The CCM Deep Dive Podcast

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MICHAEL: So that combined with just an honest wrestling of a 19, 20 year old, you know, am I all in on this? Is this something that I'm okay with going public with, you know?

The Christian alt. rock band from Tifton, GA speaks about getting their start as Villanelle where Ardent Records president, Dana Key found the opening track, "Call Me Christian".

New episodes release each Monday.

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In August of 2023 I released a podcast series with Jennifer Knapp, going song-by-song through her 1997 major label debut album, "Kansas" with Gotee Records. After the release of the series, Jennifer announced she was going back into the studio to re-record the album in its entirety for the 25th anniversary. 

In this special episode, we circled back around with Jennifer to discuss, not song-by-song necessarily, but the overall making of the new album. 

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In this special episode, we interviewed Joel Smallbone, one half of the CCM pop duo For King & Country to discuss everything from 80's christian rock bands to 90's pop music. All of which provided the inspiration for the soundtrack to their autobiographical film, Unsung Hero. 

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 I keep saying yes because people keep asking me to play. And that's kind of all you ever get to do. Like don't stop writing and doing what you're doing. And if people say yes, then go play. It's that simple.

On this episode of the CCM Deep Dive Podcast, we hear from Jennifer's first manager and the man who introduced her to Toby Mac and Gotee Records - Byron Funk. Oh, and why Katy Perry owes her start to Jennifer as we wrap up our tour of Kansas.

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It's a very vulnerable position to say, you know what, today I really actually need you to say out loud that you love me. You know, whatever, you know, you don't have to have done anything wrong or screwed anything up. Just sometimes we really have a need to say out loud, I need to audibly hear you say, I need to physically feel, I need you to show up right now to this place and tell me that I am loved.

On this episode of the CCM Deep Dive Podcast, Jennifer Knapp recalls her inspiration from the gospels for her song, Hold Me Now along with her complicated relationship with the Contemporary Christian Music industry.

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What does this revelation mean? That, those are like, in terms of like a theological study, I think that's the question you theologically ask is why is Christ significant and what is that a revelation of?

On this episode of the CCM Deep Dive Podcast, Jennifer Knapp discusses how she was first introduced to Christ in college and the one song on the album she didn't write - Refine Me. We also hear from Kim Bontrager, the songwriter about the inspiration for Refine Me and how it made its way up to Ontario, Canada and a young, then unknown Justin Bieber.

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Oh, it's a funny thing, you know, for a while there, you know when you walk into, well, for whatever it's worth, I'm about ready to answer that. This is what it's worth....

On this episode of the CCM Deep Dive Podcast, Jennifer Knapp discusses her thoughts on her #1 hit song, Romans (and singing the name, "Jesus" in the chorus), along with what it was like working with producer and Audio Adreneline frontman, Mark Stuart and the influence that Dave Matthews had on her playing style.

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It's been a really wonderful gift back. And in fact, it's been a song for me that's been redemptive to kind of reclaiming my Christian catalog when I go out and play live....

This week we discuss Gotee Records, its label head Toby Mac and "keeping it in the family" along with the 6-1/2 minute prayer, "Martyrs & Thieves".

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I didn't intend on writing a song about that day because I just didn't feel it was the right thing to do or not and that song just came out of nowhere, it was a Godsend....  - Alan Jackson

For this episode, we pause  on our walk through "Kansas",  Jennifer Knapp's debut album to remember the events of September 11, 2001 and the songs that came out from that day. 

Featuring:
"Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" by Alan Jackson
"There She Stands" by Michael W. Smith
"Hole In The World" by Eagles
"Into The Fire" and "My City of Ruins" by Bruce Springsteen

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But I never really kind of gave up the idea that to be influenced by something or to be able to say I am, I am open to and I've loved the gifts and the talents of somebody else is not, you know, is not an exchange of something that, I ever felt threatened...... we're all in some way kind of standing on the shoulders of giants.

Jennifer's first band, "Captured", the song, "His Grace Is Sufficient" and her early musical influences this week on The CCM Deep Dive Podcast.