The Christian music industry is huge. It’s difficult to believe that there are still bands and musicians that haven’t established themselves in the market. However, several Christian musicians have been around for decades, some not known outside the religious community. You’ll learn about the top 20 Christian bands and performers from this blog post!
1. Kutless
| Kutless | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kutless |
| Also known as | Call Box |
| Origin | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Christian rock, hard rock, contemporary worship music, post-grunge, Christian metal, Alternative metal, Nu metal |
| Years Active | 1999–present |
| Labels | BEC |
| Members | Jon Micah Sumrall, James Mead, Neal Cameron, Nathan Parrish, Matt Christopherson |
| Past Members | Andrew Morrison, Nathan “Stu” Stuart, Kyle Zeigler, Kyle Mitchell, Ryan Shrout, Jeffrey Gilbert, Dave Luetkenhoelter, Kyle Peek, Nick DePartee, Vince DiCarlo, Drew Porter |
| Albums | Kutless (2002), Sea of Faces (2004), Strong Tower (2005), Hearts of the Innocent (2006), To Know That You’re Alive (2008), It Is Well (2009), Believer (2012), Glory (2014), Alpha/Omega (2017), Surrender (2020) |
| Achievements | Sold over 3 million records worldwide; “Run” holds the record for the longest-charting song in the history of the R&R Top 40 charts; “What Faith Can Do” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian songs chart; Featured in video games and TV shows |
| Tours | X 2004 Tour, It Is Well Tour, Until The Whole World Hears Tour (with Casting Crowns), Winter Jam 2011, Believer Tour, The Reason Tour (with Nick Hall), Co-Headlining tour with Audio Adrenaline, Compassion International tour |
American Christian rock group Kutless hails from Medford, Oregon. The band’s lead singers started it in 1993, Jon Micah Sumrall and guitarist/keyboardist Danny Kennedy. Sumrall is the only continuous member since the band’s inception, while the others have changed over time. Seven studio albums have been issued by the group, with their most popular one being: Refuge (2001), which reached No. 21 on the “Billboard” 200 charts and five × Gold certifications by the RIAA.
2. Casting Crowns
| Casting Crowns | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Casting Crowns |
| Origin | Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian, Christian rock |
| Years Active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Beach Street, Reunion, Sony BMG |
| Members | Mark Hall, Juan DeVevo, Josh Mix, Melodee DeVevo, Megan Garrett, Jack Williams, John Michael Hall |
| Past Members | Chris Huffman, Brian Scoggin, Andy Williams, Hector Cervantes |
| Notable Achievements | Grammy Award winner, Dove Award winner |
| Formation and Origin | Founded in 1999 by Mark Hall as part of a youth group at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida. Relocated to Stockbridge, Georgia. Some members serve as ministers at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church. |
| Record Label Success | Signed to Beach Street Records, achieving platinum and gold certifications for albums and singles. |
| Chart Success | Multiple No. 1 singles and albums, including “Voice of Truth,” “East to West,” and “Lifesong.” |
| International Presence | Invited to perform at the 2009 Spring Friendship Arts Festival in Pyongyang, North Korea. |
| Recent Releases | Released the album “Scars in Heaven” in 2021. |
| Tragic Loss | Former drummer Andy Williams passed away in 2021. |
Casting Crowns was formed by youth pastor Mark Hall in 1999. Casting Crowns, their self-titled debut album, was released in 2003. The band’s music is influenced by modern worship music, and they have released six studio albums thus far: Casting Crowns, Lifesong (2005), Peace on Earth (2007), Until the Whole World Hears (2009) Until We Have Faces (2011), and The Very Next Thing (2017).
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3. Skillet
| Skillet | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Skillet |
| Background | American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996 |
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian rock, Christian metal, hard rock, alternative rock, post-grunge, nu metal |
| Years Active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Ardent, Lava, Atlantic, Warner, ForeFront, Fair Trade Services |
| Members | John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger, Seth Morrison |
| Past Members | Ken Steorts, Trey McClurkin, Kevin Haaland, Lori Peters, Ben Kasica, Jonathan Salas |
| Albums | Eleven albums, including “Collide,” “Comatose,” “Awake,” “Rise,” “Unleashed,” and “Victorious” |
| Grammy Nominations | Nominated for albums “Collide” and “Comatose” |
| Certified Albums | “Comatose” (Platinum), “Awake” (Double Platinum), “Rise” and “Unleashed” (Gold) |
| Notable Hits | Multi-Platinum: “Monster,” “Hero,” “Awake and Alive,” “Feel Invincible” |
| Touring | Ranked among the top five Hardest Working Bands of 2010 |
| Formation | Formed in 1996 by John Cooper and Ken Steorts |
| Musical Style | Evolved from grunge to alternative rock with electronic elements |
| Lineup Changes | John Cooper is the only original member remaining, Korey Cooper joined as a permanent member |
| Impact | Significant impact on the Christian rock genre |
| Live Performances | Known for energetic and engaging live performances |
Skillet is an American Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The band started as a solo endeavor in 1996 for singer/guitarist John Cooper before being joined by guitarist Seth Morrison in 2000. They released their first self-titled album in 2001, followed by the live album Welcome to the Dawn (2002). They have released five studio albums, including Comatose (2004), Invincible (2007), Awake (2011), and Unleashed (2017).
4. NF
| NF | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nathan John Feuerstein (NF) |
| Birthdate | March 30, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Gladwin, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupations | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Years Active | 2010–present |
| Spouse | Bridgette Doremus (married in 2018) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | 2 Dove Awards, 1 iHeartRadio Titanium Award |
| Musical Career | Genres: Hip Hop, Pop Rap, Christian Hip Hop |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Capitol, Capitol CMG, Caroline, Virgin, Xist, NF Real Music |
| Notable Releases | EPs: “I’m Free” (2012), “NF” (2014) |
| Chart Success | Multiple No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart |
| Popular Singles | “Let You Down,” “Time,” “Lie,” “The Search,” “When I Grow Up” |
| Collaboration | Collaborated with Hopsin, Tech N9ne, Katelyn Tarver |
| Influences | Eminem, Adele, Ed Sheeran |
| Personal Struggles | Battled OCD, depression, and anxiety |
| Mental Health Advocacy | Raises awareness through his music |
| Philanthropy | Supports various charities and causes |
NF is an American electronic dance music project from Bay Shore, New York. The group consists of producers Nicky Fox, Todd La Jaramillo, and Carl Gallagher. Their most successful release was the highly successful single “Let You Go” (2009).
5. Newsboys
| Newsboys | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Newsboys |
| Origin | Founded in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia Currently Based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Christian pop, Pop rock, CCM, Christian rock, Alternative rock, Electronic rock |
| Years Active | 1985–present |
| Members | Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, Michael Tait, Adam Agee |
| Past Members | Peter Furler, Phil Joel, John James, George Perdikis, Sean Taylor, Phil Yates, Corey Pryor, Jonathan Geange, Vernon Bishop, Kevin Mills, Bryan Olesen, Paul Colman |
| Notable Hits | “Shine”, “Spirit Thing”, “Real Good Thing”, “Truth and Consequences”, “Entertaining Angels”, “It Is You”, “Something Beautiful” |
| Film Appearances | God’s Not Dead, God’s Not Dead 2, God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness |
| Co-Founder of Inpop Records | Peter Furler |
In 1985, Peter Furler and George Perdikis formed the Christian rock group Newsboys in Mooloolaba, Australia (occasionally spelled newsboys). The band, located in Nashville, Tennessee, has released 17 studio albums, six of which have received a gold certification. Lead vocalist Michael Tait (previously of DC Talk), drummer and percussionist Duncan Phillips, pianist, and bassist Jeff Frankenstein, and guitarist Jody Davis make up the band as of 2019. The band has appeared in the movies God’s Not Dead, God’s Not Dead 2, and God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness, in addition to making music.
6. Hillsong Music
| Hillsong Music | Information |
|---|---|
| Founder | Darlene Zschech, Geoff Bullock, Reuben Morgan |
| Genre | Contemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Location | Sydney |
| Associated Churches | Hillsong London, Hillsong Kiev |
| Main Groups | Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, Hillsong Young & Free, Hillsong Kids |
| Notable Songs | “Shout to the Lord,” “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” “What a Beautiful Name” |
| Awards | Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (2018) |
| Sales Achievements | First Christian album to achieve gold and platinum status in Australia |
| Global Sales | Over 12 million records sold worldwide |
| Song Usage | A quarter of all contemporary songs heard in Australian churches in 2011 were written by Hillsong |
Hillsong Music Australia is an Australian contemporary Christian music (CCM) group. The group was founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983 and currently consists of multiple worship teams in Sydney, Australia, as well as international campuses. Hillsong has released 11 live albums, 30 studio albums, and 53 music videos at this time.
7. MercyMe
| MercyMe | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | MercyMe |
| Origin | Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian, indie rock, worship |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Columbia, Curb, Epic, Fair Trade, INO, Word |
| Members | Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Michael John Scheuchzer, Robby Shaffer, Barry Graul |
| Past Members | James Bryson, Trent Austin, Kendall Combes |
| Formation | 1994 |
| Mainstream Success | Crossover single “I Can Only Imagine” |
| Discography | 8 studio albums, 1 greatest hits album |
| Billboard Success | 13 consecutive top 5 singles |
| Awards | 8 Dove Awards |
| Latest Album | “Inhale (Exhale)” released on April 30, 2021 |
MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music group that in 1994. Its members are vocalist Bart Millard and guitarist Michael Tait. The two were born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. The band released six studio albums before going on hiatus from 2008 to 2014, with their seventh album being released posthumously after Tait’s death in 2013.
8. Matthew West
| Matthew West | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Joseph West |
| Birthdate | April 25, 1977 |
| Birthplace | Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian music, pop rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years Active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Universal South, Sparrow, Provident Label Group |
| Notable Songs | “More”, “You Are Everything”, “The Motions” |
| Awards | American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist (2013) |
| Collaborations | Point of Grace, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns, Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Vince Gill |
| Education | Millikin University |
| Notable Albums | Happy, History, Something to Say |
| Vocal Challenges | Vocal-cord surgery and two months of vocal rest (2007) |
| Songwriting Career | Penned songs for various Christian musicians and mainstream country acts |
Matthew West is a Christian musician and songwriter born in Texas and grew up in Florida. His music style goes towards the worship genre but can be considered Christian rock. He has also released two spoken word albums.
Matthew West brings a unique style of contemporary Christian music, blending catchy pop melodies with meaningful lyrics. If you’re a fan of his music, you might also be interested in reading about famous hair stylists who have revolutionized the beauty industry with their creativity and talent. Just like Matthew West’s music inspires the soul, these hair stylists inspire us to express ourselves through our hair.
9. Needtobreathe
| Needtobreathe | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Needtobreathe |
| Origin | Seneca, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Southern rock, Christian rock, country rock, indie rock |
| Years Active | 2001–present |
| Labels | Lava, Atlantic, Sparrow, Word, Elektra |
| Members | Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Seth Bolt (backing vocals, bass), Josh Lovelace (backing vocals, keys), Randall Harris (drums, percussion), Tyler Burkum (guitar) |
| Past Members | Joe Stillwell, Bo Rinehart, Ricardo Pedrotti |
| Discography | Eight studio albums: Daylight, The Heat, The Outsiders, The Reckoning, Rivers in the Wasteland, Hard Love, Out of Body, Into the Mystery |
| Chart Success | Five No. 1 albums on the Christian Albums chart |
| Notable Singles | “Washed by the Water”, “Multiplied”, “Brother”, “Who Am I” |
| Tours | Toured with Taylor Swift, Train, Tim McGraw |
| Musical Style | Rock band with Christian rock influences |
| Influence | Success on mainstream and Christian radio stations |
| Resistance to Labels | Avoiding being labeled solely as a Christian rock band |
NEEDTOBREATHE is an American contemporary Christian music group formed in Seneca, South Carolina, in 2003. The band currently consists of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals/guitar), Seth Bolt (bass), Bo Rinehart (banjo, piano/keyboards), and Josh Lovelace (drums). The band has released six studio albums: Daylight, The Heat, The Hardway, The Reckoning, Rivers in the Wasteland (2014), and Hard Love.
10. Sanctus Real
| Sanctus Real | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sanctus Real |
| Origin | Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian alternative rock, Christian rock, power pop, rock |
| Years Active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Sparrow, Framework, Fair Trade |
| Members | Chris Rohman Mark Graalman Dustin Lolli |
| Past Members | Matt Hammitt Pete Prevost Dan Gartley Steve Goodrum Matt Kollar Mike Gee Jake Rye Seth Huff |
| Notable Singles | “Lead Me” “Forgiven” “Whatever You’re Doing” “I’m Not Alright” “Don’t Give Up” |
| Discography | Five albums through Sparrow Records |
| Notable Achievements | Grammy Award nominations Chart-topping singles Extensive touring |
Sanctus Real is an American contemporary Christian music group from Colorado Springs, Colorado. It consists of lead vocalist/bass guitarist Dan Haseltine, drummer/backing vocalist Chris Sligh, and guitarist/keyboardist Jason Royce. The most well-known of the group’s four studio albums is Souls Aligned (2005), which held the No. 1 spot on “Billboard”‘s Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart for 19 weeks and sold 95,000 copies in its first week.
11. Big Daddy Weave
| Big Daddy Weave | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Big Daddy Weave |
| Origin | Mobile, Alabama |
| Genres | Rock, CCM |
| Years Active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Fervent Records |
| Members | Mike Weaver, Joe Shirk, Jeremy Redmon, Brian Beihl |
| Past Members | Jay Weaver (deceased), Jeff Jones |
| Formation | Met at the University of Mobile |
| Notable Tours | Toured with Mark Schultz |
| Autobiographical Book | “I Am Redeemed” (released on September 3, 2019) |
| Tragic Loss | Bassist Jay Weaver passed away from COVID-19 |
American contemporary Christian musician Big Daddy Weave is a music group from Nashville, Tennessee. The band was formed in 1999 by James and Leigh Nash as a duo before Ericrate joined the group. They’ve also released two EPs and one-holiday album.
12. Matt Redman
| Matt Redman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matt Redman |
| Birthdate | 14 February 1974 |
| Birthplace | Watford, England |
| Occupations | Worship leader, singer-songwriter, author |
| Genres | Worship, contemporary Christian, pop |
| Notable Achievements | Two-time Grammy Award winner |
| Albums Released | 16 |
| Books Written | 8 |
| Church Involvement | Helped start three church-plants |
| Best Known Song | “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” |
| Song Achievements | Reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Christian Songs chart |
| Labels | sixstepsrecords, Sparrow, Integrity |
| Residence | Brighton, England |
| Spouse | Beth Redman (songwriter and author) |
| Children | Five |
| Collaborations | Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, LZ7, and others |
Christian worship leader, songwriter, and author Matt Redman is from England. At age 15, he began penning songs and has since penned over 100 songs for his albums and other artists. He’s also released three solo albums and several live worship albums.
13. For King & Country
| For King & Country | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joel & Luke/ Austoville |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian pop, alternative rock, soft rock |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Fervent/Curb |
| Members | Joel David Smallbone Luke James Smallbone |
| Website | forkingandcountry.com |
Luke and Joel Smallbone, two brothers from New Zealand, established For King & Country in 2007. They are best known for their song “Shoulders,” which was released on their self-titled debut studio album in 2011 and stayed at No. 1 on Christian radio charts for the entirety of 2011 and 2012. Since then, they’ve put out five more studio albums, including Run Wild and Live Free. Love Strong.
14. Third Day
| Third Day | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Third Day |
| Origin | Marietta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian rock, Southern rock, contemporary Christian, contemporary worship music |
| Years Active | 1991-2018 |
| Labels | Essential |
| Notable Achievements | Inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame |
| Conceptual Inspiration | Band’s name references the biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day following his crucifixion |
| Fanbase | Fans are known as “Gomers” after a song on their second album |
Third-Day is an American Christian rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed by brothers Michael Tait and Trevor McNevan in 1979. They formed the band in junior high school and released their first studio album in 1991. Their current lineup includes lead singer/guitarist Michael Tait, bassist Monte Wynne, guitarist/keyboardist Joel Houston, and drummer Ryan Talbot. Third-Day has sold over 8 million albums worldwide, including three consecutive platinum releases: Roar (1992), Resurrection (1999), and The Storm (2001).
15. Tenth Avenue North
| Tenth Avenue North | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tenth Avenue North |
| Origin | West Palm Beach, Florida |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian music |
| Years Active | 2000–2021 |
| Labels | Reunion |
| Past Members | Mike Donehey |
| Notable Achievements | Released 15 original music projects, including 8 full-length studio albums |
| Notable Albums | “Over and Underneath” |
| Farewell and | Announced amicable end in February 2020 |
| Disbandment | Final tour canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
From Wilmore, Kentucky, Tenth Avenue North is a group of modern Christian musicians who are presently headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The band consists of lead vocalist Mike Donehey, guitarist Jeff Owen, bassist James Mead on bass guitar, and drummer Ben Cissell. They’ve released six studio albums since their inception.
16. Jeremy Camp
| Jeremy Camp | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeremy Thomas Camp |
| Birthdate | January 12, 1978 (age 45) |
| Birthplace | Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Years Active | 2000–present |
| Works | Discography |
| Spouses | Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp, Adrienne Liesching |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Five GMA Dove Awards, Grammy nominee |
| Musical Career | Eleven albums released, including four RIAA-certified Gold albums |
| Musical Genres | Contemporary Christian music, Christian rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Labels | BEC Recordings, Capitol Christian |
| Film Appearance | “I Still Believe” (2020) – Played by KJ Apa |
| Education | Calvary Chapel Bible College – Associate of Theology degree |
| Worship Experience | Led worship and played all over Southern California |
| Notable Songs | “Understand,” “Walk by Faith,” “Take You Back,” “Tonight,” “Give You Glory,” |
| Accolades | ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, Dove Award for Male Vocalist of the Year |
| Published Book | “I Still Believe” (2011) |
| Film Based on Life | “I Still Believe” (2020) |
Jeremy Camp is a Christian rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was raised in Nashville, Tennessee, where he spent his childhood attending church and playing sports. In the 1990s, Camp moved to Michigan, where he attended Hope College before starting his music career. Camp has had multiple number-one singles on the Christian charts and has released twelve studio albums now.
If you’re a fan of Christian music, then Jeremy Camp‘s music is worth checking out. His uplifting and emotional lyrics about faith and life are sure to resonate with listeners of all ages.
17. Switchfoot
| Switchfoot | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Switchfoot |
| Also known as | Chin Up |
| Origin | San Diego, California, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, post-grunge, hard rock, indie rock, Christian rock, power pop, pop rock |
| Years Active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Rethink, Columbia, Sony BMG, Lowercase People, Atlantic, Fantasy, Vanguard, Sparrow |
| Members | Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, Jerome Fontamillas |
| Past members | Drew Shirley |
| Recognition | Mainstream success with songs in the movie “A Walk to Remember” |
| Major Label Debut | The Beautiful Letdown (2003) |
| Grammy Award | Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Hello Hurricane (2011) |
| Surfing Inspiration | Band name inspired by a surfing term symbolizing change and movement |
| Early Years | Founded as Chin Up in 1996, signed with Re:think Records, released albums The Legend of Chin, New Way to Be Human, and Learning to Breathe |
| Mainstream Breakthrough | Success of songs in the movie “A Walk to Remember” and signing with Columbia Records/SonyBMG |
| Successful Albums | The Beautiful Letdown (2.6 million copies sold), Oh! Gravity. (No. 1 on iTunes’ Top Albums chart) |
| Musical Evolution | Incorporation of keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas, shift to a layered, synth-influenced sound |
| Independence | Transition to an independent band, founding lowercase people records |
| Philanthropic Efforts | “Appetite for Construction Tour” benefiting Habitat for Humanity, partnering with organizations like To Write Love on Her Arms |
| Soundtrack Contributions | Song “This Is Home” for the film “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” |
American rock group Switchfoot hails from San Diego, California. The group was founded by lead singer vocalist/guitarist Chad Butler and drummer Tim Foreman. They have released eight studio albums, including the best-selling The Beautiful Letdown (2006). Switchfoot has sold over five million albums worldwide.
18. Chris Tomlin
| Chris Tomlin | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Dwayne Tomlin |
| Birthdate | May 4, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Grand Saline, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary worship music, CCM |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, worship leader |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Labels | sixstepsrecords (EMI), Sparrow |
| Notable Songs | “How Great Is Our God” |
| Awards and Accolades | 23 GMA Dove Awards |
| Philanthropy | Member of CompassionArt |
| Church | Passion City Church, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Family | Married to Lauren Bricken |
| Residence | Franklin, Tennessee, U.S. |
Contemporary Christian music performer Chris Tomlin has been active since 2001. Most of his songs are written and sung with the Passion movement. He’s played a significant role in the Passion movement and has had several Top 10 singles on various Christian charts. He received a Dove Award nomination for “New Artist of the Year” in 2002 and won a Grammy for his song “Good Good Father” in 2010.
19. Jars of Clay
| Jars of Clay | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jars of Clay |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Genres | Christian alternative rock, pop rock, acoustic rock |
| Members | Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, Matthew Odmark |
| Past Members | Matt Bronleewe |
| Musical Style | Blend of alternative rock, folk, acoustic, and R&B |
| Name Origin | Derived from 2 Corinthians 4:7 (Bible verse) |
| Notable Hits | “Flood” (chart-topping mainstream hit) |
| Grammy Awards | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (for selected albums) |
| Record Labels | Essential, Silvertone, Gray Matters, Nettwerk |
| Major Albums | Jars of Clay, Much Afraid, The Eleventh Hour, |
| Career Highlights | Finalists in a Gospel Music Association talent competition |
American Christian rock band Jars of Clay hails from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1992 and consisted of vocalist/guitarist Dan Haseltine, bassist/backing vocalist Corey Patterson, guitarist/keyboardist Chris Powell, and drummer Nathan Nockels. Their most successful album was The Delay (2003), which reached No. 4 on the “Billboard” 200 charts. Jars of Clay has released 15 studio albums, including three Christmas and two greatest hits compilations.
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20. Michael W. Smith
| Michael W Smith | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael W. Smith |
| Birthdate | October 7, 1957 |
| Birthplace | Kenova, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, actor, worship leader, pastor (formerly) |
| Spouse | Deborah Kay Davis |
| Children | 5 |
| Genres | CCM, Christian rock, Pop, Pop rock |
| Years Active | 1983–present |
| Labels | Reunion, Provident, Capitol, Rocketown |
| Mainstream Success | Hit single “Place in This World” reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 |
| Awards and Honors | Three-time Grammy Award winner, American Music Award recipient, 45 Dove Awards |
| Album Sales | Sold over 18 million albums, 14 gold albums, 5 platinum albums |
| Books and Films | Published 14 books, starred in two films |
| Early Life | Developed love for music through church, had a spiritual experience at age 10 |
| Career Breakthrough | Overcame substance abuse, released Grammy-nominated solo album “The Michael W. Smith Project” |
| Collaborations | Worked with artists such as Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither, Amy Grant, and Jim Brickman |
| Live Worship Albums | Released worship albums “Worship” and “Worship Again,” recorded live in concert |
| Instrumental Albums | Released instrumental albums “Freedom” and “Glory” |
| Christmas Albums | Released Christmas albums, including “Christmas” and “The Spirit of Christmas” |
| Recent Achievements | Honored by ASCAP as the “cornerstone of Christian music,” released albums “Hymns,” “Sovereign,” and “The Spirit of Christmas” in 2014 |
Michael W. Smith is an American contemporary Christian music artist, musician, and songwriter. He has 15 studio albums available, the most successful of which is The Wonder of It All (2002). Smith appeared on the popular “Praise & Worship” album series by Integrity Music. He was awarded a Dove Award for “Worship Leader of the Year” in 2011.
Michael W. Smith is one of the most popular Christian musicians in the world. His music has been well received among Christian audiences and has been a staple in the Christian music industry for decades. If you’re a fan of his music, then check out our list of top 50 richest actors in the world to see who else has made it big in the entertainment industry.