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... [+] Read More
Key Artists: Jim Brickman | Gaither Vocal Band | Steven Curtis Chapman | Morris Chapman | Norman Greenbaum | Ray Boltz | Vanessa Bell Armstrong | Melanie | dc Talk | Bob Carlisle | Andraé Crouch | Newsboys | The Maranatha! Singers | Rev. James Cleveland | Kirk FranklinTraditional Gospel is gospel music that is essentially Southern in origin and performed by large, soulful choirs. Traditional gospel also relies on gospel standards instead of newly written material.
Key Artists: The Original Gospel Harmonettes | The Swan Silvertones | Rev. James Cleveland | Mississippi Mass Choir | The Dixie Hummingbirds | The Harmonizing Four | Gospel Hummingbirds | Golden Gate Quartet | The Highway Q.C.'s | The Mighty Clouds of Joy | The Soul Stirrers | The Original Five Blind Boys of Alabama | Pilgrim Travelers | The Fairfield Four | Mahalia Jackson