Did Praise & Worship Kill the Local Christian Music Scene?

[funkStrat_97]

This isn't a guitar specific question, but since those of us who hang out here in the guitar forum are cooler than everyone else on LGM, I think it might be a good topic to field here.

So, as per the title; do you think that local Christian artists have been in any way adversely affected (financially and even artistically speaking) by the prominence of P&W music?  On the hand, it would seem to be a strange and contradictory question; but do you think that the emphasis on the "worship experience" has taken away from the simple and pure enjoyment of the music itself?

[betnich]

Oddly enough, when I hear "P&W" I think CCM-heavy Guitar.

Artists like Israel Houghton have been instrumental in bridging the gap between black and white, CCM and Gospel styles, God-adressing P+W and more traditional 'tell-your neighbor' lyrics.

Good, but everything in balance (from someone old enough to remember the 1970's Disco Invasion of christian music). I think there is a danger of some on the P+W side thinking their way is the only right way, almost resenting time taken from their worship experience - while those on the other side may in turn resent being supplanted by a surfeit of P+W.

IMO there is room for a diversity of styles. A healthy church makes room for both...

[Fenix]

I'm not sure I really understand the question. Are you asking whether or not we believe that local artists are having to do away with their own style for the sake of P+W music?

What do you define by P+W music?

[gtrdave]

This isn't a guitar specific question, but since those of us who hang out here in the guitar forum are cooler than everyone else on LGM, I think it might be a good topic to field here.

So, as per the title; do you think that local Christian artists have been in any way adversely affected (financially and even artistically speaking) by the prominence of P&W music?  On the hand, it would seem to be a strange and contradictory question; but do you think that the emphasis on the "worship experience" has taken away from the simple and pure enjoyment of the music itself?

From my perspective as one who participates in both "P&W" and original "Christian" music, no.

[funkStrat_97]

To be honest, I wasn't really sure where I was going with this; it was more or less a random though that sort of popped in my head.  I guess too that my own exposure to any such "Christian music scene" has been fairly limited.  I had maybe two friends who even had a clue as to the goings on in the realm of Christian music.....one of them was virtually the forerunner of Wikepedia on the subject.  Most of my exposure, though, was centered more around the gospel music community.  But as time went on, it seems like those from my generation have graduated to Praise & Worship (not to mention that we are all so engrossed in our careers and family duties) leaving a small remnant to keep the scene alive on an even smaller level.

[Sweetplayer]

This maybe going out in left field.But,a praise team every Sunday

[jlynnb1]

there is a lot of "christian" music i listen to because i like it, but i don't think of it as worship.

i think the two are pretty far apart, can't imagine one adversely affecting the other....

[Fenix]

Why do you view CCM music as P+W music? To me, P+W music was any song or songs we played, regardless of the genre.

[musicbishop]

This maybe going out in left field.But,a praise team every Sunday

Our praise team sings every sunday 1 or 2 songs and our fellowship song. but our choir sings every sunday too. I think it's vital that your praise team sings songs designed for them and the choir sing songs designed for choirs. both play a very important part in our service *shrug*

[docjohn]

I think P+W,CCWM is suffering as most other genre's because of trying to be the next big thing.It seems like many folks are trying to "be discovered" or "you sound just like......"

Many bands that I play with are "formula " driven-you have to sound like the record.It's one thing to try and do an artist justice,but often times trying to do the whole note for note deal is tiring.

I refuse to play anymore CCWM that only allows simple triads,drones and all that crap for every song in the set.Last time the lead player was yacking about"simple";I calmly responded -if LORD gave me 10 fingers to play 13 notes-why not? It's one thing to play skillfully and NOT overplay-I get that.But-it's not the only way;otherwise you're just stifled.

What I think that does is create a catch 22.Forget creativity ,unless it fits a narrow band-you have a "narrow " audience.You lose folks -no reason to come hear you play blah,blah,blah-it's just as easy to hear that on the radio/CD.

A lot of the churches around me have essentially the same playlist,look the same,sound the same.All want the "high energy "stuff to draw a crowd.What a fair number of churches around here are doing is courting the college crowd and everyone else just needs to deal with it.I 'm glad there's a least SOME vision;but just overdriven guitar and pounding drums with questionable lyrics doesn't do it for me.

A LOT of performance-don't know about which spirit is driving.

[betnich]

Our praise team sings every sunday 1 or 2 songs and our fellowship song. but our choir sings every sunday too. I think it's vital that your praise team sings songs designed for them and the choir sing songs designed for choirs. both play a very important part in our service *shrug*

I agree. Ideally choir songs should be different (more call-and-response, vocal parts, etc.), and Praise songs easier for a congregation to sing. Unfortunately because of size and other limitations this is hard to do in most churches...

[Fenix]

doc, that was VERY well said and very true of churches in my area. They are heavily influenced by Hillsongs and sound just like them, note for note, effect for effect. It is uncanny and slightly stifling at the same time.

You also hit the nail on the head in that, in trying to get the young folk into the church, everyone else seems to just be by the way-side.

[betnich]

doc, that was VERY well said and very true of churches in my area. They are heavily influenced by Hillsongs and sound just like them, note for note, effect for effect. It is uncanny and slightly stifling at the same time.

You also hit the nail on the head in that, in trying to get the young folk into the church, everyone else seems to just be by the way-side.

IMO, this trend is LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) commercialism, and pandering to one coveted demographic at the expense of others. Like people in families, churches should be diverse expressions of their personalities, not clones of one another. Especially when it comes to multicultural and Black congregations. If I wanted a Hillsong-type experience I would go to a Calvary Chapel type of church (no slam on them, they do good).

I don't mind playing some CCM, but not living on a steady diet of it...

[Fenix]

I also enjoy my fair share of CCM, but once in a while I really need to bust out the Israel and Martha Munizi.

There is this phenomenal album by a group called Free Chapel or something. Israel performed and co-produced it.

[gtrdave]

I also enjoy my fair share of CCM, but once in a while I really need to bust out the Israel and Martha Munizi.

There is this phenomenal album by a group called Free Chapel or something. Israel performed and co-produced it.

I think Free Chapel is headed up by Jentezen Franklin. He's sort of the male version of Paula White albeit with a little less controversy. 

Ricardo Sanchez is one of their worship leaders and, yes, Israel Houghton has done some work on their albums.

[funkStrat_97]

I think Free Chapel is headed up by Jentezen Franklin. He's sort of the male version of Paula White albeit with a little less controversy. 

Ricardo Sanchez is one of their worship leaders and, yes, Israel Houghton has done some work on their albums.

"The Power of the Cross" is in our regular set rotation.

[gtrdave]

"The Power of the Cross" is in our regular set rotation.

We do their versions of "Moving Forward" and "Say So".

[Fenix]

I'm trying to see if we can pull off "Make all things new".

That song has one of the sickest grooves I've heard in a while.

[sjonathan02]

I agree. Ideally choir songs should be different (more call-and-response, vocal parts, etc.), and Praise songs easier for a congregation to sing. Unfortunately because of size and other limitations this is hard to do in most churches...

Wait, whut? How does it get any easier than call and response for a praise team?

I still don't understand the point of the question (as it is with most FS-style questions).  Are you saying that in some way, P&W killed local artists hanging out and playing music together?

[Fenix]

Mr Sjon, no offense, but if you played guitar, you would understand the question. This is why FS posted it here rather than in the Lounge.

**shrug**