Christian Crossover Artists
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Hollywood
Aly & AJ
These days, our girls Aly and AJ are rocking out more than ever. But these girls have music in their blood. They started singing in church as toddlers, and their mom was part of a Christian rock band. And while their lyrics don't invoke their faith specifically very often, they get some attention from CCM media -- and of course, they'll always get love from US.
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Jason Squires, WireImage.com
Daughtry
While Chris Daughtry made his name as the 'American Idol' who didn't quite make it, he went on to start his own band, DAUGHTRY, and lead pop charts. But some 'AI' fans may not know that he also led the Christian Adult Contemporary charts, with 'Home' currently at #17.
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Carrie Underwood
Country music princess and 'American Idol' star Carrie Underwood swept the music industry away with her debut album, 'Some Hearts,' which sold over 300,000 copies in its first week. While that album led the Billboard Top Ten, it was the lead single, 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' that drove the album's popularity to triple platinum status.
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Jive
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay was one of the first alt-rock CCM bands that led the way for groups like Creed and P.O.D. After forming during college, JOC soon gained a massive, cross-genre following from their debut single, 'Flood.' Although their name is based on a religious text, there was fan dismay among both the religious and secular, who either felt the band was too faith-based -- or not faith-based enough.
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Columbia
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson may be known as the woman who brought short-shorts back, but she got her start singing in her church, and became a hit among young Christian pop fans before going mainstream.
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BEC Recordings
Jeremy Camp
The heartfelt Jeremy Camp is one of the modern CCM artists who found musical inspiration in the music of U2 and Jars of Clay, but found his sound and became a huge cross-genre success. With accessible songs like 'Tonight,', Camp's taken his faith to the tops of both mainstream and CCM charts, winning multiple awards. And OK, we admit it -- his cute looks and blond highlights don't hurt, either.
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BEC Recordings
KJ-52
CCM may be known for its rock music and power ballads, but it also has its rap stars. KJ-52 grew up in a broken home in Tampa, but became a strong believer in religion at 15. His lyrics and message are driven by his faith, and even his name reflects it, with '52' representing a Bible tale. But while KJ's identity is based in religion, he also comments on mainstream issues and topics, including an Eminem song.
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Switchfoot
Switchfoot, a San Diego band whose name comes from a surfing term, formed in '96, but took their first big step into mainstream popularity after appearing on the soundtrack for 'A Walk to Remember,' the '02 Mandy Moore film. Soon after, their '03 album 'The Beautiful Letdown,' went platinum, and put them in both the CCM and mainstream spotlights.
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Virgin
Stacy Orrico
Stacy Orrico, whose sound has been compared to pop divas like Christina Aguilera, dropped her first album at age 14, and got huge before she was even old enough to vote. One of five children of Christian missionaries, Stacy got her first award for singing at a Christian artists' seminar, and several releases into her career, she was getting airtime on 'TRL' and a Grammy nomination.
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Rick Diamond, WireImage.com
Chris Tomlin
With adorable, pop-rocker looks and a warm, inviting sound, CCM darling Chris Tomlin dominates music charts and church service alike. Take one look at him rocking out a song like 'Holy Is the Lord' to an adoring crowd, and you'll see why his popularity is both obvious and understandable. While his lyrics and themes are definitively religiously-based, his success continues to grow, as does his appeal to fans of all faiths.
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Jeff Kravitz, Variety / FilmMagic.com
Relient K
With a sound that sometimes feels like pop-punk rockers Blink-182, CCM artists Relient K has fans stretching across multiple genres. Their fourth album, 'MMHMM,' hit the Billboard Top 200 and number one on Christian charts, winning them notice on MTV and mainstream rock stations. The group dropped their latest EP in March '07, and took their sounds on tour in the spring.
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Cross Movement Records
Cross Movement
Cross Movement is one of the first rap groups of the CCM boom, inspiring later artists like KJ-52, and even setting up a home for new acts under their Cross Movement label. For a music genre that's known more for materialism than spirituality, the group carved out a unique niche, and supports up-and-coming new artists like Lecrae, Phanatic and Everyday Process.
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Sparrow Records
Zoegirl
The sweet, spunky girls of pop group Zoegirl formed in the 1990s, and were part of the boom in CCM pop around the same time that Stacy Orrico, V*enna and other dance-infused acts from the CCM arena were on the rise. Since then, the girls have evolved and so has their music. Their latest full-length, 'Room to Breathe,' had some soulful songs alongside their catchy, danceable tracks they started out with.
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Rick Diamond, WireImage.com
MercyMe
As one of the mainstays of the CCM landscape, MercyMe started with Mike Millard, a vocalist whose football career got derailed in high school when he broke both his ankles. He turned to singing, and eventually combined his religious faith with his musical interests -- and founded his band. The trio has enjoyed album sales that match that of Bruce Springsteen -- of which music fans and labels from diverse genres are taking note.
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BEC Recordings
Kutless
Heavy metal, meet Christian rock. Then, add some West Coast musicians, a few Mohawks, and you have Kutless. With heavy CCM radio rotation and a sound similar to Linkin Park, the group drops new albums year after year -- plus even the occasional concept video, like 'Shut Me Out' -- which feels more like an action movie, complete with driving guitar riffs, machine guns and stark lighting -- than a cross-genre music video.
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