பாடல் : என் அருகில் இயேசு இருப்பதால். பாடல் வரிகள்: BRO. T. தமிழ்செல்வன்

Since its inception, Christian music has seen a remarkable journey from traditional hymns to a genre that permeates various aspects of popular culture. Beginning with the early chants of the church, it has morphed, adopting a myriad of forms and styles, ranging from gospel to contemporary Christian pop, rock, and hip-hop. This evolution not only reflects the development of music technology and trends but also the ongoing quest to express theological themes in ways that resonate with current generations. Christian music not only provides an avenue for worship but also carries potent messages that have influenced both the church and society at large.Up until the late 1960s, Christian music invoked images of church, hymnals, and organs. Traditional was the word of the day... but not anymore. The face of Christian music has spent the last 30+ years evolving and growing. Pipe organs have been set aside for electric guitars and drums. Hymnals have been replaced by hard-hitting lyrics that speak of today and a God that is fully in control of our times. Christian music has gone farther than the church and can be found on radio, TV, in concert halls, and at huge rallies and festivals. It has expanded to include a vast array of styles. Rock, metal, rap, country, gospel, urban gospel, easy listening, and pop are all covered so regardless of your taste in music style, today's Christian can find something of interest to listen to. Christian music boasts its own video shows, radio stations, awards, publications, and websites. The change itself hasn't been overnight. It has taken many years. It has required sacrifices from artists who weren't afraid to go against tradition and wanted to make music that kept up with the changing times. The Beginning of Change The "Jesus Movement" of the 1970's was when things really started changing and Christian music began to become an industry within itself. Some of the pioneers of the times were: Larry Norman - A true pioneer in Christian alternative rock since the 1960's, he is called the "father of Christian rock" by many. Marsha Stevens - The leader of Children of the Day is called the "mother of contemporary Christian music" by The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Nancy Honeytree - Nancy carries the nickname the "First Lady of Jesus Music", as she was one of the few female artists to emerge from the Jesus Movement. Chuck Girard - He was one of the first Contemporary Christian artists, getting his start in a church in California. The 2nd Chapter of Acts - This popular group released sixteen albums over a sixteen-year period. These artists and others like them took the music that spoke of Jesus and merged it with the times. Christian music became more "user-friendly" and revival was sparked. By the early 1980's the Jesus Movement was dying out and another group of artists were coming to the forefront. Rock and metal music, already popular in the secular industry, was finding a home in the world of Christian music. Some of the earliest rockers were: Petra - This group put the rock into Christian rock music. Stryper - Many credit Stryper as being the first genuine Christian metal band and as the first Christian band to cross the Christian/secular border. Bloodgood - A pioneer of heavy Christian metal, this band appealed to some that had never listened to Christian music. Undercover - This punk band brought a new sound that differed from the Christian rockers or the Christian metal bands. The Genre Stretches Further The 1990's saw the dawning of an even broader scope for Christian music. Rock, rap, metal, urban gospel, contemporary country, and pop were represented in a big way. The industry, which had previously been promoted by smaller independent labels stepped into the big time as larger secular labels bought out many indies. Much like Cinderella's pumpkin turning into a fine carriage, the small promotional budgets the indie labels had afforded turned into mega mass promotions with the heavy hitters. Some of the artists that stepped into the international spotlight of the 90's were: Carman - Billboard Magazine recognized his influence in Christian music by first naming him the "Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year" in 1990. dcTalk - Their fourth album, Jesus Freak, achieved the highest first week's sales of any Christian release in history. Kirk Franklin - His debut release was the first gospel album to sell over one million units.