Highly Recommended – The Music of John Denmon
I make no secret of it – I think the Christian music industry is in a pitiful state. Eight years ago, bands like AllTogetherSeparate and Jennifer Knapp were “wowing” us with original musical ideas and strong lyrical content. Today, the industry is dominated by pop bands and very mediocre worship groups. (At one time, worship leaders were as musically innovative as any one else in the entire music industry.)
In such a setting, John Denmon is a rare exception. His acoustic guitar driven music is engaging and his lyrics discuss Christianity in a touching way that is not corny. His songs are a mixture of style in between that of Bebo Norman and David Crowder – exciting and intimate at the same time.
You can hear some of his music here for free, and if you like it I recommend you click on the “become a fan” link – it’s the least we can do for those rare individuals in the Christian industry who are doing good things. His songs stay on a steady rotation in my music player and I think many of you will enjoy them as well.
(John Denmon has a website and a YouTube page.)
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About The Author
Adam Jones
Adam Jones is a licensed minister who also has an M.A. in medieval Studies from Southern Methodist University. His academic work has been focused on church history, monastic approaches, and pop-culture.
Adam = thanks for the recommendation. Gonna check him out.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the state of the Christian music industry. So much of it is cookie cutter formulaic dribble – there’s little to no creativity in the mainstream. But isn’t that the case with the entire industry right now?
We’ve got a new station transmitting here in Paris – BigFish – and most of what I hear is so synthetic and uninspiring (musically). I was told that I need to listen to it and incorporate some of the regularly played songs into our worship rotation because it’s what people are hearing on the radio and, therefore, would like to sing at church. But most of it leaves me hanging and disliking the songs. If I’m not drawn to it, how will I lead others with it?
That said, many worship songwriters have to try and appease various types of congregations and to be too creative can end up defeating your purpose of having your songs sung in churches. It’s a conundrum.
Allan – Yeah, the entire music industry is stuck in the mud. It’s not just Christian music but it’s everyone. Ugh.
The problem I see with Christian music as a whole is that there isn’t anything in Christian music that you can’t get better in another genre. Musically, so much of it is derivative and generic; while I understand that the major draw of Christian music is the subject matter, it’s my opinion that that’s the only advantage it has.. there is better songwriting out there and more listenable music in other genres.
Thanks for the artist tip man. I’ll check him out!
I was just having this conversation about the state of so called worship music standards these days…
I made the point that we are too quick to accept any music or any other art for that matter that gets branded Christian and picked up by our local “Family friendly” station…
we need to use a little discernment and examine the theology of the song, and the theology of the song writer. If they are off on a core essential (not something we can have a difference of opinion on, but the essentials) then we have to be very very careful not to allow that in.
Music is so influential. Think about just in the Christian realm alone how many people you know who quote what they assume to be a verse from Scripture simply because they heard it sung in a song. Kirk Franklin would be one example of that… not taking a slam at him, just using him as an illustration…
Glad to hear John is doing so well! Say hello for me the next time you hear from him.
i’m having adam withdrawal. post something!
— John (can’t make my google identity work this morning)