After my recent blog about Soulfest, the two or three people who actually read these may think I dislike Christian music. This is not true. Many of our juggling routines are to Christian music, and certain songs and artists have influenced my walk with the Lord. I just don't like the commercialization of the Gospel in any form. Music is just an obvious example.
So, to show that I am not a CCM hater, I submit the following:
1) I began attending the church where I had my conversion experience because of a local folk singer (Ed Kilbourne) doing a concert there.
2) Don Francisco's "I Could Never Promise You" is still 'our song' to Sue and me.
3) Francisco's story song style was also an inspiration early in our ministry.
4) Keith Green and Michael Card... Wow!
5) Sue and I saw Ladysmith Black Mambazo for our 20th anniversary. I am a huge 'fan', which is normally a word I hate.
6) Last winter we saw the Soweto Gospel Choir at Merrill Auditorium.
7) I love Bob Dylan & U2, and I consider them Christian musicians.
8) Steve Camp and Steve Taylor have shaped my thinking in huge ways.
9) Visit Steve Camp's 107 thesis site:
http://www.solideogloria.org/ourbeliefs/stevecamps-107-thesis/ He agrees with me about commercialism in the church.
10) On Jo's 10th birthday we saw Geoff Moore in concert, and it was a father / daughter date we'll always remember.
11) I had a subscription to Cornerstone magazine for years, until they went digital only.
12) We have performed at concerts with: Rick Cua, the Awakening, Michael Peace, Bruce Carroll, Bob Bennett, John Fischer, Ginny Owens, Rob Frazier, and other CCM headliners.
13) We stayed in the home of 'Song of the Year' artists Mickey and Becki Moore in 1988.
14) We attended a Phil Keaggy concert this spring. He is nothing short of a genius!