Christian Music Online

Booking Christian music acts

October 23, 2005 – 11:14 am

Bookings of Christian music acts growing - Mississippians will get a heavy dose of uplifting music from some of the best performers the Christian genre has to offer.

A variety of major acts from an alternative post-hardcore band to a light-hearted adult pop group are set to play area venues in the coming weeks.

All of the groups, which include singer-songwriter Todd Agnew, the David Crowder Band, Shane & Shane, Casting Crowns and Norma Jean, are on a national tour.

The recent rise of concerts continues to show that medium-sized cities, such as Jackson, can still attract church-to-arena acts.

Patti Lynn Courtney, a die-hard Christian music fan who lives in Florence, has noticed the upswing.

“There’s been even more big productions, rather than shows in churches,” Courtney said. “It’s impressive to see the big names, and also fun to go to the ones in churches and see those artists grow and become more popular.”

In the past year, major local concerts have included Dove Award-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman, who performed with Chris Tomlin and Casting Crowns; and Christian music stalwart Michael W. Smith.

Gospel fans, especially, have seen a resurgence in the number and size of local performances.

In August, a tour featuring gospel singers Kurt Carr and Smokie Norful appeared at Smith-Wills Stadium with Vicki Yohe, RiZen and James Fortune, and gospel duo Mary Mary performed at Jackson State University last spring.

While some singers choose to perform at large venues, others stick to intimate settings. Agnew visits Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson on Sunday.

On the other hand, First Baptist Church in downtown Jackson will host two national tours, one featuring the David Crowder Band and Shane & Shane; and another featuring premiere Christian contemporary group Casting Crowns with Building 429 and Tony Nolan.

L. Lavon Gray, minister of music at First Baptist, said his church congregation spans five generations, so booking artists that appeal to everyone can be difficult. “A Christian’s listening habits can be as wide ranging as what people listen to in the secular environment,” he said. “You’ve got the classical Christian to the ultra-hard rock Christian and everything in between.”

Norma Jean, a Christian alternative metal/metalcore band, will cater to rock-Christian lovers at an all-ages show on Friday in Madison.

Madison resident Sebastian Clark, 18, listens to Norma Jean, although his parents don’t approve.

“It’s the music, and even if I told them that (the band) was Christian, they wouldn’t like it,” said Clark, who attends Pine Lake Baptist Church in Flowood.

Explaining what draws him to the band, Clark said: “I have a problem with Christian bands that only identify themselves with Christians and only play at churches and on Christian radio stations.

“I respect (Norma Jean) for their faith, but I wouldn’t choose them over another band just because they’re Christian,” he said. “I believe they’re very talented and incredible musicians.”

By Cori Bolger
cbolger@clarionledger.com

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