Sunday, October 12, 2008

Things I love: Music Part II

Here is the continuation of my post about one of my favorite things: Christian music. There is so much to say and I know I'll leave stuff out. But I'll try my best. Please click on the links to hear from the various groups and artists if you'd like to hear them.

As far as groups go, my old stand-by is Hillsong Australia, and my new favorite is Gateway Worship. Kari Jobe is simply amazing. She has recorded a solo CD independent of Gateway, and if you haven't heard her, please take a moment to go to her site.

Now, my absolute favorite is Chris Tomlin. This whole post was going to be about him, but I decided that might be a little too stalker-ish. Plus my husband might get a complex if I spend more time talking about CT than I do about him. If you've never heard of Chris Tomlin, here you go:



He does such a good job with this beautiful old hymn, adding his own style and chorus to it. So, so beautiful. I'll probably do a post about him anyway, eventually. Hee hee.

Christian music has evolved so much over the years that anything you listen to in the secular realm, you can find the same sound (with better lyrics) in Christian music. Do you like Rascal Flatts? 33 Miles is for you. Do you like Southern rock (think "Sweet Home Alabama")? Then Third Day is right up your alley. Or if you are hooked on American Idol, there's Chris Sligh and Mandisa. I could go on and on. Each of these bands and artists, while being influenced by others, have their own unique sound.

There are so many other artists I could list here as my favorites, including our worship pastor Brent's band, Altered. Not to mention my good friend, Jennifer Begrin. I was even in a band called Driven for several years with my friends Sherry and Billy. We are still each other's favorites to sing with...with the addition now of Brent. You put the four of us together in a room with no intention of singing, and eventually the guys will drag out the guitars and we'll start singing four part harmony like nobody's business. And laughing till we cry. There's even a line about that in a Newsboys song...

Listening to this kind of music makes me excited to go to church and be able to, with our worship team, lead our congregation to worship the God who loves us so much. This is the kind of stuff we sing on Sunday mornings. Relevant, alive songs that fit today's generation. Yes, we also sing the hymns of yesterday, because some of those old songs never get old, but we do them with updated music so that the average person who hasn't lived in church like I have all my life can listen to them and know that they still apply to their lives.

I'm not sure if this conveys how much I have loved and will forever love Christian music, but I hope it does give you a glimpse into the genre. You can always head over to K-LOVE to find out if they broadcast in your area, or you can listen online.

So, those of you who listen to Christian music, who are you favorites? David Crowder? Natalie Grant? Jars of Clay? I'd love to find out!


20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heart David Crowder. I keep telling Scott that we should go to his church in Texas one day. His lyrics and his heart are simply beautiful.

Maybe we should go on that cruise with all of the christian artists. I think CT will be there. So will Casting Crowns, Crowder, Mercy Me and tons more. Sound like a good time??

Kat said...

Casting Crowns. It's all about Casting Crowns.

Darlene said...

They absolutely have some GREAT Christian music out there now!!! I really enjoy it, along with many other types!

Trixi said...

As you have probably guessed, Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone, is on of my all time favorites. Then I would have to say I don't think Casting Crowns has a single song that I don't love!!!! I also, have to say that I love old hymns. The meanings behind the writing of songs like How Great Thou Art are just amazing. I will take a How Great Thou Art or Blessed Assurance anyday. I hate it that a lot of churches are doing away with the old hymns. It's sad. I want to try to go over the hymns and the stories behind them in our homeschool this year. Ephesians 5:19

Debbie said...

Oh I love Christian music...and we also have a contemporary Christian worship band at church on Sundays that is fabulous. I love love love Nichole Nordeman. She is a brilliant songwriter...I saw her at the Women of Faith Conference several years ago with my other favorite Natalie Grant. I also love Mercy Me and Jeremy Camp. My kids are really into it and my son belted out Laura Story's song "Mighty To Save" at school the other day!! Yes, school! It cracked me up when he told me. Both my kids are loving Christian music as well because that is all we listen to in the car or house...so much of it is so good and edifying and leaves you filled instead of empty. My daughter can sing Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace- My Chains are Gone a capella sending goosebumps all over...That makes me prouder than the fact that she knows most of Hannah Montana's songs by heart as well.

Great Post Heather...and HI KAT!!!!

Lady Dorothy said...

Hi! Thanks for coming by my place last Thursday on our BATW tour! I hope you'll visit again!

I don't think I can pick a favorite Christian artist at this time. I think I'm going through a "I love everything" phase!

Lisa said...

I love the new take on old hymns. As a worship leader I am always looking for ways to freshen things up especially for the under 50 group. iWorship has a DVD of hymns now and I love it!

Oh and Chris Tomlin rocks!!

Lisa Q

Unknown said...

I can understand why you love this music, it is calm, peaceful and smooth. I personally don't listen to this but I like everything calm - with a soul, so I could listen this genre too.

Thanks for the post I have learned something new today.

Smiles, Suzy

Kategra said...

yeay ... grats for your amazing blog ... :D if you are a Chris Tomlin fan .... I have a lot of music videos on my blog http://christian-vids.blogspot.com/

Sarah Mae said...

I have a hard time finding Christian music I really like. I've been using pandora, and so I have come across more unique Christian music. One of my favorites is Shane Barnard, who is now Shane & Shane. I think that musically and lyrically they are amazing and so talented. Love love love them. Sara Groves is another favorite.

Shannon said...

I have been to several Jars of Clay concerts but my favs are Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and Point of Grace.

Heather - Sanctified Woman said...

Soo good to find you!
I found you from Jen's blog.

This video has to be one of our family favorites.

We too love Casting Crowns, but also Jeremy Camp, classical Stephen Curtis Chapman.
Do you remember Chrystal Lewis, 4 Him, Phillips Craig and Dean?

Fun!

Liz Harrell said...

I love Third Day. And KLOVE has kept me from many a display of road rage in rush hour traffic. :)

Darlene said...

You definitely need to take the time to go to a Pumpkin Patch....y'all would have so much fun and just think of all the memories!!!

Heather - Sanctified Woman said...

Hey!
Also meant to tell you that my hubby's family lives in MS! Quitman/Meridian and we have other family in Jackson.
Now back to real life... :)

The Beauty Bargainista said...

There are so many that I love. Israel and the New Breed, Casting Crowns, Building 429, Rescue, the list goes on and on! :)

"Intentionally Katie" said...

I love so many...Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Third Day...so many!

{oc cottage} said...

Crystal Lewis is a hometown girl and I love her...Salvador, Third Day, Hillsongs of course...oh there are too many!!!!!!!!!

M ^..^

Kimba said...

Oh how I love Christian music. For me, music is such an integral part of worship. I can just lose myself in the Lord with the right music. Jars of Clay was the first Christian group that I really loved although there have been many since.

Our old church has the most wonderful contemporary service with the most rockin' music. I miss it all the time.

Aunt Tea said...

perhaps it was music posting week. i too had a music post, which is why i hopped from a comment over to your blog Ü

currently chris. t. is my fave. there are others but i have a time remembering the names. my daughter plays the music often. lately i have had to be in the car more so klove is keeping me company.