Has There Ever Been a Contemporary Chirstian Music Artist Who Was Catholic?

Cafe Society
1

I think the title pretty much says it all, but if you’re looking for further exposition…

The local contemporary Christian music (or “Christian pop,” as I call it) station around here seems to give off an Evangelical Protestant vibe, for reasons that I can’t readily identify or explain (although I can say for certain that the station manager attends an Evangelical Protestant church, mainly because he’s named it on the air). I’ve lived in a couple of other cities in the US and the same seems to be the case there, too.

Anyway, I’m curious if there’s ever been a Catholic artist to have a hit in contemporary Christian music. I see no reason why young Catholic musicians would shy away from recording CCM, but then again I don’t see CCM artists publicizing their particular denominational affiliations, either, so who knows?

Can anyone name some names?

2

There are a few. One of the most notable is John Michael Talbot.

As a Catholic, I’d LIKE to be able to embrace current Christian music… except that so much of it is so lame, both musically and lyrically. Way too much of it is the equivalent of a bad Journey ballad with “Jesus” inserted in place of a girl’s name.

Talbot has a few songs I like, though I’m not a huge fan. I give him credit for grappling with some tough religious issues, rather than being a mere “cheerleader for God,” as I think too many popular Contemporary Christian acts are.

3

Many Catholic music composers
create their works as liturgical pieces, pieces designed to be incorporated in a mass. That does not always translate well to 3 minute tracks on the radio.

That being said…

Dana is one other artist who seems to aim for the radio market

Others here

4

well, John Michael Talbott just got taken! L

Hildegard von Bingen got some well-deserved attention a few years ago. (Not bad for a Medieval chick!)

5

Maire Brennan

Though Clannad’s work isn’t considered Christian her solo stuff is and she is Irish Catholic.

6

:smiley:

Anyway…continuing this hijack. One Christian (Though not, I think, Catholic, so this is completely irrelevant to the OP) band that avoids being, well, crap, IMO, is Reliant K. Even when they’re lyrics get eyerolling (My Girlfriend*, for instance), they’re catchy. And they can mention Jesus and Baywatch in the same breath, as a friend pointed out to me one day. Then they also have the Pirates Who Don’t do Anything (possibly more famous because of the version used on Veggie Tails), which is just a bit of silliness.

  • Which contains the lyrics:
7

She’s not “CCM”, but Charlotte Church is Catholic, I THINK.

8

I thought Clannad was a family. In fact, I thought they were Enya’s family.

9

Yep. In fact I believe “Clannad” actually means “family”.

10

Does Janine Deckers (aka Soeur Sourire, aka Debbie Reynolds ) count? (And when are they gonna do a techno remix of Dominique? We owe her that much.)

11

It’s been done. I don’t know who did the remix (probably some anonymous club DJ in London or something), but I have it in my MP3 files. I’m listening to it right now. :cool:

12

How about the Dominican monks who recorded Chant? While the music may not be contemporary, the musicians are.

13

I’m sure plenty of believers with that “Evangelical Protestant Vibe” (like myself) applaud your sentiment … and metaphor!

digs
Listening to J.M.Talbot since his “Mason Proffit” days

14

The late Rich Mullins had some the most awsome Christian music ever IMOHO.
Give it a try…I think you just might like it. :slight_smile:

15

There’s more that dances on the prairies than the wind,
More that pulses in the ocean than the tide,
A love that is fiercer than a love between friends,
More gentle than a mother’s, when a baby’s at her side.

(and from another song)

And on this road to righteousness,
Sometimes the climb can be so steep,
I may falter in my steps,
But never beyond your reach.

Good stuff, that Rich Mullins. Too bad he died. :frowning: