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Around 1980, Jesus Music and Jesus Rock became known as Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), as the Jesus Movement of
the Seventies fused and branched into newer movements. The CCM term represented a transition on many fronts in
the whole sub-culture.
By 1980, CCM was an umbrella for many genres of musical styles that had been incorporated by Christians from across America
and Great Britain - gospel, praise + worship, pop, folk, country, rock, and others.
During the few years surrounding 1980, several famous musicians proclaimed a born again experience with Jesus, including
icons like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Bono, Johnny Cash, and Donna Summer. Also Rick Wakeman (Yes), Roger McGuinn (The
Byrds), Kerry Livgren (Kansas), Dan Peek (America), Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield), Mark Farner (Grand Funk), Rick Cua
(The Outlaws), Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd), BJ Thomas, and others joined the Gospel contingency.
It was also the time when several legendary Christian rockers started mixing the Bible with new Rock sounds - Mylon LeFevre,
Mike Roe, Ojo Taylor, Mike Knott, Steve Griffith, and many others. These were some of the dudes who pushed CR to quality
heights.
It appeared like the Spirit was moving in a new wave in the growing industry and sub-culture. Every year, more
artists, albums, genres, and labels emerged, in addition to more fans, concerts, festivals, and media outlets.
The Eighties even saw some bands approach the quality levels of their mainstream counterparts.
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| Interview with Bob Dylan, reprinted in Cornerstone Magazine 1981 |
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| Dylan, Part 2 |
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