Casting Crowns![]() One of the most popular contemporary Christian rock bands today is the Grammy Award winning worship group Casting Crowns. Casting Crowns was initially formed in 1999 by Mark Hall who at the time was a youth pastor and eventually expanded to become a well-known student worship band in Daytona Beach, Florida. The original band members included Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes on guitar and Melodee DeVevo on violin.
Casting Crowns decided to leave the Daytona area and relocate to Stockbridge, GA in 2001. Once in Georgia the band expanded to include bassist Chris Huffman, accordionist and keyboardist Megan Garret, and Andy Williams rocking the drums. Skillet![]() Skillet, a Christian rock band, came onto the scene in 1996 when husband and wife John and Korey Cooper formed it. As with most bands, there have been several changes to the members, but John has stayed passionate about what he does and is the only remaining member of the original band. Based out of Memphis, Tennessee this band has taken the rock scene by storm with their Christian music, that appeals to everyone who likes good hard rock.
Skillet has released a total of eight albums since forming, but none have been as popular as their current album "Awake". People everywhere are requesting that the radio stations play "Monster" and "Awake and Alive" over and over again. Chris Tomlin![]() Christian singer and songwriter Chris Tomlin has been topping the christian music charts since his 2004 breakout album "Arriving." He is known for his worship songs and song writing. Tomlin sells millions of albums for his upbeat and inspirational music.
Churches around the country use Tomlin's music for their worship services. Chances are if you know a praise song, then it is written by Chris Tomlin. He is the most well-known worship artist among followers of many different denominations and religions. Some of his worship songs include "Indescribable," "Holy is the Lord," "How Great is Our God" and "Forever." tobyMac![]() TobyMac is one of the established stars of Christian music and has appeal in the genre of Christian rap/hip hop. From his start with the group, DC Talk, he has infused his music with an edge and rap beat that was unheard of before his rise to fame. He has had success in both record sales and concert tours, selling out arenas normally dedicated to rock stars.
TobyMac has done what few Christian artists have been able to do. Some of his music has crossed over to the secular world and has been used in TV shows, movie soundtracks, commercials and even the Super Bowl, when the Arizona Cardinals used his song, “Ignition” as their entrance music. Tenth Avenue North
![]() Tenth Avenue North is a christian band that formed in West Palm Beach, Florida in 2000. The group formed together while attending college at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and the band name was inspired from a major road in Palm Beach county. Their song writing style is similar to that of Mercy Me and the David Crowder Band.
Tenth Avenue North released a few independent albums and one EP before releasing their debut major label christian album, Over and Underneath, on May 20, 2008 on Reunion Records. Their song, "Love is Here," hit the top 20 on the christian billboard charts, and eventually, it hit the number three spot by June 21, 2008. MercyMe![]() MercyMe has had an incredible impact on thousands of lives through their work in the Christian music industry. Starting back in 1994, the band didn't have a clue how God was going to use them to inspire and encourage people all over the world with their worship songs. MercyMe has even been able to have an influence on people who claim not to have a religion by having some of their hit songs be played on mainstream stations. God can work incredible miracles if you just give him your hearts and your talents-MercyMe is a testimony to that.
Even though they weren't really truly appreciated for their work until after their smash hit, "I Can Only Imagine" in 2001. Their Christian album, Almost There quickly shot up to number one and eventually became certified double platinum. newsboys![]() Starting back in 1985, Newsboys have certainly made a name for themselves. Over the past two decades this Australian Christian pop Rock band has released 14 Christian albums. Many of their songs go straight to the top of the Christian music billboard charts.
This Christian music group was in constant flux. With every new album it seemed that they had replaced a few members. Newsboys tried breaking into the worship song genre, but they just weren't getting noticed. They became very good at song writing as they wrote many songs, some could be used as praise songs or even worship songs. Songwriter Steve Taylor joined Peter Furler, one of the two original members, to start writing songs for them. |
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