The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Myspace Music

Hello, for those of you who do not know, which I am pretty sure is everyone, I am part of a Christian band called "The Great Exchange." We have a myspace at www.myspace.com/greatestexchange I am just curious for any of you that might have coding experience, how can I add a picture to the top of my page like sanctus real? (www.myspace.com/sanctusreal) Also, let me know what you like/dislike about the page. I am trying to figure out how to make our site more appealing to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Clint,

Contemporary Christian music is all I listen to on the radio and has been for the last 14 years. I'm glad I'm able to talk to somebody in the industry because I've noticed certain trends that cause some artists to rise to the top. I'll try my best to explain what appeals to me.

The first thing I've noticed is that talent rises to the top. Songs by Rich Mullins such as "Sometimes by Step," "Awesome God," and "While the Nations Rage," are noteable because of the originality and musical talent that causes the songs to stick in my head. I see way too many Christian bands who think the spirituality of the message is sufficient and so the music is predictable and generic.

Music must have a strong emotional appeal with a combination of original musical melody as well as a message that reaches out to the hurting. Music itself can convey compassion apart from the lyrics. I'll give you a few examples of music that conveys compassion to me and touches my heart sometimes to the point of tears:

"Home Free" by Wayne Watson
"Fragile Heart" by Yolanda Adams
"Place In My Heart" by Raze
"Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle
"A Heart Like Mine" by Bryan Duncan
"Song for Rich" by Michael W. Smith
"Seasons Change" by Crystal Lewis
"This Is What Love Is" by John Elefante
"The Only Thing I Need" by 4Him
"Maybe Today" by Whiteheart
"Needful Hands" by Jars of Clay
"God Is In This Place" by Plus One
"Where He Leads Me" by Twila Paris
"Another Time, Another Place" by Sandi Patti & Wayne Watson
"Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns
"Never Been Unloved" by Michael W. Smith

I hope you will listen to some of these songs and see how the music itself has a deep, compassionate, and loving way of reaching out to the listener causing an impact before the lyrics even come into play. I listen to a lot of Christian artists today trying to make their mark on the CCM scene with blah music, thinking that the message will make up for the lack of talent.

Produce a song like "You Don't Leave Me Lonely" a song Bryan Duncan wrote for the family who lost a 10 year old child and I will notice you on the CCM music scene. If your music is like the numbing, hard rock junk that I hear on AirOne, I'll probably not notice you.

God has spoken to me powerfully through CCM artists and it has enriched my spiritual life. But I have noticed the trends that cause an artist to rise to the top. Do you remember when "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle topped even the secular charts in 1997? There is just no substitute for pure talent and reaching out to your audience, touching their hearts through your music. Produce a song like "One More Time" by the Katinas and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

I wish you the best for your band.

In the Sacred Heart of Christ