The Top Christian Music Stars

Meet today's top gospel, Christian Contemporary and Christian rock artists.

By Dena Ross

Christian music is a vast genre that encompasses many different artists and sounds--from traditional black gospel to religious rock, spiritual pop, and R&B. Although most Christian artists are relegated to Christian radio and bookstores, a select few make the crossover to the secular music mainstream. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the Christian/gospel category was one of only four genres that saw its overall album sales grow last year, proving that many artists of faith not only have an impact on other Christians, but also on music lovers everywhere. The 14 artists we profile here represent the most popular sounds in Christian music and demonstrate an ability to create music that people of all walks of life appreciate. They are also role models for Christians everywhere, as they live their values by spreading the gospel and getting involved with humanitarian work.

Yolanda Adams

Described as the "First Lady of Modern Gospel," Yolanda Adams blends gospel music with an R&B feel. She's snagged a number of awards, including several of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards, an American Music Award, a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award, and a number of Grammys, including Best Gospel Song two years in a row--in 2006 for "Be Blessed" and in 2007 for "Victory." In addition to making music, Adams focuses her time on children's issues, such as advocating for immunizations for children of low-income families.

Jars of Clay

Many Christian bands who've successfully crossed over into mainstream radio have Jars of Clay to thank. In 1995, when the group released its self-titled debut album, one of the songs, "Flood," became a nationwide radio hit. Since then, the album has gone multi-platinum, and the band has gone on to win three Grammys. In 2002, after lead singer Dan Haseltine returned from a trip to Africa, the band founded the nonprofit Blood: Water Mission, dedicated to raising awareness and money for clean water and AIDS education in Africa. In 2006, after releasing "Good Monsters," Hasteltine told Beliefnet he noticed more young people getting involved with Africa: "This next generation is recognizing that a part of their faith is to actually get their hands dirty, to connect with people...to be involved in what it takes to reach into that suffering and own some of it."

Casting Crowns

One of the top-selling Christian groups of all time, Casting Crowns is also one of the top touring bands in America, according to Pollstar. Yet another example of how gospel acts are exploding across the country, Casting Crowns--which started out as a student worship band in Daytona Beach, Fla.--now plays sold-out shows around the globe. In 2006, they received a Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Album for their sophomore release, "Lifesong." Despite the band's success and busy schedule, Mark Hall still works as a youth pastor for Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. In a 2006 interview with Beliefnet, Hall said: "Ministry is not the end to me, it's the overflow of what happens with your one-on-one time with God, and when it's not, it becomes a job--and that's when you're done."

CeCe Winans

CeCe Winans comes from music royalty. All 10 of the Winans children and their parents have achieved success in the world of gospel music. Winans has a number of Dove Awards and Grammys under her belt, including Best Gospel Performance and Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 2006 for "Pray," off her chart-topping album "Purified." This summer she will be hosting the Always Sisters Conference in Nashville, which aims to teach girls about AIDS, teen pregnancy, and suicide. In a 2005 interview with Beliefnet, she spoke about her faith in Jesus, whom, she says, "orders my footsteps." She said, "My prayer is that I could have a heart like His; full of compassion..." She is currently working on an album of hymns set to be released this year.

Rebecca St. James

Australia native Rebecca St. James has been making danceable Christian pop/rock for more than 16 years. In a recent interview with Beliefnet she said she's grateful for the creative freedom Christian rock artists enjoy. "People understand now that it's not the devil's music," she said. "Twenty years ago Christian artists like myself would have been persecuted by members of the church because people felt like there was something essentially wrong in the drum beat." With her cool sound and style, St. James recently won ChristianityToday.com's 2006 Reader's Choice Award for Best Female Artist. She also co-hosted the Gospel Music Awards last year with Kirk Franklin and was a spokeswoman at the White House's National Day of Prayer. She's preparing to launch SHE (Safe, Healthy, Empowered) in Australia and New Zealand, an initiative aimed at empowering women to live Christian lives according to biblical principles.

Israel and New Breed

As head worship pastor at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Israel Houghton and the band he co-founded, New Breed, are famous for their unique sound blending gospel, jazz, and rock. Their music has been described as a "multicultural worship experience." Twelve years ago, Israel, his wife Meleasa, and friend Aaron Lindsey founded New Breed Ministries, comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve their own churches and perform worship concerts across the country. Israel and New Breed have won a number of Dove Awards and recently took home a Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album for their "Alive in South Africa." In an interview with Charisma magazine, Houghton said he writes songs to build his listeners' faith. "People are saying, 'The more I say [the song lyrics], the more I believe it, the more I'm walking it out,'" he says. "I have a tremendous responsibility as a worship leader to write the words people wish to say."

Switchfoot

Switchfoot is one of the few groups to enjoy consistent mainstream and Christian radio play in recent years. Their 2003 album, "The Beautiful Letdown," was certified double platinum and sold more than 2.5 million copies, thanks to hits "Dare You to Move" and "Meant to Live." In 2005, when their album "Nothing Is Sound," was certified gold, Switchfoot drummer Chad Butler spoke to Beliefnet about spirituality in mainstream music: "It's an amazing thing that I'd like to think is becoming more accepted--to have a spiritual dialogue in pop culture." Switchfoot is involved with humanitarian causes, including the ONE Campaign and Invisible Children, which aids former child soldiers in Uganda. The band also runs an online magazine called "lowercase people," which Butler says is "a way for us to shine a spotlight on people who are under the radar of the mainstream and to create awareness for communities around the world experiencing hardship."

Third Day

This Christian band has been attracting fans since its five members came together in the mid-'90s. Combining modern and Southern rock with gospel and worship, Third Day received national attention when they played at 2004's Republican National Convention and were the subject of a "60 Minutes" report about Christian rock. Bass player Tai Anderson spoke to Beliefnet in 2005 about Christian artists making it in the mainstream: "The challenge that comes with being in a Christian band...is you want to talk about spiritual things, but not in a religious, confusing way." The group won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album three of the past six years for "Come Together" (2003), "Wire" (2005), and "Wherever You Are" (2007). They are actively involved with charities including World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, and Invisible Children. In March 2007 they released "Chronology: Volume 1" a CD/DVD, the first in a two-part career retrospective.

Amy Grant

The legendary Christian pop singer has conquered all facets of media--music, books, movies, and TV. Amy Grant's iconic status began in 1991 when she recorded hugely successful crossover songs on her album "Heart in Motion," especially "Good for Me," Every Heartbeat," and "Baby Baby," which became a number-one pop hit. Since then she's become the best-selling Christian Contemporary (CCM) artist, having sold over 25 million records. In 2006 she hosted the short-lived NBC reality show "Three Wishes." That same year, her "Rock Of Ages...Hymns & Faith" won a Grammy--her fifth. Also in 2006, she became the first Christian music artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In a 2005 interview with Beliefnet, Grant reflected on the power of music. "It lifts the heart and buoys up your spirits-all kinds of music," she said. "People should just find the music that helps them through the day and enjoy that."

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin started playing the piano at 4, when his grandmother collected aluminum cans so she could afford piano lessons for him. He became his church's music director at 11. With his blend of gospel, hip hop, and R&B, he is one of Christian music's shining stars for his ability to put a modern spin on choir music. His professional career began in 1993, when he released his first album, "Kirk Franklin & The Family," which not only crossed over into mainstream R&B markets, but became the first gospel album ever to sell a million units. Since then, he has collaborated with many of the Christian industry's most popular stars--Mary Mary, Donnie McClurklin, and tobyMac--as well as mainstream artists such as Bono and Mary J. Blige. Today, he focuses mostly on leading his gospel choirs Kirk Franklin & the Family, Nu Nation, God's Property, and Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC. Nevertheless, his album "Hero" won two Grammys this year--one for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album and another for Best Gospel Song ("Imagine Me"). His Nu Nation Ministries encourages young people to share their talents and "prepares them to share their faith in innovative ways."

David Crowder Band

As one of the nation's biggest Christian worship bands, The David Crowder Band (DCB) has headlined with the likes of Michael W. Smith, MercyMe, and Third Day. And with their popularity among people younger than 40, they've proven that Christian praise doesn't have to be boring. Most recently, the band was named MSN's Artist of 2006, beating out established mainstream artists Prince, Christina Aguliera, INXS, and Kenny Chesney. With an alternative/electronic rock sound and intelligent lyrics, DCB was created in 1996 as a way to reach college students who felt separated from the church. Since 2002 they have released at least one album per year, most recently with hits A Collision (2005) and B Collision (2006). The band recently began work on their next album and are taking advantage of their young audience's web savvyness--and our culture's obsession with reality TV--by creating a website which allows fans to follow DCB via live webcam.

Michael W. Smith

Christian contemporary music legend Michael W. Smith--also known as "Smitty"-- didn't start his professional career in front of a microphone. Instead, he took a behind-the-scenes approach, penning successful hits for big-name gospel stars like Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, and Amy Grant in the early '80s. Since then, he's become a Grammy Award-winning star in his own right, and made the transition to the big screen with 2006's "The Second Chance," in which he plays an associate pastor and musician at a wealthy suburban megachurch who is forced to work with a black pastor at an inner-city church. In a Beliefnet interview, Smith spoke about the challenge of forming community at megachurches and emphasized the need for home groups. "I think there's some megachurches, or any church for that matter, who are trying to lure the audience in, and they're using entertainment," he said. "Because of that, you're watering down the Gospel." In 1994 he founded a teen club, Rocketown, in Nashville, to provide a safe place for young people. He is active in Billy Graham Crusades and The Samaritan's Purse, a ministry headed by Franklin Graham. In 2006 he released the pop/worship album "Stand."

MercyMe

Contemporary Christian worship band MercyMe has been praising the Lord for over 13 years. Their 2001 album "Almost There" spurred the hit "I Can Only Imagine," which, despite mentioning "Jesus" throughout its lyrics, became a staple on mainstream radio stations. The achievement was noteworthy because until then, most Christian artists who found mainstream success did so with lyrics that weren't explicitly Christian. In 2006, lead singer Bart Millard told Beliefnet, "Whenever a Christian artist goes mainstream, people want them to be our new martyr or poster child or to be exactly what we think they should be. You just have to believe God has them in the place they're supposed to be." Last year, the group was nominated for a Grammy for their album "Coming Up to Breathe" in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category, and this year they are up for two Dove Awards for "Group of the Year" and "Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year." "It's been an amazing journey," Millard said. "And instead of asking, 'Why am I part of this?' I am really grateful that I can be part of it."

Flyleaf

As the baby of this group, the Christian alternative rock band Flyleaf has a much different look and feel from the others--harder, louder, and edgier. And with their 2005 self-titled debut album, which recently went gold, they've proven that a rough sound--their lyrics have been described as "pained"--can mesh nicely with a positive message. Because they attract a much younger audience than many of their counterparts, Flyleaf has had strong success in the mainstream, specifically on MTV and FUSE, where many of their fans probably don't realize the band is Christian. The group is lead by Lacey Mosley, a devout Christian with a tattoo of a dove and the Trinity symbol on her shoulder blade and possesses a voice much more powerful and passionate than her petite (4'11") figure suggests. The band recently teamed up with the charity World Vision and Christian rock band Skillet on a "Justice & Mercy Tour," while also landing gigs with mainstream acts like Staind, 3 Doors Down, Saliva, and P.O.D.

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