why this one-hit wonder deserved a best-of so soon. But contemporary Christian music (CCM) fans would have been surprised that it wasn't a double album. After all, over the previous eight years, Grant had scored 22 hits on CCM radio according to CCM magazine, all but three of them in the Top Ten. Collection, originally containing only ten tracks with a running time under 40 minutes (standard for the LP era), attempted to address both these constituencies, succeeding with one more than the other. For the general pop fan, it demonstrated that there was more where "Find a Way" came from. The album largely eschewed material from Grant's first five albums, including only "Father's Eyes" from 1979's My Father's Eyes. It was dominated by songs from Grant's mature works Age to Age (1982), Straight Ahead (1984), and Unguarded (1985), with one song from A Christmas Album (1983). Those songs had all been CCM hits, but a longtime fan must have felt that they told only part of the story. And Collection looked forward as well. Each side of the LP led off with a new song, "Stay for Awhile" on the first side and "Love Can Do" on the second. Neither song had religious content (though both became CCM hits); both were very much in the synth pop style of Grant's recent music. So, for the most part, Collection satisfied Grant's new fan base while tossing a bone to the faithful. [The original cassette version added five tracks, only one of which, "All I Ever Have to Be," came from Grant's early recordings. A 1990 CD reissue added two more early tracks, giving the album better balance.] ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers - CAPITOL
Artist: Edwin Hawkins Singers
Released: 1997

The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers is a solid overview of the soulful gospel group's late-'60s/early-'70s heyday, featuring not only the hit "Oh Happy Day," but also great album cuts like "Jubilation" and inspired covers of such hits as "Lean on Me." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers is a solid overview of the soulful gospel group's late-'60s/early-'70s heyday, featuring not only the hit "Oh Happy Day," but also great album cuts like "Jubilation" and inspired covers of such hits as "Lean on Me." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Jim Brickman
Released: 1997

Pianist Brickman, a favorite of the easy to listen to crowd, brings his ear for melody to a set of holiday favorites. While his forte has been solo piano, here he enlists the aid of Kenny Loggins, Point of Grace and other vocalists as well as some additional instrumentalists. The results are pleasant if not exactly groundbreaking. ~ Ross...

Pianist Brickman, a favorite of the easy to listen to crowd, brings his ear for melody to a set of holiday favorites. While his forte has been solo piano, here he enlists the aid of Kenny Loggins, Point of Grace and other vocalists as well as some additional instrumentalists. The results are pleasant if not exactly groundbreaking. ~ Ross Boissoneau, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Greatest Hits
Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman
Released: 1997

Greatest Hits is an excellent 14-track overview of Steven Curtis Chapman's Chordant recordings. In addition to Chapman's biggest hits and best-known songs, there are two new songs ("Not Home Yet," "I Am Found in You") and alternate takes of "Lord of the Dance" and "The Walk" that were re-recorded at London's legendary Abbey Road studios. The... [+] Read More

Greatest Hits is an excellent 14-track overview of Steven Curtis Chapman's Chordant recordings. In addition to Chapman's biggest hits and best-known songs, there are two new songs ("Not Home Yet," "I Am Found in You") and alternate takes of "Lord of the Dance" and "The Walk" that were re-recorded at London's legendary Abbey Road studios. The result is a fine summary of his most popular recordings and an ideal introduction to his music. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Bob Carlisle
Released: 1997

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Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing God's Property
Artist: Kirk Franklin
Released: 1997

The success of God's Property is due to Kirk Franklin's skill as a talent scout and as a producer. Like Franklin's other records, God's Property is contemporary gospel music that isn't bland or processed; it still has soul and feeling. Not only is the music strong, but so are the songs, making God's Property one of the most refreshing...

The success of God's Property is due to Kirk Franklin's skill as a talent scout and as a producer. Like Franklin's other records, God's Property is contemporary gospel music that isn't bland or processed; it still has soul and feeling. Not only is the music strong, but so are the songs, making God's Property one of the most refreshing contemporary gospel albums of the '90s. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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