In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) was the fastest growing genre in the industry. The artists were packing out arenas, selling millions of CDs, and climbing the Billboard charts. CCM was often marketed as an alternative to what was happening in mainstream music. The sound was similar but the lyrical content was considered SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY — and that’s exactly how it was marketed.

There was a Christian substitute for nearly every sector of the biz; from the music sellers (Family Christian Stores in lieu of Sam Goody), to the tours (Acquire The Fire instead of Warped Tour) to the artists themselves (Looking for a Christian boy band? Don’t listen to NSYNC; try Plus One). This business model proved to be quite lucrative. By 2001 CCM was raking in more than a billion dollars in revenue annually. The genre created a movement among American Evangelicals and the artists were the face of it. But what really happens when you turn Christianity into a business?

The majority of the artists pursued careers in CCM as a way to use their musical gifts to serve God, but once they entered the industry things got more complicated. Not only were they role models, but also they were expected to live under nearly “sinless” conditions. Their lyrics were carefully examined (how many times are you mentioning Jesus in your song?); their looks were scrutinized (are you dressing modestly?); and everyone was put in a neat little box. Then, things got even more intense. Conservative political activists quickly realized these artists could become the faces of movements, ranging from purity culture (True Love Waits) to ANTI-LGBT legislation (Battle Cry) to prayer in schools (See You at the Pole). Contemporary Christian Music became both the face of and the soundtrack for extremely conservative politics and ideals.

This all put an immense amount of pressure on these artists. If they said or did the “wrong” thing, their albums would be pulled from the shelves, churches and youth groups would boycott, and in some cases they were forced out of the industry. As Derek Webb, a member of the contemporary Christian alt-rock band Caedmon’s Call, told us, “The marriage of art and commerce is a tricky marriage. I think the marriage of art, commerce, and religion is maybe a doomed marriage. I've never seen anybody really get out in one piece.”

Acclaimed artists break their silence in this intimate and unfiltered examination of the billion dollar Contemporary Christian Music industry at the turn of the 21st century in SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR . 

FEATURING: Nate Cole (Plus One), Chanel Haynes (Trin-i-Tee 5:7), Jennifer Knapp,  Nikki Leonti, Crystal Lewis, Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), Semler, Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Derek Webb, and more!