I think it's faded in prominence due to the church viewing contemporary music with less suspicion, the refusal of artists to be pigeon-holed as 'Christian' artists, and the rise of 'contemporary worship music' as a distinct genre that has a similar audience to that of CCM as was.
I listen to some contemporary gospel - though as a genre, that never really defined itself as 'CCM' in the same way (there were some gospel artists who were signed up to Christian labels, but CCM as a phenomena was quite white).
To make a positive recommendation for a contemporary Christian artist -- though genre-wise he is more "praise and worship" than "CCM" -- right now I'm a huge fan of Matt Maher. Partly because he's from my hometown (though he had to go to the US to make it in the music industry), but also because I find his songwriting, especially his arrangements of hymns, are among the (relatively few) things that can make me feel genuinely uplifted and worshipful. This is one of my favourites.
And nowadays a goodly number of artists performing in the "secular" arena are openly Christian, or have made some kind of statement to that effect. Certainly a lot compared to the 70s and 80s.
How is CCM advertised and distributed these days? In the 90s in the UK there was, in addition to the Christian bookshops, a club where you got a regular magazine/catalogue and cassettes or cds in the post.
How is CCM advertised and distributed these days? In the 90s in the UK there was, in addition to the Christian bookshops, a club where you got a regular magazine/catalogue and cassettes or cds in the post.
I assume the question relates to the UK; there are still Christian bookshops, Christian radio stations, and outlets like Cross Rhythms (which exists on the web only these days), additionally due to my previous points there's less music - outside specifically 'Contemporary Worship Music' - that seeks a purely Christian outlet.
I rediscovered some of the music I loved a little while back and I definitely want to listen to more of it.
The stuff I hear on local religious radio stations (apart from the scary far-right-wing ones that don’t do music) only seems to be “praise music” or “safe for the whole family” (shudder) rather than anything saying anything … I don’t know, more solid? It feels like the 1970s/80s stuff was more edgy, even if I don’t always agree with some of the message (some bits seem to be part of laying the groundwork for our current “culture wars” but some are really good and some artists are just fantastic).
In 2005 I bought Redemption Songs CD by Jars Of Clay. I rated their musicianship.
Rated it as … good, bad…?
😅
Is this British usage of “rate”? “I rated their musicianship” doesn’t quite make sense to my American ears, I’m afraid. Though from context, I assume rated it as good.
Gosh, yes. Thanks for pointing that out.
I did wonder whether there might be a pond difference.
Certainly in the UK we might say "I didn't rate their customer service " as a negative thing. And contrary wise "I really rated the food there " as a positive thing.
Gosh, yes. Thanks for pointing that out.
I did wonder whether there might be a pond difference.
Certainly in the UK we might say "I didn't rate their customer service " as a negative thing. And contrary wise "I really rated the food there " as a positive thing.
And something new learned today. Thank you!
(FYI, at least in my experience of American English—it is a big country—“rated” always needs a “how,” like “rated highly.”)
Gosh, yes. Thanks for pointing that out.
I did wonder whether there might be a pond difference.
Certainly in the UK we might say "I didn't rate their customer service " as a negative thing. And contrary wise "I really rated the food there " as a positive thing.
Comments
I listen to some contemporary gospel - though as a genre, that never really defined itself as 'CCM' in the same way (there were some gospel artists who were signed up to Christian labels, but CCM as a phenomena was quite white).
I assume the question relates to the UK; there are still Christian bookshops, Christian radio stations, and outlets like Cross Rhythms (which exists on the web only these days), additionally due to my previous points there's less music - outside specifically 'Contemporary Worship Music' - that seeks a purely Christian outlet.
The stuff I hear on local religious radio stations (apart from the scary far-right-wing ones that don’t do music) only seems to be “praise music” or “safe for the whole family” (shudder) rather than anything saying anything … I don’t know, more solid? It feels like the 1970s/80s stuff was more edgy, even if I don’t always agree with some of the message (some bits seem to be part of laying the groundwork for our current “culture wars” but some are really good and some artists are just fantastic).
Oh, I also like Jeff Johnson (Ark Records).
Rated it as … good, bad…?
😅
I did wonder whether there might be a pond difference.
Certainly in the UK we might say "I didn't rate their customer service " as a negative thing. And contrary wise "I really rated the food there " as a positive thing.
(FYI, at least in my experience of American English—it is a big country—“rated” always needs a “how,” like “rated highly.”)
Meaning, I don't like them.
Ah, so you like Jars of Clay!