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Wednesday, October 01, 2008

So, about all that lack-luster CCM . . .

There's been much discussion, in magazines and on the web, as to the state and quality of modern Christian music. There are camps that love current music styles and see little wrong with the current trends in style and content. There are also camps that see the market as highly narrowed and filled with artists of mediocre talent. Some believe that those who market the music have become overly focused on specific sounds and artists, resulting in narrowed playlists and overlooking many good artists and songs because they don't "fit" the model. Others believe that doing this is justified because it is simply giving the audience what they want to hear.

circle arrowAnd the talk goes on and on and on . . .

I'll admit that I'm pretty opinionated about this topic (just ask Mrs. E, she'll confirm that statement). But I'm also tired of talking about this topic; I believe that, for the discussions I've been in, the subject has been beaten like a dead horse. The conversation has become circular, and I want to break that loop.

But someone else has broken that look for me. Actually, I'll give two examples you should check out. First is my old friend Kat. Kat is as frustrated as I am about some of the trends, but this weeks she's asked for some input and wants to know one song that you think should be getting airplay that isn't. Go tell Kat what you think needs to get some spins, and why. (Now, Kat, once the list is filled why don't you forward this to your old buddies at KSBJ? Just a suggestion.)

And then there's Joy. Joy is in the music scene, having recently released her first album. She, too, feels skeptical of mainstream Christian music. In a post yesterday she commented how much she has been loving listening to Phil Wickham's album Cannons because it does not feel manufactured, off an assembly line. But she also posed a couple of questions:

What do you want to hear? What do you need to hear musically? Is there a part of the Christian walk that is not being addressed by artists? If you could make a request as to what kind of song you wanted someone to write, what kind of song would it be?
So, you want to break the circle? Go comment on Joy's post and give some creative suggestions.

That will be all for today.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great links E.!! I'm also very passionate about this topic an posted on both blogs. Thanks again, Kevin

Kate McDonald said...

As a family member to 3 CCM artists, I am really glad this discussion is moving outside of the industry and to the consumers!!! ITs time for radio (especially, in my opinion) to catch up with new music!!!

euphrony said...

Kate, I've traced two (your hubby and sister). Who's #3?

Actually, I would have to say that there have been many consumers having this conversation for a long time. Many felt their comments/complaints were falling on deaf ears and long ago wrote of Christian music. I think that now, though, the industry has a much harder time ignoring the voice of the potential or disgruntled consumer and so it is really becoming a conversation.

The thing is, and talking to people like Brant Hansen at WayFM, I see their side a little. From the industry perspective they have been giving the consumer what they want. Like Kat pointed out, though, it's circular thinking; they have so narrowly defined the consumer that it is no longer possible to differentiate when the industry or the consumer is driving the music selection.

Kat @ Inspired To Action said...

E,
I wondered the same thing about Kate's comment, but then I remembered who her sister just married...

Kat @ Inspired To Action said...

Thanks for getting the word out about my little project...

euphrony said...

Kat,
Yeah, it hit me about ten minutes after I asked. And, no problem . . .

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