Timeless Treasures…

I had the wonderful opportunity to work on a show called “Timeless Treasures” this week in Nashville. The project is like a history lesson and tribute all rolled into one.

On the first day of shooting, we had a big round-table discussion about the beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Comedian Chonda Pierce was the moderator and I’m still amazed at the artists who were present. The Imperials, Russ Taff, Dallas Holm, Larnelle Harris, Bryan Duncan, Crystal Lewis, Michael O’Brien, Allen Asbury. The former head of Word Records and the founder of CCM Magazine were also there.

My job that day was to take notes on the discussion for the producers to take into editing. The discussion included talking about how the music got started and what kind of obstacles were faced in the early days (racial prejudice, being banned from churches for not playing Southern Gospel, etc.). It was an unbelievable honor to just sit and listen to these pioneers talk about writing songs, touring, creating an industry, and changing Christian music forever. In addition to the discussion, we did sound checks and rehearsals that first day, and then a huge concert the second night.

What surprised me most about the artists was how hilariously funny they were. Dallas Holm particularly surprised me in this area. I think of songs like “Rise Again” and “At My Worst” and “I Saw the Lord.” I guess I was just expecting him to be really serious and spiritually insightful (which he was), but he was also very, very funny. During rehearsals, all the artists who were waiting in the pews (the concert was recorded at a church in Nashville) for their turn were teasing and taunting whoever was on stage, and Dallas was leading the pack. It was great to see them all relaxed and having fun with each other. Again, I just felt honored to get a bit of a “real life” look at some artists I’ve listened to my whole life.

I have my own frustrations with the current landscape of the CCM industry. I feel like most of the songs (even in the “Praise and Worship” genre) are so shallow. They often promote an immature only-on-the-surface faith that makes me cringe. Sitting around listening to stories about the early days of the industry made me realize just how far we’ve drifted away from what that original vision was. The songs that these early artists wrote challenged people, challenged Christians, to think differently about their lives. I don’t want to bash the whole industry of today, but challenging people doesn’t seem to be a real goal right now. It’s frustrating and sad.

I don’t want to end on a downer here, so I’ll share one quick story from the shoot. Stan Moser, the guy from Word, talked about sitting in the conference room where all the head honchos were trying to decide what to call this “new music.” Up to that point (early ’70’s), there was really only Southern Gospel and Black Gospel music for Christians. When artists like The Imperials and Larnelle Harris and Dallas Holm started, they didn’t fit into either of those categories. The music was being called “Jesus Music,” taken from the Jesus Movement going on across the nation. The label guys knew they could never market something called “Jesus Music.” So, they gathered together to come up with a name. It took them two hours to say “Well, it’s really contemporary Christian music, but we can’t call it that, it’s too long.” So, they continued for two more hours and finally came back to Contemporary Christian Music. I can’t even imagine sitting in a room and coming up with a name for a new genre of music. Unbelievable.

Peace. Out.