What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I have varying tastes in music ranging from souther gospel, to black gospel.
Various artists I listen to are, Gold City (personal fav) Brooklyn Tab, Michael W Smith, Imperials, Bill Gaither, Gateway Choir, Nelons, Keith Green, Don Moen, Phil Driscol, 4him, just to name a few.

As you can see my tastes are varied.

Who do you like to listen to?

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I'm not much into Christian music anymore. As a genre I like rock music the best. U2 is my favorite band.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

If I may ask, why is that?

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I dunno. I don't like the style of music and it's generally not very well done. And it's usually not very imaginative or contemporary in terms of style. More than that though, I find that the lyrics are too predictable and unimaginative. I find there is a real dirth of creative artistry in Christian circles. The same can be said of secular music as well in many cases. I get just as tired of hearing "Ooooo baby, I love you!" as I do "He is worthy of praise!". Yes, he's worthy of praise but how many songs do we need to say that over and over and over ad nauseum? It's all so predictable. Plus, I don't think from an evangelistic point of view that Christian music connects with unbelievers at any level, especially in the quality of music.

I prefer music and lyrics that are honest about God and the human condition and challenge me to be something better than I am and to actually DO something better than what I'm doing. There are lots of secular songs and bands out there that speak to these ideas and they're the ones I like listening to the most. That's why I like U2.

Please don't think I'm bagging on Christian music or the people who like it. I'm not. I grew up on Gospel music and love a good, hip shaking, hand clappin' choir song as much as the next guy. But after awhile it almost becomes narccisstic, imo, and tends to alienate us from unbelievers. I'd rather point to what God is doing in the world and use that as a bridge than to insist that unbelievers leave all that is familiar to them and completely change their tastes in order to be a Christian.

I hope that's not offensive to anyone. It's just my opinion. I'm often proven wrong, so I could be misguided about this too. Just answering the question posed to me.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I'm the same way... other than liking old stuff like J.D. Sumner, I've never been able to listen to Christian music. I even tried to force myself into liking it by buying a bunch of cd's but never liked them after spending all of that money... I think I was just trying to fit in with the church "youth" because I liked a girl at the time. lol. The stuff on our local contemporary christian station all sounds the same to me, and I usually can't listen to it for more than 5-10 mins before needing to change the channel.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

This is the exact reason my favorite music is almost all instrumental!

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

When I listen to contemporary Christian music I am struck first and foremost by the "blahhh" factor. Simple guitar strumming with a light drum backtrack and uninspired singing that sounds no better or different then a more vocally talented church member singing at a picnic.
Of course, I did most of my listening during the 80's and early 90's. There seemed to be actual variety and creativity then as opposed to the same 12 "worship and praise" songs that keep getting recycled by every Christian artist out there.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

Thanks for answering.
It helps me to better understand the answer by you explaining it.

I just like to listen to music that keeps me in a positive frame of mind.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

Do you like Classical?
I do when I am in the mood.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I do like a lot of classical and even some songs that don't really do anything for me, still amaze with their complexity. Just as a big architectural project amazes me by the fact that "someone actually DID this!".

I do love David Arkenstone, David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Enigma, and a number of Latin artists.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I haven't heard a lot of these artists, but I have heard Enya's Sail Away & only time.
Pretty songs.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

United, Israel & New Breed, Free Chapel, Mutemath, Abundant Life Church England, Desperation Band, Chris Tomlin, Big Daddy Weave, Kirk Franklin, Hezzy Walker, Fred Hammond, Gateway Church, J Moss, Deluge, Fee, Planetshakers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clark, Take Six, New Life Worship, BeBe & CeCe, Eagles, Chris Sligh, Third Day, Mercy Me, John Mayer, David Crowder Band, Switchfoot, Clint Brown (yes, I still listen to him so shut up!:)) , Woody Rock, Tye Tribbett, Marcos Witt, Starfield, The Singletons, Manafest, KJ-52, Parachute Band.....I'm tired, but yes, I listen to ALL of these and more! And...I get paid for it:)

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

That is right.
How is that DJ job doing?
Is the shows archived?

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

Nope, only live...it's cool, I get emails from around the world, last week some staff at a church in Scotland had me do a shout-out for their pastor who was away on vacation (or holidays as they say it), they all listen regularly!
As far as getting paid, my other job is Program Director, so I sit for hours and listen to new music...pretty kewl??? This new cat, Chris Sligh floors me, a big ugly dude from American Idol...he recorded a christian album and has a tune, "Empty Me"...man, you gotta hear it!

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I enjoy classical music, basically from Bach to the late romantics but my love is Jazz! I don't like Kenny G junk. That is not jazz. It pop music on a sax. But I listen to music from the swing era (Ellington, Basie, Waller etc) to the straight ahead guys of today, but my era is Bebop- (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell, Max Roach). Music that reaches your heart and head.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I like the Classic "alternative" Christian pioneers - that's about it for Christian music. Daniel Amos, Steve Taylor, 77s, The Choir, Lost Dogs and The Swirling Eddies. Also, some bands that were Christians, but not on a Christian label - such as King's X and The Call. Very thought provoking, lyric intensive.

Also a big fan of Coldplay, U2, The Beatles, Chris Cornell, Pink Floyd, anything Dave Grohl does, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Verve, Beck, The National.

Particularly the new Coldplay album is very spiritual and inspiring.