Nichole Nordeman via Flickr @ CM Central |
Something else that's different about modern-day Christian music is its new reliance on digital music and social media. No longer do artists have to rely on simply getting heard on the radio and selling albums to be deemed successful. In fact, one of my new favorite artists, Kim Walker-Smith, isn't heard on contemporary Christian radio at all.
I don't think she even sets out to be a "successful" Christian music artist, she simply uses the gift of worship God has given her. Through albums produced by Jesus Culture and through people sharing her music through video on YouTube, she has become very well-known. She often breaks out into spontaneous worship and can be heard praying and singing in tongues as she sings. Listen to her sing "Rooftops" in the video below.
Christian music artist Mandisa got her big break on the hit reality show, American Idol. Others like Moriah Peters auditioned but didn't get past the first round. Still, she didn't let their rejection deter her and thinks of her experience as a valuable life lesson. I write more about these artists and others in my article, Ten Amazing Female Christian Artists.
No matter how these young, talented ladies have made it, one thing they mostly likely all have in common is that they never gave up. I find this commendable considering how difficult and competitive the music industry appears to be.
Moriah Peters in Bismarck, ND Photo by Cari Bousfield |
Some female secular artists like the late Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson got their start in the church but gave their gifts over to the world.
While I'm just stating a fact and not judging them for this, I often wonder what would have happened if they continued in Gospel music.
For Jennifer Hudson, she seems to make it work but we all know what happened to Whitney. I truly believe she was a Christian who struggled and fought against the wiles of the enemy and in the end, the enemy won.
I can only pray she is at peace with her Heavenly Father as I do believe she had received Christ as her Savior. Some people might not agree with this and that's fine. I do believe if she would have stayed in the Gospel music scene, she would still be with us today. Hearing her sing, "I Love the Lord," brings tears to my eyes every time.
For me, listening to my favorite female Christian artists and worship music is a great way to connect with my Heavenly Father. There is something about worship music that makes it easier to enter into His presence. This is true no matter where I am - driving around town, sitting at the office listening to Christian music on Pandora or at a Christian concert.
What about you? Who are some of your female Christian music artists and why do you like them? I would love to hear about it!