Who killed CCM?

This has more to do with the CCM industry as a whole (vs just metal), but I thought it was a worthwhile read.

http://theweek.com/articles/555603/who-killed-contemporary-christian-music-industry

The article points out something I've noticed. We've gone from a music genre (Christian music) that experimented back in the 90's with ska, industrial, alternative etc. to a bunch of homogenized modern worship acts.

And it pretty much is like this now days:



I have found CCM to be extremely boring these days. But it isn't just with CCM. Your average pop tunes these days are just average as well. I am not saying this as a middle aged old fogey. Just look at sales as a whole. They are down for every genre of music. It has gone back to the days of early rock & roll. The market is singles driven with songs written by outside writers. Today's CCM really seems to be "Hey, I can play acoustic guitar so let's write a song and throw Father, God and Jesus in the lyrics.. Oh and we can't forget Hallelujah".

The article makes some valid points.  Christian music used to be more respected even by Christians as the music was diverse and many artists wrote songs to start conversations about.  Now, the industry just wants generic pop acts for the most part to be Jesus' cheerleaders.

Why can't we sing about Christ but also make art that is honest and real?  If I hit my thumb with a hammer and curse, why can't I write a song about it?  If I have a lust problem, why can't we sing about that?  As long as the listener picks up that you need Christ's help to overcome, I think it would come off as more real.

This is partly why I've gotten in the cigar box guitar movement.  It represents true musical freedom.  You design your own instrument, tune it the way you want, write music about whatever you want, record it & market it the way you want, and there are no labels involved.  The next album I do will be done on cigar box guitars and I am going to definitely sing about some topics to start conversations while still shining the light of Jesus on those topics.

Good article. I think one trend I notice in any field, not just entertainment, is that we (probably just America) have a tendency to stream line everything we do to make it the least amount of money put in, and the maximum amount returned. Just think about what we do with food. In the entertainment industry, this tends to wring the very essence of what it is (creativity), out of it. The Christian market is no different. Add in to the mix, that the church in general is thinning out, you have a perfect storm of pablum being churned out.

I myself am not a big fan of what is on the contemporary christian radio lately as are a lot of people on this forum. But one thing I have to say, is that I think we tend to be a little harsh in our judgement of what is out there, and maybe even a little narrow minded, just because it doesn't fit what we like. If you asked a lot of these artist, they probably don't see themselves churning out staleness.

deathisgain wrote:
I myself am not a big fan of what is on the contemporary christian radio lately as are a lot of people on this forum. But one thing I have to say, is that I think we tend to be a little harsh in our judgement of what is out there, and maybe even a little narrow minded, just because it doesn't fit what we like. If you asked a lot of these artist, they probably don't see themselves churning out staleness.

Yeah, I am one of those that jusr doesn't like it and find it to be as boring and generic as modern country music. But my 13 year old daughter loves it and asks me to buy songs for here from Amazon or iTunes all the time and I always buy them for her. I wouldn't dare criticize it in front of her. Why would I? She could be listening to stuff a lot worse but since she enjoys Hillsong more than anything then good for her. And as you said the artists probably don't see it as generic just as modern country artists don't see their stuff as bland.

NEWSFLASH: 


THIS JUST IN ....

The music industry in general is dead.

MikeInFla wrote:And it pretty much is like this now days:

HAHA!! That's funny...It is like that 

I saw your post, and thought about another post I saw on Facebook the other day.

Here it is if you'd like to check it out...

http://holysoup.com/2014/05/21/why-they-dont-sing-on-sunday-anymore/

EDIT: Seriously though....I think it is more sad than it is funny.

There have always been artists in Christian music that are doing really creative and original music, but for the most part christian music has always been kinda 'bland' or 'safe'. Even in the Dr90'S it was just jumping on the latest fad in secular music....ska, punk, industrial,it got popular but when secular music moved on, so did Christian music (eventually). It tends to be a year or two behind secular music...

alldatndensum wrote:The article makes some valid points.  Christian music used to be more respected even by Christians as the music was diverse and many artists wrote songs to start conversations about.  Now, the industry just wants generic pop acts for the most part to be Jesus' cheerleaders.

Why can't we sing about Christ but also make art that is honest and real?  If I hit my thumb with a hammer and curse, why can't I write a song about it?   

I take it you've never heard Daniel Amos' "Kalhoun"? 

Modern CCM and mainstream music in general is bland. The article says the CCM industry is banking on church goers buying worship music. I don't mind some worship music but they sing the same chorus over and over and over again. Much if it is chorus based music. Why don't they write music structured like the old hymns with a few verses and a chorus...wait a minute, they did - that is the Christian rock music of the 70's to the early to mid 90's when it was actually good - songs were written that made a difference. The market is saturated with worship songs. How many versions can one hear Open The Eyes OF My Heart before they get sick of it. I'm sure songs like that is on most worship albums out there. It will come to a point that the industry as a whole will die a painful and slow death or they will write songs that matter and good songs like they did in the 70's and 80's.

You want to know what's funny?

One of my Facebook friends was recently at the K-Love awards or something like that. She posted a picture of an artist that was performing there who was from American Idol.

The comment above her picture read "Thank you, American Idol!"

I think it's kind of ironic because American Idol is part of the reason music has gone downhill these days.

So yeah....Thank you, American Idol!

There is actually even more irony if you dig further, but I won't go into that.

Mortal wrote:
I think it's kind of ironic because American Idol is part of the reason music has gone downhill these days.

The "dumbing down" of music has been happening for at least 25 years. When the guitarists couldn't play, leads were removed. When singers had no range, they tune down. When they still can't hit the notes, auto tune. When the rhythm section has no groove, they use drum machines and samples to fill the gaps. I can see the use of computers to enhance music, but not to create it.

I served as the drummer at my church for eight years. I finally stepped down when everything, and I do mean everything, had became the same one or two chord progressions, played at the same 75 to 80 bpm, with the same monotone vocals. We seriously need skilled musicians in music again.

Thank you Bjorn, I just read this article yesterday. And came here to start a thread about it today. Glad you beat me to it.

My 2 cents: I remember Amy Grant near her beginnings in CCM. I know of more than one old(er) Christian metalhead that cites her as being the inspiration of getting into Christian music. I also confess to being a big Michael W fan. Fun to see these two currently touring together. Often times in the past, each will make a guest appearance during the others performance to the crowds delight. 
I also have an appreciation for CCM's inspiration>>>The Jesus Music era. 
CCM is still around, just tune into your local Christian radio station. But it has definitely morphed into homogenized radio-friendly hit pop songs. I'm pretty sure there are Christian messages in the songs but they are not so apparent to me anymore. I get nothing out of CCM today, it is mere background music when I'm in the garage. I find most of it to be highly repetitive commercial pop. But I won't totally blast Christian radio, I listen from time to time, the DJ's still connect with the listeners, it's wonderful to hear how the songs touch a person.

In my narrow realm and sphere of influence, I observe most of my peers have moved on to heavier Christian music.

I see this article as a lament to what once was. Not necessarily declaring CCM's death.

Glancing up, I hear an echo from previous commenters.

I maybe alone when I quickly compared this article to Gene Simmons proclamation last year about rock being dead.

Mortal wrote:You want to know what's funny?

One of my Facebook friends was recently at the K-Love awards or something like that. She posted a picture of an artist that was performing there who was from American Idol.

The comment above her picture read "Thank you, American Idol!"

I think it's kind of ironic because American Idol is part of the reason music has gone downhill these days.

So yeah....Thank you, American Idol!

There is actually even more irony if you dig further, but I won't go into that.

LOL! I think I get where you're going. False idols! Really though, that and every modern talent show is a glorification of mediocrity.  

I help lead worship at my church and have lots of friends who are really into worship music like Bethel, Elevation, and of course Hillsong. Within that group, it's basically understood that no one listens to CCM on K-Love, and soft jests are thrown about it here and there. Basically, what I'm getting at is EVEN CHRISTIANS WHO LIKE DULL FOUR-CHORD WORSHIP MUSIC can't stand the blandness of CCM! 

We need adventurous Christian musicians more than ever. The most thing that upsets me is that some Christians feel like they can't criticize Christian music as long as it has a good heart behind it. Like the notes themselves are anointed. You can't give birth to something better without taking criticism. It doesn't matter if Christian musicians are listening to the Holy Spirit or not, they can still by human error make crappy music and they should do their best to better themselves.

Friday13th wrote:I think I get where you're going. False idols!

Well...That's sort of what I meant.

Alot of the music in churches today is just like American Idol. The musicians on stage look like they are trying out for American Idol.

And people call this worship??

This isn't what I consider to be proper worship.

I'm sure it's some kind of worship, though.

Mortal wrote:The musicians on stage

I just realized that I said "stage".

Yep...it's sad but true...but the pulpit has become a concert stage at some places.

It can be argued that modern repetitive praise and worship music could be a false sense of worship. I read article about this where the music is upbeat and takes on the style that the charismatic movement that happened in the early and mid 1900's  - I didn't pay too much attention to this article where they critize all forms of contemporary music.

My point is that the Bible said we are to use our talents to the best of our ability. If these modern worship artists stay in a safe zone and write and perform repetitive modern praise music when they have the ability to do more, then they are not using their talents as the Bible says - that is what I mean when there is a false sense of worship. The Bible says to write songs of praise and thanks giving and to worship God in spirit and in truth. It seems the CCM industry because of money is afraid to take the risk and try something different. Back in the 70's and 80's, small labels that became bigger as bands became successful took a chance on bands like Petra, Servant, Resurrection Band, Jerusalem and others like them - the bands and labels were experimental and took a change where money wasn't the main motivator - it was the message due to the Jesus movement. As we all know, the production wasn't the best as that improved with time but there was something fresh about the music and the message.  

Another thing about mainstream music is we have pop stations and classic rock stations. Why can't we have good current rock/hard rock with the classic sound and the actual classic rock songs on the one station? I'm not sure what the stations are like in your area. Its almost like CCM is copying the world - they have the mainstream pop stations and then there is the CCM pop praise and worship stations and industry. We should be leaders and originators and not followers.

Who killed CCM?

Who killed JR?

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

So many unsolved mysteries.......................

Soldier777 wrote:Why don't they write music structured like the old hymns with a few verses and a chorus..

Also, one thing the old Hymns had that is sorely lacking in todays Christian music is real Biblical substance. Those songs were inspired by the Word of God and it showed. Today, much of that has been replaced with sentimentalism and emotionalism. But back in the day, CCM had some artists that had real good lyrics. Three of my favorites like Rich Mullins, Steve Camp and Keith Green are prime examples of that. I Wish we had more artists of any genre writing lyrics of that caliber these days.

Today, much of that has been replaced with sentimentalism and emotionalism.

Sentimentalism...emotionalism...sensationalism

Hmmm....Something about "seducing spirits" and "doctrines of devils" rings a bell.

1 Timothy 4:[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

"I suggest it was Colonel Mustard, in the Conservatory, with the spanner/wrench"

sentient 6 wrote:

Soldier777 wrote:Why don't they write music structured like the old hymns with a few verses and a chorus..

Also, one thing the old Hymns had that is sorely lacking in todays Christian music is real Biblical substance. Those songs were inspired by the Word of God and it showed. Today, much of that has been replaced with sentimentalism and emotionalism. But back in the day, CCM had some artists that had real good lyrics. Three of my favorites like Rich Mullins, Steve Camp and Keith Green are prime examples of that. I Wish we had more artists of any genre writing lyrics of that caliber these days.

But...see...you gotta...what about... oh, never mind.

metaldude wrote:We seriously need skilled musicians in music again.

True words. I saw Stryper in concert back in 2011 and I just stood there admiring Michael and Oz play skillfully. It's so rare in music (not just Christian music) these days.

Friday13th wrote:We need adventurous Christian musicians more than ever. The most thing that upsets me is that some Christians feel like they can't criticize Christian music as long as it has a good heart behind it. Like the notes themselves are anointed. You can't give birth to something better without taking criticism. It doesn't matter if Christian musicians are listening to the Holy Spirit or not, they can still by human error make crappy music and they should do their best to better themselves.

I think you hit on a couple points. Yes we do need musicians who are creatively adventurous. In recent months I heard a song on Christian radio by Rend Collective Experiment (I don't remember the song name). It reminded me some of Burlap To Cashmere when they first came out. Both groups to me are examples of musicians willing to add flavors of different musical styles into their music. I saw For King & Country at a free concert last year and was impressed by one thing... percussion! They have drums all over the stage.  There are groups who experiment. But they are the exception and not the norm.

sentient 6 wrote:

Soldier777 wrote:Why don't they write music structured like the old hymns with a few verses and a chorus..

Also, one thing the old Hymns had that is sorely lacking in todays Christian music is real Biblical substance. Those songs were inspired by the Word of God and it showed. Today, much of that has been replaced with sentimentalism and emotionalism. But back in the day, CCM had some artists that had real good lyrics. Three of my favorites like Rich Mullins, Steve Camp and Keith Green are prime examples of that. I Wish we had more artists of any genre writing lyrics of that caliber these days.

Even when Rich, Steve and Keith were actively recording they were rare gems in a sea of mundane pop artists of their day. Finding a songwriter of their caliber is a rare thing.

Seems to me that attitude towards CCM is that half the music is so vague lyrically that you can't tell if it's written about God or a gf/bf. And then there is the other end of the spectrum where it's commercialized praise and worship. Hillsong clones.
Doesn't seem as though there is much else out there.

And Christian metal seems to be in a rut as well, and to some degree secular as well. Though as i think on it more it goes into music as a whole.
I see it as metalcore came into being in the late 90s, then kind of took over the secular and Christian metal scenes, as well as gaining mainstream popularity. Since then there has been no drastic takeover of a new style, so MC has just dragged out and stayed at the top too long.
In the 80s, 90s and a bit into 2k we had new styles taking over as the popular style, it was like a battle. Rap, metal, new country.. we had new genres like rapcore... bands that were more unique. But now music has just stalled. Seems like mainstream pop has had some changes, but mostly in a weird/dark direction that makes it worse for that style.