Christian country music

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Christian Country Music
Stylistic origins: Country, Southern Gospel, hymns, Jesus music
Cultural origins: mid 20th century by secular country music artists and Southern Gospel acts
Typical instruments: acoustic guitars originally but now features piano, drums, and many other instruments
Mainstream popularity: Popularized through secular artists such as Tennessee Ernie Ford, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton and Christian artists such as Del Way, David L Cook, Dottie Rambo and Carroll Roberson and shows such as the Grand Old Opry and Hee Haw
Subgenres
Bluegrass gospel
Regional scenes
southeastern and midwestern United States
Other topics
Gospel Music Association - Christian music

Christian country music, a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, also known as Country Gospel or Inspirational Country.

Christian country music has been around for generations. It originated as a blend of early mountain music, cowboy music and the music from the plantations of the Deep South. It was out of this blend of music that Southern Gospel music was birthed and was found primarily in the southern states. Today, Christian country music has blended with a new brand of music called Positive Christian Country music. The music tends to deal with life's problems and God's answers to those problems, and it doesn't sound like the religious music of years past. It has attracted extraordinary talent and quality in production, thereby making it palatable to the ears of the un-churched who like the sounds of today's country music. It's becoming a tool for evangelism all over the world and through it many churches have sprung up around the country with country gospel as their main musical format. They are known as Cowboy churches [1]

Contents

Many secular country music artists have recorded country gospel songs or have performed them on their radio and television programs. Tennessee Ernie Ford was known for including these types of songs at the conclusion of his weekly television show which in turn became one of the most successful segments. Other shows like Hee Haw[2], the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters Show [3], and the Statler Brothers[4] implemented the same programming style. The Grand Old Opry[5], one of country music's longest running and most popular shows, has always included gospel music as a part of its program.

In the past, most Christian country music was recorded by groups with southern gospel flair like the Oak Ridge Boys, The Cook Family Singers, Ray Price, Red Sovine, The Louvin Brothers and The Carter Family.

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Many Christian country organizations have been around for a great number of years. These organizations were founded in hopes of helping to further artists careers much in the same manner as the GMA, NARAS or CMA. Many of these organizations have yearly conventions which hosts music showcases and awards shows. The oldest Christian country organization is the International Country Gospel Music Association. This organization has been in existence for over 50 years and the current president is Chuck Day. [6]. Other notable organizations are the Christian Country Music Association headed by its president Gene Higgins. [7] The Country Gospel Music Guild [8] started by W.C. Taylor Jr, the Country Gospel Music Association headed by Billy Hale [9] and the newest organization, The United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians[10]. Although these organizations are under different titles and their membership may vary, their functions are primarily the same. One should note that the CCMA was sued by the CMA for award name right infringement. [11]. The CCMA renamed their awards show after a federal judge ruled that they could no longer use the name. The new name is the ICM Music Awards' which stands for "Inspirational Country Music".

Radio personality, Bob Wilson [12] has been airing his weekly show Gospel Country Round-up for many years playing southern and Christian country music. Bob was one of the first radio personailities to see the potential of the genre. Many Christian country stations today are going the way of internet stations. For this genre that is a positive move because there are a few mainstream radio stations that play a strictly Christian country format. Many country stations only have a weekly Sunday Country Gospel show. There are several online broadcasters that air 24 hour Christian country music. Some of them are; The Country Gospel Countdown hosted by Les Roberts[13] which has broadcast since 1984 and syndicated since 1988. Airing weekly, across North America, it also airs in Australia, Norway, Peru and Ghana. Ken's Country Radio Show hosted by Ken Mann [14], The Radio Hour hosted by Gene and Micki Farington of the Country Gospel Connection [15], and Tommy Smith's The Ranch radio show on KKUS. The Country Gospel Music Guild airs a weekly radio program while Circuit Rider Radio appeals to all ethnic groups and airs on conventional and satellite radio world-wide. XM Satellite Radio has a weekly one hour show called Stained Glass hosted by Dan Dixon that features both Southern and Country Gospel music and is heard all across the continental United States on XM-10 "America" channel. Other syndicated weekend shows that feature Inspirational and Positive Country music are, WRBQ-FM's "Rise Up", hosted by John Ritter. "Power Source Top 20" hosted Rich Miller and finally, American Christian Music Review (ACMR)with host Linda O'Brian. These programs are aired nationwide weekly on both Country and Southern Gospel radio stations.

  1. ^ Cowboy Churches
  2. ^ Hee Haw Show
  3. ^ Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters Show
  4. ^ Statler Brothers
  5. ^ Grand Ole Opry
  6. ^ ICGMA
  7. ^ CCMA,
  8. ^ Country Gospel Music Guild
  9. ^ CGMA
  10. ^ USAGEM
  11. ^ CCMA Sued
  12. ^ Bob Wilson
  13. ^ Gospel Country
  14. ^ Ken Mann
  15. ^ Radio Hour


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