Up & Coming Christian Artists

In Christian Music there artists that are stars, those on the verge of stardom, those only a few know about, and then those that are on their way up.  Today's blog focuses on Christian Music's Up & Coming Artists.  They've only released a couple of albums and had a few hit singles but they are already beginning to make their mark on the industry.  Each has their own unique style and ministry and is reaching their own corner of the world for Christ.  Be sure to check out these great artists if you haven't heard of them already.  In a few years these guys may run the business...

1. Britt Nicole

With 1 successful headlining tour, 2 #1 albums, 3 #1 singles and 4 more top 10 hits, Britt is well on her way to becoming a household name in CCM.  After establishing her presence with her sophomore album The Lost Get Found, she broke through in a big way with her recently released CD Gold.  With the right balance of mainstream friendly dance-pop smashes, Christian radio-ready mid-tempo tracks  and contemplative ballads, Britt has found her niche in CCM.  Expect the mainstream to take notice too, especially to songs like "Breakthrough" (below) or "Amazing Life" which are not only comparable to what you find on pop radio, but in many cases- its better!  Britt's recently signed a deal with mainstream label Capitol Records (home to Katy Perry among others) to co-promote her latest album and the title cut has recently been remixed and released to mainstream radio.  While "Gold" is not necessarily the most mainstream friendly song on the record ("Breakthrough" or "Amazing Life" seem like more obvious pop singles) I love the fact that Britt is putting message over music and releasing a track to the mainstream that actually has a message.

iPod Picks: All This Time, The Lost Get Found, Breakthrough, Amazing Life, Ready or Not, Stand, Walk on the Water, Hanging On, Still That Girl, Gold, You, Like a Star

2. Sidewalk Prophets

When Big Daddy Weave decided to take a short break a couple of years ago, Fervent Records was left with a gap in their roster for a male fronted, country tinged, worship-pop band with relatable and emotional lyrics.  They quickly snagged up Sidewalk Prophets who were so similar to BDW that I thought their debut single "The Words I Would Say" was BDW's comeback single.  Upon further listens, Sidewalk Prophets have a bit more country leanings than their predecessors and far less Hootie and the Blowfish influences.  Think of Sidewalk Prophets as the Christian version of Rascal Flats and you have a pretty solid idea of their sound.  With 4 huge hit singles under their belt (including 3 AC #1's) and a Dove Award win for New Artist of the Year, these guys are on their way up.  However, the return of Big Daddy Weave to the charts this year (complete with two massive comeback singles, "Love Come to Life" and CCM's current #1 song "Redeemed") may cause some confusion between these label-mates and since BDW already has a big following, Sidewalk Prophets may get lost in the clutter of all the other Casting Crowns/ Mercy Me/ Big Daddy Weave wannabe bands.  They need to keep releasing massive singles (like their #1 hit "You Love Me Anyway", below) to remain relevant and remembered.

iPod Picks: You Love Me Anyway, Live Like That, The Words I Would Say

3. Jamie Grace

When TobyMac announces that he has found a protegee, CCM pays attention.  Jamie Grace is his latest find and he pulled out all the stops to ensure her success, including dueting with Jamie on her debut single, the #1 hit "Hold Me" (below), taking her on tour with him, positioning her as an iTunes Discovery Download artist and pairing her with CCM's top songwriters and producers to make a hit album.  2 #1 singles, a top 10 album and a slew of Dove Award nominations (including a win for New Artist of the Year) later, Jamie Grace is a rising star in CCM and we are all awaiting what she will do next!

iPod Picks: Hold Me (featuring TobyMac), You Lead, With Me, Holding On

4. For King and Country

Its been a long time coming but Rebecca St James' little brothers have finally hit it big as this year's shoe-in for New Artist of the Year!  With two hit singles already under their belt as well as a well received album and an eye-popping headlining tour, For King and Country clearly know who they are, what they want to say and where they want to go.  Their live show is not to be missed as its one of the best concerts I've seen in years and their latest music video for "Proof of Your Love" (below) is way cooler than any new Christian band's first music video should be!  These guys are going to be around for a very long time.

iPod Picks: Proof of Your Love, Middle of Your Heart, Busted Heart, Missing, Love's to Blame

5. Kari Jobe

While Kari Jobe did not write "Revelation Song", it was her version of the worship standard that propelled the song to the mainstream of the church which led Phillips Craig & Dean to record their version which was sent to radio and caused it to become the classic that it is today.  While her debut album was a bit mediocre and I personally don't like her version of "Revelation Song", Kari's sophomore album (and first for Sparrow Records) Where I Find You was a perfect reintroduction.  While Jobe remains most popular in the church worship leader circuit, she has begun to make inroads within the CCM world with two well received radio singles to her credit and a bestselling album, as well as by joining tours that are not so worship leader focused such as Winter Jam and Girls of Grace.  I think Kari Jobe is CCM's next Twila Paris so be prepared to sing along to her music both in church and on the radio.

iPod Picks: Steady My Heart (above), We Are, Revelation Song, Love Came Down

6. Group 1 Crew

Originally intended to be Christian Music's answer to the Black Eyed Peas, Group 1 Crew has transformed from a wannabe act into a legitimate dancepop-hiphop hybrid that is quickly rising in CCM thanks to their massive hit duet with Chris August, "He Said" (below) and quickly rising follow up single "His Kind of Love" but G1C is much more than a radio pop group and they put a heavy emphasis on their hip hop and dance music with each release.  If you love mainstream music but are tired of the questionable lyrics and disgusting lifestyles portrayed in them, you might want to check out Group 1 Crew.

iPod Picks: He Said, Movin', Keys to the Kingdom, His Kind of Love, Breakdown, The Difference, Please Don't Let Me Go, Fearless, Forsaken, Need Your Love, iContact, Can't Go On

7. Jason Gray

With his latest release Ways to See in the Dark, Jason Gray has positioned himself as both an honest thinker and a prolific pop songwriter.  While his breakthrough hit "More Like Falling in Love" was a bit light on the theology, his latest release finds a terrific balance between biblical depth and conventional pop music (see his top 10 hits "Remind Me Who I Am", below, or "Good to Be Alive" for further evidence) and was easily one of the best albums of 2011.  Look for this guy to follow in the footsteps of thinking-man pop veterans Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Rice and Brandon Heath.

iPod Picks: Remind Me Who I Am, Good to be Alive, There's No Thief Like Fear, Fear is Easy Love is Hard, Jesus We Are Grateful, More Like Falling in Love

8. Abandon

Imagine if Coldplay, The Killers and Green Day created a band... it may end up sounding somewhat like Abandon.  With quirky yet soaring vocals, passionate and straight-forward lyrics, and eclectic yet radio ready musicianship, Abandon is fast on their way to becoming CCM's resident youth group band.  After two EP's and a well-received debut (Searchlights) Abandon broke through in a big way with their sophomore record, Control. Already a staple on Christian Rock radio, songs like "Feel It In Your Heart" (below), "Under Fire", "New Year's Day", "Live It Out", and "Hero" became standards at CHR (Christian Pop) radio (all made the top 10) and have helped Abandon cut through the clutter when it comes to the onslaught of rock band releases from their label Sparrow Records over the last few years.  With some recent lineup changes and a well received tour behind them, Abandon will need to bunker down in the studio to write and record a solid follow-up album to Control.  If they play their cards right, we may be looking at this generation's Newsboys or Audio Adrenaline!

iPod Picks: Feel It In Your Heart, Live It Out, Hero, Your Love Goes On, Under Fire, Hold On

9. Josh Wilson

Josh Wilson reminds me of Matthew West.  While he's not quite a radio staple yet, he consistently releases hit singles ("Savior Please", "Before the Morning", "I Refuse", "Fall Apart") that do not translate into album sales or artistic notoriety.  What's so cool about Wilson is that he is an incredibly talented musician who plays over 18 different instruments (all of which are showcased on his recent Christmas album Noel).  I'm not sure what Josh Wilson can do to stand out in CCM as there's an overabundance of white guys with guitars (maybe feature more glockenspiel?) but as long as he keeps putting out catchy, heartfelt radio singles that resonate with listeners, people will eventually figure out who's singing.

iPod Picks: I Refuse, Savior Please, Before the Morning, 3 Minute Song, The Saints, Fall Apart

10. Dara MacLean

CCM needs its own Adele and Dara MacLean is just the right artist to fill that void.  Dara exploded onto the scene with her debut single "Suitcases" (below) which was a Discovery Download on iTunes and sounded like a nice blend between Natasha Bedingfield, Duffy, Francesca Battestelli and the aforementioned Adele.  Her album You Got My Attention followed with critical acclaim, a top 10 sales finish and another hit single, "Free".  There's no denying Dara's vocal chops or her heart for ministry and worship. While she needs to pay better attention to her ballads (no "Someone Like You", "Set Fire to the Rain" or "Turning Tables" on this one) and should probably include a few more "down" songs (not everything in life is a bed of roses, sunshine or puppies), You Got My Attention is a great start to a promising career.

iPod Picks: Suitcases, Free, Yours Forever, What Love Looks Like, Unreachable, Home

11. Meredith Andrews

Meredith Andrews is a worship artist through and through.  She got her start leading worship at Harvest Bible Chapel and while she rose to fame in Christian Music with inspirational pop ballads like "You're Not Alone" and "Can Anybody Hear Me", it was her worship songs that have had a lasting impact.  With her latest single, "Not For a Moment (After All)", she finally marries the the two aspects of her career in a way that is much more natural than any of her previous singles.  "After All" is quickly rising up the AC and Inspirational charts and her 3rd album, Worth It All will release in January so there's much more promotion and interest in Andrews this time around.  The promotion of her last release As Long As It Takes was abbreviated due to the birth of her firstborn son, something that may happen again as she just recently announced that she and her husband and expecting again, but its great to see an artist who has her priorities straight.  If you like female led worship music similar to Christy Nockels, Brooke Fraser or Darlene Zschech, check Meredith out!

iPod Picks: Not For a Moment (After All), Can Anybody Hear Me, Never Move On, The New Song We Sing, You're Not Alone, How Great is Your Love, Come Home, The River, You Invite Me In

12. Colton Dixon

After finishing his dramatic arch on American Idol (Colton first tried out during season 9 but was cut right before the Top 24 and later made it through to the Top 6 in season 10 and was dramatically and unexpectedly eliminated after his version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" failed to impress his Christian Music loving fanbase) Colton quickly made his intentions to pursue a career in CCM known and was promptly snatched up by Christian Music mega-label, Sparrow Records (Toby Mac, Chris Tomlin, fellow AI alumni Mandisa, etc) and a Christian Music division of American Idol's management company 19 Entertainment was established to ensure Colton's success.  While I find it odd  that American Idol is getting into Christian Music (previous contestants who entered Christian Music did so after they has been released from their 19 Entertainment contracts) Colton has a great voice and a solid ear for melody as evidenced by his two singles "Never Gone" (which he preformed on the Idol Tour) and "You Are" (his first Christian radio release).  I predict that Colton Dixon is going to take off in a big way come January when his album releases.  He's got the look and popularity to draw in mainstream listeners and the heart and lyrical credibility to win over CCM skeptics like myself.  It'll be interesting to see where this guy's career goes.

iPod Picks: Never Gone, You Are, Everything*, Piano Man*, Broken Heart*

*American Idol Performance Recording available on iTunes