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Description of CCM

 
Take the slick production values and pop instincts of mainstream pop and soul, add a heaping dash of lyrical spirituality, and the result is Christian Contemporary Music. Also known as CCM, it's the most forceful commercial statement yet to emerge from the broad category of Christian music. The Young Christian revolution of the mid- to late-1970s provided the industry with a ready audience for pop-oriented worship songs, and such artists as Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith have experienced unparalleled success over the last two decades working almost exclusively within CCM.
 

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CCM Key Artists

 
Amy Grant

Amy Grant is one of the
most influential names in
CCM--equally famous in the
secular music community as
in the Christian one. Grant...

Bob Carlisle

In his songs, Carlisle bills
himself as "a young boy
from Santa Ana" who "grew
up on James Brown,
Motown and Latin soul." C...

Carman

Carman has won numerous
platinum plaques for his
inspirational albums and has
broken records with his
free outdoor concerts. N...

Cece Winans

As popular as when she was
collaborating with brother
BeBe, CeCe Winans is a no
stranger to the concept of
secular crossover. CeCe i...

Dallas Holm

Holms employs a gentle
voice in addressing
Christian themes, backed
by acoustic arrangements.

Darlene Zschech

Zschech's passionate vocals
suit her worship-leading
song-styles, from
inspirational power ballads
to rocking live praise. She...

Kathy Troccoli

Sultry-voiced Kathy
Troccoli racked up a
following and stirred a little
controversy with said
sultriness back in the 198...

Keith Green

Outspoken pianist Green
stirred controversy as he
passionately and playfully
sang the Word he felt
compelled to spread. Gre...

Mark Schultz

Storyteller, worship leader,
intricate lyricist and piano
man, Schultz is CCM's
answer to Billy Joel.
Schultz's tunes were all b...

Matt Redman

Redman sings simple, from
the heart, mostly acoustic
praise and worship, with an
occasional twist of rock.

MercyMe

MercyMe deliver yielding
Southern pop-rock not too
far off the path from
Coldplay or Train.
Unknowns for seven year...

Michael Card

Card is a pensive musician
who prefers acoustic
arrangements and reflective
songwriting. Randy Scruggs,
son of legendary banjo pi...

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith has gained
a massive following through
his talents with catchy
melodies and
Christ-focused subject ma...

Nichole Nordeman

This breakout Alternative
Christian star marries a
sharp, Tori Amos-style edge
to melodic rock and pop
songs. Nordeman was disc...

Passion Worship Band

PWBs alt rock praise and
worship is delivered via
Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall,
David Crowder and
sometimes Matt Redman. P...

Rich Mullins

Mullins' rich folk voice and
adept instrumental
musicianship was equaled
only by his inspired and
celebrated songwriting. M...

Sandi Patty

Patty's high C-spiking voice
is a CCM institution. Her
music is extremely polished
and reflects the majesty of
the heavens.

Steve Green

This fine Singer-Songwriter
was biggest in the 1980s and
has ties to Sandy Patty both
professionally and
stylistically. From Steve G...

Steven Curtis Chapman

His sanctified mixture of
country roots, Lite Rock
fluency and contemporary
pop wisdom is a winning
combo with Christians. Ch...

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