I’ve wondered this for years. I canNOT believe the absolute crap that our culture will tolerate, calling it music. I mean– Britney Spears?! Mick Jagger?! Paris Hilton?!?!!?!?! I used to work in radio, I know a thing or two about pop music, BMI, Top 40 charts, etc. For years, the logic behind the tastes of modern music has eluded me.
Then a few years ago, I read a news story about SONY paying off certain radio stations to play their music and fabricate their placement in the charts.
Ah yes, it all became clear then.
And why are Christian music artists so dismissed? They even had to create their own music awards show– the Dove Awards– because the Grammy goons wouldn’t give them an inch. Have you ever heard the music of Steven Curtis Chapman? Hillsongs? Delirious? Libera? Keith Green? Why not? Why aren’t these people allowed to have their songs played on the radio? Why must their music be sidelined for only “Christian” radio stations? Are people alergic to songs about God? Or is there some bigoted reason? Its certainly not because Christiansdon’t produce superior quality music, because a good deal of their music is far superior in quality and production to a lot of the gunk piping through the radio transmitters.
Here’s a good example of an INCREDIBLE singer. I have never heard of this guy– Aled Jones. Apparently, he is from Wales, England. His singing is just stunning.
Why aren’t guys like him on “regular” radio stations?? It’s so unfair. And why are all singers looking the same? I mean, you have to be really slinky like you’re promoting best weight loss pills or something, have slinky clothing, and a “come hither” look to even get a record deal. Who cares what people LOOK LIKE?! It’s MUSIC.
It just totally eludes me.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I agree with you. For some reason songs about a positive relationship with God is offensive, yet a song about an abusive relationship with women, or men, or who knows who, is appropriate.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I gave up listening to the radio. Apart from the lack of enjoyable music of ANY genre, there’s too much advertising and all the news is negative. Don’t need it.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Amen, sister! ;>) Christian music artists have just as much talent and alot better things to sing about than the mainstream music industry. I just love listening to Christian radio stations like K-Love and Air 1. Thankfully, its getting a lot easier than it used to be since most stations have live streaming. I can listen to stations from all over the world, even in Grab-Your-Lasso, Wyoming!
March 27th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I followed you over from Chuck’s at Secondary Roads. Any blog he suggests has to be fantastic and I’m soooo glad I dropped by.
Crabby Blogging Lady, you are saying what so many of us feel and I just am so impressed at the way you praise the name of our Father Lord Jesus on your blog. I love that song!! I was feeling badly when I started reading posts today and your’s managed to lift my spirits. I can’t thank you enough. You’re hilarious lady
If you have a moment or two of your life that you’d care to waste, please visit me at my blog and say hello.
Hope your weekend is filled with love, joy and laughter and….
Steady On
Reggie Girl
March 27th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
i could only listen for a few minutes. I’m scared to lose my speed again but his voice is beautiful.
I am good at knowing the Bible but not knowing specifically where things are quoted. My memory doesn’t work as good as it did once.
But, I know somewhere is Lucifer is called The Prince of The Air. If it’s not in the Bible then I was taught it…but, I am pretty sure it is in the Bible.
This explains it all doesn’t it? He is the prince of the air and he is controlling the access….just a simpleton’s view I assure you!!
Jackie:-)
March 27th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Please excuse my grammar in that comment I am also eating my dinner while I am working.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I have been a big fan of contemporary Christian music for years – in addition to yours – Avalon, Casting Crowns, Chris Rice, Jeremy Camp, Kathy Trocolli, Kutless, Mercy Me, Michael W Smith, Nichole Nordeman, Nicol Sponberg, Nicole C Mullen, Point of Grace, Rebecca St James, Twila Paris, and my favorite, Third Day. Most will get some cross-over play here in Dallas, but are in the center of the belt with a lot of mega churches.
Kim
March 27th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
It is dismissed because the “trendy” people are anti-religious.
March 28th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I have absolutely no interest in pop music and never listen to it on the radio. When I do turn on the radio, I listen to classical music stations. You are probably right in your observations about much pop music being anti-religion (or at least anti- religious values). Are some of these singers you mention more country western? Maybe the country western stations play their music. I would not know, because I don’t listen to country music either.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I have nothing against Christian music but it’s not my cup of tea. I listen to a wide variety of music but religious music never appealed to me. I mean, there are certain bands and artists who could touch my soul with their words and music but never has a christian song from Hillsong or any christian band touched me, I don’t know why. I am exposed to this kind of music (I even played bass for a while in a christian band that did covers from Hillsong) but I can live with or without it.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Pop music is popular music so it’s played by radio stations. Christian music on the other hand is not pop music so we rarely hear them in mainstream radio.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Pop music is popular music so it’s played by radio stations. Christian music on the other hand is not pop music so we rarely hear them in mainstream radio.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Wonderful song and an awesome voice. I love it!
March 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Oh, I think they sing nice and all, but maybe I would like it if they weren’t all singing about God and praise and stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-God–I just don’t want to keep hearing about his “blessing” on every freaking song. I don’t listen to “ho” and “motha …” either, but I do think there is a middle road here. I’ve got a neighbor who only allows her teen kids to listen to “praise” music, and they turn around and sneak top 40 behind her back. She’s all smirky and oblivious–it cracks me up.
March 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Amy Grant, a Christian singer, used to be on regular radio stations, maybe not the Pop Top 40 ones, but she was on the lite rock ones. Of course, now that I say that, I just realized that I haven’t heard from her in years. Well, except for maybe on Delilah.
I hate to say it, but they’re probably not on regular radio stations because they wouldn’t have a video of nearly naked women grinding on some guy’s crotch playing at the same time on VH1 and MTV or because they weren’t contestants on American Idol. Sex and Simon Cowell projects sell.
March 29th, 2009 at 5:02 am
You raise a very good point here. It just seems like anything mentioning God or concerning God in a positive light is generally frowned upon and considered “offensive.” This is just another indicator that we are in the last days, when things that are bad are accepted as good and things that are good and right are viewed as bad. I find comfort in knowing this is only temporary and that one day Christ will come in all his glory and put things right forever. Forever is much, much longer than this earth so until then, we live for Christ as best we can and show his love to others.
March 29th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’m from the UK and I have heard of Aled Jones – he is in fact very famous over here no matter what style of music you like. He started off singing as a child and had a number hit with “Walking In The Air” – here’s a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDh_L9JU5dQ
I must admit I’m not a fan of Christian music myself but I can understand where you are coming from. I stopped listening to mainstream radio years ago.
Cheers
PM
March 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
hey, i agree with you. and i think that guy’s singing is amazing. but ppl of other religions listening to the radio might find it to be preaching and stuff like that. :D
March 30th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Hi! Thank you so very much for sharing this video with us. I love it so much!
Do not wonder why the world cannot appreciate Christian music. Hymns and Gospel songs are lifted straight from the Bible and speak of a personal connection or relationship with God. Those who don’t have that kind of relationship with the Lord won’t be able to appreciate that kind of music.
It’s like asking why people indulge in pornographic literature yet despise the Bible. It’s sad that we live in an increasingly godless age.
Again, thanks for sharing the video. Am mighty glad I returned your visit to my website.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Hi – I don’t comment on many web sites but had to on yours. It’s fantastic! I really like how you write – very to the point, unlike a lot of other blogs. Thanks for having this site. As a big fan of Bradley Hathaway’s art, it’s good to read what someone else says. I don’t have time to read all the information you have right now, I found this site while I was looking for something else on Google, but I’ve bookmarked your homepage and will visit again soon to see the latest updates. Do you have a favorite song of Bradley’s? Do you know of any other artists like him? Please visit my site at http://www.TheBradley.net – I have a lot of stuff about Bradley as well as some things by SCC and Casting Crowns. Keep up the great work!