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Young Listener’s Guide to Today’s Christian Music Artists
So your tweeners and young teens want to listen to “their” music, but you want an uplifting example for their impressionable ears? Here are some artists and groups to consider.
Note - this list will only contain national recording artists.
If you’re looking for uplifting Christian music alternatives to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers your tweens and teens can listen to, here are some suggestions. This is NOT a comprehensive list – there are other worthy suggestions, but this will get you started! In alphabetical order…
12 Stones http://www.myspace.com/12stones
12 Stones is a Christian hard rock band from Mandeville, Louisiana. Lead vocalist Paul McCoy was also featured in the successful Evanescence single "Bring Me to Life", for which he won a Grammy.
Above the Golden State http://www.abovethegoldenstate.com/
For the Portland trio know as pop/rock act Above the Golden State, the sheer lack of Christian culture in that town hasn’t been a problem. If anything it’s caused the guys to get serious about their faith -- and their music. Says Michael. “Through our songs, we want to encourage the Church to return to that fundamental truth. We are constantly pursuing God upward, serving God within our community and going into the world to share His message.”
Anberlin http://www.myspace.com/anberlin
Instantly charming audiences with their incessant choruses, shredding guitar lines and sheer pop-perfection, Anberlin immediately receives critical acclaim; presenting an alternative pop/rock sound that, while inflected with the earnestness of emo, was closer to the mature stylings of Third Eye Blind.
B.Reith http://www.myspace.com/breith
With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Lauryn Hill, B.Reith comes from a unique place that combines classic soul with modern hip hop. “God gave me an ear to pick up things,” says Brian. “My style is just an accumulation of what I’ve heard throughout my life, channeled through the unique talents that God has given me.”
Barlow Girl http://www.barlowgirl.com/index.htm
Barlowgirl is an all girl band made up of three sisters: Rebecca, Alyssa and Lauren Barlow. Barlowgirl has a passion to write songs about the journey that God has taken them on in their lives. Their main topics include trusting God, purity, and their stand on not dating.
Britt Nicole http://www.brittnicole.com/
The youthful and petite brunette speaks to her generation in a language they understand – seamlessly transitioning from drinking chai tea and texting friends to the deep desire to inspire her peers to be consumed with a passion for God and to know Him deeply.
Brooke Barrettsmith http://www.brookerocks.com/
At only 26, new artist Brooke Barrettsmith is a young woman who is completely comfortable in her own skin and thoroughly certain of her career path in Christian music. Adept at guitar and piano, as well as a prolific writer, her focus is on communicating the messages of faith and encouragement that are threaded throughout her music.
Charmaine http://www.myspace.com/charmaine
Her life as a modern-day gypsy has kept her anchored to her family and her life’s mission. With music at the core of their family, her parents committed their lives to music ministry and traveled the world as part of a vocal group.
Charmaine has now toured for 7 years with Rebecca St. James world-wide.
DecembeRadio http://www.decemberadio.com/
Ask anyone who has ever been to a DecembeRadio show to describe the experience and you'll get comments about the band's blistering stage show, an adrenaline-fueled rock spectacle that leaves audiences nearly breathless. Yet intertwined among the searing guitars and anthemic choruses is the unwavering commitment to spread the Gospel.
Disciple http://disciplerocks.com/index1.php
After more than 15 years of playing together, Disciple doesn’t just rock harder than most bands—they work harder than most of them, too. While the band enjoys getting their music to the masses, they’ve never lost their focus on the Christian community.
Eleventyseven http://www.myspace.com/eleventyseven
South Carolina-based Christian punk-pop trio Eleventyseven formed during high school and consists of Matt Langston (vocals, guitar), Caleb Satterfield (bass), and Jonathan Stephens (drums). Fed up with the negative messages being broadcast from today's music industry, eleventyseven feels it’s time to focus their musical energy on something more uplifting.
Everyday Sunday http://www.everydaysunday.com/
"We didn't start out thinking we wanted to be a crazy rock band. We just thought, hey, let's write a cool song." This one-step-at-a-time approach to music sums up the entire outlook of modern rock band Everyday Sunday. Everyday Sunday wants an outlet to share their faith through their musical passion and encourage others to stand firmly for what they believe.
Falling Up http://www.myspace.com/fallingup
Based out of Albany, Oregon, Falling Up originated while the guys were still in high school. Combining the intensity of modern rock and electronica with all the emotion involved in traditional praise and worship, Falling Up wants to prove their radical style is not a fleeting attempt at sticking to a trend, but a true declaration of the passion they hold for their ministry.
Fee http://www.myspace.com/stevefee
Fee is a Christian rock and Contemporary worship music band from Alpharetta, Georgia, named for the group's founder and front-man Steve Fee. The band melds celebratory and significant lyrics to its energetic, relevant rock; offering accessible songs with plenty of upbeat rock 'n' roll and worship choruses that will resound with worshippers from start to finish.
Family Force 5 http://www.familyforce5.com/
Family Force 5 (often abbreviated as FF5) is a Christian crossover crunk rock band hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. Known for their exciting live shows, the band has quickly grown in popularity.
FireFlight http://www.myspace.com/fireflight
While they are straightforward rockers, the Sunshine State band ramps up its live show to play alongside heavy acts. “We push it as heavy as we can without being metal,” says guitarist Justin Cox.
Flyleaf http://flyleafonline.com/
Heavy music and pained lyrics go together like cake and ice cream, and Belton, Texas quintet, Flyleaf, aren't about to break with tradition. But while many loud rockers reopen old wounds by singing about their broken homes and broken hearts, Flyleaf confront past traumas to heal old scars and prove in the process that hope shines brighter than despair.
FM Static http://www.myspace.com/fmstatic
Though the name FM Static might conger allusions of fuzzy radio noise and obscure sounds, the band’s actual music and mission couldn’t be clearer: Have fun and stay positive in your path to growing up. Originally formed from the workings of Trevor McNevan and Steve Augustine, both members of the highly successful Christian Rock group, Thousand Foot Krutch, FM Static was created from their natural love for the pop/rock genre.
Group 1 Crew http://www.group1crew.com/home.html
If the unique hybrid of hip-hop, rock, funk and soul wasn't enough to distinguish Group 1 Crew, their passionate message of hope and encouragement certainly will. Ultimately, Group 1 Crew hopes that even people who don't normally attend church will easily be able to identify the hope in Jesus that has personally changed each band member's life.
Hawk Nelson http://www.hawknelson.com/interim2008/
Since 2004, music lovers have enjoyed a real camaraderie with rising pop-rock band Hawk Nelson, helping the quartet sell nearly half a million albums, land personal appearances on major television and motion picture projects, and gain high-profile song placement ("Bring 'Em Out") with NBC's NFL Sunday Night Football campaign.
Hillsong United http://www2.hillsong.com/united/
Hillsong United is the Youth Ministry of Hillsong Church, which is all about raising up the next Generation, empowering them to use their creative gifts and talents to impact the world.
Jump 5 http://jump5.musiccitynetworks.com/
Even though they are now disbanded, Jump5 raised the bar for entertainment aimed at pre-teens and teens, creating a 'just for us' genre kids can't get enough of.
Kirk Franklin http://www.kirkfranklin.com/
One of this generation’s most dynamic Christian performers, Kirk has always been celebrated for weaving seemingly disparate musical influences-R&B, modern rock, hip-hop, pop, jazz, traditional gospel-into a seamless fabric, creating his own singular style and sound that truly transcends any and all boundaries of genre, race, denomination or societal background.
KJ-52 http://www.kj52.com/home/home.html
KJ-52 dives headlong into a new renaissance, boldly tackling sounds and words and ideas that at-once capture the dizzying array of galaxies in our media-drenched universe yet ultimately point to the One who holds time and space—indeed our planet, our very lives—together.
Kutless http://www.myspace.com/kutless
"We want to blow people away. At the same time, it's just as important to partner with the local church and youth pastors. We make sure that the people that come to see a Kutless show know that Jesus loves them, cares for them, and desires to spend time with them. We are humbled to be able to communicate Christ's love for people night after night."
Krystal Meyers http://www.krystalmeyers.com/index2.php
Faith is a spark that burns brightly throughout pop artist Krystal Meyers’ music. In a world where young artists seem to continually wind up as troubled tabloid fodder, she’s a successful recording artist who is incredibly grounded and ever mindful of her platform as an influencer.
Lanae Hale http://www.lanaehale.com/
Lanae Hale has emerged as a purveyor of the sort of sophisticated, artful, accessible melodies that cemented the reputations of groups like the Cranberries and Sixpence None The Richer. However, Lanae's music adds the vulnerability of her own challenging life story filtered through her singer-songwriter sensibilities.
Leeland http://leelandonline.com/
Passionate, progressive and worshipful are just a few adjectives to describe the band Leeland. A major theme in their music is to encourage our generation to live passionately for the Lord, even when it means going the 'opposite way' of the world.
Meredith Andrews http://www.meredithandrews.com/
Beneath her youthful exterior and fresh-faced exuberance, Andrews is a focused artist who knows exactly what she wants to say. She creates music that serves as a personal conduit for those seeking to worship God, and she also wants to remind others of God’s desire to reach them.
Pillar http://www.pillarmusic.com/home.htm
The Gospel message, carried by the incendiary crunch of distorted power chords paired with roaring vocals, over the cacophony of crashing drums and the bone-rattling thump of the bass.
Plumb http://www.plumbinfo.com/
Plumb, a.k.a. Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, occupies a distinctive niche: an artist whose passions communicate powerfully whether set to pulsing electronic beats, guitar-driven alternative rock or sweeping orchestral accompaniment. Her artistry is too compelling for any one genre to confine; her unforgettable voice, presence and message embrace all who hear her.
P.O.D. http://www.payableondeath.com/index2.html
With a 15-year career under their belts, P.O.D. has created what they describe as "a catalog of music that we want to respect and honor with each step into the future." P.O.D. is an exciting band with an expansive musical vision and a powerful message for our times.
Pure NRG http://www.purenrgonline.com/
From their energetic live performances to their deep-rooted desire to spread the gospel, pureNRG personifies the phrase “Faith in Action”.
Rebecca St. James http://www.rsjames.com/default.aspx
A multiple Dove Award winner as well as Grammy® winner, Australian-born Rebecca St. James has throughout the late ‘90’s until present been considered to be a major defining female voice in contemporary Christian Music. Also see the SHE Events that James hosts: http://www.sheevent.com/index.php
Red http://www.redmusiconline.com/
Red play hard rock music that occasionally flirts with metal influences. The quartet is identified as a Christian band, but their songs don’t contain overt references to religion or faith, although their lyrics’ implied spiritual themes have made Red popular on the Christian charts. Red flex a dynamic, dramatic quality in their songs that’s similar to the sound of groups like Shinedown and Linkin Park.
Relient K http://www.myspace.com/relientk
Canton, OH's Relient K formed in 1998 and joined the parade of Christian punk-pop artists (MxPx, Ghoti Hook, Slick Shoes, etc.) with their self-titled 2000 debut, mixing catchy melodies and snotty attitude with spiritual concerns. The band is actually named after Hoopes' "train-wreck heap of a car," a Plymouth Reliant K!
Remedy Drive http://www.remedydrive.com/
A four-peice, four-brother band (David, Philip, Paul and Dan Zach), Remedy Drive has been cranking out their own brand of music as a full time indie for the past 5+ years. With a message of hope for the searching and a desire to reach beyond a static life for something bigger, Remedy Drive combines a heart-on-a-sleeve sensibilities with their one-of-a-kind live show!
Sevenglory http://www.sevenglory.com/v2/home.php
Like any band with an insatiable need to act on its creative impulses, the members of sevenglory can’t help but get excited whenever the conversation turns to music—even if they could never collectively agree on a favorite band. Despite a menagerie of musical influences, including Jimmy Eat World, Radiohead, and classic rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band still has a singular goal: to craft catchy pop/rock songs that’ll stick with listeners for the long haul.
Seventh Day Slumber http://www.seventhdayslumber.com/
Dallas-based Seventh Day Slumber's lyrics mostly focus on issues that teenagers face, such as suicide, drugs, home abuse, drinking, sex, etc. but their total musical output points to the solutions found in Jesus Christ.
Skillet http://www.myspace.com/skilletmusic
Skillet's music is a mixture of hard rock, funk, punk, fused together with pure energy, and a strong love for the Lord, all thrown together in the pan!
Sonic Flood http://www.sonicflood.com/
At the heart of SONICFLOOd is a longing that transcends just making music; it is a longing to see people worship God wherever they are, geographically and spiritually. “We want to see people falling in love with Jesus Christ through this amazing vehicle and gift we call music. May we see greater revelation of just how much God loves His creation and then celebrate God’s love with our worship!” exclaims band member Rick Heil.
Stellar Kart http://www.stellarkart.com/
Stellar Kart's focus on youth drives its music and purpose. Steller Kart consits of 4 guys who range in age from 20-24,The Phoenix-based pop-punk band hearkens back to its youth group roots to produce music that is both edgy and fun while addressing relevant teen issues.
Stephanie Smith http://www.myspace.com/stephaniesmithmusic
Stephanie is a newcomer to Pop Christian Music. To date she has one CD out which drives hard with a pop/punk sound that reveals the energy she has for Christ. Currently she is signed with Gotee Records (TobyMac).
Superchic(k) http://www.superchickonline.com/blog/
Superchic[k] is a contemporary Christian band. Critics say their music blends styles such as punk, rock, rap, and R&B to form a unique musical blend, which some critics liken to the band 311.
Switchfoot http://www.switchfoot.com/
Recently nominated for 7 Dove Awards, including Artist of the Year, Switchfoot continues bringing its hope-filled brand of modern rock music into the mainstream with upcoming television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and On Air with Ryan Seacrest. "Everybody wants a story; this is ours. It’s not about putting on a show or trying to sell something. Being Switchfoot is all about putting a different foot forward, risking to change or be changed. Switchfoot is a rock and roll family of sorts."
Thousand Foot Krutch http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com/main.html
Thousand Foot Krutch, mutants of today's culture, have been infused by mixed breeds of music. The outcome is a creative force exploiting turntables, powerful guitars and dominant vocals. Tracks rock and groove from start to finish, causing even the skeptic to tap a foot.
TobyMac http://www.tobymac.com/
TobyMac ranks among the most successful artists in Christian music history. Universally recognized as a creative force, an artistic maverick and a prophetic voice for racial reconciliation, social justice and a fierce devotion to faith and family; he's also the most humble and approachable merchant of cool on the scene today.
The Afters http://www.theafters.com
This Texas-based band has been propelled into the national spotlight with their both their debut CD, I Wish We All Could Win, and their extremely popular follow-up, Never Going Back to OK. Taking their positive message to the culture, they have seen top ranks on MTV and myspace, spearheaded by their crossover hit song, "MySpace Girl".
The Almost http://www.thealmost.com/home.aspx
The Almost is a alternative band from Clearwater, Florida, most notable for being the side project of Underoath drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie.
The Rubyz http://www.therubyz.com/
Alexis Slifer, Olivia Huesmann and Caitlyn Wright describe themselves as “a couple of girls who love to sing and rock out for Jesus, spreading the message of God’s love.” Together they are The Rubyz.
The Wedding http://www.myspace.com/thewedding
The Wedding fuses elements of Christian punk, Christian rock, Alternative Contemporary Christian, pop punk, ska, piano rock, and post-hardcore with their pop rock base.
This Beautiful Republic http://www.thisbeautifulrepublic.com/
The hope of eternity is not easily articulated nor readily captured in song. Many try but few are successful in generating a genuine connection between the music, listener, and the feeling of a life beyond this one. Yet, where imagination meets the glory of a future reality is where you will find this Toledo, Ohio outfit.
Did we miss somebody? Let us know about your candidate artist or group that a tweener or young teen would like!
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