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pop feature
Morgan, Remade
Postcards - Cindy Morgan With the birth of artists like Fiona Apple, gritty girl pop has proved that it's far from disappearing from the contemporary music world. In the wake of this trend, long absent CCM songstress Cindy Morgan returns with a new album that shows she still has what it takes to be an up-to-date voice. The strength she displayed in 90's hits like "I'll Stand" continues in tunes like "Deep" and "Enough." The beauty of her newest offering, Postcards, is that one doesn't need to know the Morgan of yesterday to appreciate the Morgan of today. Just like a postcard from a far-away land, Cindy Morgan arrives with both a past of success and a future of promise.


picks

Constant - Watermark
Constant
Watermark

See Inside - Out of the Grey
See Inside
Out of the Grey

pop artists
Across The Sky
an unlikely duo fuses pop with a light punk rock sound for a somewhat unique sound.
Bon Voyage
from the roots of starflyer 59 come this female-fronted version of starflyer pop.
Big Daddy Weave
energizing acoustic-pop from the southern states is the basis of this faith-based band.
By the Tree
a church's Sunday night worship band evolved into a lyrically relevant pop act.
Casting Crowns
very popular on radio, this band gives guitar-based pop a light, worshipful feel.
Steven Curtis Chapman
the unmatched songwriter who's nearly a 2nd dad to his fans; ageless, powerful melodies.
Christin Cook
this independent artist is a bit different from your average teen pop star, and it shows.
Paul Colman Trio
hailing from australia, these three guys are known for their challenging lyrics and engaging live show.
Shannon Cutts
a small-time indie artist with big-time ministry and her very own pop/rock style.
Christine Dente
the female half of out of the grey "goes solo" and delivers more personal, acoustic songs.
Denver & The Mile High Orchestra
one of the few that still have an authentic "big band" style, this group is a gem for music fans.
Bethany Dillon
years ahead of most teenagers, bethany brings insightful lyrics to teens and adult pop alike.
Everman
this "boy band" group delivers tight pop harmonies with a light pop sound.
Exit East
a mishmash of pop/rock sounds, this new band fails to make a lasting impression.
FFH
"far from home" will bring you closer to God with their melodic voices and acoustic pop style.
Keith Green
a pioneer in christian music brought the gospel in unbridled passion for our maker.
Kirk Franklin
he's the king of gospel, plus he's been a great influence on r&b as well as pop.
Jake
like n*sync? these clean-shaven guys might be your thing. otherwise, stay far away.
Norah Jones
quiet, stripped down production and non-stardom are the trademarks of today's most popular artist.
The Katinas
five brothers from american samoa sing beautiful harmonies and latin-infused pop tunes.
Joy Electric
synthesizer music that doesn't make any pretence of "cool." it's simply style.
LaRue
these siblings started in their mid-teens with innovative pop but are now more contemporary.
Jadon Lavik
the latest in the fickle world of pop, this northwesterner has some ministry to share.
Jody McBrayer
the ultra-tenor from avalon gets his chance to go solo with his own disc with a different vibe.
Trevor Morgan
after being in the background for a while, morgan gets his own debut of pop/rock tunes.
Newsong
this group has been around for 20+ years wowing old people and bringing bands for the kids.
Nichole Nordeman
stirring piano and heartfelt lyrics make up the music of this inspiring artist.
Out of the Grey
a remarkable husband-wife duo, balancing a serene voice with veracious guitar backup.
Ginny Owens
breathtaking vocals, insightful lyrics, stunning piano and large beats make up this artist.
Kendall Payne
a young, fiery-haired singer/songwriter with a rock flair is back with a new album.
Plumb
tiffany arbuckle brings creative pop/rock music with a message to today's youngsters.
Chris Rice
simple poetry that asks big questions; witty fun with an acoustic groove; adult contemporary at its best.
George Rowe
one thing cannot be denied about this artist... he's got soul, and plenty of it. he can sing.
Sarah Sadler
a young girl who sings pop songs to encourage preteens in their walk with Christ.
Nate Sallie
this guy could be a cover model, but instead he's a man on a mission for the kids.
Salvador
a unique band to christian music that brings raw latin music flavor for dancing and worshipping.
Sandtown
rejuvenating a neighborhood through music, this group of kids praise God through choral songs.
Remy Shand
a multi-talented canadian motown artist with a penchant for old school soul love songs.
Michael W. Smith
despite his voice, there's no denying smitty's songwriting skill and passion for Jesus.
Aaron Spiro
a typical sparrow pop artist, spiro may find a fleeting moment on adult radio, but not much else.
Jaci Velasquez
the latin pop star for years, jaci recently opened a new chapter with a folk/rock influenced sound.
Watermark
heavenly melodies and passionate, worshipful lyrics make this duo one of the best in pop.
Joy Williams
mixing today's current pop trends with stright-up God-praising lyrics is what joy does best.
Wisdom's Cry
a young pop trio with a healthy variety in their sound and a mission to preach the gospel.
Paul Wright
as he says, "i represent folk meets hip-hop, make it modern rock, gonna make it sound hot."
ZOEgirl
giving a clean alternative to the bubblegum pop of britney is the mission of this trio.

Compilation Albums
A Night in Rocketown
featuring the entire rocketown roster, this live CD captures personality and greatness.
Heaven & Earth
delivered by the foremost females in ccm, this CD is a collage of celtic, ethereal beauty.
Invention
Phil Keaggy joins up with friends Wes King and Scott Denté for a look into the creative side of music.
The Passion of the Christ: Songs
inspired by the movie, this disc has more styles than should possibly be on one cd.
Smash-Ups
a unique project that melds two songs together for interesting and frightening remixes.
Streams: A Soundtrack of Hope
full of inspirational, hopeful tracks celebrating our trust in Christ, and light in the darkness.
Tribute: The Songs of Andraé Crouch
saluting gospel's greatest voice, today's artists turn in their versions of crouch's songs.
pop news
February 16, 2006 - Michael W. Smith discusses drug addiction with Larry King
Christian pop icon Michael W. Smith appeared on CNN's Larry King Live on February 10 to discuss a drug addiction he held in his pre-record contract days, and to promote his film The Second Chance, which opens in theatres tomorrow.

Smith says he fell into addiction when a support group made up of Christian friends broke apart as those friends left to go to college or graduate school. "[A]ll of a sudden I was by myself and didn't have a support group and thought I could play with the fire and not get burned, and that was not the case and I found myself in a pit and I couldn't get out," Smith said during the interview with King. He later said his drug habit almost killed him once via an overdose.

King said during his introduction to the interview that Smith had written gospel songs while "high on marijuana, cocaine and other drugs."

Smith says he overcame his addiction after falling into a deep depression, which he sees as an answer to his prayers, and those of his parents. Smith said during the interview that he knew that his habit would kill him if he didn't stop, and asked God to do whatever it took to get him out of it.

He likened his healing to that of a terminal cancer patient who wakes up the next day with his tumor gone. Said Smith, "I woke up the next day and I haven't been the same since. That was 28 years ago." Smith says his career began to take off shortly after the incident.

Our thanks to Christian Music Today for pointing us toward the full transcript of the Larry King interview. You can read it in full here. For more information on The Second Chance, head over to thesecondchancemovie.com.
- Ben 

November 25, 2005 - Mr. & Mrs. Jessica Simpson parting ways
According to MTV.com, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have finally split up. The website quotes a joint statement reportedly submitted to the “magazine” Us Weekly which reads, "After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

Let this be a lesson to you, kids: inviting a T.V. crew to follow your every move in the difficult first years of marriage…not a good idea.

- Ben 

January 31, 2005 - Smith, Chapman, Others Aid Tsunami Victims
(AP)—A benefit concert by country, gospel and contemporary Christian artists to help victims of the Asian tsunami raised more than $50,000.

Christian pop star Michael W. Smith and country singer Kathy Mattea hosted Wednesday's event, "An Evening for Restoration: Music City Comes Together for Tsunami Relief," at Belmont University in Nashville.

Performers included Steven Curtis Chapman, Marty Roe of Diamond Rio, CeCe Winans, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Steve Cropper, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kirk Whalum, tobyMac, Crystal Gayle, MercyMe, Lee Greenwood, The Whites, Raul Malo, The Crabb Family, Dr. Bobby Jones, Michael Martin Murphey, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and several Grand Ole Opry stars.

Proceeds went to the international relief agency World Vision, which is working in the stricken southern Asian region, concert organizers said.
- Josh 

January 25, 2005 - Mat Kearney Gets His Big Break
A couple days ago Mat Kearney hit the jackpot. The artist who amazingly fuses hip-hop, acoustic folk, and pop announced a record deal with Aware Records, a subsidiary of Columbia. The label is a launchpad for new artists and in the past coupld years they have introduced the world to Train, John Mayer, and Five For Fighting, among others.

Although it is unclear, it looks as if a new album from Kearney will release on Aware/Columbia later this year. However, there is no indication to whether the album will be all-new music from Mat Kearney or just a few new songs. His debut album, Bullet, is available through Inpop Records and receiving lots of critical acclaim. Look for a cMusicWeb.com review in the near future.
- Dan 

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