Christian musicians are musicians who perform music written to express some element of the Christian religion. Generally, this music includes songs about faith in Jesus Christ and various other aspects of the Christian lifestyle such as connecting with fellow believers, personal relationships with Christ, and even overcoming doubt. These days, Christian musicians focus on a wide variety of song types and musical genres including folk, pop, heavy metal, dance, and rap and hip-hop. Regardless of the genre they choose, all Christian musicians perform some type of religious music. The market for Christian musicians is similar to that of other kinds of musicians.
From traditional and contemporary gospel music to country and alternative rock tunes, Christian music spans nearly every genre of music. The different genres of Christian music often are similar to the same kinds of genres to which other types of music belong. For example, gospel songs with lots of bass and fast-spoken rhyming lyrics might be considered rap songs. At the same time, those that feature instruments like acoustic guitars and banjos might be considered part of the bluegrass, country, or folk music genres. No matter what genre the song fits into, the overall theme is one that relates to the Christian faith and lifestyle.
Since there are so many types of Christian music, it is easy for a Christian musician to find his niche. Singers and musicians who play guitars, drums, keyboards, tambourines, and all other types of instruments can find a genre of religious music with which they are comfortable. This diversity also means it is easy for listeners to find the kinds of songs they enjoy the most. For Christian musicians, this diversity means they can reach more listeners, gain more fans, and have a more lucrative career than they would if they sang or played only traditional church music.
Often, Christian singers and Christian bands record albums, hold concerts, and appear on television and the radio. Just like other kinds of musicians, many Christian musicians travel to perform. They might travel to perform concerts held in typical venues, or they might tour the church circuit, performing for different churches throughout a region. Some Christian musicians are only interested in performing as a pastime, and limit their performances to church gatherings such as regular worship meetings, revivals, and summer Bible school events. Usually, these musicians are members of the church at which they perform, though some musicians might perform at different churches within one community or area.
