The Monster Of Christian Rock

Even though I have posted about the demise of the Christian music industry before, I never imagined that I would be an eyewitness. Then I went to Winter Jam 2009.

Our youth group went together. I went to show my support for the kids and be supportive and to generally support their activities. Earlier in the week I attended a play that one of our youth was in. A nice, quiet, play. Winter Jam was jammed with about 20,000 kids from all over Kentucky. They really love their Christian music, I guess. I wasn't too excited about the evening's lineup, but I went to support the kids.

The show started with a group of 3rd graders called "Pure NRG", awesomely enough. They pretty much danced around stage with a soundtrack playing in the background. They could've been singing, but I couldn't be sure. They sounded too good for elementary school kids. I was pretty disgusted with this Disney-esque display of talent and then realized that these kids are getting pulled out of school and touring the country to do this. Made me even sicker.

Then this Italian woman came out and sang for us. She was very talented and displayed her great vocal abilities at different times, but her music was uninspiring. I've heard these songs before from other female christian artists. There was nothing unique about her or her music. When she did give the audience a glimpse of her real talent, everyone cheered and squealed like they do on American Idol. I started counting down the minutes until the speaker got up.

But not yet. There was more music to be had. The group NewSong was on stage. These guys have been around for a long time. They just sing. That's it. They started off with some standard church hymns that people here in Kentucky would know, and then they sang some of their signature tunes. One of them had a line that said, "This world has nothing for me". They kept repeating this over and over and over. And then they had us sing it back to them. I felt like I was in Jonestown waiting for the kool aid to be served. I can understand the intent of the message, but the idea that we as Christians have nothing to do with the world, is well, unbiblical. Then they ended the show by making fun of one of their bandmembers from California and sang "Sweet Home Alabama". Awesome.

Finally, I could get a rest from the crappy music when the speaker took the stage. Or so I thought. He replaced crappy music with crappy theology. But before the theology, this middle-aged white guy took a stab at being funny and cool by using phrases, words and gestures that most teens would use these days. He was the typical "Middle Aged Youth Pastor Trying To Get the Attention of the Kids Around Him". It was embarrassing to watch, even when people were laughing at his jokes.

And then, like most speakers, politicians and salesmen who manipulate our emotions, he turned on the audience and talked about death. Specifically, the horrible death that awaits you on your drive home from Rupp Arena. He told stories of teens that died after this and similar events and urged all of us not to make the same mistake they made: "don't leave this room until you know you're going to heaven. This is your last chance".

This was the entirety of the message. No mention was made of what to do with your life in the event that you actually survived the drive home. He was only interested in getting you to heaven, not in helping these kids become solid, dedicated Christ-followers for life.

After this embarrassment, I left to go do something else (I walked around a bit and then called my sister). I missed most of the Jonas Brothers look-alike Disnefied "punk" band (thank God), and then left again to stand in line to eat something. I toyed with the idea of ordering a beer to see what they would do, but I balked. Then "Some Nameless Guy That Sounded Like Every Other Solo Singer You've Ever Heard" sold us his wares and left the stage after a few songs. Apparently one of his songs made it on "Grey's Anatomy". It only made me loathe him all the more. I hate that show.

And then it was time for Toby Mac. I had never seen him perform, so I was anticipating being entertained and enlightened and uplifted above all the mediocrity that had come before. Sadly, He did none of those things. Much like sports teams from the city of Cleveland, he disappointed me greatly. Sure, there was energy. Sure, there was music. But yet again, there was no creativity. He and his "crew" suffer from the same malady as do most Christian bands: they don't produce anything that deserves our attention. It's the same music and the same message that the industry has been pedalling for 15 years, and it's pretty old. But, we're buying it.

All in all, it was pretty crap-tacular. The kids had a great time, and that's important, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. They were short changed by these people. They were given a message that probably scared them rather than inspired them. And sadly, this music will go on forever and ever. Toby Mac has been around for 20 years. His audience has not grown with him. He has always attracted teens and continues to do so. I don't know of any adult who follows his career or listens to his music. Probably because its the same stuff he put out when they were kids. I could tell that all of these artists were talented, but they were "handcuffed" by the music that is selling right now.