How Contemporary Christian Music of the 1970's shape the political situation the United States is in today

Doug Pagitt talks with Dr. Leah Payne. She is the author of the book "God Gave Rock & Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music." In this book, Leah Payne traces the history and trajectory of Contemporary Christian music in America and, in the process, demonstrates how the industry, its artists, and its fans shaped--and continue to shape--conservative, (mostly) white, Protestant evangelicalism. For many outside observers, evangelical pop stars, interpretive dancers, puppeteers, mimes, and bodybuilders are silly expressions of kitsch. Yet Payne argues that these cultural products were sources of power, meaning, and political activism. Throughout, she draws on in-depth interviews with CCM journalists, publishers, producers, and artists, as well as archives, sales and marketing data, fan magazines, merchandise--everything that went into making CCM a thriving subculture. Ultimately, Payne argues, CCM spurred evangelical activism in more potent and lasting ways than any particular doctrine, denomination, culture war, or legislative agenda had before.

Leah Payne is Associate Professor of American Religious History at Portland Seminary