FAQ: Christian Country artist list (slighly revised)
John R La Plante
Country Christian FAQ v. 2.02
(Slightly) Revised for February 1995
Please _email_ suggestions or corrections to jr...@osu.edu.
I'm especially interested in:
a. Comments on the artists listed - their musical style (gospel,
bluegrass, traditional country, new/pop country); lyrical qualities
("Christian music" or "music made by Christians"); similar artists or
those who have influenced the person or group.
b. Artists not listed here, particularly those performing "music made by
Christians," as distinct from "people who make Christian music." (read on
if this is confusing)
==========================
Question:
I want some Christian music in a country style. Where
do I turn? Who is out there to listen to?
Answer:
What makes music "Christian music" is sometimes a matter of debate.
There are really two ways of looking at the question:
1. "Christian music." Lyrics emphasize "Christian" themes (worship of God,
songs about the role of God in an individual's life, etc.). CDs are
distributed almost exclusively through "Christian" marketing channels such as
"Christian" bookstores.
2. "Music made by Christians." Not exclusively of "Christian" themes, but
music of any style and lyrical content, made by Christians.
Each format has its merits and its weaknesses. From a theological standpoint,
I would argue that neither is superior.
What's the difference between the two? Plenty. Consider two words: Amy Grant.
In her early work, she was the queen of "Christian music." Albums such as _Age
to Age_ contained songs such as "Sing your praise to the Lord." That is
"Christian music."
Then she started putting out CDs that were not specifically "Christian."
[Yes, the quotes are there for a purpose]. Examples include _Lead Me On_ and
_Heart In Motion_. These albums are examples of "music made by Christians."
Though not overtly "Christian," they generally reflect Christian values.
My hope in creating this list was to concentrate on the second definition -
music made by Christians. However, I'm afraid that it has become dominated by
"Christian music." I've included a wide range of music here.
I have compiled this list not because I think that Christians should listen
only to "Christian music," generically speaking (I don't). Rather, I hope that
we can recognize Christians who use their God-given talent to make music.
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The following codes categorize the predominant format of each artist. If I
have not placed a code for an artist, it means I haven't been able to figure
out what code to place there. I have included some artists who may not
actually identify as Christians, but who have produced some songs that reflect
some Christian value or practice.
CC - Country Christian
(Generally this refers to "Christian music")
MC - Mainstream Country
("music made by Christians.")
SG - Southern Gospel
(Definitely "Christian music")
Dennis Agajanian
CC. Heard him on Christian radio, for what that's worth.
Brian Barrett
CC. Looks like a newby, with a self-titled CD. Christian in sense 1.
Brush Arbor
CC. Currently 6 member country/western band which have been around since
the early to mid 70's. They just released their 7th (?) album called
"Brush Arbor", this time with Benson. Their greatest hits album called
"Brush Arbor Favorites" (R&L records, 1992?) remakes many of their great
country songs from their Myrrh albums of the early 80s and their live
album called "Live: Centerstage" (Light records, 1985) has the best
country sound of their older work. Their latest CD includes songs
written by Bruce Caroll and Don Schlitz (see below)
The Bishops
SG
Garth Brooks
MC. MegaCountrySuperStar. I don't know if Mr. Brooks claims to be a
Christian believer or not. You can't avoid him if you listen to country at
all.
"Unanswered prayers" is a haunting song about the role of providence
in life, which Brooks refers to as "the Man upstairs."
Anthony Burger
SG
Glen Campbell
MC/CC. Reportedly had a conversion experience sometime in the 70s or
80s. I'm Not familiar with his music. Best known for 'Rhinestone Cowboy"
and "Witchita Lineman."
Bruce Carroll
Folk/pop country? Hard to classify. Good lyrics. Some albums - especially
later albums - are marketed as "country christian," such as _Walk On_. But
don't be surprised if you hear some of his work in your neighborhood
secular capucino/bookstore.
Carter Family
SG. Going even further back, the Carter Family sang and recorded some of the
best-known Christian country music beginning in the late '20s.
Everybody's heard "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," but A.P. Carter also
wrote "Anchored in Love", "Fifty Miles of Elbow Room," and several other
gospel standards that will be familiar to anyone who loves bluegrass
music.
Johnny Cash
MC. Traditional country singer. Best known for "A Boy Named Sue." A
legend in traditional country.
The Cathedrals
SG male quartet, started in the early 1960's. Two members of the group -
original founders George and Glen - have a combined 100 years of singing
SG music. Other members come and go. For example, Gerald Wolfe, who was
with the group in the 1980's, now has his own group, called "Greater
Vision." They have professional and personal ties to the Gaither.
Dan Cox
MC. ??
The Cumberland Boys
CC.
Lisa Daggs
CC. Reportedly similar to Anne Murray in style (country/pop)
Charlie Daniels
CC. Yes, THE Charlie Daniels. Reportedly had a "rededication." Latest
CD, "The Door," is traditional gospel with a "repent-or-perish" message.
The Days
CC.
Billy Dean
Mainstream country artist. Dean's personal spiritual commitments are
unclear, but "You don't count the cost" is a nice song about selfless
giving.
D.M.B. (Dixie Melody Boys),
SG. A reader recommends their 80's stuff.
Barbara Fairchild
MC (then)/CC (now). She was a fairly successful country singer in the
70s or so. Had a big #1 hit with a song called "Teddy Bear." Lately she
has recorded exclusively gospel.
Florida Boys
SG. Another long-standing male quartet
Flying W Wrangers
CC. Christian music in sense 1.
Cleve Francis
MC. ??
Lefty Frizzell
Mainstream artist from the old days. Not usually considered Christian at
all, although he probably could sing gospel if he tried and likely put out
an album or two as did almost everyone else in his era. He had his best
success in the late 50s and is a Country Music Hall of Famer. He is usually
credited with the developing the note-bending singing style that has
dominated traditional country ever since. You hear a lot of Lefty in George
Jones, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley and John Anderson.
Bill and Gloria Gaither/Gaither Trio/Gaither Vocal Band
Sometimes SG, sometimes christian pop, the Gaithers are among the founders
of "Contemporary" Christian music. They are so "established" that a few
of their songs (such as "Because He Lives") have been adopted in hymnals.
Though they usually put out some form of pop, their CD's often have a
couple SG songs as well.
Steve Gatlin
CC. Of "The Gatlin Brothers" fame. One of their bigger hits was the song
"All the Gold," which talked about gold being in a bank in Beverly
Hills. On his solo CD _Love Can Carry_, the song 'You Beat All I've Ever
Seen' talks about how the Gatlins and concludes in the chorus about how
"all the gold in California" is nothing compared with knowing God.
Gatlin started his career in a gospel band (name, anyone?) before
getting into the Gatlin Brothers band. He started into the industry
as a song-writer and composer.
Gold City
SG.
Greater Vision
SG trio founded by an ex-Cathedral.
Emmylou Harris
MC/folk/pop. Has "the voice of an angel" reports one reader. She
regularly includes one or two gospel standards on her albums, but she's
recorded one album consisting entirely of gospel standards called "Angel
Band" that should be in any self-respecting Bubba's collection. See the
entry on Ricky Skaggs for information on a duet album with him.
Bruce Haynes
Kim Hill
CC. This pop singer has turns out a country rock CD in _So Far, So Good_
The Hinsons
SG/Bluegrass. Most famous song is "The Lighthouse." "Christian music" of
the Definition 1
Ken Holloway
CC.
The Imperials
CC/Pop. An old quartet that has had a one or two man stable membership with
others floating in and out. Country/pop, though [Horrors] a '70's
album (One More Song for You) approached the cursed form of Disco.
The Inspirations
SG
The Issacs
SG/bluegrass
Michael James
CC. Looks like he's distributed in christian markets, but with a style
similar to Paul Overstreet. Also known as Michael James Murphy (?)
The Kingsmen
SG quartet
Brent Lamb
Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
Bluegrass
Andy Landis
CC. Andy is a lady singing in country/pop style
Louvin Brothers
From the 1940s and 1950s, traditional country industry. They produced albums
with titles such as "Songs Mama Loved" and "Old Fashioned Canvas Tent
Revival" (really, how can you go wrong? :-)).
Susie Luchsinger
CC. Reba's sister. Paul Overstreet has been a producer for her.
Paula McCulla
Mercy River
Mid-South
SG
Walt Mills
SG
The Mullins
SG
The Nelons
SG
New Journey
SG, similar to the Talleys
New Tradition
Bluegrass
Paul Overstreet
CC/MC _My_ favorite on the list. Lots of ballads about family life. Some
may not like his relatively high voice. He was part of a trio in the 1980's,
with T. Schuyler and F. Knobloch called "SKO." "Baby's got a New Baby" hit
#1. Overstreet left the trio in 1987. That same year he had a #1 hit "I
won't take less than your love," with Tanya Tucker and Paul Davis. Has
written for several "mainstream" country artists, such as Lee Greenwood
("I'll be Lovin' You"); Randy Travis ("Forever and Ever," "No Place Like
Home," "Diggin' up bones," "On the other hand.") Has song backup vocals on
other's CDs (Randy Travis, *Storms of Life*). Don Schlitz is a frequent
collaborator.
Graham Parsons
Former Byrd, Flying Burrito Brother, and country hippie, he introduced the
19-year-old Emmylou Harris to the world on his albums "GP," "Grievous
Angel," and "Sleepless Nights". Gram had a propensity for writing beautiful
Christian music on Sundays and guzzling whiskey and sticking needles in his
arm on Mondays through Saturdays (a trend that, unfortunately, is not
limited to him in country music). But his duets with Emmylou are stunningly
wonderful, and their version of "The Angels Rejoiced in Heaven Last Night"
is about as sweet as harmony singing ever gets.
Squire Parsons
SG songwriter responsible for "half of the Southern Gospel hits out there."
Perfect Heart
SG from another quartet
LuLu Roman
I guess she's famous for "Hee-Haw," and has put out some gospel albums.
Don Schlitz
Frequent co-author with Paul Overstreet. I don't think he sings
any, and don't know who else he writes for.
Seneca
CC. Husband and wife team. First album (Self-Titled) out in 1994.
Shenendoah
I've been told that the lead singer, Marty Rabon, is Christian. Others
have told me that all band members are Christians.
Ricky Skaggs
CC/MC. Ricky's well-known in the country music world, but he's recorded
some superb gospel music, particularly early in his career. A
knowledgeable reader recommends "Family and Friends", which finds Ricky
singing hokey country hymns with his ma and pa, and "Sweet Temptation,"
which finds Ricky and Emmylou Harris singing drop-dead gorgeous duets on
songs from the Carter Family, the Stanley Brothers, and Hank Williams.
His wife, Sharon White (see "the Whites," below) has appeared on his
CDs.
Ricky Van Shelton
Raised by Christian parents, RVS recorded "Don't Overlook Salvation"
(DOS) for his folks. Apparently he had some conversion experience
sometime before DOS was released. DOS is a CD of great old hymns and SG
favorites, sung by a great voice. It reminded me a lot of Marty Robbins.
The Speers
SG
The Stanley Brothers
Old timers in the country industry, they also many, many Christian songs
as well -- "Green Pastures" and "The Darkest Hour is Just Before the
Dawn" are probably the most famous.
John Starnes
SG
The Statesmen
SG
Russ Taff
Christian pop. At one time, Taff was a member of The Imperials, leading
them, temporarily, into country rock ["Water Grave," on _Sail On_, is a
great tune for cranking up the volume]. He went solo into the Christian pop
scene. Recorded an album "Under Their Influence Vol. 1" that was a
collection of SG and soulful tunes from his childhood. Also is due to
release a mainstream country album in Spring '95, called "Winds of Change".
The Talleys
SG/bluegrass
B.J. Thomas
This pop/country crossover artist, famous for "Raindrops keep falling on
my head" proclaimed a new faith in Christ sometime in the early 1980's.
He put out a few "Christian" albums, mainly upbeat in both musics and
lyrics. He's a great example, perhaps, of a
Star-Who-Was-Big-And-Became-A-Christian, and then faced expectations
from the Christian audience that could not be sustained. According to a
recent discussion in r.m.c., he has ceased identifying with the church.
Randy Travis
Mainstream country. For those who haven't turned their radio to a country
station, or turned on their TV lately, Travis is a MegaSuperStar in
Mainstream country. Does he claim to be a Christian believer? An r.m.c.
reader has mentioned "yes," but I have not seen this documented. In any
case, he has sung some songs that are at least compatible with a Christian
life-system, such as "Forever and Ever." The Christian Country Research
Bulletin identifies him as a "Mainstream Country Christian Artist."
White River
CC. Described by one person as "rodeo music," found only (by one reader) on
Christian radio stations. Another reported that this group broke up in early
1994.
George Strait
Mainstream. MegaCountryStar. I don't know if Mr. Straight claims to be a
Christian believer or not, but his song "Love Without End End, Amen," is by
and large consistent with Christian themes (though I wonder about the
universalism implied in the last verse).
The Whites
SG/bluegrass, and gospel, and traditional country with close harmonies
and an acoustic sound. This is a family act. Father plays piano,
daughters play guitar. Sharon White is married to Ricky Skaggs.
Hank Williams, Sr.
MC. Old timer of the traditional country music industry. He wrote some
fine "religious" tunes such as "I Saw the Light," "House of Gold," and
"Mansions for Me" -- songs that you're just as likely to hear at a
little country church as on the jukebox. Comments about Graham Parsons
seem to apply here as well.
Trisha Yearwood
Someone suggested this on the basis of the fact that she includes a
scriptural reference on her CD's. I'm not familiar with her music.
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Those seeking more information about "Christian country" music may find the
following resource useful:
Christian Country Research Bulletin 7
720 Lakepointe Road
Gross Pointe Park MI 48230
(313) 822 0024