Which Country Artists are Christians?

[Child Sponsor]

Which Country artists do you know to be Christians? You may have read an interview, heard something that they said, or heard their testimony. This could be really important information, so PLEASE respond.
Thanks.

 

[mando-fiddle girl]

Let me just ask, why is this such REALLY important information? What difference does it make to us? I mean, more than that it's nice to know that maybe our favorite country music artist is a Christian?

Anyway, Brad Paisley is a Christian, and he's in any case my favorite country musician and singer/songwriter, but I like him even more knowing he's a Christian. He always ends every album with a Christian song, he's said somewhere that it wouldn't feel right not doing that. And he does them really well, too. I'm just waiting for a pure gospel album, even if I love all of his albums.

 

[Key Peninsula Redneck]

I don't really think that it is possible to know for certain that someone is a Christian.

However, I do believe that Charlie Daniels is. He made an album of hymms, if you can find it.

Also, I think that Josh Turner is.

 

[dmiller]

Ricky Scaggs is a Christian, and so is Doyle Lawson. But then again, they are Bluegrass, and not Country.

To put a "gospel" song on the end of your CD's doesn't constitute being a Christian. Putting such a song on the end of every CD simply means that that particular artist is knuckling under to the demands of the recording industry, and trying to appeal to all folks, thus -- sell more "product".

Scaggs, and Lawson both live the life of a Christian, and speak of it frequently on stage. They both have testimonies they share, often, and not just in one song at the end of their newest CD.

Perhaps many are Christians, and if they are, I for one will support them over others, since they are my brothers/sisters in Christ. And whether or not these particular artists try to act "pious" on stage, it doesn't matter. It's how they live their lives that count.

 

[dmiller]

Redneck -- Charlie Daniels is one of God's own. He is another who has no problem sharing his testimony. Either on, or off stage. Have heard him speak many times on Christian Radio about his faith.

 

[dmiller]

posted by Mando-Fiddle Girl:
Let me just ask, why is this such REALLY important information? What difference does it make to us? I mean, more than that it's nice to know that maybe our favorite country music artist is a Christian?

Hmmm. Good question, but to answer yours, to me it is important to know who believes as I do. I would rather support a Christian artist, over a non-Christian one. Given the chance to buy 1 CD, and choosing between two artists, I would chose Doyle Lawson over Garth Brooks.

Garth promotes homosexual lifestyle in some of his songs. Doyle Lawson promotes God, and Jesus Christ. My question would be -- when they pass the "offering plate", to whom would you give your money??

I would rather give my money (ie -- buy a CD from), the one who is promoting Godly ideas, and not one who is promoting a lifestyle that is contrary to
God, and His Word.

So -- maybe it is not a life or death issue, however -- it is important!

 

[mando-fiddle girl]

.

To put a "gospel" song on the end of your CD's doesn't constitute being a Christian. Putting such a song on the end of every CD simply means that that particular artist is knuckling under to the demands of the recording industry, and trying to appeal to all folks, thus -- sell more "product".

No, it doesn't. But Brad Paisley isn't the victim of some recording industry. He writes his own songs, and he also records his own songs, not something that someone else told him to record. Many of his songs also have a great message, not only those "end songs" that are clearly Christian songs. Most of his songs are very thoughtful. Country music is about life, good or bad, and that's what I appreciate so much with it. It can be about God or Jesus, the Christian life, or about other situations in life that people want to sing about. Some country musicians write simple love songs, some write about life and hard times and songs that make you think. Brad Paisley is one of the later, at least for me. His songs are not just any songs, they are usually quite profound. Choose for yourself, but I believe that he is a Christian. We are not to decide who is a Christian or not, but this discussion was actually to tell who we BELIEVE is a Christian.
Even if someone does a whole record with hymns, that doesn't prove that he is a Christian. Every country artist has done a gospel CD, very few haven't. If we were to look at that, this thread would be useless. The thing we can look at is the specific artist's attitude towards that gospel CD.

 

[mando-fiddle girl]

Hmmm. Good question, but to answer yours, to me it is important to know who believes as I do. I would rather support a Christian artist, over a non-Christian one. Given the chance to buy 1 CD, and choosing between two artists, I would chose Doyle Lawson over Garth Brooks.

Garth promotes homosexual lifestyle in some of his songs. Doyle Lawson promotes God, and Jesus Christ. My question would be -- when they pass the "offering plate", to whom would you give your money??

I would rather give my money (ie -- buy a CD from), the one who is promoting Godly ideas, and not one who is promoting a lifestyle that is contrary to
God, and His Word.

So -- maybe it is not a life or death issue, however -- it is important!

Thanks for your reply, and I agree with you. I also prefer to support those who believe as I do (if they make the music that I like). Interesting about Garth Brooks. I didn't know that. What songs are that you are referring to?

 

[DixieBelle]

I respect those of you who want to only support artists who believe like you, but to me it's just not that big of an issue. If I like the music enough to spend some of my hard-earned money on it, then I'll buy the album. I think when we get to heaven we'll all be surprised....I think there'll be some folks there that we never thought would "make it" and there'll be folks missing who we thought would be there. When it comes to "celebrities" (be they athletes, artists, politicians, actors/actresses, or whatever), when you really stop to think about it, we only see snapshots of their life and the person that they are...but God, well, he sees the WHOLE picture, which is why, to me, the discussion of "who is and who ain't" a christian seems a little pointless, but that's just my opinion!

God bless!

 

[mando-fiddle girl]

I agree with you! For me the music is the most important thing, always. Then, I'm very fond of nice lyrics, not only Christian but all lyrics that are special somehow in the ways that I like (I have some favorite themes on songs...). Of course, I appreciate knowing that my favorite artists are Christians, but even if they weren't I wouldn't enjoy their music less for that.

 

[12volt_man]

Ricky Scaggs (sic) is a Christian, and so is Doyle Lawson. But then again, they are Bluegrass, and not Country.

True but don't forget that Ricky Skaggs had a stranglehold on the country charts during the 80's and early 90's and spearheaded the "new traditionalist"
movement that gave us George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, Foster and Lloyd and others.

To put a "gospel" song on the end of your CD's doesn't constitute being a Christian. Putting such a song on the end of every CD simply means that that particular artist is knuckling under to the demands of the recording industry, and trying to appeal to all folks, thus -- sell more "product".

I don't believe that's true.

There was a time, up until the mid 70's, that it was expected of a country artist to include at least one gospel song and maybe even an album, whether he was a Christian or not.

George Jones had several gospel albums out and didn't become a Christian until just a few years ago. Willie Nelson has several but will be the first one to tell you that he's not a Christian.

That day has passed. I don't think there are many music execs pressuring country artists to do gospel songs now.

On the other hand, bluegrass, since you mentioned Doyle Lawson, still has that tradition where a gospel song is expected. "Prayer Bells of Heaven", "Harbor of Love", "This World is Not My Home", "A Vision of Mother" and others are standards now.

Scaggs, and Lawson both live the life of a Christian, and speak of it frequently on stage.

Yes, Picky Ricky is very vocal about his faith. I used to know two of the guys in his band (Mike Rojas and Marc Pruett) so we would go to see him every time he came through town. He would often share his faith from the stage.

One night, the night before his father died, he told the audience that his heart just wasn't in the show (it was obvious...it was the only poor performance I've ever seen him give...but who could blame him) because his dad was very sick and that he was leaving the band to fly home immediately afterward.

He talked about his dad and how he had been a powerful witness to him as a child and segued into one of the best presentations of the gospel I've ever heard. I honestly expected him to give an alter call.

Perhaps many are Christians, and if they are, I for one will support them over others, since they are my brothers/sisters in Christ.

On that note, I have to disagree.

I'm happy that an artist has found Christ, but if they're not a particularly good artist, what's the point of choosing them over a better artist who might not be a Christian?

 

[12volt_man]

Which Country artists do you know to be Christians? You may have read an interview, heard something that they said, or heard their testimony. This could be really important information, so PLEASE respond.
Thanks.

Chris Hillman
Vern Gosdin
Buddy Miller
Junior Brown
Tony Villanueva (Derailers)
Grey Delisle
Marty Stuart
Connie Smith
Mac McAnally...

...are all Christians.

 

[kwimmer]

Sara Evans.

 

[NBBC]

Randy Travis

 

[MaryS]

I'm not familiar with some of the Christian artists people have listed, but good to know.

I mostly favor them by what songs or CD's they have made that I find inspiring.

The most recent CD I purchased was LeAnn Rimes "You Light Up MY Life" and my favorite songs from that are: I Believe; Ten Thousand Angels Cried (if you missed this one, it is about the crucifixion) ; Clinging to A Saving Hand; I Know Who Holds Tomorrow; Amazing Grace; and her acapello version of The Star Spangled Banner.

I also like Donna Fargo's 'You Can't Be A Beacon' and 'If You're Somewhere Listening'

 

[MiccyNarc]

Gretchen Wilson mentions being a Christian in a couple of her songs, but considering her other music, I sort of doubt it.

 

[12volt_man]

Just read an interview with Kate Campbell in an old issue of No Depression where she talks quite openly about her faith in Christ and how it affects her music.

She's the daughter of a Southern Baptist pastor and is very active in her church.

 

[wheredaluv]

Martina McBride and Sara Evans are. Sara Evans was on TBN (or was it 700 Club) giving her testimony. Martina has talked about her faith before. They both have been baptized.

 

[redcountrytruck]

You guys should check out Amy Grant. She is a christian country artists. She's so great. One of my favorite performers and she has tickets on sale. That's the greatest part. IT's like pure luck that I fell upon this topic. I was just searchin the web at UMVD and I came across tickets for her show in florida. I don't live over there, so I thought i'd pass it on to you guys. And the best part is that you get to meet n greet her before hand. IT's great. So, go to ebay on the universalmusicstore.com part and check it out. Theres only a day or so left. Tell me what you think or if you get them!!! Good luck

 

[Chickie~Roo718]

Does anybody know for sure if Alan Jackson is a Christian? From some of his songs, I'd almost say he is, but I've never heard him give a testimony or anything...He has been my favorite since I was 2 years old and I would love to know for sure...