It has been a while since I have posted a CCM Backbeat. As some of you know, I was raised listening to Christian music in the 80s and 90s. It was the soundtrack for my growth in the faith, and it still holds a special place in my life. With that in mind, I thought I would post the … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: Top 10 Christmas Albums
Carman Licciardello, simply known as Carman, who rose to Christian music fame in the late 80s has died unexpectedly due to complications following hiatal hernia surgery. Many have already written about his legacy and the details of his life and death. One article worth reading is this one at Christianity Today. Carman’s music and videos … Continue reading Carman: A Soundtrack of My Youth
If you have spent any time on this site, you will know that social media is a regular topic of discussion. There are some benefits to some of these platforms that keep me connected on a limited basis, but, not to put too fine a point on it, most of the social media experience is … Continue reading Steve Taylor Takes on Social Media with His Song, Rubberneck
This one is purely for fun. In 1985, in response to Band Aid and the gathering of secular artists around a cause, Steve Camp gathered upward to 90 Christian musicians to form the C.A.U.S.E (Christian Artists United to Save the Earth). They recorded the song, Do Something Now, and the accompanying video below. This video … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: How Well Do You Know 80’s Christian Music?
In the 80's, as we know, video killed the radio star, and secular music set the trend that Christian music slowly followed. There were two reasons why Christian music was slow to begin producing quality music videos. First, there were budget issues. Producing an album in the 80's cost tens of thousands of dollars. The … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: Top 10 Christian Music Videos
Bob Kauflin, formerly of the group GLAD, did us a favor and pulled out a song written in 1980 to reminded us how a song can stand the test of time and speak to us in our current situation. Even in quarantine, we have every reason to be glad. Here is what Bob wrote: A … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: GLAD in Quarantine
With everything going on, I thought I could benefit from a break from all the current events for a CCM Backbeat. Hopefully you will be encouraged as well. Here are five classic CCM songs of comfort. 1. He Will Make Always Make a Way - Farrell & Farrell (1984) Let's start with something a little … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: 5 Songs of Comfort
As I mentioned in an earlier post, one thing I appreciate about early contemporary Christian music is that it was not afraid to take a stand on issues, and it made no exception to that rule when it came to the evils of abortion. The good news with this topic is that several of today's … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: Taking on Abortion
Many people are familiar with the music of Dion (DiMucci) even if they do not realize it. In the early 60's he had a several rock hits. Two of his biggest were, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer. These songs made him a household name during this time, and in 1989 he was inducted into the … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: I Put Away My Idols by Dion
Someone once asked me, "What is one topic that you know way too much about that has nothing to do with your career or education?" My immediate answer was, "80's Christian music." Actually, it goes back further than the 80's. I am a collector of classic Christian vinyl records, and I listen to them regularly … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: Lyrics That Were Not Afraid
The Fight of Faith 